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HomeMy Public PortalAbout08 August 29, 2011 Eastern Riverside County Programs and ProjectsRIVERSIDE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION EASTERN RIVERSIDE COUNTY PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA TIME: 10:30 a.m. DATE: Monday, August 29, 2011 LOCATION: CVAG Office Video Conference Site Blythe City Hall 73-710 Fred Waring Drive, Suite 200 235 N. Broadway, Room A Palm Desert, CA 92260 Blythe, CA 92225 ':9-COMMITTEE MEMBERS -41 Scott Matas, Chair / Russell Betts, City of Desert Hot Springs Joseph DeConinck / To Be Appointed, City of Blythe Greg Pettis / Kathleen DeRosa, City of Cathedral City Steven Hernandez / Eduardo Garcia, City of Coachella Douglas Hanson / Patrick Mullany, City of Indian Wells Glenn Miller / Michael Wilson, City of Indio Terry Henderson / Don Adolph, City of La Ouinta Jan Harnik / William Kroonen, City of Palm Desert Steve Pougnet / Ginny Foat, City of Palm Springs Scott Hines / Gordon Moller, City of Rancho Mirage John J. Benoit, County of Riverside, District IV ':9-STAFF -41 Anne Mayer, Executive Director John Standiford, Deputy Executive Director ':9-AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY -41 Air Ouality, Capital Projects, Communications and Outreach Programs, Congestion Management Program (CMP), Intermodal Programs, Motorist Services (ie. SAFE), New Corridors, Regional Agencies/Regional Planning, Regional Transportation Improvement Program (RTIP), and State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) related to the Coachella and Palo Verde Valleys, and other areas as may be prescribed by the Commission. Comments are welcomed by the Committee. If you wish to provide comments to the Committee, please complete and submit a Speaker Card to the Clerk of the Board. RIVERSIDE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION EASTERN RIVERSIDE COUNTY PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS COMMITTEE www.rctc.org AGENDA * *Actions may be taken on any item listed on the agenda 10:45 a.m. Monday, August 29, 2011 CVAG Office Video Conference Site-Blythe City Hall 73-710 Fred Waring Drive, Suite 119 235 N. Broadway Street, Room A Palm Desert, CA 92260 Blythe, CA 92225 In compliance with the Brown Act and Government Code Section 54957.5, agenda materials distributed 72 hours prior to the meeting, which are public records relating to open session agenda items, will be available for inspection by members of the public prior to the meeting at the Commission office, 4080 Lemon Street, Third Floor, Riverside, CA, and on the Commission's website, www.rctc.org. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Government Code Section 54954.2, if you need special assistance to participate in a Committee meeting, please contact the Clerk of the Board at (951) 787-7141. Notification of at least 48 hours prior to meeting time will assist staff in assuring that reasonable arrangements can be made to provide accessibility at the meeting. 1 . CALL TO ORDER 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ROLL CALL 4. PUBLIC COMMENTS Each individual speaker is limited to speak three (3) continuous minutes or less. The Committee may, either at the direction of the Chair or by majority vote of the Committee, waive this three (3) minute time limitation. Depending on the number of items on the Agenda and the number of speakers, the Chair may, at his/her discretion, reduce the time of each speaker to two (2) continuous minutes. Also, the Committee may terminate public comments if such comments become repetitious. Speakers may not yield their time to others without the consent of the Chair. Any written documents to be distributed or presented to the Committee shall be submitted to the Clerk of the Board. This policy applies to Public Comments and comments on Agenda Items. Eastern Riverside County Programs and Projects Committee Agenda August 29, 2011 Page 2 Under the Brown Act, the Board should not take action on or discuss matters raised during public comment portion of the agenda which are not listed on the agenda. Board members may refer such matters to staff for factual information or to be placed on the subsequent agenda for consideration. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES NOVEMBER 1, 2010 6. ADDITIONS/REVISIONS (The Committee may add an item to the Agenda after making a finding that there is a need to take immediate action on the item and that the item came to the attention of the Committee subsequent to the posting of the agenda. An action adding an item to the agenda requires 2/3 vote of the Committee. If there are less than 2/3 of the Committee members present, adding an item to the agenda requires a unanimous vote. Added items will be placed for discussion at the end of the agenda.) 7. 2011 COACHELLA VALLEY SPECIALIZED TRANSIT CALL FOR PROJECTS IMPLEMENTATION UPDATE Page 1 Overview This item is for the Committee to: 1) Receive and file the report on the implementation of 2011 Specialized Transit Call for Projects; and 2) Forward to the Commission for final action. 8. AVENUE 66 GRADE SEPARATION ON THE ALAMEDA CORRIDOR EAST ­ FISCAL YEAR 2008/09 APPROPRIATIONS Page 5 Overview This item is for the Committee to: 1) Allocate $1.3 million to the county of Riverside (County) in support of the Avenue 66 grade separation project $950,000 from the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009 and $350,000 in federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) funds; and 2) Forward to the Commission for final action. Eastern Riverside County Programs and Projects Committee Agenda August 29, 2011 Page 3 9. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Page 7 Overview This item is for the Eastern Riverside County Programs and Projects Committee to conduct an election of officers for 2011 Chair and Vice Chair. 10. COMMISSIONERS / STAFF REPORT Overview This item provides the opportunity for the Commissioners and staff to report on attended and upcoming meetings/conferences and issues related to Commission activities. 11. ADJOURNMENT The next Eastern Riverside County Programs and Projects Committee meeting is scheduled to be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, October 3, 2011, CVAG Office, 73-710 Fred Waring Drive, Suite 119, Palm Desert, CA 92260. Alexandra Rackerby From: Alexandra Rackerby Sent: Wednesday, August 24, 2011 2:26 PM To: Alexandra Rackerby Subject: RCTC-Eastern Riverside County Programs and Projects Committee-Ipad Compatible Users Good afternoon Commissioners, The Eastern Riverside County Programs and Projects Committee agenda for Monday I August 29 t 2011 is posted on our website at http://www.rete.org/downloads/ERC/ipad ere. pdf Let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you. Respectfu lIy, Allie Rackerby Riverside County Transportation Commission (951) 787-7141 1 RIVERSIDE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION EASTERN RIVERSIDE COUNTY PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS SIGN -IN SHEET August 29, 2011 NAME OriZeiS "MS jeeit [ (I ne S SEA- 1�'eAtv1/4.ets,\.--� 14 - di) F" feio eia-s m AGENCY 0.ArWi6-04AS Cr? Ce e-t LA_ o tk EMAIL ADDRESS C1.unn NLtkW -1lN-1 IJ \ RIVERSIDE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION EASTERN RIVERSIDE COUNTY PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS COMMITTEE ROLL CALL August 29, 2011 County of Riverside, District IV City of Blythe City of Cathedral City City of Coachella City of Desert Hot Springs City of Indian Wells City of Indio City of La Quinta City of Palm Desert City of Palm Springs City of Rancho Mirage Present ra U )2r: 0 AGENDA ITEM 5 MINUTES RIVERSIDE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMM/SS/ON EASTERN RIVERSIDE COUNTY PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS COMNIITTEE Monday, November 1, 2010 MINUTES 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting of the Eastern Riverside County Programs and Projects Committee was called to order by Chair Scott Matas at 10:33 a.m., at 73-710 Fred Waring Drive, Suite 119, Palm Desert, California, 92260 and video conference at Blythe City Hall, 235 N. Broadway Street, Room A, Blythe, CA 92555. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE At this time, Commissioner Steve Pougnet led the Eastern Riverside County Programs and Projects Committee in a flag salute. 3. ROLL CALL Members/Alternates Present Members Absent John J. Benoit Joseph DeConinck Terry Henderson Scott Hines Scott Matas Glenn Miller Patrick Mullany Greg Pettis Steve Pougnet Marion Ashley Jim Ferguson Eduardo Garcia 4. PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no requests to speak from the public. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — APRIL 5, 2010 M/S/C (Henderson/Mullany) to approve the minutes of April 5, 2010, as submitted. RCTC ERC Programs and Projects Committee Minutes November 1, 2010 Page 2 6. ADDITIONS/REVISIONS Anne Mayer requested the Committee add an agenda item, "Trade Corridor Improvement Fund Projects — Avenue 52 Grade Separation'; to the agenda as a late breaking item. This item arose after the agenda was posted and mailed, and there is a need that this item be addressed by the Committee at this time. M/S/C (Pettis/Benoit) to add this item to the agenda. 7. EASTERN COUNTY FISCAL YEAR 2009/10 FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND FISCAL YEAR 2010/11 BUDGET Theresia Trevino, Chief Financial Officer, presented the audited financial results for FY 2009/10 and the Measure A and Local Transportation Fund projections for FY 2010/11, noting that the final audit results were received after the agenda was posted. At Commissioner Mullany's request, Theresia Trevino clarified that since the audited results have been received, the notations in the agenda item that reflect unaudited results are now deemed audited results. Additionally, there were no adjustments in the numbers presented. M/S/C (Henderson/Mullany) to receive and file a report on the audited financial results for the year ended June 30, 2010, related to the Eastern County's share of funds accounted for by the Commission and on the Fiscal Year 2010/11 Measure A and Local Transportation Fund (LTF) revenue projections. 8. 2011 SPECIALIZED TRANSIT CALL FOR PROJECTS FOR COACHELLA VALLEY Robert Yates, Multimodal Services Director, provided a report on the status of the 2011 Specialized Transit Call for Projects. At Commissioner Scott Hines' requested, Robert Yates provided detailed information regarding the Job Access Reverse Commute (JARC) and New Freedom programs. Commissioner Hines then discussed the need to provide transit service to Roy's Desert Resource Center and asked if these programs could assist with this need. RCTC ERC Programs and Projects Committee Minutes November 1, 2010 Page 3 Robert Yates stated the purchase of bus passes are not allowed with these programs, however, he is aware of discussion and efforts by the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) regarding this concern. Commissioner Terry Henderson suggested the concern expressed by Commissioner Hines be agendized for the next CVAG Transportation Committee meeting. Tom Kirk, CVAG Executive Director, concurred and noted CVAG received JARC funding for SunLine Transit Agency that supports a part of the transportation program at Roy's Desert Resource Center. M/S/C to receive and file a report on the status of the 2011 Specialized Transit Call for Projects. 9. COMMISSION ADVOCACY ON BEHALF OF ADDITIONAL SUNSET LIMITED SERVICE Sheldon Peterson, Rail Manager, discussed the Commission's support and efforts for passenger rail service to the Coachella Valley. At Chair Matas' request, Sheldon Peterson discussed the financial challenges to implement daily service, current negotiation strategies, and the potential timeline to begin service once an agreement is reached. Commissioner Benoit suggested each city and the county adopt resolutions of support for this service. Commissioner Pettis discussed the efforts of Bob Manning, Southwest Rail Passenger Association, to implement this service. M/S/C (Pettis/Benoit) to: 1) Reaffirm the Commission's formal support for implementation and expansion of intercity Amtrak rail service to the Coachella Valley; 2) Direct staff to work closely and coordinate with the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) local communities to advocate for intercity Amtrak rail service to the Coachella Valley; and 3) Forward to the Commission for final action. RCTC ERC Programs and Projects Committee Minutes November 1, 2010 Page 4 10. TRADE CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENT FUND PROJECTS — AVENUE 52 GRADE SEPARATION John Standiford, Deputy Executive Director, provided on overview of the Trade Corridor Improvement Fund proposed project substitution. M/S/C (Henderson/Benoit) to: 1) Direct staff to work with Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) and city of Coachella (Coachella) to substitute the grade separation project at Avenue 66 for Avenue 52; 2) Submit Trade Corridor Improvement Fund (TCIF) project application and supporting documentation to the California Transportation Commission requesting deobligation of $10 million in TCIF funding on Avenue 66 and reprogramming to Avenue 52; and 3) Forward to the Commission for final action. 11. COMMISSIONERS / STAFF REPORT There were no comments from Commissioners or staff. 12. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business for consideration by the Eastern Riverside County Programs and Projects Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 1 1:03 a.m. The next meeting of the Eastern Riverside County Programs and Projects Committee is scheduled for April 4, 2011, at 10:30 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Jennifer Harmon Clerk of the Board AGENDA ITEM 7 RIVERS/DE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMM/SS/ON DATE: August 29, 2011 TO: Eastern Riverside County Programs and Projects Committee FROM: Robert Yates, Multimodal Services Director THROUGH: John Standiford, Deputy Executive Director SUBJECT: 2011 Coachella Valley Specialized Transit Call for Implementation Update Projects STAFF RECOMMENDATION: This item is for the Committee to: 1) Receive and file the report on the implementation of 2011 Specialized Transit Call for Projects; and 2) Forward to the Commission for final action. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Providing funding for transit services for persons with disabilities and senior citizens has long been a priority of the Commission. A portion of both Measure A Expenditure Plans has included funding for specialized transit services with the majority of the funding allocated and used for services provided by local transit providers and non-profit agencies. In recent years, additional funding through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has been made available in both the Coachella Valley and Western Riverside County (Western County) areas for this purpose. These programs are known as the Jobs Access Reverse Commute (JARC) and New Freedom (NF) programs. The administrative costs associated with these programs are significant, and each agency involved generally exceeds the maximum 3% administrative allocation. These administrative requirements have resulted in concerns by recipients and subrecipients of these programs. At its April 2008 meeting, the Commission approved the Coordinated Public Transit —Human Services Transportation Plan (Coordinated Plan) and adopted a strategy for developing and conducting a specialized transit call for projects program for both the Coachella Valley and Western County. This process was required to make the Commission eligible to receive the JARC and NF funds and would be used to competitively disburse these funds as required as well to ensure that all available funding be used as efficiently and effectively as possible. Agenda Item 7 1 At its September and October 2008 meetings, the Commission approved the first suite of specialized transit projects for implementation with a funding allocation totaling $7.8 million for both Coachella Valley and Western County. All projects awarded under the 2009 Specialized Transit Call for Projects (2009 Call for Projects) concluded their two-year terms on June 30, 2011. At its October 2010 meeting, the Commission approved a new fund allocation to support the 2011 Specialized Transit Call for Projects (2011 Call for Projects) for the next two years of funding and directed staff to develop the application and scoring criteria and to conduct a new call for projects. The applications were released on November 4, 2010, with a due date of January 5, 2011. Twenty-three proposals were received covering both Coachella Valley and Western County areas. These projects were scored and ranked by an evaluation committee consisting of Citizen Advisory Council (CAC) members (two votes), the two county Coordinated Transportation Service Agency public transit providers - SunLine Transit Agency (SunLine) with one vote and Riverside Transit Agency with one vote - and the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) with one vote. Commission staff also participated on the project evaluation and scoring committee with one vote, and two additional votes were provided by outside consultants advising Commission staff. The scoring criterion was derived from the goals and objectives analysis that was generated during the development of the Coordinated Plan, along with the recommendations derived from a lessons learned report, which documented the performance of the 2009 Call for Projects and resulting contracts. These documents were received and approved by the Commission. On April 13, 2011, the Commission took action on the staff recommendation, which resulted in four projects in the Coachella Valley receiving funding. The four projects include: 1) Agreement No. 1 1-26-069-00 with the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) for the provision of directly operated transportation services (specialized transit program) in the amount of $101,809 in JARC grant funds; 2) Agreement No. 11-26-070-00 with SunLine for the provision of directly operated transportation services (SunLine commuter service) in the amount of $219,030 in JARC grant funds and $40,000 in NF grant funds; 3) Agreement No. 1 1-26-071-00 with SunLine for the provision of transportation pass or voucher services (SunLine Taxi Voucher program) in the amount of $161,067 in NF grant funds; and 4) Agreement No. 1 1-26-072-00 with SunLine for the provision of transportation pass or voucher services (RCTC-Coachella Valley Rideshare program) in the amount of $80,000 in JARC grant funds. Agenda Item 7 2 In order to meet a service start date of July 1, 2011, staff recommended approval of the suite of projects as well as the authority needed to construct the project agreements and have them signed by the chair. DISCUSSION: The purpose of this item is to provide the Eastern County Projects and Programs Committee, as well as the Commission, with an update on the progress of implementing the JARC and NF programs in the Coachella Valley since the approval of the projects in April. It is important to note that SunLine is an important partner in the entire process. SunLine served on the evaluation committee for the projects, is designated as a grantee for oversight of the funding of the Coachella Valley projects, and receives an administrative fee for its role. In the Coachella Valley, this role is somewhat minimal in that the oversight role extends beyond SunLine itself to only two agencies — the Commission and CVAG. SunLine has expressed concern regarding the administrative responsibilities and costs associated with this oversight. On June 9, 2011, staff sent agreement packages for three of the four awarded projects from the 2011 Call for Projects to SunLine for signature. This was done in order to ensure that the projects were able to begin service on July 1, 2011, in order to avoid an interruption in service. The fourth project, SunLine's proposed commuter service to the Pass Area, was withheld because a revised scope of work is needed to reflect a lower funding level than the original application. On August 1, 2011, SunLine, acting as grantee, entered the projects into TEAM, the FTA application and project monitoring system. While this action assisted in the preservation of the funds for Riverside County, the issue surrounding the administration of the projects within the context of the regional memorandum of understanding (MOU) had not yet been resolved. . SunLine has expressed concern regarding the administrative responsibilities and costs associated with this oversight. In a subsequent series of telephone conversations concluding on August 19, staff, SCAG, and SunLine identified the following three points which were mutually agreed upon. This would allow for the agreement packages to be signed and the projects to become eligible for implementation. 1) SunLine agrees to complete the execution of the projects into the federal TEAM database; 2) SCAG agrees to reimburse SunLine in the amount of $5,000 for additional administrative costs; and 3) SCAG, the Commission, and SunLine agree to commence talks within 45 days to discuss the potential revision to the regional MOU. Agenda Item 7 3 NEXT STEPS: By completing the TEAM process, all Coachella Valley projects become eligible for funding. It also should be noted that SunLine as well as the Commission and CVAG are not eligible to receive reimbursements on the projects until SunLine executes the agreements with the Commission and receives approval from the FTA for the TEAM grant submissions. It is uncertain at this point if services provided prior to August 1, 2011, will be eligible for reimbursement. With respect to the Pass Area transit project, the Commission requires a revised scope of work to be submitted by SunLine for approval along with the appropriate short range transit plan amendment. The Commission has retained the services of ANIMA Transit Planning in order to assist SunLine and the subrecipients with the project reporting and invoicing requirements. This process is similar to that used in Western County and is intended to streamline the process by lessening the administrative load on SunLine and therefore allowing for more efficient payment to the subrecipients. It is the intention of staff, working collaboratively with other agency partners, to seek revisions to the regional MOU to establish a streamlined administrative process for future allocations of these federal funds. Agenda Item 7 4 AGENDA ITEM 8 RIVERS/DE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMM/SS/ON DATE: August 29, 2011 TO: Eastern Riverside County Programs and Projects Committee FROM: Tanya Love, Goods Movement Manager THROUGH: John Standiford, Deputy Executive Director SUBJECT: Avenue 66 Grade Separation on the Alameda Corridor East - Fiscal Year 2008/09 Appropriations STAFF RECOMMENDATION: This item is for the Committee to: 1) Allocate $1 .3 million to the county of Riverside (County) in support of the Avenue 66 grade separation project - $950,000 from the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009 and $350,000 in federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) funds; and 2) Forward to the Commission for final action. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The County is requesting $1 .3 million in funding to complete the final design and engineering phase for the Avenue 66 grade separation project. Currently, an at -grade crossing exists on the Union Pacific Railroad on Avenue 66 just south of the city of Coachella: Agenda Item 8 66. A. Avenue 66 At -Grade Crossing 5 The existing at -grade crossing requires that traffic, including a substantial number of agricultural freight trucks, stop for passing trains. Once completed, the project will improve traffic flow, reduce air pollution, and increase safety by eliminating vehicle delays. The FY 2008/09 consolidated appropriations bill identified funding in the amount of $950,000 for grade separation projects located in Riverside County on the Alameda Corridor East (ACE). In addition to the earmark, the Commission approved an off the top allocation of 25% of CMAQ and Surface Transportation Program federal funds for ACE grade separation projects. Staff is in support of the County's request and recommends that in addition to the $950,000 earmark, $350,000 of CMAQ funding also be allocated. If approved, the project will become shovel ready making it more competitive should future grant opportunities arise. There is no financial impact to the Commission, as the funds do not flow directly through the Commission. The County will be the direct recipient of such funds. Agenda Item 8 6 AGENDA ITEM 9 RIVERS/DE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMM/SS/ON DATE: August 29, 2011 TO: Eastern Riverside County Programs and Projects Committee FROM: Jennifer Harmon, Office and Board Services Manager THROUGH: John Standiford, Deputy Executive Director SUBJECT: Election of Officers STAFF RECOMMENDATION: This item is for the Eastern Riverside County Programs and Projects Committee to conduct an election of officers for 2011 - Chair and Vice Chair. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: At its February 10, 2010 meeting, the Commission approved the restructuring of the committees that included the disbandment of the Plans and Programs Committee and the formation of two geographically -based committees: the Eastern Riverside County Programs and Projects Committee and the Western Riverside County Programs and Projects Committee. The Eastern Riverside County Programs and Projects Committee's responsibilities include air quality, capital projects, communications and outreach programs, Congestion Management Program (CMP), intermodal programs, motorist services (ie. SAFE), new corridors, regional agencies/regional planning, Regional Transportation Improvement Program (RTIP), and State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) related to the Coachella and Palo Verde Valleys and other areas as may be prescribed by the Commission. This committee meets on the first Monday of the month, except when the first Monday falls on a holiday or in the same week as a Commission meeting, at 10:30 a.m. at the Coachella Valley Association of Governments office and via video conference at Blythe City Hall as necessary. Membership is comprised of all Coachella Valley and Palo Verde Valley city representatives and the Fourth District Supervisor. Agenda Item 9 7