Board Meeting
February 13, 2004
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Alamo Area Council of Governments Conference Room
8700 Tesoro Drive
San Antonio, Texas 78217

I. Chairman And Member Comments:

Chairman Wells thanked Vice Chair Sid Covington for filling in for him during his absence.

Chairman Wells advised the Board that he has been talking to Representative Mike Krusee, Chairman of the House Transportation Committee, and others about Union Pacific’s plans with respect to the I35 Corridor. Chairman Krusee has indicated that the most strategic thing we can do (”we” being the State of Texas), is speak to Union Pacific with one voice. As such, Chairman Krusee is establishing a committee for this purpose.

Chairman Wells discussed Commissioner Hope Andrade’s (from San Antonio) appointment to the Texas Transportation Commission. Chairman Wells advised that Commissioner Andrade will not only be a terrific asset for the commission, but also an advocate for good ideas for the people of the State of Texas.

Commissioner Daugherty inquired about who would be traveling with Chairman Krusee’s committee to Omaha to visit with Union Pacific. Commissioner Daugherty requested that the record reflect that he intends to travel to Omaha to visit with Union Pacific, particularly if Capital Metro is going.

II. Call to Order:

Notice was duly posted and a meeting of the Austin-San Antonio Intermunicipal Commuter Rail District Board was held on February 13, 2004. Chairman Wells called the meeting to order at approximately 11:20 a.m.

Participants:

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

Senator Barrientos, Senator Wentworth, Sam Barshop and Shelton Padgett were unable to attend. Other participants included Ross Milloy.

III. Approval of Minutes of January 9th Meeting:

Dave Marsh and Al Notzon moved and seconded approval of the proposed minutes for the January 9th meeting. The minutes were unanimously approved.

IV. Committee Procedures and Reports:

A. Freight Rail Relations:

Mr. Covington advised the Board that he did not have much to report as the FRR Committee had not recently met. Mr. Covington briefly discussed Work Authorization No. 3.

B. Program Management Oversight Committee:

Mariano Camarillo discussed the meeting held by the PMOC on February 12th. The primary points of discussion were: (i) review of Work Authorization No. 5 (WA5): Update of Feasibility Study; (ii) review of Work Authorization No. 6 (WA6): Request for Qualifications for Alternatives Analysis and Environmental Clearance; (iii) Project Work Plan Review and Discussion; and (iv) Work Plan Review: Public Information Program.

Mr. Camarillo confirmed that the PMOC reviewed Work Authorization No(s). 5 and 6, which were included in each member’s packet. Mr. Camarillo then asked Steve Lowry to provide a brief description of each work authorization.

Mr. Lowry then briefly described and discussed:

Work Authorization No. 5 – 1999 Feasibility Study Update: Contract for Engineering Services D-1(5); the maximum amount payable under this Work Authorization is $508,000; and

Work Authorization No. 6 – Prepare Request for Qualification for Planning and Environmental Services: Contract for Engineering Service D-1(6); the maximum amount payable under this Work Authorization is $36,000.

Work Authorization No. 5:

Thereafter, the Board discussed Work Authorization No. 5 in depth.

Mr. Covington and Fred Harless moved and seconded the approval of Work Authorization No. 5, subject to the approval of TxDOT. The Board approved the motion by a vote of 9 to 1, with Commissioner Daugherty voting no.

Work Authorization No. 6:

Mr. Lowry then described the timeline of events associated with Work Authorization No. 6:

• PBS&J will submit proposed RFQ to Ross Milloy for review;
• Proposed RFQ will then pass through the Board for input;
• PBS&J will then meet with MPO and TxDOT to get input;
• Board will be then be able to review and approve the RFQ at the next board meeting (03/05/04);
• RFQ will post RFQ on website for 10 days;
• Open forums conducted to meet with interested parties (03/14/04 target date);
• Submittal deadline will be 03/19/04;
• Assistance with the Board in the selection process thereafter.

Mr. Lowry reminded the Board that this was a draft and was open to comments/suggestions by Board.

Al Notzon moved and Mr. Marsh seconded the approval of the RFQ. The Board approved the motion by a vote of 9 to 1, with Commissioner Daugherty voting no.

C. Public Information Committee:

Dave Marsh informed the Board that the PIC convened on February 4th, in San Antonio, and had a long and productive meeting. Mr. Marsh stated that the PIC incorporated all comments into the brochure as best they could. The draft brochure was sent out in advance for review by the Board. The PIC has approved the brochure and will move forward with printing of 3,000 brochures for distribution to the public.

Other issues and/or actions taken by the PIC were:

• Finalize Public Involvement Chapter of the Program Management Plan, which will be presented to the Board for adoption;
• Discussion of draft letter to local freight rail committees, which was deferred to the PIC’s next meeting;
• Discussion of Commuter Rail Branding – the PIC approved a budget not to exceed $15,000 for a graphic designer/web site designer to developer the District ID, to design and produce an Annual Report document and to design and construct a permanent District website. The PIC authorized Mr. Milloy to engage a firm prior to the next PIC meeting (02/13/04), however, Mr. Milloy found a firm willing to fulfill the tasks for $10,000; and
• Discussion of Public Outreach effort in concert with joint MPO meeting in March/April.

Mr. Marsh moved approval of the Public Involvement Chapter of the Program Management Plan. Carroll Schubert seconded Mr. Marsh’s motion. The Board approved the motion by a vote of 9 to 1, with Commissioner Daugherty voting no.

V. Economic Development Issues Presentation:

Steve Lowry introduced John Bennett, Member of AECOM Consult, and John Hockenyos, Principal of Texas Perspectives, who presented “Presentation to the Austin-San Antonio Intermunicipal Commuter Rail District Board – February 13, 2004: FTA Process; Ridership Considerations; and Economic Development.

Mr. Hockenyos discussed, in detail:

• The economic impact;
• Types of benefits; and
• Measurement of benefits.

VI. Ridership Presentation – Overview of the ‘99 Study and Proposal for the Ridership Update

Mr. Bennett discussed the overview of the 1999 Feasibility Study and stressed the need for updating the study. Mr. Bennett discussed, in detail:

• FTA New Starts Evaluation and Rating Framework;
• New Start Projects;
• Projects Designed for Final Design;
• Projects Approved for Preliminary Engineering;
• Key Reauthorization Issues;
• Ridership Considerations;
• AECOM Consult Phase 1 Work Plan; and
• Consult Phase 2 Work Plan.

The Board received the information under items V and VI and took no action at this meeting.

VII. Joint MPO Meeting Discussion:

Mr. Milloy solicited the Board’s input regarding a joint MPO meeting. Mr. Milloy stated that he would like the board to take a look at both ends of the corridor and share long range efforts to ease congestion.

A brief discussion ensued regarding ITS – Intelligent Transportation Service – along the corridor.

VIII. State and Federal Legislative Update:

Mr. Milloy advised the Board that a draft copy of the Public Involvement Plan was included in each of the member’s packets. Mr. Milloy stated that the Plan would not be discussed today, but does want the Board to review. Mr. Milloy told the Board the Plan would guide progress over the next few years. He also suggested that when the Board next met, the Plan would be submitted to the Board for review. Mr. Milloy asked that comments/questions be provided to him prior to the next meeting.

Mr. Milloy advised that the TEA 21 reauthorization process is moving surprisingly fast, but how it will play out is anyone’s guess. Mr. Milloy stated that it may happen by 02/29/04, but believed it was likely to have an interim extension.

IX. Financial Report:

Mr. Milloy stated that funding for the year has been received from everyone except VIA and the City of Austin. Chairman Wells confirmed that he talked with the Chairman of VIA who has confirmed that VIA will have funds to be submitted shortly.

X. Public Comment:

There were no comments from the public.

XI. Adjourn

Chairman Wells thanked the Members and the audience for their attendance and participation.

There being no further items of business brought before the Board, Chairman Wells adjourned the meeting at 12:40 P.M.