March and June 2009 Federal reports
Southwest Rail Corridor CoalitionBoard of Directors Meeting
Present
Jay Smyth (Chair)
Don Veidt
Roger MilroyRob Bohannan
Mark Hoffman (ADOT)
Rob Bohannan
Eric Emmert (Executive Director)
Absent
David Schwartz
Mike Garey
Andrew Singelakis
Jim Dickey
- Call to OrderSmyth called the meeting to order at 10:14 A.M.
- Chairman’s Report
- Smyth handed out the AzTA Rail Symposium agenda and registration form.
- Smyth reported that ADOT has the matching funds for the Phoenix-Tucson Passenger Rail EIS. Hoffman confirmed that the State Transportation Board approved the $1 million match.
- Smyth shared that an “agreement” exists between Eloy, Casa Grande, Maricopa, Pinal County and Union Pacific noting commuter rail.
- Smyth reported that AzOne will be making a presentation at a future Coalition meeting.
- There was discussion about an SWRC sponsored rail conference. It was suggested waiting until after the AzTA conference. Agenda ideas were discussed.
- Smyth reported that AzTA received an APTA grant to organize a statewide transit coalition. Smyth has requested additional information.
- Smyth is participating on ADOT’s Rail Technical Advisory Team.
- Smyth shared that Teri Kennedy would represent ADOT on the SWRC Board. Mark Hoffman will be the alternate representative.
- Smyth reported that the MAG Commuter Rail Study will be expanded to a system evaluation plus detail studies on the Grand Ave. (BNSF) corridor and the Phoenix - Buckeye (UP) corridor
- Smyth reported on a One Rail Coalition forming at the national level.
- Executive Director’s Report
- Smyth shared a budget. Emmert reported on income and expenses. Smyth reported on Gannett Flemming and Valley Metro pending memberships. Bohannan moved to pay Dorn Policy Group $2,400, Veidt seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
- Emmert reported that letters were sent to current coalition members that have not made a financial investment and a letter was sent to potential members.
- Emmert reported the new members
- Emmert reported that he is working on the 501(c)(3).
- Emmert reported on legislative and executive items.
- Emmert reported on the stimulus package.
- Action Items
- Smyth reported on regular meetings with MPOs and COGs. MAG agreed to quarterly meetings. A coordinated meeting was suggested.
- Smyth reported that ADOT did not do a peer review analysis for the Phoenix - Tucson passenger rail studies. MAG did complete a peer review analysis for the Commuter Rail Strategic Plan. This information is available at bqaz.org.
- Veidt shared a letter he drafted for the board to review. Edits were noted. Letterhead will include organizations, not individual names.
- Committee ReportsNone
- Unfinished BusinessNone
- New Business/Discussion
- Smyth reported that the SWRC took the position of opposing the proposed transit fare increase.
- Smyth circulated a position statement on the Phoenix/Tucson Passenger Rail route. The statement is to be discussed further at a future meeting.
- Future MeetingsThere was consensus not to have a full coalition meeting in February. Next steps will be the focus of the next board meeting on February 26th, 2009.
With no other discussion, the meeting adjourned at 12:34
Recorded by,
Eric W. Emmert
Southwest Rail Corridor Coalition
Meeting
Minutes
Thursday, September 25, 2008
First Floor Conference Room
3030 N. Central Ave
Phoenix, AZ
Members Present
Jay Smyth (Chair)
Eric Emmert (Executive Director)
Gene Caywood – Old Pueblo Trolley
Tony Haswell – Old Pueblo Trolley
Roger Milroy – Gannett Fleming
Rob Bohannan - ARPA
Richard Dorwart - Stantec
Bill Lindley - ARPA
Gene Holmerud – Coalition of AZ Bicyclists
Matt Carpenter – ADOT
Rob Ribmaster – HDR
Kevin Wallace – MAG
Scott Friedson - ADOT
- Call to Order
Smyth called the meeting to order at 10:08 A.M.
- Introductions
Members of the Coalition introduced themselves.
- Chair’s Report
Smyth reported that the 2009 AzTA Rail Symposium will be held on February 26, 1-5 PM. SWRC will work with AzTA on the Symposium.
Smyth reported that ADOT would like SWRC’s assistance in obtaining Federal Designated Passenger Rail Corridors in Arizona. Smyth’s research indicates that the States for Passenger Rail Coalition (ADOT is a member) and the Passenger Rail Working Group are the lead in obtaining corridors. Further action in this area will be evaluated by the board of directors.
Smyth reported that the he will be giving a presentation on Heavy Passenger(Commuter and Inter-City) Rail and the SWRC to the Governor’s Rural and Regional Development Conference today.
- Executive Director’s ReportSince Emmert was not present at this time Smyth discussed the need for more members in the coalition and the need for funding. Several members indicated that they would be sending in their investments soon.
- Committee ReportsDue to the absence of the committee chairs, there were no reports.
- Other ReportsMatt Carpenter, ADOT, provided copies of the Executive Summary of the draft High-Speed Passenger Rail Strategic Plan, Phase II. He them discussed the highlights of the report. He requested that SWRC review the report and provide input to ADOT. After the meeting Carpenter provided the complete draft report to be shared with the coalition. Smyth will compile SWRC member’s comments and send them to ADOT.
Kevin Wallace, MAG reported on the status of the Commuter Rail Strategic Plan. MAG will be issuing a consultant contract to study commuter rail on the Grand Ave. corridor from Wickenburg to downtown Phoenix. The effort is to start in October.
- Unfinished Business – none
- New Business
Emmert reported that TIME has not developed it next steps. They will wait until after the November elections to develop a strategy. They are looking at an initiative/referendum in 2010.
Those present discussed SWRC next steps and develop several ideas to be evaluated. It was agreed that the board of directors would work on this over the next few months and report back to the coalition in early 2009.
The board will also look into the Federal Designated Passenger Rail Corridors and the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act to determine what we can do in this area.
- Future Meetings
Coalition (Full Team) Meeting – January TBD, 2009
Board Meeting – October 16, 2008
With no other business the Coalition adjourned at 11:50 A.M.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
10:00 A.M. – 12:00 Noon
Contact Diane Beer, (602) 606-4667, for location
AGENDA
Statewide Transportation Investment Strategy
-
TIME’s next steps
-
SWRC next steps
Federal Re-authorization/Designated Corridors
Committee Reports/Discussion
-
Public Relations/Out Reach Committee
-
Membership/Financial Support Committee
-
Discussion
-
Reports
-
MAG Commuter Rail Strategic Plan, current action
-
High-Speed Passenger Rail Strategic Plan Report (Tucson – Phoenix)
-
Tempe – Tucson Discussion on passenger rail
The next SWRC Coalition (full team) meeting will be on August 28th (NOTE CHANGE) July 31st, 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 noon.
Agenda:
- Status of T.I.M.E Initiative effort
- Committee Reports/Discussion
- Collateral Material Committee
- Public Relations/Out Reach Committee
- Membership/Financial Support Committee
- Other Reports
- MAG Commuter Rail Strategic Plan, current action
- High-Speed Passenger Rail Strategic Plan Report
- State Wide Transportation Investment Strategy, latest version
- Preliminary Critical Needs Definition, Statewide Transportation Planning Framework (PDF). Source: Building a Quality Arizona (April 17, 2008)
- Statewide Transportation Investment Strategy. Source: ADOT.
- Full text and application for ballot measure, TIME Initiative. Source: Arizona Secretary of State (filed May 8, 2008)
Meeting Scheduled. Contact Jay Smyth or Diane Beer for details.
(Notes/Minutes to follow)
(Notes / Minutes to follow)
Main agenda items:
- Smyth: AzTA conference Report
- Schedule full Committee meetings for May and successive months to cover upcoming government reports, and to consider responses to pending November issues.