NORTH COAST RAILROAD AUTHORITY (NCRA)

BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

 

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2002 AT 9:00 AM

 

WILLITS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

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

 

 

A.������� CALL TO ORDER � 9:03 am by Second Vice Chair Leo Sears

 

B.                ROLL CALL

 

Present: Chair David Ripple, Vice Chair Allan Hemphill, Second Vice Chair Leo Sears, Director Robert Simonson, Director Budge Campbell, Director Bruce Burton, Director John Woolley.

 

Also Present: Executive Director Max H. Bridges, Assistant Executive Director Douglas M. Christy, Counsel Christopher J. Neary and Administrative Assistant Louise Evans.

 

C.                AGENDA APPROVAL

 

Counsel Neary requested item H.7. Adoption of Resolution regarding Railbanking Line for A&M Line is removed from Agenda.

 

Director Woolley moved to remove item H.7. from the agenda; 2nd by Director Sears.

 

None opposed, motion carried.

 

Chair David Ripple and Vice Chair Allan Hemphill arrived at 9:06 am.

 

Welcome extended to Director John Woolley, Humboldt County Representative.

 

Adjourned for closed session at 9:10 am

D.                CLOSED SESSION

 

Public Employee Performance Evaluation: Executive Director; Assistant Executive Director.

 

E.                 ANNOUNCEMENT OF ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION

�Reconvened at 12:50 pm

Executive Director Max Bridges announced his retirement in April 2003.� With Mr. Bridges agreement we have established a transition as follows:

 

Doug Christy has been appointed Executive Director effective immediately and Max Bridges agreed to accept the position as Project Manager, subject to contract negotiations for the amendment of his existing contract.� The vote was 7-0.

 

F.                  MINUTES APPROVAL
 
1.      Regular Board Minutes of September 18, 2002

 

Director Woolley moved to accept Regular Board Minutes of September 18, 2002 with modifications in motion made in E.1; 2nd by Director Sears.

 

Modifications of E.1. Independent Audit motion shall read: �using state and federal transportation and storm damage funds for storm damage repair�

 

None opposed, motion carried with amended modification.

 

2.      Property Management Minutes of October 4, 2002

 

Director Campbell moved to accept Property Management Minutes of October 4, 2002; 2nd by Director Simonson.

 

None opposed, motion carried.

 

G.                 PUBLIC COMMENTS

 

James Quinn:� Expressed his disappointment with no availability of funds for preventive maintenance.

 

H.                CONDUCT OF BUSINESS

 

1.      Financial Report � Sonoma County Staff

Sonoma County Staff had another meeting they had to attend, they we unable to be present.

 

Director Sears moved to accept report for review; 2nd by Director Burton.

 

None opposed, motion carried.

 

2.      Adopt 2002-03 Budget

On September 23, 2002, the Finance Committee reviewed the proposed Final Budget for fiscal year 2002-03.� The committee recommended some revisions that are reflected in the document presented in the format utilized by Sonoma County.

 

Director Burton moved to adopt the 2002-03 Budget; 2nd by Director Sears.

 

None opposed, motion carried.

 

3.      Status on Environmental Process

A meeting was held on September 24, 2002 at Caltrans headquarters in Sacramento between the NCRA and Federal and State Agencies regarding the environmental process.

 

Mr. Christy will be conducting a meeting, along with environmental consultants, in Eureka on October 18, 2002 at Caltrans District 1 headquarters.� Participants in the meeting will be Caltrans planning and environmental along with FHWA, OES and FEMA.�

 

4.      Status on Rail Feasibility Study/Economic Impact Report

At September�s Board meeting staff was authorized to spend up to $10,000 to revise and update the Draft Final of The Long Term Financial Feasibility Study of the Northwestern Pacific Railroad completed by PB Ports & Marine.� The Technical Advisory Committee will meet in Eureka on October 17, 2002 and discuss critical assumptions, along with the evaluation and potential integration, of updated data.

 

The Economic Impact Report will also be discussed, and possibly refined, at this meeting.

 

These reports will be integrated into the final Harbor Revitalization Plan, which will be discussed publicly at the Harbor Board meeting scheduled for December 19, 2002.

 

Director Burton left the meeting at 1:15 pm

 

5.      Use of Contingency Funds for Emergency services

Contingency Funds are not for preventive maintenance.

 

Director Campbell moved to authorize utilization of up to $50,000 from the contingency fund for emergency maintenance and appropriate reporting of activities; 2nd by Director Sears.

 

 

None opposed, motion carried.

 

6.      Approval of Administrative Assistant Job Description and Direction on Recruiting

 

Director Hemphill moved to table the decision of hiring an Administrative Assistant until next meeting; 2nd by Director Simonson.

 

None opposed, motion carried.

 

I.                   COMMITTEE REPORTS

1.      Property Management � Directors Sears, Campbell and Simonson

The minutes reflect the actions and recommendations of the committee.

 

2.      Finance Committee � Directors Simonson, Burton and Campbell

Committee reviewed budget, recommended to adopt.

 

3.      Passenger � Allan Hemphill

Continuing to tie up loose ends.� Issues regarding how cash is received and held until obligations against cars are resolved.� Received an offer of $2000 on car #53, Director Hemphill recommended to accept offer.� Making arrangements to move equipment from Willits yard to Cloverdale.

 

4.      Ad hoc Executive Director Search Committee � Directors Campbell, Sears and Simonson

Process was carried out this morning in Closed Session.

� ��������� �������������

J.�������� STAFF REPORTS

1.      Executive Director Max H. Bridges

The November Board Meeting conflicted with the Annual California State Association of Counties Conference and it was agreed to move the November meeting to November 13, 2002, same location.

 

2.      Assistant Executive Director Douglas M. Christy

Nothing to report.

 

3.      General Counsel Christopher J. Neary

AB224 passed by Governor: dissolution July 1, 2003 of NWPRA.� The NWP trademark is something we might want to pursue.� When NWPRA dissolves NWP will be a transferable registered trademark

 

K.������� MATTERS FROM BOARD MEMBERS

 

L.������� ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEXT MEETING

 

Regular Board Meeting � November 13, 2002 � 10:00 am (PST)

������������ Eureka City Council Chambers, 531 K Street, Eureka, Humboldt, Co. CA, USA

 

M.               ADJOURNMENT� �- 1:55 pm