pdf and online agenda is here

Among some of the actions taken by the Metro Board today:

•The Board approved a $7.2-billion budget for Metro for the 2019-20 fiscal year that runs from July 1 through June 30, 2020. Here’s a staff report and Source post on service changes that are part of the budget. Several Board Members — while praising the budget and Metro staff — asked for budget updates earlier in the year so they could help shape the process. Here’s a slide that sums up the budget:

•The Board approved moving a primarily street-running bus rapid transit line between North Hollywood and Pasadena into the project’s next phase, a formal Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR). The DEIR will study the feasibility of adding dedicated bus lanes between the North Hollywood Station and the Gold Line in downtown Pasadena — and the extension of BRT service in mixed flow traffic lanes from the Gold Line to Pasadena City College. Staff report with attachments

•The Board approved a $1.36-billion contract with Tutor Perini/O&G to build stations, track, systems and testing for Section 3 of the Purple Line Extension between Century City, the Wilshire/Westwood Station and the Westwood/VA Hospital Station. The Metro Board previously awarded this contract in February but is doing a second approval after a key step — the FTA issuing a Letter of No Prejudice — was reached this spring. Staff report and previous Source post on Section 3 funding.

•The Board approved increasing the budget for the Patsaouras Bus Plaza Station project by $11.1 million to $50.9 million. Work on the project is resuming after a stoppage of more than a year, dating to April 2018, due to finding archeological and human remains at the work site. The project — which will provide a convenient way to board the Silver Line and other buses — is now forecast to be complete in May 2020. Staff report. A rendering and archeological findings map are below:

•The Board awarded $1 million in funding to five future Open Streets events. Here’s a staff report and here’s a map:•

•The Board approved a $9.9-million contract with the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services for two years to run Metro’s Homeless Outreach Teams. The teams ride transit and try to connect homeless with social services. Below is a chart on recent efforts by the teams. Staff report

•The Board approved Metro’s share of Metrolink operations at $131 million for the next fiscal year. Five counties — L.A., Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura — contribute funds toward running Metrolink each year. Staff report and presentation.

•The Board received-and-filed this Metro staff update on the development of a funding plan for the Twenty-Eight by ’28 Initiative — specifically accelerating four major transit projects. Bottom line: there are hurdles to clear in order to accelerate.