MINUTES
LAKE NORMAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
HUNTERSVILLE TOWN HALL
October 12, 2011

I     ATTENDANCE: Jenest, presiding, Ferguson, Brice, Abraham, Grant, Caulfield, Bensman, Gray.

GUESTS: Morris, Henderson, Flaherty, Nadolny, Thunberg, Harrow and Jeanes.

II    MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 14, 2011: Motion Ferguson, second Brice, the minutes were approved as circulated.

III   RED LINE RAIL DUAL BENEFIT PROJECT: NC DOT Deputy Sec for Transit Paul Morris gave a detailed review of the Red Line project, beginning with history of the north commuter rail project through October 2011. He said the State has two concerns: support CATS and Red Line, and regional rail as model for State. He said it is possible that this project would have tremendous economic development pay offs, second to downtown Charlotte. Morris continued saying there are four policy questions: 1)should the corridor be an economic development initiative? 2) should the rail be dual benefit for transit and freight development? 3) should the concept be ‘unified’ and managed by a joint powers authority rather than fragmented? and 4) should the State play a significant role in the project? He suggested we look at the initial capital investment ($425 million) in terms of what that investment will generate in private investment and jobs. In other words, what is the return on investment or ROI? (Morris’ comments tracked the thinking behind the ULI report of January, 2010) If the private capital investment from transit and freight is $4.5 billion over 25 years, that would equate to 10 to one return plus jobs and salaries. Morris stressed that community leaders should be open to the unified concept of a single district from downtown Charlotte to Mooresville, which of necessity would have a management structure, comprised of the participating governmental entities, of which there are 9 (Charlotte, Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson, Mooresville, CATS, Iredell County, Mecklenburg County and the State eliminates cross jurisdictional issues, and JPA powers can be narrowly limited under NC State law. Cons: requires much cooperation between parties; raises concerns about a new governmental unit/control; required new thinking about public capital investments. In closing, Morris said the final work is being done on financial analysis of the various revenue stream which would result from a joint transit/freight rail investment, and this data would be available at a Summit to be held December 13, 2011 at the Mack Center in Mooresville. At that time, a final report with recommendations will be presented to all jurisdictions and much analysis/ assessment of local impacts/benefits would ensue. He expressed the hope that all 9 governmental bodies would officially endorse/adopt the plan by June 30, 2012 in order for the administration to be completed in an orderly fashion. ACTION: Jenest thanked Morris for attending and explaining the status of the Red Line Rail project and indicated the LNTC would look forward to receiving the final report and doing our review of the recommendations, in preparation for taking a position on the matter.

IV   NEW THINKING ABOUT USING SOCIAL MEDIA FOR LNTC: Gray introduced Fran Jeanes, of I-Contact Web Design, who supports the LNTC web site. Jeanes reviewed the trends in social media and how communications is evolving to the hand held devices. She suggested the LNTC might consider phasing in some of the social media techniques/approaches as we expand our reach and influence.

V    CLOSED SESSION: Personnel Matter: Jenest asked non commission members to depart, for the executive session as announced.

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

Respectfully Submitted,

Carroll Gray, Exec Director