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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-04-28 Development & TransportationCITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSPORTATION Special Meeting Minutes April 28, 2014 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 5:10 p.m. in Room 1600 of the City Hall Ross Annex. ATTENDANCE The following Committee Members were Present: Vincent Sarmiento, Michele Martinez, David Benavides Staff Present: David Cavazos, City Manager; William Galvez, Interim Executive Director /Public Works Agency; Ryan Hodge, Assistant City Attorney; Karen Haluza, Interim Executive Director /Planning and Building Agency; Jason Gabriel, Principal Civil Engineer; and Lorrie Ortiz, PWA Executive Secretary. Consultants Present: George Pla, President -CEO Cordoba Corporation; Cathy Higley, Vice President of Transportation, Cordoba Corporation Orange County Transportation Authority Representatives Present: Jim Beil, P.E. Executive Director /Capital Programs, OCTA; Kelly Hart, Project Manager, OCTA PUBLIC COMMENTS Craig Durfey spoke in favor of expanding the Orange County Bicycle Club Committee; and the need to include more non - profit organizations to increase awareness and publicize events such as the upcoming Ciclavia event in October 2014. Suggested ordinances for more bicyclist visibility and securing more noticeable vests for activities. He hopes that the efforts of his organization have helped educate the public about pedestrian /bicycle safety. Carl Benninger, resident, spoke in support of the streetcar project, and the need to move ahead on this key project. He noted the project's importance to the development of the City, stating that other cities such as Portland have successful streetcar projects. Mark Lopez, resident, expressed concern about the streetcar alignment on 4th Street because the street is already crowded and has existing parking issues, so designing a train and vehicles on that street is impractical. He inquired about the proposed alignments and was provided with the project website for more detailed information concerning the project. Paul Guzman, resident, noted that he is in favor of the streetcar project. He advised that he used to ride the Red Car to Los Angeles in the 1940s, but is now concerned about construction costs; traffic congestion; realignment of streets; whether the business community is in favor of the project. He emphasized that all stakeholders must be in agreement, must look at the total picture, including demographics, in order to have answers for those that may question the project. George Pla of Cordoba Corporation said that this is a historical occasion for the city, is very excited about the project, and appreciates staff support through the years, as this was a great team effort. AGENDA ITEMS 1. STREETCAR PROJECT — OUTREACH SCHEDULE FOR PUBLIC HEARINGS; SCHEDULE FOR ADOPTION OF THE LOCALLY PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE; AND SCHEDULE FOR CERTIFICATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENT City Manager David Cavazos expressed his appreciation to the Council Committee and meeting attendees. He provided a copy of the final draft of the EIR and AA to the Committee members. He advised that in order to provide legal sufficiency and a recommendation approval memo, the staff and legal counsel are completing a final review of the documents. He noted that of the 15 cities in the country with the highest population densities, only Santa Ana and Anaheim do not have a streetcar or light rail system. A brief background of the project was provided by Mr. Cavazos. The project started in 2006 with the OCTA Go Local program in a partnership of local cities to expand the reach of Metrolink, and the streetcar would be the first project linking Metrolink. The feasibility study was completed in 2007. The alternatives analysis was comprehensive and encountered some issues related to bridges and the downtown area. Santa Ana contributed $2.1 million to the project. Mr. Cavazos explained that the role of Santa Ana in the MOU is to provide an accurate environmental report, and ensure the project is ready to be transferred to OCTA. A locally preferred alternative will be selected by the City Council. Santa Ana has been working closely with OCTA and public participation is being sought. There will be strict adherence to the MOU. The schedule for the environmental review was presented, and it is hoped that the operations commitment, role of OCTA and outreach plan will be fully approved by the City Council so that communications on behalf of the City are clear. The City's financial commitment was noted, as were the next steps to be taken in the process. Once Santa Ana fulfills its role, OCTA is responsible for financial planning, design, construction and operation of the project. Because this is a critical time for the project, the central point of contact will be the City Manager. Prior to release of the final document, a memo from key City project staff and consultants will be signed; OCTA will review the document; and will forward to the state and then FTA will review. FTA will respond to OCTA, and the 45 -day review period of Development & Transp. Council Committee Minutes 2 April 28, 2014 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 Vice Chair Martinez thanked the City Manager for the comprehensive presentation; noted the participation of Cordoba Corporation and staff through the years during transition periods. Agrees that this is a very historic time for the City. Emphasized that the need for transparency by the City regarding this project is in the interest of the public that will be served, which includes more than residents; and which is a regional project affecting so many, particularly the millennial generation that most utilize and want public transportation. Appreciates the current communication efforts of the project team members to the City Council; and emphasized that the Circulation Element must be aligned with the streetcar project for the benefit of current and future generations of the community. Noted that she is looking forward to participating in the progression of the project, including the groundbreaking. The Vice Chair additionally advised that she led a tour through key bicycling areas of Long Beach, and recommended a bicycling tour of the City of Long Beach and their bicycle facilities; would like to plan a meeting at a Long Beach facility before the Circulation Element is finalized and before the project progresses further. Long Beach is a best practice city that has true bicycling and safe routes to school; and suggested that Santa Ana's goal should be becoming the Safest Bike Friendly City in America and Orange County. Committee Member Benavides Member Benavides agreed with other comments that this is a historic time for the City, and the City is prime and ready for this milestone which will impact economic development and livability among other benefits. Emphasized that the streetcar is part of a broader regional effort which makes sense to start in the City. Noted that the City has undergone much transition, and recognized the prior similar project experience of the City Manager; and the historical background of the local Cordoba Corporation regarding this project. Expressed appreciation to OCTA for their vital presence at this meeting and continuing cooperation, and requested project updates from OCTA. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Harbor Specific Plan Sundays on Main Street 3rd and Broadway RFP /RFQ Elks Property South Main ADJOURNMENT — 6:05 P.M. Cc Edwin "William" Galvez, r Interim Executive Director Public Works Agency Development & Transp. Council Committee Minutes 4 April 28, 2014