Report to Mayor and City Council
Wednesday, July 05, 2023
Consent
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF FUNDING AGREEMENT BETWEEN LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (METRO) AND THE CITY OF CARSON ACCEPTING MEASURE R FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,525,000 FOR PROJECT NO. 1780: VICTORIA TRANSIT CENTER
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I. SUMMARY
The City of Carson (City) is planning to undertake Project No. 1780: Victoria Transit Center. Grant funds from Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) Measure “R” funds in the amount of $3,525,000 were awarded to the City in accordance with the terms of the Funding Agreement, and will be used to fund the construction of this project. A Funding Agreement between the City and Metro signed by Metro’s legal counsel has been forwarded to the city for execution.
The Metro Board requires the execution of the Funding Agreement, and staff now seeks City Council approval of the same to fund the project.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
TAKE the following actions:
1. ACCEPT a grant in the amount of $3,525,000.00 from Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
2. APPROVE the Funding Agreement between Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the City of Carson granting $3,525,000 to the City of Carson to complete the project.
3. AUTHORIZE the Mayor to execute the Funding Agreement between Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the City of Carson following approval as to form by the City Attorney.
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III. ALTERNATIVES
DO NOT APPROVE the Funding Agreement; however, the City must execute this funding agreement in order to receive grant funds for this project. Invoices for reimbursement cannot be submitted to Metro until this funding agreement is fully executed.
IV. BACKGROUND
The City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) calls for the design and construction of Project No. 1780: Victoria Transit Center (Exhibit No. 1). In September 2021, the Metro Board programmed $3,525,000 in Measure R Funds for the design and construction of the project.
Grant funds were awarded to the City to cover 100% of the estimated cost of this project from Metro Measure “R” funds in the amount of $3,525,000 in accordance with the terms of the Funding Agreement (Exhibit No. 2) which includes: $25,000 for Project Approval / Environmental Document; $250,000 for Plans, Specifications and Estimates; $50,000 for Construction Support; $1,000,000 for Right-of-Way; and $2,000,000 for Construction.
For the past several years, the City of Carson has used Del Amo Boulevard, east of Avalon, as the transit terminal for the Carson Circuit system. The only transit amenities currently marking this site are benches and bus stop signs set within the street right-of-way, adjacent to an open parking lot. The proposed Transit Center around the California State University Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) would be a more effective facility and will better serve the purpose of serving both the students in the university and the patrons for the development at the 157 acre site in Carson. The Transit Center will be mutually beneficial to Metro, Long Beach Transit, Carson Circuit, and Torrance Transit as they all run through Victoria St. The purpose of the Victoria Transit Center project is to provide a modern facility at which bus riders can access the Carson Circuit system or transfer between any of its routes. Regional connections to the Carson Circuit’s Blue Line feeder routes (Route D & G) and Metro Lines #205 and #446-447 will also be able to be made at the new Victoria Transit Center. Further, Metro Transit’s patrons will also be able to access all points served by the Carson Circuit by transferring at the Victoria Transit Center. All of the Carson Circuit’s eight fixed routes, providing for approximately 616,000 annual passengers trips, will provide service to the Victoria Transit Center. The new Victoria Transit Center will greatly enhance passenger comfort, security, and access to bus service information.
The Metro Board requires the execution of the Funding Agreement between the City and Metro, and staff now seeks City Council approval of the same for a grant to City in the amount of $3,525,000 to be made on a reimbursement basis.
The Funding Agreement would be made effective retroactive to June 1, 2022, which is the date designated under the parameters of the grant program.
V. FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the General Fund. The Measure R funds from Metro for $3,525,000 would cover 100% of the estimated project cost. The grant funds will be paid on a reimbursement basis in accordance with the provisions of the Funding Agreement. The estimated cost of the project is broken down below:
|
Description |
Los Angeles County MTA Measure “R” Funds |
|
Project Approval / Environmental Document |
$25,000 |
|
Plans, Specifications and Estimates |
$250,000 |
|
Construction Support |
$50,000 |
|
Right-of-Way |
$1,000,000 |
|
Construction |
$2,000,000 |
|
TOTAL PROJECT COST |
$3,525,000 |
VI. EXHIBITS
1. Location Map (pg.4)
2. Funding Agreement (pg.5-48)
Prepared by: Gilbert Marquez, P.E., City Engineer & Ian Holst, P.E., Associate Civil Engineer