Council Members and Alternates Present

Organization Representative

AFL-CIO Marine Trades Department---Mr. Frances Pecquex---Member
American Association of Port Authorities--- Mr. Bernard Groseclose--- Member
American Great Lakes Port Association--- Mr. Steve Pfeiffer--- Member
American Pilot's Association --- Capt. Michael Watson--- Member
American Waterways Operators--- Mr. Craig Philip--- Member
Association of American Railroads --- Mr. Barry Michaels--- Member
Boat Owners Assoc. of the U.S. (Boat US)--- Mr. Robert Nelson--- Member
Chamber of Shipping of America--- Mr. Charles Kurz--- Member
Conf. of Minority Transportation Officials--- Dr. Gwendolyn Harris-Gale --- Member
Dredging Contractors of America--- Mr. Daniel Hussin--- Member
Inland Rivers, Ports and Terminals, Inc.--- Mr. Scott Robinson--- Member
Intermodal Association of North America --- Mr. Greg Stefflre--- Member
International Longshore and Warehouse Union--- Ms. Terri Mast--- Member
INTERTANKO --- Mr. Jonathan Benner --- Member
MIT Center for Transportation Studies--- Prof. Henry Marcus--- Member
National Association of Counties--- Mr. Robert Greer --- Member
National Association of Regional Councils--- Mr. Ron Achelpohl --- Member
National Association Waterfront Employers--- Mr. Pat Hall--- Member
National Fisheries Institute --- Mr. Neal Forde--- Member
National Mining Institute --- Mr. Ronald Stovash --- Member
North American Export Grain Assoc. Inc. --- Mr. Frank Sims --- Member
Organization of Women in Int'l Trade --- Ms. Victoria Stevens --- Member
Pacific Maritime Association --- Mr. Joseph Miniace --- Member
Passenger Vessel Association --- Mr. Darrell Bryan--- Member
The National Industrial Transportation League--- Mr. Looman Stingo --- Member
U.S. Chamber of Commerce--- Mr. Don Tieken --- Member
United States Maritime Alliance, Ltd. --- Mr. Chuck Raymond --- Member

MARAD Personnel Present

Clyde J. Hart, Jr., Administrator
Margaret Blum, Associate Administrator for Port, Intermodal and Environmental Activities
Kathleen Dunn, Program Manager, Executive Director MTSNAC

Coast Guard Personnel Present

VADM James C. Card, Vice Commandant
Jeffrey High, Director of Waterways Management

Action Items:

1. Introduce Council members;
2. Explore role of MTSNAC;
3. Elect Chair and Vice Chair; and>
4. Solicit support for MTS Regional listening sessions.

Morning Session

Margaret Blum of MARAD opened the meeting at 8:30 a.m. and introduced Clyde Hart, Jr. Mr. Hart made brief remarks commemorating the 50^th Anniversary of MARAD. He used MARAD's significant milestone as a springboard to a talk concerning the MTSNAC as vehicle to enhance the MTS. Mr. Hart cautioned the group that this could only be accomplished through a system-wide focus. He also stated that he hoped that the MTSNAC would help to make the MTS, which is generally invisible to the public, "visible and viable."

The Newly Formed ICMTS

VADM James Card was introduced to report on the newly created Interagency Committee on the Marine Transportation System ("ICMTS"). The Vice Admiral explained that ICMTS is composed of members from 25 federal agencies. He expressed a desire for a coordination of efforts between the ICMTS and MTSNAC and recognition of the unique opportunity the Council and the committee have to impact the MTS. The ICMTS has had two meetings since November and has developed an extensive list of action areas that were briefly discussed. VADM Card also mentioned that the report of the Graham Commission on Seaport Security will be available shortly and that will be relevant to the work of both committees. He encouraged council members to consider "How can we make a difference?" when setting out to tackle the difficult matters at hand.

Make-Up of the MTSNAC

Margaret Blum described the creation of the Council. She indicated that it was the intent to make it an inclusive and not exclusive body. This was accomplished by seeking members from a wide cross section of participants in the MTS. In an effort to acquaint the members of the Council, each participant was asked to give a brief presentation describing their organizations and personal experience as it relates to the MTS. Each member or alternate present made such a presentation. These presentations revealed that the Council is composed of diverse maritime and intermodal interests and the members present have extensive professional experience in their respective fields.

In addition, the Council was introduced to Kathleen Dunn, the Executive Director of the MTSNAC.

MTS Slide Presentation

After a short break, Margaret Blum introduced a slide presentation by Richard Walker from MARAD on the MTS. The presentation consisted of an overview of the MTS and discussed the various components of the system as well as challenges that face the system.

Identifying Issues

The floor was turned over to a discussion of potential issues that the MTSNAC might explore. Margaret Blum reminded the group that a government/industry balance is needed to tackle the challenges that the MTS faces and noted that the federal government is looking to partner with industry to provide solutions. Some of the issues suggested were as follows:

Charles Kurz stated that safety was his top priority.

Joe Miniace remarked that reliability is an issue not addressed in the seven points of the U.S. Marine Transportation System Waterways, Ports and their Intermodal Connections Implementation Plan ("Implementation Plan"), and that reliability to and from the docks is imperative in order to have a viable MTS.

Pat Hall declared that impediments of dredging of deep sea, intercoastal ports and river depths were a vital concern.

Looman Stingo said that competitiveness was a key issue and that there is a need to make the MTS a viable alternative to trucks and rail.

Neal Forde, agreed that competitiveness was important and that there is a need to build U.S. flag vessels as well as review current trade laws.

Bernard Groseclose stated that productivity, reliability, competitiveness were important issues.

Chuck Raymond pointed out that information and technology is of paramount importance to the viability of the MTS. He stated that without the knowledge and ability to track the movement of freight throughout the entire system all the participants in the intermodal configuration are hindered from performing at their peak capabilities.

Henry Marcus agreed that information technology must be improved in order to better track containers and chassis throughout the system.

Victoria Stevens further agreed that enhanced information technology would permit a better focus on the customer. She indicated that not enough attention is directed at the people who use the system.

Barry Michaels indicated that sometimes business practices drive inefficiency and that we should explore commonality issues that can streamline business practices.

Joe Miniace remarked that the MTS is generally invisible and that a strong effort should be made in the area of public relations and that the statistics of our industry are impressive and should be brought to the public's attention.

Robert Nelson stated that funding was of primary importance and that funding flows from national public policy. He further stated that you can effect public policy through awareness.

Jonathan Benner pointed out that issues that relate to the infrastructure are vastly under funded and that he hoped that this group can accomplish a private sector meshing with government to address the issue of funding.

Afternoon Session

Margaret Blum called for nominations for the Chair and Vice Chair positions.

Chuck Raymond is Elected Chair

In nominating Chuck Raymond, Joe Miniace, praised him as being uniquely qualified by virtue of his long years of service to the industry. He also indicated that Mr. Raymond is one of the country's largest purchasers of trucking and rail services and as such has a complete and intensive understanding of the intermodal process. Prof. Henry Marcus seconded this nomination.

No other nominees were offered and Mr. Raymond was elected without opposition.

Frank Sims is Elected Vice Chair

Frank Sims was nominated as Vice Chair and was also elected unopposed. He was nominated by Pat Hall who lauded his 28 years of continuous service with Cargill. In addition, his considerable expertise in all areas of commodities transportation including extensive intermodal experience was highlighted. Mr. Sims was seconded by Gwen Harris-Gale.

MARAD Turns Over the MTSNAC

The floor was turned over to Chuck Raymond and Frank Sims.

Frank Sims.
Action Plan:

4.1  Familiarize Council members with expertise of colleagues;
4.2  Explore key issues important to the Council;
4.3  Establish interest areas for Council members; and
4.4  Entertain public comments.

Newly elected Chair, Chuck Raymond, convened the first meeting of the MTSNAC. He addressed the Council and stated that the task at hand was to identify core issues and determine to what extent these issues cross-over so that the Council can narrow its focus to issues appropriate for a body of this nature to impact.

Role of the MTSNAC.

A comment came from the floor suggesting that the MTSNAC look to the table of contents within the Implementation Plan for guidance. Charles Kurz commented that creating a subcommittee system based on these key areas identified in the Implementation Plan might assist in the organization of the Council. Chuck Raymond indicated that there might be areas of concern to this committee that were not covered in the Implementation Plan such as legislative affairs, planning and resources as they relate to competitiveness, and manpower as a resource.

A critical question was posed by the Chair that concerned the committee's own perception of itself. The Chair asked to what extent are we going to ask the government to address our issues and whether this Council viewed itself in an active or passive role. Moreover, the Chair suggested that the Council needs to focus on what is broken with the system and ways to get them fixed.

The issue of funding and awareness were highlighted by several speakers.

Structure of the Committee

A suggestion was made by Jonathan Benner that the formation of subcommittees be sidelined for a period of time to permit the Council as a whole to address one or two key issues. He reasoned that there could be benefits in permitting the Council full access to each other in order to be able to fully understand what each participant can bring to the table. This concept was debated with a wide range of opinions on the subject.

Joe Miniace commented that he felt that the expertise of the committee lent itself to a subcommittee structure within the oversight of the full committee.

Scott Robinson suggested that each committee member review the Assessment of The U.S. Marine Transportation System Report to Congress ("Report to Congress"). He praised the report for its action plan and remarked that this could provide a viable structure for the MTSNAC.

At this time, development of subcommittees was deferred.

Budget Issues

Questions concerning the budget for the committee were discussed. While a precise budget was not presented to the committee, it was made clear that there are funds for another meeting of the MTSNAC this year and that funding for the Committee is included in the FY2001 DOT budget proposal.

Regional Dialog Sessions - Awareness

Charles Kurz mentioned the upcoming regional dialog sessions concerning the MTS and suggested that MTSNAC members try to be present at the various sessions.

Frank Sims asked if it would be possible to get "sound bites" or other materials that members attending these sessions could use to make effective statements at these listening sessions. He indicated that this could help the public better understand the implications to the economy presented by the MTS. Chuck Raymond asked about what MTSNAC members could report at these dialog sessions.

The issue of data that could support a public relations campaign to achieve awareness of the MTS was discussed. It was suggested that we already have considerable data at our disposal that could be collated into information that could be utilized by the committee.

The following members agreed to attend or have a representative attend the following Regional Dialog Sessions:

Chicago, IL,     May 31-June 1    Steve Pfeiffer

Memphis, TN     June 6     Scott Robinson

Philadelphia, PA    June 12    Charles Kurz

Jacksonville, FL    June 20-21    Chuck Raymond

Seattle, WA     June 27    Terri Mast, Jonathan Benner, Darrell Bryan

Los Angeles, CA July 11 Victoria Stevens, Greg Stefflre

July 17-18    Chuck Raymond

Public Comments

Gordon Fink of the Intelligent Transportation System of America ("ITS") described his own organizations start up period and encouraged the members of the MTSNAC to keep its focus simple. He remarked that his organization began with a systems-wide approach that looked first to regional issues. Success on the regional level was the foundation for a national ITS program.

Bruce Russell a participant on another federal advisory group that addresses issues concerning the safety of right whales. He urged the MTSNAC to consider the safety of the white whales when making policy recommendations.

Dan Fuller from the Marine Engineers Beneficial Association ("MEBA") commented that the MTSNAC should concern itself with the issue of the declining tonnage being carried by U.S.-flag vessels.

Ed Welch , the Legislative Director for the Passenger Vessel Association remarked that public awareness and dredging are critical issues.

Chuck Carroll , Executive Director of NAWE, noted that MARAD has ongoing data collection activities that are relevant to the MTSNAC. One report is a survey of intermodal equipment and another one concerns impediments to access to the intermodal system. He recommended that these reports be made available to the committee.

Bob Greco of the American Petroleum Institute praised the "Report to Congress" as an excellent document. He recommended that the MTSNAC take a proactive approach but narrow its priorities and look at issues on a short and long term basis.

Resolutions

Resolution 1.

It was resolved that five liaisons would be designated to interface with the respective ICMTS subcommittee: Those members so designated were:

Resolution 2.

It was resolved that an Awareness interest group be initiated. Joe Miniace was designated to head this interest group.

Resolution 3.

It was resolved that members would familiarize themselves with the Report to Congress and provide their comments with regards to short and long term priorities for the MTSNAC by June 30, 2000. Kathleen Dunn will receive these submissions on behalf of the Chair.

Resolution 4.

The MTSNAC should have its own webpage with intranet access for committee communications.

Resolution 5.

Members attending regional dialog sessions should report on the sessions to the Chair. Kathleen Dunn will receive these reports on behalf of the Chair.

Resolution 6.

The date of the next meeting will be established at a later date.

MTSNAC Recommendation Forms

Two recommendations were received by the Chair. The first was submitted by Pat Hall that stated that the MTSNAC should work to eliminate impediments to dredging. This recommendation was accepted and will be considered with resource issues.

The second recommendation form was received from Bob Greco, who suggested that the MTSNAC work to eliminate the backlog in nautical surveying. This recommendation was accepted and will be considered with other funding issues.

THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED.