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CALLED TO ORDER at 4:30 p.m.

ROLL CALL:   Members Present: Beall, Kennedy, Pirzynski

Members Absent:  Chavez, Furtado, Green, McNutt, Yeager

A quorum was present.

PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS

James Wightman, Interested Citizen, queried when trains will be tested on the Vasona Line.   Jack J. Collins, Chief Construction Officer, responded that the testing of the trains will commence January 2005.   Mr. Wightman also queried when pre-revenue service would start running to Downtown Campbell.  Mr. Collins responded that pre-revenue service is schedule to commence around June 2005.

Minutes of September 13, 2004

M/S/C (Pirzynski/Beall) to approve the Minutes of September 13, 2004.

Vasona Light Rail Project Status Report

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

Mr. Robinson noted that the significant activities concluded are major land acquisition with the San Jose Water Company, miscellaneous items on easements, and right-of-way transfers.

Mr. Robinson reported that with regard to the Sunol/Auzerais Avenue crossings VTA received the go ahead from the California Public Utilities Commission.   Mr. Robinson noted that the design has been approved with certain conditions of a minor nature and signs and striping have been added to the proposed plan.

Mr. Robinson referenced a hand-out entitled Vasona Light Rail Project Construction Update dated December 2004, Page 11, which depicts the progress made at the Hamilton Station area.   Mr. Robinson stated that the pedestrian bridge has been placed and the platform and walkway leading to the platform have been completed.   Mr. Robinson noted that items identified by the State Inspector regarding the elevator have been modified.

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

Sunol Street/Auzerais Avenue Crossing Construction Update

Mr. Robinson reported that with regard to Sunol Street/Auzerias Avenue crossing, rail is being laid out at Sunol Street and rail should placed across the street crossing towards the end of the week of December 13, 2004, or early the week of December 20, 2004, and then down to and across Auzerais Street.

Member Piryznski requested Mr. Robinson comment on an issue mentioned in the media regarding reflectivity on the Hamilton Avenue Bridge, the concern and how it was resolved.   Mr. Robinson responded that fences were placed on top of the  Hamilton Avenue structure, which served as a lower-level fence for safety and visual screening for the neighborhood in the northwest quadrant of the crossing.  As a part of the visual screening, there was a desire to provide treatment to make the fence more visually pleasing than a solid wall.  A “fancy fence” was put into place, which added a slight tilt, a wave, and a decorative metal screen, which turned out to reflect low-level sunlight into the eyes of drivers on Hamilton Avenue at sunset time.   Staff is considering a more conventional treatment which will not give off the reflection.  The wavy fence will be removed, louvers will go up in its place to add more visual substance and visual screening to the neighborhood.

Member Beall recommended staff work with the legal staff to explore the possibility of getting compensated for the time delay and cost of Hamilton Overcrossing from the California Public Utilities Commission.

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

Vasona Junction/Sobrato Development Report

Mr. Robinson provided a report regarding staff’s discussion with Sobrato Development Company (Sobrato).   Mr. Robinson stated that Sobrato is in the process of developing what has been identified as an end of the line Vasona Junction Station in the Town of Los Gatos. 

Mr. Robinson stated that along with VTA staff, Sobrato, and, the Planning Department of Los Gatos discussed opportunities for certain accommodations for the future light rail station at Vasona Junction.   Mr. Robinson noted that Sobrato was very encouraging and optimistic that there may be opportunities for bringing in the Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD) into discussions and the possibility of obtaining land from the SCVWD for a bus transit center and possibly park and ride.  Mr. Robinson noted that VTA staff has developed a plan based on these discussions and said the plan has been forwarded to Sobrato.  To date, VTA staff has not heard back from Sobrato regarding discussions with the SCVWD.

Member Beall queried as to the possibility of applying for a Transportation for Livable Communities (TLC) Grant from Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) for the project.   Mr. Robinson responded that he would explore the idea and provide a response.

On order of Chairperson Kennedy, there being no objection, the Vasona Junction/Sobrato Development Report was received and filed.

Valley Transportation Plan 2030 (VTP 2030) Rail Corridor Study

Ann Jamison, Deputy Director Congestion Management and Planning and Programming, reported that with regard to the future rail corridor study, staff is in the process of developing a work scope study.   Ms. Jamison stated that the first phase of the study would involve the evaluation criteria and the second phase of the study will use evaluation criteria to define the seven specific corridors designated for the study.

Ms. Jamison stated that at this point, staff is in a mid-year budget amendment process for a consultant. 

Mr. Collins reported that the Draft 1996 Measure B Revenue and Expenditure Plan is programming $1.3 million over the next three fiscal years for the study.    Ms. Jamison noted that environmental work may proceed in the third year. 

Member Beall stated that he does not consider Vasona Corridor as another rail corridor as it is already an existing rail corridor that needs a little addition.

Member Pirzynski quoted the original 1996 Measure B Language as follows:   “Vasona Light Rail Line – building the Vasona Light Rail from Downtown San Jose to the San Jose Arena Caltrain Station and on to Downtown Campbell and eventual service to Los Gatos.”  Mr. Pirzynski noted that the language was the approved for the 1996 Measure B.

 Member Beall queried if there is a distinction in the planning process between new corridors versus an extension of an existing corridor.   Ms. Jamison responded that one of the criteria originally outlined in the study referred to project readiness to some degree within the criteria.  Ms. Jamison noted that staff would be looking at criteria during Phase 1 to see if the criteria is adequately described

Member Beall recommended the Vasona Corridor be looked at as an existing corridor already in the Plan and not a new corridor. 

Member Pirzynski questioned the idea of geographic equity and stated that the southwest portion of West Valley has been underserved.   Ms. Jamison stated that geographic equity is another criteria that is outlined in the plan.

On order of Chairperson Kennedy, there being no objection, the VTP 2030 Rail Corridor Study was received and filed.

Community Outreach Report for September 2004 through November 2004

Gail Collins, Senior Transportation Planner – Special Projects, distributed a document entitled Community Outreach Plan for Test Trains and Pre-Revenue Service.

On order of Chairperson Kennedy, there being no objection, the Community Outreach Report for September 2004 through November 2004 was received and filed.

CODE Program Update for September 2004 through November 2004

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

Announcements

Mr. Robinson advised that due to the opening of the Vasona Line, only two meetings, March 7, 2005 and June 6, 2005 have been scheduled.   Chairperson Kennedy queried if the Committee would not continue to meet until the whole Vasona Line is up.  Member Beall requested future meetings be agendized for the March 7, 2005 Agenda.

Adjournment

On order of Chairperson Kennedy, there being no objection, the meeting was adjourned at 5:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Gilda M. Grozdanich, Board Assistant
VTA Board of Directors

NOTE:   M/S/C MEANS MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED AND, UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, THE MOTION PASSED UNAMINOUSLY.