SUBJECT:
title
Approval of a resolution authorizing the President & CEO, or her designee, to finalize and execute a five-year Trackage Agreement with the Austin Steam Train Association (ASTA) for ASTA’s use of a portion of the Giddings to Llano line for the provision of Excursion Rail Passenger Service, in exchange for the right for CapMetro to use a portion of ASTA’s adjacent real property for maintenance, storage, and other operations.
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FISCAL IMPACT:
This action has no fiscal impact.
STRATEGIC PLAN:
Strategic Goal Alignment:
☒ 1. Customer ☒ 2. Community
☐ 3. Workforce ☐ 4. Organizational Effectiveness
Strategic Objectives:
☐ 1.1 Safe & Reliable Service ☒1.2 High Quality Customer Experience ☐ 1.3 Accessible System
☐ 2.1 Support Sustainable Regional Growth ☐ 2.2 Become a Carbon Neutral Agency
☐ 2.3 Responsive to Community and Customer Needs ☐ 2.4 Regional Leader in Transit Planning
☐ 3.1 Diversity of Staff ☐ 3.2 Employer of Choice ☐ 3.3 Expand Highly Skilled Workforce
☐ 4.1 Fiscally Responsible and Transparent ☒ 4.2 Culture of Safety ☐ 4.3 State of Good Repair
EXPLANATION OF STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT: This action will allow Capital Metro to continue to foster a culture of safety and to deliver a customer-friendly experience through our people and systems by providing the Austin Steam Train Association with the use of a portion of the Giddings-Llano Line for excursion rail passenger services.
BUSINESS CASE: The agreement with the Austin Steam Train Association (ASTA) will allow the provision of excursion rail passenger services using a portion of Capital Metro’s Gidding-Llano Line, in exchange for CapMetro’s use of ASTA’s adjacent real property for maintenance, storage, and other operations.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: This item was presented and recommended for approval by the Operations, Planning and Safety Committee on September 13, 2023.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Capital Metro recognizes that the Excursion Rail Passenger Service provides historical, cultural, and recreational benefits to the public. The mission of ASTA is to preserve, interpret and re-create the first-hand experience of historic steam-era railroading for the enjoyment and edification of today’s families and the generations to come. In 1992, Capital Metro and the City of Austin approved an agreement with Austin Steam Train Association (ASTA) to use a portion of the Giddings-Llano line for excursion rail passenger services. In 1996, Capital Metro approved an agreement with Austin Steam Train Association (ASTA), which has been continually renewed as each agreement’s term was reached. This item renews the agreement for an additional five years, through September 2028, in exchange for the right for CapMetro or its commuter rail contractor to use a portion of ASTA’s adjacent real property for maintenance, storage, and other operations.
DBE/SBE PARTICIPATION: Does not apply.
PROCUREMENT: Does not apply.
RESPONSIBLE DEPARTMENT: Rail Operations
RESOLUTION
OF THE
CAPITAL METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
STATE OF TEXAS
COUNTY OF TRAVIS
AI-2023-958
WHEREAS, the Capital Metro Transportation Authority Board of Directors and Capital Metro management endeavor to continue to provide the Austin Steam Train Association access to a portion of the Giddings-Llano Line for excursion rail passenger service; and
WHEREAS, in exchange for the right to use a portion of the Giddings to Llano Line for excursion rail passenger service, the Austin Steam Train Association will allow Capital Metro or its commuter rail contractor to use a portion of its adjacent real property, being Lot 2 of the Cedar Park Railroad Subdivision in Williamson County, Texas, for maintenance, storage, and other operations; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors hereby authorizes the President & CEO, or her designee, to finalize and execute a five-year Trackage Agreement with the Austin Steam Train Association (ASTA) for ASTA’s use of a portion of the Giddings to Llano line for the provision of Excursion Rail Passenger Service, in exchange for the right for CapMetro to use a portion of ASTA’s adjacent real property for maintenance, storage, and other operations.
____________________ Date: ____________________
Secretary of the Board
Becki Ross