July 16, 2003

1. Revisions to agenda - none

2. Announcements:
a. Transitworks - Postcard campaign in support of the upcoming bridge toll increase is happening now. Cards addressed to Senator Perata area available by calling: 510.740.3150

b. Urban Ecology Annual Meeting - Safe and Healthy Streets - Thursday, July 31, 6-8pm, Oakland For more info: http://www.urbanecology.org/ (click on Events)

c. MTC Recertification process - accepting public input until August 18.

3. Transit Vote 2004
TALC is considering an event in late January 2004 to increase transit-rider voter registration by signing up people at transit stops or on transit vehicles. Should we do this?

The following are comments on this concept:
"Get transit involved to get more funding for this."
" More publicity if tied into auto commuters somehow."
" Test run the concept on different transit modes to gauge effectiveness."
" $5,000 grants area available from APTA for transportation organizing."
" Labor Unions could rally people fpr points while unemployed."
" Get a labor rep. to come present, and attend TALC meeting."
" Integrate issues -transit. Labor, environment - easier to sell the idea."

Outcome: TransitWorks will clarify/flesh-out this concept before presenting to TALC membership to consider.

3. Transportation for a Livable Region (TLR) - "Ring the Bay on Transit" event
As a promotional event for the release of our upcoming TLR publication, TALC is considering a one-day transit ride around the entire Bay Area, showcasing transit modes, highlighting problems, and giving insight to elected leaders who are participating.

The following are comments on this concept:
" Good idea, nobody ever does this. Make sure to coordinate with transit agencies."
" Include a Safe Routes to Transit aspect, to show both good and bad neighborhoods for walkers/bikers, and provide bikes to participants."
" What will happen during each leg? Good opportunity to collect more info. from different people."
"Don't legitimize BART to SFO."
" Elected leader follows a commuter from home to work or other place - both a high-income commuter and a low-income - to show the disparity and similarity."
" Take Capital north from Diridon, since it will be on time, but not further south, since southern stations can be delayed by up to 30 minutes."
"HSR chair will ride (Diridon)."

Outcome: TALC will clarify/flesh-out this concept before presenting to TALC membership.

4. Legislation
This is the 25th anniversary of Proposition 13. Prop 13 did not predict that corporations would be able to change leadership without being considered 'sold', and thus avoid taxes. Since fiscal tax reform is an important part of smart growth, TALC should consider this situation. Two bills seek to remedy this: ACA 16 (Hancock) and SB 17 (Escutia). The two bills are complimentary. SB 17 may pass the legislature this year, but if not, then ACA 16 goes to the voters. Goldberg said that all the corporate tax money would go to their infrastructure; this is being considered. Agricultural property is exempt.

Motion to support, seconded.
VOTE: Passed - unanimous

5. RTP
Brief discussion and recruitment for the workgroup list.

6. High Speed Rail debate
Tonight's primary event is a debate on the future High Speed Rail routes into the Bay Area:
Pacheco Pass (argued by the High Speed Rail Authority), and
Altamount Pass (argued by Regional Alliance for Transit, and others).

* Highlights from the Pacheco Pass argument:
- Draft EIR completed in August; Final EIR in December
- No tax increase bonds in November 2004.
- 9.95 billion in bonds to be matched by Federal money
- RY 21 - $60billion national bond/tax for HSR corridor
- 50 trains per day are projected/ 20 per day between Sacramento and San Jose
- Pacheco route only splits once, and doesn't have to cross the bay
- All trains stop in San Jose, the most populous city in the Bay Area
- Pacheco route offers greater frequency of service due to more direct route
- Avoids the major wetlands areas in SF Bay
- Two possible permutations of route - one through Henry Coe State Park, the other just north - $500M difference in price. Federal money non-existent for route through the park.
- SF's busiest station is Transbay Terminal
- Altamount route was considered by HSR Commission, not the HSR Authority
- National funding and missing the 2004 elections are both factors for not considering Altamount again
- Draft EIR is only program-level, more environmental work will need to be done before actual project work begins.

* Highlights from Altamount Pass argument:
- Costs $2B less
- serves more cities
- stays within existing rail corridors
- pick up more commuters
- Amador Valley stop would connect with 680 corridor, BART, and therefore, more communities
- Dumbarton bridge diesel tracks can be improved for HSR use
- Pacheco Pass route has un-mitigatable environmental impacts
- Pacheco Pass route goes through largest roadless area in California
- Altamount route should be added as an alternate, and the environmental issues should be studied
- BART is planning connection to Tracy; Altamount HSR would prevent BART from spending $1B for this same rail route
- Synergy with local rail services would increase overall ridership
- Altamount trains would run full all the way to SF Transbay Terminal, but Pacheco trains would lose up to 30% at the San Jose stop

7. Adjourn
Next meeting: Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - Agenda not yet available.
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