HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 05191987 - S.4 TO: { ,IOARD OF SUPERVISORS 5
FROM : �,� ltra
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Supervisors Schroder (Chair) and Torlakson e
County Transportation Committee County
DATE;
May 26, 1987
SUBJECT;
Opposition to the Caltrain Improvements
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATION•
The Transportation Committee believes it is important that the Board
of Supervisors takes a position on the proposed expenditure of funds
to improve the Caltrain route in the West Bay.
The Board of Supervisors should oppose the PENTAP Committee
recommendation made to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission
(MTC) on the expenditure of federal and state funds for Caltrain
improvements. The Board should direct Supervisor Robert Schroder as
their MTC representative to vote "no" on the proposed expenditure of .
funds for the Caltrain proposal.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The use of federal and state funds for improvements on the Caltrain
right-of-way which is currently owned by the Southern Pacific
Railroad could be better used in other areas of the Bay Area,
especially in the East Bay. It does not appear that the expenditure
of approximately $400 million for improvements and the addition of
several miles of track is a reasonable use of that money.
REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION/BACKGROUND
The proposed expenditure of funds on the Caltrain improvements can be
better used on the BART system which is already owned by the public.
Furthermore, the project is a subject of controversy among the local
jurisdictions and the state and federal agencies.
(Orig.Dept. -CDD,T/P)
(dp7 :Caltrain.bo)
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: -K- YES SIGNATURE;
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATUREISI:
ACTION OF BOARD ON _ MaV 19. 1907 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED X OTHER X
ADOPTED position opposing the proposed expenditure of funds to improve the Caltrain
route in the West Bay; and REQUESTED Community Development Director to write. to senator
Quentin L. Kopp advising him of the Board's position.
This matter was brought to the Board's attention after the agenda had been posted.
The Board unanimously agreed to take action at this time.
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
X UNANIMOUS (ABSENT IV ) AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON
ON THE DATE SHOWN.
CC: CAO ATTESTED
Public Works PHIL BATC LOR. CLERK OF THE BOARD OF
CDD SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
M38���-E3 BY �1/A .DEPUTY
U
C
Examples of concern among the state and federal agencies are that:
1. The Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has indicated that
it does not want to continue operating the system. The local
jurisdictions cannot agree to form a joint powers authority to
run the system without Caltrans being a member of the JPA.
2. The Federal Urban Mass Transportation Administration has
indicated that funds may be withheld if the local jurisdictions
can not resolve their differences.
3 . Members of the California Transportation Commission have
indicated that they do not think the short distance of track
(approximately 2 miles of track) and the additional ridership
generated by the improvements justify the approximately $400
million in expenditures.
CONSEQUENCES OF NEGATIVE ACTION
Expenditure of public funds for improvements to a rail right-of-way
in private ownership is an unwise use of public funds. Use of the
funds on a public system, such as the BART system, for an extension
of a public rail system is a better investment.
The addition of the Caltrain project to the MTC program of rail
projects can delay or eliminate other projects on that list. This
could result in the extension to East Contra Costa County being
delayed or eliminated.
(dp7:Caltrain.bo) ( 5.18.87)