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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-03-22 - AGENDA REPORTS - LA COUNTY MTA REGIONAL TRANS (2)0 Agenda Item: 6 CITY OF SANTA CLARITA Q) AGENDA REPORT NEW BUSINESS i, CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: fAl DATE: March 22, 2016 SUBJECT: LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION NEEDS AND PRIORITIES DEPARTMENT: City Manager's Office PRESENTER: Marsha McLean RECOMMENDED ACTION City Council authorize staff to actively participate in negotiations and discussions to ensure that maximum funding opportunities for local transportation needs and priorities, particularly increased allocations for Metrolink, are realized under the regional needs and priorities process currently under consideration by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro). Staff is authorized to engage with the Board of Directors and staff of Metro, Metrolink, councils of governments and other stakeholders, as appropriate. BACKGROUND For several years, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority has been working through councils of governments, subregions, cities and other key stakeholders to identify transportation needs and priorities throughout Los Angeles County. That process has yielded an identified countywide transportation infrastructure need in excess of $273 billion. In an effort to address some of that need, the Metro Board of Directors (Board) has authorized their staff to develop a plan to identify specific transportation priorities for areas such as capital projects, local return, state of good repair (maintenance), Americans with Disabilities Act compliance, freight and goods movement, and regional connectivity. Working through the councils of governments and subregions and utilizing a grass-roots participatory process, Metro staff has identified transportation infrastructure needs and priorities and a potential mechanism to fund a portion of the $273 billion countywide need. That mechanism is a potential sales tax extension and/or new sales tax measure to be placed before Los Angeles County voters. The measure would be similar to Measure R, a one-half cent sales tax measure, approved by two- thirds of Los Angeles County voters in 2008. On March 24, 2016, the Metro Board of Directors is scheduled to receive a report from their Page 1 PacketPg. 38 staff, which will identify the specific projects, categories and allocations that could be included in a future voter approved ballot measure. The Metro staff proposal is expected to be released by the Board for public consideration over the following three month period. One area of concern that has come to the attention of the City of Santa Clarita is that Metro staff may recommend an allocation to Metrolink that is less than the 3% level of funding that is received under the current Measure R allocation. Metrolink is governed and operates as a joint powers authority created as the Southern California Regional Railroad Authority. Metrolink's Antelope Valley Line is the third most patronized line within Metrolink's system. Metrolink recently instituted a pilot program reducing ticket prices on the Antelope Valley Line in an effort to increase ridership, which is proving successful. Each new rider represents one less car on our region's highways. Additionally, it is the only Metrolink rail line entirely located within a single county, as the other regional rail lines extend into Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties. Therefore, Metro plays a critical role in the funding for and success of the Antelope Valley Line. For a number of years, the City of Santa Clarita has actively sought to increase service and ridership on the Antelope Valley Line. In order for Metrolink to have full flexibility to increase service and ridership in and out of Santa Clarita, Metrolink's Chief Executive Officer and staff believe that an appropriate level of funding through Metro is critical. At a minimum, Metrolink should receive the same level of funding that it currently receives. The City Council is requested to authorize staff to actively participate in discussions and negotiations to ensure that maximum opportunities for local transportation needs and priorities, particularly increased allocations for Metrolink, with a focus on the Antelope Valley Line, are realized under the regional needs and priorities process currently under consideration by Metro. Furthermore, the Metro proposal could ultimately lead to the placement of a measure before the voters on the November 2016 General Election ballot, containing a proposed funding mechanism, likely including a new sales tax measure and/or sales tax extension. The Council's direction to staff is not to be construed as an endorsement of a future potential ballot measure, but rather to ensure the maximization of opportunities for local projects and needs as part of the current regional needs and priorities process. Should the Metro Board of Directors ultimately seek to move forward with a ballot measure later this year, the City Council may choose to consider a position at that time, once the direct impact to Santa Clarita is fully known. LINNN1WHU4II►I=114111M621 1. Direct that staff not participate in discussions and negotiations relative to the Metro proposal 2. Other action as directed by the City Council. FISCAL IMPACT No additional resources beyond those approved in the FY 2015/16 budget are required for implementation of the recommended action. 0 Page 2 Packet Pg. 39