Agenda - Merced County Association of Governments
Transcription
Agenda - Merced County Association of Governments
NOTICE OF REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE Merced County Association of Governments Conference Room 369 W. 18th Street Merced, CA 95340 (209) 723-3153 FRIDAY, MAY 4, 2012– 8:30 A.M. 1. INTRODUCTION MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY ADDRESS ANY ITEM ON THE AGENDA DURING CONSIDERATION OF THAT ITEM. 2. ORAL COMMUNICATION PERSONS WISHING TO ADDRESS AGENDA ITEMS OR COMMENT ON ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA MAY DO SO AT THIS TIME. COMMENTS ARE LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES PER PERSON. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA, NO ACTION WILL BE TAKEN AT THIS TIME. IF IT REQUIRES ACTION, IT WILL BE REFERRED TO STAFF AND/OR PLACED ON THE NEXT AGENDA. COPIES OF STAFF REPORTS OR OTHER WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION RELATING TO ITEMS OF BUSINESS REFERRED TO ON THE AGENDA ARE ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF MERCED COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS. PERSONS WITH QUESTIONS CONCERNING AGENDA ITEMS MAY CALL MCAG TO MAKE INQUIRY REGARDING THE NATURE OF THE ITEM DESCRIBED ON THE AGENDA. ITEM STAFF * 3. Minutes of the March 2, 2012 Citizens Advisory Committee meeting * # 4. Status of California High-Speed Rail Project Ty Phimmasone Recommend the MCAG Governing Board approve declaring MCAG’s support for the California High-Speed Rail or not. * # Terri Lewis 5. Short Range Transit Plan For review, comment and possible action to recommend adoption of the Short Range Transit Plan. # 6. Congestion Mitigation Air Quality Program Status Ty Phimmasone For information and discussion. 7. Status on the San Joaquin Valley Interregional Goods Movement Plan Ty Phimmasone For information only. Matt Fell 8. San Joaquin Valley Demographic Forecasts 2010-2050 For information only. # Rich Green 9. San Joaquin Valley Greenprint Update For information only. Lori Flanders 10. One Voice Update 11. Information/Discussion Only # a. CAC Highlights – March 2, 2012 b. Sign-up sheet for CAC representative to the MCAG Governing Board meetings – 2012 c. MCAG Governing Board minutes - March 15, 2012 d. MCAG Governing Board minutes – April 19, 2012 8. Announcements * Action # Attachment + Enclosure The next Citizens Advisory Committee meeting will be held on Friday, June 1, 2012 at 8:30 a.m. at MCAG, 369 W. 18th Street, Merced, California ITEM 3 CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE March 2, 2012 MINUTES The regular meeting of the CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE held Friday, March 2, 2012 at the Merced County Association of Governments conference room located at 369 W. 18th Street, Merced, California, was called to order by Chairman Stuart Rawling at 8:33 a.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Dennis Coté, Engineering Ron Price, Water Stuart Rawling, Construction Erin Stacy, Student Diana Westmoreland Pedrozo, Agriculture MEMBERS ABSENT Jeff Freitas, Citizen at Large Larrae Iencarelli, Real Estate Richard Jantz, Economic Development Mary Ford-Azevedo, Small Business Vacant, Citizen at Large Vacant, Citizen at Large Vacant, Citizen at Large Vacant, Citizen at Large Vacant, Commerce/Finance Vacant, Goods Movement Vacant, Healthcare Vacant, Education OTHERS PRESENT Matt Fell, MCAG Lori Flanders, MCAG Marjie Kirn, MCAG Terri Lewis, MCAG Ty Phimmasone, MCAG 1. Introductions So noted. 2. Oral Communication None. 3. Consent Agenda a. b. Minutes of the February 3, 2012 Citizens Advisory Committee meeting 2013 Federal Transportation Improvement Program Concept Report Dennis Cote made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Seconded by Erin Stacy. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 4. 2012 One Voice Priorities Lori Flanders reported that the One Voice Steering Committee met on February 8, 2012 to rank projects in priority order and decided on what issues to advocate for during the the April 24-25, 2012 Federal legislative visit to Washington, D.C.: Projects: • Los Banos Bypass, City of Los Banos (No. 1 priority); • Campus Parkway, City of Merced; • Support Legislation to change a restriction to the New Exchequer Dam Spillway project; • Gustine Downtown Revitalization project, City of Gustine; • Facility for disabled students at outdoor school, Merced County Office of Education. Advocate: • Request the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program provide a percentage of competitive grants to smaller communities; • Support ongoing funding for transportation infrastructure projects through the transportation reauthorization bills currently being considered within the House and Senate; • Advocate for existing MPOs, regardless of population size, be grandfathered when defined within the transportation reauthorization; • Support funding for Economic Development Administration; • Advocate for housing vouchers for homeless veterans, known as HUD-VASH, through the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Diana Westmoreland Pedrozo stated that with recent State Water Control Board action, local leaders should be very concerned with water flow for all uses (hydroelectric power, Ag, recharge basins) from Sierra streams to the San Joaquin Valley. Diana Westmoreland Pedrozo made a motion to recommend the MCAG Governing Board approve the One Voice Program priorities for 2012; identify our number one priority as the Los Banos Bypass; and advocate that the MCAG Governing Board work with other San Joaquin Valley Counties to address the State Water Control Board regarding water flow from the Sierra streams. Seconded by Ron Price. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 5. Draft Short Range Transit Plan Marjie Kirn reported that SRTP consultants conducted public outreach meetings this week on the Proposed Transit Service Plan. Consultants used a PowerPoint presentation to highlight the Proposed Transit Service Plan changes starting in the Fall of 2012. Marjie Kirn reviewed the PowerPoint presentation with CAC members. Stuart Rawling inquired on what the goal is for designing transit routes. Marjie Kirn responded that Merced County Transit is focused on encouraging riders to use the most efficient, least costly, mode of public transportation, thereby, maximizing the use of limited transit resources. Dennis Cote added that Merced County Transit is focused on the greatest number of passenger miles (number of people on each transit trip) per dollar of funding available. 6. Status on the San Joaquin Valley Interregional Goods Movement Plan Ty Phimmasone reported that the San Joaquin Valley (SJV) Interregional Goods Movement Plan consultant (Cambridge Systematics) has recently prepared a Draft Truck Commodity Flow Summary that highlights the significant number of Trucks hauling commodities on SJV major highway corridors. A complete copy of the report can be viewed at http://sjvcogs/com/goods.html . 7. Information/Discussion Only a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. 8 CAC Highlights – February 3, 2012 Sign-up sheet for CAC representative to the MCAG Governing Board meetings -2012 MCAG Governing Board minutes – January 19, 2012 MCAG Governing Board minutes – February 16, 2012 Regional Governance Initiative for the San Joaquin Intercity Rail Service – Preliminary White Paper Regional Transportation Impact Fee Report Fiscal Year 2011/12 – 2nd Quarter San Joaquin Valley Blueprint Integration Project – Introduction Geospatial Summit Series Proposal for Seven Metropolitan Planning Organizations Scenario Planning Tool Announcements Chairman Rawling stated that we need a CAC Governing Board representative for the March 15, 2012 Governing Board meeting as Mary-Ford Azevedo is not present for this meeting. Diana Westmoreland-Pedrozo agreed to change from being the alternate to the primary CAC GB representative for the March 15, 2012 meeting in Gustine. Dennis Cote agreed to be the CAC GB rep alternate for the April 19, 2012 meeting. Erin Stacy stated that she will be finishing her graduate studies at UC Merced in July 2012 and will be leaving the CAC at that time. Erin will initiate informal CAC recruiting efforts with other students at UC Merced and Merced College. THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS OF THE CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE, THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 9:38 A.M. ITEM 4 MEMORANDUM DATE: APRIL 27, 2012 TO: CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE FROM: TY PHIMMASONE, PLANNER RE: STATUS OF CALIFORNIA HIGH-SPEED RAIL PROJECT REVISED DRAFT 2012 BUSINESS PLAN On November 1, 2011, the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) released the Draft 2012 Business Plan for a 60-day review and comment period. The CHSRA has since revised that Draft Business Plan. The following highlights the key changes made in the Revised Draft 2012 Business Plan. The Revised Draft 2012 Business Plan calls for building the high speed rail system in segments. • Initial Construction Section (ICS): The initial construction of the Central Valley 130-mile section, from north of Bakersfield to south of Chowchilla, will be put in use by connecting to the Northern California Unified Service. • Initial Operating Section (IOS) - South: The first operational segment, from Merced and south to Sylmar (San Fernando Valley) has a Year-of-Expenditure (YOE) construction cost of $31.3 billion. Expected to complete in 10 years, this segment will close the rail gap between Bakersfield and Palmdale, thereby connecting the San Joaquin Valley to the San Fernando Valley. When in operation, this IOS is expected to generate the profits (from projected ridership) needed to draw in more private and public investments to build further segments. • Bay to Basin: A 290-mile stretch from the Central Valley to San Jose with a construction cost of $19.9 billion. Initial investments will begin with the electrification of the Caltrain corridor in the San Francisco Bay Area. • Phase 1 Blended: Electrify existing commuter rail system tracks to allow shared operations and a “one-seat ride” into San Francisco (north) and into Anaheim (south) at a Year-ofExpenditure construction cost of $17.2 billion. While investing in building the Initial Operating Section (IOS), a newer Business Plan focus is to concurrently make investments (of State High Speed Rail Bond funds) in improvements at the “bookends” (existing rail systems in the Bay Area and in Southern California). • Invest in electrification of the Caltrain corridor in the San Francisco Bay Area. Electrification will produce immediate benefits to Bay Area commuters by providing faster, more efficient, and cleaner service. • Investments in improvements to the Metrolink system in Southern California will benefit those riders and the marketability of rail travel. The Revised Draft 2012 Business Plan could be accessed from CHSRA’s website (http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/ ). FINAL EIR/EIS FOR MERCED TO FRESNO SECTION The CHSRA is making available the Final Environmental Impact Report / Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) to the public. The locations of the hard copies of this Final EIR/EIS are addressed on the attached notice. The electronic version can be downloaded from CHSRA’s website (http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/ ). NEXT STEPS The CHSRA has requested the multi-million appropriation to begin construction of the $6.0 billion Initial Construction Section (ICS) next year. The CHSRA seeks to access the $2.7 billion in State Bond monies and the $3.3 billion in federal grants for this construction. This request, the Draft Business Plan, and the Funding Plan, goes to Governor Brown’s administration and to the State Legislature. The State Legislature is expected to make its decision in June. CHSRA REQUEST FOR DECLARATION OF SUPPORT In order to garner support from the State Legislature, the California High Speed Rail Authority has requested that local public agencies declare their support for the California High Speed Rail. REQUESTED ACTION Recommend the MCAG Governing Board approve declaring MCAG’s support for the California High-Speed Rail or not. Attachment: Notice of the Final EIR/EIS for the Merced to Fresno High-Speed Train Section California High-Speed Rail Declaration of Support DECLARATION OF SUPPORT for California High-Speed Rail Today, we the undersigned organizations and institutions, representing Californians from all walks of life and throughout our great state, declare our strong support for High-Speed Rail. The California High-Speed Rail project will… Immediately create hundreds and thousands of jobs to build, operate, maintain and support the nation’s first high-speed rail system. Provide faster on-the-ground travel, connecting Californians residing and working in the north, south and central parts of our state like never before. Ease gridlock by easing traffic congestion on our crowded freeways and at our airports. Help clean our air and improve our health by running on non-polluting electricity powered by 100% renewable energy. Help California businesses and governmental agencies meet requirements of the greenhouse gas reduction law by removing millions of tons of carbon dioxide emissions from the air. Stimulate new technologies, create a new industry, and position California as a transportation model for the rest of our country. With our state’s population projected to grow to 60 million people by 2050, the conditions are ripe for us to fully support high-speed rail. Faithfully Yours, Californians For High-Speed Rail, a grassroots statewide coalition of supporters advocating for the High-Speed Rail project approved by California voters in November 2008, and our fellow pro-HSR stakeholders… ITEM 5 MEMORANDUM DATE: APRIL 27, 2012 TO: CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE FROM: TERRI LEWIS, ASSOCIATE PLANNER RE: SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN BACKGROUND Merced County Association of Governments (MCAG), in conjunction with The Transit Joint Powers Authority for Merced County (Merced County Transit – “The Bus”), has been in the process of updating the Short Range Transit Plan (SRTP) over the last 12 months. TRANSITmarketing, LLC, our contractor, has been working since April 2011 carrying out the work elements of the SRTP update. In July 2011, the Governing Board authorized an amendment to the SRTP contract scope to include an analysis of the UC Merced CatTracks transit service and to make recommendations regarding the possible integration of CatTracks and The Bus transit services. MCAG has met numerous times with UC Merced staff to discuss the potential of transit service integration with “The Bus” and CatTracks. In February 2012, Public Workshops were held and the Draft Overview of the Proposed Transit Plan was presented for discussion and comment. Consultants gathered public comments and in consultation with MCAG and Transit Joint Powers Authority (TJPA) staff, modified the Draft Overview of the Proposed Transit Plan document. In April 2012, UC Merced staff requested additional time to further review the possibility of any transit service integration with “The Bus”. As SRTP work products have been produced by our consultants, these documents have been included on MCAG meeting agendas as well as the Social Services Transportation Advisory Council (SSTAC). DISCUSSION On April 3, 2012, the TJPA Transit Subcommittee was convened to review the Draft Overview of the Proposed Transit Plan document and allow for discussion and comment. With consensus, the Transit Subcommittee followed the MCAG and TJPA staff recommendation and agreed on the proposed transit service plan as included in the Draft Overview of the Proposed Transit Plan. In addition, the Transit Subcommittee agreed with the MCAG and TJPA staff recommendations: 1. 2. Continued to allow UC Merced to purchase Route 22 transit service (including student passes) until December 2012; Give UC Merced until December 2012 to decide whether or not they can move forward with the transit service integration. On April 20, 2012, the SRTP consultants produced a DRAFT Short Range Transit Plan 20122017 document in four volumes (1 - Service, Financial and Capital Plans; 2 - Marketing Plan; 3 Market Research Report; 4 – Appendix) for review and comment. A study session with the MCAG and TJPA Governing Boards is scheduled for May 10, 2012 from 12:15-1:15pm (MCAG conference room) for further review and discussion on the DRAFT SRTP document. The DRAFT SRTP Executive Summary, pages 1- 9, is attached. The rest of the Draft SRTP document is posted on MCAG’s website www.mcagov.org. REQUESTED ACTION For review, comment and possible action to recommend adoption of the Short Range Transit Plan. Attachment: DRAFT Short Range Transit Plan Executive Summary ITEM 6 MEMORANDUM DATE: APRIL 27, 2012 TO: CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE FROM: TY PHIMMASONE, PLANNER RE: CONGESTION MITIGATION AIR QUALITY PROGRAM STATUS BACKGROUND As a non-attainment area, Merced County receives federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) funds. The purposes of these funds are to relieve congestion and to improve air quality in the Merced Region. MCAG annually receives about $2.99 million a year in CMAQ funding. Since transit has the highest priority but there were not eligible transit needs (i.e. bus purchases), these annual apportionments to the region were made available to the local agencies (county and cities) for their CMAQ-eligible projects. These local agencies’ projects were approved by the MCAG Governing Board, and programmed for funding by fiscal year of expected work phase (Preliminary Engineering, Right-of-Way, Construction). STATUS For CMAQ equipment replacements, beginning this fiscal year, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) requires “Buy America” compliance or waiver prior to FHWA’s issuance of funding obligations (federal commitments of funding for the projects). Since CMAQ equipment does not completely comply (with some steel components manufactured abroad, even though assembled in the United States), the local agencies have submitted requests for Partial “Buy America” Waivers to FHWA. This new, pre-obligation process could take about six months, if not longer. There is uncertainty about whether the Partial Waivers will get approved or not, and if approved whether they will be approved in time to obtain the funding obligations (before the end of the fiscal year, September 2012). With the City of Merced’s Bear Creek Class I Bike Path project, CMAQ construction funding was programmed in the current fiscal year. The City of Merced is facing unforeseen delays in obtaining the needed environmental clearance. There is uncertainty with getting environmental approval soon enough to process and get approved the requests for construction funding (before the end of the fiscal year, September 2012). Obligations of these projects’ programmed funds must be obtained in the fiscal year that the funds were programmed. Otherwise, those funds will be forfeit. Project Merced City Bear Creek Class I Bike Path Merced County Pothole Patcher Los Banos Dump Truck Livingston Backhoe Programmed CMAQ $ 1,264,956 $ 172,633 $ 132,795 $ 110,662 $ 1,681,046 These projects were Board-approved projects. Due to no fault of these local agencies, obligating the programmed fundings is facing threatening delays that need to be addressed. Many other larger regions have backup listings of programmed projects to advance if current projects face delays. Unfortunately, due to construction projects still conducting preliminary engineering this year and with other projects being procurements falling under the same “Buy America” requirement, we don’t have project(s) that could be advanced. OPTIONS OPTION 1: DO NOTHING Option 1 refers to understanding the risks and still moving forward with projects as they are currently programmed. This means hoping that the City of Merced will get the environmental clearance in time to obligate the construction funding for their Bear Creek Class I Bike Path project. This also means hoping that FHWA will approve the “Buy America” Partial Waivers in time to obligate the funds for procurements. OPTION 2: PROGRAM SOME READY-TO-GO PROJECT(S) Option 2 means another call for ready-to-go, CMAQ-eligible project(s) to make use of the available $1.72 million ($1.68 million from at-risk projects plus CMAQ apportionment balance). These project(s) must have federal environmental clearance, require no right-of-way, and have near-complete design. These facets are required in order to quickly obligate the funding once the project(s) has (have) been programmed. Programming the new project(s) would move the current-year, at-risk projects out to some future year, as shown in the attached table. If this option is employed, staff needs to be informed of CMAQ-eligible project proposals by May 3, 2012, and have those project applications in by May 4, 2012, in order for staff to review, possibly program as a Federal Transportation Improvement Program Formal Amendment for Board action in June, and obtain State and Federal Transportation Improvement Program Amendment approval by early July. Caltrans may have a deadline for submittal of Request for Authorizations of mid-late July. OPTION 3: EXCHANGE CURRENT CMAQ MONIES FOR FUTURE CMAQ MONIES Option 3 involves the exchanging of our current-year, unobligated CMAQ apportionment balance of $1.72 million ($1.68 million from at-risk projects plus CMAQ apportionment balance) with another San Joaquin Valley region for a like-amount, fiscal year 2012/13 CMAQ apportionment. Exchanging the apportionment allows another region to make use of the funds this current fiscal year. As the term of the apportionment exchange agreement, the other region commits to returning the “borrowed” apportionment back to MCAG in the next fiscal year 2012/13. San Joaquin Council of Governments (SJCOG) might be interested in this CMAQ exchange. However, they need to have the exchange agreement executed by the end of May in order to be able to obligate the additional “borrowed” apportionment. REQUESTED ACTION For information and discussion. Attachment: CMAQ Programming Scenarios CONGESTION MITIGATION AIR QUALITY (CMAQ) MCAG CMAQ Program for remainder of 2011 FTIP Quadrennial Period OPTION 1: CURRENT PROGRAMMING CMAQ Annual Apportionment Estimates Merced Merced Merced Co. Merced Co. Atwater Gustine Livingston Los Banos Merced Merced Co. Los Banos Livingston Gustine Merced Co. Los Banos Dos Palos Merced Merced MCAG YARTS FFY 11/12 $2,988,688 FFY 12/13 $2,988,688 FFY 13/14 $2,988,688 Install Class I (Black Rascal Creek) Bike Path Install Class I (Bear Creek) Bike Path Purchase 8 Hybrid Vehicles Roadway & Pedestrian Improvements in Planada Pedestrian Improvements in Atwater Install Class II Bike Lanes Along SR-33/140 Pedestrian Improvements in Livingston Pedestrian Improvements in Los Banos Install Class II Bike Lanes in Merced Purchase Pothole Patcher Purchase Dump Truck Purchase Backhoe Construct SR 140/33 Roundabout Purchase Spray Pothole Patcher Purchase 2 Backhoes Purchase Front Loader Purchase 50 Bike Racks Install 3 Bike Shelters TDM: Merced County Rideshare Program Implement Public Outreach & Marketing $652,080 $1,264,956 $262,000 $104,465 $13,279 $27,001 $39,838 $39,838 $44,265 $172,633 $132,795 $110,662 $85,000 $101,000 $85,000 $85,000 Programmed Amounts $2,948,812 $2,439,570 $848,216 $39,876 $549,118 $2,140,472 CMAQ Apportionment Balances At-Risk Projects $522,327 $396,890 $270,016 $557,947 $237,260 $247,884 $154,927 $190,339 $198,307 $61,971 $32,844 $146,074 $1,681,046 CONGESTION MITIGATION AIR QUALITY (CMAQ) MCAG CMAQ Program for remainder of 2011 FTIP Quadrennial Period OPTION 2: NEW PROJECT(S) CMAQ Annual Apportionment Estimates FFY 11/12 $2,988,688 Agency NEW PROJECT(S) $1,720,922 Merced Merced Merced Co. Merced Co. Atwater Gustine Livingston Los Banos Merced Merced Co. Los Banos Livingston Gustine Merced Co. Los Banos Dos Palos Merced Merced MCAG YARTS Install Class I (Black Rascal Creek) Bike Path Install Class I (Bear Creek) Bike Path Purchase 8 Hybrid Vehicles Roadway & Pedestrian Improvements in Planada Pedestrian Improvements in Atwater Install Class II Bike Lanes Along SR-33/140 Pedestrian Improvements in Livingston Pedestrian Improvements in Los Banos Install Class II Bike Lanes in Merced Purchase Pothole Patcher Purchase Dump Truck Purchase Backhoe Construct SR 140/33 Roundabout Purchase Spray Pothole Patcher Purchase 2 Backhoes Purchase Front Loader Purchase 50 Bike Racks Install 3 Bike Shelters TDM: Merced County Rideshare Program Implement Public Outreach & Marketing Programmed Amounts CMAQ Apportionment Balances $652,080 $0 $262,000 $104,465 $13,279 $27,001 $39,838 $39,838 $44,265 $0 $0 $0 FFY 12/13 $2,988,688 FFY 13/14 $2,988,688 $1,264,956 $522,327 $396,890 $270,016 $557,947 $237,260 $247,884 $172,633 $132,795 $110,662 $154,927 $190,339 $198,307 $61,971 $32,844 $146,074 $85,000 $101,000 $85,000 $85,000 $2,988,688 $2,855,660 $2,113,172 $0 $133,028 $875,516 CONGESTION MITIGATION AIR QUALITY (CMAQ) MCAG CMAQ Program for remainder of 2011 FTIP Quadrennial Period OPTION 3: CMAQ EXCHANGE W- ANOTHER REGION(S) CMAQ Annual Apportionment Estimates CMAQ Exchange with Another Region Merced Merced Merced Co. Merced Co. Atwater Gustine Livingston Los Banos Merced Merced Co. Los Banos Livingston Gustine Merced Co. Los Banos Dos Palos Merced Merced MCAG YARTS Install Class I (Black Rascal Creek) Bike Path Install Class I (Bear Creek) Bike Path Purchase 8 Hybrid Vehicles Roadway & Pedestrian Improvements in Planada Pedestrian Improvements in Atwater Install Class II Bike Lanes Along SR-33/140 Pedestrian Improvements in Livingston Pedestrian Improvements in Los Banos Install Class II Bike Lanes in Merced Purchase Pothole Patcher Purchase Dump Truck Purchase Backhoe Construct SR 140/33 Roundabout Purchase Spray Pothole Patcher Purchase 2 Backhoes Purchase Front Loader Purchase 50 Bike Racks Install 3 Bike Shelters TDM: Merced County Rideshare Program Implement Public Outreach & Marketing for YARTS Programmed Amounts CMAQ Apportionment Balances FFY 11/12 $2,988,688 -$1,720,922 $1,267,766 $652,080 $0 $262,000 $104,465 $13,279 $27,001 $39,838 $39,838 $44,265 $0 $0 $0 FFY 12/13 $2,988,688 $1,720,922 $4,709,610 FFY 13/14 $2,988,688 $2,988,688 $1,264,956 $522,327 $396,890 $270,016 $557,947 $237,260 $247,884 $172,633 $132,795 $110,662 $154,927 $190,339 $198,307 $61,971 $32,844 $146,074 $85,000 $101,000 $85,000 $85,000 $1,267,766 $4,120,616 $848,216 $0 $588,994 $2,140,472 ITEM 7 MEMORANDUM DATE: APRIL 27, 2012 TO: CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE FROM: TY PHIMMASONE, PLANNER RE: STATUS ON THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY INTERREGIONAL GOODS MOVEMENT PLAN BACKGROUND In June 2011, Cambridge Systematics, the hired consultants for the San Joaquin Valley Council of Governments, began working on the San Joaquin Valley Interregional Goods Movement Plan (SJVIGMP). The cost for the SJVIGMP is paid for by a Transportation Partnership Planning Grant, local cash, and in-kind matches. DISCUSSION The SJVIGMP, involving the participation of regional stakeholders, will develop a consensusbased-preferred, future San Joaquin Valley (SJV) goods movement system financeable strategy that will have identified, evaluated and ranked multimodal projects, which can maximize benefits whilst minimizing/mitigating impacts to the San Joaquin Valley region, and which will have the emphasis on east-west corridors. The project will be prepared using a three-phase approach: Phase 1 will look at existing conditions and will also project expected growth in freight demand to identify future goods movement system deficiencies. This phase will evaluate freight impacts on overall quality of life (community, environment, economic). • Task 1: Demographics, Economics, and Circulation • Task 2: Importance and Benefits of Freight Movement • Task 3: Stakeholder Outreach • Task 4: Goods Movement Data and Report • Task 5: Assess Growth in Freight Demand, Trends in Logistics Industry, and 2035 System Performance • Task 6: Evaluate Community, Environmental, and Economic Impacts of Freight Movement Phase 2 will identify specific parameters and performance measures for evaluating a long string of proposed regional projects and for prioritizing projects/strategies to address the future system deficiencies. Based on developed decision-making procedures, this phase will evaluate the benefits versus costs and impacts for the regional stakeholders’ proposals. Phase 3 will recommend the highest ranked goods movement system proposed projects and will identify possible means to finance them. UPDATE Previously, Cambridge Systematics had prepared the Task 4 Draft Commodity Flow Profile. Recently, Cambridge Systematics has released the Task 5 Draft Commodity Growth and Task 6 Draft Freight Movement Impacts reports. The following are some of the findings from Task 5 and Task 6 draft reports. Findings from Task 5 Draft Commodity Growth: • The San Joaquin Valley (SJV) freight movement is expected to grow from 500 million tons (2007) to 800 million tons by 2040. • Growing demand is the result of rapidly growing population, increasing incomes, and industry expansion. • Trucks are projected to carry 93% (750 million tons) of future freight. The main SJV truck corridors (I-5, SR-99, I-580 to 205) will face more congestion. Rail will carry 7% of the total freight tonnage. Air and water modes will move less than 1% of the total freight tonnage. • Intra-regional (remaining within the SJV region- from one SJV County to another SJV County) movement makes up over 50% of total tonnage in 2040. • Outbound (out-of-SJV exports, predominantly farm products) tonnage will increase at a greater rate than inbound tonnage (still growth in consumer commodities from the LA-Long Beach area). • The rail system customarily carries heavy, non-time sensitive commodities and commodities traveling long distances. Future rail system for the SJV will carry over 50 million tons of freight. By 2040, the outbound flow of prepared food products, mixed freight, and other agricultural products is expected to grow by 140%. • California air cargo tonnage has actually seen declines since 2000, which has been contradictory to past forecasts. SJV airports will also face tough competition (from major airports such as LAX and SFO) for future air cargo tonnage. Rising fuel prices will also impede growth of SJV air freight. • The Port of Stockton expects to start up barge service, along the “Marine Highway” (awarded $30 million ARRA funding), to and from Oakland and has acquired two mobile cranes to handle more containers. A goal of the “Marine Highway” is to divert big-load trucks off the congested I-580 corridor. • Addressing future deficiencies includes planning to: Increase capacity on the main freight corridors and improving east-west connectivity Improve access routes to the outside markets (particularly to Bay Area and to Southern California) - Provide sufficient routing for longer combination (STAA) trucks - Provide adequate parking for additional trucks - Findings from Task 6 Draft Freight Movement Impacts The goal is to maximize the benefits of goods movement, while minimizing the impacts to the communities and the natural environment. • Air quality - Ozone and particulate matter are the most serious byproducts of freight movement. Trucks emit 10% of the SJV’s PM2.5 emissions and contribute to 46% of the SJV’s NOx emissions. • Safety concerns - In 2010, there were 752 truck-involved crashes in the SJV. The average cost per fatal crash for commercial vehicle is $7.2 million. - At-grade crossings are also safety and traffic concerns. In 2011, there were a total of 35 incidents at these crossings in the SJV (with 7 incidents in Merced County). These incidents are costly to railroads, shippers, impacted properties, communities, and to involved people. • Congestion - Congestion refers to traffic volumes at times exceeding facility capacity. - Congestion has economic impacts such as causing delays. Freight delays translate to additional cost passed on to consumers. - Congestion leads to public health issues due to higher concentration of emissions caused by vehicles idling. • Proximity to freight facilities - Noise and light pollution are major issues with close proximity to freight facilities. • Incompatible or encroaching land uses - The close proximity of freight facilities to residential clusters has impacts on the residents (light and noise pollution, emissions, smell) and on the industrial use (operating constraints, expansion prohibitions). - Constraining agricultural and industrial growth is not good for the SJV economy. • Other transportation system impacts - Truck parking shortage; pavement wear and tear - California ranks first in nation in overall shortage of commercial vehicle parking. This shortage has resulted in illegal truck parking. Growth in truck freighting will further exacerbate this problem. - “One fully-loaded 80,000 pound truck causes pavement wear equivalent to 10,000 automobiles.” The damage to smaller, roadway connectors is much more severe due to not being designed for such extensive loads. • Water quality concerns - Runoffs, which are washed out from freight facilities, could carry microbial and chemical contaminants into waterways and groundwater sources. - Note that the larger contributor of the SJV’s water pollution is the runoff of fertilizers into the groundwater. The Tasks 4, 5, and 6 draft reports will be available on the San Joaquin Valley Council of Governments’ website at: http://sjvcogs.com/goods.html . Staff notes of Tasks 5 and 6 are available upon request. REQUESTED ACTION For information only. ITEM 8 MEMORANDUM DATE: APRIL 27, 2012 TO: CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE FROM: MATT FELL, SENIOR PLANNER RE: SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY DEMOGRAPHIC FORECASTS 2010-2050 MCAG and the other San Joaquin Valley Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) will soon begin preparing updates of our respective Regional Transportation Plans (RTPs), including the new required Sustainable Communities Strategies (SCS). As part of the update we will be looking at demographic assumptions and forecasts. Our prior practice has been to base our county-level forecasts directly on Department of Finance (DOF) projections. However, due to the downturn in the economy, their most current population projections, adopted in 2007, are considered unrealistically high. They also are not consistent with the 2010 Census. The San Joaquin Valley MPOs went through a coordinated process in late 2011 and retained The Planning Center to develop unified demographic forecasts for the Valley counties. The San Joaquin Valley Demographic Forecast Report has been completed and is available upon request and/or from the following web page: http://www.valleyblueprint.org/publications. The report includes unified and consistent forecasts as based on the core demographic characteristics of households, population, and housing. The report also provides several forecasts including: • • • • • • housing units by type of housing age distribution average household size household distribution by income median household income race and ethnicity The Planning Center also developed forecast models per each county, which will allow each MPO to update the underlying data each year as new data is made available. This forecast is significantly lower than our current adopted forecast, as shown below: Forecast Regional Transportation Plan, July 2010 Planning Center, March 2012 2035 population 465,000 383,000 % growth in 25 years 79% 50% Average annual growth rate 2.3% 1.6% Valleywide, the forecast is similarly lower, with an average annual growth rate of about 1.5%, and a total increase in population of about 2 million people in 30 years: from 4 million in 2010 to 6 million in 2040. This report has been accepted for Blueprint planning purposes by the Valley COG Directors and will be shared with staff from the California Department of Finance and the Housing and Community Development Departments. This report has not been individually adopted by any MPO, and it is up to each MPO whether to adopt this forecast or something else. At this time the report is just for information. At a future meeting, as part of the RTP Update, we will consider this report more in-depth and recommend a new regional forecast. REQUESTED ACTION For information only. ITEM 9 MEMORANDUM DATE: APRIL 27, 2012 TO: CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE FROM: RICH GREEN, GIS PROGRAM MANAGER RE: SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY GREENPRINT UPDATE BACKGROUND On October 7, 2010, the San Joaquin Valley Regional Policy Council approved the Greenprint subject to a grant award from the Strategic Growth Council (SGC). On January 6, 2011, the Valley COG Directors approved an allocation of $275,000 from the SGC grant for Greenprint and on April 7, 2011, the Valley COG Directors approved a revised scope of work achievable with the amount of the Greenprint allocation. The official start date of the program was September 6, 2011, the approval date of the Grant Agreement between the State Department of Conservation and the Fresno Council of Governments. Since that date, Fresno COG has formed a Steering Committee to provide staff with guidance in the management of the Greenprint. The committee has met nearly a dozen times to further define the need and purpose of the Greenprint – see the accompanying flyer - and to develop the specific project tasks and deliverables. This work was completed late last year and the contract between Fresno COG and UC Davis, incorporating these tasks and deliverables, is expected to be finally approved by this meeting. The following Greenprint activities will occur over the next few weeks and months. Greenprint Roll-Out The Roll-Out of Greenprint is intended to broadly announce the official beginning and purpose of Greenprint, thereby building public interest and participation. It will also provide a heads-up about the coming Greenprint survey, an early program task, which ought to improve the response rate. Greenprint will be presented to each of the Valley COG committees and boards during their May cycle of meetings. A Greenprint website will be created as a clearinghouse for the project and links established to the site from other appropriate websites including the San Joaquin Valley Regional Planning Agencies website (sjvcogs.org) and the Valley Blueprint website (valleyblueprint.org). Greenprint will be coordinated with other regional organizations, including the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley, Smart Valley Places (including the May 31, 2012 Convention in Modesto), and others. A Greenprint newsletter/E-newsletter will be developed in conjunction with the COGs and consultant. Newspapers and other media will be informed. The Roll-Out strategy will continue to be adjusted based on input from the COGs and others. Survey A widely distributed e-mail survey is an important early task in Phase 1 of the Greenprint. The survey is currently being designed by the Steering Committee and UC Davis and will develop useful information and also build awareness and support for Greenprint. Its purpose is to gather feedback from a wide variety of stakeholders, including elected officials, about what they consider to be the most important resource management challenges, the resource management goals they would like to see achieved and any concerns they have about how the resource management strategies developed by the Greenprint might affect their interests. This information will be used to focus data-gathering and analysis, and to plan further public outreach efforts. Steering Committee To assist in guiding the day-to-day management of Greenprint, Fresno COG has formed a steering committee comprised of individuals representing a wide variety of interests that have a stake in the project. Its current members are: Kim Anderson, San Joaquin Council of Governments Susan Antenen, Southern Sierra Partnership Cynthia Echavarria, Tulare County Association of Governments Liz Forsburg, The Nature Conservancy Rich Green, Merced County Association of Governments Sarge Green, California Water Institute Mike Heimer, Kern Council of Governments Elizabeth Jonasson, Coalition for Clean Air Chris Lehn, Kings County Association of Governments Dylan Stone, Madera County Transportation Commission Charles Turner, Stanislaus Council of Governments Clark Thompson, Fresno Council of Governments Ed Thompson, American Farmland Trust John Wright, Planning Consultant DISCUSSION The Steering Committee will continue to meet regularly to keep the project on track and evaluate progress. To address specific resource management issues and involve specific constituencies, we anticipate that other committees will be formed. REQUESTED ACTION For information only. Attachment: San Joaquin Valley Greenprint flyer San Joaquin Valley Greenprint An 8 county technical and stakeholder initiative to document how natural resources support the region’s economy, health, and quality of life, and to identify strategies to guide stewardship of land, water and living resources www.fresnocog.org/san-joaquin-valley-greenprint-program Need Purpose & Objective The Blueprint adopted by the San Joaquin Valley councils of government is a voluntary framework to guide future urban growth in the region that will maintain and improve its economy and quality of life. One of the Blueprint’s benefits is that it encourages more efficient development that conserves open space, farmland and environmental resources. But the Blueprint does not address the significant resource management opportunities and challenges in parts of the eight-county region that remain green and open. How we care for and manage these land, water and living resources will influence the economy and quality of life in the entire region just as much as how and where cities grow. The San Joaquin Valley Greenprint project proposes to fulfill this need. Its ultimate objective is to assemble the perspectives of the residents of the region into a shared vision, and to identify a series of strategies for the conservation and management of the region’s land, water and living resources. These strategies will be developed with extensive public input, will be based on sound science and economics and, if the effort is successful, will enjoy broad public support throughout the region. The resulting “greenprint” can then serve as a guide to local, state, federal and private sector decision makers as they make choices about the future of the Valley’s resources. For example, how can we be assured that there will be enough water for irrigated agriculture, the economic mainstay of the region? What areas are best for groundwater recharge and storage? What areas are subject to flooding hazards? What areas should be restored and improved to provide habitat for wildlife and other benefits from the land? What areas contain cultural and archeological resources needing protection? Where are trails and other outdoor recreational opportunities most needed? Where could large solar and wind energy facilities be located so as to minimize their impact on farming and the environment? What should be done to protect economic resources such as farmland, oil, minerals, timber and fisheries? What areas are nationally strategic for military operations? And how can we achieve multiple resource management goals simultaneously to optimize the contributions they make to the economy and quality of life in the Valley? (Continued on page 2) The Greenprint project will collect and analyze a wealth of information about the Valley’s resource base; how it supports jobs, impacts the cost of living and provides a range of products and services that benefit people; how its physical elements and functions are interrelated across political boundaries and how they are changing under the influence of population growth, emerging technologies and climate trends. It will acknowledge and attempt to reconcile the tradeoffs involved in resource management by evaluating a wide variety of options and their implications. It will also evaluate current local, state and federal programs and policies that affect Valley lands, waters and living resources, and may suggest changes to improve their management and increase their benefits. However, the project reports and recommendations will not establish public policy or override local land use decision making, and will respect private property rights. Geographic Scope The Greenprint project covers the entire area within the eight counties that participate in the San Joaquin Valley Regional Policy Council. Because the foothills and federal lands have an influence on what is generally considered the Valley proper, they will be included. Although the counties of Amador, Calaveras, Tuolumne and Mariposa are not represented on the San Joaquin Valley Regional Policy Council, they too have foothills and federal lands that should be considered. Thus, their leaders and citizens will also be invited to participate in whatever ways seem appropriate to them. Need... (Continued from Page 1) Process & Steps A different kind of planning process is needed to address these and other rural land management challenges and opportunities; one that deepens our understanding of the land, water and living resources in the region and assures that those resources continue to benefit the region economically and environmentally for future generations. The San Joaquin Valley Greenprint project will have two phases. The first phase will take about 12 months and concentrate on fact-finding and information sharing. The second phase will take another 15-18 months. It will evaluate options and recommend strategies for resource conservation and management. The target for completion is mid 2014. Even as Greenprint will reinforce local efforts, due to its Valleywide focus it may be able to achieve results for the Valley economy and quality of life not otherwise achievable by individual jurisdictions and organizations. Phase I – The State of the Valley’s Resource Base l Solicit input from region residents, interest groups, government agencies, and experts l Compile data and other information describing the lands, waters and living resources of the region and the trends affecting them, and that document their public benefits l Identify and document resource management challenges and opportunities l Compile and analyze existing resource preservation programs, policies and regulations such as local General Plans, Habitat Conservation Plans, Agricultural Preservation Programs, etc. l Publish and disseminate a State of the Valley report Phase II – Development and Evaluation of Resource Management Options • Develop principles to guide resource management options and strategies • Develop a shared vision and goals for resource management • Identify and evaluate resource management options and strategies • Recommend consensus strategies for resource management • Publish a guide for resource management Throughout the process, public officials, property owners, interest groups, technical experts and the public will be invited to participate so that the final product reflects a broad range of inputs and consensus on the future of the Valley’s lands, waters and living resources. Advisory committees will be formed to focus on specific resource management issues. Opinion surveys and open meetings will be used to gather ideas and information about public preferences. A web site will be created to provide up-to-date information on progress and products, and to encourage public feedback. Your own ideas about how to broaden and deepen participation are welcome. Project Management For further information on the San Joaquin Valley Greenprint Program please contact: Clark Thompson Senior Regional Planner Fresno Council of Governments clarkt@fresnocog.org (559) 233-4148 ext. 203 The Greenprint project was inaugurated by the San Joaquin Valley Regional Policy Council, a bottom-up organization made up of elected members from local governments in the eight-county region. It is supported by a grant from the California Strategic Growth Council, comprised of several state agencies, that also provides funds to implement the San Joaquin Valley Blueprint. The Fresno Council of Governments, which manages the Blueprint, is also responsible for managing the Greenprint project. To assist in this process, a steering committee has been formed, comprised of individuals representing the public and private sector and a diverse range of interests in the Valley’s resources. ITEM 11a CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE Meeting Highlights March 2, 2012 CAC Representative to Governing Board items: 4. 2012 One Voice Priorities Lori Flanders reported that the One Voice Steering Committee met on February 8, 2012 to rank projects in priority order and decided on what issues to advocate for during the the April 24-25, 2012 Federal legislative visit to Washington, D.C.: The CAC concurred with the priorities identified in the staff report. Diana Westmoreland Pedrozo stated that with recent State Water Control Board action, local leaders should be very concerned with water flow for all uses (hydroelectric power, Ag, recharge basins) from Sierra streams to the San Joaquin Valley. Diana Westmoreland Pedrozo recommended the Governing Board work with other San Joaquin Valley Counties to address the State Water Control Board regarding water flow from the Sierra streams. 5. Draft Short Range Transit Plan Marjie Kirn reported that SRTP consultants conducted public outreach meetings this week on the Proposed Transit Service Plan. The consultants gave a presentation regarding the plan to the CAC members. Stuart Rawling inquired on what the goal is for designing transit routes. Marjie Kirn responded that Merced County Transit is focused on encouraging riders to use the most efficient, least costly, mode of public transportation, thereby, maximizing the use of limited transit resources. Dennis Cote added that Merced County Transit is focused on the greatest number of passenger miles (number of people on each transit trip) per dollar of funding available. Follow-up Items Action Date 1 CAC Goals CAC goals discussion & prioritization Future Meeting 2 Transportation Ballot Measure Follow-up Future Meeting 3 CAC Topic Reports Standing item As Needed ITEM 11b SIGN UP SHEET FOR CAC REPRESENTATIVE AT MCAG GOVERNING BOARD MEETINGS – 3rd Thursday of the month @ 3 pm 2012 Updated: February 3, 2012 DATE LOCATION CAC REP ALTERNATE January 19, 2012 3pm City of Atwater, Council Chambers Dennis Cote Erin Stacy February 16 3pm County of Merced, Admin Building Stuart Rawling Richard Jantz March 15 3pm City of Dos Palos, Council Chambers Diana Westmoreland Pedrozo Mary Ford Azevedo April 19 3pm County of Merced, Admin Building Erin Stacy Dennis Cote May 17 3pm City of Gustine, City Hall June 21 3pm County of Merced, Admin Building July 19 3pm City of Livingston, Council Chambers August 16 3pm County of Merced, Admin Building September 20 3pm City of Los Banos, City Hall October 18 3pm County of Merced, Admin Building November 15 3pm City of Merced, Council Chambers December 20 3pm County of Merced, Admin Building Dennis Cote Larrae Iencarelli ITEM 11c MCAG GOVERNING BOARD March 15, 2012 MINUTES The regular meeting of the MERCED COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS GOVERNING BOARD held on Thursday, March 15, 2012, at the City of Dos Palos, Council Chambers, 1546 Golden Gate, Dos Palos, CA was called to order by Chair Walsh at 3:15 P.M. DIRECTORS PRESENT Linn Davis Rodrigo Espinoza Joan Faul Bart Garcia for Joe Oliveira Deidre Kelsey Johnny Mays Jerald O’Banion John Pedrozo (left at 4:27) Stan Thurston Mike Villalta Hub Walsh DIRECTORS ABSENT None GUESTS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC Kathy Ballard, Los Banos private citizen Ken Baxter, Caltrans District 10 Dennis Cote, Citizens Advisory Committee Darrell Fonseca, City Manager, city of Dos Palos Michael McGlynn, Dos Palos Planning Committee Alternate, Dos Palos Sun STAFF PRESENT Rod Andrews, Merced County Regional Waste Management Authority Manager Jesse Brown, Executive Director Sam Chandler, Merced County Regional Waste Management Authority Director Matt Fell, Senior Transportation Planner Lori Flanders, Public Information Officer Rod Ghearing, Transit Joint Powers Authority “The Bus” Manager Rich Green, GIS Program Manager Robert Haden, Legal Counsel Marjie Kirn, Deputy Executive Director Robin Lamas, Administrative Assistant 11. Oral Report – Citizens Advisory Committee Dennis Cote gave the Citizens Advisory Committee report. 12. Caltrans Report Ken Baxter, Caltrans District 10, passed out a “Status of Projects in Merced County – Programmed and Active” sheet and gave a brief report from Caltrans. 13. Consent Agenda a. Minutes of the February 16, 2012 MCAG Governing Board meeting Director Faul moved to approve the minutes of the February 16, 2012 MCAG Governing Board meeting. Seconded by Director Pedrozo. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. b. 2013 Federal Transportation Improvement Program Concept Report Director Faul moved to approve the 2013 Federal Transportation Improvement Program Concept Report. Seconded by Director Pedrozo. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. c. Commute Connections Contract Renewal Director Faul moved to authorize renewal of services for the Commute Connection Program in the amount of $50,000 for one year. Seconded by Director Pedrozo. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. d. Office Space Lease to Small Business Development Center Director Faul moved to approve the lease of office space to Small Business Development Center inclusive of utilities and janitorial at a rate of $500 per month. Seconded by Director Pedrozo. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. e. Auditing Services FY 2011/2012 Director Faul moved to approve a three year contract with Price Paige and Company with the first year not to exceed $89,810 and authorize the Executive Director to sign a contract. Seconded by Director Pedrozo. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. f. Support Resolution and Request Support from Member Agencies for ACA 23 Director Faul moved to approve supporting Resolution No. 2012/03-13-01 and to authorize staff to forward the resolution template to each of the member agencies for support of ACA 23 to lower the threshold required to pass transportation initiatives to 55 percent. Seconded by Director Pedrozo. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 14. Information/Discussion Only a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. j. k. Minutes of the March 14, 2012 Technical Review Board meeting Status on the San Joaquin Valley Interregional Goods Movement Plan Regional Governance Initiative for the San Joaquin Intercity Rail ServicePreliminary White Paper Regional Transportation Impact Fee Report Fiscal Year 2011/12 – 2nd Quarter San Joaquin Valley Blueprint Integration Project – Introduction Geospatial Summit Series Proposal for Seven Metropolitan Planning Organizations Scenario Planning Tool Draft Short Range Transit Plan Update: Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness Clean Vehicle Rebate Project – Flyer 2012 Air Quality Conference - Flyer Lori made a brief statement that on Item 14i – Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness, staff received notification that we received a $350,000 grant to provide 15 permanent housing beds for homeless veterans and HUD Veteran’s Affairs Supportive Housing vouchers will be issued soon. So noted. 15. Los Banos Bypass Right-of-Way Acquisition Segment 1 – Appraisal Report Matt Fell gave a review of the authorization the Governing Board reaffirmed in May of 2011 for the expenditure of Regional Transportation Impact Fee funds to purchase Rightof-Way for Segment 1 and Segment 2 of the Los Banos Bypass. Matt stated that an appraisal report was prepared for two parcels of property in Segment 1 which was estimated at $1,600,000. After discussion, Director O’Banion moved to authorize staff to move forward with the acquisition of the two appraised parcels in Segment 1 using Regional Transportation Impact Fee funds at a cost of $1,600,000. Seconded by Director Villalta. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 16. Atwater/Merced Expressway / MCAG – Orange County Transportation Authority Agreement Jesse Brown gave an in depth review of the Atwater/Merced Expressway / MCAG – Orange County Transportation Authority Agreement and the process to move forward with the Agreement. Jesse stated that he would consult with the Chair and Vice Chair prior to executing the Agreement. After discussion by the Directors, Director Thurston moved to approve the OCTA/MCAG Cooperative Agreement and to direct staff to negotiate final terms with OCTA and State agencies. Seconded by Director Pedrozo. No – Director Villalta. MOTION CARRIED. 17. 2012 One Voice Priorities Director O’Banion moved to approve the One Voice Priorities for the 2012 program and identify the number one priority as the Los Banos Bypass. Seconded by Director Mays. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 18. Fiscal Year 2012/2013 Work Program and Budget Jesse Brown gave a review of the Fiscal Year 2012/2013 Work Program and Budget. Jesse stated that MCAG would be reducing four regular full time staff positions from 17 to 13 which included one full time position going into part-time. Director Villalta spoke on possibly continuing this item until there was enough time to review a personnel issue that was brought to the Board’s attention. Counsel Haden stated that a closed session would be needed to hear about personnel issues. Director Villalta moved to continue the item. Seconded by Director Kelsey. Roll Call Vote: Yes – Directors Villalta, Kelsey, Garcia No – Directors Davis, Walsh, O’Banion, Espinoza, Faul, Thurston, Mays MOTION FAILED. Director O’Banion moved to authorize transmittal of MCAG’s FY 2012/13 Work Program and Budget to the member jurisdictions. Seconded by Director Thurston. No – Directors Kelsey, Garcia, Villalta. MOTION CARRIED. 19. Executive Directors’ Report So noted. 20. Directors’ Report So noted. THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS OF THE MCAG GOVERNING BOARD THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 4:47 P.M. /s/ Robin Lamas Administrative Assistant II TRANSIT JOINT POWERS AUTHORITY FOR MERCED COUNTY March 15, 2012 MINUTES The regular meeting of the TRANSIT JOINT POWERS AUTHORITY FOR MERCED COUNTY held on Thursday, March 15, 2012, at the City of Dos Palos, Council Chambers, 1545 Golden Gate, Dos Palos, CA, was called to order by Chair Walsh at 3:13 P.M. DIRECTORS PRESENT Linn Davis Rodrigo Espinoza Joan Faul Bart Garcia for Joe Oliveira Deidre Kelsey Johnny Mays Jerry O’Banion John Pedrozo Stan Thurston Mike Villalta Hub Walsh DIRECTORS ABSENT None GUESTS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC Kathy Ballard, Los Banos private citizen Ken Baxter, Caltrans District 10 Dennis Cote, Citizens Advisory Committee Darrell Fonseca, City Manager, City of Dos Palos Michael McGlynn, Dos Palos Planning Committee Alternate, Dos Palos Sun STAFF PRESENT Rod Andrews, Merced County Regional Waste Management Authority Manager Jesse Brown, Executive Director Sam Chandler, Merced County Regional Waste Management Authority Director Matt Fell, Senior Transportation Planner Lori Flanders, Public Information Officer Rod Ghearing, Transit Joint Powers Authority “The Bus” Manager Rich Green, GIS Program Manager Robert Haden, Legal Counsel Marjie Kirn, Deputy Executive Director Robin Lamas, Administrative Assistant 9. Minutes of the February 16, 2012 Transit Joint Powers Authority for Merced County meeting Director Pedrozo moved to approve the minutes of the February 16, 2012 Transit Joint Powers Authority for Merced County meeting. Seconded by Director Mays. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 10. Request to Award and Execute Contract for the Transit Surveillance DVR Equipment and Installation Project Rod Ghearing gave a brief review of the request to award and execute a contract for the Transit Surveillance DVR Equipment and Installation Project. Rod stated that staff had applied for funding from the California Emergency Management Agency (CalEMA) to replace existing on-bus video and audio recording equipment and to add that capability to those buses that currently do not have that equipment which was approved. Director Mays moved to approve: a. Awarding a contract for the Transit Surveillance DVR Equipment and Installation Project to A-Z Bus Sales, Inc.; and b. Authorize staff to execute a Services Contract for the amount not to exceed $293,623.45 with A-Z Bus Sales, Inc. Seconded by Director Pedrozo. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS OF THE TRANSIT JOINT POWERS AUTHORITY FOR MERCED COUNTY, THAT PORTION OF THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 3:15 P.M. /s/ Robin Lamas Administrative Assistant II ITEM 11d MCAG GOVERNING BOARD April 19, 2012 MINUTES The regular meeting of the MERCED COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS GOVERNING BOARD held on Thursday, April 19, 2012, at the County of Merced, Board of Supervisors Chambers, 2222 M Street, Merced, CA was called to order by Chair Walsh at 4:09 P.M. DIRECTORS PRESENT Rodrigo Espinoza Joan Faul Bart Garcia for Joe Oliveira Deidre Kelsey Johnny Mays Jerald O’Banion Stan Thurston Mike Villalta Hub Walsh DIRECTORS ABSENT Linn Davis John Pedrozo GUESTS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC Jesus Castillo, COVE John Deckler, COVE Pat Deckler, COVE Toni Dossetti, City of Merced Tom Dumas, Caltrans District 10 Margaret Garcia, Director, COVE John Gasper, COVE Janet Geary, Private Citizen Bea Guevarra, Assistant Director, COVE Emily Haden, Robert T. Haden Professional Corporation Vickie Lee, COVE Maria Salazar Lopez, COVE Ben Roybal, COVE Frances Reynolds, COVE Saundra Reeves, Merced Homeless Connect Casey Steed, District 2 Supervisor Candidate Pamela Strange, COVE STAFF PRESENT Rod Andrews, Merced County Regional Waste Management Authority Manager Jesse Brown, Executive Director Matt Fell, Senior Transportation Planner Lori Flanders, Public Information Officer Rod Ghearing, Transit Joint Powers Authority “The Bus” Manager Robert Haden, Legal Counsel Marjie Kirn, Deputy Executive Director Robin Lamas, Administrative Assistant Alicia Ochoa-Jones, Grant Analyst 10. Request from Project Homeless Connect Committee to use MCAG’s Liability Insurance for Event Lori Flanders stated that Saundra Reeves from Project Homeless Connect had requested to use MCAG’s Liability Insurance for an afternoon event at Central Presbyterian Church. The cost would be $50 for the use of our insurance for this event. Director Kelsey moved to approve the request from Project Homeless Connect to use MCAG’s Liability Insurance for an event at Central Presbyterian Church. Seconded by Director O’Banion. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 11. Caltrans Report Tom Dumas, Caltrans District 10, gave a brief report from Caltrans. 12. Consent Agenda Director Kelsey move to approve the Consent Agenda a. Minutes of the March 15, 2012 MCAG Governing Board meeting b. Recommendation of the Anna Maria Fuentes Scholarship Selection Committee Approve: a. The 2012 Anna Maria Fuentes Scholarship Award for Gurjit Kaur; and b. Select a Governing Board member to present the Award to Gurjit Kaur at the May 8, 2012 Livingston High School Scholarship Ceremony. c. Reappointment of Citizens Advisory Committee Representative Direct staff to: a. Reappoint Mary Ford-Azevedo (Small Business) and Diana Westmoreland-Pedrozo (Agriculture) to serve a second four-year term on the Citizens Advisory Committee; and b. d. Appoint four (4) Citizen at Large positions, one (1) Commerce/Finance position and one (1) Education position to the Citizens Advisory Committee as recommended by the interview committee. California Transit System Safety and Security Grant Program (CTSGP) – Agent Signature Authority and Governing Board Resolution Approve Resolution No. 2012/04-19-02 with approval of Authorizing Agent Signature Authority delegation to the MCAG Executive Director or his/her designee(s). e. Contract with Merced County for MCAG to Provide Coordination Services for the Continuum of Care Program/Ten year Plan to End Homelessness Activities Approve the contract with the County of Merced for MCAG to provide coordination services for the Continuum of Care Program and activities related to the Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness. f. Request for Consultant Travel Costs for Continuum of Care/Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness Activities Approve a budget amendment to shift expenditures from personnel to professional services under the Continuum of Care program in an amount not to exceed $2,500. Seconded by Director Faul. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 13. Minutes of the April 11, 2012 Technical Review Board meeting So noted. 14. Regional Transportation Improvement Program (RTIP) Rejection Matt Fell gave a review of the Regional Transportation Improvement Program rejection by the California Transportation Commission. 15. Online Pet License Registration Director Kelsey moved to approve pursuing the online pet registration. Seconded by Director Thurston. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 16. Atwater/Merced Expressway Cooperative Agreement between MCAG and Caltrans for Construction Director O’Banion moved to approve the MCAG/Caltrans Cooperative Agreement and authorize the Executive Director to sign the Cooperative Agreement Seconded by Director Kelsey. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 17. Consolidating Dispatch Marjie Kirn gave a review of the process leading up to the Consolidation of Dispatch committees’ recommendation of negotiating a contract with Belcher, Ehle, Medina & Associates, Inc. to assist in the Consolidation of Dispatch in Merced County. Director O’Banion moved to approve staff negotiate a contract with Belcher, Ehle, Medina & Associates, Inc. as recommended by the interview committee to assist in the Consolidation of Dispatch in Merced County with the funding to pay for this service coming from Merced Data Special Services not to exceed $40,000. Seconded by Director Thurston. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS OF THE MCAG GOVERNING BOARD THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 4:42 P.M. /s/ Robin Lamas Administrative Assistant II TRANSIT JOINT POWERS AUTHORITY FOR MERCED COUNTY April 19, 2012 MINUTES The regular meeting of the TRANSIT JOINT POWERS AUTHORITY FOR MERCED COUNTY held on Thursday, April 19, 2012, at the County of Merced, Board of Supervisors Chambers, 2222 M Street, Merced, CA, was called to order by Chair Walsh at 3:30 P.M. DIRECTORS PRESENT Rodrigo Espinoza Joan Faul Bart Garcia for Joe Oliveira Deidre Kelsey Johnny Mays Jerry O’Banion Stan Thurston Mike Villalta Hub Walsh DIRECTORS ABSENT Linn Davis John Pedrozo GUESTS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC Jesus Castillo, COVE John Deckler, COVE Pat Deckler, COVE Toni Dossetti, City of Merced Tom Dumas, Caltrans District 10 Margaret Garcia, Director, COVE John Gasper, COVE Janet Geary, Private Citizen Bea Guevarra, Assistant Director, COVE Emily Haden, Robert T. Haden Professional Corporation Vickie Lee, COVE Maria Salazar Lopez, COVE Ben Roybal, COVE Frances Reynolds, COVE Saundra Reeves, Merced Homeless Connect Casey Steed, District 2 Supervisor Candidate Pamela Strange, COVE STAFF PRESENT Rod Andrews, Merced County Regional Waste Management Authority Manager Jesse Brown, Executive Director Matt Fell, Senior Transportation Planner Lori Flanders, Public Information Officer Rod Ghearing, Transit Joint Powers Authority “The Bus” Manager Robert Haden, Legal Counsel Marjie Kirn, Deputy Executive Director Robin Lamas, Administrative Assistant Alicia Ochoa-Jones, Grant Analyst At this time Rod Ghearing, Transit Joint Powers Authority “The Bus” Manager, gave a short power point presentation on the Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) System that is currently in use by Transit. 7. Minutes of the March 15, 2012 Transit Joint Powers Authority for Merced County meeting Director Mays moved to approve the minutes of the March 15, 2012 Transit Joint Powers Authority for Merced County meeting. Seconded by Director Faul. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 8. Consent Agenda Director Faul moved to approve the Consent Agenda. a. Posting Information Inside the Transit Buses Adopt a policy to allow only transit or government agency related information be posted inside buses operated by the Transit Joint Powers Authority for Merced County. b. Public Transportation Modernization, Improvement, and Service Enhancement Account (PTMISEA) Prop 1B Bond Program – Certification and Assurance Approve the PTMISEA Certification and Assurances Resolution No. 2012/04-1901. Seconded by Director O’Banion. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 9. 2012-2013 Transit Budget and Work Program Rod Ghearing gave a review of the 2012-2013 Transit Budget and Work Program. The proposed budget is assuming continuation of the existing service. There is a reserve set aside for possible implementation of the Short Range Transit Plan. Any use of the reserve would require Board action. At this time there were comments from the audience regarding the Short Range Transit Plan. The Chair did allow public comments and advised the audience that the Short Range Transit Plan would be on the May agenda and the public would also be allowed to speak at that time. Tammy Stevens spoke on the fact that there is a lot of alarm with limitations being put on the Dial-a-Ride system. Ms. Stevens would like to see a taxi script system in all areas like it is in Atwater. Margaret Buckman Garcia, Director of COVE, spoke on her concerns with the Dial-aRide system being taken out of Merced. Ms. Garcia stated that the route bus drivers are not as courteous as they should be and that they need better training. Dial-a-Ride drivers are much better. Ms. Garcia is also concerned with the rural areas of Merced County not getting bus service. Director Faul moved to adopt the proposed budget and work plan. Seconded by Director O’Banion. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS OF THE TRANSIT JOINT POWERS AUTHORITY FOR MERCED COUNTY, THAT PORTION OF THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 4:09 P.M. /s/ Robin Lamas Administrative Assistant II