HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 01122010 - C.61RECOMMENDATION(S):
ACCEPT report on the activities of the Contra Costa Transportation Authority to implement Measure J, as
recommended by the Transportation Water and Infrastructure Committee.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None
BACKGROUND:
The Board has requested the Transportation Water & Infrastructure Committee to monitor the activities of the Contra
Costa Transportation Authority (Authority), particularly actions to implement the Measure J transportation sales tax
program. This report covers Authority actions regarding the Growth Management Program, the Strategic Plan, and
the San Ramon Valley school bus program.
Growth Management Program
In November 2008, the Authority held a workshop on the Growth Management Program and possible changes to it.
The Board of Supervisors asked that the Authority sponsor such a workshop to address issues that were an outcome
of the Authority’s update of the Actions Plans for Routes of Regional Significance. The traffic growth anticipated
APPROVE OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD
COMMITTEE
Action of Board On: 01/12/2010 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
Clerks Notes:
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
AYES 5 NOES ____
ABSENT ____ ABSTAIN ____
RECUSE ____
Contact: Steve Goetz
(925)335-1240
I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of
the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: January 12, 2010
David J. Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
By: EMY L. SHARP, Deputy
cc:
C. 61
To:Board of Supervisors
From:Transport., Water & Infrast. Committee
Date:January 12, 2010
Contra
Costa
County
Subject:Report on Actions of the Contra Costa Transportation Authority to Implement Measure J
BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)
on regional routes by 2030 and the lack of effective actions to address this growth called for an examination of the
Growth Management Program’s policy on the review of General Plan amendments by cities and the County. Among
other things, application of existing policy on General Plan amendments would likely conflict with the requirement of
the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to disclose to the public the potential traffic impacts of land use
projects on the regional transportation system by way of applying “multi-modal transportation service objectives”
that are not suitable for Environmental Impact Reports. It is the Board’s position that Growth Management Program
procedures be integrated with existing planning requirements and not duplicate or confuse existing planning
procedures.
Last month, the Authority released a draft revision to its policy on the review of General Plan amendments for
review and comment. Elements of the revised policy are summarized in Exhibit A. County staff advised the
Committee that the revised policy, as summarized, substantially complies with the Board’s objective to integrate
Growth Management Program procedures into existing planning procedures and will add value to the evaluation of
General Plan Amendments. The Committee believes the Authority should adopt this policy revision and has directed
staff to work through the Regional Transportation Planning Committees to develop procedures that will guide local
jurisdictions in implementing this policy.
Strategic Plan Update
The Authority updates the Strategic Plan approximately every two years to commit transportation sales tax revenue to
specific projects for the next seven years. The current Strategic Plan was adopted in 2007, before Measure J became
effective, in order to maintain momentum for the State Route East widening project, to begin attracting other funds
for the Caldecott Tunnel and eBART projects, and to enable bonds to be issued soon after Measure J became
effective in April 2009. The Authority began the update process last year as the current economic downturn began,
which is adversely affecting sales tax revenue and increasing debt service on proposed bonds. The draft Strategic
Plan was circulated for review and comment in the fall, and is scheduled to be adopted by the Authority on
December 16. Major changes from the current Strategic Plan are as follows:
• Sales tax revenue for the next seven years has been revised downward by 23%.
• Debt service costs on proposed bonds have been increased, which include $11.4 million to terminate $100 million
of a 2005 bond financing agreement.
• The overall expenditure cap on Measure J projects was lowered from 90% of expenditure plan levels to an average
of 66%.
• The Measure J Expenditure Plan will be amended to maintain full funding for eBART and the State Route 4 East
freeway widening through shifting revenue from the following East County categories: East County Corridor ($50
M), Transportation for Livable Communities ($29 M), BART parking/access ($11 M), major streets/roads ($18 M),
and subregional needs ($3 M) (2004 dollars).
• Funding to the East County program/project categories shall be restored if actual revenues exceed projections,
project cost estimates are reduced, and/or other fund sources are secured to complete eBART or the State Route 4
East freeway widening projects.
On the positive side, project costs were revised downward by $60 million for eBART and State Route 4 East freeway
widening due to reduced material unit costs. The favorable bid environment for transportation projects may also
result in future savings that can be accounted for in future updates of this Strategic Plan. The County project to benefit
most from the Strategic Plan is an allocation of $4.5 million (2004 $) to help fund a truck climbing lane on Kirker
Pass Road.
San Ramon Valley School Bus Program
The San Ramon Valley School Bus Program, now referred to as “TRAFFIX”, was established by Measure J. The
goal of the program is to reduce school related traffic congestion and/or improve the safety of children traveling to
and from school. The service is administered by a Joint Powers Agency established in Fall 2008 by Danville, San
Ramon, Contra Costa County and the San Ramon Valley Unified School District. Service began this year and is
overseen by three advisory committees; the Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) , Technical Advisory Committee
(TAC) , and Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) .
All are appointed by members of the Joint Powers Agency. Service is being provided to the following schools:
Danville/ Alamo San Ramon
Los Cerros Middle School Pine Valley Middle School
Green Valley Elementary Walt Disney Elementary
Vista Grande Elementary Country Club Elementary
Neil Armstrong Elementary
Bus pass sales data in the fall indicated that sales with the Alamo/Danville schools are close to 100% of the target
goal. However, sales in the San Ramon area have been lower than expected (41% below projections). Failing to meet
the pass sales goal has resulted in a revenue gap of approximately $133,000 (due to less than anticipated parent
contributions).
The TAC addressed the budget gap by increasing marketing efforts targeting the underperforming routes in San
Ramon. This did not have a significant enough effect on bus pass sales to close the funding gap. The TAC
subsequently acted to reduce the vehicle fleet to 18 vehicles (from an original 19 vehicle fleet) through the
consolidation of underperforming routes in San Ramon. This saved approximately $40,000. The TRAFFIX Board
approved another two-bus fleet reduction from underperforming routes in November. The fleet reductions realized a
total savings of approximately $100,000. The TAC intends on closing the rest of the budget gap through cost cutting
across other program activities and will report on these efforts at a future TRAFFIX Board meeting.
TRAFFIX Program Staff is currently developing reports to fulfill monitoring requirements and will report the
findings at a future TRAFFIX Board Meeting. Anecdotal observations from drivers in the affected areas indicate the
program seems to be having a noticeable positive affect on congestion.
EXHIBIT A
2009 REFERRALS TO THE
TRANSPORTATION WATER AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE
1. Review legislative matters on transportation, water, and infrastructure.
2. Review applications for transportation, water and infrastructure-related grants to be prepared by
the Public Works and Community Development Departments,
3. Oversee the activities of the Ad Hoc Intercity Rail Advisory Committee, which advises the Board
on intercity rail service such as the Capitol Corridor and San Joaquin routes
4. Monitor implementation of Countywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan.
5. Monitor the Contra Costa Transportation Authority including efforts to implement Measure J.
6. Monitor EBMUD, Freeport Water Project, other ongoing improvement programs and recycled
water projects.
7. Monitor the East County Water Management Association’s programs/projects.
8. Review issues associated with the health of the San Francisco Bay and Delta, including but not
limited to Delta levees and the Contra Costa Water District’s Stage Conveyance Plan and
establish goals to accomplish in 2009.
9. Monitor drinking water quality, water supply, reliability, drought and conservation issues.
10. Monitor the Baldwin Ship Channel/Southampton Shoal, and upland disposal of dredge material.
11. Review dredging and dredge disposal issues, such as Long Term Management Strategy (LTMS)
and environmental windows and related levee issues.
12. Monitor the San Luis Drain, Grasslands Bypass and other projects related to agricultural drainage
in the Central Valley.
13. Monitor creek and watershed issues and seek funding for improvement projects related to these
issues.
14. Monitor the activities of the Interagency Task Force on Integrated Pest Management.
15. Monitor CCWD projects, such as the proposed Los Vaqueros Reservoir expansion, cover/lining of
the Contra Costa Canal, the Alternative Intake Project, and other ongoing programs.
16. Review park issues and oversee the interdepartmental work of the Parks, Creeks and Trails
Committee to improve the County’s park function, report in 2009 on county park maintenance
issues, and actions to ensure compliance with the County’s growth management standard for
parks.
17. Monitor the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservation Plan.
18. Review the ability to revise the County design standards for residential streets to address traffic
calming and neighborhood livability issues when these roads are built.
19. Review the Underground Utilities Program.
20. Monitor implementation of the Letter of Understanding with PG&E for the maintenance of PG&E
streetlights in Contra Costa.
21. Freight transportation issues, including potential increases in rail traffic such as that proposed by
the Port of Oakland and other possible service increases, safety of freight trains that transport
hazardous materials, and the truck route for North Richmond.
22. Monitor the Iron Horse Corridor Management Program.
23. Monitor the eBART Project.
24. Review transportation plans and services for specific populations, such as the Contra Costa Low
Income Transportation Action Plan, the Coordinated Human Services Transportation Plan for the
Bay Area, Priorities for Senior Mobility in Contra Costa, Community Based Transportation Plan in
Bay Point, and the ongoing work of Contra Costa for Every Generation.
25. Monitor the statewide infrastructure bond programs.
26. Seek opportunities to obtain grants from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District for use on
County projects.
27. Monitor the progress of the Pacheco Transit Hub.
28. Monitor Airport issues.
29. Report on response to the Grand Jury Report on Aquatic Junkyards