Hamilton Light Rail

Light Rail. Right Now.

Minutes for the Feb. 19 Meeting

Summary of the discussion and action items from the Fevruary 19, 2008 meeting.

[Thanks to Simon for preparing these notes in my absence - Ryan]

In total about ten people attended. Don Hull, the director of HSR, was in attendance, as well as Lisa, recently joined in the position of capital planning for transit for the City (the only transit person full-time for the capital planning office for the city).

Agenda

  1. Upwind/Downwind Conference
  2. Presentations and Outreach
  3. Consultants
  4. Other Discussion
  5. Action Items
  6. Next Meeting

1. Upwind/Downwind Fair

This is the conference/trade show we signed up for. It took place Mon., Feb. 25 (12:00 PM - 7:00 PM) and Tues. Feb. 26 (10:00 AM - 3:00 PM).

Key time - Monday from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM, because people will be coming in for the Gil Penalosa lecture at 7:00 PM. The conference itself is about 100 people. The fair has about 40 booths.

We're provided with nothing but a space - no chair, no table, a hanging cloth backing.

Ideas:

  • Laptop w/ slideshow
  • Poster
  • Cards with website URL on them

One HLR member volunteered to put together a science fair style board with pages from the presentation.

2. Presentations and Outreach

Several people suggested that the presentation should be linked from the front page of the website.

Nicholas recently gave the presentation at the monthly steering committee meeting for Hamiltonians for Progressive Development (HDP), an audience of ten people. They seemed impressed with his solid presentation, and a good discussion followed.

Don Hull provided an update from the HSR after meeting with the consultant preparing a light rail feasibility study for the city.

  • on schedule
  • detailed possibilities for light rail
  • not opinion forming
  • will include costs, parking, buildings, etc
  • economic development
  • 3 corridors being outlined:
    • A-Line (Airport - Upper James - Fennel to core and North to the waterfront)
    • B-Line (McMaster along Main St to Eastgate)
    • E/W corridor across the Mountain (not clear, possibly Mohawk?)

Other notes:

  • Metrolinx wants Upper James
  • within street
  • report completed by end of March

3. Consultants

Simon did some research on consultants. The consultant preparing the report for HSR was in charge of the light rail project that was built in Ottawa, recently left OTranspo and this is probably her first gig for the consultant hired. I have her name if anyone needs it.

4. Other discussion

  • Hunter Street tunnel a possible LRT route
  • We need to be ready for outreach by March/April
  • We need to identify our key stakeholders
  • 90% of HSR budget is operating costs

Tom: EA (environmental assessment process)

  • is being strealined
  • can't change technology after outset of EA project
  • lock in date? starting Apr/May
  • June - council picks technology
  • EA - runs until December

5. Action Items

  • Link the presentation from the main page. (Completed)

  • Prepare a backboard for the Upwind/Downwind Conference. (Completed)

6. Next Meeting

The next HLR meeting will be on Tuesday, March 18, 7:30 PM, at the FRWY Cafe, 333 King Street East (at Wellington St. N.) Hamilton, ON L8N 1C1.