CITY OF POMONA
COUNCIL REPORT
December 5, 2022
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: James Makshanoff, City Manager
Submitted By: Rene Guerrero, Public Works Director
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT WITH OMNITRANS FOR THE WEST VALLEY CONNECTOR BUS RAPID TRANSIT PROJECT RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council take the following actions:
Approve the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Agreement with Omnitrans for the West Valley Connector Bus Rapid Transit Project; and Authorize the Public Works Director to execute the O&M agreement on behalf of the City of Pomona (City).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) is in the process of completing work to implement and deliver the West Valley Connector Bus Rapid Transit Project (BRT Project) that will be operated by Omnitrans. The BRT Project consists of improvements along the 19-mile-long “Milliken alignment” from the eastern boundary limit in Pomona to Rancho Cucamonga/Fontana. Approval of the O&M Agreement will establish the rights and obligations for both the City and Omnitrans with the ongoing operations and maintenance of the BRT Project once completed.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The O&M agreement establishes that the City will be responsible to maintain newly installed irrigation and landscaping, signage, lighting, and concrete bus pads in the public right-of-way. Although maintenance costs are unknown at this time, they are expected to be minimal.
PREVIOUS RELATED ACTION:
On June 1, 2020, City Council approved a Cooperative Agreement No. 20-1002420 with the SBCTA for the West Valley Connector Bus Transit Improvement Project.
On June 19, 2017, City Council approved a cooperative agreement with Omnitrans for the West Valley Connector Safe Routes to Transit Project related to the five enhanced bus stop locations planned for the City.
DISCUSSION:
The West Valley Connector Project seeks to improve mobility in the San Bernardino Valley with an enhanced, state-of-the-art bus rapid transit system, including enhanced bus stop shelters, to address the growing traffic congestion and the estimated one million people that will be added to the area by 2030. The West Valley Connector Project is a 19-mile-long bus rapid transit system that proposes limited stops, providing speed and quality improvements to the public transit system within the corridor. Among the numerous benefits, the BRT Project will provide premium transit with 10–15-minute service, Transit Signal Priority (TSP), dedicated lanes, enhanced bus stations, and integration with other bus routes. The BRT Project includes stations at 27 locations/major intersections through various cities. One end of the system will be at the City’s Downtown Transit Center with enhanced stops along Holt Ave.
The SBCTA will continue as the lead agency for Environmental, Design, Right-of-Way, and Construction of the BRT Project, along with the management of contractors, construction, and coordination with other cities. The SBCTA has requested that the City enter into a separate Operation and Maintenance agreement with Omnitrans to establish each party’s responsibilities relating to the proposed facilities within Pomona. This O&M Agreement (Attachment No. 1) addresses the rights and obligations in connection with the ongoing operations and maintenance of the BRT Project.
COUNCIL PRIORITIES & GOALS:
“This item supports the City Council Priorities and Goals of June 21, 2021, under City Council Priority 1: Fiscal and Operational Responsibility – Goal C: Obtain additional grant funding and other revenues to help achieve City goals.” Prepared by:
Ron Chan,
Principal Traffic Engineer
ATTACHMENT(S):
Attachment No. 1 – O&M Agreement with Omnitrans
Approval of O&M Agreement with Omnitrans