MURRIETA CITY COUNCIL
Governing Body Reports
Mayor Warren
January 21, 2025
Received After Agenda Printed
1/21/2025 - Regular Meeting
GOVERNING BODY REPORTS
Presentation
Governing Body Reports
Mayor Warren
[email protected]
December 18, 2024 Attended the Transportation Now Holiday Luncheon.
December 19, 2024 Riverside Transit Agency Regular Commission Meeting – See full meeting review posted on the website.
Highlights: RTA welcomes newly elected 2025 Chair Steve Hemenway of Riverside, Vice Chair Jim Steiner of Corona, and Second Vice Chair Cindy Warren of Murrieta. *Per FPPC Regulation, appointed positions may receive compensation – AB 1234 Governing Body Reports
Mayor Warren
[email protected]
January 8, 2025 Attended the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) Regular Commission Meeting – See full meeting review posted on the website.
Highlights: Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Program (Bike Lanes / Sidewalks) - Call for projects on Feb 3, 2025. Due in early April 2025.
1-15 Smart Freeway Pilot Program Construction has begun on the I-15. This project is collaborative effort between the city of Temecula, Caltrans, and Western Riverside Council of Governments. Construction will continue for 8-9 months with lane reductions and ramp closures taking place within the project area. The two-year pilot project will begin following the completion of this construction phase and the French Valley Parkway Project. More information is available at smartfreeway.org.
15/91 Express Lanes – working on getting message boards set up to inform consumers how much time they will save if they use the Express Lane to give them a chance to decide if it is worth spending the money to use the express lanes.
*Per FPPC Regulation, appointed positions may receive compensation – AB 1234 December Meetings in Review
TNOW Review
TNOW chapters enjoyed a dark month in observation of the December holiday season but got together on December 18th to celebrate an Annual Luncheon at UCR. All six chapters got together and heard updates and accomplishments from 2024.
New Board of Directors Officers
Jeremy Smith, City of Canyon Lake just finished up a great year as Chair! RTA welcomes newly elected 2025 Chair Steve Hemenway of Riverside, Vice Chair Jim Steiner of Corona, and Second Vice Chair Cindy Warren of Murrieta.
New Meeting Dates
The meeting dates for 2025 were approved by the board. All meetings are set for the 4th Thursday of each month with the exception of November and December due to the holiday season conflicts. The Board will be dark in the month of July.
Continuation of Microtransit
The Board approved additional funds to support service and software for the incredibly successful Microtransit Pilot Program in the Hemet/San Jacinto Valley.
ARCHES Grant
RTA is the proud recipient of $21,600,000 from the Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems (ARCHES) grant for the Regional Hydrogen Hubs funding award. RTA will be constructing two Hydrogen fueling stations, maintenance upgrades to two facilities, and the procurement of 37 hydrogen fuel cell electric buses through the year 2031, and workforce training.
Received After Agenda Printed
1/21/2025 - Regular Meeting
GOVERNING BODY REPORTS
Presentation
C
ommission Meeting Summary
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
Original Agenda
Consent Calendar
Fiscal Year 2023/24 Commission Audit Results
• The audits, compliance and agreed-upon procedures for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, have been completed, and Eide Bailly issued all reports. • The Commission received an unmodified opinion or clean opinion on its basic financial statements from Eide Bailly, which is the highest form of assurance. • The audit reports related to the separately issued financial statements of the LTF, STA, SGR, and LCTOP also reflect unmodified opinions from Eide Bailly. Th ese reports noted no matters considered to be a material weakness in internal control and no instances of noncompliance.
• The FY 2023/24 Single Audit Report includes the reports on compliance and internal control over financial reporting and over federal awards. These reports noted no matters considered to be a material weakness in internal control and no instances of noncompliance.
• The Appropriations Limit Calculations and CAP reports are based on specific procedures agreed to by the Commission. For the Appropriations Limit Calculation and CAP, the auditors noted no exceptions or findings related to the procedures performed.
S
tate and Federal Legislative Update
• Later this week, Governor Gavin Newsom is expected to release his budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2025- 26. While the Governor has previewed a modest surplus for FY 2025-26 , the Legislative Analyst’s Office released a report on November 30 anticipating a deficit of $2 billion in the next fiscal year. • RCTC submitted its technical comments to the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) on the Draft 2024 Climate Action Plan for Transportation Infrastructure (CAPTI) Actions ahead of the December 13, 2024 deadline. CalSTA is anticipated to release its final CAPTI Actions in early 2025. Staff will monitor for updates from CalSTA as well as the California Legislature, which could be prompted to introduce legislation.
• On November 18, former Congress Member Sean Duffy of Wisconsin was nominated by President -elect Trump for the Secretary of Transportation. If confirmed by the Senate, Secretary -designate Duffy would succeed Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who has served in the Biden Administration since 2021.
D
iscussion Highlights
Received After Agenda Printed
1/21/2025 - Regular Meeting
GOVERNING BODY REPORTS
Presentation
RCTC Commission Meeting Summary
January 08, 2025
Article 3 Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Program Update • The Commission approved the revised Transpo rtation Development Act (TDA) Article 3, or SB 821, Fiscal Year 2025/26 Call for Projects Guidelines, including the Evaluation Criteria.
• The revised SB 821 Guidelines include minor re visions and c larifying language based on constructive feedback discussed with the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) from the FY 23/24 cycle.
• The approved changes include the following:
o Destinations Served : Clarify 2 points will be awarded per type of destination rather than for each destination, update radii for improvements to better represent the distances individuals are willing to walk/bike.
o S afety : Break out current question into 3 sub -questions, each worth 5 points, to improve clarity.
o Mu ltimodal Access: Update radii for improvements to better represent the distances individuals are willing to walk/bike.
o M atching Funds: Clarify matching funds include non-SB 821 funds spent on pre-construction phases.
o C lass III Bicycle Lanes: Add language to limit funding of Class III bicycle lane projects to the costs directly associated with bicycle related signage and striping improvements.
• For background, SB 821 is a discretionary program administered by the Commission to fund bicycle and pedestrian projects. The program is funded through the Local Transportation Fund (LTF) , part of TDA, a one -quarter percent statewide sales tax.
• Each year, two percent of LTF revenues are set aside for the SB 821 program, and every odd -numbered year the Commission conducts a competitive call for projects in which all local agencies within the county can submit applications. • Eligible projects include construction of bicycle lanes, sidewalks, Americans with Disabilities Act curb ramps, and the development of bicycle and pedestrian master plans.
Active Transportation Program (ATP) Cycle 7 – Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Component – Selections Criteria for Riverside County Applications and Riverside County Project Recommendations
• The Commission approved the 20 -point distribution methodology selection criteria for the MP O component of ATP Cycle 7 and all future ATP cycles .
RCTC Commission Meeting Summary
January 08, 2025
Additionally, the Commission approved the ATP Cycle 7, Riverside County MPO Component list of recommended projects and contingency list in the amount of $4,437,000.
• The MPO Component f unding recommendations include the Connecting Coachella Project in the City of Coachella and the Monroe Street & I -10 Interchange Active Transportation Improvements Project managed by the County of Riverside, Transportation Department.
• On August 15, 2024, the CTC adopted the amended 2025 ATP fund estimate , indicating a $400 million reduction.
• SCAG’s portion of the MPO component is $35 million, of which $4.6 million is targeted for Riverside County.
• For background, ATP is a highly competitive statewide program that funds bicycle and pedestrian facilities and programs to enhance or encourage walking and biking. The California Transportation Commission (CTC) awards 50 percent of the funds at the statewide competitive l evel, 10 percent to small urban and rural regions, and 40 percent at the large MPO level.
• As part of the sequential project selection, projects are first evaluated statewide and those that are not ranked high enough for statewide funding are automatically provided a second opportunity for funding through the large MPO share. • As the MPO, Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) is required to work with county transportation commissions, the CTC, and Caltrans to develop its regional program recommendations.
15/91 Express Lanes Connector Before and After Study
• The Project which opened on November 21, 2023, entailed of adding direct connectors between 91 Express and 15 Express north of 91 (“15/91 ELC). Widen EB 91 EL between I-15 and Promenade Avenue to 2 lanes (“EB 2.0”). • The study data demonstrates Eastbound 91 Express Lanes (EL) operate at or near free-flow speed at east -end with the project , queues were regularly observed prior to Eastbound 2.0 have now been eliminated, the Eastbound 91 EL demand and throughput increased, p eak tolls ($27.90 on Fridays) reduced to less than $10, and the general purpose lane operations have improved. • The study data demonstrates minimal change to the Westbound 9 1 and general purpose mainline both congested before and after the project. Westbound 91 EL demand increased post 15/91 ELC, queues via McKinley and 15 N orthbound to Westbound grew and the new south to west movement improved utilization and functionality.
RCTC Commission Meeting Summary
January 08, 2025
• Post ELC & EB 2.0, the 91 Express Lanes revenue increased from $70 million / year pace to $92 million/ year pace (+32%).
• Post ELC, 15 Express Lanes Revenue increased 9% from $35 million / year pace to $38 million / year pace.
Executive Director Report
• Construction has begun on the I -15 Smart Freeway Pilot Project . This project is collaborative effort between the city of Temecula, Caltrans, and WRCOG.
Construction will continue for 8 -9 months with lane reductions and ramp closures taking place within the project area. The two-year pilot project will begin following the completion of this construction phase and the French Valley Parkway Project. More information is available at smartfreeway.org.