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> TRANSPORTATION THINK TANK NOTES FROM MEETING #24: JANUARY 19, 2000
>
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> <> NEXT MEETING: WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 16, 2000 <>
> <> Starting at 5 pm sharp at 501 MISSION STREET <>
> <> in SANTA CRUZ --- EVERYONE IS INVITED <>
> <> <>
> <> SPECIAL GUEST: Supervisor Jeff Almquist <>
> <> <>
> <> AGENDA: <>
> <> <>
> <> (a) Discussion of where we are and <>
> <> what we can do to facilitate information <>
> <> flow regarding the RAIL/BIKEWAY proposal. <>
> <> <>
> <> (b) updates <>
> <> <>
> <> (c) set our next meeting agenda <>
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>
> [note: metrobase update appended, fyi]
>
> NOTES FROM JANUARY 19:
>
> This was a small and short meeting, with Bill Comfort, Joe Jordan, Peter
> Scott, and Janet and Michael Singer present.
>
> We discussed briefly the positive action by the Cabrillo Board of
> Trustees regarding transportation planning for Cabrillo, and efforts to
> try to enhance use of public transit by Cabrillo students, staff and
> faculty, and recommended to send a note of thanks to the Board of
> Trustees, assuming that Emily Reilly would be willing to draft such a
> letter. [note: she was, and the letter was sent.]
>
> The procedure for registration for Cabrillo classes by telephone
> apparently does little to encourage the use of public transit or to
> discourage the use of a private automobile. This registration-by-phone
> process is one that could be improved with seemingly little expense.
>
> We also briefly remarked upon the current efforts to enact (ala SCA 3) a
> constitutional amendment that would raise sales taxes by a half cent in
> order to fund transportation improvements such as the widening of
> highway one, if 50 per cent of santa cruz county voters approve.
> Reportedly a primary advocate for this effort is the Santa Cruz Business
> Council. It was remarked that a propsed upper limit (cap) of 9 per cent
> might be part of this proposed ballot measure. We are currently at
> 8 per cent. Some wondered about other needs, such as water supply and
> future earthquake or flood damage. Bill noted that if HOT lanes were to
> generate money, that money could go to fund some of these other needs.
>
> We then had some discussion of the RAIL LINE/BIKE PATH proposal. Bill
> mentioned the existence of Delores Edwards, the bicycle coordinator for
> Monterey County, in the TAMC (Transportation Agency for Montery County)
> office. [note: I called Delores, who also suggested I call Mary
> Orrison, which I will do prior to Feb 16. She was very responsive.
> Turns out she lives in Santa Cruz County and is familiar with our
> situations. This seems like a promising lead. A helpful website:
> www.TAMCmonterey.org. If you would like a description of the proposed
> recently announced plan to bring rail service to Seaside on a daily
> basis, see www.TAMCmonterey.org/RailProgram.html.]
>
> It was also noted that our friend Josh Hart is now in San Francisco,
> working for Rails-to-Trails, and is also very interested in any projects
> relating to the UP rail right-of-way. Rails-WITH-Trails is a subset of
> the Rails-to-Trails organization (see www.railtrails.org/fs-rwt.htm).
> [Does anyone (maybe Josh?) know of other info sources relating to
> rails-WITH-trails?]
>
> Bill thought it important that we ensure local support (for example the
> support of the SCCRTC) for the rail/trail project. We know that the
> project is on the Commission's priority list, but we wondered what was
> being done now to move its process along, since any such process will
> no doubt be lengthy. It was suggested that we invite Jeff Almquist, the
> Chair of the RTC, to our next meeting, to find out what activities are
> now being undertaken that relate to this project. [I called Jeff, and
> the result is that he plans to be our special guest, as noted above.]
>
> -- Peter Scott, note-taker
>
> +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>
> A POSTSCRIPT REGARDING METROBASE:
>
> Some of us attended a well-run and fascinating workshop arranged by the
> Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District, held Friday February 11 at the
> Holiday Inn. The majority of this workshop was devoted to discussion of
> the Metrobase project, a proposed consolidated operating facility
> currently envisioned for a 19.5-acre site on the westside of Santa Cruz.
>
> MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
> There is now scheduled the first of several general public meetings
> devoted to this proposal, on Wednesday, March 29, starting at 7 pm,
> venue yet to be determined, but POSSIBLY in the Santa Cruz City Council
> chambers, where there is TV and email access. There will be a
> full-scale focused EIR on this project.
>
> +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>
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