NORTH COAST RAILROAD AUTHORITY

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1999

HEALDSBURG CITY HALL

HEALDSBURG, CALIFORNIA

 

  1. CALL TO ORDER

    2. Chairman Allan Hemphill called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.

  2. ROLL CALL

    3. Directors present: Chairman Allan Hemphill, Ruth Rockefeller, Robert Jehn, David Nelson, David Ripple, John Stokes, and Jack McKellar. Also present: Executive Director Max H. Bridges, Administrative Assistant Pamela Fishtrom, Legal Counsel Christopher Neary, Property Manager Cyndee Logan, and Russ Mustola, CPA.

  3. MINUTES

    4. Approval of Minutes of the August 18, 1999 Regular Meeting. Motion by Mr. Jehn. Seconded by Ms. Rockefeller. Vote taken. Motion carried.

  4. AGENDA APPROVAL

    5. Motion by Mr. Stokes. Seconded by Mr. McKellar. Vote taken. Motion carried.

  5. PUBLIC COMMENTS

None.

F. CONSENT AGENDA

    1. Approval of Expenditures

Mr. Stokes moved approval with the provision that a Rail-Ways, Inc. advance of $55,000 be recovered by use of the Crossing Signal Funds because MEC Rail billed Rail-Ways, Inc. Seconded by Mr. Jehn. Vote taken. Motion carried.

2. Adoption of Final Version of NCRA 5-Year Business Plan

Motion by Ms. Rockefeller to approve the July 1, 1999 version of the Business Plan subject to minor revisions as noted by NWPRA. Seconded by Mr. Nelson. Vote taken. Motion carried.
  1. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
    1. Consideration of Proposal by Rail-Ways, Inc. to hire Mr. Carl R. Ball as Vice-President of Risk Management

Motion by Mr. Jehn to direct staff to incorporate the negotiation of this decision into the context of the permanent operating agreement with Rail-Ways, Inc. Seconded by Mr. Nelson. Vote taken. Mr. McKellar voted against. Motion carried.

 

 

2. Report and Recommendation regarding Passenger Agreement with California Redwood Coast Company

Mr. Nelson reported that he and Mr. Jehn recommend the Passenger Agreement with CRCC be extended to November 30, 2002 reflecting necessary changes to bring it current. Comments were made by Gary Milliman, President of California Western, regarding the Passenger Agreement and his desire to operate passenger excursions on the NWP. Motion by Mr. Jehn to extend the Passenger Agreement with CRCC. Seconded by Mr. Nelson. Vote taken. Director Rockefeller voted against. Motion carried.

3. Consideration of Membership in California Short Line Railroad Association

Motion by Mr. Stokes to continue this item with direction to Mr. Bridges to investigate the benefits of membership. Seconded by Mr. Jehn. Vote taken. Motion carried.

  1. LIAISON REPORT
    1. NWPRA Report � John Stokes/Allan Hemphill

Chairman Hemphill reported a major issue discussed revolved around property management and the fiber optic deal. In addition, the ad hoc committee that was formed to discuss NWPRA as a more active partner discussed a variety of policy issues.

    1. Legislation � David Nelson

      2. Mr. Nelson reported Assemblywoman Strom-Martin�s bill AB74, Freight Rail Plan, was passed last Wednesday and sits on the Governor�s desk.

    2. Passenger � Robert Jehn

      3. Mr. Jehn stated there is nothing more than previously discussed.

    3. Cities � Jack McKellar

      4. Mr. McKellar expressed frustration that winter is coming and the Railroad is still closed.

    4. Contractor�s Report � Rail-Ways, Inc.

      5. Mr. Tino Langfeld, Rail-Ways, Inc. Marketing Representative, reported that the Northwestern Pacific Railroad employees passed the safety examinations required by the FRA. Mr. Bridges reported the FRA inspection discovered approximately 20 deficiencies. He has offered to send the next letter to the FRA requesting re-inspection thus utilizing NCRA engineering resources (Boyle Engineering) before moving forward.

    5. Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) � Robert Jehn

Mr. Jehn reported that SMART has announced that they will not consider utilizing rolling stock that does not meet FRA requirements, therefore, no light rail option will be considered.
  1. STAFF REPORTS
    1. Executive Director Report � Max H. Bridges

      2. Mr. Bridges reported the lease agreement for the Cloverdale Depot is on the agenda of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors next week.

    2. Status of FEMA Issues

      3. Mr. Bridges reported that the invoices for the South end are being processed. The environmental process for the North End is underway.

       

    3. Property Management Report � Cyndee Logan

      4. Ms. Logan reported the trust account has $30,748 in revenue. The City of Eureka has applied for a roadway easement. Mr. Bridges reported that the City of Santa Rosa is looking at using the right of way for sewer lines to the Geysers.

    4. Financial Report � Russ Mustola

Previously reported.
  1. LEGAL
    1. Environmental Compliance

      2. Mr. Neary indicated the issue is reported in a letter from Rail-Ways, Inc. to the Department of Toxic Substances included in the Agenda package.

    2. Meeting with Union Pacific

Mr. Neary reported NCRA has received a request from UP for a meeting on September 30, 1999 at the UP offices in San Francisco.

  1. MATTERS FROM BOARD MEMBERS

    2. Ms. Rockefeller has obtained the Willits City Council Chambers for the next regular meeting.

  2. ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEXT MEETING

    3. October 20, 1999 at 10:00 a.m. � Mendocino County

  3. CLOSED SESSION � Convened at 11:25 p.m.

1. Conference with Real Property Negotiators - Cyndee Logan/Chris Neary

Government Code Section 54956.8
    1. Negotiating Parties: Pacific Bell, NCRA

      2. Property Interest: 5� Longitudinal Easement, Rio Dell, Ukiah

      Subject: Price, terms, location, relocation

    2. Negotiating Parties: Williams Communications, Sprint, Pacific Bell,

NCRA

Property Interest: Longitudinal Easement, Cloverdale to Healdsburg

Subject: Price, terms, location, relocation
    1. Conference with Real Property Negotiator � Max H. Bridges

Government Code Section 54956.8
    1. Negotiating Parties: Mendocino Transit Authority, NCRA

Property Interest: Ukiah Depot

Subject: Price, terms
  1. ANNOUNCEMENT OF ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION � Reconvened at

    2. 12:25 p.m.

    Mr. Neary reported that for both items the Board has given direction to the NCRA Real Property Negotiators.

  2. ADJOURNMENT

Motion to adjourn by Mr. Jehn. Seconded by Mr. Nelson. The meeting adjourned at 12:30 p.m.