HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda CC 12.13.2011 WorkshopNotice of Meeting of the
Governing Body of the
City of Georgetown, Texas
DECEMBER 13, 2011
The Georgetown City Council will meet on DECEMBER 13, 2011 at 3:00 P.M. at the Council Chambers at
101 E. 7th Street
If you need accommodations for a disability, please notify the city in advance.
Policy Development/Review Workshop -
A Update and discussion related to the Lone Star Rail District programs and activities -- Patty Eason,
Councilmember District 1 and Edward G. Polasek, AICP, Transportation Services Director
Executive Session
In compliance with the Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551, Government Code, Vernon's Texas Codes,
Annotated, the items listed below will be discussed in closed session and are subject to action in the regular
session.
B Sec. 551.071: Consultation with Attorney
- Advice from attorney about pending litigation that has been filed against the City or contemplated
litigation and other matters on which the attorney has a duty to advise the City Council, including but
not limited to this week's agenda item
- ABG Update
C Sec. 551.074: Personnel Matters
- City Manager Annual Performance Evaluation
D Sec. 551.086: Competitive Matters
- CTSUD Service Territory Negotiations
Adjournment
Certificate of Posting
I, Jessica Brettle, City Secretary for the City of Georgetown, Texas, do hereby certify that this Notice of
Meeting was posted at City Hall, 113 E. 8th Street, a place readily accessible to the general public at all
times, on the _____ day of _________________, 2011, at __________, and remained so posted for at least
72 continuous hours preceding the scheduled time of said meeting.
__________________________________
Jessica Brettle, City Secretary
City of Georgetown, Texas
December 13, 2011
SUBJECT:
Update and discussion related to the Lone Star Rail District programs and activities -- Patty Eason,
Councilmember District 1 and Edward G. Polasek, AICP, Transportation Services Director
ITEM SUMMARY:
Joe Black, Rail Director/Operations Manager and Sid Covington, Board Chairman will present an update on
activities of the Lone Star Rail District.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
SUBMITTED BY:
Edward G. Polasek, AICP, Transporation Services Director
ATTACHMENTS:
Presentation
Cover Memo
Item # A
Georgetown City Council Workshop SessionGeorgetown City Council Workshop Session
Lone Star Rail District Leadership and Staff
December 13, 2011
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• Public Safety Issues with trains of up to 2 miles in length running
through the urban cores of cities up and down the Austin-San
Antonio corridor
• Reduced Mobility as population growth and trade growth (two
positive indicators for the region) result in increased congestion
• NAFTA Traffic is growing every year; many businesses in the
corridor self-identify as NAFTA-related
• Economic Development is needed, supporting job creation and
mitigating the effects of a negative world economy
• Lack of Transportation Choices in the corridor leaves people no
alternatives to highway travel
• Decreasing Reliability as congestion increases, and both
productive time for commuters and freight deliveries is negatively
affected
• Air Quality is negatively affected by sole reliance on highway mode
What are the Challenges?What are the Challenges?
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• Public Safety Issues with trains of up to 2 miles in length running
through the urban cores of cities up and down the Austin-San
Antonio corridor
• Reduced Mobility as population growth and trade growth (two
positive indicators for the region) result in increased congestion
• NAFTA Traffic is growing every year; many businesses in the
corridor self-identify as NAFTA-related
• Economic Development is needed, supporting job creation and
mitigating the effects of a negative world economy
• Lack of Transportation Choices in the corridor leaves people no
alternatives to highway travel
• Decreasing Reliability as congestion increases, and both
productive time for commuters and freight deliveries is negatively
affected
• Air Quality is negatively affected by sole reliance on highway mode
What are the Challenges?What are the Challenges?
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Created by the Legislature to:
•Improve Public Safety throughout the corridor by moving through freight
trains out of cities and urban cores
•Improve Mobility throughout the corridor by reducing congestion
•Speed NAFTA Freight Deliveries through development of a new Freight
Service Urban Bypass
•Create New Tax Base Possibilities for city and county governments
•Offer an Energy-Efficient Transportation Alternative to nearly 300,000
students, faculty, and staff at colleges and universities along the route
•Provide Predictable, Reliable Travel Choice allowing people to make more
productive use of their time
•Maintain Air Quality Status by removing cars and trucks from the roads
•Create a Seamless Multi-Modal Transportation System
•Provide a Catalyst for Exciting Economic Development Opportunities;
provide impetus for directing growth & development in preferred areas
What are the Objectives of the Lone Star Rail District?What are the Objectives of the Lone Star Rail District?
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• Recommended by the My35 team (a
multidisciplinary, multijurisdictional team of
citizens appointed by the Governor to study
solutions for congestion on IH-35) for near-
term implementation.
• Congestion-proof method to provide new
capacity (2,400 passengers per hour and
up) using mostly existing rights of way (no
need to purchase extensive new property –
service will operate for the most part in the
existing Union Pacific Railroad corridor).
• Expandability is easier and much less
costly with rail than highways; rail provides
an excellent adjunct to improved highways,
helping to mitigate congestion by providing
a high-quality, attractive alternative to
driving for many trips.
Why Regional Rail for Georgetown?Why Regional Rail for Georgetown?
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Jurisdictions and Service AreaJurisdictions and Service Area
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• Cities:
Georgetown, Austin, San Marcos,
New Braunfels, Schertz, San Antonio
• Counties:
Travis, Hays, Bexar
• Transit Agencies:
Capital Metro, CARTS, VIA, ART
• MPOs:
CAMPO, SA-BC MPO
• Region’s Board Representation:
• Georgetown: Patty Eason
• CARTS: Debbie Ingalsbe
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Forecast Through 2030:
•Personal income: cumulative increase of $20.4 billion
•State tax revenues: increase of $1.02 billion
•Regional and local tax revenues: increase of $1.31 billion
•City/County/Ad Valorem tax revenues: increase of $578 million
•Local and school district property tax revenues: increase of $915 million
•Sales tax revenues: increase of $415 million
•Station area property values: increase between $445 million to over $4.4 billion
Billions of dollars of savings by decreasing travel times, congestion costs, fuel
costs, highway maintenance costs, and accident costs.
* Sources: 2004 Austin-San Antonio Commuter Rail Project Feasibility Report Update (Texas Perspectives)
2006 Economic Impact Analysis (Carter Burgess & Capitol Market Research)
Financial and Economic Benefits of LSTAR *Financial and Economic Benefits of LSTAR *
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Basic Facts about the LSTAR Proposed ServiceBasic Facts about the LSTAR Proposed Service
• 117 miles of passenger rail from
Georgetown to south San Antonio.
• Up to 16 stations at full service, linking
communities and destinations all along the
corridor.
• 20 to 30 trains a day at full service, seven
days a week, in each direction, including
midday and evening service.
• Express service of 75 minutes or less at
full service between downtown San Antonio
and downtown Austin.
• Primarily routed in existing rail right-of-
way upon relocation of Union Pacific’s
through freight operations to urban bypass
line.
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An An ““Education CorridorEducation Corridor ””
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But FirstBut First ……Urban Freight Rail BypassUrban Freight Rail Bypass
• 80+ miles of new freight rail
line from Seguin to Taylor.
• 40+ miles of improved freight
rail line from San Antonio to
Seguin.
• 80 mph maximum freight train
speed.
• 20 to 30+ through freight trains
per day to be rerouted via Urban
Freight Rail Bypass.
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The The ““Tail Wagging the DogTail Wagging the Dog ””
• Benefits of the Urban Freight Rail
Bypass include:
Enhancement of regional mobility
(taking slow, 1- to 2-mile long freight
trains out of the urban cores),
Increased public safety (grade crossing
elimination),
Enhanced freight mobility (higher
velocity and capacity),
Improvement/maintenance of air
quality (reduction in vehicle idling at
grade crossings),
Increased economic development
(opportunity to develop regional
distribution centers), and
Creation of capacity for passenger rail
on current route
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Raised $7.7 million in federal funding, $8.7 million state
appropriation, $50 million in Texas Rail Relocation Fund, and
secured $20 million SA-BC MPO and $20 million CAMPO funds
Completed feasibility, ridership, preliminary revenue/cost studies,
and financial benefits/economic impact studies
Evaluated and rejected FTA New Starts process
Developed local funding concepts
Conducted public meetings
Conducted jurisdictional meetings
Completed branding program for Rail District
Signed Union Pacific Memorandum of Understanding in late 2010
WhatWhat’’s Happened So Far?s Happened So Far?
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WhatWhat’’s Happening Now?s Happening Now?
• Working on environmental &
engineering on passenger route
• Station location studies
• Updating financing plan and
business plan
• Updating ridership studies (in
cooperation with State Rail Plan for
I-35 corridor)
• Working on urban bypass rail
studies with Union Pacific partners
• Conducting local funding
discussions for annual Operations
& Maintenance (O&M) costs
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What Happens Next?What Happens Next?
• Engineering and environmental
studies are expected to take 3+ years
• After federal approval, move to final
design and construction – expected to
take 2 to 3 years.
• Freight rail relocation studies, financing
plan, passenger rail environmental and
engineering studies going on
concurrently
• Solicit interest from potential private
sector partners
• Federal funding requests (e.g. HSIPR,
RRIF, appropriations, reauthorization)
• Establish local funding mechanisms
‒
Partner to evaluate funding approaches
‒
Establish interlocal agreements with LSRD
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• Annual operations and maintenance
(O&M) costs spread between local
jurisdictions
1/3 to San Antonio/Bexar County region: app
$10 mil. initial service, $14 mil. full service
1/3 to Austin/Travis County region: app
$10 mil. initial service, $14 mil. full service
1/3 to smaller cities and their counties: app
$10 mil. initial service, $14 mil. full service
• Local O&M funding is needed to apply
for federal grants and to solicit public-
private financing options; it is the
“Gateway” to construction capital
Local Funding Local Funding –– Operations and Maintenance CostsOperations and Maintenance Costs
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Financial Strategy Financial Strategy –– Capital CostsCapital Costs
• Capital cost for regional passenger rail: $394 million initial service
increasing to $613 million full service (2006 $)
• Capital cost for Union Pacific freight service urban bypass: $1.7 billion*
(2006 $)
• Capital expenses covered over
time through a combination of:
UP cost-sharing
Public-private partnerships
Federal grants and loans
(FRA, FHWA)
State Rail Relocation funds
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* Total cost. To be shared
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Project CONNECTProject CONNECT
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• City of Austin, Capital Metro, Lone Star
Rail District, and others
• Coordinate regional rail network
development in Austin to anchor urban core
• Expedite freight rail relocation
• Create opportunity for Federal funding and
public-private investment agreements
Evaluate annual O&M funding alternatives
and develop Austin region’s approach
Support economic development
within station areas and rail corridors
Create and operate a seamless, coordinated
high-capacity transit system in Central Texas
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San Antonio Rail PartnershipSan Antonio Rail Partnership
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• City of San Antonio, Bexar County, VIA,
and Lone Star Rail District
• Coordinate rail network development in
San Antonio to anchor urban core
• Expedite freight rail relocation
• Create opportunity for Federal funding and
public-private investment agreements
Evaluate annual O&M funding alternatives
and develop San Antonio region’s approach
Support economic development
within station areas and rail corridors
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Seamless, CostSeamless, Cost --Effective, TimeEffective, Time --Competitive, EasyCompetitive, Easy --toto--Use Use
Transit for Central and South TexasTransit for Central and South Texas
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• Fare coordination
• Schedule
coordination
• Transfer facilities
• Common
marketing/system
image
• Shared customer
service
• Integrated,
common web and
mobile presence
• Leveraging
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Lone Star Rail DistrictLone Star Rail District ’’s Pledge to the Regions Pledge to the Region
• LSTAR will give Central and South Texans independence from
congested highways:
by providing a reliable, predictable and safe regional transportation
alternative that allows people to improve their lives and expand their
horizons.
• We will also deliver benefits to those Central and South Texans
who choose not to ride the LSTAR with:
Improved safety, mobility, and environmental quality
Positive economic impact at the local and regional level
New opportunities for community vitality, prosperity, and quality of life
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Thank you
for your support!
Thank youThank you
for your support!for your support!
www.LoneStarRail.com
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City of Georgetown, Texas
December 13, 2011
SUBJECT:
Sec. 551.071: Consultation with Attorney
- Advice from attorney about pending litigation that has been filed against the City or contemplated litigation
and other matters on which the attorney has a duty to advise the City Council, including but not limited to
this week's agenda item
- ABG Update
ITEM SUMMARY:
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
SUBMITTED BY:
Cover Memo
Item # B
City of Georgetown, Texas
December 13, 2011
SUBJECT:
Sec. 551.074: Personnel Matters
- City Manager Annual Performance Evaluation
ITEM SUMMARY:
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
SUBMITTED BY:
Cover Memo
Item # C
City of Georgetown, Texas
December 13, 2011
SUBJECT:
Sec. 551.086: Competitive Matters
- CTSUD Service Territory Negotiations
ITEM SUMMARY:
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
SUBMITTED BY:
Cover Memo
Item # D