MEMBERS PRESENT: John McLemore (Chair), Maria Ayerdi (Vice Chair), Michael Burns, Mary Janney, Arthur Lloyd, Sophie Maxwel (10:28), Michael Nevin, Manuel Valerio, Ken Yeager, Jerry Kirzner, Darrel Maxey

STAFF PRESENT: Mike Scanlon, David Miller, Joan Cassman, George Cameron, Roger Contreras, Howard Goode, Chuck Harvey, Rita Haskin, Martha Martinez, Jennifer Buhr, Liz Wiecha

Chair McLemore called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Jim Stallman, Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition, commented that this past week the Coalition sent a letter to the VTA Planning Director regarding a pedestrian bicycle overcrossing at Santa Clara Station, which VTA derailed recently. The Coalition feels that there are compelling reasons for the crossing and Mr. Stallman commended the Caltrain staff for working on making track crossings safer for pedestrians.

Michael Kiesling, Regional Alliance for Transit (RAFT), commented on the Transbay Terminal and how the San Francisco Transportation Authority has listed itself as the project sponsor in some documents. RAFT suggested that Caltrain and AC Transit write a letter to the San Francisco Transportation Authority reminding them that this is a joint project and authority and therefore feel it would be accurate to have the Transbay Terminal Joint Powers Board listed as the project sponsor.

Francis Wong, Mountain View, suggested that the purchase of advance single-trip tickets be reinstated into the implementation of the Proof-of-Payment system.

Jeff Carter, Burlingame, suggested that Caltrain push for a BART single ticket that can be bought at a Caltrain machine to allow for a seamless connection at the BART/SFO Millbrae Station since not every rider will have a Translink card. Secondly, Mr. Carter requested that the Board and the CAC address the issue of fares and point-to-point pricing as soon as possible.

Scott Lanciano, Sunnyvale Courtyard Condominiums, commented that the visual affects of the new traffic lights controlling the trains will cause a great deal of difficulty in attracting people to the condominiums because the structures are large and awkward.

Director Valerio also expressed the concern over the new lights for the neighbors. Irrespective of what can be done to lessen the impact to the neighbors, there should be proper forewarning prior to the construction of such an edifice. Further, he requested that staff continue to work with the neighbors and try to achieve an agreement to lessen the effect of the new lights and commended the staff for setting a meeting with the homeowners to discuss technicalities of the lighting system. Additionally, Director Valerio requested to be personally kept apprised on the progress of the project and reiterated that Caltrain will be mindful and respectful to neighbors when doing any future construction or enhancements to the system so as to not replicate this kind of situation.

Director Lloyd questioned whether the lights would be on all the time or only with an approaching train.

Darrell Maxey, Chief Engineer, responded that the lights are approach lit and are aimed down the track.

Director Lloyd questioned whether the structure was high because of future needs for electrification.

Mr. Maxey confirmed that the structure is placed about 3 feet higher than normal so the signal bridge can clear future cantenary systems for electrification.

Michael J. Scanlon reported that he appreciated that concern of the residents and is looking forward to staff meeting with the homeowners on May 5. Mr. Scanlon, Howard Goode, Chief Development Officer, and staff will work on identifying the issue to see what can be done to alleviate concerns.

CONSENT CALENDAR

The Board unanimously approved, by roll call, the following items under the Consent Calendar:

1. Adoption of Minutes of April 3, 2003
2. Statement of Revenue and Expense, March 2003
3. Authorization to Request Allocation of 2002 State Transportation Improvement Program Funds for JPB Capital Projects
4. Authorization to Execute a 5-Year Lease with California Mini-Storage in San Francisco
5. Authorization to Execute Two 5-Year Agreements for Use of Signal Tower Sites as Required for the CTX Project

CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT

Chair McLemore reported:

1. The APTA Transit Board Conference will be in Baltimore this July. Chair McLemore suggested attendance by all that are interested.
2. In late summer there will be a JPB Board meeting in Santa Clara County.
3. Mike Nevin appeared on "60 Minutes" last night in regard to financial privacy issues.

MTC LIAISON REPORT (SUE LEMPERT)

Ms. Lempert gave an update on Senator Perata's toll increase measure. The inclination is that the bill will make it out of the legislature and that the governor will approve it. In polling done by MTC, the $1 increase was viewed favorably. The money would fund numerous transportation projects, including Caltrain Capital projects. $1.5 million dollars would be set aside for the Transbay Terminal and $1.35 million for the commuter rail service over the Dumbarton Bridge. $5.5 million would be set aside annually for Caltrain operations. Additionally, there would be money for High Speed Rail planning.

REPORT OF CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Bruce Balshone reported:

• The BART and Caltrain interactions at the BART/SFO station were discussed at last month's CAC meeting.
• The next CAC meeting, May 21, will be in Santa Clara County. The agenda will include projects within Santa Clara County.

REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Michael J. Scanlon reported:

• Key Caltrain Performance Statistics:
1. Average Weekly Ridership for March was down 6.7 percent, from 30,159 riders to 28,129.
2. Year to Date Average Weekly Ridership is at 27,542 down from 31,395, which is a 12.3 percent difference
3. Total Revenue is $1.68 million, which is down 4.7 percent from last March.
4. On Time Performance off slightly at 95.4 percent versus 97.0 percent from last March.
5. Shuttle Ridership was up 3.4 percent from 3,907 to 4,040 riders.
• Monthly Safety Report was distributed. Staff is continuing efforts within Engineering, Education and Enforcement.
• Friday, April 4, there was a very successful inauguration of the Baby Bullet locomotive at the Burlingame Station. The Baby Bullet equipment is currently in revenue service and is pulling the consist of the new train cars. Senator Speier, Chair McLemore and Directors Mike Nevin, Mary Janney and Art Lloyd attended the event. Within a year the Baby Bullet Express service will begin. Burlingame Mayor Mike Coffey also spoke at the event.
• BART announced that revenue service will begin on June 22. The interface at Millbrae will be critical, particularly to this railroad and region, and will provide many attractive commuting options. Staff is continuing to work with BART in finalizing a host of operational details, including ambassadors to aid in a smooth opening.
• The Lawrence Station will be temporarily relocated to allow for constructional improvements. The station will be re-opening in Spring of 2004.
• The Officer on the Train event will be on May 21st. A special train will run from Santa Clara and Palo Alto and there will be training with various local peace officers, police departments, sheriffs and Amtrak Police to familiarize themselves with what has to happen on Caltrain in the event of an emergency situation.
• Rail grinding is being done until May 11. Rail grinding is essential to the life of the track although it is a temporary disturbance. Outreach was done to forewarn neighbors of where the track work would be conducted.
• APTA Rail Transit Conference will be from June 8-12 in San Jose. VTA is hosting the event with Caltrain's help. There will be some equipment displays at the Diridon Station and Mr. Scanlon suggested attendance of all interested.
• Holiday service schedule will be run on Memorial Day, May 26th.

Director Maxwell questioned the frequency of the rail grinding.

Mr. Scanlon responded that the grinding is done every several years and requires special equipment that Amtrak brings in.

Director Maxwell questioned when the last time the grinding was done.

Jerry Kirzner, Deputy Chief of Rail Operations, responded that the last grinding was four to five years ago.

Director Maxwell questioned whether there was a program or strategy on how to complete all the necessary grinding.

Mr. Scanlon commented that staff is actually replacing a significant amount of continuously welded rail under the Rapid Rail Program so the grinding is being focused on areas that have not received new rail.

Director Maxwell questioned whether there would be a need to grind the new rail.

Mr. Scanlon responded that the rail grinding would be part of the ongoing maintenance program and there will be a need to continually grind all rail.

DISTRIBUTION OF PROPOSED FY2004 OPERATING BUDGET

Susan Stark, Director of Finance and Budget, made a presentation in regard to the proposed FY2004 Operating Budget. Highlights of the presentation included Caltrain 2004 assumptions, challenges, revenues, expenses and member contributions. The item was brought as information only and will be brought back to the Board for action in June.

Mike Scanlon reiterated that the budget was brought forward for information only and staff will be made available for meetings with each director, as necessary.

DISTRIBUTION OF PROPOSED FY2004 CAPITAL BUDGET

Howard Goode, Chief Development Officer, made a verbal presentation in regard to the FY2004 Capital Budget. The proposed budget included infrastructure improvements consistent with the guidance set forth in the Rapid Rail Program. Elements included were Station Improvements, Right of Way, Operations and Maintenance Facilities and Electrification. This item was also brought forth as informational and will also be brought back to the Board for action in June.

AUTHORIZATION OF CHANGE ORDER TO NORTH CTX CONTRACT FOR PHASE II OF BAYSHORE STATION CONSTRUCTION PROJECT

Liz Wiecha, Director of Capital Project Management, made a verbal presentation for the execution of a change order to the North CTX contract for Phase II construction of the Bayshore Station Project at a cost of $2,225,592. The change order compensation for Phase II amounts to a 5 percent increase in the North CTX base contract amount of $64.45 million. Authorization of the work element, which incorporates a number of suggestions on aesthetics and architectural design by neighborhood representatives, will enable the Bayshore Station reconstruction portion of the Baby Bullet program to continue without further delay.

The motion to authorize the Change Order of the North CTX Phase II Bayshore Station Construction Project was, by roll call, unanimously approved.

QUARTERLY CAPITAL PROGRAM STATUS REPORT

• Liz Wiecha, Director of Capital Project Management, verbally presented the Quarterly Capital Program Status Report.
1. Substantial progress of the North CTX project has been made over the past 3 months. The work at Millbrae Station is nearing completion and will be ready for the new station opening in June.
2. The Common Street improvements in San Francisco are also substantially complete. The improvements will serve the Mission Bay Development, currently under construction.
3. Phase I of the Bayshore Station Project has already commenced. Foundations for the new overpass are in the process of being installed. Other preparatory work is also underway.
4. The architectural and design features of Phase II for the Bayshore Station Project have come to a successful completion. The negotiations of the Change Order have also been completed with the Contractor.
5. The Colma Creek Bridge Replacement Project work started in January with track work, installation of new crossovers and other activities for the bridge replacement began.
6. The Notice to Proceed was sent to the Contractor in January for the South CTX Project. Signal work started in Sunnyvale. Reconstruction and installation of underground signal equipment has also begun.
7. Lawrence Station reconstruction also commenced. Improvements include repaving of the east parking lot and a temporary relocation of the pedestrian bridge to allow for construction of grade separated pedestrian access to the new station.
8. In regard to the Centralized Equipment Maintenance and Operations Facility, the 30 percent submittal of plans, specification and estimate for the project was received and approved. A detailed staff review and independent analysis of the cost estimate for the project was performed.
9. On March 28, the Transbay Joint Powers Authority (TJPA) adopted a Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) for the Transbay Terminal/Downtown Extension Project for the purpose of completing the Final Environmental Impact Statement/Impact Report. The LPA consists of the West Ramp Alternative for the Transbay Terminal, the Second to Main Alternative for the Caltrain Extension and the Full Build Alternative for the Redevelopment Plan.
10. On the Rolling Stock side, acquisition of all the Bombardier passenger cars was completed. All the cars are now in revenue service. The first locomotive was delivered in March and is currently in service. The remaining five locomotives are on the production line and the JPB will be taking incremental delivery of them.

QUATERLY ELECTRIFICATION REPORT

Liz Wiecha verbally reported on a few of the projects that were either completed or in progress during Fiscal Year 2003. Included were:

1. Obtained written concurrence with the FTA's determination of eligibility of properties for inclusion on the Nation Register of Historical Places from State Historic Preservation Officer. The projects that were deemed to be eligible were Tunnel 3, Tunnel 4, San Mateo 1903 Underpass, Atherton Station, San Francisquito Bridge, Santa Clara Tower and six other properties.
2. Finding of Effects for the Electrification project is being revised to include assessment of impacts to Tunnel 4 and San Francisquito Bridge resulting from planned attachments of the Overhead Contact System (OCS) elements.
3. Completed the Arborist Report assessing potential tree trimming and tree removal for selected representative sites between San Francisco and Gilroy. Findings in the Arborist Report will be incorporated into the draft EA/EIR.
4. Staff plans on incorporating responses to FTA comments, along with other updated information, into the Administrative Draft EIR/EA and resubmit to the FTA for review prior to release for public review and comment. Upon completion of the review process, public meetings will be scheduled.

REPORT OF LEGAL COUNSEL

There were no action items.

CORRESPONDENCE

Previously distributed.

DATE/TIME OF NEXT MEETING: Thursday, June 5, 2003, 10 a.m. at SamTrans Administrative Building, 1250 San Carlos Avenue, San Carlos, CA 94070

ADJOURNED: 11:05 a.m.