Meeting_Body
PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE
SEPTEMBER 18, 2019
Subject
SUBJECT: LINK UNION STATION
Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATIONS
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
CONSIDER:
A. APPROVING funding for additional Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA operated as “Metrolink”) costs for the Link Union Station (Link US) Project in the amount of $400,000 in Measure R 3% funds; and
B. AUTHORIZING the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to negotiate and execute all necessary Metrolink agreements up to $400,000.
Issue
ISSUE
In March 2017, the Board approved the total cost of $70,398,000 for the Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Certification phase of the Link Union Station (Link US) Project, including up to $3 million for third party work of which $1 million is for Metrolink to provide design review and project support services. Staff completed the CEQA environmental document in July 2019 and Metrolink has expended $993,900 of work to support the environmental phase of the Link US project. Staff is requesting approval of $400,000 for Metrolink to support ongoing work and authorization of the CEO to negotiate and execute all necessary agreements with Metrolink in an amount of up to $400,000.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
On March 30, 2017, a funding agreement between Metro and Metrolink was executed for an amount of up to a $993,900 for reimbursement of expenses incurred by Metrolink to provide Metro design review and project support services during the planning, environmental and preliminary engineering phases. Due to changes to the project which resulted in an extended planning and environmental phase, Metrolink requested that the funding agreement be amended to include $400,000 in additional funding to provide the required support an additional six months of work for the preliminary engineering phase and additional environmental work. Staff will also return to the Board in the future to comprehensively address all third party costs for subsequent phases of the project.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
This board action will not have an impact on safety. The Link US project is being planned and designed in accordance with Metro and Metrolink standards, federal requirements, and state requirements, and in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
This action does not have a financial impact to the agency. It is anticipated that the full amount of $400,000 will be expended in FY 20. Due to savings in other third-party agency costs, the additional $400,000 for Metrolink can be absorbed in the third-party agency budget of $3,000,000 that was approved by the Board in March 2017.
Impact to Budget
This amount is included in the FY 20 budget for cost center 2415 Regional Rail under 460089. The source of funds is Measure R 3%. Metrolink Commuter Rail Capital Improvement funds are not eligible for Metro bus or rail operations or capital expenses.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
Staff’s recommendation supports strategic plan goal #1.2 to improve L.A. County’s overall transit network and assets. Metro staff will work with SCRRA to provide more frequent and reliable Metrolink services, improve customer satisfaction, and support better transit connections throughout the region.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
An alternative could be to disapprove the funding of $400,000 for Metrolink’s costs to support the Link US project. This is not recommended since coordination and input from SCRRA is essential to the completion of the preliminary engineering phase and additional environmental work of the Link US project.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
With Board approval, staff will negotiate and execute all necessary agreements with Metrolink to complete the preliminary engineering phase of the project. Staff will return to the Board in October for a contract modification for HDR Engineering Inc. to complete the Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Certification work, third-party agency costs and other anticipated costs to complete the current phase of the Link US Project.
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Vincent Chio, Director, Regional Rail, (213) 418-3178
Jeanet Owens, Senior Executive Officer, Regional Rail, (213) 418-3189
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Nalini Ahuja, Chief Financial Officer, Office of Budget Management, (213) 922-2296
Richard Clarke, Chief Program Management Officer, Program Management, (213) 922-7557
