ADOPT the Coast Rail Coordinating Council Memorandum of Understanding.

The Coast Rail Coordinating Council (CRCC) and the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG) have adopted the attached Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The Rail Policy Committee recommended the Board adopt the MOU.

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.

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 MOU is a step toward formalizing the CRCC to better coordinate on the planning and funding of expanded passenger rail services along the Coast. Agency Counsel has reviewed and commented on the draft of this MOU and their comments were accepted by the CRCC Policy Committee, who 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 Rail Policy Committee reviewed the draft at their November 6, 2017 meeting and recommended the Board adopt the MOU.