TO:City Council
FROM:Bob Engler, Councilmember
DATE:October 7, 2025
SUBJECT: Update on Mobility 21 Annual Summit, September 12, 2025 RECOMMENDATION:
1. Receive report.
2. Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act.
LEVINE ACT ITEM: No
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No Additional Funding Requested. Cost for City Council attendance and administrative tasks are included in the Adopted FY 2025-26 General Fund Budget.
BACKGROUND:
Mobility 21 was created in 2002 to bring together elected officials, transportation providers, businesses, local municipalities, labor, and community leaders to develop solutions to the transportation issues facing Los Angeles County. The coalition expanded to pursue regional solutions to the transportation challenges facing Imperial, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura counties.
The coalition’s goals are to:
Support practical solutions to Southern California’s transportation challenges.
Mobilize regional support for transportation funding and legislative priorities at the federal and state levels.
Unite political leaders around common transportation priorities. Engage residents, civic leaders, business groups and industry experts to educate them on effective actions they could take to support regional transportation needs.
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DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
Each year, Mobility 21 hosts an annual summit to bring coalition members together for updates on current issues from elected officials, transportation agencies, and transportation industry leaders, as well as to participate in educational sessions.
This year the summit was held at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim on Friday, September 12, 2025. This year’s theme was “Power of Partnerships.” Councilmember Bob Engler, representing the City on the Ventura County Transportation Commission, and Legislative Affairs Manager Mina Layba attended the summit.
1. Opening General Session
A. Welcome Remarks:
Delegates were welcomed by Master of Ceremonies Doug Shupe from the Auto Club of Southern California. Aaron Hake, Executive Director of Riverside County Transportation Commission and Mobility 21 Chair, encouraged delegates to make one new connection and bring one idea back to their agency. County of Orange Supervisor Doug Chaffee, Chair of the Orange County Transportation Authority, discussed the importance of regional collaboration across Southern California.
Video Shorts Presented:
Streets are for Everyone (SAFE): This video highlighted an Auto Club program that challenges high school students to create visual art and traffic safety messages. A student from Valencia High School produced the winning video.
Mobility 21 - 2025 Year in Review: A recap of the past year's meetings and events, highlighting key moments.
Titanium Sponsor, Jacobs: This montage showcased teamwork and featured Jacobs’ employees.
So Cal Edison (SCE): This clip illustrated SCE's dedication to developing cleaner technology and fleet improvements.
So Cal Gas: This video showcased So Cal Gas employees on the job.
B. Presentations by Federal and State Representatives:
Alex Padilla- U.S. Senator: Senator Padilla highlighted the critical role of transportation investments in improving mobility, particularly in preparation for the upcoming Olympic Games. He noted that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has already delivered $900 million for upgrades to the Los Angeles rail system.
With Congress and the White House facing funding delays, he urged the Southern California region to actively partner and advocate for their transportation needs.
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Dave Cortese, Chair of the California Senate Transportation Committee, announced that in the final days of the legislative session he will rally for the reauthorization of cap-and-trade funding. As a former metropolitan transportation commissioner for Santa Clara, he emphasized that regional coordination is vital.
This year, he authored SB 545, which would support the development of high- speed rail, and SB 695, which would authorize Caltrans and the California Transportation Commission to develop a priority list of climate adaptation transportation projects.
Lori Wilson, Chair of the California Assembly Transportation Committee, has established a legislative coalition to brainstorm solutions for the State's transportation issues. She is concerned about the sustainability of the current gas tax revenue and the need to stabilize fuel markets.
James Hacker, Undersecretary, California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) reviewed the agency’s policy priorities (1) safety, (2) climate, (3) economic prosperity- goods movement, and (4) equity.
Dina El-Tawansy, Director, Caltrans, emphasized Caltrans’ "people-first" approach, a multifaceted approach to improving California's transportation system built on a foundation of safety, reliability, and innovation. With a strong commitment to community engagement, Caltrans seeks to create a more integrated and efficient system that serves the needs of all Californians.
2. Breakout Session 1- What the Future Holds: New Eras and Opportunities in State and Federal Transportation Policy and Funding
Panelists discussed the federal transportation reauthorization in 2026, emphasizing a need for the state and region to determine priorities and conduct long-term planning. Key issues for the future include the decline in gas tax revenue due to the rise of electric vehicles, and a potential mandatory vehicle-miles- traveled (VMT) charge to replace it. Transportation agencies are also impacted by the increasing costs of transit projects and labor. Panelists stressed the importance of meeting with federal representatives and using “storytelling” to explain the need for transportation funding. Educating the public on transportation funding challenges is another tactic.
3. Lunch General Session
A. Lunch Speakers:
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Sharon Gookin, Deputy Chief Executive, and Stephanie Wiggins, CEO Los Angeles Metro, reviewed key sporting events that will impact the region, including the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics. Los Angeles Metro has been hard at work preparing to make both events car-free to encourage spectators to use public transportation and reduce traffic.
Fernando Dutra, Councilmember for the City of Whittier, and Chair of LA Metro shared local partnerships between San Bernardino County and Los Angeles Counties to expand safety through an ambassador program, assistance to the unhoused through ridership, and support career development in the transit industry.
Karen Bass, Mayor, City of Los Angeles, assured her commitment to work with the region in preparing for the NBA All- Star Game, World Cup, and Olympics.
The region will benefit from the thousands of visitors who will venture to different parts of Southern California to see Disneyland in Orange County, the beaches in Ventura County, the deserts in Riverside County, and the mountains in San Bernardino County. Mayor Bass emphasized the need to work cooperatively to prepare public transportation options and networks.
B. Fireside Chat with Keynote Speaker Meb Keflezighi, Olympic Marathon Runner: The long-distance runner and author shared his story about winning the Boston Marathon in 2014. His family came to the U.S. as political refugees from Eritrea. He grew up in San Diego, where he began running, and went on to win NCAA championships as a UCLA student. His win at the Boston Marathon came one year after the Boston bombing, which marked a victory for the city still grieving from the incident. It was a poignant win as the last time an American won the marathon was 31 years prior. He has won four marathons in his career. His key message was that it is not always about winning but about achieving your personal best with hard work and dedication.
C. 2025 Mobility 21 Awards were presented to:
Lifetime Achievement Award- Dr. Raymond Wolfe, Former Executive Director – San Bernardino County Transportation Authority Leadership in Equity- LA Metro Rail and Rail Budget Team Public Sector Leader of the Year- Tony Tavares- Executive Director Alameda County Transportation Commission
Private Sector Leader of the Year- Stephen Polechronis- Senior Vice President AECOM
4. Breakout Session 2- In the Face of Wildfires, Earthquakes and Climate Change:
Transportation Readiness and Resilience
Panelists discussed the impact of natural disasters on their agencies and how Mobility 21 Annual Summit, September 12, 2025
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transit agencies are learning to pivot in their ability to respond to and recover from frequent natural disasters. Some examples included:
Creation of an emergency transportation plan that is regularly updated. This plan includes a dedicated transportation seat within the Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
Working cooperatively with social service providers and non-profits to identify paratransit services for vulnerable populations. Constructing and maintaining transportation infrastructure and bridges to withstand weather events and mudslides.
Annual mock exercises and drills to practice for emergencies. Integrated communication networks and new technology.
5. Closing General Session
CEOs Chart the Path Forward: Transportation Executive Directors from Ventura, Riverside, Orange, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, and the Southern California Association of Governments shared their perspectives on the importance of partnerships. Key ideas included:
Expand networks not only for the Olympics but to encourage residents to consider using public transportation for the long term. Tell stories about how transportation projects are changing lives, creating greater mobility, improving air quality, and reducing congestion. Regional visioning.
Integrating technology among regions.
COUNCIL GOAL COMPLIANCE:
Meets the following City Council goal:
B. Provide municipal government leadership which is open and responsive to residents, and is characterized by ethical behavior, stability, promoting public trust, transparency, confidence in the future, and cooperative interaction among civic leaders, residents, business representatives, and staff, while recognizing and respecting legitimate differences of opinion on critical issues facing the City.
PREPARED BY: Mina Layba, Legislative Affairs Manager
CMO:150-20\KM\H:COMMON\Council Items\2025 Staff Reports\100725 Mobility 21 Conference Staff Report