Southwest Rail Corridor Coalition

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

1. Call to Order

   Smyth called the meeting to order at 10:08 A.M.

2. Introductions

   Members of the Coalition introduced themselves.

3. 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.

4. 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.
5. Committee ReportsDue to the absence of the committee chairs, there were no reports.
6. 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.

7. Unfinished Business – none
8. 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.

9. 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.