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Home My WebLink AboutCommuter Rail Committee-Agenda Packets-11/10/2008Lity of ~~ Il~ Texas PUBLIC NOTICE COMMUTER RAIL COMMITTEE Monday, November 10, 2008 - 6:00 P.M. Colleyville Library (2"d Floor), 110 Main Street The agenda for this meeting will be as follows: 1. Call to Order 2. Approval of Minutes: October 27, 2008 3. Review Questions (Draft Environmental Impact Study) from Meeting on November 4, 2008 4. Discussion of Planned Presentation to City Council 5. Citizen Comment 6. Adjournment 1 certify that this notice was posted on the City Hall Bulletin Board on Thursday, November 6, 2008, by 5:00 pm. Joyceinne Williams Office Assistant COMMUTER RAIL COMMITTEE MINUTES October 27, 2008 1. Call to Order Chairman John Gooding called the meeting to order at 6:07 p.m. Present: John Gooding, Paul Vigiletti, Fred Mills, Linda Baker, Joyce Hammill, John Leeper, Urmesh Shah, David Grimes, Roger Nelson, John Paul Burnett, Keath Hance, Bartley Butler, Michael Muhm, John Day, Kristian O'Regan Absent: Clif Davis, Rich Hendler Staff: Mike Johnston, Joyceinne Williams Citizens: Chris Whitaker, Orlando Alaniz, Kale & Bill Phillips, Beverly Sonneborn, Tammy & Yuki Nakamura 2. Approval of Minutes: October 13, 2008 John Leeper made a motion to approve the October 13, 2008 minutes. John Day seconded the motion, the motion carried. 3. Committee Discussion John Gooding gave a brief synopsis of the Environmental Impact Study that was received this week. He suggested that more understanding is needed on some important information that is not fully addressed in the report. After listening and viewing the report, several committee members had questions that were not answered in the report: Why the bus system that was, included in the report, was not previously addressed? How many bus bays will there be? Where is it indicated in the report, which houses are included in the noise impact study? What is the property zoning for the location around the proposed? Station (retail/multi-residential)? Is location of bike trails included in the report? It was agreed that Joyce Hammill, John Gooding, and Fred Mills would work together to summarize the questions that need to be addressed from the Environmental Impact Statement. John Gooding stated that a short brochure was mailed out by the Southwest-to-Northeast Rail Corridor which includes information about public hearings to be held on the DEIS. The brochure indicated that following completion of the formal public hearings, the DEIS study team will prepare responses to comments received on the document and incorporate edits into the DEIS where appropriate. This information was e-mailed to all committee members. Committee Members Recommendations Each committee member voiced their pros and cons in preparation for the final report to be submitted to the City Council. It was agreed by everyone that each committee member had valid points for consideration. The vote was taken and there were 10 "For" and 6 "Against" the rail station. (This included Clif Davis comments that were sent in.) A motion was made by Bartley Butler that two groups be formed to summarize an opinion for a station stop and an opinion opposing a station stop in Colleyville. Motion was seconded by Kristen O'Regan and approved by the Committee. The committee decided that each group would choose several representatives that would meet prior to the next meeting, to write a final submittal to the committee. The group representatives "For" are: John Gooding Fred Mills The group representatives "Against" are: Urmesh Shah Bartley Butler Roger Nelson The approval of the group representation was motioned by John Gooding and seconded by Bartley Butler. Citizen Comments There were five comments presented: Chris Whitaker -After reviewing EIS report, his determination was that it included misstated facts, flawed conclusions on environmental impace, and revealed poor economic investment to citizens. He was also concerned about burdensome impact on traffic and knowledge of freight transport. Orlando Alaniz - Need a clear understanding of noise, traffic impact, and overall cost/benefit comparisons as it is related to Colleyville. Kate Phillips -Indicated that she was disappointed because knowledge of rail committee meetings were not known by the citizens. Their concern of the noise, traffic, odor, and trash will affect Colleyville. Also, safety, cost and tree issues were never addressed from the August meeting. Beverly Sonneborn - Why 8 bus Caldwell Creek (noise)? What is available for public view? bays? Will there be mitigation in the station concept? Will EIS be Tammy Nakamura -Once the committee makes their recommendations, what are the next steps? When are the recommendations going to the City Council? 4. Adjournment There being no further business, Chairman Gooding adjourned the meeting at 9:05 p.m. Minutes taken and prepared by Joyceinne Williams COMMUTER RAIL COMMITTEE MINUTES November 4, 2008 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 9:10 a.m. Present: John Gooding, Joyce Hammill, and Fred Mills 2. Committee Review The committee reviewed the Draft Environmental Impact Study and drafted six (6) questions to submit to the Commuter Rail Committee at the November 10th meeting for review prior to submitting to the Southwest & Northeast Rail Corridor. 3. Adjournment Meeting was adjourned at 11:10 a.m. Minutes taken by John Gooding. Michael Johnston From: John Gooding [comrailcom@gmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2008 9:11 PM To: Christine Guernsey; Michael Johnston Subject: Re: Train Station at 26 and McCain Christine - I am chairman of the citizens committee appointed to advise the Colleyville City Council to study a commuter station stop here in Colleyville. Our committee will give a final report to the City Council in December. That meeting will be open to the public. Thanks for your email and concern. Mike - would you please put this with our commuter rail input. Thanks Again John On Tue, Nov 4, 2008 at 9:42 AM, Christine Guernsey <christine.guernsey@tx.rr.com> wrote: > I'd like to know where you stand on the proposed train station at 26 > and McCain before Z go to the voting booth today. > Thanks, > Christine Guernsey > Guernsey and Associates > Fine Art Appraisals of 19th and 20th century American and European > Art > Christine Guernsey, ISA AM > 1507 Caldwell Creek Drive > Colleyville, TX 76034 > 972-989-6114 > www.guernseyandassociates.com 1 Michael Johnston From: John Gooding [comrailcom@gmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2008 9:12 PM To: barb; Michael Johnston Subject: Re: Barb - Thanks for you input on the subject. Mike - please enter this into our commuter rail file. Thanks Again John On Tue, Nov 4, 2008 at 7:26 PM, barb <reddpolo@verizon.net> wrote: > no rail station in colleyville....statistics prove the ridership isnt > here why stick the citizens with the bill? another government decision > that soesnt make sense 1 Citizen Centric Solutions -Printable Issue Issue ID: 6290 Creator: Online User Status: New Department: City Manager's Office Priority: NORMAL Escalation Level: 1 Common Issue: Commuter Rail Concerns Address: Currently Assigned To: Time Entered: Escalation Date: Receive Type: Issue Category: Visibility: Page 1 of 1 Kelly Cooper Monday November 3,2008 8:26 AM 11/6/2008 Online Non-Emergency Everyone City: Colleyville State: TEXAS Zip: 76034 Comments I am opposed to this commuter train station. It will only serve to increase congestion at an already overloaded intersection. It is unneeded for the citizens of Colleyville and a poor use of our city dollars. Please do not let this project go forward. History Date Modified: Monday November 3,2008 8:26 AM Modified By: Online Creator Previous Priority Level: NORMAL Previous Status: New Previous Visibility: Everyone Previous Escalation Level: 1 Previously Assigned To: Cooper, Kelly New Comments: ISSUE WAS CREATED Citizen Comment History Date Modified: Monday November 3,2008 8:26 AM 'Modified By: Online Creator Previous Priority Level: NORMAL Previous Status: New it Previous Visibility: Everyone .Previous Escalation Level: 1 Previously Assigned To: Cooper, Kelly New Comments: `~' Attachments: Citizen Information Name Address City State Zip Phone Number Email Address Anonymous Anonymous TX http://colleyville.ccentric.net/FindIssueByPrimaryKeyAction.do?issueID=6290&flow=prin... 11 /4/2008 Citizen Centric Solutions -Printable Issue Issue ID: 6284 Creator: Online User Status: New Department: City Manager's Office Priority: NORMAL Escalation Level: 1 Common Issue: Commuter Rail Public Input Address: 7309 BALMORAL DR Currently Assigned To: Time Entered: Escalation Date: Receive Type: Issue Category: Visibility: Page 1 of 1 Kelly Cooper Saturday November 1,2008 11:30 AM 11 /5/2008 Online Non-Emergency Everyone City: Colleyville State: TEXAS Zip: 76034 Comments THe proposed rail station will create major problems of crime, a tax committment of over $1.5 M /year and will provide very little value to the citizens of Colleyville. The station is less than 4 miles away from both the Grapevine and the NRH stations and is of very little value to the city. Apparently some on the Rail Committee and the City Council are not interested in negative feedback. Why have all the negative inputs been rejected? It is very clear that someone is getting a payback. It is critical that the real truth come out soon. This station is going to cost more than the roads of Colleyville cost. There is no advantage to the city. Why are the Mayor and council supporting this effort? We need truth in this case, but someone is covering it up. History Date Modified: Saturday November 1,2008 11:30 AM Modified By: Online Creator Previous Priority Level: NORMAL Previous Status: New Previous Visibility: Everyone Previous Escalation Level: 1 Previously Assigned To: Cooper, Kelly New Comments: ISSUE WAS CREATED Citizen Comment History Date Modified: Saturday November 1,2008 11:30 AM Modified By: Online Creator Previous Priority Level: NORMAL Previous Status: New Previous Visibility: Everyone Previous Escalation Level: 1 Previously Assigned To: Cooper, Kelly New Comments: Attachments: Citizen Information Name Address City State Zip Phone Number Email Address George Dodson 7309 Balmoral Colleyville TX 76034 (817) 488-0082 gwdodson@tx.rr.com http://colleyville.ccentric.net/FindIssueByPrimaryKeyAction.do?issueID=6284&flow=arin... l 1 /4/2~(1R Citizen Centric Solutions -Printable Issue Page 1 of 1 Issue ID: 6285 Currently Assigned To: Kelly Cooper Creator: Online User Time Entered: Sunday November 2,2008 8:23 AM Status: New Escalation Date: 11/5/2008 Department: City Manager's Office Receive Type: Online Priority: NORMAL Issue Category: Non-Emergency Escalation Level: 1 Visibility: 'Everyone Common Issue: Commuter Rail Concerns Address: JOHN MCCAIN RD City: Colleyville State: TEXAS Zip: 76034 Comments Rail Station proposal has not been adequately publicized to the Colleyville Citizens! The whole effort has attempted to hide the fact that the station will cost more than $1 million /year in added real estate taxes. There is no value to the city. Why isn't the whole truth being communicated? History Date Modified: Sunday November 2,2008 8:23 AM Modified By: Online Creator Previous Priority Level: NORMAL Previous Status: New Previous Visibility: Everyone Previous Escalation Level: 1 Previously Assigned To: Cooper, Kelly New Comments: ISSUE WAS CREATED Citizen Comment History Date Modified: Sunday November 2,2008 8:23 AM Modified By: Online Creator Previous Priority Level: NORMAL 'Previous Status: New !Previous Visibility: Everyone Previous Escalation Level: 1 Previously Assigned To: Cooper, Kelly New Comments: Attachments: Citizen Information Name Address City State Zip Phone Number Email Address George Dodson 7309 Balmoral Colleyville TX 76034 (817) 488-0082 gwdodson@tx.rr.com http://colleyville.ccentric.net/FindIssueByPrimaryKeyAction.do?issueID=6285 &flow~rin... 11 /4/2O~R Page 1 of 1 Michael Johnston From: Ron Ruthven Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2008 11:56 AM To: Michael Johnston Subject: FW: No Train Please! No Apartments Please! Mike, FYI, I am going to forward to you all of rail emails I received over the weekend. From: Brad Oetman [mailto:brad@velociter.net] Sent: Friday, October 31, 2008 7:31 PM To: Ron Ruthven Cc: David Kelly; Jon Ayers; comrailcom@gmail.com; Carol Wollin; Tony Licata; Stan Hall; Tom Hart; Mike Taylor Subject: No Train Please! No Apartments Please! Dear Elected Official: I am a taxpaying Colleyville resident that lives along John McCain road. I cross the John McCain/Hwy 26 intersection daily. I strongly urge you not to support the proposed passenger train service/rail station at this intersection. I have many reasons for this opposition: 1. Increased traffic at an already congested intersection 2. Very few Colleyville resident will use this train service, so why should we put up with the inconvenience and expense? 3. These type of train stations tend to bring with them crime, we do not want a crime problem, this will only burden Colleyville residents with increased need for police presence and with it additional expense. 4. I live within 200 yards of the train tracks. I do not want the noise pollution of the train blowing it's horn every 20 minutes (I have been told that this would be the likely frequency of trains). 5. I don't want my property value decreased. This train station, would diminish my property values. Who wants to live next door to a busy, noisy train station?! 6. I understand that Colleyville residents are going to be footing the bill for this? 1 hope this isn't true! With all the points I have just made above, why would I want my hard-earned tax dollars going towards this project? 7. I hear that there is consideration for bringing apartments into Colleyville, near the proposed train station? This is news to me! If this is true, again I do not support this. I chose to live in Colleyville to have a SAFE, COMFORTABLE place to live. The combination of train station and apartments (presumably to have some Colleyville residents actually use the train) totally goes against every reason I chose to live here. I am sure you have heard similar thoughts from many residents in Colleyville. The homeowner/citizens around me are truly outraged at this proposal. This would be the beginning of the end for our currently fine city. I am not sure what fiscal motivations there are for this project, but I feel the perceived "benefits" are heavily outweighed by the risk to the citizens safety, comfort and pocketbooks. You are my elected representative. Please consider retaining the support of your constituents by blocking this proposed train station and apartment complex. Sincerely, Brad Oetman, MD 11 /5/2008 FW: Colleyville Rail Station Michael Johnston Page 1 of 2 From: Ron Ruthven Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2008 11:56 AM To: Michael Johnston Subject: FW: Colleyville Rail Station From: Phillips, Kate [mailto:kate.phillips@spcorp.com] Sent: Monday, November 03, 2008 6:50 PM To: )on Ayers; Carol Wollin; Tony Licata; Stan Hall; hart@ci.colleyville.tx.us; Mike Taylor; Ron Ruthven Subject: FW: Colleyville Rail Station From: Phillips, Kate Sent: Monday, November 03, 2008 05:25 PM To: 'kellyd@ci.colleyville.tx.us' Subject: Colleyville Rail Station Dear Mr. Kelly, I am a Colleyuilie Citu•,en with children. I am eery disappointed that the Advisory Council has been meeting and discussing a DART/TRE Rail Station. in Colleyville. I maned here 9 years ago to be away from. the BIG City and in a SAYE, Quiet, Clean Neighborhood. Where I could raise my children and feel safe to walk, jog and be outside. With a Rail Station going into ColIeyviIie we will just be another GAIZ.Lf1ND, South Irving, Beach Sfreet run down city. Why would you even consider a Rail Station that wilt not only cost us money, Iower our home uatues, create crime and more vehicle burglaries, put our families at risk for rapes, burgla~~ies, crime, poZIutivn, etc. I hear that a, f der the DART/7 KL' get the appraval frarn CoIteyvilIe that opens up the FREIGHT Trains to Conte through 24/7. There are so many unknowns with this DARI~I'RE Rail Station. I have attended twa of the meetings, but the citizens of Colleyville are getting mixed messages. (Many NO MESSAGES that this is happening, unless they received and read the small print at the bottom of their water bill) I cannot tell you enough that I am disappointed. We have banks, and car washes down Grapevine .Hwy around John McCain. We will not bring people in to shop, they wilt chap in our homes, steal our cars, increase crime, pollution, noise and tra,,~c problems. I vote not only against the Rail Station. but also against the DART/TRE going through Colleyville, 11 /5/2008 FW: Colleyville Rail Station Kate Phillips hospital Specialist ter;-too-o~R34 cell t3f~6-4(7,y-1,5 i () f CLY This message and any attachments are solely for the intended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient, disclosure, copying, use or distribution of the information included in this message is prohibited -- Please immediately and permanently delete. Page 2 of 2 11/5/2008 Page 1 of I Michael Johnston From: Ron Ruthven Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2008 11:56 AM To: Michael Johnston Subject: FW: wants you to take action on "STOP THE TRAIN STATION AT HWY 26 AND JOHN MCCAIN ROAD"! From: mdprotono@verizon.net [mailto:mdprotono@verizon.net] Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2008 9:20 AM To: Ron Ruthven Subject: wants you to take action on "STOP THE TRAIN STATION AT HWY 26 AND JOHN MCCAIN ROAD"! Mike Protono has just read and signed the petition: STOP THE TRAIN STATION AT HWY_ 26 AND JOHN MC_ CAIN_ROAD You can view this petition at: http://www.the~etitionsite.com/te1l-a-friend/2243677 Message from Mike Protono: Hi, I signed the petition "STOP THE TRAIN STATION AT HWY 26 AND JOHN MCCAIN ROAD". I'm asking you to sign this petition to help us reach our goal of 1,000 signatures. I care deeply about this cause, and I hope you will support our efforts. ThePetitionSite.com provides tools and empowers individuals to make a difference and effect positive change through online activism. Get connected with the causes you care about, take action to make the world a better place, and start your own petition at http://www.ThePetitionSite.com! ThePetitionSite.com is powered by Caret, the largest and most trusted information and action site for people who care to make a difference in their lives and the world. www.care2.com 11 /5/2008 Page 1 of 1 Michael Johnston From: Ron Ruthven Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2008 11:56 AM To: Michael Johnston Subject: FW: I oppose the train station From: brandy oetman [mailto:oetgirl@hotmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2008 9:30 AM To: Ron Ruthven; David Kelly; Jon Ayers; comrailcom@gmail.com; Carol Wollin; Tony Licata; Stan Hall; Tom Hart; Mike Taylor Subject: I oppose the train station My City Council Members-- I am very much opposed to the train station going in to Colleyville. I live off of John McCain and already we experience too much traffic at certain times of the day, often making it difficult to get out of the neighborhood. There is no benefit for the city of Colleyville to have this train station. The profile of a Colleyville citizen will not ride this train. Instead you are asking us to foot the bill for this and increase our taxes all the while devaluing our property values and deteriorating our quality of life in Colleyville. To make up for the lack of train commuters in Colleyville, the idea of busing in outsiders to use our station has been raised. I am concerned about this notion. We are an exclusive and quiet city, and that is the draw for most of us that live here. If you introduce outsiders into our city, you will introduce increased crime, you will introduce increased noise, you will introduce increased pollution, and you will introduce increased traffic. Not only will our property values plummet, but I am out of here, and I know I am not alone. The train station is the beginning of a disintegrating community. I am staunchly opposing my tax monies going to something I will not use and will be the demise of our beautiful city. I expect my city council members to be representative of the thoughts and concerns of our great city, and to have our best interest at heart. Sincerely, Brandy Oetman Warwick Parc neighborhood Want to read Hotmail messages in Outlook? The Wordsmiths show you how. Learn Now 11/5/2008 Page 1 of 1 Michael Johnston From: Ron Ruthven Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2008 11:57 AM To: Michael Johnston Subject: FW: Train Station From: Christine Guernsey [mailto:christine.guernsey@tx.rr.com) Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2008 9:43 AM To: Ron Ruthven Subject: Train Station I'd like to know where you stand on the proposed train station at 26 and McCain before I go to the voting booth today. Thanks, Christine Guernsey ~r~ y J '~;.` i`r `ter, >.--i..{~~. ~` ~` -'~~~ Guernsey and~.~lssociates ,Fine .~lrt .appraisals of igth and loth century .American and European .art Christine Guernsey, ISM .ELM i5o7 Caldtivell Cree( Drive Colleyville, ~X 76034 972-g8g-6114 tivnvlv.guernseyandassociates. com 11 /5/2008 Page 1 of 1 Michael Johnston ................. From: Ron Ruthven Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2008 11:57 AM To: Michae- Johnston Subject: FW: Ronna wants you to take action on "STOP THE TRAIN STATION AT HWY 26 AND JOHN MCCAIN ROAD"! _ __ From: ronnapro@yahoo.com [mailto:ronnapro@yahoo.com] Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2008 11:08 AM To: Ron Ruthven Subject: Ronna wants you to take action on "STOP THE TRAIN STATION AT HWY 26 AND JOHN MCCAIN ROAD"! Ronna Protono has just read and signed the petition: STOP THE TRAIN STATION AT_HWY. 26_AND JOHN MCCAIN ROAD You can view this petition at: htt :/p /www.thepetitionsite.com/tell-a-friend/2244497 Message from Ronna Protono: ~~ Hi, I signed the petition STOP THE TRAIN STATION AT HWY 26 AND JOHN MCCAIN ROAD". I'm asking you to sign this petition to help us reach our goal of 1,000 signatures. I care deeply about this cause, and I hope you will support our efforts. ThePetitionSite.com provides tools and empowers individuals to make a difference and effect positive change through online activism. Get connected with the causes you care about, take action to make the world a better place, and start your own petition at http://www.ThePetitionSite.com! ThePetitionSite.com is powered by Caret, the largest and most trusted information and action site for people who care to make a difference in their lives and the world. www.care2.com 11/5/2008 Page 1 of 1 Michael Johnston From: Ron Ruthven Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2008 11:57 AM To: Michael Johnston Subject: FW: Stop the Train From: Nancy Wilson [mailto:nancywilson.michaelgroup@yahoo.com] Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2008 3:43 PM To: Ron Ruthven Subject: Stop the Train Dear Community Development Coordinator Ruthven, Please tell me that you are not on board with this train nonsense when we don't even have adequate side walks down Pleasant Run and Tinker to accomodate our school children that must walk to school! My child must navigate down Tinker Rd and then walk in a drainage ditch to get to school. TINKER RD IS VERY DANGEROUS ON FOOT IN THE MORNING AND AFTERNOON AND PLEASANT RUN IS RIDICULOUS. I understand that the proposed sidewalk is to to only go north to Hardage. What about the rest of us? How are we to get to Hardage safely? STOP THE TRAIN -- START THE SIDEWALKS! Sincerely, Nancy Wilson 817-832-1039 11/5/2008 Page 1 of 1 Michael Johnston From: Ron Ruthven Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2008 11:57 AM To: Michael Johnston Subject: FW: Please stop all consideration of the train station for Colleyville From: Donald Crowley [mailto:dlcrowley@verizon.net] Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2008 9:30 PM To: Ron Ruthven Subject: Please stop all consideration of the train station for Colleyville As a resident of Colleyville I don't want any of my taxes or revenue of the city of Colleyville being used in any way on the proposed train station. We don't need the additional crime nor traffic that such a station would bring. Don Crowley 11 /5/2008