January 22, 2021 Board Meeting San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority

ITEM 1

Call to Order, Pledge of Allegiance, Roll Call San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority

ITEM 2

Consent Calendar

2.1 Approve Minutes from November 20, 2020 Board Meeting 2.2 Appoint New Members to San Joaquin Valley Rail Committee 2.3 Next Board Meeting Location 2.4 SJJPA Operating Expense Report 2.5 Blue Ribbon Task Force Letter 2.6 Washington Update 2.7 Administrative Items San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority

ITEM 3

Public Comments

Please use the GoToMeeting chat function to alert staff if you wish to make a Public Comment. Alternatively, you may write in your public comment to [email protected] and staff will read the comment aloud. Public comments should be limited to approximately two minutes and no more than 240 words per comment. San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority

ITEM 4 Approve a Resolution of the Board of the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority Adopting the Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (Final IS/MND) for the Madera Station Relocation Project (Project), Adopting the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program for the Project, Approving the Madera Station Relocation Project, Authorizing and Directing the Executive Director to Execute and File a Notice of Determination Under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for the Project, and Authorizing the Executive Director to Execute Any and All Documents Related to the Project (Dan Leavitt) Madera Station Relocation Project Background

. Existing Madera Station located in vicinity of Madera Acres

. Proposed Station located just north of Avenue 12 along the existing BNSF tracks CEQA Process Schedule

. May 14, 2020: SJJPA held webinars

. October 14, 2020: SJJPA released a Notice of Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Madera Station Relocation Project, which provided information about the 30-day public review and comment period, how to submit public comments, and public online meetings related to the Draft IS/MND.

. November 5, 2020: Virtual public meetings were conducted for the Draft IS/MND public review period. CEQA Process Schedule

. January 6, 2021: Final IS/MND and responses to comments posted to Project webpage and notification sent to agencies commenting on Draft IS/MND. Notification sent to interested parties and stakeholders.

. January 22, 2021: Final IS/MND is presented to SJJPA for adoption and Proposed Project is considered for approval. Phase 1: San Joaquins Relocated Station Phase 2: HSR Interim Service Station Phase 2: HSR Interim Service Station Key Issues of Concern Raised on Draft IS/MND

. Transportation—concern regarding access to the station by bicyclists and pedestrians, and a lack of storage areas at the station for bicycles.

. Air Quality: . concern regarding generation of construction related dust, and pathogens such as Valley Fever that could be carried in construction dust.

. concern that equipment exhausts as well as fugitive dust should be quantified. Key Issues of Concern Raised on Draft IS/MND

. advised the SJJPA utilize the cleanest reasonably available off-road construction fleets and practices

. expressed the potential need for a health risk assessment on one property located over 700 feet from the alignment. Key Issues of Concern Raised on Draft IS/MND

. Traffic—Draft IS/MND comments on potential heavy dust during construction near SR-99 as a serious traffic concern.

. Traffic—Draft IS/MND comments requested further details regarding how VMT reductions were calculated.

. Noise and Vibration—Draft IS/MND comments expressed concern regarding horn noise at existing Madera Station location. Key Issues of Concern Raised on Draft IS/MND

. Land Use—Draft IS/MND comments asked how close the new station would be to the college.

. Funding—Draft IS/MND comments expressed concern where funding would come from for Phase 2.

. Alternatives—Draft IS/MND comments were submitted stating that the Avenue 12 location seems far south and that Road 17 & Road 15 should be considered. Summary of Environmental Impacts

. The Proposed Project would have less than significant impacts with mitigation for all environmental resource areas.

. Mitigation measures are included in the Final IS/MND to reduce potentially significant impacts to less than significant for the Madera Station Relocation Project.

. The impacts that necessitated these mitigation measures are evaluated in Section 3 of the Initial Study (IS), along with the determination of less than significant after their implementation. Ridership

Estimated Proposed Project Ridership

3 1 Project Phase 2 No Build Phase 12 2029 2025 2025 (High-Speed Rail (San Joaquins) (San Joaquins) Service) 40,2001 103,1002 210,6003 (passenger ons/offs) (passenger ons/offs) (passenger ons/offs) Notes: 1 Assumes eight (8) San Joaquins roundtrips serving the Existing Station. 2 Assumes eight (8) San Joaquins roundtrips serving the Relocated Station. 3 Assumes eighteen (18) high-speed rail roundtrips serving the Relocated Station. Capital Costs

Preliminary Proposed Project Capital Cost Estimates

Phase 1 Phase 2 Total (Both Phases)

$24.9 Million $105.0 Million $129.9 Million

Source: AECOM 2020 Adopt Madera Station Relocation Project IS/MND

Fiscal Impact: Funding for Phase 1 of the Proposed Project is included in the 2018 $500.5 million Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) award for the Valley Rail Program. Adopt Madera Station Relocation Project IS/MND

Recommendation: Approve a Resolution of the Governing Board of the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority Adopting the Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (Final IS/MND) for the Madera Station Relocation Project (Project), Adopting the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program for the Project, Approving the Madera Station Relocation Project, Authorizing and Directing the Executive Director to Execute and File a Notice of Determination Under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for the Project, and Authorizing the Executive Director to Execute Any and All Documents Related to the Project. San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority

ITEM 5

Approve a Resolution of the Governing Board of the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority Authorizing the Chair to Accept and Sign Waiver of Potential and Actual Conflicts of Interest Letters with SJJPA Counsel, Neumiller and Beardslee (N&B), Arising from Concurrent Representation of San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority and San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission Regarding 1) a Joint Use Agreement and 2) Rail Maintenance Facility (RMF) Use Agreement and Electing to Waive the Conflict and allow N&B to prepare the Agreements for both SJJPA and SJRRC (Stacey Mortensen/Dan Schroeder) Background

. Neumiller and Beardslee (N&B) concurrently represents both San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA) and San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC) and as general counsel

. Staff serving both SJJPA and SJRRC have consulted with N&B to work on two agreements: 1) a Joint Use Agreement 2) the Rail Maintenance Facility (RMF) Use Agreement

. In order for N&B to represent two clients with presently adverse or potentially adverse interest, both clients are required to agree to waive conflicts arising from concurrent representation. Background

. Waivers of Potential and Actual Conflicts of Interest letters have been provided by N&B

. There are two separate waiver letters for review and approval by SJJPA Board: 1) Joint Use Agreement 2) RMF Use Agreement Background

Options as to this Conflict:

. Option No. 1: Waive the Conflict and allow N&B to prepare the Joint Use Agreement for both SJJPA and SJRRC.

. Option No. 2: Waive the Conflict and allow N&B to represent either SJJPA or SJRRC in the preparation of the Joint Use Agreement, but not both

. Option No. 3: Do not grant a waiver and SJJPA and SJRRC retain separate legal counsel Background

. At this time related to these two Agreements, staff does not see a material conflict and recommends Option 1 to waive the conflict

. The same letters were presented to the SJRRC Board at their January 8th meeting and SJRRC elected Option 1 to waive the conflict . Additional waiver letters will be provided to the Board on a project-by-project basis and will be specific to the conflict arising from those projects Fiscal Impact and Recommendation

Fiscal Impact: There is no fiscal impact.

Recommendation: Approve a Resolution of the Governing Board of the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority Authorizing the Chair to Accept and Sign Waiver of Potential and Actual Conflicts of Interest Letters with SJJPA Counsel, Neumiller and Beardslee (N&B), Arising from Concurrent Representation of San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority and San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission Regarding 1) a Joint Use Agreement and 2) Rail Maintenance Facility (RMF) Use Agreement and Electing to Waive the Conflict and allow N&B to prepare the Agreements for both SJJPA and SJRRC. San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority

ITEM 6

Approve a Resolution of the Governing Board of the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority Approving a Reimbursement Agreement with Capital Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) for Design, Installation, Operation, and Maintenance of California Passenger Information Display System for an Amount Not-to- Exceed $700,000 and Authorizing the Executive Director to Execute Any and All Documents Related to the Projects (Brian Schmidt/Autumn Gowan) San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority

. The California Passenger Information Display System (CA-PIDS) is a train status and messaging system that was implemented by Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) and subsequently other California InterCity Passenger Rail (CA IPR) routes, as well as ACE, in the early 2000’s.

. CCJPA led the initial design, and Amtrak procured the services with various vendors. San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority

. CA-PIDS takes in the real-time GPS location of trains and translates it into estimated times of arrival (ETA). Station digital signage displays current time, ETA’s of various passenger trains up to 30 minutes away, delay information, and other messages related to service amenities and changes to regular service.

. Audio announcements are synchronized with visual messages at all stations, indoor and outdoor. San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority

. The CA-PIDS software and hardware have been in use without any major upgrades since implementation, and numerous Station hardware components are at their end-of-life, at risk of failure and not replaceable due to the age of the hardware.

. At the same time, Amtrak has stated that their contractual support of CA-PIDS through vendors will end on September 30, 2022.

. While the existing PIDS still works, it is time to plan for modernization, or risk failure. It is crucial to maintain PIDS at stations for both general passenger information and ADA- compliance. San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority

. In November 2018, CCJPA, with the support of rail agency partners, issued a Request for Statement of Qualifications (RFSOQ) to upgrade and replace the existing PIDS, with the modern version named CalPIDS, for three passenger rail services in Northern California: the Capitol Corridor service, the San Joaquins service and the Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) service.

. As a result of the procurement, CCJPA awarded its contract in November 2019 to XenaTech Software Integration Services, LLC (XenaTech) for the design, testing, implementation, and maintenance of the CalPIDS project. San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority

. Since the project kick-off in December 2019, XenaTech has been working on design and testing which will continue for an estimated three – six months.

. The first implementation of CalPIDS is expected by Summer 2021. CCJPA staff has been working with AT&T to scope the telecommunications improvements needed for the three services. San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority

. SJJPA will enter into a reimbursement agreement with CCJPA for allowable costs associate with this project. Each rail services will pay their portion of expenses split by station based on the usage of each service. The percentage share split is broken down below: San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority

Fiscal Impact: The funding source for this project is State of California Prop 1B CalOES and are identified in the SJRRC/ACE/SJJPA Fiscal Year 2020/2021 Capital Budget. Future Capital Budgets will identify all costs occurring in the upcoming fiscal years in excess of the original budget, if needed. The Executive Director shall have authority to amend this agreement on behalf of the SJJPA within their designated spending authority. San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority

Recommendation: Approve a Resolution of the Governing Board of the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority Approving a Reimbursement Agreement with Capital Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) for Design, Installation, Operation, and Maintenance of California Passenger Information Display System for an Amount Not-to-Exceed $700,000 and Authorizing the Executive Director to Execute Any and All Documents Related to the Projects. San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority

ITEM 7

San Joaquins Operations and Ridership/Revenue Update (David Lipari) San Joaquins Second Stimulus Funding

. On December 27, 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 was signed into law. This single bill includes annual appropriations for Fiscal Year 2021 and relief funding to address impacts related to COVID-19.

. Within the relief funding package, Amtrak received $174.85M to support the State Supported Services. San Joaquins Second Stimulus Funding

. The funding will be allocated to each route as a credit that states can apply to their invoice(s). The legislation specifies that the funding is allocated to each route using a two-step formula: . All routes will be allocated an amount equal to 7% of their FY19 operating expenses; and . Remaining funds will be allocated proportionally to FY19 revenue

. This approach is an attempt to balance both the operating and revenue impacts of the pandemic.

. The preliminary subsidy for the 3 California state supported routes is $47M, of which the San Joaquins would be apportioned $11-14M. Return of Cash on the San Joaquins

. Through much of the pandemic, the San Joaquins have been operating without any cash payments in station or onboard.

. Staff have been working with the other JPAs, the State, and Amtrak to reinitiate cash on the State Supported Services in California.

. A significant portion of San Joaquins ticket revenue is generated by cash payments – approximately of 15%. Return of Cash on the San Joaquins

. The lack of cash sales on the corridor can have a negative revenue affect but more importantly the unbanked and underbanked passenger is severely impacted by this policy.

. With Health and Safety measures now in place at the stations, all three parties have agreed on a safe way to reintroduce cash sales. San Joaquins Ridership and Revenue

San Joaquins Ridership and Revenue (Year Over Year FY21 vs. FY20) Ridership Ticket Revenue Month FY21 FY20 % change FY21 FY20 % change Oct 30,639 82,211 -62.7 $950,444 $2,368,328 -59.9 Nov 28,796 92,427 -68.8 $1,016,156 $2,979,245 -65.9 Dec 23,363 94,488 -75.3 $837,133 $3,256,823 -74.3 Total 82,798 269,126 -69.2 $2,803,733 $8,604,395 -67.4 San Joaquins Ridership and Revenue

State Supported Ridership OCT - DEC FY21 50,000 45,000 40,000 35,000 30,000 25,000 20,000 15,000 10,000 5,000 0 OCT NOV DEC

Downeaster Empire South Empire West/ Ethan Allen New Haven-Springfield Keystone Washington-Lynchburg/Roanoke Washington-Newport News Washington-Norfolk Washington-Richmond Heartland Flyer Pere Marquette Hiawatha Illini/Saluki Illinois Zephyr/Carl Sandburg Capitol Corridor San Joaquins Cascades San Joaquins Ridership and Revenue

Western Routes Ridership OCT - DEC FY21 50,000 OCT, 47,117

45,000 NOV, 41,577

40,000

35,000 OCT, 30,639 NOV, 28,796 30,000 DEC, 29,350

25,000 OCT, 22,527 DEC, 23,363 20,000 NOV, 20,452

DEC, 16,206 15,000

10,000 OCT, 7,600 NOV, 7,106 DEC, 6,207 5,000

0 OCT NOV DEC

Pacific Surfliner Capitol Corridor San Joaquins Cascades San Joaquins Ridership and Revenue

Western Routes Ridership by % Year of Year OCT - DEC FY21 vs FY20 -60.0 OCT NOV DEC OCT, -62.7 -65.0

NOV, -68.8 -70.0

-75.0 DEC, -75.3

-80.0 OCT, -80.2

NOV, -82.9 -85.0 OCT, -86.1 NOV, -86.6 DEC, -86.9 OCT, -88.1 NOV, -88.9 DEC, -88.5 -90.0 DEC, -90.3

-95.0

Pacific Surfliner Capitol Corridor San Joaquins Cascades San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority

ITEM 8

Update on the SJJPA 2021 Business Plan (Paul Herman) Update on the 2021 SJJPA Business Plan

. The primary purpose of the Annual Business Plan is to identify SJJPA’s intentions for the next two State Fiscal Years.

. The SJJPA must submit an Annual Business Plan by April 1 of each year in draft form to the Secretary of the California Transportation Agency (CalSTA) and in final form by June 30th.

. The Annual Business Plan is reviewed and approved by the State and used to develop annual appropriation requests to the State Legislature. Update on the 2021 SJJPA Business Plan

. A public review draft of the 2021 SJJPA Business Plan (Business Plan) will be released in February 2021, allowing for Board, agency, and public input.

. After the review period and revisions are completed, the official draft of Business Plan (for submittal to CalSTA) will be presented for approval at the March 26, 2021 SJJPA Board Meeting.

. The 2021 Business Plan is an update of the 2020 Business Plan. Key Changes/Additions Proposed

. The COVID-19 pandemic has had considerable impacts on intercity rail services throughout the State, including the San Joaquins service.

. The Business Plan will outline those impacts from a ridership and revenue perspective, as well as the budgetary actions taken over the last fiscal year in response to the pandemic.

. The Business Plan will discuss plans for potential restoration of services starting this upcoming Summer of 2021 and throughout the 2021/22 Fiscal Year. Key Changes/Additions Proposed

. Emphasis on SJJPA’s coordination and integration with California High-Speed Rail Authority’s (CHSRA) plans for the Merced – Bakersfield High Speed Rail (HSR) Interim Operating Segment and SJJPA’s intension to connect to this initial operating segment to the San Joaquins at a multi-modal station at downtown Merced.

. Future San Joaquins service improvements would focus on increasing service from Merced to the north. Key Changes/Additions Proposed

. At the November 2020 SJJPA Board Meeting, the Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the CHSRA that outlines the framework for coordination between the two agencies for the starting of Merced-Bakersfield HSR Interim Operation Service.

. As part of this MOU, SJJPA will seek additional funding from CalSTA for planning and operational support to advance this effort over the next several years. Key Changes/Additions Proposed

. As part of SJJPA’s 2018 Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) award, the San Joaquins Intercity Rail Service was approved and funded for an 8th and 9th Round Trips. . Staff will be recommending as part of the Business Plan approval a change in the service recommendation which previously called for one of the five Bakersfield-Oakland daily roundtrips to be redirected to Sacramento with a connecting train in Stockton that would have gone to Oakland. Key Changes/Additions Proposed

. Based on experiences over the last several years and the potential for ridership and revenue impacts of re-routing one of the direct Oakland trains, SJJPA staff is recommending maintaining the five Bakersfield-Oakland roundtrips and having a connecting train provide service to Sacramento instead. This change would require additional storage tracks at Stockton’s San Joaquin St. Station to allow this operationally, funding of which will be requested in future grant funding applications. Key Changes/Additions Proposed

. This Business Plan will put greater emphasis on transit connectivity at stations, connectivity to disadvantaged/priority communities, and will outline the potential for a future means- based fare program with local and regional partners. Key Changes/Additions Proposed

. In partnership with Butte County Association of Governments (Butte CAG), this Business Plan will outline joint efforts to support the planning for extending Valley Rail services (San Joaquins and ACE) North of Natomas to Butte County, which could be implemented in the Mid-Term planning horizon instead of Long-Term as discussed in previous Business Plans. San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority

ITEM 9

Election of Officers (Chair Chiesa) San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority

ITEM 10

Executive Director’s Report (Stacey Mortensen) San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority

ITEM 11

Board Member Comments

San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority

ITEM 12

Adjournment The next regular meeting is scheduled for: March 26, 2021 – 9:00 am