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May 2018
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SBCTA General Assembly
June 13, 2018
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June 27-28, 2018

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The San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) is the transportation planning agency for San Bernardino County.

SBCTA is responsible for cooperative regional planning and furthering an efficient multi-modal transportation system countywide.

SBCTA proudly serves the more than 2.1 million residents of San Bernardino County.
 
SBCTA and San Bernardino County Transportation Projects to Receive More Than a Quarter-Billion Dollars in State Grant Funding
   
The final week of April brought great news for SBCTA and transportation projects throughout San Bernardino County. On April 25th, the California Transportation Commission (CTC) released their staff recommendations for the SB 1 grant programs this year. Through the Trade Corridor Enhancement Program, CTC staff recommended the I-10 Express Lanes Contract One project receive $117.8 million and the US-395 Widening project receive $24.2 million. In addition, CTC staff recommended the Redlands Passenger Rail Project (RPRP) receive $65 million through the Solutions for Congested Corridors Program and $10.8 million through the Local Partnership Program. The next day, April 26th, the California State Transportation Agency released their list of 2018 Transit and Intercity Rail Program (TIRCP) grants. SBCTA was awarded $30 million to purchase a fourth vehicle for the future Arrow Hybrid-Rail Service including funding to convert the diesel generator to a more environmentally friendly Zero or Low-Emission Multiple Unit (ZEMU). These funds will greatly assist SBCTA's effort to advance the study and future use of the zero emission service beyond the City of San Bernardino and on to the greater Metrolink corridor. Most importantly, these vehicles will be the first zero emission vehicles in North America to use existing freight infrastructure to provide commuter rail service.

SBCTA will also benefit from a joint TIRCP application with LA Metro which will provide $39 million to fill the funding gap for the construction of the Gold Line Foothill Extension from the LA County line to the City of Montclair. In total, SBCTA is recommended to receive $287 million dollars in 2018 state grant funds. These funds are the culmination of efforts by SBCTA staff more than a year in the making. From Planning Department, Fund Administration, Transit & Rail, Project Delivery to Legislative & Public Affairs, this was truly an agency wide effort and success. SBCTA looks forward to putting these funds to work to keep San Bernardino County moving.
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SBCTA Goes Live on Facebook to Get More People Involved
   
The proposed Lilac to Rancho Double Track Project is currently in the 30-day public review period for the Draft Environmental Document (DED). Part of that process is to host a public open house to allow for interested parties to come in and dialogue with project team members. This open dialogue during the review period helps members of the public better understand the specifics of the proposed project, clarify elements that are within the DED, and assists with formulating questions for inclusion into the environmental document.

In an effort to give more of the public a chance to participate in the process, SBCTA staff hosted a 15-minute Facebook Live review of the elements being shared at the meeting and provided links to the SBCTA website for access to the document and commenting rules. While the public open house received about 15 in-person attendees, the Facebook Live video has had 703 unique viewers; more than 100 'Likes', 'Shares', and 'Comments'; and, a reach of nearly 2,000 people.

The video from the open house is still available on the @goSBCTA Facebook page.  

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RPRP Construction Management Consultant Services for Rail Maintenance Facility Awarded
   
The Board of Directors previously identified the Redlands Passenger Rail Project (RPRP) as one of its priority projects. With the implementation of a new passenger rail service being very complex, several types of consultants have been identified to assist SBCTA staff in implementing the Project, including a Construction Management for Rail Maintenance Facility consultant. In December of 2017, SBCTA staff began the procurement process to fill that role.

After careful consideration through the procurement process, it was determined that Lockwood, Andres & Newman (LAN), was selected because of their knowledge of the project, experience and staffing. The team will support SBCTA's effort to build a quality, sustainable facility for the new service. Construction of the new Maintenance Facility located in San Bernardino is slated to begin later this year.
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Summer Meals Program
   
Summer Meals is a program through the County Department of Public Health in conjunction with school districts throughout San Bernardino County. Program leaders were in attendance at this week's Board of Directors meeting to provide an update on the program. With 53% of parents having a difficult time making ends meet in the summer, the USDA Summer Meals Program provides free, healthy meals for kids 18 and under in low-income neighborhoods. This is a practical and effective collaboration between cities, county, schools and community-based agencies that helps promote healthy and engaged children and healthy communities. We can help promote the Summer Meals Program at both city and countywide levels by identifying where there should be sites, targeting transportation barriers, or considering potential city or county facilities as vehicles for distribution. For additional information on the Summer Meals Program, contact Patrice Chamberlain or Robin Ronkes.   
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John Dutrey Appointed to the Gold Line Phase II JPA

John Dutrey from the City of Montclair has been appointed to the Gold Line Phase II Joint Powers Authority (JPA). Mayor Paul Eaton previously served as SBCTA's appointed primary member. On October 16, 2017, the Montclair City Council appointed Council Member John Dutrey to replace Paul Eaton on the SBCTA Board. This created a vacancy on the Gold Line Phase II JPA Board. Mr. Dutrey has been appointed as the primary member for a term expiring on December 31, 2019. 

The Gold Line Phase II JPA is formed by the 14 cities along the Gold Line route and SBCTA. It is the forum for the review, consideration, study, development and recommendation of policies and plans for the extension of the Gold Line from Pasadena to Montclair.

Metrolink Service Schedule and Station Name Changes Starting May 14, 2018
 
Effective Monday, May 14, 2018, there will be a schedule change with minor changes of seven minutes or fewer to all trains on the Antelope Valley Line to accommodate the new Burbank Airport - North (AV Line) Metrolink Station. The new station will provide daily service to the Hollywood Burbank Airport on the Antelope Valley Line. The Ventura County Line will continue to provide weekday service to the airport, with no changes. See list of changes below.

New Station: 
  • Burbank Airport - North (AV Line)
Station Name Changes: 
  • Burbank/Bob Hope Airport Metrolink Station to become Burbank Airport - South (VC Line) Metrolink Station
  • San Bernardino Metrolink Station to become San Bernardino Depot Metrolink Station 
Please Note: San Bernardino also has a stop at the San Bernardino Transit Center called San Bernardino - Downtown

Alan D. Wapner Sworn in as President of SCAG
   
Congratulations to SBCTA President Alan D. Wapner for being sworn in on Thursday as President of the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), stressing the need for additional dollars to fund transportation improvements and enhance the quality of life in one of the fastest-growing regions in the country.

Mr. Wapner, who also serves as President at the Ontario International Airport Authority, has helped drive SCAG's three most recent Regional Transportation Plans and is a leading voice on the relationship between transportation, economic opportunity and livability.

During Mr.Wapner's one-year term as president, SCAG will begin developing its 2020-2045 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS) - a long-range visioning plan that balances future mobility and housing needs with economic, environmental and public health goals.

In addition to Mr. Wapner, William "Bill" Jahn, Mayor of Big Bear Lake, was sworn in as First Vice President for SCAG and will provide the opportunity for sequential terms of SBCTA board leadership at SCAG.
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Jon Harrison (Redlands) Honored at Recent SBCTA Board Meeting
 
Jon Harrison, former council member from the City of Redlands, and SBCTA Board member since December 2014, received the coveted SANBAGger award for his service to the residents and commuters of San Bernardino County. The SANBAGger award at SBCTA (previously known as SANBAG) recognizes outgoing board members and has become a coveted prize by those who have been with the agency for any period of time.
 
Mr. Harrison began his tenure with the Board when then Redlands Mayor, Pete Aguilar, won a seat in the United States House of Representatives. Mr. Harrison has been a significant contributor to the dialogue of transportation projects in San Bernardino County. Perhaps most near and dear to his efforts was the Redlands Passenger Rail Project. Mr. Harrison has been a vocal supporter of the project since its inception and has authored many articles and spoken to various community groups about the opportunities that come with giving residents of his community more options for travel.
 
Mr. Harrison is retiring from public service to spend more time with family, including the latest addition of a grandchild living in the northern part of the state.

Measure I Sales Tax Receipts - Strong Close to 2017
 
Sales tax numbers remained strong in the fourth quarter of 2017.  Measure I revenue increased 5.5% over the same period in 2016. An increase of $2,208,443 over the prior year.

Taxable sales in San Bernardino County were up 4.1% over the comparable time period in 2016, while the Southern California region increased slightly less at 3.5%.

Click for here to view the SBCTA Sales Tax Update for Fourth Quarter 2017.

May is Huntington's Disease and Mental Health Awareness Month