Regional Transportation Authority

The inaugural meeting of the Regional Citizens Advisory Board was called to order at 9:37 a.m. on Thursday, April 8, 2010, at the headquarters of the Regional Transportation Authority, Board Room, located at 175 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL. Interim Chair, Phil Bus was in the chair and Staff Liaison Gil Feliciano was present.

Also present were RCAB members: Steven Avalos, Chris Canning, James Hogan, Kelly Maggio-Walker, Andrea Powell, Sheila Schultz, Paul Shadle, Leo Webster and Lucille Zucchero.

P. Bus welcomed all and briefly summarized his professional background. Each RCAB member present then introduced themselves.

RTA Executive Director, Steve Schlickman introduced RTA staff who were present: Public Outreach Manager, Gil Feliciano; C.F.O. Joseph Costello; Director of Communications, Diane Palmer; General Counsel, Andrew Gruber; External Auditor Carol Lambert.

Transit Advocate and Pace CAB member Adam Kerman introduced himself. Reporter Mary Wisniewski of the Chicago Sun Times was acknowledged.

Steve Schlickman described RTA expectations of RCAB. RCAB is expected to focus on how to add value to what RTA is doing and what CTA, Pace, Metra can do to get on board. RTA wants to excite RCAB about their role and hopes to hear good thoughts, critical reactions and new ideas RCAB might want to pursue. RCAB to be "eyes and ears" as you use the transit system. RTA interested in how the system affects RCAB members' communities. RTA also expects an identification on what should be accomplished this year within the next two meetings.

At the request of Chairman Bus, Mr. Feliciano read the Illinois statute creating RCAB.

P. Bus then reviewed the proposed RCAB Bylaws and requested comments. A motion was made and unanimously adopted that: "the phrase 'consist of' in Article I be changed to 'relate to.'"

A motion was made and unanimously adopted that: "Article II be adopted.'"

A motion was made and unanimously adopted that: "the phrase 'or Vice Chair' in Article III, Section 2, be added between 'Chair' and 'shall.'"

A motion was made and unanimously adopted that: "Article IV be adopted.'"

A motion was made and unanimously adopted that: "Articles V and VI be adopted.'"

Each RCAB member spoke briefly of their expectations as members of RCAB: Mr. Shadle spoke briefly of his expectations including desire to provide feedback on service. Ms. Zucchero noted the diversity present and the lack of adequate transit in DuPage County. Mr. Webster would like to call attention to rider issues. Ms. Schultz noted she lives in Cook County, but travels in Lake County and uses all three services. Working with Pace CAB has been rewarding. Ms. Powell said she expects RTA to allow RCAB to do what RTA wants it to do. All three service boards are available in her area. She also indicated community views differ widely on service boards. Ms. Maggio-Walker expects to learn more about transportation and provide feedback particularly from her hotel business clients. Mr. Hogan used transit whole life and would like to see better coordinated transportation in Will County and increased service; Mr. Canning expects RTA to express its desires to RCAB and continually educate RCAB on RTA activities and issues and its collaboration with organizations like CMAP. Strong administrative RTA support and solid feedback from RCAB expected. RTA input RCAB will help RCAB input RTA; Mr. Avalos echoed much of prior comments and included a desire to review some of RTA's programs and policies; P. Bus interested in land use/transportation relationships as well as the relationship between Moving Beyond Congestion and CMAP plans.

Steve Schlickman underscored his desire to see RCAB add value to RTA by way of meaningful public input and expects RCAB to prioritize issues and areas of education by RTA in order to leverage time together.

Steve Schlickman gave an overview of the RTA's history with some attention to the fact they are not system operators like the Service Boards. Its legislative history as well as its statutory powers were briefly presented. He also gave a retrospective account of his five years at the RTA. RCAB members responded that the remarks were informative.

A brief discussion was held regarding RCAB's meeting structure and time needed to devote to meetings. There was a general agreement meetings will be 90 minutes but no more than 2 hours. Start time 9:00 a.m. RTA presentations will be helpful – examples included: Planning efforts like Moving Beyond Congestion and Strategic Plan Update, financial breakdown of service board and RTA monies and RTA's broad outreach along with service boards' specific outreach efforts. Lastly, focus for next meeting will be on RTA public input process.

The next RCAB meeting will be before RTA's June 24 Board meeting. It will take place either June 10 or June 17. Mr. Feliciano to send e-mail soliciting member preferences and documents including 2010 RTA Board meeting schedule and Board agendas and RTA system maps.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:51 a.m.

Gil Feliciano

RTA Staff Liaison