CITY OF LAGUNA NIGUEL
CITY CouNCIL AGENDA ITEM
To: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
FROM: Jacki Scott, Director of Public Works/City Engineer DATE: January 16, 2024
SUBJECT: Adoption of Resolution No. 2024-1460, Approving the Submittal of the Laguna Niguel Summer Trolley Project to the Orange County Transportation Authority for Funding Under the Competitive Measure M2 Community-Based Transit/Circulators Program (Project V)
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2024-1460, approving the submittal of the Laguna Niguel Summer Trolley Project to the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) for funding under the competitive Measure Community- Based Transit/Circulators Program (Project V).
BACKGROUND
In 1990, Orange County voters approved Measure M, a 20-year half-cent local transportation sales tax. Then in 2006, Orange County voters approved the renewal of the Measure M half-cent transportation sales tax, known as Measure M2, through 2041.
OCTA distributes Measure M2 funds on a formula basis or through a competitive process.
The following Measure M2 programs are available to the City of Laguna Niguel:
Streets & Roads Programs
1) Regional Capacity Program (Project O) - provides funds to improve facilities along the Master Plan of Arterial Highways (MPAH) by improving street operations and reducing congestion. The City received Project O funding for the widening of eastbound Crown Valley Parkway at I-5 freeway and Cabot Rd. 2) Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Program (Project P) - provides funds to improve traffic flow, reduce congestion, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions along key corridors and across multiple jurisdictions in Orange County. Most recently, the City received Project P funding for traffic signal synchronization along Crown Valley Parkway and Moulton Parkway/Golden Lantern.
3) Local Fair Share (Project Q) - provides funds on a formula basis to assist cities with the escalating costs of restoring the aging street system. Cities can use these funds for other local transportation needs such as residential street projects, traffic and pedestrian safety near schools, and signal priority for emergency vehicles.
Transit Programs
1) Expand Mobility Choices for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities (Project U) - provides funds for cities to offer transportation alternatives for seniors in addition to local fixed-route buses or ADA paratransit (OC ACCESS) services.
Most recently, the City received Project U funding for the senior mobility taxi service at the Sea Country Senior & Community Center.
2) Community Based Transit/Circulators (Project V) - provides funds to enable local jurisdictions to develop community-based, local transit services that complement regional transit services and meet needs in areas not adequately serviced by regional transit. The local transit services cannot duplicate or compete with existing OC Bus services or other existing services. Most recently, the City received Project V funding for the initial five years of the Laguna Niguel Summer Trolley.
Environmental Program
1) Environmental Cleanup Program (Project X) - provides funds to improve overall water quality in Orange County from transportation-generated pollution. Most recently, the City received Project X funding for the purchase and installation of trash control devices on stormwater catch basins.
As part of its 2024 Call for Projects under Measure M2, OCTA is accepting project applications for the Community-Based Transit/Circulators Program (Project V) for funding in Fiscal Years 2024-31. The application process requires that the City adopt a resolution supporting the proposed project. Submitting Measure M2 project applications supports City Council Goal 2 (Fiscal Sustainability) and Goal 4 (Infrastructure and Technology) of the City's adopted Strategic Plan.
ANALYSIS
The subject resolution is in support of a submitting a project application to OCTA for funding under the competitive Measure M2 Community-Based Transit/Circulators Program (Project V), as summarized below.
Laguna Niguel Summer Trolley
In May 2022, the City of Laguna Niguel launched its Summer Trolley program under a Cooperative Agreement with the OCTA which provides funding for up to five years, through Fall 2026, to include a minimum local match of 10 percent by the City. The existing Laguna Niguel Summer Trolley services run from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, Thursday through Sunday, and Monday service for holidays.
OCTA has indicated in its 2024 Call for Projects that the total Project V funding available for Fiscal Years 2024-31 is approximately $45 million with $35 million prioritized for continuation of existing transit projects. The remaining $10 million would be made available on a competitive basis county-wide for all local agencies to apply.
The City's application for OCTA's 2024 Project V Call for Projects includes a request for funding to continue the existing Laguna Niguel Summer Trolley route ("South Line") beyond Fall 2026 through Fall 2031. It also includes a request to expand the City's trolley services with an additional route ("North Line"), potentially to begin service in Spring 2025.
The North Line would run from the Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo Metrolink station to the Crown Valley Community Park, to transfer point to the South Line. The application includes project management, trolley lease services, new trolley stop equipment and marketing materials. A map of the proposed routes for the South and North trolley lines is provided as Attachment "A".
Resolution No. 2024-1460, approving the submittal of the Laguna Niguel Summer Trolley Project to the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) for funding under the competitive Measure M2 Community-Based Transit/Circulators Program (Project V) is provided as Attachment "B".
The OCTA Technical Steering/Technical Advisory Committee will review Project V applications and the OCTA board will approve the list of recommended projects in Spring 2024 and the grant funds will be available to awarded agencies on July 1, 2024.
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The City Council could direct staff to remove the project application from consideration.
This alternative is not recommended because these are available grant opportunities most likely to provide substantial funding for the proposed summer trolley costs.
FISCAL REVIEW
OCTA's Project V funding is capped at $592,000 for Fiscal Year 2024-25 with an annual 3 percent escalation and requires a minimum 10 percent match from the City. The City's application will target the maximum amount eligible under the program. Staff will propose the required matching funds as part of the City's Fiscal Year 2024-25 Capital Improvement Program budget.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney's Office has reviewed the resolution and has approved it as to form.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2024-1460, approving the submittal of the Laguna Niguel Summer Trolley Project to the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) for funding under the competitive Measure Community- Based Transit/Circulators Program (Project V).
Jamar Setonsen
Tamara S. Letourneau
City Manager Public Works Director/City Engineer
Kelli Everett
Senior Management Analyst
Attachments:
A. Laguna Niguel Summer Trolley Proposed Routes
B. Resolution No. 2024-1460
ATTACHMENT A
Laguna Niguel Summer Trolley Proposed Routes
Legend
Aliso Viejo
North Line
South Line
City Boundary
Lagune
Nique
San Juan
Capistrano
City of Laguna Niguel, County of Los Angeles, California State Parks, Esri, TomTom, Garmin, SafeGraph, GeoTechnologies, Inc, METI/NASA, USGS, Bureau of Land Management, EPA, NPS, USDA, USFWS
Laguna Niguel Summer Trolley Program
Proposed Route Map
ATTACHMENT B
Resolution No. 2024-1460
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-1460
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA NIGUEL, CALIFORNIA
APPROVING THE SUBMITTAL OF THE LAGUNA NIGUEL SUMMER TROLLEY
APPLICATION TO THE ORANGE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (OCTA) FOR FUNDING UNDER THE PROJECT V COMMUNITY-BASED
TRANSIT/CIRCULATORS PROGRAM
WHEREAS, the Orange County Transportation Authority Community-Based Transit/Circulators program (Project V under Measure M2) establishes a competitive funding program to enable local jurisdictions to develop, test and provide community- based local transit services that complement regional transit services and meets needs in areas not adequately serviced by regional transit; and, WHEREAS, the Orange County Transportation Authority intends to allocate Project V funds within the incorporated cities and the County of Orange, as applicable; and WHEREAS, the Orange County Transportation Authority has established the procedures and criteria for selecting projects for funding through a competitive process as identified in the Comprehensive Transportation Funding Program (CTFP) Project V Guidelines; and
WHEREAS, the City of Laguna Niguel desires to provide local community based transit services; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Laguna Niguel authorizes the nomination of the Laguna Niguel Summer Trolley, including all understanding and assurances contained therein; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Laguna Niguel has been declared by the Orange County Transportation Authority to meet the eligibility requirements to receive Measure M2 funds, including Project V funds; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Laguna Niguel must include all projects funded by Net Revenues in the seven-year Capital Improvement Program as part of the Measure M2 Ordinance eligibility requirement; and
WHEREAS, the City of Laguna Niguel authorizes a formal amendment to the seven-year Capital Improvement Program to add projects approved for funding upon approval from the Orange County Transportation Authority Board of Directors; and WHEREAS, the City of Laguna Niguel's Circulation Element is consistent with the County of Orange Master Plan of Arterial Highways; and
WHEREAS, the City of Laguna Niguel will comply where applicable with Resolution No. 2024-1460 Page 2
provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and any other federal, state, and/or local laws, rules and/or regulations; and
Transportation Authorily regardin age need for iparatsait services and or pra, prior to starting operations; and
WHEREAS, the City of Laguna Niguel will provide a minimum 10% in matching funds, excluding non-Project V subsidies or net fares collected, as required by the Project V CTFP Guidelines and shall fund its share of the project costs and any additional costs over the identified programmed amount; and WHEREAS, the City of Laguna Niguel Will not use Measure M tunds to supplant Developer Fees or other commitments; and
WHEREAS, the City of Laguna Niguel will give the Orange County Transportation Authority's representatives access to and the right to examine all data, records, books, papers or documents related to the Project.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
The City Council hereby requests that the Orange County Transportation Authority allocate Project V funds in the amounts specified in the City's application to said City from the Project V Community-Based Transit/Circulators program through the Comprehensive Transportation Funding Program (CTFP). Said funds shall be matched by funds from the City of Laguna Niguel as required and shall be used as supplemental funding to aid the City of Laguna Niguel in the implementation of the proposed transit service.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 16th day of January, 2024.
Kelly Jennings, Mayor
ATTEST:
Marissa J. Asistin, City Clerk