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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 12172002 - SD.9 TO:• BOARD OF SUPERVISORS . _. . Lantra FROM: TRANSPORTATION, WATER AND INFRASTRUCTURE CoCosto COMMITTEE (SUPERVISOR DONNA GERBER, CHAIR) Colintv DATE: NOVEMBER 25, 2002 IsbA SUBJECT: ADOPTION OF TRANSPORTATION LEGISLATIVE GOALS FOR 2003 SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATIONS ADOPT the "Goals for State Transportation Legislation for 2003" as shown in Exhibit A and AUTHORIZE staff to work with the County's legislative delegation and advocacy firm to advance the goals; APPROVE the Federal Funding Requests shown in Exhibit B and resolutions requesting the support of Representatives Tauscher and Miller as shown in Exhibits C and D, and AUTHORIZE staff to work with the County's Congressional delegation and federal advocacy firm to advance the funding requests; REFER Assembly Constitutional Amendment 11 and potential increases in Bay Area bridge tolls to the Transportation Water and Infrastructure Committee for 2003; and AUTHORIZE staff to recommend directly to the Board a state legislative advocacy firm for the new two-year legislative session, without seeking a recommendation from the Transportation, Water and Infrastructure Committee. FISCAL IMPACT NONE to the General Fund. If some of the legislative goals and federal funding requests are realized, new transportation funds would be available to the County. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: X YES SIGNATURE RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR X RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE . OTHER SIGNATURES : Su ervis D nna Gerber 4upervisor Federal Glover ACTION OF BOARD ON „ .1tf " €' -� APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED _OTHER VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE ' AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AYES: NOES: .��UNANIMOUS {ABSENT �'',��''��'�-�.} AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE ABSENT: ABSTAIN: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. Contact: Steve Goetz (925/335-1240) cc: Community Development Department (CDD) ATTESTED Public Works Department JOHN SWEETEN, 6LERK OF S. Hoffman, CAO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BY � � , DEPUTY G:\Transportation\Greitzer\Memo\Draft\TWIC november item 3.doc TRANSPORTATION LEGISLATION GOALS 2003 ,NOVEMBER 25, 2002 Page 2 BACKGROUND/REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS Each year the Board of Supervisors adopts state and federal legislative goals or project requests for transportation in the coming year. The Transportation, Water and Infrastructure Committee met on November 25 to discuss these issues and developed the recommendations referenced in this Board Order. The discussion at the Committee meeting was informed by the County's state legislative advocates for transportation, Smith Kempton & Watts, regarding the legislative outlook for 2003 as it pertains to transportation Goals for State Transportation Legislation for 2003 Exhibit A includes the proposed goals for state legislation on transportation for the coming year. Goals one through five are carried forward from last year. Goals six through eight are newly added recommendations. The Committee would like to Board to be aware of specific issues regarding Goal #1 —to increase transportation funding and protect current funding programs. There are several avenues for advancing the goal that may develop in 2003. These include possible legislation to change the voting requirement to something less than a two-thirds majority to pass a local transportation or infrastructure measures. Such legislation is relevant to Contra Costa County in light of the Measure C reauthorization, which the Board will be asked to place on the November 2004 ballot. The Legislature rejected two previous bills to change the voting requirement, one by Senator John Burton in 2000 and another by Senator Tom Torlakson in 2002. At the end of 2002 session ACA 11 was passed which authorizes a March 2004 ballot measure, asking voters to approve a shift of a set percentage of General Fund money to a new transportation infrastructure fund on a quarterly basis starting in FY 2006/07. Certain provisions were included in protect the General Fund during periods of declining revenues, but no spending plan has been developed for any revenue generated by the proposition. The Board should refer this proposition to the Transportation Water and Infrastructure Committee for further review in 2003. The Senate Select Committee on Bay Area Transportation, jointly chaired by Senators Perata and Torlakson may propose in 2003 a ballot measure for the March 2004 election to raise tolls by one dollar on all state-owned bridges in the Bay Area and allocate this revenue to a variety of transportation projects that would provide relief to commuters on the bridges. Among the projects currently under discussion to receive funding are seismic improvements to BART, additional ferries, the eBART system proposed for East County and the fourth bore for the Caldecott Tunnel. The Board should refer this proposal to the Transportation Water and Infrastructure Committee for further review in 2003. 2003 also provides an additional opportunity to support the eBART system in East County. The Policy Committee for the State Route 4 East Corridor Transit Study recently recommended public acquisition of Union Pacific's Mococo rail line, which would be used by the eBART service connecting the Pittsburg/Bay Point BART station with Byron, and potentially Tracy. Legislation should be sought for state assistance to acquire this important piece of right-of-way. The Committee would like the Board to be aware of specific issues regarding Goal #5 —to support efforts to advance inter-regional corridor improvements. State Route 239 is a region corridor defined in state law to connect State Route 4 in Brentwood to 1-580 in Tracy. An opportunity exists to seek legislation to add State Route 239 to the State's Interregional Road System, which would open the door to certain state funding sources for the project. State Route 239 is a long-sought highway that would connect East County with the Central Valley. It has been one of the County's transportation funding priorities for several years. The State Route 239 effort would also address Goal # 1, by increasing transportation funding to address county needs. Federal Funding Requests In addition to state legislative goals, the County in recent years also has requested federal appropriations for specific projects, working with the County's federal advocacy firm of Alcalde and Fay. The Committee recommends carrying forward two federal appropriation requests. These TRANSPORTATION LEGISLATION GOALS 2003 NOVEMBER 25, 2002 Page 3 include funding for implementation of eBART and the North Richmond Circulation Improvements Project (see Exhibit B). Implementation of eBART, as noted earlier, would involve public acquisition of the Mococo rail line from Union Pacific Railroad. Acquisition of this rail line will provide right-of-way for the recommended alignment of eBART service from Pittsburg to Byron. The North Richmond Circulation Improvements Project has two components. One component is a pedestrian / bicycle overcrossing of railroad tracks that separate North Richmond from nearby communities where goods and services are located. The second component is the creation of a new truck route that will shift truck traffic out of residential neighborhoods and the Verde Elementary School area, where increasing amounts of truck traffic have been disruptive. State Legislative Advocacy Firm for New Two-Year Session Smith Kempton & Watts of Sacramento currently is the County's state advocate for transportation legislation. Per the County's contracting procedures, staff has issued a request for proposals from interested firms for a new contract for these services for the two-year session beginning in January 2003. Staffers of the Public Warks Department and Community Development Department expect to develop a recommendation on which firm to hire, in December 2002. To have a firm under contract by the start of the new legislative session, the Transportation Water and Infrastructure Committee recommends the Board authorize staff to bring its recommendation directly to the Board, without having to go to a Committee meeting beforehand. This will facilitate the hiring of an advocacy firm in an expeditious manner. EXHIBIT A Goals For State Transportation Legislation For 2003 1. SUPPORT increased transportation funding and protection of current transportation fundinz.This goal would focus on the development of, or support for,bills that would generate additional funding for transportation in Contra Costa County. Any such efforts at creating new funding sources would be supported only if there are no negative impacts on the state's General Fund. The goal also would involve opposition to bills that would reduce existing funding for transportation, such as Proposition 42 revenue. Part of this goal will be to seek full funding of the Caldecott Tunnel fourth bore project as a state funding obligation. This goal would also seek state assistance for public acquisition of the Union Pacific's Moccocco rail line,which was recently recommended by the Policy Committee for the State Route 4 East Corridor Transit Study. 2. SUPPORT regional coordination in addressing transportation needs. Several transportation areas could benefit from improved regional coordination among local government and transportation agencies at the policy and planning level. Possible emphasis areas include,but are not necessarily limited to, improved coordination of transit and paratransit service delivery; and a coordinated approach to providing future rail services that benefit the County, and coordinated planning for major road improvement projects. 3. SUPPORT efforts to expand school transportation services and improve coordination between school districts and local jurisdictions on school siting and planning This goal would address both the funding for transportation of students to school where needed around the County, as well as fostering more coordination between school districts and local jurisdictions when the districts are planning or siting school facilities. Improved coordination would enable local jurisdictions to make better provisions for traffic circulation in and around school areas, as well as plan safe routes to schools for students who are walking or bicycling to school. 4. SUPPORT efforts to improve safety and facilities for bicyclists,pedestrians, and others. This goal pertains to the need for expanded programs and transportation facilities that promote safe and expanded travel by bicyclists, pedestrians, wheelchair users where they share transportation facilities among themselves and with others. A safe and expanded network of facilities for these users would help provide more travel alternatives, improve safety, and expand access and mobility for all of Contra Costa County's residents. 5. SUPPORT efforts to advance inter-regional corridor improvements.This goal would address better transportation linkages between the County and other regions. One high-priority example is the Brentwood-Tracy Expressway(also known as State Route 239), an unbuilt segment of the state highway system that would run roughly from Brentwood to Tracy. Caltrans indicates multi- county coalitions would be helpful in advancing the project at the state level. Legislative initiatives could focus either on funding for the necessary plans and studies, or on authorization or direction for Caltrans to make the State Route 239 eligible for the State's Interregional Road Fund. Another example is upgrading Vasco Road and its connections with other roads on both the Contra Costa and Alameda County side. Vasco Road has become a heavy commute route for East County residents getting to Livermore area jobs. The road is only one lane in each direction. For this goal, the Board would sponsor or support legislation to help advance these inter-regional projects. EXHIBIT A 6. SUPPORT funding or incentives for the use of renewable resources in transportation construction nrohects. An increasing amount of recycled materials have been refined for use in construction projects, including the construction of streets and highways. Rubberized asphalt concrete technology, for example,uses discarded tires to Create paving material that is superior to conventional asphalt in performance. Due to its higher cost, its use is limited. This goal would support incentives for the manufacture and use of such materials as long as they are well-tested and safe for public use. Examples would include but are not limited to state grant programs, tax credits to manufacturers,"bonus points"towards local jurisdictions' waste-reduction goals, and state purchasing programs. 7. SUPPORT strearnfinine the delivery of transportation projects. This goal would support legislative initiatives that would reduce the time and paperwork needed to bring a transportation project through planning, engineering and design, and environmental review, to construction. Examples include,but are not necessarily limited to, streamlining environmental review processes or combining NEPA and CEQA reviews, or streamlining state and federal permitting requirements. 8. SUPPORT efforts to encourage or offer incentives for transit-oriented land-use P1annin� and/or development Transit-oriented development is important today and will become increasingly important as new rail lines are planned and built,or new services begin, in East County and West County. While general Plans in some jurisdictions accommodate transit- oriented development, other jurisdictions do not. This goal would support legislation that would provide incentives or otherwise encourage local jurisdictions to. a) incorporate transit-oriented development in their General Plans{particularly for areas expected to become rail station sites}; b) engage in transit-oriented development planning that uses community-based planning charrettes; and c) implement any existing plans for transit-oriented development. DRAFT EXHIBIT B Federal Funding Requests For Transportation For 2003 1. Request$15 million for acquisition of Union Pacific Railroad's the Mococo rail line in eastern Contra Costa County. In 2001, the Contra Costa Transportation Authority and BART initiated the State Route 4 East Corridor Transit Study and formed a policy committee to advise these agencies on the study's recommendations. In 2002, the policy committee recommended construction of eBART service from the Pittsburg/Bay Point BART station to Byron. eBART service involves operation of diesel-powered rail cars along an alignment that includes Union Pacific Railroad's Mococo rail line. Public acquisition of this rail line was identified by the policy committee as an important initial step in implementation of eBART. Possible Funding Source: DOT Appropriations 2. Request$8 million for planning,engineering and design,environmental review of the North Richmond Circulation Improvements Project. The County seeks to improve safety,mobility, access and the living environment in North Richmond through this project,which has two components: creating an overcrossing for pedestrians and bicyclists over two sets of railroad tracks that separate North Richmond from goods and services in nearby communities, and creation of a new truck route that would move truck traffic out of the residential neighborhood and the Verde Elementary School, where such truck traffic is disruptive. The railroad overcrossing also would improve access to the Wildcat Creek Regional Trail. The new truck route would stimulate economic development in the North Richmond industrial area by providing better access to the regional highway system,without impacting the residential or school areas. The project includes community outreach, planning, engineering and design, and environmental review. Possible Funding Source: DOT Appropriations EXHIBIT C THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA Adopted this Resolution on (date), by the following vote: AYES: StMk'.VISOR9 UQ.i R, GI R., DeSALMIE t, GLOVER AM GIOIA NOES: NM ABSENT: 1M ABSTAIN: NM Resolution No. 20021772 Subject: Requesting the support of Representative Tauscher in acquiring Union Pacific Railroad's Mococo Rail Line for eBART. WHEREAS, the Transportation Congestion Reduction Program established by AB2928/ S13406, Statutes of 2000, includes $7 million for a Route 4 Corridor Transit Study(Study); WHEREAS, at it's December 2000 meeting, the California Transportation Commission allocated $2 million to the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (Authority) to initiate the Study, which will consider and recommend short-term and long-term public transit improvements, along with the planned highway and roadway improvements, from State Route 242 in the west to the County Line in the east; WHEREAS, in January 2001, a policy advisory committee was formed (Committee) to advise the Authority and the Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) on the recommendations of the Study; WHEREAS, at its November 2002 meeting, the Committee selected eBART service from the Pittsburg/Bay Point BART station to Byron as the preferred alternative for public transit improvements; WHEREAS, eBART service involves operation diesel-powered rail cars along an alignment that includes Union Pacific Railroad's Mococo rail line; and WHEREAS, the public acquisition of the Mococo rail line was identified by the Committee as an important initial step in implementation of eBART and potentially a rail connection to the Altamont Commuter Express service in Tracy. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors recognizes the importance of public transit improvements in eastern Contra Costa, the preference for using eBART as the method of improving public transit and the need to acquire the Mococo rail line to provide right-of-way for eBART; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors requests the support of the Honorable Ellen O. Tauscher, District 10, U.S. House of Representatives, in providing federal support for the public acquisition of right-of-way for eBART. I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown: ATTESTED: DECEMM 17, 2002 JOHN SWEETEN, Clerk of the Board of Supervisors and County Administrator By g:\transportation\greitzerlmemo\draft\twic november item 3 exhibit c.doc Deputy Contact:John Greitzer, CDD(925)335-1201 cc: Representative Tauscher(via CDD) County Administrator's Office Alcade&Fay(via CDD) Community Development Department Public Warks Department RESOLUTION NO. 2002/772 EXHIBIT D THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA Adapted this Resolution on (date), by the following vote: AYES: WPEMSOPS t UM%, GMM, DeSAUIMM, WM ASID GIOIA NOES: r= ABSENT: NW ABSTAIN: NONE Resolution No. 20021:773 Subject: Requesting the support of Representative Miller in funding the North Richmond Circulation Improvements Project. WHEREAS, since establishment of the initial subdivision in 1910, the railroad tracks have provided a boundary between North Richmond and other communities in western Contra Costa; WHEREAS, these railroad tracks now present a barrier to safe pedestrian and bicycle access to available services east of the tracks; WHEREAS, these railroad tracks also present a barrier to completion of the Wildcat Creek Regional Trail; WHEREAS, aging bridges have forced the routing of truck traffic through North Richmond, so businesses east of the railroad tracks can use the Richmond Parkway; WHEREAS, the truck traffic is incompatible with the residential neighborhood and with safe access to Verde Elementary School; WHEREAS, Contra Costa County has developed the North Richmond Circulation Improvements Project(Project) to implement existing community plans that call for developing a safe railroad crossing for pedestrians and bicyclists, and for developing new roads that will remove truck traffic from residential areas and help promote economic development in the community; and WHEREAS, in response to federal notices, Contra Costa County has applied for federal discretionary grants for the Project through the Transportation and Community and System Preservation Program; and WHEREAS, local competition of discretionary program funds has been pre-empted by Congressional earmarks. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors recognizes the importance of the North Richmond Circulation Improvements Project and requests the support of the Honorable George M. Miller, District 7, U.S. House of Representatives, in providing federal support for this project. 1 hereby car*that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown: ATTESTED: December 17, 2002 JOHN SWEETEN, Clerk of the Board of Supervisors and County Administrator By Deputy g:ltransportationlgreltzertmemoldraftltwic november item 3 exhibit d.doc Contact:John Greltzer.CDD(325)335-1201 cc: Representative Miller(vla ODD) County Administrator's Office Alcade its Fay(via CDD) Community Development Department Public Works Department RESOLUTION NO. 20021773