CALL TO ORDER TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Thursday, May 14, 2015 MINUTES The Regular Meeting of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) was called to order at 1:30 p.m. by Chairperson Servín in Conference Room B-104, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), 3331 North First Street, San José, California. 1. ROLL CALL Attendee Name Representing Status Shahid Abbas Member City of Sunnyvale Present Carol Shariat Alternate Member City of Sunnyvale N/A Rajeev Batra Member City of Santa Clara Present Kevin Riley Alternate Member City of Santa Clara N/A Karl Bjarke Member City of Morgan Hill Absent Scott Creer Alternate Member City of Morgan Hill Absent Timm Borden Member City of Cupertino Present David Stillman Alternate Member City of Cupertino N/A Todd Capurso Member City of Campbell Present Michelle Quinney Alternate Member City of Campbell N/A John Cherbone Vice Chairperson City of Saratoga Present Macedonia Nunez Alternate Member City of Saratoga N/A Richard Chiu Member Town of Los Altos Hills Absent Tina Tseng Alternate Member Town of Los Altos Hills Absent Dan Collen Member County of Santa Clara Present Dawn Cameron Alternate Member County of Santa Clara N/A Helen Kim Member City of Mountain View Present Linda Forsberg Alternate Member City of Mountain View N/A Steve Chan Alternate Member City of Milpitas Absent Matt Morley Member Town of Los Gatos Present Lisa Petersen Alternate Member Town of Los Gatos N/A Cedric Novenario Member City of Los Altos Present Jim Gustafson Alternate Member City of Los Altos N/A Jim Lightbody Member City of Palo Alto Present Jessica Sullivan Alternate Member City of Palo Alto N/A Ray Salvano Member City of San José Absent Jim Ortbal Alternate Member City of San José Present Henry Servín Chairperson City of Gilroy Present Teresa Mack Alternate Member City of Gilroy N/A Mo Sharma Member City of Monte Sereno Absent Nick Saleh Ex-Officio Alternate Member California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) * Alternates do not serve unless participating as a Member. A quorum was present. 3331 North First Street San Jose, CA 95134-1927 Administration 408.321.5555 Customer Service 408.321.2300 Absent
2. ORDERS OF THE DAY M/S/C (Borden/Ortbal) to accept the Orders of the Day, and approve the Consent Agenda. 3. PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS There were no Public Presentations. 4. Committee Staff Report John Ristow, Director of Planning and Program Development and Staff Liaison, provided the staff report, highlighting: 1) workshop regarding environmental requirements on federal aid projects scheduled on June 15, 2015, at the VTA Auditorium; 2) first meeting of the TAC Ad Hoc Committee for Envision Silicon Valley immediately following the May 14, 2015, TAC Regular Meeting; and 3) ongoing effort to appoint an Ex-Officio position representing the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) to TAC. Member Collen arrived at the meeting and took his seat at 1:32 p.m. On order of Chairperson Servín and there being no objection, the Committee received the Committee Staff Report. 5. Envision Silicon Valley Update Scott Haywood, Transportation Planning Manager, provided a brief update on Envision Silicon Valley, noting overview of the April 29, 2015, Ad Hoc Committee - Envision Silicon Valley meeting. Staff was directed to provide further clarification on the relationship between some of the goals and principles at the next Ad Hoc Committee - Envision Silicon Valley meeting, scheduled for May 22, 2015. Mr. Haywood noted next steps, including adoption of the goals and principles at the June 4, 2015, VTA Board of Directors Regular Meeting. John Sighamony, Senior Transportation Planner, provided a brief overview of the upcoming project updates and call-for-projects process for both MTC s Plan Bay Area 2040 and VTA s Valley Transportation Plan (VTP) 2040. Staff noted has plans to engage the community in the late Summer 2015 to present the project list. Mr. Sighamony further noted MTC s deadline to submit project updates and new projects for project performance evaluation is September 30, 2015. VTA s deadline for new and revised project information is early July 2015. On order of Chairperson Servín and there being no objection, the Committee received an update on Envision Silicon Valley. 6. Chairperson s Report Chairperson Servín gave a report which included a brief overview on the following topics: 1) State Route (SR) 85 Express Lanes Project; 2) TAC Ad Hoc Committee for Envision Silicon Valley formation, metrics, and schedule; and 3) discussion regarding appointing an Ex-Officio member representing MTC to TAC. NOTE: M/S/C MEANS MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED AND, UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. Technical Advisory Committee Page 2 of 7 May 14, 2015
7. TAC Working Groups Report Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Working Group Celeste Fiore, Transportation Planner, provided a brief report of the April 28, 2015 meeting, noting the CIP Working Group received update presentations on the following topics: 1) Plan Bay Area 2040 and VTP 2040; 2) Transportation Development Act (TDA) Article 3 funds; and 3) Transportation Fund for Clean Air grant program. The next meeting of the CIP Working Group is scheduled for May 19, 2015. Systems Operations & Management (SOM) Working Group Eugene Maeda, Senior Transportation Planner, provided a brief report of the April 22, 2015 meeting, noting the SOM Working Group engaged in discussions on the following: 1) Vehicle Registration Fee (VRF) program; 2) Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Strategic Plan; 3) 2014 VTA Monitoring and Conformance Report; and 4) AirSage data collection. The next meeting of the SOM Working Group is scheduled for May 27, 2015. Mr. Maeda reminded the Committee of the Roadside Asset Self-Assessment Survey for VTA s 2015 Transportation System Monitoring Program (TSMP) Report, and requested that the survey be completed and returned to staff by June 29, 2015. Staff also noted additional information will be provided to the Committee to assist them in completing the survey. Land Use/Transportation Integration (LUTI) Working Group Robert Swierk, Senior Transportation Planner, provided a brief report of the May 13, 2015 meeting, noting the LUTI Working Group meeting discussed the following: 1) VTA s Joint Development Program request-for-proposals for development on key sites, including possibly having an affordable housing policy related to joint development of VTA properties; 2) conditions of approval for transit passes and Eco Pass; and 3) Plan Bay Area 2040 and land use data collection coordination. The next meeting of the LUTI Working Group is scheduled for August 12, 2015. Upon query of Members of the Committee, staff noted that VTA could pursue longterm ground leases or sale of its parcels, and referred to Assembly Bill (AB) 2135 as the Joint Development Department considers including affordable housing in the Joint Development Policy. Members of the Committee also pointed out that land use decisions are within the purview of local agencies and cities set their respective land use policies. Mr. Swierk noted that generating revenue and promoting effective transit-oriented developments are priorities of the Joint Development Program and AB 2135 may conflict with these goals. Staff intends to seek Member Agencies feedback on this issue. On order of Chairperson Servín and there being no objection, the Committee received reports from TAC Working Groups. Technical Advisory Committee Page 3 of 7 May 14, 2015
CONSENT AGENDA 8. Regular Meeting Minutes of April 9, 2015 M/S/C (Borden/Ortbal) to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of April 9, 2015. 9. Fiscal Year 2016 & Fiscal Year 2017 Congestion Management Work Program M/S/C (Borden/Ortbal) to recommend the VTA Board of Directors approve the Fiscal Year 2016 and Fiscal Year 2017 Congestion Management Work Program and budget. 10. 2014 Annual CMP Monitoring and Conformance Report M/S/C (Borden/Ortbal) to recommend the VTA Board of Directors adopt the 2014 Monitoring and Conformance Findings. 11. Overview of Operational Tolling Policies for Express Lanes M/S/C (Borden/Ortbal) to receive an update on Bay Area regional toll operations policies. 12. Legislative Update Matrix M/S/C (Borden/Ortbal) to review the Legislative Update Matrix. 13. 2014 Regional Pavement Condition Summary Report M/S/C (Borden/Ortbal) to receive the 2014 Regional Pavement Condition Summary Report. 14. Development Review Quarterly Report for January - March 2015 M/S/C (Borden/Ortbal) to receive the Development Review Quarterly Report for January to March 2015. 15. Bicycle Expenditure Program Semi- Annual Report M/S/C (Borden/Ortbal) to receive a status report on the Semi-Annual Update of Bicycle Expenditure Program (BEP) projects. 16. Land Use Development Data Collection and Tracking M/S/C (Borden/Ortbal) to receive information on Land Use Development Data Collection and Tracking. 10. 2014 Annual CMP Monitoring and Conformance Report (continued) Members Collen and Abbas noted discrepancies between respective local agencies data and what is indicated on the Monitoring and Conformance Report. Staff expressed they will reach out to relevant Member Agency staff to address concerns. REGULAR AGENDA 17. FY2015/16 TDA3 Project Priorities Marcella Rensi, Transportation Planning Manager, provided a brief overview of the staff recommendations. M/S/C (Batra/Collen) to recommend the VTA Board of Directors adopt a resolution approving the project priorities for the FY2015/16 Countywide Transportation Development Act Article 3 program and approve modifications to the County Expressway Pedestrian Program. Technical Advisory Committee Page 4 of 7 May 14, 2015
18. 2015 TFCA Program Manager Fund Ms. Rensi provided a brief staff report, noting recommended projects. M/S/C (Collen/Borden) to recommend the VTA Board of Directors approve the programming of FY 2015/16 Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA) Program Manager funds to projects. 19. US 101/Zanker Rd./N 4th St./Skyport Drive Interchange Project, I-680 Soundwalls Project & I-280/Winchester Boulevard Improvements Project Gene Gonzalo, Engineering Group Manager - Highways, provided a brief overview of the staff recommendations. M/S/C (Ortbal/Capurso) to recommend the VTA Board of Directors authorize the General Manager to negotiate and enter into agreements with California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), local jurisdictions, and regulatory agencies, covering planning, preliminary engineering/environmental, design, right-of-way, and construction phases for the following three projects: 1. US 101/Zanker Road/North 4th Street/Skyport Drive Interchange Project 2. I-680 Soundwalls Project 3. I-280/Winchester Boulevard Improvements Project 20. Follow up Report on SR 85 Express Lanes Implementation Casey Emoto, Deputy Director of Project Development, provided an overview of the staff report, noting: 1) environmental document for State Route (SR) 85 Express Lanes has been signed by Caltrans, while the environmental document for US 101 is currently being reviewed by Caltrans; 2) overview of implementation plan; 3) overview of frequently raised topics from formal comments received; 4) future phases beyond Phase 4 are to be determined; 5) overview of implementation strategies for SR 85 Express Lanes between I-280 and SR 87; and 6) funding for segments beyond Phase 4 will be at discretion of VTA Board of Directors. Members of the Committee and staff engaged in a discussion on the following topics: 1) funding strategies for Phases 3 and 4; 2) other express lane projects in the region; 3) high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane connectors as it correlates with travel time savings; 4) ongoing operating cost and net revenue for Phase 1 operations; 5) impact of additional energy efficient vehicles to overall travel time savings if stickered vehicles are allowed in HOV lanes; and 6) next steps and current efforts to address concerns from cities along the SR 85 corridor. Member Novenario expressed concern on the impact of traffic queue to local streets at the Fremont Avenue and SR 85 intersection in the City of Los Altos, and expressed interest in the existing SR 85 Corridor Study by VTA. Staff noted that a copy of the study would be forwarded to the Committee. Discussion between Members of the Committee and staff continued, involving impact to travel times as traffic volume increases and incentivizing higher occupancy in vehicles. Public Comments Barry Chang, Interested Citizen and Vice Mayor of Cupertino, noted his City Council s decision to proceed with litigation against Caltrans and VTA for failure to do a full Environmental Impact Report. He expressed concern on project cost, project cost Technical Advisory Committee Page 5 of 7 May 14, 2015
OTHER recovery, and increased traffic congestion along the corridor without effective mass transportation solutions. He further commented that the potential 2016 tax measure should include benefits for communities along the corridor. Cheriel Jensen, Interested Citizen, commented that the SR 85 median should be reserved for light rail and expressed concern that construction of express lanes might preclude light rail in the future. She added that the project s design could adversely affect traffic congestion. Member Lightbody left the meeting at 2:43 p.m. Trish Cypher, Interested Citizen, provided reading materials to the Committee and expressed the following comments and concerns: 1) issues with tolls; 2) planned litigation by Cities of Cupertino and Saratoga; 3) VTA should honor previous agreement with relevant jurisdictions upon construction of SR 85; 4) objected to MTC s OneBayArea Grant Program (OBAG), referencing financing of Priority Conservation Areas; and 5) possible provision of trucks on SR 85. Staff noted that materials from Ms. Cypher s presentation will be forwarded to the Committee via email. Members of the Committee and staff further discussed the decision process and scheduling of the SR 85 implementation plan recommendation. M/S/F (Ortbal/Servín) on a vote of 3 ayes to 4 noes to 4 abstentions to recommend the VTA Board of Directors approve the implementation plan of express lanes on SR 85. Members Borden, Cherbone, Morley, and Novenario opposed. Members Abbas, Batra, Capurso, and Kim abstained. On order of Chairperson Servín and there being no objection, the Committee recommended staff provide additional information at the June 11, 2015, TAC Regular Meeting regarding questions and issues raised concerning SR 85. 21. Update on MTC Activities and Initiatives Mike Reilly, MTC Senior Land Use Modeler, provided an overview of the May 13, 2015, MTC Programming and Allocations Committee meeting, noting: 1) approval of recommended projects for the Regional Cap and Trade Endorsements: Transit and Intercity Rail and Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities program, which includes VTA s BART Berryessa Station Campus Area Project, the City of San Jose s 777 Park Avenue Project, and the City of Morgan Hill s Monterey Road Corridor Pedestrian and Bicycle Connectivity Project; 2) approval of recommended projects for the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) 7 grant program, which includes the City of San Jose s Coyote Creek Trail Connector Project; and 3) approval of revisions to the FY2014-15 Transit Capital Priorities (TCP), which include re-programming of minor amounts of VTA funds from bus procurement to fixed rail. Mr. Riley further noted open houses for Plan Bay Area, and working with the LUTI Working Group to ensure local agencies land-use data is up to date. 22. Update on Caltrans Activities and Initiatives There was no update on Caltrans activities and initiatives. Technical Advisory Committee Page 6 of 7 May 14, 2015
23. TAC Committee Work Plan Staff noted the Committee s request for additional information to address questions and concerns raised regarding SR 85 at the June 2015 meeting. On order of Chairperson Servín, and there being no objection, the Committee reviewed the work plan. 24. ANNOUNCEMENTS Staff reminded the Committee of the TAC Ad Hoc Committee for Envision Silicon Valley meeting immediately following the TAC Regular Meeting. Chairperson Servín encouraged Committee Members to attend to identify interest and direction. 25. ADJOURNMENT On order of Chairperson Servín, and there being no objection, the meeting was adjourned at 2:54 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Michelle Oblena, Board Assistant VTA Office of the Board Secretary Technical Advisory Committee Page 7 of 7 May 14, 2015