NORTH COAST RAILROAD AUTHORITY (NCRA)
BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGULAR MEETING
Wednesday, May 18, 2005 10:00 AM
Fortuna City Council Chambers
621 11th Street, Fortuna
Humboldt County
DRAFT MINUTES
A.������� CALL TO ORDER
����������� The meeting was called to order at 10:05 am
B.������� ROLL CALL
����������� Directors present:�
Directors Simonson, Ellinger, Ollivier, LaVallee, and Chairman
Woolley.�
��������������� Absent:�
Ripple, and Hemphill
C.������� AGENDA APPROVAL
��������������� The agenda stood as submitted.�
��������������� Outgoing Director Doug Ellinger was presented with a
plaque in appreciation for his dedicated service to the NCRA.� Director Ellinger noted that his only regret
was leaving the NCRA prior to the restoration of rail service.
D.������� CONSENT CALENDAR
�����������
����������� Motion was made by Director Ellinger, seconded by
LaVallee to approve the Consent Calendar as follows:�
��������������� Approval of Financial Statements � April 2005
����������� Approval of Minutes � April 2005
��������������� Motion carried (5-0)
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E.������� PUBLIC COMMENT
�����������
����������� Kaye
Strickland of the NWP Support Coalition addressed concerns regarding railroad
vandalism in Humboldt County.�� Ms
Strickland submitted a document in support of her concerns which is hereby made
part of the record by reference.
��������������� John Webb agreed with Ms. Strickland�s observations
and indicated that he, too, would like to see the Board defend the NCRA
right-of-way against vandalism and trespassing that negatively impacts future
rail service.
��������������� The Board agreed that NCRA Counsel would draft a
letter to send to property owners along the right-of-way, who are guilty of
trespass or vandalism on railroad property.
F.������� PRESENTATIONS
��������������� Stacey Edgmon, Aycock and Edgmon, presented the Board
with the Audit findings for FY 03/04.� Chairman
Woolley made a motion to receive and file the findings, seconded by Director
Ellinger, and the motion carried (5-0).
��������������� Ken Davlin, representing the Port of Humboldt Bay
Harbor Conservation and Recreation District, presented the Board with an update
on the efforts to develop a work plan between the Ports of Oakland � and the Port of Humboldt Bay.�
G.���������� CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
����� 1.������������ Agreement with Passenger
Carrier��
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����������� NCRA Legal Counsel made a brief presentation regarding
a Termination Agreement with the California Redwood Coast Company Ltd., the
excursion operator under contract with NCRA in 1997, prior to the FRA
termination of service.� Attorney Neary
indicated that a draft contract would be developed over the course of the next
month.� Chairman Woolley referred the
contract and any related issues to the Operator Committee.
2.
Volunteer Procedure
��������������� NCRA legal counsel presented the Board with a
proposal regarding volunteer policy to be inserted into the � Policy and Procedures Manual under Property
Administration.� The policy states that
volunteers need to be �� licensed by
NCRA�s Operator in accordance with FRA policies when the railroad is
operational.� In the absence of an
operational railroad, the Executive Director would be empowered to license
volunteers. Chairman Woolley asked that
legal counsel develop a policy for liability insurance applicable to such volunteers.
��������������� 3 & 4����� Appointments to Property and Finance
Committee
��������������� Director LaVallee was appointed to the Finance
Committee and Director Ollivier was appointed to the Property Committee.
��������������� 5.������������ NCRA Board Meeting Schedule
���������������
��������������� Since both SMART and NCRA Board meetings are scheduled
on the third Wednesday of the month, Mr. Neary requested that NCRA meetings be
rescheduled so that NCRA staff and Board Directors can attend the SMART
Meetings on the third Wednesday of the month.��
It was decided that the June 15 Board meeting be rescheduled to June 23
in Willits to accommodate all NCRA Board members.� Mr. Neary asked the Board to consider moving future meetings as
well.� Chairman Woolley directed staff
to propose a new Board meeting schedule for consideration at the June Board
Meeting.
H.������� COMMITTEE REPORTS
����������� �������������������������������������������������������������
��������������� Finance Committee Chairman Ellinger gave an update on
the Finance Committee meeting that was held on May 17.� Director Ellinger recommended approval of
the Draft Budget for FY 05-06 seconded by Director Simonson, and the motion
carried (5-0).
I.��������� STAFF REPORTS
����������� 1.������������ Executive
Director Mitch Stogner
Executive
Director Mitch Stogner updated the Board on SB 792 (Chesbro).� The measure has passed the Senate and is now
in the Assembly Transportation Committee.�
It was also reported that the US House and Senate have approved competing
versions of HR 3.� The bill is now under
consideration by a Joint Conference Committee.�
Mr. Stogner also reported that Gov. Schwarzenegger�s May Budget revision
has committed the entire $1.3 billion in gas sales tax proceeds to the Traffic
Congestion Relief Program, which is good news for everyone who has a project
under that program.�
He
also reported that the advertisement for bid has gone out for repairs to the
Black Point and Haystack Landing bridges. NCRA hopes to award the contract for
the bridge repairs at the June 23 meeting.�
The advertisement for procurement of rail-cars and crossing signals will
be published in June.�
����������� 2. ����������� Chris
Neary Legal Counsel � no report
The Board
convened into Closed Session at 11:30 am
K.������� CLOSED SESSION
��������������� Conference with Legal Counsel � Existing Litigation
pursuant to Gov. Code 54596.9 (a)
��������������� ���������������
������������������������������� Coast Guard Proceeding, Activity
20226382
������������������������������� NCRA vs. Jerico Products, Sonoma
County # 235961
������������������������������� Jerico Products vs. NCRA N.D. (Cal.)
05-210
������������������������������� Michael Meyer vs. NCRA STB # 34337
��������������� Conference with Legal Counsel � Significant Exposure
to Litigation pursuant to Gov. Code 545969 (b) (2 ������� cases)
��������������� Executive Director Performance Review
��������������� The Board reconvened into Open Session at 12:45 pm
�����������
L. ������� ANNOUNCEMENT OUT OF
CLOSED SESSION
����������� The Board received information and gave direction
relative to four cases of existing litigation and one ����������� case of significant exposure to litigation.� No action was taken.
��������������� The Executive Director Performance Review was
continued until the June meeting.
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M.�� ���� ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEXT MEETING
�����������
����������� June 23, 2005
��������������� Willits City Council Chambers
��������������� Willits, Mendocino County
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N.������� ADJOURNMENT
��������������� The meeting was adjourned at 1:46 p.m. to the regular
Board Meeting of June 23, 2005.
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