TO: AC Transit Board of Directors
FROM: Michael A. Hursh, General Manager
SUBJECT: Valley Link Project
ACTION ITEM
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Title
Consider providing direction to the District’s representative on the Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC) regarding the ACTC vote on an amendment to Measure BB, which would replace the BART-to-Livermore extension project with Valley Link as the recipient of $400 million in Measure BB funds.
Body
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 amending 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:
During its September 2020 committee and commission meetings, the ACTC will vote on an amendment to the Measure BB Expenditure Plan that would reallocate $400 million in sales tax dollars from the defunct BART to Livermore project to the Valley Link project - a rail connection proposal between cities in San Joaquin County and the Tri-Valley, particularly the Dublin/Pleasanton BART Station in Alameda County. This comes at the request of the Tri-Valley-San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority. Additional details on the project and the funding amendment are included in the attached ACTC staff report. Additional comments from staff are included in its letter to ACTC during the official jurisdiction comment period for the proposed amendment.
Prior to the ACTC meetings, AC Transit’s representative on the commission is seeking direction from the Board for the vote on the amendment proposal.
ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES:
The primary advantage of this report and the requested action is that they provide AC Transit’s representative on ACTC specific guidance and direction on the vote for the amendment to reallocate funds to the Valley Link project. Staff cannot identify any disadvantages with this action.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS:
As an alternative, the AC Transit representative on the commission could vote on the amendment on their own, but this is not recommended given the magnitude of the decision.
PRIOR RELEVANT BOARD ACTION/POLICIES:
Staff Report 20-123 - Valley Link Amendment Comment Period
ATTACHMENTS:
1. ACTC Memorandum - Valley Link Amendment
2. AC Transit Staff Comment Letter
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