June 18, 2024
Public Works
DATE: June 18, 2024
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Daniel Chavarria, PE, Director of Public Works
Robert Armijo, PE, Deputy Director of Public Works / City Engineer
Subject:
Adoption of Amendments to the Joint Exercise of Powers
Agreement for the West Contra Costa Transportation
Advisory Committee (WCCTAC) and Authorization for the
City Manager to Execute Necessary Documents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed amendments to the funding formula for West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee
(WCCTAC) may alter the City's annual financial
contributions. However, approving the resolution to
amend the JPA will not result in immediate financial
impacts. The City will review the revised formula to
ensure that any future financial contributions align with Richmond’s interests in regional transportation projects and initiatives.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement governing the
West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee
(WCCTAC) requires updates to address evolving
transportation challenges and opportunities within West Contra Costa County. The current agreement, last
amended in 2003, does not fully reflect the modern
transportation landscape or the needs of the region,
including the City of Richmond. Amendments are
proposed to update the objectives, governance, and
funding mechanisms of WCCTAC, enabling more
AGENDA
REPORT
June 18, 2024
effective regional transportation planning and
collaboration. City Council approval is essential to
implement these necessary changes and ensure
Richmond's active participation in regional transportation initiatives.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
APPROVE a resolution to approve the amendments to
the Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement (JPA) for the
West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee
(WCCTAC) and authorize the City Manager to execute
any necessary documents pursuant to the approval of the JPA amendments – Public Works (Daniel Chavarria 510-
620-5478 / Robert Armijo 510-620-5477).
DISCUSSION:
The West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee (WCCTAC) was formed to address transportation issues in West Contra Costa County, including the cities of El Cerrito, Hercules, Pinole, Richmond, and San Pablo, as well as Contra Costa County, AC Transit, BART, and WestCAT. The Committee is a legal entity created to provide a coordinated approach to transportation planning and project implementation in the region, leveraging funding and resources for the benefit of the area.
The WCCTAC Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement (JPA), initially established in 1990 and last amended in 2003, outlines the governance, powers, and funding mechanisms for the Committee. Given the evolving transportation landscape and the need to address contemporary transportation challenges more effectively, an update to the JPA is proposed.
On January 27, 2023, the WCCTAC Board (Board) directed staff to initiate an update to the JPA Agreement. Following this directive, WCCTAC staff returned to the Board on March 24, 2023, recommending that the proposed WCCTAC restated and amended JPA Agreement be transmitted to member agencies and the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) for review and comment. During the WCCTAC meeting on July 28, 2023, the Board reviewed the feedback received, which mainly consisted of minor edits and clarifications to reflect current practices. The Board then directed staff to incorporate these comments. Subsequently, on October 27, 2023, the WCCTAC Board authorized the transmittal of a redline draft of the JPA Agreement to member agencies for their approval. On December 5, 2023, WCCTAC’s Executive Director sent a letter to all member agencies, requesting the adoption of the proposed changes to the JPA Agreement.
June 18, 2024
The amendments to the JPA include, but are not limited to, the following key aspects:
1. Objective and Commission: Clarification of WCCTAC's objectives to include the development and improvement of transportation demand management programs and transit services, reflecting a broader approach to addressing regional transportation needs.
2. Powers: Refinement of WCCTAC's powers to ensure alignment with current and future transportation initiatives, including the authority to develop and administer sub-regional transportation demand management programs.
3. Funding and Budgeting: Update of the funding formula and budgeting process to ensure fair and equitable contributions from member agencies and alignment with current financial practices.
4. Governance: Modifications to the composition and voting structure of the WCCTAC Board to ensure effective decision-making and representation of member agencies.
Adopting the proposed amendments will enable WCCTAC to address the transportation needs of West Contra Costa County, promoting regional collaboration and leveraging additional funding opportunities more effectively. The updates will also ensure that WCCTAC remains a relevant and effective body in the face of changing transportation policies, technologies, and funding mechanisms.
The proposed amendments to the WCCTAC JPA represent a necessary and timely update to ensure that the committee can continue to serve the transportation needs of West Contra Costa County effectively. Approval of these amendments will strengthen the committee's ability to coordinate transportation planning and project implementation across the region.
City staff recommends that City Council adopt the resolution approving the amendments to the WCCTAC JPA and authorizing the City Manager to execute any necessary documents pursuant to the approval of the JPA amendments.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Resolution
Attachment 2 – Proposed Amendments to the WCCTAC JPA