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206. Regular Meeting May 14, 2001 Page 8 through the appointment process twice recently. She has received complaints from citizens regarding the interviews being done in closed session. She wanted the Council to consider if it is a value added process and if Council wishes to hold the interviews in closed session, or does the Council want to consider interviewing applicants in an open forum. Messrs. Moseley, Chiu and Mayhew agreed. Mr. Mayhew stated Ms. Hughson suggested applicants answer a set of questions in addition to completing the board volunteer form. Mr. Mihalkanin stated the Council should formalize its policy in an Ordinance and requested the City Attorney see what other cities do. Ms. Tatum stated the interview process was used as a selection tool, and she saw this as a way to evaluate candidates. She does not feel that it happened that way or that it added value to the process. Mr. Cox stated he thought the interviews had value but it did not change his mind. He stated he does not have strong feelings on this matter. He stated in the past four votes of approval made the appointment. Mr. Mayhew stated he agrees with Mr. Mihalkanin's suggestion to formalize the process in Ordinance form and thinks it would be beneficial to know what other cities are doing. Mr. Moseley stated what was the purpose of the interviews, and Ms. Tatum stated she thought it was to get to know the candidates. Mayor Chiu stated he agrees with Ms. Tatum and thinks the interview process has merit. Mr. Moseley stated there is community lobbying taking place and wants to depoliticize these appointments. Mayor Chiu directed Staff look into this matter. Mayor Chiu introduced receiving a report from the Capital Area Rural Transportation System (CARTS). Dave Marsh advised the Council he and Paul Hamilton want to report on the recommended changes of the consultants and their plans to implement changes. The local transit service will be improved with changes in routes, system adjustments and will be easier to use. The new routes will be more direct. The new transfer station in San Marcos will be a destination with Amtrak. Staff will be able to answer questions, sell tickets and help passengers with route decisions. Mr. Marsh has initiated discussions with the two outlet malls to improve access and route frequencies by providing an internal circulator between both complexes. The internal route would have to be privately supported and will improve access to the malls and allow the main mall route to get customers back to town sooner. Presently improvements to the malls have been made by limiting stops inside the mall property. Plans are to permanently suspend the SMT Service effective July 16 for local municipal bus service. It will be replaced with a new system with a new name, new routes and a new look. The new system will operate under the name CARTS Around Town ("CATn) , a service that will be planned with technology that can make it better. Smart Bus Stops will provide times when the bus will be there, and there will be constant digital communication between buses and the CARTS Call Center. There will be deviation from bus routes to pick up customers that cannot get to the nearest bus stop because of disability. Services will receive public input from neighborhood groups and the public at large to provide what is needed. CARTS needs the City's continued forbearance, financial participation and support, as well as daily staff interaction between CARTS and the City. CARTS' staff and the