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(Board Meeting 12/07/17)

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

Board Meeting Transcripts

December 07, 2017

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] The Board Meeting of the Port Authority of New York and New

Jersey and its component units is now called to order. Earlier today, the Committee on Capital

Planning, Execution, and Asset Management met in public in executive session. The Committee

on Security met in Executive session, the reports will be filed within the official minutes of

today's Board Meeting. The Commissioners also met in executive session earlier today to discuss

matters involving ongoing negotiations or reviews of contracts or proposals and to discuss and

act upon matters involving public safety or law enforcement. I'll now request that our Executive

Director provide his report. Rick?

[R. Cotton] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good afternoon, Commissioners and members of the

public. As this is the last Board Meeting of the year, I want to pull the lens back and begin with

some highlights of 2017. I started my role here only in late August, but these highlights, of

course, span the entire year and reflect the hard work and achievements of everyone at the

agency. Following that, I want to look forward and quickly update you on status of our major

capital projects heading into 2018, a very brief word on our 2018 budget which is pending before

you. And also update you on leadership appointments to accelerate our work in the areas of

diversity and inclusion and compliance and ethics. To begin in terms of 2017 with Aviation, our

airports expect to set a passenger traffic record of more than 133 million customers in 2017. In

June, the Terminal 1 Redevelopment program at Newark Airport broke ground with

commencement of work on three roadway bridges, and with Board approval today and nearly

$500 million of additional work will start very shortly. In August, the agency broke ground on

the redevelopment of the east side of the new LaGuardia airport with the $4 billion Delta Air

Lines Redevelopment of its Terminal C and D. Together with the LaGuardia Gateway Partners,

redevelopment of Terminal B. On the west side of the airport, there is now a whole new $8

billion airport under construction. At JFK, the initial phase and the redevelopment of that airport

began with the Board's approval last month and a major new cargo facility in the new

consolidated cargo area recommended in the report of Governor Cuomo's Airport Advisory

Panel. Turning to our tunnels, bridges, and terminals, in February, the Bayonne Bridge's new

elevated roadway opened to traffic, a very, very important infrastructure achievement of the

region as discussed by Steve Plate. In May, the redeveloped George Washington Bridge Bus

Station opened for bus operations. In June, the first, the eastbound span of the replacement

Goethals Bridge opened to traffic, which is the first major new bridge built by the Port Authority

since 1931. The pedestrian safety fence on the upper level walkway at the George Washington

Bridge which we announced in September that we would install by the end of this year is on

schedule to be completed by the end of this month. Turning to PATH, PATH will carry a record

80 plus million riders in 2017. PATH's weekday average ridership at nearly 285,000 riders is

also a new record. PATH cross honored really one million New Jersey transit passengers this


past summer during Amtrak's track repair work at New York Penn station while maintaining an

on-time performance record of 98%. Turning to the ports. Container cargo volumes will also set

a record in 2017. Volumes are up 7.8% year-to-date through October compared to 2016's record

levels. Based on the Bayonne Bridge achieving navigational clearance of 215 feet, again as Steve

Plate has said in September, the largest container vessel ever to call on the US East Coast, the

Theodore Roosevelt crossed beneath the newly raised roadway. A truck management system was

rolled out this past year at the GCT Bayonne Terminal to schedule times for trucks to arrive at

the terminal to pick up containers since its introduction that system has reduced truck time, turn

times by 45%. It has truly been an active year. Turning to the budget, the year began, we should

remember with the adoption of the agency's $32.2 billion 2017 to 2026 Capital Plan, the agency's

largest ever. With the agency's key strategic projects now defined the Capital Plan and set the

course on which we are currently traveling with respect to investment priorities. And we have

developed and published what we believe to be a disciplined 2018 budget that you, the Board,

will be considering and voting on later today. Let me now turn and look briefly at the capital

project trajectory in 2018. We continue to focus on our major capital projects with much

momentum as we head into 2018, and we are focused on on-time, on budget performance to

avoid some of the issues that arose in prior projects, and we are going to learn lessons from that

experience. Newark Terminal A redevelopment, in additional to the presentation by Huntley

today on early construction of key landside and airside elements of the program, the procurement

process of the actual design built contract for Terminal 1 is going to be awarded early in 2018.

The LaGuardia AirTrain planning on this important priority project is continuing following last

month's Board approval of funding for additional planning work. At JFK, Mott MacDonald, our

expert airport planner and Grimshaw, its corresponding architect team that we hired to develop a

master plan are hard at work and in dialogue with key airport stakeholders. Our goal and mission

is focused on translating the vision plan outlined by Governor Cuomo's Airport Advisory Panel

into reality. PATH to New York, public scoping hearings took place in New York last week,

commencing the formal environmental process on that project that will take place over the

course of the coming year. Port Authority Bus Terminal redevelopment. Proposals for the

environmental, and architectural, and engineering services have been received pursuant to the

RFP, and we hope to make an award in the very near future. This will enable us to ramp up the

formal environmental review and permitting process to advance this project with, of course, the

addition of the new build in place option. The Goethals Bridge, the project is on track to

complete the second westbound span of the replacement bridge in 2018 which will mark

substantial completion of the entire program to be followed by demolition of the existing old

bridge. The Bayonne Bridge, the Board will be voting on the reauthorization today as described

by Steve Plate, but under Steve's leadership, this project is now moving forward under extremely

tight supervision. In 2018, demolition of the old lower roadway and construction of the second

set of new elevated roadway support piers is scheduled to be completed keeping the project on

target for completion in 2019. Let me turn now to a brief update on diversity and inclusion. This

subject is very important to me and, I believe, to the Port Authority as an institution. We must


significantly increase our focus on assuring that the port is as diverse and inclusive organization.

We have named Mike Massiah, who you know from his prior role as the chief of Capital

Planning, Execution, and Asset Management, and a 36-year veteran of the Port Authority as the

agency's new Chief Diversity and Inclusion officer. Mike, in his new senior position, will report

directly to me. He will organize and drive multiple initiatives across the agency. Starting with

significantly improved employee recruiting practices designed to achieve an appropriately

diverse workforce representing the community that we serve to employee training and

communication to emphasize the business value of a diverse workforce to reviewing our MWBE

contracting practices to achieve the agency's participations and indeed increase them for MWBE

participation in our construction projects. The creation of this position and Mike's appointment, I

hope signals our commitment to the values of diversity and inclusion and their importance to

achieving the business objectives of the agency. Compliance and Ethics. On the Ethics and

Compliance front, the Chairman and I were pleased to announce the hiring of Debra Torres as

the agency's first Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer. Debra will join the Port Authority at the

beginning of the year. She is a 36-year veteran of the legal field with a significant background in

Ethics and Compliance, having most recently served as a Senior Vice-President and Chief Ethics

and Compliance Officer of PepsiCo. Her first tasks will be the roll out of the new Employee

Code of Conduct and the development of a new and improved employee compliance tracking

program with computer based interactive video modules. With Debra in place, I'm confident that

we will put the agency on track to have an Ethics and Compliance program that will be in the top

ranks of large public and private organizations. Finally, I want to pay tribute to the hard work of

the Port Authority's dedicated staff in 2017. Nothing, obviously, happens without them. They

deserve a vote of thanks from us all. And in that connection, I'm hopeful that 2018 can mark the

year in which we began to make progress on addressing the large backlog of expired labor

contracts affecting the Port Authority's represented workers. In summary, I believe the agency

has accomplished a lot in 2017 and put in place the ground work for a productive 2018 across

many fronts. That concludes my report, Mr. Chairman.

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Thank you, Rick. Just a couple of comments based on your comments.

We've been at this now, Rick, for five months, and in many ways when we started this in August,

you know, I came in here with a very cynical eye towards what is the function of the Port

Authority, cynical of what their mission statement was, cynical of what the folks, the employees

did. And when you and I took the first few weeks, Rick, and we went to each facility and we

talked to some of these employees and found out about their level of dedication in their mission

statement. It slowly dawned on me what their statement and purpose was. And I will tell you, I

think you and I share, we've found the most extraordinary bunch of dedicated employees I've

ever seen in my 30 years in public service. Extraordinary. And my admiration goes up every time

I see another project minus the Bayonne Bridge fiasco, but it's extraordinary what they do. And

to you, Rick, and I've said it before and I'll say it again and people get tired of hearing me saying

it, you are an extraordinary public servant. What you have done in five months here has restored


the trust of all of us in both states, Commissioners, constituents, employees, you brought a very

bright light here. And when I sit on your weekly meetings with your senior staff and you talk

about purpose, you talk about budgeting, you talk about ethics, you know, first in class, on-time

delivery. You brought this real world corporate experience and excellence to a facility that's

surely needed it. And you, my friend, are the most extraordinary public servant I've ever worked

with in 30 years.

[applause] So when you mentioned about some of these positions, we fill with Mike and with

Debra, so the public understands very clearly. About a year ago, there was a search was taken to

fill a number of these positions. When I came here in August and sat with Rick, we were kind of

handed a folder and said, well, the search has been going on for six, seven, eight, nine months,

and so decisions have been made, are being made. So Rick and I took a step back and did our

due diligence, did some other interviews, and some decision, some hard decisions were made.

And I will tell you what Debra and Mike are going to bring to the table, and Mike clearly now,

extraordinary, and it's going to be a great addition to this world-class organization. With your

comment about the labor contracts, I don't think anybody here would disagree with what you've

said, "Long overdue." Commissioner Pocino pulled me aside in his ever gentle and persuasive

way, I said, "Let's get it done in February." I think we'll get it done, right? We're going to get it

done. We're going to work hard, A lot of spade work has been done, a lot of discussions have

been had by the public, public officials, folks that are sitting in this audience, every time you get

up and speak to us we hear very loudly and clearly what you're saying. To the hard working

employees, we hear what you're saying in terms of this long delay of the contracts and

negotiations frustrating to all of us. There's been some problems, hurdles. I think we're close to

resolving a lot of those issues that we're talking about. I'm hoping February, March is really

going to be a dawning of a new decade here. So let me just conclude my first five months here,

six months here. It's hard to believe, six months. They give you the six-year term and you think

it's going to be casual, you know, public service. Commissioner Eve, there is no casual public

service here. You drink from a fire hose every single day and it does not stop, and I'm honored to

sit with my fellow Commissioners, I mean this, you know, there's an activity every day, there are

emails every day, there's conversation every day, meetings every day, all of us have. You know,

I know we're volunteers, but this is a greatest volunteer service I've ever had, and I serve with

you as partners, and my partner Jeff over here. Thank you for being, the wise counsel slows me

down just a little bit. But I look forward to 2018 with great hope and optimism that this Board

will continue to work together. Not having the demarcation lines of New York and New Jersey,

but Port Authority, we work together. I know you like the New York side even though you're a

Springfield guy in New Jersey.

[Commissioner R. Bagger] Spring Lake.

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Yeah, Spring Lake. So I will tell you with great optimism and the


shadows you saw in the past are disappearing and disappeared. So we thank you for working

with us, all the folks either listening or employees, better days are ahead, and I look forward to

working with each and every one of you in the future. Any other comments or questions for our

Executive Director?

[R. Cotton] Mr. Chairman, I

[applause] I would just like to return the compliment. I appreciate your comments, but I have to

say we have formed an excellent partnership. I've been impressed by your leadership and the

other thing I would emphasize is what you've said which is what the public does not see is the

consultation and advice that comes from all of the Commissioners that has been a very active

dialogue across all the issues that I get involved in. And I would thank all of the Commissioners

for their advice, their help, and their engagement.

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Thank you very much.

[Commissioner L. Eve] Mr. Chairman.

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Yes, Commissioner.

[Commissioner L. Eve] Just briefly, I want to echo plus one everything you said. We could not

As a new Commissioner as well, just been beyond impressed with the extraordinary employees

who make up this great organization led by, you know, a best-in-class leader in Rick Cotton.

Everything that you said in your report gives us such, makes us so excited about what's been

accomplished and what lies ahead. And I just want to put a fine point in particular on the

appointments of Mr. Massiah and Ms. Torres, I think they're going to bring much needed skills

and focus and attention on areas that require attention. And in particular with respect to Mr.

Massiah on issues of diversity, diversity is our strength. This is the right thing to do, but it is a

smart thing to do. Our Board is stronger because it is diverse in so many different ways in terms

of people, and thoughts, and experiences, and backgrounds, and that's going to be the case for

our staff as well, and the businesses with whom the Port chooses to do business. So thank you,

again, for your leadership in accelerating that decision making process of putting in stellar

people to those very important positions to help the Board continue and the Port to continue to

move forward.

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Thank you, Commissioner. Any other Commissioners? Comment,

questions? Okay, we'll move ahead. Our next order of business is a presentation by our Chief

Financial Officer, Libby McCarthy, who will present the Port Authority's proposed 2018 budget

for consideration by the Board following the public speakers program. The budget was posted on

the Port Authority website on November 8 for the public comment, and our chief financial


officer will provide an overview of the nature of the comments received as part of a presentation.

Libby?

[L. McCarthy] Thank you. Good afternoon, Commissioners. Today on behalf of the Management

and Budget Department, I am requesting that you adopt the Port Authority's proposed 2018

budget. As you just noted,

[PROPOSED 2018 BUDGET] we did post for public comment and I will be summarizing those

as I go through the presentation.

[The Proposed 2018 Budget Sources and Uses] But first an overview of the budget and what

you're being asked to propose. Proposed 2018 budget represents a balanced budget that was

prepared in a fiscally disciplined manner, consistent with the authority's responsibilities to its

stakeholders. The proposed 2018 budget is funded by multiple sources including gross revenues

and the issuance of consolidated bonds and notes. As you know, the Port Authority raises funds

for its activities based primarily on the strength of its own credit, and has no power to levy taxes

or assessments. The uses of funds that are shown here are what we are asking you to approve and

I will provide you more detail in the following slides of those expenditures.

[The Proposed 2018 Budget is fiscally balanced with expense growth in-line with inflation] The

2018 budget continues to ensure our strong financial position. Gross operating revenues of $5.3

billion are projected to increase 2.5% and more than offset the increase in operating expenses.

This growth is driven primarily from higher revenues from aviation facilities as well as higher

rental income at the World Trade Center and at our Port facilities. Toll and fare revenues are

projected to grow based on our modest growth projections. Operating budget of $3.2 billion is an

increase of 1.9% or $61 million over the 2017 budget, well in line with the rate of inflation. I will

discuss the details of these expenditures in a moment. But also shown on this slide is the 2018

debt service budget of $1.3 billion which is increasing to reflect the placement of additional

assets into operations both in 2017 and projected in 2018. The net revenues after operating

expenses and debt services that are shown here together with bonds proceeds and other sources

are what we use to support our substantial $3.4 billion 2018 capital spending.

[Proposed $3.2 billion 2018 Operating Budget Highlights] Here you see the allocation of the

operating expenses to our various spending categories. Our largest operating expense budget

increase in the 2018 budget is an additional $20 million to ensure the safety and security at our

facilities supported by new counter-terrorism police posts, additional police classes, and other

initiatives including our cyber security program. All necessary in the world we operate in today.

Expenditures to support the efficient operations and maintain agency facilities are increasing to

reflect both new work load and the additional World Trade Center facilities coming into

operations. The remaining expenditure shown here allow us to support the authority's businesses


and to meet our obligations to our landlords.

[The Proposed 2018 Operating Budget also funds a number of initiatives and projects]

[that align with key priorities] The budget also includes funding for a number of initiatives and

projects that align with the key priorities across all of our businesses, including continued

enhancement of security and preparedness, creating a customer service focus in the operations at

all of our Port Authority facilities, increasing our investment in sustainability and environmental

protection initiatives, and improving the Port Authority's use of technology across the Board

both to serve our customers better and to improve the efficiency of Port Authority operations.

[The Proposed 2018 Capital Budget of $3.4 billion advances key projects and aligns with the

2017-2026 Capital Plan] The 2018 capital budget of $3.4 billion funds major state of good repair

work at the tunnels, bridges, airports, and PATH system, while investing in major projects to

replace aging facilities with modern state of the art infrastructure that provides for future growth.

The budget aligns with the 2017 through 2026 Capital Plan that was adopted by the Board in

February.

[Proposed 2018 Capital Budget Highlights] Rick has already mentioned a number of the key

major projects that are included in the 2018 spending. In addition to those projects, we also have

continued spending on the PATH's Signal System Replacement program. Positive train control

will be implemented by the end of 2018 as a result of the spending in accordance with the federal

mandate. In addition, at the Port facilities, the Port Express Rail intermodal facility construction

will continue to help improve the flow of goods to and from the ports. And we'll have continued

planning activities for the Gateway Program consistent with our commitment to set forth in our

10-year Capital Plan.

[Proposed 2018 Budget was released for public comments via our website on November 8, 2017]

Here you can see a summary of the comments by category that we received after the posting of

our budget for public comment on November 8. We invited comments both through email and

through social media outlets. Through last night, we received a total of 15 comments, and I have

provided those to you in advance of today's meeting and discuss them with you. We received six

comments suggesting modifications to the 2018 capital expenditure portion of the budget, four

advocating for the funding of the 2018 Capital Budget for a permanent federal inspection

services area at Stewart International Airport to facilitate a growing international service at that

airport. Planning and design work on this facility is currently underway, but it's not yet complete

enough to enable it to be included in the budget. The remaining comments related to the PATH

extension to Newark Liberty Rail Link Station program. One comment suggested that the

program was unnecessary and a second advocated for including planning monies in the 2018

budget for upgrades to select PATH stations to take full advantage of the rail extension. As


PATH has started its environmental impact study for its extension projects, these comments will

be forwarded to the project team for consideration in that process. We also received three

observations about the 2018 budget but with no suggested budget changes. And finally, we

received six comments raising awareness of the posting of the budget or the Port Authority's role

in the regional transportation network also with no suggestion for budget changes. Given these

comments, we do not recommend any changes to the proposed 2018 budget as it was originally

posted. Therefore, Commissioners, we would appreciate

[Requested 2018 Budget Authorization] We are asking that you would adopt the 2018 budget as

posted, and we appreciate your guidance during this budget process.

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] First of all, well done, Libby, you and your staff, exceptional job.

[L. McCarthy] Thank you.

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Really amazed. So when did you start the process of the 2018 budget?

How long ago?

[L. McCarthy] We started the process in the spring, early spring. We send guidance out to all of

the departments, and then we pull that together and negotiate. Management and Budget

Department has the laboring oar here of working through this with all the departments and

pulling together the proposed budget.

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] And how much of a focus of your time and your office's time from

spring to present day that you dedicate to this proposed budget?

[L. McCarthy] Well, MBD, it's almost a 100% other than every month tracking how people are

doing to the prior budget. And then for me, it's a big part of my time, yeah.

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] With regard to the largest increase, we're seeing in this budget the $20

million dollars you've spoken about, that is not a one shot deal. We're talking about cyber

security upgrades, police academy funding for, and other security measures. Do we forecast it

will be having those additional increases going forward?

[L. McCarthy] We have a process underway that we are taking a holistic look across the Board

with respect to our security and safety programs, as well as our emergency preparedness

programs. And we'll be continuing to evaluate that and brief the Board on that as we go forward.

Clearly security and safety at our facilities is a key priority for the Authority and this

environment is going to require continued focus on that.


[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Right, thank you. Any Commissioners have any questions or Yes,

Vice-Chair.

[Vice-Chair J.H. Lynford] I know the budget preparation is an exacting and precise task. And I

want everyone to understand how hard your staff works in setting priorities, changing priorities,

assessing risks, responding to the unanticipated. So I want to say on behalf of the Commissioners

once again, bravo.

[applause]

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Any other Commissioners have any comments or questions for our

CFO? If not, okay, we will move along, and as we mentioned earlier, we'll defer voting on this

matter until the public speaking portion is over. Our next order of business is a presentation by

our General Counsel, Michael Farbiarz, who will present a proposed revisions to the Port

Authority's public access to records which will be considered by the Board following the public

speaker's program. Michael?

[M. Farbiarz] Thank you, good afternoon. I appear before you, Commissioners, today in

connection with a proposed resolution that will transfer responsibility for the Port Authority's

Freedom of Information practice to the office of the general counsel. Transparency, as we know,

is one of the fundamental building blocks of public accountability, and Freedom of Information

obligations are part of how that commitment to transparency is put into practice, put into action.

Freedom of Information obligations allow the public to see for itself what we're doing and to

decide for itself how well we're doing it. In 2015, New York and New Jersey each passed

statutes that required the Port Authority to hew to those states Freedom of Information laws.

Those were statutes that were passed and that were welcome development that were passed. All

of us are much more likely to trust what we can ourselves verify. As Freedom of Information

obligations are now binding as a matter of law, not as a matter of choice, but as a matter of law,

it makes sense for lawyers to take on a central role in administering that process to help ensure

that Freedom of Information law is simply followed, to make sure that we are discharging our

legal obligations as to Freedom of Information fully and faithfully. I'm pleased to answer that

backdrop to advance the resolution that would transfer responsibility to the law department for

the Freedom of Information policy and, of course, to answer any questions that you might have.

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] You have a question, Jeff?

[Vice-Chair J.H. Lynford] After you.

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Sure. Thanks. The first page of the resolution work was resolved and

therefore, the Board's continuing commitment to enhance the openness and transparency of the


agency through the provisions of timely access to the public records of the Port Authority and its

component units. Very clearly saying, that's what we are obligated to do. You cite the 2015 laws

are passed in New York and New Jersey. We assume this resolution in its current form and it's

going to be, I assume, revised a little bit. We'll comply with those, the passages of those laws in

New York and New Jersey.

[M. Farbiarz] Absolutely. And the piece that you pulled out and that you quoted, Chairman,

that's how I plan to manage this program with respect to that goal that the Board has set a

commitment to quote enhancing transparency and openness. Not just legal compliance, but

achieving that goal of enhancement.

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] So just so we're clear how this came about. Again, I've been here for

six months now, and I've heard a number of complaints from some individuals. Some who would

just ask for public access to records and they've been either frustrated or seemingly frustrated by

some of their requests. I've heard from some members of the press who were saying that our

compliance is somewhat derelict that we are not complying with those 5 or 20 days of required.

Sometimes there's a non-response or a non-answer. So part of that, I heard you, so what we're

doing today is putting together reshaping of this office. So there will be an exact response. And,

Michael, you will be held responsible for those responses, you as the General Counsel to this

Port. So if there is some concern that there a request has been made and it is not being complied

with, you will stand here before all of us and have to answer for that. Correct?

[M. Farbiarz] That's right. I plan to be personally involved in making sure this is done right. And

I fully expect that you will hold me personally responsible for how it's done.

[

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Because I didn't want to tell the public that we have a faceless

bureaucrat, in the layman's language, was just not getting to it in time, wasn't compliant 'cause he

or she didn't think it was the proper form. You will be facing probably folks who are saying,

here's the request, you blew the deadline, explain yourself, and you will be held responsible for

that. Second part of this, Mike, and I know you're professional, I know you'll do that, I know this

will sharpen our response to this very important responsibility. If the Executive Director makes

changes I think we're talking about revises. If changes are to be made, it's my understanding

they're going to be brought back to this Board.

[

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Is that correct?


[M. Farbiarz] Exactly. What's going to happen is to the extent that the Executive Director wants

to make changes to the Freedom of Information policies that currently exist, he's going to be

required under the last sentence of this resolution to provide them to the Board, the Board will

have 30 days with any proposed policy changes and absent objection, but only absent objection,

they'll go into effect. So the Board will have a chance to review any changes that the Executive

Director might propose.

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] And that to me is really important. From a policy standpoint, the 11

soon to be 12 of us have to be held responsible if there's a breakdown, and not fulfilling that

mission statement of getting out the access of those public records. We have to answer for that.

It's ultimately our responsibility. I'm very comfortable with that. Vice-Chair, you have a

question?

[Vice-Chair J.H. Lynford] Actually, you're very good. And I don't have any questions.

[laughter]

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Any other Commissioners? Yes, Commissioner Bagger.

[Commissioner R. Bagger] And I think I want to applaud these actions today. And, Michael, if I

could just ask you, if you could explain, you know, whether this action we're taking today is

consistent with the sort of revision from the special panel report, and how it builds upon that and

whether it, in fact, answers it.

[M. Farbiarz] Sure. We'll do that. The history here is that since the late '70s, the Port Authority

has had a voluntarily undertaken policy with respect to public access to records. But for decades

and decades, the statutes that generally require of public agencies disclosures of this kind just

didn't apply to Port Authority. And so when with the special panel had its report, this kind of

policy was central and still very much is. In a nice development thereafter in 2015, what

happened is these statutes were passed that required the Port Authority as a matter of law to

abide by Freedom of Information commitments. Consistent with how other major public

agencies discharge their legal obligations, whether it comes to Freedom of Information or other

things, there is sense in having two things. First, lawyer is involved, as they need to be because

this is now a legal obligation. And second of all, frankly, singular responsibility so that I am

personally and individually accountable for making sure that this entire process which needs now

lawyers involved, but then it runs right.

[Commissioner R. Bagger] Thank you.

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Any other questions or comments? Michael, excellent job. Thank you


very much. We will defer voting on this until the public speakers' program is over. We now

provide an opportunity for members of the public to comment on Port Authority matters. This

public comment period which maybe limit to 30 minutes in total provides an opportunity for

members of the public to present their views directly to the Board. And we try not to encourage

the dialogue, but we do want to hear what you have to say. Members of the public wishing to

discuss a specific item with the Port Authority staff are advised to contact our Public Affairs

Department. Speakers are used to comply with a fixed time of three minutes. We do have 21

speakers who have signed up. So let's see if we can get that done in a fairly orderly fashion. First

one is Deputy Mayor Mohammed from Newark. Deputy Mayor? Okay, next one is Reverend

Tim Graff from Archdiocese.

[Reverend Tim Graff] Good afternoon. I'm Father Timothy Graff representing the Archdiocese

in Newark, the 1.6 million Catholics who live in Northeast Jersey and our spiritual leader

Cardinal William Tobin. We're here to stand solidarity with our subcontracted airport workers

and New York JFK and LaGuardia airports. We are here because we believe in the dignity of

each human person that has been made in the image and likeness of God. We have given some

guidance on this recently by Pope Francis, but he talks about two things that we see within the

gospel. First of all, we are called to care for those who are less privileged. Obviously, everyone

knows that. But secondly, as he points out which is something not as commonly known or

accepted is that we are called to see them. We are called to see those around us in need because

there's this fallacy, if I do not see those in need, I'm not responsible for those in need. And so as

we stand in solidarity with our airport workers this afternoon we say, we are here, and you've

seen us and now you're responsible for us to work with us, and be with us as well. Both Cardinal

Tobin and myself have worked for many years listening to the stories of airport workers and the

working poor, and that's why we're here. We'd like to talk briefly about three areas. One is

sustainable family wages. Currently, most of our workers are making $10.20 an hour. If you can

support a family on that, you're better than I. And so we urge you to look at that to work with us

on that. We believe that as seemly immoral for those who are working full-time in this area not

to live above the poverty line. We believe the poverty line itself is rather faulty at best. Secondly,

healthcare. We believe that healthcare is not a privilege, but it's a right as been seen and taught

by the church for many years. And so we do not want to force people into the choices that they

need to make about their healthcare. If I leave work today, I'm not going to be paid so I can go to

the doctor. Those common things that many of us take for granted cannot be taken by many of

our airport workers. And third, to provide safety training for those around us. Those we place on

the frontlines of our safety at our airports need the proper training to do that. That's simply is in

their dignity as human beings. And so we stand in solidarity with our subcontracted worker to

take care of them, to see them, to be responsible for them. And we are so grateful for being with

us and hearing us, and I've 18 seconds left which I'll give back to the Board.

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Thank you, Father. Thank you for your comments.


[Reverend Tim Graff] You're welcome.

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Thank you.

[applause] Neile Weissman? Neile Weissman from Complete George.

[Vice-Chair J.H. Lynford] It's Neile.

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] They have an E there.

[Vice-Chair J.H. Lynford] I know, but it's still a Neile.

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] It is? I apologize.

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Niele.

[Neile Weissman] Chairman O'Toole, Director Cotton, and Commissioners. To reprise a century

old facility like the George, one considers not only blueprints, but its documentary history,

contemporaneous structures, used projections, and design variations, I believe the exercise

supports allocation of resources other than currently planned. You have copies of extended

remarks with images and online at CompleteGeorge.org, what would Othmar do? Opened in

1903, the Williamsburg Bridge connected Brooklyn to Manhattan with a pair of 20 footpaths.

GWB Chief Engineer Othmar Ammann would certainly have been familiar with this magnificent

public space. Prior to the George's opening, the agency may use projections out to the 1960. We

presume diligences each mode represents a discrete revenue stream. Car trips were projected to

grow from 8 to 60 million or annual growth of 2.5%. Pedestrian trips, 1.4 to 3 million, 3%

growth which begs the question, by what rational would foot travel grow faster than car? One

clue comes from the design drawings which double path width to 16 foot. Again, this tells us

greater path capacity was envisioned, but not why. Perhaps the cyclists like were told and their

catchment far exceeds pedestrians, and widened paths make more sense than increasingly

crowded roadways. A complementary explanation is afforded by standing on the paths and

looking out. Extending them beyond cables creates a contiguous unobstructed belvedere with

views like none other in the region. That the agencies saw revenue potential in the George, as a

destination, is supported by its reporting of pedestrian tolls from the opening day celebration.

And a contemporary study projects that a Linear Park across the George would annually attract

300,000 new visitors spending $40 million. If consulted, Chief Engineer Ammann would be

aware. Cyclings current growth far exceeds other modes then and now. Of the George's single

importance to the region's act of transportation grid and its enhancements to public health

affordability, sustainability, and resilience. Realizing the George's potential as a tourist Mecca


would drive foot traffic through the bus terminal. And then that 49 North Jersey municipalities

were now calling for wider paths, the same group Mr. Ammann lobbied in the 1920s to get the

build bridge in the first place. Knowing this, I'm confident, the politically astute chief engineer

would support wider paths, and to reserve a portion of the lower level to mitigate visual

disruption of the anti-suicide barriers. Thank you all. Good holidays.

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Thank you. You too. Margaret Donovan?

[Margaret Donovan] Good afternoon, Commissioners. I am very encouraged by what I heard the

General Counsel say. But I will give you my remarks as prepared. Good afternoon,

Commissioners. Listening to Port Authority officials talk about the agency's commitment to

transparency is like tapping into a parallel universe. The latest reminder of that was the ruling

last week of an appeal to the Freedom of Information request I made for the findings of an OIG

investigation. We requested last year and to the ultra-prime space that the public is paying the

Durst Corporation to keep empty in Midtown. The answer came back, "Disclosing even the mere

existence of an investigation potentially deprives individuals who are the subject of unproven

allegations of wrong doing of their right to a fair adjudication and could unduly invade their

privacy. They either will willfully or ignorantly apply the personal privacy protections in the law

to give cover to a private corporation that has entered into and benefits from a partnership with

the public." The suspicious reasoning throughout the decision misstates the law. And as I pointed

out in my appeal the matters but examined I'll be not in depth in the press. Our concern was not

so much with the Dursts toward supremely able to take care of their own interests, but the other

end of that public private partnership. Who is looking out for us? And where do we go for

answers to very reasonable and substantial concerns? I believe the Chairman is sincerely

concerned with promoting transparency, but without the legislation that gets defeated year after

year, it looks like it maybe a bridge too far. My concern wasn't with the Durst position on this

matter, but with the Port Authority decision makers who took over almost a million square feet

of space without the right to sublet, to cover the public's unnecessary exposure. Through August

of this year, that has cost the public over $120 million for space that the Durst decided to keep

empty pending lucrative leases, and why not? But that figure is 25% higher and climbing than

their $100 million equity in the World Trade Center. How bizarre is that? If anyone really thinks

that the right to sublet would have jeopardized the Condé Nast move, maybe they would be

interested in buying a bridge to Brooklyn. My year end conclusion is that no one is truly,

tirelessly, thoroughly looking out for the public that so lavishly supports this agency with such

mixed results. Not the Governors, not the Inspector General, and not the media, which is highly

selective in protecting the public interest no doubt because of time constraints. I could challenge

in court a dozen of these efforts to withhold information from the public and win every one. Only

to have the agency defy the court order as it did in the finding in our favor last year or I could

start lobbying the legislatures to include a public ombudsman in their next attempt to hold the

Port Authority transparent and accountable, and that's what I will do. Thank you, Richard


Hughes was sorry, he couldn't be here today. We both wish you safe and joyful holidays and a

happy new year.

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Thank you, Margaret.

[applause] And, Margaret, I'm glad that you are encouraged by the counsel's comments. I will

tell you, you're part of the reason why we're making this change. We heard you, okay?

[applause] Louis Heimbach?

[Louis Heimbach] Mr. Chairman and members of the commission, my name is Louis Heimbach,

and I speak to you today as the Chairman of the Stewart Airport Commission. I was one of those

who took advantage of the public comment period and wrote to you and the staff asking for the

inclusion of monies to build the federal inspection station. I was really disappointed that that did

not happen. You're out spending upwards of a million dollars to do the planning and the design

for that facility which I understand is some 80% complete, and it will be ready for, I guess,

bidding sometime early in 2018. It makes no sense to spend the public's money to design

something and not have the money to build it. Such an appropriation was included in the Capital

Budget back in 2015, but because it was one of the things built it and they will come, we were

waiting until they came. Norwegian Airlines has since last May come to Stewart Airport with

some 21 weekly flights to Scandinavia, and to Ireland, and Scotland and as adding several

hundred thousand passengers a year. We desperately need such a facility and I respectfully ask

that you amend the budget before you pass it, and include the funds necessary to build this

facility. Thank you, gentlemen.

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Thank you for your time. Thank you for your comments.

[applause] Karl Olszewski. Oh, I'm sorry. Give it a shot. I apologize.

[Vice-Chair J.H. Lynford] Olszewski.

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Karl? No? Okay. Bruce Hain?

[Bruce Hain] Good afternoon. I'm here to promote an alternative to the LGA AirTrain which is

included in your budget. I think I ran across an article in a tabloid, free tabloid in the subway.

That says you had a $25 million consulting contract, and they came back last month, and they

hadn't selected a route, or it's a complicated thing because with all that spaghetti of highways and

stuff, I mean, maybe it's difficult to decide. And I don't know if there is any provision to have a

stipulation that you decide on a route with this next $35 million. But I have an alternate plan

which I would like you all to look at and I brought some cards that have not only the address of


my website but my email because I can send you some more detailed things. This plan is pretty

right, it's been in the making for a few years and now it's getting somewhat more details. It's a

roller coaster. And I unsolicited, I had an approval way It's wrongly regarded by the preeminent

roller coaster manufacturer. Now I know you've had trouble with people roller coaster engineer

in Germany. I know you've had trouble with people movers, but I think there is more mileage of

roller coasters and they behave more reliably than many people movers I know of. So it might be

something worth looking into. And I'd like you to see it. So that's it. I intend to have it looked at

it. It's dependent on having Harold Interlocking with the four tracks as originally planned. The

people who design Harold Interlocking put certain of the tracks out in the perimeter with a

reverse curves, it would be easy to convert it to four tracks on to the Hell Gate Bridge. I mean,

you don't just build a bridge for four tracks and leave it two tracks until the end of time. So that's

something that will come up for review, and this project that I'm trying to promote you as an

alternative is depended on it. Nobody is going to use the LGA AirTrain because it's too

circuitous, nobody will want to use it for that. And it's only a mile and a half long. Come on, $70

million?

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] If you could pass your comments, I understand.

[Bruce Hain] Thank you very much.

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Thank you for your comments.

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Jorge?

[Bruce Hain] Yeah, that's the card.

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Thank you. Jorge? Patrick Jean?

[Patrick Jean] Good afternoon. Thank you for having me. Good afternoon, members of the

Board. My name is Patrick Jean. I'm a flight catering worker at LSG, Sky Chef at JFK airport. I

work in the food production and transportation department making sure all of our flights leave on

time with all their foods and drinks. The works take a physical and emotional toll on my body.

On top of this, I often work overtime which prevent me from spending time with my family. I do

this because I cannot afford not to work overtime. I have bills to pay, I have rent to pay, and I

have to put food on the table. Yet, what I make at the airline catering worker at JFK does not

allow me to make ends meet. We deserve to make the living wage. There is a new Governor in

New Jersey and new faces on this Board. Commissioners, you have the authority and ability to

change almost 40,000 workers' lives by increasing the minimum wages for all airport workers in

New York and New Jersey. Our work preparing and delivering the airplane meals is also

important to the airport's securities. We deserve the same pay as the unarmed security guards, the


Port Authority employees at the airports. More importantly, as you do this, including in-flight

catering workers, we have been left behind in the past our action for justice and equality. Please

think of many workers who can't wait for tomorrow, we need the change now. Thank you.

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Thank you, Patrick. And thank you colleagues for coming. Dennis

Diaz?

[Dennis Diaz] Good afternoon, Commissioners. My name is Dennis Diaz. I'm the Airport

Director of Unite Here Local 100. Our union represents about 5,000 workers which 1,800 of

them work as airline catering workers at the Port Authority here in JFK, LaGuardia, and New

York. Now that New Jersey has elected a new Governor, the Port Authority should act to raise

the wages for all for all airport workers. They deserve to be paid equally to the Port Authority's

unarmed security guards. Newark and New York airline catering workers continue to get to be

stuck in poverty and are tired to be left behind. Airport workers or airports across the country are

raising wages for workers. In San Francisco, airline catering workers organize for a living wage

that airport's minimum wage for all workers including airline catering workers is now $14.50 per

hour. For some workers, that means a raise of $5 per hour. In Washington, D.C., the airport

authority passed a living wage policy in April that includes airline catering workers. Airline

catering workers want to be treated equally and paid a living wage. Thank you. Happy holidays.

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Thank you very much. Beverly Thompson?

[applause]

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Beverly Thompson?

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Yvonne Garrett Moore? I'm sorry, Beverly is there? I apologize.

[Beverly Thompson] Good afternoon. My name is Beverly Thompson. And I have worked at

OTG, Newark Airport for three years. I'm Unite Here Local 100 union member, and I'm here

today to say now that New Jersey has selected a new Governor, the Port Authority should act to

raise wages for all airport workers including New York airline catering workers now. These are

people who prepare the food for the flights, the people who drive, and load it on to the planes.

Airline catering workers are important part of ensuring the flight is clean and on time. Airline

catering workers are also important part of making sure airports are safe and secured. Workers

make sure nothing dangerous goes on planes, food courts. Low wages, and high turnouts put our

airports at risk. Airline catering workers, Newark Airport workers want to be treated equally and

paid a living wage. The time for you members of the Port Authority to act now.

[Beverly Thompson] Thank you. Happy holidays.


[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Thank you. Thank you. You too. Yvonne Garrett Moore?

[Yvonne Garrett Moore] Good morning, Commissioners. How are you?

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Good, thank you.

[Yvonne Garrett Moore] All is well. I was in a fire a couple of weeks ago and that's why I wasn't

here in November. Thank goodness for that Beth Israel and St. Barnabas Hospital. Three weeks

in the hospital recovering, actually I went through the fire, but prior to going through this fire, we

were pressing to address economic development in and around Newark International Airport. We

have a great opportunity to help these wonderful people and their families by looking at our

economic capability and maximizing the potential. So I came before you in October sharing with

you a group of key stakeholders came together under the guidance and leadership of our

Aviation Department with Port Authority and Government Affairs to look at conversations

around economic development in and around Newark International Airport. There is a concept

called Aerotropolis which I have brought before you many times, it is a sound economic

development concept. It is an economic engine provider. And so we are now looking at the best

practices to develop economic opportunities in and around Newark Airport with these key

stakeholders which includes City of Newark, Port Authority leadership, the Newark Economic

Community Development Corporation, NJIT, Rutgers, Newark Regional Business Partnership,

Regional Plan Association, RPA. We have come together, as we should, as a committed

community to look at best practices and opportunities to address the disparities Executive

Director that we know exist that Newark Airport is at the bottom of the list of amenities and

services. When we decide that we are going to major on hospitality and service that we are the

global port of choice in our global community when we create that atmosphere, we are going to

attract a greater population and greater economic development. So as a result, we've had two

meetings. One in October here at Port Authority at the Airport in Newark, and then the

subsequent meeting in November took place at Newark Community Economic Development

Corporation. Out of that meeting came three components. One is a startup development for

Newark Airport City, Aerotropolis economic community development. That's the focus. New

Jersey Institute of Technology is saying that they will help lead the way with this startup

initiative looking at best practices, looking at evidence based opportunities, and then we look at

intermediate, and then a management structure for this Newark Airport City, Aerotropolis

economic development initiative. At this point, we would like the Board of Commissioners to

look at number one, establishing a free trade zone at Newark International Airport to examine

what a free trade zone would mean in terms of economic development opportunities, to attract

greater businesses into our area. Number two, we would like for the Board of Commissioners

Thank you. To consider a resolution for the Newark Aerotropolis development. And appropriate

funds for that Newark Aerotropolis at the tune of $250,000 which would establish an initiative.


Prudential Arena has already Prudential insurance company has already agreed that they see the

value of this, NJIT has committed to this. I've reached out to Vornado Real estate group in New

York. They are saying we are eager to talk to Newark about the real estate opportunities, in and

around Newark International Airport. So we are asking the Commissioners to work with us, very

closely, with Government Affairs. Last point, and I thank you for this time, the PATH train

presentation went exceptionally well. And we want to thank Steven Plate and Tina Lado for their

leadership in presenting the PATH train. It was well received in the Newark community.

However, the thought is that it needs to be expanded to Newark Elizabeth line. So that's a

consideration. We will send you forthcoming information, specifically, about the Newark Airport

Aerotropolis community economic development, and look for your leadership to continue to join

with us to create opportunities for these wonderful people.

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Okay.

[Yvonne Garrett Moore] And we thank you.

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Thank you.

[Yvonne Garrett Moore] All right, God bless you.

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] I'm glad you're feeling better now.

[Yvonne Garrett Moore] Yeah, much better.

[Yvonne Garrett Moore] Thanks.

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Terrific. Thumbs up. Scott Spencer?

[Scott Spencer] Good afternoon, Commissioner O'Toole, Vice-Chairman. The Chairman

O'Toole, and Vice-Chairman Lynford, and Executive Director Cotton, and your fellow

Commissioners. I'm Scott Spencer with the Empire State Gateway. And I'm here to speak about

specifically, the Gateway Program, the $17 million in the budget for the related improvements

including the Hudson Tunnel Project, the Penn station, New York. This project as many of the

major investments of Port Authority considers its utility and impact for the next 100 to 200

years. But as I've testified in the EIS process for the Hudson Tunnel Project, this project, the

Hudson Tunnel Project, unfortunately has a number of flaws and limitations particularly in the

fact that they did not consider the cost capacity and capabilities of this tunnel compared to other

alternatives. In fact, one of the major flaws of the Hudson Tunnel Project is that it will be the

first in the history of New York City to be a new tunnel, a bridge across the Hudson that provides

no increase of capacity, whether it would be rail or highway across the Hudson. And another


major flaw of this project in the EIS process, again, looking at what we face for the next 100 to

200 years, it does not consider its ability to function in the face of future flood risks. There has

been no consideration of flood resiliency, so you would have a multi-billion dollar facility

opened, still at risk with the flooding at Penn Station, New York and the East River Tunnels that

sever the vital Northeast Corridor and the commuter capabilities. There is also an issue before

politicians on this project where $450 million is being sought by the Gateway Development

Corporation to build the tunnel box under the Hudson yard buildings that are under construction.

And that's greatly at fault because it's using tax dollars to support what really is an air rights

agreement. The developer should be responsible to support whatever development they want, not

the taxpayers for that tunnel box. And also I'd like to request that the Port Authority consider

seeking an independent engineering evaluation of the existing Hudson Tunnels. There is no

doubt that future capacity has to be created, but it's may not be as critical when you consider that

the PATH tunnels were built with much less robust since they are only cast iron tunnels and they

are not facing the same risk as the solid concrete tunnels, the Hudson River, so independent

engineering valuation would be prudent to consider its true risk in the timeline that we are

facing. And lastly, I'd like you to consider as I propose the EmpireStateGateway.com. I'd be

happy to meet with the Executive Director to explore more concisely why this is a more robust

multi-modal alternative, since it also removes buses from the Lincoln Tunnel and eliminates the

cost of having to build a new Port Authority Bus Terminal as well. Thank you.

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Thank you for your comments. Demetrius Lucky?

[Demetrius Lucky] Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Demetrius Lucky. I live

in Newark. I work as a baggage handler for Newark Airport for 11 years. I'm here today to ask

you to make fairly sustainable wages and better healthcare reality for me and 40,000 of my co-

workers who keep Newark, and, JFK, and LaGuardia running. You heard from some of my co-

workers last month. They shared their own struggles to make ends meet. I want to take the

opportunity to tell you more about my own situation. I take pride in my work as a baggage

handler. I make sure passenger's luggage get to the right destination. Today my co-workers and I

are the first line of defense if a bag looks suspicious, we immediately call the cops. I make only

$10.20 an hour. I pay $1,300 for an apartment I share with my teenage daughter. I buy a $100

worth of groceries each week. I pay $59 for a bus card a month if I want to get to work. I'm

lucky to have $3 saved for emergency for my paycheck. By helping us to earn a dignified salary,

you'll also be able to retain more of your long-term employees. I'm ready, when I have the proper

training to do my job to its best. Airport workers are stronger when we have adequate insurance

that helps keep us healthy so we can work harder and provide the best service for our passengers.

Our airports are safe when we are able to earn fairly sustainable wages that allow us to say to our

job for years to come. The fact is that we make the airport run smoothly, we make them safely,

it's time for you to take the necessary steps to ensure our employees are ready, safe, and strong.

Thank you.


[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Thank you for your comments.

[applause] Now thank you colleagues and your co-workers. Christina Watson? Christina

Watson?

[Christina Watson] Good morning, everybody. My name is Christina Watson. I'm a part-time

security officer at Newark Airport. Like many of my co-workers, I make $10.20 an hour. I really,

really struggle to make ends meet. I live with my parents in Newark to save on rent, but I help

them with the utilities and other bills. So I only make $5.25 each paycheck. And when I receive

my paycheck, it's gone within the same day. About $400 go to the utility bills, $70 go to my

transportation back and forth to work. I used to have a car when I was working full-time but not

anymore. A family-sustainable wage and more training will help the A family-sustainable wage

and more training will help me be more stronger in my capacity as a security officer. The reality

is right now, they are the working class, I'm the working class. We are the poor working class.

And my paycheck always My paycheck always

[Public] All right, take your time.

[Christina Watson] This really mean a lot to us. It's not helping. What we are going through, we

should have to go through. We get up every day to make sure that business run effectively,

smoothly every day and our business is to run the same. I provide vital service at the airport, and

I should be better compensated. Thank you for taking the time to listen to our struggles today.

Now is your time to take action for our airports, ready, safe, and strong. Thank you.

[applause]

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Christina, thank you very much for coming up. Selwyn Baptiste or

Baptist?

[Selwyn Baptiste] A pleasant good afternoon to the Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner, all

members of the Committee. I'm a Security Guard at JFK. My name is Selwyn Baptiste, and I'm a

Security officer at JFK. I've worked at the airport for numerous contractors or subcontractors for

one and a half year. I work hard at my job, helping passengers safe and helping them on their

journey. Every day, I just want a good job that helps me support my family. It is hard to get by

on minimum wages in New York. New York City especially when my employer Global Security

is not treating me and my co-workers fairly. They don't pay us for all our hours we work.

Recently, Global settled class action lawsuit with some of my co-workers over wage theft. Wage

theft, we're not getting enough already and now you're stealing it. We do important work to keep

the community safe, we are proud of our jobs. We deserve family sustaining wages, we deserve


respect from our employer to pay us fairly for our work that we can make the airport ready, safe,

and secure. Thank you very much. Have a happy Christmas.

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Thank you very much for your comments. Thank you. Jonathan

Bryan? Jonathan?

[Johnathan Bryan ] Good afternoon. My name is Jonathan Bryan. I'm a Security officer at JFK

Airport. I work at Terminal 1. The airport workers are basically the building blocks that hold this

airport, without them, the airports can't be safe and secure. We are here today to ask you guys,

some of you might be new, some of you might not be new, but to take action to help airport

workers all of us to make a good living wage. I live in Long Island. I don't know if you know

about New York and Long Island, but it costs a lot. It's a lot. And for wage of $11 per hour, is

just not enough, you know. I was there to give you an example when they had the active shooting

incident where we had many passengers run to us, asking us for help or what to do and where to

go, you know, we need better training, and better pay, and better benefits to help us to sustain our

families and our lives. For example, me, my father died just recently and after that my mother

with bills to pay, you know, and I'm looking for to go back to school. I've not been able to do all

of that because of wages, you know, it's really hard. You know, I've worked there for almost two

years now and to be honest, I've seen so many workers come and go. It's a high turnover, you

know. And with a better pay, you have a better environment, better moral, and people will

actually work better, and work harder to keep the airport safe and secure so that the passengers

can travel back and forth happily, and feeling safe. So it's up to you guys, the Port Authority

Board, to make this a reality. It's a new day, it's a new dawn, and it's up to you guys to help us,

airport workers, please help us. Thank you.

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Thank you. Thank you.

[applause] Deborah Sinico? Deborah Sinico?

[Deborah Sinico] Sorry.

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Deborah or Deborah.

[Deborah Sinico] I can't hear you.

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] I apologize. I have Jeff whisper in my ear, I'm mispronouncing every

other word so

[Deborah Sinico] That's okay.


[Vice-Chair J.H. Lynford] It’s fine.

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] I am!

[Deborah Sinico] My circumstances isn't as severe as theirs. However, I do have to commute on

the PATH and I'm just wonderful to hear Mr. Marino with regards to what they're doing with the

PATH. It's hard to get to work in the morning Monday to Friday at 8:30 because half of the time,

it's delayed and schedules like signals or derailment, every week it's something. And, you know,

I'm glad to hear they're doing things, but how do I keep telling my employer every week, "Yeah,

I'm half hour late because blah-blah-blah " You know, I could be unemployed because of this. So

something does need to happen. And the weekend schedules, you got to be kidding me, the

overcrowding, between Monday through Friday overcrowding is horrendous. The people are so

tense. I saw a woman get thrown off a train 'cause a guy got mad because she was trying to

wiggle her way in. He threw her off. We luckily enough helped the train doors open so she could

get back on. That's how tense it is. You have no idea. And it's hard for you to conceive if you

don't walk in someone else's shoes, I suggest, all of you Monday through Friday at 8:30 in the

morning take Grove Street to the 33rd street, and see what the experience is or even on the

weekends, this Journal Square to Hoboken routine is got to stop. You got to be kidding me. I

understand 20 years ago when there was nobody taking the service that much. But today, you've

got overcrowding because of all the development. When Trump started to build his tower in

Jersey City, you got to be kidding me, guys. You should have seen it. It's a wakeup call, hello,

hello. Development, it means a lot of people, you have to make adjustments. Now I'm not trying

to be a kvetch, and constantly, you know, sorry. But it gets old. So if you could fix the 33rd,

weekend, gotta stop that, and make a better system to where we don't have such overcrowding.

It's just horrendous. And I got to thank the task force Mr. Marina. They were wonderful, they did

give me a call back after I complained via email. They were very nice, Jessica Mills, and

Rebecca Cassidy, were very nice in letting me know what was going on. So thank you. Thank

you for the time.

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Thank you very much for your comments. Michael DeFrietas?

Michael DeFrietas?

[Michael DeFrietas] Yes, sir. A pleasant good afternoon to the Board of Governors. This is a

very special moment for me. My name is Michael DeFrietas, and I'm a Security officer at JFK.

I've worked at the airport for a little over a year. I'm struggling to support my family with

minimum wage and without benefits. After transportation, rent, and food, there is not really

anything leftover. All I want is a fair wage so that I can support my family and provide a bright

future for my kids. All my colleagues at the airport just want the same thing. That's why we need

the Port Board to set a standard of living wages and benefits so that workers can support their

families, stay on the job, and make our airports safer. Both New York Governor Cuomo, and


New Jersey Governor-elect Phil Murphy have said their support family-sustaining wages and

benefits for airport workers. Now is the chance for you, the Port Board, to make this a reality for

40,000 contracted airport workers like me at JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark. That way, we can

make the airports ready and safer. But in my final comment, I want to say this. It's very

important that we understand that unless we take a policy position in arriving to the consensus of

concluding and arriving at answers to ready answering the need for airport workers, we will not

get it done because at presently, as I've done many studies and I've read many issues relating to

business and economical fears around the world, inflation rates on cost of living has gone up

more than 40%. You have, in the United States of America, 10 out of every 9 person or 10

persons, 9 persons who are financially stressed. People are jumping out of windows in monotony

I've read it in the news. Financial issues in this city and in this country is real, and so I ask the

Board today to kindly and artfully, understand the cry of the poor, help us to get above poverty,

and help to solve the social and economic problems we face in this country. Thank you and have

a good afternoon.

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Thank you for your comments. Charlene Talarico. Final speaker.

[Charlene Talarico] Good afternoon. Today is my fifth appearance seeking assistance from this

Board after being physically assaulted by Diannae Ehler, now the Director of TB&T for which

criminal charges are pending against her. The trial is scheduled to begin on December 19. If she

apologizes for what she actually did which does not have to be done in court, I will gladly drop

the charges. Remember, I have no intention of suing the Port Authority for her actions or the

abuse I received at the Lincoln Tunnel. This is about the truth. On November 20 of this year,

over a year after the incident occurred, I was finally allowed to submit civilian complaints

regarding the actions of the Lincoln Tunnel Captain, the Lieutenant, the Sergeant, and the police

officer who wrote the reports. These reports are inaccurate and they refuse to assist me in an

effort to protect Diannae Ehler and hide the truth. For the record, I believe the officer only did

what she was ordered to do. The police report state that my complaint was a verbal dispute. This

is untrue. After Diannae Ehler pushed me and tried to rip my personal cell phone from my hand,

I immediately went downstairs to the Captain And stated I was assaulted by Diannae Ehler and

wanted to press criminal charges. The captain went upstairs and spoke to Diannae Ehler and

Gerald Lindenmeyer, he then returned downstairs and told me, the matter didn't rise to a criminal

complaint, and he would not accept it. As a formal deputy court administrator and as I

understand the law, that decision was not up to him, but should have been decided by a judge

which it was, that's why there are criminal charges pending against her. Since it's taken over a

year to finally be allowed to submit civilian complaints, I have little faith that they will be

properly investigated. For the record, before I was unjustly put out of work, I had perfect

attendance for my entire Port Authority career, and no disciplinary actions against me. Also if I

was this terribly disruptive difficult employee they say, then why did they try to force me back to

the Lincoln Tunnel with criminal charges pending against my boss Diannae Ehler. Also if the


abuse I received at the Lincoln Tunnel from other Lincoln Tunnel staff wasn't true, then why

would they give me my own refrigerator for my lunch with a lock on it? I'm a hardworking,

dedicated employee seeking justice. Police reports are totally inaccurate, mail has been stolen,

medical examination was videotaped, and the inspector general's detective lied to the

Weehawken prosecutor about my investigation. I read the newspapers and watch the news every

day. After each of these meetings, I see articles written I'm aware of that. Thank you. After, after

each of these meetings, I see articles written and reports done about the bus terminal, the low pay

of the airport workers, etcetera. Why is it that none of the reporters here care about this

disgraceful situation? That maybe the only way the truth will ever prevail. God knows the Port

Authority hasn't been good about investigating itself. I only wish they were. I will continue to

pursue this matter until the truth prevails regardless of where I have to go What I have to do, or

how long it takes. Thank you for your time, and I wish you all a happy, healthy, and safe holiday

season.

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Thank you. That closes the public portion. We'll now proceed with the

voting of items before the Board today for consideration which each of the respective Committee

Chairs will provide a brief report for prior to the matter being considered by the Board. We'll

have Commissioner Bagger start the portion of the proceedings with the 2018 budget as Chair,

the Committee on Finance. We will follow with a report by Vice-Chair Lynford on behalf of the

Committee on Capital Planning, Execution, and Assess Management, and World Trade Center

redevelopment Sub-Committee. Report by Commissioner Turner on behalf of the Committee on

Governance and Ethics will follow, and I will conclude with a report on behalf of the Committee

on Operations. Commissioner Bagger.

[Commissioner R. Bagger] Great, thank you, as Chair of the Finance Committee, recommend

approval today of our 2018 budget as outlined by our Chief Financial Officer Libby McCarthy

earlier in the meeting. What we are voting on now is both our Operating Budget and our Capital

Budget for 2018. Our operating budget is $3.2 billion representing a 1.9% increase over the

current year. That budget forecasts total revenues that will be increasing by 2.7% in 2018, excuse

me, 2.5% increase in revenues with no changes, no increases in tolls or fares. The difference

between our revenues, our revenues minus our operating expenses and our operating budget

results in a $1.5 billion net operating income that is applied to and spent on our capital program.

So our Capital Budget which we are also proving today for 2018 is $3.4 billion. So $1.5 billion

of that is pay as you go through our net operating income, you know, which is very impressive.

Net Capital Budget for 2018 is consistent within the court with our 10-year Capital Plan. So this

budget, as colleagues know, has been reviewed by the Finance Committee, it's been the subject

of extensive discussion, you know, joint meeting of the Operations and Finance Committees and

considered by the full Board posted in full for public review and comments that have been shared

back with the Board. So at this point, I would like to recommend action on this and begin by

asking the corporate Secretary if we have any recusals.


[K. Eastman] No recusals.

[Commissioner R. Bagger] We have a motion to prove the 2018 budget?

[Commissioners] So moved.

[Commissioner R. Bagger] Is there a Second? Any questions or discussion? If not, a roll call,

please.

[K. Eastman] Chairman O'Toole.

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Yes.

[K. Eastman] Vice-Chairman Lynford.

[Vice-Chair J.H. Lynford] Yes.

[K. Eastman] Commissioner Bagger.

[Commissioner R. Bagger] Yes.

[K. Eastman] Commissioner Eve.

[Commissioner L. Eve] Yes.

[K. Eastman] Commissioner Horwitz.

[Commissioner D. Horwitz] Yes.

[K. Eastman] Commissioner LaBarbera.

[Commissioner G. LaBarbera] Yes.

[K. Eastman] Commissioner McDonald.

[Commissioner G. McDonald] Yes.

[K. Eastman] Commissioner Pocino.


[Commissioner R. Pocino] Yes.

[K. Eastman] Commissioner Rosado.

[Commissioner R. Rosado] Yes.

[K. Eastman] Commissioner Turner.

[Commissioner C. Turner] Yes.

[Commissioner R. Bagger] That item is approved.

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Thank you, Commissioner Bagger. Exceptional job as always,

Richard, truly exceptional. Vice-Chair Lynford, can we have your report?

[Vice-Chair J.H. Lynford] As Chair of the Committee I didn't want you to hear that. Thirteen

certain specific resolutions, so I ask your indulgence as I will move rapidly through these

respective items. The first item which was discussed in Committee earlier today authorizes the

expenditure of $496 million to implement certain airside and landside elements of the Terminal

A Redevelopment program at Newark Liberty International Airport and agreements with the

rental car companies operating at Newark Airport to conduct a feasibility study for an integrated

rental car facility and Port Authority operated public parking garage with the Port Authority's

portion of the feasibility study cost capped at $8 million. This item also authorizes two additional

projects that must be closely coordinated with Terminal A redevelopment program, specifically,

$175 million project to design and construct a south airfield and $75 million project to design

and construct certain footings for the future alignment of AirTrain Newark. Lastly, this item also

authorizes the Executive Director take actions necessary to implement the aforementioned work

and submit an application to the federal aviation administration to recover certain Terminal A

redevelopment cost via passenger facility charges. Prior to making a motion on this item, I would

ask the Corporate Secretary to note any Commissioner recusals on this matter.

[K. Eastman] There are no recusals.

[Vice-Chair J.H. Lynford] Do any Commissioners have any questions or comments on this item?

Hearing that, I will now request a motion on this item.


[Vice-Chair J.H. Lynford] Can I have a second? Got it. I will now request the Corporate

Secretary to call the roll for voting on this item.























[Vice-Chair J.H. Lynford] As the votes are in order, the item is approved. The next item

authorizes $35 million to undertake an environmental review of two preferred alternatives

identified in the cross harbor freight movement program tier one, environmental impact

statement and authorizes the Executive Director to two agreements for professional advisory

services to assist with the environmental review. Prior to making motion on this item, I would

ask the Corporate Secretary to note any Commissioner recusals on this matter.


[Vice-Chair J.H. Lynford] Do any of the Commissioners have any questions or comments on this

item? Hearing that, I will now request a motion on this item.


[Vice-Chair J.H. Lynford] Can I have a second?

[Commissioners] Second.

[Vice-Chair J.H. Lynford] I will now request the Corporate Secretary to call the roll for voting

on this item.






















[Vice-Chair J.H. Lynford] As the votes are in order, the item is approved. The next item, which

was discussed in Committee today authorize a program to rehabilitate and replace key

components of PATH's rail car fleet, to maintain them in a state of good repair and extend their

useful life at an estimated cost of $79.5 million. This item also authorize a word of negotiated

contract to Kawasaki Rail Car Inc. to overhaul the PATH rail car fleet. Prior to making motion

on this item, I would ask the Corporate Secretary to note any Commissioner recusals on this

matter.



item? I will now request a motion and a second on it.

[Commissioner] So moved.


[Vice-Chair J.H. Lynford] Thank you. I will now request the Corporate Secretary to call the roll


for voting on this item.






















[Vice-Chair J.H. Lynford] As the votes are in order, the item is approved. The next item which is

also discussed in Committee earlier today authorize a $150 million project to purchase 50 new

rail cars for PATH. This item also authorizes the award of a negotiated contract with Kawasaki

Rail Car Inc. to design, fabricate, test and deliver the new rail cars with an option to purchase an

additional 22 additional rail cars with the exercise of set options subject to further Board

authorization. This item also authorizes a seven-year extension of existing agreement with the

joint venture of LTK Engineering Services/Parsons Transportation Group for professional

management services in support of the project. Prior to making motion on this item, I would ask

the corporate Secretary to note any Commissioner recusals on this matter.


[Vice-Chair J.H. Lynford] Thank you. Do any of the Commissioners have a question or

comment on this item? Hearing that, I will now request a motion and a second on this item.

[Commissioner] Second.

[Vice-Chair J.H. Lynford] Very good. I will now request the Corporate Secretary to call the roll























[Vice-Chair J.H. Lynford] As the votes are in order, the item is approved. The next item

authorizes $70.6 billion project for the rehabilitation and expansion of PATH's existing

substation number 14 including the retention of architectural and engineering design services for

the project. Substation 14 suffered damages as a result of super storm Sandy, and this project will

replace damaged equipment and provide for improved resilience from future storms. Prior to

making a motion on this item, I would ask the Corporate Secretary to note any Commissioner

recusals on this matter.



item? I will now request a motion on this item and a second.



on this item.



[Board Chair J.H. Lynford] Yes.




















[Vice-Chair J.H. Lynford] As the votes are in order, the item is approved. That's six of the 12

pages.

[Commissioner] No, you're kidding.

[Vice-Chair J.H. Lynford] No, I'm not. The next item authorizes $29.2 million project to replace

the track interlocking and track structures which served PATH's Hoboken Station including a

retention of architectural and engineering design services for the project. Prior to making a

motion on this item, I would ask the Corporate Secretary to note any Commissioner recusals on

this matter?


[Vice-Chair J.H. Lynford] Thank you. Do any of the Commissioners have questions or

comments? I will now request a motion and a second on this item.

























[Vice-Chair J.H. Lynford] As the votes are in order, the item is approved. The next item which

was discussed in Committee earlier today, we authorize the Bayonne Bridge navigational

clearance program increasing the authorized program budget from $1.3 billion to an estimated

range of $1.654 billion and $1.692 billion. This increase is necessary to accommodate the

revised construction timeline and asked by the Port Authority in October 2015 based on multiple

complexities and construction challenges associated with implementing the project. Prior to




[Vice-Chair J.H. Lynford] Thank you. Do any of the Commissioners have any questions or

comments on this item? Hearing that, I will now request a motion and a second on this item.





on this item.






















[Vice-Chair J.H. Lynford] As the votes are in order, the item is approved. On behalf of the

World Trade Center site redevelopment sub-committee, I will now submit an item for the

Board's consideration that authorizes funding for an existing contract with Cushman &

Wakefield and the amount of $52.3 million for continued management and operation and

maintenance services at the World Trade Center site including public spaces and centralized

infrastructure for a one-year period. Prior to making a motion on this item, I would ask the

Corporate Secretary to note any Commissioner recusals on this matter.


[Vice-Chair J.H. Lynford] Do any of the Commissioners have any questions or comments?

Hearing that, I will now request a motion and a second on this item.


























[Vice-Chair J.H. Lynford] As the votes are in order, this item is approved. The next item

authorizes an $8.8 million contract to railroad construction company incorporated for the

fabrication and installation of a low-grade flood mitigation and resiliency improvements to

protect Port Authority transportation assets at the west basement levels of the World Trade

Center site. Prior to making a motion on this item, I would ask the Corporate Secretary to note

any Commissioner recusals on this matter.


[Vice-Chair J.H. Lynford] Thank you. Do any of the Commissioners have questions or

comments on this item? George? Thank you. I will now request and I want to make sure you are

listening. Excuse me, while I catch my breath. I will now request a motion and second on this

item.



on this item.























[Vice-Chair J.H. Lynford] As the votes are in order, the item is approved. The next item would

amend the extra work allowances under certain World Trade Center transportation hub

construction contracts in order to support the completion of the project within the existing

authorized total project budget. The amends are necessary, as certain scopes of work have been

reallocated among contractors in order to be most effectively complete the project. Prior to





comments? Hearing that, I will now request a motion and a second on this item.


























[Vice-Chair J.H. Lynford] As the votes are in order, the item is approved. Running into the

homestretch. The next item authorizes $500,000 increase and a six-month extension of an

existing architectural and engineering services agreement with Perkins Eastman Architects to

arise construction design bid documents in support of the development and property management

facility and Port Authority police department command facility at the World Trade Center. Prior

to making a motion on this item, I would ask the Corporate Secretary to note any Commissioner




comments on this item? George?

[Commissioner G. McDonald] No, sir.

[Vice-Chair J.H. Lynford] Thank you. I will now request a motion and a second.



[Vice-Chair J.H. Lynford] I will now request the Corporate Secretary to call the roll for a voting

on this item.






















[Vice-Chair J.H. Lynford] I introduce a certain amount of levity to keep the attention of my

fellow Commissioners. These are all very important and I thank you and I apologize for speaking

rapidly, but I thought it was important to get it done. Thank you.

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Well done, Vice-Chair. Commissioner Turner, may we have your

report?

[Commissioner C. Turner] As Chair of the Committee on Governance and Ethics, I will now

report on an item that authorizes certain amendments to the Port Authority's public records

access policy, consistent with the parameters described by general counsel during his

presentation of this matter. Prior to making the motion on this item, I would ask the Corporate

Secretary to note any Commissioner recusals on this matter.


[Commissioner C. Turner] Do any of the Commissioners have any questions or comments on

this item? I will now request a motion on this item.


[Commissioner] Second. I will now request the Corporate Secretary to call the roll for voting on

this item.






















[Commissioner C. Turner] As the votes are in order, the item is approved, and my utmost

confidence in our General Counsel and Michael Farbiarz, and our Executive Director Rick

Cotton to do this efficiently, expeditiously and in a way that meets the needs of the public. I

think it worked out.

[Board Chair K. O’Toole Are we finished, Commissioner Turner?

[Commissioner C. Turner] Done.

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Great. Thank you very much. As Chair of the Committee on

Operations, I will now present for consideration an item that authorizes lease supplement with

our bond at the Port Authority bus terminal to adjust the lease square footage to extend the term

of the letting through February 2028 at an aggregate rental of $13.7 million. This lease will

continue to be cancelable without cause on a 30-day notice. Prior to making a motion, I ask the


Corporate Secretary to note any Commissioner recusals.


[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Any Commissioners have any questions or comments? Motion please.


[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Second?


[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Request for roll call.




















[K. Eastma] Commissioner Turner.


[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Item is approved. The next item authorizes a 10-year lease with

Santander Bank for its continued occupancy of retail space at Journal Square, transportation

center at an aggregate rental estimated at $2.4 million. Prior to making a motion on this item, I

would ask the Corporate Secretary to note any Commissioner recusals.


[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Commissioners any questions or comments? Motion please.


[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Second?


[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Roll call.






















[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Item is approved. That concludes my report. There being no further

business, I move to adjourn. Second on favor.

[Commissioners] Aye.

[Board Chair K. O’Toole] Meeting is adjourned. Happy holidays to everybody.

[Commissioners] Happy holiday.

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