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Town of Atherton
ATHERTON RAIL COMMITTEE
AGENDA
TUESDAY, August 10, 2021
Special Meeting
6:00 p.m.
                                 This meeting is being held virtually

This meeting is compliant with the Governors Executive Order N-25-20 issued on March 4, 2020 allowing for deviation of teleconference rules required by the Brown Act. The purpose of this is to provide the safest environment for staff and the public while allowing for public participation. The meeting will be held by tele or video conferencing. The public may participate via: Zoom Meeting.

1.               ROLL CALL

Committee Members: Alex Keh (Chair), John Maulbetsch (Vice Chair), Jack Ringham, Greg Conlon, Paul Jones, Jim Janz, James Massey

Councilmember Liaisons: Vice Mayor Michael Lempres

Staff: Robert Ovadia

2.               PUBLIC COMMENTS – For items not on the agenda. 

(This portion of the meeting is reserved for persons wishing to address the Committee on any matter on the agenda that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Rail Committee.  State law prohibits the Committee from acting on items not listed on the Agenda.) 

3.               APPROVAL OF MINUTES – June 1, 2021

Recommendation: Approve minutes for June 1, 2021 

4.                PRESENTATIONS – None.

5.              REGULAR AGENDA        

5a. Election of Chair and Vice Chair (10 min)

The Committee will discuss the positions and duties of Chair and Vice Chair.  The Committee will act to appoint a Chair and Vice Chair for the 2021-2022 fiscal year. 

Reference Document: Rail Committee Members and Terms

5b. Atherton Caltrain Station Closure Update (5 min.)

The Committee will receive a brief report on the status of mitigation items associated with the closure of the Atherton Caltrain Station including the status of fencing installation, platform removal, Watkins Avenue safety improvements, and related funding agreements. The Committee will have the opportunity to discuss current and upcoming issues and activities as well as related items. Not an action item.

5c. Caltrain Update (10 min.)

The Committee will receive a brief report on current issues associated with Caltrain including the Peninsula Corridor Electrification project, governance changes, and other related items. The Committee will have the opportunity to discuss current and upcoming issues and activities as well as related items. Not an action item.

Reference Documents:

1. Almanac Article June 4, 2021: Caltrain Electrification delayed to 2014 due to COVID-19 pandemic, other complications
2. San Mateo Daily Journal Article June 4, 2021: Caltrain delays electrification
3. Palo Alto Daily Post Opinion Article June 7, 2021: Caltrain is off track; change needed
4. Palo Alto Daily Post Article June 23, 2021: San Mateo County wants to settle an old score before talking about governance of Caltrain
5. San Mateo Daily Journal Article June 23, 2021: SamTrans seeks unpaid debt
6. San Mateo Daily Journal Article June 24, 2021: Easing back into Caltrain

5d. High-Speed Rail Update (5 min.)

The Committee will receive a brief report on current status of High-Speed Rail. The Committee will have the opportunity to discuss current and upcoming activities as well as related items. Not an action item.

5e. Recognition of Malcolm Dudley (15 min.)

The Committee will receive a brief report from the subcommittee on ideas for ways to recognize Malcolm Dudley’s contributions supporting rail in the Town of Atherton and along the peninsula corridor. The Committee will have the opportunity to discuss the ideas developed by the subcommittee, provide comments and feedback on the ideas as well as items to be further considered by the subcommittee as it develops a recommendation to the Committee for advancement to the City Council for consideration. Not an action item.

5f.  Mission of the Rail Committee (20 Min.)

The Committee will review City Council Resolution 20-26 Establishing and Governing Town Committees and the associated Rail Policy Issues Adopted by the Town of Atherton. The Committee will discuss the roles and responsibilities of the Committee and how to best to meet its charter. Not an action item.

Reference Documents:

Atherton City Council Resolution 20-26 A Resolution of the City Council of the Town of Atherton Establishing and Governing Town Committees

6.                  COMMITTEE AND STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS 

7.                  PUBLIC COMMENT                     

8.                  FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

                   Discussion of Atherton Station repurposing

9.                  NEXT MEETING – October 5, 2021 

10.                ADJOURN            

Next meeting is scheduled for: October 5, 2021 

Please contact the City Clerk’s office at (650) 752-0500 with any questions.  Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 752-0500. Notification of 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the Town to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting.  (29 CRF 35.104 ADA Title II)