2014-04-28 Development & Transportation

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the draft EIR will begin. Three public meetings for public comment will be held during the public comment period at three locations in the City to ensure good outreach. The OCTA funding and implementation plan was presented; and it was noted that special meetings will be held at OCTA on May 5 and May 12 to review the plan, which the City will monitor. The City's commitment includes matching operating costs which may vary, but the maximum is $500,000 or $600,000 per year. Jim Beil, OCTA, is requesting direction from the OCTA Board to develop a comprehensive implementation plan which will be formulated into a larger project management plan for FTA approval; and a financial plan which the OCTA Board directed them to prepare for a sustainable and viable management plan. In the next quarter, staff will prepare a financial plan and projections for the streetcar project; the environmental report will also be also integrated into that process; is a good example of partnership with the City; expressed enthusiasm for the project which is a good example of Measure M2 and the formulation of Measure M2 /Project S, which came about from the former Centerline Project. He clarified that this item will be going before the Executive Committee of the OCTA on May 5, 2014, COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS Chairman Sarmiento Chairman Sarmiento expressed appreciation to the project team members and the consultants. Recalled that one of the first decisions of the current council members, upon taking office in 2006 -07, was to select the consultant for the project, Cordoba Corporation; and noted the consistency of the contractor throughout the changes within the city administration. Stated that the decisions of the City and OCTA concerning this project will impact the future and relevancy of the City, like the BART system in the San Francisco /Bay area, due to the system being intra- county; and which will empower and improve the economic conditions of the community, which should interest the Federal Transit Authority. Expressed concern with the project timing which is November 2014, when new directors may be taking office; and the new directors will need to be brought up to speed to expedite decision making; and the City should try to get to the significant decision making when the current OCTA directors are still in office in order to be as efficient as possible and expedite the project. Emphasized the need for the outreach to the public, which is vital and critical to the success of the project. Agrees that the City Manager is now the point person speaking on behalf of the City Council. Requested that further comments or questions be directed to the City Manager. Vice Chair Martinez Vice Chair Martinez inquired how this streetcar project aligns with the adoption of the circulation element because the two projects tie in together; and the main reason for updating the circulation element is for the streetcar project. Expressed concern that members of the public do not appear informed about the alignment or connectivity of the streetcar at this late stage of the project. She expressed that it is imperative that the public obtain all information necessary and that they obtain answers to questions they many have about the streetcar project through outreach efforts to ensure that the public embraces the project. Karen Haluza responded that the circulation element should be released in the next few months. Development & Transp. Council Committee Minutes 3 April 28, 2014