Meeting_Body
PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE
AUGUST 17, 2016
CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE
AUGUST 18, 2016
Subject/Action
SUBJECT: AIRPORT METRO CONNECTOR
ACTION: EXECUTE CONTRACT MODIFICATION
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
CONSIDER:
A. AUTHORIZING the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to:
1. EXECUTE Modification No. 13 for Phase 2 of Contract No. PS114330-2636 with STV/PB - ConnectLAX Joint Venture to prepare the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and federal environmental documentation for the Airport Metro Connector (AMC) 96th Street transit station in the firm fixed amount of $397,953 increasing the total contract value from $6,886,444 to $7,284,397;
2. INCREASE Contract Modification Authority (CMA) specific to Contract No. PS114330-2636, AMC, in the amount of $150,000, increasing the total authorized CMA amount from $1,800,255 to $1,950,255; and
B. RECEIVING AND FILING:
1. Summary of Draft EIR and comments received during the public comment period (July 22, 2016 to August 6, 2016); and
2. quarterly status report on the project including Architectural and Engineering design services and the Crenshaw/LAX Project design accommodations for the future AMC 96th Street transit station.
Issue
ISSUE
In March 2011, the Board approved the contract with the Joint Venture team, ConnectLAX to complete the Alternative Analysis, Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Report (Draft EIS/EIR) and Conceptual Engineering (CE) for the Metro Green Line to LAX (Project), now known as the AMC Project. On June 26, 2014, the Board approved adding a new transit station at 96th Street to the Crenshaw/LAX Transit Corridor as the Locally Preferred Alternative for the AMC Project. The new Metro station is planned to connect with the future Automated People Mover (APM) system, to be built and operated by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA). Since the Board did not authorize execution for Phase 2, preparation of the Final EIR and federal environmental documentation, Board authorization is now necessary.
The Board is also being requested to receive and file the summary of the Draft EIR and comments received as well as the quarterly status update on the project including Architectural and Engineering design services and the Crenshaw/LAX Project design accommodations for the future AMC 96th Street transit station.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
During the past quarter, staff completed and released the Draft EIR and initiated Schematic Design. The completion of the EIR will satisfy requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Staff will also need to satisfy requirements of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Discussions continue with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on the timing and type of NEPA documentation.
Staff continues to coordinate closely with LAWA on the parallel design and environmental clearances of our respective projects. Bi-weekly meetings are being held to coordinate our respective project level actions on real estate, construction activities related to Southwestern Yard, accommodations etc. On June 10, 2016, LAWA issued a Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Landside Access Modernization Program (LAMP). A public scoping meeting to accept comments on the scope of the EA was held on June 22, 2016. The scoping period closed on July 11, 2016. During the public comment period, LAWA received four comment letters. LAWA anticipates the release of their Draft EIR in September 2016.
Draft EIR
The AMC 96th Street Transit Station Draft EIR was completed and released on June 22, 2016 with a 45-day public review period. The comment period closed on August 6, 2016. The Draft EIR determined that the AMC Project would not cause any significant unavoidable impacts. One potentially significant impact associated with hazardous soil conditions at the Project site can be mitigated to less than significant levels with incorporation of mitigations. Attachment C contains the DEIR’s Executive Summary. The full study is available at www.metro.net/projects/lax-extension <http://www.metro.net/projects/lax-extension>.
An elected officials briefing was held on June 20, 2016 to provide advance notice prior to the public release of the DEIR. The official Notice of Availability (NOA) was filed with the Los Angeles County Registrar and a Notice of Completion was sent to the State Clearinghouse for distribution to public agencies on June 22, 2016. Hardcopies and electronic copies of the Draft EIR were provided to eight local public libraries. A total of 21 online and print ads were placed in multiple sources, including Spanish-speaking publications. Email blasts and “Take One” notices were sent to 1,000 contacts and 1,400 stakeholders, respectively. Additionally, the “Take Ones” were placed on Metro buses and trains as well as other local municipal transit lines.
A public hearing to accept comments on the Draft EIR was held on July 13, 2016 and 45 community members and stakeholders attended. During the public hearing, 10 attendees provided public testimony on topics that included the future of the LAX City Bus Center, impacts to Metro Green Line service and stations, Arbor Vitae Street at-grade railroad crossing, parking in neighboring communities, project funding, bicycle access to the station, and escalator and elevators capacities. As of July 26, 2016, staff received 64 comments via letters, Facebook, Twitter and email. The public comment period closed on August 6, 2016. Staff will provide an oral update at the Committee meetings of comments received by the end of the public review period.
Architectural and Engineering Design Services
The schematic design of the transit station was initiated in July, 2016 to advance the definition of the building, site and architectural plans. Staff continues to work with LAWA on coordinating proposed Project elements and coordination of station design guidelines as identified in the approved June 2014 Metro Board motion (Attachment D).
Crenshaw/LAX Design Accommodations
In June 2016, the Board approved issuing a Contract Modification for Walsh/Shea Corridor Constructors (WSCC) to begin construction of accommodations in an amount not to exceed $7,400,000. Staff continues to negotiate with WSCC on the total time the work will take to accommodate the AMC Project and any potential impacts to the Crenshaw/LAX Transit Project. Staff will return to the Board for CMA when the direct costs and time impact negotiations are complete. In addition to the design and construction costs, there will be administrative costs incurred for construction management, as well as staff and other costs associated with any schedule impact.
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
There is no impact to the safety of our customers and/or employees.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The FY17 budget includes $1,930,000 for the AMC Project in Cost Center 4350 (Transit Corridors Planning), Project 460303 (Airport Metro Connector), Account 50316 (Professional Services). Since this is a multi-year contract, the cost center manager and the Chief Planning Officer, Countywide Planning will be accountable for budgeting the cost in future years.
Impact to Budget
The source of funds is Measure R Transit Capital 35%, which is not eligible for use on bus and rail operations.
Alternatives Considered
The Board could defer action or authorize a lower amount to prepare the Final EIR and final federal environmental documentation. These alternatives are not recommended. This would impact the project schedule and would not be consistent with prior Board direction to accelerate completion of the AMC Project.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon Board approval, staff will execute Modification No. 13 to Contract No. PS114330-2636 for the preparation of the Final EIR and federal environmental documentation. Staff will also determine with FTA the federal environmental clearance and other necessary next steps to meet federal environmental and funding eligibility requirements. Staff will continue to closely coordinate with LAWA staff on the final environmental documents, station design and the Crenshaw/LAX design accommodations.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Procurement Summary
Attachment B - Contract Modification/Change Order Log
Attachment C - Executive Summary Draft EIR
Attachment D - June 2014 Board Motion
Attachment E - DEOD Summary
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Meghna Khanna, Manager, Transportation Planning (213) 922-3931
Cory Zelmer, Sr. Manager, Transportation Planning (213) 922-1079
Danielle Valentino, Manager, Community Relations (213) 922-1249
David Mieger, Executive Officer, (213) 922-3040
Renee Berlin, Executive Officer, (213) 922-3035
Rick Meade, Executive Officer, (213) 922-7917
Reviewed_by
Reviewed by: Ivan Page, Chief Vendor/Contract Management (Interim), (213) 922-6383
Therese W. McMillan, Chief Planning Officer, (213) 922-7077
