The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County Board of Directors today voted unanimously to approve the purchase of 22.5 acres of land on El Dorado Boulevard and Glenwest Drive, just west of Interstate Highway 45, for the development of a Clear Lake Park & Ride facility.

The item was discussed during an executive session.

“We're just trying to get a larger facility,” Board Chair Gilbert Garcia said.

Board Member Christof Spieler asked that the staff bring back designs to committee to review, stating that the design was important.

The board took no action following the closed session regarding a request for board ratification of the Transport Workers Union Local 260 labor agreement. The item had been pulled from the agenda.

According to Garcia, the union did not accept the agreement, and the matter will go into arbitration.

The board voted unanimously to approve an interlocal agreement with the Houston Downtown Management District for the operation and maintenance of a small downtown shuttle bus service, to be called the Greenlink Circulator.

The district has received grants for the purchase of compressed natural gas buses. Under the agreement, METRO would operate the buses, with the district reimbursing costs of the staff and expenses involved for a three-year period.

The board took no action regarding amendments to the utility reimbursement agreements with CenterPoint Energy Electric Houston for utility relocations for the expansion of METRO's light rail service. The item was pulled from the agenda.

The item had been voted on, with the board voting 7-1, with Allen Watson opposed, as part of the consent agenda. However, the consent agenda was amended afterward and the item was pulled for no action.

All other items were approved by unanimous vote of the members present at the time of the vote. Board Member Dwight Jefferson was absent. Agenda

During the meeting, the board received a briefing from METRO President and CEO George Greanias regarding the General Mobility Program.

The board will meet on May 11 to further discuss the mobility program, which requires a referendum to be placed on the election in November, or the May 2013 ballot, to continue.

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