12/5/24 SCCRTC - P4 - Update on the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line storm damage repairs and reimbursement

Update on Repairs to the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line Damaged by Previous Severe Winter Storms in Santa Cruz County and Reimbursement of those expenses.(Riley Gerbrandt, Associate Transportation Engineer & Tracy New, Director of Finance & Budget)This part of the meeting primarily addressed the difficulties the RTC is facing getting a reimbursement from FEMA for the repairs they executed on the branch line. The main disagreement/misunderstanding is the definition of "active" railway.They seemed to think hiring a consultant familiar with the complexities of dealing with the agency to help them was a good idea. Time was running short on filing an appeal.The repairs were made using RSTP funds, which are designated for maintenance and construction of various small transportation projects. If FEMA doesn't approve the reimbursement, or approves a partial reimbursement, the repairs will be paid for with Measure D funds or the RSTP funds.The agenda, handouts and highlights are here:https://www.sccrtc.org/meetings/regional-transportation-commission/agendas/The original video is here:https://youtu.be/ALSdrWLNCLM?feature=shared