Meeting_Body
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
JUNE 24, 2021
Preamble
Motion by:
DIRECTORS BUTTS AND GARCETTI
Related to Item 17: Modernizing the Metro Highway Program
We are introducing this Motion to Approve the staff recommendations before us today that arose out of the efforts based on my Chair’s Memo dated January 13, 2020; establishing the Ad-Hoc Board Deputies Highway Department Subcommittee to chart a roadmap toward a more future-oriented highway program that reflects the Board's strategic priorities of efficiency (defined multimodally), safety, equity, and sustainability that has now become the Metro Highway Modernization Program.
The scope of the subcommittee’s work included reviewing and recommending changes to relevant guidelines, policies, and procedures related to project scoping, prioritization, funding/eligibility, and stakeholder engagement.
The subcommittee’s recommendations, which were presented for Board consideration in March 2020, were based on three policy pillars:
1. Active Transportation, transit and TDM projects that reduce Vehicle Miles Travelled must be eligible either as ancillary elements of highway projects or as stand-alone projects.
2. Using Measure R or M subregional highway funds for active transportation / transit capital / TDM projects must be at the discretion of the sub-regional COGs, and
3. The policies that allow use of Measure R or M Subregional Highway funds for active transportation / transit capital / TDM projects are permissive and shall not require use of these funds for the referenced purposed new uses.
• Neither Metro staff nor the Metro Board shall establish a mandatory Use through guidelines that limit the flexibility allowed in the Measure R and M ordinances and the Highway Modernization policy.
The guidelines being presented today for adoption, as contained in Attachments A and B, reflect these three policy pillars. As the report details, the subcommittee’s recommendations were brought before the Board in March of this year and subsequently sent out for review to the Metro Policy Advisory Council, Councils of Governments, cities, Caltrans, and the public.
At each stage, these recommendations were met with support by the respective stakeholders. Further assurances to stakeholders, including restating commitments to deliver Measure R and Measure M projects promised to voters, were provided via a response to comments in Attachment C.
These guideline revisions were just one component of the larger effort to modernize the Metro Highway Program. Additional clarity is needed on the totality of the effort and should be provided via a report from staff on the status of each of the 19 Board-adopted modernization actions.
Subject
SUBJECT: AMENDMENT TO MODERNIZING THE METRO HIGHWAY PROGRAM
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
APPROVE Amending Motion by Directors Butts and Garcetti that the Board approve the recommendations in Item 17: Modernizing the Metro Highway Program.
WE FURTHER MOVE that the Board amend the list of example eligible projects for subregional programs in Attachments A and B as follows:
“Transportation infrastructure in a public right-of-way that supports the implementation of TDM strategies, including associated software, licensing, and related one-time support costs, to the maximum extent permitted by the Measure R or Measure M ordinance.”
WE FURTHER MOVE that the Board direct the CEO to report back in September 2021 on the status of all 19 Board-adopted modernization actions. This report should include clarity on the applicability of expanded eligibility to Measure R and Measure M highway projects that are not explicitly included in the attached guidelines.