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Executive Director's Report

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR STEVE HEMINGER’S REPORT TO THE
COMMISSION MEETING OF NOVEMBER 18, 2009

SUMMARY OF EVENTS:

BATA Bond Sale
New York, October 28

Despite the closure of the Bay Bridge for emergency repairs, Brian Mayhew and his finance team were able to complete a $1.4 billion sale of taxable “Build America Bonds” at a net rate (including the federal tax subsidy) of 4.07%.

Commonwealth Club
San Francisco, October 29

I joined FTA Deputy Administrator Therese McMillan in a panel discussion about the future of transportation finance both in California and nationwide. Therese seems to be having a grand old time in federal service.

New AC Transit General Manager
Oakland, October 29

Former Alameda County Supervisor and MTC Commissioner Mary King has been named Interim General Manager of AC Transit, replacing Rick Fernandez who retired from the agency after completing 13 years as its longest-serving chief executive.

Rail-Volution Conference
Boston, October 30 – November 1

I joined several commissioners and MTC staff at this annual meeting devoted to the challenges and rewards of transit-oriented development. Our own Doug Johnson participated in two discussion panels at the event.

SB 375 Workshop
Oakland, November 3

Henry Gardner and I hosted an all-day workshop of our peers from the metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) representing the Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Central Valley areas to share information and strategies for complying with the greenhouse gas emission reduction mandate of Senate Bill 375 (Steinberg). We expect to continue these meetings and rotate the sessions around the state, with the next one scheduled for San Diego soon after the New Year.

Toll Bridge Program Oversight Committee
Oakland, November 5

I joined my Oversight Committee colleagues Randy Iwasaki and Bimla Rhinehart in meetings with American Bridge/Fluor, the prime contractor on the self-anchored suspension (SAS) contract for the new east span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. We discussed several strategies for accelerating the shop drawing work underway in Vancouver and the steel fabrication activities in Shanghai. We will provide a full status report at the BATA Oversight Committee meeting on December 9th.

SB 375 Workshop
San Rafael, November 7

I attended my second climate change workshop of the week at the invitation of Commissioner Kinsey at an event sponsored by the Transportation Authority of Marin.

ARRA Status Report

This month’s status report for projects funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) shows that contract awards are picking up the pace, with nearly 70% of ARRA funded construction and procurement work now underway.

Map of the Month

The map of the month highlights the impact of combined housing and transportation costs on low-moderate income households in the Bay area. The income range for households in this classification is $35,000 to $60,000. These data were derived through a study conducted by the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) in order to better understand variations in housing and transportation affordability at the neighborhood level. CNT recommends that combined housing and transportation costs not exceed 48% of a household’s income.


MTC Operational Statistics

The monthly report on the performance of MTC’s operating programs:


Upcoming Events

November 19 — CARB Hearing on SB 375, Sacramento

December 1 — Bay Area Partnership, Oakland

December 3 & 7 — BATA Toll Hearings, Concord and San Francisco

December 13-15 — IBTTA Finance Summit, Washington DC

December 17 — MTC Holiday Party, Oakland



Previous Executive Director's Reports