In developing transportation related issues and proposals to bring forward for consideration by TWIC, staff receives input from the Board of Supervisors (BOS), references the County's adopted Legislative Platforms, coordinates with our legislative advocates, partner agencies and organizations, and consults with the Committee itself.
This report includes four sections, 1: LOCAL, 2: REGIONAL, 3: STATE, and 4: FEDERAL.
1. LOCAL
Accessible Transportation Strategic (ATS) Plan
Staff from the County and the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) continue to pursue the implementation of the ATS Plan which was approved by the Board of Supervisors and the CCTA Board in March 2021. Milestones include:
- Received approval for Measure X funding directed towards four ATS Plan "Quick Wins".
- Formed and convened the ATS Task Force (a recommendation of the ATS Plan)
- Formed and convened subcommittees to review material regarding the Coordinating Entity and Guiding Principles
- Developed technical memoranda regarding the fare subsidy program, cases studies to inform the Coordinating Entity discussion/decision, and other ATS recommendations.
2. REGIONAL
No report in March.
3. STATE
Attached: 3-2-2022 Letter: Board of Supervisors to Assemblymember Ward re: AB2120 Investing Federal Funding in Local Bridges.
Update
The County's legislative advocate will be in attendance at the March meeting to provide an update. Miscellaneous communication from Mr. Watts is attached to this report.
Potential State Budget Request
In consultation with the County's legislative advocate staff is proposing requesting a State budget request to fund the implementation of the Accessible Transportation Strategic (ATS) Plan. The impetus for the proposal includes the signficant shortfall in funding to successfully implement the ATS Plan combined with positive messaging from the Assembly Transportation Committee. Other actions at the state increase our confidence that such a budget request would be viewed favorably by the legislature.
Given our our shared legislative delegation and responsibility for ATS Plan implementation, County staff met with the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) staff to review this proposal. The meeting was positive, CCTA staff is expected to attend the March 14th TWIC meeting to discuss.
The proposal is consistent with our State Legislative Platform, excerpts below.
- SUPPORT efforts to address the underlying determinants of health and health equity, such as housing and prevention of displacement, educational attainment and livable wage jobs, and accessible transportation.
- SUPPORT the provision of a safe, reliable, efficient, and accessible transportation system that balances social, environmental, and economic needs of the County.
- PROVIDE an integrated, multi-modal transportation system that safely and efficiently meets the transportation needs of all economic and social segments of the County and provides for the transport of goods and services throughout Contra Costa County.
- Increased regional coordination, while reflecting local input, is necessary for public transit (paratransit and fixed route), roads, trails, advanced mobility technology, and greenhouse gas reduction related projects.
4. FEDERAL
No report in March.
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