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CALLED TO ORDER at 9:03 a.m.

ROLL CALL:

A. Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors

B. Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Board of Directors

*Alternates do not serve unless participating as a Member.

A quorum was present.

Opening Remarks regarding the 1996 Measure B Transportation Improvement Program

Tracey Loveridge, County of Santa Clara Measure B Program Staff, provided opening remarks highlighting accomplishments, recommended project changes, and milestones for 2006.   Ms. Loveridge noted that all critical transportation projects approved by the voters in 1996 have been completed or scheduled for completion in the near future despite the drastic downturn in the economy.

Two projects on the deferred list were moved forward in December 2004.   The two projects are: Highway 85 Noise Mitigation and Highway 17 E Auxiliary Lane.   Sales tax performance and project budgets will be monitored closely, determining eligibility of completion.  Route 152-B2 and two Caltrain Pedestrian Underpass projects will be bid ready in Palo Alto in nine months.  Signal Synchronization for San Tomas is pending Measure B Fund availability.  Caltrain San Martin Station parking is currently deferred.  There are federal earmarks submitted for level of service improvements on Almaden Expressway.

Three bid ready designs are proceeding forward.   The projects are: Route 152,
Project B-2 in Gilroy, Caltrain California Avenue Pedestrian Underpass, and Caltrain Palo Alto Station Pedestrian Underpass.

In the current year ahead, completion of the following projects are expected:  Vasona Light Rail Project will open August 2005, Route 85/101 (N) Interchange, Route 85 Noise Mitigation, Route 17 E Auxiliary Lanes, Route 85/101 (Landscaping,I-880 Landscaping, Caltrain Palo Alto Transit Center, and all Levels of Service projects as well as several segments of County Expressway Signal Synchronization Program will be bid ready pending Measure B funds availability.

In the revenue and expenditure plan there are several recommended changes that include both increases and decreases.   The revenue change from the December 2004 semi-annual report to the current revenue expenditure plan is a revenue increase of $7.4 million.   The overall expenditure increased by $5.7 million. 

Program Progress Presentation

Highway Program

Jack Collins, VTA Chief Construction Officer, provided an overview of the Highway Program and a Power Point presentation, highlighting: 

Completed Construction Projects:    Route 17, San Tomas Expressway Modifications, Restriping SB 17 near I-280 merge, NB Auxiliary Lane SR85 to Camden Avenue, SB 17 exit to Hamilton Avenue, Route 237/I-880 Interchange, and Route 101 Widening.   Route 85/87 Interchange Planting completed,
Route 152 safety improvements and Highway Planting, and I-880 widening and ancillary and sound wall project has been completed.  The combined Biological Mitigation Site has been completed as well as Route 85/101 South Interchange.  The total completed Projects Construction value is $189 million that represents
67 percent completion of the overall highway program.

 Projects Under Construction:   Route 85/101 N Interchange, Route 87 HOV (North and South), Route 85 Noise Mitigation, Route 17 E Auxiliary Lanes,         I-880 Highway Planting will be completed December 2005.  Route 85/101 South Highway Planting will be complete March 2006, and Route 152 B1 scheduled for a completion date of July 2006.  Caltrain Palo Alto Transit Center, all level of service projects and several segments of County Expressway Signal Synchronization Program are due for completion in 2005-2006.

Project Advertisement for Construction:  Route 17 (E) Northbound Auxiliary Lane – bids open June 7, 2005, and Route 85 Noise Mitigation bids open
June 6, 2005.

Project Development Status:

1. Design and Environmental Ongoing

• Route 152 B2 – Will complete construction documents to bid ready
• Route 85/101 North Highway Planting – Advertise Fall 2006
• Route 87 Highway Planting – Advertise Spring 2007

2. Related Projects

• Bay Checkerspot Butterfly Habitat Acquisition – Required by United States Fish and Wildlife (USFW) for Route 101 Widening, 85/101 (S), and CBMP potential habitat site acquisition completed December 2004.

Budget Summary

• Recommended Project Changes of Significance
  • Increase to Highway Program Budget of $5.3 million from December 2004.

• Route 152 Phase B2 (widening to east over Old Llagas Creek) – Deferred last year but is now moving forward to bid ready and increases the Highway budget by $1.0 million.
  • Route 237/880 Interchange – Extensive wet weather delayed completion of construction resulting in additional costs of $1.2 million for construction impacts and extended labor services.
  • Route 85/101 North - $1.8 million increase for construction delay and inefficiencies, difficulties in foundation construction and traffic handling, and extended labor services costs.   The remaining $1.3 million budget increase is the net variance of increases and decreases for highway projects construction, right-of-way, and construction management costs.

Rail Program

Mr. Collins noted that the projects in the Rail Program are now 97 percent complete.  Tasman East Light Rail opened June 23, 2004, with an additional savings of $.3 million and all construction contracts closed without claims.   Capitol Light Rail has been completed with a savings of $3.1 million and all construction contracts closed without claims.  Vasona Light Rail is in testing and scheduled to open August 12, 2005, with an additional savings of $2.5 million.

Design and Construction Summary

Tamien to Lick Double Track – Civil Construction completed February 2004 and Signal Systems completed February 2005.   The Palo Alto Transit Center has construction ongoing and is scheduled for completion August 2005.   The Palo Alto Caltrain Station Pedestrian Underpass will be completed December 2005.  The California Avenue Station Pedestrian Underpass is in design status with construction deferred, slated for completion December 2005.

Construction Projects Underway

Caltrain Service Improvements

Tamien to Lick Double Tracking

Palo Alto Transit Center

Budget Summary

Mr. Collins advised that the Budget Summary shows a substantial overall reduction in the forecast of expenditures when comparing the December 2004 Budget and the 2006 Revenue and Expenditure Plan Budget.

Mr. Collins noted that VTA was successful in allocating additional funds from other sources, which helped reduce the amount of Measure B funds used in the Rail Program.   The reduction in the Rail Program Budget Forecast is a result of projects savings in each of the four major components of the Program.

Recommended Project Changes of Significance(four major components)

• Decrease Tasman East Light Rail Budget from $273.1 million to
  $272.8 million
• Decrease the Capitol Light Rail Budget from $159.8 million to $156.8 million
• Decrease the Vasona Light Rail Budget from $317.2 million to $314.7 million
• Increase the Caltrain Budget from $52.7 million to $54.3 million
• Decrease CODE budget from $7.3 million to $6.8 million

County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors Consider Budget Adjustment regarding 1996 Measure B Transportation Improvement Program

Action:

M/S/C (Gage/McHugh) for Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors to approve Budget Adjustments regarding the 1996 Measure B Transportation Improvement Program Administration increase from $5.3 million to $6 million and Program Management Oversight Budget increase of $6.4 million to $7.5 million.

County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors and VTA Board of Directors Receive Status Reports and/or Consider Budget Adjustments Regarding the 1996 Measure B Transportation Improvement Program

• Community Oriented Design Enhancement (CODE) Program and 1996 Measure B Consolidated Biological Mitigation Site

1.  CODE Program:   Decrease budget from $7.3 million to $6.8 million.

Action:

M/S/C (Williams/Kniss) for VTA Board of Directors to approve the amendment to the Budget Adjustments regarding the 1996 Measure B Transportation Improvements to decrease budget from $7.3 million to $6.8 million.

NOTE: M/S/C MEANS MOTION SECONDED AND, UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, THE MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.

Margaret Okuzumi, Executive Director BayRail Alliance, expressed concern that the original allocation for Caltrain in the 1996 Measure B Transportation Improvement Program was $88 million and expressed that she is gratified to learn that on behalf of her organization the California Avenue Underpass has been identified as the most significant improvement to improve Caltrain service for the riders, improve safety, and access.

M/S/C (McHugh/Gage) for Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors and VTA Board of Directors receive Status Reports and/or Consider Budget Adjustments regarding the 1996 Measure B Transportation Improvement Program.

2.  Consolidated Biological:   Mitigation Site: Increase budget from $6.6 million to $7.3 million.

Action:

M/S/C (Williams/Kniss) for VTA Board of Directors to approve the amendment of the Budget Adjustments regarding the 1996 Measure B Transportation Improvement to increase budget from $6.6 million to $7.3 million.

M/S/C (McHugh/Gage) for Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors to approve the amendment of the Budget Adjustments regarding the 1996 Measure B Transportation Improvement to increase budget from $6.6 million to $7.3 million

B.         Highway Program

Action:

M/S/C (Williams/Chu) for VTA Board of Directors to approve the amendment to:

   1. Route 880 Widening:   Increase budget by $35,000 from  $76.1 million to    $76.1 million.

   2. Route 101 Widening:   Decrease budget from $55.3 million to $54.5 million.

   3. Route 85/101 (S):  Increase budget from $67.7 million to $68.4 million.

   4.Route 85/87 Interchange: Increase budget by $22,000 from $43.1 million to     $43.1 million.

   5. Route 85/101 (N):   Increase budget from $123.4 million to $125.3 million.

   6. Route 237/880 Interchange:   Increase budget from $50.0 million to      $51.2 million.

   7. Route 17 Improvements:   Increase budget from $26.8 million to $28.2 million.

   8. Route 87 (S) HOV Lanes: Increase budget from $15.1 million to $15.5 million.

   9. Route 87 (N) HOV Lanes: Decrease budget by $16,000 from $11.0 million to   $11.0 million.

10. Route 152 Improvements:   Increase budget from $22.0 million to $22.7 million.

11. Route 85 Noise Mitigation:   Decrease budget from $9.3 million to $9.0 million.

M/S/C (McHugh/Gage) for Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors to approve the amendment to:

1. Route 880 Widening:  Increase budget by $16,000 from $76.1 million to $76.1 million.

2. Route 101 Widening:   Decrease budget from $55.3 million to$54.5 million.

3. Route 85/101 (S):   Increase budget from $67.7 million to $68.4 million.

4. Route 85/87 Interchange: Increase budget by $22,000 from $43.1 million to $43.1 million.

 5. Route 85/101 (N):   Increase budget from $123.4 million to $125.3 million.

 6. Route 237/880 Interchange:   Increase budget from $50.0 million to $51.2 million.

 7. Route 17 Improvements:   Increase budget from $26.8 million to $28.2 million.

8. Route 87 (S) HOV Lanes: Increase budget from $15.1 million to $15.5 million.

9. Route 87 (N) HOV Lanes: Decrease budget by $16,000 from $11.0 million to  $11.0 million.

10. Route 152 Improvements:   Increase budget from $22.0 million to $22.7 million.

11.Route 85 Noise Mitigation:   Decrease budget from $9.3 million to $9.0 million.

C.         Rail Program

Action:

M/S/C (Cortese/Williams) for VTA Board of Directors to approve the amendment to:

1.Tasman East Light Rail:   Decrease budget from $273.1 million to $272.8 million.

2.  Capital Light Rail:   Decrease budget from $159.8 million to $156.8 million.

3.  Vasona Light Rail:   Decrease budget from $317.2 million to $314.7 million.

4.  Caltrain Service Improvements:  Increase budget from $52.7 million to  $54.3 million.

M/S/C (McHugh/Gage) for the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors to approve the amendment to:

1.Tasman East Light Rail:   Decrease budget from $273.1 million to $272.8 million.

2.Capitol Light Rail:   Decrease budget from $159.8 million to $156.8 million.

3.Vasona Light Rail:   Decrease budget from $317.2 million to $314.7 million.

4.Caltrain Service Improvements:   Decrease budget from $52.7 million to  $54.3 million.

D. Other Programs

1. Bicycle Program

John Ristow, Deputy Director Programming and Highway Administration, stated that all projects in the Bicycle Program are moving forward in the planning and design phases contingent upon construction funding from additional state and federal sources.   Mr. Ristow noted that the most significant accomplishment in the Bicycle Program is the River Oaks Bridge.   The bridge will start construction mid-June 2005 and will link Santa Clara and the Rivermark Development with the light rail station in San Jose.

On order of Chairperson Pirzynski, there being no objection, the Bicycle Program Progress Report was received.

2. Pavement Management Program

Mr. Ristow stated that there was no activity last year as, all projects were completed.

On order of Chairperson Pirzynski, there being no objection, the Pavement Management Program was received.

3. Swap Projects:  Mr. Ristow stated that there were no new Swap Projects last year and no new future Swaps are anticipated for the Pavement Management Program.

Action:   None

• Level of Service Intersection Improvement Program

Board Member Gonzales inquired as to SB 1233 regarding bicycle access to the expressway system.

Michael Murdter, Director Santa Clara County Roads and Airports, noted that SB 1233 has no effect on bicycle access to the expressway system.   In Santa Clara County expressways are being restriped to better accommodate bicyclists.   The language in SB1233 allows cities and the County to restrict and prohibit pedestrian access in areas where there is lack of sidewalks and no space behind the curb for pedestrians to safely walk.  This enables cities and the County to jointly enact pedestrian prohibitions until it is safe for pedestrians to access those areas.  The language is related to pedestrian access and not intended for bicyclists.

With regard to the Intersection Level of Service Program, Mr. Murdter reported that the Montague Expressway Project and Central Expressway Project are under construction with completion slated for 2006.

On order of Chairperson Pirzynski, there being no objection, the Level of Service Intersection Improvement Program Progress Report was received.

 5.  Expressway Signal Synchronization Program

Mr. Murdter noted that the Express Signal Synchronization Program (ESS) is moving foward and there are no proposed budget modifications to the Program.

On order of Chairperson Pirzynski, there being no objection, the Expressway Signal Synchronization Program Progress Report was received. 

Member Gage and Chairperson Pirzynski thanked VTA staff for their hard work, diligence, and dedication on the reports submitted.   Chairperson Pirzynski expressed kudos to both Boards and extraordinary VTA staff.

1996 Measure B Transportation Improvement Program-Increase Route 85/101 North Interchange Project Construction Contract Amount

Mr. Collins provided a brief summary and overview of the 1996 Measure B Transportation Improvement Program Increase Route 85/101 North Interchange Project Construction Contract Amount.   This item was reviewed in the power point presentation.   There has been an increased complexity to be associated with driving piles for the structures in the area, which has resulted in an increase to this project.

Staff is requesting that VTA Board of Directors authorize an increase to the change order authority to reach completion of this project.   This increase is approximately four per cent or $2,296,225 above the current level of authority.

Board Member Gonzales expressed his appreciation to the Board of Supervisors, VTA Board of Directors and staff.   Member Gonzales especially complimented the artwork that is on the 85/101 Interchange.   He feels it is a great visual asset for commuters.

Action:

M/S/C (Kniss/Chavez) for VTA Board of Directors to approve the 1996 Measure B Transportation Improvement Program-Increase Route 85/101 North Interchange Project Construction Contract Amount.