SWRC Coalition Core Project Team Meeting
June 8, 2006
Minutes
Present: Smyth, Schwartz, Herr-Cardillo (telephone), Don Veidt, Milroy, and Bohannan
Absent: Tevlin, Pearsall, and Garey,
Calendar: July 26, 2006 (Tentative) - Core Project Team Meeting
September 13, 2006 (Tentative) - Coalition (Full Team) Meeting
December 2006 - AzTA Legislative Conference
Late 2006 or Early 2007 - SWRC/ARPA/AzTA Passenger Rail Symposium
March 2007 - FOT Annual Conference
April 2007 - AzTA Annual Conference
The following items were discussed during the meeting. Action items are included below.
1) Bohannan reported on the 2006 AzTA Arizona Commuter/Regional Rail Symposium. It was a huge success with about 125 in attendance. Special thanks to Marc Pearsall for all he dedication and effort on organizing and conducting the symposium. Several item came out of the symposium to will require some follow up.
- The speaker from Snell and Wilmer, Utah spoke about how they handle the ballast environmental issue. Action: Smyth to follow up with the speaker to get more information on this issue.
- Dennis Smith, Director of MAG suggested a goal of service Tucson to Phoenix by 2012. This led to a discuss about developing a time line for implementation of commuter/regional rail. Action: 1) see what MAG indicates at their stakeholders meeting on June 28, and 2) Smyth to meet with Jim Dickey and Marc Pearsall to determine if a timeline can be developed.
2) Discussion held on potential of a 2007 Passenger Rail Symposium. The SWRC Coalition supports such a symposium. Action Item: Smyth to contact John Anderson, AzTA to determine what their plans are. Subsequent to the meeting Smyth contacted Anderson. Anderson wants AzTA hold a second symposium over the next 12 months in the Phoenix metro area or Tucson. He needs to get AzTA board approval. He requested letters from SWRC and ARPA supporting such a symposium.
3) Smyth suggested that a Union Pacific/Arizona Working Group be developed to mutually work on UP issues and how Arizona can be a partner so passenger rail can be implemented. Action Item: Smyth to meet with Pearsall and Dickey on this topic.
4) Milroy reported that AzTA is developing a strategic plan. Subsequent to the meeting Smyth contacted John Anderson, AzTA to determine if the SWRC Coalition could participate in the development of the strategic plan. Anderson thought it would be a good idea and suggested that Smyth contact Larry Miller, Gannett Fleming, who is chairing the strategic plan effort. Action Item: Smyth to contact Larry Miller.
5) Discussion took place about elevating the SWRC Coalition to the level of AzTA and Friends of Transit. It was agree that we should not fragment into another transit group but determine how we can get a “seat at the table” with AzTA and/or FOT. Action Item: Schwartz to work this issue.
6) It was agreed that the SWRC Coalition should talk to the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It was suggested by Bohannan that we try to do this jointly with Rip Wilson of TTX and Go21 (freight rail interest). Action Item: Smyth to follow up
7) Bohannan reported on the status of the ADOT Rail Inventory and Assessment Study.
Smyth and Bohannan reported that SWRC Coalition and ARPA have been invited to participate in the MAG Commuter Rail Stakeholders meeting on June 28th. Action Item: Smyth to represent SWRC and Bill Lindley to represent ARPA.
9) It was agreed that the time is right to approach MAG on joining the SWRC Coalition. Action Item: Smyth to approach Dennis Smith and/or Eric Anderson at the MAG Commuter Rail Stakeholders Meeting.
10) Herr-Cardillo reported on the recently adopted Pima County Regional Transportation Plan which includes a Modern Streetcar component.
11) It was agreed the time is right to approach PAG on joining the SWRC Coalition. Action Item: Herr-Cardillo will contact Tom Fisher, PAG
12) Herr-Cardillo presented a situation related to Union Pacific easement(s) on state land. Since the UP did not compensate the state for the easement(s) there may be some leverage hear. This is related to litigation against the State Land Department. Action Item: Herr-Cardillo will follow up.
Jay R. Smyth, PhD, PRP, PMP
Coordinator, SWRC Coalition