Board Workshop   11/16/2023

Thank you.

Good morning.

I'm going to go ahead and call this November 16th meeting of the Virginia passenger rail authority board to order.

We're going to start, first thing on our agenda is our safety briefing.

Yes.

Happy to do it.

For those of us in the room, we are at 919 East Main Street, 24th floor.

The exits, fire extinguishers and fire alarms are in both sides of the elevator banks.

You can go out either door to reach them.

I'm going to assign myself the AED, which is in the copy room, Steve, if you can go

Get the first aid kit and meet someone on the first floor.

I'd appreciate it.

And Michael, if you can call 911.

And Mary Stelvie, you can take into account what you're probably already doing as part of your job.

I'd appreciate that.

If we do need to evacuate, we will follow Mary Stelvie by the first one out and meet at a 9th and Grace by the Washington equestrian statue in case of an active intruder, flee, hide, and fight.

And for those who are at home, please be aware of your surroundings in case you need to, or in your office, please be aware of your surroundings and tripping hazards and things of that nature.

Okay, I think we're good then.

Ms. Bulova?

Here.

Ms. Bushay, I'm so sorry.

It's okay, here.

Mr. Cardwell?

Here.

Mr. Delandro?

Ms. Drake?

Ms. Moses-Nedd?

Here.

Mr. Payne?

Ms. Rhinehart?

Here.

Mr. Spore?

Here.

Thank you.

We have a quorum.

I just want to welcome everybody to the meeting.

Today is a really exciting day.

We have great updates and discussion planned as we look to advance two of the four projects of our Transforming Rail in Virginia initiative, Long Bridge and the Franconia-Springfield Bypass Project.

So it's really exciting to see our program moving forward.

And I know the team is really looking forward to updating the board on our status in preparation for our December 6th in-person board meeting.

So with that, we will be moving into closed session.

So can I get a motion?

I am glad to do that.

I move that the Board convene in a closed session pursuant to section 2.2-3711A6 of the Code of Virginia for the discussion or consideration of the investment of public funds where competition or bargaining is involved where, if made public initially, the financial interest of VPRA would be adversely affected.

I think I heard a second from Mr. Cardwell first.

So thank you, Ms. Bulova.

Seconded by Mr. Cardwell.

Mariselle, can you call the roll?

Ms. Bulova?

Aye.

Ms. Bushue?

Aye.

Mr. Cardwell?

Aye.

Mr. Delandro is absent.

Ms. Doersch?

Ms. Moses-Nedd.

Aye.

Ms. Rhinehart.

Aye.

So the motion carries.

We will be moving into closed session.

Jason, if you could pause the live stream and let us know when that is complete.

Thank you, Jason.

We are now going to take a roll call vote, and I ask each member indicate their agreement with the following statement.

To the best of my knowledge, during the closed meeting, the only matters heard, discussed, or considered were those matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, and only those public business matters as were identified in the motion by which the closed meeting was convened.

Ms. Bulova?

Aye.

Agree.

Ms. Bushue?

I concur.

Ms. Doersch?

Aye.

Ms. Moses-Nedd?

Aye.

I saw him say that.

Thank you.

All right.

So motion carries.

That concludes our business for today.

Appreciate everybody taking the time to join us.

And our next board meeting will be December 6th here in person in Richmond.

Thanks, everybody.

Thank you, everyone.

Appreciate y'all.

Thank you.

Thank you.