WILLITS CITY HALL

111 EAST COMMERCIAL STREET, WILLITS, MENDOCINO COUNTY, CA, USA

A. CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m.

B. ROLL CALL

Directors present: Chair David Ripple, Max Schlienger, and Leo Sears.

Also present: Executive Director Max H Bridges, Assistant Executive Director Douglas Christy, Accountant Wade Fulton, and Property Manager Cyndee Logan.

C. AGENDA APPROVAL

Dir. Schlienger moved approval of the Agenda; seconded by Chair Ripple. Vote taken; motion carried.

D. PUBLIC COMMENTS

None.

E. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS

1. Hopland Depot Review / Presentation

a. Pear Shed: Sale, Lease, Use

b. Hopland Community Alliance Overview

Three entities expressed interested in development of the Railroad’s property in Hopland: Hopland Community Alliance, Hopland Band of Pomo Indians, and a group of investors. Chair Ripple recommended the Committee view the property, clearly understand the scope of offers to develop the property, and consider the possible impacts on Railroad operations. A site visit was arranged for September 19 at 3 pm at the Pear Shed.

2. Ukiah Depot Review / Presentation

a. Matt Walther – American Community Development

b. Mark Shappiro

Chair Ripple again recommended a site visit and presentation of formal proposals from parties interested in purchasing or leasing Railroad property. Dir. Sears recommended staff prepare a formal structure for property decisions including providing a master set of criteria to give potential developers which defines a check-list for NCRA by which to decide on potential projects in line with this Agency’s priorities: the Railroad, the Community, and then individual businesses.

c. Pedestrian / Rail Crossing Application

d. Future Use

Ms. Logan reported Mendocino Council of Governments preserved a 10% set aside for rail funding from the 2002 State Transportation Infrastucture Program fund: $600,000 to rehabilitate crossings in the County or $300,000 to create a pedestrian walkway near the Depot and $300,000 for crossings.

3. Encroachment Permits

a. Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District Request

b. Request by Big Johns Market in Healdsburg

c. City of Santa Rosa Effluent Line

d. Application Processing Time Line and Enforcement Protocol

Due to a lack of response by the Northwestern Pacific Railroad Co., LLC (NWPY), Ms. Logan asked the Committee to allow staff to approve these encroachments. Mr. Bridges recommended she write a letter to NWPY explaining the encroachments will be considered approved if there is no response within 10 days.

4. Status of Transportation Enhancement Activities Application with Caltrans’

Recommendations

Ms. Logan reported the grant application still moving forward with a couple of changes.

5. Status of SB 45 Crossing Repairs in Mendocino County Including Recommended Action

on Mendocino Council of Governments’ Excess Rail Set Aside Funding

See above report under 2.d.

6. Status of Pacific Bell Regarding Fiber Optics

Nothing to report.

7. Status of Geysers Project

The City of Santa Rosa can begin construction and needs to settle negotiations with NCRA before a contract is awarded in December. At 41,050 square feet in a 10 foot right of way at $8 per allows for a $332,000 for a license or $30,000 for an annual payment for 20 years with a 50-year anticipated life building in a cost adjustment when the lease renews.

F. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 11:32 p.m.