San Francisco County Transportation Authority — Moving the City

San Francisco County Transportation Authority
Moving the City

Citizens Advisory Committee - December 7, 2005

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AGENDA

CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Rescheduled Meeting Notice

Date: 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 7, 2005
Location: 100 Van Ness Avenue , 25 th Floor

6:00 1. Committee Meeting Call to Order

6:05 2. Adoption of Minutes of the October 26, 2005 Meeting - ACTION (Attachment 1)

6:07 3. Chair's Report – INFORMATION

6:15 Programming

4. Adopt a Motion of Support for the Allocation of $50,000 in Prop K funds to DPT for Construction of Pedestrian Countdown Signals at the Intersection of 16 th and Folsom Streets, Subject to the Attached Fiscal Year Cash Flow Distribution Schedule, and Amendment of the Relevant 5-Year Prioritization Program – ACTION (Attachment 2)

DPT has requested $50,000 in Prop K funds for the construction of pedestrian countdown signals at the intersection of 16th and Folsom Streets that will be implemented as part of a larger MUNI Overhead Contact System (OCS) signal project. This construction coordination provides an opportunity to cost-effectively install pedestrian countdown signals in a high pedestrian-use area of the City. There are existing pedestrian signals for crossing 16th Street that will be upgraded to LED countdowns and in some cases relocated to a more visible location. The pedestrian signals for crossing Folsom will be entirely new. This allocation will require an amendment to the Pedestrian Circulation and Safety 5-Year Prioritization Program (5YPP) that allows funds originally programmed for curb bulbs to be used for pedestrian countdown signals instead. We are seeking a motion of support for the allocation of $50,000 in Prop K funds to DPT for construction of pedestrian countdown signals at the intersection of 16th and Folsom Streets, subject to the attached Fiscal Year Cash Flow Distribution Schedule, and amendment of the relevant 5YPP.

5. Adopt a Motion of Support for the Allocation of an Additional 320,000 in Prop K funds to MUNI for Construction of the Overhead Rehabilitation Program 1998-2009: Presidio Project, Subject to the Attached Fiscal Year Cash Flow Distribution Schedule – ACTION (Attachment 3)

MUNI's overhead rehabilitation program covers the phased design and replacement of its overhead wires, related poles and traction power systems. The projects included in this program are designed to reduce operational problems, reduce maintenance and increase system reliability. In 2004 the Authority Board allocated $580,000 in Prop K funds to provide local match to $2.9M in federal Section 5307 funds to rehabilitate the Presidio Trolley Coach Storage Yard. Since that time, the cost of the construction contract has increased 24%. MUNI attributes the higher than anticipated cost can be explained by several factors, including increasing materials cost, a low engineer's estimate, an extended bid and award process, and San Francisco's less competitive bidding environment. MUNI has requested $320,000 from the Transit Guideways category in Prop K to fully fund this cost overrun. We are seeking a motion of support for the allocation of an additional $320,000 in Prop K funds to MUNI for construction of the Overhead Rehabilitation Program 1998-2009: Presidio project, subject to the attached Fiscal Year Cash Flow Distribution Schedule.

6. Adopt a Motion of Support for the Approval of San Francisco's Project Priorities for $6,110,000 in Third Cycle Local Streets and Roads Shortfall Program Funds and Amendment of the Relevant Prop K 5-Year Prioritization Program – ACTION (Attachment 4)

As the Congestion Management Agency for San Francisco , the Authority is responsible for establishing San Francisco 's project priorities for the Metropolitan Transportation Commission's (MTC) Local Streets and Roads Shortfall Program (LSRP). The program is intended to fund pavement rehabilitation and preventive maintenance projects to extend the service life of a facility for a minimum of five years. We have $6,110,000 in federal Surface Transportation Program (STP) funds available to program in fiscal years 2006/07 through 2008/09. The STP funds require an 11.47% local match. In response to our call for projects, the Department of Public Works (DPW) submitted two applications for eligible projects, which when combined would use up all of the available STP funds. The $6.2 million South of Market Pavement Renovation project includes portions of Third, Fifth, Seventh and Howard Streets and is proposed for $4.86 million in STP funds and $1.36 million in Prop K funds. The $1.6 million Cortland Avenue Pavement Renovation project extends from Mission to Peralta and is proposed for $1.25 million in STP funds and $345,344 in Prop K funds. These projects are not included in the 5-Year Prioritization Program for the street resurfacing program. Therefore, approval of the requested STP programming will require concurrent amendment of the 5YPP. DPW is preparing a revised 5YPP project list that we will present to the CAC on December. We are seeking a motion of support for the approval of San Francisco 's project priorities for $6,110,000 in Third Cycle LSRP funds and amendment of the relevant Prop K 5YPP.

7. Adopt a Motion of Support for Approval of the FY 2006/07 Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA) Local Expenditure Criteria – ACTION (Attachment 5)

TFCA funds come from a $4 per vehicle surcharge collected by the Department of Motor Vehicles on motor vehicle registrations within the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (Air District). A portion of the funds (40%) is available to each county on a return-to-source basis. These funds are used to implement strategies to reduce air pollution from motor vehicles, in accordance with the Air District's Clean Air Plan. As the Program Manager for San Francisco , the Authority is required to annually adopt Local Expenditure Criteria for the expenditure of the local TFCA funds. The proposed FY2006/07 local criteria are identical to those used last cycle except for one minor revision to be consistent with a proposed change in the Air District's proposed TFCA Policies and Evaluation Criteria for FY 2006/07. Our proposed local expenditure criteria establish a logical sense of funding priority based on the potential for air pollution reduction presented by different categories of projects. We are seeking a motion of support for approval of the FY 2006/07 TFCA Local Expenditure Criteria, as presented.

6:45 Planning and Legislation

8. Adopt a Motion of Support for the Approval of the Draft Final Strategic Analysis Report on the Role of 16 th Street - ACTION (Attachment 6)

This SAR evaluates the 16 th Street Corridor's ability to serve the increased transportation demands that are anticipated as jobs and residential units increase throughout Showplace Square, the Mission , and Mission Bay . Added housing will increase the need for 16 th Street to serve local neighborhood trips, while the development of Showplace Square and Mission Bay will generate longer distance freight and commuter trips. At the neighborhood level, the corridor needs more fully developed pedestrian infrastructure to support local tripmaking by foot, as well as a connection to the citywide bicycle network. However, 16 th Street is also one of the city's key east-west arterials (connecting Mission Bay , BART, and Caltrain with the rest of the city), and one of the few connections between Mission Bay and western San Francisco . One particular challenge for the 16 th Street corridor as it grows into the future is to strengthen the role of transit and non-auto modes. Achieving this reduction in auto mode share and increase in transit, bicycle and walk shares will require supply side transportation strategies including implementing transit priority measures, developing the pedestrian infrastructure corridor wide, creating a bicycle facility on 17 th Street, and over the longer term, reconnecting the street grid network for buses and implementing a grade separation with Caltrain. Demand side strategies include ensuring that new development supports “transit first” principles, especially a market-based approach to parking management and promoting transit first options at employment sites . We are seeking a motion of support for the approval of the Draft Final 16 th Street SAR.

9. Nominate a CAC Member as a Candidate to Serve on the Pedestrian Master Plan Steering Committee – ACTION (Attachment 7)

On behalf of the Municipal Transportation Agency (MTA), the Authority is seeking citizen applicants to serve on the Steering Committee for the City's first Pedestrian Master Plan (PMP). Development of the PMP is being led by MTA Planning, with the assistance of three committees: a Steering Committee, the Pedestrian Safety Advisory Committee (a citizens advisory committee (CAC)) and the Interdepartmental Working Group on Pedestrian Safety (a technical advisory committee). The Steering Committee will be comprised of eight agency representatives and 8 citizen organization representatives. The structure includes one seat for a representative of either the Authority's or the MTA's CAC. Applications are due to the Authority by December 12. Applicants will be selected by a joint MTA/Authority staff committee. The CAC has the option of formally nominating a member to apply to serve on the Steering Committee or may encourage one or more members to apply without taking a formal action. This action is to nominate a CAC member as a candidate to serve on the PMP Steering Committee.

10. Report on Release and Circulation to the Public of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Report for the South Access to the Golden Gate Bridge : Doyle Drive Replacement Project – ACTION (Attachment 8)

The Authority is the lead agency for development of preliminary engineering and preparation of a federal environmental impact statement and state environmental impact report (EIS/EIR) for the replacement of the South Access to the Golden Gate Bridge (Doyle Drive). The purpose of the project is to improve the seismic, structural, and traffic safety of the roadway within the setting and context of the Presidio of San Francisco. Originally constructed in 1936 with narrow lanes, no median, and no shoulders, Doyle Drive is approaching the end of its useful life. Structural degradation caused by age, heavy traffic, and exposure to salty air could lead to loss of the facility. The Draft EIS/EIR is in the final stages of completion and is to be circulated for public review and comment by December 31, 2005. Following a 60-day public review period during which public meetings will be held, a Preferred Alternative will be selected and a Final EIS/EIR will be issued. Following public circulation of the Final EIS/EIR, the Federal Highway Administration and the Authority will issue the Record of Decision and Notice of Determination as the respective federal and state lead agencies. The Draft EIS/EIR evaluates three project alternatives: Alternative 1, No-Build; Alternative 2, Replace and Widen; and Alternative 5, Presidio Parkway . This is an information item.

11.Status Report on the Third Street Light Rail Project – INFORMATION (Attachment 9)

This is a status report on the Third Street Light Rail Project. Construction activities are currently focused on segments A, C, and J. As of October 31, 2005, the project has spent approximately 69.1% of the total budget, including soft costs. With construction 64% complete, various contracts are approaching completion. Work continues on the line segments as well as on the Metro East Maintenance Facility (MME), where the contractor is proceeding in earnest trying to make as much progress as possible before the rainy season sets in. Although most segments are complete or near completion, segment A (Fourth St. Bridge), segment C ( Islais Creek Bridge ), and segment J (Station Finishes and Project-wide Systems) continue to experience delays, and it is now evident that the start of revenue service will be delayed to the fall of 2006. We are projecting a cost overrun for the project. Staff is working with MUNI to arrive at a reliable estimate of cost-at-completion, and we expect to reach agreement on the final number in the next couple of weeks. MUNI has indicated its intent to seek funds outside of Prop K to make the project whole. Staff has stressed the need to address any project trade-offs involved in using state or federal funds. Efforts continue to address environmental concerns along Third Street ; during the month of October, 21 air samples were taken, all of them within acceptable limits. This is an information item.

12. State and Federal Legislation Update – INFORMATION

In preparation for the January session of the State Legislature, we will present a brief update of issues that we believe will be of significance to transportation legislation. We anticipate that new transportation revenues and the streamlining of project delivery will be a major topic in the session, with the Governor and the Legislature advancing several alternatives on how to provide a boost to the state's infrastructure maintenance and expansion programs. There are no specific bills yet on which to take formal positions. We have been working to coordinate strategy with the Mayor's office. At the CAC meeting we will present proposed principles to guide staff's initial advocacy efforts in shaping legislation, with specific position recommendations to follow in January and February. We will also have a report on initial items for the Federal appropriations process. This is an information item.

7:35 Finance and Administration

13. Adopt a Motion of Support for the Creation of a Principal Planner Position to be Temporarily Assigned to the Municipal Transportation Agency – ACTION (Attachment 10)

The ability of the Municipal Transportation Agency (MTA) to do adequate service planning is crucial to the success of Prop K-funded capital investments. We have been working with the MTA to identify opportunities to help the organization acquire the staff resources it needs in order to perform its functions properly. A number of planner positions are currently vacant or in the process of being created at the MTA. The recruitment and hiring process required under City Charter in order to fill these positions can take upwards of one year. The MTA has requested that we recruit a senior-level planner who will be assigned primarily to manage the consultant effort on the upcoming system planning study, which MTA will undertake with resources provided by the Controller's office. MTA's intent is to transition this person into one of the MTA positions as soon as they are cleared through the Civil Service. The position is anticipated to be needed for at least one year and will be paid by MTA and report to the MTA's Deputy Director of Planning. We are seeking a motion of support for the creation of a Principal Planner position to be temporarily assigned to the MTA.

14. Approve a Motion of Support for Adoption of the Authority's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program and Annual Overall FY2005/06 DBE Goal for Federally-Funded Transportation Projects DBE Policy – ACTION (Attachment 11)

Under Title 49 CFR Part 26, the Authority must have an adopted Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program and an approved annual overall DBE goal to be eligible to receive federal transportation funds. We have prepared the DBE program in accordance with federal guidelines, and submitted a draft DBE annual overall goal of 20% for FY2005/06 to Caltrans, administrator of federally-funded transportation projects in California . Approval of this draft program and goal is required prior to the Authority's use of Public Lands Highway (PLH) Program and High Priority federal funds recently committed to the Doyle Drive Replacement Project. We are seeking a motion of support for adoption of the Authority's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program and Annual Overall FY2005/06 DBE Goal for federally-funded transportation projects.

7:50 Other

15. Public Comment

8:00 16. Adjournment

Next Regular Meeting: January 25, 2006

CAC MEMBERS WHO ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND SHOULD CONTACT POOJA JHUNJHUNWALA AT 522-4831

This meeting location is wheelchair accessible. In order to allow individuals with environmental illness or multiple-chemical sensitivity to attend the meeting, individuals are requested to refrain from wearing perfume or other scented products. All times shown are for information only. Items will be called at the discretion of the Chair.

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