Board Meeting
Friday, March 4, 2005
10:00 a.m.
CAPCO Offices
2520 S. IH-53
Austin, Texas

Chairman and Member Comments

Chairman Wells thanked the Members of the committee and the audience for attending the meeting.

Chairman Wells briefly discussed the public meeting held at Hays High School in Buda, Texas, on the previous evening, March 4, 2005. Chairman Wells stated that it was a good session and he was happy that people are interested and excited about this project.

Call to Order

Notice was duly posted and a Board meeting of the Austin-San Antonio Intermunicipal Commuter Rail District board was held on Friday, March 4, 2005. Chairman Wells called the meeting to order at approximately 10:26 a.m.

Participants:

• Tullos Wells, Chairman
• Tommy Adkisson
• Mariano Camarillo
• Sid Covington
• Fred Harless
• Dave Marsh
• Al Notzon
• Carroll Schubert
• Daryl Slusher

Other participants included Ross Milloy and Bill Bingham. Joe Morris attended in Senator Wentworth’s absence.

Approval of Minutes

Upon motion by Fred Harless, and second by Dave Marsh, the Board unanimously approved the December 3, 2004 and January 14, 2005 meeting minutes.

Consider Ratification of Executive Committee Actions and Approval of Executive Committee Minutes for February 4, 2005

The Board discussed ratification of the Executive Committee’s Actions and Approval of the minutes for the February 4, 2005 meeting. After discussion, the Board unanimously approved the motion made by the Chairman of the Executive Committee that the minutes be approved.

Status Report on Trans-Texas Corridor (TTC-35), by Phillip Russell, Director, Texas Turnpike Authority Division, TxDOT

Phillip Russell, the Director of the Texas Turnpike Authority Division of the Texas Department of Transportation, provided an extensive status report on the Trans-Texas Corridor. During his report, Mr. Russell presented and discussed, “TTC-35: Comprehensive Development Agreement.” A copy of the presentation is provided separately to the Board.

Briefing on February 24th FTA Meeting

Steve Lowry discussed the meeting with the Federal Transit Administration on February 24, 2005 in Fort Worth, Texas. The meeting was held to discuss the following items:

• Overall project status;
• Results of Feasibility Study Update;
• Proposed Alternatives Analysis Process; and
• Alternatives Analysis Project Schedule and New Starts timeline.

Committee Reports

Program Management Oversight Committee (”PMOC”)

Committee Chairman, Mariano Camarillo, provided the Board with the meeting minutes for the meetings held February 2 and 17, 2005. Mr. Camarillo reported that the PMOC met to discuss Work Authorization #11, more fully described in the following section.

Consider Approval of Work Authorization #11, Travel Demand and Financial Analysis, Phase II

The Board was furnished a copy of and discussed “Attachment D: Work Authorization No. 11: Travel Demand and Financial Analysis, Phase II – Contract for Engineering Services D-1(11),” in the maximum amount payable of $478,000.00.

The Board was advised that the Staff was initially against this Work Authorization, but has determined that the District needs to move forward on Work Authorization No. 11 as soon as possible.

Work Authorization No. 11 includes:

• Travel Forecasting
• Work Performed to Date
• New Starts Requirement
• Financial Analysis
• Funding Strategy
• Develop Financial Plan
• FTA Submission Requirements
• Original Scope divided into support phases:
• Phase I – Feasibility Study Update
• Phase II – FTA New Starts Report
  Additional work necessary for the FTA New Starts application

Funds are available from the TxDot FTA funding to the District.

Mr. Marsh moved, second by Mr. Camarillo, and the Board unanimously approved Work Authorization No. 11.

Presentation on Draft 2004 Feasibility Study Update

Steve Lowry presented, and the Board was provided with a copy of, “Austin-San Antonio Intermunicipal Commuter Rail District: 2004 Feasibility Study Update, December 2004″. Mr. Lowry reported that the 2004 Feasibility Study Update had previously been submitted to the PMOC for review and was now being submitted to the full Board for comments. Mr. Lowry requested that the Board provide him with comments as quickly as possible and in no event later than 10 days prior to the next board meeting. Mr. Lowry stated that he would like to present the Feasibility Study Update for approval by the Board during the next regularly-scheduled meeting.

Report on March public meetings

Alison Schulze informed the Board of the following dates and times for the Public meetings:

• March 3rd; (Hays High School – Buda, Texas);
• March 5th; (Burger Center – Austin, Texas);
• March 7th; (9th Grade Campus – Georgetown, Texas);
• March 8th; (Stony Point 9th Grade Center – Round Rock, Texas);
• March 10th; (Town Lake Center – Austin, Texas);
• March 12th; (Brackenridge High School – San Antonio, Texas);
• March 21st; (San Marcos Activity Center – San Marcos, Texas);
• March 22nd; (New Braunfels High School – New Braunfels, Texas); and
• March 24th (Live Oak Civic Center – San Antonio, Texas).

Ms. Schulze stated that the public meetings are being held with the hope of increasing community involvement and support. Ms. Schulze discussed the first meeting, held in Buda, Texas, had a great turn-out — 32 attendees (16 staff and board members and 16 members from public).

Ms. Schulze also encouraged the Board to attend the meetings.

Legislative Update

Mr. Bingham reported that S.B. 182, having been passed by the Texas Senate, had been reported out of the House Transportation Committee without opposition and recommended to be placed on the local and consent calendar of the House for passage. It appears likely that the legislation will move forward to final passage. This legislation provides for alteration in the Board terms for members of the Rail District Board and provides the ability to have video and teleconference Board meetings. Thanks were expressed to Graham Keever of Senator Barrientos’ office and Joe Morris of Senator Wentworth’s office for assisting with this legislation.

Financial Report

Mr. Milloy provided the Board with the “Reconciliation Detail: Checking Account, Period Ending 02/28/2005″ for review and reference. Mr. Milloy also reported that the Quarterly Report will be distributed at the next meeting.

Other Business

Washington, D.C. trip with Austin Chamber of Commerce:

Mr. Covington, Mr. Milloy, and Mr. Slusher discussed the trip they recently made to Washington, D.C., along with John Langmore and the Austin Chamber of Commerce:

• Very pleased with the trip;
• The group had lunch with all four (4) delegations from the area on Thursday;
• The group had very positive meetings with Chairman Petri and Chairman Young, who were happy that the reauthorization bill had just passed in the House. They both said that it was not what they wanted, but it created a basis of something to work with;
• All in all, it was a good meeting - there is a very high level of awareness of our project, even into the staff levels;
• Our project was one of the priorities that the Chamber was out promoting and the Chamber is completely committed to our agenda;
• Senator Hutchinson said she was extremely excited about commuter rail from San Antonio to Austin;
• Appears as though we will have enough funding through some earmarks for next year.

San Antonio Bexar County MPO Advisory Committee:

Al Notzon discussed his meeting with VIA, TxDot, Mayor of San Antonio, MPO, City of San Antonio and others. The MPO is going to form a committee to give technical advice on commuter rail matters to the MPO. The Commuter Rail District will have a position on the committee and Mr. Notzon recommended that Alison Schulz be designated by the Chairman to sit on that committee.

Public Comment

Edward G. Polasek, AICP, Chief Long Range Planner for the City of Georgetown, introduced himself to the Board. Mr. Polasek stated that the Mayor of Georgetown has instructed him to start working with Dave Marsh and CARTS regarding determining a location for a potential station in Georgetown. Mr. Polasek also stated that Georgetown City Council approved the creation of a Trans-Corridor Committee during its February 22nd meeting.

There were no additional comments from the public.

Report on Status of Appointments to the Board and Administration of Oath of Office to Any Newly Appointed Board Members

To date, there have been six (6) re-appointments of the Board:

• Gonzalo Barrientos;
• Mariano Camarillo;
• Fred Harless;
• Timothy Tuggey.
• J. Tullos Wells; and
• Jeff Wentworth.

Consider Nomination and Election of Officers of the Board

Al Notzon nominated Sid Covington as new Chairman of the Board, and Tullos Wells as Vice President. Mr. Marsh seconded the motion. The Board unanimously approved the motion.

Chairman Covington assumed the chairmanship. A commemorative plaque was presented to the former Chairman in appreciation for his service with thanks from the Board members.

Adjourn

There being no further items of business brought before the Board, Chairman Covington adjourned the meeting at 11:45 a.m.