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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTrans 2012-05-07 Item 3C - SCATBd - 2011 Progress Reportouth County Area Transportation Board 2011 Annual Progress Report 79 2011 Annual Report South Countv Area Transoortation Board (SCATBd) Mission: The mission of SCATBd is to serve as a South King County forum for information sharing, consensus building, and coordinating in order to resolve transportation issues and promote transportation programs that benefit the South King County area. Goals: To achieve its mission, SCATBd adopted the following goals: 1. Develop and promote a transportation system that will provide personal mobility choices for South County residents consistent with the transportation goals of the Growth Management Act and; 2. Develop and promote transportation and related actions that promote and sustain economic development, through efficient movement of people and goods, within the South County and contiguous areas. Historv: The South County Area Transportation Board (SCATBd), composed of four cities and King County, initially was formed in the late 1980's to identify and promote transportation improvements in the South County. Significant funding was received from the Transportation Improvement Board for these purposes, and the informal group moved toward forming a Transportation Benefit District. At King County's request, this effort was superseded in 1992 by the formation of a new and expanded SCATBd involving fourteen South County cities and King County. This was accomplished through adoption of formal motions by each participating jurisdiction. Subsequently, interlocal agreements were adopted to guide SCATBd operations. Since 1992, SCATBd has provided valuable input to the development of the King County Metro Transit Six -Year Plan and service implemented in accordance with that plan and the development, implementation of Sound Transit's Sound Move Plan, and the development of Sound Transit 2. More recently, SCATBd monitored and provided guidance to King County Metro in their development of the Strategic Plan for Public Transportation, 2011 -2021 and Metro Service Guidelines. The approved plan sets goals for regional transit by encouraging transparency, streamlining current transit policies into a single unified blueprint and establishing guidelines for the allocation of transit service throughout King County. SCATBd Structure: Members of SCATBd for 2011 are shown on the following page. Each elected official representing a city or county has one vote. Agency representatives are non voting members. In addition to formal membership, South King County Chambers of Commerce are encouraged to attend. During 2011 Councilmember Wayne Snoey served as Chair and Mayor Dave Hill served as Vice Chair. SCATBd 2011 HiRhliRht: SCATBd actively sought out opportunities to engage with local and state legislative leaders to inform them of SCATBd's top major projects and local transportation funding priorities; and of the importance of freight mobility to the economy of the region. SCATBd Website: Additional information about SCATBd, including meeting summaries and schedules, is available at the following internet address: httD: /www.l<in2countv.Rovl transportation/ I< cdot/ PlanninRAndPolicv/ ReRionalTranSDortationPlanninR /S ubareas /South Countv Area Transportation Board.aSpx 2011 SCATBd Members Algona Mayor David Hill (Vice Chair) Auburn Mayor Peter Lewis Black Diamond Councilmember Bill Boston Burien Councilmember Gordon Shaw Covington Councilmember Wayne Snoey (Chair) Des Moines Mayor Bob Sheckler Enumclaw Mayor Liz Reynolds Federal Way Councilmember Jeanne Burbidge Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke King County Executive Executive Dow Constantine King County Councilmember Julia Patterson Maple Valley Mayor Noel Gerken Milton Councilmember Bart Taylor Normandy Park Councilmember Clarke Brant Pacific Gary Hulsey Pierce Transit Kelly Hayden Port of Seattle Elizabeth Leavitt Puget Sound Regional Council Charlie Howard Renton SeaTac TI B Tukwila WSDOT Washington State Transportation Commission Pierce County Councilmember Marcie Palmer Councilmember Ralph Shape Steve Gorcester Councilmember Joan Hernandez Stacy Trussler Commissioner Dick Ford Executive Pat McCarthy 81 2011 SCATBd Work Program Goals and Accomplishments In early 2011, SCATBd developed and adopted a work program for 2011 with four major work items. The work items are shown below with a brief summary of the accomplishments achieved for each item. j aaaaat aaaaat j Implementation Monitored PSRC's process for developing the Project Prioritization Process to implement the region's transportation plan, Transportation 2040. Monitored and provided comment on the Metro's Strategic Plan for Public Transportation and Metro's Service Guidelines for the allocation of transit service throughout King County. Supported the re- designation of SR 167 and SR 512 to be officially recognized as part of the 1 -405 corridor. Funding Supported Sound Transit's TIGER III application for the SeaTac Airport to S. 200 Street light rail segment. Monitored King County's implementation of the Congestion Relief Charge for transit funding. Supported the continuation of the FTA's New Starts program to ensure the continuation of transit's availability to citizens. Planning Monitored the development of King County's Strategic Plan for its Road Services Division Received regular updates on the final recommendation of the SR 509 Executive and Steering Committee to the State Legislature the preferred phasing option of the I -5 /SR 509 Corridor Completion and Freight Improvement Project (SR 509 Project) Received regular updates on the Street Maintenance Utility proposal, the status of Metro's RapidRide A Line, WSDOT's I -5 /SR 18 /SR 161 Triangle project. Held discussions to hold a joint SCATBcl/Regional Access Mobility Partnership (RAMP) meeting to identify transportation issues of mutual concerns. Education and Approved a legislative agenda for the 2011 session, Monitored activities and Advocacy advocated for priorities during the session in meetings with state legislators. Developed a 2012 legislative message brochure with SCATBd's major projects and funding priorities. Lent its support to the efforts of the Transportation Partnership's message of moving forward with a balanced, multi -modal transportation funding package in 2012 that creates near -term jobs and long -term economic benefits. Hosted Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy, Representative July Clibborn, Seattle City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, and Representative Pat Sullivan to convey SCATBd major project and local transportation funding priorities. 82 2011 SCATBd Correspondence 83 MS: KSC -TR -0814 201 South Jackson Street Seattle. WA 98104 -3856 Phone: (206) 263 -4710 Fax: (206) 684-2111 January 10, 2011 The Honorable Dow Constantine The Honorable Bob Ferguson King County Executive Chair, King County Council 401 Fifth Avenue, Suite 800 516 Third Avenue, Room 1200 CNK -EX -0800 Seattle, WA 98104 Seattle, WA 98104 RE: Regional Transit Task Force Recommendations Dear Executive Constantine and Chair Ferguson: On behalf of the South County Area Transportation Board (SCATBd), we wish to express our appreciation to the Regional Transit Task Force (RTTF) Members for their service this year. We understand that that they tackled a very difficult task in attempting to provide recommendations that all of the RTTF Members could reach consensus on and provide a framework for future discussions by the Regional Transit Committee (RTC), Metro and the King County Council. The consensus driven agenda has provided a list of generalized recommendations. Taken at face value, they provide discussion points for actual, detailed policy decisions to help address the issues surrounding the looming Metro budget deficit. If the coming discussions move forward in a fashion that accurately assesses the true needs and historical perspectives of all three subareas, then we are on the right path. However, many of our Members have concerns about implementation of these recommendations. Primary concerns that have been discussed are: Improving Metro's use of performance measures as a decision making tool has merit and is a proper business tool. However, it is important that the measures employed fairly address the different types of services that predominate in highly urbanized areas compared to suburban communities. One size does not fit all in assessing productivity of a system that provides different types of essential services in different communities. For example, commuter routes are not comparable to frequent arterial routes and bus routes are not comparable to a system of park and ride lots servicing vanpools and carpools, and should be judged by different measures and standards. Metro needs to do much more to control costs before implementing service cuts or requesting new taxing authority. While reducing internal service costs and overhead costs are important, cost savings must be sought in controlling the growth of labor costs, the biggest cost driver for the agency. Algona Auburn Black Diamond Burien Covington Des Moines Enumclaw Federal Way Kent King County Maple Valley Milton Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Normandy Park Pacific Renton SeaTac Tukwila Pierce Transit Port of Seattle Sound Transit Transportation Improvement Board Puget Sound Regional Council Washington State Department of Transportation 84 Page 2 In considering implementation of Recommendation #3, geographic and social equity needs to be addressed seriously and explicitly in the Metro comprehensive and strategic plan updates. This must consider the concepts of tax equity, providing transit service in response to locations of actual growth at transit supportive densities, serving employment centers and meeting the needs of commuters throughout the county. More than a generalized statement, we want to see how these factors will actually shape service allocation, as reflected in the guidelines, processes, and thresholds; ultimately resulting in the implementation of cuts and restoration. The weighting and definitions of "equity" and "productivity" must be more clearly defined in this process. We must emphasize the need to balance productivity with the need to ensure service for less dense areas and transit dependent populations. The SCATBd and ETP areas have accepted growth over the last 20 years, as part of Growth Management Act population growth targets, with the promise of transit services to accompany that growth. As transit services did not follow growth, the 40 -40 -20 policy was created. However, effective implementation was significantly delayed by the addition of schedule maintenance hours in the West subarea and lack of new hours added. As a result, current service levels are not an accurate baseline for geographic, tax or social equity. The recommendation to emphasize productivity cannot relieve decision makers of the need to consider why the 40/40/20 policy was created. The 40/40/20 allocation policy was agreed upon in 2002 after a lengthy public involvement process. It was an attempt to recognize the inequity in service allocation that existed at that time: the bulk of the service was in West subarea whereas the bulk of the revenues raised and population were in the East and South subareas. This policy, rather than simply looking at productivity, was the real linkage for economic development, land use, financial sustainability, and environmental sustainability for the entire county. To win the support of voters for potential future revenue tools to support transit, they must see benefits distributed throughout the county and directly benefiting their communities. Each area of the county needs to see that the system is working better for them, not necessarily in more total hours, but in tangibly improving mobility options and performance. SCATBd and ETP Members share a serious responsibility to ensure that our citizens are carefully and fairly represented in the future Metro service level discussions. As representatives of over 650,000 residents of King County, we urge the Executive and the County Council to work with the RTC to review the recommendations of the RTTF and to help Metro become more efficient while delivering the transit service demanded by the unique pattern of population and job growth in King County. 85 The Honorables Dow Constantine and Bob Ferguson January 10, 2011 Page 3 We look forward to the development of more detailed measures that will be considered by the RTC and King County Council in 2011, and plan to provide additional input at that time. Thank you for this opportunity to comment. Sincerely, War Wayne Snoey Dave Hill Chair Vice Chair South County Area Transportation Board Attachment: Summary of Regional Transit Task Force Recommendations Algona Auburn Black Diamond Burien Covington Des Moines Enumclaw Federal Way Kent King County Maple Valley Milton Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Normandy Park Pacific Renton SeaTac Tukwila Pierce Transit Port of Seattle Sound Transit Transportation Improvement Board Puget Sound Regional Council Washington State Department of Transportation 86 ATTACHMENT Regional Transit Task Force Recommendations (1) Metro should create and adopt a new set of performance measures by service type, and report at least annually on the agency's performance on these measures. The performance measures should incorporate reporting on the key system design factors, and should include comparisons with Metro's peer transit agencies (2) The County and Metro management must control all of the agency's operating expenses to provide a cost structure that is sustainable over time. Cost control strategies should include continued implementation of the 2009 performance audit findings, exploration of alternative service delivery models, and potential reduction of overhead and internal service charges. (3) The policy guidance for making service reduction and service growth decisions should be based on the following priorities: Emphasize productivity due to its linkage to economic development, land use and financial sustainability Ensure social equity Provide geographic value throughout the county (4) Create clear and transparent guidelines to be used for making service allocation decisions, based upon the recommended policy direction (5) Use the following principles to provide direction for the development of service guidelines: Transparency, Clarity and Measurability Use of Multiple System Design Factors Flexibility to Address Dynamic Financial Conditions Integration with the Regional Transportation System Decision Making and Network Changes (6) King County, Metro, and a broad coalition of community and business interests should pursue state legislation to create one or more additional revenue sources that would provide a long -term, more sustainable base of revenue support for transit services. To build support for that work, it is essential that King County adopt and implement the task force recommendations, including use of the service guidelines and performance measures, and continue efforts to reduce Metro's operating costs. (7) Metro staff should use the Task Force recommendations and discussions as the framework for revising Metro's current mission statement, and creating a vision statement (as one does not now exist). Both draft statements should be included in the draft Comprehensive and Strategic Plans scheduled to be submitted to the County Council in February 2011. 87 MS: KSC -TR -0814 201 South Jackson Street Seattle. WA 98104 -3856 Phone: (206) 263 -4710 Fax: (206) 684-2111 January 11, 2011 Paula Hammond Secretary Washington State Department of Transportation 310 Maple Park Avenue SE P.O. Box 47316 Olympia, WA 98504 -7316 Dear Secretary Hammond: The South King County Area Transportation Board (SCATBd) is a collaborative effort of sixteen cities in South King County, King County, Pierce County, the Port of Seattle and transportation agencies committed to improving the transportation system. As elected officials, we meet regularly to educate ourselves about transportation needs in our area and seek solutions to address our region's transportation problems. On behalf of SCATBd, we are writing to request that SR 167 and SR 512 be officially recognized and re- designated as part of the I -405 corridor. While these separately- identified roadways often function as a single corridor to link Pierce, King and Snohomish Counties, the different designations are confusing to the traveling public. We believe that identifying these as one corridor, providing a parallel route to I -5, will benefit travelers. In addition, we thinly that this will serve as a catalyst for economic development, linking ports to the largest freight, manufacturing and industrial center in the Pacific Northwest. SCATBd recognizes that the process for re- designating interstate corridors is complicated, but wanted to take this opportunity to express our support and begin the necessary steps. Please contact us if there is additional information you need at this time to start the process. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, War t 5tto Wayne Snoey Dave Hill Chair Vice Chair South County Area Transportation Board Algona Auburn Black Diamond Burien Covington Des Moines Enumclaw Federal Way Kent King County Maple Valley Milton Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Normandy Park Pacific Renton SeaTac Tukwila Pierce Transit Port of Seattle Sound Transit Transportation Improvement Board Puget Sound Regional Council Washington State Department of Transportation 88 Secretary Paula Hammond January 11, ?011 Page cc: SCATBd members Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen Rep. Judy Clibborn Rep. Mark Miloscia Rep. Katrina Asay Rep. Cathy Dahlquist Rep. Christopher Hurst Rep. Eileen Cody Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon Rep. Mark Hargrove Rep. Pat Sullivan Sen. Tracey Eide Sen. Pam Roach Sen. Sharon Nelson Sen. Joe Fain Rep. Jay Rodne Rep. Glenn Anderson Sen. Cheryl Pflug Rep. Tina Orwall Rep. Dave Upthegrove Sen. Karen Keiser Rep. Marcie Maxwell Sen. Steve Litzow Rep. Zach Hudgins Rep. Bob Hasegawa Sen. Margarita Prentice Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy Congressman Dave Reichart Congressman Adam Smith Senator Patty Murray Senator Maria Cantwell MS: KSC -TR -0814 201 South Jackson Street Seattle. WA 98104 -3856 Phone: (206) 263 -4710 Fax: (206) 684-2111 February 18, 2011 The Honorable Patty Murray United States Senate 448 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 -4701 Dear Senator Murray: On behalf of the South County Area Transportation Board (SCATBd), we are writing to express our support for continuation of the Federal Transit Administration New Starts grant program. We are extremely concerned that the proposal of the Republican Study Committee would eliminate this program for a $2 billion annual savings in the federal fiscal year 2011 appropriations and eliminate it from the next federal transportation appropriations legislation. SCATBd is a collaborative effort of sixteen cities in South King County, King County, Pierce County, the Port of Seattle and transportation agencies committed to improving the transportation system. As elected officials, we meet regularly to educate ourselves about transportation needs in our area and seek solutions to address our region's transportation problems. SCATBd views a robust transit program as a major component of our region's transportation system. While we recognize the need to reduce federal spending, this program is essential to ensure continued implementation of King County Metro's bus rapid transit program, called RapidRide. The first RapidRide line, Line A, began service in South King County in October 2010, and within three months experienced a- increase in ridership. King County is implementing five more RapidRide lines over the next three years. In 2013, the F Line will begin service between the South King County cities of Burien and Renton. Funding from the New Starts program provides revenue for bus acquisition and other capital improvements needed to ensure RapidRide's success. Funding for capital improvements from the New Starts program will be needed to ensure that transit service can continue to provide access for our growing population and job expansion. We know that efficient public transportation is the key to economic growth as we recover from the recession, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in our congested transportation corridors. Febitiaii 18, 2011 Page 2 We ask that you continue to support funding for the New Starts program. Sincerely, A A "r S �r I ­:1 1 1 I l l Wayne Snoey Dave Hill Chair Vice -Chair South County Area Transportation Board cc: Dow Constantine, King County Executive King County Council South County Area Transportation Board Harold S. Taniguchi, Director, King County Department of Transportation 91 C South County Area Transportation Board MS: KSC -TR -0814 201 South Jackson Street Seattle, WA 98104 -3856 Phone: (206) 263 -4710 Fax: (206) 684 -2111 October 19, 2011 The Honorable Raymond H. LaHood Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590 Re: Sound Transit S. 200th Street Light Rail Extension TIGER III Application Dear Secretary LaHood: The South County Area Transportation Board (SCATBd) strongly urges your support for Sound Transit's TIGER III application to extend light rail to S. 200th Street in the City of SeaTac. SCATBd is a collaborative effort of sixteen cities in South King County, King County, Pierce County, the Port of Seattle, and regional transportation and transit agencies. As elected officials, we meet regularly to educate ourselves about transportation needs in our area and seek to find solutions to address our region's transportation problems. SCATBd believes that expanding the region's high capacity transit system further into South King County is important for our transportation network, our economic competitiveness and our environment. When this light rail extension opens, in concert with the extension to the University of Washington (UW), the system will stretch to over 20 miles. It will provide thousands of South King County residents access to key regional destinations, such as SeaTac Airport, our baseball and football stadiums, Downtown Seattle, and the UW. This extension is a key component to our regions' economic competitiveness. It will allow South King County residents to access nearly 170,000 jobs within a half-mile of light rail stations between S. 200th and the UW. Further, there are major employers within walking distance of the S. 200th Station (such as Alaska Airlines). This project will also create over 2,000 jobs at a time when they are desperately needed. This is the right kind of investment to make, putting people to work now and investing in infrastructure for the next generation. Algona Auburn a Black Diamond a Burien Covington Des Moines Enumclaw Federal Way Kent King County Maple Valley Milton Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Normandy Park Pacific Renton SeaTac Tukwila Pierce Transit Port of Seattle Sound Transit Transportation Improvement Board Puget Sound Regional Council Washington State Department of Transportation 92 The Honorable Ray LaHood October 19, 2011 Page 2 We believe this project is very competitive for the TIGER III grant program; it is shovel- ready, creates jobs, protects the environment, enhances our communities, and grows our economy. We hope we can count on your support for this important transportation project. Sincerely, Wayne Snoey Dave Hill Chair Vice Chair South County Area Transportation Board cc: Patty Murray, Senator, Washington State Maria Cantwell, Senator, Washington State Christine Gregoire, Governor, Washington State Dow Constantine, King County Executive Adam Smith, Congressman, 9 District Dave Reichert, Congressman, 8 t District Joni Earl, CEO, Sound Transit South County Area Transportation Board 93 9 South County Area Transportation Board MS: KSC -TR -0814 201 South Jackson Street Seattle. WA 98104 -3856 Phone: (206) 684 -1417 Fax: (206) 684-2111 December 20, 2011 Charles Knudson 13011 Fifth Avenue Suite 2500 Seattle, WA 98010 RE: South County Area Transportation Board Statement of Support for the Transportation Partnership Dear Mr. Knudson: The South King County Area Transportation Board (SCATBd) is a collaborative effort of sixteen cities in South King County, King County, Pierce County, the Port of Seattle and transportation agencies committed to improving the transportation system. As elected officials, we meet regularly to educate ourselves about transportation needs in our area and seek solutions to address our region's transportation problems. As the home of the one of the largest economic engine in Washington State, we take this responsibility very seriously. SCATBd is especially interested in freight issues and advocates for transportation investments that promote economic vitality and jobs. SCATBd supports the efforts of the Transportation Partnership, a coalition of business, labor, local government and environmental representatives from around the state, who are advocating for a comprehensive solution to our transportation challenges. We also agree with the Partnership's message of moving forward with a balanced, multi -modal transportation funding package in 2012 that creates near -term jobs and long -term economic benefits. To this end, SCATBd would like to be listed as one of the Transportation Partnership supporters and ask that SCATBd's logo be included on your website. We applaud the work that the Transportation Partnership is doing on behalf of the residents and businesses of the State of Washington and look forward to your response to our request. Sincerely, Wayne Snoey Chair South County Area Transportation Board x Dave Hill Vice Chair Algona Auburn Black Diamond Burien Covington Des Moines Enumclaw Federal Way Kent King Count- Maple valley Milton Nluckleshoot Indian Tribe Normandy Park Pacific Renton SeaTac Tukwila Pierce Transit Port of Seattle Sound Transit Transportation Improvement Board Puget Sound Regional Council Washington State Deportment of Transportation 94