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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc min 1975/02/12 MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA Held Wednesday February 12, 1975 An adjourned regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Chula Vista, California, was held on the above date beginning at 3:30 p.m. in the Council Conference Room, 276 Fourth Avenue, with the following Councilmen present: Councilmen Hobel, Hyde, Egdahl, Hamilton, Scott (arrived late) Councilmen absent: None Staff present: Acting Assistant City Manager Cole, City Attorney Lindberg, Acting Director of Public Works Robens, Traffic Engineer Sawyerr, Administrative Assistant to the City Manager Wittenberg CPO Staff present: Executive Director Richard Huff, Deputy Director Ken Sulzer and Walter Jaconski Mayor Pro Tempore Egdahl opened the meeting at 3:45 p.m. and explained that the meeting was called to hear a report from the Comprehensive Planning Organization on regional transportation. Councilman James Hobel, Councilman Hobel referred to the memo he Chairman, CPO sent the Council regarding the proposed legislation of SB 101 and asked the Council for any comments they wished to make. He explained that the staff of CPO is here today to go over, in summary form, the transportation plan. Dick Huff, Executive Director Mr. Huff reported that the general assembly CPO meeting was held on Monday, February 10, 1975. He reviewed the time schedule: the submission of the transportation plan's deadline is April 1 (State legislation) from all 41 regions and these plans will be consolidated by January 1, 1976. (Mayor Hamilton arrived at this time.) Ken Sulzer Mr. Sulzer remarked that there are many aspects of planning involved in the regional transportation plan: open space, coast line plan, growth issue, water and sewer planning. The regional transportation plan coordinates all modes of travel: public transit, high- ways and freeways, airport and others. He referred to a map on display noting the fixed guideway and bus systems, (service corridors) and discussed the cost and benefit ratio. The proposal calls for implementation of a fixed guidway system as soon as possible (trangit area). Walter Jaconski Mr. Jaconski noted that the system would start at Palomar Street in Chula Vista. Mr. Sulzer commented that the consultants felt this would also be a good location for the storage~ yards and maintenance necessary for the operation. Adjourned Regular Meeting 2 February 12, 1975 Mr. Jaconski pointed out, on the displayed map, the existing and proposed freeways and the expressway planned to be put into operation by 1995. Route 125 Councilman Hyde remarked that a new Bill has been introduced to delete the southern part of Route 125. Airport Mayor Hamilton asked about the new proposed airport and whether Miramar is being considered. Mr. Huff indicated it was not and that after lo~king over 20 potential sites, Brown Fie~d seems to be the most viable site for a regional airport. Review of transit plan In answer to Mayor Hamilton's question, Mr. Huff explained that the law requires the plan be revised and updated once a year for the first three years and then every two years thereafter. (Councilman Scott arrived at this time - 4:10 p.m.) Lindberg Field Mr. Huff discussed the impact on San Diego if the plan calls for the retention of Lindberg Field. Councilman Hyde commented that an international airport is a great engine for growth and sets off a sequence of events that leads to expansion. He felt that if this area on a regional basis decided to live with the capacity that exists in a facility, such as Lindberg Field, it would have a restrain- ing effect on growth. Councl discussion followed relating to the advantages and disadvantages regarding the Lindberg Field site, noise abatement pro- cedures, economic impact, and air traffic. Financing of transit plan Mayor Hamilton asked how the fixed transit system would be financed and implemented. Mr. Sulzer spoke on the implementation of the plan stating this was one of their chief concerns. In terms of the fixed guideway, the plan shows a groundbreaking in 1978. Mr. Sulzer noted that even in retaining the present bus system, there are not enough current revenues to fund that system in terms of operating expense. Even without a plan, additional sources of revenue are needed. To implement this particular plan as soon as possible would require, over the next five years, the equivalent of 1/2~ on the sales tax. Adjourned Regular Meeting 3 February 12, 1975 Implementation of plan Mr. Huff explained that, after the plan is a- dopted, CPO would have to get into substan- tial refinement as to where the specific lines would be plus the technology issue would have to be addressed, and engineering plans tied down (where the stations would be located). Mayor Hamilton questioned the ability to generate income. Mr. Huff explained that 50% of the capital costs would be financed from the Federal level. The additional financing would have to come from voter approval - some funds would be realized from Proposition 5. Senator Mills' Bill Mr. Huff and the Council discussed the Mills' Bill particularly the Transit Transportation Board which would be created. Mayor Hamilton noted that the Bill concerns this southern area very strongly - which has the first priority. He was concerned about the time element -- he didn't care who got the SB134 money, but once the money was in, he would not want to see it take 15 years to get the plan in action. He suggested target dates be set first, and then turn the dates over to the Transit Board to "get it going." In answer to Councilman Hyde's query, Mr. Huff declared that he is not suggesting that CPO be the Regional Transportation Board. Mr. Sulzer commented that CPO has money now to begin the selection of the technology phase - to go with the plan refinement and complete that refinement in the next 18 months. Mayor's Meeting Mayor Hamilton commented on the meeting he attended in which the other Mayors in the County expressed their concern over the composition of the proposed Board. Councilman Scott said he was not sure that a fixed rail system is the ultimate solu- tion. He noted the BART system and the system in Washington as examples. Unless the people will change their attitudes of getting away from their automobiles, a tremendous amount of money would have to be put out for something that is not going to accomplish that much. (Councilman Egdahl left the meeting at this time - 5:03 p.m.) Councilman Scott added that this is a regional issue and a lot of things will have to be taken care of by the .County Board of Supervisors - people will have to be elected that can handle this job. In this way, it would not involve a CPO type operation, Coastal Commission, Port District, and Transportation District. Adjourned Regular Meeting 4 February 12, 1975 Cost of transpertation Mr. Huff commented that the transportation system proposed is a very substantial ex- pansion of the bus system. If the fixed system portion was pulled out, then the freeway system would be very drastically expanded. CPO did a study of per capita expenditures spent on transit and freeways over the last 20 years (in 1974 dollars) and it was $71.00 per person per year. What is being proposed here (using a 1985 figure) will be $60.00 per person per year. (Councilman Hobel left the meeting at this time - 5:15 p.m.) Councilman Scott noted that CPO has done some of the best planning research in the world on this transit plan, but felt that what is needed now is for "someone to carry the ball." Discussion followed as to who would be given this task. Mr. Huff, in answer to Councilman Hyde's query, agreed that the planning should be performed by CPO and the Board take on the rest of the responsibilities. Mills' Bill A general discussion ensued regarding Senator Mills' Bill, its implications, its context and time factor. Staff's comments Acting Assistant City Manager Cole expressed the staff's concerns regarding statements made in thc plan which arc accepted and not questioned. He particularly noted the statements regarding pollution reduction as reducing the energy. Mr. Cole comnmnted that the staff's studies show this will not happen - the transit system will not reduce the pollution enough. Even if they get the 8% on the transit system which is what CPO hopes to get, the amount of reduction of pollution will be very small because the automobiles will still be running. As to the $70.00 and $60.00 figure; the $70.00 figure carries a great deal of traffic - hundred of thousands; however, the $60.00 figure relates to only the 8%. Mr. Sulzer remarked that the $60.00 carries the highway system as well. Contact by staff Mr. Cole added that as far as the fixed system is concerned, Planning and Public Works ~ave~been contacted. Mr. Sulzer said that George Frank and the consultants have been down here talking to the staff a couple of times. Mr. Cole said this was true but "only after it was jelled." He added that the Council should be concerned about the number of stations proposed for construction in Chula Vista. Adjourned Regular Meeting 5 February 12, 1975 Stations in Chula Vista Two stations are proposed for Chula Vista, and to put in more stations than that would decrease the time for the rail system since it would mean having to make a stop at each station. Mr. Cole referred to a report received from BART and remarked that the two most recent fixed rail systems are in trouble. BART system Mr. Huff commented that the BART system's troubles have come from "blunders in the technology end.*' A lot of money will have to be spent to work these bugs out. Density along corridors Mr. Cole commented on the increased density along the corridors. He noted that to take care of the densities, Chula Vista would find itself having to rebuild its sewer system for one thing. Mayor Hamilton thanked the CPO staff for coming to the meeting today and discussing this transit system. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Hamilton adjourned the meeting at $:4S p.m. to the meeting scheduled for Tuesday, February 18, 1975 at 7:30 p.m. /,P I ' . City Clerk