Memo Resolution Commuter Rail District Membership RenewalCITY COUNCIL MEMORANDUM /RESOLUTION
City Council Meeting:
Department:
Subject:
BACKGROUND
Agenda No. 8
October 19, 2010
Economic Development
Commuter Rail District
Membership Renewal
This action would approve a yearly expenditure of up to $49,500 through the end of September 30,
2015 for SEDC participation in the Lone Star Rail District, which is working to bring commuter rail
to the City of Schertz. The Lone Star Commuter Rail District board consists of local government
and transportation providers that represent the 112 mile route from Georgetown to the Port of San
Antonio. Each local government where a depot has been identified has the opportunity to have a
seat on the board for a membership fee of $49,500 per year. Traditionally, the SEDC has paid this
membership due. City Council must approve the FY 2010 -2011 membership fee with Mayor
Baldwin as the city's representative on the commuter rail district board.
Schertz's continued involvement in this effort allows rail district staff and its lobbyists to continue
work to bring a commuter rail line to the region and a station in the City of Schertz. The District is
beginning to form a Comal County Technical working group for the Environmental Impact Studies
that need to be conducted before stations are sited. The working group will meet once this fall and
then one again after the fast of the year. Thereafter in the spring, a public hearing will be held. At
the first working groups meeting in late fall, Gateway Planning will need to provide the proposed
locations for the rail stations, and staff is working with the company to provide those sites now. At
the second working group meeting after the first of the year, Gateway Planning will want to provide
a more detailed analysis of the station area based on the charrette /design workshop.
Mr. Tullos Wells, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, will deliver a presentation to outline the
work that has been completed in the last year, as well as the work still left to be done.
FISCAL IMPACT
• Lone Star 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.
$49,500 to be paid by EDC
City Council Memorandum
Page 2
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CI'T'Y OF SCHERTZ:
That the above stated City of Schertz Economic Development Corporation recommends payment
of the membership free and that our mayor be a board member of the Lone Star Commuter Rail
District for FY `11..
PASSED AND APPROVED at a Regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Schertz,
Texas this 19`h day of October, 2010, at which meeting a quorum was present, held in
accordance with the provisions of V.T.C.A., Government Code, §551.001 et sect,
APPROVED
ATTEST:
5
rends Den�ais, Czty Secretary