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TRANSPORTATION THINK TANK NOTES FROM MEETING #26: MARCH 1, 2000
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[[please see comments by the note-taker at the end]]
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<> NEXT MEETING: WEDNESDAY MARCH 15, 2000 <>
<> Starting at 5 pm sharp at 501 MISSION STREET <>
<> in SANTA CRUZ --- EVERYONE IS INVITED <>
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<> AGENDA: continued planning for a panel <>
<> discussion/forum on MetroBase. <>
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NOTES FROM MARCH 1:
Our meeting began just after 5 pm, with Rob Blitzer, Jenni Bragar,
Debbie Bulger, Joe Jordan, Dick Little, Jim MacKenzie, Mark Primack,
Emily Reilly, David Rigler, Marilyn Rigler, Wolfgang Rosenberg,
Peter Scott, Janet Singer and Michael Singer attending.
Emily Reilly was unanimously nominated to facilitate the meeting.
Jennifer Bragar announced that at a meeting of the SCMTD Board on Friday
March 10 [starting at 8:30 am at 370 Encinal Street], there will be a
discussion of fuels. There is interest in using compressed natural gas
(CNG) in the future as a fuel for the bus fleet. She also reminded us
of the website address for the Transit District: www.scmtd.com.
There will also be a SCMTD Board meeting on March 29, expected to be
designed to accommodate public input relating to the MetroBase proposal.
The time and venue will be announced, although it is expected to be an
evening event.
REGARDING METROBASE FORUM:
We spent all our remaining time on our main agenda topic, which was to
formulate a plan for a forum with a panel discussion relating to the
proposal by the Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (SCMTD) to
construct a consolidated operating facility (MetroBase), currently
envisioned for a 19.5-acre parcel of land now owned by CONOPCO (Lipton)
on the Westside of Santa Cruz near Swift Street and Delaware Avenue.
Mark Primack asked (in the context of the notion that the TTT might be
sponsoring a forum) whether the TTT might be perceived as an extension
of the Transit District in its views relating to MetroBase. We
reassured him that we were a non-lobbying group by intention and that
our main interest was in providing an opportunity for reliable
information to be made available, and for people of all persuasions to
be given the respectful opportunity to ask probing questions.
[for those who might be just joining us, our mission statement reads:
===================================================================
** To improve the quality of life by reducing the use of automobiles:
** by educating ourselves and the public;
** by generating ideas for more effective transportation;
** by crossing traditional political, geographical and
psychological boundaries.
===================================================================]
Janet Singer said she liked a "roundtable" format.
Emily Reilly asked about the number of panelists, and who might be good
persons to ask. It was suggested that Mark Primack and Les White should
be included. Mark noted that some he has spoken with have given him the
impression that MetroBase is a "done deal", and he expressed a desire to
have panelists who did not have that attitude. He also noted that he
had serious questions about MetroBase because he felt it was bad
planning.
Janet brought up the notion of "stakeholders" on the panel.
Emily suggested a bus driver, and Jim MacKenzie suggested a mechanic.
We spent some time tossing out possible questions for the panelists.
Wolfgang Rosenberg spoke of his desire to view a comprehensive map, a
geographic representation of the service area.
Debbie Bulger mentioned Ralph Meyberg's strong skepticism, and suggested
that two questions that needed addressing were (1) whether a MetroBase
is needed at all, and (2) what were the details of the site selection
process (complete with map). We need to get consensus on (1) before
proceeding to (2).
Mark said he would like people to be able to leave the event thinking
"Now I understand". He thought people were generally agreed that public
transit is a necessity for the community.
Emily remarked that she felt most people support buses, but were
wondering what alternatives exist to MetroBase.
Janet thought a good question was "What if this site doesn't go?"
Debbie felt that people need both information and a sense of
participation.
Jenni noted that what is being planned is the beginning of an inclusive
process.
We gradually moved toward thinking about who might be a good moderator.
Michael Singer noted that the forum moderator could say "these are some
questions. are there others?" Mark thought panelists should have
positions, debating various questions and responding. Michael felt that
we were still at the "frequently asked questions" stage.
Wolfgang remarked that he would like to know if there would be
significantly increased bus traffic up and down Western Drive from UCSC.
Emily summarized that we needed to discuss not only questions, but who
would be on the panel, where and when the event would occur, and how
long it would last.
Debbie suggested that it would be helpful to have a
trough-(or bowl-)shaped venue, so everyone could see. Rob Blitzer
suggested the auditorium (multi-purpose room) of Natural Bridges School.
Other possible venues: Bay View School, Mission Hill Jr High, Santa
Cruz High. ARE THERE OTHERS? (Suggestions welcome.)
Debbie thought it would be important to have City and SCMTD staff
members present who might serve as "experts" on issues such as traffic
and planning.
We spent some time brainstorming about who might be a good moderator.
After some discussion back and forth, Dick Little suggested Geoff Dunn,
and he turned out to be our first choice. Dick said he would call him
and ask him. [note: it looks as of this writing as if Geoff is willing
to do it, perhaps during the first week of April, maybe April 6.]
We suggested a preference for a Monday or a Thursday evening, noting
that the 3rd, the 6th, the 10th and the 13th of April might be
possibilities.
ANY READERS OF THESE NOTES ARE INVITED TO SUGGEST QUESTIONS THEY WOULD
LIKE TO SEE ADDRESSED AT THE FORUM. SEND THEM to drip@cats.ucsc.edu, OR
to any of those who attended this meeting (see list above).
We adjourned at about 6:40 pm, agreeing to continue the discussion at
our next meeting, on March 15 at 5 pm, which will also take place at the
Public Outreach Office of the Mission Street Widening Project, 501
Mission Street in Santa Cruz.
-- Peter Scott, note-taker.