08-19-2008 AgendaSCHERTZ CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORKSHOP AND REGULAR SESSION MUNICIPAL COMPLEX COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1400 SCHERTZ PARKWAY BUILDING #4 SCHERTZ, TEXAS 78154 8-19-08 Council Agenda AGENDA TUESDAY,
AUGUST 19, 2008 AT 5:00 P.M. BUDGET WORKSHOP MEETING Municipal Complex Council Chambers 5:00 P. M. CALL TO ORDER: WELCOME /OVERVIEW: 1. Presentation and discussion of the FY 2008/2009
Budget. (Staff) ADJOURNMENT WORKSHOP: REGULAR SESSION CALL TO ORDER: INVOCATION AND PLEDGES OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAGS OF THE UNITED STATES AND STATE OF TEXAS. HEARING OF RESIDENTS This
time is set-aside for any person who wishes to address the City Council. Each person should fill out the Speaker’s register prior to the meeting. Presentations should be limited to no
more than 5 minutes. The presiding officer, during the Hearing of Residents portion of the agenda, will call on those persons who have signed up to speak in the order they have registered.
ANNOUNCEMENTS • General Announcements on meetings/events attended and upcoming events (Council)? • General Announcements on meetings/events attended and upcoming events (Mayor) REGULAR
AGENDA 1. Minutes -Consideration and/or action regarding the approval of the minutes of the Workshop and Regular Meeting of August 12, 2008.
8-19-08 City Council Agenda Page -2 -2. Ordinance No. 08-D-41 – Consideration and/or action approving an ordinance amending Section 86-118 of the Schertz Code of Ordinances revising
maximum limits on specific streets and providing a repealing clause. (John A. Sippel Elementary) Final Reading (M. Harris) DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION 3. Austin-San Antonio Commuter
Rail District – Discussion and possible action regarding funding the $50,000 for Membership in the Austin-San Antonio Commuter Rail District. (G. Antuna) ANNOUNCEMENTS – CITY MANAGER
AND STAFF • General Announcements on meetings/events attended and upcoming events EXECUTIVE SESSION Called under Section 551.071 Litigation, pending litigation; Section 551.072 Texas
Government Code -Deliberation regarding the purchase, exchange, sale, lease, or value of real property. RECONVENE TO REGULAR SESSION 4. Take any action deemed necessary as a result of
the Executive Session. ADJOURNMENT CERTIFICATION I, BRENDA DENNIS, CITY SECRETARY OF THE CITY OF SCHERTZ, SCHERTZ, TEXAS, DO HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THE ABOVE AGENDA WAS POSTED ON THE OFFICIAL
BULLETIN BOARDS ON THIS THE 14th DAY OF AUGUST, 2008 AT 12:30 P.M., WHICH IS A PLACE READILY ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC AT ALL TIMES AND THAT SAID NOTICE WAS POSTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
CHAPTER 551, TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE. Brenda Dennis BRENDA DENNIS, TRMC, CMC CITY SECRETARY I CERTIFY THAT THE ATTACHED NOTICE AND AGENDA OF ITEMS TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL
WAS REMOVED BY ME FROM THE OFFICIAL BULLETIN BOARD ON _____DAY OF _______________, 2008. ____________________________Title:__________________________ This facility is accessible in accordance
with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Handicapped parking spaces are available. If you require special assistance or have a request for sign interpretative services or other services
please call 619-1030 at least 24 hours in advance of meeting.
8-19-08 City Council Agenda Page -3 -COUNCIL ASSIGNMENTS Mayor Baldwin Liaison -Schertz Seguin Local Government Corporation Liaison -Schertz Historical/Preservation Committee Interview
Board for Boards and Commissions Investment Advisory Committee ASA Commuter Rail District Board Mayor Pro-Tem Wilenchik Investment Advisory Committee Liaison -Schertz Chamber of Commerce
Liaison -Board of Adjustments Audit Committee Interview Board for Boards and Commissions Liaison – TIRZ II Board AACOG Advisory Committee AACOG Economic Development TML Board of Directors
TML Municipal Revenue & Taxation Committee Councilmember Fowler Liaison -Schertz Economic Development Corporation Liaison -Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Interview Board for the Boards
and Commissions Councilmember Carpenter Liaison -Library Advisory Board Liaison -Planning and Zoning Commission Liaison -50th Year Anniversary Committee Liaison -Schertz Youth Commission
Liaison – TIRZ II Board Councilmember Scagliola Liaison -Transportation Safety Advisory Advisory Commission Liaison -Schertz Humane Society Alternate Interview Board for Boards and Commissions
Liaison – Schertz Sweetheart Court Councilmember Trayhan Liaison -Schertz Housing Authority Audit Committee
Agenda No. 1 CITY COUNCIL MEMORANDUM City Council Meeting: August 19, 2008 Department: Administration Subject: Minutes BACKGROUND On August 12, 2008 a Workshop and Regular City Council
Meeting was held at the Municipal Complex Council Chambers at 5:00 p.m., 1400 Schertz Parkway Building #4. FISCAL IMPACT None RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends Council approval of the
August 12, 2008 minutes. ATTACHMENT Minutes 8/12/08
City Council Regular Meeting August 12, 2008 231 MINUTES WORKSHOP AND REGULAR MEETING August 12, 2008 A Workshop and Regular Meeting was held by the Schertz City Council of the City
of Schertz, Texas, on August 12, 2008 at 5:00 p.m., in the Municipal Complex Council Chambers, 1400 Schertz Parkway, Building #4, Schertz, Texas. The following members present, to-wit:
Mayor Pro-Tem Tony Wilenchik Council Member Jim Fowler Council Member David Scagliola Council Member John Trayhan Council Member Michael Carpenter Staff Present: City Manager Don Taylor
Assistant City Manager John Bierschwale Assistant City Manager David Harris City Secretary Brenda Dennis City Attorney Michael Spain Mayor Baldwin absent. CALL TO ORDER: WELCOME /OVERVIEW:
1. Presentation and discussion of the FY 2008/2009 Budget. (Staff) Mayor Pro-Tem Wilenchik called the Workshop to order at 5:00 p.m. and stated that Mayor Baldwin was absent this evening.
Mayor Pro-Tem Wilenchik Assistant City Manager David Harris continued the Power Point presentation going over the following: • General Fund -Animal Control -IT Department -Human Resource
-Finance -Purchasing -Fleet -Community Assist -Special Events -Public Works Business office and Administration -Business Office -Public Works Water & Sewer Administration -Capital Recovery
-EMS -Drainage
City Council Regular Meeting August 12, 2008 232 -Hotel Tax -Park Fund -Recycling -SED Corporation -Capital Requests Staff Members addressed Council questions and concerns regarding
their respective budgets. ADJOURNMENT WORKSHOP: Mayor Pro-Tem Wilenchik adjourned the workshop at 6:30 p.m. CALL TO ORDER REGULAR MEETING Mayor Pro-Tem Wilenchik called the meeting to
order at 6:30 p.m. and stated that Mayor Baldwin was absent this evening. INVOCATION AND PLEDGES OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAGS OF THE UNITED STATES AND STATE OF TEXAS. Council Member Carpenter
gave the Invocation followed by the Pledges of Allegiance to the Flags of the United States and State of Texas. HEARING OF RESIDENTS Mayor Baldwin recognized the following: • Frances
Rushing, Schertz Chamber President who gave the following announcements: -August 18, 2008 Program on Banking and FDIC at 6:30 p.m. at Civic Center. Sponsored by Chamber and Schertz Bank
& Trust. -August 29, 2008 Monthly lunch program. A follow up on August 18, 2008 program. Working with George Antuna to secure speaker from Federal Reserve. -August 15, 2008 – Ribbon
Cutting at Embroider-me at 2 p.m. -Attended Commissioners’ Court, and reported that Veterans Affair office noted they fielded 180 requests from Schertz, 101 walk-in and 79 by phone and
fielded 101 from Seguin Commissioners’ Court, also took no action on a contract for the proposed Animal Shelter, instead postponed any action until next Tuesday’s Court date. • Mr. Robert
Brockman, 1000 Elbel who addressed the Council on the following: -Item 8 – Venue Tax -Dumpsters needing lids
City Council Regular Meeting August 12, 2008 233 -County Animal Shelter issue Council General Announcements: Mayor Pro-Tem Wilenchik • Thanked everyone; staff, citizens, friends, colleagues
for their support on his recent surgery. Council Member Fowler • None Council Member Scagliola • Mentioned he attended the 2nd Annual Fire Fighters Picnic this weekend in Universal City.
Council Member Trayhan • None. Council Member Carpenter • Mentioned he had an opportunity to drive around the City and would like for staff/code enforcement to address code enforcement
issues around the Beverly Drive area. PRESENTATION • Presentation regarding the City of Schertz Website (B. Bailey) Mayor Pro-Tem Wilenchik recognized Director Brad Bailey Media Relations
who gave a Power Point presentation regarding the new City of Schertz Website answering questions from Council. Mr. Bailey mentioned the upcoming Schertz Fest and announced a new sponsor
“Disney” that they would be hosting two 90-minute Disney Kid’s Stage Shows during the the Schertz Fest. REGULAR AGENDA 1. Property Tax Rate – Consideration and/or action on a Record
Vote on setting the Preliminary Tax Rate for FY 2008/2009 and Scheduling of Public Hearings on the proposed tax rate. (D. Harris/J. Santoya) Mayor Pro-Tem Wilenchik recognized Assistant
City Manager David Harris who introduced this item. Mr. Harris stated that the current rate is 0.4090 and the effective rate is 0.4018 and explained that Council will consider tonight
and take a record vote which will be published in the newspaper. He further explained that should the Council which to consider funding additional requests from staff that he would
City Council Regular Meeting August 12, 2008 234 recommend the Council consider a higher tax rate and allow staff to present their reasoning for additional funding. City Secretary Brenda
Dennis asked that Mr. Harris explain that the Council could consider a higher tax rate and vote on this and that once the tax rate is set with the vote Council could not go any higher
but could go lower. Mayor Pro-Tem Wilenchik recognized City Manager Don Taylor who stated that he has brought to the Council a balanced budget with no tax increase and his recommendation
is to stay with the current rate of 0.4090. Assistant City Manager’s David Harris and John Bierschwale explained and recommended the Council consider the rate of 0.4250 and allow staff
at the future Budget workshops to explain their additional funding needs. After considerable discussion, Mayor Pro-Tem Wilenchik recognized Council Member Carpenter who moved seconded
by Council Member Trayhan to set the tax rate at 0.4090 as recommended by the City Manager. The The vote was 4-1-0 with Council Member Fowler voting no. Motion Carried 2. Minutes -Consideration
and/or action regarding the approval of the minutes of the Workshop and Regular Meeting of August 5, 2008. Mayor Pro-Tem Wilenchik recognized Council Member Trayhan who moved, seconded
by Council Member Carpenter to approve the minutes of August 5, 2008 with the correction noted. Vote was unanimous. Motion Carried 3. Ordinance No. 08-S-40 -SUP2008-007 – Consideration
and/or action upon a request for a Specific Use Permit (SUP) for 0.5+/-acres of land out of the Toribio Herrera Survey, Abstract No. 221, Guadalupe County, and Schertz, Texas being Lot
9, Block 1 of the Schertz Business Park Subdivision to allow an expansion of a warehouse in the Air Installation Compatible Use Zone (AICUZ) Accident Potential Zone-1 (APZ-1) located
approximately 951 +/-feet east of intersection FM-1518 and Commercial Place. Final Reading (T. Rhodes/M. Nichols) Mayor Pro-Tem Wilenchik recognized Planner Manager Thomas Rhodes who
introduced this item answering questions from Council stating nothing had changed from the first reading of the ordinance. Mayor Pro-Tem Wilenchik recognized Council Member Trayhan who
moved, seconded by Council Member Scagliola to approve Ordinance No. 08-S-40 final reading. Vote was unanimous. Motion Carried. 4. Ordinance No. 08-D-41 – Consideration and/or action
approving an ordinance amending Section 86-118 of the Schertz Code of Ordinances revising maximum limits on specific streets and providing a repealing clause. (John A. Sippel Elementary)
First Reading (M. Harris)
City Council Regular Meeting August 12, 2008 235 Mayor Baldwin recognized Police Department Lieutenant Michael Harris who introduced this item answering questions from Council. Council
Members discussed the possible need to declare and emergency on this due to the fact that school will be starting in two weeks. City Attorney Michael Spain stated that he is not comfortable
with declaring this an emergency due to the fact it was not posted as such on the agenda and that Council will be able to consider final reading at the 19th of August which will allow
ample time to post the necessary signage. Mayor Pro-Tem Wilenchik recognized Council Member Carpenter who moved, seconded by Council Member Trayhan to approve Ordinance 08-D-41 first
reading. Vote was unanimous. Motion Carried 5. Ordinance No. 08-B-39 – Consideration and/or action approving an ordinance by the City Council of the City of Schertz, Texas authorizing
the issuance of “City of Schertz, Texas General Obligation Bonds, Series 2008”, levying an annual ad valorem tax, within the limitations prescribed by law, for the payment of the bonds;
prescribing the form, terms, conditions, and resolving other matters incident and related to the issuance, sale, and delivery of the bonds, including the approval and distribution of
an official statement pertaining thereto; authorizing the execution of a paying agent/registrar agreement and a purchase contract; complying with the requirements imposed by the letter
of representations previously executed with the depository trust company; and providing for an effective date. First and Final Reading (M. McLiney) (THIS ITEM WAS POSTPONED FROM THE
AUGUST 5, 2008 MEETING) Mayor Pro-Tem Wilenchik recognized Mark McLiney Southwest Securities who introduced this item answering questions from Council. Mr. McLiney stated that within
a week’s time the bond market had changed and that the current rate is 4.13% and recommended to Council the issuance of the $9.9 million, 4.4 million for the Recreation Center and 5.5
million for streets. Mayor Pro-Tem Wilenchik recognized Council Member Trayhan who moved, seconded by Council Member Scagliola to approve Ordinance No. 08-B-39 first and final reading.
Vote was unanimous. Motion Carried. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION 6. City of Schertz Board of Adjustment By-Laws – Discussion and possible action regarding approving the revised City
of Schertz Board of Adjustment By-Laws. (T. Rhodes) Mayor Pro-Tem Wilenchik recognized Planning Manager Thomas Rhodes who introduced this item answering questions from Council. Mr. Rhodes
stated that the Board of Adjustment had approved the proposed By-Laws. Mayor Pro-Tem
City Council Regular Meeting August 12, 2008 236 Wilenchik stated that there was one recommended change that needs to be made regarding the word “qualified”; he stated that the word
needs to be removed and changed to “registered”. Mayor Pro-Tem Wilenchik recognized Council Member Trayhan who moved, seconded by Council Member Scagliola to approve the revised City
of Schertz Board of Adjustment By-Laws as recommended by the Board of Adjustment Board with the change from “qualified” to “registered”. Vote was unanimous. Motion Carried 7. City of
Schertz Sweetheart Committee – Discussion and possible action regarding appointment of the City of Schertz Sweetheart Committee Members. (E. Matlock) Mayor Pro-Tem Wilenchik recognized
Economic Development Chair Steve White who introduced this item answering questions from Council. Mayor Pro-Tem Wilenchik recognized Council Member Scagliola who moved, seconded by Council
Member Fowler to approve the appointment of: Brad Bailey Alice Jewell Aimee Bailey Michele Kelso Patti Riordan Erin Matlock Susan Hartzog David Harris Council Member David Scagliola
(Liaison) Vote was unanimous. Motion Carried. 8. Venue Tax Proposition – Discussion and possible action regarding the City of Schertz proposing a Venue Tax proposition on the November
4, 2008 ballot. (D. Harris/M. Spain) Mayor Pro-Tem Wilenchik recognized Assistant City Manager David Harris who explained what a venue tax is used for. Mr. Harris stated that he had
received information from the City Attorney that this item would not be able to be considered for the November 4, 2008 ballot due to timelines and issues that the City needed to do prior
to proposing the proposition. No action taken.
City Council Regular Meeting August 12, 2008 237 ANNOUNCEMENTS – CITY MANAGER AND STAFF • General Announcements on meetings/events attended and upcoming events Mayor Pro-Tem Wilenchik
recognized City Manager Don Taylor who read a letter he recently received from the Unites States Postal Service again denying the request to change the zip code of 78108 to 78154. Mayor
Pro-Tem Wilenchik recognized Assistant City Manager John Bierschwale who announced how excited he is on the new sponsorship for Schertz Fest that being “Disney”. EXECUTIVE SESSION Called
under Section 551.071 Litigation, pending litigation; Section 551.072 Texas Government Code -Deliberation regarding the purchase, exchange, sale, lease, or value of real property. Mayor
Pro-Tem Wilenchik adjourned the regular meeting into Executive Session at 7:49 p.m. RECONVENE TO REGULAR SESSION Mayor Pro-Tem Wilenchik reconvened into regular session at 9:18 p.m.
9. Take any action deemed necessary as a result of the Executive Session. Mayor Pro-Tem Wilenchik Wilenchik recognized Council Member Scagliola who moved, seconded by Council Member
Trayhan to move that the City accept a condemnation court awarded price of $36,500 for a permanent sewer line easement and temporary construction easement from Cynthia Hernandez and
William Bailey, successors to William Henderson for the Town Creek Sewer Line Project. Vote was unanimous. Motion Carried. Mayor Pro-Tem Wilenchik recognized Council Member Scagliola
who moved seconded by Council Member Trayhan to move that the City pay the unpaid School District and Guadalupe County property taxes totaling approximately $1200 and forgive the unpaid
City taxes totaling approximately $300 on the property conveyed by the City to the U.S. Postal Service for the new Schertz Post Office on Elbel Road. Vote was unanimous. Motion Carried.
Mayor Pro-Tem Wilenchik recognized Council Member Fowler who moved, seconded by Council Member Carpenter to move that the City pay $5,000 to Jeanette Rowland Kindla to acquire Lot 7,
Block 31 of Live Oak Hills Subdivision, and pay all closing costs, and that the City dismiss pending condemnation proceedings relating to such property upon closing such sale. Vote was
unanimous. Motion Carried.
City Council Regular Meeting August 12, 2008 238 Mayor Pro-Tem Wilenchik recognized Council Member Fowler who moved, seconded by Council Member Trayhan to move that the City pay $5,000
to the Harris L. Gouner Trust to acquire Lot 5, Block 32 of Live Oak Hills Subdivision, and pay all closing costs, and that the City dismiss pending condemnation proceedings relating
to such property upon closing such sale. Vote was unanimous. Motion Carried. ADJOURNMENT As there was no further action, Mayor Baldwin adjourned the meeting at 9:22 p.m. _____________________________
Hal Baldwin, Mayor ATTEST: _____________________________________ Brenda Dennis, TRMC, CMC City Secretary
Agenda No. 2 CITY COUNCIL MEMORANDUM City Council Meeting: August 19, 2008 Department: Police Department Subject: Ordinance No. 08-D-41 – revising maximum speed limits in school zones
(Final Reading) BACKGROUND Consideration and/or action on approval of Ordinance No. 08-D-41 amending section 86-118 of the Code of Ordinances regarding maximum speed limits in school
zones. Due to the construction of John A. Sippel Elementary School, school zones need to be established at this location. City Council passed this on first reading at their meeting of
August 12, 2008. FISCAL IMPACT None RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends Council approval of final reading of Ordinance No. 08-D-41 ATTACHMENT Ordinance No. 08-D-41
ORDINANCE NO. 08-D-41 AN ORDINANCE BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS PROVIDING THAT THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS BE AMENDED BY REVISING SECTION
86-118, MAXIMUM LIMITS IN SCHOOL ZONES; AND PROVIDING A REPEALING CLAUSE. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS: SECTION I THAT, Section 86-118 of the Code
of Ordinances, City of Schertz, Texas be amended to add the following: “Section 86-118, Maximum Limits In School Zones” Street Extent Speed Limit Old Wiederstein Rd. 300 feet Northeast
of Fairlawn Ave., 20 MPH to 300 feet Southwest of school property Fairlawn Ave. from Wiederstein Rd. to Mineral Springs” 20 MPH SECTION II 1. All Ordinances or parts of Ordinances in
conflict with this Ordinance are hereby repealed. 2. This Ordinance shall be in force and effect from and after its final passage. First reading approved on the 12th day of August 2008.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this the19th day of August, 2008. ____________________________ Mayor, City of Schertz, Texas ATTEST: ___________________________________ City Secretary,
City of Schertz, Texas
Agenda No. 3 CITY COUNCIL MEMORANDUM/RESOLUTION City Council Meeting: August 19, 2008 Department: Economic Development S ubject: FY ’09 Commuter Rail Membership Fee BACKGROUND The Austin-SAT
Commuter Rail District board consists of local government and transportation providers that represent the 112 mile route from Georgetown to Port of SAT. Each local government where a
depot has been identified has the opportunity to have a seat on the board for a membership fee of $50,000 per year. This fee was paid by SEDC as allowed by 4B ED statute to be able to
pay for public transportation ventures. The SEDC board approved the fee for FY ’08 with council approval. However, council must also approve the FY ’09 membership fee with the mayor
as the city’s representative on the commuter rail district board. FISCAL IMPACT • Austin-SAT Commuter Rail District fee for a seat on the board. • Board members are also selected to
serve on committees and subcommittees. • Members are required to not only oversee the best interest of the district but that of their local government. Total Recommended Cost: $50,000
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SCHERTZ: That the above stated City of Schertz Economic Development Corporation recommends payment of the membership fee and that our
mayor be a board member of the Austin-SAT Commuter Rail District for FY ’09. PASSED AND APPROVED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Schertz, Texas this 19th day
of August, 2008, at which meeting a quorum was present, held in accordance with the provisions of V.T.C.A., Government Code, §551.001 et seq. APPROVED _________________________ Hal Baldwin,
Mayor ATTEST: _________________ Brenda Dennis, City Secretary
1 Austin-San Antonio Regional Passenger Rail Project The Austin-San Antonio passenger rail project is an important priority in Central and South Texas to help alleviate the congestion
and safety problems on I-35 due to extraordinary population growth and increased NAFTA traffic. The locally preferred alternative (adopted by the San Antonio and Austin MPOs in 2005)
is a 112-mile regional passenger rail system located in the existing Union Pacific rail corridor for most of its length. Fifteen stations are planned along the route, which is anchored
by the Austin and San Antonio metropolitan areas with additional stations in Schertz, New Braunfels, San Marcos, Kyle/Buda, Round Rock and Georgetown. The intercity rail operation will
provide travel times competitive with, if not faster than, travel by automobile. Economic development is also an important benefit of this project; a recent study conducted by the Austin-San
Antonio Intermunicipal Commuter Rail District (Rail District) estimates, if this project were implemented, personal income in the region could increase by $20B over the next 30 years
with state and local tax revenues increasing by $2.3B. Additionally, the project will improve the safety of over 130 at-grade rail crossings along the existing freight railroad that
goes through the centers of the cities along the corridor. The capital cost of the project is estimated at $613M (2006 dollars), with an annual operating cost of $41M (2006 dollars)
for the full service plan. Significant technical work has been completed for the Austin-San Antonio regional passenger rail project, including: · Conceptual Engineering · Station Location
Studies · Station Economic Impact Studies · Capital and Operating Cost Estimates · Operating Plans · Ridership Studies To ensure on-going local and regional coordination and collaboration,
the Rail District is governed by a Board of Directors that represents local governments and transportation providers throughout the Austin-San Antonio Corridor. Jurisdictions and organizations
represented on the Board: · Cities: Austin, Georgetown, New Braunfels, San Antonio, San Marcos, Schertz · Counties: Bexar, Hays, Travis, Williamson · Transit Authorities: Alamo Regional
Transit, Capital Metro, CARTS, VIA Metropolitan Transit · MPOs: CAMPO, SA-BC MPO · Business Communities: Austin, San Antonio (appointed by the respective City Councils) · General Public:
Austin, San Antonio (appointed by the Texas Transportation Commission) Purpose and Need for the Project · Improve mobility throughout the Austin-San Antonio Corridor · Improve safety
in the 1-35 corridor · Maintain air quality status (Austin and San Antonio both near-non-attainment areas) · Create a regional, seamless, multi-modal transportation system · Provide
a predictable, reliable travel choice · Create economic development opportunities
Austin-San Antonio Regional Passenger Rail Project Status Report, August 2008 2 Objectives of the Regional Rail System · Express and Local trains (travel time): Express: 90 minutes,
Austin CBD – San Antonio CBD Local: 105 minutes, Austin CBD – San Antonio CBD · Initial Operations: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Every 30 minutes during peak hours Every 45 minutes during off-peak
hours · Passenger trains will have priority over freight trains · Start service within LPA in 2011-2012 Amtrak Feasibility Study The Rail District, in partnership with TxDOT and Amtrak,
will study the potential for improving intercity passenger rail service in the Austin-San Antonio Corridor. The study will identify the improvements needed in the existing Union Pacific
freight corridor to concurrently run passenger rail service. Because Amtrak has right of access to freight rail lines to provide intercity rail service, a partnership with Amtrak could
provide early access to the freight corridor before UP’s through freight is relocated. Preliminary results are expected in December 2008. Recent Accomplishments 2006 · Completed revenue
forecasts for transportation infrastructure zones around rail stations · Executed interlocal agreement with City of Austin and Capital Metro for Seaholm station location study in downtown
Austin, and completed study · Executed interlocal agreement with VIA Metropolitan Transit for Westside Multimodal Center study of station location in downtown San Antonio · Received
federal FY06 appropriation to continue planning and engineering studies · Completed financial analysis and developed local funding strategies · Completed Phase 2 and Phase 3 ridership
modeling · Completed Station Design Report · Completed Conceptual Engineering Design Report · Conducted peer review of engineering cost estimates · Completed 9 presentations to corridor
jurisdictions’ elected officials on the project’s costs and benefits 2007 · Received commitment from San Antonio-Bexar County MPO for metropolitan mobility funds for the regional rail
project: $10 million in FY11 and $10 million in FY12 · Completed Financial and Economic Benefits Study · Completed 20 presentations to corridor jurisdictions’ elected officials and senior
staff on project’s costs and benefits · Added three new members to Rail District: Hays County, cities of New Braunfels and Schertz · Completed Existing Conditions Report · Completed
Alternatives Analysis Report · Approved station location evaluation criteria and process · Completed Westside Multimodal Center study of station location in downtown San Antonio · Applied
for federal metropolitan mobility funds from Capital Area MPO (May 2008 Update: Awarded funds from Capital Area MPO: $5 million in FY09 and $5 million in FY10)
Austin-San Antonio Regional Passenger Rail Project Status Report, August 2008 3