MEETING REPORT

Transportation Agency Of Monterey County, Rail Policy Committee

February 2, 2004

By Chris Flescher

One potential problem is homeless living on property next to the Salinas River bridge. If the bridge is rebuilt, the law may require TAMC to offer them some kind of relocation assistance. TAMC will look into this.

Caltrain has four different future growth scenarios and apparently only one includes a Monterey County extension. TAMC will write a letter to Caltrain asking them to include this extension in other scenarios because it apparently will not cost Caltrain anything. Also, two members will attend the Caltrain JPB meeting this Thursday.

One question made was whether or not TAMC can get some of the county's development impact fees to help fund train service. Apparently now it all goes to highway improvements.

The TAMC will request about $380,000 of Prop 116 money from the CTC (California Transportation Commission). The application is due Feb 20 and TAMC should hear a response by about April 7, at next CTC meeting.

TAMC would use money as a 20% match for federal money which would pay for a complete alternatives analysis study. I think this refers to the Monterey branch extension (Castroville - Marina) and one of the alternatives is a busway.

It looks like the round-trip fare from Salinas or Monterey to Gilroy would be $3.50, although passes would cost less per ride.

There appears to be a federal grant for $1 million for Monterey branch service. There will be a ceremony at the Salinas train station on Feb 19, at 11 am. This comes from switching money that San Benito county had but can't use to Monterey. This money technically can't go to TAMC so MST (Monterey Salinas Transit) will accept it, then pass it along.

So far, the TEA-21 bill has no money for passenger train service here, but that could change. On Feb 20, Senator Jeffords (R-VT) may visit here.

TAMC recently received an exemption from common carrier status for the Monterey branch (something they wanted). This means that they won't be required to allow any freight trains on the line and this may reduce opposition of Marina residents.

Another question asked: should rail line run down middle of Del Monte Ave so that high density buildings can be put on what is now the ROW in Marina? Marina officials recently visited a mixed-use development in Dublin and in another city.

The next meeting of this committee will be March 1, 2004 at 3:45 in Salinas.


RailPAC Contacts Publications Issues Meeting Reports 2004 Reports 2004-11 Monterey 2004-11 San Joaquin 2004-09 Coast Rail 2004-09-15 Capitol 2004-09 San Joaquin 2004-08 Coast Rail 2004-07 San Joaquin 2004-06 TAMC 2004-04-26 Coast Rail 2004-04-21 Capitol 2004-04-13 LOSSAN 2004-04-13 CAHSRA 2004-03-23 Fresno Station 2004-03-12 San Joaquin 2004-02-18 Capitol 2004-02-02 Monterey 2004-01-09 San Joaquin 2004-01-07 LOSSAN Membership Links	MEETING REPORT Transportation Agency Of Monterey County, Rail Policy Committee February 2, 2004 By Chris Flescher One potential problem is homeless living on property next to the Salinas River bridge. If the bridge is rebuilt, the law may require TAMC to offer them some kind of relocation assistance. TAMC will look into this. Caltrain has four different future growth scenarios and apparently only one includes a Monterey County extension. TAMC will write a letter to Caltrain asking them to include this extension in other scenarios because it apparently will not cost Caltrain anything. Also, two members will attend the Caltrain JPB meeting this Thursday. One question made was whether or not TAMC can get some of the county's development impact fees to help fund train service. Apparently now it all goes to highway improvements. The TAMC will request about $380,000 of Prop 116 money from the CTC (California Transportation Commission). The application is due Feb 20 and TAMC should hear a response by about April 7, at next CTC meeting. TAMC would use money as a 20% match for federal money which would pay for a complete alternatives analysis study. I think this refers to the Monterey branch extension (Castroville - Marina) and one of the alternatives is a busway. It looks like the round-trip fare from Salinas or Monterey to Gilroy would be $3.50, although passes would cost less per ride. There appears to be a federal grant for $1 million for Monterey branch service. There will be a ceremony at the Salinas train station on Feb 19, at 11 am. This comes from switching money that San Benito county had but can't use to Monterey. This money technically can't go to TAMC so MST (Monterey Salinas Transit) will accept it, then pass it along. So far, the TEA-21 bill has no money for passenger train service here, but that could change. On Feb 20, Senator Jeffords (R-VT) may visit here. TAMC recently received an exemption from common carrier status for the Monterey branch (something they wanted). This means that they won't be required to allow any freight trains on the line and this may reduce opposition of Marina residents. Another question asked: should rail line run down middle of Del Monte Ave so that high density buildings can be put on what is now the ROW in Marina? Marina officials recently visited a mixed-use development in Dublin and in another city. The next meeting of this committee will be March 1, 2004 at 3:45 in Salinas.
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