TO: AC Transit Board of Directors
FROM: Michael A. Hursh, General Manager
SUBJECT: Valley Link Project
ACTION ITEM
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Title
Consider receiving a presentation on the Valley Link project and provide direction to the District’s representative on the Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC) regarding the vote to set a 45-day comment period on a request for an amendment to Measure BB, which would replace BART with Valley Link as the recipient of $400 million in funds.
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STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE:
Goal - Strong Public and Policymaker Support
Initiative - Financial Efficiency and Revenue Maximization
The Valley Link project is only loosely tied to AC Transit goals and initiatives. As a voting member of ACTC, AC Transit’s representative on the commission will vote on a request to amend Measure BB. Though the project will not interface with AC Transit’s network, the proposed amendment to reallocate Measure BB funds would preclude the potential use of those funds for other projects and programs.
BUDGETARY/FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no direct budgetary/fiscal impact associated with this report. The proposed amendment to Measure BB would reallocate $400 million of sales tax dollars from the BART-to-Livermore extension to the Valley Link project. The total cost of the project is expected to be between $2.4 and $3.2 billion depending on year of completion.
BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
On May 28, 2020, the ACTC will vote to open a 45-day comment letter on an amendment to the Measure BB Expenditure Plan that would:
1. Acknowledge the Tri-Valley-San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority (TVSJVRRA) as a new agency in Alameda County that can be an eligible recipient of Measure BB funds;
2. Remove the BART to Livermore project and associated $400 million Measure BB funding;
3. Associate the Valley Link in Alameda County project with the $400 million in Measure BB funding;
4. Make associated technical amendments.
The Valley Link project is a rail connection proposal between cities in San Joaquin County and the Tri-Valley, particularly the Dublin/Pleasanton BART Station in Alameda County. The proposed amendment comes at the request of the TVSJVRRA. Additional details on the project and the funding amendment are included in the attached ACTC memorandum.
If the commission approves the request for an amendment, the action will open the 45-day comment period which will conclude with a final vote by the commission on the amendment itself, likely in September of 2020
Prior to the ACTC meeting, AC Transit’s representative on the commission is seeking direction from the Board for the May 28th vote on the request for the amendment and to open the comment period. AC Transit’s representative will seek further direction from the Board prior to the final vote.
ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES:
The primary advantage of this report and the requested action is to provide AC Transit’s representative on ACTC specific guidance and direction on the vote for the request to amend the Measure BB Expenditure Plan to reallocate funds to the Valley Link project and open the comment period. Staff cannot identify any disadvantages with this action.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS:
As an alternative, the AC Transit representative on the commission could vote on the request for an amendment on their own, but this is not recommended given the magnitude of the decision.
PRIOR RELEVANT BOARD ACTION/POLICIES:
There are no prior relevant Board actions/policies
ATTACHMENTS:
1. ACTC Memorandum - Valley Link Amendment and Related Comments
2. Valley Link Presentation
Prepared by:
Robert del Rosario, Director of Service Development & Planning
Approved/Reviewed by:
Ramakrishna Pochiraju, Executive Director of Planning & Engineering
Claudia Burgos, Director of Legislative Affairs & Community Relations
Beverly Greene, Executive Director of External Affairs, Marketing & Communications
Jill A. Sprague, General Counsel
Claudia L. Allen, Chief Financial Officer