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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc min 1985/05/16 MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED COUNCIL CONFERENCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA Thursday, May 16, 1985 Council Conference Room 4:00 p.m. City Hall ROLL CALLL Present: Mayor Cox, Councilmembers Malcolm larrived late), McCandliss, Scott, Moore Absent: None Staff present: Director of Management Services Thomson, Assistant City Manager Asmus, City Attorney Harron 1. REPORT SCOOT OPERATORS' CONTRACT AND ORAL INTERVIEWS WITH AZTEC BUS AND COMMUNITY TRANSIT SERVICE, INC. In his written report to Council, Transit Coordinator Gustafson and the City Engineer stated that at the Council Conference on April 25, Transit staff presented the Council with the proposer readings. As a result of the evaluation process completed to date of proposals submitted in response to the SCOOT request for proposal to operate the CVT and maintain the CVT fleet, Council's a~rection to staff was: 1. To invite Community Transit Services, Inc. and Aztec Bus Lines to an interview with Council. 2. Provide additional information regarding maintenance proposed by CTS and Aztec. 3. Provide additional information regarding the CTS proposed rate and the use of mostly part-time drivers. In his written report, Mr. Gu~tafson addressed the issues of maintenance and contacts made with other systems operated by CTS with regard to comparable wage rates proposed in Chula Vista. He stated that representatives from both CTS and Aztec were present to answer questions. Mr. Gus ~e~D~, representing Aztec Bus Lines stated they had been serving the City for the past 16 years and are ready to continue for the next 3 years adding his record would stand by itself. Council Conference - 2 - May 16, 1985 Mr. Horning, CTS, stated his company would save the City $366,000 on the terms of the contract over the next three years. They operate nearly every type of bus. They hire part-time local drivers 35 hours or less. This type of driver would be retired military, etc. interested in this type of labor hours. Mr. Horning explained the test and training given to the drivers adding that they presently operate the HandyTrans system in the City. Their accident rate has been zero for the past 15 months with one preventable accident for every 72,000 miles. They have used the part-time drivers concept for the past 5 years and have had no problems. Council discussion followed regarding: proof of training which should be incorporated into the contract; the concept of the part-time drivers and the reliability of this program; concern with changing shifts so many times per day with part-time drivers; they must all meet Chula Vista minimum standards; the ranking done by the Committee; turnover rate of both Aztec and CTS; Aztec's required 20 hours of training and 20 hours of classroom for each of their drivers and Aztec's statement that they guarantee between 39-43 hours for each driver. In response to Council's questions, Mr. Gustafson stated he wanted ~ the Council to have all of the information on the two operators. '~ They both have excellent records - no major problems. The difference is the cost. One hires part-time drivers the other · hires permanent full-time drivers. There would not be any significant disruption if the Council changed operators. Mr. Gustafson then responded to the options as submitted to the operators and the strike Aztec had several years ago. Speaking for the operators were 1) Mary Detrich, 1415 Melrose, Chula Vista; Mr. Peterson resident of Brentwood Park, Chula Vista; Mrs. St. Marie, resident of Brentwood Park, Chula Vista; Anne Fabrick, 502B Anita Street, Chula Vista and Eileen Skelly, "F" Street, Chula Vista. In summary their comments were: 1. Senior Citizens depend heavily on the bus drivers. 1. They are satisfied with the present service. 3. Drivers are nice and very courteous. 4. The system is delightful. 5. The drivers are "terrific" - they don't want to see any changes made. Council Conference - 3 - May 16, 1985 6. The senior citizens riding the HandyTrans system are spoiled because of the good drivers. 7. They consider the drivers their family. 8. Nothing but good reports for all bus drivers. City Manager Goss commented that after reviewing all the material, the approach of the part-time employees makes him a little nervous. There may be an interim problem if the City goes to the CTS. Aztec is a solid operator and has performed well for the City. The references for both were somewhat surprising. Mr. Goss stated his recommendation would be to go with the low bidder, CTS. Councilman Scott said he is quite fond of Aztec; he rides the buses frequently. The drivers are always courteous and on time. However, because of the process in selecting the bids, he would have to go with the low bidder. A recess was called at 5:20 p.m. and the meeting reconvened at 5:25 p.m. In response to Councilwoman McCandliss' question, Mr. Gustafson explained the changeover and stated he is not aware of the schedule of the drivers' hours during the takeover. MS IScott/Cox) to award the contract to the low bidder, CTS. Mayor Cox stated that Aztec has done an excellent job for the City and has provided quality service. The decision was an extremely difficult one to make today. Councilwoman McCandliss said she can find nothing in both proposals except the low price of CTS - everything else is equal. Mr. Gus Zemba stated he cannot comply and give a low price to the Council because he hires full time drivers and they are regulated by the Federal Wage Standard Act. He pays his drivers $7.50 an hour; they hire in at $5.50 an hour after 90 days, then $6.50 after one year - 27% is for benefits. Mr. Zemba stated he is being penalized because he is paying higher wages. His drivers are more efficient~ they are more experienced. He has an excellent program going with the senior citizens and has been the recipient of their awards. As to the part-time drivers, Mr. Zemba stated the rule is "the more you are behind the wheel the better the driver you are". He asked the Council to look at his liability insurance which was good and to look at the overall picture before awarding the contract. Council Conference - 4 May 16, 1985 Mr. Horning stated his drivers are of great concern to them. The nature of the bus business is a competitive one. As to the hours of the drivers not being behind the wheel as much as Aztec, he indicated they would be more alert and just as efficient. Mr. Horning added that the transition team has been budgeted for the start-up. They will begin recruiting immediately. The motion to award the bid to CTS passed unanimously, with Councilman Malcolm abstaining. Mayor Cox noted this will be a recommendation to the SCOOT Board. MSUC (Scott/Moore) to have a resolution brought back for Aztec showing Council's appreciation for the fine service they have given the City for the past years. MSUC (Cox/Moore) for a Closed Session at the end of the meeting for matters of personnel. 2. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Mr. Frank Phillips, Civil Engineer representing La Quinta Motor Inns on Bonita Road stated that they have now received back their check plans from the Engineering Division. Mr. Phillips spoke of the undergrounding condition on the unnamed road stating SDG&E showed only a portion of the facility to be undergrounded. Bids have to go out within four days and the client feels the undergrounding should cover all of the facilities on the project and not just a portion of them. He asked if the City consider extending the assessment boundary lines and have this come out of the undergrounding funds. As far as the improvements on the unnamed street, Mr. Phillips stated they feel no improvements should be required. As to the resolution approved some time ago, the only requirement was landscaping and this would cost from $5,000 to $10,000. Councilman Malcolm noted that the Council could not act on Mr. Phillips' proposal today a public hearing would have to be called. City Engineer Lippitt said he can give the Council an oral report at the meeting on next Tuesday. MSUC (Cox/Malcolm) to refer this to staff for an oral report next Tuesday. 4. MAYOR'S REPORT a. Mayor Cox stated that the Planning Director would like to have Council set a date for a joint meeting on Navy Housing. Mayor Cox stated he would have the secretary poll the Council for a suitable date. Council Conference 5 - May 16, 1985 5. COUNCIL COMMENTS a. Councilman Moore referred to the memo from the City Clerk questioning whether the Council wanted to call a Charter Review Committee back into session to review any proposals for the November 5 ballot. The Council indicated there was no need to call the Committee back at this time. b. Councilman Moore discussed the operation of the methane gas plant. MSUC (Moore/McCandliss) to refer this to the Environmental Concern Committee. c. Councilman Scott remarked that he volunteered to serve on the LAFCO Advisory Board. He understood the meetings would be held in San Diego and he would have no problem attending; however, he just learned that they meet in Santee. The first meeting is tomorrow morning at lO a.m. Since he volunteered to serve on the Committee, he will attend that meeting; however, he wished to get. out of the Committee and have someone else serve in his place. Councilman Malcolm volunteered to go to the Committee meeting tomorrow. MSUC (McCandliss/Moore) to appoint Councilman Malcolm as a voting member of the Lafco Advisory Committee with George Krempl, the Director of Planning or his designee to be the Alternate. Closed Session at 6:00 p.m. and reconvened at 6:04 p.m. ADJOURNMENT AT 6:04 p.m. to the meeting scheduled for Monday, May 20, 1985 - budget overview, and to the regular scheduled meeting on Tuesday, May 21, 1985 at 7 p.m. WPG:O591C -" PAG