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Selection of a Minimum Operating Segment (MOS) for further analysis in the environmental document
Ms. Ives provided a verbal report about the developments of the MOS since the last PAB meeting in September. Ms. Ives stated that staff sponsored Community Working Group (CWG) meetings, broader public meetings after each of the CWG meetings and meetings in VTA offices in Northern San Jose, for a total of 9 public meetings. Ms. Ives added that aside from the staff sponsored meetings, staff was invited to attend a public hearing in the City of Milpitas and the Brookwood Terrace Strong Neighborhood Initiative (SNI) meeting in East San Jose/Alum Rock station area. She further added that staff was also invited to the East San Jose Business meeting the week before.
Ms. Ives noted that there were about 100 public attendees in the meetings. She stated that the public understands that the MOS needs to be done to obtain federal funding. Ms. Ives mentioned that about 250 comments were gathered from meetings and other correspondences. The comments ranged from addition, deletion, or combination of stations as well as connections to different transportation alternatives such as bus and light rail. Ms. Ives emphasized that among the comments, the common message is to add an East Side San Jose Station, particularly at Alum Rock.
Ms. Ives discussed the two newly developed MOS scenarios based on public and PAB input. Ms. Ives explained that MOS-1E would build MOS 1 to Santa Clara with 5 stations (adding the Alum Rock Station), postpone 2 stations, and defer some vehicles, maintenance facility capacity and BART Core impact improvements to MOS 2. Ms. Ives stated that MOS-1E will defer $356 million in capital costs and $4.6 Operation and Maintenance (O&M) costs.
Ms. Ives noted that MOS-1F was developed based on Supervisor Bealls recommendation. Ms. Ives described that MOS-1F would build MOS 1 to Santa Clara with all the stations but defer other elements to MOS 2 such as station parking, vehicles, maintenance facility capacity, and BART core improvements. She mentioned that deferring these elements would reduce the cost by $226 million.
Chairperson Gonzales inquired about the next steps after the selection of the MOS. Ms. Ives responded that if the PAB selects MOS 1E and 1F, it would be included in the Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) for further analysis. The EIS/EIR will be submitted to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for review and approval by mid-December 2003. Ms. Ives further added that the EIS/EIR would be circulated to the public by March 2004, pending approval from FTA.
Member McLemore queried if there were any members of the public who suggested shortening the underground tunnel to save on construction costs. Ms. Ives replied that one or two comments expressed the idea but shortening the tunnel section of the project was not the main emphasis of the comments. Mr. Jack Collins, Chief Construction Officer, responded that shortening the tunnel section of the BART Extension poses a problem on where to put the tracks. He explained that the BART Extension project track is competing with Caltrains right-of-way and the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) track in the area where the underground subway is proposed. He expressed concern that there might not be enough room to fit BART without displacing Caltrain tracks. Mr. Collins concluded that it would be more cost effective to stay underground.
Member Blalock inquired regarding the potential developments at the Diridon Station. Ms. Ives answered that the Diridon Station has significant development potential. In fact, she explained, the City of San Jose and VTA recently completed a Diridon/Arena Strategic Plan. Ms. Ives noted that there is a surface parking lot adjacent to both Diridon and the Arena that is owned by VTA, Caltrain, and the City of San Jose so there is already a partnership between these organizations for future developments.
Member Blalock noted that additional points might be acquired from FTA if there is a huge potential for development at the Diridon Station. Member Blalock expressed concern that there may be a shift of ridership and the possibility of losing the High Speed Rail in the future.
Ms. Ives replied that the Diridon Station is one of the stations that has the highest ridership. She noted that Diridon Station draws in riders from West San Jose and beyond, with connections to light rail. With regard to the High Speed Rail, Ms. Ives noted that there will be an initiative in March 2004 and that the Diridon Station should be carried forward to help with the High Speed Rail connection.
Member Chavez inquired if the recommended MOS scenarios allow flexibility in land use, construction phases, and other changes. Ms. Ives noted that during the environmental process, staff would include and clear all possible environmental impacts of the entire project and that stations or smaller elements of the project could be added at any time. Ms. Ives noted that the ultimate goal in the EIS/EIR is to identify the largest footprint and to have the flexibility to move things around within the footprints, if needed. She further explained that staff could prepare a supplemental EIS/EIR when necessary to clear any additional impacts due to changes in land use, construction, or other changes.
Member Fang took his seat at 12:49 p.m.
Member Snyder stated that development of future stations should be maintained. Member Snyder suggested a different and faster approach, which is to consider Request for Proposals (RFP), to bring in private developers. He noted that doing so will make the public recognize that the stations will not be forgotten along the corridor.
Member Snyder referred to the West Dublin Station where two cities and private developers formed partnerships to construct the station. He explained that the strategy is to use the future revenues from private developers for construction and station improvements. Member Snyder stated that the strategy brings a great benefit to the community. He recommended that the same be considered in the BART Extension to Milpitas, San Jose, and Santa Clara to be able to develop and construct all stations within the corridor.
Chairperson Gonzales inquired when analysis such as resource identification from private parties could appropriately be conducted. Ms. Ives replied that as early as this fall, staff will bring in local, national, and global developers to get feedback on how the BART Extension project is perceived and determine what possible issues these private developers may have. She noted that the staff is working closely with the cities to start this dialogue. Ms. Ives added that each of the stations would be analyzed to establish revenue potentials. She also referred to the legislation in the governors office that allows benefit assessment districts of properties within the station area that can act as an additional revenue source for the project.
Member Snyder noted that there is an inactive legislation in Southern California that deals with the same scenario. Member Snyder stated that the competitive development expedites the programs because the developers do not have to go to the state level, thus giving them more freedom to complete the project.
Member Dixon concurred with the suggestion of Member Snyder. She emphasized the importance of engaging the public in the discussion as well as being innovative to be able to deliver the project.
Mr. Tom Margro, BART General Manager, recognized the need to reduce cost but also reminded the PAB to carefully examine and select a MOS scenario that does not negatively impact BARTs exiting quality of service. Mr. Margro noted that each of the scenarios would impact the BARTs Core System, the number of vehicles needed to provide the service, and maintenance facility capacity. He urged the PAB to carefully examine these issues, as they need to be addressed to be able to give the quality of service that BART users expect.
Mr. Margro expressed concern that MOS-1 F scenario has strong potential to negatively impact the ability to deliver service because of the 2015 time frame. He stated that BART had similar problems in the original construction where other elements of the project were deferred for cost reduction, which affected BARTs flexibility and ability to respond to service needs.
Mr. Margro emphasized that the agreement between BART and VTA should be adhered at all times. He assured that BART staff will closely work with VTA staff and project consultants to be certain that important issues are addressed and that the project will be successful.
Rob Means, interested citizen, expressed concern that the MOS scenario is a strategy of the Bush Administration to delay programs that it does not support. Mr. Means suggested a cheaper alternative to BART Extension, the Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) that will connect the Fremont BART Station to the Milpitas light rail station.
Robert Allen, interested citizen, suggested to have an at-grade extension of BART to a Julian-Mckee Intermodal Station. He noted that his suggestion will only cost about $400 million and will connect to the Tamien, Caltrain, and Pacific lines.
Irvin Dawid, interested citizen, noted that what the people want is an East Side all rail connection to BART. In this light, Mr. Dawid suggested to look at the future Capitol and the East Tasman light rail lines as alternatives.
Eyedin Zonobi, Transportation Solutions in San Jose State University (SJSU), expressed concern regarding the deferral of the future Civic Plaza/SJSU BART station. Mr. Zonobi requested the PAB to reconsider this station because many students can utilize the Civic Plaza/SJSU Station.
David Richerson, interested citizen, expressed appreciation to staff for developing new MOS scenarios which included an East San Jose Station. Mr. Richerson stated that the system should be built all the way to the maintenance facility and to have another station that will simultaneously open with the station in the City of Milpitas to prevent traffic congestion in Milpitas.
Janet Redding, Office of the President of SJSU, stated that dependable transit will provide better access to education. Ms. Redding also mentioned that rapid transit makes education more affordable and that the Civic Plaza/SJSU Station will be beneficial for the university students.
Marianne Alvarez, SJSU Police Department, stated that the BART to San Jose will alleviate current parking problems, lessen congestion, boost downtown San Jose, improve environment, and foster strong neighborhood relationships.
Ed Connor, interested citizen, discussed Lev-X. Mr. Connor stated that Lev-X is a good system that runs on standard rail and permanent magnetic field.
Member Chavez acknowledged the SJSU representatives and recognized that SJSU is an important constituency of the City of San Jose. Member Chavez emphasized that the objective is to build the full system and that the MOS is a requirement being done to obtain federal funding.
Member Fang left his seat at 1:21 p.m.
Member Snyder expressed his support for MOS Scenarios 1E and 1F. Member Snyder recognized the need to conform to the BART and VTA Agreement.
Member Fang took his seat at 1:22 p.m.
Chairperson Gonzales stated that the BART and VTA agreement should be followed and carried through to prevent or provide solutions, if any, to negative impacts of the BART Extension to the existing BART System.
Mr. Margro queried about the procedure for the EIS/EIR. Ms. Ives clarified that the EIS/EIR will include the entire project and the MOS-1E and MOS-1F will be additional analyses.
Member Beall requested including in the EIS/EIR the construction impact and the financial impact of delaying the stations for MOS-1E. He further requested including the environmental consequences of doing construction twice in the same area for the MOS.
Chairperson Gonzales thanked staff for being responsive and innovative. Chairperson Gonzales reiterated that the MOS is only being done because it is a requirement of the FTA. Chairperson Gonzales stated that the BART and VTA agreement is fully understood and that staff will analyze any implications that the project might have to the existing BART System. Chairperson Gonzales noted the concerns of the SJSU representatives. He added that if BART Extension is successful, it will be the only BART line that will connect two universities: SJSU and Santa Clara University. He urged the SJSU representatives to assist in the advocacy of the BART Extension at the state level.
M/S/C (McLemore/Beall) to select MOS 1-E and MOS 1-F for further evaluation in the Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) and the federal New Starts process.
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