Capitol Corridor
On February 14, staff attended the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority Board meeting, at which the Authority adopted their 2019 Business Plan, which included the following paragraph about the extension of service to Salinas (added in response to TAMC's comment letter):
"Rail Service Expansion Planning
"The CCJPA has set forth and adopted a Train Service Policy supporting future extensions to new markets beyond the Capitol Corridor. This policy encourages partnerships between several passenger rail services and local/regional transportation agencies. For example, there are ongoing discussions with the Transportation Agency of Monterey [sic] (TAMC), Caltrain, and VTA regarding expanding Capitol Corridor service to Salinas. Pursuant to CCJPA Board direction, CCJPA staff are actively engaged in this discussion in a manner that protects the existing core service but fairly lays out the requirements of extending service to Salinas (e.g., an integrated train schedule, additional rolling stock, complete and compliant stations, operating funding support, and CCJPA governing/legislative modifications). Plans for this expansion have advanced slowly but steadily and will continue to evolve as funding, operational, and governance matters are addressed. This potential expansion is reflected in the State Rail Plan as appropriate."
Staff spoke in support of continuing our collaboration on extending Capitol Corridor trains to Salinas.
City of Salinas
On February 9, Agency staff and City staff met to discuss coordination of utility relocationsfor Package 1 (Lincoln Avenue extension and circulation improvements). BKF submitted claim letters to all utilities in August 2016 after determining the City did not have proof of easement agreements with any of the utilities on site (PG&E gas, PG&E electric, AT&T, Comcast and CalWater).
In June 2017, PG&E submitted preliminary relocation drawings, but in September 2017 determined their gas and electric lines could likely be protected in place. At meetings in November and December 2017, the City of Salinas initially accepted the proposed protection in place, pending review of the revised stormwater plans. However, in January, the City directed TAMC that all utilities should be relocated to Lincoln Avenue due to the City's potential (but uncertain) concept of development on the parking area in the future, so as not to have to dig twice. Since the project does not require the relocation of utilities, the City will have to find a way to pay for the relocation of PG&E and AT&T, in addition to the previous agreement that the City wished to relocate their sanitary sewer and stormdrain pipes during the project's utility relocation window.
Meanwhile, BKF has also been negotiating relocation costs with CalWater, which is a project cost. TAMC approved the utility relocation costs at its March 22, 2017 meeting. As part of the relocation, CalWater requires TAMC to provide them with an easement on TAMC and City-owned parcels into which they are relocating. Staff will bring the easement to the TAMC Board on April 25.
Comcast is the simplest of the utilities, as the project is only relocating one box and abandoning the rest of the conduit, as that conduit was connecting to structures that the project will demolish.
On February 14, staff attended the Salinas City Center Improvement Association (SCCIA) Board of Directors meeting, to present an update on the project and respond to questions. On March 1, staff attended the SCCIA's Land Use Committee meeting. The SCCIA was concerned about the potential for littering, loitering and general security issues in or near the now-vacant structures that TAMC plans to demolish this year. In response, TAMC hired a team to board up the vacant buildings and paid for extra trash cleanup above and beyond the City's existing contract with Hope Services for trash cleanup around the station area.
On February 26, staff met with Salinas City Manager and staff to discuss the project status and related issues, including utility relocations. City staff is preparing a letter to TAMC regarding the utility relocation question, which is holding up the completion of the 100% plans for Package 1 and delaying the project's construction funding allocation request, as utility relocation agreements are required for the project to be "ready to list" for construction.
Salinas is holding "Founder's Day" at the station area on April 14 from 9-3.
Construction Management
The kick-off meeting for the Construction Management contract was held on March 5, followed by a walking tour of the Salinas train station area. The first tasks for the team are to review the demolition bid documents prepared by HDR, review the 100% plans for Package 1 when completed by HDR, and develop a plan for stakeholder and public outreach on the project, especially in advance of the initiation of demolition work at the Salinas station.
Structure Demolition
Staff is preparing demolition bid documents for the April 25 Board meeting and will provide the Committee with a verbal update.
Funding
Staff is preparing an extension request for the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) funding programmed for construction of the project, due to delays caused by utility relocation issues, and an extension request for the Traffic Congestion Relief Program (TCRP) funding secured for construction of the Gilroy station improvements, due to delays caused by changes to the operations scenario and the need to get Union Pacific review of designs. Both funding extension requests will go to the California Transportation Commission on May 16.
Staff responded to a request for more disadvantaged community benefit information from the State Transporation Agency regarding the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program grant application.
Property Acquisition
Staff will present a verbal update on the status of property acquisition at the Salinas train station.