Item Coversheet

Agenda Item 3.5.1

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TRANSPORTATION AGENCY FOR MONTEREY COUNTY
Memorandum
To: 

Board of Directors

From:

Christina Watson, Director of Planning

Meeting Date:

August 22, 2018

Subject:

Coast Rail Coordinating Council Memorandum of Understanding


RECOMMENDED ACTION:

ADOPT revised Coast Rail Coordinating Council Memorandum of Understanding.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Rail Coordinating Council (CRCC) and the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG) have adopted the attached Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The Board adopted the MOU in February 2018. Since then, partner agencies have suggested edits. Due to the substantive nature of these edits, legal counsel advises the Board to reaffirm its previous adoption of this MOU.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

There is no direct financial impact for the recommended action, although the MOU does state that "each AGENCY agrees to consider an annual financial contribution to offset CRCC costs (i.e., meeting rooms, communication costs, support materials, outside agency support, and other incidental expenses)." On February 24, 2016, the TAMC Board approved a contribution of $1,500 per year. The project costs for the proposed rail service are still under evaluation.

DISCUSSION:

The Coast Rail Coordinating Council (CRCC) is a loose association of coastal California county transportation and planning agencies organized to improve passenger rail services. The primary focus of the CRCC is to improve the frequency, speed, reliability and ease of use of passenger trains on the coast route between San Francisco and Los Angeles. The CRCC has a Policy Committee of elected officials and a Technical Committee of staff of the associated agencies.

 

The attached revised MOU is a step toward formalizing the CRCC to better coordinate on the planning and funding of expanded passenger rail services along the Coast. The CRCC Policy Committee adopted the MOU at their January 19, 2018 meeting. The San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG) Board adopted the MOU at their December 6, 2017 meeting. The TAMC Board adopted the MOU at their February 28, 2018 meeting. Since that time, revisions have been suggested by partner agencies. On July 16, 2018, the CRCC Policy Committee adopted the attached revised MOU.

ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Coast Rail Coordinating Council Memorandum of Understanding