Transportation Authority

Recommendations 10

• R1
  No automatic extension should be granted to the SFCTA. This issue should be put to the voters in a general election ballot measure and should attain a two-thirds affirmative vote of the citizens in order to be extended beyond 2009.
• R2
  The SFCTA should not issue any bonds whatsoever. Its bonded indebtedness is now limited to a maturity of 14 years (the time remaining for the life of the SFCTA). Some projects now being considered as long-range projects, such as the Four Corners Plan, might extend well beyond 2009. Management Performance Audits
• R3
  The SFCTA should be subject to the same type of performance reviews by the Budget Analyst as is required of other City departments. Such reviews should be no less frequent than every five years due to the limited (14 years) remaining tenure of the SFCTA. There should not be a cap placed on the amount to be spent on such audits. The complexity and completeness of the audit should not be compromised. Citizen Participation
• R4
  A citizens commission, appointed by the Mayor, with the full authority and power of such a commission, should be established as soon as possible. The City Attorney should be asked for an opinion as to the simplest and most direct way of accomplishing this in conjunction with the current changes in the City Charter. Paratransit Program
• R5
  SFCTA, as mandated by Proposition B, should continue to fund the Paratransit Program at the present 8% rate. The ADA requirements will put a strain on the present budget. Therefore, constant vigilance should be maintained to prevent abuse. We recommend that the periodic audit of the SFCTA specifically include the expenditure of funds allocated to the paratransit program. Outside Vendor Bidding Process Background and Finding Currently all outside vendor contracts are negotiated through a Request for Proposal (RFP). It appears that a proper bidding process is being followed. The continuance of this process should be verified by the periodic audits. Paid Lobbyist
• R6
  The SFCTA should investigate utilizing the Mayor's California lobbyist, who is already in Sacramento, thus saving $50,000 a year that could be used for other projects. Ethics -- Conflict of Interest
• R7
  All vendors and consultants to the SFCTA must adhere to ethical principles and avoid any conflict of interest, including the perception of conflict of interest. Travel and Seminar Expenses
• R8
  What is considered ordinary, necessary and reasonable travel expenses needs to be defined. Expenses incurred by SFCTA directors do not appear to be unusual or excessive. It is recommended that closer scrutiny and oversight be implemented to control the area of growth in the total travel budget of SFCTA Commissioners -- from 13% to 51% in three years. Salaries and Budget
• R9
  Extreme care should be exercised by the SFCTA to keep their policies and costs in line with compensation policies and fringe benefits of the miscellaneous city employees whose positions are funded through the General Fund. SFCTA costs should be kept in line and, if possible, disparities corrected. Funding Sources
• R10
  Proposition B established the SFCTA as a 20-year entity, and there is concern regarding the sunsetting of this entity. The SFCTA has accepted additional responsibilities and funding sources. While these complement the original role envisioned, the added funds from other sources do not have a similar time frame. It is recommended that the SFCTA clearly regulate itself consistent with its legislated 20- year life span and not take on projects and responsibilities which give it the appearance of growing toward self-induced immortality.