HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommuter Rail Committee-Minutes-10/27/2008COMMUTER 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 Co{leyville.
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 bays? Will there be mitigation in
Caldwell Creek (noise)? What is the station concept? Will EIS be
available for public view?
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