Meeting_Body
PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE
AUGUST 17, 2022
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
AUGUST 18, 2022
Subject
SUBJECT: HIGH DESERT CORRIDOR JOINT POWERS AGENCY
Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATION
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
APPROVE Metro participation in the Joint Powers Agreement creating the High Desert Corridor Joint Powers Agency.
Issue
ISSUE
On March 1, 2022, San Bernardino County voted to withdraw its membership in the High Desert Corridor Joint Powers Authority (HDC JPA), resulting in the HDC JPA being dissolved effective June 30, 2022. A new High Desert Corridor Joint Powers Agency (Agency) comprised of new membership has been created to replace the HDC JPA to continue the planning for the future High Desert Corridor Rail Project. Metro, as a major partner in the planning and funding for the project, is being requested to join the new Agency.
Background
BACKGROUND
In 2006, Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties entered a Joint Powers Agreement creating the HDC JPA. Representatives from the counties of Los Angeles and San Bernardino; the cities of Palmdale, Lancaster, Adelanto, Victorville; and the Town of Apple Valley were appointed by the counties to serve on the HDC JPA Board of Directors. Metro was not a JPA member but was considered a potential candidate to join an expanded HDC JPA after the passage of Measure R in 2008, which included $33 million for the development of an environmental document for the corridor.
The HDC JPA, a project-specific Joint Powers Authority, was formed to develop transportation options between the Antelope Valley in Los Angeles County and the Victor Valley in San Bernardino County. The HDC JPA initially considered a new freeway/expressway/tollway connecting SR-14 to I-15, but expanded the scope to include rail, bicycle lanes, and other improvements, ultimately becoming the High Desert Multi-Purpose Corridor (HDMC). In 2016, the HDMC received CEQA clearance, and it was determined that t...
Click here for full text