Board Meeting
September 10, 2004
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 a.m.
The Meeting Place
400 S. CM Allen Parkway
San Marcos, Texas 78666

I. Call to Order:

Chairman Wells thanked the audience for attending.

Chairman Wells advised that a quorum was not present, and therefore the Board members present would conduct conversations and acquire information to help make decisions once the Board convenes a meeting.

Participants:

• Sid Covington
• Fred Harless
• Dave Marsh
• Al Notzon
• Daryl Slusher
• Tullos Wells

Tommy Adkisson, Gonzalo Barrientos, Sam Barshop, Mariano Camarillo, Gerald Daugherty, Carroll Schubert, Tim Tuggey, and Jeff Wentworth were unable to attend.

Other participants included Ross Milloy and Bill Bingham.

Chairman Wells also welcomed representatives from Georgetown, Amelia C. Sondgeroth, Director of Planning and Development Services, and Ed Polasek, Planning and Development Services.

II. Committee Reports

A. Freight Rail Relations Committee (FRRC):

Sid Covington advised that the FRRC did not have a meeting this month. Covington stated that Union Pacific Officials have been attending conventions and unavailable.

Steve Lowry advised that PBS&J is progressing forward with some measured pace with freight rail relations. Lowry stated that TXDOT continues in their efforts concerning the relocation study. TXDOT recently traveled to Omaha to review some technical issues. Lowry hopes to get a report from Mario Medina next week.

Chairman Wells added that Judge Wolff and the San Antonio Mobility Coalition continue in their on-going dialogue with Union Pacific.

B. Program Management Oversight Committee (PMOC):

Mariano Camarillo was unable to attend the meeting; however, Chairman Wells stated that Camarillo had no PMOC report to provide.

C. Public Information Committee (PIC):

Dave Marsh advised that the PIC had not met since the last meeting; however a working group meeting is currently scheduled for September 14, 2004, at the offices of PBS&J to discuss the web site. Marsh added that the PIC is waiting for additional tasks to be assigned.

III. Report on Federal Transit Administration Officials Visit on August 19th

Sid Covington discussed the Federal Transit Administration visit on the evening of August 18th. In attendance were: Covington, Daryl Slusher, Brian Jackson (FTA -Washington, DC) and John Sweek (FTA – Fort Worth). Covington also met with them the following day to discuss the needs of the corridor.

Steve Lowry stated that he had received informal feedback from Dallas, who met with FTA prior to their visit with San Antonio, and Houston, who met with FTA after their visit with San Antonio. Lowry stated that FTA’s visit went very well compared to their visit with Dallas and Houston. Lowry added that Brian Jackson is interested in getting information as quickly as we can provide it to him regarding (1) resolving local funding issues and (2) ridership.

IV. Discussion of Feasibility Update Assumptions

Chairman Wells deferred to Steve Lowry for a detailed discussion concerning the assumptions to be considered as part of the “New Starts Program.”

Steve Lowry provided a copy of his presentation “Board of Directors Meeting: September 10, 2004 – Project Assumptions”

• Rail Technology
  Proven Technology vs. emerging technology
  Constrained to existing guide way
  Phased implementation
• Travel Time
  Highway travel time vs. passenger rail
  Local vs. Express trains
  Phased implementations
• Service Frequency
  Peak hour frequency
  Off peak frequency
  Express train frequency
  Week day vs. week end schedules
  Phased Implementation
• Corridor Phasing
  Limited services vs. full service considerations
  Freight rail agreement constraints
  Public acceptance
  Funding considerations
• Service Phasing
  Limited service vs. full service consideration
  Freight rail agreement constraints
  Public acceptance
  Funding considerations
• Fare Policy
  Ridership sensitivity
  O&M revenue source
  Fare discounts
  Fare collection technologies
• General Discussion

An extensive discussion concerning the presentation topics ensued.

V. Discuss Possible By-Law Changes on Committee Quorums

Bill Bingham briefly discussed the possible by-law changes regarding committee quorums he presented at the Board’s last meeting. Bingham stated that he believes the best option is that Chairman Wells appoint two alternate members for each committee member. Bingham stated that this may be accomplished without amending the bylaws. Bingham prepared a resolution to enable the Chairman to effectuate this task and advised no Board action was required.

VI. FY05 Budget

Ross Milloy stated that there was no need to approve a budget because a two-year budget was already adopted and in place. Milloy clarified that the revised budget was provided to the Board in an effort to show where/how the funds are being distributed. Milloy directed any questions to Catherine Robinson.

VII. Other Business

Lowry stated that PBS&J’s contract was signed on September 5, 2003; thus, he wanted to take a moment to thank the District for allowing PBS&J to be involved in this project on the one year anniversary of their involvement. Lowry stated that PBS&J looks forward to the future of this project.

Chairman Wells thanked Lowry, as well as PBS≈J, for performing above and beyond their call of duty.

VIII. Financial Report

Ross Milloy provided 3 documents:

• 2004-2005 Fiscal Year Budget: October 2004 through September 2005;
• 2004 Second Quarter Statement of Income and Billable Expenses;
• Reconciliation Detail: Checking Account, Period Ending 08/31/

IX. Public Comment

Amelia Sondgeroth, Director of Planning and Development Services of Georgetown, Texas stated that this was the first meeting she had attended, but assured the District that Georgetown is very much interested in this project. Ms. Sondgeroth also stated that Georgetown would welcome future Board meetings in Georgetown.

X. Adjourn

Chairman Wells thanked the Members and the audience for their attendance and participation and adjourned at 12:54 p.m.