City Council Agenda Report
Meeting Date: July 7, 2026
From: Daniel S. Wall, P.E., Director of Public Works-City Engineer Department: Public Works
Submitted by: Rosemary Lozada, Management Analyst
Subject
Memorandum of Understanding with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Recommendation
A. Find that the approval of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) proposed in this staff report is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15303, because the project consists of new construction of limited small new facilities;
B. Find that pursuant to California Public Resources Code (PRC) Section 21080.25(a)(11), Transportation Prioritization Projects include, but are not limited to: (E) "transit stop access and safety improvements, including, but not limited to, the installation of bus shelters, lighting, transit bulbs, and the installation of transit boarding landings and islands" and pursuant to PRC Section 21080.25(b)(3), Transit Prioritization Projects are statutorily exempt from CEQA; and C. Authorize the City Administrator to execute the MOU for the Metro Southeast Los Angeles Transit Improvements Projects (SELA TIP) between the City of Vernon (City) and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA or Metro), in substantially the same form as submitted herewith. The MOU would authorize the LACMTA to reimburse the City for the installation of new bus shelters and amenities at ten (10) Metro bus stop locations within the City's boundaries.
Background
LACMTA applied for and secured funding under the 2022 Local Partnership Program (LLP) for the SELA TIP, which includes funds for bus shelters at 100 bus stops within various jurisdictions.
On April 25, 2024, the Metro Board of Directors approved the East Los Angeles – Long Beach Corridor Mobility Investment Plan, which identifies bus stop improvement as a component.
The City has been awarded $600,000 to fund the installation of bus shelters with all required amenities throughout the City. The proposed SELA TIP MOU with Metro (Attachment 1) establishes the relationship between Metro as Grantee and the City as a sub-grantee and outlines the responsibilities for the City and Metro. The funds awarded to the City will be used to install 10 shelters at locations currently lacking, including a shade structure, nighttime lighting, real-time information boards, and amenities such as seating and trash receptacles. The real-time information board will be installed by Metro, therefore lowering the awarded cost to $520,000.
These funds will be fully reimbursable to the City for all eligible costs associated with design, engineering review, and project management services related to the project.
The City shall be fully responsible for the design, procurement, and installation of the new bus shelters, including all associated components necessary to ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations and requirements. This includes, but is not limited to, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the California Public Contract Code, and Metro guidelines.
The proposed locations for the bus shelters are shown below and a map (Attachment 2) is provided for reference:
Bus Stop Line Location Direction Corner
1 60 Santa Fe/27th North SE
2 60 Santa Fe/27th South NW
3 60 Santa Fe/30th North SE
4 60 Pacific/Leonis South NW
5 251 Soto/26th North NE
6 251 Soto/26th South NW
7 251 Soto/46th North SE
8 251 Soto/46th South NW
9 251 Soto/54th North SE
10 108 Slauson/Boyle West NE
Upon completion of the installation, the City shall assume ownership of the bus shelter amenities and be responsible for all maintenance costs associated with the useful life of the project. Future maintenance and operational costs related to the station amenities will be incorporated into the City’s annual operating budgets, as necessary.
The SELA TIP MOU with Metro has been reviewed and approved in its form by the City Attorney’s Office.
Fiscal Impact
Approval of this action would require an appropriation of $520,000, including a 10% contingency.
Funds are requested in the General Fund, Public Works Department, Street Maintenance Division, Capital Outlay Account No. 011-695-430-660000 for Fiscal Year 2026-27. Grant funds will cover all expenditures and is requested to be adjusted in the General Fund, Grant Revenues Account No. 011-695-430-440100 for $520,000.
Attachments
1. SELA TIP MOU between Metro and Vernon
2. SELA TIP Bus Shelter Project Map