[Staff Note: As this agenda was being posted, CCTA posted an Authority Board Special TEP Meeting Agenda. Given the time constraints this process is operating under, the CCTA packet in its entirety is attached to accomodate a complete discussion.]
Listed below are 1) the County's priorities/input for the 2016 Measure X and how those priorities were ultimately reflected in the Measure, and 2) Those priorities updated for the 2020 effort. Categories include Local Road Funding Needs, Transit Service Improvements, Improved Land Use Coordination/Community Development Transportation Program, and an expanded, improved Safe Routes to School Program.
Local Road Funding Needs ("Local Streets Maintenance & Improvements" in Measure J, aka "return-to-source")
2016 Measure X: The BOS supported the recommendations of each Regional Transportation Planning Committee (RTPCs): SWAT: 25%-30%, TRANSPAC: 30%, TRANSPLAN: 30%, WCCTAC: 28%. The BOS cited increasing complete streets and storm water design requirements in their argument for increased funding.
Ultimately, the Measure X TEP had 23.79% for this program.
2020 TEP Update/Recommendation: RTPC recommendations are not yet consistently available. However, the Contra Costa County Public Managers have communicated a preference for 24%.
Discussion: The passage of Senate Bill 1(2017 - various gas tax increases), which increased gas tax revenue for local jurisdictions, has been cited as an reason to reduce the funding levels for this program. Counter argument: 1) SB 1 did not completely address the substantial shortfall, and 2) as evidenced by CCTA's polling and observing the relevant policy framework (complete streets, vision zero, active transportation) there is a growing need for "first mile/last mile" connections and active transportation projects. These are inherently local projects requiring increases in local funding.
Transit Service Improvements:
2016 Measure X
Accessible Transit: The County successfully advocated for additional funding and "fundamental administrative" changes to be addressed in the TEP.
Ultimately this program was funded at 4% and required the Accessible Transportation Strategic (ATS) Plan be conducted (which is currently underway).
Fixed Route/Conventional Transit: The County's letter cited the recent (at that time) passage of SB 743 (2013, Transition from Level of Service [LOS] to Vehicle Miles Traveled[VMT]) and speculation that transit service would be a critical mitigation measure in this new environmental review paradigm.
Ultimately, Measure X included the following program category, "Improving our BART, Bus, Ferry and Train Networks" funded at 26.79%. This category included 5 sub-programs targeting different types/locations of transit service.
2020 TEP Update/Recommendation
Accessible Transit: Given that the ATS Plan is underway, and it had its origins in the 2016 Measure X process, the 2020 TEP could reference the existing planning process and commit to funding the recommendations.
Discussion: During the process to initiate the ATS Plan staff conducted a substantial amount of outreach to gather feedback and secure commitments for collaboration. Staff witnessed a considerable amount of resistance and tension relative to the effort. A successful ATS Plan is critical for the 2020 TEP to result in material improvements to accessible transit systems.
Fixed Route/Conventional Transit: Again, CCTA polling indicated an interest in increased travel options and "first mile, last mile" connections. The public transit system, as it evolves in response to various pressures, should be well-positioned to provide these connections.
Discussion: In addition to the rationale above, pressures from AB32, SB375, SB743 are only increasing. These legislative initiatives, focused on greenhouse gas and vehicle miles traveled reduction, increase the need for for improved/expanded public transit. This need comes at a time when transit districts are reducing service and facing operational challenges.
Improved Land Use Coordination/Community Development Transportation Program (CDTP): This would be a new program, Measure J does not have an equivalent program. The CDTP would focus on "making more efficient use of our transportation infrastructure". Put more directly, the goal was to incentivize land use changes that would result in the surplus, off-peak transportation capacity being used. Co-benefits would be increased local jobs and housing.
2016 Measure X: Ultimately, the BOS proposal "Improved Land Use Coordination" resulted in the "Community Development Transportation Program" being included in the TEP. That program description can be seen in the attached 2016 TEP.
2020 TEP Recommendation: Conservation and Development staff have marked up the 2016 Measure X "Community Development Transportation Program" which is attached for review/discussion.
Discussion: Since the 2016 Measure X effort the housing crisis has grown much more acute with the need for infill and affordable units also increasing. The off-peak (reverse) commute capacity remains an underutilized investment.
Safe Routes to School (SR2S) Program: As mentioned during the 5-21 Board discussion, this concept did not get much traction during the Measure X effort.
2016 Measure X: The County's proposal was to capitalize on a "Safe Routes to School Master Plan" conducted by CCTA and implement a comprehensive effort to increase the bike/walk rate for students during the home/school/home trip. At the time, the State had recently adopted a formal Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Curriculum, the proposal was to work with the school districts to consistently implement the curriculum on a consistent, countywide basis.
Ultimately, Measure X included a conventional SR2S program funded at %2.23.
2020 TEP Recommendation: Staff believes that the concept continues to be valid.
Discussion: SR2S programs have been in existence for approximately 20 years. These programs are typically grant funded and support both ongoing programs and activities in response to specific opportunities and catastrophic events. The proposal is for a more proactive, systematic program.
In summary the program would: 1) systematically examine all 285 public K-12 schools in the County, determine what the capital and programmatic needs are at each site and fund implementation, and 2) fund the implementation of the states adopted bicycle/pedestrian curriculum in cooperation the 19 school districts in the County. A substantial amount of the research and data collection was already done as a part of CCTA's SR2S Masterplan which never moved to an implementation phase. A new TEP could leveraging the existing work and fund that phase.
|