Good morning. I'd like to call to order the
much like
Board of Directors for the month of May
And ask for a safety briefing by Frank Castellan our chief safety security and compliance officer
Frank
morning, Mr. McKellen morning board directors always a pleasure to see you as a reminder this message is
Information related to things such as a fire alarm activation. We will all collectively
uniformly and calmly go down the stairs
and we will stage in front of the Metro customer service
office outside the building in the corner
and wait for their instructions.
In the event of a situation requiring first aid,
I'll be your first aid provider.
I'll ask Ms. Paney to contact the Metro security front desk
where the AED is also located in contact DMS.
If we have an earthquake, I'm gonna ask you to stop,
take cover until the shaking stops
at which point we will do an assessment
determines we need to exit the building,
we will do that then.
And then finally, as a reminder,
in the event of an active attacker situation,
we remind you to run, hide, and fight.
And finally, this weekend is a holiday weekend.
I wish you enjoy it, be safe,
and have a good holiday weekend.
That concludes this morning's safety briefing.
Thank you, Frank.
Could I ask Director Spiegel to lead us in the pledge?
I didn't ask Stella to do it.
We have a roll call, please.
Director Wapner.
Director Dutray.
Here.
Director Marquez.
Here.
Vice Chair Chaffee.
Motion.
Director Nguyen.
Director Murphy.
Here.
Director Dimitriu.
Second Vice Chair Bergson.
Here.
Director Spiegel.
Here.
Director Middleton.
Director Vargas.
Director Tremblay.
Director Angler.
Director Barger.
Director Corcoran.
Director Najarian.
Director Solis, Director Hughes-Leslie.
Present.
Director O'Connor, Director Allen,
Director Pressiato.
Here.
Chair McAllen.
Here.
We do have a quorum present.
Thank you very much.
Erin, did you wanna introduce a new employee?
Yes, Mr. Chair, just wanna recognize and introduce
our new Assistant Board Clerk, Samantha Surda.
She goes by Sam.
Welcome, Sam.
She just came in, I think it was just last week,
This week, so Monday, so why not start with a board meeting.
So Sam joins us from the city of Torrance,
and she is proficient in all things clerking.
And there's no one more happy to have
the assistant board clerk position filled
than our board clerk, Miss Peña.
So welcome, Sam, to Metrolink.
Good to have you, Sam.
Next, we have public comment.
Do we have any public comment, Madam Secretary?
I have received one written public comment and one request to speak.
Would you like me to read the written public comment?
Yes, please do.
Okay.
Good morning, I am Marsha McLean, Councilwoman for the city of Santa Clarita.
I'm a board member of the North County Transportation Coalition, JPA, NCTC,
as well as the current chair of the San Fernando Valley COG, and a long time member of SCAG's Transportation Policy Committee.
The Antelope Valley Metrolink line is one of the most utilized lines, and we have worked long and
hard to gain funds to complete the improvements needed to reduce headways between Lancaster
and Union Station. Much progress has been made through various funding mechanisms and
I applaud Metro and the Metrolink boards. At the last NCTC meeting, we learned there
is an approximately $225 million shortfall in project improvement efforts. That amount
is a lot of money to us as individuals, but in the overall amount of transportation dollars
spent in the many billions of dollars it is minute it is hoped the Metrolink
Board will be proactive in soliciting the dollars needed to continue to make
the Antelope Valley line the necessary resource for riders to get to work using
the train rather than having to use their vehicles on our impacted freeways
thank you Marsha McLean and we have someone in house yes I'll call up Ronda
Shader thank you for this opportunity to address the board today I'm Ronda Shader
I have served as a council member in the city of Placentia continuously since elected in 2016
The summer prior to my being elected is when MetroLink, OCTA, BNSF and Placentia
entered into an agreement to move forward with a stop in Placentia
Being grateful for this opportunity to bring a new public transportation option to what is an official opportunity zone
our Council began taking swift action to zone and attract both housing and
businesses to the area in great anticipation of this new transportation opportunity.
You see this area has a constituency that does not have a lot of access to transportation options and
represents one of the higher areas that utilizes public transit in Orange County.
The two-mile radius around this stop represents one of the most disadvantaged communities in the area.
Additionally, this stop is 1.6 miles from Cal State Fullerton, and they have told us that they have
1,500 staff members alone that would be eligible to take this line to work, much less the student population that would be served.
Following OCTA designing our platform,
the NSF has refused for years to give feedback on it until late last year,
six years following the agreement, at which time they have now demanded a complete redesign of the platform.
There has been severe lack of communication with our city from our partners unless we initiate a request and of course
We had the gap in any progress during the pandemic which has caused me a lot of frustration
My constituents are restless and have been accusing me of not getting the station done
I have received multiple public comments emails inquiries at meetings around town and our own
Placenta buzz Facebook group there has been multiple posts and comments as well
Because we have the Metrolinx stop in our general and specific plan
We were given twice the regional housing needs assessment because we have this public transit stop that of course
We don't even have nor do we know when we will have it
additionally, we have an affordable housing project that has been trying to fund for three years and
HCD will not give them credit for public transit points to win a grant because the station is not there yet and
We cannot provide a sure date when it will be
Do you see the hypocrisy in this situation and the frustration?
So today I'm just here in person
To ask this board to please be a part of actively actively pursuing an MOU with BNSF
That would be a timeline for implementation and building of the platform and the activation of this important stuff
Thank you for the opportunity to address you today. Thank you for your comments
Staff would you follow up with her?
Yes, Mr.. Chair will certainly do that and
Our staff has been very involved in the efforts to try to move the placenta station project forward
Will continue to do so, but we will continue to follow up regularly with placenta. We have regular meetings with their city staff
the remarks from the commoner are
Are understandable there's been a lot of time that's passed since the efforts to try to get the placenta station off the ground
So we'll continue to work in that regard
We're good. Thank you
Yes, thank you percentage as part of my supervisario district
About five years ago. The County of Orange entered into enhanced infrastructure financing does he work potential?
to revitalize the area around the intended
Transit stop that would be a Metrolinx stop and it would do a lot of things if the
Station were built the funding would be provided entirely by OCTA. That's not an issue there
The line as it runs through there is owned by Burlington Northern Santa Fe
If you go back about 20 years, you'll find there was an agreement
That provided for a stop in the city of Yoruba Linda. Yoruba Linda did not want the stop
It's Placentia under the agreement could take that spot instead
It's been a long time of frustration for the city of Pozancia as it does
impede the development of housing that is to be there.
Cal State Fullerton is now the largest state university in the
state with 43,000 students and is the largest employer in the city of Fullerton.
So what it does, if a stop were there, as the speaker pointed out, a large number of faculty, not to mention other students,
would avail themselves of such a station should it arise.
It also would relieve some of the traffic
along one of the worst congested areas, which
is the 91 expressway that runs along all the way
to Riverside and beyond.
So it's been frustrating.
Some of these stations, there are some issues there.
There's a third rail that looks like it'll be brought in.
Some of the station itself require some right away
from Berndken Northern based on it's where it would be.
It's been very frustrating knitting the hold
of the right away to come to the table and get this done.
So thank you for your remarks.
Thank you.
Like to recognize Director O'Connor.
O'Connor has arrived and is with us.
Glad to have you here.
Next, we'll go on to our consent calendar,
items 13A through 13O.
there a motion we have a motion in a second madam clerk would you call the
roll yeah we are alive any objection to the motion any abstentions
nothing none it's unanimous now we'll go on to our public hearing on title five
six public hearing for envelope Valley Line schedule expansion presented by
by David Huang, our planning manager one, David.
Good morning Mr. Chairman and the member of the board.
My name is David Huang, planning managers.
I'm here to report to the board
on the Andrew Valley Line's server expansions,
title six public outreach result.
Next slide please.
So last year, late last year,
Metrolinx spent the Andrew Valley Line service
from 11 daily, weekdays, trains to 15.
The operator for the EVL service,
which we think is required by the FDA
to conduct the equity analysis and the public outreach
for the Title VI requirements.
Or any major service that change should remain
over six months.
In March, the board authorized the staff
to start the Title VI outreach process.
Today, I'm here to report the result
of the public outreach and equity analysis.
Next slide please.
So the Title VI public outreach process gathered public comment through the online community meeting, surveys, and hearing.
The notice for the events was posted on newspaper, stations, emails, and social media.
A public meeting was held on April 18, 2024.
For the equity analysis, how we found that the schedule expansion does not create a disparity impact or disproportionate burdens, and so no mitigations is necessary.
Resolve equity analysis is included in the board report.
For the public outreach, we had 13 peoples participate
in the public outreach meetings with eight commons.
We received 76 response to the survey.
The public is very supportive of the inquiry service
and appreciate the deputies at the Lancaster stations
checking in with the train.
The public would like to see the return
of early morning train, train number 200,
And the more evening trains,
especially during the larger game days.
This student could conclude the report.
Any question I can help answer?
This is a public hearing.
I would like to ask, is there anyone in the public
who wishes to address this item?
Seeing none, I'll close the public hearing
and bring it back to the board for a comments discussion.
Yes.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'm just curious, the ones that,
you said there were a few that were in opposition.
What reason would someone have opposition
adding more trains. I do not have the information but definitely I can get back
to you sir. I'm just kind of curious no problem. Anyone else? Is there this is an
action item could we have a motion on this please? We have a motion is there a
second? We have a second? Yeah very good we have a motion a second is there any
objection to the motion? Any abstention to the motion? Seeing none it's unanimous.
Under our regular calendar, 8A is the Third Amendment to the At-Will Employment Agreement
of the Chief Executive Officer, resigned by Roxanne Randolph, our Interim Chief People
Officer.
Good morning, Chair McCallum and members of the board.
I'm presenting item 8A, the recommendation to approve the Third Amendment to the At-Will
agreement for CEO Darren Kettle. Upon approval the board authorizes the
authority to pay CEO Darren Kettle an annual base salary of $375,000 on a pro
rata bi-weekly basis and extend the his employment agreement for five years
through September 7th, 2029, and a dollar-for-dollar match of his 457
contribution, not to exceed the maximum contribution limit each calendar year
as determined by the IRS. Next slide please. That concludes my item and I'm
happy to answer any questions that you have. Any comments or questions from
committee members? Yes, go ahead. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yeah, obviously Darin
You're a great job. I think the board is very much in support of him
You deserve not only the increase but also the extended on contract, especially get us through the Olympics. Oh, Darren
Thank you very much for a great job
anybody else want to extol the virtues of our CEO or the
Very good, this is an action item. Could I have a motion?
We have a motion second and a second any objection to the motion
Any abstention saying none
You've got our contract for five more years. Thank you. Mr. Chair, and thanks to the board
That is quite a vote of confidence. I just want to recognize that and appreciate that I
Do the job to do what I can to help lead this organization
but it's the people in those chairs that are doing so much of the work to get us all done and I have a
a privilege to get a chance to work with them and and just be a part of the of
all the cool stuff that we're doing so first of all thanks to you Mr. Chair
members of the board and to the Metrolink team and when I say team there
are other staff that are here but we also have contractors will recognize one
of our one of our one of part of the extended family of Metrolink later today
in the meeting but it is a big family and I'm a privilege to be a part of it
So thank you, sir.
Well, thank you.
It's well deserved, as I want to echo what Mr. Faulkner said.
We appreciate all that you do, and we
are grateful for all of the good things
that you've done for the agency.
And keep it up for the next five years,
or we'll change the contract.
All right, on to item 8B, FY24 financial results
with the nine months ending March 31, 2024,
presented by our head, Christine Wilson,
Assistant Director of Finance.
You've got another hat.
I do.
Good morning, Chairman McCallum and thank you
And members of the board. Could I have next slide please? This graph shows the
ridership performance over the over the month the over the whole third through
the third quarter of 24 and as you can see we are over budget the the line for
So the forecast shows in red and the regular ridership shows in blue.
The orange at the top is the student adventure pass riders.
Next slide, please.
This graph represents Fairbox revenue for each month.
And as you can see, we're over budget on the revenue with the exception of December when
we had the three-week system-wide shutdown.
This slide does include revenue
from the student adventure pass.
Next slide, please.
Here we have the amounts of Fairbox revenue by month.
Through March, a total Fairbox revenue
was budgeted at 26 million or 45% recovery
compared to the pre-COVID revenue.
Actual Fairbox revenue through March is 28.6 million
or 2.7 over budget or a 50% recovery.
The amounts do include student adventure paths
which contributed $1 million in the month of March
and $4.7 million year to date.
Next slide, please.
This chart shows the ridership over the past nine months.
Next slide.
This shows the actual ridership numbers.
During the third quarter ridership was forecast
at 4 million or a 45% recovery.
The actual ridership is 4.5 million or a 50% recovery,
489,000 over budget.
Student ridership pass riders are included in these numbers
and account for 139,000 in the month
and 677,000 year to date.
In considering the student adventure pass ridership
and revenue, we need to remember that some amount
of these students already rode the train
and have now switched to the pass.
Next slide, please.
Now to the operating statement.
Total operating revenue is 46.9 million
or seven million over budget.
Total expenses are 207.4 million
or 21.3 million below plan.
Next slide, please.
This slide shows the revenue section
of the operating budget,
displaying pro forma Fairboks revenue over budget by 3.2,
primarily as a result of the student adventure pass
that you see there at the level of 4.7 million.
Next slide please.
This slide shows the expense portion,
train operating expense portion.
And as you can see, the expenses are under by 9.7 million,
or almost 8%.
Next slide.
Now we have the section covering maintenance of way,
which is under budget two million or 5%.
Administration and services,
which is under eight million or 19%
and insurance and legal, which is under 1.5 million or 10%.
Overall then expenses are 207.4 million under budget
by 21.3 million or a total of 9%.
Next slide.
This section shows the $115,000 we have netted
on unbudgeted special trains which included
the holiday train and arrangements
with the Insomniac group to do trains.
Next slide please.
Okay, the next three slides display our current receivable
and cash situation.
As you see, there's a $5 million pass-a-do amount
which actually was paid I believe yesterday.
so that that's good. Next slide, please.
These are the details of the accounts receivable outstanding.
Next slide, please.
This shows the SCRI Castle position as of March.
And as you can see, we're at sixty seven point six, which is over
our 50 million dollar threshold.
Next slide, please.
Arrow down to Aero service. Next slide.
Total Fairbok's revenue for Aero service through March
is 177,000, of which 30,000 was generated
by the Student Adventure Pass.
Ridership for the nine months is 82,000 with 27,000
contributed by the Student Adventure Pass.
Next slide, please.
The arrow operating statement shows 185,000
in operating revenue, expenses of $9.2 million,
or 2.7 under budget and under the continuing resolution
that supported the FY24 funding.
And the expenses are 2.7 below plan.
Support is therefore three million below plan.
Next slide, please.
In the third quarter of each year,
staff prepares a forecast to year-end
to provide an estimate to the final performance of the year.
Next slide, please.
The forecast we are presenting was provided by a submission
by each area of the authority providing amounts they
anticipate will be spent by year-end.
Next slide, please.
The results of this study were that the total operating
revenue is estimated to reach $64.8 million
and be $10.8 million over budget.
Total expenses are estimated to be 290.2 million
or 15.7 million below plan.
This will yield an estimated surplus of 26.2 million.
This concludes my report, may I answer any questions?
Any questions, yes, Director Spiegel.
I was trying to get it right,
but the forecast versus actual seem to be consistent
that December we over forecasted.
And the actual only month that stood out to me.
Is there a reason we don't lower the forecast in December?
Because I remember this happened last year too.
Well, I really think that in this year it was because
and I don't think it was planned.
It wasn't planned far enough in advance, I think,
for us to, for the time of the budget
that we were gonna have that three week,
we were gonna have that week shut down
at the end of December.
That's what really caused it.
not just December itself being lower,
but the fact that we had the system-wide shutdown.
And it was interesting,
because Arrow had the highest in December.
So according to this, I could have read it wrong,
but December's an awkward month
because you just can't predict.
And I just really get concerned
that I don't want it to throw off the entire budget,
but maybe we should go back and see.
I know that this past December, we had the shutdown.
But I think December had the same challenges.
So I'm just curious on that one.
You certainly could be right.
On a month-to-month basis, as we go through a year,
the month of December is regularly our low ridership month,
which was one of the reasons why we selected
that last week of December for the purposes of the shutdown.
So when we look at forecasting on a monthly basis,
we do recognize as we track the forecast
that December is gonna be low.
This was just a add on because of the closure.
Any other comments or questions?
Seeing none, I'd like to recognize
Director Engler has joined us.
Good to see you.
Thank you.
This is a receive and file and without objection,
that's what the board will order.
Thank you, Chris.
Thank you.
Next we have HC, our status of the 28 Olympic Games,
presented by Robert Drieus,
our Director of Planning and Development, Roderick.
Good morning, Chair McAllen and members of the board.
So as not to bury the lead,
I will start with the most significant development
in coordination between the 15th members
of the Metro McAd Hoc sent a letter
to Kigsey Wasserman, Chair of the LA-28,
requesting a board-level meeting
to discuss securing funds
to support essential capital investments
and operating service.
On May 17th, Mr. Wasserman returned a letter
with a proposal for a meeting in early June,
and the logistics for that meeting
are being established as we speak.
Otherwise, at the staff level,
we continue with analysis of market sizes,
location scoping for regional mobility hubs,
exploration of integrated ticketing and revenue streams,
and pursuit of grants to support capital
and operating needs,
Especially for rehabilitation and replacement of locomotives
With that that concludes my presentation. I'd be happy to answer any questions
Well, I'm very heartened to hear that we got a response a positive response and that we will be having a meeting soon
Director, um, yeah, I want to join you and I want to thank mr. Wasserman for his very quick response
And certainly Tony and I are looking forward to meeting with him for the um, the best metric. Make sure we're getting what we need
The other comments or questions
Mr. Director. Just a real quick question
The letter was very encouraging that they wanted to meet and everything have they approached us with any other ideas or it's still
a work in progress
Director Engler, they've
At this point just the fact that we got the response where we're gonna sit where we'll have an opportunity sit down our our letter to
LA 28 the ad hoc committee's letter LA 28 was pretty clear and what our expectations are
I think the fact that we have an opportunity to have that
The conversation with them is good progress and we'll see where
Where we're able to at least make some headway on the staff side there
It continues to be a lot of conversations amongst the public agencies on the advocacy at the federal and state level as well
so
There are a few different
elements being pursued at this point
Other comments or questions
Seeing none. This is also receiving file and without objection. That's what the board will order. Thank you, Robert
Next we have our may legislative update presented by Jeff down our director of government and community relations. Good morning Jeff
Good morning, Chair. Mackel and members of the board. Next slide, please
Local matters. I would like only to add appreciation to the board for its oversight of the title six public hearing and outreach process
Required by the expanded service on the Antelope Valley line and enhanced benefits the service is providing to all passengers
including low-income and minority riders
We recognize and deeply appreciate the active involvement and participation by our board in the title six process to ensure that there are no
disparate or disadvantage impact to any riders of our system next slide, please
This month I'd like to focus on state matters
Following the release of the May revise to the governor's budget this month
which projects a two-year 56 billion dollar deficit including 27.6 billion
dollars for this fiscal year and a projected 28.4 billion dollars for the
next fiscal year. The governor proposes subject to approval by the legislature
to address this deficit through a combination of actions that include
drawing from the state's rainy day fund, budget efficiency savings, actual budget
budget cuts, budget shifts and or expansion pauses, and some increased revenues and borrowing.
Our CEO, Mr. Kettle, accompanied by strategy office and government relations staff, was
in Sacramento this week attending the California Transit Association spring legislative conference,
advocating for statewide transit funding needs as well as those specific to metro length.
Our messages included, first, gratitude that the transportation impacts proposed under
the May revise, primarily seek to shift and delay funding of some programs or cut unallocated
funding for the future rather than to cut largely from existing allocations of funds
that operators presently depend upon.
Ninety-three percent of the transportation funding agreed to and committed in current
and future budgets as part of the multi-year budget agreement passing in 2023 remain in
the May revise.
is a notable preservation of funding within the context of a current $56 billion budget
deficit projection. The cuts could have been worse. However, we also noted in our meetings
with legislator and budget committee staffs the unpredictable nature of future funding
due to the shift of $1.3 billion from the general fund to the greenhouse gas emissions
reductions fund, which is reliant upon cap and trade auction revenues for future funding
that is proposed in the May revise.
While these revenues have been steady in recent quarters, there is no guarantee they will
be so in the future.
And additionally, there are many claims on GGRF funds that could potentially compete
for these resources.
We and our CTA partners pressed the need for protection of these funds from siphoning off
for other purposes in future budgets as critical to honoring the commitments of the administration
to transit.
Finally, we also advocated for the immediate release or as soon as possible, hopefully buyer
before June 30, the end of this fiscal year, of the TIRCP allocation set to be released
April 30 that were temporarily frozen by the administration as it finalized its May revised
proposal to the legislature. This will remain an advocacy priority for the remainder of
the fiscal year or as long as it takes until these funds are released.
In federal matters, we continue to advocate our RAISE application of $25 million to fund
seven new tier four locomotives, and our joint climate pollution reduction grant application
with LA Metro, OCTA, and others that would fund two Metrolink AVL projects, the Balboa
to Sierra Highway double-track project and the Lancaster Station improvements project.
We are also actively advocating for Metrolink earmark submissions, and we hope that the
appropriations bills will pass this summer that is currently the timeline
that's been set by House leadership and we will keep you apprised. This concludes
my report and I'm happy to take any questions. Thank you. Thank you Jeff. Any
questions or comments? Yes, Dr. Spiegel. I'm just curious and I haven't heard
anything. Is there any funding going to the bullet train? Sorry to throw that at you.
State funding. Pardon? State funding to the bullet train, no. I don't believe so.
I'm just curious because it was such a priority and when we're talking about losing day-to-day
transportation because of budget cuts, I wanted to make sure that we watch that.
And if I could, Director Spiegel, a year or two ago there was a conversation regarding
the state budget and it was part of a broker deal that ultimately led to more money coming
to public transit.
The legislature granted the governor, it was a few billion dollars that was sort of being
held in abeyance and it was part of a larger package on transportation.
There hasn't been additions to that from any of the, from the last two budgets.
It was unlocking bond proceeds from a few years ago that was part of the deal.
But as far as the annual budget cycle, nothing in the last two years.
Any other comments or questions?
Thank you, Jeff. This is a receiving file and without objection. That's what the board order
Next we go on to our chief executive officers report. Thank you. Mr. Chair. Next slide, please
So a few a few good news stories
We've been able to share with the board the great work that's happened in our out of our program delivery team and
We had one of our large projects that I was recognized
that we've done in partnership with OCTA,
the Cypress Shores landslide project in San Clemente
was recognized at the national level
for the team's efforts to, you'll recall three years ago
when the slide occurred in September of 2020,
or excuse me, 2021,
that we had to move in short order
to protect the tracks.
We did have to close the tracks for a while,
but in partnership with those ETA,
we proceeded with that project.
It was great to receive national recognition of that.
Next slide.
Similarly, the Construction Management Association
of America of Southern California has recognized Metrolink
as the owner of the year.
This is actually a pretty big deal for us
in recognizing the team, the program delivery team
And what we understand set us apart is we've worked really hard with the CMAA to be a part of their internship program.
Last summer we had eight or ten interns that came to us from CA, both civil engineers and construction management interns.
We're doing the program again this year, and CMAA Southern California recognized the role that we're playing in bringing on the next generation of professionals
of professionals on the engineering side of the world.
So, again, a great tribute to Justin Fournelli
and his team being recognized as owner of the year.
That'll be at the, it's in June
that there's a ceremony recognizing that.
Next slide.
This is some new news, just came really hot off the presses
earlier this week.
The Federal Railroad Administration finalized rules
related to safety certification.
For a long time, engineers and conductors
have had to go through a safety certification process.
But what is new now is that our dispatchers
as well as signal employees are gonna have to go through
a very similar certified safety certification process.
We have about 30 to somewhere between,
we're still trying to determine with FRA
all the employees that this will apply to.
It's anywhere between 30 and 45
that are Metrolink employees, Metrolink proper employees.
You'll recall our engineers and conductors
that have to go through certification.
Those are Amtrak employees.
We are gonna have to go through this effort
with our employees as well as our contractors
will have to update their certification process
for dispatchers and signal employees.
We have a very short timeframe.
We have to have this certification program completed
by March 17th of 2025.
It's 240 days from a start date
that occurs in July, I believe.
So we have a little bit of work ahead of us
to make sure that we're ready to comply
with those FRA rules.
So just stay tuned on that as we develop the program.
We have a head start.
We've already gotten some,
we've already started making some headway on it
because we saw the rule coming,
but we do have a short timeframe in which to comply.
Next slide.
So again, some of our promotional campaigns,
we had a very successful bike week
and we start on Tuesday after Memorial Day
with the $15 summer day pass.
That has been a tremendously successful program.
We've done it the last two summers
and it has helped us again grow ridership
where someone just simply buys the day pass
and go anywhere in our system throughout the summer.
Next slide.
And this is something we're really excited to share.
I mentioned I alluded to this earlier,
but we have a legacy conductor who is retiring,
he's retiring today.
Today is his last day of service,
and so this came to our attention,
actually, through our general counsel.
So Don Del Rio was in an executive team,
and he was talking with Richard,
and was mentioning that Richard's retiring.
It's Albertre, Albertre, Richard Albertre.
And Don, who's been riding our train,
has said, hey, he's retiring.
He's been a great conductor.
He's been with us for 30 years.
And so we just wanted to recognize Richard
for his years of service to Metrolink
as a conductor on our system on the Orange County line.
Richard, did you work any other lines,
or was it only the Orange County line?
So, Richard, as we oftentimes say,
our conductors become, I mean,
they're part of our Metrolink family, absolutely,
but they also create their own families on the train.
And so Richard, his, the riders on his train
brought in a ton of food today, donuts and pastries
and everything else to recognize Richard's retirement.
Richard's here with his wife and his daughter.
Again, Richard wanted to recognize you
and acknowledge you, and thank you
for your 30 years of service to Metrolink.
We say this regularly on Valentine's Day,
but love is in the air at Metrolink.
So, again, Richard and family, congratulations.
as sure I've known Richard since he started here, I've been writing back and forth and
training with him, he's always had a smile and a special greeting when he boards the
train and this morning he got a staying ovation for all the regular writers this morning.
Fantastic, fantastic. Good work. All right. We'll miss you. Yes. Understand. Next slide.
So we have a little bit of a celebration here, also.
There have been a lot of graduations.
We've been talking a lot about graduations, month of May.
But you will recognize these two new law student graduates,
our own board member, Lauren Hughes-Leslie,
and Sharon Castaneda, who works for Don Del Rio
on our legal department, both graduated from Southwestern Law
school Saturday Friday Friday so congratulations to the two of you you
didn't know it was gonna happen when you sent me that picture did you and next
comes to the bar yeah you're right yeah yeah yeah and that comes next comes the
bar and I think I think that next slide and so just real quickly not on the
slide deck those I did want to recognize another member of our extended
Metrolink family Gary Israelson who has been for all intents is our primary
point of contact for Amtrak on our contract has just been promoted to an
associate vice president for Amtrak so he will be no longer our direct point of
contact but I want to acknowledge Gary has been great to work within my time
here at Metrolink for three years. Absolutely bends over backwards to try to
do everything he can to ensure that we're staffed, making sure we have the
people we need to run our trains. It's a congratulations to Gary and Anna, thanks
for your time with us at Metrolink as well. And he's still staying on the West
Coast in Southern California. His offices are still going to be in LA Union
Station and his phone number's not changing, so we are still going to be
able to if we need to call in extra reinforcements but thank you Gary for
your time I appreciate it. Mr. Chair that concludes my remarks. Very good thank you.
Next we have board member comments anybody? Go ahead Dr. Spiegel. Just real
quick I know this is a weekend and some people just make it barbecues and
everything else but I hope that we each take a moment to understand that this
weekend is honoring those that have lost their lives at a time when they are
protecting our freedoms and we often take it for granted and this is not
Veterans Day and I know that it's awkward to say this but it's the one day
of the year you don't say thank you to a veteran and they will understand that
you could thank them for their service but the focus is on those that lost
their lives and so I hope that you all take some activity whether it's at a
service or a walk or the different things that are going on but take some
time because that's the reason we have a holiday. It's not to go out and have a barbecue and
have fun, but you can do that as long as you take reference to it. Thank you.
Others? Any others? Very good. We'll go on to Chair's comments since Director Spiegel
stole most of my comments. She did it more eloquently than I would. But yes, Memorial
Day is a special day for remembering those who have given their lives for our freedoms.
And so remember as you're out with family picnicking or whatever, even staying at home,
take a few moments and remember all of those that have given their lives and what this
day, Memorial Day really means. Thank you. Next we have closed session. Don Del Rio,
would you read us in the closed session?
Thank you, Chair. The board will now go into closed session on items 12a, 12b, and 12c
as described in today's agenda. Thank you.
Thank you. We will adjourn into closed session.
We'll reconvene, open session. Ask the attorney to redo, uh, to, uh, if there's any, uh, action
that we need to announce.
No action.
Very good. Then we stand adjourned.