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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES - 04041989 - 2.8 TO BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FROM: HARVEY E. BRAGDON, Contra DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Costa DATE'. MARCH 21, 1989 Cointy SUBJECT: CALTRANS RAIL TASK FORCE AND IMPROVEMENTS PASSENGER IN RAIL SERVICE SPECIFIC REQUESTS) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATION 1. Accept the report indicating the several rail service improvements within the County made in the recent past. 2. Authorize Supervisor Nancy C. Fanden and her alternate, T. S. Khanna, to seek representation_ of the County at the Study Group for rail service improvements, created under AB 971. Approve the attached letters addressed to the State Assemblymen and Senators representing Contra Costa County and authorize the Chair to sign the letters. FINANCIAL IMPACT None, except for. the staff time. REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION/BACKGROUND It has been progressively realized that rising travel demands cannot be accommodated only by developing more freeways or highways. The taxpayer can no longer afford to pay for highways with limited passenger transportation capacity as compared to rail transportation with much greater capacity. It is imperative to develop a state-of-the-arts rail transportation system as an alternative to our highway system. In 1983 , Caltrans organized "San Joaquin Task Force" to encourage local support for developing an efficient rail transportation system 'in the San Joaquin Valley. The Task Force was composed of local political leaders to evaluate the performance of the rail service and suggest improvements. In 1987, the Task Force formed a committee to take a more active role in improving the rail service in the San Joaquin Valley and to link the valley with the San Francisco Bay Area and the Sacramento area. This committee, known as "The Steering Committee of the Caltrans Rail Task Force, " has 12 counties as voting members, e.g. , Alameda, Contra Costa, Fresno, Kern, Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: _- YES SIGNATURE; RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION O BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE __ OTHER SIGNATURE(S):. ACTION OF BOARD ON April 4, 1989 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED X OTHER VOTE OF SUPERVISORS 1 HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE X UNANIMOUS (ABSENT I AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. CC: MjC ,G�,q/i! ATTESTED AO� 4e Iqg9 CCC City Mayors PHIL BATCHELOR. CLERK OF THE BOARD OF Community Development SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR County Administrator U'7 On BY ,DEPUTY 2. Merced, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tulare. The three non-voting members of the committee are Caltrans, Amtrak and the California Public Utilities Commission. The Steering Committee, since its inception, has been regularly meeting once every two months. In 1988, Supervisor Fanden was appointed by the Board of Supervisors to represent the County at the Steering Committee. The County' s active involvement with the San Joaquin Task Force and the Steering Committee in the past has resulted in several improvements in the rail service within the County. The improvements include: (a) Establishing a new railway station at Antioch and making the AMTRAK rail service accessible to more than 101,000 population of the area; (b) Linking the new Antioch Station with Concord BART Station by a BART feeder bus service; (c) Rehabilitation and upgrading of Martinez Station facilities; (d) Linking of the Martinez Station with Vallejo, Petaluma, Rohnert Park, and Santa Rosa by a well planned feeder bus service to match the timings of the two AMTRAK trains round trips to and from the south; and (e) Construction of an AMTRAK ticket office at the Richmond BART Station, where all AMTRAK trains stop. Efforts of the Steering Committee have also resulted in the passage of AB 958 (Costa) , authorizing a third train service in the San Joaquin Valley and the release of $8.7 million by Governor Deukmejian for improving the San Joaquin rail service during the year 1988-89. .The passage of AB 971 (Costa) in 1988 created a 30-member Study Group to propose improvements in the San Joaquin Valley train service. The Study Group has already started the task assigned to it and is expected to make its recommendation in July, 1990. Some of the proposals for improvements in the AMTRAK train service under consideration of the Study Group are: (a) Discontinuation of the train service on the Martinez - Antioch - Stockton route and developing a new service on the Union Pacific Line, i.e. , Stockton - Altamont Pass - Pleasanton - Niles Canyon - Fremont - north to Oakland; or (b) Discontinuation of the existing train service between Martinez and Stockton and developing a new route from Martinez through Solano County to Sacramento and Stockton. Since any ' change in the existing train service or future improvements will have a significant impact on the Countywide transportation system, it is imperative that Contra Costa County be included in the Study Group. Approval of the attached letters urging the County' s representation at the Study Group is requested. California Transportation Commission has recently identified the needed rail projects in California at a cost estimate of $13 billion. Funding sources, however, have not been identified. Assemblyman Costa has introduced AB 973, proposing a Rail Trans- portation Bond Act to raise $1. 5 billion for improvements to the 3 . San Joaquin Valley train service as well as funds for a preliminary engineering study for a high speed rail link between Bakersfield and Los Angeles. Assemblyman Costa made a presentation of AB 973 at the last Steering Committee meeting on March 9, 1989 in Stockton, explained the bipartisan support for the Bill and requested for comments to improve the Bill. The passage of AB 973 will assure funding for the implementation of the Study Group recommendations expected in July, 1990 according to Assemblyman Costa. The County' s involvement with the Caltran' s Rail Task Force has been very useful in the past. Active involvement with the Study Group is recommended to improve the passenger rail service within the County as an integral part of the countywide transportation plan. TS/aa tsm3/caltrns.bos The Board of Supervisors Contra Phil ftheB Board„� / ,,,_,�"�`} Clerk of the Board County Administration Building (",�+ +r, y ((�� f and Costa County Administrator 651 Pine St., Room 106 (415)646-2371 Martinez, California 94553 County Tom Powers,1st District Nancy C.Fanden,2nd District Robert t.Schroder,3rd District Sunne Wright McPeak,4th District Tom Tor{akson,5th District cc ^~ a q ywf� April 4, 1989 The Honorable Daniel E. Boatwright Seventh Senatorial District Room 3086, State Capitol Sacramento, CA 95814 Dear Senator atwright: RE: Representation of Contra Costa County at the Study Group for rail service improvements, created under AB 971 (Costa) In 1983, San Joaquin Rail Task Force was created to encourage local support for improving the rail transportation service in the San Joaquin Valley and provide effective linkage with the San Francisco Bay Area and the Sacramento area. The Task Force subsequently formed a committee known as "The Steering Committee of the Caltrans Rail Task Force" with 12 counties, including Contra Costa County, as voting members. Contra Costa County, represented by Supervisor Nancy C. Fanden or her alternate, T. S. Khanna, has been giving active support to the Steer- ing Committee. Efforts of the Steering Committee resulted in the passage of AB 958 (Costa), authorizing a third train service in the San Joaquin Valley and the release of $8.7 million by Governor Deukmejian for improving the rail service during the year 1988-89. Last year, a 30-member Study Group was created under' AB 971 (Costa) to propose improvements for the San Joaquin Valley train service. Contra Costa County was not included as a member of the Study Group. Since any change, in the existing train service or future improvements will have a significant impact on our countywide transportation system, I believe that Contra Costa County must be represented at the Study Group. On behalf of the Board of Supervisors, I urge your support and the necessary action to assure our representation at the Study Group. Sincerely, d TOM TORLAKSON, Chairman Board of Supervisors TSK/aa TSM3JRail .TK cc: MTC Mayors The BoArd of SupervisorsContra Cleril kBaha Board and County Administration Building County County Administrator 651 pine St., Room 106 (415}646-2371 Martinez, California 94553 Counter Tom Powers,1st District Nancy C.Fanden,2nd District Robert i.Schroder,3rd District r ~ ,• Sunne Wright McPeak 4th District •" -'" Tom Toriakson,5th District -�._may~j •> April 4, 1989 f The Honorable Robert Campbell Eleventh Assembly District Room 4162, State Capitol Sacramento, CA 95814 Dear Mr Wmpbell : RE: Representation of Contra Costa County at the Study Group for rail service improvements, created under AB 971 (Costa) In 1983, San Joaquin Rail Task Force was created to encourage local support for improving the rail transportation service in the San Joaquin Valley and provide effective linkage with the San Francisco Bay Area and the Sacramento area. The Task Force subsequently formed a committee known as "The Steering Committee of the Caltrans Rail Task Force" with 12 counties, including Contra Costa County, as voting members. Contra Costa County, represented by Supervisor Nancy C. Fanden or her alternate, T. S. Khanna, has been giving active support to the Steer- ing Committee. Efforts of the Steering Committee resulted in the passage of AB 958 (Costa) , authorizing a third train service in the San Joaquin Valley and the release of $8.7 million by Governor Deukmejian for improving the rail service during the year 1988-89. Last year, a 30-member Study Group was created under AB 971 (Costa) to propose improvements for the San Joaquin Valley train service. Contra Costa County was not included as a member of the Study Group. Since any change in the existing train service or future improvements will have a significant impact on our countywide transportation system, I believe that Contra Costa County must be represented at the Study Group. On behalf of the Board of Supervisors, I urge your support and the necessary action to assure our representation at the Study Group. Sincerely, TOM TORLAKSON, Chairman TSKjaa Board of Supervisors TSM3/Raii .TK cc: MTC Mayors The Board of Supervisorsarltt'a Phil Batchelor Clerk of the Board and County Administration Buildingr(lCounty Administrator Costa 651 Pine St., Room 106 (415)646-2371 Martinez, California 94553 County Tom Powers,1st District J Nancy C.Fanden,2nd District s s c Robert t.Schroder,3rd District Sunne Wright McPeak 4th District f Tom Tortakson,Sth District S'+co6k`t' April 4, 1989 The Honorable William P. Baker Fifteenth Assembly District Room 4144, State Capitol SacramentoCA 95814 Dear Mrker: RE: Representation of Contra Costa County at the Study Group for rail service improvements, created under AB 971 (Costa) In 1983, San Joaquin Rail Task Force was created to encourage local support for improving the rail transportation service in the San Joaquin Valley and provide effective linkage with the San Francisco Bay Area and the Sacramento area. The Task Force subsequently formed a committee known as "The Steering Committee of the Caltrans Rail Task Force" with 12 counties, including Contra Costa County, as voting members. Contra Costa County, represented by Supervisor Nancy C. Fanden or her alternate, T. S. Khanna, has been giving active support to the Steer- ing Committee. Efforts of the Steering Committee resulted in the passage of AB 958 (Costa) , authorizing a third train service in the San Joaquin Valley and the release of $8.7 million by Governor Deukmejian for improving the rail service during the year 1988-89. Last year, a 30-member Study Group was created under AB 971 (Costa) to propose improvements for the San Joaquin Valley train service. Contra Costa County was .not included as a member of the Study Group. Since any change in the existing train service or future improvements will have a significant impact on our countywide transportation system, I believe that Contra Costa County must be represented at the Study Group. On behalf of the Board of Supervisors, I urge your support and the necessary action to assure our representation at the Study Group. Sincerely, TOM TORLAKSON, Chairman fiSK/aa Board of Supervisors TSM3/Rail .TK cc: MTC Mayors The BoArd of Supervisors �OrltC'B PhilBBoard lord g �� and CountyAdministration Buildin coon Administrator 651 Pine St., Room 106 (415}646-2371 Martinez, California 94553 County Tom Powers,1 st District f Nancy C.Fanden,2nd District �.....E-..c •t�j.,- OFA Robert 1.Schroder,3rd District ,. Surma Wright McPeak,4th District �.�..� Tom Torlakson,5th District tom, Vti April 4, 1989 The Honorable Thomas H. Bates Twelfth Assembly District Room 2188, State Capitol Sacramento CA 95814 Dear Mr.� tes: RE: Representation of Contra Costa County at the Study Group for rail service improvements, created under AB 971 (Costa) In 1983, San Joaquin Rail Task Force was created to encourage local support for improving the rail transportation service in the San Joaquin Valley and provide effective linkage with the San Francisco Bay Area and the Sacramento area. The Task Force subsequently formed a committee known as "The Steering Committee of the Caltrans Rail Task Force" with 12 counties, including Contra Costa County, as voting members. Contra Costa County, represented by Supervisor Nancy C. Fanden or her alternate, T. S. Khanna, has been giving active support to the Steer- ing Committee. Efforts of the Steering Committee resulted in the passage of AB 958 (Costa) , authorizing a third train service in the San Joaquin Valley and the release of $8.7 million by Governor Deukmejian for improving the rail service during the year 1988-89. Last year, a 30-member Study Group was created under AB 971 (Costa) to propose improvements for the San Joaquin Valley train service. Contra Costa County was not included as a member of the Study Group. Since any change in the existing train service or future improvements will have a significant impact on our countywide transportation system, I believe that Contra Costa County must be represented at the Study Group, On behalf of the Board of Supervisors, I urge your support and the necessary action to assure our representation at the Study Group. Sincerely, lam- TOM TORLAKSON, Chairman TSK/aa Board of Supervisors TSM3/Raii .TK cc: MTC Mayors The Bocird of Supervisors �On �c"� Phil Batchelor Clerk of the Board Costa and County Administration BUIIdInC� County Administrator 651 Pine St., Room 106 {415)646-2371 Martinez, California 94553 County Powers,1st District I Nancy C.€anden,2nd District o Robert 1.Schroder;3rd District71 R Sunne Wright McPeak 4th District ' Tom Torlakson,5th District r April 4, 1989 The Honorable Phillip Isenberg Tenth Assembly District Room 2175, State Capitol Sacramento, A 95814 Dear Mr. ! enberg: RE: Representation of Contra Costa County at the Study Group for rail service improvements, created under AB 971 (Costa) In 1983, San Joaquin Rail Task Force was created to encourage local support for improving the rail transportation service in the San Joaquin Valley and provide effective linkage with the San Francisco Bay Area and the Sacramento area. The Task Force subsequently formed a committee known as "The Steering Committee of the Caltrans Rail Task Force" with 12 counties, including Contra Costa County, as voting members. Contra Costa County, represented by Supervisor Nancy C. Fanden or her alternate, T. S. Khanna, has been giving active support to the Steer- ing Committee. Efforts of the Steering Committee resulted in the passage of AB 958 (Costa) , authorizing a third train service in the San Joaquin Valley and the release of $8.7 million by Governor Deukmejian for improving the rail service during the year 1988-89. Last year, a 30-member Study Group was created under AB 971 (Costa) to propose improvements for the San Joaquin Valley train service. Contra Costa County was not included as a member of the Study Group. Since any change in the existing train service or future improvements will have a significant impact on our countywide transportation system, I believe that Contra Costa County must be represented at the Study Group. On behalf of the Board of Supervisors, I urge your support and the necessary action' to assure our representation at the Study Group. Sincerely, 144,1 TOM TORLAKSON, Chairman TSK/aa Board of Supervisors TSM3/Rail .TK cc: MTC Mayors il elor The Board of Supervisors Contra Cehk oahehBoard and County Administration Building Costa county Administrator (415)646-2371 651 Pine St., Room 106 County Martinez, California 94553 Tom Powers,1st District Nancy C.Fanden,2nd District c�`�- ,�•�•of Robert I.Schroder,3rd District Sunne Wright McPeak 4th District r�� ► Vii !'< Tom Torlakson,5th District �•• Vim` April 4, 1989 The Honorable Nicholas C. Petris Ninth Senatorial District Room 5080, State Capitol Sacramento, CA P5814 Dear Senatorletrls: RE: Representation of Contra Costa County at the Study Group for rail service improvements, created under AB 971 (Costa) In 1983, San Joaquin Rail Task Force was created to encourage local support for improving the rail transportation service in the San Joaquin Valley and provide effective linkage with the San Francisco Bay Area and the Sacramento area. The Task Force subsequently formed a committee known as "The Steering Committee of the Caltrans Rail Task Force" with 12 counties, including Contra Costa County, as . voting members. Contra Costa County, represented by Supervisor Nancy C. Fanden or her alternate, T. S. Khanna, has been giving active support to the Steer- ing Committee. Efforts of the Steering Committee resulted in the passage of AB 958 (Costa) , authorizing a third train service in the San Joaquin Valley and the release of $8.7 million by Governor Deukmejian for improving the rail service during the year 1988-89. Last year, a 30-member Study Group was created under AB 971 (Costa) to propose improvements for the San Joaquin Valley train service. Contra Costa County was not included as a member of the Study Group. Since any change in the existing train service or future improvements will have a significant impact on our countywide transportation system, I believe that Contra Costa County must be represented at the Study Group. On behalf of the Board of Supervisors, I urge your support and the necessary action to assure our representation at the Study Group. Sincerely, HN2 TOM TORLAKSON, Chairman Board of Supervisors TSK/aa TSM3/Rail .TK cc: MTC Mayors