GATEWAY CITIES COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS JOINT MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS and EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Wednesday, September 4, 2019 5:30 p. m. Buffet 6:00 p. m. Meeting Gateway Cities Council of Governments 16401 Paramount Boulevard Paramount, California
AGENDA
STAFF REPORTS AND OTHER WRITTEN DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE GATEWAY CITIES COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS OFFICES, 16401 PARAMOUNT BOULEVARD, PARAMOUNT, CALIFORNIA. ANY PERSON HAVING QUESTIONS CONCERNING ANY AGENDA ITEM MAY CALL THE COG STAFF AT (562) 663-6850.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION: The Board of Directors will hear from the public on any item on the agenda or an item of interest that is not on the agenda. The Board of Directors cannot take action on any item not scheduled on the agenda. These items may be referred for administrative action or scheduled on a future agenda. Comments are to be limited to three minutes for each speaker, unless extended by the Board of Directors, and each speaker will only have one opportunity to speak on any one topic. You have the opportunity to address the Board of Directors at the following times:
A. AGENDA ITEM: at this time the Board of Directors considers the agenda item OR during Public Comments, and
B. NON-AGENDA ITEMS: during Public Comments, comments will be received for a maximum 20-minute period; any additional requests will be heard following the completion of the Board of Directors agenda; and
C. PUBLIC HEARINGS: at the time for public hearings.
Public comment is welcome. If you would like to address the Board, please keep your comments brief and complete a speaker card for the President.
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. ROLL CALL – BY SELF INTRODUCTIONS
III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
IV. AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA - This is the time and place to change the order of the agenda, delete or add any agenda item(s).
V. PUBLIC COMMENTS - Three minutes for each speaker.
Page 1 VI. MATTERS FROM STAFF
A. Move January 1, 2020 Board Meeting to Another Date B. December 4th Meeting - Discussion
VII. CONSENT CALENDAR: All items under the Consent Calendar may be enacted by one motion. Any item may be removed from the Consent Calendar and acted upon separately by the Board of Directors.
A. Approval of Minutes – Minutes of the Board of Directors Meeting of August 7, 2019, are presented for approval. (Pg. 6)
B. Approval of Warrant Register - Request for Approval of Warrant Register Dated September 4, 2019 (Pg. 11)
C. Local Agency Investment Fund Statement (Pg. 25)
D. Amendment to Agreement for Consulting Services by and between Gateway Cities Council of Governments and Koa Consulting Inc (Pg. 27)
E. Agreement for Consulting Services by and between Gateway Cities Council of Governments and Julia Stewart, Consultant (Pg. 32)
F. Amendment No. 5 to Funding Agreement Between the Gateway Cities Council of Governments and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Pg. 48)
CONSENT CALENDAR ACTION: A MOTION TO APPROVE THE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS A THROUGH F.
VIII. REPORTS
A. Presentation of the West Santa Ana Branch Transit Oriented Development 10 Min Strategic Implementation Plan (TODSIP) – Presentation by Melani Smith, Senior Director, Countywide Planning & Development, Metro
SUGGESTED ACTION: IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE BOARD ASK METRO REPRESENTATIVES TO SEEK FUNDING FOR CORRIDOR CITIES TO IMPLEMENT THE TODSIP STRATEGIES AND CREATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES THAT SUPPORT COMMUNITIES AND RAIL RIDERSHIP
5 Min B. Gateway Cities COG Comment Letter on the Draft SCAG Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) Methodology (Pg. 55)
SUGGESTED ACTION: APPROVE SUBMITTING COMMENT LETTER TO THE SCAG RHNA SUBCOMMITTEE
Page 2
C. Report on Homeless Program – Presentation by Gilbert Saldate, COG 10 Min Homelessness Program Manager
SUGGESTED ACTION: A MOTION TO RECEIVE AND FILE REPORT
D. Request to Support H.R 2723, (Lowenthal) The National Multimodal and 5 Min Sustainable Freight Infrastructure Act, Karen Heit, COG Transportation Analyst (Pg. 81)
SUGGESTED ACTION: IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE BOARD SUPPORT HR 2723 AND APPROVE THE ATTACHED LETTER
5 Min E. Work with Author to Conditionally Support SB 127 (Wiener) Transportation funding: Active Transportation: Complete Streets, Karen Heit, COG Transportation Analyst (Pg. 87)
SUGGESTED ACTION: IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE BOARD CONDITIONALLY SUPPORT SB 127 AND APPROVE THE ATTACHED LETTER
F. Information Regarding City Managers Steering Committee (Pg. 94) 5 Min
SUGGESTED ACTION: A MOTION TO RECEIVE AND FILE REPORT
IX. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES
A. Report from the Gateway Cities COG Transportation Committee – Oral Report (Robert Garcia/Sharon Weissman)
SUGGESTED ACTION: A MOTION TO RECEIVE AND FILE REPORT
B. Report from the Conservancy Committee – (Pg. 98)
SUGGESTED ACTION: A MOTION TO RECEIVE AND FILE REPORT
C. Report from the Economic Development Working Group – No Report
SUGGESTED ACTION: A MOTION TO RECEIVE AND FILE REPORT
D. Report from the Gateway Water Management Authority – No Report
SUGGESTED ACTION: A MOTION TO RECEIVE AND FILE REPORT
E. Report from the I-710 Corridor Project – No Report
SUGGESTED ACTION: A MOTION TO RECEIVE AND FILE REPORT
F. Report from the SR-91/I-605/I-405 Corridor Cities Committee – No Report
SUGGESTED ACTION: A MOTION TO RECEIVE AND FILE REPORT
Page 3
G. Report from PATH (COG Homeless Program Implementation Agency) – (Pg. 104)
SUGGESTED ACTION: A MOTION TO RECEIVE AND FILE REPORT
H. Cap and Trade Update – (Pg. 110)
SUGGESTED ACTION: A MOTION TO RECEIVE AND FILE REPORT
X. REPORTS – COMMITTEES/ AGENCIES
A. Matters from The I-5 Consortium Cities Joint Powers Authority – No Report
SUGGESTED ACTION: A MOTION TO RECEIVE AND FILE REPORT
B. Matters from the League of California Cities (Pg. 115)
SUGGESTED ACTION: A MOTION TO RECEIVE AND FILE REPORT
C. Matters from Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) (Pg. 119)
SUGGESTED ACTION: A MOTION TO RECEIVE AND FILE REPORT
D. Matters from Eco-Rapid Transit (WSAB) (Pg. 123)
SUGGESTED ACTION: A MOTION TO RECEIVE AND FILE REPORT
E. Matters from the South Coast AQMD & CARB – No Report
SUGGESTED ACTION: A MOTION TO RECEIVE AND FILE REPORT
F. Matters from the Metro Gateway Cities Service Council – (Pg. 125)
SUGGESTED ACTION: A MOTION TO RECEIVE AND FILE REPORT
G. Matters from the Metro Eastside Transit Corridor (Gold Line) Phase II – No Report
SUGGESTED ACTION: A MOTION TO RECEIVE AND FILE REPORT
H. Matters from the Port of Long Beach – (Pg. 127)
SUGGESTED ACTION: A MOTION TO RECEIVE AND FILE REPORT
XI. MATTERS FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
XII. MATTERS FROM THE PRESIDENT
Page 4
XIII. ADJOURNMENT
NOTICE: New items will not be considered after 8:00 p.m. unless the Board of Directors votes to extend the time limit. Any items on the agenda that are not completed will be forwarded to the next regular Board of Directors meeting scheduled for Wednesday, October 2, 2019, 6:00 PM.
IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, IF YOU NEED SPECIAL ASSISTANCE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS MEETING, PLEASE CONTACT THE COG OFFICE AT (562) 663-6850. NOTIFICATION 48 HOURS PRIOR TO THE MEETING WILL ENABLE THE COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS TO MAKE REASONABLE ARRANGEMENT TO ENSURE ACCESSIBILITY TO THIS MEETING.
Page 5
VII. CONSENT CALENDAR Item A Approval of Minutes
Page 6 Board of Directors Meeting Minutes August 7, 2019
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE GATEWAY CITIES COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Gateway Cities Council of Governments 16401 Paramount Blvd. Paramount, California August 7, 2019
GCCOG President Diane DuBois called the meeting to order at 6:04 PM. PRESENT: President Diane DuBois, Lakewood Member Tony Lima, City of Artesia 2nd Vice President Cinde MacGugan Cassidy, City of Avalon Member Raymond Dunton, City of Bellflower Member Lisseth Flores, City of Bell Gardens Member Naresh Solanki, City of Cerritos Member Emma Sharif, City of Compton Member Sean Ashton, City of Downey Member Jesse Alvarado, City of Hawaiian Gardens Member Jhonny Pineda, City of Huntington Park Member John Lewis, City of La Mirada Member Rex Richardson, City of Long Beach Member Marisela Santana, City of Lynwood Member Ricardo Lara, City of Maywood Member Brenda Olmos, City of Paramount Member Joe Angel Zamora, City of Santa Fe Springs Member Edward H. J. Wilson, City of Signal Hill 1st Vice President Maria Davila, City of South Gate Member William Davis, City of Vernon Immediate Past President Fernando Dutra, City of Whittier Member Herlinda Chico, Office of Supervisor Janice Hahn Member Antonio Chapa, Office of Supervisor Hilda Solis
ABSENT: Member Ali Saleh, City of Bell Member Oralia Rebollo, City of Commerce Member Elizabeth Alcantar, City of Cudahy Member Mark D. Radecki, City of Industry Member Roberto Uranga, City of Long Beach Member Angie Jimenez, City of Montebello Member Margarita Rios, City of Norwalk Member Brent Tercero, City of Pico Rivera Member Lacey Johnson, Office of Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas Member Bonnie Lowenthal, Port of Long Beach (ex officio)
Page 7 Board of Directors Meeting Minutes August 7, 2019
ALSO PRESENT: Lakewood City Manager Thaddeus McCormack; Julia Brown, Community Relations Manager, Sharon Weissman, Metro Board Deputy to Director Robert Garcia; Joe Perri, Director, Private Company; Jonathan Sobrano, Long Beach Staff; John Moreno, City Manager, City of Paramount; Sarah Patterson, Regional Affairs Officer, SCAG; Andres Molina, Deputy Manager Government Affairs, WSP; Vaniah De Rojas, Assistant to the City Manager, City of Downey; Steve Forster, Sr. Vice President, Infrastructure Engineers; Run Chen, Director of Public Affairs, City of Lynwood; GCCOG Executive Director Nancy Pfeffer; GCCOG Deputy General Counsel Ivy Tsai; GCCOG Transportation Analyst Karen Heit; GCCOG Chair of Economic Working Group, Jerry Caton; GCCOG Consultant Norm Emerson; GCCOG Staff Sandra Mora; GCCOG Staff Stephanie Cadena; GCCOG Staff Joel Arevalos, and GCCOG Staff Genny Cisneros.
President DuBois deviated from the agenda to present an award to Immediate Past President Fernando Dutra. Other COG Members also gave remarks in recognition of President Dutra’s service. Roll call was taken through self-introductions. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Cinde Cassidy – City of Avalon. There were amendments to the agenda, items 1-3 under Transportation Committee have been postponed to September. A Motion was made by Member Dunton and seconded by Member Pineda. The item was approved unanimously to postpone 1-3 to September. There were no public comments. Under items from staff, there was a discussion of moving the January – 2020 meeting scheduled for January 1st to another date. Dates offered were Monday 12/30, Thursday 1/2, Monday 1/6, Wednesday 1/8. A poll was taken and it was determined that the issue will be resolved by Doodle poll. Executive Director Pfeffer told the Board that she has activated the Line of Credit per Board policy. She then went on to discuss changes in the Climate Action Tracking Tool and the addition of the City of Maywood to the Beacon Program. The cities of Artesia, Avalon, Bell Gardens, Norwalk, and Santa Fe Springs, as well as the County of Los Angeles and the Eco-Rapid JPA, all received Caltrans Transportation Planning grants. She then went on to explain the flyers at each place; the notice of a public hearing for the SCAG Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA), the West Santa Ana Branch/Eco-Rapid Transit update which was inadvertently left out of the packet, and a new version of the GCCOG/Eco-Rapid JPA/City of Artesia three-party agreement with changes highlighted by staff. She also pointed out the current SCAG demographic profiles printed out for each city. Lastly, Executive Director Pfeffer introduced Gilbert Saldate, the new COG homelessness coordinator, and briefly outlined his responsibilities. She related that Saldate had hit the ground running and had already met with many of the cities on homelessness issues. Saldate spoke briefly about his
Page 8 Board of Directors Meeting Minutes August 7, 2019
experience and the pleasure he takes in serving the cities individually and that he will be meeting with each city. This concluded items from staff. Consent Calendar - It was moved by Member Solanki and seconded by Member Davila to approve the Consent Calendar. The Consent Calendar was approved as amended with one abstention on item A from the City of Bell. President DuBois called on Lakewood City Manager Thaddeus McCormack to report on a meeting and COG tour with State Senator Scott Weiner, the author of SB-50. SB-50 is focused in removing barriers from the construction of affordable housing. The Bill, if passed in its current form will allow for the redevelopment of single-family neighborhoods into by-right higher density housing providing they are within specific distances from high quality bus or rail lines. McCormack reported that the COG team goal was to show the Senator typical Gateway cities densities and how the tenets of SB-50 do not necessarily fit the Gateway Cities. The Senator was driven through Lakewood, Bellflower, Paramount and South Gate. He was driven through mostly fully built out neighborhoods with residential densities that rival New York City. The Senator asked a lot of questions and was very familiar with the briefing materials that had been sent to him. McCormack stressed to Wiener that there is not a lot of rail service or major job centers in the Gateway Cities subregion that would support his paradigm of housing development. Wiener asked for assistance in trying to cope with a solution that would resolve housing needs for the state. Wiener did not, as yet, have a good definition for “jobs rich” areas. He also admitted that there is a struggle with infrastructure demands associated with increased housing density. Karen Heit added that Wiener had his eyes opened with COG areas where there is overcrowded single family housing due to multi-generational households and multi-family occupation of single-family housing. Past-President Dutra asked if Wiener made suggestions about what he would like to see. It was moved by Member Davila and seconded by Member Ashton to receive and file the item. The item was approved unanimously.
Sharon Weissman, Metro Director Robert Garcia’s Transportation Deputy, gave a report on the Gateway Cities transit summit and the focus on the Next Gen study, the Long Beach Transit Star program and the Norwalk Transit improvement. There were attendees from all of the bus service providers and many elected offices. The next summit will focus on micro transit and e-scooters, a hot topic for all of the cities. She then went on to explain the Measure M Subregional Equity Fund (SEF). She gave a brief background on the genesis of the SEF and how it wasn’t originally part of Measure M. She stated that any funds allocated would not necessarily be Measure M funds. The San Gabriel Valley received a portion of their SEF for the Foothill LRT project. COG Economic Development consultant Jerry Caton, took the podium and gave a report on economic development at the subregional level. Caton discussed that the biggest part
Page 9 Board of Directors Meeting Minutes August 7, 2019
of economic development was the provision of jobs. He then went on to say that in our subregion, we need jobs that do not require a college education. Caton explained that the MTA is looking for a site to assemble rail cars and electric buses and that this is an opportunity for the COG to perhaps compete for a bus or rail car manufacturer or assembly. He would like to be able to send out a COG-based letter that there are opportunities to host an electric vehicles assembly or the rail cars. There was a call for questions, seeing none a Motion was passed to receive and file the report. President DuBois acknowledged the written reports. Reports IX A-H - It was moved by Member Cassidy and seconded by Member Pineda to receive and file reports. The motion was approved unanimously.
Reports X A-H - It was moved by Member Cassidy and seconded by Member Dutra to receive and file reports. The motion was approved unanimously.
Under matters from the Board, Cinde Cassidy thanked the Board for her appointment to COG Board leadership and thanked the Board for holding the COG retreat in Avalon. Ed Wilson – City of Signal Hill, invited people to attend the grand opening of the new Signal Hill library this Saturday at 11:00 am. President DuBois welcomed a new Council Member from the City of Paramount, Brenda Olmos. Member Chapa asked for remembrance of Purple Heart day and those who earned those awards. President DuBois adjourned the meeting in memory of those killed in the senseless violence that plagued our country this week Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Pfeffer, Executive Director
Page 10
VII. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM B Approval of Warrant Register
Page 11
Page 12
Page 13
Page 14
Page 15
Page 16
Page 17
Page 18
Page 19
Page 20
Page 21
Page 22
Page 23
Page 24
VII. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM C July 2019 Local Agency Investment Fund Statement
Page 25 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Local Agency Investment Fund August 28, 2019 P.O. Box 942809 Sacramento, CA 94209-0001 LAIF Home (916) 653-3001 PMIA Average Monthly Yields
GATEWAY CITIES C Tran Type Definitions
Account Number: 40-19-045
July 2019 Statement
Effective Transaction Tran Confirm Date Date Type Number Authorized Caller Amount 7/15/2019 7/12/2019 QRD 1611450 SYSTEM 18.18 Account Summary
18.18 2,845.31 Total Deposit: Beginning Balance: 0.00 2,863.49 Total Withdrawal: Ending Balance:
Page 26
VII. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM D Amendment to Agreement for Consulting Services by and between Gateway Cities Council of Governments and Koa Consulting Inc.
Page 27 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
TO: Board of Directors
FROM: Nancy Pfeffer, Executive Director
SUBJECT: Amendment to Agreement for Consulting Services by and between Gateway Cities Council of Governments and Koa Consulting Inc.
Background
Since April 2014, the COG has retained the firm of Koa Consulting to provide professional engineering services on the COG’s various technical transportation projects including: the I- 710 EIR/EIS; SR-91/I-605/I-405 Major Corridor Study; Strategic Transportation Plan; and the arterial corridor studies. This agreement is now up for an annual renewal.
The attached amendment to the Koa Consulting contract extends the term to June 30, 2020, and a revised scope of work to bring up to date the work program for the firm is also included. The dollar amount in the contract corresponds to the budget approved by the Board at the June 26, 2019 meeting.
Recommended Action
Approve the attached amendment to the agreement for consultant engineering services with Koa Consulting.
Page 28 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT FOR CONSULTING SERVICES BY AND BETWEEN GATEWAY CITIES COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS AND KOA CONSULTING, INC.
THE AGREEMENT FOR CONSULTING SERVICES (“Agreement”) made and entered into as of April 18, 2014, by and between the Gateway Cities Council of Governments, a joint powers authority organized and existing pursuant to the laws of the State of California (“Agency”) and Koa Consulting Inc. (“Consultant”), is amended as follows:
Section 1. Term of Agreement. This Amendment shall be effective as of July 1, 2019, and shall terminate on June 30, 2020, subject to Section 15 of the Agreement dated April 18, 2014.
Section 2. Compensation. Total compensation during the term of this Amendment to the Agreement shall not exceed $437,976 without the prior approval of the Agency’s Executive Director.
Section 3. Exhibit A-3 Scope of Work is replaced with Exhibit A-4 Scope of Work, attached hereto and incorporated.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to the Agreement to be executed as of July 1, 2019.
GATEWAY CITIES COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS
______Diane DuBois, President
ATTEST:
______Nancy Pfeffer, Secretary
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______Ivy M. Tsai Legal Counsel KOA CONSULTING, INC.
______Kekoa Anderson, Principal
Page 29 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Page 30 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Page 31
VII. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM E Agreement for Consulting Services by and between Gateway Cities Council of Governments and Julia Stewart, Consultant
Page 32 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
TO: Board of Directors
FROM: Nancy Pfeffer, Executive Director
SUBJECT: Agreement by and between Gateway Cities Council of Governments and Julia Stewart, Consultant
Background
In May 2019, the COG Board approved an assessment in the amount of one percent of the maximum funding available to cities for housing planning under SB 2. This assessment is to be used to cover part of the cost of a part-time Planning Director for the COG. Given current statewide priorities, and the nature of the funding, the COG needs a Planning Director with expertise in housing and development policy.
Issue
The COG has conducted interviews and recommends entering into a contract with Julia Stewart Consultant of Torrance, CA, a sole proprietorship. Ms. Stewart brings extensive experience with the City of Los Angeles’ Community Redevelopment Agency as well as stints working in the planning departments of two Los Angeles County cities, Pasadena and Rolling Hills, including as Acting Planning Director. Her varied background also includes work on city climate and energy plans and on transportation projects. She is able to provide the COG two days per week.
Her scope of work will include conducting the COG’s planning efforts, with some key items listed below:
• Helping COG to develop a proactive housing policy to ensure that local needs are met while also addressing state policy goals. • Tracking and participating in the development of regional plans such as SCAG’s Regional Transportation Plan, Sustainable Communities Strategy, Regional Housing Needs Assessment, and related efforts. • Further developing the agency’s climate planning initiatives. • Continuing to identify funding opportunities for the Gateway Cities member jurisdictions.
Recommended Action
Approve consultant contract with Julia Stewart Consultant.
Attachments
Consulting agreement between Gateway Cities COG and Julia Stewart Consultant.
Page 33 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
GATEWAY CITIES COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH JULIA STEWART CONSULTANT
This Professional Services Agreement (“Agreement”) is made and effective as of September 4, 2019, by and between the Gateway Cities Council of Governments, a California joint powers authority, (“GCCOG”) and Julia Stewart an individual (“Consultant”). In consideration of the mutual covenants and conditions set forth herein, the parties agree as follows:
I. TERM
This Agreement shall commence on September 4, 2019 and shall remain and continue in effect until the services described herein are completed, but in no event later than June 30, 2020, unless sooner terminated pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement.
II. SERVICES
Consultant shall perform the services described and set forth in Exhibit A, attached hereto and incorporated herein as though set forth in full (“Position Description”). Consultant shall complete the Services according to any schedule of performance set forth in Exhibit A. To the extent that Exhibit A is a proposal from Consultant and contains provisions inconsistent with this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall govern.
III. PERFORMANCE
Consultant shall at all times faithfully, competently and to the best of Consultant’s ability, experience, and talent, perform all tasks described herein. Consultant shall employ, at a minimum, generally accepted standards and practices utilized by persons engaged in providing similar services as are required of Consultant under this Agreement.
IV. GCCOG MANAGEMENT
GCCOG’s Executive Director or designee shall represent GCCOG in all matters pertaining to the administration of this Agreement, including review and approval of all products submitted by Consultant.
V. PAYMENT
A. GCCOG agrees to pay Consultant $125.00/hour for the services performed under this Agreement. Consultant shall invoice GCCOG monthly. The total compensation under this Agreement shall not exceed Eighty-Eight thousand
Page 34 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
($88,000.00) for the total term of the Agreement unless additional payment is approved as provided in this Agreement.
B. Consultant shall not be compensated for any services rendered in connection with its performance of this Agreement which are in addition to those set forth herein, unless such additional services are authorized in advance and in writing by GCCOG’s Executive Director or designee. Consultant shall be compensated for any additional services in the amounts and in the manner as agreed to by GCCOG and Consultant at the time GCCOG's written authorization is given to Consultant for the performance of said services.
C. Consultant will submit invoices monthly for actual Services performed. Payment shall be made within thirty (30) days of receipt of each invoice as to all non- disputed fees. If GCCOG disputes any of Consultant's Services or fees, it shall give written notice to Consultant within thirty (30) days of receipt of an invoice of any disputed fees set forth on the invoice. Any final payment under this Agreement shall be made within forty-five (45) days of receipt of an invoice therefor.
VI. SUSPENSION OR TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT WITHOUT CAUSE
A. GCCOG may at any time, for any reason, without cause, suspend or terminate this Agreement, or any portion hereof, by serving upon Consultant at least ten (10) days’ prior written notice. Upon receipt of said notice, Consultant shall immediately cease all Services under this Agreement, unless the notice provides otherwise. If GCCOG suspends or terminates a portion of this Agreement, such suspension or termination shall not make void or invalidate the remainder of this Agreement.
B. In the event this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this section, GCCOG shall pay to Consultant the actual value of the Services performed up to the time of termination, unless GCCOG disputes any of the Services performed or fees. Upon termination of the Agreement pursuant to this Section, Consultant will submit an invoice to GCCOG pursuant to Section V.
VII. DEFAULT OF CONSULTANT
If GCCOG determines that Consultant is in default in the performance of any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement, GCCOG shall serve Consultant a written notice of the default. Consultant shall have seven (7) days after service of said notice to cure the default. In the event that Consultant fails to cure the default within such period of time or fails to present GCCOG with a written plan for the diligent cure of default if such default cannot be cured within seven days, GCCOG shall have the right, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to terminate this Agreement
Page 35 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
without further notice and without prejudice to any other remedy to which it may be entitled at law, in equity or under this Agreement.
VIII. OWNERSHIP OF DOCUMENTS
A. Consultant shall maintain complete and accurate records with respect to tasks, costs, expenses, receipts, and other such information required by GCCOG that relate to the performance of Services under this Agreement. Consultant shall maintain adequate records of Services provided in sufficient detail to permit an evaluation of Services. All such records shall be maintained in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and shall be clearly identified and readily accessible. Consultant shall provide free access to the representatives of GCCOG or its designees at reasonable times to such books and records; shall give GCCOG the right to examine and audit said books and records; shall permit GCCOG to make transcripts or copies therefrom as necessary; and shall allow inspection of all Services, data, documents, proceedings, and activities related to this Agreement. Such records, together with supporting documents, shall be maintained for a period of three (3) years after receipt of final payment.
B. Upon completion of, or in the event of termination or suspension of this Agreement, all original documents, designs, drawings, maps, models, computer files, surveys, notes, and other documents prepared in the course of providing the Services shall become the sole property of GCCOG and may be used, reused, or otherwise disposed of by GCCOG without the permission of Consultant. With respect to computer files, Consultant shall make available to GCCOG, at the Consultant's office and upon reasonable written request by GCCOG, the necessary computer software and hardware for purposes of accessing, compiling, transferring, copying and/or printing computer files. Consultant hereby grants to GCCOG all right, title, and interest, including any copyright, in and to the documents, designs, drawings, maps, models, computer files, surveys, notes, and other documents prepared by Consultant in the course of providing the Services under this Agreement.
IX. INDEMNIFICATION AND DEFENSE
A. Indemnity
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Consultant shall indemnify and hold harmless GCCOG and any and all of its officials, officers, employees, agents, and/or volunteers (“Indemnified Parties”) from and against any and all losses, liabilities, damages, costs and expenses, including attorney’s fees and costs, caused in whole or in part by the acts, errors, or omissions of Consultant, its officers, agents, employees, or subconsultants (or any agency or individual that Consultant shall bear the legal liability thereof) in the performance of Services under this Agreement.
Page 36 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
B. Duty to Defend
In the event GCCOG, its officials, officers, employees, agents, and/or volunteers are made a party to any claim, action, lawsuit, or other adversarial proceeding (“Action”) arising from the performance of the Services under this Agreement, whether or not Consultant is named in such Action, and upon demand by GCCOG, Consultant shall defend GCCOG at Consultant’s sole cost, or at GCCOG’s option, to reimburse GCCOG for its costs of defense, including reasonable attorney’s fees and costs incurred in the defense.
C. Payment by GCCOG for Services is not a condition precedent to enforcement of this section. Consultant’s duty to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless GCCOG shall not extend to GCCOG’s sole or active negligence. In the event of any dispute between Consultant and GCCOG as to whether liability arises from the sole or active negligence of GCCOG or its officials, officers, employees, agents, and/or volunteers, Consultant will be obligated to pay for GCCOG’s defense until such time as a final judgment has been entered adjudicating GCCOG as solely or actively negligent. Consultant will not be entitled in the absence of such a determination to any reimbursement of defense costs including, but not limited to, attorney’s fees, expert fees and costs of litigation.
X. INSURANCE
Consultant shall maintain prior to the beginning of and for the duration of this Agreement insurance coverage as specified in Exhibit B attached to and part of this Agreement.
XI. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR
A. Consultant is and shall at all times remain as to GCCOG a wholly independent consultant and/or independent contractor. The personnel performing the services under this Agreement on behalf of Consultant shall at all times be under Consultant's exclusive direction and control. Neither GCCOG nor any of its officers, employees, or agents shall have control over the conduct of Consultant or any of Consultant's officers, employees, or agents, except as set forth in this Agreement. Consultant shall not at any time or in any manner represent that Consultant or any of Consultant’s officers, employees, or agents are in any manner officers, employees, or agents of GCCOG. Consultant shall not incur or have the power to incur any debt, obligation, or liability whatever against GCCOG, or bind GCCOG in any manner.
B. No employee benefits shall be available to Consultant in connection with the performance of this Agreement. Except for the fees paid to Consultant as provided in the Agreement, GCCOG shall not pay salaries, wages, or other compensation
Page 37 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
to Consultant for performing services hereunder for GCCOG. GCCOG shall not be liable for compensation or indemnification to Consultant for injury or sickness arising out of performing services hereunder.
XII. LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Consultant shall keep itself informed of State and Federal laws and regulations which in any manner affect those employed by it or in any way affect the performance of Services pursuant to this Agreement. Consultant shall at all times observe and comply with all such laws and regulations. GCCOG, and its officials, officers, employees, and agents, shall not be liable at law or in equity occasioned by failure of Consultant to comply with this Section.
XIII. UNDUE INFLUENCE
Consultant declares and warrants that no undue influence or pressure was used against or in concert with any officer or employee of GCCOG in connection with the award, terms or implementation of this Agreement, including any method of coercion, confidential financial arrangement, or financial inducement. No officer or employee of GCCOG has or will receive compensation, directly or indirectly, from Consultant, or from any officer, employee or agent of Consultant, in connection with this Agreement or any Services to be conducted as a result of this Agreement. Violation of this section shall be a material breach of this Agreement entitling GCCOG to any and all remedies at law or in equity.
XIV. NO BENEFIT TO ARISE TO LOCAL EMPLOYEES
No member, officer, or employee of GCCOG, or their designees or agents, and no public official who exercises authority over or responsibilities with respect to the Services during his/her tenure or for one year thereafter, shall have any interest, direct or indirect, in any Agreement or sub-agreement, or the proceeds thereof, for Services to be performed under this Agreement.
XV. RELEASE OF INFORMATION/CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
A. All information gained by Consultant in performance of this Agreement shall be considered confidential and shall not be released by Consultant without GCCOG's prior written authorization, unless the information is clearly public. Consultant, its officers, employees, agents, or subconsultants, shall not without written authorization from GCCOG’s Executive Director or designee, or unless requested by GCCOG’s attorney, voluntarily provide declarations, letters of support, testimony at depositions, response to interrogatories, or other information concerning the Services performed under this Agreement or relating to the GCCOG. Response to a subpoena or court order shall not be considered “voluntary” provided Consultant gives GCCOG notice of such court order or subpoena.
Page 38 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
B. Consultant shall promptly notify GCCOG should Consultant, its officers, employees, agents, and/or subconsultants be served with any summons, complaint, notice of deposition, request for documents, interrogatories, request for admissions, or other discovery request (“Discovery”), court order, or subpoena from any person or party regarding this Agreement and the Services performed hereunder or the GCCOG, unless the GCCOG is a party to any lawsuit, arbitration, or administrative proceeding connected to such Discovery, or unless Consultant is prohibited by law from informing GCCOG of such Discovery. GCCOG retains the right, but has no obligation, to represent Consultant and/or be present at any deposition, hearing, or similar proceeding as allowed by law. Unless GCCOG is a party to the lawsuit, arbitration, or administrative proceeding and is adverse to Consultant in such proceeding, Consultant agrees to cooperate fully with GCCOG and to provide the opportunity to review any response to discovery requests provided by Consultant. However, GCCOG's right to review any such response does not imply or mean the right by GCCOG to control, direct, or rewrite said response, or that GCCOG has an obligation to review any such response or verifies any response it has reviewed.
XVI. NOTICES
Any notices which either party may desire to give to the other party under this Agreement must be in writing and may be given either by (i) personal service, (ii) delivery by a reputable document delivery service, such as but not limited to, Federal Express, which provides a receipt showing date and time of delivery, or (iii) mail by the United States Postal Service, certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, addressed to the address of the party as set forth below or at any other address as that party may later designate by notice:
To GCCOG: Gateway Cities Council of Governments 16401 Paramount Blvd Paramount, CA 90723 Attention: Executive Director
To Consultant: Julia Stewart 1729 Iris Avenue Torrance, CA 90503
XVII. ASSIGNMENT
Consultant shall not assign the performance of this Agreement, nor any part thereof, nor any monies due hereunder, without prior written consent of GCCOG. Because of the personal nature of the Services to be rendered pursuant to this
Page 39 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Agreement, only Julia Stewart shall perform the Services described in this Agreement, unless otherwise agreed to by GCCOG.
XVIII. LICENSES
At all times during the term of this Agreement, Consultant shall have in full force and effect all licenses required of it by law for the performance of the Services described in this Agreement.
XIX. GOVERNING LAW
GCCOG and Consultant understand and agree that the laws of the State of California shall govern the rights, obligations, duties, and liabilities of the parties to this Agreement and also govern the interpretation of this Agreement. Any litigation concerning this Agreement shall take place in the municipal, superior, or federal district court with jurisdiction over GCCOG.
XX. ENTIRE AGREEMENT
This Agreement contains the entire understanding between the parties relating to the obligations of the parties described in this Agreement. All prior or contemporaneous agreements, understandings, representations, and statements, oral or written and pertaining to the subject of this Agreement or with respect to the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall be of no further force or effect. Each party is entering into this Agreement based solely upon the representations set forth herein and upon each party’s own independent investigation of any and all facts such party deems material.
XXI. AUTHORITY TO EXECUTE THIS AGREEMENT
The persons executing this Agreement on behalf of the parties warrants and represents that they have the authority to execute this Agreement on behalf of said parties and has the authority to bind the parties to the provisions of this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed the day and year first above written.
CONSULTANT
______Julia Stewart ______(Name)
Page 40 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
______(Title)
GATEWAY CITIES COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS
______President
ATTEST:
______Secretary
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______General Counsel
Attachments: Exhibit A Scope of Work Exhibit B Insurance Requirements
Page 41 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
EXHIBIT A
Scope of Work – Gateway Cities COG Planning Director
The Planning Director is responsible for conducting the agency’s planning efforts as follows: • Assist the COG and member jurisdictions in developing a coherent housing policy to ensure that state policy goals to accelerate housing production are met, while also meeting the local needs of communities in the COG region (Southeast Los Angeles County);
• Staff the COG’s Planning Directors Committee, including preparing agendas for monthly meetings, coordinating outreach and invites for speakers, and following up accordingly;
• Plan and conduct occasional special workshops for Planning Directors (and other city staff) on topics as needed (e.g., housing, climate planning, transit-oriented development, redevelopment tools, etc.);
• Track and participate in the development of regional plans, particularly the Regional Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS) periodically developed by SCAG; track and participate in related regional committee meetings (Technical Working Group, Regional Council, Policy Committees, etc.); and keep COG members informed of their implications;
• Track and participate in SCAG’s RHNA Subcommittee meetings for the distribution methodology, and keep COG members informed of the process and its implications.
• Work with other COG program staff, including transportation planning, economic development, and homelessness, and with the Gateway Water Management Authority, to ensure that policy, planning, and project development efforts are coordinated;
• Develop a new Affordable Housing Resource Hub at the COG to serve member jurisdictions and facilitate interest in the region by developers;
• Track member jurisdictions’ compliance with state housing law and assure they receive technical assistance as needed;
Page 42 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
• Track state housing policy and legislation, recommend advocacy positions to be taken by the COG Board (in consultation with the Planning Directors, the City Managers Steering Committee, and the City Managers Policy Advisory Committee), and support or participate in legislative advocacy on behalf of the COG as directed;
• Further develop the agency’s climate planning initiatives by ensuring member jurisdictions continue to use the Climate Action Planning Framework; update the CAP Framework and develop additional tools as needed;
• Recommend and develop additional innovative planning programs as needed, and monitor and share funding opportunities to help the Gateway Cities prosper economically, environmentally, and socially.
Page 43 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
EXHIBIT B
INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS
Without limiting Consultant’s indemnification of GCCOG, and prior to commencement of Services, Consultant shall obtain, provide, and maintain at its own expense during the term of this Agreement, policies of insurance of the type and amounts described below and in a form satisfactory to GCCOG.
General liability insurance. Consultant shall maintain commercial general liability insurance with coverage at least as broad as Insurance Services Office form CG 00 01, in an amount not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence, $2,000,000 general aggregate, for bodily injury, personal injury, and property damage. The policy must include contractual liability that has not been amended. Any endorsement restricting standard ISO “insured contract” language will not be accepted.
Automobile liability insurance. Consultant shall maintain automobile insurance at least as broad as Insurance Services Office form CA 00 01 covering bodily injury and property damage for all activities of the Consultant arising out of or in connection with Services to be performed under this Agreement, including coverage for any owned, hired, non-owned or rented vehicles, in an amount not less than $1,000,000 combined single limit for each accident.
Professional liability (errors & omissions) insurance. Consultant shall maintain professional liability insurance that covers the Services to be performed in connection with this Agreement, in the minimum amount of $1,000,000 per claim and in the aggregate. Any policy inception date, continuity date, or retroactive date must be before the effective date of this Agreement and Consultant agrees to maintain continuous coverage through a period no less than three (3) years after completion of the services required by this Agreement.
Other provisions or requirements
Proof of insurance. Consultant shall provide certificates of insurance to GCCOG as evidence of the insurance coverage required herein, along with a waiver of subrogation endorsement for workers’ compensation. Insurance certificates and endorsements must be approved by GCCOG’s Risk Manager prior to commencement of performance. Current certification of insurance shall be kept on file with GCCOG at all times during the term of this Agreement. GCCOG reserves the right to require complete, certified copies of all required insurance policies at any time.
Duration of coverage. Consultant shall procure and maintain for the duration of the Agreement insurance against claims for injuries to persons or damages to property,
Page 44 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
which may arise from or in connection with the performance of the Services hereunder by Consultant, or Consultant’s agents, representatives, employees or subconsultants.
Primary/noncontributing. Coverage provided by Consultant shall be primary and any insurance or self-insurance procured or maintained by GCCOG shall not be required to contribute with it. The limits of insurance required herein may be satisfied by a combination of primary and umbrella or excess insurance. Any umbrella or excess insurance shall contain or be endorsed to contain a provision that such coverage shall also apply on a primary and non-contributory basis for the benefit of GCCOG before the GCCOG’s own insurance or self-insurance shall be called upon to protect it as a named insured.
GCCOG’s rights of enforcement. In the event any policy of insurance required under this Agreement does not comply with these specifications or is canceled and not replaced, GCCOG has the right but not the duty to obtain the insurance it deems necessary and any premium paid by GCCOG will be promptly reimbursed by Consultant or GCCOG will withhold amounts sufficient to pay premium from Consultant payments. In the alternative, GCCOG may cancel this Agreement.
Acceptable insurers. All insurance policies shall be issued by an insurance company currently authorized by the Insurance Commissioner to transact business of insurance or is on the List of Approved Surplus Line Insurers in the State of California, with an assigned policyholders’ Rating of A- (or higher) and Financial Size Category Class VI (or larger) in accordance with the latest edition of Best’s Key Rating Guide, unless otherwise approved by the GCCOG’s Risk Manager.
Waiver of subrogation. All insurance coverage maintained or procured pursuant to this Agreement shall be endorsed to waive subrogation against GCCOG, its elected or appointed officers, agents, officials, employees and volunteers or shall specifically allow Consultant or others providing insurance evidence in compliance with these specifications to waive their right of recovery prior to a loss. Consultant hereby waives its own right of recovery against GCCOG, and shall require similar written express waivers and insurance clauses from each of its subconsultants.
Enforcement of contract provisions (non estoppel). Consultant acknowledges and agrees that any actual or alleged failure on the part of the GCCOG to inform Consultant of non-compliance with any requirement imposes no additional obligations on the GCCOG nor does it waive any rights hereunder.
Requirements not limiting. Requirements of specific coverage features or limits contained in this Section are not intended as a limitation on coverage, limits or other requirements, or a waiver of any coverage normally provided by any insurance. Specific reference to a given coverage feature is for purposes of clarification only as it pertains to a given issue and is not intended by any party or insured to be all inclusive, or to the
Page 45 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
exclusion of other coverage, or a waiver of any type. If Consultant maintains higher limits than the minimums shown above, GCCOG requires and shall be entitled to coverage for the higher limits maintained by Consultant. Any available insurance proceeds in excess of the specified minimum limits of insurance and coverage shall be available to GCCOG.
Notice of cancellation. Consultant agrees to oblige its insurance agent or broker and insurers to provide to GCCOG with a thirty (30) day notice of cancellation (except for nonpayment for which a ten (10) day notice is required) or nonrenewal of coverage for each required coverage.
Additional insured status. General liability policies shall provide or be endorsed to provide that GCCOG and its officers, officials, employees, agents, and volunteers shall be additional insureds under such policies. This provision shall also apply to any excess/umbrella liability policies.
Prohibition of undisclosed coverage limitations. None of the coverages required herein will be in compliance with these requirements if they include any limiting endorsement of any kind that has not been first submitted to GCCOG and approved of in writing.
Separation of insureds. A severability of interests provision must apply for all additional insureds ensuring that Consultant’s insurance shall apply separately to each insured against whom claim is made or suit is brought, except with respect to the insurer’s limits of liability. The policy(ies) shall not contain any cross-liability exclusions.
Pass through clause. Consultant agrees to ensure that its subconsultants, subcontractors, and any other party involved with the Services who is brought onto or involved in the Services by Consultant, provide the same minimum insurance coverage and endorsements required of Consultant. Consultant agrees to monitor and review all such coverage and assumes all responsibility for ensuring that such coverage is provided in conformity with the requirements of this section. Consultant agrees that upon request, all agreements with consultants, subconsultants, and others engaged in the Services will be submitted to GCCOG for review.
GCCOG’s right to revise specifications. GCCOG reserves the right at any time during the term of the Agreement to change the amounts and types of insurance required by giving Consultant ninety (90) days advance written notice of such change. If such change results in substantial additional cost to Consultant, GCCOG and Consultant may renegotiate Consultant’s compensation or come to some other agreement to address the additional cost.
Self-insured retentions. Any self-insured retentions must be declared to and approved by GCCOG. GCCOG reserves the right to require that self-insured retentions be
Page 46 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
eliminated, lowered, or replaced by a deductible. Self-insurance will not be considered to comply with these specifications unless approved by GCCOG.
Timely notice of claims. Consultant shall give GCCOG prompt and timely notice of claims made or suits instituted that arise out of or result from Consultant’s performance under this Agreement, and that involve or may involve coverage under any of the required liability policies.
Additional insurance. Consultant shall also procure and maintain, at its own cost and expense, any additional kinds of insurance, which in its own judgment may be necessary for its proper protection and prosecution of the Services.
Page 47
VII. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM F Amendment No. 5 to Funding Agreement Between the Gateway Cities Council of Governments and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Page 48 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
TO: Board of Directors
FROM: Nancy Pfeffer, Executive Director
SUBJECT: Amendment No. 5 to Funding Agreement Between the Gateway Cities Council of Governments and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Background
Since 2011 the COG has had a funding agreement with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) through which the MTA reimburses the COG for a substantial amount of work performed by the COG’s consultant engineers in support of the Measure R projects for improvements in the I-710 and SR-91/I-605/I-405 freeway corridors. In recent years the funding level has averaged approximately $300,000 annually. The attached Amendment No. 5 provides for a 36-month extension through April 30, 2022, and an additional $300,000 in funding per year to cover that period of time. Additionally, the scope of work has been updated and is attached.
Recommended Action
It is recommended that the Board approve the attached amendment No. 5 to the Funding Agreement with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
Page 49 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Page 50 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Page 51 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Page 52 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Page 53 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Page 54
VIII. REPORTS ITEM B Gateway Cities COG Comment on the Draft SCAG Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) Methodology
Page 55 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
TO: Board of Directors FROM: City Managers Steering Committee Nancy Pfeffer, Executive Director Stephanie Cadena, Assistant Planner SUBJECT: Gateway Cities COG Comment on the Draft SCAG Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) Methodology Background To assure a sufficient supply of housing, every eight years the state assigns a Regional Housing Need Allocation (RHNA) to each region of California. In each cycle, the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) must develop a proposed RHNA methodology to distribute existing and projected housing need for each jurisdiction. This 6th cycle RHNA will cover the planning period from October 2021 through October 2029. The approved methodology is now being developed by SCAG. It will determine each jurisdiction’s RHNA allocation from the share of the regional determination (1.3 million units) provided on August 22 by the state’s department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).
Issue SCAG staff and SCAG’s RHNA Subcommittee been working on a proposed methodology that considers various factors such as local input, emphasis on high quality transit areas (HQTA), past permitting activity, and social equity adjustments. SCAG’s methodology will be applied to the regional allocation (also called a determination) provided by HCD to determine a RHNA allocation for each jurisdiction.
The members of the Gateway Cities Planning Directors Group have been consolidated regional concerns regarding the proposed methodology in a comment letter to SCAG’s RHNA Subcommittee. SCAG has developed three methodology options for consideration. However, the Planning Directors’ letter does not express a preference among the three options. Instead, the letter comments that the proposed methodology needs to consider socioeconomic and cultural factors, density, the built environment, and other factors unique to the Gateway Cities region and that are beyond local control. The letter offers the following key comments for SCAG’s consideration: • Provide RHNA credit to jurisdictions that have facilitated housing creation and increased density in past cycles • Account for existing factors that constrain further growth (e.g. high levels of density and incompatible industrial/warehouse uses) • Disperse lower-income categories throughout the region to promote economically diverse communities and diminish existing over-concentrations of poverty • Account for economic factors that have adversely affected jurisdictions’ abilities to provide affordable housing units
Page 56 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
• Incorporate historical economic trends and forecasted economic projections that are beyond local control and have a direct impact on housing production • Continue financial support to local jurisdictions for housing production. The letter also describes activity in the Gateway Cities region in past cycles that have promoted and increased housing production, and observes that this activity is not fairly captured in the draft methodology. Member cities’ planning department staff contributed to the crafting of the letter in addition to members of the City Managers Steering Committee, who provided additional suggestions. The City Managers Steering Committee recommended forwarding the letter to the COG Board for consideration of approval to submit to the RHNA Subcommittee by September 13th, the deadline for public comments. The RHNA Subcommittee will vote to select one methodology option in October 2019 following the public comment period. A final methodology will be approved by the SCAG Regional Council in early November 2019.
Recommended Action Approve submitting comment letter to the RHNA Subcommittee.
Attachments RHNA Comment Letter and Attachments. Regional Housing Need Determination Letter to SCAG dated August 22, 2019
Page 57 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Page 58 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Page 59 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Page 60 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Page 61 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Page 62 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Page 63 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Page 64 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Page 65 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Page 66 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Page 67 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Page 68 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Page 69 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Page 70 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Page 71 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Page 72 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Page 73 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Page 74 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Page 75 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Page 76 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Page 77 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Page 78 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Page 79 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Page 80
VIII. REPORTS ITEM D Request to Support H.R.2723 The National Multimodal and Sustainable Freight Infrastructure Act
Page 81 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
TO: Board of Directors
FROM: Nancy Pfeffer – Executive Director by Karen Heit
SUBJECT: H.R. 2723: The National Multimodal and Sustainable Freight Infrastructure Act
Background
This Bill would establish a Freight Transportation Infrastructure Trust Fund and create a freight specific formula and competitive grant program for multimodal projects. Specifically, H.R. 2723 offers a dedicated revenue source by implementing a proposed national 1% waybill fee. The entity paying for the cargo to be shipped via ground transportation within the United States would be required to pay a fee of 1% of the total cost of transportation. The Formula for allocation to the states is based on the ratio of ports, airports rail lines and interstate highways as well as the tonnage of freight being moved in each state as compared to the country. In addition to formula allocations there will be funding available on a competitive grant basis.
Issue
The potential expenditures for this fund coincide well with project and programmatic elements of the I-710 and SR-91/I-605/I-405 Corridor projects. Qualifying projects could include capital freight projects on roads, rail, intermodal connectors, including first and last mile connectors, rail grade separations, on-dock rail and landside infrastructure on ports and airports included in a State Freight Plan. An important element of this proposal is the minimum 5 percent of funds that will be made available under the Program each fiscal year for zero-emission freight demonstration projects. The ability to access these funds would be critical to the I-710 Corridor Near Zero Emission and Zero Emission Truck Program that currently does not have a designated funding source.
The estimated $10 billion in annual funds collected from this proposed fee would be deposited into a Freight Transportation Infrastructure Trust Fund and then be distributed equally between the existing National Multimodal Freight Funding Formula Program and the National Freight Infrastructure Multimodal Competitive Grant Program created in the FAST Act.
Metro is currently developing the Los Angeles County Goods Movement Strategic Plan in coordination with regional partners, including the Gateway Cities COG, that are involved with the goods movement sector. Funding created through H.R. 2723 will support the implementation of projects, pilots, and programs identified in this plan as priorities for the county.
Page 82 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Recommended Action
It is recommended that the Board support HR 2723 and approve the attached letter. Attachments
Press Release HR 2723 GCCOG Draft Letter of Support
Page 83 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Page 84 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Page 85 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Honorable Alan Lowenthal DRAFT 100 W. Broadway West Tower Suite 600 Long Beach, CA 90802
Dear Congressmember Lowenthal:
House Resolution 2723 – Economy in Motion: The National Multimodal and Sustainable Freight Infrastructure Act
The Gateway Cities Council of Governments (COG) has voted to support HR-2723. As you know, the Gateway Cities subregion is ground-zero for containerized cargo emanating from the San Pedro Bay Ports by rail or truck and heading to warehouses within the Gateway Cities subregion or to points east and north.
As a subregion we recognize that Goods Movement is a significant economic engine in Los Angeles County. Communities that surround the San Pedro Bay Ports experience a high level of congestion and negative environmental impacts as a result of the large amount of cargo exiting the two ports. Through the creation of a program aimed at improving the movement of goods, residents, commuters and businesses will benefit from less congestion and improved air quality.
The COG, MTA and Caltrans have been working on solutions and environmental clearance for the I-710 corridor for over 10 years and have developed multi-modal solutions that will resolve current capacity and safety issues as well as address port growth in a sustainable manner. This Corridor project has a little over $1.3 billion in local sales tax revenue available in the coming decade to leverage state and federal funding, The National Multimodal and Sustainable Freight Infrastructure Act would provide a much needed source of revenue for this project and others that support the movement of goods in Los Angeles County.
If there are any questions on the GCCOG position please give our Executive Director, Nancy Pfeffer, a call at 562 663 6850.
Sincerely,
Diane DuBois, President Gateway Cities Council of Governments
cc: Board of Directors GCCOG
Page 86
VIII. REPORTS ITEM E SB 127: Transportation Funding: Active Transportation: Complete Streets
Page 87 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
TO: Board of Directors
FROM: Nancy Pfeffer – Executive Director by Karen Heit
SUBJECT: SB 127: Transportation Funding: Active Transportation: Complete Streets
Background
State Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) along with Assemblymembers; Bloom, Boehner Horvath, Chiu, Friedman and Eduardo Garcia have drafted a bill that requires that Caltrans explicitly include complete streets improvements in the Asset Management Plan, which sets out a new process for managing State Highway Operation and Protection Program (SHOPP) projects, with performance measures and reporting requirements.
The Bill would require Caltrans, starting in 2023, to include new pedestrian and bicycle facilities or improve existing facilities as part of any specific SHOPP project on a state highway or a local street crossing a state highway as part of the project.
The Bill will add language to the Government Code defining a process for how complete streets should be incorporated into SHOPP projects through community engagement and local governments, and provides an opt-out clause where necessary. Projects would be required to prioritize safety improvements that reduce fatalities and several injuries for vulnerable road users.
Issue
The COG is in the process of developing 25 Arterial Complete Streets Masterplans whose goal is to make the streets better and intersections safer. The Complete Streets program looks at the intersections and cross-sections to examine the potential for open space, green space and active transportation uses. Out of this inquiry, a tool box has been developed to gather improvement typologies appropriate to mid- blocks and maybe intersections.
Some of these plans contain portions of state highways or cross over or under freeways. Passage of this bill should create an additional source of revenue for these Complete Streets initiatives.
In order to recognize the efforts that are going into these plans we suggest the following (bolded) language be inserted into the Bill to ensure improvements work with locally approved plans:
Page 88 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
(3) For each project development team for each that the 20 department establishes for a project, including the department 21 shall include representatives from the local transportation agency, 22 local bicycle and pedestrian advisory committee, community-based 23 organizations, residents of low-income disadvantaged communities, 24 the City and other local stakeholders impacted by the project. The 25 project development team shall provide input to the department 26 on identifying bicycle and pedestrian facility and transit access needs 27 on the project, including improvements identified in a local bicycle, 28 pedestrian, active transportation, or safe routes to school plans and 29 locally approved Complete Streets plans as adopted by the local jurisdiction
In our comments to the Senator we would also like to see language strengthened to require adherence to locally approved and adopted plans to assure coordination with Arterial Complete Streets projects.
An additional spot for clarifying language can be the following (In bold):
SEC. 3. Section 14526.4 of the Government Code is amended to read: 24 14526.4. (a) The department, in consultation with the commission, shall prepare a robust asset management plan to guide selection of projects for the State Highway Operation and Protection Program required by Section 14526.5. The asset management plan shall be consistent with any applicable state and federal requirements or locally adopted Complete Streets plans, and shall prescribe a process for community input and “complete streets” implementation to prioritize safety and accessibility for pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users on all projects in the program, where applicable, pursuant to Section 14526.7.
Recommended Action It is recommended that the Board conditionally support SB 127 and approve the attached letter.
Attachments
Fact Sheet – SB-127 GCCOG Draft Letter of Support
Page 89 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Page 90 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Page 91
Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
DRAFT The Honorable Scott Wiener Senate District 11 State Capitol, Room 5100 Sacramento, CA 95814-4900
Dear Senator Wiener,
Gateway Cities Council of Governments Conditional Support for SB-127
The 27 cities of the Gateway Cities Council of Governments (COG) has voted to conditionally support SB-127 with slight modifications to some of the language. The GCCOG subregion has a population of over 2 million people. A large portion of the subregion consists of low-income communities and communities of color that lack well-maintained and safe routes to parks and schools, bike lanes, and sidewalks. Additionally, the subregion is intersected by seven major freeways and highways (I-5, SR-60, SR-91, I-105, I-405, I-605 and I-710). These highways, although they are the transportation backbone of the region, create formidable barriers to non- motorized transportation. To address this issue and provide consistent mobility options across jurisdictions of different sizes; the COG has embarked upon a series of 25 Arterial Complete Streets programs where cities can collaboratively plan for complete streets in a meaningful way along major arterials. The prospect of coordination and funding with the SHOPP program will help provide additional resources to these plans.
The genesis of the Complete Streets program came through the COG-wide Strategic Transportation Plan (STP) and the focus on the arterial streets. The STP identified 25 streets that were part of the program. The project also identified the intersection hot spots on these arterials. The Complete Streets project looked at the intersection and cross-sections to examine the potential for open space, green space and active transportation uses. Out of this inquiry, a tool box was developed to gather improvement typologies appropriate to mid- blocks and intersections. The goal is to make the streets better and intersections safer. The project also identified the intersection hot spots on these arterials. Some of the Complete Streets work builds on non-freeway improvements associated with the I-710 and SR-91/I-650/I-405 projects. The Complete Streets projects are set up to work across a variety of funding sources, by integrating projects from different funding sources such as Measure W storm water. These projects are multi-jurisdictional. The Complete Streets masterplans are more detailed plans for improving the built environment.
In order to recognize the efforts that have gone into or are going into these plans we suggest the following (bolded) language be inserted into the Bill to ensure improvements work with locally approved plans.
SEC. 3. Section 14526.4 of the Government Code is amended to read: 24 14526.4. (a) The department, in consultation with the commission, shall prepare a robust asset management plan to guide selection of projects for the State Highway Operation and
Page 92 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Protection Program required by Section 14526.5. The asset management plan shall be consistent with any applicable state and federal requirements or locally adopted Complete Streets plans, and shall prescribe a process for community input and “complete streets” implementation to prioritize safety and accessibility for pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users on all projects in the program, where applicable, pursuant to Section 14526.7.
And that a change is made in the current language of the Bill that requires consultation with community groups and local authorities:
(3) For each project development team for each that the 20 department establishes for a project, including the department 21 shall include representatives from the local transportation agency, 22 local bicycle and pedestrian advisory committee, community-based 23 organizations, residents of low-income disadvantaged communities, 24 the City and other local stakeholders impacted by the project. The 25 project development team shall provide input to the department 26 on identifying bicycle and pedestrian facility and transit access needs 27 on the project, including improvements identified in a local bicycle, 28 pedestrian, active transportation, or safe routes to school plans and 29 locally approved Complete Streets plans as adopted by the local jurisdiction.
We respectfully submit these changes for your consideration and look forward to working with your office to see this expansion of Complete Streets work. If there are any questions please call Karen Heit or Nancy Pfeffer – GCCOG staff at (562) 663-6850.
Sincerely,
Diane DuBois, President Gateway Cities Council of Governments
cc: Board of Directors GCCOG
Page 93
VIII. REPORTS ITEM F Information Regarding City Managers Steering Committee
Page 94 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
TO: Board of Directors
FROM: Nancy Pfeffer, Executive Director
SUBJECT: Information Regarding City Managers Steering Committee
Background
In response to Board Member requests, the following information is provided regarding the COG’s City Managers Steering Committee.
Issue
The COG’s Joint Powers Agreement provides for a City Managers Policy Advisory Committee and a City Managers Steering Committee. The City Managers Policy Advisory Committee is comprised of the City Manager of each of the COG’s member cities and its duty is to advise the COG Board.
The City Managers Steering Committee is constituted to include the Chair of the “Southeast Los Angeles County (‘SELAC’) City Managers Group” and five additional members who shall be elected by the City Managers Policy Advisory Committee. Its duty is to advise the Executive Committee.
The reference to the SELAC City Managers Group is outdated. We believe this group has become the City Managers committee of the Gateway Cities COG region within the Los Angeles County Division of the League of Cities. This is effectively the same group as the City Managers Policy Advisory Committee.
Attached for further information are the relevant sections of the COG’s Joint Powers Agreement, and the organization chart of the COG.
The City Managers Policy Advisory Committee in September will consider three upcoming vacancies on the City Managers Steering Committee (retirements of City Managers from Long Beach, Signal Hill, and Whittier).
Recommended Action
Receive and file.
Attachments
Excerpt from COG Joint Powers Agreement COG Organizational Chart
Page 95 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Page 96 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Page 97
IX. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES ITEM B Report from the Conservancy Committee
Page 98 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
TO: Board of Directors
FROM: Mark Stanley, Executive Officer
SUBJECT: Rivers and Mountains Conservancy Update DATE: August 27, 2019
Grant Programs
There is currently one open grant program currently available for funding from the RMC: the Lower LA River Grant Program. The solicitation for the Proposition 68 grant program was closed on July 15, 2019. Guidelines and grant criteria, are available on the Conservancy’s website: www.rmc.ca.gov
This includes funding for planning, design acquisition and development in any of the RMC’s Three Grant Program areas including: River/Tributaries, Mountain/Foothills and Urban areas Minimum grant amounts are $200,000 and maximum grant amount is $2,000,000.
Proposition 68
The passage of Proposition 68, the California Clean Water and Safe Parks Act in June 2018 was a huge success. By passing the measure, voters authorized funding $4.1 billion in bonds to protect our water and natural areas and help to ensure every Californian has access to safe drinking water and safe parks, particularly in low-income underserved communities.
Proposition 68 includes specific allocations for various funding entities that will be conducting workshops in the coming months to establish or refine guidelines as they pertain to the various categories of funds contained in Proposition 68. The Governor has already budgeted for the allocation of Per Capita and $246 million through the Statewide Park Development Program (AB 31 Park Poor Communities). Additionally, funds will be approved through the state’s 10 conservancies for local assistance grants. This includes an allocation of $30 million to the RMC for local assistance grants, and an additional allocation of $37.5 million for Eligible projects including, but not limited to, projects that protect and enhance urban creeks.
The deadline for the RMC’s Proposition 68 Regionwide Grant Program closed on July 15, 2019. RMC Staff are now in the process of putting together evaluation teams to review and score these applications. Award recommendations are expected Winter 2019-Spring 2020.
The next Regionwide call for projects is expected in Spring 2020.
PROPOSITION 1
The RMC’s Lower Los Angeles River Proposition 68 Grant Program (Proposition 1) began accepting applications on April 29, 2019 and will continue on an ongoing basis until all funding is expended. Additionally, in the spirit of transparency and RMC’s on-going commitment to Lower LA River (LLAR) stakeholder engagement, RMC is requiring that all LLAR grant program applicants present their proposed projects before the LLAR Implementation Advisory Group Page 99 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
(IAG) prior to recommendation to the RMC Board for consideration to award funding for a project. Comments from the IAG will be incorporated with RMC recommendations to the RMC Board.
Check the website for the Grant Guidelines and additional information: http://rmc.ca.gov
Proposition 68 Technical Assistance Program (TAP)
At its July 22, 2019 Board Meeting, the RMC board voted to approve the Technical Assistance Program (TAP). The structure of the TAP program is being designed to provide information, tools, resources, and strategies to help applicants through all stages of grant initiation, grantmaking, and project completion. RMC Prop 68 TAP will be available throughout the funding period of Prop 68 and will include outreach and programs to provide application assistance to eligible applicants.
The following are the primary goals of RMC’s TAP:
1. Ensure that all Cities, local agencies, and non-profits throughout the RMC region, and especially High-Need or Very-High-Need areas, are well informed regarding available RMC Proposition 68 competitive grant program opportunities, TAP as a resource, and the steps required to receive these resources; 2. Maximize participation in RMC’s Prop 68 grant program from High-Need or Very-High-Need Study Areas by providing proactive and flexible technical assistance throughout the grant continuum to help with applying for funding, administering grants, and completing and maintaining projects; 3. Create and support relationships between agencies, organizations, and technical experts and mentors throughout the County; 4. Support organizational capacity-building among RMC’s Prop 68 applicants to increase their ability to administer grants; 5. Place emphasis on delivering successfully completed projects to park and open space users.
RMC Prop 68 eligible grantees may submit a request for technical assistance and indicate which TAP elements they are interested in prior to and during competitive grant Call-for- Projects. TAP funding will come from RMC’s Prop 68 Technical Assistance funds, which is up to 10 percent of RMC’s overall Prop 68 allocation.
LEGISLATION
AB 1694 (O’Donnell D) San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy: territory: Dominguez Channel watershed and Santa Catalina Island Introduced: 2/22/2019, Status: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Wildlife in the Senate. Scheduled for committee hearing on July 9, 2019.
Summary: This bill would describe the breadth of the RMC’s territory and provide greater clarity of what areas its boundaries encompass, particularly for cities and communities whose
Page 100 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
portions already fall within its territory. This bill would also expand the RMC’s current boundaries to include the Dominguez Channel Watershed and Santa Catalina Island, which presently do not fall within the boundaries of the State’s ten conservancies. Subsequently, the expansion would make proposition funds available to local entities, particularly park-poor and disadvantaged communities, and non-governmental agencies that were previously not privy to these bond funds. SB 1374 (Lara)- Lower LA River Recreation and Park District Formation Since the passage of this bill in 2016, the RMC has been coordinating the implementation of the creation of the Recreation and Park District with various Gateway Cities indicating their support for this new Park District. The City of South Gate will take the lead on submitting an application for further analysis to the Los Angeles County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) which will determine the viability of the creation of this Park District. Additional details will be provided on the status of this process.
SB 693 Lower San Gabriel River Recreation and Park District Formation Similar to the Lower LA River Park District formation (SB 1374), there are ongoing discussions with the cities in the San Gabriel River watershed considering a Park District including these cities. However, given that the bill was originally introduced in 2017, it had a time limit extension of January 1, 2020 for submission to LAFCO, there are ongoing discussions of extending the timeline of this bill.
The purpose of the park district is including, but not limited to, the acquisition, construction, improvement, maintenance, and operation of open space and parks along the Lower San Gabriel River. The bill also requires the district to conduct these functions in coordination with the San Gabriel and Lower LA Rivers & Mountains Conservancy.
STATE BUDGET
The RMC is coordinating with key staff in Sacramento regarding a budget request and additional funding for the Los Angeles River in the amount of $3 million. Specific questions regarding this request can be addressed to Mark Stanley, Executive Officer of the RMC.
RECENT GRANTS WITHIN THE GATEWAY REGION
At its most recent RMC Board Meeting held on July 22, 2019, the RMC approved the following grants within the Gateway region.
1. Proposition 1 grant amendment to the City of Lynwood for a change in location from the Lynwood Park Infiltration to the Fernwood Ave. Development and Water Quality Improvement Project in the amount of $1,692,575 (RMC 17017) 2. Proposition 1 grant amendment to the City of Downey for the San Gabriel River Wetland Restoration and Wilderness Park Restoration Project in the amount of $1,550,000 (RMC 17002)
RIVER RANGER Since February 2018, The Rivers and Mountains Conservancy and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and their respective JPA’s (WCA and MRCA) have been collaborating jointly on the implementation of the River Ranger Plan Development, intended to develop a Page 101 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
framework for a network of River Rangers who assist the public at sites along the Los Angeles River and its tributaries. The bill was authored by Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia (AB 1558) and was enacted in 2017 to address the limited contact with and responsibility for the river by communities, working in coordination with current revitalization programs to encourage engagement with the river as a welcoming community resource.
Under the bill, the program is intended to do the following:
• Establish a Los Angeles River identity • Improve public safety for visitors • Foster collaboration among those with jurisdiction over the river • Protect parks, open space, and other public space • Engage communities in the protection and preservation of the River and its resources; Promote diversity and inclusion • Promote equal access and equity among all communities along the River with regard to the development and placement of improvements along the river • Monitor the physical conditions, environmental health, and development of green space along the River • Coordinate the work of river rangers with programs and services
A total of 6 Stakeholder meetings took place since 2018, consisting of all 23 cities that are located along the 51-mile length of the LA River, and NGO’s representing water, environment, youth, and natural resources. On May 31, 2019, the final Los Angeles River Ranger Program Establishment Plan was delivered to the Chair of the Assembly Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife, Assy. Eduardo Garcia and the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water, Senator Henry Stern. One key recommendation from the Plan was to identify River Reach zones in both the upper and lower sections of the LA River to begin a “pilot program” implementation of a River Ranger Program. Both Conservancies will continue to work together to identify funding that will help sustain this program for the long run.
The RMC meets on the 4th Monday, every other month in alternating locations between Rosemead and Bellflower at 1:30pm. Meetings are open to the public. Agenda and Staff reports are posted on the RMC’s website at www.rmc.ca.gov
Recommended Action
Receive and file Page 102 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Handout
Copy of Prop 68 Technical Assistance Package Distributed
Page 103
IX. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES ITEM G Report from PATH (COG Homeless Program Implementation Agency)
Page 104 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
TO: Board of Directors
FROM: Haley Fuselier, Director
SUBJECT: Report from PATH
PATH COG Monthly Summary—August 2019
COG Overview The funding from COG allows PATH to provide a robust outreach approach with consistent engagement to some of the region’s most vulnerable individuals experiencing homelessness as well as be a resource for City leadership. The following is an overview of the accomplishments for August 2019 in each City.
Highlights by City
LCA 1
Bell: • Helpline Youth Counseling (HYC) Participated in South East Regional Mental Evaluation Team (SERMET) on 8/30. • HYC staff continue to attend monthly Community Engagement Events at Salvation Army Bell Shelter hosted by Veteran Affairs. • Bell has receieved a total of 0 LAHOP requests.
Bell Gardens • HYC Continued outreach by Community Engagement Specialist to three local churches to engage to share who HYC is and the work being done in the community around homelessness. • HYC Participated in South East Regional Mental Evaluation Team (SERMET) on 8/30. • Bell Gardens has received a total of 1 LAHOP requests.
Commerce • HYC conducted Joint outreach to RVs with City of Commerce on 08/29. • HYC participated with City of Commerce on National Night out. • HYC continue to respond to LA-HOP requests as needed and regularly scheduled. • Commerce has received a total of 4 LAHOP requests.
Cudahy • HYC Continues outreach efforts led by their Community Engagement Specialist to six local churches to engage and share who HYC is and the work being done in the community around homelessness.
Page 105 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
• HYC Continues to provide outreach services and responding to requests of the city and local churches. • Cudahy has received a total of 1 LAHOP requests.
Huntington Park • HYC continues community engagement efforts with local churches to gather interest in hosting future connect events. • HYC conducted joint outreach with Huntington Park PD on 8/07. • HYC conducted joint outreach with PATH to RVs on 8/20 and 8/27. • HYC participated in South East Regional Mental Evaluation Team (SERMET) on 8/30. • Huntington Park has received a total of 5 LAHOP requests.
Maywood • HYC participated in South East Regional Mental Evaluation Team (SERMET) on 8/30. • Helpline Youth Counseling responded to 3 LA-HOP requests
South Gate • HYC conducted joint outreach with South Gate PD 8/12. • HYC participated in South East Regional Mental Evaluation Team (SERMET) on 8/30. • South Gate has received a total of 3 LAHOP requests.
Vernon • HYC conducted joint outreach with the Vernon PD on 8/28. • HYC participated in South East Regional Mental Evaluation Team (SERMET) on 8/30. • Helpline Youth Counseling responded to 0 LA-HOP requests.
Unincorporated East LA • HYC conducted joint outreach with PATH E6 on 8/13 to RVs. • Helpline Youth Counseling responded to 17 LAHOP requests
LCA 2
La Mirada • Whittier First Day (WFD) met with City Officials and Public Safety Officials to discuss current hotspots and to develop a plan to outreach. • La Mirada has received a total of 0 LAHOP requests.
Montebello • The PATH E6 Teams participated in a joint outreach with LAHSA • The PATH team canvasses once a week and continues to follow up with referrals, appointments, and any outreach services needed throughout the week. • Montebello has a received a total of 1 LAHOP requests.
Page 106 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Pico Rivera • Whittier First Day tabled at the Chamber of Commerce for community engagement purposes • Whittier First Day met with AltaMed to check in on streamlining medical services for their participants. • Pico Rivera has received a total of 8 LAHOP requests
Santa Fe Springs • PATH and Whittier First Day Outreach teams collaborated with DMH HOME Team for a joint outreach. • Whittier First Day met with City Officials to discuss possibility of bringing shower program to city • Santa Fe Springs has received a total of 2 LAHOP requests
Whittier: • Whittier First Day continues to attend City Council Meeting to gain insight on constituent concerns regarding homelessness. • Whittier First Day and PATH E6 Teams continue monthly outreach collaboration. • Whittier First Day hosted the Everyone in Campaign Movie Screening and QA session. • Whittier First Day met with PIH Health to discuss new LAHSA Bridge Housing shelter referral process. • Whittier has received a total of 41 LAHOP requests
Unincorporated Whittier The PATH E6 Team and Whittier First Day canvass once a week and continue to follow up with referrals, appointments, and any outreach services needed throughout the week.
LCA 3
Artesia • Kingdom Causes Bellflower met with City of Artesia and their new Code Enforcement Liason.
Bellflower • Kingdom Causes Bellflower continues to attend Bellflower Unified School District’s Caring Connections meeting. This meeting convenes a group of collaborative partners whos goal is to assist students through the district. • Kingdom Causes Bellflower facilitated a case conference meeting with City Net and PATH E6 team to discuss hotspots in Bellflower. • Kingdom Causes Bellflower hosted the SPA 7 LCA 3 Care Coordination meeting at Salvation Army Bellflower. • Bellflower has received a total of 5 LAHOP requests.
Page 107 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Cerritos • The PATH team canvasses once a week and continues to follow up with referrals, appointments, and any outreach services needed throughout the week.
Downey • Kingdom Causes Bellflower participated in collaborative outreach efforts with the LAHSA HET team at a Downey hotspot. • Kingdom Casuses Bellflower and PATH E6 team attended Connecting the Dots meeting with regional medical partners. • Downey has received a total of 3 LAHOP requests
Lynwood
• The PATH team canvasses once a week and continues to follow up with referrals, appointments, and any outreach services needed throughout the week. • PATH Team continues to collaborate on outreach with SPA 6 lead, Hopics. • Lynwood has a total of 2 LAHOP requests.
Norwalk • Kingdom Causes Bellflower continues to attend monthly Norwalk Homeless Taskforce Meeting. • Kingdom Causes Bellflower and PATH E6 Team continue to attend monthly SPA 7 TAY Case Conference at Jovenes Inc. • Norwalk has received a total of 6 LAHOP requests
Paramount
• The PATH team canvasses once a week and continues to follow up with referrals, appointments, and any outreach services needed throughout the week. • PATH Team continues to collaborate on outreach with SPA 6 lead, Hopics.
Compton
• The PATH team canvasses once a week and continues to follow up with referrals, appointments, and any outreach services needed throughout the week. • PATH Team continues to collaborate on outreach with SPA 6 lead, Hopics. • Compton has received a total of 10 LAHOP requests.
LCA 4
Lakewood
Page 108 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
• The PATH team canvasses once a week and continues to follow up with referrals, appointments, and any outreach services needed throughout the week. • Lakewood has received a total of 1 LAHOP requests.
Hawaiian Gardens • The PATH team canvasses once a week and continues to follow up with referrals, appointments, and any outreach services needed throughout the week. The PATH team provides outreach services every Tuesday at Way Out Ministries. • PATH team implanted Care Coordination meetings every fourth Thursday of the month for all homeless providers servicing Hawaiian Gardens, Signal Hill and Lakewood. The meeting takes place at the Hawaiian Gardens Public Safety office and is led by the E6 MDT Team. • Hawaiian Gardens has received a total of 4 LAHOP requests.
Signal Hill • The PATH team canvasses once a week and continues to follow up with referrals, appointments, and any outreach services needed throughout the week. • The PATH E6 team participated in joint outreach with the Department of Public Health in riverbed. • Signal Hill has received a total of 1 LAHOP requests.
Recommended Action
Receive and File.
Page 109
IX. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES ITEM H Cap & Trade Update
Page 110 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
TO: Board of Directors
FROM: Nancy Pfeffer, Executive Director Stephanie Cadena, Assistant Planner
SUBJECT: Cap-and-Trade Update
Background
In 2017, the Gateway Cities COG received a Transformative Climate Communities planning grant from the Strategic Growth Council for $170,000 to develop Climate Action Opportunity Assessment and Readiness Plans for up to seven cities. The COG partnered with the Institute for Local Government and Sumire Gant Consulting to reach out to each Gateway City to identify top, multiple-benefit projects that qualify for cap-and-trade funding programs.
Issue
In accordance with the terms of the grant, the project team has completed development of individual climate action and readiness action plans for seven selected jurisdictions to help with pursuing climate action funding for their most promising high-priority projects. These plans are being distributed to cities, along with funding factsheets, a funding roadmap of the highest- interest programs in the region, and an informational sheet on funding sources by project types. The project team provided coaching and grant-writing support to cities that were ready to apply for funding opportunities. In addition, the project team developed separate informational packets for distribution to all other Gateway Cities.
The project team is drafting the final report of deliverables produced, lessons learned, and recommendations for further building capacity for cities to pursue grant applications. A few common barriers to pursuing climate investments throughout the region were identified to be as follows: • Knowledge and awareness of funding opportunities available; • Availability of informational and guiding materials on funding programs of interest (e.g. factsheets, “buzzwords” for applications); and • Opportunities for partnerships with the public and private sector for project planning and implementation.
The project will close out in early September 2019.
Recommended Action
Receive and file this report.
Attachment
Funding Sources by Project Type sheet.
Page 111 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Recommended Action
Receive and file this report.
Page 112 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Page 113 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Page 114
X. REPORTS – COMMITTEES/AGENCIES ITEM B Matters from the League of California Cities
Page 115 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
TO: Gateway Cities Council of Governments Board of Directors
FROM: Kristine Guerrero, Regional Public Affairs Manager, League of California Cities [email protected]
SUBJECT: League of California Cities and Los Angeles County Division September Legislative and Advocacy Report
Events and Programs Annual Conference: October 16-18, 2019, Long Beach. Register at www.cacities.org/events.
LA County Division Annual Conference Lunch: Wednesday, October 16, noon- 1:15pm, Hyatt Regency, Long Beach. Register at www.lacities.org.
Sign/Veto Requests Webinar: Tuesday, September 17, 10-11:43am. Register at www.catities.org/events.
Legislation and Advocacy. The League’s “Top Eleven” Priority Bills in Final Weeks of Legislative Session- The Legislature has until September 13 to pass bills before session convenes for the year. Following the end of session, the Governor will have until October 13 to either sign or veto legislation, officially convening the legislative calendar for 2019. Given the expedited schedule for the breadth of bills still awaiting decision, the League has compiled a list of the top eleven bills that severely impact local control, and calls on cities to take action on these measures.
Bills to Support HOT AB 213 (Reyes) Annexation Financing. Restores funding to 140 cities that lost funds following the annexation of inhabited territory; reestablishes previous fiscal incentives for cities that annex inhabited territory. Position: Support Status: Senate Appropriations suspense file
HOT ACA 1 (Aguiar-Curry) Local Government Financing: Affordable Housing and Public Infrastructure. Voter Approval. Reduces the local vote threshold for local bonds and taxes to invest in infrastructure and affordable housing from 2/3rds to 55 percent. Position: Support Status: Assembly Floor failed; possible reconsideration
HOT SB 5 (Beall/McGuire) Affordable Housing and Community Development Investment Program.
Page 116 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Creates a local-state partnership to provide up to $2 billion annually to fund state- approved affordable housing, infrastructure, and economic development projects that also support state policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, expand transit oriented development (TOD), address poverty, and revitalize neighborhoods. This measure restores RDA-type ongoing financing for these important projects. Position: Support Status: Assembly Appropriations Suspense File
HOT SB 54 (Allen) and AB 1080 (Gonzalez) California Circular Economy and Plastic Pollution Reduction Act. Directs CalRecycle to adopt regulations by 2024 that require covered entities, which include people or companies that manufacture single-use packaging and products, to achieve a 75 percent reduction of waste generated from single-use packaging and priority single-use plastic products in the California market by 2030. SB 54 requires these covered entities to source reduce these single-use plastics through a combination of source reduction, recycling, or composting by 2030. This bill also requires all of these single-use plastic products be recyclable or compostable by 2030. Position: Support Status: Both in their respective Appropriations suspense file
HOT SB 344 (McGuire) UUT Prepaid Mobile Telephony Collection. Grants a one-year extension of a sunset date to the Local Prepaid Mobile Telephony Services Collection Act (Local Prepaid MTS) until January 1, 2021. 104 cities and counties benefit from this program, which has generated approximately $24 million since its inception. Position: Support Status: Assembly Appropriations suspense file
Bills to Oppose HOT AB 516 (Chiu) Authority to Remove Vehicles. Eliminates the ability for cities and law enforcement to adequately enforce state and local vehicle violations. Specifically, the bill would eliminate the ability for cities and law enforcement to 1) “immobilize,” or place a boot on a vehicle, for motorists who ignore paying five or more parking tickets, 2) remove vehicles with expired registration that are operating illegally; and 3) remove vehicles in violation of parking time restrictions. Position: Oppose Status: Senate Appropriations suspense file
HOT SB 330 (Skinner) Housing Crisis Act of 2019. Declares a statewide housing crisis and for a five-year period, freezing nearly all development related fees once a developer submits a “preliminary” application, including essential project specific fees. Developers would have up to 2 1/2 years to begin
Page 117 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
construction and not be subject to any new fee. Position: Oppose Status: Assembly Appropriations Committee
HOT SB 592 (Wiener) Housing Accountability Act. Expands the Housing Accountability Act (HAA) to include ministerial projects and ministerial permits, and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). Position: Oppose Unless Amended Status: Assembly Appropriations Committee
HOT AB 1763 (Chiu) Density Bonus. Affordable Housing. Greatly expands existing Density Bonus Law by requiring, at the request of a developer, for 100 percent affordable housing projects, a city or county must award an 80 percent density bonus and four incentives and concessions. For 100 percent affordable housing projects within one-half mile of a major transit stop or high quality bus corridor, a city or county would be required to allow unlimited density, four incentives and concessions, and up to three additional stories. Position: Oppose Unless Amended Status: Senate Third Reading
HOT SB 266 (Leyva) Public Employees’ Retirement System. Disallowed Compensation. Benefit Adjustments. Requires a public agency to pay directly from its General Fund any shortfall of a benefit should CalPERS determine that a retiree or their beneficiary has received disallowed compensation. Additionally, the measure would permit the retiree to determine if they would like to receive one lump sum of the projected amortized amount of the benefit or force the agency to pay a monthly annuity from its general fund. Position: Oppose Status: Assembly Appropriations suspense file
HOT SB 542 (Stern) Workers’ Compensation. Presumption. Creates a new presumption for post-traumatic stress disorder within the workers’ compensation system for police and fire personnel. Position: Oppose Status: Assembly Appropriations Committee
For additional information or resources on these items, contact Kristine Guerrero at [email protected].
Recommended Action
Receive and File report.
Page 118
X. REPORTS – COMMITTEES/AGENCIES ITEM C Matters from Southern California Association of Governments
Page 119
Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Page 120 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Page 121 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
Page 122
X. REPORTS – COMMITTEES/AGENCIES ITEM D Matters from Eco-Rapid Transit (WSAB)
Page 123 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
TO: Board of Directors
FROM: Mike Kodama, Executive Director – Eco-Rapid Transit JPA
SUBJECT: Eco-Rapid Transit/West Santa Ana Branch (Eco-Rapid) Update – September - 2019
Background
Environmental Review Process Corridor cities continue to work with the MTA on defining and addressing potential environmental impacts from the construction and operation of the WSAB/Eco-Rapid Light Rail Line.
Strategic Implementation Plan for Transit Oriented Development Corridor cities received the final Strategic Implementation Plan for Transit Oriented Development (TODSIP). This Plan is currently available on the MTA website within the WSAB. This plan was developed In order to maximize the transit investment that will be made in the WSAB/Eco-Rapid corridor, and to ensure that communities along the corridor equitably benefit from the investment, Metro, in partnership with the City of South Gate and Eco-Rapid Transit, facilitated the development of a Strategic Implementation Plan for Transit Oriented Development (the "TOD SIP"). The Plan was funded by a $2 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Pilot TOD Project program.
Issue
The TODSIP is a dynamic plan and corridor cities will need financial assistance in implementing its strategies and achieving their economic development goals.
Recommended Action
Receive and file
Page 124
X. REPORTS – COMMITTEES/AGENCIES ITEM F Matters from Metro Gateway Cities Service Council
Page 125 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
TO: Board of Directors, GCCOG Board of Directors
FROM: Julia Brown, Manager, Community Relations, Gateway Cities Area
SUBJECT: Matters from the Metro Gateway Cities Service Council
September 2019 Gateway COG Update on Metro Gateway Cities Service Council
The Metro Gateway Cities Service Council will meet on Thursday, September 12, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at Salt Lake Park Community Center (Lounge) located at 3401 E. Florence Ave., Huntington Park, CA 90255. The agenda is currently TBD.
For more information, please visit https://www.metro.net/about/local-service- councils/gwc/.
Recommended Action
Receive and file report.
Page 126
X. REPORTS – COMMITTEES/AGENCIES ITEM H Matters from the Port of Long Beach
Page 127 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
TO: Board of Directors
FROM: Port of Long Beach
SUBJECT: Report from the Port of Long Beach
Background
Port Master Plan Update The Port of Long Beach released a study examining the environmental impacts associated with a draft update to the Port Master Plan. The Port’s Master Plan was last comprehensively updated in 1990. The update is needed to incorporate previous amendments to the document and to reflect changes in the shipping industry, strategically manage resources and proactively prepare for future challenges to remain competitive in the rapidly changing global economy. As part of the process, the Port is legally required to study the potential environmental impacts of the update.
Comments on the draft Port Master Plan Draft Update will be accepted through Monday, Sept. 30. Written submissions should be addressed to Matt Plezia, Director of Master Planning, Port of Long Beach, 415 W. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90802, or to [email protected].
The draft Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) for the Port Master Plan Update is available at www.polb.com/ceqa and is being prepared concurrently with the Port’s Master Plan Update.The PEIR focuses specifically on the environmental impacts of the update.
A public hearing on the draft PEIR will be held on Wednesday, September 4th at 6 p.m. at the Cesar Chavez Park Community Center, 401 Golden Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90802. Comments on the PEIR may be made at the public hearing or in writing through Thursday, Oct. 3. Submissions are due to Matthew Arms, Acting Director of Environmental Planning, at Port of Long Beach, 415 W. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90802, or [email protected].
Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility Under the 2017 Clean Air Action Plan Update, the San Pedro Bay ports committed to improving rail infrastructure in the harbor area so that 35 percent of all import containers leave the complex by on-dock rail. One double-stacked train eliminates about 750 truck trips, making on-dock rail both more efficient and sustainable. Currently, on-dock rail usage at the Port of Long Beach is about 24 percent.
The Port of Long Beach is moving full speed ahead with plans to build a new on-dock rail support yard that will expedite the flow of cargo, ease roadway congestion and reduce emissions by decreasing truck trips. The Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility is the centerpiece of the Port $1 billion rail program. The project will reconfigure, expand and
Page 128 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
enhance the existing rail facility located southwest of West Anaheim Street and the 710 Freeway. It will shift more cargo to “on-dock rail,” where containers are placed directly on trains at marine terminals, significantly reducing trips by trucks throughout the region. No cargo trucks would visit the facility. Instead, smaller train segments would be brought to the facility and joined together into a full-sized train.
When completed, the $870 million, 171-acre rail facility will be a full-service staging area for storing, sorting and assembling trains up to 10,000 feet long. Like all major Port redevelopment projects, the new rail facility will be built in phases. The first arrival, departure and storage tracks are expected to be operational in 2024, additional tracks are due to come online in 2030, and the entire project is scheduled to be completed in 2032. The project fact sheet and more information at www.polb.com/PierB.
A community meeting to discuss progress on the Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility Program will be held on Wednesday, September 4 at 11 a.m. at the Long Beach Multi- Service Center, 1301 West 12th Street, Long Beach, CA 90813. To RSVP for the meeting, visit www.polb.com/pierbrsvp. Refreshments will be provided.
California’s First ‘Texas U-Turn’ On Saturday, July 20, an innovative traffic feature of the new bridge under construction at the Port of Long Beach opened, enabling trucks and other vehicles to make a safe and free-flowing U-turn at the west end of the project.
The “port access undercrossing” is a second tunnel near the intersection of Ocean Boulevard and State Route 47 (SR-47) on Terminal Island. This “Texas U-turn,” so named because it is a common feature at intersections in the Lone Star state, enables vehicles traveling on one side of a one-way frontage road to make a U-turn onto the opposite frontage road without stopping at a traffic signal.
With the opening of the new undercrossing, trucks and other vehicles leaving the Pier T complex and heading east over the existing bridge to reach the northbound 710 Freeway will now take a new route. On July 19, construction crews permanently closed the eastbound Ocean Boulevard loop onramp from Pier T Avenue on Terminal Island. The closure was needed so that crews could safely build new roadways on the south side of Ocean Boulevard. The detour for all vehicles headed east will take vehicles to the port access undercrossing.
The $1.47 billion project to replace the current Gerald Desmond Bridge will provide the Port of Long Beach and greater port complex a state-of-the-art bridge capable of meeting the needs for international cargo movement for the next 100 years. The new bridge, currently scheduled to be completed in spring 2020, is a joint effort of Caltrans and the Port of Long Beach, with additional funding support from the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
Page 129 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
When fully completed, the new cable-stayed bridge will include six traffic lanes and four emergency shoulders, a higher clearance to accommodate large cargo ships, a bike and pedestrian path with scenic overlooks, and more efficient transition ramps and connectors to improve traffic flow.
For fact sheets and other information about the new undercrossing and the Pier T eastbound detour, visit http://www.newgdbridge.com/.
Community Grants Program Awards The Port of Long Beach has awarded more than $1.3 million through its Community Grants Program for 16 proposed projects to improve air quality and energy efficiency at facilities used by the public.
The Community Grants Program, created in 2016 by the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners, is the largest voluntary effort of its kind in the nation. During the program’s 12-15 year lifespan, $46.4 million will be aimed at reducing the impacts of goods movement. Combined with a previous program, the Port has committed $65 million since 2009 to safeguard community health.
To date, there have been four solicitations under the Community Grants Program, totaling $6.6 million in awarded projects.
Grants are selected by Port staff working together with a five-member advisory committee appointed by Mayor Robert Garcia. The committee is chaired by former Long Beach City Councilman Gary DeLong; other members are educator Sabrina Sanders, former Long Beach City College Trustee Irma Archuleta, community organizer Kathleen Irvine and political consultant Joanne Davis.
Grant Funding Recipients:
YMCA of Greater Long Beach — $16,538 Pacific Baptist School (Long Beach) — $26,288 Gaines Elementary School (Paramount) — $22,431 Jackson Middle School (Paramount) — $65,096 Keppel Elementary School (Paramount) — $59,166 Tanner Elementary School (Paramount) — $62,645 Los Cerritos Elementary School (Paramount) — $70,847 Zamboni Middle School (Paramount) — $72,290 The Salvation Army Long Beach Corps and Community Center — two projects totaling $333,068 Oakwood Academy (Long Beach) — $18,544 Young Horizons Ludloff Center (Long Beach) — $14,696 Holy Innocents School (Long Beach) — two projects totaling $453,008 Camp Fire Angeles — two projects at DeForest Park totaling $111,137
Page 130 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
The review criteria for the Community Grants Program and information on previously funded projects is available at www.polb.com/grants.
Guzmán Departs Harbor Commission to Focus on Costa Mesa City Manager Role Lori Ann Guzmán did not seek reappointment as a member of the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners due to her new responsibilities as City Manager of the City of Costa Mesa. Guzmán served on the Board since December 2013, including two years as President and two as Secretary.
As the City Manager of one of the largest cities in Orange County, Guzmán said her new position requires an extensive time commitment. Guzmán added that the Port is best served by a commissioner who can devote sufficient time to the organization’s numerous initiatives.
Guzmán previously served as Assistant City Manager for the City of Huntington Beach and Chief Financial Officer for the City of Long Beach. She is just the fifth woman in the Port’s 108-year history appointed to serve on the Board and was recently part of a four- fifths female majority, which is unprecedented in the industry.
Guzmán also led efforts to improve the Port’s community sponsorship program and served as Board President when the landmark $46 million Community Grants Program was adopted by the Board. Guzmán’s contributions to the Board’s leadership and oversight on the Port’s new 11-story Administration Building, a major component of the City’s iconic new Civic Center complex, helped ensure the project came in on time and within budget.
During Commissioner Guzmán’s tenure on the Board, the Port made tremendous progress on several significant infrastructure projects, including replacement of the Gerald Desmond Bridge, development of the new Long Beach Container Terminal, and expansion of on-dock rail. Her service during a very challenging period helped the Port thrive despite the bankruptcy of a major overseas carrier, severe congestion problems, and uncertainty about the effect of trade policies on Port revenues.
Neal Confirmed for Long Beach Harbor Commission The Long Beach City Council voted unanimously to confirm Mayor Robert Garcia’s appointment of Steven Neal to the Board of Harbor Commissioners, which oversees the Port of Long Beach and the staff of the City’s Harbor Department. Neal was appointed to a six-year term through June 2025, replacing Commissioner Lori Ann Guzmán, whose term ended August 12, 2019.
Commissioner Neal is a former City Council member who represented the 9th District from 2010 to 2014. Neal is the senior pastor for LIFE Gospel Ministries and a longtime leader in the Long Beach community. He has served on the Long Beach Transit board and was chairman of the Measure A Citizens’ Oversight Committee. He is also co-founder of the Economic and Policy Impact Center, a new nonprofit agency working to advance
Page 131 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda September 4, 2019
economic opportunity for working families.
Neal will be the 70th Long Beach harbor commissioner since the current commission structure was formed in 1925. Harbor commissioners are appointed by the mayor to a maximum of two six-year terms. His first meeting as a Harbor Commissioner was Monday, August 26, 2019.
Recommended Action
Receive and file.
Page 132