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The Regular Meeting of the Silicon Valley Rapid Transit Corridor BART Extension to Milpitas, San Jose, and Santa Clara Policy Advisory Board (PAB) was called to order at 3:05 p.m. by Chairperson Gonzales at the City Council Chambers, Milpitas City Hall, 455 East Calaveras Boulevard, Milpitas, California.

ROLL CALL

Members Present
Tom Blalock, Vice Chairperson
Cindy Chavez
Ron Gonzales, Chairperson
Scott Haggerty
Zoyd Luce
Gail Murray

Members Absent
Jim Beall
Dominic Caserta
Bob Livengood
Bob Wasserman

Alternates Present
Armando Gomez
Patricia Mahan
Robert A. Wieckowski

 Alternates Absent
James Fang

A quorum was present.

There were no Public Presentations.

Ms. Lee-Skowronek noted that changes to the project resulting from Preliminary Engineering and the ridership model update.   A Federal environmental document must be drafted since the project will request Federal funding.   Ms. Lee-Skowronek noted challenges will be to analyze a shorter federally funded segment as well as the full extension project.  The analysis of both scenarios are a Federal Transit Administration (FTA) requirement, and additional challenges involve the impact of the updated travel forecasts due to the increase of 20,000 additional daily riders than were initially forecast in 2004.

Ms. Lee-Skowronek provided updated station area planning on the Montague/Capitol BART Station noting that a station concept plan has been completed and preparation to formulate a specific plan is in order.   This will set the appropriate local policies in place for Transit Oriented Development (TOD).   A Notice of Preparation for the specific plan has been implemented and work will begin the summer of 2006.

The consulting team has been working on defining the existing physical, market, and environmental conditions in the Santa Clara BART Station area as well as meeting with stakeholders.   The next key effort will be to conduct public outreach meetings to work   with the community to identify opportunities and constraints with the project.

Ms. Lee-Skowronek noted that the Diridon/BART Station faces challenges to alleviate the parking situation and provide a solution that best supports the multiple uses proposed for the area.    The solution must include adequate parking for the Diridon/BART Station, HP Pavilion, and the proposed baseball stadium.   The parking situation will be jointly studied by VTA staff, HP Pavilion staff, and the City of San Jose.  The goal will be to identify a comprehensive parking plan that will support the City of San Jose’ TOD policy but also meet the stakeholders objectives.

On order of Chairperson Gonzales, there being no objection, the Committee received the Status Report on Environmental and Planning Activities.

Ms. Jamison reported that VTA staff continues to negotiate the Project Development Agreement (PDA) with FTA and they have indicated concurrence with 80 percent of VTA’s suggestions.   Discussion has focused on expediting the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and the review of the risk assessment that is associated with project cost estimates as well as opportunities for VTA to address the land acquisition costs and schedule.

The SVRTC-BART Extension project has received four Federal Earmarks over the past four years.   The 2003 Federal Earmark of $250,000 was utilized.   VTA received notification that the $2 million 2004 Earmark will be released in 2006 and VTA continues to pursue the release of the 2005 Federal Earmark of $2.5 million and the 2006 Federal Earmark of $6.5 million.

The FTA has identified two primary concerns relative to the ridership projections for the project.   The concerns are highway speeds projected for 2030 and transfer rates.    VTA is completing detailed analysis of the model elements in coordination with our consultants Hexagon Transportation and AECOM.

The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) added economic effects to criteria used to evaluated New Starts projects.   The VTA Board of Directors will select a consulting contract to address this evaluation at its April 6, 2006 Regular meeting.

On January 19, 2006 FTA published the Guidance on New Starts Policies and Procedures.   The guidance included administrative changes to the program to be implemented by April 2006 in addition to the discussion of additional changes to the subject of a formal proposed rule making in the summer of 2006.   VTA expressed significant concerns on the proposed guidance and submitted a letter to the FTA relating those concerns.  The American Public Transit Association (APTA) as well as other transit operators participating in the New Starts process also expressed their concerns. 

Ms. Jamison reported that VTA must demonstrate a reliable operating financial plan before reentry into the New Starts process and noted that VTA’s immediate focus would define the agreement with FTA on key modeling assumptions developing ridership forecasts, projecting costs to improve cost effectiveness, and developing the financial plan based on the operating sales tax proposal.   Ms. Jamison informed the PAB that in March 2006 the VTA Board of Directors formulated and created the Project Priority and Revenue Advisory Committee to work towards a consensus Expenditure Plan.

Ms Jamison noted that the Alameda County Transportation Improvement Authority (ACTIA) has established a policy advisory committee to address and advance the BART WSX Extension.   The focus of the committee is to work toward implementation of the project and to solidify the financial plan.   The VTA Board of Directors Chairperson will appoint a VTA representative to the committee.  The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is anticipated to be finalized in August 2006.

Chairperson Gonzales thanked VTA staff for their diligent work on this project.

On order of Chairperson Gonzales, there being no objection, the Committee received the Update on the FTA New Starts Process.

Mr. Collins reported that a Property Protection Study in the City of San Jose has been completed for properties along the tunnel alignment and that Preliminary Engineering estimates will be submitted by early summer 2006.   A kickoff meeting with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) was held with discussions concerning Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) relocations and related crossings along the alignment.

Mr. Collins noted that an agreement has been reached with the City of Fremont and the Alameda County Transportation Authority (ACTA) on the funding for Preliminary Engineering of the Mission/Warren /Truck Rail Grade Separation project and forecasting the forward movement of the project into the construction phase within the next six months and stated that completed evaluations has occurred with 57 of 59 Value Engineering proposals.

Mr. Collins reported that in the Conceptual Engineering and Right of Way (ROW) projects a total of $164.2 million in approved budget with 97 percent incurred to date with a balance of $5.6 million remaining to complete the EIS and the supplemental document to the approved EIR. 

Mr. Collins noted that 82 percent of the preliminary engineering on the BART project is complete and the approved budget is $169 million with 64 percent incurred to date with a balance of $61.2 million not incurred. 

On order of Chairperson Gonzales, there being no objection, the Committee reviewed the Silicon Valley Rapid Transit Project Preliminary Engineering Program Report-February 2006.

Mr. Collins indicated that a reduction in the yard and shop layout was configured to reduce the size of the facilities that provided a double-ended storage facility, a double underground tail track and a capacity of 244 vehicles.   This layout involved the acquisitions of private property, including 17 acres from the former Food Machinery Company (FMC) site that located the maintenance facilities and yard both north and south of I-880.

The Value Engineering proposal reduces the size of the yard and shops layout to accommodate 160 vehicles yet maintains the ability to expand to the maximum 244 vehicles.   It was determined that a single-ended storage facility with a single at grade tail track would meet operational needs.   This proposal reduces the acquisition of private property and the yard and shops layout remains within the UPRR Newhall Yard property, with all yard facilities remaining north of I-880 and reducing the land needed by 12.3 acres.  This Value Engineering proposal results in a net savings of $35 million. Mr. Collins thanked Jim Van Epps, BART Project Manager, and the BART staff for their cooperation and diligent work in collaboration with VTA staff with the revised yard concept and proposal.

Chairperson Gonzales inquired as to negotiations with Fed EX for their property, Mr. Collins stated that those negotiations are still ongoing.

Member Chavez requested clarification of the base figure the $15 million for the shop building and general site development has been added.   Staff responded that figure would be provided to the PAB.

Member Haggerty expressed concern that the reduction of land size for the yard and shops layout will not accommodate future needs.   Mr. Van Epps indicated to the PAB that the yard would accommodate the expanded amount of vehicles.   Mr. Van Epps stated that the yard and shops layout was presented to BART’s Chief Engineer and maintenance staff, the rolling stock and shops, and Chief of Transportation. This process enabled an examination by those departments in an independent manner receiving input to the concept.

Mark Robinson, Engineering Group Manager, directed the Committee’s attention to the powerpoint presentation regarding the two station concepts for Civic Plaza/SJSU and Market Street Stations that was a concept of the 2004 EIR.   The two proposed stations were to be 900 feet long under Santa Clara Street requiring two cut and cover excavations approximately 70 feet long.

The Value Engineering concept is to combine the two stations into a single Downtown San Jose Station.   Several meeting have been held with stakeholders including the San Jose Downtown Business Association, Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce, Silicon Valley Leadership Group, San Jose State University, and the San Jose Community Working Group.   Mr. Robinson reported that there would be a slight improvement in travel times with the elimination of on station and a construction saving estimated at   $105 million in 2003 dollars and a maintenance cost saving of $2 million annually.

The location of the Downtown San Jose Station would be between Market Street to the west and Second Street and Transit Mall to the east end of the station.

Chairperson Gonzales expressed concern that two entrances would not be sufficient and suggested staff consider the addition of an additional entrance/exit.   Chairperson Gonzales requested staff consider the option of steps or escalators to transport passengers to the street level sooner to benefit merchants in the area and suggested VTA staff work in coordination with the City of San Jose Planning Department.

Member Chavez expressed to the PAB that there is a great deal of development interest along Santa Clara Street.   Member Chavez also noted historic structures are along the alignment and she would like more information on the sites that would be impacted by the station.

Member Chavez expressed concern regarding public safety in the Fountain Alley and light rail area in Downtown San Jose, and she would like to see city staff and the San Jose Police Department give input on the development in that area.

Chairperson Gonzales expressed concern that the format of the Downtown San Jose Station was not decided in the PAB.   Chairperson Gonzales noted that until the PAB has recognized and acted on the concept they should not be factored into any financing plan.

M/S/C (Haggerty/Chavez ) to approve the March 2006 recommendations for Value Engineering Proposals.

On order of Chairperson Gonzales, there being no objection, the Committee reviewed the Cost Trend Report.

M/S/C (Chavez/Gomez) to recommend that the SVRTC-PAB meet every other month beginning with May 24, 2006.

Respectfully submitted,