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2017 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM <br />Daily rail traffic is now 75 trains per day and is <br />expected to increase to 110 per day by the year <br />2035. The grade separation projects are <br />essential to allow for future and current <br />commuter and goods movement, while also <br />maintaining and improving train, pedestrian and <br />bicycle mobility, and safety by uniting divided <br />neighborhoods and commercial districts. <br />The City of Santa Ana is the lead for the Santa <br />Ana Boulevard project. This is a unique Grade <br />Separation Plaza because it not only allows and <br />encourages mass pedestrian and bicycle traffic <br />to safely cross rail tracks adjacent to the Santa <br />Ana Regional Transit Center (Amtrak and <br />Metrolink station). It would also allow for the <br />extension of the OC Streetcar across the rail <br />tracks without any additional infrastructure but <br />the streetcar line. <br />The environmental clearance of the Santa Ana <br />Boulevard Grade Separation Plaza was <br />completed September 2014 and the project is <br />estimated to cost $73.3 million. This project is <br />in 18th place on the state's priority list. The <br />roadway carries over 20,000 vehicles per day <br />within a very congested segment of roadway <br />adjacent to an interchange with 1 -5 freeway. In <br />addition, 54 school buses and 309 passenger <br />buses cross the rail tracks. Staff seeks State <br />and /or Federal funding support either through <br />the Orange County Transportation Authority or <br />independently for 100% of the project <br />construction cost through Regional Surface <br />Transportation Program, CMAQ, Demonstration, <br />and Federal Section 130 funds. <br />OCTA has been the lead agency for the planning <br />and environmental studies of the other two <br />grade separations at (2) Grand Avenue and (3) <br />17th Street. It's anticipated that they will seek <br />funding to implement those two projects. <br />Automated Meter Infrastructure <br />(Public Works Agency) <br />The City supplies potable water to over 45,000 <br />customer accounts which include all of the City's <br />324,000 plus residents, business, and <br />institutions. All customer accounts are metered <br />by traditional dummy meters which record <br />water usage mechanically and are manually <br />read every two months. The City is committed <br />to pursuing Automated Meter Infrastructure <br />(AMI) and converting all meters to new smart <br />meters capable of detecting leaks and allows <br />customers to manage their water consumption <br />on a daily basis. The proposed system will have <br />customer engagement which will generate <br />notifications such as excessive water use, <br />irregular consumption patterns, and most <br />importantly water leaks. The system is planned <br />to be completely wireless and accessible <br />through the Web. This is a key water <br />conservation project. The City has awarded a <br />contract to perform a feasibility study and <br />implementation plan. Full AMI conversion and <br />implementation costs are estimated to be in the <br />range of $14 million. Staff will continue to seek <br />funding for automated meter infrastructure. <br />Replacement Water Wells <br />(Public Works Agency) <br />The City supplies up to 75% of water demand via <br />a system of groundwater wells. A number of <br />these wells are aging and no longer produce the <br />quantity or quality of water they once did. In <br />order to sustain the quantity and quality of <br />water for the community at the lowest cost <br />possible, it is essential to retain our <br />groundwater pumping capacity. A need exists <br />to drill and equip new replacement wells. As a <br />regional aquifer, this project would also protect <br />the integrity of the aquifer for other water <br />producers. The City is in the process of <br />acquiring a site and has prepared a preliminary <br />CITY OF SANTA ANA <br />12 <br />65B -18 <br />