VMICC Transportation Lifeline Committee unapproved meeting minutes of 
March 14, 2001


Willem Maas, Chair, opened the meeting by introducing Bruce Eklund, the
legislative aide to Senator Dow Constantine. The agenda included:
… Reaction/review of trip to Olympia
… Current status of ferry proposals
… Future actions

Willem stressed that we continue to have three objectives:
1. reduce the cost of the passenger only ferry
2. restore the Tahlequah cuts
3. develop long term funding for capital needs

Trip to Olympia review
Most of the attendees at the meeting felt the Olympia trip was a success.
Although the Vashon contingent was about a third of the previous year (100
instead of 350) there was a wider representation from other island
communities; there was good press coverage; most legislative offices were
visited; and as Bruce Eklund noted, our voice was heard. It was
particularly helpful that we went with proposed solutions and a positive
attitude. There is still approximately $3200 in the bank raised for the
TLC.

Island Ferry meetings
Vashon had the largest single turn out of all the islands at the Tariff
Committee meetings held around the Sound. 317 islanders attended and the
state received 377 comment sheets from the island. Most had to do with the
fare increase.

Current status
… Tariff Committee proposal
Willem attended a five hour Tariff committee meeting at which the comments
from all ferry meetings were reviewed and a reduced fare proposal was
developed for PO fares.. While the proposal is not final and still too
high, the committee recommended a flat $3.15 passenger fare to cross the
Sound (short route or cross sound) that covers use of car ferries and/or
passenger only ferries. In addition, passengers only ferry riders will pay a
$1.00 surcharge each way, (payable in Seattle to avoid the need for island
ticket takers) raising that fare to $5.15. This is lower than the earlier
proposed fare, but still too high. Willem is trying to get the base down to
$2.75, but this reduction will have to come through the legislature in order
to make up the budget shortfall.

… New boats
There is still a proposal to have a new boat for Vashon, with the Tyee
acting as back up for both Vashon and Bremerton runs.. The Kalama and Skagit
will be sold, and the proceeds combined with other funding to pay for the
new boat.

… Tahlequah
Work continues with the unions and ferry management to restore the South end
service through part time shifts.

… Legislation
Bruce Eklund explained that the session is scheduled to end April 22nd, but
will likely be extended. The budget must be adopted by June 30th,
regardless of when the legislature concludes its session. Any reduction in
the ferry fares will have to be legislated by that time; either through a
budget appropriation, a separate bill, or as an amendment to an existing
bill. Bruce stated that the caucus staff is now costing out the amount to
subsidize the ferries at a $4.75 rate; restore the Tahlequah run, and
purchase the new boats. While legislation to create long term funding is
desirable, intent language with 30-year bonds to pay for the boats will work
as well. FEMA money for earthquake damaged buildings and roads is relieving
some financial pressure, because even though the money is a loan and not an
outright grant, the interest rates are much lower than available through any
other source.

There is also some live legislation which would establish a regional
transport authority / board to oversee transportation in the Puget Sound,
but Bruce predicted it will be several years before something like that
taxing authority is enacted. The authority to exceed the 601 Cap did pass
the House, however, so the ability to raise fares is likely to be approved.

Future Actions

… In the absence of any particular piece of legislation or budget line item,
Islanders need to continue to lobby all legislators through email and the
legislative hot line for the lower fares, long term capital funding and
restoration of service at Tahlequah.
… Once there is legislation we can all support, we will need to lobby for
that particular piece. Willem is seeking volunteers who are willing and
able to go to Olympia on short notice to lobby committees and legislators. 
 Lee Miller, Gardner Perry, Stu Highet, George Lewis, Jerry Long, Sally Fox,
have volunteered. More are needed; training will be provided.
… Testify at the Tariff Committee hearing in Seattle on March 28th. Although
they will not be able to lower the fare, testimony about the fare inequities
builds support and momentum for our legislative arguments.

The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Submitted by Sally Fox

Attendees: Gardner Perry, Rob Bordner, Bill Wood, Ellen Kritzman, Lee
Miller, Kathleen Davis, Sally Fox, Donna Maas, Nota Lucas, Cliff Goodman,
John Moore, Willem Maas, Georrge Lewis, Jeanne Ernst, Bob Pinter, Bruce
Eklund