HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOARD STANDING COMMITTEES - 06092016 - TWIC Agenda Pkt
Supervisor Mary N. Piepho, Chair
Supervisor Candace Andersen, Vice Chair
Agenda
Items:
Items may be taken out of order based on the business of the day and preference
of the Committee
TRANSPORTATION, WATER &
INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE
June 9, 2016
1:00 P.M.
651 Pine Street, Room 101, Martinez
1.Introductions
2.Public comment on any item under the jurisdiction of the Committee and not on this
agenda (speakers may be limited to three minutes).
3. Administrative Items, if applicable. (John Cunningham, Department of Conservation
and Development)
4. REVIEW record of meeting for May 12, 2016, Transportation, Water and
infrastructure Committee Meeting. This record was prepared pursuant to the Better
Government Ordinance 95-6, Article 25-205 (d) of the Contra Costa County Ordinance
Code. Any handouts or printed copies of testimony distributed at the meeting will be
attached to this meeting record. (John Cunningham, Department of Conservation and
Development).
5. ACCEPT report on the policy and financial implications of implementing the new
Municipal Regional Permit 2.0, CONSIDER staff’s recommendation to prepare a
Financial Report for a future Committee meeting outlining the financial issues in
more detail, and PROVIDE direction and feedback to staff. (Steve Kowalewski,
Department of Public Works)
6. AUTHORIZE staff to submit grant applications to the State and the Metropolitan
Transportation Commission (MTC) for the Active Transportation Program.
(Mary Halle, Department of Public Works)
7. CONSIDER report and recommendations from the Departments of Conservation
and Development and Public Works in response to the Pipeline Safety Report.
(Carrie Ricci, Department of Public Works and John Cunningham, Department of
Conservation and Development)
8. CONSIDER Report on proposed Endangered Species Act fee and DIRECT staff
as appropriate. (John Cunningham, Department of Conservation and Development)
06-09-16 TWIC Packet Page 1 of 64
9. CONSIDER report on Local, State, and Federal Transportation Related
Legislative Issues and take ACTION as appropriate including CONSIDERATION
of specific recommendations in the report above. (John Cunningham, Department of
Conservation and Development)
10.Adjourn to next meeting date; PLEASE NOTE DIFFERENT TIME SCHEDULED FOR NEXT
TWIC MEETING: Thursday, July 14, 2016, at 2:00 P.M.
The Transportation, Water & Infrastructure Committee (TWIC) will provide reasonable
accommodations for persons with disabilities planning to attend TWIC meetings. Contact the staff
person listed below at least 72 hours before the meeting.
Any disclosable public records related to an open session item on a regular meeting agenda and
distributed by the County to a majority of members of the TWIC less than 96 hours prior to that
meeting are available for public inspection at the County Department of Conservation and
Development, 30 Muir Road, Martinez during normal business hours.
Public comment may be submitted via electronic mail on agenda items at least one full work day
prior to the published meeting time.
For Additional Information Contact:
John Cunningham, Committee Staff
Phone (925) 674-7833, Fax (925) 674-7250
john.cunningham@dcd.cccounty.us
06-09-16 TWIC Packet Page 2 of 64
Glossary of Acronyms, Abbreviations, and other Terms (in alphabetical order): Contra Costa County
has a policy of making limited use of acronyms, abbreviations, and industry-specific language in meetings of its
Board of Supervisors and Committees. Following is a list of commonly used abbreviations that may appear in
presentations and written materials at meetings of the Transportation, Water and Infrastructure Committee:
AB Assembly Bill
ABAG Association of Bay Area Governments
ACA Assembly Constitutional Amendment
ADA Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
ALUC Airport Land Use Commission
AOB Area of Benefit
BAAQMD Bay Area Air Quality Management District
BART Bay Area Rapid Transit District
BATA Bay Area Toll Authority
BCDC Bay Conservation & Development Commission
BDCP Bay-Delta Conservation Plan
BGO Better Government Ordinance (Contra Costa County)
BOS Board of Supervisors
CALTRANS California Department of Transportation
CalWIN California Works Information Network
CalWORKS California Work Opportunity and Responsibility
to Kids
CAER Community Awareness Emergency Response
CAO County Administrative Officer or Office
CCTA Contra Costa Transportation Authority
CCWD Contra Costa Water District
CDBG Community Development Block Grant
CEQA California Environmental Quality Act
CFS Cubic Feet per Second (of water)
CPI Consumer Price Index
CSA County Service Area
CSAC California State Association of Counties
CTC California Transportation Commission
DCC Delta Counties Coalition
DCD Contra Costa County Dept. of Conservation & Development
DPC Delta Protection Commission
DSC Delta Stewardship Council
DWR California Department of Water Resources
EBMUD East Bay Municipal Utility District
EIR Environmental Impact Report (a state requirement)
EIS Environmental Impact Statement (a federal requirement)
EPA Environmental Protection Agency
FAA Federal Aviation Administration
FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency
FTE Full Time Equivalent
FY Fiscal Year
GHAD Geologic Hazard Abatement District
GIS Geographic Information System
HBRR Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation
HOT High-Occupancy/Toll
HOV High-Occupancy-Vehicle
HSD Contra Costa County Health Services Department
HUD United States Department of Housing and Urban
Development
IPM Integrated Pest Management
ISO Industrial Safety Ordinance
JPA/JEPA Joint (Exercise of) Powers Authority or Agreement
Lamorinda Lafayette-Moraga-Orinda Area
LAFCo Local Agency Formation Commission
LCC League of California Cities
LTMS Long-Term Management Strategy
MAC Municipal Advisory Council
MAF Million Acre Feet (of water)
MBE Minority Business Enterprise
MOA Memorandum of Agreement
MOE Maintenance of Effort
MOU Memorandum of Understanding
MTC Metropolitan Transportation Commission
NACo National Association of Counties
NEPA National Environmental Protection Act
OES-EOC Office of Emergency Services-Emergency
Operations Center
PDA Priority Development Area
PWD Contra Costa County Public Works Department
RCRC Regional Council of Rural Counties
RDA Redevelopment Agency or Area
RFI Request For Information
RFP Request For Proposals
RFQ Request For Qualifications
SB Senate Bill
SBE Small Business Enterprise
SR2S Safe Routes to Schools
STIP State Transportation Improvement Program
SWAT Southwest Area Transportation Committee
TRANSPAC Transportation Partnership & Cooperation (Central)
TRANSPLAN Transportation Planning Committee (East County)
TWIC Transportation, Water and Infrastructure Committee
USACE United States Army Corps of Engineers
WBE Women-Owned Business Enterprise
WCCTAC West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory
Committee
WETA Water Emergency Transportation Authority
WRDA Water Resources Development Act
06-09-16 TWIC Packet Page 3 of 64
TRANSPORTATION, WATER &
INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE 3.
Meeting Date:06/09/2016
Subject:Administrative Items, if applicable.
Submitted For: TRANSPORTATION, WATER & INFRASTRUCTURE
COMMITTEE,
Department:Conservation & Development
Referral No.: N/A
Referral Name: N/A
Presenter: John Cunningham, DCD Contact: John Cunningham
(925)674-7833
Referral History:
This is an Administrative Item of the Committee.
Referral Update:
Staff will review any items related to the conduct of Committee business.
Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):
CONSIDER Administrative items and Take ACTION as appropriate.
Fiscal Impact (if any):
N/A
Attachments
No file(s) attached.
06-09-16 TWIC Packet Page 4 of 64
TRANSPORTATION, WATER &
INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE 4.
Meeting Date:06/09/2016
Subject:REVIEW record of meeting for May 12, 2016, Transportation, Water
and Infrastructure Meeting.
Submitted For: TRANSPORTATION, WATER & INFRASTRUCTURE
COMMITTEE,
Department:Conservation & Development
Referral No.: N/A
Referral Name: N/A
Presenter: John Cunningham, DCD Contact: John Cunningham
(925)674-7833
Referral History:
County Ordinance (Better Government Ordinance 95-6, Article 25-205, [d]) requires that each
County Body keep a record of its meetings. Though the record need not be verbatim, it must
accurately reflect the agenda and the decisions made in the meeting.
Referral Update:
Any handouts or printed copies of testimony distributed at the meeting will be attached to this
meeting record. Links to the agenda and minutes will be available at the TWI Committee web
page: http://www.cccounty.us/4327/Transportation-Water-Infrastructure
Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):
Staff recommends approval of the attached Record of Action for the May 12, 2016, Committee
Meeting with any necessary corrections.
Fiscal Impact (if any):
N/A
Attachments
05-12-16 TWIC Mtg Minutes
05-12-16 TWIC Mtg Sign-In Sheet
Handout - AB 1697 Fact Sheet
Handout - AB 1697
06-09-16 TWIC Packet Page 5 of 64
D R A F T
TRANSPORTATION, WATER &
INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE
May 12, 2016
2:00 P.M.
651 Pine Street, Room 101, Martinez
Supervisor Mary N. Piepho, Chair
Supervisor Candace Andersen, Vice Chair
Agenda Items:Items may be taken out of order based on the business of the day and preference of the Committee
Present: Mary N. Piepho, Chair
Candace Andersen, Vice Chair
Attendees: Mark Watts, Legislative Consultant
Julie Bueren, CC County Public Works Dept.
Tim Ewell, CC County Administrator's Office
Stephen Siptroth, CC County Counsel's Office
John Cunningham, CC County DCD
1.Introductions
Please see attached sign-in sheet, hand-outs and "Attendees" section, above.
2.Public comment on any item under the jurisdiction of the Committee and not on this agenda (speakers may
be limited to three minutes).
3.Administrative Items, if applicable. (John Cunningham, Department of Conservation and Development)
4.Staff recommends approval of the attached Record of Action for the April 14, 2016 Committee Meeting
with any necessary corrections.
The Committee unanimously approved the April 14, 2016 Meeting Record.
5.1. ACCEPT a report on the status of implementing a regional taxicab permitting process in Contra Costa
County;
2. AUTHORIZE staff to continue working with the regional taxicab work group to evaluate the feasibility
of establishing a joint taxicab permitting process, including, but not limited to, delegating the County’s
permitting authority to a new or existing legal entity;
3. FORWARD attached policy resolution declaring formal interest in a regional taxicab permitting effort to
the full Board of Supervisors for consideration.
The Committee unanimously accepted the report, approved the staff recommendations, and further directed
staff to keep the Office of the Sheriff apprised of progress and to bring the issue to the BOS on consent.
6.CONSIDER report on Local, State, and Federal Transportation Related Legislative Issues and take
ACTION as appropriate including CONSIDERATION of any specific recommendations in the report
above.
The Committee unanimously accepted the report.
06-09-16 TWIC Packet Page 6 of 64
7.RECEIVE communication and DIRECT staff as appropriate.
The Committee received the report.
8.Adjourn to the next meeting date, currently scheduled for Thursday, June 9, 2016 at 1:00 P.M.
The Transportation, Water & Infrastructure Committee (TWIC) will provide reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities planning to attend TWIC meetings. Contact the
staff person listed below at least 72 hours before the meeting.
Any disclosable public records related to an open session item on a regular meeting agenda and distributed by the County to a majority of members of the TWIC less than 96 hours prior
to that meeting are available for public inspection at the County Department of Conservation and Development, 30 Muir Road, Martinez during normal business hours.
Public comment may be submitted via electronic mail on agenda items at least one full work day prior to the published meeting time.
For Additional Information Contact:
John Cunningham, Committee Staff
06-09-16 TWIC Packet Page 7 of 64
06-09-16 TWIC Packet Page 8 of 64
AB 1697: Creating Job Training Opportunities in
the Clean Energy Sector
Contact: Estevan Santana, Office of Assemblywoman Susan A. Bonilla, (916) 319-2014, Estevan.Santana@asm.ca.gov
Summary:
AB 1697 helps California workers successfully transition
and secure jobs in the clean energy sector. This bill
draws upon currently available grant dollars to enhance
workforce development in future clean energy
development and infrastructure project proposals.
Background:
On January 5th, 2015, Governor Brown issued a
statewide goal of reducing petroleum use 50% by 2030
in order to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
This goal will be achieved by reducing petroleum
consumption while simultaneously increasing
production and use of renewable and alternative fuels.
This means California will require a trained and
knowledgeable workforce in the emerging clean energy
sector.
To address the long-term goals of reducing GHG
emissions in California, the legislature established the
Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology
Program (ARFVTP). The ARFVTP is administered by the
California Energy Commission and funded through the
collection of vehicle and vessel registration, vehicle
identification plates, and smog-abatement fees. In total,
the program provides up to $100 million in grants each
year to help California establish and expand alternative
and renewable fuel production and infrastructure.
As policies that reduce GHG emissions and petroleum
use go into effect, the job market landscape will
inevitably change, resulting in a greater emphasis on
green jobs. In order to remain competitive, California
will have to transition its workforce to match the
growing demand.
The ARFVTP is primed to ensure California workers
receive the necessary support and training to transition
successfully into the new economy. With $100 million
granted annually to increase alternative and renewable
energy projects statewide, projects should also include
workforce development components to meet the future
demands of the shifting job marketplace.
AB 1697 incentivizes applicants for ARFVTP funding to
include a workforce development element in order to
be more competitive in the grant process. This bill will
ensure that the California workforce transitions
smoothly to implement future policy priorities aimed at
reducing GHG emissions.
This bill:
Specifically, this bill:
Specifies that grant proposals for The
Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle
Technology Program also include the following
on the list of criteria the California Energy
Commission considers when deciding which
grant applications will be funded:
o The ability to provide a path for trained
workers to transition to jobs in the
clean technology and renewable fuels
sectors.
o The ability to promote employment of
trained workers in the clean technology
and renewable fuels sectors.
Support
California Workforce Association
06-09-16 TWIC Packet Page 9 of 64
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 25, 2016
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 12, 2016
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 16, 2016
california legislature—2015–16 regular session
ASSEMBLY BILL No. 1697
Introduced by Assembly Member Bonilla
(Coauthors: Assembly Members Brown and Chu)
January 21, 2016
An act to amend Section 44272 of the Health and Safety Code,
relating to vehicular air pollution.
legislative counsel’s digest
AB 1697, as amended, Bonilla. Alternative and Renewable Fuel and
Vehicle Technology Program.
Existing law establishes the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and
Vehicle Technology Program, administered by the State Energy
Resources Conservation and Development Commission. Existing law
requires the program to provide funding measures to certain entities to
develop and deploy innovative technologies that transform California’s
fuel and vehicle types to help attain the state’s climate change policies.
Existing law requires the commission to provide preferences to projects
that maximize the goals of the program based on certain criteria,
including the project’s ability to provide economic benefits for
California by promoting California-based technology firms, jobs, and
businesses. Existing law specifies that projects eligible for funding
include workforce training programs related to various sectors or
occupations related to the purposes of the program.
96
06-09-16 TWIC Packet Page 10 of 64
This bill would add a project’s ability to provide a path for trained
workers to transition to jobs in the clean technology and renewable
fuels sectors and a project’s ability to promote employment of trained
workers in those sectors as additional criteria on which preference under
the program shall be provided. The bill would revise the eligibility
criteria for workforce training programs, as specified.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
line 1 SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the
line 2 following:
line 3 (a) The California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006
line 4 (Division 25.5 (commencing with Section 38500) of the Health
line 5 and Safety Code) requires California to reduce the emissions of
line 6 greenhouse gases to 1990 levels by 2020.
line 7 (b) In January 2015, Governor Brown issued an executive order
line 8 declaring a statewide goal of reducing petroleum use by 50 percent
line 9 by 2030 in order to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases.
line 10 (c) To address the long-term goals of reducing the emissions of
line 11 greenhouse gases in California, the Legislature enacted the
line 12 California Alternative and Renewable Fuel, Vehicle Technology,
line 13 Clean Air and Carbon Reduction Act of 2007 (Chapter 8.9
line 14 (commencing with Section 44270) of Part 5 of Division 26 of the
line 15 Health and Safety Code) that established the Alternative and
line 16 Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program to provide up
line 17 to $100 million in grants each year to help California establish and
line 18 expand alternative and renewable fuel production and
line 19 infrastructure.
line 20 (d) As policies that reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases
line 21 and petroleum use go into effect, the job market will inevitably
line 22 change, resulting in a greater emphasis on green jobs.
line 23 (e) To ensure that the skills and technical training in existing
line 24 industries are integrated into the new green economy, it is
line 25 incumbent on the state to foster earn-and-learn pathways and
line 26 additional training opportunities to transition workers from the
line 27 carbon-based economy to jobs focused on alternative and
line 28 renewable fuels to match growing demand.
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line 1 SEC. 2. Section 44272 of the Health and Safety Code is
line 2 amended to read:
line 3 44272. (a) The Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle
line 4 Technology Program is hereby created. The program shall be
line 5 administered by the commission. The commission shall implement
line 6 the program by regulation pursuant to the requirements of Chapter
line 7 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of
line 8 Title 2 of the Government Code. The program shall provide, upon
line 9 appropriation by the Legislature, competitive grants, revolving
line 10 loans, loan guarantees, loans, or other appropriate funding measures
line 11 to public agencies, vehicle and technology entities, businesses and
line 12 projects, public-private partnerships, workforce training
line 13 partnerships and collaboratives, fleet owners, consumers,
line 14 recreational boaters, and academic institutions to develop and
line 15 deploy innovative technologies that transform California’s fuel
line 16 and vehicle types to help attain the state’s climate change policies.
line 17 The emphasis of this program shall be to develop and deploy
line 18 technology and alternative and renewable fuels in the marketplace,
line 19 without adopting any one preferred fuel or technology.
line 20 (b) A project that receives more than seventy-five thousand
line 21 dollars ($75,000) in funds from the commission shall be approved
line 22 at a noticed public meeting of the commission and shall be
line 23 consistent with the priorities established by the investment plan
line 24 adopted pursuant to Section 44272.5. Under this article, the
line 25 commission may delegate to the commission’s executive director,
line 26 or his or her designee, the authority to approve either of the
line 27 following:
line 28 (1) A contract, grant, loan, or other agreement or award that
line 29 receives seventy-five thousand dollars ($75,000) or less in funds
line 30 from the commission.
line 31 (2) Amendments to a contract, grant, loan, or other agreement
line 32 or award as long as the amendments do not increase the amount
line 33 of the award, change the scope of the project, or modify the purpose
line 34 of the agreement.
line 35 (c) The commission shall provide preferences to those projects
line 36 that maximize the goals of the Alternative and Renewable Fuel
line 37 and Vehicle Technology Program, based on the following criteria,
line 38 as applicable:
line 39 (1) The project’s ability to provide a measurable transition from
line 40 the nearly exclusive use of petroleum fuels to a diverse portfolio
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06-09-16 TWIC Packet Page 12 of 64
line 1 of viable alternative fuels that meet petroleum reduction and
line 2 alternative fuel use goals.
line 3 (2) The project’s consistency with existing and future state
line 4 climate change policy and low-carbon fuel standards.
line 5 (3) The project’s ability to reduce criteria air pollutants and air
line 6 toxics and reduce or avoid multimedia environmental impacts.
line 7 (4) The project’s ability to decrease, on a life-cycle basis, the
line 8 discharge of water pollutants or any other substances known to
line 9 damage human health or the environment, in comparison to the
line 10 production and use of California Phase 2 Reformulated Gasoline
line 11 or diesel fuel produced and sold pursuant to California diesel fuel
line 12 regulations set forth in Article 2 (commencing with Section 2280)
line 13 of Chapter 5 of Division 3 of Title 13 of the California Code of
line 14 Regulations.
line 15 (5) The project does not adversely impact the sustainability of
line 16 the state’s natural resources, especially state and federal lands.
line 17 (6) The project provides nonstate matching funds. Costs incurred
line 18 from the date a proposed award is noticed may be counted as
line 19 nonstate matching funds. The commission may adopt further
line 20 requirements for the purposes of this paragraph. The commission
line 21 is not liable for costs incurred pursuant to this paragraph if the
line 22 commission does not give final approval for the project or the
line 23 proposed recipient does not meet requirements adopted by the
line 24 commission pursuant to this paragraph.
line 25 (7) The project provides economic benefits for California by
line 26 promoting California-based technology firms, jobs, and businesses.
line 27 (8) The project uses existing or proposed fueling infrastructure
line 28 to maximize the outcome of the project.
line 29 (9) The project’s ability to reduce on a life-cycle assessment
line 30 greenhouse gas emissions by at least 10 percent, and higher
line 31 percentages in the future, from current reformulated gasoline and
line 32 diesel fuel standards established by the state board.
line 33 (10) The project’s use of alternative fuel blends of at least 20
line 34 percent, and higher blend ratios in the future, with a preference
line 35 for projects with higher blends.
line 36 (11) The project drives new technology advancement for
line 37 vehicles, vessels, engines, and other equipment, and promotes the
line 38 deployment of that technology in the marketplace.
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06-09-16 TWIC Packet Page 13 of 64
line 1 (12) The project’s ability to provide a path for trained workers
line 2 to transition to jobs in the clean technology and renewable fuels
line 3 sectors.
line 4 (13) The project’s ability to promote employment of trained
line 5 workers in the clean technology and renewable fuels sectors.
line 6 (d) The commission shall rank applications for projects proposed
line 7 for funding awards based on solicitation criteria developed in
line 8 accordance with subdivision (c), and shall give additional
line 9 preference to funding those projects with higher benefit-cost scores.
line 10 (e) Only the following shall be eligible for funding:
line 11 (1) Alternative and renewable fuel projects to develop and
line 12 improve alternative and renewable low-carbon fuels, including
line 13 electricity, ethanol, dimethyl ether, renewable diesel, natural gas,
line 14 hydrogen, and biomethane, among others, and their feedstocks
line 15 that have high potential for long-term or short-term
line 16 commercialization, including projects that lead to sustainable
line 17 feedstocks.
line 18 (2) Demonstration and deployment projects that optimize
line 19 alternative and renewable fuels for existing and developing engine
line 20 technologies.
line 21 (3) Projects to produce alternative and renewable low-carbon
line 22 fuels in California.
line 23 (4) Projects to decrease the overall impact of an alternative and
line 24 renewable fuel’s life-cycle carbon footprint and increase
line 25 sustainability.
line 26 (5) Alternative and renewable fuel infrastructure, fueling
line 27 stations, and equipment. The preference in paragraph (10) of
line 28 subdivision (c) shall not apply to renewable diesel or biodiesel
line 29 infrastructure, fueling stations, and equipment used solely for
line 30 renewable diesel or biodiesel fuel.
line 31 (6) Projects to develop and improve light-, medium-, and
line 32 heavy-duty vehicle technologies that provide for better fuel
line 33 efficiency and lower greenhouse gas emissions, alternative fuel
line 34 usage and storage, or emission reductions, including propulsion
line 35 systems, advanced internal combustion engines with a 40 percent
line 36 or better efficiency level over the current market standard,
line 37 lightweight materials, intelligent transportation systems, energy
line 38 storage, control systems and system integration, physical
line 39 measurement and metering systems and software, development of
line 40 design standards and testing and certification protocols, battery
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06-09-16 TWIC Packet Page 14 of 64
line 1 recycling and reuse, engine and fuel optimization electronic and
line 2 electrified components, hybrid technology, plug-in hybrid
line 3 technology, battery electric vehicle technology, fuel cell
line 4 technology, and conversions of hybrid technology to plug-in
line 5 technology through the installation of safety certified supplemental
line 6 battery modules.
line 7 (7) Programs and projects that accelerate the commercialization
line 8 of vehicles and alternative and renewable fuels including buy-down
line 9 programs through near-market and market-path deployments,
line 10 advanced technology warranty or replacement insurance,
line 11 development of market niches, supply-chain development, and
line 12 research related to the pedestrian safety impacts of vehicle
line 13 technologies and alternative and renewable fuels.
line 14 (8) Programs and projects to retrofit medium- and heavy-duty
line 15 onroad and nonroad vehicle fleets with technologies that create
line 16 higher fuel efficiencies, including alternative and renewable fuel
line 17 vehicles and technologies, idle management technology, and
line 18 aerodynamic retrofits that decrease fuel consumption.
line 19 (9) Infrastructure projects that promote alternative and renewable
line 20 fuel infrastructure development connected with existing fleets,
line 21 public transit, and existing transportation corridors, including
line 22 physical measurement or metering equipment and truck stop
line 23 electrification.
line 24 (10) Workforce training programs related to alternative and
line 25 renewable fuel feedstock production and extraction, renewable
line 26 fuel production, distribution, transport, and storage,
line 27 high-performance and low-emission vehicle technology and high
line 28 tower electronics, automotive computer systems, mass transit fleet
line 29 conversion, servicing, and maintenance, and other sectors or
line 30 occupations related to the purposes of this chapter. the development
line 31 and deployment of innovative technologies that transform
line 32 California’s fuel and vehicle types and assist the state in
line 33 implementing its climate change policies, including training
line 34 programs that are linked to career pathways for experienced
line 35 workers in jobs that will be phased out as the state transitions to
line 36 a low-carbon economy and for low-skilled workers to enter or
line 37 continue in a career pathway that leads to middle skill,
line 38 industry-recognized certifications or apprenticeship opportunities.
line 39 (11) Block grants or incentive programs administered by public
line 40 entities or not-for-profit technology entities for multiple projects,
96
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06-09-16 TWIC Packet Page 15 of 64
line 1 education and program promotion within California, and
line 2 development of alternative and renewable fuel and vehicle
line 3 technology centers. The commission may adopt guidelines for
line 4 implementing the block grant or incentive program, which shall
line 5 be approved at a noticed public meeting of the commission.
line 6 (12) Life-cycle and multimedia analyses, sustainability and
line 7 environmental impact evaluations, and market, financial, and
line 8 technology assessments performed by a state agency to determine
line 9 the impacts of increasing the use of low-carbon transportation fuels
line 10 and technologies, and to assist in the preparation of the investment
line 11 plan and program implementation.
line 12 (13) A program to provide funding for homeowners who
line 13 purchase a plug-in electric vehicle to offset costs associated with
line 14 modifying electrical sources to include a residential plug-in electric
line 15 vehicle charging station. In establishing this program, the
line 16 commission shall consider funding criteria to maximize the public
line 17 benefit of the program.
line 18 (f) The commission may make a single source or sole source
line 19 award pursuant to this section for applied research. The same
line 20 requirements set forth in Section 25620.5 of the Public Resources
line 21 Code shall apply to awards made on a single source basis or a sole
line 22 source basis. This subdivision does not authorize the commission
line 23 to make a single source or sole source award for a project or
line 24 activity other than for applied research.
line 25 (g) The commission may do all of the following:
line 26 (1) Contract with the Treasurer to expend funds through
line 27 programs implemented by the Treasurer, if the expenditure is
line 28 consistent with all of the requirements of this article and Article
line 29 1 (commencing with Section 44270).
line 30 (2) Contract with small business financial development
line 31 corporations established by the Governor’s Office of Business and
line 32 Economic Development to expend funds through the Small
line 33 Business Loan Guarantee Program if the expenditure is consistent
line 34 with all of the requirements of this article and Article 1
line 35 (commencing with Section 44270).
line 36 (3) Advance funds, pursuant to an agreement with the
line 37 commission, to any of the following:
line 38 (A) A public entity.
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06-09-16 TWIC Packet Page 16 of 64
line 1 (B) A recipient to enable it to make advance payments to a
line 2 public entity that is a subrecipient of the funds and under a binding
line 3 and enforceable subagreement with the recipient.
line 4 (C) An administrator of a block grant program.
O
96
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TRANSPORTATION, WATER & INFRASTRUCTURE
COMMITTEE 5.
Meeting Date:06/09/2016
Subject:REPORT on Stormwater Funding.
Submitted For: TRANSPORTATION, WATER & INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE,
Department:Conservation & Development
Referral No.: 5
Referral Name: Review issues associated with the health of the San Francisco Bay and Delta,
including water quality.
Presenter: Steve Kowalewski, Deputy Director
Department of Public Works
Contact: Mike Carlson
(925)313-2321
Referral History:
The Regional Water Quality Control Boards issue the County a stormwater permit on a five-year
recurring cycle. The first permit was issued in 1993 and the current permit was issued last
November. The objective of the permit is to reduce pollutants in stormwater to improve
stormwater quality, and increase stormwater infiltration into soils to improve watershed health.
Just before the first permit was issued, the County modified the Flood Control District Act to
allow the District to collect an annual assessment on parcels throughout the County, for the cities
and the County to fund permit compliance costs. The permit compliance costs for each subsequent
permit has increased dramatically over the prior permit. The Transportation, Water, and
Infrastructure Committee and the full Board have been following the policy and financial issues
associated with implementing these stormwater permits for many years.
Board members have testified before the Regional Water Board several times describing the
impacts their stormwater permit have on the County budget.
Referral Update:
The new stormwater permit, referred to as the Municipal Regional Permit 2.0, follows the prior
Municipal Regional Permit 1.0 issued at the end of 2009.
In 2010, the beginning of the MRP 1.0 five year permit, there was a surplus of funds in the
County’s Stormwater Program. In 2015, the last year of the MRP 1.0 permit, compliance costs
exceeded the annual revenue of assessment funds and the surplus was gone.
Staff is preparing a report on the estimated costs of MRP 2.0, however, the obvious indication is
06-09-16 TWIC Packet Page 18 of 64
Staff is preparing a report on the estimated costs of MRP 2.0, however, the obvious indication is
there will not be enough assessment funds to meet future permit compliance costs. Attached is a
report that outlines the policy and financial implications of implementing the new Municipal
Regional Permit 2.0.
Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):
ACCEPT report on the policy and financial implications of implementing the new Municipal
Regional Permit 2.0, CONSIDER staff’s recommendation to prepare a Financial Report for a
future Committee meeting outlining the financial issues in more detail, and PROVIDE direction
and feedback to staff.
Fiscal Impact (if any):
There is no fiscal impact to accepting this report, however, there are fiscal implications to meeting
the requirements of the Municipal Regional Permit 2.0 and the fiscal impact of those implications
will be presented at a future Committee meeting.
Attachments
Attachment - 2015 Municipal Regional Permit Report
06-09-16 TWIC Packet Page 19 of 64
2015 Municipal Regional Permit
Report to the Transportation, Water, and Infrastructure Committee
June 9, 2016
Page 1 of 6
Introduction
This report to the Transportation Water and Infrastructure Committee explores the
policy and financial implications of implementing the recently adopted Municipal
Regional Permit (MRP).
Background. The San Francisco Bay and Central Valley Regional Water Quality
Control Boards issue the County a stormwater permit on a five-year permit cycle to
improve water quality. The permit applies jointly to the County, all 19 cities, and the
Flood Control and Water Conservation District, and is administered overall by the Contra
Costa Clean Water Program. In addition to the countywide responsibilities of the Clean
Water Program, each city has a local program that is responsible for meeting permit
compliance within their city. Similarly, the County is responsible for permit compliance
in the 17 unincorporated communities spread throughout the County, making the
County's implementation much more complicated. The first stormwater permit was
issued in 1993 and required the County to prepare its own Stormwater Management
Plan, allowing the County to establish its own annual goals and activities, within a
specified framework, to meet water quality objectives. In 2003 the permit was
amended to include stormwater treatment requirements for new development. These
development requirements came to be known as Low Impact Development (LID) and
were primarily landscaped-based design elements such as grassy swales and infiltration
planter boxes. At about this same time the Regional Board changed their permit
requirements from a permissive approach, where the County was allowed to write its
own Stormwater Management Plan, to a more prescriptive approach, where specific
activities with measurable results were required.
Anticipating the need to fund requirements of a new stormwater permit, the County
legislatively modified its Flood Control District Act in 1993 to allow the Flood Control
District to assess a Stormwater Utility Assessment on each parcel in the County. The
assessments were originally established as a range that was estimated for each city and
the County. The County’s assessment ranged from $16-$30 per parcel per year in
unincorporated areas. When it was first implemented in 1993 each city and county
assessment started at the lowest assessment in their assessment range. Each spring
the cities and County send a resolution to the Flood Control District indicating their
assessment for the next fiscal year. As each subsequent stormwater permit was issued
and costs escalated, the assessments started increasing. About 10 years ago all city
and County assessments had reached the top of their range. The Flood Control District
collects all of the stormwater utility assessments and distributes the revenue to each of
the cities and the County, based on the parcels assessed in each jurisdiction.
06-09-16 TWIC Packet Page 20 of 64
Page 2 of 6
First Municipal Regional Permit. In 2009 the Regional Board issued the first
regionally uniform stormwater permit to all urbanized (Phase 1) counties in the Bay
Area, calling it the Municipal Regional Permit. This permit was more ambitious than
prior stormwater permits, as it was fully prescriptive, included pollutant load reduction
plans (TMDLs) for Mercury and PCBs, and tested the feasibility of treating stormwater
at sewer treatment plants prior to discharge into the Bay. In addition, the permit
defined trash as a pollutant and included a provision to totally remove trash from the
County's waterways within 10 years. The specified targets were 40% trash removal by
2014, 70% removal by 2017, and 100% by 2022. Naturally, the cost of compliance for
this permit was much higher than the previous permits.
New Municipal Regional Permit. In November, 2015, the Regional Board adopted a
new Municipal Regional Permit, referred to as MRP 2.0, that built upon the
requirements of the first Municipal Regional Permit (MRP 1.0). The trash removal
requirements were modified and strengthened to reflect application issues identified
while implementing MRP 1.0. For example, more intermediate target requirements
were added (60% and 80% removal targets) to facilitate implementation
monitoring. The trash permit provision has become the single most expensive
requirement to comply with, as the costs increase radically with each target. At this
point, nobody really knows what type of infrastructure, outreach programs, land-use
requirements, and perhaps other strategies, will be needed to meet 100% trash
removal. PCB and Mercury removal requirements have been ratcheted up also,
requiring a specific amount removed from watersheds each year to meet the goal of
90% removal in 20 years for PCBs and 50% removal in 20 years for Mercury.
Lastly, there is a requirement to implement Green Infrastructure, initially in public
spaces, to treat stormwater and allow it to infiltrate into the ground. In concept, the
objective of Green Infrastructure is to reconstruct the built environment, or engineer
new construction, so that every drop of stormwater that traverses a paved or
impervious surface is intercepted and treated before discharging into a waterway. MRP
2.0 requires the County to develop a Green Infrastructure Plan, essentially a high level
planning document that inventories opportunity areas on public property, such as
parking lots and road rights-of-way, establishes criteria and a methodology for
prioritizing the opportunity areas, and produces a prioritized list of Green Infrastructure
projects. The County is also required to implement several Green Infrastructure
projects during the permit term. Since MRP 2.0 builds upon the requirements of MRP
1.0, the compliance costs are the same as MRP 1.0, plus all the added "enhancements"
noted above.
Policy Implications
The following are some of the policy implications with implementing the new MRP 2.0
stormwater permit:
06-09-16 TWIC Packet Page 21 of 64
Page 3 of 6
- Building Stormwater Infrastructure Systems. The first stormwater
permits relied heavily on public education to effectuate behavior change and
reduce pollution. There were also many required studies to gather data that
would inform later decisions on the best way to improve water quality. These
and similar requirements were indicative of a nascent program. However, the
program has since matured and the Regional Board believes the only way to
remove pollutants from stormwater is through physical treatment, which
requires investment in treatment infrastructure. With this permit the County
will embark upon the construction of a stormwater treatment system that will
ultimately be comparable to, though operationally different from, the water
and sewer systems that currently serve our County.
- Increased Maintenance. Commensurate with the construction of new
stormwater infrastructure is the responsibility to operate and maintain that
infrastructure. The costs for operating and maintaining this new
infrastructure will be above and beyond the current budget for maintaining
our public works infrastructure. These infrastructure programs include roads,
drainage, buildings, flood control, parks, and airports. The budget for each of
these infrastructure programs is currently constrained and any reduction to
accommodate maintenance of stormwater facilities will negatively impact
service levels.
- Integration of Green Infrastructure. To achieve the requirements of
MRP 2.0, the County will need to fully integrate the concept of Green
Infrastructure in to all of its capital programs, such as buildings, parking lots,
roads, parks, flood control, and airports.
- Involvement of Multiple County Departments. Traditionally, County
departments have viewed the stormwater permit as primarily a Public Works
Department program, although some other departments have been involved,
particularly Health Services and the Department of Conservation and
Development. Even so, these other departments viewed Public Works as the
responsible agency. In fact the permit is a County permit, not a Public Works
permit, and the responsibility of all applicable departments to
implement. The reality of this is more obvious with MRP 2.0.
- Rebuilding of the Built Environment. The Green Infrastructure
requirements of MRP 2.0 and future permits will likely exceed the capacity of
our capital improvement programs to comply. As a result, the County will
need to reconstruct existing impervious surfaces to accommodate stormwater
treatment, or construct stormwater treatment facilities in underutilized public
spaces. For example, County parking lots could be reconfigured and
reconstructed to include Green Infrastructure.
06-09-16 TWIC Packet Page 22 of 64
Page 4 of 6
Financial Implications
The following are some of the financial implications of implementing the new MRP 2.0
stormwater permit, based on the way programs are currently funded:
- Reduced Road Funding. With the requirement to integrate Green
Infrastructure into our capital project programs, the County’s road rights -of-
way will become priority areas. One reason for including Green Infrastructure
into road projects and reconstructing roads to include stormwater treatment
is that roads produce some of the most polluted runoff. The County’s Road
Funds are used to pay for road and transportation improvements and
maintenance. The new MRP 2.0 requirements will divert Road Funds from
current programs to build and maintain Green Infrastructure facilities,
reducing investment in our current transportation infrastructure.
- Reduced Community Drainage Funding. Community Drainage systems
are the pipes and ditches in the County’s 17 unincorporated communities that
protect property from flooding. For many years now, since the Board
transferred maintenance responsibility from the General Fund to the newly
created Stormwater Utility Assessment (SUA) in 1993, the Community
Drainage program has been funded with SUA funds. Compliance costs are
going up and it is likely funding for this program will have to be
reduced. This is a serious issue as community drainage infrastructure is
getting old and facilities are beginning to fail, such as the sinkhole created by
a pipe failure on Hazel Avenue in Kensington, which suggests an increase in
funding is needed rather than a decrease.
- Reduced Flood Protection Services. The Flood Control District provides
flood protection services to many cities and communities in the
County. Some of the watersheds have inadequate funding due to low tax
rates that were locked in when Proposition 13 was passed in 1978. In these
cases the Flood Control District looks to the city being served to help fund
flood protection services. For unincorporated communities the Flood Control
District turns to the County. Since 1993, the County has been using SUA
funds to help pay for flood protection services in the Wildcat, San Pablo,
Rheem, Rodeo, and Kellogg Creek watersheds. With compliance costs going
up it's likely there will be a reduction in funding for these services. Similar to
community drainage, Flood Control District facilities are reaching the end of
their service life and a dramatic increase in investment will be required when
they begin to fail.
- Increased County Costs. MRP 1.0 required activities by other County
Departments, such as restaurant inspections performed by Health Services,
that were often paid for by Public Works with SUA funds. Right or wrong,
06-09-16 TWIC Packet Page 23 of 64
Page 5 of 6
this has fostered the perception by other departments that this is a Public
Works permit, not a County permit. MRP 2.0 expands these requirements
and some have a more direct impact on other County departments, such as
the incorporation of Green Infrastructure into the design of new County
facilities.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
The Regional Board must issue the County a stormwater permit as required by and with
authority from the Environmental Protection Agency and the federal Clean Water
Act. The Regional Board also has authority through State statute that is, in many
cases, more stringent than the Clean Water Act. When a permittee is in non-
compliance, the Regional Board can issue a Notice of Violation and levy fines of $37,500
per violation per day through federal authority, and $10,000 per violation per day
through State authority. The largest exposure from non-compliance, however, is from
third party lawsuits. If the Regional Board finds the County in non-compliance it is
highly likely the County would lose any lawsuit and face a very expensive settlement
agreement or court decision.
Next Steps
The following are suggested next steps recommended by staff to fully understand the
implications of MRP 2.0 and develop a plan to finance implementation costs:
- Future Reports. This report focuses on the policy and financial implications
of the recently adopted MRP 2.0 stormwater permit. Staff intends to come
back to the Transportation, Water, and Infrastructure Committee with two
additional reports; the next report will review the financial issues in more
detail and the last report will explore potential options to address the
challenges of implementing MRP 2.0.
- Strategic Plan. Staff has been working for two months now on developing
a Strategic Plan to implement MRP 2.0 in the most cost-effective manner that
achieves the overall objective of improving stormwater quality. Elements of
the Strategic Plan will manifest itself in the upcoming Financial Report and
subsequent Options Report. As we work our way through the implementation
issues, with direction from the Committee and the Board, staff will be able to
complete the Strategic Plan.
- Financial Report. Staff has assembled financial data on activities required
by MRP 1.0 and is estimating the costs to implement MRP 2.0. This has been
facilitated by a robust work order and program accounting system. When
this effort has been completed, staff will be able to bring the Financial Report
to the Committee and outline the full fiscal ramifications of implementing MRP
06-09-16 TWIC Packet Page 24 of 64
Page 6 of 6
2.0. In 2009, at the beginning of the MRP 1.0 five year permit, there was a
surplus of funds in the County’s Stormwater Program. In 2015, for the last
year of the MRP 1.0 permit, compliance costs exceeded the annual revenue
of SUA funds and the surplus was gone. Even without knowing the estimated
costs of MRP 2.0, the obvious indication is that there will not be enough SUA
funds to meet future permit compliance costs.
- Options Report. Once all the financial analysis is done, staff can start
putting together options for the Committee and the Board to consider in
order to meet MRP 2.0 permit compliance.
- Feedback. Staff would appreciate any feedback, thoughts, and comments
the Committee can offer on this approach to developing an implementation
plan for MRP 2.0, and when to bring this to the full Board.
RMA:lz
G:\fldctl\Mitch\MRP\Report to TWIC.docx
06-09-16 TWIC Packet Page 25 of 64
TRANSPORTATION, WATER &
INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE 6.
Meeting Date:06/09/2016
Subject:AUTHORIZE staff to submit grant applications to the State and Metropolitan
Transportation Commission (MTC) for the Active Transportation Program.
Submitted For: Julia R. Bueren, Public Works Director/Chief Engineer
Department:Public Works
Referral No.: 2
Referral Name: Review applications for transportation, water and infrastructure grants to be
prepared by the Public Works
Presenter: Mary Halle, Department of Public
Works
Contact: Mary Halle
(925)313-2327
Referral History:
In 2014 and 2015, the committee authorized submittal of applications to Caltrans and MTC for
Cycle 1 and 2, respectively, of the Active Transportation Program (ATP). Similar to past years,
the Public Work Department provides the following staff report with recommendations for
candidate projects and requests authorization to submit these applications to compete for both
Statewide and Regional funding awards.
Referral Update:
The call for projects for ATP was released on April 15, 2016 for Cycle 3 funding. The ATP
program consists of State and Federal funds that represent a consolidation of programs including
Safe Route 2 School, Bicycle Transportation Account, Transportation Alternatives Program, and
several other programs packaged into one call for projects. Cycle 1 of this program was highly
competitive with 771 applications submitted statewide and less than 20% awarded funding.
The County was awarded $800,000 in Cycle 1 funds for the Port Chicago Highway/Willow Pass
Road Bike and Pedestrian Improvement Project. Cycle 2 was equally competitive with over 600
applications and approximately 20% awarded funding with the County receiving $4,700,000 in
Cycle 2 funds for the Rio Vista Elementary Pedestrian Connection Project and the Bailey
Road/State Route 4 Interchange Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvement Project.
The competitive rating criterion for the ATP program emphasizes the following goals:
• Increased proportion of trips accomplished through walking and biking,
• Increased safety and mobility for non-motorized users,
• Advance active transportation efforts to achieve green-house gas reduction goals,
• Enhance public health,
06-09-16 TWIC Packet Page 26 of 64
• Ensure that disadvantage communities fully share in the benefits of the program, and
• Provide a broad spectrum of benefits to many types of users.
Competitive projects must also demonstrate the ability to deliver the project within the required
time constraints and must provide the California Conservation Corps with an opportunity to
partner on the project during the construction phase. Grant applications are due to the State and
MTC on June 15, 2016 and, if awarded, funds will be available July 1, 2019.
RECOMMENDED CANDIDATE PROJECTS:
The following candidate projects were evaluated for competitiveness, project readiness, and
available matching funds.
The scoring rubric established by the CTC is listed below:
• Demonstrate the project will successfully shift mode choice, 35 points
• Reduce rate of injury, 25 points
• Project developed through a community based process, 10 points
• Ability to improve public health for targeted users, 10 points
• Benefits a disadvantaged community, 10 points
• The project is cost effective, 5 points
• Local funds are leveraged, 5 points
Fred Jackson First Mile/Last Mile Connection Project
Fred Jackson Way First Mile/Last Mile Pedestrian Connection Project will remove barriers to
pedestrians and provide access to affordable housing, transit, schools, employment, shopping,
regional trails, senior center, and community facilities. The existing sidewalks in this area of
North Richmond represent barriers to mobility impaired users as the sidewalk width is only three
feet with poles located in the middle of the sidewalk.
The proposed First Mile/Last Mile Pedestrian Connection Project will eliminate this barrier and
utilize excess vehicle lane width and parking width to narrow the road and expand the sidewalks
to eight feet wide. The widening of sidewalks on Fred Jackson Way will extend approximately
1,400 feet from Grove Street to the Wildcat Creek Trail. The project will also include
construction of a new pedestrian path an additional 1,400 feet north of Wildcat Creek to connect
to the proposed Urban Tilth Farm which is scheduled to begin construction in 2017.
Urban Tilth is an Organic Farm to Table non-profit organization which trains and employs local
youth in organic farming techniques. Extension of the bicycle and pedestrian Improvements to
Brookside Drive will help residents commute to work at the farm or travel a short distance to
purchase fresh produce.
North Richmond is identified as a Disadvantaged Community and a Priority Development Area.
The proposed project will provide residents with improved access to safely walk their first mile
and last mile of their commute. Active mode choices will reduce impacts to the environment such
as reduced green-house gas emissions and at the same time improve public health by fighting
obesity with an active lifestyle.
06-09-16 TWIC Packet Page 27 of 64
Appian Way Complete Streets Project
Staff has worked with the El Sobrante community and City of Pinole staff on planning studies for
Appian Way. Staff is currently developing the complete streets concept for Appian Way that was
first identified in a study conducted by the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) in
collaboration with the County and the City of Pinole. This study was approved by the Board in
December of 2013 which included adoption of the Complete Streets Alternative as the preferred
alternative.
This planning study was an initial step towards implementation of the El Sobrante General Plan
Amendment. Preliminary layouts have been prepared to identify the scope and location of
proposed bicycle and pedestrian improvements on Appian Way. The plans were presented at two
public workshops and to the El Sobrante Municipal Advisory Council. During the most recent
workshop, community members identified a priority for improvements at the intersection of
Appian Way at Valley View Road as well as the segment of Appian Way from Valley View
Road to San Pablo Dam Road.
The planning efforts have included the full extent of Appian Way from San Pablo Dam Road to
the City of Pinole; however, this grant application is focused on improvements on Appian Way,
from San Pablo Dam Road to Valley View Road. This proposed project would formalize
pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure which includes closing the many gaps in sidewalk along this
stretch of Appian Way and also proposes countermeasures for past pedestrian collisions. The
project includes installation of bulb outs at major crossing locations to minimize the crossing
distance for pedestrians which will also calm traffic.
The project will include installation of a roundabout at the intersection of Appian Way and Valley
View Road. Consistent with complete streets policies, this project would assure that the
transportation corridor is accessible for all modes and all users with an emphasis on a pedestrian
friendly environment and ADA access. This project is located within a Priority Development
Area. Staff will continue to work with the El Sobrante Municipal Advisory Council in moving
these planning efforts forward.
Pacheco Boulevard Pedestrian Bridge/culvert extension east of Las Juntas Elementary
This segment of Pacheco Boulevard is the last remaining gap in pedestrian facilities along the
unincorporated portion of Pacheco Boulevard, west of Arthur Road. School administrators and
the parent community at Las Juntas Elementary School requested this improvement because the
secondary access through the adjacent residential neighborhood has been closed.
Currently, the sidewalk and road shoulder on Pacheco Boulevard terminates on each side of Vine
Hill Creek, leaving a sidewalk gap of approximately 60 feet. Students must walk on the narrow
road shoulder adjacent to high volume vehicle and truck traffic. The project will require several
permits from various state and federal regulatory agencies in order to allow work in the streambed
to extend the culvert. This area qualifies as a Disadvantaged Community which will result in a
more competitive application.
San Miguel Drive Complete Streets Project
Over the past several years, County staff has been working with residents in the South Walnut
Creek area in response to their request for a safe place to walk.
The San Miguel Drive Complete Streets Project is a partner application with the City of Walnut
06-09-16 TWIC Packet Page 28 of 64
Creek to construct pedestrian and bicycle improvements on San Miguel Drive to connect
residents in the unincorporated area to Walnut Creek’s Broadway Plaza, Las Lomas High School,
transit stops, Iron Horse Trail, and healthcare offices.
This project is not located in a Disadvantaged Community but scores well in all other respects
related to the potential mode shift from vehicles to active modes. The project also is competitive
with respect to a high level of community participation. The City of Walnut Creek presented the
project to their Transportation Commission on May 19, 2016 and received authorization to move
forward with the joint grant application.
The project limits extend on San Miguel Drive from Andrea Court, within the City of Walnut
Creek, to Adeline Drive which is within the unincorporated area. Approximately 850 feet of the
project is within the City of Walnut Creek and 1150 feet of the project is within unincorporated
Contra Costa County. Local match funds for the unincorporated portion of the project will be
provided through the Central County Area of Benefit Fund.
PROJECTS CONSIDERED:
In March of this year, Public Works Staff reached out to the Chief of Staff for each of the five
supervisorial districts, requesting project ideas for the ATP grant program. All of the resulting
suggestions were evaluated against the scoring criteria for competitiveness. The recommended
candidate projects listed above were determined to be the most competitive as well as able to
meet the project delivery schedule and ability to provide the local match funds.
The following projects will be further developed and considered for future cycles of ATP and are
intended to be submitted for OBAG (One Bay Area Grant), TLC (Transportation for Livable
Communities) or PBTF (Pedestrian Bicycle and Trail Facilities) funds which will be solicited
through CCTA in the next three months.
Iron Horse Trail Express Bike Route Planning Study
A planning study is proposed to outline opportunities and constraints related to adding an express
bikeway within the Iron Horse Corridor but separate from the pedestrians and recreational
bicyclists. This concept has the potential to make commuting via bicycle much more attractive.
The first step is to study the feasibility of this infrastructure element and also assess alternatives
and costs.
This planning project was considered as an ATP candidate for this current cycle until a recent
ATP workshop provided staff with the feedback that planning studies are not eligible for ATP
funding unless the project area is within a disadvantaged community. Staff will consider this
planning study for future grant opportunities through TLC or PBTF.
Olympic Boulevard Corridor Connection between IHT and Lafayette-Moraga Trail
The County has been working with the cities of Walnut Creek and Lafayette over the last two
years to develop a trail connection concept plan to join two regional trails: Iron Horse Trail and
the Lafayette/Moraga Trail. With the assistance of a consultant, several workshops have been
conducted and a formal review process completed.
This project could be considered for future ATP or upcoming TLC or PBTF funding programs;
however, it would require consensus amongst the partner agencies on which segment of the
project is the highest priority.
06-09-16 TWIC Packet Page 29 of 64
Pedestrian Improvements at I-680/Treat Overcrossing
County staff and CCTA have been working together over the past two years to conduct
community workshops and identify potential infrastructure improvements to serve bicyclists and
pedestrians using the Treat Boulevard/I-680 corridor between the Iron Horse Trail, through the
Interstate-680 (I-680) over-crossing ("over-crossing") near the Contra Costa Centre/Pleasant Hill
BART station area, and extending west to Geary Road/North Main Street in the City of Walnut
Creek. The I-680/Treat Boulevard over-crossing is one of the main arteries into the Contra Costa
Centre/Pleasant Hill BART station area from areas of Walnut Creek west of the freeway.
Although the improvements identified through this planning process would be ideal for shifting
travel modes to bicycle and pedestrian, it was determined that the project status is not ready for
the timeline required for an ATP award as Staff will continue working with the community to
refine the project scope.
Marsh Creek Road Bicycle Trail Project, Planning Study
The proposed project includes a planning study to determine alignment options, cost estimates
and overall project feasibility to provide a bicycle alternative parallel to Marsh Creek Road
between the cities of Brentwood and Clayton. This planning project was considered as an ATP
candidate for this current cycle until a recent ATP workshop provided staff with the feedback that
planning studies are not eligible for ATP funding unless the project area is within a disadvantaged
community. Staff will consider this planning study for future grant opportunities through TLC or
PBTF.
NEXT STEPS:
If authorized to proceed, staff will submit the recommended projects to the State and MTC for
potential funding.
Staff will continue to develop the remaining projects with the intent of becoming more
competitive in future cycles.
Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):
ACCEPT staff report and AUTHORIZE the Public Works Director, on behalf of the County, to
submit to Caltrans and MTC grant applications for the Active Transportation Program (ATP),
Cycle 3.
Fiscal Impact (if any):
The ATP program no longer requires a local match for funding; however, one of the scoring
categories is based upon leverage of local funds. In order to be competitive, the County should
pledge local funds in the range of 10-15%, using Area of Benefit Funds when applicable. During
preparation of the grant application, staff will determine the appropriate local match that can be
financially supported by the road fund account to create a competitive application package.
Attachments
No file(s) attached.
06-09-16 TWIC Packet Page 30 of 64
TRANSPORTATION, WATER & INFRASTRUCTURE
COMMITTEE 7.
Meeting Date:06/09/2016
Subject:CONSIDER Department responses to the Pipeline Safety Report and DIRECT
staff on next steps.
Submitted For: TRANSPORTATION, WATER & INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE,
Department:Conservation & Development
Referral No.: 15
Referral Name: Monitor the Iron Horse Corridor Program
Presenter: Carrie Ricci, Department of Public Works, and
John Cunningham, Department of Conservation
and Development
Contact: Carrie Ricci
(925)313-2235
Referral History:
At the April meeting of the Transportation, Water and Infrastructure Committee (TWIC), Michael
Kent, Executive Assistant to the Hazardous Materials Commission presented the Pipeline Safety
Report that was developed by the Pipeline Safety Trust.
The Hazardous Materials Commission supported seven of the nine recommendations moving
forward. TWIC directed staff from the Departments of Conservation and Development and Public
Works to review the recommendations and report on how they could be implemented within the
County.
Referral Update:
On May 23, 2016 staff from the Departments of Conservation and Development and Public
Works met with staff from the Office of Emergency Services, Health Services, Contra Costa
County Fire Protection District and San Ramon Valley Fire District to discuss the following
recommendations, what is currently being performed and any additional steps that can be taken to
improve in these areas.
Recommendation: Review all development applications for opportunities to improve existing
ingress/egress where currently limited, and where possible, include conditions on approvals to
improve connectivity and avoid exacerbation of access problems.
Response: The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District and San Ramon Valley Fire District
review development applications to determine based on the size of the development whether a
second access is required. Access requirements are determined by the Contra Costa County Fire
Code.
06-09-16 TWIC Packet Page 31 of 64
Recommendation: Plan emergency evacuation ingress/egress for areas in Alamo west of Danville
Boulevard and the Iron Horse Corridor where a single pipeline crossing road is the only access for
numerous homes and facilities with the goal of creating public accessibility across these
“dead-end” neighborhoods that necessitate crossing the pipeline to access any services.
Response: The San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District is in the preliminary phase of
developing evacuation maps for neighborhoods on the west side of the trail in the Danville area.
They have requested feedback from the Danville Police Department and will look at the Alamo
area next. The information will be incorporated into a mailer and is anticipated to be sent to
residents in fiscal year 2016-17. In some emergency situations, Shelter in Place may be the most
appropriate option.
Recommendation: Ensure the County has complete and accurate records of corridor and right of
way locations. Continue to coordinate with Kinder Morgan and other utilities on resolution of
encroachments into pipeline rights of way.
Response: The County has current maps that show property lines and utility easements. Staff
continues to work with the utilities and property owners to address encroachments.
Recommendation: Ensure the single staff point-of-contact for citizens with concerns about
multiple utility issues and right of way questions has technical training on safety concerns,
adequate resources to conduct regular and broad community outreach (especially along the Iron
Horse Trail Corridor), and resources to work in close coordination with other related departments
and advisory groups.
Response: The Public Works Department has a single staff contact for the corridor who is the
Iron Horse Corridor Manager. The Corridor Manager works with the utilities, County Survey
staff and property owners to address right of way questions. The Corridor Manager interacts
with other departments to address corridor concerns and attends advisory committee meetings,
as needed to share information with the community. The Department has contacts with all of the
utilities and the State Fire Marshal so they can provide expertise, as needed.
Recommendation: Request appropriate staff conducts an analysis of all congregate facilities
located in close proximity to transmission pipelines. Work with other emergency response
agencies to develop a list of resources for emergency and evacuation planning expertise for
congregate facilities near pipelines that include potential hazards from a pipeline incident, and
mitigation strategies for those hazards based on site-specific considerations.
Response: The Fire District and Health Services discussed working with Community Awareness
and Emergency Response (CAER) to develop a fact sheet to send to the congregate facilities that
describes what to consider regarding pipelines when they’re developing their emergency plans.
The term congregate will need to be further defined to determine what facilities would receive
this information. San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District has an evacuation video developed
for this type of scenario that has been promoted to surrounding jurisdictions.
Recommendation: Adopt clear policies and deterrents regarding preventing encroachments
including review of setback variances by municipal advisory councils or committees and
department staff, so that properties and vegetation along utility corridors do not encroach on
pipelines.
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Response: The County has clear policies that prevent encroachments. Property owners and
contractors are required to apply for a permit to access and/or perform work in the Iron Horse
Corridor. The Public Works Department is looking into different methods to communicate this
information to property owners adjacent to the Iron Horse Corridor, such as informational letters
that remind residents of the corridor property lines, utilities in the corridor and the requirement to
call Underground Service Alert when digging. Other possibilities include Board of Supervisors
email communication and markers in the corridor designating the property line in various
locations. The County and cities along the corridor have setback requirements in place. Utilities
companies, specifically Kinder Morgan routinely clears vegetation over their easement. When
property owners apply for a setback variance the application may go to the appropriate municipal
advisory committee for review and a recommendation.
Recommendation: Consider adding goals and policies regarding pipelines to the General Plan,
and amending Contra Costa County Zoning code 82.2.010 so that all gas and hazardous liquid
transmission pipelines would be subject to land use regulations. Consider additional ordinances
pertaining to zoning and land use that are proposed for construction, replacement, modification,
or abandonment.
Response: The Land Use, Transportation and Circulation, Open Space, and Safety elements of
the County General Plan contain references to pipelines that transport hazardous materials. The
Land Use and Safety elements also contain policies, though they are few and their nature is more
suggestive than directive. Because the County does not always have jurisdiction over pipeline
projects, amending the General Plan to add goals and policies pertaining directly to pipeline
development may have limited value. However, adding policies addressing the relationship of
other land uses to pipelines could be useful. Examples of such policies could include, but not be
limited to:
Discouraging placement of uses and facilities which primarily house or serve vulnerable or
sensitive populations (elderly, ill, children, etc.) within X feet of a hazardous materials
pipeline right-of-way.
Requiring deed notifications for all newly subdivided lots within X feet of a hazardous
materials pipeline right-of-way.
Encouraging new buildings to be located away from hazardous materials pipeline
rights-of-way when such design flexibility exists on the project site.
Ordinance Code Section 82-2.010 currently states that pipelines are exempt from the County’s
zoning regulations. However, on May 24, 2016, the Board of Supervisors adopted an amendment
to Section 82-2.010 clarifying that pipelines are subject to Ordinance Code Chapter 84-63, Land
Use Permits for Development Projects Involving Hazardous Waste or Hazardous Materials. The
amendment becomes effective 30 days after adoption.
Staff believes the Ordinance Code provides for proper review of pipelines and sees no compelling
need for additional regulation of pipeline construction, replacement, modification, or
abandonment. Statutory exemptions exist for replacement/modification of pipelines and often
these activities take place under order from a federal or state agency. Pursuant to Chapter 84-63,
pipeline projects located more than 300 feet from residential or commercial properties are not
“development projects” and therefore do not require a land use permit. If a pipeline is located
within 300 feet of such properties and has a hazard score[1] of 80 or higher, then a land use
permit is required and an environmental review will be performed.
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The Transportation Risk component of hazard scoring rates pipelines as the preferred method for
transporting hazardous materials, relative to truck, rail, and marine vessels. Discouraging
pipeline development through unnecessary regulation could have the unintended consequence of
incentivizing the use of less safe transportation methods, especially since increasing the
frequency of truck, rail or vessel deliveries typical would not require a County review.
[1] The hazard score is calculated pursuant to Ordinance Code Section 84-63.1004 and represents a project-specific
risk assessment based on the following factors (possible points for each factor are indicated in parentheses):
Transportation Risk (0-10); Community Risk – Distance from Receptor (1-30); Community Risk – Type of
Receptor (4-7); Facility Risk – Size of Project (Total Amount Change in Tons; 0-30); Facility Risk – Size of Project
(Percentage Change; 0-6); and Hazard Category of Material or Waste (1-3).
Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):
CONSIDER Department responses to the Pipeline Safety Report and DIRECT staff on next steps.
Fiscal Impact (if any):
N/A
Attachments
No file(s) attached.
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TRANSPORTATION, WATER &
INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE 8.
Meeting Date:06/09/2016
Subject:Proposed California Endangered Species Act Fee.
Submitted For: John Kopchik, Director, Conservation & Development Department
Department:Conservation & Development
Referral No.: 1
Referral Name: Review legislative matters on transportation, water, and infrastructure.
Presenter: John Cunningham/Leigh Chavez Contact: John Cunningham
(925)674-7833
Referral History:
This item has not been taken up at the TWIC Committee in the past. The proposed fees are being
brought to TWIC due to the potential impact on infrastructure projects highlighted by the
California State Association of Counties (CSAC).
Referral Update:
The following information was developed by CSAC. County staff will provide additional
information verbally at the June TWIC meeting.
Attached is the proposed fee and an opposition letter from CSAC and the Rural County
Representatives of California.
Administration’s Proposed California Endangered Species Act Fee
By KAREN KEENE CARA MARTINSON - California State Association of Counties
May 5, 2016
The Governor’s Budget proposes several changes to address shortfalls in the Environmental
License Plate Fund (ELPF). One of the Administration’s proposals to address this shortfall is
establishing a new fee to cover costs associated with processing California Endangered Species
Act (CESA) incidental take permits. These permits are required for projects that might result in
the “take” of an endangered or threatened species, and are processed by the Department of Fish
and Wildlife (DFW).
According to DFW, the fee would offset “some” of their costs for processing these permits. The
Budget Trailer Bill vehicle for this proposal is attached: 802CESAfees.pdf
The fee proposed is on sliding scale related to cost of the project and is proposed at $7,500 for
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The fee proposed is on sliding scale related to cost of the project and is proposed at $7,500 for
projects of less than $100k and $30,000 for projects over $500k. Additional fees of $10,000 can
be required if needed and permit modifications can be up to $15,000. The fees could be imposed
on a wide range of county projects including flood control, road and bridge work and water
management activities.
The fee proposal was approved by the Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Resources and
Transportation on Wednesday, April 27. The Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources,
Environmental Protection, Energy & Transportation approved the trailer bill language on
Thursday, May 5, with the following fee exceptions: (1) the project purpose is voluntary habitat
restoration and the project is not required as mitigation; and, (2) the project is not part of a
regulatory permit for non-habitat restoration or enhancement construction activity, a regulatory
settlement, a regulatory enforcement action, or a court order. These recommended amendments
to the trailer bill language are intended to conform to action by the Assembly Budget
Subcommittee No. 3.
CSAC has expressed opposition to the proposed CESA fee. We believe that the fees are excessive
and could result in counties having to defer important public projects due to cost issues. Of
particular concern is the impact on local projects that provide flood protection for people and
property. While both Budget Subcommittees have approved the proposal there is still time to
obtain amendments and/or influence its passage. We will continue to keep counties apprised of its
status.
Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):
CONSIDER Report on proposed Endangered Species Act fee and DIRECT staff as appropriate.
Fiscal Impact (if any):
No direct fiscal impact.
Attachments
New ESA Fee Proposal
CSAC/RCRC Letter Re: New Fees
CSAC KKeene Email.pdf
County Requested Amendments CESA Fee
Plan B County Amendments
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June 1, 2016
Chairman Mark Leno Vice-Chair Philip Ting
Joint Budget Conference Committee Joint Budget Conference Committee
State Capitol, Room 5019 State Capitol, Room 6026
Sacramento, CA 95814 Sacramento, CA 95814
Senator Ricardo Lara Assembly Member Lorena Gonzalez
State Capitol, Room 5050 State Capitol, Room 6012
Sacramento, CA 95814 Sacramento, CA 95814
Senator Loni Hancock Assembly Member Richard Bloom
State Capitol, Room 2082 State Capitol, Room 2003
Sacramento, CA 95814 Sacramento, CA 95814
Senator Jim Nielsen Assembly Member Jay Obernolte
State Capitol, Room 2068 State Capitol, Room 4116
Sacramento, CA 95814 Sacramento, CA 95814
Senator Patricia Bates Assembly Member Kristin Olsen
State Capitol, Room 4036 State Capitol, Room 4144
Sacramento, CA 95814 Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: California Endangered Species Act Permit Application Fees #802 - OPPOSE
Dear Chairman Leno:
On behalf of the Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) and the California
State Association of Counties (CSAC), we write to express our opposition to the proposed
application fees for permits required to comply with the California Endangered Species Act
(CESA).
As you may know, counties are required to comply with CESA by obtaining incidental
take permits for a number of county projects including land use, general planning, flood control,
and water management activities. The proposed fees are brand new, not proposed for a phase-
in, and would range in cost from $7,500 to $30,000.
The proposed fee also gives the Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) the authority
to charge an additional fee of up to $10,000 if the original fees are deemed to be insufficient.
This is an enormous amount of leeway to give an agency, especially since allowing CDFW the
authority to ask for more money to complete their work does not exactly provide an incentive for
an efficient permit review process. Most state fee structures do not include such a provision,
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California Endangered Species Act Permit Application Fees #802
June 1, 2016
Page 2
and since the proposal also grants authority to CDFW to review and adjust the fee structure, we
feel the additional charge is unnecessary and excessive.
While we understand the importance of local and state agencies having the ability to
raise revenue to cover the costs of the services they provide, the fees proposed are excessive
and could result in counties having to defer important public projects due to cost issues. Of
particular concern is the impact on local projects that provide flood protection for people and
property. Unfortunately, local flood control agencies have very limited funding options to pay for
flood protection infrastructure repair, replacement and maintenance. Consequently, any new
fees could significantly impact their ability to move forward with such work.
We are also concerned about the potential impact of these fees on rural counties, many
of which have among the highest unemployment rates and lowest countywide median
household incomes in the State. They too aren’t in a position to raise their own fees in order to
cover such a costly new state fee structure.
For the above reasons, RCRC and CSAC oppose the proposed CESA permit
applications fees. We would welcome the opportunity to continue our dialogue with the
Department of Fish and Game regarding an alternative approach. Should you have any
questions about our position, please do not hesitate to contact Staci Heaton of RCRC at (916)
447-4806 or Karen Keene of CSAC at (916) 650-8181.
Sincerely,
STACI HEATON KAREN KEENE
Regulatory Affairs Advocate Senior Legislative Representative
RCRC CSAC
cc: The Honorable Edmund G. Brown Jr., Governor
Members of the California State Assembly
Members of the California State Senate
Martha Guzman-Aceves, Deputy Legislative Secretary, Office of Governor Brown
Catherine Freeman, Consultant, Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee
Rocel Bettencourt, Senate Republican Consultant
Gabrielle Meindl, Consultant, Assembly Budget Committee
Daniel Ballon, Assembly Republican Consultant
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From: Karen Keene
Sent: Thursday, June 02, 2016 2:41 PM
Subject: CESA Proposed Fees -- Budget Trailer Bill -- Request for Action
TO: County Public Works Director
CEAC Flood Control and Water Resources Committee
County Legislative Coordinators
FROM: Karen Keene, CSAC Senior Legislative Representative
As noted on the attached letter, CSAC and RCRC continue to oppose the
Administration’s proposed CESA Fees. If you share our concern, please contact
your legislative delegation and/or the Budget Conference Committee to express
opposition. Feel free to customize the attached letter to your own liking. The
Budget Bill must be passed by midnight on June 15 so contact (via letter or
phone call) should be made sooner as opposed to later. While the Budget Trailer
Bills don’t have to be passed on June 15 many typically are taken up along with
the Budget Bill.
Lastly, we have asked for a few amendments to make the fees less onerous but to
date DFW has only agreed to revising the language regarding the permit
withdraw refund period from 30 to 60 days.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Karen A. Keene
Senior Legislative Representative/
Director of Federal Affairs
California State Assoc of Counties®
1100 K Street, Ste. 101
Sacramento, CA 95814
Office (916) 650-8181
Mobile (916) 803-4752
kkeene@counties.org
www.csac.counties.org
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County Requested Amendments:
(5/31/16)
Amendment 1:
Amend the proposed Section 2081.2(a)(1)(D) to read: “Project cost” means the total direct and
indirect project expenses that include, but are not limited to, labor, equipment, permanent
materials and supplies, and subcontracts, permits and licenses, overhead, and miscellaneous
costs associated with the construction or implementation of the project.’
Comment: Avoids penalizing efforts in the planning and design stage to prepare designs that
produce better functioning facilities.
Amendment 2:
Amend the proposed 2081.2.(b) to read: The department shall collect a permit application fee
for processing a permit application submitted pursuant to this article at the time the permit
application is submitted to the department. Notwithstanding Section 2098, upon appropriation to
the department from the Endangered Species Permitting Account, the department shall use the
permit application fee to pay for all or a portion of the department's cost of processing permit
applications, permit development, and compliance monitoring pursuant to this article. This
subdivision shall not apply to activities undertaken to operate, maintain, repair or restore
existing publicly owned infrastructure.
Comment: Environmental harm, including that to endangered species, will result if public
infrastructure isn’t operated and kept functional; therefore, O&M activities of existing public
infrastructure should not be subject to the proposed fee.
Amendments 3:
Amend the proposed 2081.2 (e)(2) to read: If a permit or amendment application is withdrawn
within 30 60 days after paying the permit or amendment application fee, the department shall
refund any unused portion of the fee to the permittee.
Amend the proposed 2081.2 (e)(3) to read: If a permit or amendment application is withdrawn
after 30 60 days of paying the permit or amendment application fee, the department shall not
refund any portion of the fee to the permittee.
Comment: This amendment would address the timing issue -- Consultation with DFW at
beginning of a project routinely takes 3 to 4 months. Having a 30-day refund policy for remaining
fee probably won’t work as it could take the agency more than 30-days to provide initial
feedback on the project.
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Plan B – If DFW says “no” to #1 & #2 requested amendments.
-or-
Add a new Section 2081.2(c)(2) to read: “For a project, regardless of the estimated project cost,
that is any one of the activities listed in subsection (A), the department shall assess either of the
amounts specified in subsection (B).
(A) Activities applicable to this subsection are:
(i) Activities undertaken to operate, maintain, repair or restore existing publicly
owned infrastructure.
(ii) Activities that are already regulated under Section 1602.
(B) The amounts applicable to this section are:
(i) Seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7,500).
(ii) Six thousand dollars ($6,000) if the project uses a department approved conservation or
mitigation bank or area to fulfill obligations pursuant to this article.”
Note: Renumber the subsequent subsections under 2080.2(c) accordingly.
Comment: Environmental harm, including that to endangered species, will result if public
infrastructure isn’t operated and kept functional; therefore, O&M activities of existing public
infrastructure should not be subject to the higher fee. In addition, substantial increases in
Lake/Streambed Alteration Agreement (LSAA) fees are currently being proposed by means of a
revision in Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations. A lot of leg work to address CESA
issues will already be done during the LSAA process, so the CESA fees for projects already
getting LSAAs should be lower than for projects where CESA is the only reason CDFW has a
regulatory role in the project.”
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TRANSPORTATION, WATER &
INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE 9.
Meeting Date:06/09/2016
Subject:CONSIDER report on Local, State, and Federal Transportation Related
Legislative Issues and take ACTION as appropriate.
Submitted For: TRANSPORTATION, WATER & INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE,
Department:Conservation & Development
Referral No.: 1
Referral Name: REVIEW legislative matters on transportation, water, and infrastructure.
Presenter: John Cunningham, DCD Contact: John Cunningham
(925)674-7883
Referral History:
This is a standing item on the Transportation, Water, and Infrastructure Committee referral list
and meeting agenda.
Referral Update:
In developing transportation related legislative issues and proposals to bring forward for
consideration by TWIC, staff receives input from the Board of Supervisors (BOS), references the
County's adopted Legislative Platforms, coordinates with our legislative advocates, partner
agencies and organizations, and consults with the Committee itself.
Recommendations are summarized in the Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s) section at the end of
this report. Specific recommendations, if provided, are underlined in the report below. This report
includes three sections, 1) LOCAL, 2) STATE, and 3) FEDERAL.
1) LOCAL
Transportation Expenditure Plan (TEP)
Background: The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (Authority) is in the process of putting
a half-cent transportation sales tax on the ballot in November 2016. A TEP is a statutorily
required component of a transportation sales tax. This is a standing TWIC item for the foreseeable
future.
TEP Update
A comprehensive report has not been developed for the June TWIC meeting, the TEP has been
completed.
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At their May 18th Special TEP meeting the Authority took several actions to move the TEP
process forward including approving the final TEP language and authorizing the release of the
TEP for review and approval by the County, Cities, and Towns. The schedule for review is
below:
May 31: Orinda
June 1: Martinez
June 6: Pleasant Hill
June 7: Concord, Danville
June 8: Moraga
June 13: Lafayette
June 14: Antioch, Hercules, Oakley
June 20: Pittsburg
June 21: El Cerrito, Walnut Creek
June 22: San Pablo
June 28: Brentwood, San Ramon
July 5: Clayton, Pinole, Richmond
TBD: Contra Costa County
Process
County Counsel developed a comprehensive opinion providing specific details on how the TEP
will be brought to the ballot and how it would be administered. That opinion was distributed to
CCTA staff. Coordination between County Counsel, Conservation and Development, and the
Clerk-Recorders office continue. A final schedule will be developed soon.
Accessible Transit Service Strategic Plan/Transportation Expenditure Plan The BOS has
been communicating to CCTA the importance of addressing accessible transit in the TEP since
2014. The CCTA Board and staff have been supportive and responsive to the County's comments.
Specifically, language was included in the TEP that required 1) an "Accessible Transit Service
(ATS) Strategic Plan" be conducted and, 2) transit providers must participate in the planning
effort in order to be eligible for any transit funding in the TEP. In later TEP versions that
requirement removed for eligibility for conventional, fixed route funding but the requirement
remains for the Transportation for Seniors and Disabled funding category.
During one TEP discussion at CCTA, Supervisor Karen Mitchoff commented that there was no
need to wait for the TEP to conduct the ATS Plan which was met with support. In response to that
comment, CCTA and County staff have initiated a dialog on the ATS Plan with a coalition of
transit operators and accessible transit advocates. Funding is being sought and a small working
group of staff has been meeting to move the study ahead.
Staff will provide further verbal updates on this at the TWIC meeting.
RECOMMENDATION: DISCUSS any local issues of note and take ACTION as
appropriate.
2) STATE
Legislative Report
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The legislative report from the County's legislative advocate, Mark Watts, is attached (June TWIC
Report).
Mr. Watts will be present at the May meeting to discuss state legislation, the status of the state
budget/transportation revenues, Iron Horse corridor status and other items of interest to the
Committee.
RECOMMENDATION: DISCUSS any state issues of note and take ACTION as
appropriate.
3) FEDERAL
No written report in May.
RECOMMENDATION: DISCUSS any federal issues of note and take ACTION as appropriate.
Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):
CONSIDER report on Local, State, and Federal Transportation Related Legislative Issues and
take ACTION as appropriate including CONSIDERATION of any specific recommendations in
the report above.
Fiscal Impact (if any):
There is no fiscal impact.
Attachments
Mark Watts June 2016 Leg Report to TWIC
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Smith, Watts &Hartmann, LLC.
Consulting and Governmental Relations
925 L Street, Suite 220 Sacramento, CA 95814
Telephone: (916) 446-5508 Fax: (916) 266-4580
MEMORANDUM
TO: John Cunningham
FROM: Mark Watts
DATE: May 16, 2016
SUBJECT: June TWIC Report
Key Bills - Update
Presented below are brief summaries of bills of interest to the County, including AB 1592 (Bonilla), AB
1665 (Bonilla). A brief summary of the May 13 Governor’s May Revision to the state budget is
included, as well.
AB 1592 (Bonilla)
This measure authorizes the Contra Costa Transportation Authority to conduct a pilot program for the
testing of autonomous vehicles.
The bill was approved by the full Assembly on April 6 (75-0) and has been assigned to the Senate
Transportation & Housing committee. Discussions with the Committee staff indicate that they are
leaning towards setting the bill for hearing on the 14th.
Additionally, there are two other bills that address autonomous vehicles that will need to be
reconciled with AB 1592 as the session recess nears this summer:
AB 2866 (Gatto): Requires the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to adopt regulations for the
testing and operation of autonomous vehicles without a driver in the vehicle and without a brake
pedal, accelerator pedal, or steering wheel. The bill is pending hearing in the Assembly
Appropriations committee.
AB 2682 (Chiu): This bill requires DMV, upon the development of a model state policy on autonomous
vehicles by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), to hold public hearings on
the model policy and, to the extent authorized by other law, consider conforming DMV regulations
with the model policy. Discussions with the author’s office indicate they may be amending the bill
soon. It is pending hearing in the Senate Transportation & Housing Committee.
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2
AB 1665 (Bonilla)
This bill authorizes the taxing authority for a countywide transportation program to be transferred
from the County of Contra Costa to the Contra Costa Transportation Authority.
After discussions with Assembly Republican Caucus staff and bill opponents, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers
Association, amendments were agreed upon, and the bill was amended on May 9. These included the
necessary urgency clause; close coordination between the author’s office and others in the following
week focused on contacting all Assembly member offices to determine the level of support for the
amended bill. Finding strong support, the bill was taken up on the Assembly floor on May 16 th, and
was approved by a final vote tally of 77-0, eclipsing he 54 votes required for the urgency clause.
The bill is pending assignment in the Senate Rules committee.
State Budget Update
On May 13th, the Governor presented his regular, annual adjustments to the State Budget Proposal,
known as the May Revision. The following are some highlights:
Overview
The Governor proposed a $122.2 billion spending plan for California, down slightly from the January
State budget proposal after projecting tax revenues falling about $1.9 billion below expectations for
the year and a deficit when voter-approved sales and income taxes begin to expire.
In addition, Proposition 2's “Rainy Day” fund-required contributions have been reduced by a
combined $1.6 billion. The Governor emphasized that until the voters decide in November whether
temporary taxes should be extended, the May Revision reflects the principle that no significant new
ongoing spending commitments should be made.
Barring any significant changes, the Budget over the next two years remains in balance. However, in
the years that follow, the state's commitments will exceed expected revenues with annual shortfalls
forecasted to exceed $4 billion by 2019 - or worse with an economic slowdown or recession.
Transportation Infrastructure
Governor’s Transportation Plan: The May Revision continues to reflect the Governor's transportation
financing package that would provide $36 billion over the next decade to improve the maintenance
of highways and roads, expand public transit and improve critical trade routes. The Budget
Subcommittees are scheduled to consider this issue in the coming week.
Federal Freight Funding: The May Revision also reflects the availability of federal funds resulting from
the Federal FAST Act that would provide additional funding for trade corridor improvements over the
next five years:
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3
The FAST Act allocates $582 million over the next five years to California through the new National
Highway Freight Program funding formula. Additionally, California is eligible to receive a portion of
$900 million annually for Fostering Advancements in Shipping and Transportation of the Long- term
Achievement of National Efficiencies (FASTLANE) competitive grants.
FASTLANE grants can be applied to up to 60 percent of Nationally Significant Freight and Highway
Projects program costs, with the remaining funds from state, local, or other federal funding sources.
The May Revision includes provisional language that makes other state and federal funding available
as a match for the remaining 40 percent. Caltrans’ budget proposes expending the formula funding
pursuant to the Trade Corridor Improvement Fund Guidelines. The California Transportation
Commission would then allocate half of the funding to corridor-based projects proposed by local
agencies and half to projects of statewide significance proposed by Caltrans.
These items are set to be considered by the Budget Subcommittees in the coming week.
Other new items proposed in the May Revision, include:
§District 7 Express Lane Maintenance – to assist LA Metro in maintaining the 10
and 110 express Lanes;
§Federal Bridge Load Rating – Additional resources to complete this mandated
assessment;
§Project Delivery Workload – Proposes a reduction of 94 py’s in line with
underlying workload need, but offset by an increase of 877 py’s for work related to the new
funding package.
§Reappropriation of Bond Funds – A technical correction to ensure availability
of funds for PTC work in Southern California.
Cap and Trade Budget
The Budget provides a $3.1 billion Cap and Trade expenditure plan to address reduction of
greenhouse gas emissions through programs that support clean transportation, promote
transformational sustainable communities, reduce short-lived climate pollutants, and protect natural
ecosystems.
As a reminder, the Budget continuously appropriates 35% of all cap-and-trade funds for
investments in transit, affordable housing, and sustainable communities. Another twenty-five percent
of the revenues are continuously appropriated to continue the construction of high-speed rail.
The remaining 40% in cap and trade funds are to be appropriated annually by the Legislature
for investments in programs that include low-carbon transportation, energy efficiency and renewable
energy, and natural resources and waste diversion. An expenditure plan for the 40% was not
included in the Final 2015-16 Budget Act, with the exception of $227 million appropriated to continue
funding for specified existing programs. The remaining 2015-16 revenues, along with 2016-17
revenues, totaling $3.1 billion are available for appropriation this year.
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