HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_GTAB_03.13.2006Minutes of the Meeting of
Georgetown Transportation Advisory Board
and the Governing Body of the
City of Georgetown, Texas
Monday, March 13, 2006
The Georgetown Transportation Advisory Board of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met on Monday ,
March 13, 2006 presiding.
Board Members Present:
Jack Noble - Chair, Johnny Anderson - Vice Chair, Ricki Salazar - Secretary, Henry Carr, Howell Jones
Board Members Absent:
Doug Smith, Charlene Mendoza
Staff Present:
Paul Brandenburg, Jim Briggs, Jana Kern, Tom Benz, Micki Rundell, Joel Weaver, Mark Miller, Ed
Polasek
Others Present:
Trey McLendon - Williamson County Sun
Minutes
Regular Meeting
Meeting called to order by Jack Noble @ 1:00 P.M.
Board may, at any time, recess the Regular Session to convene in Executive Session at the request of the
Chair, a Board Member, the City Manager, Assistant City Manager, City Council Member, or legal
counsel for any purpose authorized by the Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code Chapter 551,
and are subject to action in the Regular Session that follows.
A. Consideration and possible action to approve the minutes from the meeting held on January
9, 2006. Jana Kern
Discussion: None
Action: Motion by Anderson, seconded by Carr to approve the minutes as written.
Approved 5-0 (Doug Smith & Charlene Mendoza absent)
B. To provide input on the 2006/07 budget process. Laurie Brewer/Micki Rundell
Discussion: Rundell presented the item. Rundell stated that as part of the annual
budget process, Ms. Brewer and she go out and visit with all of the Boards and
Commissions to gather input, for the Council. This information is used by Council
for setting their priorities in the budget process. The feedback form, that we just
passed out, is a little different than the one that you had last year. This year we have
included ten questions from the 2006 Quality of Life survey. We are asking that the
Board members take a few minutes and fill out the feedback form. If you would
rather take it with you, please return it to Jana Kern by March 24, 2006.
Action: Board members to fill out questionnaire and return to Jana Kern by March 24, 2006
C. Discussion and update regarding the progress on the City of Georgetown's Fixed Transit
System Plan. Paul Brandenburg
Discussion: Brandenburg updated the Board on the Fixed Transit System Plan. City staff
met with the Capital Area Rural Transportation System (CARTS) and was presented service
proposals for a fixed route transit system in Georgetown. Two options were provided and
after some discussion it was determined that a third option would be provided. Staff will
review the routes to ensure that they include stops that are needed. Once the routes are
finalized, the project plan can be finalized and submitted to Simon, Sun City, Southwestern,
Wesleyan, Rivery, Chamber, etc. to gain their financial participation and commitment. Once
the project plan is completed and the financial commitments have been secured, an action
item will come back to this board for review and recommendation to the Council.
There were several questions with lengthy discussions. Full version is on tape
Action: None
D. Discussion and possible action on transportation related projects associated with the Austin
San Antonio Intermunicipal Commuter Rail District and Transit Oriented Development --
Ed Polasek/Paul Brandenburg.
Discussion: Polasek/Brandenburg presented this item. The Austin-San Antonio
Intermunicipal Commuter Rail District (Rail District) was authorized by the Texas
Legislature to develop intercity commuter rail between Georgetown and San Antonio. In
2004, the Rail District commissioned a feasibility study to determine the viability of
commuter rail along the IH35 corridor. The 2004 Feasibility Study Update, showed
commuter rail is viable transportation option, and the Rail District has been moving forward
toward implementation. Over the past few years, the Rail District has received several
million dollars in Federal support to complete the feasibility study, rider ship models, and
new-starts application material necessary to implement the program.
In the fall of 2005, the City of Georgetown was invited to join the Board, as a local
sponsoring agency. The City officially joined the Board, through City Council action, in
early 2006. Councilmember Patty Eason has been appointed to the Board to represent the
City of Georgetown. Prior to Ms. Eason joining the Board, City staff has been involved in
several programs to aide in the development of the Feasibility Study and Rail District
Projects. Over the next few years, several of these programs will be coming to this Board for
view. It is the staffs’ intention to keep the GTAB Board updated on the progress of the Rail
District and these programs as they develop.
There were several questions with lengthy discussions. Full version is on tape
Polasek asked the Board if they would like to have the Rail District come and talk with
them, to please let him know. He can make the arrangements for them to come in.
E. Discussion and possible action related to the recommended changes to the Overall
Transportation Plan (OTP) related to the Transportation Improvement Plan Process. Ed
Polasek/Paul Brandenburg
Discussion: Polasek/Brandenburg presented the item When you reviewed the Appendix
"C", you should have noticed that GTAB is not mentioned once. The reason for this was the
Appendix was written about three years ago. In the note books, that were passed out, you
will notice that Appendix C has been redrafted. This was done with the help of Wilbur
Smith. This draft is to show you how the Appendix C can be amended to include GTAB TIP
Process.
What staff would like for you to do is review this new draft process. If you have any
comments or questions to please get back with Ed Polasek by the end of March. Polasek will
have a formal action at the May GTAB meeting.
Motion by Anderson, seconded by Salazar to adjourn meeting.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 02:10 PM.
Approved : Attest:
_______________________ ________________________
Jack Noble- Chair Ricki Salazar-Secretary