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The Regular Meeting of the Tasman East/Capitol Light Rail Policy Advisory Board was called to order 4:30 p.m. by Vice Chairperson Reed in the Supervisors' Conference Room, 70 West Hedding Avenue, San Jose, California.

Jack J. Collins, Chief Construction Officer, advised the Members that both projects are doing well, all contracts have been awarded, and the Projects are scheduled to open July 2004. He recommended foregoing future meetings given the positive status of both projects. Pending concurrence with those members absent, the Committee agreed not to hold any future meetings, to continue to receive monthly status reports, and to receive a written final report upon completion of the Tasman East/Capitol Light Rail Project. Vice Chairperson Reed requested absent members be polled regarding future meetings.

On order of Vice Chairperson Reed,there being no objection, the Committee of the Whole concurred with Vice Chairperson Reed's request to poll absent PAB Members regarding foregoing future meetings.

Mr. Collins reviewed the Tasman East/Capitol cost trends highlighting Budget Status and Cash Flow of both projects. He referred the members to the cost summary contained in the monthly project status reports included in Agenda Item #6. Mr. Collins noted that the elevated guideway contract was completed $1 million under budget and that VTA is working with County Measure B staff to update other cost savings, primarily on the Tasman East project. Member McHugh noted some typographic errors in the Tasman East Project Status Report, which were noted by staff and will be corrected in next month's report. Member McHugh requested clarification regarding global signaling contract and whether delays would impact the opening of the project? Staff responded that there are problems with General Electric (GE) completing the cut over of Systems Communication And Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. He indicated that the primary issue is related to software and assured the Committee this would not impact the opening date and felt the software issue would be resolved.

On order of Vice Chairperson Reed, there being no objection, the Report on Tasman East Capitol Cost Trends was received and filed.

Archer Walters, Staff Liaison and Tasman East/Capitol Project Manager, reported that staff will be walking a train for clearance testing on Tasman East segment of the Project on November 13, 2003. Mr. Walters also reported that the shelter canopies are up and work is being completed at the Great Mall Station. Mr. Collins advised that the Transit Center at Main Street and Weller Street in the City of Milpitas will move to its new location right next to the Great Mall Station when the Light Rail Project begins operations in July 2004. This location will also have an Operators´ Facility.

Member Cortese took his seat at 4:47 p.m. and a quorum was declared.

Mr. Walters reported that the Overhead Catenary System is being installed along Capitol Avenue. In response to Mr. Vice Chairperson Reed´s query, Mr. Walters stated that the paving has been completed in the Capitol Avenue and Hostetter Road segment and the striping has been completed within the last couple of days before the opening. Mr. Walters also reported that the intersections and substations would be completed by the December 2003. Mr. Walters further reported that the section of the Tasman East Project down to Hostetter Road will be turned over to VTA´s Operations Department in February of 2004 which means the work on Tasman East will have been completed at the end of m February 2004. The opening of the Tasman East is being planned to coincide with the opening of the Capitol Light Rail Project in July 2004. Mr. Walters also stated that there would be a "train walk" for clearances mid-December 2003 and the McKee Road/Capitol Project will be turned over to VTA´s Operations Department in April 2004. Mr. Walters further advised the Committee that the operators´ facility on Alum Rock Station would be completed by Roem Development to coincide with the opening of operations on this segment.

On order of Vice Chairperson Reed, there being no objection, the Tasman East/Capitol Project Status Report was received and filed.

Gail Collins, Special Projects Manager, stated a number of CODE Projects that have now been installed at the Great Mall and Montague Station. Ms. Collins reported that artist, Deborah Mersky, has used different natural plants and features of baskets and objects that might be related to shopping, tying in with the Great Mall. Ms. Collins also reported that brightly colored railing will be at all the Tasman East and Capitol Stations in the City of San Jose, the stations will feature plant materials that are indigenous to this area. Ms. Collins stated that the brightly colored glass will be installed in all of the stations. Artist Victor Zabaya, is putting colorful tiles on the seat back of the concrete benches, designed by children at two different schools in each of the stations' area.

On order of Vice Chairperson Reed, there being objection, the Community Oriented Design Enhancement (CODE) Program Update from February 2003 to October 2003 was received and filed.

On order of Vice Chairperson Reed, there being no objection the Community Outreach Update from February 2003 through October 2003 was received and filed.

M/S/F (Cortese/Reed) on a count of 3 ayes (Cortese, McHugh, Reed), 0 noes, and 1 abstention (Gregory) to approve the Minutes of February 6, 2003.

On order of Vice Chairperson Reed, there being no objection, the Committee of the Whole received and filed the Minutes of February 6, 2003.

Adjourned at 5:11 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Gilda M. Grozdanich,
Board Assistant VTA Board of Directors

NOTE:   M/S/F MEANS MOTION SECONDED AND FAILED.