MTSNAC Infrastructure Team Meeting Minutes
Thursday, September 6, 2001
1 PM - 3 PM
DOT Headquarters Building
Room 6429

 

Chuck Carroll opened the meeting with an introduction of all attendees. The minutes of the July 16, 2001 meeting were read and approved, with a request that the list of attendees be added to the minutes as well as the standard MTSNAC disclaimer that the minutes were not official until approved by the full Council.

Margie Hegy of the U.S. Coast Guard, reported to the team on the status of the ICMTS statement of work for the MTS needs based assessment study. A draft statement will be discussed at the ICMTS meeting on September 7, 2001 and presented to the full MTSNAC in Baltimore on September 12-13, 2001. The issue of funding will also be discussed at the ICMTS meeting on September 7. The anticipated timeframe for the study is 6-12 months. A formal RFP does not need to be issued since the USCG already has an in-house contractor available.

Then began a discussion of the working draft on a possible approach to funding future maritime infrastructure needs. Chuck Carroll stated that it was his intention to forward
the draft to the full Council at the September 12-13 meeting. He also noted that this paper will not have every and all answers, but will describe to the Secretary of Transportation what the MTSNAC wants. The time frame for delivery to the Secretary is early December so the group needs to move forward.

In answer to the question of what does the Secretary expect, it was pointed out that the group should form a consensus and send that forward. The team should perfect the document to the best of its ability. Although there was general agreement to establish an MTS Trust Fund, several members pointed out that sufficient funds already existed, so there should be no new taxes. It was suggested that the first item of the paper be a declaration that an MTS Fund should be financed by existing revenues. John Wetzel of AAR voiced his group's opposition to use of the 4.3 cent railroad tax in an MTS Fund.

John Doyle pointed out that the Inland waterways industry supports the current Trust Fund and opposes its incorporation into a new MTS Trust Fund. There is fear that mixing the funds will result in an increase in taxes.

The question was asked: What is our group's goal? To highlight needs of the industry. It was suggested that the focus of the document be changed to highlight the things the industry wants instead of the things the industry doesn't support. John Wetzel of AAR was concerned that the goal of alleviating overall congestion/pollution by encouraging coastal shipping might tend to cause a competitive shift from rail to water. The Chamber of Commerce stated that there was a need to increase funding for all modes. There is a need to highlight the positive contribution of MTS.

Two sections of the paper include landside (TEA-21) issues and Chuck and Jean Godwin (AAPA) will develop language to clarify that. Chuck Carroll will circulate a revised version by Monday, September 10 and then will be presented to the full Council on September 12-13. The meeting was adjouned at 3 PM.

 

List of Attendees:

Jim McCarville                                       Port of Pittsburgh
Don O'Hare                                            World Shipping Council
Jean Godwin                                         American Association of Port Authorities
John Wetzel                                           Association of American Railroads
Shane Downey                                      National Waterways Conference
John Doyle                                             Cassidy and Associates
Joe Cox                                                  Chamber of Shipping of America
Doug Svendson                                     Waterways Work!
Frank Pecquex                                                      Maritime Trades Dept - AFL-CIO
Peggy Takej                                           National Association of Regional Councils
Elizabeth Hamilton                                National Association of Regional Councils
Ethel Gomec                                          National Association of Regional Councils
Ed Mortimer                                           U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Thom Belesky                                                         Maritel
Kevin Krick                                             Maritime Exchange for Delaware River and Bay
Carol Lambos                                        Lambos & Junge, Counsel to United States Maritime Alliance
Rucy Peschel                                         Speschel Interest Group
Chuck Carroll                                         National Association of Waterfront Employers
Looman Stingo                                      Holnam, Inc.
Inga Barry                                               Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
J. Scott Rainey                                       American Pilots Association
Kelley Platz                                             Hampton Roads Maritime Association

Government Observers

Margie Hegy                                            U.S. Coast Guard
Tony Furst                                                Office of the Secretary of Transportation
Michael Hokana                                      Maritime Administration
Robert Christensen                                 Maritime Administration
Richard Lolich                                         Maritime Administration