CONTRA COSTA TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY

COMMISSIONERS: Charles Abrams, Chair Dave Hudson, Vice Chair Janet Abelson Susan Bonilla Donald P. Freitas
Federal Glover Brad Nix Julie Pierce Karen Stepper Don Tatzin Maria Viramontes
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS: Amy Worth, MTC Gail Murray, BART Joe Wallace, Bus Operators

PLANNING COMMITTEE (PC)
AGENDA

MEMBERS:             Janet Abelson – Chair, Dave Hudson – Vice Chair,

                                 Charlie Abrams, Susan Bonilla, Brad Nix

DATE:                     Wednesday, September 5, 2007    

TIME:                      6:30 p.m.

PLACE:                   3478 Buskirk Avenue, Suite 100, Pleasant Hill, CA  94523      

                                 (925) 407-0121

CONVENE MEETING.

A.           PUBLIC COMMENT: Members of the public are invited to address the Committee regarding any item not listed on the agenda.  Please complete one of the speaker cards in advance of the meeting and hand it to a member of the staff.

B.           APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Planning Committee Minutes of July 11, 2007. (Attachment)

CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS

1.            Approval of the City of Oakley’s Calendar Years (CY) 2004 & 2005 Growth Management Program (GMP) Compliance Checklist. The City of Oakley has submitted its Calendar Years 2004 & 2005 Biennial Growth Management Program Compliance Checklist for allocation of local street maintenance and improvement funds. (Attachment – Action)

2.            Approval of the City of El Cerrito’s Calendar Years (CY) 2004 & 2005 Growth Management Compliance Checklist. The City of El Cerrito has submitted its Calendar Years 2004 & 2005 Biennial Growth Management Program Compliance Checklist for allocation of local street maintenance and improvement funds. (Attachment – Action)

3.            Approval of the City of Pittsburg’s Calendar Years (CY) 2004 & 2005 Growth Management Compliance Checklist. The City of Pittsburg has submitted its Calendar Years 2004 & 2005 Biennial Growth Management Program Compliance Checklist for allocation of local street maintenance and improvement funds. (Attachment – Action)

4.            Release RFP for Preparation of the EIR for the 2008 Countywide Transportation Plan (CTP) Update. To comply with the California Environmental Quality Act, the Authority will need to analyze the potential effects of adopting the 2008 Update to the Contra Costa Countywide Comprehensive Transportation Plan. The CEQA analysis would also cover the updating of the Action Plans and the Countywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan. In accordance with the adopted work program for the Authority’s planning-related efforts, staff will release a Request for Proposal to procure consultant service for preparation of the CTP EIR. (Attachment – Action) CMA Function

End of Consent Calendar.

REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS

5.            Approval of Contract with CH2MHill to Conduct the I-680 HOV Express Bus Access Study. In July, the Authority authorized staff to issue Notice to Proceed to CH2MHill, and begin contract negotiation for the I-680 HOV Express Bus Access Study, which is funded entirely by RM-2. Staff recommends approval of a contract with the CH2MHill/DKS consultant team. (Attachment – Action) CMA Function

6.            Review of the Vision and Goals for the Draft 2008 Countywide Comprehensive Transportation Plan Update. The vision, goals and strategies in the Countywide Comprehensive Transportation Plan outline the themes and aims to be pursued in that document. As a first step in developing the 2008 CTP Update, scheduled for completion in 2008, staff is proposing to have the Planning Committee release existing “Chapter 3 – Vision, Goals and Strategies” from the 2004 CTP Update to the RTPCs for their review and comment as part of the development of the updated Action Plans. (Attachment-Information)

7.            Discussion of Issues Regarding the Measure J Urban Limit Line. A number of issues have arisen regarding the ULL. Contra Costa County has received two requests to study potential changes to the ULL. The County has also transmitted a letter to the Authority’s Executive Director, requesting clarification regarding Principle 6, which addresses “provisions for minor (less than 30 acre) nonconsecutive adjustments.” (Attachment – Action)

8.            Update on Regional and State Rail Plans.

a.      Status of MTC’s Regional Rail Plan.  MTC is scheduled to finalize its Regional Rail Plan in September 2007. Authority staff will provide an update on the contents of the Draft Final Plan with regard to alternatives studied within and around Contra Costa. (Attachment – Action) CMA Function

b.      Review and Comment on the California High Speed Rail Authority’s Draft EIR Regarding the Central Valley to Bay Area Rail Connection. The Authority may wish to comment on the DEIR, which evaluates proposed alternative alignments for providing high speed train service to the Bay Area.  (Attachment – Action) CMA Function

9.            Issues and Options for the Expenditure of T-PLUS Funds during the Current Three-Year Cycle.  As the designated CMA for Contra Costa, the Authority has accepted delegation of MTC’s Transportation Planning-Land Use Solutions program. The second cycle of T-PLUS funding is now underway with an additional $450,000 in funding available from MTC, for use on studies and programs that improve and strengthen the land use-transportation connection. The Authority has a number of options for allocating second-cycle funds. (Attachment – Action) CMA Function 

10.        Approval of City of San Pablo Paratransit Vehicle Sale. Adoption of Resolution 07-07-G would authorize the sale of a City of San Pablo Paratransit vehicle, originally purchased with Measure C funds, to the City's Recreation Department for $13,275.  In addition, the proceeds of the sale would return to the City's Paratransit program. Resolution 07-07-G (Attachment - Action)

11.        Release of the Draft 2007 CMP Update. As the CMA for Contra Costa, the Authority must prepare a Congestion Management Program (CMP) and update it every other year. Authority staff and consultants have prepared a draft of the 2007 CMP Update for September release. It updates the required seven-year CIP and addresses legislative and other changes that have occurred since the 2005 CMP Update was adopted. It also recommends streamlined compliance review procedures. (Attachment – Action) CMA Function 

12.        News Clippings and Correspondence

13.        Other Business

14.        Adjournment.  The next regular meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 3, 2007, at 6:30 p.m.

SHUTTLE SERVICE:   A County Connection Link shuttle can be available at the Pleasant Hill BART station for the Administration & Projects, Planning, and Full Authority meetings.  To arrange for the shuttle service, call:  Danice Rosenbohm at 925-256-4722, NO LATER THAN 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THE MEETING.  Con el aviso de 24-horas, una County Connection Link Shuttle puede estar desponible en la estacion de Pleasant Hill BART para las asambleas horaria. Para arreglar para el servicio de lanzadera, llame:  Danice Rosenbohm en 925-256-4722, NO MAS ADELANTE DE 24 HORAS ANTES DE LA ASSEMBLEA.

TRANSLATION SERVICES:  If you require a translator to facilitate testimony to the Authority, please contact Danice at 925-256-4722 no later than 48 hours in advance of the scheduled meeting.  Si usted requiere a un traductor para facilitar testimonio a la Authority, por favor llame Danice al 925-256-4722, 48 horas antes de la asamblea.  ADA COMPLIANCE:  This Agenda shall be made available upon request in alternative formats to persons with a disability, as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 12132) and the Ralph M. Brown Act (Cal. Govt. Code Sec. 54954.2).  Persons request­ing a disability-related modification or accommodation should contact Danice Rosenbohm at 925-256-4722 during regular business hours, at least 24 hours prior to the time of the meeting.

ADA COMPLIANCE:  This Agenda shall be made available upon request in alternative formats to persons with a disability, as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 12132) and the Ralph M. Brown Act (Cal. Govt. Code Sec. 54954.2).  Persons requesting a disability-related modification or accommodation should contact Danice Rosenbohm at 925-256-4722 during regular business hours, at least 24 hours prior to the time of the meeting.

*Footnote:  "In accordance with Government Code Section 84308, no Commissioner shall accept, solicit, or direct a contribution of more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250) from any party, or his or her agent, or from any participant, or his or her agent, while a proceeding involving a license, permit, or other entitlement for use is pending before the agency and for three months following the date a final  decision is rendered in the proceeding if the officer knows or has reason to know that the participant has a financial interest, as that term is used in Article 1 (commencing with Section 87100) of Chapter 7.  Any Commissioner who received a contribution within the preceding 12 months in an amount of more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250) from a party or from any participant shall disclose that fact on the record of the proceeding and the Commissioner shall not make, participate in making, or in any way attempt to use his or her official position to influence the decision." 

"A party to a proceeding before the Authority shall disclose on the record of the proceeding any contribution in an amount of more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250) made within the preceding 12 months by the party, or his or her agent, to any Commissioner.  No party, or his or her agent, shall make a contribution of more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250) to any Commissioner during the proceeding and for three months following the date a final decision is rendered by the agency in the proceeding. The foregoing statements are limited in their entirety by the provisions of Section 84308 and parties are urged to consult with their own legal counsel regarding the requirements of the law."