City Commission Workshop Meeting

APPROVED: 2/20/2014 City Hall City of Eustis, Florida 10 North Grove Street Post Office Drawer 68 Eustis, FL 32727-0068 Meeting Minutes - Final* City Commission Workshop Thursday, February 6, 2014 7:00PM City Hall CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Bob ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF QUORUM AND PROPER NOTICE Present: 5 - Linda Bob; Albert Eckian; Michael Holland; Karen LeHeup-Smith; and Kress Muenzmay I. Workshop Item 14065 Project Status Update: US 441 Corridor Study Alternatives Analysis Dianne Kramer, Acting City Manager, explained the purpose of the workshop and introduced Libertad Acosta-Anderson, FOOT project manager for the US Hwy. 441 Corridor. Ms. Acosta-Anderson introduced Laurence Lewis and Michael Carragher, Project Manager and Assistant Project Manager, from Vanassee Hangen Brustlin, Inc. She reviewed the scope of the project, as well as the background and purpose of the project as a multi-modal fixed transit corridor. She cited the additional funding partners for the project and the project advisory group. She provided a list of other regional transit projects and then reviewed the 18-month project schedule citing the various public meetings. Michael Carragher discussed the process for considering the various alternatives in order to develop the final recommendation. He stated the transit types being evaluated are the use of a bus/express bus, bus rapid transit and commuter rail. He then noted the potential Eustis station locations as follows: 1) downtown Eustis station for commuter rail; and 2) Tavares/Eustis station near Waterman hospital for either rail or express bus. Laurence Lewis reviewed several of the proposed alternatives including a summary of five commuter rail alternatives. He cited the following additional issues regarding commuter rail: 1) downtown Orlando connection location to be determined during the viable alternatives phase; 2) rail infrastructure with passing sidings and/or double tracking - assuming service in both directions - sidings will be needed to allow trains to pass and they will need to determine how many sidings will be required; and 3) evaluation to be based on ridership demand, transit service levels and infrastructure costs. Mr. Carragher reviewed the project goals and summarized the next steps with an anticipated public open house in early spring and conclusion of the corridor study in September 2014. He stated following that would be a PD&E study. He added that the engineering and construction costs are not currently funded. II. Commission Discussion The Commission asked if the proposed location in downtown Eustis is actually viable with Mr. Carragher stating that there are no obvious problems with the area but there would be issues to consider. Mr. Lewis commented on possible concerns with the right-of-way but that would also not be a fatal flaw but would need further analysis. City of Eustis, Florida Page 1 Printed on 211412014 City Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes - Final February 6, 2014 The Commission questioned what would the future obligation be to the City. Ms. Acosta-Anderson confinned that the cities and counties would incur continued costs for operation. The Commission commented on the need to consider a location farther away from small children. Mr. Carragher stated they would look to the communities to suggest station locations for additional analysis. The Commission commented on studies that have not found commuter rail to be feasible, the cost for constructing a station, and previous locations that were considered. It was suggested that a Eustis, Tavares and Mount Dora joint station be considered. The Commission discussed the impact of a downtown train station on what the City has planned for Ferran Park and the waterfront. It was recommended that the project be phased and that the character of the communities be considered with Mr. Carragher commenting on the need to utilize the already available corridors such as 441 and the railroad. It was also noted that local riders would probably be willing to make transfers. lli. Public Input- None IV. Commission Direction- None Ms. Kramer explained that no decisions were necessary by the Commission and that the presentation was strictly for the purpose of updating the Commission regarding the status of the project and obtaining Commission input. V. Adjournment- 9:01 p.m. City Clerk *These minutes reflect the actions taken and portions of the discussion during the meeting. To review the entire discussion concerning any agenda item, go to www.eust1s.org and chck on the v1deo for the meetmg m question. A DVD of the entire meeting or CD of the entire audio recording or verbatim transcript of the meetmg can be obtamed from the office of the City Clerk for a fee . City of Eustis, Florida Page2 Printed on 211412014