Meeting_Body
PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE
NOVEMBER 20, 2024
Subject
SUBJECT: MEASURE M MULTI-YEAR SUBREGIONAL PROGRAM ANNUAL UPDATE - NORTH COUNTY SUBREGION
Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATION
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
CONSIDER:
A. APPROVING:
1. Programming of $2,049,073 within the capacity of Measure M Multi-Year Subregional Program (MSP) - Active Transportation Program, as shown in Attachment A;
2. Deobligating $1,960,567 in Measure M MSP - Transit Program, as shown in Attachment B;
3. Inter-program borrowing and programming of $17,752,182 from Measure M MSP - Transit Program to Measure M MSP - Highway Efficiency Program, as shown in Attachment C; and
B. AUTHORIZING the CEO or their designee to negotiate and execute all necessary agreements and/or amendments for approved projects.
Issue
ISSUE
Measure M MSPs are included in the Measure M Expenditure Plan, attached to the Measure M Ordinance. All MSP funds are limited to capital projects. The annual update approves additional eligible projects for funding and allows the North County subregion and implementing agencies to revise the project scope of work, project budgets, and schedule for previously funded projects.
This update includes changes to projects that have received Board approval and funding allocation for new projects. Funds are programmed through Fiscal Year (FY) 2027-28. The Board’s approval is required to update the project lists (Attachments A, B, and C), which serve as the basis for Metro to enter into agreements and/or amendments with the respective implementing agencies.
Background
BACKGROUND
At its February 2019 meeting, the Board approved North County subregion’s first MSP Five-Year Plan and programmed funds in: 1) Measure M MSP - Active Transportation Program (expenditure line 52); 2) Measure M MSP - Transit Program (expenditure line 64); and 3) Measure M MSP - Highway Efficiency Program (expenditure line 81). At its May 2023 meeting, the Board approved programmed funds in the Measure M MSP - Subregional Equity Program (expenditure line 68). Since the first Plan, staff updated the Metro Board in April 2020, April 2021, and May 2022 and 2023.
Based on the amount provided in the Measure M Expenditure Plan, a total of $132.37 million was forecasted for programming from FY 2017-18 to FY 2027-28. In prior actions, the Metro Board approved programming of $90.71 million. Therefore, $41.66 million is available to the Subregion for programming as part of this annual update.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
Staff worked closely with the North County Transportation Coalition Joint Powers Authority (NCTC JPA) and the implementing agencies on project eligibility reviews of the proposed projects for this annual update. The jurisdictional requests are proposed by the cities and approved/forwarded by the subregion. In line with the Metro Board adopted guidelines and June 2022 Objectives for Multimodal Highways Investments, cities provide documentation demonstrating community support, project need, and multimodal transportation benefits that enhance safety, support traffic mobility, economic vitality, and enable a safer and well-maintained transportation system. Cities lead and prioritize all proposed transportation improvements, including procurement, the environmental process, outreach, final design, and construction. Each city and/or agency, independently and in coordination with the subregion undertakes their jurisdictionally determined community engagement process specific to the type of transportation improvement they seek to develop. These locally determined and prioritized projects represent the needs of cities. To date, $90.71 million has been programmed, of which $32.03 million has been expended.
During staff review, Metro required a detailed project scope of work to confirm project eligibility, reconfirm funding eligibility for those that request changes in the project scope of work, and establish the program nexus during project reviews, i.e. project location information and limits, length, elements, phases, total estimated expenses and funding request, schedules, etc. Final approval of funds for the projects shall be contingent upon the implementing agency demonstrating the eligibility of each project, as required in the Measure M Master Guidelines. Staff expect the collection of the project details in advance of Metro Board action to enable the timely execution of project Funding Agreements for approved projects. Additionally, all projects are subject to a close-out audit after completion, per the Guidelines.
This recommendation also includes an inter-program borrowing of funds. This type of inter-program borrowing was approved in 2019, 2020, and 2022 for the North Couty Subregion and other Subregions in LA County. This is acceptable under the Metro Board-adopted Measure M Master Guidelines, as long as the projects meet the Measure M MSP funding eligibility, have consent from the affected subregion, and obtain Metro Board approval. In October 2024, the NCTC JPA Board approved the inter-program borrowing from the Measure M MSP Transit Program to the Highway Efficiency Program.
The updates in this annual update include funding adjustments for 12 previously approved projects and four new projects. Attachments A, B, and C indicate the changes in project funding allocations since the last update to the Board. Two projects have been completed and closed, and one other completed project is currently pending a project close-out audit process.
Active Transportation Program (expenditure line 52)
This update includes funding adjustments to eight existing projects and two new projects as follows:
Palmdale
• Deobligate $550,000 and cancel MM4501.20 - SR-138 (Palmdale Blvd.) Sidewalk Gap Closure Phase II Project. The City requested the deobligated funds to be reallocated to other priority MSP projects.
• Program $10,613,804 as follows: $1,843,800 in FY 26, $2,312,500 in FY 27, and $6,457,504 in FY 28 for MM4501.21 - Avenue Q Corridor Improvements (Sierra Hwy. to 35th St. East) project. This is a 1.4-mile segment of Avenue Q between Sierra Highway and 20th Street East, installing a Class I Bike Path, continuous sidewalk improvements, center landscaped median, and street furniture. The funds will be used to complete the Project’s Plans Specification and Estimates (PS&E), right-of-way (ROW), and construction phases.
Santa Clarita
• Deobligate $738,000 and cancel MM4501.09 - Santa Clara River Trail Gap Closure Design: Five Knolls to Discovery Park. The City requested the deobligation of funds as the project is no longer the City’s priority for the next five years.
• Deobligate $332,057 and cancel MM4501.11/MM4501.14 - Valencia Industrial Center Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements. The City requested the deobligation of funds as the project is no longer the City’s priority for the next five years.
• Deobligate $1,030,707 and cancel MM4501.17 - Newhall Area Bicycle Facility. The City requested the deobligation of funds as the project is no longer feasible due to numerous utility conflicts.
• Reprogram previously approved $1,129,130 as follows: $141,418 in FY 22, $500,000 in FY 24, and $487,712 in FY 25 for MM4501.18 - Saugus Phase I: Bouquet Canyon Trail to Central Park. This project is a 0.8-mile Class I Bike facility improvement including pavement rehabilitation and barrier fencing along the top of the channel wall adjacent to the flood control facility and minor grading and trail construction. The funds will be used to complete the Project’s PS&E, ROW, and construction phases.
• Deobligate $683,600 and cancel MM4501.19 - Saugus Phase II: Bouquet Canyon Trail Central Park to Haskell Canyon Project. The City requested the deobligation of funds as the project is no longer the City’s priority for the next five years.
Los Angeles County
• Deobligate $4,000,000 for MM4501.13 - Lake Los Angeles Pedestrian Plan Implementation Phase 1 Project. The County requested the deobligated funds to be reallocated to other priority MSP projects. The remaining $1,000,000 project funds are reprogrammed as follows: $50,000 in FY 20, $300,000 in FY 21, $300,000 in FY 22, $100,000 in FY 23, $100,000 in FY 25, and $150,000 in FY 26. The project installs a Class I bike path on 17th Street East and a new parking lane, curb, gutter, and sidewalk on Avenue Q. Additionally, it includes street crossing improvements such as ADA-compliant curb ramps, pedestrian-activated warning systems, etc. The funds will be used to complete the Project’s PS&E phase.
• Program $8,700,000 as follows: $6,000,000 in FY 27 and $2,700,000 in FY 28 for MM4501.22 - The Old Road over Santa Clara River Phase II - ATP project. The project will include installing Class IV bikeways and the addition of new sidewalks on the Old Road. The project will also include the extension of a Class I multipurpose trail that connects to the Santa Clara River Trail. The funds will be used to complete the Project’s construction phase.
Los Angeles County/Lancaster
• Deobligate $9,930,367 for MM4501.16 - 30th Street West Active Transportation Improvements Project. The agencies requested the deobligated funds to be reallocated to other priority MSP projects. The project includes the installation of Class IV buffered bikeways and sidewalks along 30th Street West between Avenue H and Avenue N-8. The remaining $600,000 project funds are programmed in FY 24 and will be used to complete the Project’s PS&E phase.
Transit Program (expenditure line 64)
This update includes funding adjustments to two existing projects as follows:
Santa Clarita
• Deobligate $870,567 and cancel MM4502.02 - Valencia Industrial Center Bus Stop Improvement. The City requested the deobligation of funds as the project is no longer the City’s priority for the next five years.
• Deobligate $1,090,000 for MM4502.03 - Vista Canyon Bus Service Expansion. The City requested the deobligated funds to be reallocated to other priority MSP projects. The remaining $1,090,000 is reprogrammed to FY 26. This project would help the city update its fleet of micro vehicles. The funds will be used to purchase vehicles and charging infrastructure.
Highway Efficiency Program (expenditure line 81)
This update includes funding adjustments to two existing projects and two new projects:
Palmdale
• Deobligate $2,400,000 and cancel MM5504.04 - SR-14/Avenue S Interchange Improvement. The City requested the deobligated funds to be reallocated to other priority MSP projects.
Santa Clarita
• Program $7,182,000 as follows: $3,500,000 in FY 25, and $3,682,000 in FY 26 for MM5504.05 - Vista Canyon Road Bridge, an existing Measure R (MR501.03) funded project. This project will construct a new two-lane bridge, bike lane, and bike trail to provide connectivity to the Vista Canyon Metrolink and Bus Transfer Station. The funds will be used to complete the Project’s PS&E and construction phases.
Lancaster
• Program an additional $970,182 and reprogram all funds to FY 28 for MM5504.03 - SR-138 Avenue G Interchange Project, an existing Measure R (MR330.03) funded project. This project will improve the intersection by adding center turn lanes, bike lanes, and sidewalks to address multimodal elements. The funds will be used to complete the Project’s ROW and construction phases.
• Program $12,000,000 as follows: $10,280,790 in FY 26, $651,420 in FY 27 and $1,067,790 in FY 28 for MM5504.06 - Avenue K and SR-14 Interchange, an existing Measure R (MR330.02) funded project. This project is improving the geometrics by removing high-speed ramp connections and squaring up ramp connections to improve bike and pedestrian safety. The funds will be used to complete the Project’s construction phase.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
Programming of Measure M MSP funds to the North County subregion projects will not have any adverse safety impacts on Metro’s employees or patrons.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
In FY 2024-25, $15.3 million is budgeted in Cost Center 0441 (Subsidies to Others) for the Active Transportation Program (Project #474401), $5.02 million is budgeted in Cost Center 0441 (Subsidies to Others) for the Transit Program (Project #474102), and $500,000 is budgeted in Cost Center 0442 (Highway Subsidies) for the Highway Efficiency Program (Project #475504). Upon approval of this action, staff will reallocate necessary funds to appropriate projects within Cost Centers 0441 and 0442. Since these are multi-year projects, Cost Centers 0441 and 0442 will be responsible for budgeting the cost in future years.
Impact to Budget
The source of funds for these projects are Measure M Highway Construction 17% and Measure M Transit Construction 35%. These fund sources are not eligible for Metro bus and rail operations expenses.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
The North County subregion comprises three cities and the adjacent unincorporated area of Los Angeles County. Four percent of census tracts are defined as Equity Focus Communities (EFCs) in the Subregion, and these are located in Lancaster, Santa Clarita, and Palmdale.
The North County Subregion proposed active transportation projects have a range of potential equity benefits for non-drivers. For example, the County of LA’s Old Road over Santa Clara River Phase II - ATP project will implement new Class IV bikeways, new sidewalks, an extension of a Class I multipurpose trail that connects to the Santa Clara River Trail, an existing regional river trail connecting to a larger network of trails within the City of Santa Clarita.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
The recommendation supports the following goals of the Metro Vision 2028 Strategic Plan:
Goal 1: Provide high-quality mobility options that enable people to spend less time traveling by alleviating the current operational deficiencies and improving mobility along the projects.
Goal 4: Transform LA County through regional collaboration by partnering with the Council of Governments and the local jurisdictions to identify the needed improvements and take the lead in the development and implementation of their projects.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The Board can elect not to approve the additional programming of funds or scope of work and schedule changes for the Measure M MSP projects for the North County subregion. This is not recommended as the Subregion developed the proposed projects in accordance with the Measure M Ordinance, Guidelines, and Administrative Procedures which may delay the development and delivery of the projects.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Metro staff will continue to work with the subregion to identify and deliver projects. Funding Agreements will be executed with those who have funds programmed in FY 2024-25. Program/Project updates will be provided to the Board annually.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Active Transportation Program Project List
Attachment B - Transit Program Project List
Attachment C - Highway Efficiency Program Project List
Attachment D - Subregional Equity Program Project List
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Fanny Pan, Executive Officer, Countywide Planning & Development, (213) 418-3433
Craig Hoshijima, Executive Officer, Countywide Planning & Development, (213) 547-4290
Laurie Lombardi, Senior Executive Officer, Countywide Planning & Development, (213) 418-3251
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Ray Sosa, Chief Planning Officer, Countywide Planning & Development, (213) 547-4274
