MINUTES
OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE
GOVERNOR’S TRANSPORTATION VISION 21 TASK FORCE
1:30 p.m., Thursday, September 9, 1999
Sheraton El Conquistador, Canyon Suites III & IV
10000 Oracle Road
Oro Valley, Arizona
The Governor’s Transportation Vision 21 Task Force met in official session for a Regular Meeting at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, September 9, 1999 with Co-Chairpersons Martin Shultz and Sharon Megdal presiding. Other members in attendance were Steve Basila, John Bivens, Tom Browning, Priscilla Cornelio, Joe Herrick, Valerie Manning, John Mawhinney, Dave Olney, Mary Peters, Ingo Radicke, Rene Redondo, Lela Steffey, Frank Thorwald and Steve Wheeler. Also present were Stephanie Bondeson, Transportation Planner; John Carlson, Governor’s Transportation Advisor; John McGee, ADOT Chief Financial Officer; Alan Maguire, The Maguire Company; Mary Lynn Tischer, Assistant Director for Policy, Planning and Programming; Shawn Dralle, Finance Administrator and Anne C. Warner.
Pledge of Allegiance and Welcome
Dr. Megdal called the meeting to order and all present joined in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Dr. Megdal had members introduce themselves and then introduced Ms. Anne C. Warner, Ms. Mary Lynn Tischer, Mr. John McGee, and Ms. Shawn Dralle.
Acceptance of Minutes
Action: It was moved and seconded to accept the minutes of the August 12, 1999 Vision 21 Task Force Meeting as written. The motion was carried unanimously.
Update on the Status of the Task Force WorkPlan
Consultant candidates have been identified and the selection process should be finalized within one week to 10 days. The consultant will work with a specific group of policy members.
Mr. John Bivens requested copies of the scope of work and asked if a schedule for delivery of products to the committees has been established. Mr. Alan Maguire stated it was a three to six month time frame.
Presentations on and Discussion of Alternate Modes of Transportation
Mr. Ken Driggs, Executive Director, Regional Public Transportation Authority, made a presentation regarding alternate modes of transportation. He provided facts regarding transit and answered commonly asked transit questions. Mr. Driggs stated that Phoenix is the only metropolitan area without a dedicated funding source. He encouraged members to read the transit report prepared by Mr. Paul M. Weyrich and Mr. William S. Lind, copies of which were provided to the Task Force.
Mr. Tom Buick, Chief Public Works Officer, Transportation Director and County Engineer, presented information on the transportation system utilized in Curitiba, Brazil. He provided a brief comparison of population, area, gasoline prices, bus fleet, average daily ridership and miles of annual service in Curitiba and Phoenix. Mr. Buick highlighted statistics concerning the performance of the Curitiba system.
Mr. Steve Wheeler questioned what the ridership would be if the price of gasoline were the same as it is in Phoenix.
Mr. John Mawhinney asked if other South American cities have implemented a similar system. Mr. Buick stated that other cities, like Buenos Aires, look upon the system with disdain.
Ms. Mary Peters asked Mr. Buick if the system has been modeled in Phoenix yet. Mr. Buick stated it had not.
Ms. Priscilla Cornelio questioned what the system’s labor costs were that allowed them to operate so cheaply. Mr. Buick explained that drivers were paid $15,000 per year and worked six hours per day.
In response to Mr. Ingo Radicke’s question, Mr. Buick stated that Curitiba’s tax rate is higher than ours.
Mr. Reed Kempton, Citizen Representative of Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists provided members with information concerning bicycling as an alternate mode of transportation. He presented a recommended action plan for state and local governments which includes organizing a bicyclist/pedestrian program, planning and constructing needed facilities, promoting bicycling and walking, educating bicyclists, pedestrians and general public and enforcing laws and regulations.
Mr. Radicke asked Mr. Kempton how bicyclists should be taxed. Mr. Kempton suggested a sales tax.
Ms. Lela Steffey brought up the issue of nine and 10-year-old riders. Mr. Kempton stated that studies have shown that children under the age of 10 do not have the cognitive abilities necessary to ride bikes in traffic areas.
The meeting was recessed for a short break.
Mr. Gerald Spellman, Citizen Advocate for SkyTran, presented a formal presentation on the benefits of the SkyTran system.
Ms. Peters asked if the system was operation anywhere at this time. Mr. Spellman explained that they are currently looking for a host city.
Mr. Frank Thorwald asked if any independent consultant evaluation or study has been done on the cost of the system. Mr. Spellman stated that it is in the proposal to have an evaluation done through ADOT and that they hope to have the test system up and running in 2000.
Mr. Joe Ryan, citizen, spoke regarding light rail transit and provided copies of a report entitled Conservatives and Mass Transit: Is It Time for a New Look? by Paul M. Weyrich and William S. Lind. Mr. Ryan also submitted additional documentation in support of light rail.
Mr. James Elmore, citizen, also presented information on the use of a light rail system. He stated that due to the congestion on the ground, the system would need to be elevated. He provided copies of a document further detailing an aerial transit system.
Closing comments and adjournment.
The meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.
MARTIN SHULTZ, Co-Chairperson
SHARON MEDGAL, Co-Chairperson
* Please note that presentations given at this Task Force meeting are attached.
