Board Actions

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Aug. 23, 2010 Board Meeting

CEO Kempton Receives Contract Extension

The board voted to extend CEO Will Kempton’s employment contract for an additional year. Kempton’s original three-year contract is now scheduled to end July 31, 2013. All other terms of his contract, including salary and benefits, will remain the same.

Recently, Kempton presented the board with an update on the progress of his CEO Action Plan, which incorporates goals for 2010.

Among other accomplishments, in the second quarter of 2010, the California Transportation Commission allocated $357.4 million in Proposition 1B and Proposition 116 funding for Orange Freeway (SR-57) widening, West County Connectors project and the Metrolink service expansion program.

Measure M2 Progress Report Highlights Transportation Projects

The board was presented with the Measure M2 progress report, for the period of April through June 2010. The report highlights work accomplished on numerous transportation projects.

The quarterly updates for projects funded by M2, the half-cent transportation sales tax for transportation improvements, are available on OCTA’s website: www.octa.net.

Project highlights include:

• Construction of the new eastbound lane for the Riverside Freeway (SR-91) is more than 60 percent complete. The project is expected to be finished later this year.
• The final design on the West County Connectors is complete and slated to begin construction.
• Rail safety enhancements at 50 railroad crossings are under way, with continued construction in Anaheim, Orange and Tustin.
• The railroad grade separation program, called O.C. Bridges, is moving forward on schedule with continued work on the Orangethorpe Avenue railroad crossing.
  

Also, 22 additional bus/shuttle concepts moved into step two of Go Local, a four-step program designed to enhance connections between Metrolink stations and surrounding communities.

Construction Firm Selected For Tustin Metrolink Parking Expansion

Bomel Construction Company, Inc. was awarded the contract for the addition of 506 parking spaces at the Tustin Metrolink station.

Currently, station parking is at capacity. OCTA expects the parking demand to increase with the increase in Metrolink service. The cost of construction is estimated at $12 million, 17 percent below the original estimated cost.

Construction is expected to begin this fall.

Board Honors August Employees Of The Month

Chairman Jerry Amante presented resolutions of appreciation to the three employees of the month for August.

Maintenance employee of the month Esteban Gonzalez, who is stationed at the Santa Ana bus base, is an expert in troubleshooting and repair. He continually seeks to improve his personal knowledge in all areas of maintenance.

Administrative employee of the month Barbara Cramer, an office specialist in the risk management department, is responsible for keeping OCTA’s workers’ compensation program in compliance with state law.

Board Recognizes Three Outgoing Citizens’ Advisory Committee Members

Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) members Eugene Kirkham, Mark McCurdy and Jack Mallinckrodt, whose two-year terms have expired, were recognized by the board for their service to OCTA and the residents of Orange County.

The CAC is a 34-member panel that plays a vital role in efforts to incorporate public feedback regarding transportation projects and programs. 

In the past year, the CAC has provided input on a variety of programs including the West County Connectors outreach program, OCTA’s budget and the Metrolink intracounty $6 day pass.