Good Faith in A Bad Idea?

Howdy Comrades!

The question asked in the title of this post must remain speculative for the time being.  Below I have pasted a copy of the text resulting from court ordered structured mediation.  I have an ear infection, probably from listening to far too many lawyers!  I will provide the Peeps with additional information once I've seen my physician tomorrow.  Here's what was done:

MEDIATION AGREEMENT               

 

The participants to the mediation held on August 11 and 12, 2008 have agreed that:              

 

A.  A Working Group, currently called the Metro Mobility Working Group, has been formed to participate with Capital Metro in analyzing the effect of potential

changes to services for people with disabilities.  The group will be composed as follows:   

 

1.  Capital Metro will appoint three (3) staff members to the Working Group. 

 

2.  Three (3) other members will come from: 

 

a.   Chair of Capital Metro Access Committee or his/her designee 

 

b.  Chair of Capital Metro STS subcommittee or his/her designee 

 

c.   Chair of Capital Metro Fixed-Route subcommittee or his/her designee 

 

3.  Within thirty (30) days from today, these six members will elect a 7th member interested in the provision of Capital Metro transit services for people

with disabilities.   

 

4.  Within forty (40) days from today, the seven members will elect a Chair who will serve according to the by-laws, rules, and operating procedures adopted

by the Working Group.    

 

B    The Working Group will consider and make recommendations about proposed changes to Capital Metro policies, practices, and procedures, suggest changes

to Capital Metro policies, practices, and procedure, and assist in communicating with and from the public about proposed changes.  The Working Group will

consider at least, but is not limited to, the following subjects: 

 

1.  Changes to the taxi cab voucher program currently in operation.   

 

2.  Eligibility and certification procedures used to qualify persons for Metro Access Service.   

 

3.  Alterations to certain aspects of Capital Metro's programs for people with disabilities, such as, by way of example, alterations to the "pick-up" window,

penalties for no-shows or cancellations, advance reservations, call center hours, use of door-through-door service, and so on.  

 

Capital Metro will make no changes to its policies, practices, and procedures until the Working Group forms and meets.  

 

C.  The Working Group will decide when to hold its meetings open to the public.    

 

D. The Working Group will make recommendations to pertinent Capital Metro entities, including the Capital Metro Board, and present its recommendations at

a public hearing when a public hearing required by law.  

 

E.  The Parties acknowledge the need for alternate communication methods for people on the Working Group with sensory disabilities.    

 

F.      While the Working Group will assist in analyzing potential changes, the Parties agree Capital Metro has ultimate decision-making responsibilities. 

  

G.     Nothing in this Agreement is intended to lessen any requirement by law or adopted policy for public hearing or other requirement for community input. 

  

H.     The Working Group may change its name.   

 

Dated: August 12, 2008     

 

Agreed as to form and content:    

 

____________________________________ 

 

Capital Metro (by Kerri Davidson)    

 

____________________________________ 

 

Norma Gonzales Baker   

 

____________________________________ 

 

Mary-Agnes Kunz   

 

____________________________________ 

 

Mark Noble   

 

____________________________________ 

 

Dorbett Bagor   

 

____________________________________ 

 

Judy Watford   

 

____________________________________ 

 

Malcolm Graham   

 

____________________________________ 

 

Audley Blackburn   

 

____________________________________ 

 

Renee López--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~

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---I apologize that the text is choppy and badly formatted.  This text was pasted into Microsoft Word from an email which probably contained a fax to Mr. Barton.  Onward through the fog!

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!