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CALLED TO ORDER at 4:37 P.M.

ROLL CALL:                   Members Present: Beall, Kennedy, Pirzynski, Yeager

                                       Members Absent:  Chavez, Furtado, Green, McNutt

A quorum was present.

James Wightman, Interested Citizen, queried as to the opening of the Vasona Extension.   Jack J. Collins, Chief Construction Officer, advised that it is scheduled to open August 2005.

M/S/C (Pirzynski/Beall) to approve the Minutes of March 3, 2003.

Mark S. Robinson, Staff Liaison and Vasona Light Rail Project Manager, presented an overview of the Vasona Project and discussed the recent construction activities and accomplishments.

Mr. Robinson reported a new bridge has been built over San Carlos to accommodate the SR87 High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane project, which is just now getting underway.  The traction electrification poles have been put up and wire has been strung. 

Mr. Robinson stated that the San Fernando Station Plaza contract was awarded in September 2004 with construction commencing in October 2004.

Mr. Robinson also stated that the tunnel contract has been completed for some time and crews are working within the tunnel stringing the overhead wires for power. 

Mr. Robinson noted that the Race Street and Fruitdale Stations, which are within the Railroad Corridor, have the overhead wires installed, shelters are complete, lights are in, and cable is being pulled for visual message signs. 

Mr. Robinson also reported new sidewalks, street lighting, pedestrian walkway lighting, soundwalls, and landscaping have been completed at Southwest Expressway. A lot of the enhancements that came through Transit for Livable Communities Fund Grant (TLC) in addition to San Jose’s Community Oriented Design Enhancement Funds (CODE). 

Mr. Robinson advised that a higher, more secure fence has been installed along the Del Mar High School property line north of Bascom Station. 

Mr. Robinson further stated that the Hamilton Avenue Structure contract is being wrapped up and the station contractor is now working on the elevator. The brick shelter at the Downtown Campbell Station is almost complete.

Mr. Robinson further reported that the end of the line station, Winchester Station, has an operators’ facility, which the contractor is now getting underway.   A park and ride facility will also be part of the end-of-the-line station.  Mr. Robinson noted that activity will be getting underway at the Winchester Park and Ride before the end of the year and, as part of the same contract, the Campbell Parking Lot early next year. 

Mr. Robinson reported that the Diridon Water Tower Reinstallation Contract has been advertised.   The water tower was removed from its original site at the Diridon Station area and stored at the Vasona Office site.  The water tower will be reinstated at the Diridon Station south of its original location.

Mr. Robinson stated that the Vasona Completion Contract will take care of odds and ends such as finishes that were not captured in current contracts.   The Completion Contract will be advertised in the latter part of September 2004 and will be submitted to the Board of Directors for approval in December 2004.

Mr. Robinson reported that the Sobrato Development, developing a parcel just north of Highway 85 on Winchester, is proceeding in Los Gatos.   Member Beall recommended staff consider advancing the completion of the final two stations to Los Gatos.  Member Pirzynski recommended staff enter into discussions with Sobrato regarding accommodations for the future light rail extension as a part of the development.

Member Pirzynski recommended staff contact Bud Lutz, Town of Los Gatos, to discuss the Sobrato Development.

Member Yeager recommended the Los Gatos Extension be agendized on future Agendas.

Member Robinson stated that there will be a Condemnation Hearing in November 2004 to settle right-of-way acquisition on San Jose Water Company Parcel in the San Fernando Station area.           

On order of Chairperson Kennedy, there being no objection, the Vasona Light Rail Project Status Report was received and filed.

Mr. Robinson referenced a photograph showing a break in the tracks across  Auzerais Avenue and Sunol Street.   Traffic signals have been added at Sunol Street and Auzerais Avenue as well as overhead wires installed for light rail, but no light rail tracks at the crossings.  Mr. Robinson stated there is an issue regarding the driveway with the property owner because of VTA’s design.  As a part of the PUC application process, the hearing at the PUC has been held, the Administrative Law (ALJ) Judge has visited with representatives of both the private company and VTA, she examined the site, requested documentation from both parties, which were provided, and parties are now awaiting the  ALJ’s opinion.  

On order of Chairperson Kennedy, there being no objection, the Sunol Street/Auzerais Avenue Crossing Construction Update was received.

Anne-Catherine Vinickas reported that staff has prepared construction updates to businesses and residences of construction activity along the Vasona Corridor.   Ms. Vinickas noted that staff has prepared a preliminary opening plan which will be revised over the next couple of months.

Member Yeager requested staff contact his office, as well as the other Members’ office, to coordinate what type of public outreach to do. 

On order of Chairperson Kennedy, there being no objection, the Community Outreach Report of June 2004 through August 2004 was received and filed as contained in the Agenda Packet.

On order of Chairperson Kennedy, there being no objection, the CODE Program Update for June 2004 through August 2004 was received and filed as contained in the Agenda Packet.

There were no announcements. 

Adjourned at 5:10 p.m.  

Respectfully submitted,

Gilda M. Grozdanich, Board Assistant
VTA Board of Directors