Fee Transparency Project

Present: Andy, Jhertau, Gabrielle, Katie, Lauren, Shirley, Mel, Marshall, Trey, Lucy, Lydia, Dan

Welcome and Introductions
1. Members introductions: Name, Pronouns, Year, Major, and Space.
2. Order: Cowell, Crown, Kresge, Merrill, Porter, C9, JRL, Oakes, GSA, GSC, SAB, Provost, Jade, Lisa, Lydia, Lucy, Jade
3. Guest: Dan Henderson.
Approval of Agenda and Minutes (2/1/24)
1. Mel motions to approve the agenda and minutes, Marshall seconds. Motion passes.
Announcements & Updates
1. Subcommittee updates
  1. Weekly meeting on Tuesday at 10:30am - 11:30am over Zoom.
    1. Will be tabling on Tuesday from 10-1 in Bay Tree.
2. Other announcements
  1. Random Act of Kindness Day is Feb 16.
  2. This weekend is Lunar New Year, there are festivities happening around to celebrate.
TAPS Transit Fee Presentation by Dan Henderson (1:40 - 2:00)
1. Presentation: This is as it relates to Measure 73.
  1. This was enacted in 2019, expected to sunset in 2029. $111.66. As a result of this, TAPS maintained 2018 service levels and a reserve for zero-emission buses. Metro agreement included.
  2. EOY FY23: carryforward from 22 was 2 million, carryover from covid-based reductions. 9 million was from student fees, some went to return to aid. Total operating budget of 11 million from FY23.
  3. Lucy asks if the expenses laid out are the same as anticipated in the referenda? Dan says yes, this was mostly anticipated, especially around Metro. Supplies higher than usual because of fuel. Fluctuates depending on factors.
  4. Lisa says that the increases each year were meant for the working capital to buy new buses, is this still the case? Dan does not have the specific data, can do analysis for contributions vs. increases each year. Increases were designed to build reserve and offer same level of service due to inflation and increasing costs. Lisa says that over a $1 million was paid back to students during COVID.
  5. Ridership: fall campus transit service hours increased 15% in fall 2023 compared to fall 2022. 63 percent of ridership on metro.
  6. Working with metro to increase weekday service to pre-covid levels. Equal pre covid capacity levels, bendy buses have helped with that. Weekday trip frequency not yet at pre covid levels. Prioritizing training programs for drivers, increased driver roster. Started student driver training program in pilot phase. Cannot have drivers without transit.
  7. No bus dealership, working towards electrical infrastructure to support EV buses on campus. Procurement schedule beyond two initial buses. Would like to buy 16-20 buses in coming years. Locating bridge buses in meantime.
  8. Electric buses currently cost $1.1 million, take 2 years for procurement. Diesel buses are 700,000, takes 18 months to get to campus.
  9. Lucy asks if loans can be used? Dan says yes, through campus to have low interest, but after the campus transit fee sunsets the loan will still need to be paid.
  10. Cannot have transit in a deficit.
  11. Mel asks if TAPS applies for government funded grants? They do, whenever possible. Not eligible for some federal grants, but they piggyback on Metro and Santa Cruz city grants. They have a staff member looking into some of these options, ie PGE.
  12. Andy asks how much capacity the new EV buses will have? Dan says that Metro operates 40-foot buses, current Loops are 35 feet, too tight of a turn for a 40-foot bus. New buses will also be 35 feet and be at similar capacity to current loop buses.
  13. Andy asks if the buses are planned to be purchased before referendum sunsets? Good question. They would like to get the transition done before 2030 if possible. Lucy asks if the current reserve plan would have enough saved up? No.
  14. Jhertau asks if there are any other revenue sources TAPS is looking into? Dan says that a significant amount of funding is needed to move this forward. They’re looking into more ad space on buses to help offset operational costs, ie what CHP does.
  15. Jhertau asks if TAPS works directly with other organizations, such as the bike coop? Yes, they also have Slug Bike Life and try to connect with bike groups on and off campus.
2. Documents
Vote on the SFAC Bay Tree Bookstore Summary + Recommendation Letter to Dr. Akirah Bradley-Armstrong, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Success.
1. Lydia drafted this a few weeks ago, this needs a motion to mvoe forward to the VC.
2. Lisa asks how the committee would feel about a referenda fee tied to the CPI, that would raise each year indefinitely?
  1. Lauren points out that you don’t know how much it would be each year.
  2. Jhertau says she believes the student body isn’t keen on indefinite fees without a sunset date.
  3. Lucy asks if it would be for expenses? Lisa says it likely would cover existing salaries.
3. Andy says the language looks accurate to the conversation.
4. Jhertau motions to approve the letter to send to VC Bradley-Armstrong, Trey seconds. No objections, motion passes.
Funding call
1. Proposal reading and discussion (time - 4 minutes per proposal):
  1. (24) Graduate Student Diversity, Wellness, and Retention: Resource Center Graduate Internship - $313,097
    1. Email correspondence
    2. Amended request: $168,000 (payroll for six graduate students and $1000 per RC for programming costs)
    3. Discussion on numbers of grad students per location.
    4. Lauren suggests half of each location’s ask (1 grad student per RC).
    5. Lauren motions to fund $87,000. Trey seconds. No objections.
      1. Note: there was not quorum at this point in the meeting.
  2. (27) Stipends for KZSC Governing Board - $23,250
    1. Email Correspondence (tabled from last meeting)
    2. Email from Lisa
    3. Discussion about what the current Student Media Voice fee reserves are being saved for and fee language.
    4. Tabled until more information is received from the station manager.
  3. (28) Dia de los Muertos Ceremonia 2024 - $43,397
    1. Mel loves the program, it’s an amazing event every year. Suggests minimally funding the quarry and program costs.
    2. It’s as much a community event as it is a student event.
    3. Legend, audio, and event lighting for amphitheater, plus 1500 tamales, student interns, and programs. Comes out to $19,204, 24,254 with tamales.
    4. Mel motions to fund $24,254 of the funding Jhertau seconds, no objections, - motion passes.
      1. Note: there was no quorum at the time of this discussion item.
  4. (29) STARS Student Parent Emergency Gift Card Program - $13,875
  5. (30) Community CARE SAAM Campaign - Basic Needs & Beyond - $20,167
  6. (31) UCSC Entrepreneurship Ecosystem - $12,000
  7. (32) STARS Transfer Student Programs - $34,331
  8. (33) STARS Clothing Closet - $4,141
2. Discussion: 2023-2024 Rating Worksheet
Other Business
1. Request from students to attend SFAC meetings and possibly make comments - should we add a public comment to our meetings?
2. Meeting Timeline (captures our goals for each meeting and prospective topics for meetings)
3. Member Notes (any members who will be absent from a meeting may add topics for discussion, questions, feedback for items on the agenda, etc. in this running document).
Adjournment

Marshall motions to adjourn. Mel seconds, no objections. - motion passes

Upcoming Guests/Topics:.

Student representation for Misc Fee Committee in April.
Presentation on Okanagan Charter (health promoting campus initiative) - Spring Quarter with Director of SHOP, Meg Kobe