Chair, Christina Fugazi, City of Stockton Commissioner, Nancy Young, City of Tracy Vice Chair, Leo Zuber, City of Ripon Commissioner, Bob Elliott, San Joaquin County Commissioner, Debby Moorhead, City of Manteca Commissioner, Scott Haggerty, Alameda County Commissioner, Doug Kuehne, City of Lodi Commissioner, John Marchand, City of Livermore
Executive Director, Stacey Mortensen
SAN JOAQUIN REGIONAL RAIL COMMISSION TELECONFERENCE SPECIAL BOARD MEETING
Call-In Information: 1 (408) 650-3123 Conference Access Code: 254-860-229 GoToMeeting Link: https://www.gotomeet.me/acerail/sjrrc-july-special-board-meeting
SPECIAL NOTICE Coronavirus COVID-19
In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order N-29-20, San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission Board Members will be attending this meeting via teleconference. Members of the public may observe the meeting by dialing 1 (408) 650-3123 with access code: 254-860-229 or log-in using a computer, tablet or smartphone at GoToMeeting.com using link: https://www.gotomeet.me/acerail/sjrrc-july-special-board-meeting.
Please note that all members of the public will be placed on mute until such times allow for public comments to be made. If a person wishes to make a public comment during the meeting, to do so they must either 1) use GoToMeeting and will have the option to notify SJRRC staff by alerting them via the “Chat” function or they can 2) contact SJRRC staff via email at [email protected] in which staff will read the comment aloud during the public comment period. Emailed public comments should be limited to approximately 240 words as comments will be limited to two (2) minutes per comment.
This Agenda shall be made available upon request in alternative formats to persons with a disability, as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. § 12132) and the Ralph M. Brown Act (California Government Code § 54954.2). Persons requesting a disability related modification or accommodation in order to participate in the meeting should contact San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC) staff, at (209) 944-6220, during regular business hours, at least twenty-four hours prior to the time of the meeting.
All proceedings before the Commission are conducted in English. Anyone wishing to address the SJRRC Board is advised to have an interpreter or to contact SJRRC during regular business hours at least 48 hours prior to the time of the meeting so that SJRRC can provide an interpreter. Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the Commission regarding any item on this agenda will be made available upon request in both English and Spanish for public inspection at the Office of the Executive Director located at 949 East Channel Street, Stockton, California, 95202 during normal business hours or by calling (209) 944-6220. The Agenda is available on the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission website: www.acerail.com.
July 2, 2020 – 8:00 am
949 East Channel Street Stockton, CA 95202 (800) 411-RAIL (7245) www.acerail.com
1. Call to Order, Pledge of Allegiance, Roll Call Chair Fugazi
Roll Call: Haggerty, Marchand, Elliott, Moorhead, Young, Kuehne, Zuber, Chair Fugazi
Ex- Officios: Chesley, Salazar, Zoslocki, McElhinney
2. Public Comments Persons wishing to address the Commission on any item of interest to the public regarding rail shall state their names and addresses and make their presentation. Please limit presentations to two minutes or 240 words. The Commission cannot take action on matters not on the agenda unless the action is authorized by Section 54954.2 of the Government Code. Materials related to an item on the Agenda submitted to the Board of Directors after distribution of the agenda packet are available for the public inspection in the Commission Office at 949 E. Channel Street during normal business hours. These documents are also available on the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission website at https://acerail.com/board-of-directors/ subject to staff’s ability to post the documents prior to the meeting.
3. Consent Calendar 3.1 Minutes of SJRRC Board Meeting June 5, 2020 ACTION 3.2 Rail Commission/ACE Monthly Expenditure INFORMATION 3.3 ACE Monthly Fare Revenue INFORMATION 3.4 ACE Ridership INFORMATION 3.5 ACE On-Time Performance INFORMATION 3.6 Update on Positive Train Control INFORMATION 3.7 Washington Update INFORMATION
4. Public Hearing: Presentation and Approval of a Resolution Adopting ACTION the SJRRC/ACE Combined Fiscal Year 2020/2021 Work Program and Operating Budget in the amount of $23,334,425, the SJJPA Fiscal Year 2020/2021 Work Program and Operating Budget of $65,862,796 and a Combined Capital Budget in the amount of $89,848,794 (Brian Schmidt/Kevin Sheridan) (All Voting Members)
5. Approve a Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the San ACTION Joaquin Regional Rail Commission Approving Agreements for Shuttle Services for the Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) Service for Fiscal Year 2020/2021 and Authorizing the Executive Director to Execute Any and All Documents Needed with the Following Agencies:
a. Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority $990,157 b. Livermore-Amador Valley Transportation Authority $202,408 c. Contra Costa County Transportation Authority $131,395 (Brian Schmidt) (All Voting Members)
6. Approve a Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the San ACTION Joaquin Regional Rail Commission Approving Agreements for Fiscal Year 2020/2021 and Authorizing the Executive Director to Execute Any and All Documents Needed for the following:
1) On-Going Professional and Contracted Service Agreements a) Diesel Fuel = $1,662,964 b) Legal Services = $460,000 (Brian Schmidt/Autumn Gowan) (All Voting Members)
7. Approve a Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the San ACTION Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC) Approving the April 10, 2020 Commitment Letter Submitted by the Tri-Valley – San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority (Authority) and SJRRC to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), Adopting a Phased Approach for the ACE Rail Service Increase Program, and Supporting the ACE Rail Service Increase and Valley Link Programs to be Included in the Fiscally Constrained (Before 2035) MTC Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) (Dan Leavitt) (All Voting Members)
8. Approve a Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the San ACTION Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC) Authorizing the Chair to Submit a Letter to the Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC) in Support of the ACTC Action to Allocate $400 Million of Measure BB Funding to the Tri-Valley – San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority (Authority) for the Valley Link Project (Dan Leavitt) (All Voting Members)
9. Approve a Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the San ACTION Joaquin Regional Rail Commission Approving Amendment 05 to Agreement 06-R-44-01 with HDR Engineering, Inc. and Authorizing the Executive Director to Execute Any and All Documents Related to the Projects (Kevin Sheridan) (All Voting Members) 10. Approve a Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the San ACTION Joaquin Regional Rail Commission Authorizing the Executive Director to Submit and Execute Any and All Grant Applications, Agreements, Certifications and Assurances and any Other Documents Necessary to Obtain Financial Assistance Provided by the California Transportation Commission Under the Trade Corridor Enhancement Program (TCEP) for the Stockton Diamond Grade Separation Project (Jordan Peterson) (All Voting Members)
11. Approve Three (3) Resolutions of the Board of Commissioners of the ACTION San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission Approving Reimbursement Agreements with Union Pacific Railroad for Preliminary Engineering Services and Authorizing the Executive Director to Execute Any and All Documents Related to the Projects Action 1. Approving a Reimbursement Agreement with Union Pacific Railroad for Preliminary Engineering Services for the Modesto Station (Segment 3) Project for an Amount Not-to- Exceed $500,000 Action 2. Approving a Reimbursement Agreement with Union Pacific Railroad for Preliminary Design for the Tuolumne River Bridge (Segment 4) Project for an Amount Not-to-Exceed $385,000 Action 3. Approving a Reimbursement Agreement with Union Pacific Railroad for Preliminary Design for the Ceres Station (Segment 5) Project for an Amount Not-to-Exceed $500,000 (Kevin Sheridan) (Regular Voting Members)
12. Update on Lathrop Transfer Station/Sharpe Depot INFORMATION (Kevin Sheridan)
13. Commissioner’s Comments
14. Ex-Officio Comments
15. Executive Director’s Report
16. Adjournment The next regular meeting is scheduled for: August 7, 2020 – 8:00 am
SAN JOAQUIN REGIONAL RAIL COMMISSION Meeting of July 2, 2020
Item 3.1 ACTION Minutes of SJRRC Board Meeting June 5, 2020 The regular meeting of the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission was held at 8:00 am, June 5, 2020 via teleconference.
1 Call to Order, Pledge of Allegiance, Roll Call
Chair Fugazi called the meeting to order at 8:00 am and led the audience in the pledge of Allegiance. Commissioners Present: Haggerty, Marchand, Kuehne, Elliott, Young, Zuber, Chair Fugazi Commissioners Absent: Moorhead
Ex-Officio Members Present: Mr. Chesley, Mr. McElhinney, Mr. Zoslocki
2 Public Comments No public comments were made.
3 Consent Calendar
3.1 Minutes of SJRRC Board Meeting May 1, 2020 ACTION 3.2 Rail Commission/ACE Monthly Expenditure INFORMATION 3.3 ACE Monthly Fare Revenue INFORMATION 3.4 ACE Ridership INFORMATION 3.5 ACE On-Time Performance INFORMATION 3.6 Update on Positive Train Control INFORMATION 3.7 Washington Update INFORMATION 3.8 Approve a Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the ACTION San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission Adopting Fiscal Year 2019/2020 Budget Amendment #2:
Reducing Fare Revenue from $10.5 million to $8.2 million and adding the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act for $2.3 million 3.9 Approve a Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the ACTION San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission Authorizing the
Extension of Budgetary Authority through August 7, 2020 at a Monthly Rate for Operations and Capital as Approved for Fiscal Year 2019/2020
M/S/C (Marchand/Haggerty) Approve the Consent Calendar. Passed and Adopted by the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission on the 5th day of June, 2020 by the following vote to wit:
AYES: 7 Haggerty, Marchand, Kuehne, Elliott, Young, Zuber, Chair Fugazi
NOES: 0 ABSTAIN: 0 ABSENT: 1 Moorhead
4 Status of COVID-19 Impacts and Relief Funding INFORMATION
Ms. Mortensen did a presentation on this item.
There were no comments on this item.
5 ACE COVID-19 Passenger Health and Safety Survey Results INFORMATION
Mr. Lipari did a presentation on this item.
There were no comments on this item.
6 Draft 2020/2021 Work Program and Budget INFORMATION
Ms. Mortensen, Mr. Schmidt and Mr. Sheridan did a presentation on this item.
Mr. Wolffe inquired about the timing for the platform extensions. Mr. Sheridan explained the timeline and prioritization of projects.
7 Approve a Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the San Joaquin ACTION Regional Rail Commission Approving Professional and Contracted Service Amendments for Fiscal Year 2019/2020 and Authorizing and Directing the Executive Director to Execute All Agreements and Amendments Not-To-Exceed the Following Amounts:
a. Allied Universal for Security Services = $338,825 b. Marsh Wortham for Insurance Broker Services = $150,000 c. Masabi, LLC for Mobile Ticketing Services = $12,000, plus 5.95% Transaction Fees of the Gross Ticket Sales d. Lisa and Dirk Lorenz for Ticketing Services = $106,116 Ms. Gowan did a presentation on this item.
Commissioner Marchand inquired about the ticketing services performed by Mr. and Mrs. Lorenz. Ms. Gowan explained the scope of Mr. and Mrs. Lorenz ticketing services.
Commissioner Kuehne inquired about the janitorial services onboard the trains. Mr. Schmidt explained the janitorial processes for both onboard the trains as well as at the Cabral station.
Chair Fugazi inquired about the amount for security services. Ms. Gowan explained scope for security services as the reason for the pricing.
M/S/C (Marchand/Young) Approve a Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission Approving Professional and Contracted Service Amendments for Fiscal Year 2019/2020 and Authorizing and Directing the Executive Director to Execute All Agreements and Amendments Not-To-Exceed the Following Amounts: a. Allied Universal for Security Services = $338,825 b. Marsh Wortham for Insurance Broker Services = $150,000 c. Masabi, LLC for Mobile Ticketing Services = $12,000, plus 5.95% Transaction Fees of the Gross Ticket Sales d. Lisa and Dirk Lorenz for Ticketing Services = $106,116 Passed and Adopted by the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission on the 5th day of June, 2020 by the following vote to wit:
AYES: 6 Marchand, Kuehne, Elliott, Young, Zuber, Chair Fugazi
NOES: 0 ABSTAIN: 0 ABSENT: 2 Haggerty, Moorhead
8 Approve a Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the San Joaquin ACTION Regional Rail Commission Approving an Agreement for Crew Layover Lodging Services to Marriott San Jose Downtown for an Amount Not-To- Exceed $672,897 total from July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021, and Authorizing the Executive Director to Execute Any and All Necessary Documents
Mr. Schmidt and Ms. Gowan did a presentation on this item.
There were no comments on this item.
M/S/C (Kuehne/Young) Approve a Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission Approving an Agreement for Crew Layover Lodging Services to Marriott San Jose Downtown for an Amount Not-To-Exceed $672,897 total from July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021, and Authorizing the Executive Director to Execute Any and All Necessary Documents. Passed and Adopted by the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission on the 5th day of June, 2020 by the following vote to wit:
AYES: 6 Marchand, Kuehne, Elliott, Young, Zuber, Chair Fugazi
NOES: 0 ABSTAIN: 0 ABSENT: 2 Haggerty, Moorhead
9 Commissioner’s Comments
Chair Fugazi commented on the Wall Street Journal article regarding California High Speed Rail (CHSR).
Chair Fugazi also commended staff for their work.
10 Ex-Officio Comments
Mr. Zoslocki inquired about CHSR from Merced to San Jose. Ms. Mortensen stated that the California Assembly held a hearing regarding CHSR and the CHSR Business Plan.
Mr. McElhinney commented on the Stockton Diamond Grade Separation and the joint application between Caltrans and SJRRC for BUILD and TCEP. Mr. McElhinney also commented on SB 743.
11 Executive Director’s Report
Ms. Mortensen stated that a July board meeting will be needed and that she will reach out to board members to confirm the best date to hold a special board meeting. Ms. Mortensen also spoke about Sharpe Depot and the new developments with the Port of Stockton regarding the property.
Mr. Sheridan explained the next steps regarding Sharpe Depot and the work being done with the involved stakeholders.
Chair Fugazi inquired about the Port of Stockton’s method to acquire the property without working with the other stakeholders. Mr. Sheridan stated that it may have been an oversight and that the Port of Stockton did identify ACE in their conveyance.
Chair Fugazi asked if there was anything the Commissioners could do to help with the process for Sharpe. Mr. Sheridan stated he will bring the binding MOU between the Port of Stockton and SJRRC back to the board.
12 CLOSED SESSION: PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION Title: Executive Director
There was no reportable action on this item.
13 Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 am. The next regular meeting is scheduled for: August 7, 2020 – 8:00 am
Item 3.2
San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission Altamont Corridor Express Operating and Capital Expense Report April 2020 83% of Budget Year Elapsed
SJRRC EXPENSE % ACE EXPENSE % FY 19-20 TO SPENT FY 19-20 TO SPENT OPERATING EXPENSES ALLOCATION DATE TO DATE ALLOCATION DATE TO DATE
Project Management, Services & Supplies Subtotal 1,934,892 1,113,494 58% 5,839,961 2,817,452 48% Contracted Services Subtotal 459,323 215,133 47% 21,262,253 14,872,774 70% Shuttle Services 1,354,855 1,129,046 83% TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES 2,394,215 1,328,627 55% 28,457,069 18,819,272 66%
CAPITAL EXPENSE FY 19-20 TO SPENT CAPITAL PROJECTS ALLOCATION DATE TO DATE SAN JOAQUIN RAIL COMMISSION 1 East Channel Street Improvements 350,000 162,111 46% 2 Robert J. Cabral Station Expansion 1,345,761 137,751 1% 3 SJRRC Maintenance Vehicles 150,000 - 0% TOTAL CAPITAL PROJECT SJRRC $ 1,845,761 $ 299,862 16%
ALTAMONT CORRIDOR EXPRESS 1 SJ COG Loan Repayment 1,118,012 1,118,012 100% 2 A1 & A2 Bond Repayment 3,038,212 1,249,477 41% 3 UPRR Capital Access Fee 3,566,768 3,242,516 91% 4 UPRR Capitalized Maintenance Projects 4,400,000 867,893 20% 5 UPRR Safety Fund 500,000 - 0% 6 ACE Extension Natomas to Stockton 5,000,000 652,892 13% 7 ACE Extension Lathrop to Ceres/Merced 10,000,000 1,166,113 12% 8 Locomotives (4) 6,063,042 5,144,399 85% 9 Platform Extension Projects 7,900,000 193,484 1% 10 Cabral Track Extension 10,021,409 214,593 1% 11 Positive Train Control 1,681,304 531,037 1% 12 Rail Cars (5) 12,000,000 - 0% 13 Railcar Midlife Overhaul 7,700,000 292,588 4% 14 Sunol Quiet Zone Quad Gates 555,835 57,980 10% 15 Facility Upgrades and Capital Improvements 129,268 10,664 8% 16 Lathrop/Manteca Station Improvements 904,025 - 0% 17 Tracy ACE Station Improvements 285,432 157,713 55% 18 Lyoth Derail 500,000 - 0% 19 Capital Spares 914,414 484,568 53% 20 Safety/Security Projects 796,508 359,325 45% 21 E-Ticketing 100,000 - 0% 22 Short Range Transit Plan 26,123 - 0% 23 Public Information Display Systems (PIDS) 700,000 - 0% 24 Network Integration 1,000,000 331,953 33% TOTAL CAPITAL PROJECTS ACE $ 78,900,352 $ 16,075,208 20%
TOTAL CAPITAL PROJECTS SJRRC & ACE $ 80,746,113 $ 16,375,069 20% Status of Capital Projects - Notes As of June 2020 SAN JOAQUIN RAIL COMMISSION 1 East Channel Street Improvements - SJRRC received $2 million from the San Joaquin Council of Governments’ Measure K funds to improve the pedestrian and bicycle access along Channel Street between the Downtown Transit Center and Cabral Station. SJRRC has begun the environmental clearance and final design for the project, which is anticipated to be completed in 2020. Construction is slated to begin FY 2020/2021. 2 Robert J. Cabral Parking Lot Expansion -Project will construct a new parking lot at the site of the old Western Pacific depot in Stockton, as well as reconstruct the building. Environmental work has been completed and design is underway for the parking lot and building reconstruction. 3 SJRRC Maintenance Vehicles - The purchase of the vehicles was approved at the March 6th Board Meeting. April - a forced majur letter was received by the manufacturer stating a 4 - 6 week delay due to plant closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Per Vendor, the trucks should all be delivered the first week of August, as long as no further closures occur. ALTAMONT CORRIDOR EXPRESS 1 SJ COG Loan Repayment - Annual payment made July 1, 2019 per SJCOG amended loan agreement. 2 Bond Repayments - Bond repayments are made bi-annually, payments FY 19-20 are due in October 2019 and April 2020. 3 UPRR Capital Access Fee - Payment for calendar year 2020 paid in two installments. First payment to be processed in January 2020 and second payment in May 2020 4 UPRR Capitalized Maintenance Projects - Multi-year project is budgeted at $4,000,000 for the year. Invoices are received throughout the year. 5 UPRR Safety Fund - Ongoing project. Invoice expected to be received FY 19-20.
6 ACE Extension Natomas to Stockton - Environmental work for the project is currently underway. The draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was released on March 31, 2020. 7 ACE Extension Lathrop to Ceres/Merced - The Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was certified in August 2018. Final design is currently underway for individual projects along the corridor. 8 Locomotives (4) - All four (4) locomotives have been delivered and have been conditionally accepted. Staff is awaiting the final CARB engine certification from Siemens. This will trigger BAAQMD to release the Air District funds. COVID-19 may cause a delay in receiving CARB certification.
9 Platform Extension Projects - Multi-year project to extend the existing Lathrop/Manteca, Tracy, Vasco, Livermore, and Pleasanton platforms. A contract for final design was approved in May 2018 and is currently under review by Union Pacific. Environmental and design are currently underway for construction of a 400-foot platform extension at the Fremont ACE Station.
10 Cabral Track Extension - Staff is coordinating with FTA to finalize environmental approval and move forward with final design. In March, SJRRC received a determination of no adverse effect to historic properties from the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO). The NEPA Categorical Exclusion was submitted to FTA for approval. Coordination with Union Pacific on design review is ongoing.
11 Positive Train Control - Multi-year project and work in progress until Caltrain and UPRR are fully FRA compliant, or December 31st, 2020, whichever comes first. On-board equipment installation is complete, and the Hosted Back Officer Server is operational. PTC is operating as designed on the UPRR and Caltrain corridors which ACE operates on.
12 Rail Cars - A contract with Bombardier was Approved at the April 2020 SJRRC Board meeting. The first milestone payment of approximately $16 million was paid in June 2020. This is a Multi-year project for the procurement of five (5) passenger rail cab cars and 12 passenger coach cars. Delivery of the first cars is scheduled for November 2021. 13 Railcar Midlife Overhaul - Herzog has begun midlife overhauls of ACE’s fleet of 30 railcars.
14 Sunol Quiet Zone - Construction has been completed but to address public concerns, revisions need to be made. Design for the revised project, Four Quadrant Gates on Main Street Sunol, is underway. 15 Facility Upgrades and Capital Improvements - Currently ongoing 16 Lathrop/Manteca Station Improvements - Contract was awarded at the May 3rd 2019 Board meeting. Environmental and design are complete. An invitation for bid was released in early May to complete construction. 17 Tracy ACE Station Improvements - Contract was awarded at the May 3rd 2019 Board meeting. Environmental and design are currently underway. 18 Lyoth Derail - Installation of electric-powered derails near the Tracy ACE Station. Coordination with UPPR is currently underway. 19 Capital Spares - Preventative Maintenance is ongoing. 20 Safety and Security/Video Cameras - The camera security project was awarded in June 2018 and is in construction.
21 E-Ticketing - Multi-year pilot project is currently ongoing. A contract for the implementation of the Altamont Corridor Express Mobile Ticketing System was approved in May 2018. Full roll out release as of April 2019. As of February, the mobile ticketing program has seen an almost 30% adoption rate and the rate continues to increase.
22 Short Range Transit Plan - Update to FY 2018 - FY 2027 SRTP is ongoing. 23 Public Information Display System (PIDS) - Currently ongoing project, PIDS system gives the ability to send train status and general information to ACE stations.
24 Network Integration - Planning consulting services of integrating the ACE and SJJPA services with high-speed rail and other rail transit services. Fare Revenue Item 3.3
1,000,000
750,000
500,000
250,000
0 Jul-19 Aug-19 Sep-19 Oct-19 Nov-19 Dec-19 Jan-20 Feb-20 Mar-20 Apr-20 May-20 Jun-20 FY TOTAL FY 19-20 Fare Revenue 1,038,170 912,427 968,729 1,052,213 816,770 822,711 1,040,903 886,822 508,211 92,586 99,937 - 8,239,480 FY 18-19 Fare Revenue 1,002,921 949,503 901,396 1,049,117 856,601 756,642 970,009 837,812 932,548 990,292 933,163 749,631 10,929,633
% of Budget Year Elapsed: 91.67% FY 19-20 % of Budgeted Fare Revenue Received to Date 78.5% Projected Annual Fare Revenue: $10,500,000 Ridership Item 3.4
170,000
160,000
150,000
140,000
130,000
120,000
110,000
100,000
90,000
80,000
70,000
60,000
50,000
40,000
30,000
20,000
10,000
- Jul-19 Aug-19 Sep-19 Oct-19 Nov-19 Dec-19 Jan-20 Feb-20 Mar-20 Apr-20 May-20 Jun-20 FY TOTAL FY 19/20 Ridership 122,770 133,972 124,677 141,701 114,973 101,363 126,661 114,984 53,665 7,252 7,908 - 1,049,926 FY 18/19 Ridership 120,779 137,442 122,227 151,604 122,880 98,973 127,130 114,725 125,199 131,558 141,113 112,573 1,506,203 ACE ON TIME PERFORMANCE
100.00
90.00
80.00
70.00
60.00 OTP% 50.00
40.00
30.00
20.00
10.00
0.00 May-19 Jun-19 Jul-19 Aug-19 Sep-19 Oct-19 Nov-19 Dec-19 Jan-20 Feb-20 Mar-20 Apr-20 May-20
Monthly OTP % 84.09 85.53 86.75 78.98 85.8 86 88.1 85.23 59.04 56.67 86.47 96.81 97.50 Item 3.5 YTD OTP % 70.85 73.09 75.04 75.56 76.75 77.83 78.75 79.3 59.04 57.85 66.98 71.45 74.4 SAN JOAQUIN REGIONAL RAIL COMMISSION Meeting of July 2, 2020
STAFF REPORT
Item 3.6 INFORMATION Update on Positive Train Control
With the installation of new on-board software ACE train, delays associated with Positive Train Control (PTC) continue to be down to less than a minute.
Communications to Passengers: Staff continues to provide passengers with updated information regarding the delays using the following channels: • ACE Website • Social Media (Facebook and Twitter) • Onboard announcements
Coordination with UPRR, Caltrain and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA): Staff continue bi-weekly conference calls/meetings with UPRR and Caltrain, and regular calls with the FRA on PTC.
ACE is fully PTC operational over the entire 86-mile ACE corridor.
UPRR and Caltrain are continuing to make progress on becoming fully interoperable with all their tenants prior to January 1, 2021. Neither Railroad is identified by the FRA as being at risk of not meeting the deadline.
Staff participated in the FRA Collaboration virtual Session #5 on June 10th. The discussion was around Host Railroad PTC Safety Plan submissions. ACE is covered by the UPRR and Caltrain PTC Safety Plans.
Tai Ginsberg & Associates, LLC Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC 810 7th Street, NE 1700 K Street, NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20002 Washington, DC 20006 T 202 415 9703 T 202 452 7900
TO: San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC) FROM: TG&A Staff SUBJECT: Monthly Progress Report for MAY 2020 DATE: May 28, 2020
THE ADMINISTRATION/EXECUTIVE BRANCH May 19, 2020. President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order directing Agencies to address the coronavirus pandemic economic emergency by rescinding, modifying, waiving, or providing exemptions from regulations and other requirements that may inhibit economic recovery and to promote job creation and economic growth, insofar as doing so is consistent with the law.
May 15, 2020. President Donald Trump ANNOUNCED his intent to nominate Eric J. Soskin, of Virginia, to be Inspector General, Department of Transportation. See Congressional Research Service REPORT entitled, “Presidential Removal of IGs Under the Inspector General Act.”
May 14, 2020. The Administration issued a STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY (SOAP) opposing H.R. 6800, the Health Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (Heroes) Act noting, “This proposed legislation, however, is more concerned with delivering on longstanding partisan and ideological wish lists than with enhancing the ability of our Nation to deal with the public health and economic challenges we face.” Moreover, the SOAP continued by stating, “If H.R. 6800 were presented to the President, his advisors would recommend that he veto the bill.”
2019-2020 TRANSPORTATION-RELATED NOMINATIONS/CONFIRMATIONS/RESIGNATIONS Type in name at this URL: Nominations Since the April 2020 Report, following are the only changes (RED TYPE) in status to transportation-related nominees. A full 2019/2020 listing of “Nominations” is available from TG/&A upon request. NOMINEE US DOT ADMINISTRATOR / OTHER STATUS Ms. Diana Furchtgott-Roth Assistant Sec. of Transportation Senate Commerce Committee approved 4/3/19, YEAs 14-NAYs 12. Roth. 2./ Placed on Senate Executive Calendar on 4/3/19. Returned to the President under the provisions of Senate Rules – 1/3/20. Re- nominated by the President 2/27/2020 and Received in the Senate on 2/27/2020 and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Approved by Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation on 5/20/2020. Nomination advances to the Senate floor. Mr. Finch Fulton Assistant Secretary of Transportation President Trump announced his intent to nominate on 12/9/2019. Fulton 2./ Nomination received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on 12/9/2019. Returned to the President under the provisions of Senate Rules – 1/3/20. Received in the Senate on 1/28/2020 and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a hearing on 3/11/2020. Approved by Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation on 5/20/2020. Nomination advances to the Senate floor.
Mr. Joel Szabat Under Secretary of Transportation for President Trump announced his intent to Nominate on Of Maryland Policy. [Joel Szabat is currently the 4/20/2020. Nomination received in the Senate on 5/4/2020 and Szabat Assistant Secretary of Transportation referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and for Aviation and International Affairs.] Transportation.
APPROPRIATIONS/BUDGET May 18, 2020. The Congressional Research Service released an updated REPORT entitled, “Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) Appropriations for FY2020: In Brief.”
May 12, 2020. The US Department of the Treasury released their “Monthly Treasury Statement Receipts and Outlays of the United States Government For Fiscal Year 2020 Through April 30, 2020, and Other Periods” and noted that, “Outlays for April totaled $980 billion, an increase of $604 billion over April 2019, largely due to the release of assistance related to the COVID-19 outbreak. April receipts of $242 billion were $294 billion lower than April 2019 ($535.5 billion) as certain taxes from individuals and corporations were deferred until July, and other provisions in recent legislation impacted receipts.” Consequently, the budget deficit increased to a record $1.935 trillion in the 12 months through April and shot to $738 billion for the month of April 2020.
April 30, 2020. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that “the U.S. economy in the first quarter shrank at its fastest pace since the last recession as the coronavirus pandemic shut down large parts of the country, ending the longest economic expansion on record.” The WSJ continued by reporting the Commerce Department noting that gross domestic product, the broadest measure of goods and services produced across the economy, contracted at a seasonally and inflation adjusted annual rate of 4.8 percent in the first three months. That decline marks the beginning of a near-certain recession, economists say, and is the biggest drop in quarterly economic output since the fourth quarter of 2008. Meanwhile, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell is calling for Congress and the White House to spend more money to prevent deeper economic damage from the coronavirus pandemic. See Fed Federal Open Market Committee PRESS RELEASE to implement monetary policy decisions.
SELECTED CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS/BUSINESS May 20, 2020. The Senate Committee on Commerce Science and Transportation held an executive session hearing to markup and consider several legislative measures, nominations, and Coast Guard promotions. Several bills of interest include: S 3681 - favorably reported (Restoring Safety in the Skies Act of 2020), and S 3729 - favorably reported (Motor Carrier Safety Grant Relief Act of 2020). Nominations of interest include: Finch Fulton, of Alabama – favorably approved, to be an Assistant Secretary of Transportation, Diana Furchtgott-Roth, of Maryland - favorably approved, to be an Assistant Secretary of Transportation. If approved, the nominees would advance to the Senate floor, where Republican leaders likely would schedule a vote to confirm. Committee Link.
May 19, 2020. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and several other House Democratic leaders wrote a LETTER to US DOT Secretary Elaine Chao voicing their opposition to President Trump’s removal of long-time public servant Mitch Behm from his position as Acting Inspector General of the Department of Transportation (DOT). Moreover, the signatories of the letter emphasized their opposition to President Trump’s selection of Howard Elliott, the Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), to replace Mr. Behm as Acting Inspector General. The signatories also sent a LETTER to Howard R. Elliott, Acting US DOT Inspector General.
May 15, 2020. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the “Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act’’ or the “HEROES Act” making emergency supplemental appropriations ($3 trillion with $1 trillion in direct aid to states and localities) for FY 2020, regarding COVID-19. See Addendum A for a complete summary.
May 13, 2020. House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis which oversees the federal response to COVID-19 held its first hearing with five public health experts. The Committee was established via H Res 935.
SELECTED CONGRESSIONAL “TRANSPORTATION-RELATED” BILLS – MAY HOUSE & SENATE - CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) LEGISLATION Also, See Addendum B. – Compilation of COVID-19 Links – at end of report. HR 6965 S. Cohen (D-TN) To provide for cash refunds for S TBA B. Menendez (D-NJ) and B. Cassidy (R-LA) “State and canceled airline flights and tickets during the Municipal Assistance for Recovery and Transition COVID-19 emergency. Introduced 5/22/2020. Press Release (SMART) Act.” $500 billion in emergency funding to every state, county and community in the country, while prioritizing assistance to the areas with the greatest need. Introduced 5/18/2020. HR 6800 N. Lowey (D-NY) “Health and Economic Recovery S Res 580 K. Harris (D-CA) A resolution condemning all forms of Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act’’ or the anti-Asian sentiment as related to COVID-19. Introduced Sec. X Sec. “HEROES Act.” Making emergency supplemental 5/14/2020. Summary appropriations ($3 trillion with $1 trillion in direct aid to states and localities) for FY 2020 regarding State/Local COVID-19. Introduced 5/12/2020. DeFazio PR. Provisions Passed the House on 5/15/2020 208 to 199. Summary HR 6880 E. Slotkin (D-MI) To direct FEMA to coordinate S 3730 D. Sullivan (R-AK) A bill to amend US Code to authorize the development of plans, designs, and guidance and modernize the registered traveler program of the relating to the production of certain homeland TSA. Introduced 5/13/2020. security-critical supplies to address national emergencies/disasters. Introduced 5/14/2020.
HR 6853 D. Phillips (D-MN) To mobilize individuals in the S 3729 R. Wicker (R-MS) “Motor Carrier Safety Grant Relief Act of US in the fight against coronavirus by expanding 2020.” To provide relief for the recipients of financial volunteer opportunities in AmeriCorps, assistance awards from the FMCSA. Introduced 5/13/2020. expanding employment opportunities at the Approved by the Senate Committee on Commerce Science FEMA, and utilizing the expertise of Peace Corps and Transportation on 5/0/2020. volunteer leaders whose service ended on March 15, 2020. Introduced 5/13/2020. HR 6828 A. Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) To direct FEMA to S 3728 R. Wicker (R-MS) To require US DOT to support the efforts of establish a fund to provide financial assistance State and local governments to provide for priority testing of for funeral expenses related to a deceased essential critical infrastructure workers with respect to individual who died of COVID-19. Introduced COVID-19. Introduced 5/13/2020. 5/12/2020. HR 6711 J. Crow (D-CO) To provide for the expedited and S 3727 E. Markey (D-MA) To provide for cash refunds for canceled transparent procurement and distribution of airline flights and tickets during the COVID-19 emergency. equipment and supplies needed to combat Introduced 5/13/2020. COVID-19. Introduced 5/5/2020. HR 6669 P. DeFazio (D-OR) “COVID–19 Cost Share S 3681 E. Markey (D-MA) To require a joint task force on the Adjustment Relief Act of 2020.” Introduced operation of air travel during and after COVID-19 pandemic. 5/1/2020. Introduced 5/11/2020. Approved by the Senate Committee on Commerce Science and Transportation on 5/0/2020.
HR 6662 A. Brown (D-MD) “Pandemic Response and S 3663 R. Wicker (R-MS) To protect the privacy of consumers' Interstate Cost Equity Act’’ or the ‘‘PRICE Act.” personal health information, proximity data, device data, Introduced 5/1/2020. and geolocation data during the coronavirus public health crisis. Introduced 5/7/2020. HR 6646 R. Scott (D-VA) “Relaunching America’s S 3632 K. Gillibrand (D-NY) “Direct Support for Communities Act.” Workforce Act.’’ Introduced 5/1/2020. Introduced 5/6/2020. Press Release HR 6657 J. Duncan (R-SC) “Working Under Humanity’s S 3619 J. Reed (D-RI) “Strengthening Unemployment Insurance for Actual Needs Rescissions Act’’ or the ‘‘WUHAN Coronavirus Impacted Workers and Students Act.” Rescissions Act.” Introduced 5/1/2020. Introduced 5/6/2020. HR 6656 V. Demings (D-FL) “Coronavirus Workers’ S 3592 M. Blackburn (R-TN) “Stop COVID Act of 2020.” Introduced Compensation for TSA Employees Act.” To 5/4/2020. ensure TSA employees who contract COVID–19 are entitled to appropriate workers’ compensation/benefits. Introduced 5/1/2020. HR 6719 R. Khanna (D-CA) To require the Federal Government to provide critical health care resources in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Introduced 5/5/2020. HR 6647 L. Correa (D-CA) “Health Care Opportunities for TSA Employees Act.” To lower health care costs for part- time TSA employees and allow TSA employees to change health care plans. Introduced 5/1/2020. HR 6655 D. Payne, Jr. (D-FL) “Hazardous Duty Pay for Frontline Federal Workers Act.” To provide hazardous duty pay for Federal employees who may be exposed to COVID–19. Introduced 5/1/2020. OTHER SENATE BILLS S 3794 J. Thune (R-SD) “Railroad Rehabilitation and Financing Innovation Act.” A bill to expedite Article transportation project delivery, facilitate infrastructure improvement. Introduced 5/21/2020. OTHER HOUSE BILLS HR TBA S. Moulton (D-MA) A national plan to invest HR 6898 D. Cicilline (D-RI) To encourage the research and use of $205 billion to build a national high-speed rail innovative materials and associated techniques in the network. Moulton - Nat'l. H-S Rail Network construction and preservation of the domestic Plan. As of 5/19/2020, not yet introduced. transportation and water infrastructure system. Introduced 5/15/2020.
OTHER HOUSE BILLS H. Res 965 N. Lowey (D-NY) Authorizes remote voting by HR 6911 B. Posey (R-FL) To provide a Federal income tax credit for proxy in the U.S. House and providing for official State income taxes paid by individuals temporarily remote committee proceedings during a public providing certain health or emergency services in the health emergency due to a novel coronavirus. State, and to provide a corresponding reduction in FHWA Introduced 5/12/2020. Passed House on funds to the State. Introduced 5/15/2020. 5/15/2020 by a vote of 217 – 189. As of 5/20/2020 -for the next 45 days House members can stay home and vote – to avoid COVID-19. HR 6770 D. Lipinski (D-IL) To encourage and promote the HR 6842 D. Titus (D-NV) To modify the apportionment formula for safe and efficient management, operation, and the congestion mitigation and air quality improvement development of surface transportation systems. program. Introduced 5/12/2020. Introduced 5/8/2020. HR 6747 A. Delgado (D-NY) To authorize funding for HR 6780 C. Pappas (D-NH) and D. Lipinski (D-IL) “Toll Credit formula grants for rural areas, to increase the Marketplace Act of 2020.” Creates a marketplace for percentage of funds available for grants and states to sell toll credits to fund state and regional contracts for transportation research, technical transportation projects. Introduced 5/8/2020. Pappas assistance, training, and related support services Press Release in rural areas. Introduced 5/8/2020.
FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICES OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY (NOFOs) - GRANT AWARDS See Addendum C. - Calendar Year NOFO/AWARDS SCORECARD – at end of report. May 27, 2020. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity making available $1.25 million for the Real-Time Transit Infrastructure and Rolling Stock Condition Assessment Demonstration Program. Applications are due July 17, 2020.
May 26, 2020. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) making available $1.25 million in FY 2016 “Public Transportation Innovation Program” funds to demonstrate and evaluate innovative technologies and designs to improve the state of good repair for transit agencies. FTA is seeking applications for demonstration projects that deploy cutting edge technologies to provide real-time condition assessment of transit infrastructure and rolling stock conditions. The federal share of project costs under this program is limited to eighty percent (80%). Applicants may seek a lower Federal contribution. Complete proposals are due by 11:59 p.m. EDT on July 17, 2020.
May 19, 2020. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity making available $11.5 million for FY 2020 Susan Harwood Training Grants. Three separate funding opportunity announcements are being made available, e.g. Targeted Topic Training grants, Training and Educational Materials Development grants, and new Capacity Building grants (that will cover two types of Capacity Building grants: (1) Capacity Building Pilot and (2) Capacity Building Developmental grants). Applications are due no later than 11:59 p.m., ET, on July 20, 2020.
May 11. 2020. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) issued a NOTICE announcing the selection of one nonprofit participant in the “Pilot Program for Nonprofit Cooperative Procurements” and is soliciting expressions of interest from additional eligible nonprofit entities to participate in the Pilot Program. The Pilot Program is aimed at increasing innovation, promoting efficiency and demonstrating the effectiveness of cooperative procurement contracts for rolling stock and related equipment. Expressions of interest in the Pilot Program must be received by July 10, 2020.
May 7, 2020. The Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration published a Notice of Funding Opportunity making available $30 million under the CARES Act for FY 2020 EDA Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs (EAA). Generally, the amount of an EDA award may not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of the project. Projects may receive an additional amount that may not exceed up to 30 percent of the total project cost, based on the relative needs of the region in which the project will be located, as determined by EDA.
There are no submission deadlines under this NOFO opportunity. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the publication of a new PWEAA NOFO. See Economic Adjustment Assistance program FACT SHEET.
May 5, 2020. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) ANNOUNCED $22.415 million in grant funding to three projects that collectively span eight states under the combined FY 2020/2019/2018 “Restoration and Enhancement (R&E) Grants” Program.
OTHER TRANSPORTATION-RELATED FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICES May 1, 2020. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued their FINAL RULE - Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Rule - setting corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) and CO2 emissions standards for model years 2021-2026 passenger cars and light trucks. The final rule will increase stringency of CAFE and CO2 emissions standards by 1.5 percent each year through model year 2026, as compared with the standards issued in 2012, which would have required about 5 percent annual increases. The 1,105 page final rule is effective on June 29, 2020. For NHTSA resource materials regarding the Final Rule click HERE.
OTHER REPORTS/NOTICES/NEWS ARTICLES May 26, 2020. The National Academies Press released a REPORT entitled, “Transit Signal Priority: Current State of the Practice (2020).”
May 21, 2020. The Congressional Budget Office issued a REPORT entitled, “Reauthorizing Federal Highway Programs: Issues and Options.” The report discusses choices about revenues and spending that lawmakers face in addressing the shortfall (if taxes that are credited to the Highway Trust Fund are to continue at their current rates and funding for highway and transit programs are to increase annually at the rate of inflation, by 2030, the cumulative shortfall in the HTF would reach $189 billion) and improving the nation’s infrastructure; the agency also analyzes options for subsidizing state and local governments’ financing of highway projects.
May 19, 2020. The ENO Center for Transportation released a REPORT entitled, “CONGESTION PRICING IN THE UNITED STATES - Principles for Developing a Viable Program to Advance Sustainability and Equity Goals.”
May 19, 2020. The Congressional Research Service released a REPORT entitled, “Condition of Highway Bridges Continues to Improve.”
May 18, 2020. The National Academies Press released a REPORT entitled, “Data Sharing Guidance for Public Transit Agencies Now and in the Future (2020).”
May 15, 2020. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) released a Quarterly Status Update on the railroads’ self-reported progress, as of March 31, 2020, toward fully implementing Positive Train Control (PTC) systems by December 31, 2020. Based on the railroads’ First Quarter 2020 PTC Progress Reports and current PTC Implementation Plans, nearly all railroads subject to the statutory mandate are operating their systems in revenue service or in advanced field testing, known as revenue service demonstration (RSD), with PTC technology remaining to be activated on only approximately 1,100 required route miles. As of March 31, 2020, PTC systems were in RSD or in operation on 56,541 route miles — 98 percent of the nearly 58,000 route miles subject to the mandate.
May 11, 2020. The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) sent a letter (Article) to Congressional leaders detailing the reasons that states need a $50 billion backstop to backfill revenue losses state DOTs are expected to experience over the next 18 months due to the coronavirus epidemic.
Also see AASHTO briefing paper - WHY STATE DOTS NEED A $50B FEDERAL REVENUE BACKSTOP.May 11, 2020. The Congressional Research Service (CRS) issued a REPORT entitled, “Funding and Financing Highways and Public Transportation.”
May 8, 2020. Several members of Congress wrote a LETTER to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) to include language establishing an independent bipartisan commission in the next coronavirus relief package.
May 7, 2020. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) TSA ANNOUNCED that its employees must wear facial protection while at screening checkpoints. In related news, Leaders of the Homeland Security and Transportation and Infrastructure Committees sent a LETTER to US DOT Secretary Elaine Chao and Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf urging them to establish an interagency working group to develop robust, coordinated plans to address COVID-19 in aviation operations.
May 7, 2020. The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) sent a LETTER to Congressional leaders, “urg[ing] you [Congressional leaders] to provide an additional $23.8 billion in COVID-19 Emergency Response and Recovery Funding to help public transit agencies continue to provide a critical lifeline to essential workers and to help our communities rebuild our economy.” The funding request is split as follows: 1.) $19 billion provided through the Emergency Relief Program; and 2.) $4.75 billion provided through Urbanized Area Formula Grants, Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Formula Grants; and Rural Area Formula Grants. The letter continued by noting, “These funds will offset the extraordinary direct costs and revenue losses caused by the pandemic.”
May 7, 2020. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) issued Guidance to help transit agencies and transit vehicle manufacturers understand and comply with the prohibitions on FTA-funded rolling stock procurements contained in the FY2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
May 5, 2020. The Congressional Research Service (CRS) released a REPORT entitled, “Transportation Infrastructure Investment as Economic Stimulus: Lessons from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.”
May 5, 2020. The Congressional Research Service (CRS) released a REPORT entitled, “Transportation Spending Under an Earmark Ban.” Banning earmarks has not eliminated the opportunity for Members to influence the allocation of transportation resources. The funding formulas and eligibility rules in authorization bills can be shaped to favor particular states, congressional districts, and projects. However, over 92 percent of federal highway funds and more than 75 percent of transit funds are distributed by statutory formulas. Most of the remaining federal transportation funding is distributed under discretionary programs.
May 4, 2020. The National Academies Press released a REPORT entitled, “Business Models for Mobile Fare Apps (2020).”
May 4, 2020. The National Academies Press released a REPORT entitled, “Buy America Requirements for Federal Highway Projects (2020).”
May 1, 2020. More than 100 members of Congress signed a bipartisan Letter to House leadership calling for direct and flexible aid to counties of all sizes as Congress considers the next COVID-19 (coronavirus) relief package.
April 30, 2020. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a REPORT entitled, “Positive Train Control: Railroads Generally Made Progress, but Several Must Meet Compressed Schedules to Meet Implementation Date.” In related news, see Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation PTC Implementation FACT SHEET.
April 29, 2020. American Roads and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) Chairman Steve McGough issued a STATEMENT calling on the Trump administration and Congress to take immediate steps to stabilize state transportation programs and enact a multi-year plan that dramatically increases federal highway, bridge and public transportation investment.
April 23, 2020. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a REPORT entitled, “Priority Open Recommendations: U.S. Department of Transportation.” The report provides an update on the overall status of the US DOT’s implementation of GAO’s recommendations and to call attention to areas where open recommendations should be given high priority.
UPCOMING CONGRESSIONAL CALENDAR – MAY/JUNE
Note: The House is expected back to the Capitol building after Memorial Day, while the Senate is expected to recess from regular business for the entire Memorial Day week. The Senate is expected to take votes to confirm several of the President’s nominees on June 1, 2020. The Senate and House schedules may not reflect the above schedules which were released prior to the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
UPCOMING DEADLINES/EVENTS Note: Given the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, many upcoming events have/are being cancelled to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
5/20 – 6/24 Milken Institute and United for Infrastructure are hosting a series of 1-hour webinars featuring elected leaders and practitioners across government, finance, and engineering in profiling emerging challenges and best practices in the sector. United for Infrastructure; June 7-19 2020 AASHTO National Transportation Leadership Institute (NTLI); June 17-18 Railway Age's sixth annual RAIL INSIGHTS takes place in Chicago, Illinois; June 28/July 1 Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), Executive Leadership Conference; July 12-18 Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) 2020 Operation Safe Driver Week; July 17-20 Canceled. NACo will hold a remote annual business meeting July 20 as opposed to the their (NACO) annual Conference, Orlando, Florida; August 17-21 Democratic National Convention will be held in in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the convention was originally scheduled for mid-July;
September 14-21 United for Infrastructure “United for Infrastructure 2020: A Week to Champion America's Infrastructure;” October 11-14 APTA TRANSform Conference, Anaheim, CA; TBA 17th Annual NRC Railroad Equipment Auction.
SCUTTLEBUTT May 20, 2020. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that “states are expected to ask the federal government to repay them at least an estimated $45 billion spent fighting the coronavirus…” While the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is allowed to pay states up to 75 percent reimbursement (by current law), 39 states have asked FEMA to cover 100 percent of their coronavirus costs. The Heroes Act passed by the U.S. House on May 15, 2020 included a provision for 100 percent reimbursement.
May 15, 2020. President Donald Trump Announced his intent to nominate Eric J. Soskin, of Virginia, to be Inspector General, Department of Transportation. Mr. Soskin earned a B.A. in Mathematics and Political Economy, magna cum laude, from Williams College, and a J.D., magna cum laude, from Harvard Law School. Mr. Soskin is a recipient of the Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service.
May 4, 2020. Former Pennsylvania Governor Edward Rendell and former US DOT Secretary Ray LaHood wrote a LETTER to Congressional leaders on behalf of Building America’s Future urging, “that infrastructure investment be a significant component [of the next COVID-19 legislation] as a way to jump start the nation’s recovery.”
May 5, 2020. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi swore-in Kweisi Mfume (D-MD) to fill the seat left vacant by the Elijah E. Cummings, who passed away last October. Mr. Mfume (71) previously served in the House from 1987-1996 before resigning in 1996 to head the NAACP through 2004.
Addendum A. HEALTH AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY OMNIBUS EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS ACT – HR 6800 (Aka Heroes ACT) (TRANSPORTATION-RELATED PROVISIONS)
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the “Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act” (Heroes Act - HR 6800) on May 15, 2020 by a slim margin vote of 208-199. The 1,815 page bill, if enacted into law, would deliver emergency supplemental appropriations relief in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to various federal departments/agencies, to individuals/families, for housing assistance and to other sectors of the economy. The overall cost of the bill is roughly $3 trillion (an amount roughly equal to what has been enacted to date through four coronavirus bills) with major funding components consisting of $1 trillion to state, local territorial and tribal governments to pay first responders/health workers/teachers, $200 billion to cover hazard pay for essential workers that have/are risking their lives as they work during the pandemic, $75 billion for COVID-19 testing, tracing and treatment, the extension of unemployment benefits and a second round of direct payments to individuals/families ($1,200 per family member and up to $6,000 per household).
The bill does not include any reduction in payroll taxes – a proposal championed by President Donald Trump. The bill also does not include a “comprehensive infrastructure policy package” that has been supported by Speaker Pelosi and President Trump. Senate Republicans are not expected to address the House bill (which did not include input from House Republicans) until after Memorial Day when they introduce their own set of priorities.
The HEROES Act provides supplemental funding for transportation (FAA, FHWA, FTA and Amtrak), as detailed below. Moreover, the bill provides directs payments to States/Territories and local governments, also highlighted below.
The Administration issued a STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY (SOAP) opposing H.R. 6800, the Health Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act noting, “This proposed legislation, however, is more concerned with delivering on longstanding partisan and ideological wish lists than with enhancing the ability of our Nation to deal with the public health and economic challenges we face.” Moreover, the SOAP continued by stating, “If H.R. 6800 were presented to the President, his advisors would recommend that he veto the bill.”
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION/AVIATION INDUSTRY Operations: $75 million (in general funds) to remain available until September 30, 2022 to prevent, prepare for and respond to the coronavirus. The bill provides that not less than $1 million of the aforementioned amount shall go to a research organization to conduct a study to determine whether the environmental control systems in commercial airliners recirculate pathogens in the cabin air and to assess technological solutions to reduce pathogen recirculation and the risk of exposure to pathogens in the cabin air. o Airport and Airway Trust Fund (AATF) Relief: Because the CARES Act, enacted on March 27, 2020 (P.L. 116-136), included a provision suspending certain aviation taxes through January 1, 2021, and due to reduced passenger traffic (less revenues collected) there is the possibility that ongoing obligations could exhaust the AATF. The HEROES Act allows appropriations from the General Fund to the AATF to ensure solvency of the fund.
o Air Carrier/COVID-19 Requirements: For the duration of the national COVID-19 emergency, Air Carriers are to require each passenger and cabin crew member to wear a mask or protective face covering while on board an aircraft of the air carrier. Flight crew members are to wear a mask or protective face covering while on board an aircraft but outside the flight deck. Air Carriers are to provide flight/cabin crewmembers, customer service agents and other employees with masks or protective face coverings and hand sanitizer and wipes and to ensure that the aircraft and cockpit/cabin are cleaned, disinfected and sanitized. o Protections of Certain Federal Aviation Administration Employees: For the duration of the national COVID-19 emergency, The FAA Administrator is to provide Air Traffic Controllers and airway transportation specialists with masks or protective face coverings and to ensure that ATC facilities are cleaned, disinfected and sanitized. o Air Carrier/Contractor Required Assurances: The required assurances contained in the CARES Act directing the conditions which air carriers/contractors are to be eligible for financial assistance (i.e. to refrain from conducting involuntary furloughs or reducing pay rates and benefits until September 30, 2020) is modified by striking the aforementioned September date and replacing it with language prolonging the period until the “financial assistance is fully exhausted by the air carrier or contractor.” o Air Carrier Maintenance Outsourcing: A passenger air carrier receiving a loan or loan guarantee may not apply the proceeds toward a contract for heavy maintenance work at a facility located outside the US, if such contract would increase the ratio of maintenance work performed by such air carrier at all locations. o National Aviation Preparedness Plan: US DOT in coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Homeland Security et al., are to develop a national aviation preparedness plan for communicable disease outbreaks.
FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION o Highway Infrastructure Programs: $15 billion (in general funds) apportioned within 30 days of enactment (federal share up to 100%) and to remain available until expended with funding splits as follows: . $14.775 billion to: States (50 States/DC); (Apportioned per FY 2020 formula ratios with sub-allocations based on population per existing Title 23 §133) . $150 million to: Tribal Transportation Programs; . $60 million to: Puerto Rico Highway Program; . $15 million to: Territorial Highway Program.
FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION o Public Transportation Emergency Relief: Provides $15.750 billion (in general funds) to remain available until expended (federal share up to 100%), to prevent, prepare for and respond to the coronavirus, with splits as follows: . $11.750 billion to: Urbanized Areas (populations over 3 million – noted below in red italic type) - (15 percent per Urbanized Area Formula and 85 percent per State of Good Repair Grants);
. $4 billion to: Grants to transit agencies (to maintain basic transit services). (US DOT is to issue a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) no later than 30 days after enactment with application submissions within 45 days of enactment, with priority given to transit agencies with the largest revenue loss as a percentage of their operating expenses.) Entities that are neither recipients/sub-recipients but are eligible are to receive no more than 18.75 percent of total funds.
Urbanized areas include: Atlanta, GA; Boston, MA-NH-RI; Chicago, IL-IN; Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX; Detroit, MI; Houston, TX; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA; Miami, FL; New York-Newark, NY-NJ-CT; Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD; Phoenix-Mesa, AZ; San Francisco-Oakland, CA; Seattle, WA; and Washington DC-VA-MD.
. Transit/COVID-19 Requirements: For the duration of the national COVID-19 emergency, transit providers receiving Urbanized Area Formula funds that serve an urbanized area with a population of at least 500,000 individuals and that provide a minimum of 20,000,000 unlinked passenger trips per year shall: . Require each passenger to wear a mask or protective face covering; . Provide masks or protective face coverings, sanitizers to operators, station managers and other employees that interact with passengers; . Ensure that public transportation vehicles are cleaned, disinfected and sanitized.
AMTRAK AND RAIL WORKERS o Amtrak/COVID-19 Requirements: For the duration of the national COVID-19 emergency, Amtrak is to: . Require each passenger/employee to wear a mask; . Provide masks or protective face coverings, sanitizers to conductors, engineers, ticket agents and other employees that interact with passengers; . Ensure that Amtrak trains and stations are cleaned and disinfected. o Additional Enhanced Benefits Under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance: Unemployment benefits (that provides $1,200 every two weeks) under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act are extended to December 31, 2020 and amended from the prior July 31, 2020 date. An additional $1 billion is appropriated to cover the cost of recovery benefits for the aforementioned extended period.
Extended Benefits Under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act: This provision extends the timeframe in which railroad workers may apply for the 13-week extension of unemployment benefits established under the CARES Act, providing parity for railroad workers. The bill waives the 7-Day Waiting Period. The CARES Act waived the waiting week for unemployment and sickness benefits under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act through December 31, 2020. This provision extends that waiver, providing parity for railroad workers. o Treatment of Payments from the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Account: This provision would eliminate the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act sequester that automatically cuts unemployment and sickness benefits provided to railroad workers under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act. This change would allow railroad workers to receive the full benefit amounts to which they are entitled and would create parity with the treatment of other unemployment insurance benefit programs.
o Technical Correction for Extended Unemployment Benefits under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act: Provides a technical correction to a provision in the CARES Act that extended railroad unemployment benefits to allow for easier implementation of the extended benefits. o Technical Correction: Provides a technical correction to a provision in the CARES Act by fixing an incorrect title reference to the Railroad Retirement Act. o Clarification of Oversight and Implementation of Relief for Workers Affected by Coronavirus Act: Provides a technical correction to ensure that the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) and its Inspector General have implementation and oversight authority over the RUIA related provisions of the CARES Act.
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY o Federal Emergency Management Agency: $1.3 billion to remain available until September 30, 2021, with funding splits as follows: . $500 million for Assistance to Firefighter Grants (for protective equipment, related supplies and equipment); . $500 million for Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants (SAFER Grants); . $100 million for Emergency Management Performance Grants; and . $200 million for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program.
CORONAVIRUS RELIEF FUND o State/Territories Fiscal Relief Fund: To make payments to STATES (Est.), territories and Tribal governments to mitigate the fiscal effects of COVID-19. $540 billion to remain available until expended with funding splits as follows: . $20 billion (within 30 days of enactment) to Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa – allocated 50% equally among the entities and 50% pro rata based on population; . $20 billion (within 30 days of enactment) to Tribal governments; . $250 billion (within 30 days of enactment) to each of the 50 States/DC allocated in the following manner: $51 billion equally between each of the 50 States/DC; $150 billion to the States/DC per pro rata based on population; $49 billion to the States/DC per pro rata based on the prevalence of COVID-19 cases. . $250 billion (by May 3, 2021) to each of the 50 States/DC allocated in the following manner: $51 billion equally between the 50 States/DC, and $199 billion to the States/DC pro rata per unemployed individuals.
CORONAVIRUS RELIEF FUND Cities, Counties and Local Governments: To make payments to metropolitan cities, counties and other units of general local government to mitigate the fiscal effects of COVID-19. $375 billion to remain available until expended with funding splits as follows:
. $187.5 billion to metropolitan cities and other units of general local government – allocated in the following manner; $131.250 billion per formula with the stipulation that $87.5 billion be paid within 30 days of enactment and that $43.750 billion be paid no earlier than April 15, 2021 nor later than May 3, 2021; $56.250 billion (66% distributed within 30 days of enactment and 33% no earlier than April 15, 2021 but no later than May 3, 2021) allocated to each State for use by units of general local government, other than counties or parishes in non-entitlement areas pro rata based on population.
. $187.5 billion (66% distributed within 30 days of enactment and 33% no earlier than April 15, 2021, but no later than May 3, 2021) directly to counties within the 50 States/DC/Territories pro rata based on population.
COVID–19 HEROES FUND ACT o $180 Billion Heroes Fund (Division Q): Hazard pay (an extra $13 per hour from January 27, 2020 thru 60 days after the last day of the COVID–19 Public Health Emergency) for “essential worker” to include transportation work and any private transportation of people (all modes), any private transportation of goods in bulk (all modes) and the transportation of mail etc.
Note: As of May 15, 2020, four pieces of legislation have been enacted to combat the health and economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.
1.) CORONAVIRUS PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2020 P.L. 116-123, Signed March 6, 2020
2.) FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT P.L. 116-127, Signed March 18, 2020
3.) CORONAVIRUS AID, RELIEF AND ECONOMIC SECURITY ACT or the CARES Act P.L. 116-136, Signed March 27, 2020
4.) PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM AND HEALTH CARE ENHANCEMENT ACT P.L. 116-139, Signed April 24, 2020
Addendum B. COMPILATION OF COVID-19 RESOURCE LINKS Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC Coronavirus (COVID-19) White House-CDC-FEMA World Health Organization WHO Library of Congress Coronavirus Resource Guide Resource Guide Counties and COVID-19: Safer At Home Orders NACO Org Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act - FTA Federal Transit Administration NACO In-Depth Analysis of the $2 trillion CARES Act (H.R. 748) NACO Summary of CARES Act COVID-19 Stimulus Bill: What It Means for States NCSL CARES Act SUMMARY Senate Committee on Appropriations CARES Act Summary Senate CARES Act Summary APTA CARES Act Provides $25 Billion for Public Transit APTA CARES Act Summary Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in US By County Cases COVID-19 By County FAQs from FTA Grantees Regarding (COVID-19) FAQs COVID-19 Checklist for Transportation Construction Employers/Employees ARTBA COVID-19 Checklist A Guide for Public Transportation Pandemic Planning and Response (2014) Public Transpo. Pandemic Planning/Response Guide FTA - Recommended Actions to Reduce the Risk of (COVID-19) FTA Safety Advisory FY 2020 CARES Act Public Transportation Apportionments & Allocations FTA CARES Act Apportionments CTAA Covid-19 Resources and News CTAA Resource Page COVID-19 2020 CARES Act Grants to Airports FAA Airport Grants Council of State Governments – COVID-19 Resources for State Leaders State Executive Orders National Governor’s Association Coronavirus Resources NGA Letter Letter Coronavirus Relief Fund Guidance - State, Territorial, & Local Govt. Guidance Document - $150 billion Congressional Oversight Provisions in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and CRS Report on Oversight of CARES Act StateEconomic and LocalSecurity Government (CARES) Act Debt (P.L. and 116 COVID-136) -19 CRS Rpt State and Local Debt The Coronavirus Relief Fund (CARES Act, Title V): Background and State CRS Rpt State Allocations and Local Allocations NACo - Analysis of the Fiscal Impact of COVID-19 on Counties NACo Report on COVID-19 / Counties NACo Home Page TSA - Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information TSA COVID-19 URL National Association of Counties (HEROES Act) NACo HEROES Bill Analysis HHS/CDC Report to Congress on Paycheck Protection Pgm./COVID-19 DHHS Report to Congress RAND - The Health and Economic Impacts of COVID-19 Interventions State Policy Evaluation Tool CDC Activities and Initiatives Supporting the COVID-19 Response and the CDC Guidelines for Reopening President’s Plan for Opening America Up Again
Addendum C. – Calendar Year NOFO/AWARDS SCORECARD SELECTED TRANSPORTATION NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES (NOFOs) &/OR AWARDS (SCORECARD for CY 2020) 5/27/2020 TYPE NOFO NOFO $s APPLICATION NOFO $ NOFO TITLE (NOFO / AWARD) ISSUANCE DATE NOFO URL MADE AVAILABLE DEADLINE AWARDS AWARDS URL AWARDED - DATE COMMENTS US DOT FY 2020 INFRA Grants NOFO 1/13/2020 NOFO URL 906,000,000 2/25/2020 TBD TBD TBD $150 m. in prior year available. FY 2020 National Infrastructure Investments (BUILD) NOFO 2/19/2020 NOFO URL 1,000,000,000 5/18/2020 TBD TBD TBD FY 2020 University Transportation Centers Program NOFO 3/30/2020 NOFO URL 4,925,000 5/29/2020 TBD TBD TBD Inclusive Design Challenge (FY 2018 Funding) NOFO 4/21/2020 NOFO URL 5,000,000 10/30/2020 TBD TBD TBD $5 m. prize purse from FY 2018 “Highly Automated Vehicle Research & Dev. Pgm."
US DHS/ FEMA FY 2019 Assistance to Firefighter Grants NOFO 1/27/2020 NOFO URL 315,000,000 3/20/2020 TBD TBD TBD FY 2020 Transit Security Grant Program NOFO 2/15/2020 NOFO URL 88,000,000 4/15/2020 TBD TBD TBD FY 2020 Port Security Grant Program NOFO 2/15/2020 NOFO URL 100,000,000 4/15/2020 TBD TBD TBD FY 2020 Intercity Bus Security Grant Program NOFO 2/15/2020 NOFO URL 2,000,000 4/15/2020 TBD TBD TBD FY 2020 Intercity Passenger Rail - Amtrak NOFO 2/15/2020 NOFO URL 10,000,000 4/15/2020 TBD TBD TBD FY 2020 Nonprofit Security Grant Program NOFO 2/15/2020 NOFO URL 90,000,000 4/15/2020 TBD TBD TBD FY 2019 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) NOFO 4/7/2020 NOFO URL 350,000,000 5/15/2020 TBD TBD TBD Due date extended to 5/27/2020. FY 2019 Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) grants NOFO 4/21/2020 NOFO URL 35,000,000 5/29/2020 TBD TBD TBD FY 2020 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program - CARES Act NOFO 4/23/2020 NOFO URL 100,000,000 5/15/2020 TBD TBD TBD DOE FY 2020 Bioenergy Technologies Multi-Topic FOA NOFO 1/23/2020 NOFO URL 97,000,000 4/30/2020 TBD TBD TBD FY 2020 Advanced Vehicle Technologies Research FOA NOFO 1/23/2020 NOFO URL 133,200,000 4/14/2020 TBD TBD TBD FY 2020 H2@Scale New Markets FOA NOFO 1/23/2020 NOFO URL 64,000,000 4/20/2020 TBD TBD TBD 2/25/20 Deadline/Concept Papers. EPA FY 2020 – FY 2021 Pollution Prevention Grant Program NOFO 1/29/2020 NOFO URL 9,380,000 3/31/2020 TBD TBD TBD FAA FY 2018 Small Community Air Service Development Program NOFO/AWARD 5/6/2019 NOFO URL 12,500,000 7/15/2019 12,500,000 Award URL 2/24/2020 FHWA Accelerated Innovative Deployment Demonstration Program NOFO/AWARD 10/21/2019 Amended NOFO URL 10,000,000 Rolling 8,091,503 Award URL 1/21/2020 Initial NOFO URL FY 2020 Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program NOFO 1/31/2020 NOFO URL 1,000,000 3/16/2020 TBD TBD TBD FY 2020 Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program NOFO 3/10/2020 NOFO URL 720,000 4/27/2020 TBD TBD TBD Highway Use Tax Evasion Program NOFO 3/17/2020 NOFO URL 8,000,000 5/22/2020 TBD TBD TBD FRA FY 2019/2020 Restoration and Enhancement Grants NOFO/AWARD 1/2/2020 Amended NOFO URL 26,337,600 2/5/2020 22,414,816 Award URL 5/5/2020 Initial NOFO URL FY 2019 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements NOFO/AWARD 8/19/2019 NOFO URL 244,621,500 10/18/2019 248,500,000 Award URL 3/12/2020 Railroad Rehabilitation & Improvement Financing (RRIF) NOFO 3/16/2020 NOFO URL 35,000,000,000 6/15/2020 TBD TBD TBD FY 2020 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements NOFO 4/20/2020 NOFO URL 311,772,500 6/19/2020 TBD TBD TBD FY 2020 Supplemental State-Amtrak Intercity Passenger Rail Committee NOFO 5/7/2020 NOFO URL 4,000,000 5/15/2020 TBD TBD TBD Northern New England Passenger Rail Auth. FY 2018-2020 Special Transportation Circumstances Projects NOFO 5/8/2020 NOFO URL 23,108,458 7/7/2020 TBD TBD TBD Funding - AK, WY, and SD. FY 2020 Short Line Safety Institute Program NOFO 5/20/2020 NOFO URL 2,500,000 5/29/2020 TBD TBD TBD FY 2020 Rail Safety Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis NOFO 5/27/2020 NOFO URL 400,000 6/5/2020 TBD TBD TBD Nat'l. Academy/Sciences only eligible to apply. FTA FY 2020 Low or No Emission Grant Program NOFO 1/24/2020 NOFO URL 130,000,000 3/17/2020 TBD TBD TBD FY 2020 Passenger Ferry Grant Program NOFO 1/30/2020 NOFO URL 30,000,000 3/30/2020 TBD TBD TBD FY 2020 Buses and Bus Facilities Program NOFO 1/30/2020 NOFO URL 454,600,000 3/30/2020 TBD TBD TBD FY 2018 Public Transportation Innovation Program NOFO 2/11/2020 NOFO URL 2,000,000 3/24/2020 TBD TBD TBD FY 2018/2019 Public Transportation Innovation Funds NOFO 2/13/2020 NOFO URL 7,300,000 3/24/2020 TBD TBD TBD FY 2019 Bus/Bus Facilities Program NOFO/AWARD 5/15/2019 NOFO URL 423,350,240 6/21/2019 423,350,240 Award URL 3/2/2020 FY 2020 Helping Obtain Prosperity for Everyone (HOPE) Program NOFO 3/3/2020 NOFO URL 8,500,000 5/4/2020 TBD TBD TBD FY 2017/2018 Integrated Mobility Innovation Demonstration Program NOFO/AWARD 5/8/2019 NOFO URL 15,000,000 8/6/2019 20,355,847 Award URL 3/16/2020 FY 2017/FY 2018 FTA research funds. FY 2019 Accelerating Innovative Mobility (AIM) Challenge Grants NOFO 3/18/2020 NOFO URL 11,000,000 4/17/2020 TBD TBD TBD Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Pgm. (Tribal Transit Pgm.) NOFO 5/26/2020 NOFO URL 5,000,000 8/24/2020 TBD TBD TBD FY 2016 Public Transportation Innovation Program NOFO 5/26/2020 NOFO URL 1,250,000 7/17/2020 TBD TBD TBD FY 2020 Transportation on Indian Reservations Program NOFO 5/27/2020 NOFO URL 5,000,000 8/24/2020 TBD TBD TBD Real-Time Transit Infrastructure/Rolling Stock Condition Ass't. Demo. Pgm. NOFO 5/27/2020 NOFO URL 1,250,000 7/17/2020 TBD TBD TBD
SELECTED TRANSPORTATION NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES (NOFOs) &/OR AWARDS (SCORECARD for CY 2020) 5/27/2020 TYPE NOFO NOFO $s APPLICATION NOFO $ NOFO TITLE (NOFO / AWARD) ISSUANCE DATE NOFO URL MADE AVAILABLE DEADLINE AWARDS AWARDS URL AWARDED - DATE COMMENTS MARAD FY 2019 Short Sea Transportation Program (America's Marine Hwy. Pgm.) NOFO/AWARD 6/14/2019 NOFO URL 7,000,000 6/14/2019 7,503,000 Award URL 1/7/2020 Deadline Extension URL FY 2020 Small Shipyard Grants NOFO/AWARD 1/6/2020 NOFO URL 19,600,000 2/18/2020 19,600,000 Award URL 4/20/2020 FY 2019 Port Infrastructure Development Program NOFO/AWARD 6/18/2019 NOFO URL 292,730,000 9/16/2019 287,303,341 Award URL 2/14/2020 FY 2020 Port Infrastructure Development Grants NOFO 2/19/2020 NOFO URL 225,000,000 5/18/2020 TBD TBD TBD FR NOFO 3 March 2020 FY 2020 Short Sea Transportation Program (America's Marine Hwy. Pgm.) NOFO 3/5/2020 NOFO URL 9,481,750 4/24/2020 TBD TBD TBD Updated NOFO URL Maritime Energy Efficiency Pilot/Demonstration Project NOFO 3/14/2020 NOFO URL 1,000,000 5/13/2020 TBD TBD TBD
NHTSA / FMCSA FY 2020 High Priority Program - Commercial Motor Vehicle (HP-CMV) NOFO 1/7/2020 NOFO URL 25,211,500 2/21/2020 TBD TBD TBD Prosecutor Support for Impaired Driving NOFO 4/15/2020 NOFO URL 1,240,743 5/14/2020 TBD TBD TBD Support for Alcohol Law Enforcement to Prevent Impaired Driving NOFO 4/15/2020 NOFO URL 500,000 5/13/2020 TBD TBD TBD Judicial Education Discretionary Grant NOFO 4/23/2020 NOFO URL 1,273,879 5/22/2020 TBD TBD TBD Support for Probation Services for DWI Offenders NOFO 4/23/2020 NOFO URL 650,000 5/25/2020 TBD TBD TBD State Ignition Interlock Support and Resources NOFO 5/7/2020 NOFO URL 650,000 6/4/2020 TBD TBD TBD An award will be made in August 2020. State Notification to Consumers of Motor Vehicle Recall Status NOFO 5/7/2020 NOFO URL 1,500,000 9/15/2020 TBD TBD TBD DOC/EDA FY 2020 EDA Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Program NOFO 5/7/2020 NOFO URL 30,000,000 No Deadline. TBD TBD TBD Applications accepted ongoing until new NOFO. OSHA FY 2020 Susan Harwood Training Grants NOFO 5/19/2020 NOFO URL 11,500,000 7/20/2020 TBD TBD TBD USDA Business and Industry (B&I) Guaranteed Loan Program NOFA 5/22/2020 NOFA URL 20,500,000 9/15/2021 TBD TBD TBD
SAN JOAQUIN REGIONAL RAIL COMMISSION Meeting of July 2, 2020
STAFF REPORT
Item 4 ACTION Public Hearing: Presentation and Approval of a Resolution Adopting the SJRRC/ACE Combined Fiscal Year 2020/2021 Work Program and Operating Budget in the amount of $23,334,425, the SJJPA Fiscal Year 2020/2021 Work Program and Operating Budget of $65,372,796 and a Combined Capital Budget in the amount of $89,848,794
2020/2021 Work Program and Budget
Perseverance & Progress Built on solid ground, SJRRC will continue through this unprecedented crisis with vision and momentum.
® Table of Contents
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Executive Summary...... 3 SJJPA...... 11 ® Planning...... 4 Organizational Chart...... 13 Operations...... 6 Capital Budget...... 14 Stockton Diamond...... 8 ACE Operating Budget...... 15 Capital Projects...... 9 SJJPA Operating Budget ...... 16
The San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission Board of Directors
Christina Fugazi Debby Moorhead Scott Haggerty Chair, City of Stockton Commissioner, City of Manteca Commissioner, Alameda County
Leo Zuber Nancy Young John Marchand Vice Chair, City of Ripon Commissioner, City of Tracy Commissioner, City of Livermore
Bob Elliott Doug Kuehne Commissioner, San Joaquin County Commissioner, City of Lodi
Stacey Mortensen Executive Director
2020/2021 Work Program and Budget 2 Executive Summary
The San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission is built on a ing forward and provides much needed jobs for many private solid foundation of political leadership, staff commitment planners, engineers, architects, and construction contractors. and adaptability. The difficult years of the 1998 ACE start- The Valley Rail Program will continue to press forward in the up, the 2003 dot.com implosion, and the 2009 full recession coming year with multiple environmental processes to keep have prepared the agency to deal with the unknowns of the the entire Program on-track and set to deliver transforma- coming year. Staff is prepared to work with less, cover extra tional service expansion for both ACE and the San Joaquins. workload and find ways to leverage and share resources with Also, included in the Capital Program are key passenger other partners. related projects including restoration of Wi-Fi Service and the beginning of the Railcar Midlife Overhaul. Work is already underway to take cost control to the next level, prioritize essential projects and services and develop To best adapt to the unknown passenger demand in the next numerous contingency plans for whatever uncertainties the year, staff surveyed long-time ACE passengers about their agency encounters as the COVID-19 situation runs its course. expectations and likelihood to return to the train service. But an equal eye is on the future and the improvements and The results were strikingly similar to a survey conducted by expansions for the ACE and San Joaquins services that were Metrolink in Southern California. 80%+ of the passengers sorely needed long before the pandemic began. responded that they are at least ‘Somewhat Likely’ to return to riding ACE. These passenger voices matter the most in The most notable improvement on the horizon is the Stock- the restoration of service. The various service scenarios for ton Diamond Grade Separation. The Stockton Diamond 2020/21 will take into account cleaning, social spacing and Grade Separation is a pivotal project in Northern California, other health and safety needs expressed by the passengers with significant benefits for freight and passenger rail. The and be phased into operation as the passengers are comfort- project also includes important local vehicle and pedestrian able with returning. traffic improvements, while improving the safe throughput of two major rail lines. The removal of this bottleneck is the next This is a time to step forward with ideas, solutions, and team- key step for the Valley Rail Program, unlocking the potential work to get everyone back on their feet. The Rail Commission for many more passenger trains far into the future. is ready and committed to meeting the challenge.
SJRRC continues into FY20/21 with a significant, forward thinking Capital Program, which will keep critical work mov-
2020/2021 Work Program and Budget 3 Planning
ACE has continued to be an essential public transportation service during this crisis and has major infrastructure projects both underway and being planned. The future for passenger rail services in California and for ACE remains very bright. Planning efforts done in FY 19/20 will help ACE to continue to grow and better serve the Northern California Megaregion and the state.
The COVID-19 crisis has decimated public transportation Bay Area 2050). More fiscally constrained planning in the ridership throughout California. ACE ridership and reve- Bay Area (due to the current COVID-19/fiscal crisis) have led nue dropped to a low of about -95% in April. Although ACE SJRRC and the Authority to narrow current efforts to getting ridership has begun to rise, it will take time to for California just Valley Link and ACE Rail Service Increase Program into and ACE to fully recover. ACE is continuing to operate with the fiscally constrained (before 2035) MTC RTP/Plan Bay two daily round-trips on weekdays. Nevertheless, ACE has Area 2050. continued to be an essential public transportation service during this crisis and has major infrastructure projects both Progress Continues for the Valley Rail underway and being planned. The future for passenger rail services in California and for ACE remains very bright. Extensions to Sacramento and Merced Planning efforts done in FY 19/20 will help ACE to continue to grow and better serve the Northern California Megaregion SJRRC continues to work with the cities of Lodi, Elk Grove, and the state. and Sacramento on coordination of station planning efforts, as well as, connectivity with other modes of transportation related to the ACE/San Joaquins extension to Sacramento. The Draft EIR for the extension to Sacramento was released Planning for Expanded and Improved on March 31, 2020. In FY 19/20 SJRRC began working with ACE Service to the Bay Area the cities of Ceres, Turlock, Livingston, Atwater and Merced to coordinate their station planning and connectivity with The Altamont Corridor Vision features vastly improved other modes. The Notice of Proceed for the ACE extension electrified and dedicated track, 15-minute headways during from Ceres to Merced was released on May 28, 2020. peak periods, and limited stop express service from Stockton and Modesto to San Jose in an hour. Planning for the “Al- tamont Corridor Vision” is being done in partnership with Securing Strong Support for the the Tri-Valley – San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority (Authority). In FY 19/20 SJRRC and the Authority focused Stockton Diamond Grade Separation Project on the development and pursuit of the initial phase of the and ACE Service Improvements program which is called the “Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1” (Phase 1). Phase 1 would enable up to 10 ACE daily As part of their annual “Valley Voice” lobby day in Sacramen- round-trips (6 between the Central Valley and San Jose, and to, the San Joaquin Valley Regional Policy Council requested 4 between the Central Valley and Fremont/Newark/Union Trade Corridor Enhancement Program (TCEP) funding for City) and complete Valley Link service between North Lath- the Stockton Diamond Grade Separation Project as a regional rop and the Dublin/Pleasanton BART Station. A key com- priority and also supported the SJRRC’s/SJJPA’s 2020 TIRCP ponent of Phase 1 is a new alignment through the Altamont application for a hybrid-locomotive pilot program as well Pass which would enable sustained speeds of 125 mph that as supported the CHSRA’s 2020 Draft Business Plan recom- would be shared by ACE and Valley Link services. The SJRRC/ mendations to move forward with the Merced-Fresno-Ba- Authority planning assumes ACE and Valley Link sharing kersfield HSR Interim Operating Segment with additional infrastructure between North Lathrop and Livermore. SJRRC interim stations at Madera and Kings/Tulare. SJRRC and the and the Authority worked hard to try and get Phase 1 includ- Authority were able to secure strong support throughout the ed in the $100 billion FASTER Bay Area Measure which was San Joaquin Valley and Bay Area for the Altamont Corridor being proposed for November 2020, but FASTER Bay Area Vision Phase 1, Valley Link, and ACE Service Improvements. was postponed as a result of the COVID-19 crisis before a In addition, SJRRC and SJJPA were able to get strong support project list developed. In FY 19/20 SJRRC and the Authority in the San Joaquin Valley and Sacramento for the Merced-Ba- organized substantial support in the corridor to get Valley kersfield HSR Interim Operating Segment, and Stockton Link, ACE Rail Service Increase Program and Phase 1 includ- Diamond Grade Separation (INFRA, BUILD and TCEP appli- ed in the fiscally constrained Metropolitan Transportation cations). Commission (MTC) Regional Transportation Plan (RTP/Plan 2020/2021 Work Program and Budget 4 Planning
Key Coordination and Network Integration SJRRC worked with agencies and organizations throughout Efforts with High-Speed Rail the Central Valley and Bay Area to support the CHSRA’s Draft 2020 Business Plan recommendations to move forward with In support of the California High Speed Rail Authority’s the Merced-Fresno-Bakersfield HSR Interim Operating Seg- (CHSRA) Draft 2020 Business Plan, SJRRC worked with CHS- ment with additional stations at Madera and Kings/Tulare. RA staff and CHSRA’s Early Train Operator (ETO) to provide SJRRC will continue to work with CHSRA, CalSTA, Caltrans inputs for improved ACE connectivity to future HSR service and SJJPA on planning for integrating ACE and San Joaquins at Merced. Connectivity to ACE and San Joaquins at Merced services with future HSR operations. The next step will be an is key to the success of the HSR Interim Operating Segment. operating agreement between the CHSRA, SJRRC and SJJPA.
Natomas/Sacramento Airport
Sacramento Valley Midtown San Joaquin Valley Integrated Passenger Rail Services
Vallejo
Antioch
Pittsburg/ Bay Point Richmond Stockton Walnut Creek
North Lathrop Oakland Dublin/ Greenville San Francisco Pleasanton
Manteca San Leandro
Hayward Tracy
Pleasanton Modesto Vasco Road Tracy Modesto Millbrae Fremont
Central Peninsula
San Jose
San Jose Merced Merced
Madera
Fresno
Valley Link Kings/Tulare ACE Rail
Altamont Pass Tunnel / Alignment Improvements
Amtrak San Joaquins
California High-Speed Rail
Merced-Bakersfield Interim High-Speed Rail Operating Segment
BART
Caltrain
Amtrak Capitol Corridor
Bakersfield
Thruway Bus to Southern California
2020/2021 Work Program and Budget 5 Operations
As ACE continues to operate as an essential service during the COVID-19 outbreak, it is necessary and required that steps are taken to keep employees and passengers safe. Onboard the ACE trains, several steps are being taking to ensure a safe operating and traveling environment. Health and Safety is our #1 priority.
With the Shelter-in-Place orders in place due to the outbreak Ridership of COVID-19 and a potential second wave of the virus, staff anticipates the ACE service to operate two (2) daily round- In FY2019/2020, ACE was on pace to surpass the record trips for the entire 2020/2021 fiscal year. The operational ridership of 2018/2019 of 1.5 million passengers until Shel- plan includes a strategy to add cars to the two (2) trainsets as ter-in-Place orders were put in place in March 2020. The loss ridership increases, to continue to allow appropriate spacing of ridership due to the pandemic has caused the service to for social distancing. With the Siemens Charger locomotives be reduced to two (2) daily round-trip and the suspension in operation, ACE is able to operate up to 10 cars per train ac- of Saturday Service. Even with the reduction of service, ACE commodating a maximum of 450 passengers at any one time is estimated to carry just under 1.1 million passengers in with social distancing recommendations. If the ridership FY2019/2020. nears the 450-threshold, staff will bring a budget amendment before the Board to increase the level of service. With the operation of only two (2) daily round-trips in fiscal year 2020/2021, it is anticipated the ACE service will carry 750,000 passengers for the year. This assumption is predi- COVID-19 Operational Response cated on the current climate with the majority of employees working from home for the remainder of 2020 and anticipates As ACE continues to operate as an essential service during employees starting to return to work at offices/campuses in the COVID-19 outbreak, it is necessary and required that early 2021. steps are taken to keep employees and passengers safe. On- board the ACE trains several steps are being taking to ensure a safe operating and traveling environment including: appro- Positive Train Control (PTC) priate signage to communicate health and safety protocols, an increased trainset cleaning and disinfecting regime, em- Positive Train Control (PTC) continued to be a major ini- ployees and passengers are required to wear face coverings, tiative for ACE as the deadline for full interoperability is and passengers are required to socially distance onboard at December 31, 2020. While ACE became fully operational in least 6-ft apart. Similar measures are being taken at stations. December 2019, the Host Railroads are not fully interopera- Health and safety measures are continuing to be updated as ble, however, both UPRR and Caltrain are on track to be fully new guidance is provided. interoperable by the December 31, 2020 deadline. SJRRC operations staff continues to work closely with UPRR and Caltrain on software updates to reduce delays and improve reliability.
2020/2021 Work Program and Budget 6 Operations
Equipment Familiarization Rail Maintenance Facility (RMF) Improvements with First Responders Staff is working with the State to begin the design and con- Staff is working with first responders to complete critical struction of improvements at the RMF to accommodate the equipment familiarization and security drills. The ability for newly State purchased Siemens Single Level Cars. The im- first responders to get on the equipment and complete train- provements will allow the State to complete the acceptance ing is invaluable to the ACE Service. The City of Stockton and of the cars and SJRRC to be prepared to complete the pre- City of Lodi are working with staff to complete K9 training in ventative maintenance regulatory inspections once the cars various scenarios on weekends and within the Rail Mainte- enter into revenue service. The cars are anticipated to enter nance Facility (RMF) itself. However, with outbreak of the revenue service in late 2020 as part of the San Joaquins Ser- Coronavirus the training has been postponed. vice. Additionally, staff is working with the State and Siemens on the delivery timeline and training on maintenance for the new equipment. On Time Performance
On Time Performance (OTP) was at 82% for FY 2019/2020. Saturday Service Issues with PTC caused delays in January and February of 2020, although subsequent software updates have helped ACE Saturday Service was launched on September 7, 2019. improve OTP back towards historical norms of 90%. ACE operated two (2) round-trips on Saturdays. The service had low ridership for its initial operating period but was an- ticipated to improve in ridership during the warmer months Overhaul of Passenger Cars of spring and summer. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Saturday Service was suspended on March 22, 2020. With the suspension of two (2) daily round-trips the car over- haul program has been expedited. The current improvements include replacing and refinishing the seats, refurbishing Mobile Ticketing App bathrooms, and improving signage and lighting in the cars, and refreshing the paint. The overhaul of all 30 cars is expect- The ACE mobile ticket app was fully launched in April 2019 ed to be completed in FY 2024. and continues to be a popular alternative for passengers pur- chasing tickets. Rider feedback continues to be positive and the is available for Apple and Android devices.
2020/2021 Work Program and Budget 7 Stockton Diamond Grade Separation Project
The Stockton Diamond Grade Separation Project will unlock the most congested at- grade crossing in California providing better freight and passenger service. A focus for FY20/21 is securing full construction funding, completing preliminary design, and releasing the draft environmental document.
Project Overview
The Stockton Diamond is the busiest, most congested at- grade railway junction in California. The current, at-grade configuration of the track results in significant delays to Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) freight trains serving their nationwide networks and the Port of Stockton. These delays make the Stockton Diamond the worst freight rail bottleneck in California, limiting the capacity of the Port of Stockton for growth and inhibiting the expansion of the Amtrak San Joaquins and Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) service through the region.
The Stockton Diamond Grade Separation project would Stockton Diamond Project Area grade separate the two north-south UPRR mainline tracks from the two east-west BNSF mainline tracks. Project scope also includes bike, pedestrian, and roadway improvements Public Benefits at ten at-grade local road crossings in the City of Stockton, enhancing safety and access for residents. • Facilitating expansion of ACE and Amtrak San Joaquins services The construction of the grade separation would provide for • Improved reliability of ACE and Amtrak San Joaquins an uninterrupted flow of rail through the crossing, which services will improve freight movements and lead to lower costs • Travel time savings from a reduction in freight delays for freight shipping, reduced delays, and a decrease in • Fuel cost savings from a reduction in idling fuel consumption for idling locomotives. This increase in • Greater efficiency for freight rail movement throughput and velocity of freight trains translates to cost • Improved air quality in a disadvantaged area of savings for Port customers and the freight railroads, allowing Downtown Stockton for continued growth and improved efficiency. In addition, • Reduced blockage and delays for pedestrians and the project would allow for more freight and passenger trains motorists at key local road crossings to pass through the Stockton Diamond at faster speeds. • Improved access to the Port of Stockton
PA&ED (Project Approval & Environmental Document)
PS&E (Plans, Specifications and Estimates) & ROW (Right of Way) Construction Construction Begins Completed
3/1/2021 10/1/2022 11/1/2022 5/1/2025
2020/2021 Work Program and Budget 8 Capital Projects
The SJRRC Capital Project List continues to grow, with expansion projects planned to serve new regions and improvements to benefit existing ACE and Amtrak San Joaquins services.
Stockton Diamond Grade Separation
Environmental assessments and preliminary engineering will continue to analyze a grade separation at the intersection of the BNSF Stockton Subdivision and the Union Pacific Fresno Subdivision south Stockton. The construction of the grade separation will provide an uninterrupted flow of rail through the crossing, improv- ing freight movements and facilitating the expansion of ACE and San Joaquins service through the region.
ACE Extension – Stockton to Natomas Platform Extensions Projects
The Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the Construction is scheduled to begin at Lathrop/Manteca, extension of ACE and San Joaquins service to Natomas was Tracy, Vasco Road, Livermore, and Pleasanton to extend the circulated for public comment on March 31, 2020. A Final EIR platforms and allow longer trainsets to serve the station. Final will be prepared for the project and preliminary engineering design will continue for the Fremont Station. continues for the stations, infrastructure, and layover facility necessary to implement the service. Once the environmental document is adopted and certified, final design will begin for Robert J. Cabral Station Expansion key facilities and infrastructure to initiate service. The expansion of the Robert J. Cabral Station will see the construction of a new Western Pacific Depot building and a ACE Extension – Lathrop to Ceres/Merced permanent parking lot and site improvements. Final design will continue for the project, with construction anticipated to Final design continues for stations, track and bridge work, begin on the parking lot and site improvements. and a layover facility for the extension of ACE service to Ceres. Right of way activity is also anticipated to begin during the upcoming year for key facility locations. A project level Railcar Midlife Overhaul environmental clearance for the extension of ACE service from Ceres to Merced is also under development. The docu- As part of SJRRC’s commitment to maintaining assets in a ment will explore track improvements, new stations, equip- State of Good Repair, work is underway to overhaul ACE’s ment, and layover facility needs for service to Merced. fleet of 30 railcars. SJRRC’s Transit Asset Management Plan (TAMP) identified midlife overhauls as a key initiative to en- sure ACE’s revenue fleet operates at maximum performance. Rail Car Purchase Project benefits include reduced reactive maintenance costs and a decrease in the frequency and duration of service de- To allow for increased capacity of the ACE service and pre- lays due to equipment failure. pare for the expansion of service to Sacramento and Ceres/ Merced, SJRRC has entered a joint procurement with other transits agencies. The new rail cars will be used in conjunc- tion with existing equipment and the Tier IV locomotives to create longer train consists that can transport more passen- gers between the Central Valley and the Bay Area.
2020/2021 Work Program and Budget 9 Capital Projects
Cabral Station Track Extension San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority Capital Projects This fully funded project will provide the final track extension between the Rail Maintenance Facility (RMF) and Cabral Station. Coordination with Union Pacific is ongoing, with Madera Station Relocation designs currently under review. Construction is anticipated to begin in Summer 2020. SJJPA has been coordinating with CalSTA and CHSRA to de- velop plans for a relocated Madera Station, which would also work as a multi-modal hub station with future HSR opera- East Channel Street Improvements tions. Environmental assessments and preliminary engineer- ing are currently underway. With a grant from SJCOG, improvements on Channel Street will offer better connectivity between the San Joaquin Re- gional Transit District’s (RTD) Downtown Transit Center and Stockton Wye Cabral Station. Final design for the project is currently under- way and construction is anticipated to begin in 2021. Senate Bill (SB-) 1 funding through the State Rail Assistance (SRA) Program was secured to construct a new track in the northwest quadrant intersection of the Union Pacific Railroad Tracy ACE Station Improvements Fresno Subdivision and BNSF Railway Stockton Subdivision.
Upgrades to the existing Tracy ACE Station, including pas- senger amenities, equipment, and parking improvements, Oakley Station Platform will improve station accessibility and facilitate an increase in ridership. Funding for the Oakley Station Platform is included in SJJPA’s Valley Rail TIRCP award. The City of Oakley is providing matching funds for the parking and other station facilities. State-Owned Equipment Truck Overhaul Amtrak will begin final design for the station platform and trackwork in during the upcoming Fiscal Year. To increase Rail Maintenance Facility utilization and provide additional funding, SJRRC is contracted by the State of Cali- fornia to perform an equipment truck overhaul project of the Network Integration Planning State-Owned intercity passenger rail fleet. Coordination is underway with CHSRA, CalSTA, and Caltrans on the Network Integration Study effort, which focuses on the coordination and connectivity of the San Joaquins and ACE services with future HSR operations. This will include plan- ning for a direct connection between the San Joaquins and HSR at Merced and service options south of Merced along the BNSF corridor that would complement HSR operations.
2020/2021 Work Program and Budget 10 San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA)
The San Joaquins remain an essential public transportation service for California. Major projects are underway to improve the San Joaquins service to Sacramento, and the San Joaquins will be a vital feeder service to the future HSR Interim Operating Segment.
As a result of the COVID-19 crisis San Joaquins ridership and operations and that the San Joaquins rail service and feeder revenue dropped to a low of over -90% in April, and about bus networks will be key feeder services to ensure the suc- -80% in May. Although San Joaquins ridership has begun to cess of the HSR Interim Operating Segment. SJJPA initiated rise, it will take time to for California and the San Joaquins to planning for the direct connection between the San Joaquins fully recover. The San Joaquins rail service operations have and HSR at Merced called the Merced Intermodal Track been reduced by nearly half - down from 7 daily round-trips Connection (MITC) Project (estimated to cost $155 million). to 4 daily round-trips. In addition, the San Joaquin Joint SJJPA worked with agencies and organizations throughout Powers Authority (SJJPA) is taking actions to significantly re- the Central Valley and Bay Area to support the CHSRA’s Draft duce Thruway Bus Services. In spite of the current crisis, San 2020 Business Plan recommendations to move forward with Joaquins remain an essential public transportation service the Merced-Fresno-Bakersfield HSR Interim Operating Seg- for California. Major infrastructure projects are underway ment with additional stations at Madera and Kings/Tulare. to improve San Joaquins service to Sacramento and the San SJJPA will continue to work with CHSRA, CalSTA, Caltrans Joaquin will be a vital feeder service to the future Merced-Ba- and SJRRC on planning for integrating San Joaquins and ACE kersfield HSR Interim Operating Segment. services with future HSR operations. The next step will be an operating agreement between the CHSRA, SJJPA and SJRRC. Key Coordination and Network Integration The SJJPA is the most likely operator for initial service on the Efforts with High-Speed Rail Merced-Bakersfield HSR Interim Operating Segment, leasing slots from CHSRA much like the San Joaquins are currently In support of the California High Speed Rail Authority’s run on slots leased by BNSF. (CHSRA) Draft 2020 Business Plan, SJJPA worked with CHS- RA staff and CHSRA’s Early Train Operator (ETO) to provide Slotted Schedules for Spring 2019 inputs for improved San Joaquins connectivity to future HSR and Spring 2020 service at Merced. Connectivity to ACE and San Joaquins at Merced is key to the success of the HSR Interim Operating On May 20, 2019, the Spring 2019 Schedule returned the San Segment. The 2020 SJJPA Business Plan highlights that the Joaquins to full-corridor service for 7 daily round-trips and San Joaquins southern terminus will be at Merced once the in partnership with CalSTA, Caltrans, Amtrak, UPRR, and Merced-Bakersfield HSR Interim Operating Segment begins BNSF. This new scheduled introduced a slotted schedule and
2020/2021 Work Program and Budget 11 San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA)
distributed pad-time for improved on-time performance for opportunities for ridership, revenue, access to public trans- the first time for the San Joaquins. In FY19/20 SJJPA contin- portation and potential transit-oriented development than ued working with its partner agencies to make improvements the current Amtrak station location. Environmental review to increase on-time performance, ridership, and revenue for and detailed design work are well underway and the draft the San Joaquins. The Spring 2020 Schedule was to focus on environmental document is expected to be released this reducing operating times to under six hours between Ba- summer (2020). kersfield and Oakland Amtrak Stations to negate the need for costly crew changes. Options to be considered will include Thruway Bus Network Reductions skip-stop/limited stop service. This schedule will include more detailed coordination with Capitol Corridor and Pacific The COVID-19 crisis and state funding shortfalls created the Surfliner services to enhance ridership potential and on-time need for the SJJPA to act quickly to make changes on the San performance. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, implementa- Joaquins Thruway Bus Network to reduce costs in order to tion of the previously planned Spring 2020 Schedule Change keep even the reduced train service operating in FY 20/21. has been delayed. On March 26, 2020 SJJPA implemented At the May 29, 2020 Board Meeting, SJJPA approved action to a reduced San Joaquins train and thruway bus schedule in suspend indefinitely or terminate several of the least cost-ef- response to the dramatic decrease in ridership and revenue fective and lowest ridership routes and to truncate several that all intercity rail services statewide have experienced routes which had very low ridership towards the ends of the since the onset of the pandemic. This schedule reduced the routes. SJJPA concluded that costs can be cut substantially amount of available trains and buses by about 50% compared without losing substantial potential ridership and revenue. to typical San Joaquins service. SJJPA also has continued to work on new partnerships with public transportation operators and minor route improve- Senate Bill 742 (Allen) ments (such as new or relocated stops) also can help increase ridership and improve cost-effectiveness. SJJPA will work SJJPA worked with Senator Allen and other sponsors and with Amtrak on the contracts currently held by Amtrak to supporters to pass Senate Bill 742, which amended Section make sure that routes that are truncated, suspended, or 14035.55 provisions enabling the Joint Power Authorities terminated are altered in accordance with the contracts (San Joaquin, Capitol Corridor, and LOSSAN) to pick up and provisions to ensure costs are reduced for the network. The drop off passengers on their Amtrak intercity thruway bus San Joaquins Thruway Bus Network will remain a vital part routes without requiring them to have a train ticket as part of the San Joaquins operations and will become even more of their trip. SB 742 was passed by the Legislature without a important in the future when providing feeder service to the single “no” vote and was signed by the Governor on October Merced-Bakersfield HSR Interim Operating Segment. 8, 2020. SB 742 became law on January 1, 2020. SJJPA took ac- tion to open ticketing for bus-only trips on five routes (Routes Improve On-Time Performance and Safety 10, 12, 19, 1c and 40) at the January 24, 2020 and March 27, 2020 SJJPA Board Meetings. Unfortunately the COVID-19 SJJPA continues to work with Caltrans to provide additional crisis struck and SB 742 implementation will likely have to incentives to host railroads to substantially improve San Joa- be put on hold until social spacing restrictions on buses and quins on-time performance. SJJPA is also working to reduce trains are eased. SJJPA is confident that in the future, Senate trespassing in the freight right-of-way to increase public Bill 742 provisions will increase revenues for the state at vir- safety and the reliability of the San Joaquins. SJJPA continues tually no additional cost, provide improved access to priority to work in partnership with Caltrans, Amtrak, and the host and underserved communities, reduce the amount of green- railroads in monitoring the on-time performance of the San house gases and air pollution emissions by diverting trips Joaquins service and develop action plans to improve the that would have previously been taken by an automobile, and performance of the service. provide better utilization of current infrastructure and reduce congestion on some of the state’s most congested freeways. Support the State’s Integrated Ticketing Efforts
Madera Station Relocation Project SJJPA continues to strongly support CalSTA’s vision for statewide integrated ticketing and has been assisting with SJJPA continued to work with CalSTA and CHSRA to refine the state’s efforts to implement integrated ticketing. SJJPA plans for a relocated Madera Station which would serve the is working with CalSTA, CCJPA and other agencies towards San Joaquins in the short-term and then would be expanded the early deployment of a pilot program that would include to serve future HSR operations. This effort is focused on a California’s intercity and commuter rail services. location off of Avenue 12 which would provide much greater
2020/2021 Work Program and Budget 12 Organizational Chart Board of Directors
Executive Director
Director of Capital Projects, Director of Fiscal Services Director of Operations DBLEO and Administration, EEO
Operations Facilities Controller Superintendent Superintendent
Mechanical Manager of Marketing Manager of Manager of O cer Facilities Manager Regional Initiatives Fiscal Services
Passenger Services Safety and Security Senior Marketing Senior Executive Senior Accountant Human Senior Coordinator Coordinator Coordinator Planner Legislative Reporting & Resources Payroll Accountant Coordinator Compliance Coordinator
Community Connecting Marketing Outreach Services Coordinator Coordinator Coordinator
Passenger Services Associate Associate Contracts & Sta Supervisor Planner Planner Compliance Accountant I/II Supervisor
Customer Passenger Facilities & Ticketing Admin. Admin. Service Service Maintenance Lead Assistant (HR) Assistant Lead Lead Tecnician
Operations Facilities & Market Research Marketing Assistant Contracts & Ticketing Fiscal Analyst Maintenance Analyst Specialist Planner Compliance Assistant Assistant I/II Mechanic Assistant (2)
Total Postions Shown: Transportation Passenger Customer Passenger Facility Facilities & O ce IT O ce Specialist (2) Services Service Services Watchperson Grounds Worker Specialist (RMF) Specialist Specialist (Cabral) 71 Floater Representative (5) Agent (9) I/II (3)
2020/2021 13 Work Program and Budget Capital Budget
Capital Budget 2020/2021 Project Total FTA FTA FTA CMAQ IRS Bond State State of State of State of State of State of State of State of State of Cal- SB 132 ACE State Affordable State of SJVAPCD BAAQMD SJCOG STA ACTC Measure Measure for FY 20/21 Section Section Rebate Inter-City California California California Calfiornia Calfiornia California California ifornia State Expansion Housing California Funds Measure B K - Capital K - Smart 5307 Funds 5337 Funds Funds Capital TIRCP Prop 1A ITIP Prop 1B Prop 1B Prop 1B PTI- State Rail of Good Funds Sustainable LCTOP Program Growth Funds Funds CalOES CTSGP MESA Funds Assistance Repair Communities Funds SJCOG Consolidated Loan Budgeted $1,118,012 894,410 223,602
A1 & A2 Bond Repayments Budgeted $3,033,988 1,440,000 889,972 704,016
UPRR Capital Access Fee Budgeted $3,242,516 2,594,013 648,503
UPRR Capitalized Maintenance Projects Budgeted $4,000,000 1,185,093 1,846,668 718,239 250,000
Safety Improvement Fund Budgeted $500,000 500,000
ACE Extension - Stockton to Natomas Budgeted $5,000,000 5,000,000
ACE Extension - Lathrop to Ceres/Merced Budgeted $10,000,000 10,000,000
Stockton Diamond Grade Separation Budgeted $2,000,000 2,000,000
Locomotives Budgeted $1,000,000 500,000 500,000
Platform Extension Projects Budgeted $3,000,000 2,500,000 500,000
Cabral Station Track Extension Budgeted $5,000,000 1,961,755 2,038,245 500,000 500,000
Positive Train Control Budgeted $1,221,823 15,119 585,868 373,058 47,778 200,000
Rail Car Purchase Budgeted $27,000,000 15,500,000 7,500,000 4,000,000
Railcar Midlife Overhaul Budgeted $6,711,081 5,500,000 111,081 1,100,000
Locomotive Overhaul Budgeted $524,530 524,530
Locomotive Conversion Budgeted $239,328 239,328
State-Owned Equipment Truck Overhaul Budgeted $1,000,000 1,000,000
Sunol Quiet Zone Quad Gates Budgeted $475,000 475,000
East Channel Street Improvements Budgeted $2,007,500 225,000 1,782,500
Robert J. Cabral Station Expansion Budgeted $1,979,505 1,295,000 400,000 284,505
Facility Upgrades and Capital Improvements Budgeted $93,068 93,068
Lathrop/Manteca Station Improvements Budgeted $779,700 679,700 100,000
Tracy ACE Station Improvements Budgeted $1,223,367 1,023,828 199,539
Capital Spares Budgeted $546,138 246,138 300,000
Safety/Security Projects Budgeted $382,115 150,000 232,115
Short Range Transit Plan Budgeted $26,123 26,123
WiFi Upgrade Budgeted $820,000 $820,000
Public Information Display Systems (PIDS) Budgeted $500,000 225,000 $275,000
Network Integration Budgeted $450,000 450,000
SJJPA - Corridor Safety and Security Projects Budgeted $1,475,000 1,475,000
SJJPA - Station and Transportation Projects Budgeted $4,000,000 2,250,000 500,000 1,250,000
SJJPA - Minor Capital Projects Budgeted $500,000 500,000
Total BALANCE $89,848,794 7,052,069 10,266,946 4,341,914 889,972 1,500,000 25,700,000 500,000 500,000 1,475,000 422,778 232,115 5,084,328 377,573 19,500,000 4,000,000 679,700 500,000 500,000 1,621,794 725,000 2,197,105 1,782,500
2020/2021 14 Work Program and Budget SJRRC/ACE Operating Budget
Prior Year SJRRC/ACE 2020/2021 SJRRC 2020/2021 ACE 2020/2021 SJRRC/ % Change From Combined Operating Operating Budget Operating ACE Combined Prior Year to Budget Budget Operating Budget Current Year
Operating Revenue Measure K 4,610,096 2,009,700 964,124 2,973,824 SJCOG - Local Transportation Funds (LTF) 4,147,715 2,796,123 2,796,123 Fare Revenues 10,500,000 1,229,580 1,229,580 ACTC Measure B Local 3,091,148 1,567,430 1,567,430 ACTC Measure BB Local 1,454,292 743,216 743,216 Santa Clara VTA Local 3,793,064 2,546,587 2,546,587 Transportation for Clean Air (TFCA) 80,000 80,000 80,000 SJCOG - State Transit Assistance (STA) 702,450 65,522 65,522 MTC - State Transit Assistance (STA) 498,478 347,133 347,133 ACTC Measure B Local - Admin Fee 15,000 15,000 15,000 ACTC Measure BB Local - Admin Fee 15,000 15,000 15,000 Amtrak Thruway Service 75,000 75,000 75,000 Ticket Sales Others 163,985 0 0 State Rail Assistance 1,603,056 0 0 High Speed Rail 102,000 102,000 0 102,000 LCTOP - Means Based Fare Program 173,687 173,687 Other Revenue - Caltrans Siemens Agreement* 1,900,000 1,900,000 FTA CARES ACT 8,704,323 8,704,323 Total Operating Revenue 30,851,284 2,111,700 21,222,725 23,334,425 -24%
Project Management Services and Supplies Salaries/Benefits/Contract Help 6,581,960 1,078,411 4,265,428 5,343,839 -19% Office Expenses/Postage 56,073 22,369 27,485 49,854 -11% Subscriptions/Periodicals/Memberships 16,175 6,750 9,650 16,400 1% Office Equipment Leases / Supplies / Maintenance / Furniture 102,278 39,976 64,231 104,207 2% Computer Systems 137,500 84,750 8,850 93,600 -32% Communications 81,648 21,272 60,904 82,176 1% Motor Pool 89,070 17,240 62,149 79,389 -11% Transportation/Travel 44,900 10,650 17,125 27,775 -38% Training 25,995 6,098 15,625 21,723 -16% Audits/Regulatory Reporting 83,200 14,200 69,400 83,600 0% Professional Services Legislative 79,500 76,470 - 76,470 -4% Professional Services Legal 150,000 100,000 60,000 160,000 7% Professional Services General 276,529 127,356 163,695 291,051 5% Publications/Legal Notices 27,000 11,000 16,000 27,000 0% Taxes/Assessments 23,025 23,025 - 23,025 0% Project Management, Services & Supplies Subtotal 7,774,853 1,639,567 4,840,542 6,480,109 -17% Contracted Services** Maintenance of San Joaquin County Facilities 87,000 99,499 - 99,499 14% Maintenance & Improvements System Wide ACE Stations 54,900 - 54,900 54,900 0% Maintenance of Headquarters Structures/Grounds 184,055 39,532 130,992 170,524 -7% ACE Operations & Maintenance* 8,301,828 - 5,681,538 5,681,538 -32% Positive Train Control 276,000 - 276,000 276,000 0% Consumables/Repair Parts 1,208,800 - 550,000 550,000 -55% Operating Leases 110,000 31,800 39,100 70,900 -36% Fuel 1,794,223 831,482 831,482 -54% Railroad Maintenance, Oversight/Dispatching 2,289,510 1,076,631 1,076,631 -53% Insurance 3,214,007 180,949 3,764,611 3,945,560 23% Insurance Management Fees 150,000 22,500 127,500 150,000 0% Security Services/Safety Programs 395,729 43,128 352,601 395,729 0% FRA/FTA Drug Testing Program 7,100 7,100 7,100 0% Passenger and Service Restoration Communications 389,900 33,000 422,742 455,742 17% Special Trains 163,985 - - - Passenger Services 16,078 14,500 14,500 -10% Ticketing Services 885,932 436,614 436,614 -51% Professional Services Operations 509,621 21,725 243,948 265,673 -48% Communications Operations 193,071 - 96,536 96,536 -50% Communications WiFi 303,406 400,000 400,000 32% Emergency Ride Home/Emergency Bus Bridges 42,330 19,125 19,125 -55% Rail Maintenance Facility 1,144,101 1,113,480 1,113,480 -3% Contracted Services - Sub-Total 21,721,576 472,133 15,639,400 16,111,533 -26% Shuttle Services 1,354,855 - 742,783 742,783 -45% Total Operating Expenses 30,851,284 2,111,700 21,222,725 23,334,425 -24% * ACE’s third Party Operating Vendor will use existing staff to work with Caltrans and Siemens and test the new state owned rolling stock equipment being stored at the ACE Rail Maintenance Facility site. ** ‘Contracting Services Budget’ is based on a cautious assumption of operating two round-trips. 2020/2021 Work Program and Budget 15 SJJPA Operating Budget
Prior Year SJJPA 2020/2021 SJJPA % Change From Prior Operating Budget Operating Budget Year to Current Year Operating Revenue State Intercity Rail Funds 70,393,392 65,862,796 Total Operating Revenue 70,393,392 65,862,796 -7%
Administrative Expenses Salaries/Benefits/Contract Help 2,374,767 2,361,112 -1% Office Expenses/Postage 23,333 24,517 5% Subscriptions/Periodicals/Memberships 5,000 5,000 0% Office Equipment Leases / Supplies / Maintenance / Furniture - - Computer Systems 5,000 5,000 0% Communications 28,905 28,977 0% Motor Pool 24,314 29,779 22% Transportation/Travel 30,000 40,000 33% Training 7,605 7,605 0% Audits/Regulatory Reporting 16,500 17,000 3% Professional Services Legislative 28,500 34,486 21% Professional Services Legal 75,000 75,000 0% Professional Services General 279,267 281,015 1% Professional Services Grants 67,000 67,000 0% Publications/Legal Notices 10,000 10,000 0% Professional Services Operations 20,000 20,000 0% Communications Operations 10,250 11,016 7% Maintenance of Headquarters Structures/Grounds 82,361 109,623 33% Insurance 48,000 93,850 96% Insurance Management Fees 5,000 2,500 -50% Security Services/Safety Programs - 24,109 100% Administrative Expenses Subtotal 3,140,802 3,247,589 3% Marketing Expenses Community Engagement & Marketing * 1,020,000 1,540,000 51% New Service Advertising 900,000 670,000 -26% Market Analysis** 40,000 200,000 400% Marketing Expenses Sub-Total 1,960,000 2,410,000 23% Amtrak Contract Expense San Joaquin Intercity Rail Operations 65,292,590 60,205,207 -8% Amtrak Contract Expense Subtotal 65,292,590 60,205,207 -8% Shuttle Services - - Total Operating Expenses*** 70,393,392 65,862,796 -6% * SJJPA has requested an additional $500,000 annual allocation of marketing funds to support marketing efforts throughout the state. This request aligns the SJJPA budget wih the other corridors and eliminates the need for supplemental asks for special marketing funds. **The ‘Market Analysis Project’ is a bi-yearly project set to recommense in FY20/21. *** San Joaquins Intercity Passenger Rail Operating Expenses reflect San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority Business Plan. Per recent direction from the State of California, Intercity Passenger Rail Programs are required to reduce service to 50-60% of normal operations and eliminate non-essential costs. The State of California and SJJPA are working to implement the required reductions to produce a final budget which will be updated in the Final Work Program.
2020/2021 Work Program and Budget 16 RESOLUTION SJRRC-R-20/21-
RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE SJRRC/ACE COMBINED FISCAL YEAR 2020/2021 WORK PROGRAM AND OPERATING BUDGET OF $23,334,425, THE SJJPA FISCAL YEAR 2020/2021 WORK PROGRAM AND OPERATING BUDGET OF $65,862,796 AND A COMBINED CAPITAL BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $89,848,794
WHEREAS, the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission Joint Powers Agreement requires approval of an operating and capital budget each year; and
WHEREAS, the adoption of an operating and capital budget is necessary for obtaining Federal, State and Local funds to support the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission; and
WHEREAS, the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (Rail Commission) Budget incorporates the operating, shuttle and capital budget for the Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) Service and the San Joaquin Intercity Service; and
WHEREAS, the Rail Commission, ACE and San Joaquins service projects and programs have separate revenue and expense accounts; and
WHEREAS, the Executive Director has prepared and presented the SJRRC/ACE operating budget of $23,334,425, SJJPA operating budget of $65,862,796 and a combined capital budget of $89,848,794 which sets forth the projected revenues and expenses associated with the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission for Fiscal Year 2020/2021; and
WHEREAS, as part of the budget approval process, the Executive Director is responsible for, and authorized to implement, the adopted budget; and
WHEREAS, there are many business expenses that are routine in nature and are required to conduct the ordinary day-to-day activities of the Rail Commission, ACE and the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority; and
WHEREAS, the Executive Director is authorized to make these ongoing expenditures within the approved levels of the adopted budget; and
WHEREAS, all budget increases, amendments, or transfers between operating and capital budgets submitted to the Board for approval, and the Executive Director has the authority to transfer funds within the operating or capital budget category; and
WHEREAS, revenue and expense reports comparing the cumulative revenue receipts and expenses to the approved budget are submitted to the Commissioners as part of the monthly meeting packets; and
WHEREAS, these reports provide the Commissioners an opportunity to monitor the budget status regularly throughout the fiscal year and make recommended adjustments when necessary;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Commissioners of the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission approve the SJRRC/ACE Fiscal Year 2020/2021 Work Program and Operating Budget in the amount of $23,334,425, the SJJPA Fiscal Year 2020/2021 Work Program and Operating Budget of $65,862,796 and a Combined Capital Budget in the amount of $89,848,794.
PASSED AND ADOPTED, by the Board of Commissioners this 2nd day of July 2020, by the following vote:
AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN:
ATTEST: SAN JOAQUIN REGIONAL RAIL COMMISSION
______STACEY MORTENSEN, Secretary CHRISTINA FUGAZI, Chair
SAN JOAQUIN REGIONAL RAIL COMMISSION Meeting of July 2, 2020
STAFF REPORT
Item 5 ACTION Approve a Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission Approving Agreements for Shuttle Services for the Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) Service for Fiscal Year 2020/2021 and Authorizing the Executive Director to Execute Any and All Documents Needed with the Following Agencies:
a. Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority $990,157 b. Livermore-Amador Valley Transportation Authority $202,408 c. Contra Costa County Transportation Authority $131,395
Background: On April 6, 2020 the ACE Service decreased to two round-trips due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All shuttle partners continued to provide service for passengers. Shuttle services for the Altamont Corridor Express began with the start of train service in October 1998. The ACE shuttles provide an essential transit link by directly connecting passengers to employers, business parks and other transit modes such as BART. Passengers with a valid ACE ticket are entitled to use the shuttle services free of charge. The Agreements also provide for missed transit connections and alternate service options in case of an emergency (Bus Bridges).
During full-service Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) uses a mixture of transit buses and shuttle vans to provide service on eight (8) routes connecting with the ACE trains at the Santa Clara Great America Station. The VTA shuttle buses transport approximately 33% of total ACE ridership to major employment sites in the Silicon Valley. The projected total operating cost for full service is $1,934,171 for FY 20/21. The ACE service portion of this cost is $990,157 (51%).
Until full service is back in operation, the cost for service is based on per revenue hour in service. The estimated amount for two roundtrips per month is $495,079. The estimated amount for three roundtrips per month is $742,618.
During full-service the Livermore-Amador Transportation Authority (LAVTA) operates two routes for the ACE service: Route 54, serves as the ACE shuttle from the Pleasanton ACE station to Bernal Business Park, Hacienda Business Park, Carr America and the Dublin/Pleasanton BART station and Route 53 is a BART express bus. The bus leaves the Pleasanton ACE Station and goes directly via the highway to West Dublin BART station. The bus also serves the employment centers surrounding Stoneridge Mall. The FY 20/21 operating cost for full service is $337,347. The ACE service portion of this cost is $202,408 (60%).
Until full service is back in operation, the cost for service is based on per revenue hour in service and ridership. The estimated amount for two roundtrips per month is $101,204. The estimated amount for three roundtrips per month is $151,806.
During full-service, the Contra Costa County Transportation Authority operates three buses for the ACE service. The routes serve Bishop Ranch and the San Ramon Transit Center from the Pleasanton Station. The FY 20/21 cost for these services is $292,013. The ACE service portion cost is $131,395 (45%).
Until full service is back in operation, the cost for service is based on per mile and per revenue hour in service. The estimated amount for two roundtrips per month is $65,698. The estimated amount for three roundtrips per month is $98,547.
The amounts listed in the recommendation are based on full-service costs and will allow SJRRC to increase service based on ridership without having to come back to the Board for approval.
SJRRC only pays for services used for all three (3) agreements. The actual costs for the foreseeable future will continue to be lower than the approved amount as long as service is decreased.
Fiscal Impact: Expenses and Revenues for shuttle services are identified in the Fiscal Year 2020/2021 ACE Shuttle Services budget.
Recommendation: Approve a Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission Approving Agreements for Shuttle Services for the Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) Service for Fiscal Year 2020/2021 and Authorizing the Executive Director to Execute Any and All Documents Needed with the Following Agencies:
a. Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority $990,157 b. Livermore-Amador Valley Transportation Authority $202,408 c. Contra Costa County Transportation Authority $131,395
RESOLUTION SJRRC-R-20/21-
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SAN JOAQUIN REGIONAL RAIL COMMISSION APPROVING AGREEMENTS FOR SHUTTLE SERVICES FOR THE ALTAMONT CORRIDOR EXPRESS (ACE) SERVICE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020/2021 AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS NEEDED WITH THE FOLLOWING AGENCIES:
A. SANTA CLARA VALLEY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY $990,157 B. LIVERMORE-AMADOR VALLEY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY $202,408 C. CONTRA COSTA COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY $131,395
WHEREAS, Shuttle Services for the Altamont Corridor Express began with the start of train service in October, 1998, the objective of which was to foster bus and rail integration for the provision of convenient and flexible alternatives to automobile travel and to provide a transit link for ACE Passengers by connecting passengers to employers, business parks and other transit modes; and
WHEREAS, the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC) has partnered with VTA (Great America shuttles), LAVTA (Pleasanton Station shuttles), and CCCTA (Pleasanton Station shuttle) to provide Shuttle Services for the ACE Service; and
WHEREAS, Shuttle Services for the ACE Service continues to provide both a convenient and flexible alternative to automobile travel and an essential transit link for ACE passengers; and
WHEREAS, SJRRC, VTA, LAVTA, and CCCTA, continue to work together to provide Shuttle Services for the ACE Service in FY 2020/2021;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Commissioners of the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission approve Agreements for Shuttle Services for the Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) Service for Fiscal Year 2020/2021 and Authorizing the Executive Director to Execute Any and All Documents Needed with Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, Livermore-Amador Valley Transportation Authority, and Contra Costa County Transportation Authority.
PASSED AND ADOPTED, by the Board of Commissioners this 2nd day of July 2020, by the following vote:
AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN:
ATTEST: SAN JOAQUIN REGIONAL RAIL COMMISSION
______STACEY MORTENSEN, Secretary CHRISTINA FUGAZI, Chair SAN JOAQUIN REGIONAL RAIL COMMISSION Meeting of July 2, 2020
STAFF REPORT
Item 6 ACTION Approve a Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission Approving Agreements for Fiscal Year 2020/2021 and Authorizing the Executive Director to Execute Any and All Documents Needed for the following:
1) On-Going Professional and Contracted Service Agreements a) Diesel Fuel = $1,662,964 b) Legal Services = $460,000
Background: Annually, the Rail Commission renews on-going professional and contracted services agreements for the next fiscal year. The on-going services agreements are routine in nature and are required to conduct the ordinary day-to-day activities of the Commission, ACE service, and San Joaquin Intercity service.
The following Agreements are proposed for renewal for the 2020/2021 fiscal year:
• Diesel Fuel = $1,662,964 for delivery of diesel fuel for the ACE trains with Herzog Transit Services, Inc. • Legal Services = $460,000 for General Services, Claims, and Capital Projects with Neumiller & Beardslee and Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP
The amounts listed for Fuel are based on full-service costs and will differ from the final budget amount. This will allow SJRRC to increase service based on ridership without having to come back to the Board for approval for the Fuel costs. If the Fuels costs end up exceeding the budgeted amount, staff will come to the Board for approval on a Budget Amendment.
Fiscal impact: Costs associated with the proposed agreements are allocated as follows and identified in the SJRRC/ACE/SJJPA Fiscal Year 2020/2021 Budget:
• Diesel Fuel – ACE in the Operating Budget in the Fuel Line. • Legal Services - $160,000 for General Counsel, $240,000 for Claims, and $60,000 for Capital Projects.
Future year’s costs will be brought before the Board for consideration as part of the annual Budget approval process.
Recommendation: Approve a Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission Approving Agreements for Fiscal Year 2020/2021 and Authorizing the Executive Director to Execute Any and All Documents Needed for the following:
1) On-Going Professional and Contracted Service Agreements a) Diesel Fuel = $1,662,964 b) Legal Services = $460,000 RESOLUTION SJRRC-R-20/21-
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SAN JOAQUIN REGIONAL RAIL COMMISSION APPROVING A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SAN JOAQUIN REGIONAL RAIL COMMISSION APPROVING AGREEMENTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020/2021 AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS NEEDED FOR THE FOLLOWING:
1) ON-GOING PROFESSIONAL AND CONTRACTED SERVICE AGREEMENTS a) DIESEL FUEL = $1,662,964 b) LEGAL SERVICES = $460,000
WHEREAS, Annually the Board of Commissioners approves on-going and amendments to professional and contracted services agreements; and
WHEREAS, the funding for the professional and contracted services agreements are included in the SJRRC/ACE/SJJPA Fiscal Year 2020/2021 Budget; and
WHEREAS, the on-going support agreements are routine in nature and are required to conduct the ordinary day-to-day activities of the Commission, ACE service, and San Joaquin Intercity service; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED Approve a Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission Approving Agreements for Fiscal Year 2020/2021 and Authorizing the Executive Director to Execute Any and All Documents Needed for the following:
2) On-Going Professional and Contracted Service Agreements a) Diesel Fuel = $1,662,964 b) Legal Services = $460,000
PASSED AND ADOPTED, by the Board of Commissioners this 2nd day of July 2020, by the following vote:
AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN:
ATTEST: SAN JOAQUIN REGIONAL RAIL COMMISSION
______STACEY MORTENSEN, Secretary CHRISTINA FUGAZI, Chair
SAN JOAQUIN REGIONAL RAIL COMMISSION Meeting of July 2, 2020
STAFF REPORT
Item 7 ACTION
Approve a Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC) Approving the April 10, 2020 Commitment Letter Submitted by the Tri-Valley – San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority (Authority) and SJRRC to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), Adopting a Phased Approach for the ACE Rail Service Increase Program, and Supporting the ACE Rail Service Increase and Valley Link Programs to be Included in the Fiscally Constrained (Before 2035) MTC Regional Transportation Plan (RTP)
Background: Staff have been working in partnership with the Tri-Valley – San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority (Authority) to try and get the Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1, Valley Link, and ACE Rail Service Increase programs included in the Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s (MTC’s) fiscally constrained Regional Transportation Plan (RTP).
MTC staff’s evaluation of the Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1 and ACE Rail Service Increase Program found these programs had some deficiencies. To be further considered for inclusion in their RTP, MTC required the SJRRC and the Authority to submit a “Commitment Letter” to MTC by April 10, 2020 in order to boost the performance of the Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1 and ACE Rail Service Increase Program.
On April 10, the Authority and SJRRC submitted a joint Commitment Letter to MTC. The letter was signed by the Executive Directors for the Authority and SJRRC. MTC is further requiring that agency Boards must take action to approve the Commitment Letters by August 2020. Please review the April 10 Authority/SJRRC Commitment Letter that is included as an attachment for this Board Item.
In the Commitment Letter, the Authority and SJRRC acknowledged that a phased implementation of the Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1, Valley Link, and ACE Rail Service Increase programs may be needed depending on the amount of funding available through various potential sources and would work with MTC and other regional partners to determine a phased approach should full funding not be obtained in the short-term.
As a result of the COVID-19 crisis, the $100 billion FASTER Bay Area transportation measure for the nine-county Bay Area (MTC) region that was anticipated to be on the November 2020 ballot, was postponed indefinitely. SJRRC and the Authority had been working together in attempt to get $2 billion included in the FASTER Bay Area Measure to fund the Bay Area improvements of the Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1. The recession and reduced funding availability that the COVID-19 crisis has led MTC to be very conservative in the development of their recommendations for their fiscally constrained RTP. MTC staff provided recommendations to MTC’s Planning Committee on June 12, 2020. MTC staff recommended that the Valley Link project be included in their RTP, that the ACE Rail Service Increase Program be “considered” for inclusion, and that the Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1 be excluded from further consideration. MTC staff have not yet identified which programs either recommended for inclusion or considered for inclusion would be part of the “before 2035” (fiscally constrained) RTP. Some of the “recommended” and “considered” programs will be relegated to being long- term projects that would implemented after 2035. Some of the programs listed as “considered” will recommended to be excluded from the MTC RTP.
Through communications with Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC), it was recommended to SJRRC that to get the ACE Rail Service Increase Program included in MTC’s fiscally constrained RTP, SJRRC should develop and submit to MTC a phased approach for the ACE Rail Service Increase Program.
The ACE Rail Service Increase Program is focused on the improvements, equipment and operational funding needed to run10 daily round trips between the Central Valley and San Jose. The ACE Rail Service Increase Program can and should be implemented in phases. The biggest capital cost improvement for this program is the improvement through the Alviso wetlands, this is also the most complicated improvement through a very environmentally sensitive area which will take considerable time to get environmental clearance and permits. While this improvement is needed to get substantial increases in frequency for ACE (and the Capitol Corridor) to San Jose, and is key for long-term resilience in the corridor, it has by far the longest lead time of the ACE Rail Service Increase Program.
The first phase of the ACE Rail Service Increase Program should be getting the 5th and 6th ACE daily round trips (DRT) operating between the Central Valley and San Jose. Getting two additional ACE round trips is something that is estimated to be relatively low- cost (approximately $139 million), very low impact, and achievable in the near-term. Prior to the COVID-19 crisis the need for additional ACE service already existed. These two round trips could be phased in over several years (estimated at 2024 for the 5th daily round trip and 2026 for the 6th daily round trip). . The next phase of the ACE Rail Service Increase Program would be adding additional ACE daily round trips between the Central Valley and Fremont/Union City/Newark (staff do not think SJRRC will be able to run more than six round trips to San Jose without implementing the major improvement through the Alviso wetlands). Four additional round trips would be added over time starting in 2028 and anticipated to be complete in 2034. This would bring the total ACE service to 10 daily round trips (6 between the Central Valley and San Jose and 4 between the Central Valley and Fremont/Union City/Newark). The incremental capital cost for this increase is estimated at approximately $93 million.
The last phase of the program (beyond 2035) would be extending more ACE trains to San Jose. To accomplish this, the improvements through the Alviso wetlands would need to be completed, as well as other improvement in Santa Clara, and Alameda Counties (expansion of the layover facility in Santa Clara County, track improvements in Santa Clara, and additional station and parking improvements at Fremont, Livermore, and Pleasanton).
This proposed phasing of the ACE Rail Service Increase Program could dramatically reduce the costs of the program in the near/mid-term. The high-cost Alviso wetlands improvements (and other improvements associated with 10 round trips to San Jose) do not occur until after 2035. Under this assumption, both capital and operating costs would be reduced substantially in the time before 2035, while ACE would still be running 10 daily round trips prior to 2035. The increase in ACE frequency would enable ACE to continue to serve the growing needs of the Northern California Megaregion and would fit well with ACE’s expansion program to Sacramento and Merced (which has received over $1 billion in state funding) and provide significantly improved connectivity to the CHSRA’s Merced – Bakersfield High Speed Rail Interim Operating Segment.
It is estimated that the ACE Rail Service Increase Program capital costs needed prior to 2035 would be reduced from $831 million down to $231 million (in FY 19 $) with the proposed phased approach. The Bay Area share of the operating costs for the 10 daily round trips would be reduced from $15.2 million down to $11.2 million a year. However, since the round trips would be phased in over time the operating cost savings would be much greater. The estimated operating cost for the Bay Area for adding two ACE daily round trips (5th and 6th DRTs) to San Jose is $4.4 million annually.
Staff recommends SJRRC take action to approve the April 10 Commitment Letter to MTC, and to support both the phased approach for the ACE Rail Service Increase Program as well as Valley Link to be included in the fiscally constrained MTC RTP (before 2035).
Fiscal Impact: A key commitment in the April 10 letter to MTC was for SJRRC to move forward with an ACE Means Base Fare Program. At the May 1, 2020 SJRRC Board Meeting, the SJRRC approved the ACE Means Based Fare Program and the application for LCTOP funding. SJRRC applied to Caltrans on April 17, 2020 for $534,417 of LCTOP funds for the ACE Means Based Fare Program. SJRRC expects to receive notice of the award of LCTOP funds from Caltrans by the end of June. The COVID-19 crisis will delay the implementation of the ACE Means Based Fare Program. Recommendation: Approve a Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC) Approving the April 10, 2020 Commitment Letter Submitted by the Tri-Valley – San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority (Authority) and SJRRC to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), Adopting a Phased Approach for the ACE Rail Service Increase Program, and Supporting the ACE Rail Service Increase and Valley Link Programs to be Included in the Fiscally Constrained (Before 2035) MTC Regional Transportation Plan (RTP).
April 10, 2020
Therese McMillian Metropolitan Transportation Commission 375 Beale Street San Francisco, CA 94105-2066
RE: Tri-Valley – San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority and San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission Commitment Letter
Dear Therese,
The Tri-Valley – San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority (Authority) and San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC) appreciate the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) working with our agencies to include the “Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1”, “Valley Link” and “ACE Rail Service Increase” programs in your Horizon/Plan Bay Area 2050 process. Our understanding is that your analysis found no deficiencies with the Valley Link Project, and that it is well positioned for inclusion in the fiscally constrained Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). The results from your analysis found deficiencies with both the Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1 and the ACE Rail Service Increase programs (“Challenges” with “Equity Scores” for both of these, and deficient benefit-cost ratios for the Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1).
The Authority and SJRRC greatly appreciate this opportunity to boost the performance of the Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1 and the ACE Rail Service Increase programs. The strategies, commitments, and information in this letter focus on improving how MTC views the Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1 and ACE Rail Service Increase programs (summarized on Attachment 1).
The Authority and SJRRC request for all three of these programs (Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1, Valley Link, and ACE Rail Service Increase) be included in MTC’s fiscally constrained RTP. The Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1, Valley Link, and ACE Rail Service Increase programs are Megaregional programs that will compete well for state, federal, regional funds (from programs like the proposed FASTER Bay Area measure), as well as local funding from Bay Area counties and from counties in the San Joaquin Valley. The Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1, Valley Link and ACE Rail Service Increase programs are consistent with MTC’s 2007 Regional Rail Plan, MTC Resolution 3829 from 2007, the 2018 State Rail Plan and support and provide integrated connectivity to the Merced – Bakersfield HSR Interim Operating Segment. The Authority and SJRRC understand that phased implementation of these programs may be needed depending on the amount of funding available through various potential sources and will work with MTC and other regional partners to determine phased approach should full funding not be obtained in the short-term.
Tri-Valley – San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority 1362 Rutan Court Suite 100, Livermore CA 94551 1
Benefit – Cost Ratio for “Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1”
The Horizon/Plan Bay Area 2050 Final Project Performance Findings has the Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1 with benefit – cost ratios of less than one for all three categories. There are several policy commitments the Authority and SJRRC are making in this letter to address this performance deficiency of the Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1. Additional information is also provided for MTC to take into consideration for increasing benefits that were not necessarily captured in MTC’s benefit – cost analysis of the Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1.
Commit to Cost-Review with MTC The Authority and SJRRC commit to a detailed cost-review with MTC. This detailed review would include the assumptions made for MTC’s lifecycle costs as well as the capital and operational costs made for the Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1. The Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1 would continue to utilize the Executive Steering Committee (that includes CalSTA, Caltrans, MTC, SJCOG, ACTC, BART and SJRRC) that has been set up for the Valley Link program to help ensure efficient project delivery, to find ways to reduce costs, and to avoid cost escalation.
Commitments to Promote Transit-Oriented Development and Affordable Housing The Authority and SJRRC strongly support the development of transit-oriented development (TOD) and affordable housing around rail stations as a local-level mitigation. The Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1 will be catalyst to help promote TOD throughout the Altamont Corridor in the Bay Area and the Northern San Joaquin Valley. The Authority’s and SJRRC’s existing and proposed rail services have supported or are supporting the development of over 1,800 new affordable housing units identified already to date in Bay Area TODs. SJRRC and Authority will continue to work with the municipalities and developers on increasing affordable housing at the stations.
Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1 creates new TOD opportunities at many of the stations served by Valley Link and/or ACE. These include, Livermore (Isabel and Southfront), Tracy (Downtown), River Islands, Manteca (Downtown), Ripon (Downtown), Modesto (Downtown), Ceres (Downtown), Turlock, Livingston/Atwater (Downtown), Merced (Downtown), Old North Sacramento, Mid-Town Sacramento, and Natomas (North Sacramento). Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1 increases TOD potential at other existing Bay Area and San Joaquin Valley ACE stations, including Livermore (Vasco), Livermore (Downtown), Pleasanton (Downtown), Fremont, Great America, Santa Clara, San Jose (Diridon), and Stockton (Downtown). A fact sheet on TOD for the Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1 (for the section between Stockton and San Jose) is included as Attachment 2 to this letter.
The Authority and SJRRC commit to support complementary land-use policies that promote TOD and a greater amount of affordable housing near and around rail stations served by Valley Link and/or ACE services. This commitment includes working with members of the Legislature to get legislation passed
Tri-Valley – San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority 1362 Rutan Court Suite 100, Livermore CA 94551 2
and signed by the Governor that would provide incentives for TOD and affordable housing near passenger rail stations.
The Northern San Joaquin Valley has been providing affordable housing for Bay Area workers who are priced out of the very expensive Bay Area housing market for many years. The number Bay Area workers commuting to the San Joaquin Valley has been rapidly growing over the last decade – and is forecast to continue to rapidly grow through 2050 and beyond. Much of the housing built in the San Joaquin Valley over the last two decades can be characterized as sprawl. There are very limited public transportation options between the Northern San Joaquin Valley and the Bay Area. While ACE trains are full during the weekdays, there are only four daily round trips which greatly limit ACE ridership1. In addition, the existing alignment over the Altamont Pass greatly restricts train speeds and hurts the ability for passenger rail to compete with the automobile. As a result of limited transit options that provide competitive travel times, a very high percentage of the Bay Area workers commuting from the Northern San Joaquin Valley are making their drives as single-occupancy vehicle commuters.
The Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1 is a transformational project that can help change development patterns in the Northern San Joaquin Valley. There cannot be TOD without high-quality transit service. The 125 mph train speed through the Altamont corridor with the Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1 (and accompanying 15-minute travel time savings that the new alignment brings for Valley Link and ACE) is significant, with Valley Link annual ridership estimated to increase 70%. The Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1 will be much more likely to get residents out of their vehicles and help change land-use patterns. High-quality transit to the Northern San Joaquin Valley can also help to attract jobs to the Northern San Joaquin Valley. This key benefit would help improve the jobs-housing imbalance and also eliminate some of the need for commuting between the Northern San Joaquin Valley and the Bay Area. Bay Area companies can more easily have satellite offices in the Northern San Joaquin Valley where there workers may only need to travel to the Bay Area a few times a month as compared to a daily commute to the Bay Area.
Commitment to Increasing ACE Frequency To increase the benefits of the Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1, SJRRC commits to increasing frequency of the ACE service between the Northern San Joaquin Valley and Fremont/Newark/Union City for this program. The Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1 Horizon/Plan Bay Area 2050 submittal assumed very frequent service for Valley Link (which would be completely separated from freight traffic) but only two additional round trips for ACE service between the Northern San Joaquin Valley/Sacramento and San Jose. The increase in only two daily round trips for ACE was an overly conservative assumption.
SJRRC’s partnership with UPRR and the fully funded $1 billion Valley Rail program being implemented between Merced and Sacramento (predominately on UPRR track) has progressed significantly over the
1 Pre COVID-19
Tri-Valley – San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority 1362 Rutan Court Suite 100, Livermore CA 94551 3
last year. As a result, SJRRC can now commit to running four additional daily round trips between the Northern San Joaquin Valley/Sacramento and Fremont/Newark/Union City. This would bring the total ACE round trips to 10 daily round trips (6 between the Northern San Joaquin Valley/Sacramento and San Jose, and 4 between the Northern San Joaquin Valley/Sacramento and Fremont/Newark/Union City). The four additional ACE round trips (a 67% increase in frequency from the originally proposed 6 daily round trips) would result in a substantial increase in projected ACE ridership2. This would result in substantial additional VMT reductions and improved connectivity to the Northern San Joaquin Valley, Sacramento and to the Merced – Bakersfield HSR Interim Operating Segment. These additional round trips could provide a direct connection to BART and Union City and/or a direct connection to the Capitol Corridor and the future Dumbarton Rail Service at a multi-modal hub station in Newark as well provide additional connectivity to the existing Fremont station and the Tri-Valley stations served by ACE.
Plan Bay Area 2050 Methodology Doesn’t Fully Quantify Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1 Benefits The Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1 is a transformational Megaregion project. The Authority and SJRRC believe MTC’s Horizon/Plan Bay Area 2050 methodology cannot fully quantify the benefits of the Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1. In addition to the transformative TOD land use changes that the Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1 would encourage, it is difficult to quantify the substantial benefit of improved connectivity from the Bay Area to the Merced-Bakersfield HSR Interim Operating Segment (see Figure 1). It also appears that the importance of ridership has been discounted (as compared to accessibility within the Bay Area) and therefore VMT reduction, GHG reductions, and air quality improvements from the Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1 program do not necessarily get as much credit as they should.
The Authority and SJRRC have developed a strong partnership to plan, secure funding, and implement the Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1. This joint effort has generated enthusiastic support throughout the Altamont Corridor in the Bay area and the Northern San Joaquin Valley. Between the Authority and SJRRC, there is over $1.6 billion in funds already identified for ACE expansion and to implement Valley Link. The Authority and SJRRC have been working hard to get $2 billion (FY 2019) in capital funding earmarked for the Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1 as part of the proposed FASTER Bay Area Measure. The Authority and SJRRC also expect to work together on an upcoming sales tax measure for San Joaquin County which would focus on securing the capital improvements and operating costs needed to implement the Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1 within San Joaquin County. In addition, the Authority and SJRRC believe the Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1 program is very well positioned to receive federal stimulus funding.
It is critical that the Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1 be included in MTC’s fiscally constrained RTP to enable the Authority and SJRRC to continue to work together on this program and demonstrate that
2 New Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1 ridership forecasts are underway and will be provided to MTC later in April.
Tri-Valley – San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority 1362 Rutan Court Suite 100, Livermore CA 94551 4
federal, state, local, county, and potentially private-sector financing will fund the Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1 to the greatest-extent possible. The capital costs needed for the Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1 are not expected to be fully funded from MTC/ABAG’s regional discretionary fund sources.
Figure 1 Integrated Passenger Rail Services
Tri-Valley – San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority 1362 Rutan Court Suite 100, Livermore CA 94551 5
Equity Scoring for “Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1” and “ACE Rail Service Increase” Programs
Both of Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1 and the ACE Rail Service Increase programs were found by MTC to have “Challenges” with their Equity Scores. Based on discussions with MTC staff, it is our understanding that these challenges are primarily a result of the relatively high percentage of ACE passengers that are above the Bay Area median household income level. There are several policy commitments SJRRC is making in this commitment letter to address this performance deficiency of the ACE service that has been identified by MTC. In addition, this letter presents additional information for MTC to take into consideration that could boost how the ACE service is scored for equity.
Means-Based Fares Commitments As a new regional mitigation strategy, SJRRC commits to working with MTC on expanding means-based fares programs for ACE and other public transportation services. SJRRC has a means-based fare program in place for the ACE service. For this program, SJRRC offers 50% discounts on ACE tickets to seniors, disabled passengers, youth (children under 12 years old) and to college students at Santa Clara University, San Jose State University, and Los Positas College. As an initial part of its commitment, SJRRC proposes to expand its means-based fare program to include subsidizing some very low and extremely low-income riders ($50,000 or less household income for a family of 4) that are not eligible in SJRRC’s current program.
SJRRC proposes to utilize up to $550,000 annually in LCTOP funding over the next three fiscal years to subsidize this expansion of SJRRC’s means-based fare program. SJRRC will request $534,417 in LCTOP funding for the means-based program for FY20-21. SJRRC will work with MTC and other partners to ensure stable, continued funding for the program. Although Valley Link was not found to have equity challenges, the Authority also commits to working with MTC to develop means-based fare programs for Valley Link to help improve the equity scoring for the Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1.
SJRRC also commits to coordinate with MTC, ACTC, and VTA to work with Bay Area employers around ACE stations to request that they subsidize a portion of the monthly pass or 20-ticket multi-ride book costs for their employees to ride ACE or other transit to their work. This effort will focus on employers who have middle class and low-income employees.
It must be highlighted that the ACE fares paid by most ACE passenger are already comparable to other Bay Area passenger rail services. For example, the standard ACE fare between Fremont and San Jose one-way is $6.25, but a vast majority of ACE passengers are buying multi-ride tickets and paying $4.00 - $4.40 per one-way trip. The Capitol Corridor one-way fare between Fremont and San Jose is $12.00 and the discounted fare is $5.20 – $7.90. A BART ticket for a similar distance would be about $4.45 (Clipper fare, San Leandro – Warm Springs) and $6.00 on Caltrain for a single ticket (2 Zones) and about $4.00 a trip for those getting a Caltrain monthly pass between two zones. SJRRC proposes to work with MTC, ACTC and VTA and other partners to help create an advertising program to educate potential middle-
Tri-Valley – San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority 1362 Rutan Court Suite 100, Livermore CA 94551 6
income and low-income riders about the low-cost multi-ride ACE fares and the benefits of riding ACE as compared to driving.
Fare Integration Commitments A key part of the success of the ACE service is the extensive network of free shuttles at the Great America Station and the two free shuttle routes which serve the Pleasanton Station that take ACE passengers to/from their places of employment. These shuttles are also critical for the added service proposed under the Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1 and ACE Rail Service Increase projects. SJRRC also has an agreement with VTA to provide free transfers to the VTA light rail transit and bus services for ACE passengers. SJRRC expects that these transfers will continue with the increase in service proposed. SJRRC, working with SJRTD, Mountain House and SJCOG, started and contributed funding for a pilot program to run shuttles from Mountain House to the ACE Vasco station with SJRTD and is investigating other similar partnership opportunities with SJRTD and other transit providers. SJRRC understands the importance of free or discounted transfers and is committed to working with MTC and ACTC on additional free or discounted transfers to other local bus systems in the MTC region.
SJRRC is currently working with the State on its’ initiative on integrated fares— California Integrated Travel Project (Cal-ITP). SJRRC is committed to being part of a pilot program for Cal-ITP (with the three state-supported intercity passenger rail services) and will continue to encourage other commuter rail agencies to join in on the initiative and pilot program. The Cal-ITP is expected to help with making verification for very low-income eligibility easier and cheaper.
Transit-Oriented Development and Affordable Housing The Authority and SJRRC commit to strongly support TOD and affordable housing around Valley Link, ACE and joint Valley Link/ACE stations. Please see the TOD commitments from the Authority and SJRRC under “Benefit-Cost Ratio for Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1” in this letter that also relate to the Authority’s and SJRRC’s commitment to boosting the equity scores for the Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1 and the ACE Rail Service Increase programs. The ACE Rail Service Increase program has all the same stations with TOD opportunities as the Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1 with the exception of the Livermore (Isabel and Southfront), Tracy (Downtown), and River Islands stations.
Commuter Rail Rider Income Levels The ACE rail service is a commuter rail service with very limited frequency. ACE’s normally scheduled (pre COVID-19) four daily weekday round trips are timed to operate during the peak congestion hours so that they carry the most passengers per train (routinely up to over 1200 per train), reduce the most vehicle miles traveled, and have the most benefit for the region. Commuter rail services are very different from other transit services that offer service throughout the day/week. ACE’s first train leaves Stockton at 4:20 am and arrives in San Jose at 6:32 am, its last train leaves Stockton at 7:05 am and arrives at San Jose at 9:17 am. During this peak-period in the morning, those traveling are predominately commuters. This skews the average household incomes for those who might ride ACE or
Tri-Valley – San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority 1362 Rutan Court Suite 100, Livermore CA 94551 7
any commuter-oriented service to the Bay Area. The Authority and SJRRC believe it is not reasonable to treat commuter rail services the same as other transit service when considering the average household incomes of those riding the service.
It is important to consider that the household incomes for ACE passengers should be significantly higher for those living in the Bay Area (commuting in from Pleasanton, Livermore and Fremont) than those commuting in from Tracy, Lathrop, Manteca and Stockton. It is the lowest wage earners from the Bay Area that are forced to move to the Central Valley and commute back to their jobs. The high-end workers can afford to live in the Bay Area. Prior to the COVID-19 crisis about 59% of ACE morning boardings were in San Joaquin County, now with the Bay Area and Northern San Joaquin Valley under shelter-in-place orders (and ridership down over 92%), over 90% of the ACE morning boardings are from San Joaquin County (where there are more lower-income riders with fewer options).
As ACE extends to Merced and to Sacramento and serves additional markets further out in the San Joaquin Valley, SJRRC expects that the median household income of the average ACE rider will decrease and the opportunities to encourage lower income riders will increase. The large capital improvement of the new alignment through the Altamont Pass for the Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1 (costing $1.1 billion in FY 19 $) will result in more lower-income and middle-class riders from the Northern San Joaquin Valley taking ACE or Valley Link rather than driving in single occupancy vehicles.
Serving Disadvantaged and Low-Income Populations The Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1 and the ACE Rail Service Increase programs serve some of the most disadvantaged parts of California and serve over 30 percent of the Priority Populations in California (low-income and disadvantaged communities as defined by the California Air Resources Board).
While the Bay Area alone has a population of over 600,000 low income and disadvantaged communities located within 5-miles of ACE and Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1 stations, most of the Northern San Joaquin Valley has been classified as “disadvantaged and/or low-income” (see Figure 2) by the state. Low-income residents in disadvantaged communities benefit from having increased access to jobs, education, health facilities and other services with improved and expanded passenger rail services. They also benefit from the improved service even if they don’t utilize the service themselves. Low-income residents receive air quality benefits, more opportunities for transit-oriented development/affordable housing, and an improved economy and quality of life in their community. Improved rail service in the Bay Area and Northern San Joaquin Valley will also help promote jobs in the communities that it serves which can enable low-income residents’ opportunities to live closer to their place of work.
Tri-Valley – San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority 1362 Rutan Court Suite 100, Livermore CA 94551 8
Figure 2 Disadvantaged and Low-Income Communities
Tri-Valley – San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority 1362 Rutan Court Suite 100, Livermore CA 94551 9
Air Quality Benefits and Reduction in Greenhouse Gases The Valley Link Board of Directors is committed to the reduction of GHG emissions, pursuing renewable energy sources, zero emission vehicles, and striving to attain 100 percent self-sufficiency by applying global best practices. With the Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1, Valley Link and ACE ridership increase significantly (Valley Link ridership increases 70%), which helps reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and greenhouse gases (GHGs) improving air quality. Combined, the complimentary Valley Link and ACE service ridership when using the Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1 would result in a total reduction of 300 VMT annually and the reduction of over 134,000 metric tons of GHG emissions in the first decade. SJRRC is committed to further increasing the benefits of ACE service by taking measures to reduce the emissions from ACE trains. ACE is transitioning to a fleet of Tier four locomotives. Four Siemens Charger locomotives have already been delivered and will be deployed this year. These locomotives are capable of carrying up to ten cars (the current locomotives can only carry up to seven and meet travel times) while reducing emissions by 80 – 90%. SJRRC has also committed to use renewable diesel fuel which will further improve air quality and will greatly reduce GHG emissions associated with ACE operations.
In partnership with the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA) and the Authority, this January, SJRRC applied for a $30 million Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) grant to initiate a pilot program to develop and implement a zero-emission locomotive for ACE service and to study zero- emission multiple unit trainsets for use by Valley Link, ACE and the San Joaquins. Enhancing air quality through the many disadvantaged communities which Valley Link and ACE will serve is a significant benefit of the Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1 and the ACE Rail Service Expansion programs.
Conclusion
The Authority and SJRRC believe that strategies, commitments, and additional information provided in this letter should improve how MTC views the Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1 and ACE Rail Service Increase programs. The Authority and SJRRC request that all three of the programs they submitted (the Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1, Valley Link, and ACE Rail Service Increase) be included in MTC’s fiscally constrained RTP.
The Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1, Valley Link, and ACE Rail Service Increase programs are Megaregional programs that are critical for the future of the Bay Area and the Bay Area Megaregion. These programs will compete well for state, federal (including stimulus funding), regional funds (from programs like FASTER Bay Area), as well as local funding from Bay Area counties and from counties in the San Joaquin Valley. The Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1, Valley Link and ACE Rail Service Increase programs are consistent with MTC’s 2007 Regional Rail Plan, MTC Resolution 3829 from 2007, the 2018 State Rail Plan and support and provide integrated connectivity to the Merced – Bakersfield HSR Interim Operating Segment. The Authority and SJRRC appreciate your consideration and look forward to working with MTC to advance these important programs.
Tri-Valley – San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority 1362 Rutan Court Suite 100, Livermore CA 94551 10
Please contact Michael Tree with the Authority and Dan Leavitt ([email protected]) with SJRRC if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Michael Tree, Executive Director Stacey Mortensen, Executive Director Tri-Valley – San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission Authority [email protected] [email protected]
CC:
Chad Edison, California State Transportation Agency
Adam Noelting, Metropolitan Transportation Commission
Alix Bockelman, Metropolitan Transportation Commission
Tri-Valley – San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority 1362 Rutan Court Suite 100, Livermore CA 94551 11 ATTACHMENT 1
Benefit Cost Assessment and Equity Commitments Attachment 1: Benefit Cost Assessment and Equity Commitments Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1 and ACE Rail Service Increase Programs
The Authority and SJRRC greatly appreciate this opportunity to boost the performance of the Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1 and the ACE Rail Service Increase programs. The commitments in the below tables focus on improving how MTC views the Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1 and ACE Rail Service Increase programs.
Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1
BENEFIT – COST RATIO COMMITMENTS Detailed cost-review with MTC Utilize the existing Valley Link Executive Steering Committee to help ensure Cost efficient project delivery, to find ways to reduce costs, and to avoid cost escalation Support complementary land-use policies that promote TOD and a greater amount of affordable housing near and around rail stations served by ACE and/or Valley Link services Work with members of the Legislature on passing incentives for TOD and Benefits affordable housing near passenger rail stations Increase frequency (an additional four daily round trips) of the ACE service between the Northern San Joaquin Valley and Fremont/Newark/Union City for this program Work with MTC on quantifying the benefits for transformational rail projects
Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1 and ACE Rail Service Increase EQUITY COMMITMENTS Expand means-based fare program to include subsidizing very low and extremely low-income riders ($50,000 or less household income for a SJRRC family of 4) that are not eligible in current program Means- Coordinate with MTC, ACTC, and VTA to work with Bay Area employers Based Fares around ACE stations to request that they subsidize fares The Work with MTC to develop means-based fare programs for Valley Link to Authority help improve the equity scoring for the Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1 Work on extending the free and/or discounted transfers for the shuttles Fare SJRRC at the Great America and Pleasanton shuttles and the VTA LRT and bus Integration systems Work with MTC and ACTC on additional free or discounted transfers to other local bus systems in the MTC region Be part of a pilot program for the California Integrated Travel Project (Cal- ITP) Air Quality Further increase the benefits of ACE service by taking measures to reduce Benefits and the emissions from ACE trains Reduction in SJRRC Use renewable diesel fuel which will further improve air quality and will Greenhouse greatly reduce GHG emissions associated with ACE operations Gases
Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1 and ACE Rail Service Increase Benefit Strategies and Information Household incomes for ACE passengers should be significantly higher for those living in the Bay Area (commuting in from Pleasanton, Livermore and Fremont) than those Commuter commuting in from Tracy, Lathrop, Manteca and Stockton Rail Rider The capital improvement of the new alignment through the Altamont Pass for the Income Levels Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1 will result in more lower-income and middle-class riders from the Northern San Joaquin Valley taking ACE or Valley Link rather than driving Projects would serve over 30 percent of the Priority Populations in California (low- income and disadvantaged communities as defined by the California Air Resources Board) Serving The Bay Area has a population of over 600,000 low income and disadvantaged Disadvantaged communities located within 5-miles of ACE and Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1 and Low- stations Income Low-income residents in disadvantaged communities benefit from having increased Communities access to jobs, education, health facilities with improved and expanded passenger rail services. They also benefit from the improved service even if they don’t utilize the service receiving air quality benefits, more opportunities for TODs/affordable housing, and an improved economy and quality of life in their community
ATTACHMENT 2
Transit-Oriented Development Fact Sheet Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1: Valley Link, Improved ACE, Shared Altamont Pass
Altamont Corridor Vision Provides Opportunities to Concentrate Growth
Between 2011 and 2015, the Bay Area generated one unit of housing for every eight jobs created. Due in part to this severe imbalance of jobs to housing, the median home price in the Bay Area is approximately three times that of the San Joaquin Valley, leading thousands of Californians to settle in the San Joaquin Valley while maintaining employment in the Bay Area. This growth is still continuing today. The population of San Joaquin 8 jobs Only 1 house County is anticipated to increase by 18% from 2015 to 2030. As the San Joaquin Valley continues to grow, the Altamont Corridor Vision will provide an opportunity to focus growth in the San Joaquin Valley around transit. Increased service frequencies, speeds, and reliability will create convenient and safe transportation options for Californians traveling throughout the California megaregion.
Figure 1. Jobs-Housing Imbalance in the Bay Area Source: Bay Area Council Economic Institute
Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Around Altamont Corridor Vision Stations Transit-oriented development around rail stations has been found to increase transit ridership, increase farebox revenues, reduce VMT, spur neighborhood revitalization and economic development, and improve quality of life for residents by providing direct, walkable access to transit and livable neighborhoods. The SJRRC and the Authority have already Figure 2. Rendering of Ageno Apartments TOD near ACE Vasco Station begun working with local jurisdictions to Source: liveatageno.com, 2019 provide TOD-supportive stations and the Altamont Corridor Vision will allow for increased leverage and higher potential for TOD at many stations along the Valley Link and ACE rail alignments. By paving the way for universal corridor, a one-seat ride, and faster service times, the Altamont Corridor Vision lays the groundwork for a future where sustainable, transit-oriented communities make transit a convenient and accessible option for local and regional travel.
Figure 3. Rendering of Downtown Tracy Valley Link Station Area Source: AECOM
1 Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1: Valley Link, Improved ACE, Shared Altamont Pass
TOD Opportunities by Station Figure 4 below describes the TOD potential of stations included in the Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1. These stations are located in areas with planned or potential mixed land use and density. Planning will occur in partnership with the local jurisdictions leading these planning efforts. Station design and access will focus on developing walkable and transit-friendly station environs that will support TOD. Figure 4. TOD Opportunities along the Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1 Alignment
The Isabel Neighborhood Specific Plan is being The Valley Link Greenville Station Adjacent to the ACE Stockton revisited in the context of Valley Link service. The plan is located adjacent to the Livermore East Station, the Open Window Project would allow development of 4,095 new multi-family Side Priority Development Area (PDA), master plan will include over housing units, 611 affordable housing units, and 2.1 envisioned as a revitalized research and 1,000 housing units and 400,000 million square feet of net new office, business park, and technology center with affordable housing square feet of commercial space, commercial development. of varied types and commercial services. and the proposed Cabral Station Neighborhood is a mixed use TOD The Livermore East Side PDA is also that will include 400 housing units. located less than 1 mile from the future infill SJRRC will also install bicycle, Southfront Station. pedestrian, and streetscape improvements along Channel Street.
The Workday headquarters provides 50,000 jobs adjacent to the West Dublin/ Pleasanton BART Station, and new development of hundreds of residential units has occurred around the Dublin/Pleasanton Station, including 51 affordable The City of Lathrop housing units. and River Islands Master Plan anticipate amending the River Islands Specific Plan in the near future to include TOD adjacent to the planned Valley Link Station, which will increase the number of housing units in the master planned development by 35 percent.
The City of Fremont has identified the area surrounding the Fremont ACE Station as a TOD overlay, where increased development potential and high allowances for building intensity are allowed.
The Related Santa Adjacent the Clara Project sits on a The Downtown Tracy Station is located Surrounding the ACE Vasco Road Station, 240 acre site adjacent to adjacent to the existing Tracy Transit Center ACE Station at Diridon in construction of a 171-unit, Levi’s Stadium. The 9.1 in Downtown Tracy. The transit center operates San Jose, TOD planning the Vineyard Crossing mixed- million square foot as a hub for local, commuter, and long-distance was already completed income TOD located at South mixed-use project will bus services, and has high potential for TOD in 2014 and updates to Vasco Road and Brisa Street in include 5.7 million surrounding the station. square feet of office, 1.5 plans continue. The Diridon Livermore is underway, including million square feet of Station Area Plan includes 35 units of affordable housing. In April 2019, the Tracy City Council authorized retail, food, beverage, plans for up to 4,950,000 initiation of TOD planning in Downtown Tracy. and entertainment, as square feet of commercial This project would include 296 units of affordable well as 1,680 residential use, 420,000 square feet of housing units. units, and 700 hotel retail and restaurant space, SJCOG’s 2012 Regional Smart Growth TOD rooms. 2,588 residential units, 388 Plan also identifies the Downtown Tracy Station affordable housing units, and site as a location for infill development. 900 hotel rooms. = includes affordable housing
RESOLUTION SJRRC-R-20/21-
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SAN JOAQUIN REGIONAL RAIL COMMISSION (SJRRC) APPROVING THE APRIL 10, 2020 COMMITMENT LETTER SUBMITTED BY THE TRI-VALLEY – SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY REGIONAL RAIL AUTHORITY (AUTHORITY) AND SJRRC TO THE METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION (MTC), ADOPTING A PHASED APPROACH FOR THE ACE RAIL SERVICE INCREASE PROGRAM, AND SUPPORTING THE ACE RAIL SERVICE INCREASE AND VALLEY LINK PROGRAMS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE FISCALLY CONSTRAINED (BEFORE 2035) MTC REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN (RTP)
WHEREAS, MTC required the SJRRC and the Authority to submit a “Commitment Letter” to MTC by April 10, 2020 in order to boost the performance of the Altamont Corridor Vision Phase 1 and ACE Rail Service Increase Program so these programs could be further considered for inclusion in MTC’s RTP; and
WHEREAS, on April 10, the Authority submitted a joint Commitment Letter with SJRRC; and
WHEREAS, MTC is further requiring that agency Boards must take action to approve their Commitment Letters by August 2020; and
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 crisis and recession have reduced funding availability and limited the number of projects MTC can include in their fiscally constrained RTP; and
WHEREAS, a phased approach is needed to get the ACE Rail Service Increase Program included in MTC’s fiscally constrained RTP; and
WHEREAS, SJRRC proposes a phased approach for the ACE Rail Service Increase Program that would have two additional ACE round trips between the Central Valley and San Jose and four additional round trips between the Central Valley and Fremont/Newark/Union City by 2035 that would greatly reduce the capital and operational costs needed before 2035; and
WHEREAS, SJRRC supports the complementary Valley Link project be included in the fiscally constrained MTC RTP (before 2035);
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners of the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission hereby approve this Resolution approving the April 10, 2020 Commitment Letter Submitted by the Tri-Valley – San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority (Authority) and SJRRC to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), Adopting a Phased Approach for the ACE Rail Service Increase Program, and Supporting the ACE Rail Service Increase and Valley Link Programs to be Included in the Fiscally Constrained (Before 2035) MTC Regional Transportation Plan (RTP).
PASSED AND ADOPTED, by the Board of Commissioners this 2nd day of July 2020, by the following vote:
AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT:
ATTEST: SAN JOAQUIN REGIONAL RAIL COMMISSION
______STACEY MORTENSEN, Secretary CHRISTINA FUGAZI, Chair SAN JOAQUIN REGIONAL RAIL COMMISSION Meeting of July 2, 2020
STAFF REPORT
Item 8 ACTION
Approve a Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC) Authorizing the Chair to Submit a Letter to the Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC) in Support of the ACTC Action to Allocate $400 Million of Measure BB Funding to the Tri-Valley – San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority (Authority) for the Valley Link Project
Background: SJRRC is a project partner and member of the Tri-Valley – San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority (Authority). The Authority was created in 2017 by Assembly Bill 758 (AB 758) for the purpose of planning, developing and delivering cost-effective and responsive transit connectivity between BART and the ACE commuter rail service in the Tri-Valley that reflects regional consensus and meets the goals and objectives of the San Joaquin Valley and Tri-Valley communities. Valley Link will benefit the entire Tri- Valley by reducing traffic over the Altamont Pass and through the 580/680 corridor. Please see the attached Valley Link Fact Sheet for more information regarding the Valley Link Project.
The Authority is requesting that the Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC) take action to allocate $400 million Measure BB funding to the Valley Link Project that is currently identified for the BART to Livermore Project. This action is consistent with the Authority’s enabling legislation (AB 758). Please see the attached draft SJRRC letter of support for ACTC allocating the $400 million in Measure BB funding to the Authority for the Valley Link Project.
The Valley Link Project complements ACE service and is a key component of the Altamont Corridor Vision. The implementation of Valley Link supports the advancement of the Altamont Corridor Vision. The Authority has been a good partner with SJRRC working to expand passenger rail service in the Altamont Corridor.
Fiscal Impact: There is no fiscal impact.
Recommendation: Approve a Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC) Authorizing the Chair to Submit a Letter to the Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC) in Support of the ACTC Action to Allocate $400 Million of Measure BB funding to the Tri-Valley – San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority (Authority) for the Valley Link Project.
Fact Sheet
Project Overview Initial Service Characteristics Connecting San Joaquin Valley to the Bay Area. Valley Link will offer a reliable and efficient commute PEAK OFF-PEAK alternative, providing San Joaquin Valley and eastern Alameda County residents with a direct connection to Between Dublin/ 12 min 30 min BART and ACE. Pleasanton and (meeting every (meeting every Greenville BART train) other BART train) A Seamless Connection to BART. The first phase of service will provide a seamless and timed connection to BART, with service from North Lathrop to the Dublin/ 24 min 60 min Pleasanton BART station. Beyond Greenville (meeting every (meeting every other BART train) 4th BART train) Frequent and Reliable Service. Trains will run through- out the day in both directions with the goal of matching BART frequency and hours of operation. AntiochAntioch Pittsburg/ Bay Point
RichmondRichmond Stockton Walnut Creek
Phase 1
Phase 2 North Lanthrop
Oakland River Islands Lathrop/ Downtown Manteca Tracy Greenville Rd. Mountain Dublin Isabel House San Leandro Pleasanton
Hayward Tracy Livermore
Pleasanton
FremontFremont
• As of APRIL 2020 By the Numbers Project Benefits
9,3500 Bay Area workers - commuting from San Valley Link aims to be a model of sustainability in the design, construction and Joaquin Valley today operation of the system. It is vital to our 42 Miles - using existing transportation corridors state’s economy, environment and the quality of life in our communities: 7 Stations – Dublin/Pleasanton, Isabel, Mountain • Serves communities and House, Tracy, River Islands, North Lathrop households in the Northern San Joaquin Valley with some of our 78 Minutes - current average commute each way state’s highest poverty rates; 28 days – total commute time per year for average • Promotes equity by maximizing benefits to disadvantaged commuter communities 75% increase - commute traffic on I-580 by 2040 • Links the Northern California Megaregion’s workforce to 58% increase – truck traffic on I-580 by 2040 affordable housing; 25 daily round-trips - by Valley Link trains each day in 2040 • Readily connects our state’s 28,000 riders – estimated in 2040 for Valley Link per day future high-speed rail system to BART; 99.4 Million – reduction in Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) • Provides direct and seamless per year in 2040 service to major employment centers in all parts of the Bay 33,000 metric tons – reduction in greenhouse gas Area; emissions (GHG) per year • Provides opportunities for compact transit-oriented 0 Emissions – battery-electric and hydrogen vehicle development; and technologies under development • Will have a significant impact on the reduction of VMT and $2.4 Billion - cost of Valley Link Phase 1 from Dublin/ greenhouse gas emissions. Pleasanton BART to North Lathrop, in year of expenditure • Operates on renewable energy $628 million - identified as available for the project: Sources: $400 million - Measure BB funds Bay Area Economic Institute Valley Link Project Feasibility Report $188 million - Bridge Toll funds (October 2019) $40 million - impact fees from the City of Livermore San Joaquin County Council of 2027 – target date for Valley Link revenue service Governments
For more information about Valley Link, visit www.valleylinkrail.com July 2, 2020
The Honorable Pauline Cutter, Chair Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC) 1111 Broadway, Suite 800 Oakland, CA 94607
Dear Chair Cutter:
Subject: Support for ACTC Action to allocate $400 million in Measure BB funds to the Tri-Valley-San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority for the Valley Link Project
San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC) is a project partner and member of the Tri-Valley – San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority (Authority). The Authority is requesting that the Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC) take action to allocate $400 million Measure BB funding to the Valley Link Project that is currently identified for the BART to Livermore Project. This action is consistent with Assembly Bill 758 (AB 758), the Authority’s enabling legislation. This action will fulfill a commitment made to the Tri-Valley to advance rail connectivity to Livermore. It will also support an intermodal connection between ACE and the BART system and the advancement of the Altamont Corridor Vision. The Authority was created in 2017 by AB 758 for the purpose of planning, developing and delivering cost-effective and responsive transit connectivity between BART and the ACE commuter rail service in the Tri-Valley that reflects regional consensus and meets the goals and objectives of the San Joaquin Valley and Tri-Valley communities. Valley Link will benefit the entire Tri-Valley by reducing traffic over the Altamont Pass and through the 580/680 corridor. An estimated 98,500 Bay Area workers are now living in Northern San Joaquin County, commuting daily through the Altamont in their cars. An estimated 28,000 are projected to ride the Valley Link system in 2040. This will result in the reduction of over 99.4 million Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) and the reduction of over 33,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year.
SJRRC urges approval of the ACTC Action to allocate $400 million in Measure BB funds to the Tri- Valley-San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority for the Valley Link Project. This action will ensure that the Valley Link project moves forward and it supports the Altamont Corridor Vision that SJRRC and the Authority are diligently working jointly to advance.
Sincerely,
Christina Fugazi, Chair San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission
Cc: Alameda County Transportation Commission members Tess Lengyel, ACTC Executive Director Stacey Mortensen, SJRRC Executive Director Michael Tree, Authority Executive Director RESOLUTION SJRRC-R-20/21-
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SAN JOAQUIN REGIONAL RAIL COMMISSION (SJRRC) AUTHORIZING THE CHAIR TO SUBMIT A LETTER TO THE ALAMEDA COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION (ACTC) IN SUPPORT OF THE ACTC ACTION TO ALLOCATE $400 MILLION OF MEASURE BB FUNDING TO THE TRI-VALLEY – SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY REGIONAL RAIL AUTHORITY (AUTHORITY) FOR THE VALLEY LINK PROJECT
WHEREAS, SJRRC is a project partner and member of the Tri-Valley – San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority (Authority); and
WHEREAS, the Authority is requesting that the Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC) take action to allocate $400 million Measure BB funding to the Valley Link Project that is currently identified for the BART to Livermore Project; and
WHEREAS, this action is consistent with the Authority’s enabling legislation (AB 758); and
WHEREAS, the Valley Link Project complements ACE service and is a key component of the Altamont Corridor Vision; and
WHEREAS, the Authority has been a good partner with SJRRC working to expand passenger rail service in the Altamont Corridor;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners of the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC) hereby approve this Resolution authorizing the Chair to submit a letter to the Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC) in support of the ACTC action to allocate $400 million of Measure BB funding to the Tri-Valley – San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority (Authority) for the Valley Link Project.
PASSED AND ADOPTED, by the Board of Commissioners this 2nd day of July 2020, by the following vote:
AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT:
ATTEST: SAN JOAQUIN REGIONAL RAIL COMMISSION
______STACEY MORTENSEN, Secretary CHRISTINA FUGAZI, Chair SAN JOAQUIN REGIONAL RAIL COMMISSION Meeting of July 2, 2020
STAFF REPORT
Item 9 ACTION Approve a Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission Approving Amendment 05 to Agreement 06-R-44-01 with HDR Engineering, Inc. and Authorizing the Executive Director to Execute Any and All Documents Related to the Projects
Background: The Phase II Cabral Track Extension Project is fully funded for construction with an estimated construction cost of approximately $21,000,000. When completed, the Phase II project will connect the Cabral Station to SJRRC’s Rail Maintenance Facility by adding additional track.
As the final design has progressed, additional work not covered in the previous contract amendment has been identified. A grade crossing diagnostic meeting was held with the UPRR, City of Stockton Public Works, and SJRRC staff to discuss the potential impacts to city streets at the crossing locations. During the meeting concerns were raised regarding drainage and utilities that could affect areas around the street crossings. The additional work associated with this contract amendment includes drainage reports, utility protection and relocation plans, and PLAT and Legal Descriptions at crossing locations within the City of Stockton right of way.
This contract amendment request also includes budget for bidding and design support services during construction.
Staff is requesting the SJRRC Board to approve Contract Amendment 05 to increase the current Contract Budget ($3,074,009) by $480,000 for a new contract amount not to exceed $3,554,009. Contract Amendment 05 is needed to finalize the Phase II engineering plans and obtain approval from UPRR to advertise the Construction Contract.
Fiscal Impact: Costs associated with this Amendment are identified in the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission/ACE/SJJPA Fiscal Year 2020/2021 Capital Budget in the Cabral Station Track Extension line.
Recommendation: Approve a Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission Approving Amendment 05 to Agreement 06-R-44-01 with HDR Engineering, Inc. and Authorizing the Executive Director to Execute Any and All Documents Related to the Projects.
RESOLUTION SJRRC-R-20/21-
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SAN JOAQUIN REGIONAL RAIL COMMISSION APPROVING AMENDMENT 05 TO AGREEMENT 06-R-44-01 WITH HDR ENGINEERING, INC. AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS RELATED TO THE PROJECTS
WHEREAS, on June 23, 2006, SJRRC and HDR Engineering, Inc. entered into an agreement for ACE Rail Corridor Analysis; and
WHEREAS, on March 2, 2007, Task Order #1 was issued to complete Conceptual Cost Estimates and Engineering Drawings for Bridge over Miner Ave. in Stockton, CA and to Connect the Existing Station Track to the ACE Rail Maintenance Facility; and
WHEREAS, on December 21, 2007, Task Order #2 was issued for Environmental Compliance Support Services; and
WHEREAS, on January 4, 2008, the Board of Commissioners approved Task Order #3 to complete the Final Engineering and Contract Documents for the Extension of the Station Track over Miner Avenue and Track Extension to the ACE Rail Maintenance Facility; and
WHEREAS, on April 4, 2008, the Board approved Task Order #4 for additional work requested by both the City of Stockton and Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) as part of review process for the Final Engineering and Contract Documents for the Extension of the Station Track over Miner Avenue and Track Extension to the ACE Rail Maintenance Facility; and
WHEREAS, on February 6, 2009, the Board approved Task Oder #5 for the Final Engineering and Contract Documents for the Extension of the Station Track from the Robert J. Cabral Station to the ACE Rail Maintenance Facility; and
WHEREAS, on January 8, 2010, the Board approved Task Order #6 Phased Project Approach plus additional Survey, Geotechnical, Bid and Construction Services; and
WHEREAS, on December 12, 2011, Contract Amendment #1 was executed for additional coordination required between HDR and UPRR for the Miner Avenue Bridge; and
WHEREAS, on February 7, 2013, Contract Amendment #2 was executed for Miner Avenue Bridge Additions and Revisions, including Phase I Design Support Services during Construction; and
WHEREAS, on June 1, 2018, Contract Amendment #3 was executed for additional services related to the Cabral Phase II Track Extension Project Final Design; and
WHEREAS, on February 2, 2019, Contract Amendment #4 was executed for additional services related to the Cabral Phase 11 Track Extension Project Final Design; and
WHEREAS, this Contract Amendment #5 for additional services during Final Design, Right of Way, Drainage Report, Utility Protection and Relocations, Bidding/Construction Support, which are related to the Cabral Phase II Track Extension Project Final Design will increase compensation by $480,000 for an amount not-to- exceed $3,554,009.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Commissioners of the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission Approve Amendment 05 to Agreement 06-R-44- 01 with HDR Engineering, Inc. and Authorize the Executive Director to Execute Any and All Documents Related to the Projects.
PASSED AND ADOPTED, by the Board of Commissioners this 2nd day of July 2020, by the following vote:
AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN:
ATTEST: SAN JOAQUIN REGIONAL RAIL COMMISSION
______STACEY MORTENSEN, Secretary CHRISTINA FUGAZI, Chair
SAN JOAQUIN REGIONAL RAIL COMMISSION Meeting of July 2, 2020
STAFF REPORT
Item 10 ACTION
Approve a Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission Authorizing the Executive Director to Submit and Execute Any and All Grant Applications, Agreements, Certifications and Assurances and any Other Documents Necessary to Obtain Financial Assistance Provided by the California Transportation Commission Under the Trade Corridor Enhancement Program (TCEP) for the Stockton Diamond Grade Separation Project
Background: The purpose of the Trade Corridor Enhancement Program (TCEP) is to provide funding for infrastructure improvements on federally designated Trade Corridors of National and Regional Significance, on California's portion of the National Highway Freight Network, as identified in California Freight Mobility Plan, and along other corridors that have a high volume of freight movement. The Trade Corridor Enhancement Program also supports the goals of the National Highway Freight Program, the California Freight Mobility Plan, and the guiding principles in the California Sustainable Freight Action Plan.
Eligible applicants apply for program funds through the nomination of projects. All projects nominated must be identified in a currently adopted regional transportation plan. The Commission is required to evaluate and select submitted applications based on the following criteria:
• Freight System Factors – Throughput, Velocity, and Reliability; • Transportation System Factors – Safety, Congestion Reduction/Mitigation, Key Transportation Bottleneck Relief, Multi-Modal Strategy, Interregional Benefits, and Advanced Technology; • Community Impact Factors – Air Quality Impact, Community Impact Mitigation, and Economic/Jobs Growth; • The overall need, benefits, and cost of the project • Project Readiness – ability to complete the project in a timely manner; • Demonstration of the required 30% matching funds; • The leveraging and coordination of funds from multiple sources; and • Jointly nominated and/or jointly funded.
TCEP is a competitive, statewide program that provides approximately $300 million per year in state funding and approximately $515 million in National Highway Freight Program funds. The 2020 Trade Corridor Enhancement Program provides three years of programming in fiscal years 2020-21, 2021-22, and 2022-23. The Commission adopted guidelines for the 2020 program on March 25, 2020. Due to COVID-19, the application due date for the 2020 Trade Corridor Enhancement Program has been amended to August 3, 2020.
SJRRC is in the process of preparing a joint TCEP application with Caltrans for the implementation of the Stockton Diamond Grade Separation Project. SJRRC and Caltrans are eligible applicants, the Stockton Diamond Grade Separation Project is in San Joaquin Council of Government’s adopted Regional Transportation Plan, and this project should score exceptionally well based on the application criteria.
Stockton Diamond Grade Separation Project The Stockton Diamond Grade Separation project will improve passenger, commuter, and freight rail mobility in the growing San Joaquin Valley and Northern California Megaregion. It will also enable job and economic growth in a region that plays a critical role in the United States’ vast transportation network. This project will improve the operational efficiency of the regional rail network by eliminating conflicting train movements at the Stockton Diamond. The project will enable growth to continue at the Port of Stockton and will help facilitate the future expansion of the ACE rail service as well as the expansion of the San Joaquins intercity rail service.
The Stockton Diamond is located at the intersection of heavily trafficked Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) and BNSF Railway (BNSF) mainlines in Stockton and is the busiest at- grade railway junction in California. The current at-grade configuration of the track results in significant delays to passenger and freight trains in the area, including those serving the Port of Stockton. These delays ultimately limit the capacity of the Port of Stockton for growth and inhibits the expansion of the San Joaquins and ACE service through the region. For more information regarding the Stockton Diamond Grade Separation Project, please see the attached Fact Sheet.
SJRRC/Caltrans are requesting $100 million in TCEP funding for the construction of the Stockton Diamond Grade Separation Project ($40 million from statewide TCEP funds and $60 million from regional corridor TCEP funds). At an estimated total cost of $237 million, the TCEP award will be matched by additional State funding (SB-132 and ITIP) that have already been secured toward project completion.
Fiscal Impact: There is no fiscal impact. Receipt of TCEP funding would provide up to $100 million toward the construction of the Stockton Diamond Grade Separation Project.
Recommendation: Approve a Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission Authorizing the Executive Director to Submit and Execute Any and All Grant Applications, Agreements, Certifications and Assurances and any Other Documents Necessary to Obtain Financial Assistance Provided by the California Transportation Commission Under the Trade Corridor Enhancement Program (TCEP) for the Stockton Diamond Grade Separation Project.
Stockton Diamond Grade Separation Project
SJVRC March 11, 2016 Meeting Unlocking the most congested at-grade crossing in California providing better freight and passenger service.
Project Overview The Stockton Diamond is the busiest, most congested at-grade railway junction in California. The current, at-grade configuration of the track results in significant delays to Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) and BNSF Railway (BNSF) freight trains serving their nationwide networks and the Port of Stockton, as well as other freight and passenger trains in the area. These delays make the Stockton Diamond the worst freight rail bottleneck in California, limiting the capacity of the Port of Stockton for growth and inhibiting the expansion of the Amtrak San Joaquins and Altamont Corridor Express STOCKTON DIAMOND IN RELATION TO OTHER (ACE) service through the region. RAILROAD INFRASTRUCTURES
The Stockton Diamond Grade Separation project would grade separate the two north-south UPRR mainline tracks from the two east-west BNSF mainline tracks. Project scope also includes bike, pedestrian, and roadway improvements at ten at-grade local road crossings in the City of Stockton, enhancing safety and access for residents.
The construction of the grade separation would provide for an uninterrupted flow of rail through the crossing, which will improve freight movements and lead to lower costs for freight shipping, reduced delays, and a decrease in fuel consumption for idling locomotives. This increase in throughput and velocity of freight trains translates to cost savings for Port customers and the freight railroads, allowing for continued growth and improved efficiency. In addition, the project would STOCKTON DIAMOND PROJECT AREA allow for more freight and passenger trains to pass through the Stockton Diamond at faster speeds. What are the benefits of the Stockton Diamond Grade Separation Project?
Public Benefits: Services Currently Utilizing the Diamond:
• Facilitating expansion of ACE and Amtrak San • Union Pacific freight trains on the UP Fresno Joaquins services Subdivision and at the Port of Stockton • Improved reliability of ACE and Amtrak San • BNSF freight trains on the BNSF Stockton Joaquins services • Amtrak San Joaquins intercity trains • Travel time savings from a reduction in freight • Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) commuter trains delays • Central California Traction Company (CCT) trains • Fuel cost savings from a reduction in idling from the Port of Stockton • Greater efficiency for freight rail movement • Stockton Terminal & Eastern (STE) trains in the • Improved air quality in a disadvantaged area of area Downtown Stockton • Reduced blockage and delays for pedestrians and motorists at key local road crossings • Improved access to the Port of Stockton
Funding Request SJRRC has submitted a $100 million PA&ED (Project Approval & 2020 INFRA application and will Environmental Document) be submitting a $25 million BUILD application for grant funding from the federal government to help PS&E (Plans, Specifications and fund the Stockton Diamond Grade Estimates) & ROW (Right of Way) Separation Project. SJRRC will also be applying for $100 million TCEP and Construction additional ITIP funding from the state Construction Begins Completed to complete the Stockton Diamond Grade Separation. SJRRC will be using SB 132 and ITIP funding that has already been secured as 3/1/2021 10/1/2022 11/1/2022 5/1/2025 matching funding for the project.
Contact: www.sjjpa.com Kevin Sheridan www.acerail.com Director of Capital Projects [email protected] San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority Jordan Peterson ® 949 East Channel Street Associate Planner Stockton, CA 95202 Jordan @acerail.com
May 2020 RESOLUTION SJRRC-R-20/21-
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SAN JOAQUIN REGIONAL RAIL COMMISSION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO SUBMIT AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL GRANT APPLICATIONS, AGREEMENTS, CERTIFICATIONS, ASSURANCES AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS NECESSARY TO OBTAIN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY THE CALIFORNIA TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION UNDER THE TRADE CORRIDOR ENHANSEMENT PROGRAM (TCEP) FOR THE STOCKTON DIAMOND GRADE SEPARATION PROJECT
WHEREAS, the California Transportation Commission (CTC) will administer the Trade Corridor Enhancement Program to eligible grantees for trade corridor projects; and
WHEREAS, the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC) is an eligible grantee for Trade Corridor Enhancement Program; and
WHEREAS, both the SJRRC 2019/20 and 2020/21 Work Programs identify SJRRC’s strong interest in improving passenger and freight train movements on the ACE corridor; and
WHEREAS, SJRRC is seeking $100 million in TCEP funding and has committed Interregional Transportation Improvement Program (ITIP) and Senate Bill (SB-) 132 funding as matching funds for the Project; and
WHEREAS, the Stockton Diamond Grade Separation Project is required for future ACE and San Joaquins expansion, has extensive freight rail benefits for the Northern California Megaregion, benefits to the Port of Stockton, and has substantial air quality and safety benefits for Stockton;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Commissioners of the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission hereby authorizes the Executive Director to submit and execute any and all grant applications, agreements, certifications, assurances and other documents as may be necessary for obtaining financial assistance provided by the California Transportation Commission under the Trade Corridor Enhancement Program (TCEP) for the Stockton Diamond Grade Separation Project.
PASSED AND ADOPTED, by the Board of Commissioners this 2nd day of July 2020, by the following vote:
AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN:
ATTEST: SAN JOAQUIN REGIONAL RAIL COMMISSION
______STACEY MORTENSEN, Secretary CHRISTINA FUGAZI, Chair SAN JOAQUIN REGIONAL RAIL COMMISSION Meeting of July 2, 2020
STAFF REPORT
Item 11 ACTION Approve Three (3) Resolutions of the Board of Commissioners of the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission Approving Reimbursement Agreements with Union Pacific Railroad for Preliminary Engineering Services and Authorizing the Executive Director to Execute Any and All Documents Related to the Projects
Action 1. Approving a Reimbursement Agreement with Union Pacific Railroad for Preliminary Engineering Services for the Modesto Station (Segment 3) Project for an Amount Not-to-Exceed $500,000
Action 2. Approving a Reimbursement Agreement with Union Pacific Railroad for Preliminary Design for the Tuolumne River Bridge (Segment 4) Project for an Amount Not-to-Exceed $385,000
Action 3. Approving a Reimbursement Agreement with Union Pacific Railroad for Preliminary Design for the Ceres Station (Segment 5) Project for an Amount Not- to-Exceed $500,000
Background: The Valley Rail/ACE extension from Lathrop to Ceres/Merced includes many new station and track connection projects. To complete these projects and make ready for construction, SJRRC enters into contracts with engineering consulting firms to prepare the final engineering and design. As the owner operator of the rail facilities that ACE operates over, the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) must review and approve all engineering plans. To review engineering plans the UPRR uses Preliminary Engineering (PE) agreements to perform agency project reviews and approvals prior to construction.
To ensure the timely delivery of the Valley Rail Project, SJRRC staff identified locations within the project to combine design segments at key project locations. The result of this effort reduced the number of PE agreements from nine to three. The PE agreements identified in this staff report cover track improvements, new stations (Modesto and Ceres), and a new bridge crossing (Tuolumne River).
The new track improvements and station projects are required to begin service to Ceres/Merced. The new bridge crossing over the Tuolumne River will be required to further increase service as part of the Valley Rail Project. Under this PE agreement the UPRR will complete reviews and approvals necessary to enter into UPRR Construction & Maintenance (CM) Agreements for these project elements.
Staff is requesting to enter into three (3) reimbursement agreements with the Union Pacific Railroad for the Tuolumne River Bridge, Modesto, and Ceres Station Projects.
Fiscal Impact: The funding source for this agreement is part of the SB 132 funding for the Valley Rail Project. Expenses associated with this agreement are identified in the SJRRC/ACE Fiscal Year 2020/2021 Capital Budget.
Recommendation: Approve Three (3) Resolutions of the Board of Commissioners of the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission Approving Reimbursement Agreements with Union Pacific Railroad for Preliminary Engineering Services and Authorizing the Executive Director to Execute Any and All Documents Related to the Projects.
Action 1. Approving a Reimbursement Agreement with Union Pacific Railroad for Preliminary Engineering Services for the Modesto Station (Segment 3) Project for an Amount Not-to-Exceed $500,000.
Action 2. Approving a Reimbursement Agreement with Union Pacific Railroad for Preliminary Design for the Tuolumne River Bridge (Segment 4) Project for an Amount Not-to-Exceed $385,000.
Action 3. Approving a Reimbursement Agreement with Union Pacific Railroad for Preliminary Design for the Ceres Station (Segment 5) Project for an Amount Not-to- Exceed $500,000.
RESOLUTION SJRRC-R-20/21- RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SAN JOAQUIN REGIONAL RAIL COMMISSION APPROVING A REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT WITH UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD FOR PRELIMINARY DESIGN FOR THE MODESTO STATION (SEGMENT 3) PROJECT FOR AN AMOUNT NOT-TO- EXCEED $500,000 AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS RELATED TO THE PROJECT
WHEREAS, SJRRC will enter into and execute a reimbursement contract with the Union Pacific Railroad to provide preliminary engineering services for the Modesto Station (Segment 3) Project; and
WHEREAS, SJRRC and UPRR have agreed upon terms and desire to enter into an agreement for these services for the Modesto Station (Segment 3) Project;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the Board of Commissioners of the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission hereby Approve a Reimbursement Agreement with Union Pacific Railroad for Preliminary Design for the Modesto Station (Segment 3) Project for an Amount Not-to-Exceed $500,000 and Authorizing the Executive Director to Execute Any and All Documents Related to the Project.
PASSED AND ADOPTED, by the Board of Commissioners this 2nd day of July 2020, by the following vote:
AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN:
ATTEST: SAN JOAQUIN REGIONAL RAIL COMMISSION
______STACEY MORTENSEN, Secretary CHRISTINA FUGAZI, Chair
RESOLUTION SJRRC-R-20/21- RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SAN JOAQUIN REGIONAL RAIL COMMISSION APPROVING A REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT WITH UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD FOR PRELIMINARY DESIGN FOR THE TUOLUMNE RIVER BRIDGE (SEGMENT 4) PROJECT FOR AN AMOUNT NOT- TO-EXCEED $385,000 AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS RELATED TO THE PROJECT
WHEREAS, SJRRC will enter into and execute a reimbursement contract with the Union Pacific Railroad to provide preliminary engineering services for the Tuolumne River Bridge (Segment 4) Project; and
WHEREAS, SJRRC and UPRR have agreed upon terms and desire to enter into an agreement for these services for the Tuolumne River Bridge (Segment 4) Project;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the Board of Commissioners of the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission hereby Approve a Reimbursement Agreement with Union Pacific Railroad for Preliminary Design for the Tuolumne River Bridge (Segment 4) Project for an Amount Not-to-Exceed $385,000 and Authorizing the Executive Director to Execute Any and All Documents Related to the Project.
PASSED AND ADOPTED, by the Board of Commissioners this 2nd day of July 2020, by the following vote:
AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN:
ATTEST:
SAN JOAQUIN REGIONAL RAIL COMMISSION
______STACEY MORTENSEN, Secretary CHRISTINA FUGAZI, Chair
RESOLUTION SJRRC-R-20/21- RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SAN JOAQUIN REGIONAL RAIL COMMISSION APPROVING A REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT WITH UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD FOR PRELIMINARY DESIGN FOR THE CERES STATION (SEGMENT 5) PROJECT FOR AN AMOUNT NOT-TO- EXCEED $500,000 AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS RELATED TO THE PROJECT
WHEREAS, SJRRC will enter into and execute a reimbursement contract with the Union Pacific Railroad to provide preliminary engineering services for the Ceres Station (Segment 5) Project; and
WHEREAS, SJRRC and UPRR have agreed upon terms and desire to enter into an agreement for these services for the Ceres Station (Segment 5) Project; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the Board of Commissioners of the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission hereby Approve a Reimbursement Agreement with Union Pacific Railroad for Preliminary Design for the Ceres Station (Segment 5) Project for an Amount Not-to-Exceed $500,000 and Authorizing the Executive Director to Execute Any and All Documents Related to the Project.
PASSED AND ADOPTED, by the Board of Commissioners this 2nd day of July 2020, by the following vote:
AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN:
ATTEST:
SAN JOAQUIN REGIONAL RAIL COMMISSION
______STACEY MORTENSEN, Secretary CHRISTINA FUGAZI, Chair
SAN JOAQUIN REGIONAL RAIL COMMISSION Meeting of July 2, 2020
STAFF REPORT
Item 12 INFORMATION Update on Lathrop Transfer Station/Sharpe Depot
As follow up to the June SJRRC Meeting, staff is providing this update on the coordination efforts between SJRRC and the Port of Stockton. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed by the Executive Directors for the Port of Stockton and SJRRC. The MOU describes the land use associated with the Port of Stockton’s Conveyance Application as it relates to the Lathrop Transfer Station. The MOU also helps support the Port of Stockton’s Conveyance Application to be included or amended into the National Defense Authorization Act, expected to be approved this month.
Please see below MOU for details.