Meeting_Body
REVISED
PLANNING & PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE
NOVEMBER 18, 2020
Subject
SUBJECT: SEPULVEDA TRANSIT CORRIDOR COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION PROGRAM
Action
ACTION: AWARD CONTRACT
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
AUTHORIZE the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to award and execute a 54-month, firm fixed price Contract No. PS68039000 to Arellano Associates LLC, for the Sepulveda Transit Corridor Community Participation Program, in the total amount of $4,861,759 (inclusive of four optional tasks: Task 3.1.1 for Copywriting and Mailing Support in the amount of $81,417, Task 4.1.1 for Printing in the amount of $25,167, Task 5.2 for Video Production in the amount of $167,234, and Task 11 for the expansion of the program to include the Westside-LAX area in the amount of $1,073,011), subject to the resolution of protest(s), if any.
Issue
ISSUE
On January 24, 2020, Metro issued a Request for Proposals (RFP No. PS68039) seeking a qualified contractor for professional services to develop a Community Participation Program for the Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project (Project). Optional tasks allow for the development of a Community Participation Program to include a Study Area from Westside-LAX, in addition to Valley-Westside. Board approval is needed to award Contract No. PS68039000 to allow the contractor to begin work on supporting the environmental process and the advancement of the Pre-Development Agreement (PDA) process.
Background
BACKGROUND
The Project will provide an essential transportation link across the Santa Monica Mountains, connecting the heavy concentration of households in the San Fernando Valley with major employment and activity centers on the Westside, including LAX.
The Project was included in Metro’s 2009 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) and is included in the updated 2020 Draft LRTP. In 2016, the Project was accelerated by the approval of Measure M. The Measure M Expenditure Plan identifies the Valley-Westside portion of the Project (referred to as “Phase 2” in Measure M) for groundbreaking in 2024 and opening in 2033-35. Measure M identifies the Westside-LAX portion of the Project (referred to as “Phase 3” in Measure M) for groundbreaking in 2048 and opening in 2057-59.
On July 27, 2019, the Board approved the PDA approach to support the Project’s development and approved the solicitation of up to two PDA contracts for the Project. The PDA process allows for early contractor involvement in project design through the development of independently proposed alternatives. Services associated with the PDA process are proceeding under a separate procurement.
The Board awarded the contract for environmental and engineering services on August 27, 2020.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
The Outreach Contractor will support the facilitation and implementation of a Community Participation Program (Program) for the Project, inclusive of the environmental study, the work of the PDA developers as it contributes to the outreach associated with the environmental study, related advanced conceptual engineering (ACE) and associated transit-oriented communities (TOC), first/last mile planning and design of the Project.
The Contractor will be guided by Metro’s 2019 Public Participation Plan (Attachment C) to ensure the Program is consistent with the pertinent laws, regulations, policies, and guidelines pertaining to minimum baseline thresholds for public outreach that include Title VI, Environmental Justice, and ADA compliance requirements. Additionally, the community engagement program shall be sensitive to issues of equity in planning for this important regional transit project.
Consistency with Metro’s Equity Platform Framework
To help address disparities in access to opportunity across Los Angeles County, the Metro Board adopted the Equity Platform policy framework in February 2018 and a working definition of Equity Focus Communities (EFCs) in June 2019. The Sepulveda Transit Corridor is consistent with the Metro Equity Platform in that the alternatives help address accessibility for residential and employment centers, support for transit-oriented communities’ policies, support for first/last-mile connections, and investment in disadvantaged communities. In addition, ridership estimates suggest that a large share of the ridership demand would include low-income riders. Going forward, the Project will use the working definition of EFCs, along with other metrics as appropriate, to guide analyses and to conduct robust community engagement.
The Outreach Contractor will facilitate and support the development of a Community Participation Program that ensures robust public outreach to all stakeholders, particularly EFCs and transit riders, will continue to be a critical element of the Project as it advances.
Determination_of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
The community participation program will not have any impact on the safety of our customers and/or employees.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
$2.96 million is included in the FY21 budget in Project 460305 (Sepulveda Transit Corridor) in Cost Center 4360 (Mobility Corridors Team 3) to support community outreach associated with environmental clearance and Advanced Conceptual Engineering. Upon approval of this action, staff will ensure necessary funds are allocated to the project. This amount is consistent with the CEO’s Call to Action Financial Recovery Plan.
Costs associated with the PDA contract(s) are being budgeted by the Program Management Division in Cost Center 8510. Since this is a multi-year program, the Cost Center Managers and Chief Planning Officer will be responsible for budgeting in future years.
Impact to Budget
The sources of funds are Measure R and Measure M 35% Transit Construction funds. These funds are not eligible for bus and/or rail operating expenses.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
The Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project will support the first goal of the Vision 2028 Metro Strategic Plan by providing high-quality mobility options that enable people to spend less time traveling. Travel times for the Feasibility Study alternatives are less than 30 minutes for the Valley-Westside (from the Ventura County Metrolink Line in the north to the E Line (Expo) in the south), and less than 40 minutes for Valley-Westside-LAX (from Metrolink to the Crenshaw/LAX Line). This performance is highly competitive with travel by car on the I-405 freeway.
The Community Participation Program for the Project will support the third goal of the Vision 2028 Metro Strategic Plan by enhancing communities and lives through mobility and access to opportunity. Using Metro’s Equity Platform as a guide, the Program will prioritize genuine public and community engagement to a wide array of diverse stakeholders, using tactics and strategies appropriate to the Project’s stakeholders, including those who reside within the Study Area and those who travel through it.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The Board could choose not to approve any or all of the recommendations. This is not recommended as this work is necessary to prepare for the launch of the environmental process, the arrival of the PDA contractor team(s), and to maintain the Measure M delivery schedule.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon Board approval, staff will execute Contract No. PS68039000 to Arellano Associates LLC to provide professional services for the development of the Community Participation Program for the Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Procurement Summary
Attachment B - DEOD Summary
Attachment C - Metro 2019 Public Participation Plan
Prepared by: Karen Swift, Senior Manager, Planning & Environmental Communications, Community Relations, (213) 922-1348
Lilian De Loza-Gutierrez, Director, Planning & Environmental Communications, Community Relations, (213) 922-7479
Anthony Crump, DEO, Community Relations, (213) 418-3292
Reviewed by: Yvette Rapose, Chief Communications Officer, (213) 418-3154
James De La Loza, Chief Planning Officer, (213) 922-2920
Debra Avila, Chief Vendor/Contract Management Officer, (213) 418-3051
