TECHNICAL PLANNING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES. Thursday, May 5, Solvang City Council Chambers 1644 Oak Street Solvang, CA, 93463

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1 TECHNICAL PLANNING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES Thursday, May 5, 2011 Solvang City Council Chambers 1644 Oak Street Solvang, CA, TPAC Voting Members Present Marc Bierdzinski (Chair) Larry Appel John Ledbetter Molly Pearson Jackie Campbell Jeff Hunt Anne Wells Laurie Tamura City of Buellton City of Santa Maria City of Santa Barbara SBCAPCD City of Carpinteria County of Santa Barbara City of Goleta City of Solvang TPAC Voting Members Absent Richard Daulton Lucille Breese City of Guadalupe City of Lompoc Others Present Gregg Hart William Yim Brian Bresolin Angela Perez Bob Leiter Jim Kemp Peter Imhof Aubrey Spilde Brian Bresolin Heather Imgrund City of Buellton Consultant County of Santa Barbara 1. CALL TO ORDER AND INTRODUCTIONS Marc Bierdzinski called the meeting to order and initiated a round of introductions. PUBLIC COMMENT There was no public comment. 1

2 TPAC Minutes May 5, MINUTES Consider approval of TPAC Minutes from meeting of April 7, Jackie Campbell made a motion to approve the minutes, Larry Appel seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously by TPAC. 3. STATUS of the ALUP UPDATE Bill Yim provided an overview of the ALUP update status, highlighting a remaining $30,000 funding gap for consultant work over existing grant funding and sought TPAC support for seeking additional project funding from airports. John Ledbetter inquired about the committee membership and Bill indicated that the airport representatives, City of Goleta, Santa Maria, County and Andrew Bermond are participating. John Ledbetter suggested that since the Santa Barbara Airport is the largest, it may be able to provide some in-kind services to reduce the overall costs instead of direct contributions. Bill indicated that an example funding allocation based on airport activity is provided in the staff report. Jim Kemp indicated that we can anticipate some contribution of airport staff time already, but that there is still a need for airport operators to supplement the funding for consultant costs directly and airport operators are being asked to supplement the consultant costs since they will benefit from the ALUP update. A $30,000 shortfall needs to be filled. John Ledbetter suggested that the difference between the two consultant proposals are public workshop costs, which could be supplemented by in-kind staff efforts. Molly Pearson inquired about the consultant outreach capability. Bill Yim indicated that there are many legal issues and the consultant attorney s presence is important. Anne Wells suggested that the technical nature of the update would require a specialist be available at meetings, however general outreach could be supplemented with in-kind staff efforts. Bill Yim stated that specific ALUP technical and community issues will need to be resolved. staff has pursued funding for the update for many years and that the $90,000 available in state grant funding creates a unique opportunity to update an outdated plan and that such grant funding may not be available in the future. Anne Wells suggested the consultant outreach efforts can provide local agency distance from the controversial work effort. Laurie Tamura inquired if the money had to be spent within a limited time period and Bill Yim indicated staff will find out. Bill Yim suggested approaching the airport administration to get an indication if the cost sharing proposal was agreeable. Chair Marc Bierdzinski and TPAC members indicated that they supported taking the proposal for additional funding from airports to the airport operators. 4. COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA S DRAFT CLIMATE ACTION STUDY Jeff Hunt provided an introduction to the Draft Climate Action Study. Some of the concerns that have been raised include the potential costs to business of implementing a plan if it is developed. Currently it is at the study phase. Suggested reductions may not be mandatory. A future plan could provide programmatic CEQA mitigation. Heather Imgrund provided an overview of the study results. John Ledbetter inquired if current GHG reduction activities are in the study and Heather indicated that they were not quantified. Bill Yim inquired about the lower carbon fuel standards and Heather indicated that the State estimates were used. Peter Imhof indicated that the study provides countywide GHG inventory information including the incorporated areas. Bob Leiter inquired if the study included vehicle efficiency measures and Heather indicated the State measures are included. Molly Pearson indicated that aerodynamic truck efficiencies are also 2

3 TPAC Minutes May 5, 2011 included. Heather stated the PowerPoint presentation will be on the county website. Jim Kemp requested some clarification on commuter rail and Heather clarified that the study assumes rail improvements consistent with s current efforts. Peter Imhof suggested that less expensive alternatives would be given consideration first. John Ledbetter suggested coordination and consistency with county and city plans. Jeff Hunt emphasized that the focus was countywide since more macro factors outside the county cannot be controlled. John Ledbetter inquired about the regional requirements of AB 32 and the SCS regional requirements and the linkage to Ventura and San Luis Obispo County. Bob Leiter responded that Climate Action Plans and the SCS are getting a lot of attention. AB 32 is a different construct, but s SCS can provide a regional solution. John Ledbetter suggested that the efforts should avoid duplication. Bob Leiter indicated that in SANDAG s effort a countywide inventory was completed and Peter Imhof indicated SB County also did a countywide inventory that could be useful for SCS work. Laurie Tamura inquired if the calculations for the SCS will be from the County or and Bob Leiter indicated that SB 375 required different methodology for the transportation analysis. Peter Imhof indicated that the analysis needs to be defensible. Heather Imgrund indicated that data used in the study was derived from s travel model TAZ database. Bill Yim inquired what jurisdictions are doing a climate action plan. The Cities of Goleta and Santa Barbara representatives responded they were doing so and attempting to coordinate RFP s and sync methodologies. Jeff Hunt indicated a common model is utilized. Jackie Campbell indicated the City of Carpinteria just completed a city facility inventory. Jackie Campbell requested clarification of the incentive and regulatory categories and Heather Imgrund indicated that measures and incentives to create programs may not be adopted into the general plan. Jeff Hunt suggested rewording the Study to refer to voluntary rather than incentive measures. Laurie Tamura suggested many of the measures are already being implemented and encouragement of existing programs would be recommended. Jeff Hunt did not agree with that assessment. Laurie Tamura suggested that the recommended programs should be countywide and Jeff indicated a note will be added for local coordination. Molly Pearson requested clarification on the gap analysis and per capita net increase target for SB 375. As the population is growing, the per capita emissions are decreasing. Peter Imhof indicated that the analysis will compare the emissions on a per capita vs. business as usual basis. Bill Yim inquired if the analysis was of the transportation only or all sectors and if just the unincorporated areas of the county were considered. Jeff Hunt suggested all sectors and geography are not comparable to other SCS efforts, but significant elements are. Peter Imhof inquired about the source of forecast population and employment and Heather Imgrund indicated the source was the s 2007 RGF. 5. SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES STRATEGY Bob Leiter provided an overview of the Integrated Planning Program: Draft Process and Timeline. John Ledbetter commented that the timeline was useful in showing the process. Anne Wells suggested ing the revised diagram to TPAC members. Jackie Campbell indicated that it would be useful for both TPAC and TTAC to have input the RTP/SCS goals and objectives. Jim Kemp indicated that it was important that planning and public works talk together in working out the process and was open to ideas for facilitating the exchange. Jeff Hunt indicated it was helpful for developing the county work programs. Jackie Campbell suggested that HCD be kept in the loop for the RGF development. Jeff Hunt 3

4 TPAC Minutes May 5, 2011 inquired about the Greenprint project and Bob Leiter indicated it was embedded in the resource analysis category. John Ledbetter stated that he found the information useful in that it is clear that the SCS and RTP are integrated. John Ledbetter suggested updating goals and objectives at a possible TTAC and TPAC joint or overlapping meeting. Anne Wells suggested a footnote be added that provides the housing element adoption timeline. 6. ANNOUNCEMENTS Marc Bierdzinski deferred announcements to the next TPAC meeting. 7. ADJOURN There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:00 p.m. 4

5 TECHNICAL TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE Thursday, May 5, 2011 DRAFT 10:30 AM 12:00 p.m. Solvang City Council Chambers 1644 Oak Street Solvang, CA, TTAC Voting Members Present Matt Van der Linden Rose Hess Craig Dierling Steve Maas David Whitehead Rob Dayton Rosemarie Gaglione Molly Pearson Melissa Streder Chris Sneddon Others Present Roger Aceves Larry Newland John Ewasiak Steve Orosz Scott McGolpin City of Solvang City of Buellton City of Lompoc SBMTD City of Santa Maria City of Santa Barbara City of Goleta SBAPCD Caltrans County of Santa Barbara City of Goleta/ Caltrans City of Santa Barbara City of Carpinteria County of Santa Barbara Staff Present Jim Kemp Steve Vandenburgh Peter Imhoff Gregg Hart Aubrey Spilde Bobbie Didier Bill Yim 1. CALL TO ORDER AND INTRODUCTIONS Vice Chair Whitehead called the meeting to order at 10:30 AM. 2. PUBLIC COMMENT Vice Chair Whitehead asked for public comment and there was none.

6 TTAC Minutes May 5, MINUTES Steve Maas asked that the minutes of April 7 be changed to represent that he was the voting member present and Jerry Estrada should be listed under Others Present. Melissa Streder asked that Larry Newland of Caltrans be listed under Others Present. Rosemarie Gaglione made a motion to approve the TTAC minutes of April 7, 2011 with those changes. The motion was seconded by Chris Sneddon and approved unanimously. 4. MEASURE A A. DRAFT PROGRAM OF PROJECTS, FISCAL YEARS 2011/ /16 Sarkes Khacheck made the staff presentation. Steve Maas asked if the $50,000 annual increase in south county interregional transit funding in the outer years of the POP would pay for additional service. Steve VanDenburgh said yes it would. Steve Maas asked if the funding for south coast passenger rail included a capital lease cost. Steve VanDenburgh said he did not believe so but would have to check and respond next meeting. Jim Kemp said has not yet created a budget for the passenger rail service and this will need to be changed when those costs are identified. Rob Dayton asked if the passenger rail allocations are estimates or based on the Metrolink proposal. Steve VanDenburgh said the estimates are based on costs for similar services in the state. Rob Dayton said he was unclear what services MTD will fund with its transit operations funds. He would like to know what services MTD plans to provide with the Measure A funds. Scott McGolpin agreed and asked MTD to provide additional information because it is very important for the use of Measure A funds to be transparent. Rob Dayton said it is important to have an agreement about the reporting of MTD funds because there may be a misunderstanding about the expectations for the use of this funding. The City of Santa Barbara expected the funds it agreed to transfer to MTD to continue to support MTD services in the City of Santa Barbara. Steve Maas disagreed and said his understanding was that MTD had discretion over these funds. Rob Dayton said he would take the lead in calling a meeting of the affected local agencies to discuss this issue in greater detail. Chris Sneddon asked what is the process for amending the POP. Sarkes Khachek said the first step would be to have the local agency request a change and the Board would then have to approve the amendment. Dave Whitehead asked why some of the POPS have reported revenues and expenditures and others have not. For example, the north county carpool and vanpool program has an allocation for staff costs but he is unaware of the existence of a north county carpool and vanpool effort. Jim Kemp said Traffic Solutions is a regional effort and this funding will be used to support north county outreach efforts. He suggested asking Kent Epperson to give TTAC a report on Traffic Solutions north county efforts at the next meeting. 2

7 TTAC Minutes May 5, 2011 B. NORTH COUNTY AND SOUTH COAST SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL, BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN PROGRAMS Sarkes Khachek and Aubrey Spilde gave the staff presentation Matt Van der Linden said Sarkes Khachek did an excellent job working with the committee to develop the guidelines and application. Dave Whitehead asked how the geographic equity evaluation would work. Steve VanDenburgh said geographic equity would only be considered over time, not in individual cycles. Dave Whitehead asked if the south county program also had a geographic equity clause. Aubrey Spilde said yes and it also has a categorical equity clause as well. Dave Whitehead asked why cooperative funding agreements and progress reports are being required for the use of these funds. Steve VanDenburgh said some of the projects may be partnerships that would need to identify exactly which entity will receive Measure A funds. Dave Whitehead asked why a cooperative funding agreement is necessary for this program and not others. Jim Kemp said this is a grant program is different from other Measure A programs in which funds are passed through to local agencies. Funds from these programs are awarded on a competitive basis to complete specific projects. It is important to have full public transparency for the use of Measure A funds and the cooperative agreements identifiy the roles and responsibilities of and the recipient agencies. Dave Whitehead asked why this program is funded on a reimbursement basis rather than an upfront grant of funds. He said these bureaucratic requirements make it very difficult to efficiently utilize these funds. Steve VanDenburgh said the state and federal programs are structured in the same way as a reimbursement. The program guidelines also include timely use of funds requirements that would make it difficult to retrieve fronted funds on projects that don t meet the deadlines. Jim Kemp said will try to make this program operate as efficiently as possible with minimum requirements. Dave Whitehead said his staff on the Ad Hoc committee told him cooperative agreements, progress reports and reimbursement were never included in meeting materials or discussed at the committee meetings. Sarkes Khachek responded that all items were covered at the Ad Hoc meetings. Rob Dayton said the challenge in this program is the competition amongst agencies. He said it is important to have transparency for the use of these funds among agencies. Chris Sneddon said the comparison with state and federal programs isn t accurate because it is likely the projects will be much smaller in scope. Matt Van der Linden said these issues were discussed in the committee and every change to the guidelines was shared with committee members at every meeting. Scott McGolpin said perhaps there could be different reporting requirements at different grant allocation thresholds. Dave Whitehead said the reimbursement process requires a great deal of additional local staff work from financially stressed local agencies. Jim Kemp said the Board agreed to fund a new on-line project tracking system that will expedite the reimbursement process and may make it unnecessary for local agencies to front funds for projects. 5. UNMET TRANSIT NEEDS Aubrey Spilde gave the staff presentation. 3

8 TTAC Minutes May 5, 2011 Steve Maas said the wine country express and Valley Express are listed as commuter service. MTD service from Carpinteria should likewise be categorized as commuter service. Molly Pearson made a motion to support the staff recommendation. Matt van der Linden seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously. 6. ANNOUNCEMENTS Steve VanDenburgh announced the U.S. 101 HOV Project Presentation by Caltrans to TTAC, TPAC and COC members will be held at 12:00 p.m. today in this same room. A meeting of North County local agency transit staff will be held on May 17th to discuss Santa Ynez Valley to Santa Maria transit service. Jim Kemp introduced Peter Imhof as the new Deputy Director of Planning at. Mr. Kemp announced the ad hoc TTAC/TPAC committee is scheduled to meet on May 17 at 1:00 p.m. Steve VanDenburgh announced bids for the U.S. 101 Santa Maria River Bridge Widening Project will be opened on May 11, Bill Yim announced a kickoff meeting for the modeling effort was held yesterday. Peter Imhoff said staff will be contacting local agencies for information on local TAZ s in the near future because this information must be sent to the Feds on a tight timeline. 7. ADJOURN Vice Chair Whitehead adjourned the meeting at 11:46 AM. The next regularly scheduled meeting date is Thursday, June 2, 2011 (first Thursday of the month). 4