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Town of Atherton
ATHERTON RAIL COMMITTEE
AGENDA
THURSDAY, March 17, 2022
Special Meeting
4:00 p.m.
                                 This meeting is being held virtually

TELECONFERENCING AND COVID-19 NOTICE:

This meeting is being held via teleconference pursuant to Government Code section 54953(e)(1)(B) and in compliance with the Brown Act.  Section 54953(e)(1)(B) permits the Town to hold a meeting during a proclaimed state of emergency via teleconference in order to determine whether as a result of the emergency meeting in person would present an imminent risk to attendees' health or safety.  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: Robert Polito

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 – February 1, 2022

Recommendation: Approve minutes for February 1, 2022 

4.                PRESENTATIONS – None.

5.              REGULAR AGENDA        

5a.  Draft 2022 High-Speed Rail Authority Business Plan (30 min.)

The Committee will discuss the Draft 2022 High-Speed Rail Business Plan, potential comments to the Draft Business Plan, as well as other high-speed rail related issues. The Draft 2022 High-Speed Rail Business Plan was released for public review on February 8, 2022. Public comments are due by April 11, 2022. The Committee may act to recommend a response letter to the Council for consideration or select a sub-committee to finalize a draft letter for the Council’s consideration.

 Reference Documents:

1. High-Speed Rail Authority Draft 2022 Business Plan: https://hsr.ca.gov/about/high-speed-rail-business-plans/2022-business-plan/
2. Draft Comment Letter to the HSRA Draft 2022 Business Plan
3. San Jose Mercury News Article February 17, 2022:  No plan yet for California’s rising bullet train price tag
4. High-Speed Rail Authority Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR)/Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the San Jose to Merced Project Section 
5. San Jose Mercury News Article March 1, 2022:  $19 billion: Cost of high speed rail’s Bay Area link surges in latest report, without funding

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

The Committee will receive a brief report on the status of the proposed remodel of the Atherton Station Building. The Committee will have the opportunity to discuss current and upcoming issues and activities as well as related items. Not an action item.

5c. Watkins Avenue Safety Improvements and Quiet Zone Extension Update (5 min.)

The Committee will receive a brief report on the status of the status of the design of the Watkins Avenue Safety Improvements project being implemented by Caltrain as well as the Town’s efforts in extending the existing Quiet Zone through the crossing. 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. Notice of Intent – Atherton Fair Oaks Quiet Zone Extension, dated February 18, 2022

5d. Caltrain Update (5 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. San Mateo Daily Journal Article February 4, 2022:  San Mateo County’s Caltrain deal rejected 
2. San Mateo Daily Journal Article February 4, 2022:  Sen. Josh Becker, D-San Mateo, bill aims to streamline transit
3. Bay Area News Group Article February 17, 2022:  New assembly bill could give Caltrain $260 million boost for electrification project
4. San Mateo Daily Journal Article March 4, 2022:  Caltrain approves governance reform plan

5e. Grade Separation Discussion (10 min.)

The Committee will have an opportunity to discuss grade separation activities and studies by Caltrain, local jurisdictions, and others as they relate to the peninsula rail corridor, as well as related items. Not an action item. 

5f. Litigation Update (5 min.)

The Committee will receive a brief status update from the subcommittee on the current status of pending litigation. Not an action item. 

6.                  COMMITTEE AND STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS 

7.                  PUBLIC COMMENT                     

8.                  FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

9.                  NEXT MEETING – April 5, 2022 

10.                ADJOURN            

Next meeting is scheduled for: April 5, 2022 

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)