Meeting_Body
PLANNING & PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE
OCTOBER 23, 2024
Subject
SUBJECT: MEASURE M METRO ACTIVE TRANSPORT, TRANSIT, AND FIRST/LAST MILE (MAT) PROGRAM UPDATE
Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATION
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
DEOBLIGATE $434,969.47 of previously approved MAT funding and returning those funds to the MAT Program.
Issue
ISSUE
Staff recommends the deobligation of $434,969.47 in funding from the MAT Funding Agreement Project #C1201 “Culver City Project” due to the removal of project elements previously installed and funded through the MAT grant. These project elements have not reached the end of their useful life, and their removal will impact the level of protection and prioritization of non-motorized road users.
Background
BACKGROUND
On January 28, 2021, the Metro Board approved project selection and programming for Cycle 1 of the MAT Program . Through this action, the City of Culver City and the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) were awarded $2,281,529 for two related projects that improve bicycle and pedestrian safety and access to the Culver City E Line station. The City of Culver City was awarded $1,956,529for its portion, which funded portions of the MOVE Culver City project. Metro entered into a Funding Agreement (FA) with the City of Culver City on December 31, 2021. The agreement Scope of Work describes several project elements, including:
• A Class IV separated bikeway along Washington Boulevard between Landmark Avenue and Helms Avenue (0.3 miles)
• Bus-only lanes along Robertson Boulevard and Washington Boulevard
• Establishment of bus boarding islands
On April 24, 2023, the City of Culver City voted to modify the project (Attachment A) including removal of the protected Class IV bikeway and bus-only lanes to create one shared bus/bike lane in both directions. The action also directed the removal of bus boarding islands. Construction to make these modifications began on September 16, 2024. This action deviates from the project elements specified in the executed FA and original Letter of Intent (grant application). Following the City’s approval to modify the project, Metro staff communicated with City staff to indicate that the MAT funding for these elements may be subject to deobligation.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
MAT funds in the amount of $434,969.47 were used in the installation of the MOVE Culver City Class IV bikeway, bus-only lanes, and bus boarding islands that were described in both the Letter of Intent and the project Scope of Work. The executed FA between Metro and the City of Culver City contains the following provision regarding grant-funded improvements removed from use:
“If a facility, equipment (such as computer hardware or software), vehicle or property, purchased or leased using the Funds, ceases to be used for the proper use as originally stated in the Scope of Work, or the Project is discontinued, any funds expended for that purpose must be returned to LACMTA as follows: GRANTEE shall be required to repay the Funds in proportion to the useful life remaining and in an equal proportion of the grant to GRANTEE Funding Commitment ratio”.
Therefore, staff is recommending to deobligate $434,969.47 in MAT funds, which were specifically used for the purchase and installation of the Class IV bikeway, bus-only lanes, and bus boarding islands along Washington Blvd between Landmark Ave and Helms Ave. The remainder of the total MAT funds for this project will remain intact.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
The removal of the Class IV bikeway, bus-only lanes, and bus boarding islands along Washington Blvd between Landmark and Helms Avenues will decrease the level of protection and space prioritization for active transportation users. The Class IV bikeway provided a fully separated route for bicyclists away from vehicle traffic. The shared bus/bike lane will place bicyclists and buses in the same lane, decreasing the safety of the bicyclists. The removal of the bus boarding islands negatively impacts the level of protection and access provided to transit users and active transportation users.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Deobligating the $434,969.47 in project funds will have no impact on the Metro budget. Culver City will return the deobligated funds to Metro. Once received, these funds will be made available to supplement previously awarded MAT projects or for a future MAT funding cycle.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
MAT Cycle 1 projects were evaluated using a screening and ranking process intended to target high-need locations based on indexes of socio-economic and environmental disadvantage, including equity, safety, and connectivity/mobility indicators. Projects within Equity Focus Communities (EFCs) were assigned additional points as part of the evaluation process. There are no designated EFCs within the boundaries of Culver City, and therefore the project did not receive EFC points during the evaluation process.
The project as referenced in the Letter of Intent is to create infrastructure to increase safety for vulnerable road users, pedestrians, and bicyclists. The removal of MOVE Culver City project elements impacts the safety of these vulnerable road users.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
The recommended action supports the following Strategic Plan Goals:
- Deliver outstanding trip experiences for all users of the transportation system (Goal 2) by improving the safety, accessibility, and comfort for Metro users getting to and from the transit station
- Provide responsive, accountable, and trustworthy governance within the Metro organization (Goal 5) by providing fiscal stewardship for Measure M funds.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The Board could decide not to approve the deobligation of funds. This is not recommended because the removal of these project elements is inconsistent with the grant letter of intent, scope of work, and Funding Agreement terms.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon Board approval, the City of Culver City will be formally notified of the action. Staff will revise the existing Funding Agreement with an amendment to indicate the revised funding amount.
Attachment
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Culver City Council Regular Meeting Official Minutes April 24, 2023
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Mariko Toy, Senior Transportation Planner, First/Last Mile Planning, (213) 547-4330
Neha Chawla, Senior Manager, First/Last Mile Planning, (213) 922-3984
Jacob Lieb, Senior Director, First/Last Mile Planning, (213) 547-4272
Avital Barnea, Senior Executive Officer, Multimodal Integrated Planning, (213) 547-4317
Allison Yoh, Deputy Chief Planning Officer (Interim), Countywide Planning & Development, (213) 922-4812
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Ray Sosa, Chief Planning Officer, Countywide Planning & Development, (213) 547-4274
