Metro - File #: 2025-0053

• File #: 2025-0053
• Type: Program
• Status: Agenda Ready
• File created: 1/22/2025
• In control: Executive Management Committee
• On agenda: 7/17/2025
• Title: CONSIDER: A. RECEIVING AND FILING an update on the Acquisition Incentive Pilot Program ("Pilot Program") for the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Project ("ESFV"); and B. APPROVING amendments to the Pilot Program by adding incentive payments for Improvements Pertaining to Realty (IPR), adjusting relocation benefits to be in accordance with Federal regulations adopted since the approval of the Pilot Program, and adding the Southeast Gateway Line Project (SGL) to the Pilot Program, contingent upon Federal Transit Administration (FTA) approval
• Sponsors: Board of Directors - Regular Board Meeting
• Indexes: Budgeting, Construction, Construction Acquisitions, Construction management, East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Project, Eminent domain, Federal Highway Administration, Federal Transit Administration, Grant Aid, Landlords, Light rail transit, Maintenance, Maintenance facilities, Metro Rail A Line, Metro Rail D Line, Payment, Pilot studies, Program, Project, Project management, Property acquisition, Property Agreement, Property management, Property values, Purchasing, Safety, Storage facilities, Tenants

Meeting_Body
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
JULY 17, 2025

Subject
SUBJECT: ACQUISITION INCENTIVE PILOT PROGRAM

Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATION

Heading
RECOMMENDATION

Title
CONSIDER:

A. RECEIVING AND FILING an update on the Acquisition Incentive Pilot Program ("Pilot Program") for the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Project ("ESFV"); and

B. APPROVING amendments to the Pilot Program by adding incentive payments for Improvements Pertaining to Realty (IPR), adjusting relocation benefits to be in accordance with Federal regulations adopted since the approval of the Pilot Program, and adding the Southeast Gateway Line Project (SGL) to the Pilot Program, contingent upon Federal Transit Administration (FTA) approval

Issue
ISSUE

On November 30, 2023, the Board approved the implementation of the Pilot Program for the ESFV Project, to reduce hardships to property owners by incorporating streamlined acquisition and relocation procedures for right-of way delivery. The Pilot Program has been very successful in encouraging property owners to sign voluntary agreements within 60 days. Using this Pilot Program would also benefit the SGL as acquisitions begin this summer.

Furthermore, staff recommends adding incentive payments for Improvements Pertaining to Realty ("IPR") to further encourage voluntary settlements as this continues to remain a challenge. Finally, federal regulations increased the relocation caps similar to the amounts granted by the Pilot Program, and staff recommend aligning Metro's caps with federal caps.

Background
BACKGROUND

The Pilot Program approved by the Board, at its November 2023 meeting, for ESFV included acquisition incentives for owners entering into voluntary settlements within 60 days of receiving Metro's purchase offer. It did not include any incentive for acquisition of IPR's.

IPR's (commonly known as fixtures) also need to be acquired to obtain clear title to the properties. IPR's are not included in t...