NORTH COAST RAILROAD AUTHORITY

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1999

EUREKA CITY HALL

EUREKA, CALIFORNIA

  1. CALL TO ORDER

    Chair Robert Jehn called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.

  2. ROLL CALL

    Directors present: Chair Robert Jehn, Ruth Rockefeller, David Nelson, David Ripple, Jack McKellar, and Daniel Opalach. Director absent: Allan Hemphill. Also present: Executive Director Max H. Bridges, Administrative Assistant Pamela Fishtrom, and Property Manager Cyndee Logan, with Russ Mustola, CPA arriving during the meeting.

  3. MINUTES

    Motion by Mr. Ripple to approve the October 20, 1999 Regular Board Meeting minutes with one change; add the word, "ever" as the last word in the last sentence under Item L so that it is clear that Ruth Rockefeller was the only woman Director ever. Second by Ms. Rockefeller. Vote taken. Mr. Opalach abstained. Motion carried.

  4. AGENDA APPROVAL

    Chair Jehn approved the agenda with removal of Closed Session Item O.2 and O.3 due to the absence of Legal Counsel Chris Neary.

  5. PRESENTATION HONORING BOARD MEMBERS COMPLETING TERMS

David Nelson and Ruth Rockefeller were each presented with a plaque. A plaque was prepared for John Stokes, however, he did not attend. Ms. Rockefeller spoke of her history with the NWP, spoke to the unified nature of the Railroad as opposed to the notion that the line is divided between the Northern and Southern portions, and gave words of encouragement to on-going and future staff members.

F. INTRODUCTION OF NEW BOARD MEMBER

Daniel Opalach, Humboldt County Representative, was introduced by Chair Jehn.

  1. PUBLIC COMMENTS

Kay Strickland, Citizens for Port Development, expressed her sorrow to see Ms. Rockefeller and Mr. Nelson retire. In addition, she invited current and future members to attend meetings of her group.

Gary Milliman, President of California Western Railroad, spoke of the retiring Board members; Ms. Rockefeller and he were founding members, and Mr. Nelson replaced him as Mendocino County Representative.

H. CONSENT AGENDA

    1. Approval of Expenditures

Due to Mr. Mustola’s absence at this time in the meeting, Chair Jehn continued this item as a regular agenda item. Later, Mr. Mustola indicated that there was no report.

  1. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
    1. Authorization as Daniel Opalach as signatory on NCRA Bank Account

No action is required.

  1. LIAISON REPORTS
    1. NWPRA – Max H. Bridges

Mr. Ripple reported NWPRA approved Rail-Ways, Inc. Amended Lease and Operating Agreement.

2. Legislation – Max H. Bridges

Mr. Bridges reported he and Chair Jehn met with Assembly Member Strom-Martin to discuss NCRA status and legislative agenda and the need for additional funding. Mr. Bridges indicated that he is preparing a budget for next year.

3. Passenger – Robert Jehn

Chair Jehn reported NCRA received a letter from CWR indicating an interest in pursuing an agreement to operate passenger excursion service from Willits North.

4. Cities – Jack McKellar

Mr. McKellar reported Mr. Bridges attended a meeting of HCOAG. In addition,

Mr. McKellar met informally with the mayors in his area and is plagued by the

same question; when will the Railroad be open?

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

Mr. Jehn reported the SMART meeting was canceled in November, 1999, however, the group continues to move forward with a consultant working to compile revenue and expenditure anticipated for the first ten years of operation. In addition, Mr. Bridges reported the SMART consultant will make a presentation to NWPRA at their next meeting.

6. Contractor – Rail-Ways, Inc.

John Darling, President of Rail-Ways, Inc. reported that a delay in the flow of funds to NCRA has resulted in a work stoppage. In addition, a categorical exclusion of environmental issues for remaining eligible Disaster Survey Reports is expected in two to three weeks from Monday, November 15, 1999. In terms of the track rehabilitation project, the South End to Willits needs approximately 3,000 more ties and some vegetation and drainage work.

K. STAFF REPORTS

    1. Executive Director – Max H. Bridges

      Mr. Bridges reported he will attend the Annual Conference of the County Supervisors Association during the first week of December. In addition, he will follow up on funding issues relative to Mr. Darling’s Contractor Report.

    2. Property Management – Cyndee Logan

Ms. Logan indicated her report consists of Closed Session Items only. Mr. Bridges reported that access has been restricted by the owner of the Pratt Mountain property where NCRA has a microwave repeater due to the non-payment of the lease. At the suggestion of Mr. Bridges, staff will look into the matter and bring it back before the Board in December, 1999.

L. LEGAL

    1. Environmental Compliance

      Due to General Counsel Chris Neary’s absence this matter was dropped.

    2. Meeting with Union Pacific

Due to General Counsel Chris Neary’s absence this matter was dropped.

  1. MATTERS FROM BOARD MEMBERS

This item was addressed under Item Q, Adjournment.

  1. ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEXT MEETING

    Regular meeting to be held on December 15, 1999 at 10:00 a.m. – Sonoma County

  2. CLOSED SESSION – Convened at 10:45 a.m.

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

Government Code Section 54956.8

  1. Negotiating Parties: Pacific Bell, NCRA

    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. ANNOUNCEMENT OF ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION – Reconvened at

    11:15 p.m.

    Chair Jehn reported NCRA received a report from Property Manager Cyndee Logan relative to potential fiber optic leases along parts of the Railroad. A lease document is anticipated for final review at the December, 1999 Board Meeting.

  2. ADJOURNMENT

Providing there were no other matters from Board Members, Chair Jehn adjourned the meeting at 11:20 p.m.