The Coast Rail Coordinating Council (CRCC) is a coalition of coastal county transportation and planning agencies organized to improve passenger rail services. The primary focus of the CRCC is to improve the frequency, speed, reliability and ease of use of passenger trains on the coast route between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
In December 2016, the TAMC Board appointed Dave Potter to represent TAMC on the CRCC Policy Committee, of which Mr. Potter has been Chair for many years. The Board approved this appointment in recognition that Mr. Potter's long and respected experience in this role would benefit TAMC and the Coast Rail service project.
On January 8, 2018, the Rail Policy Committee (RPC) recommended that the Board reappoint Mr. Potter to this position, which involves three Policy Committee meetings per year and semiannual trips to Sacramento to meet with state representatives. The RPC also recommended that the Board appoint Mike LeBarre, City of King Mayor and frequent attendee of CRCC Policy Committee meetings, as the alternate to represent TAMC when Mr. Potter is not available.
Mr. Potter has expressed a willingness to continue his efforts on behalf of TAMC and the CRCC, and the CRCC Policy Committee has expressed support for Mr. Potter to continue as CRCC Policy Committee Chair. Mr. LeBarre also expressed willingness to serve as Mr. Potter's alternate and noted he planned to attend the Policy Committee meetings as he is able, to support increasing and improving rail service to the Central Coast, especially in support of a new passenger station in the City of King.
In 2017, Mr. Potter attended two CRCC Policy meetings in person and called in to a third meeting. Mr. Potter also attended legislative meetings in Sacramento in January and the annual Rail Summit in Sacramento in April. The total cost to TAMC for those 4 trips in 2017 was $816.09. These costs would be incurred regardless of whomever were to represent TAMC on the CRCC. Attached is the draft schedule of meetings for the CRCC Policy and Technical Advisory committees.
Staff recommends this post be appointed annually, as our partner agencies the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG) and Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) make annual appointments to the Policy Committee.