Camarillo City Council
AGENDA REPORT
Date: January 24, 2024
To: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
From: Greg Ramirez, City Manager
Submitted by: Dave Klotzle, Public Works Director
Subject: Camarillo Train Station Undercrossing (Project No. ST-14-05) – Grant Funding Baseline Agreement
BACKGROUND
The Camarillo Train Station Undercrossing – Project No. ST-14-05 (Project) will construct a new pedestrian tunnel at the Camarillo Train Station owned by the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) located as shown on the location map (Attachment 1). The Project will improve accessibility by creating a shorter and more direct route for rail passengers crossing between the west and east rail platforms. The undercrossing will also improve accessibility for the general public, making it easier for all pedestrians to cross the train tracks that separate the Pleasant Valley Fields and Village at the Park/Mission Oaks neighborhoods from Old Town Camarillo. The Project is currently in the Conceptual Design and Environmental Review phase.
On May 26, 2020, the City was awarded a grant for Proposition 1B and Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program funds in the amount of $6.89 million through Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor (LOSSAN) for the Project, including a minimum of $910,000 in matching City funds in order to receive the grant. On May 17, 2023, the California Transportation Commission (CTC) approved an additional $1.3 million of LOSSAN grant funding for a total of $8.19 million of LOSSAN grant funding for the Project.
On June 28, 2023, the CTC awarded Senate Bill 1 Solutions for Congested Corridors Program (SB1 SCCP) grant in the amount of $7.92 million which will fund the construction of the Project and the remainder of the estimated total Project cost. As a condition of the SB1 SCCP grant, the environmental review phase of the Project was required to be completed by December 28, 2023. This condition was satisfied on November 8, 2023, when the City Council found that the Project qualified for a Statutory Exemption under CEQA Guidelines Section 15275(a) and Public Resources Code Section 21080(b)(10) since the project constitutes a modernization of an existing station and parking facility and authorized the City Manager to file a Notice of Exemption with the County.
ST-14-05 - Grant Funding Baseline Agreement
January 24, 2024
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DISCUSSION
On June 28, 2023, the CTC awarded SB1 SCCP, a $74.8 million grant for the US 101 Connected Communities Corridor Rail & Active Transportation Improvements to VCTC and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). The City will be receiving $7.92 million of the $74.8 million total grant amount which will fund the construction of the Camarillo Train Station Undercrossing Project and the remainder of the estimated total Project cost. The SB1 SCCP grant requires that VCTC and the City execute a Baseline Agreement with the remaining parties in the grant agreement, including Caltrans, CTC, LOSSAN, and the City of Ventura which is receiving a portion of the total $74.8 million SB1 SCCP grant amount. The Baseline Agreement outlines the grant requirements and deadlines for completion and is tentatively scheduled to be presented at the March 2024 CTC meeting for approval. As part of the Baseline Agreement, the City is required to provide a Project Report with the conceptual design, Project Vicinity Map, proposed schedule with milestones for completion, cost estimate, and the completed Environmental Document prior to the CTC meeting.
Staff recommends that City Council authorize the City Manager to finalize and execute the Baseline Agreement and all associated documents required for the SB1 SCCP grant.
Staff will return to City Council in late 2024 or early 2025 to provide an update on the preliminary project design and maintenance responsibilities based on coordination and concurrence from VCTC, Union Pacific Railroad, LOSSAN, Metrolink, and Caltrans/State funding agencies.
FISCAL IMPACT
Award of the grant will result in $7.92 million additional revenue of SB1 SCCP grant funding to Project ST-14-05.
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the City Manager to finalize and execute the Baseline Agreement CC 2024-3 and all associated documents between the following parties: Ventura County Transportation Commission, California Department of Transportation, California Transportation Commission, Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor, and City of Ventura, that are deemed necessary for the Senate Bill 1 Solutions for Congested Corridors Program grant.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Location Map
2. Baseline Agreement CC 2024-3
REFERENCE MATERIALS – AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW AT CITY HALL None