Santa Cruz County Transit and Transportation Agency Meetings - Audio Tracks

Appreciation for Outgoing Commissioners

(Sarah Christensen, Executive Director)

The agenda, handouts and highlights are here:

https://www.sccrtc.org/meetings/regional-transportation-commission/agendas/

The original video is here:

https://youtu.be/ALSdrWLNCLM?feature=shared

Director’s Report – oral report

(Sarah Christensen, Executive Director)

The agenda, handouts and highlights are here:

https://www.sccrtc.org/meetings/regional-transportation-commission/agendas/

The original video is here:

https://youtu.be/ALSdrWLNCLM?feature=shared

The proposed FY 2024-25 budget for the RTC includes continuation of on- going RTC projects and programs, continued oversight of the Highway 1 projects, and the administration and implementation of Measure D. The Budget and Administration/Personnel (B&A/P) Committee and staff recommend that the RTC approve the proposed FY 2024-25 RTC budget and work program and proposed Measure D budget.

The RTC's Agenda and highlights are here:

https://www.sccrtc.org/meetings/regional-transportation-commission/agendas/

Community TV of Santa Cruz supplied the original video. Thanks to them.

https://communitytv.org/watch/government-demand/

RTC Staffer Tommy Travers updates the commissioners on Measure D: Five-Year Programs of Projects for Regional Projects and Lift Line, and Senate Bill 1 Cycle 4 Project Update.

The title sounds complicated but the main topic was a change in an upcoming project.

"Although Highway 1 and Rail Trail components have been a single project through environmental and design, Caltrans has requested RTC lead the construction component of the Coastal Rail Trail Segment 12 project. Caltrans does not have interest in constructing improvements outside of the state highway system and has requested that RTC take on the implementing agency role for the Coastal Rail Trail portion of the project along the Santa Cruz Branch Rail (SCBRL) right of way. Caltrans has requested a commitment by the RTC be in place prior to the SB1 application due date of November 19, 2024."

My take:

The request to split the project into two projects was done on short notice. It does not seem too negotiable with regards to which agency does the construction related to the Coastal Trail - CalTrans won't do that. It puts the full responsibility for that element of the Coastal Trail back on the RTC.

The RTC has had substantial problems managing costs on ALL of their recent projects (see past meetings for that discussion). . They are now considering borrowing to cover those overruns and to deliver the projects currently in planning and construction. There are no earmarks to go after.

There are quite a few more projects in the Coastal Trail queue that are not going to be funded from the current Measure D pot, as was originally planned. There are not enough remaining funds to finish the current projects (covering the cost overruns) as well as using them for local matching funds for grants in the future.

The cost of the debt the RTC would incur if the borrow is a substantial portion of the remaining Measure D funds ($30M on the Coastal Trail projects and $51M for the Hwy projects). Servicing that debt takes more funds away from funds available for the projects in the queue.

Given that, taking on another project of this scope and the associated risks would be a big gamble for the RTC. It looks like they will have no choice unless they delay some elements of the Coastal Trail, which would be very unpopular politically.

Also, the sound quality in this recording is poor at times. I did my best to restore it. Com Schiffren often seems to avoid speaking into the microphone so there is not much to work with in the restoration process when he does that.

The RTC's Agenda and highlights are here:

https://www.sccrtc.org/meetings/regional-transportation-commission/agendas/

Community TV of Santa Cruz supplied the original video. Thanks to them.

https://communitytv.org/watch/government-demand/

CalTrans Dist 5 Director Eades reports on the latest.

The RTC's Agenda and highlights are here:

https://www.sccrtc.org/meetings/regional-transportation-commission/agendas/

Community TV of Santa Cruz supplied the original video. Thanks to them.

https://communitytv.org/watch/government-demand/

Director Christensen's latest report to the commission.

The RTC's Agenda and highlights are here:

https://www.sccrtc.org/meetings/regional-transportation-commission/agendas/

Community TV of Santa Cruz supplied the original video. Thanks to them.

https://communitytv.org/watch/government-demand/

Chair Brown organizes the committee to chose her successor.

The RTC's Agenda and highlights are here:

https://www.sccrtc.org/meetings/regional-transportation-commission/agendas/

Community TV of Santa Cruz supplied the original video. Thanks to them.

https://communitytv.org/watch/government-demand/

Commissioner Reports – oral reports

The RTC's Agenda and highlights are here:

https://www.sccrtc.org/meetings/regional-transportation-commission/agendas/

Community TV of Santa Cruz supplied the original video. Thanks to them.

https://communitytv.org/watch/government-demand/

Questions on the presentation from the public.

I don't usually include public comments in the agency meeting podcasts. But there were some good questions and the answers from the presenters were informative.

There is more information about the ZEPRT project here:

https://www.sccrtc.org/projects/rail/zeprt/

The second session was held on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, and focused on the project’s ridership approach. The meeting featured a presentation by the project’s consultant team explaining the project ridership modeling and analysis which will inform key project elements in the coming months.

More details on the ZEPRT project are here:

https://www.sccrtc.org/projects/rail/zeprt/

Watch the informational session video here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9FCschOQkA