2. Strategic Planning
This process will formalize TALC's mission and long-range goals, including more clarity on the coalition's land use efforts and direction. Board strategic planning retreat will be held on July 17 and 18, to develop a 5 year plan, refine organizational structure (Board and membership), inspire broader participation, and better communication. Consultants are on board to guide this process. TALC Board will be asking member groups for their input. Surveys will go out very soon.

3. SF Sales Tax
The draft expenditure plan supports TALC's mission fairly well, including 8.9% or more for bike/ped, and funding for Bus Rapid Transit, light rail, Caltrain, downtown terminal, and especially maintenance of existing systems! It would start immediately after Voters pass it in Nov. 03. The SF Board of Sups votes next month to put it on the ballot. It rescinds the current tax, but grandfathers in many pre-existing projects. It is expected to raise $2.6 billion over 30 years (@ $90 million per year), assuming moderate economic growth.

Motion to support, seconded.
VOTE: Passed - unanimous
TALC supports SF Sales Tax plan in its current form
 

4. TALC Ferry Position
We presented a draft ferry position, and heard comments from representatives from WTA and Bluewater Network. Both groups said that the proposed fleet will be cleaner and beat federal standards. WTA also says that there will not be free parking. Final EIR is out for review. It will be adopted next Thursday. See the EIR on WTA's website: http://www.watertransit.org/eir_download.shtml

Discussion among Coalition members brought up the following points:
* How does the criteria in the TALC draft ferry position get applied to WTA proposal if the information we need is not available? They haven't done some of the research and alternatives analysis we need.
* The limitation of ferry terminal location on parklands may or may not be too restrictive. Should ferry terminals be allowed on parkland if it mitigates all negative impacts? Members decided to leave wording as proposed, restricting ferry terminals on parklands unless they are meant to primarily serve park-goers.
* The criteria should look at approved development, too, not just existing development.

The final TALC ferry position, amended to take these points into consideration, is on the TALC web-site at: http://www.transcoalition.org/c/sus_brtoll/btoll_ltr.html


Motion to support, seconded.
VOTE: Passed - unanimous


5. RTP
MTC Summit - Transportation 2030 - was held last Saturday in SF, agenda basically covered TALC's issues. Participants stressed that MTC focus on clear Goals, and to link Transportation and Land Use. Public can submit projects this time! Based on continuing input from our members, TALC will write up Goals by the end of the summer. A research committee is now established from volunteers at tonight's meeting; committee includes Andy Katz, Roy Nakadegawa, Adam Millard-Ball, Ken Bukowski, Chris Pederson.

Meeting attendees were asked to give input on RTP goals:

Goals
" Can we devise ideas to help stabilize funding so that boom/bust cycles in economy don't reduce services"
" Rely on stable sources of funding, such as larger reserves and Gas Tax"
"'Accessibility' instead of 'Mobility' in broad goal wording."
"Pricing lanes - TALC should be proactive."
"Equalize costs between modes - make driving more expensive, transit less."
"Watch out for wording - 'speed travel times' may mean auto use, not transit."
"Fare and schedule coordination."
"Include TDM in language."

Land Use Alternative
"Accountability - if towns, agencies consistently underestimate costs, there should be consequences in future funding options."
"Developers pay for bus service to their developments over a long period of time."
"Use BART expansion as a good starting point for MTC.
 

6. Legislation

A. The legislature will not completely cut three important grant programs as originally proposed by Gov. Davis. Instead, there will be a 50% cut, in part due to over 250 groups who signed a petition supporting these programs:
1. Environmental Justice
2. Community Planning
3. Environmental Mitigation Program.
TALC received a grant from the Environmental Justice program last year.

B. Senate Bill 17/Assembly Amendment 16 (Hancock) (changes to Prop 13 corporate tax loophole)

Language from state website:
The law requires any person or legal entity acquiring ownership control in any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or other legal entity owning real property in California that is subject to local property taxation to complete and file a change in ownership statement with the State Board of Equalization at its office in Sacramento. The change in ownership statement must be filed within 60 days from the date of the change in control of a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or other legal entity. The failure to file a change in ownership statement within 60 days results in a penalty on each property subject to reassessment due to the change in control of the greater of (1) $1,000 or (2) 10 percent of the taxes applicable to the new base year value reflecting the change in control of the real property owned by the corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or legal entity. In addition, a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or other legal entity that misrepresents the nonoccurrence of a change in ownership on a change in ownership statement results in a penalty on each property subject to reassessment due to the change in control of the greater of (1) $2,500 or (2) 25 percent of the taxes applicable to the new base year value reflecting the change in control of the real property owned by the corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or legal entity. In addition, a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or other legal entity that misrepresents the occurrence of a change in ownership on a change in ownership statement results in a penalty for each property owned by the corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or other legal entity in a county equal to the greater of (1) $2,500 or (2) 25 percent of the current year's taxes on each property. These penalties will be added to the assessment roll and will be collected like any other delinquent property taxes, and are subject to the same penalties for nonpayment.

Motion to support Senate Bill 17/Assembly Amendment 16 (Hancock), seconded
VOTE: TALC Board will vote on this issue on July 2 (not enough Member Groups present for full vote)
 

7. New Item - Bridge Toll Bill
Dave Snyder - Transportation for a Livable City - presented a handout detailing proposed amendments in the bridge toll expenditure plan. After some debate, it was agreed that TALCwould encourage member groups to promote these changes. Contact TLC for more: 415.431.2445 www.sftlc.org
 

8. Adjourn
Next meeting: Wednesday, July 16, 2003 - High Speed Rail will be a main topic.
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