TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to administer and execute all necessary documents related to an amended agreement to participate in the Gateway Cities Council of Governments SR-91/I-605/I-405 Major Corridor Study. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
On January 18, 2005, City Council authorized the City Manager to enter an Implementation Agreement with the Gateway Cities Council of Governments (COG) to participate in a Needs Assessment Study (Study) of the impacts of increased auto and truck congestion on the SR-91 and 1-605 Freeway corridors within the COG boundaries. The Study would serve as a preliminary guideline to determine whether or not there is a need to initiate a broader major corridor study to determine physical improvements required to accommodate future growth, and if so, identify the scope and limits of that study. The results of the Study could also be used to secure regional and state funding and support, if physical improvements are found to be warranted, as well as to create more formalized and extensive community participation.
The oversight framework for the Study consists of an SR-91/1-605 Corridor Cities Committee composed of one City Council member from each corridor City, plus a representative from the County of Los Angeles. The current designated City Council member for this committee is Vice Mayor Lerch. A Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) was also established that includes a Public Works official appointed by the City Manager of each corridor city. The current designated City Staff representative is City Engineer, Mark Christoffels. The Gateway Cities COG provides staff and consultant support.
Over the past three years, developments in the course of the Study have occurred that warrant this amendment. These developments include the expansion of the corridor study area to include the 1-405 interchange with 1-605; completion of the Study; the passage of Measure R, which includes $590 million for "hot spots" congestion relief projects in the freeway corridors; and the development of a scope of work for a feasibility analysis of potential projects to be funded under Measure R. At its meeting of November 4, 2009, the Board of Directors of the Gateway Cities Council of Governments approved an Amended Implementation Agreement to address these developments.
The Amended Implementation Agreement retains all terms and conditions of the existing Agreement, but makes the following modifications:
1. Changes all of the references to the "91/605 Corridor" to the "91/605/405 Corridor";
2. Amends the recitals to recognize the studies that have been completed since the initiation of the Study and to include the proposed measure R funded feasibility analysis and strategic plan;
3. Amends the language regarding compensation and expense reimbursement for the Corridor Cities Committee to be consistent with the language regarding the same subject in the 1-710 EIRIEIS Implementation Agreement.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Linda Trang on January 4, 2010 and by Budget and Performance Management Bureau Manager David Wodynski on December 30,2009.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter is requested on February 16, 2010, to authorize the City's continued involvement in this crucial regional study.
FISCAL IMPACT
Upon approval of the original agreement in 2005, the City of Long Beach was required to contribute $20,000 annually toward the cost of this study. The funding source for this commitment has been Transportation Impact Fees, and sufficient funds are budgeted each year in the Capital Projects Fund (CP 201) in the Department of Public Works (PW) to cover the City's contribution. The proposed amended agreement does not increase the required City contribution and the annual payment will continue to be funded through Transportation Impact Fees to be budgeted each year in the Capital Projects Fund in the Department of Public Works.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
MICHAEL P. CONWAY
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
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APPROVED: |
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PATRICK H. WEST |
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CITY MANAGER |