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C.18

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Transportation Water Infrastructure Committee
Date:	May 5, 2009

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Joint Policy Committee Policies on Implementation of Senate Bill 375

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 05/05/2009

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Gayle B. Uilkema, District II Supervisor
Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor
Susan A. Bonilla, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:

335-1240

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: May 5, 2009
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

AUTHORIZE the Chair of the Board of Supervisors to sign a letter to the Joint Policy Committee commenting on draft policies to implement Senate Bill 375 (see Exhibit B) as recommended by the Transportation Water and Infrastructure Committee.

FISCAL IMPACT:

None to the General Fund.

BACKGROUND:

Senate Bill 375 became law on January 1. It describes the requirements for local and regional agencies that will help achieve goals for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from cars and light duty trucks. The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) are the regional agencies responsible for implementing the provisions of Senate Bill 375 in the Bay Area. The Joint Policy Committee (JPC) was established by MTC, ABAG, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and the Bay Conservation & Development Commission to coordinate regional planning policies.

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)

In January, JPC staff recommended that the JPC adopt policies to guide implementation of Senate Bill 375 and proposed draft policies for the JPCs consideration. On March 20, the JPC deferred action on the draft policies due to the extensive comments that were received by various stakeholders. Exhibit A includes the draft JPC policies and comment letters from the West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee and the Contra Costa Transportation Authority. The JPC is scheduled to take action on the policies on May 15. No changes to the policies have been made available to the public.

On March 30, the Transportation Water and Infrastructure Committee discussed the draft policies to be considered by the JPC and requested staff prepare a comment letter. On April 29, the Committee heard comments from Bob McCleary, Executive Director of the Contra Costa Transportation Authority and reviewed the comment letter prepared by County staff. The Committee recommends the Board send the letter included in Exhibit B to the JPC. This letter recommends the JPC include policies that accomplish the following:

Expand the JPC partnership for Senate Bill 375 implementation to include Congestion Management Agencies;
Provide a meaningful process for review and input by local governments and the public;
Establish realistic and achievable targets for greenhouse gas reductions;
Incorporate local initiatives such as Measure J in the Sustainable Communities Strategy: and
Establish policies to guide development of a rural sustainability strategy.