Meeting_Body
PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE
JANUARY 18, 2017
Subject/Action
SUBJECT: 2009 LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN
ACTION: APPROVE AMENDING THE 2009 LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN TO INCLUDE THE PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS IN THE MEASURE M EXPENDITURE PLAN
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
CONSIDER:
A. AMENDING the 2009 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) to include the projects and programs in the Measure M Expenditure Plan; and
B. WORKING with the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) to amend the 2016 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS) and the Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP) to include the same projects, as necessary.
Issue
ISSUE
On June 23, 2016, the Metro Board of Directors approved the Los Angeles County Traffic Improvement Plan Ordinance (#16-01, Attachment A). This Ordinance, titled Measure M, was approved by more than 71% of voters at the November 8, 2016 general election. As a result, the projects and programs contained in the Expenditure Plan of Attachment A have been approved for implementation in Los Angeles County and must be amended into the 2009 LRTP, as required by State Law Senate Bill 767 (De Leon, 2015).
Discussion
DISCUSSION
At the December 1, 2016 Metro Board Meeting, Chief Executive Officer Phillip Washington presented an overview on development of the Measure M Ordinance Guidelines and the proposed Policy Advisory Council. At that time, he indicated that passage of Measure M sets the stage for a new, innovative Long Range Transportation Plan. He informed the Board that the projects and programs included in Measure M would need to be amended into Metro’s existing 2009 LRTP and that staff will work with SCAG to amend the projects into the 2016 RTP/SCS. Having the Measure M projects included in both the 2009 LRTP and 2016 RTP/SCS is necessary to ensure the projects are eligible for federal funding and permitting as projects proceed. This LRTP amendment is essential for the timely delivery of Measure M projects.
The SCAG 2016 RTP/SCS does not currently include the Measure M Expenditure Plan. SCAG has committed to work with Metro to amend the 2016 RTP/SCS to include all projects and programs included in the Measure M Expenditure Plan. After Metro Board action, staff will forward on to SCAG the necessary technical financial and travel demand modelling information for the Measure M projects and programs, along with the corresponding project schedules, to meet the requirements of amending the SCAG 2016 RTP/SCS. It is anticipated that this amendment process will be completed within a six- to eight-month timeframe. As the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for Los Angeles County, SCAG completes its federally required regional planning and air quality conformity through the RTP/SCS and its amendment. Upon completion, the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration will issue the required conformity letter. This step is critical in order for the Measure M projects and programs to be eligible to receive state and federal transportation funds. Formal federal approvals of the SCAG actions for the Measure M projects are anticipated in summer 2017.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
The proposed approval will not have any adverse safety impacts on employees and patrons.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Amending the 2009 LRTP and the SCAG 2016 RTP/SCS to include the Measure M projects is necessary to ensure the projects are eligible for federal funding and permitting as projects proceed.
Impact to Budget
There is no impact to the FY 2017 approved budget.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The Board may decide not to approve the proposed amendment to the 2009 LRTP to include the Measure M projects and programs. This would delay the amendment of the SCAG 2016 RTP/SCS to also include the Measure M projects and programs. This alternative is not recommended as amending the 2009 LRTP and SCAG 2016 RTP/SCS to include the Measure M projects is necessary to ensure the projects are eligible for federal funding and permitting as projects proceed.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
With Board approval, staff will work with SCAG to amend the Measure M projects (Attachment A) into the SCAG 2016 RTP/SCS. Formal federal approvals of the SCAG actions for the Measure M projects are anticipated in summer 2017.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Measure M: Los Angeles County Traffic Improvement Plan Ordinance (#16-01)
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Mark Yamarone, Senior Director, Countywide Planning & Dev’t., (213) 922-2834
Heather Hills, DEO, Countywide Planning & Dev’t., (213) 922-2821
David Yale, SEO, Countywide Planning & Dev’t., (213) 922-2469
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Therese W. McMillan, Chief Planning Officer, (213) 922-7077
