MINUTES
LAKE NORMAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
DAVIDSON TOWN HALL
August 10, 2011

I      ATTENDANCE: Abraham, Smith, Ferguson, Brice, Shore, Caulfield, Grant, Russell, Carney, Gray.

GUESTS: McCrory, Dreffer, Venzon, Williams, Swain, McAulay, A. Roberts, Mills, Thunberg.

II     REVIEW/APPROVAL JUNE 8, 2011 MINUTES: Motion Brice, second Roberts, approved.

III    HOT LANES APPROVED BY NC DOT: Abraham reported that funds for the addition of managed (HOT) lanes on I-77 were approved by the NC DOT at it’s July board meeting. This means that this project goes to engineering asap, with projected construction in 2014 and open for business in 2015. Abraham said the region’s united approach to this project aided its rapid approval.

IV    RED LINE FINANCING COMMITTEE: Ferguson said the towns and City of Charlotte and the Counties are participating at staff level in evaluating various funding mechanisms to enable the construction and operation of the Red Line commuter rail. The group has studied a number of ‘value capture’ ideas and has isolated four or five which could work here. Also, the group is looking at the prospects for freight oriented development along the corridor. A final report is due for discussion before Christmas, 2011.

V    TRANSPORTATION OUTLOOK FOR 2012 AND BEYOND: Former Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory, a longtime transportation and transit advocate, said the funding outlook at both Federal and State levels is ‘tough’ for the foreseeable future. He added that there is no Federal vision for transportation, and that congress has simply extended funding of the out of date SAFTEA-LU legislation. He said that the stimulus concept in 2009 was mis applied when it came to transportation, as the ‘shovel ready’ idea was not long term, and only paved roads. McCrory said the deficit reduction mood in DC will further erode the nation’s infrastructure. He suggested the LNTC lobby Sens. Burr, Hagan and Rep Myrick and say ‘Where’s the infrastructure funding?’ Regarding transit, McCrory said competition for remaining funds will be fierce, and from his perspective, the Red Line project suffers from a communications challenge, as few understand the difference between light rail and commuter rail. McCrory ventured that NC Speaker Thom Tillis and NC Senate President Phil Berger are ‘open minded’ regarding transit, but stressed that the economic development case must be made to continue State support for all CATS projects. Charlotte’s former Mayor concluded by urging the LNTC, the towns and Charlotte’s elected officials along the Red Line keep repeating the vision for the northern part of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. He said to use multiple communications channels, that a video, for example, creates a lasting image in the minds of voters. Gray thanked McCrory for speaking to the LNTC.

VI     YEAR END/FY 2010-2011 FINANCIALS: Gray reported that the LNTC total expenses for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011, totaled $87, 360, or 12.6 per cent under the $100,000 approved budget. Savings resulted from underspend in travel, consulting services, and contingency line items. There is also a remaining balance in the ULI account of just over $10,000.

VII    ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Carroll Gray, Exec Director