M E E T I N G S U M M A R Y

Transcription

1 Crridr Advisry Cmmittee Meeting #47 September 22, :00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Clearwater Building Garfield Avenue, Paramunt CA M E E T I N G S U M M A R Y INTRODUCTION On Thursday, September 22, 2016, the Crridr Advisry Cmmittee met at the Clearwater Building frm 6:00 p.m. 8:30 p.m. Representatives frm the prject team in attendance included: Ernest Chaves (Metr), Dave Levinsn (Caltrans), Jhn Vassiliades (Caltrans), Rn Kasinsky, (Caltrans) Keka Andersn (GCCOG), Julie Rush (AECOM), Shannn Willits (AECOM), Rb McCann (LSA), Esmeralda Garcia (MIG), and Pala Bassignana (MIG), Glenda Silva (The Sierra Grup), Elizabeth Alcantar (Supervisr L. Slis). CAC members in attendance were: Glenna Ams, Thunderbird Village, City f Suth Gate Pabl Camach, Teamsters Lcal 848 Jan Greenwd, City f Lng Beach District 8 Angel Lgan, Eastern Yards Cmmunities fr Envirnmental Justice Eileen Aparici, City f Paramunt Carrie Scville, Harbr Cmmunities Idalmis Vaquer, Alternate fr Susanne Brwne Clara Slis, East LA INTRODUCTIONS AND AGENDA OVERVIEW Meeting facilitatr Esmeralda Garcia f MIG pened the meeting with a rund f selfintrductins and review f the agenda. RECAP OF LAST MEETING Ms. Garcia prvided a recap f the previus CAC meeting summary that was held n August 18, CAC members were briefed n the tasks cmpleted as part f Mtin 22.1, alng with a brief verview f the prject alternatives. The cmmittee was als presented with bikeway visuals that have cme ut f Mtin She reminded the grup that all meeting materials are accessible n the prject website. Crridr Advisry Cmmittee September 22, 2016 Page 1 f 6

2 There were n questins frm the cmmittee. PUBLIC COMMENT N members f the public were present. BRIEF PROJECT UPDATES Status Update Shannn Willits prvided an update n the prject timeline and explained that the engineering team has defined the prject alternatives and incrprated elements f Mtin 22.1 int the prject s tw build alternatives, 5c and 7. The engineering team is currently wrking n the technical studies that will supprt the draft Envirnmental Impact Reprt. The technical study findings will be ready fall The Caltrans agency review timeline is scheduled fr winter 2017 which means that the Draft EIR/EIS is n target t be publicly circulated spring The engineering team has cmpleted a number f technical drafts. There are upward f tw dzen studies that are in preparatin including: strm water treatment, traffic studies f lcal intersectins, and cst f the alternatives. The team is als integrating sme f the additinal infrmatin that is part f Mtin Mst recently the team cmpleted the Freeway Traffic Operatin study and cnstructin staging cncepts which are currently under review by Caltrans and Metr. The team has shared sme f this infrmatin with several f the 16 cities within the crridr and has given lcatin specific reviews f each f the tw alternatives. The team als shared this infrmatin with the Technical Advisry Cmmittee tw days befre the CAC meeting. Rb McCann prvided an update n the technical and envirnmental studies. Several technical studies have been cmpleted and there are a few that are currently under agency review. He explained that the update is very similar t the ne prvided last mnth. One f the nes cmpleted t date have been the Cultural Resurces Area f Ptential Effect Map. He explained that the fllwing are under Agency review: Track Allcatin, Histric Prperty reprt, Draft Relcatin Impact Reprt, Hazardus Waste Initial Site Assessment, Energy, Natural Envirnment Study, and Air Quality/Health Risk Assessment. The team is als cntinuing wrk n the Cnstructin Analysis, the Visual Impact Assessment, the Cmmunity Impact Assessment, the Envirnmental Justice Analysis and Sectin 4 which addresses public parks and histric prperties. Reprts will be brught back t the cmmittees fr review befre the release f the recirculated Draft EIS/EIR. As part f the Three Mnth Lk Ahead, Mr. McCann explained that the team will cntinue wrking n cmpleting the studies and submitting these t Caltrans fr review and apprval. Initial draft chapters f the DRAFT EIR/Supplemental Draft EIS are als being cmpleted as technical studies are being apprved. Crridr Advisry Cmmittee September 22, 2016 Page 2 f 6

3 Outreach Update Ms. Garcia prvided an update n cmmunity utreach. Since the last CAC meeting, the team has cnducted a rund f LAC meetings and has had several meetings with the Cmmerce LAC in July t review prpsed alternatives in their crridr. There will be a Prject Cmmittee meeting taking place September 29, 2016 at Prgress Park. The Prject Cmmittee meeting will receive a mre rigrus prject update, alng with the status f the technical reprts, and an update n the Early Actin prjects that are part f Mtin She als explained that the CAC will be recnvened as technical studies are cmpleted in anticipatin f the spring 2017 Draft EIR/EIS recirculatin fr the cmmittee t review. There were n further questins abut the utreach prcess. Prject Alternative Crss Sectins Shannn Willits prvided a refresher n the alternative descriptins and explained the features f each and their similarities. The cmmittee was shwn crss sectin graphics depicting the tw build alternatives and their mdificatins t mdernize the lcal interchanges and freewayt-freeway interchanges. Alternative 5C incrprates additinal general purpse lanes and auxiliary lanes vs. Alternative 7 which incrprates an elevated Freight Crridr. Fr general reference, Ernest Chavez asked Shannn t describe the difference between a general purpse lane and an auxiliary lane. Mr. Willits als explained that as part f Mtin 22.1 studies, the technical team is evaluating bike trail alng the right side f crridr as a separate but parallel study. Additinally, he explained the difficulties that are psed due t the Edisn Transmissin Crridr. Several strategies were cnsidered and the mst viable slutin is t undergrund sme f the lines at different lcatins. TAC Update Keka Andersn, (GCCOG) prvided a brief verview f the TAC meeting. He shared that the TAC heard a similar presentatin t the ne being presented t the CAC nly mre in depth. In additin, the TAC was given an verview f Mtin He explained that an item nt cvered in the CAC agenda is the status f the Early Actin budget. The sundwall prjects which are nw in the final design stages which address the aesthetics and beautificatin guidelines. There 3 design prjects underway and will lead t a bid prcess. The cnversatin with the TAC als fcused n the cash flw and there was n new cash flw infrmatin presented. The presentatin als included a status n the LA River Revitalizatin Plan, Prp 1 prjects and the Gateway Urban Greening Prgram all f which were presented at the last CAC meeting. Ernest Chaves added that a presentatin n the sundwall prgram is frthcming t the CAC in Octber. Angel Lgan asked if the team culd prvide a list f the Livability Initiative prjects that are in prgress and the timeline fr each. Crridr Advisry Cmmittee September 22, 2016 Page 3 f 6

4 Mr. Keka stated that he will be prviding an update n these during the Livability Initiative update. Eileen Aparici asked fr clarificatin n the widening limits in Alternative 5C near the 60 freeway (First slide n Page 7). Mr. Willits respnded that the widening starts just as it passes the I-5 freeway at the Eastern Avenue entrance ramp heading suthbund. Ernest Chavez als pinted ut that a general purpse lane extends up t 3 rd Street. Ms. Aparici then asked if the widening was cntained within existing ROW. Shannn cnfirmed that it is. Angel Lgan asked wh finalizes the EIR fr implementatin. Rb McCann respnded that the EIR is finalized after nce it ges thrugh the 60-day public cmment review perid which is targeted fr May Caltrans and Metr will then evaluate the cmments received, asses the viability f the prject and then wrk n a recmmendatin t select a preferred alternative. Caltrans is the lead agency fr the prject under CEQA/NEPA that will apprve the prject. There are tw separate apprvals; under CEQA, Caltrans has t file a Ntice f Determinatin with the State Clearing Huse and under NEPA, Caltrans has t file a Recrd f Decisin that is published with the Federal Register. Angel Lgan fllwed with anther questin he specifically asked abut the individuals wh will make the final decisin. Rbb McCann and Ernest Chavez explained that Caltrans and Metr will thrughly vet the entirety f the cmments received cmments received frm cmmittees and during the cmment perid and funding in rder t evaluate the viability f the prject and make a decisin based n the prject team recmmendatin. Ernest Chavez als added that the Metr Bard will make a recmmendatin that will be submitted t Caltrans fr their final cnsideratin. Angel Lgan wanted clarificatin where the Zer Emissin technlgy language was within the technical studies. He als wanted t knw hw the prject will determine the cst f the technlgies if the reprt des nt call ut ne prject specifically. Rbb McCann explained that as previusly stated, the prject is technlgy neutral and will supprt any Zer Emissin Technlgy cncept and will prvide funding under either alternative. The team is nly prviding a mechanism t fund the technlgy. Julie Rush als added that this prgram is included in the technical reprts. Julie Rush respnded t the secnd questin and explained that the team used tw studies t cme up the cst analysis as a basis: Caltrans I-710 Truck Crridr Advisry Cmmittee September 22, 2016 Page 4 f 6

5 Cmmercializatin Study which identified different technlgies and Gateway Cities Cuncil f Gvernments Strategic Transprtatin Plan. Jan Greenwd asked if the updated alternatives take int cnsideratin the BSNF SCIG Prject in Lng Beach and whether it gets built. At the request f EPA and ther grups SCIG has been incrprated as part f this study. Angel Lgan asked what is the difference between auxiliary lanes and general purpse lanes. Shannn Willits respnded that auxiliary lanes are the appraches r departures t the ramps n the freeways. The general purpse lane is next t the auxiliary lane which is the freeway exit/entrance ramp. Clara Slis asked if the prject design uses auxiliary lanes as general purpse lanes. Shannn Willits respnded that auxiliary lanes n the prject are nt ging t be used as general purpse lanes. Angel Lgan asked if the Freight Crridr ends at Bandini Bulevard since it previusly ended at Washingtn Bulevard. Shannn Willits respnded that Bandini Bulevard is the lcatin where the trucks merge back t the freeway in rder t access t Washingtn Bulevard using cllectr ramps. Clara Slis asked if there is a mandate Zer Emissin vehicles t cntinue thrugh East Ls Angeles. Clara had a fllw-up questin regarding hw des the prject mandate that these trucks are Zer/Near Zer are the nly nes the crridr. Julie Rush respnded that ne f the features f the prject includes an I-710 Zer Emissin/Near Zer Emissin Deplyment Prgram which under bth alternatives 5C and 7 the prject will bear the cst f purchasing Zer/ Near Zer Emissin trucks. Julie Rush respnded t the secnd questin stating that the trucks are captured thrughut the crridr. The team can quantify and track these trucks thrughut the regin in bth alternatives. Jan Greenwd asked if the prject will eliminate the crss-ver at the PCH and Dwntwn Lng Beach exit. She als wanted t knw if the prject team was aware f the Glf Curse prject which is a prpsal fr a Truck Transprtatin Hub. Shannn Willits explained that the prject des eliminate the current cnditin. Shannn and Ernest Chavez are ging t inquire with the City regarding this specific prject. Crridr Advisry Cmmittee September 22, 2016 Page 5 f 6

6 Clara Slis asked when the maps depicting the interchange imprvements will be shwn t the cmmittee. She als asked if the transmissin lines near the 91 Freeway can be relcated undergrund. Ernest Chavez respnded that these were shared in winter f 2016 with the lcal cmmittees. Prject team can will prvide a cpy f these maps when requested by the CAC. Shannn Willits respnded that undergrunding at this lcatin is nt financially viable. Pabl Camach asked if the funding fr the Zer/Near Zer Truck Prgram wuld be fr the truck cmpanies r fr the truck drivers. Pabl stated that funding shuld g directly t the truck drivers and nt the cmpanies. Julie Rush respnded that details f the prgram have nt been defined. Currently, the general idea fr eligibility is that drivers must meet the vehicles miles traveled criteria which means that, t be eligible, drivers must prve that these miles cme frm travelling n the I-710 freeway specifically. Ernest Chavez thanked Mr. Camach fr the feedback and assured that the prject team will strngly take that int cnsideratin. Overview f Revised Prject Alternatives inclusive f Mtin 22.1 Julie Rush f AECOM prvided an update n Mtin She explained that the Metr Bard vted in Octber 2015 t add a range f key prject features, prgrams, prjects and mitigatin cnditins fr the I-710 Crridr Prject study area. The mtin has 4 general categries: I. Tasks and features added t DEIR/EIS prcess, II. Additinal mitigatin cnsideratins that the public agencies are wrking n in parallel t addressed during the cnstructin f the prject. III. Plans and plicies, IV. 3 Bike Alignments that are being pursued in parallel t the DEIR/EIS as a separate planning study and envirnmental prcess. Ms. Rush explained hw the technical team is evaluating these elements and is incrprating them int the DEIR/EIS dcument. The update last mnth fcused n the Zer/Near Zer Emissin Truck Prgram, hwever the current update will be fcused n Task 4 which are the upgrades t the LA River Bike Trail. Shannn Willits prceeded t use slides t walk thrugh the recmmended upgrades t the bike trail between Ocean Bulevard and its nrthern terminus at Slausn Avenue. He explained hw the team cnducted a field review and examined the ingress/regress lcatins t make an assessment n the recmmended upgrades t the trail. The team identified lcatins fr Fix-It Statins and existing safety cncerns that need t be addressed as part f the prject and pprtunity areas fr landscaping/hardscape imprvements. Mr. Willits shwed a series f slides that depicted the fllwing: A. Rehabilitatin and Enhancement f trail Pavement replacement and slurry seal B. 15 Lcatins fr the Fix-It Statins Crridr Advisry Cmmittee September 22, 2016 Page 6 f 6

7 C. Lighting Optins D. Prpsed Bike Path Access Pints E. Examples f Drught Tlerant Landscaping/Hardscape alng the path He nted that crdinatin with the Cunty Fld Cntrl District will be cnducted as they are respnsible fr maintaining and perating the path. Idalmis Vaquer asked if the species fr the landscaping are native t Califrnia. Mr. Willits respnded that the species will be cnfirmed at a later time, hwever the intent is t make sure the species are native t Califrnia. Jan Greenwd pinted ut that the Suth Cast Live Oak is nt ppular with AQMD. Esmeralda Garcia nted that the team cnducted a series f meetings with Ad- Hc grups that tuched n three tpics. One f the grups was a cmmunity design grup that wrked with Caltrans landscape architects and an urban designer t develp an Aesthetic Master Plan. The Plan was published and the team is using it as a basis fr the prject landscaping palette. Shannn cncluded by explaining that during September and Octber, the team will be develping crss-sectins and cnceptual plan exhibits that depict the landscaping treatments. Clara Slis asked what the term riprap meant. Shannn Willits respnded that riprap are large bulders. Janne Greenwd pinted ut that the bike path in Lng Beach shwn n the slides as nly a bike path when it is als a pedestrian path. She als nted that special cnsideratin shuld be given t the types f amenities that are planned fr the bike path due t the safety cncerns f an unmnitred bike path. She als added that the bike path shuld be preserved as a recreatinal area. Clara Slis asked abut the usage f the bike trail fr the cmmunity, what is being dne t prmte the use f the bike path, and if parking is being prvided t encurage the public t cmmute by bike. Shannn Willits respnded t the questin by stating that he is nt aware f the cunts but will inquire. Julie Rush added that safety features are being incrprated int the prpsal and there are n current plans fr parking. She explained that parking can be cnsidered at a later date. Idalmis Vaquer added that the bike path des nt have heavy use fr cmmuting due t the lack f lighting. Angel Lgan asked if the new upgrades t the bike path are being cnsidered as part f the I-710 DEIR. Crridr Advisry Cmmittee September 22, 2016 Page 7 f 6

8 Julie Rush respnded that the I-710 prject is independent f the bike path prjects hwever; the Prject is crdinating with ther agencies fr the bikeway prjects. Livability Initiative Update Keka Andersn, (GCCOG) prvided an update n the I-710 Livability Initiative and he nted that the update is similar t previus presentatins. Mr. Andersn explained that the TAC differentiated between what prjects were within scpe f the I-710 and what items were mitigatins fr the initiative. The Livability initiative addresses items that are utside f the prject scpe in respnse t cmmunity input. Mr. Andersn explained that the Livability Initiative is lking at the prgrams that exist within the Gateway Cities Crridr beynd the I-710 prject area. The GCCOG recently was awarded a Caltrans grant t implement the Livability Initiative in apprximately 6 mnths. The Livability Initiative fcuses beynd the I st -mile crridr impacts which will als lk at the Strategic Transprtatin Plan. He als explained that the team is getting ready t hire a cnsultant team t kick-ff sme f the prjects. Metr will be issuing the Request fr Prpsal fr the scpe f wrk sn. Ernest Chaves added that Metr is currently wrking n a reimbursement agreement and will be hiring the team by Nvember Mr. Andersn nted that the initiative encmpasses the big reginal visin as it relates t cmplete streets, public art and urban greening. He prceeded t give examples f tw prjects that have been implemented in Artesia and Lng Beach thrugh this prcess. All f the prjects cnslidated int the Livability Initiative are in line with the visin f the cmmunity. Clara Slis asked if the presentatin psted nline. Mr. Andersn respnded that all f the materials are available n the prject website. Angel Lgan asked if any f the prjects address the strm water requirements fr the cities alng the crridr. Mr. Andersn cnfirmed yes and prvided an example lcated in the City f Lng Beach. SUMMARY AND NEXT STEPS In summary, Ms. Garcia stated that the cmmittee will receive the sundwall presentatin that was requested at the next meeting. Ernest Chaves cnfirmed that the presentatin will be similar t the ne given t the TAC. Additinally, Esmeralda stated that the CAC wuld receive a cpy f all the presentatins that were nt available as a handut. Angel Lgan asked fr a schedule f the rest f the CAC meetings. Crridr Advisry Cmmittee September 22, 2016 Page 8 f 6

9 Clara Slis requested the status f the SR-710 Nrth Prject and hw it may affect the I- 710 Prject. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Garcia reminded the grup that the next CAC meeting will be held n Octber 20 th and the TAC meeting will be held n Octber 19 th. She als nted that the Prject Cmmittee (PC) Meeting will held n September 29 th at Prgress Park. Angel Lgan asked if the Prject Cmmittee was ging t be addressing any pending actin items. Ernest Chaves respnded that the PC has nly ne item t address and that is t extend the eligibility area fr the Early Actin Prjects. Ms. Garcia thanked the grup fr attending and adjurned the meeting at 8:30 p.m. Crridr Advisry Cmmittee September 22, 2016 Page 9 f 6