Board Actions

To receive the Board Actions newsletter via e-mail, contact Laura Scheper at lscheper@octa.net or (714) 560-5697.

December 14, 2009 Board Meeting

Director Green Recognized For Public Service

During her final meeting on the OCTA board, Director Cathy Green was recognized by her colleagues for her four years of dedicated service.

Among numerous accomplishments, Green provided guidance during the development and passage of M2 and during construction of the Garden Grove Freeway (SR-22).

Green is the mayor of Huntington Beach and has served as vice chair of the Highways Committee and as a member of the Finance and Administration Committee, Environmental Oversight Committee and Transit Committee.

Metrolink Expansion Plans Scaled Back In M2 Early Action Plan

With the passage of M2 in 2006, a five-year Early Action Plan was developed to get projects under way prior to the sales tax taking effect in 2011.

M2 sales tax revenue projections have decreased by 40 percent and adjustments to the five-year plan were necessary to reflect available funding.

The planned Metrolink expansion program has been scaled back to add an additional 12 weekday trains between Fullerton and Laguna Niguel bringing the total number of trains a day to 56. The expansion plan ultimately calls for 76 weekday trains, which will be implemented in the future as ridership demand increases and funding becomes available.

Digitized Agendas To Save Money And Reduce Environmental Impact

A pilot program to provide OCTA meeting agendas and supporting documents online is under way and will be evaluated for the next 90 days.

The program allows users to customize agenda packets and download only the items in which they are interested. A search feature and the ability to write digital notes on the agenda make the system easy and efficient and avoids the need to print multiple pages. 

Following the 90 days, the program, which helps to meet Chairman Peter Buffa’s goal of reducing the use of paper, will be evaluated and made publicly available.

The annual cost for producing and distributing paper agendas is more than $100,000. This paperless process is a cost-effective system that improves public access to agendas.

Board Honors Employees Of The Month

Chairman Peter Buffa presented resolutions of appreciation to the three employees of the month for December.

Coach operator of the month Manuel Lara has maintained an outstanding attendance and customer relations record. Lara has worked at OCTA for 14 years and is stationed at the Santa Ana bus base.

Maintenance employee of the month Paul Bagga has consistently demonstrated a high level of achievement in providing bus riders with safe and clean vehicles.

Administrative employee of the month Andrew Oftelie is recognized for his outstanding leadership skills as the manager of financial planning and analysis. During these financially challenging times, Oftelie has played a vital role in balancing OCTA’s budget.

Transit Police Services Deputy Of The Quarter Is Recognized

Sergeant Stuart Greenberg, assigned to Transit Police Services since 2008, was recognized as employee of the quarter for his commitment to safety.

Greenberg patrols at transit centers and directs programs such as Operation Lifesaver, advocating rail safety.

Earlier this year, Greenberg rescued two young children who were running along side a moving train on the tracks in San Clemente.