R. A. Zais, Interim City Managef::l._~

Transcription

1 To: From: By: Subject: CITY OF WOODINVILLE, WA REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL rd Avenue NE, Woodinville, WA Honorable City Council R. A. Zais, Interim City Managef::l._~ Thomas E. Hansen, Public Works Director ~;;?:-- Discussion of Sound Transit 3 {ST3) Program Date: 01/05/16 ISSUE: Shall the City Council discuss the Sound Transit 3 (ST3) and provide acknowledgement and feedback as requested by Sound Transit? RECOMMENDATION: City Council provide direction to staff for City's response to Sound Transit's request for acknowledgement and feedback on ST3 BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION: Sound Transit is currently planning the Sound Transit 3 (ST3) project list for consideration by the public, preparing for a November 2016 vote on the package. The Sound Transit Board sent a letter to Mayor Talmas on December 7, 2015 (Attachment 1), asking "to acknowledge the scope elements included in the candidate project reports of interest to you and note if there are scope elements that have been overlooked or included unnecessarily." They are asking for acknowledgement and feedback by January 21, The City sent a letter to Sound Transit (Attachment 2) in July 2015, requesting that the project for development of the Eastside Rail Corridor, originally approved in Sound Transit 2, be included in Sound Transit 3. This project has not been implemented by Sound Transit to date. The projects that Sound Transit is currently planning to include in ST3 is shown on the attached map (Attachment 3). The City's requested project for development of the Eastside Rail Corridor is not included on the current ST3 project list. It appears that none of the proposed projects on the ST3 list provide, direct local benefits to the residents of Woodinville. ALTERNATIVES: 1. Provide direction to staff for preparation of the response to Sound Transit as requested on the proposed projects for ST3. 2. Request additional information from staff 3. Take no position on ST3. RECOMMENDED MOTION: FOR DISCUSSION ONLY Attachment 1: Letter to Mayor Talmas Attachment 2: Letter from City to Sound Transit Attachment 3: ST3 Candidate Project Map for the Eastside 1

2 Attachment 1 T SOUNDTRANSIT December 7, 2015 The Honorable Bernie Talmas Mayor of Woodinville rd Avenue NE Woodinville, WA Dear Mayor Talmas, On behalf of the Sound Transit Board, l want to thank you for your input and continued engagement on the development of Sound Transit 3 (ST3}, the next set of regional high-capacity transit investments that we plan to present to voters next November. To reach that goal, we expect to have a draft system plan out for public comment and review next spring, with final adoption by the Board at our meeting in June. Input from jurisdictions, the citizens we serve, our partners, and stakeholders across the region will continue to inform and shape our work in the months ahead. The purpose of my letter is to ask for feedback as we begin to evaluate the ST3 candidate projects and start to identify projects and services for the next system plan. At the December 4 Board workshop, staff presented technical reports for each candidate project, along with corridor summary information, for the list of candidate projects approved by the Board last August. The candidate project reports can be found at With this letter, I am asking for your acknowledgement and feedback on the scope of the candidate project(s) in which your jurisdiction is interested. Through the implementation of Sound Move and Sound Transit 2 capital programs, the agency has come to value the need for.common understanding and clarity about the scope and initial assumptions of proposed voter-approved projects. At this stage in the planning process, the scope of these candidate projects inform the cost estimates, which in turn inform the financial plan needed to support the system plan. To ground the system plan in solid analysis and to ensure success over the long run, it is paramount that we continue to advance our planning work with accuracy and transparency. Sound Transit asks you to acknowledge the scope elements included in candidate project reports of interest to you and note if there are scope elements that have been overlooked or included unnecessarily. To keep our work on schedule, we would like to have your acknowledgement on the scope of candidate projects of interest to you, along with any other feedback, by Thursday, January 21, Over the next several months, the Board intends to develop a system of capital projects and services that, in combination with state and local transportation services and infrastructure, keep our regional economy and people moving. Using the technical work presented at the December 4 workshop and on-going feedback from citizens, cities, and partners, the Board will utilize our regular meetings to discuss priorities, leading to the adoption of a draft plan in the spring. CHAIR Dow Constantine King County Executive VICE CHAIRS Paul Roberts Everefl Councilmember Marilyn Strickland Tacoma Mayor BOARD MEMBERS Claudia Balducci Belle, ue Mayor Fred Butler JssaquuhMayor Dave Earling Edmond, Mayor DaveEnsfow Sumner Mayor John Lovick Srwho1ni.sh County Exe,:utive John Marchione Redmond Mayor Pat McCarthy Pjerce. CounJy ExecUJiiie Joe McDermott King Counsy Council Vice Chair Mary Moss Lakewood Councilmember Ed Murray Seal/le Mayor Mike O'Brien Seal/le Councilmember Lynn Peterson Washington Slate Secretary of Ti'llnsportaUon Larry Phillips King County Council (11air Dave Upthegrove King County Councilmember Peter von Reichbauer King Cou111y Counoi/member CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFACER Joni Earl. Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority Union Station 401 S. Jackson St., Seattle, WA Reception: (206) FAX: (206)

3 Thank you for your continued engagement and feedback on the ST3 planning work. An integrated and robust transportation system is key to maintaining our economic competitiveness and the quality of life we enjoy in the Puget Sound region. My colleagues on the Board and I look forward to working with you in the weeks and months ahead on an ST3 plan that delivers on this vision. Sincerely, Dow Constantine Chair, Sound Transit Board c: Sound Transit Boardmembers Mike Harbour, Acting Chief Executive Officer Ric llgenfritz, Planning, Environment & Project Development Ann Snell McNeil, Government & Community Relations Central Pugel Sound Regional Transit Authority Union Station 401 S. Jackson SL, Seattle, WA Reception: (206) FAX: (206)

4 Attachment 2 July9, 2015 Sound Transit Board of Directors 401 South Jackson Street Seattle, WA Re: Comments on Draft Priority Project List for Sound Transit 3 "Citizens, business rind lcic:11l government; a cammunily commitment to uur ju.ture," Honorable Board of Directors: The City of Woodinville requests that the Sound Transit 3 (ST3) Projects List be amended to add High-Capacity Transit (HGT) along the Corridor, particularly on the portion north of Totem Lake to Woodinville. In 2008 when voters approved Sound Transit 2, it included $50 million to begin development of the Eastside Rail Corridor as a High Capacity Transit corridor. As you know, that project was never implemented, leaving unfilled commitments to voters. Meanwhile, these voters continue to pay additional transit taxes with no hope that one of the projects they were promised will ever be delivered.. The Eastside Rail Corridor continues fo be one of the most viable mass transit projects in the region. The right-of-way is iri public ownership; it would serve some of the fastest growing areas of the region, including two Urban Centers (Totem Lake and Canyon Park); it provides direct access to a major transportation hub connecting 1-405, SR522, SR202, and SR9; and it establishes the groundwork for a direct transit connection between the overlooked eastside communities of King and Snohomish Counties.. Sound Transit needs to keep the promises it made to our voters by including in ST3, previously promised projects that were not completed-or implemented, and giving them first priority for ne""". funding and construction. Thank you for your consideration. Please let us know if you have any questions or desire clarification about our request. Sincerely, CITY OF WOODINVILLE Bernard W. Talmas Mayor cc: Woodinville City Council Attachme:nt: ST2 Eastside Rail Corridor Project Summary- Project E32b rdAvenue NE Woodmville, WA Fax: , printed on m:ycle<i paper 4

5 ::- ;.::-.::- --,.::-.::-.::-.::-,.,.-_;,., =---=---= :: Subarea Primary Mode Impacted Facility Type Version Number Date Last Modified 4/24/2008 Short Project Description Capital contribution to a potential passenger rail partnership on the Eastside BNSF corridor. Project Purpose: Provide capital funding contribution to elements of a potential passenger rail partnership on the Eastside BNSF corridor to improve mobility and contribute to the regional transportation system Cost in Millions of 2007$ Sound Transit Total Capital Funding Support $50.0 Environmental Documentation Required r Environmental Impact Statement Required r Environmental Assessment Required r Environmental Checklist Required 5

6 .. ' Capital Gontribution:.Partner~hip for Passenger Rail_ Of' the-bnsf Corridor(~. King oµnty)" -. Long Description This project includes a potential capital contribution of $50 million to a partnership which would operate passenger rail on the Eastside BNSF corridor, subject to completion of a due diligence process and Board review and approval. This capital contribution would be addressed by an agreement between Sound Transit and a potential partner or partners which would specify the terms of Sound Transit's contribution, the responsibilities of each partner and the terms and conditions of such a partnership. Sound Transit would complete due diligence on a proposed partnership, evaluating the details of the proposed agreement, the proposed operation and mangement and would verify facts and financial information about the partner/partnership. The result of the due diligence process would be an assessment of the desirabiliy, value, potential and identification of any risks associated with the partnership opportunity. Information to be obtained from a potential partnership will include: - defined service plan (segments, number of trips, stations, access) - cost information (capital and operating) - completion of required environmental approvals - term of the agreement (minimum length of time/years) service would be provided - financial information about partner (proven apillty to fund passengi,r rail construction, operation and maintenance) The scope of Sound Transit's contribution would be determined by the Board. Sound Transit's intent is to fund recoverable capital components of passenger rail operation such as vehicles, station property, etc, to minimize any potential loss to Sound Transit. The term of the passenger rail operation period could be three to five years. The period of operation would be determined through negoiation with the partners. The partner(s) must show financial capacity to indemnify Sound Transit of liability or financial risk of public dollars. If a partnership opportunity does not arise by a specific date determined by the Sound Transit Board, or if potential partnerships do not meet Sound Transit's requirements, the Board may consider reallocation of the funds to projects or service that improve speed, reliability and access to transit in the corridor. Exclusions: Sound Transit funds cannot be used on projects or service that operates outside of Sound Transit's district. The segment of the Eastside BNSF between Woodinville and Snohomish is outside of the Sound Transit district This project does not include funds for operating passenger rail service. Any annual or periodic operating and maintenance expenses for passenger rail on the Eastside BNSF corridor would be the responsiblity the partner. Any necessary environmental approvals would be obtained by the partner, not by Sound Transit. ST has developed scope definitions for ST2 project proposals for the purposes of developing cost estimates, implementation schedules, a financial plan, and the estimation of project benefits. This scope definition should not be construed as a commitment that all defined features will be included in the final developed project. Evaluation Measures Measurement! Measure Rating Notes Average Weekday Ridership Capital Contribution $50.0 in Millions of 2007$ Annual Operating Cost Travel Time & Reliability Connectivity & Integration Land Use & Development Customer Experience Risk Avoidance 6

7 Key Issues and Benefits ~ - A feasibility analysis of passenger rail service on the Eastside BNSF is currently being completed by Sound Transit and the PSRC, as directed by the state legislature. The analysis will inform decisionmakers about whether passenger rail on the Eastside BNSF can be a meaningful component of the region's future transportation system. - The feasibility analysis, to be completed by late 2008, includes evaluation of: *Geographical extent of service *Existing rail lines and planned usage *Identification of potential station locations *Ridership projections *Cost for adjacent trail *Identification of most beneficial, cost-effective sections - Sound Transit funds cannot be expended on projects outside the Sound Transit district (between Woodinville and Snohomish). - If a partnership opportunity on the Eastside BNSF corridor does not arise or is not determined to be feasible based on Sound Transit's due diligence process on a proposed partnership, the Board may consider allocation of the partnership funds to projects that improve transit speed, reliability and access in the corridor. Benefits: - Could contribute to Eastside mobility and to the regional transportation system 7

8 Attachment 3 E-01 REDMOND TECHNOLOGY CENTER TO SE REDMOND TO DOWNTOWN REDMOND {EAST LINK) le-02 HOS BUS RAPID TRANSIT» E-02a-SegA: Lynnwood Transit Center to Bellevue Transit Center (lower Capital)» E-02a-SegB: Bellevue Transit Center to Renton (N Bth) (lower Capital)» E-ll2a-SegC: Renton to Tukwila (lower Capital)» E-02a-5egD1: Tukl\41a to SeaTac (Lower Capital)» E,-02a-Seg02: Tukwila to Burien (Lower Capital)» E--02b-SegA: Lynnwood Transit Center to Bellevue Transit Center (Intensive Capital)» E-02b-SegB: Bellevue Transit Center to Renton (N 8th) (fntensive Capital)» E-02b-SegC: Renton to Tukwila (Intensive Capital)» E-02b-Seg01: Tukwila to SeaTac (lntell5ive Capital)» E-02b-SegD2: Tukwila to Burien [tntensive Capital) MAP KEY _.. LightRailST2 Highway -LightRail -BRT.. New stations, stops or enhancements E-03 KIRKLAND/TOTEM LAKETO ISSAQUAH VIA BELLEVUE LRT E-04 HOV DIRECT ACCESS AT RENTON/N BTH STREET E-05 NORTH SAMMAMISH PARK-AND-RIDE E-06 BRT ON EASTSIDE RAllCORRIDOR FROM KIRKLAND TO BELLEVUE E-04 RENTON... SOUND TRANSIT E-1 8