SWRC Coalition Core Project Team Meeting
December 6, 2005
Minutes
Present: Smyth, Pearsall, Garey, Schwartz, Herr-Cardillo (telephone), and Don Veidt (retired UP VP)
Absent: Tevlin, Milroy, and Bohannan
Calendar: January 19, 2006 - Southeastern Arizona Governments Organization (SEAGO) 2006 Rural Transportation Summit, SWRC (Bohannan) topic of one session.
February TBD, 2006 - Coalition (Full Team) Meeting.
April TBD, 2006 - Arizona Transit Association 2006 Annual Meeting, Passenger Rail Symposium chaired by the SWRC.
The following items were discussed during the meeting. Action items are included below.
- Smyth reported that he and Bohannan were invited by the Central Arizona Association of Government to present the SWRC Coalition to the CAAG Transit Council in Superior on November 28, 2005. The council was very positive towards commuter and intercity passenger rail.
- The SWRC Coalition has been invited to make a presentation at the Southeastern Arizona Governments Organization (SEAGO) 2006 Rural Transportation Summit on January 19, 2006 in Rio Rico, AZ. Action: Smyth and Bohannan will develop the presentation. Bohannan will represent the SWRC Coalition at the Summit.
- Smyth reported that the Arizona Transit Association (AzTA) did not get the APTA Grant to conduct a SWRC Symposium at the 2006 AzTA Annual Conference. Schwartz reported that AzTA still want to put on the symposium. There will be a meeting on December 21, 2005 at the AzTA office to discuss this item. Attending the meeting will be; John Anderson, AzTA, David Schwartz, SWRC, Jim Dickey and Marc Pearsall, ADOT, and Rick Simonetta, AzTA President. Action: Smyth to follow up with Schwartz and Pearsall
- Garey provided an update on Amtrak, nothing that has not been reported in the news.
- Smyth and Pearsall provided an update on the New Mexico Commuter Rail efforts. They should be operating by 1st quarter 2006. The State of New Mexico is purchasing the right-of-way from BNSF and may purchase the complete right-of-way from Belen to the Colorado border. There is also talk about a commuter line from Santa Fe to Las Vegas, NM.
- Pearsall reported that ADOT will be conducting a Rail Inventory and Assessment study in 2006-2007. RFP for consultant will be issued in the Spring. Also ADOT and MAG are working together on the MAG Commuter Rail study. RFP to be issued in the Summer with the study to be completed in 2007.
- Smyth reported that Queen Creek will be issuing a resolution on Commuter Rail. Action: Smyth will stay in contact with Queen Creek.
- Don Veidt introduced himself to the team. Don had over 30 years with the UP and SP moving through the rank to VP Marketing. Now retired he has offered to join the SWRC Coalition efforts. He can be very helpful when we need to talk to the UP.
- It was agreed the SWRC Coalition needs to talk to MAG. Jim Dickey support this, but has asked us to wait a few weeks (after the holiday) while ADOT and MAG get their plans for “Rail Inventory and Assessment” and “Commuter Study” in place. Action: Smyth, Schwartz, and Pearsall will work this issue.
- The “White Paper” on commuter rail in Maricopa County drafted by Sam Morse is still being worked on. Action: Bohannan to complete his review of/input to the “White Paper”
- Pearsall reported that ADOT is finalizing it agreement with the States for Passenger Rail Coalition which will make Arizona a full member of the Coalition.
- Pearsall provide fare cost data on various transit modes within the SWRC.
- Herr-Cardillo and Steve Farley will draft a brochure for the SWRC Coalition.
- It was agreed that we need to talk to the legislators. Action: Smyth and Schwartz to discuss and as required set up meetings with individual legislators.
Jay R. Smyth, PhD, PRP, PMP
Coordinator, SWRC Coalition