Meeting Notice and Agenda
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
MEETING NOTICE AND AGENDA FREIGHT STAKEHOLDERS WORKING GROUP The Freight Stakeholders Working Group may take action on any item appearing on this agenda. Thursday, September 25, 2014 10 a.m. to 12 noon SANDAG, Conference Room 8A 401 B Street, Suite 800 San Diego, CA 92101-4231 Staff Contact: Christina Casgar (619) 699-1982 [email protected] AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS SAN DIEGO FORWARD: THE REGIONAL PLAN: UPDATE CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCES BOARD: CALIFORNIA SUSTAINABLE FREIGHT STRATEGY (ZERO AND NEAR-ZERO EMISSIONS POLICY) UPDATE COMPREHENSIVE FREIGHT GATEWAY STUDY UPDATE If you wish to participate by conference call, please call 888-204-5987. The conference call passcode is: 5727231# SANDAG offices are accessible by public transit. Phone 511 or see 511sd.com for route information. Secure bicycle parking is available in the building garage off Fourth Avenue. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), SANDAG will accommodate persons who require assistance in order to participate in SANDAG meetings. If such assistance is required, please contact SANDAG at (619) 699-1900 at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting. To request this document or related reports in an alternative format, please call (619) 699-1900, (619) 699-1904 (TTY), or fax (619) 699-1905. FREIGHT STAKEHOLDERS WORKING GROUP Thursday, September 25, 2014 ITEM NO. RECOMMENDATION 1. INTRODUCTIONS 2. PUBLIC COMMENTS/COMMUNICATIONS Members of the public shall have the opportunity to address the Freight Stakeholders Working Group (FSWG) on any issue within the jurisdiction of SANDAG that is not on this agenda. Anyone desiring to speak shall reserve time by completing a “Request to Speak” form and giving it to the committee coordinator prior to speaking. Public speakers should notify the committee coordinator if they have a handout for distribution to FSWG members. Public speakers are limited to three or less per person. FWSG members also may provide information and announcements under this agenda item. +3. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES INFORMATION The FSWG is asked to review the minutes from its June 18, 2014, meeting. REPORTS +4. SAN DIEGO FORWARD: THE REGIONAL PLAN: UPDATE INFORMATION The SANDAG Board of Directors accepted the Blended Scenario as the preferred Revenue Constrained Transportation Scenario for use in developing the draft San Diego Forward: The Regional Plan on September 12, 2014. The draft Regional Plan, which will include the Sustainable Communities Strategy elements required by Senate Bill 375 (Steinberg, 2008) and the air quality conformity analysis, and the draft Environmental Impact Report, are anticipated to be released for public review and comment in spring 2015. +5. CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCES BOARD: CALIFORNIA SUSTAINABLE INFORMATION FREIGHT STRATEGY (ZERO AND NEAR-ZERO FREIGHT EMISSIONS POLICY) UPDATE The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has been coordinating policy-related meetings and workshops throughout California with stakeholders including seaports, local government agencies, local communities, and various industry companies associated with freight in order to inform the CARB Board regarding its evolving Sustainable Freight Strategy. +6. COMPREHENSIVE FREIGHT GATEWAY STUDY UPDATE INFORMATION The Gateway Study Update will refresh the 2007 baseline estimates and freight forecast numbers out to 2050 from the original Comprehensive Freight Gateway Study completed in 2010. Staff and the freight gateway consulting team will provide information about the Gateway Study Update, including revised freight forecast tables for the region’s seaports/airports/rail yards and land ports of entry. In addition, the FSWG will see revised draft chapters (Introduction, Infrastructure Assessment, and the Freight Corridor Analysis Chapters) developed for the Gateway Update. 2 7. UPDATE ON FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL FREIGHT POLICY ISSUES INFORMATION Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) is the current federal transportation law. It calls for a policy to be developed to improve the condition and performance of the national freight network to provide the foundation for the United States to compete in the global economy and achieve goals related to economic competitiveness and efficiency; congestion; productivity; safety, security, and resilience of freight movement; infrastructure condition; use of advanced technology; performance, innovation, competition, and accountability in the operation and maintenance of the network; and environmental impacts. (Section 1115; 23 USC 167) MAP-21 also requires the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish a national freight network to assist states in strategically directing resources toward improved movement of freight on highways. The national freight network was envisioned to consist of three components including: a Primary Freight Network (PFN), as designated by the Secretary, any portions of the Interstate System not designated as part of the PFN, and critical rural freight corridors. MAP-21 also suggests that states DOTs may elect to develop a Statewide Freight Strategy. California, through Caltrans is also developing a Statewide Freight Mobility Plan. SANDAG has been commenting on this suggested Statewide Freight Mobility Plan through a statewide freight planning advisory group (California Freight Advisory Committee), and through written comments on both the national and state freight plans. The FSWG will be briefed on recent activities. 8. NEXT MEETING DISCUSSION Staff will propose a date for the next meeting in October and seek concurrence from the group. + next to an item indicates an attachment 3 San Diego Association of Governments FREIGHT STAKEHOLDERS WORKING GROUP September 25, 2014 AGENDA ITEM NO.: 3 Action Requested: INFORMATION JUNE 18, 2014, MEETING MINUTES File Number 3100700 The meeting of the Freight Stakeholders Working Group (FSWG) was called to order by Christina Casgar, Goods Movement Policy Manager, at 10:00 a.m. 1. INTRODUCTIONS Self-introductions were made. See attached attendance list. 2. PUBLIC COMMENTS/COMMUNICATIONS No public comments were made. 3. SUMMARY OF MARCH 5, 2014, MEETING (INFORMATION) No comments by the FSWG were made. 4. COMPREHENSIVE FREIGHT GATEWAY STUDY UPDATE (INFORMATION) Christina Casgar (SANDAG), provided an introductory overview emphasizing that this study update will refresh the 2007 baseline estimates and freight forecast growth trends out to 2050. This approach will serve as an update from the completed 2010 original Comprehensive Freight Gateway Study. Today’s meeting will focus on reviewing updated freight forecast tables for the region’s seaports, airports, rail yards, and land Ports of Entry (POE); draft chapters focusing on the regional economic context for freight; updated assessment of the region’s freight infrastructure; and a discussion on freight corridors. Paul Bingham (CDM Smith), provided a slide-deck presentation on the meeting Item No. 4 focus areas. Mr. Bingham discussed the Gateway Study update status including the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) parallel study focusing on Imperial County, Baja California, and San Diego County. It was also clarified that the intermodal trade component for the Freight Analysis Framework (FAF) forecast was based on macroeconomic and trade model information and does not include truck flow data. It was asked as to where the FAF data could be found, and whether county- level information was included. Mr. Bingham responded by stating that the FAF information was all accessible from the website and that the information was distributed from region to region rather than at the county level. The FAF data is organized within groupings of counties and the information is not suited to be used alone for more granular local level needs. The data is meant to illustrate trade flows at a higher level and to be distilled with other tools or data sources for local level uses. 4 When considering recent San Diego County economy and trade trends, key highlights include the fact that the post-recession recovery has been weaker than the previous growth trends for both San Diego regional Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and trade value prior to the recession. Additionally, there is a strong correlation between value of trade and economic growth during these time periods. Contrary to the comprehensive San Diego County trade growth post-recession, there has been a re-acceleration in trade growth between the United States and Mexico during the same period. A question was asked as to the meaning of “under North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).” Mr. Bingham explained that the NAFTA has undergone a three-stage progression since its inception which has led to today’s recent uptrend in growth. Major factors that have contributed to this uptrend have been supply chain related including higher labor costs in China, as well as lower logistical costs closer to the United States via Mexico. These occurrences have created long-term potential for manufacturing and trade with Mexico. Alejandra Mier y Teran (Otay Mesa Chamber of Commerce) asked whether it makes sense to see somewhat higher or equally robust export growth rates versus import growth rates. Mr. Bingham explained that Mexico is experiencing higher value from manufacturing components and that this is influencing growth in domestic consumption within Mexico. Ms. Casgar also mentioned that 40 percent of the imports from Mexico are United States content. Mr. Bingham also stated that some exports are not necessarily finished