NORTH COAST RAILROAD AUTHORITY (NCRA)

BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 2000 AT 10:00 A.M.

HEALDSBURG CITY HALL

401 GROVE STREET, HEALDSBURG, SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

A. CALL TO ORDER

Chair Jehn called the meeting to order at 10:02 a.m.

B. ROLL CALL

Directors present: Chair Robert Jehn, David Ripple, Allan Hemphill, Daniel Opalach, Jack McKellar,

Robert E. Simonson, and Max Schlienger.

Also present: Executive Director Max H. Bridges, General Counsel Christopher J. Neary, Property

Manager Cyndee Logan, Consulting Accountant Russ Mustola, and Administrative Assistant Pamela

Fishtrom.

C. MINUTES

Approval of Minutes of the May 17, 2000 Regular Board Meeting

Dir. Ripple moved approval of the Minutes as written; seconded by Dir. Schlienger. Vote taken;

motion carried.

D. AGENDA APPROVAL

Dir. Schlienger moved approval of the Agenda with addition of a Closed Session Item: Discussion

with Real Property Negotiator regarding the Ukiah Depot; seconded by Dir. Ripple. Vote taken;

motion carried.

E. PUBLIC COMMENTS

John Williams, second Executive Director of the NCRA, congratulated the Board Members and staff

for their work in obtaining funding for the Railroad.

F. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS

1. Discussion and Approval of Revisions to Budget for Fiscal Year 2000-2001

Executive Director Bridges reported revising the budget to be more specific as to office expenses

and to incorporate Mustola Management professional services.

Dir. Schlienger moved approval of the Budget with revisions; seconded by Dir. Simonson. Roll

call vote taken; each Director voted aye; motion carried.

2. Response to Audit by CalTrans

Executive Director Bridges reported the draft response was revised after meeting with CalTrans.

Additionally, he received suggestions from Board Members on further revisions.

Dir. Simonson moved approval of the response incorporating suggestions by Board Members;

seconded by Dir. Ripple. Dir. Hemphill abstained. Vote taken; motion carried.

3. Adopt Resolution 2000-01 Authorizing Contract with CalPers

Dir. Ripple moved to adopt Resolution 2000-01; seconded by Dir. McKellar. Vote taken; motion

carried.

G. LIAISON REPORTS

1. Northwestern Pacific Railroad Authority (NWPRA) – Max H. Bridges

Executive Director Bridges provided a written report, and spoke of the urgency to repair the

Haystack Landing Swing Bridge.

2. Legislation – Max H. Bridges

Executive Director Bridges provided an update on AB 2928, the legislation in the Governor’s

$60 million for the Railroad. Chair Jehn reported AB 1093, the legislation which allows shortline

railroads to potentially access $500,000 is pending, but not funded.

3. Passenger – Chair Jehn

Chair Jehn reported the Passenger Committee has not met. Dir. Hemphill mentioned the

Northwestern Pacific Railroad Historical Society may provide volunteers to check on or clean

equipment subject to consent by Rail-Ways and if properly insured. Chair Jehn discussed a

potential connection to ferry service at Fort Sonoma as part of the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail

Transit Commission system.

4. Cities – Dir. McKellar

Dir. McKellar reported interest in the Railroad by the cities along the line peaked in anticipation of

the signing of the Governor’s budget. In response to Chair Jehn, it was noted Dir. McKellar’s term

expires at the end of the July meeting or until a successor is appointed, and the matter should be

brought to the attention of the Sonoma County Mayor and Council Members Association.

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

Chair Jehn discussed this Item previously under Item G.3.

6. Mendocino Council of Governments Technical Advisory Committee – Property Manager

Logan

Property Manager Logan reported Mendocino Council of Governments agreed to accept the

Technical Advisory Committee’s recommended budget which includes a $20,000 commitment to

NCRA for preparation of a long-range plan.

7. Web Site – Chair Jehn

Chair Jehn reported visitation to the site continues to be about 3,000 hits per month. In addition,

there are approximately 110 subscribers who receive automatic e-mails when the web site changes.

To subscribe visit the home page at northcoastrailroad.org and type in your e-mail address.

8. Contractor – Rail-Ways, Inc.

John Darling, President, requested the proposed changes to the South End Remediation Contract be

addressed at next months Board Meeting, and he expressed a cooperative interest in working with

volunteer labor as mentioned earlier in the meeting. In response to Dir. Hemphill’s question

regarding weed control, Mr. Darling indicated that work will start immediately when funded.

H. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT – Max H. Bridges

Executive Director Bridges offered Federal Emergency Management Agency eligibility publications to

the Board Members. He recommended directing questions to Mr. Mustola on a cash flow statement

and analysis of AB 2782 funds previously distributed. Chair Jehn recommended Mr. Bridges facilitate

the creation of a systematic financial reporting format that is effective and easy to read. Dir. Opalach

expressed concern over the lack of insurance coverage.

I. PROPERTY MANAGER – Cyndee Logan

Property Manager Logan reported next month she will present a new lease format and an analysis of

past due leases. Tomorrow she is meeting with Mr. Bridges regarding encroachments and potential

leases. The trust account contains $75,025.

J. LEGAL REPORT – General Counsel Christopher J. Neary

None.

K. MATTERS FROM BOARD MEMBERS

Chair Jehn expressed gratitude to all the individuals who helped obtain potential funding in the State

budget for NCRA.

L. ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEXT MEETING

Regular Board Meeting – July 19, 2000 10:00 a.m.

Willits City Council Chambers, 111 East Commercial Street, Willits, Mendocino County, California

M. CLOSED SESSION – Convened at 11:08 a.m.

1. Conference with Real Property Negotiator – Ukiah Depot

Government Code Section 54956.8

N. ANNOUNCEMENT OF ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION – Reconvened at 11:25 a.m.

1. Conference with Real Property Negotiator – Ukiah Depot

First Vice Chair Ripple announced the Board provided direction to Property Manager Logan.

O. ADJOURNMENT

First Vice Chair Ripple adjourned the meeting at 11:30 a.m.