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It is a crucial time for planning at SCAG as we prepare key projects and activities, and I am reminded of the importance for us to work together in order to accomplish our goals and flourish both individually and as a region.
The scheduled date for adoption of the 2008 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) and certification of the Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) has been moved to May 8 due to changes in emissions budgets to meet adequacy findings from the U.S. EPA. SCAG continues to work with state and federal agencies to meet the requirements of transportation conformity for federally supported highway and transit project activities as outlined under the federal Clear Air Act (CAA). Under conformity regulations, SCAG is required to make appropriate revisions to its conformity analysis to reflect the new emission budgets and release the analysis for another 30-day public review period.
Next month, SCAG Regional Councilmembers and Assembly delegates will convene at the annual General Assembly on May 8 to determine policy actions for the coming year. In addition to reviewing and adopting the proposed budget, we will welcome our newest member jurisdictions and formally mark the passing of the gavel to the new SCAG President for the upcoming fiscal year. An awards luncheon also is scheduled to recognize this year's Regional Champions for their leadership and service to the region related to SCAG's work.
In addition, on May 21, the 8th Annual Regional Housing Summit entitled "The Reality of Housing Market Uncertainty: Navigating the Course" will lead a timely discussion of the current state of the Southern California housing market and the need for affordable regional housing options. The summit also will include the 2nd annual Compass Blueprint Recognition Awards Luncheon to recognize local planning and projects that demonstrate excellence and innovation and work towards improving the mobility, prosperity, livability and sustainability of our region.
Finally, I am very pleased to report that SCAG's inaugural Regional Transit Summit: "Envisioning Regional Transit's Future" on March 20 was a tremendous success, with more than 200 people attending from the public and private sectors. The summit brought together local leaders and transportation partners from all over the region to share their insights in lively discussions throughout the day, and special thanks go to Barstow Mayor Lawrence Dale, Los Angeles Councilmember Wendy Greuel, La Quinta Councilmember Terry Henderson, Moorpark Councilmember Keith Millhouse, Orange County Supervisor Chris Norby, Santa Monica Councilmember Pam O'Connor, Los Angeles Councilmember Bill Rosendahl and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa for their support and participation. Photos from the day's activities are available here.
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Executive Director Report
by Hasan Ikhrata
Staff has continued to work diligently with our regional partner agencies and state and federal agencies to resolve numerous difficult issues in preparing the conformity analysis for the 2008 Regional Transportation Plan.
Enacted in December of 2007, the Energy Independence and Security Act (HR6) makes a significant change to the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) program. Staff attorneys at the Federal Highway Administration have more recently advised that the provision enacted by Congress specifically requires that CMAQ projects be funded with a minimum federal CMAQ share of 80 percent for Fiscal Years 2008 and 2009. Accordingly, this specific amendment relative to the federal share for the CMAQ program eliminates the option of higher state or local shares otherwise permitted by 23 U.S.C. 120 (i). This interpretation of HR6 is of critical concern to SCAG as many of the region's CMAQ projects do not meet the minimum 80 percent provision. Preliminary findings show that SCAG regional projects programmed with up to $152 million in CMAQ funding would need to be reprogrammed - requiring an FTIP amendment. My staff and I believe that such an interpretation limits a project sponsor's ability to flexibly approach local matches, and in turn, hinders timely project delivery. This issue is of critical concern to SCAG and its regional partners. As such, my staff and I are continuing to work with the federal agencies as well as Caltrans, and our local regional partners to expeditiously resolve this matter.
[NOTE: Since the publishing of the Executive Director's Report, SCAG President Gary Ovitt, Regional Council members and staff in Washington met with FHWA Administrator Jim Ray, and we are pleased to inform you that FHWA has issued a new advisement that resolves this issue and permits states to contribute an amount in excess of the 20% share for CMAQ projects pursuant to existing law.]
It became apparent in February that employee lay-offs would be necessary in order to balance the budget. The reasons for the lay-off can be summarized as follows: reduction in funding, over commitment without the financial ability to maintain those commitments; and insufficient attention to certain aspects of the budget. We failed to recognize the signs that we might have some budget difficulty.
The Department Directors, Chief Counsel and I worked together to determine the changes necessary. All of the staff who will be laid off were notified as of April 2, 2008. Individual meetings were held with affected staff, and a staff meeting was held with all staff to provide information on the process.
In total, there are reductions of 26 positions. The reductions are agency wide, with the majority of the reductions occurring in the planning department. Lay-off decisions were made based on our business needs, the classifications impacted and seniority within the classifications, any special skill requirements, and reorganization all in accordance with SCAG Personnel Rule 7. We tried to be as fair as possible while at the same time making sure that we had the right skill set here to accomplish our agency goals.
No more staff reductions are anticipated in the foreseeable future. Our funding is stable through the next fiscal year, and while we have not received any word from Congress on funding for fiscal year 2010 and beyond, we are assuming for planning purposes that we will receive the same level of funding in 2010 as in 2009. We will implement a three-year budget planning cycle that is being developed by the CFO to ensure that we have safeguards in place to prevent unanticipated budget issues from happening again.
SCAG Action Report
TCC REVIEWS REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN PROJECTS
On April 3, the Transportation and Communications Committee (TCC) discussed the status of several projects in the Draft 2008 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) whose inclusion in the Final 2008 RTP is yet to be determined: CETAP Corridor B between Riverside and Orange Counties, the ARTIC - Platinum Triangle - Anaheim Resort Connector and the Orangeline High-Speed Maglev. No action was taken at the meeting, but the Committee is expected to vote on all three projects at a special meeting on Friday, April 11. The Final RTP is anticipated to be adopted, and the PEIR certified, by the Regional Council on May 8.
EEC RECOMMENDS TO SUPPORT MARINE VESSEL EMISSIONS REDUCTION ACT
The Energy and Environment Committee (EEC) recommended to support S. 1499, the Marine Vessel Emissions Reduction Act, which would require the U.S. EPA to establish rules limiting fuel sulfur content in both domestic and foreign-flagged ships traveling to U.S. ports, both along the coastal waters and within the Great Lakes.
EEC TASK FORCE AND WORKING GROUPS UPDATE
The EEC approved a revised structure for the task forces and working groups within their purview. The new structure would combine the Water Policy Task Force, Solid Waste Task Force, Energy Working Group and Open Space Working Group to address mitigation measures identified in the Regional Transportation Plan and integrate issues with the Regional Comprehensive Plan Task Force. The new integrated Task Force will meet monthly.
REGIONAL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE AND SCHEDULE
Staff provided an updated schedule on the preparation of the RCP, including discussion of public workshops hosted by the Community, Economic and Human Development (CEHD) Committee and RCP Task Force. The first of four public workshops on the draft RCP was held on February 13 in San Bernardino. A second workshop will be held on April 22 at the Huntington Beach Public Library focusing on land use, open space, and transportation.
SCAG CONSIDERS STUDY OF STATE TAX POLICY EFFECT ON LOCAL LAND USE DECISION-MAKING
SCAG presented information to the CEHD Committee on possible approaches to study and initiate change regarding the current state tax system that "fiscalizes" certain land uses and local decision making. Within the regional context, a policy environment in which land use decisions are based mostly or entirely on fiscal considerations has gradually created imbalances between cities, counties and sub-regions that compete for specific land uses, and subsequent challenges in terms of economic development, affordable housing and congestion have become more difficult.
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Adoption of the 2008 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) and certification of the Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) by the Regional Council has been rescheduled to May 8, 2008, due to updated transportation emission budgets in the conformity analysis. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently required the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to update South Coast ozone and PM2.5 emission budgets, and the revised conformity analysis will be released for another 30-day public review period.
Because the 30-day public review period will close on April 28, 2008, the RTP adoption had to be delayed. Additionally, a formal conformity finding cannot be adopted until the U.S. EPA issues an adequacy finding on the emission budgets. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and EPA both plan to expedite reviews of the Final RTP in light of the expiration of the conformity findings for the 2004 RTP on June 7, 2008. Electronic copies of the revised conformity report and the RTP are available here. |
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Legislative Update
Following the direction of the Regional Council, legislative staff has communicated to Congress SCAG's support position on S. 1499, the Marine Vessel Emissions Reduction Act by Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and will work with our regional partners to pass the bill. This legislation would significantly reduce sulfur fuel content in ocean-going vessels from an average of 27,000 parts per million (ppm) for larger ships to between 1,000 - 2,000 ppm by 2011. S. 1499 was heard in Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on February 14, 2008, and may be scheduled for mark-up in April.
Legislative and program staff are working to finalize SCAG's tax credit legislative proposal, which would establish a freight infrastructure investment tax credit to encourage private investment in freight infrastructure projects, such as water, rail and truck transportation, throughout the United States. The credit mechanism is based on the current new markets tax credit passed by the Congress earlier this decade. Under the proposal, the freight infrastructure investment tax credits are granted on a six-year cycle, whereby regional metropolitan planning organizations identify corporations and partnerships whose proposed or ongoing freight infrastructure projects are likely to have the most beneficial effect in relieving congestion at major transportation hubs within their respective regions. Private equity would contribute up-front investment in exchange for tax credits over a specified period of time to expedite project delivery. Staff will work to finalize the legislation to offer as part of the next transportation reauthorization measure or as a stand-alone bill.
On April 3, SCAG's Regional Council voted to support SB 1646, a bill by state Senator Alex Padilla (D-Van Nuys) that would extend indefinitely the South Coast Air Quality Management District's authority to impose a $1 fee on vehicles registered in that district to fund programs to reduce air pollution from motor vehicles. The Senate Committee on Transportation and Housing passed the bill by a vote of 8-3 on April 1, and SB 1646 is scheduled to be heard in the Senate Committee on Appropriations on April 14.
On April 4, Assemblyman Mike Feuer (D-West Hollywood) visited the SCAG offices and met with SCAG staff and representatives of regional transportation commissions to discuss his 2008 transportation legislative package. Assemblyman Feuer provided an overview of his legislative priorities and plans to move the bills forward through the legislative process, and he sought input and support from the transportation group representatives. The group plans to continue to work with the Assemblyman on addressing transportation concerns and finding solutions that impact the SCAG region.
Click here for the complete report.
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News from the Subregions
The Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG) approved ex-officio membership on the WRCOG Executive Committee for the Eastern Municipal Water District and the Western Municipal Water District.
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Upcoming Events
On April 22, SCAG's Community, Economic and Human Development Committee (CEHD), along with the Regional Comprehensive Plan Task Force, will host the second of four public workshops to review the 2008 draft Regional Comprehensive Plan (RCP). This workshop will be held at the Huntington Beach Public Library from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm and will focus on land use, open space, and transportation. Please contact Jacob Lieb at (213) 236-1921 or lieb@scag.ca.gov for more information.
From April 27 to May 1, SCAG will exhibit at the 100th National Planning Conference of the American Planning Association (APA). The conference will be held at Paris and Bally's in Las Vegas and will feature four keynote speakers: Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), New Yorker architectural critic Paul Goldberger, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Anna Tibaijuka and ESRI President Jack Dangermond. For more information, please visit www.planning.org
SCAG's annual General Assembly will take place on May 8 at the Ontario Convention Center. For more information, please contact Barbara Dove at (213) 236-1861 or email dove@scag.ca.gov.
SCAG's 8th Annual Regional Housing Summit is scheduled on May 21 at the Mission Inn in Riverside. Featured speakers include Lynn Jacobs, Director, State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and Lawrence Parks, Senior Vice-President, Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) of San Francisco. To view the agenda and event information, please click here.
To view other upcoming events, please click here.
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Did You Know?
- Named after the abundant, majestic oak trees in the area, the City of Thousand Oaks includes more than 14,800 square acres of natural, publicly owned open space that contains more than 75 miles of trails for hiking, biking or leisure walking. On April 19, the city will celebrate its 11th annual Thousand Oaks Arbor/Earth Day at the Conejo Creek North Park. The annual event will feature more than 100 eco-friendly vendors and exhibitors and draws approximately 6,000 visitors to learn more about recycling and caring for the environment in Ventura County.
- Banning is best known for its inspiring scenic vistas of both Mt. San Gorgonio and Mt. San Jacinto, the two tallest peaks in Southern California, but the city also is believed to be the site of a pre-historic lake when a bone fossil of a mastodon of the Pliocene Age was discovered there in 1965. Located in the San Gorgonio Pass in Riverside County, Banning once served as a stagecoach and railroad stop between the Arizona territories and Los Angeles. Today the city is still known as "Stagecoach Town, U.S.A." and hosts an annual Stagecoach Days Celebration featuring a parade, carnival and rodeo.
- The City of San Marino was indirectly named after a stone-cutter called Marino, who fled from his home on the Dalmatian coast of modern-day Croatia and took refuge among the rocky crags of Mt. Titano of Italy in 301 AD. Marino later was canonized by the monastery of Mt. Titano and changed his name to Saint or San Marino. The city's seal reflects these Italian origins with a depiction of the three summits of Mt. Titano, each topped by a tower of fortified walls built from native rock and capped with a bronze plume.
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