AGENDA
ITEM
3 CITY COUNCIL
CALEXICO
AGENDA STAFF REPORT
DATE: October 12, 2022
TO: Mayor and City Council
PREPARED BY: Raul Ureña, Mayor Pro Tem
SUBJECT: Letter to Imperial County Transportation Commission (ICTC) Requesting Traffic Controllers Funding
Recommendation:
Request Council consideration of the attached letter to Imperial County Transportation Commission (ICTC) requesting funding for traffic controllers.
Background:
In 2016, ICTC funded a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for traffic controllers for Calexico for the purpose of traffic control staff assistance on State Route 111/Imperial Ave. in amounts not to exceed $150,000 for FY 16/17 and $150,000 for FY 17/18. In addition, in 2018, the City approved an amendment to the 2016 MOU for reimbursement funding to the city in an amount not to exceed $150,000 total for FY 18/19 for the purpose of traffic control staffing assistance for Land Port of Entry vehicular traffic during Cesar Chavez Blvd. Expansion Project.
During the past two years and as a result of the closures to the East Port of Entry, the City of Calexico has experienced a dramatic increase in southbound traffic thereby increasing the need for additional traffic controllers in the area.
Discussion and Analysis:
AGENDA
The City of Calexico, like all cities in the County, were greatly challenged by the loss of sales tax revenue due to the pause in visa tourism during ITEM the COVID-19 restrictions including limited pandemic hours (still not restored to original capacity) at the Calexico East/Nuevo Mexicali Port of Entry. The City of Calexico was impacted, most notably by the loss of revenue as well as the dramatic increase in traffic control costs during the restricted hours of Calexico East Port of Entry during the COVID-19 contingency. In addition to the dramatic increases in traffic control costs, Calexico emergency response time was choked at critical points during the pandemic where many of our ambulances had challenges getting to the nearest hospitals in time due to the rerouted Calexico East traffic.
USA Government Services Administration (GSA) also understands the impact Calexico West Land Port of Entry has in the local community. GSA fosters close working relationships with community partners and stakeholders. GSA'S website provides the following statistics for the Calexico West Port of Entry:
• Third busiest Land Port of Entry in California
• 4 million northbound vehicles cross each year
• 4.8 million northbound pedestrians cross each year
• Critical economic engine for Calexico-Mexicali region Currently, the city of Calexico spends $605,753 annually in traffic control services, therefore, Calexico is respectfully petitioning to be subsidized or reimbursed for the costs associated with the Calexico West Port of Entry traffic mitigation as we implement more permanent solutions at a municipal level with key stakeholders.
Fiscal Impact:
None.
Coordinated With:
City Manager.
Attachment:
1. Letter to Imperial County Transportation Commission.
City of Calexico
NIA
ERNATIONAL CALIFOR 608 HEBER AVENUE CALEXICO, CA 92231 760) 768-2102 COUNTY.
October 12, 2022
David Aguirre
Interim Executive Director
Imperial County Transportation Commission
1503 N. Imperial Ave., Suite 104
El Centro, CA 92243
Re: For Consideration of Imperial County Transportation Commission (ICTC) and the ICTC Management Board
Dear Mr. Aguirre,
The City of Calexico and its residents continue to have a historic influence in the development of transportation in the Imperial County. Calexico's outsized role and responsibilities in the direct management of border traffic greatly influence transportation patterns Countywide, often translating into the loss or gain of sales tax revenue and operational efficiency of many industries in the region. The City of Calexico, like all cities in the County, were greatly challenged by the loss of sales tax revenue due to the pause in visa tourism during the COVID-19 restrictions including limited pandemic hours (still not restored to original capacity) at the Calexico East/Nuevo Mexicali Port of Entry. The City of Calexico was impacted, most notably by the loss of revenue as well as the dramatic increase in traffic control costs during the restricted hours of Calexico East Port of Entry during the Covid-19 contingency. In addition to the dramatic increases in traffic control costs, Calexico emergency response time was choked at critical points during the pandemic where many of our ambulances had challenges getting to the nearest hospitals in time due to the rerouted Calexico East traffic.
Calexico battled for close to a year with every day, close to day-long congestion of 75% of Calexico's highway miles during the Calexico East restriction. During the same time period, Highway 98 construction delays began to aggravate the situation and introduce fresh sources of road rage into our peaceful community. During peak periods of the Calexico East contingency, Calexico had to grapple with the reality of a divided town where Highway 98 and 111 congestions translated to 45-to-60-minute commutes across a small town.
As the pandemic restrictions subsided, traffic resumed with greater intensity and to this day with a Calexico East schedule still not operating at its original capacity. Traffic is no longer just during peak periods but much earlier, much more prolonged and impactful to the City's finances and overall traffic situations occurring throughout Imperial County and our neighboring cities.
During September, Calexico City Manager Esperanza Colio-Warren reported the tragic incident on Imperial Avenue in Calexico, where a Calexico traffic controller was run over by a vehicle during peak traffic hours. No major injuries were reported, however, it shows Calexico has not recovered and is in emergency need again subsidies to offset the dramatic increases in traffic control liabilities which have not only resulted in long lines southbound but a constant source of frustration amongst the commuters.
This council acknowledges Calexico's previous lack of action to control traffic control cost, during the limited term agreement for border control subsidies designed for the transition to Cesar Chavez Blvd., under former Calexico administrations. Calexico is moving quickly under new administration to keep its promises by considering the original proposed traffic plan (post- Cesar Chavez Blvd.) construction to keep future traffic control cost in check and keep Calexico flowing during peak hours. We look forward to deeper collaboration with all ICTC stakeholders and all neighboring cities to tackle root causes of this growing problem that affects all of us.
Currently, the City of Calexico spends $605,753 annually in traffic control services. We respectfully petition Calexico to be subsidize or reimburse for the costs associated with the Calexico West Port of Entry traffic mitigation as we implement more permanent solutions at a municipal level with key stakeholders.
With much gratitude,
CITY OF CALEXICO
Javier Moreno
Mayor
CC: Raúl Ureña, ICTC Commissioner (Calexico)