Central Coast Coalition Memorandum of Understanding

1. APPROVE an agreement with Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments, and the regional transportation agencies for Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties to advocate transportation improvements throughout the Central Coast;
2. APPROVE the use of $26,000 in local Congestion Management Program funds over 5 years for this purpose; and 
3. AUTHORIZE the Executive Director to make administrative changes to the agreement, subject to approval of Agency Counsel.

U.S. 101 functions as a critical north-south corridor connecting the Central Coast and the greater Los Angeles Metropolitan Area to the south, the greater San Jose / San Francisco Metropolitan Area to the north, and the Central Valley to the east, serving as: a critical goods movement corridor; the primary alternative north/south highway when Interstate 5 is periodically closed due to storms and accidents; and, an emergency escape route upon any natural or man-made accident or disaster occurring along the coast including wildfires and earthquakes.

Since 2011, the agencies have worked together as the Central Coast Coalition to raise awareness of the U.S. 101 corridor on the Central Coast as a major economic asset to the state and nation,  to encourage public and private investment on the corridor, and to facilitate the improvement of the U.S. 101 corridor for approximately 269 miles from the Santa Barbara/Ventura County line to the San Benito/Santa Clara County line. Caltrans District 5 is an active partner with the Coalition and has taken the lead to work with the Coalition to develop a business plan for the US 101 corridor. The US 101 Business Plan will document the economic benefits provided by the transportation infrastructure running through the Central Coast and lay the groundwork to support additional state and federal investment in our transportation system. The Coalition's efforts support other activities such as the Coast Rail Coordinating Council's efforts to increase rail service in the central coast counties. 

In addition to monthly staff coordinated meetings, the Central Coast Coalition participates in an annual Sacramento Legislative Advocacy Day, California Transportation Commission town halls, briefings for individual California Transportation Commission commissioners, state agency special meetings, state workshops and meeting participation, and other activities related to the U.S. 101 corridor or other issues in common.

This Memorandum of Understanding will be effective as of July 1, 2020 and will expire on June 30, 2025, unless the agencies agree otherwise. Santa Barbara County Association of Governments serves as the Administrative Agency for the Central Coast Coalition during the term of this Memorandum of Understanding and will enter into an agreement with a firm to provide legislative advocacy services for the Central Coast Coalition.  In addition to the Transportation Agency, this Memorandum of Understanding includes  the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments, Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments, Council of San Benito County Governments, San Luis Obispo Council of Governments, and Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission.