NORTH COAST RAILROAD AUTHORITY (NCRA)

PASSENGER COMMITTEE MEETING

MINUTES

FEBRUARY 28, 2001 8:30 A.M.

EUREKA CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

531 K STREET, EUREKA, HUMBOLDT COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, USA

A. CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at 8:30 a.m.

B. ROLL CALL

Directors present: Dir. Hemphill, Dir. Opalach, and Dir. Schlienger.

Also present: Executive Director Max H Bridges; Legal Counsel Christopher J. Neary;

Administrative Assistant Pamela Fishtrom; Joel Torres, General Manager of Operations for

Northwestern Pacific Railroad Co. LLC (NWPY); Angelo Figone of California Redwood

Coast Company (CRCC); and members of the public and press.

C. AGENDA APPROVAL

Dir. Schlienger moved approval of the Agenda; seconded by Dir. Opalach. Vote taken;

motion approved.

D. PUBLIC COMMENTS

Don Leonard, Humboldt County Convention and Visitors Bureau, expressed his support.

Bill Burton, caboose owner, informed the Committee his caboose is available for service.

Kaye Strickland, Northwestern Pacific Railroad Support Coalition, expressed her support.

E. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS

1. Northwestern Pacific Railroad Support Coalition Presentation (NWPSC) –

Larry Henderson

Mr. Henderson said NWPSC acts as liaison to civic organizations in support of the

Railroad with emphasis on local service as soon as possible.

2. Discussion of General Policy Regarding Excursion Passenger Service

The Committee agreed selection of passenger operators be subject to a public

selection process with a well-defined set of criteria emphasizing strict compliance

with Federal Railroad Administration rules and standards. Dir. Opalach will work

with staff in developing a governing policy for Committee review before the next

regular meeting of the Board.

3. Review of Status and Disposition of Passenger Equipment

Dir. Schlienger moved to recommend to the full NCRA Board that the passenger

equipment be sold on an orderly basis with preference to an operator on the

NWP; seconded by Dir. Opalach. Vote taken; motion carried.

4. Consider Possible Start-up Dates for Excursion Passenger Service

With guidance from Mr. Torres, NWPY, Dir. Hemphill set a goal for the

resumption of excursion passenger service in 2002.

Several speakers representing Northern Counties Logging Interpretive Association

provided suggestions and comments. Dir. Hemphill assured those speaking that

NCRA will remain sensitive to the local goals of each community along the line.

F. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 9:58 a.m.