NORTH COAST RAILROAD AUTHORITY (NCRA)

BOARD OF DIRECTORS SPECIAL MEETING

 

MINUTES

 

FRIDAY, MARCH 7th, 2003 AT 1:00 PM

 

WILLITS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

111 EAST COMMERCIAL STREET, WILLITS, MENDOCINO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

 

 

A.            CALL TO ORDER

Chair Sears called the meeting to order at 1:03 pm

 

B.             ROLL CALL

Directors Present: David Ripple, Allan Hemphill, Leo Sears, Robert Simonson and Budge Campbell.

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Also Present: Executive Director Douglas M. Christy, General Counsel Chris Neary, and Administrative Assistants Louise Evans and Dina Polkinghorne.

 

C.            AGENDA APPROVAL

The following changes to the agenda as proposed were approved with no objections:

 

The addition of a Staff Report from the Executive Director as Item F

 

D.            CONSENT CALENDAR

1.��������� NWPRA Independent Auditor�s Reports for the years ending June 30, 2002 and 2001.

 

The Consent Calendar was approved with no objections.

 

 

E.�������� PUBLIC COMMENT

None

 

F.�������� F.1. Staff Report � Executive Director Douglas M Christy

 

Executive Director Christy introduced new Executive Assistant, Dina Polkinghorne and thanked temporary Administrative Assistant, Louise Evans for all her hard work and dedication to the NCRA during her six-month tenure.

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The spill caused by the vandalism at the Willits Yard has been cleaned-up��� and contained and had no adverse effect on fish and streams. The clean-up costs were approximately $35,000. The contaminated soil is non hazardous and temporarily

F.1 Continued

 

contained, but will eventually have to be hauled out at a cost of approximately of $14,000 - $20,000.� Chris Neary reported that the Regional Water Quality Control Board would be discussing consent to pre-litigation in regards to this issue, in closed session at their April 27th, 2003 meeting. Mr. Neary reminded the board that Union Pacific owns the yard; the NCRA owns the surface easement only.

 

The California Western Railroad is now in bankruptcy and there is a public meeting scheduled in Fort Bragg for March 10th, 2003 to discuss the Skunk Train. Douglas Christy, as requested by the Mayor of Fort Bragg, will be attending the meeting.

 

Executive Director Christy reported that he had been working with FEMA and OES to revise the Damage Survey Report (DSR) for the 1993 and 1997/98 disasters when all funding was put on hold due to the state budget crisis. As of this date the NCRA has not received the ok from FEMA/OES concerning the revised DSR.

 

 

G.    CONDUCT OF BUSINESS

 

���������������������� 1.� Action on Resolution for Urgency Legislation

Director Ripple moved to accept Resolution No. 2003-01, 2nd by Director Hemphill

 

None opposed, motion carried

Adjourned for closed session at 1:42 pm

 

H.    CLOSED SESSION �

 

1. ������� Conference with Legal Counsel � Anticipated Litigation

����������������������� Significant exposure to litigation

����������������������� Government Code Section 54956.9 (b)

�Reconvened at 2:05 pm

 

I.      ANNOUNCEMENT OF ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION

Due to the substantial progress of the Restructuring Program, the board unanimously��� voted that the Standstill Agreement between the NCRA and NWPY be extended to April 30th, 2003.

 

J.      MATTERS FROM BOARD MEMBERS

Chairman Sears appointed Director Hemphill to the Finance Committee.

 

K.    ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEXT MEETING

The next regular board meeting scheduled for March 19th, 2003 has been cancelled due the scheduling conflict created by the presentation of Chesbro-SB1059 in Sacramento. (Staff has been directed to testify at the Senate Rules Committee in regards to this resolution on the board�s behalf). Therefore, the next regular board meeting will be April 16th, 2003 at 10 am - City Council Chambers, City of Ukiah, 300 Seminary Avenue, Ukiah, Mendocino County.

 

Director Campbell moved to cancel the next board meeting scheduled for March 19th, 2003, 2nd by Director Simonson. None opposed, motion carried.

 

L.     ADJOURNMENT at 2:00 pm

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