MINUTES
LAKE NORMAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
CORNELIUS TOWN HALL
Wednesday, November 9, 2011

I     ATTENDANCE: Brian Jenest, presiding; Abraham, Ferguson, Travis, Cogdell, Brice, Grant, Russell and Gray

GUESTS: Tillis, Thunberg, Tarte, Coxe, Harrow

II    MINUTES OF OCTOBER 12, 2011: Motion Travis, second Ferguson, approved as circulated.

III   EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SEARCH: Grant said between 25 and 30 resumes and expressions of interest had been received through the date of October 28, and he requested an ‘executive session’ at the end of tonight’s meeting to discuss who would the commission like to interview. ACTION: Motion Grant, second Travis, the closed session was approved.

IV   RED LINE RAIL PROJECT UPDATE: Gray summarized activity over the past year for the purpose of developing a viable management and funding concept for the Red Line. He said the NC DOT had assigned a consultant to the Red Line Task Force to assist in working with the interested governments to craft the plan. Financial and Economic Development sub committees have been meeting over the past 5 months with the consultants, and the results of this effort will be presented to the Red Line Task Force and the MTC on November 30. A public presentation will follow on December 13 in Mooresville. The LNTC is hosting the luncheon. Features of the plan will include governance, financing, passenger and freight benefits, suggested boundaries and revenue sources. After that, the MTC and all potential participants would have to formally approve the concept before going forward with an actual project. The State’s continued participation is expected to be outlined in the final report, as well.

V    COMMENTS FROM NC HOUSE SPEAKER TILLIS: District 98 Representative State is researching other state’s experiences in finding other revenue sources. He also said he favors giving local governments additional revenue options because he thinks localized public investments are better understood and accomplished at the town and county levels rather having to come to the State for permission. While referencing his familiarity with the Red Line project, as he was a former member of the Cornelius Town Commission, Tillis said he is reluctant to enable yet another transportation option without a means to fund our current needs. He opined that if Charlotte transit System (CATS) commuter rail receives State money, other regions of the State will request funds for their commuter rail systems, adding further pressure on declining revenues. He suggested that any data showing the economic development and jobs benefits from such a rail infrastructure investment would be an important for State consideration. He added that North Carolina has always invested in transportation and he’s committed to helping keep the State competitive with surrounding states from an economic development perspective. ACTION: Chairman Jenest thanked Mr. Tillis for making his second appearance with the LNTC, and the first as Speaker. His comments are most appreciated.

VI    CLOSED SESSION: Jenest asked all non commission members to please leave as the commission will go into closed session for a personnel matter.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Carroll Gray, Exec Dir