SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE MARIN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND THE SONOMA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HELD MONDAY, JUNE 19, 2000, AT 10:06 A.M. PRESENT: MARIN SUPERVISORS Cynthia L. Murray, Harold C. Brown, Jr., John B. Kress, Annette Rose, Steve Kinsey, President PRESENT: SONOMA SUPERVISORS Mike Kerns, Tim Smith, Michael J. Cale, Paul L. Kelley, Mike Reilly, Chair 1. OPENING REMARKS - BOARD MEMBERS The meeting was called to order by President Kinsey, who provided a welcome and opening remarks. Sonoma County Board of Supervisors Sonoma County Board members each gave opening remarks, noting that transportation is an issue of major concern and importance for both Counties. Marin County Board of Supervisors Marin County Board members each gave opening remarks, noting that regional planning will be important to transportation, water, and land use issues. 2. JOINT STAFF PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW OF MAJOR TRANSPORTATION ISSUES IN MARIN AND SONOMA COUNTIES; UPDATE ON LEGISLATION AND FINANCE FROM SACRAMENTO Background and Overview of Major Transportation Issues in Marin and Sonoma Counties By letter dated June 19, 2000, Chief Assistant Director of Public Works Farhad Mansourian submitted his report and recommendations. Mr. Mansourian presented a brief summary of the background and overview of major transportation issues in Marin County. By briefing paper dated June 19, 2000, Executive Director of the Sonoma County Transportation Authority Suzanne Wilford gave a brief overview and history of transportation issues in Sonoma County. Update on Legislation and Finance from Sacramento Ms. Wilford distributed a handout which summarizes some of the state budget issues related to transportation and the Governor's plan and advised that the Governor's total proposed transportation package is now at approximately $7 billion over six years Ms. Wilford noted that the proposal has not yet been approved by the Assembly. Ms. Wilford advised that the budget contains a fairly solid commitment to local streets and roads with the shift of the gasoline sales tax and reported on some of the specific projects currently in the proposed budget. Ms. Wilford reported that SCA 3 has been removed from the budget negotiations. Ms. Wilford reported on a bill by Senator Chesbro which will create an advisory committee to evaluate Caltrans' District 4 operations. 3. STATUS REPORT AND DISCUSSION: "NOVATO NARROWS" PROJECT By letter dated June 19, 2000, Chief Assistant Director of Public Works Farhad Mansourian submitted his report and recommendations regarding the above- captioned matter. Mr. Mansourian advised that staff is recommending that an advisory policy committee be created to maximize coordination efforts for the Novato Narrows project comprised of the following elected officials and state and federal representatives: * Two representatives from the Marin and Sonoma Board of Supervisors (one from the district covered by the project and one at-large) * Mayor of Novato * Mayor of Petaluma * Novato's representative on the Marin Congestion Management Agency * Petaluma's representative on the Sonoma County Transportation Authority * One at-large representative from the Marin Congestion Management Agency and the Sonoma County Transportation Authority * Representatives from the offices of Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, Senator John Burton and Assemblymember Kerry Mazzoni. Mr. Mansourian advised that the Marin County Board of Supervisors and the City of Novato have approved this concept subject to approval by the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. Ms. Wilford reported that approximately $13.8 million has been programmed to the Novato Narrows project, with the scope of the project still being defined, and the estimated cost for the project according to the project study report is $216 million. Ms. Wilford noted that project costs might be reduced as the project is reviewed at a policy level. Ms. Wilford advised that staff anticipates approximately $21 million in the state budget this year for the project which would enable the development of an Environmental Impact Report ("EIR") and project design, but additional funding from the state and federal government will be required. Marin and Sonoma Board members expressed support for the creation of a policy committee and stressed the importance of keeping this process moving forward. Board members also discussed the fact that this project is one of many and will not solve traffic problems by itself. Sonoma County Board members unanimously expressed support for the formation and composition of a two-county Policy Advisory Committee to guide project description, fiscal issues, and the EIR/EIS process. A resident of San Rafael urged the Boards not to discount the impact that labor legislation has had on the amount of time it takes Caltrans to deliver a project. A resident of Sonoma County urged the Boards to consider that the financing of the Novato Narrows' project is the responsibility of the State Transportation Commission and to support the addition of an auxiliary lane below Petaluma. A representative of Marin Advocates for Transit advised that a light rail line project in Portland, Oregon has been very successful. The Executive Director of the Marin County Bicycle Coalition advised that the construction of a separated bikeway running parallel to the Highway 101 corridor is a main goal of the Coalition. 4. STATUS REPORT AND DISCUSSION: SONOMA-MARIN AREA RAIL TRANSIT JPA ("SMART") By letter dated June 19, 2000, Chief Assistant Director of Public Works Farhad Mansourian submitted his report and recommendations regarding the above- captioned matter and presented a brief overview of the implementation of SMART. Mr. Mansourian advised that the Draft Final Sonoma/Marin Commuter Rail Implementation Plan released in May recommends rail service between San Rafael and Cloverdale and explores different scenarios and financial options. Ms. Wilford advised that the capital costs for the SMART rail line have been projected to be approximately $173 million, with operating costs over a fifteen year period of approximately $146 million. Ms. Wilford reported that existing fund sources available for the project are Proposition 116 funds of approximately $28 million and funds allocated in the state budget proposal of $37 million, with a $108 million shortfall in capital funds and an annual operating cost shortfall of approximately $10 million. Ms. Wilford reported that the SMART Commission will meet again in August and will discuss outstanding issues of governance, operations, ownership issues, staffing, and the application for Proposition 116 funds. Ms. Wilford advised that concrete next steps include an environmental review process, a preliminary design for the rail line, station site development, and actual physical improvements on the rail line, which could begin after the environmental review process. Sonoma Board members advised that they and the North Coast Rail Authority are committed to continuing to operate freight services and that any commuter service must be operationally consistent with the freight use. Sonoma and Marin Board members discussed the linkages between bus, bicycle and rail transit, the connection between land use patterns and rail transportation and discussions in Marin and Sonoma cities regarding coordinated development. Supervisor Rose noted that coordinated development does not necessarily mean an increase in population but strives to center development near transportation corridors. Board members agreed to provide input to both Boards' representatives on SMART and to request SMART's Board representatives to report back and make recommendations on governance, financing and operational alternatives. Residents of Marin and Sonoma counties spoke to urge Board members to consider new methods of rail system procurement and operations and to reinforce the advantages of a commuter rail service. The Executive Director of the Marin Bicycle Coalition advised that the Coalition will provide numerous comments on the rail feasibility draft report regarding data on rails with trails. 5. STATUS REPORT AND DISCUSSION: CURRENT AND FUTURE PUBLIC TRANSIT SERVICES By letter dated June 19, 2000, Chief Assistant Director of Public Works Farhad Mansourian submitted his report and recommended that this matter be continued to the next joint meeting, with a comprehensive report on bus and ferry service from Golden Gate Bridge District and Sonoma County Transit staff. Board members discussed the need for expanded bus and ferry services and for an integrated transportation plan. Board members agreed to direct staff, as well as transit agencies of both counties, to provide quarterly updates on pending bus and ferry transit issues and, based on those updates, determine the need for future joint Board meetings. Board members also expressed support for working with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission ("MTC") to secure a portion of the funds available for developing a more detailed proposal for rapid bus services in the Highway 101 corridor. A representative of Marin Citizens for Effective Transportation recommended that a comprehensive study for regional rapid bus service be completed as a comparison with the SMART study and a vision for the public. The acting Planning Director for the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District advised that staff met last week to discuss, with other operators throughout the Bay Area, the next steps in implementing the rapid bus proposal by MTC and noted that MTC has acknowledged that an operating subsidy is something they will be urging the state to include in its rapid bus funding. 6. STATUS REPORT AND DISCUSSION: TRANSPORTATION PROJECT FINANCING By letter dated June 19, 2000, Chief Assistant Director of Public Works Farhad Mansourian submitted his report and recommendations. Ms. Wilford summarized past efforts to obtain local funding for transportation improvements and noted that the Sonoma County Transportation Authority ("SCTA") has recommended that November, 2000 is not a likely opportunity to move forward with a transportation measure. Sonoma County Board members advised that they agree with the SCTA's assessment. Board members discussed the different options available for improving transportation including local roads financing at the state level, legislation for increased funding for public transit, support for the restructuring of the financing mechanism for self-help initiatives, success on demonstration funding for projects such as the Novato Narrows, completion of the various multi-modal studies and the contribution of the Governor in his transportation plan. Supervisor Murray expressed the hope that both counties can work together on a coordinated ballot measure for the self-help portion of transportation financing. Marin and Sonoma Board members agreed to direct staff to draft letters to be signed by both Boards in support of legislation to provide additional transportation funding and to amend the State Constitution to change the two- thirds majority requirement for passage of a transportation sales tax. Supervisor Reilly recommended that both Boards also make a joint statement in support of Senator Chesbro's legislation to examine Caltrans District 4 operations. Supervisor Kinsey advised that Mr. Mansourian has testified on behalf of Senator Chesbro's bill and Mr. Mansourian advised that the Marin Congestion Management Agency has endorsed this legislation. Marin and Sonoma Board members agreed to adopt resolutions supporting SB 1506. 7. OPEN TIME A resident advised that the joint meetings are an appropriate forum to discuss what each county wants in its land use policy and how that effects what transportation facilities are needed. The Executive Director of the Marin Conservation League congratulated both Boards on their participation in regional problem solving. 8. ADJOURN The meeting was adjourned at 11:54 a.m. SINE DIE ___________________________________ PRESIDENT ATTEST: _______________________________ CLERK Special Meeting Minutes Marin and Sonoma County 1 6/19/2000