Everyone was there! Room was packed with elected officials, staff from various places and advocates . . . oh, and media, lots and lots of media.
CALLING THE MEETING TO ORDER
Scott McDonell sits in as temporary chair and calls the meeting to order, welcomes people. He says he is excited to finally be here, he’s worked on this for many years, a lot of people worked hard, everyone sitting at this table did, County Executive Kathleen Falk and Mayor Dave Cieslewicz worked hard, they were instrumental in getting the legislation passes as well as Senator Mark Miller, Representative Mark Pocan and Governor Jim Doyle. He says we can’t forget those who came before us – Roberta Leidner worked hard to preserve rail corridors from disappearing and kept them as rail corridors, they couldn’t have high speed rail today without her work, Chair Blaska and Wagner kept it alive for many years and commissioner Kruenen as well, if not for their work we wouldn’t be here now. He says only our geography shapes how we function more than transportation choices, the lakes and the driftless area were shped by the glaciers and that shapes how we are now. The interstate and highway system and rail corridor also shapes us. The two main rail lines that run from Windsor to Stoughton and Mazzomanie to Sun Prairie and then to Milwaukee. 80% of our population lives within 1 mile of those corridors, that is not a mistake, communities that were bypassed by the rail picked up and moved to be next to it, it shaped the way we lived and worked in the last 100 years, you can shape our future. He’s sort of jealous and you start with a clean slate, when we debate interoperability radios, we have dozens of police agencies, that makes those issues difficult, you don’t have that, you are the regional entity, you have a unique ability. Final two thoughts are referendum, I talked to many of you, its not too terribly controversial, you might make changes, but don’t be defensive of your role as unelected body, you will be the most accountable of all of us, you have the entire budget before the voters. Be bold, be bold and think big, doesn’t have to be light or commuter rail, just make sure you impact how we live and work, UW is strong and transportation needs taken care of so still at the top in 50 years, we have a global economy in the future – you are the deciders, challenge us with a bold visions.
INTRODUCTIONS
David Trowbridge, City of Madison staff says he is here to take minutes. He may also do it in the future.
Darrell Bazzell is the Governor’s appointment to the RTA.
Tom Wilson is the appointment for the Cities and Villages.
Don Esposito is the appointment from Sun Prairie.
Kristine Euclide is a Dane County appointment.
Mark Opitz is the Middleton appointment.
Dick Wagner is a county appointment.
McDonell says this is the last time he’ll be sitting here.
Susan Schmitz is the Mayor’s, City of Madison, appointment.
Kim Warkentin is the appointment for Fitchburg
Steve Hiniker is a City of Madison appointment.
OFFICERS
Hiniker moves that Wagner be the chair, Schmitz seconds. There is some parlimentary confusion, McDonell straightens it out and says that is why he is running the meeting. No other nominations. He is elected chair and takes over the meeting.
Wagner thanks McDonell for getting them started.
Wagner asks for nominations for Vice Chair. Opitz is nominated by Warkentin
[Here’s where I miss a bit, Blaska walks in, and offers to help me out with my blog. He causes commotion, trips, sits down and takes a picture of me, then Chuck Erickson takes a picture of Blaska and I together, Duane Steinhauer starts laughing so hard he has to leave the room. Blaska continues to talk, pointing out that the conservative way is to use paper and pencil, not a computer. And harrumphs and groans and makes noises during the meeting. I don’t know what the point of all of this is, except that it was strange, distracting and I missed some here.]
Susan Schmidt [One of the ladies] is elected Secretary.
[This all seemed scripted and pre-determined.]
Wagner says that since they have no money yet, they won’t elect a Treasurer.
PURPOSE OF MEETING
Wagner says that they have two items for this evening, one is the resolution and the other is how to proceed.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Wagner asks if there is any objection to taking public comment, there is not.
NEW RESOLUTION
Wagner says the Tom Wilson has a slightly different version, he asks him to say what the version is.
Wilson says only real change is that to state that they will not raise taxes without “passage”. He hands out the resolution which reads:
BE IT RESOLVED that the Dane County Regional Transit Authority Board of Directors will not vote to establish a sales tax without the passage of a referendum providing for that sales tax and which also includes a plan for transit. The referendum shall be held at a future regularly scheduled election for the Regional Transit Authority area.
Wagner says that this addresses the ambiguity mentioned in editorials this week.
Opitz seconds the motion.
ROBERTS RULES
Esposito asks if they need to agree to use Robert’s Rules. Someone seconds, they agree, Wagner points out he came prepared with a copy of Roberts Rules.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Wagner says they will take public comment, if the body wants to. They all seem to agree.
Wagner says that they will have a regular procedure in the future, he tells them to just raise their hands to talk.
Hiniker asks how long they have to speak. Wagner says 3 minutes. [But I didn’t see a timer, luckily the speakers were reasonable, quick and to the point.]
There was some comment about Bazzell not signing on to the resolution, they explain that no one thought he’d support it because he was the Governor’s appointment.
Wagner calls on people from the pulic.
Bill Richardson from thegreattrainrobbery.org recommends that they give a date for the referendum, rather than saying that they will do it in the future.
Steve Arnold from the Fitchburg City Council suggests they not put a date on it. He says it is hard to determine how much is work needed, referendum could be mounted in a few months, but transit plan could take a lot of time, many people interested in details, we should not be voting on such a thing, they should present a plan that talks about appropriate vehicles and be ready for referendum, judging how long took us to get there, that will take more than a few months, he suggests they not put in a date. [Blaska groans.]
Jay Allen, Mayor of Fitchburg thanks them, says there is some controversy and you’ll be taking some bullets, thanks them for stepping up, says he agrees with Steve Arnold, there should be no date, say they should take time to figure out what they need in the plan and Mr. Richardson says it might take 50 years, but he’d be the happiest person in the room if that happened.
Arnold Harris from the Western Dane County Coalition for Smart Growth and Environment says he wants to back up what the guys from Fitchburg were saying. Do not put a specific date in the resolution, there is a great deal of planning to do, fundamentals of planning are that they are impacted by urban growth and that impacts the process. In a way they are doing comprehensive planning for the entire county which can’t move ahead unless they do that if the plan is going to be sustainable. They need enough time, don’t get caught short on a deadline, no one wants that except for people who want to torpedo this project, he is willing to give you time and resources. Also wants to know how the RTA interacts with the MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization)? How will it be staffed? How will it interact with other bodies? He says that is quite important and god bless this day has arrived.
Hans Noeldner is from the Village of Oregon, he was active in passage of board. Pleased it passed. He says this first test this is an issue of faith, having done a lot of work on campaign last fall, he respects people who have reservations about the body, some don’t want it, but some have reservations. Really what you need to do is address concerns, choose a no later than date, you have a lot of concern in the public. A lot of people, not just in metro area are wondering, you could pick a date out 15 months, then you’d create a public expectation and know what is coming when. It’s a commitment to move forward, do not pick something cynically, addresses issue of trust, let know them know you commit to something. Don’t want to wait 50 years, a lot of people worked for it and want to see results.
Don Johnson – self employed contractor from Blue Mounds, you should set a date so you can hear what people of area are thinking. Would they like it proposed as half cent tax. He’d like it to be binding, understands you can’t do it but if possible thate would be great, need to hear what people are thinking.
Bob Schaefer – resident of Madison and thinks that it depends upon date, but important thing about referendum is need to state clear facts and clear information about cost of service and other things so people voting know what they are creating the tax for, needs to be written in a manner that neither encourages or discourages, just give them info.
Kurt Schlicht – Village of Cross Plains Trustee and County Board Supervisor, set a date, people want to know, get it out there straight and immediately.
Kirsten Lombard lives on the isthmus – asks that when they shape referendum question do it so they ask citizens what kind of transit they want instead of you deciding and then letting us vote up or down, ask them what they want?
Mike Heg(??) – Why be limiting in what you are going to do off the bat? You are just forming. Iff there is pressure to automatically put it to referendum, first explore where going before set limits.
Chad Bilke?? – says there is ambiguity around the plan, how much detail will you have? What will be presented? Would like to see it say it would be detailed professional and comprehensive. Doesn’t want referendum to be about a half cent tax but wants a plan presented.
Joe Chase – Mayor of Sun Prairie – says they have quite the task before them, they need a work plan. They also need to get a lot of public input before referendum. Would like to see what they are going to do to get input, not to just get transit plan but also referendum. He has faith that is what you will do, he will be patient and watch how it comes about.
DISCUSSION
Wilson made the motion, Euclide seconded.
Esposito asks says when resolution 152 as adopted by board it was moved by deFelice and seocnded by Miles and they used the word binding. November Nov 19 transmittal to the Governor also says biding, can someone explain how “passage” and “binding” are consistent.
Wagner says he and Wilson talked about this ahead of time, and asks Wilson to explain.
Wilson says the concern he had was that we don’t have authority to have a binding resolution, its a statutory term of art that the local government has to deal with, we don’t have that authority. The concern is with adding that language that we might send a message that we don’t want to send, that we actually can do that. Wants to make sure passage of referendum that provides for sales tax before they implement, concern was if binding, someone would say that they are trying to fool us already, they said binding and they can’t do it. He says if he has to make a vote, it will be bound by the resolution.
Wagner says that in municipal law it is binding upon municipalities, those provisions don’t apply to use, we are a different situation. Also since the Governor vetoed that language, it would be hard to argue that they had the ability to do that. He says that the word “passage: satisfies most of the intent.
Opitz adds that they don’t know how long it will take them to create a transit plan, they need a work plan and by-laws and they have a lot of work to do before they have a clear idea about what kind of question to ask the voters and at this time all can and should do is repeat what appointing authorities have said. Policy and details coming in the future, that is what they told us, it will come in the future, we don’t know now/
Euclide is here to learned and hear and work hard to put together information and based on that information gathering and public input it will be up to us to make a decision about timing that would be appropriate and what a plan for transit should include. In her former life she used to know municipal law and there are limitations on what referendum question will look like, have to get good advice about how it is constructed, there are very specific limitations on how it is framed.
Hiniker says the can not approve referendum without knowing what they will do with the money, they need a plan and then they need to get public input so it is not our plan but plan for the community that is the best we can do, we should go to referendum when ready, it would be best to put together a plan first.
The motion passes unanimously and Opitz asks that it be noted in the minutes.
ORGANIZATIONAL ISSUES
[At this point, Blaska gets up and leaves with his little entourage, leaving Glomp behind, and says to me “I have enough to distort the story.” Well, good, at least he’s honest about it.]
Public Comment
Wagner says that they will take public comment at future meeitng.
Handouts
Wagner says they should have several hand out, they should have some fact sheets and written comment.
Notice of Meetings
Wagner says that that he talked to Bob Ohlsen (County Clerk) who noticed the meeting and he will keep doing that and keep the public records and without objections they should accept that kind offer – there is no objection.
Committees
Wagner asks what committees the board would like to have moving forward, says that is an open question.
Hinicker says that they need one to create the plan for transit.
Wagner asks if they should just throw things out or elaborate.
Hiniker says that committee would be to respond to many points raised here, what will the referendum be on? If we ever get to a point where people actually vote on increase on sales tax, a half penny on the dollar, they need a plan that justifies the need and that needs to be developed in consultation and with input from the public, then the need to present it and get more public input.
Comments are made about what staff we can get and then we will do best we can.
Wagner says this is a general discussion – as people suggest proposals for committees, he asks if the person proposing it might draft the scope.
Hiniker says he’ll remember not to be so quick next time.
Schmitz says that there is only volunteer staff.
Opitz reminds them that if a couple people are talking that could be a problem, they need to follow open meetings laws. Now that they are appointed and and convened, they need to follow open meetings law.
Wagner says that is why the information was distributed.
Wilson says they need operating rules and by-laws so people can look at something to see how we will operate.
Wagner asks if he would write that scope – Wilson agrees.
Wagner says MPO and South East RTA have examples, can use them as guides and not create it out of thin air.
Wagner says he has one, he says they may want to have an advisory group, especially for communities without representatives, it could be a policy advisory committee to pick up some of those folks from the communities, we could listen to them and have them know to follow our work more closely and give us advice.
Opitz says the MPO has a citizens advisory community – there are 40 or 50 people here with opinions and interest, he is interested in that model too, for people not at the table, says it might be overlapping with Wagner’s committee.
Euclide says she doesn’t know if this is a committee or topic they need to discuss but she says they need to work on public outreach and communication – it could be an ad hoc committee, but it should be on the list.
Wagner agrees, in the past (Transport 2020) they have had a public outreach plan not a body.
Euclide is ok wiht that, she says they should maybe all do it, should be on to do list.
Meeting Schedule and Location
Wagner says they need to survey the group, he said he knows there is concern about it not being held on Monday’s or Tuesday. Asks if it should be later afternoon or evenings? He doesn’t get much of a response and says they can survey folks to see what will work.
Opitz says it would be nice to have a master calendar with overlapping committees, he mentions the city has a TPC (Transit and Parking Commission) and LRTPC (Long Range Transportation Planning Committee), would like to compile meetings that are out there already and make sure they don’t overlap that with other bodies that might be helpful. He says this could frame the windows of opportunties. Looks like everyone is looking to Trowbridge to do this.
Location
Warkentin says it would be nice to alternate meeting locations in municipalities, it would be an opportunity to have additional public input from the communities, she volunteered Fitchburg, they agree. The group agrees to rotate.
Are we going to be on TV?
Opitz asks who is taping this? [There’s about 8 cameras crammed into the little room.] The answer is Madison City Channel, he asks if they will cover future meetings. Lots of shrugs and reminders they have no budget or staff.
Opitz says they should meet where it can be recorded, but he’s not sure what kind of arrangements have been made.
They say they are relying on the kindness of people to cover it.
Elected officials from Fitchburg indicate that they can tape in Fitchburg.
Wilson says they can tape in Waunakee and other places as well.
How often should we meet?
Schmitz asks how often they should meet, she thinks that they need to work as quickly and comprehensively as they can and suggests twice a month – they seem to agree, if they can schedule it – there is a lot of work to do.
What info do we need to review?
Wagner asks what kind of presentations they need to have – says there is a ton of info out there, they need to get that list on the table. He says that Esposito had started a list.
Esposito says that one of the important things is how we interact with MPO, what is the reporting relationship and rules of engagement if any?
Wagner says willingness on part of staff and the chair from the MPO to come and talk to them.
Euclide says that MPO has adopted plans so she hopes the present the plans and well as discuss relationship issues.
Wagner says lot of data in county and metro on handicap and elderly transportation and he’d like to see that information.
Hiniker says he’d like Madison Metro to talk about their plans and where there are gaps in communities. [Perhaps the City should have a discussion on what will happen with Metro, unless Mayor Dave is just going to decide and let us know.]
Opitz says there Metro had a Long Range Planning committee a year and a half ago, and they should look at that report, he says it is on-line.
Himiker says also the Transport 2020 plan has information that is not just rail, he is not sure how familiar people are with that, but it could be good to get a presentation on that too/
Euclide says request of staff – they remind her they are relying on the kindness of strangers and volunteers – would like a sense of the number of bodies and organizations that already exist that deal with transit issues of all kinds, would like a list and description of all kinds of entities, organizationss, bodies, public entities, etc. – all bodies that deal with transit of any kind.
Esposito says other municipalities have transportation commission’s as well, and they need to hear from them at some point.
Wagner says they need to hear from the UW at some point, they recently got an award since less than half of the trips to the University are single auto driven trips, they have a great TDM (Transportation Demand Management Plna), they should understand those dimensions.
Bazzell says they have a transportation master plan.
Website
Opitz says he is mindful that this is a lot of paper, wonders if there can be one website.
Trowbridge shifts unconfortably in his seat and shakes his head.
They note that all the documents exist in electronic form, they could just point to them and not print paper.
Who hosts the website is something they need to talk about and who creates and maintains it is an issue. They say the MPO probably has a lot of that, if not there, maybe persuade them to have an interest in that. Transport 2020 is on the City’s website.
Public Comment
They say they will take public comment at the next meeting or people can send comments to individuals privately. [This seems pretty insidery, because I’m not sure people would know how to contact each of these individuals.]
Wagner asks if there is anything else? They say no but . . .
Next Date
Hiniker asks about the next meeting date.
Wagner says they will survey members.
Wagner says this is a daunting task, but appreciates that they are all up for it and exciting.
I think Wilson and Esposito, in some order, moved and seconded adjournment.
WRAPPING IT UP
The room slowly filtered out as the cameras packed up and one reporter said to me that there were more people (75) than the number of minutes (45) the meeting lasted.
That’s it, not a lot really, it will be interesting to see how the media interest dies off as they get into their work.
