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Agenda Item # 11

BOARD MEMORANDUM

RECOMENDATION:

Review and recommend that the VTA Board of Directors approve the Final Report of the Litter Control and Landscape Maintenance Program.

BACKGROUND:

Valley Transportation Plan (VTP) 2030 was approved by the VTA Board on February 3, 2005. Included in VTP 2030 is a new program, the Landscape Restoration and Graffiti Removal Program, which established policy direction to VTA staff to investigate solutions to roadway aesthetic issues including landscaping restoration, graffiti and litter removal.   

The issue of roadway litter control has been widely reported in local and regional media and described as a problem by representatives of several of VTA member agencies.   Previously there had been no comprehensive or quantifiable study of the problem within Santa Clara County.  At its December 9, 2004 meeting, the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) requested that VTA initiate a study investigating the problem of freeway litter and landscaping maintenance on the county freeways. 

DISCUSSION:

In March 2005, VTA initiated the study through a contract with TY Lin International.  The objective of the study is to determine the source of litter, the desired litter control and landscape maintenance standards, and the resources needed to achieve the desired standards.  The study would then describe and analyze implementation alternatives and identify the level of state and local resources allocated to the problem, including the Adopt-A-Highway Program (AAH).  A subcommittee of the TAC, including representatives from Caltrans, was convened to direct progress of the study.

One of the first tasks of the study was to define the problem and identify the existing level of litter control efforts on freeways within Santa Clara County.  Initial findings of the study was presented at the May 6, 2005 TAC meeting.  Using data obtained from several Caltrans district offices and information obtained from other states, the study indicated that litter and landscaping maintenance for Santa Clara County highways is a greater issue as compared to other areas within California.    Based the initial findings the subcommittee recommended to proceed with the remaining tasks of the study.

The study presents several recommendations for achieving litter control standards and improving countywide conditions. The following list outlines the recommendations and next steps for the program:

1.      Improve/expand Caltrans’ existing Litter and Landscape Program

• Enhance the Current AAH program at important ramp/gateway areas
• Increase the use of probationers and inmates
• Increase Caltrans resources in Santa Clara County.

2.      Reduce litter volume and maintenance requirements

• Advocate for increased enforcement of litter laws and increase litter fines
• Establish surcharges at landfill and garbage sites
• Increase in statewide or regional public awareness/education
• Installation of low maintenance landscaping.

3.      Alternative institutional arrangements

• Cities, County of Santa Clara or VTA contract for enhanced services if there is a new fund source
• Caltrans contracts with cities to do maintenance where priority is requested
• Caltrans guarantees a specific level of effort/resource allocation for work.

4.      Pursue additional funding/resource opportunities

• Advocate for additional state roadway maintenance resources for Santa Clara County
• As new funding initiatives are considered, request set-aside for improved litter control and landscape maintenance
• Coordinate with similar programs achieve common goals (for example, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System – Stormwater Program)

5.      Develop a pilot program

• Conduct a baseline clean up effort for 6 months
• Implement the levels of effort
• After 6 months, evaluate effectiveness of levels of effort in achieving the standard
• Increase levels of effort and costs as needed to achieve standard
• Seek partnerships involving various organizations who can assist in improving the appearance along freeways in Santa Clara County
• Form a coordinating committee to facilitate a collaborative process involving VTA, local jurisdictions, Caltrans, and other partners  

The Final Report will be available in early December and will be distributed to the TAC at its December 8, 2005 meeting.

ALTERNATIVES:

The VTA Board could choose to modify the recommendations and strategies in the report.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Implementation of the recommendations in the report does have fiscal implications.   Increases in resources allocated to Caltrans maintenance efforts would be necessary to achieve a higher level of litter control and landscape maintenance.   The resources for this increased effort may be needed from both state and local sources. Also, if the demonstration pilot program is implemented, Caltrans will be required to re-prioritize resources into the selected pilot corridors and the participating cities will likely be required to contribute some level of funding to the pilot program. There is no fiscal impact to the VTA Transit Enterprise Fund. 

CONTACT BOARD SECRETARY'S OFFICE FOR ATTACHMENTS.

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