Okay, we're gonna call this meeting to order
Okay
Thank you. I didn't mean to be so abrupt, but we were having great conversations from here and out there
So we thought it was time to bring it to order
Okay, I'm gonna call it the order and ask our board secretary do our little housekeeping rules
certainly since we have
Participants via zoom. We will be doing all
action items via a roll call vote and then just a reminder to please
State your last name when speaking so that the people at home and the people in zoom land know who's speaking
Okay, and we will have our
regular
Safety meeting by our chief safety and security compliance officer Frank
Good morning, director Spiegel committee members. So in the event of the activation of a fire alarm
We're going to collectively exit the building and stage in front of the corner of the building and Metro customer service and await for further instructions
If we happen to have an earthquake, we're going to drop cover, wait for the shaking
to stop and do an assessment if an evacuation is appropriate at that time.
In the event of a first aid situation, I will be your first aid provider.
I will ask board secretary Michelle Pena to contact 901 to render services.
We always give the reminder in the event of an active attacker situation to run, hide,
and fight.
I do want to add to that today the world is a bit of a crazy place.
There is a call to arms, a day of rage, a call for social media, so I would ask everyone
to pay particular attention when you're in public places.
If you see something that looks out of norm, out of character, please bring it to someone's
attention.
With that, I wish you a happy weekend.
Good Friday.
Thank you.
Mr. Allen, can you please lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance?
Sure.
Thank you.
Can we please have a real call?
Director Marquez, Vice Chair Spiegel?
Yes.
Director Vargas?
Yes.
Here.
Director Chafee?
Director Murphy?
Director Tremblay?
Here.
Director Barger?
Here.
Director Solis?
Director Allen?
Here.
Director Presiato?
Chair Wapner?
Chair McCallin?
We do have a request to speak from Donald Harlan I believe he left we will
move on to our regular calendar we have 6a through 6j okay approval of the
meeting minutes of September 8th contracts operations our committee I'll
move it barger I got my count roll call vote so I have to move everything down
one however you want it we'll call her to say here or not director chafee
director Tremblay yes director barger that me yeah okay I will barger is it
Is it just me or does Bar-ga and Bar-ga, yeah.
It's just me, all right, yes.
Chair McAllen.
Yes.
Vice Chair Spiegel.
Yes.
That motion carried unanimously.
Okay, 6B.
And Roderick, Director Ploening,
can you please give us a little report?
Good morning, Chairwoman and members of the committee.
With this item, the staff is recommending to the committee
to recommend to the board to authorize
chief executive officer to amend bench contract SP51520 planning support services bench to
increase the contract authority by $3 million to a new not to exceed amount of $8 million
and to extend the period of performance by one year through May 25th, 2026.
This is an interdisciplinary bench with expertise, service development, business functional planning,
Forecasting and performance measurement among other disciplines. It is used by multiple departments including the planning and development
Operations customer experience and special projects
That is our recommendation and I'm happy to answer any questions
Did you may have any questions?
Mr. Trumbly do you have anything out there?
No, madam. Sure. Thank you
Seeing none. Do I have a motion?
Roll call vote director chiefy
director Tremblay
Yes, dr. Barger
Chair McCallan. Yes, vice chair Spiegel. Yes that motion carried unanimously
Okay, six C
And closed principal contracting compliance administrator. Thank you
Administrator presenting item like 6e with me
ECHPOGOTIAN senior manager facilities.
Item 6C is a recommendation to award purchase order
number PO938-24 to Watsonville Fleet Group
for 13 signal maintainant trucks.
Next slide please.
These 13 signal maintainant trucks are needed
to help maintain the authority signal infrastructure
in a state of good repair.
The authority originally attempted to purchase these trucks
under invitation for bids, PO925-24, issued in May 2023.
However, the bid price that the authority received
for the signal-maintaining trucks
was significantly over the authority's estimate,
therefore not awarded.
The authority has since identified this contract
under the Department of General Services
of the State of California
that was awarded to Watsonfield Fleet Group.
State and local government agencies, such as the authority,
are permitted to purchase vehicles
under the terms and conditions of this contract.
The price offered by Watsonfield Fleet Group
is about $9,800 below the authority's estimate
and is deemed fair and reasonable.
It is therefore recommended that the committee
recommend the board authorize the CEO
to award purchase order number PO938-24
to Watsonfield Fleet Group in an amount
of $1,217,200 for 13 signal maintenance trucks.
This is a one-time purchase for 12 vehicles
to be delivered to the authority's central maintenance facility and one to the authority's
our maintenance facility within eight months after receipt of order.
Next slide, please.
That's my presentation.
We're happy to answer any questions you might have.
Does any of my colleagues have any questions?
Seeing none, what's the pleasure of this board?
Move the item.
Tremblay.
Do you?
McAllen second.
We keep in tally.
Okay, all those in favor sit in my saying aye?
Roll call vote.
I knew that was testing you.
Director Chafee?
Director Tremblay?
Yes.
Director Barger?
Aye.
Chair McAllen?
Yes.
Vice Chair Spiegel?
Yes.
That motion carried unanimously.
Item D, do we have Katie Thorpe or to Andy?
Good morning Chair and Board Members.
I'm Andy Althorp, Assistant Director for Construction.
So this amendment is the amendment number one
to the cooperative agreement with RCTC
for the Moreno Valley Marchfield Station Expansion Project.
Next slide please.
So the authority and RCTC executed a cooperative agreement
in May 2020-22 for the Moreno Valley Marchfield Project
on the Paris-Farre line.
The agreement defines the responsibilities
of both parties through construction
and provides RCTC funding
for the authority support services.
Site developments throughout construction have led
to an extended construction schedule.
And so additional funding is now needed from RCTC
for authority support services to complete the project.
Next slide, please.
And so it is recommended
that the committee authorize the board, sorry, I beg your pardon,
it is recommended that the committee recommend the board
authorize the chief executive officer to execute amendment number one
to the cooperative agreement between RCTC
and the authority that will increase the funding
for authority support services
for the Marino Valley March Field Project by $788,788
from an existing $2,633,100 to a new not to exceed total
of $3,451,888.
Are there any questions at all?
I have no questions.
We'll pay it.
We've got to get it done.
Roll call, please.
Oh, motion.
See?
I'll move it.
Burger.
I'm going to get it right on the left.
Next one.
It's OK.
Director Jaffe, Director Tremblay?
Yes.
Director Burger?
Yes.
Chair McCallum?
Yes.
Vice Chair Spiegel?
Yes.
That motion carried unanimously.
OK, 6E.
Gerald in railroad civil engineer
This is for the amendment number two of the construction and maintenance agreement with the city of Santa Clarita
with a vista Canyon multimodal
center
project
the original
Construction and maintenance agreement and subsequent amendment number one provided the city Santa Clarita funding for authority support services to the construction of the vista
Canyon Project, located at mile post 39.9 on the Valley
subdivision.
Through development, strength construction,
and the introduction of enhanced railroad protection
requirements, additional city funding
is now required for authority support services
through to completion and opening of the new transit
center.
Next slide, please.
It is recommended that the committee recommend
the board authorize the chief executive officer
to execute and negotiate amendment number two
to the construction and maintenance agreement
between the city of Santa Clarita and the authority
that will provide an additional $575,000,
$148 of city funding and increasing the budget
from $5,417,281 to a new total of $5,992,429
for Authority Support Services
to the Vista Canyon Multimodal Center Project.
Are there any questions?
Chafee's seconding it.
Roll call vote.
Director Chafee?
Director Trembly?
Yes.
Director Barger?
Yes.
Chair McCallum?
Yes.
Vice Chair Spiegal?
Yes.
That motion carried unanimously.
Thank you, Chair.
Item six, F.
Anjos Kastusyanakis, Principal Contract and Compliance Administrator, presenting Item 6-F.
With me is the Chief Operating Officer, Don Felipe, who will be the project manager for
this contract.
Item 6-F is a receive and file item providing the committee and the board a status update
on the upcoming procurement number MSOP 158-24 for train operation and maintenance services.
Next slide.
This procurement action is a continuation of prior board authorization to staff from
of May 2019 to bundle the major operation contracts.
Pursuant to the issuance of the bundled operation contracts,
which was subsequently canceled in March 2020,
the board has authorized three major operation contracts.
In August 2020, contract OP-151 is 21 with Amtrak.
In February 2021, contract MS-289-22
with the Herzog Contracting Corporation,
and that was for maintenance of weight.
And in January 2022, contract OP 154 does 22
for our operation services to Transit America.
The contracts with Amtrak and Transit America,
as well as the contract OP 137-17,
that was awarded by the board in September 2016
to Bombardier, now awesome group
for maintenance of equipment,
they all expire in June 2025.
In addition to the scope of these three contracts,
The scope of these new procurement also includes
the maintenance of the two major
Metronic Maintenance facilities,
as well as some smaller facilities used by the contractor.
Last, the scope also includes on-call work
in relation to train operation and maintenance of equipment.
Next slide, please.
Currently, staff is working towards completing
the procurement documents.
The request for proposals is scheduled
to be issued in November, 2023.
Staff anticipates bringing a recommendation
to the board in May, 2024,
and issuing a notice to proceed in the summer of 2024
to begin mobilization.
The services under the new contract will commence
on July 1st, 2025.
This concludes my presentation.
This is a receiver file item.
The project manager, Don Felipe, and I are happy
to answer any questions you might have.
Does anybody have any questions?
We are now on 6G, it's in 10 minutes.
Chair and members of the committee,
You and Q4, FY23 the CEO awarded five contracts
between a threshold of 250,000 and 500,000.
This is the receiving file and I'm happy to take it.
Any other questions?
Six H.
Morning Chair, morning members of the committee.
I'll be presenting the quarterly safety update
for the second quarter of calendar year 2020.
So in quarter two, we saw a total of 20 strikes.
this was 37% decrease compared to quarter two of last year.
This is that comparison of those two quarters.
You can see 32 strikes in quarter two versus 20
in the 12 month trend line from July, 2022.
This slide shows the rules violations
for various categories for quarter two, 2023.
Of these violations, three occurred
on capital construction projects.
This slide shows, well, during quarter two,
There were eight reportable, FRA reportable injuries, zero SCRA employees, and eight contractor
employees.
The categories are injuries, as follows.
The slide shows the number of regulatory inspections from the calendar of 2022-2025.
There were no violations that occurred in quarter 2 of 2020.
Any questions?
I do.
Can you go back on the injuries?
I'm sorry.
Can you please repeat the slide that you needed?
slide of the head on injuries. My question is, these all count against our days with
no injuries, right? When was the last time we had a period of time? I know back, I don't
know if it was even before you, Don, we had a, do you remember when we had a very, over
300 days, it was a very long time. Have we had that in recent times?
So I would say it depends on, you know, which department.
So this was system-wide.
Well, we're talking more than a decade ago.
I don't have that answer immediately.
I'm just curious.
I'd be curious when the last length of time that we've had no injuries.
We used to really be very focused on this.
And I know fortunately these seem to be, I don't want to say it, but relatively minor,
when you talk about those, but still, I'm just curious.
That's me.
What's the pinch point?
So in a couple different things, it's basically if you,
let's say you slam your hand in the door or something.
And that's required, I mean,
all those type of things are required to be reported?
Well, it depends on the nature of the injury.
If it's a significant injury,
the FRA has a certain threshold that reports similar to OSHA.
So what would the threshold be for pinch point?
Well there's, I'd have to get back to you,
there's a whole regulation.
Like gushing or, you know, something.
In the cases of these individuals,
there were stitches involved and things like that.
So like a sprain or strain?
Could be, yes.
Well no, I mean for that one as well,
there's a threshold?
Yes, so in addition to that,
there may be if someone goes to the hospital,
or not hospital, but goes to the clinic
and they are prescribed certain medication,
that becomes a reportable.
I don't think you're ever gonna see 300 days again.
Well I'm also thinking that
Once you start that, I'm sure, and we were just more excited.
We didn't get told about it until it was higher.
It was later in the process.
We weren't even aware of it.
But I am sure what happens is colleagues or coworkers
will tell people not to report something,
just because it was such a momentum going.
So there's good and bad to it, but I was just curious.
I mean, particularly when you're talking
about there is a threshold.
So there's probably a lot more that goes on,
but just aren't, were there major enough to be reported.
I could just add a quick comment
to Director Barger's question.
These pinch points, these terms,
are standard regulatory terms.
So things that would cause fractures, lacerations,
cuts, things like that.
There are generalized terms
that we categorize this information in.
But Director Spiegel's point,
these are relatively, although they are injuries
and are things we are tracking,
They're not significant time-loss events or accidents that lead to significant loss.
So I think that is important to note.
You would notify us if there was something significant, right?
Absolutely.
And we are required to also notify the regulator.
I would say looking at and hearing your definition, it's almost as if it had to receive medical
care is kind of that threshold.
Yes, that is the case.
There may be a first aid reported, but it doesn't meet that regulatory threshold where
or a doctor had to provide care.
That kind of puts it in better perspective.
Thank you.
Madam Chair, just a quick comment.
I wanted to thank Frank and his team.
I got the third quarter report on strikes.
And what I noticed is that you're really
making a concerted effort to deal with the strikes,
the pedestrian strikes, and the homeless encampments
at the different sites on the rail system.
So it appears that you're really making an effort.
We need to try harder, of course,
but it looks like you really made an effort
to really deal with the pedestrian strike problem.
Thank you, Director Hall.
Complements to you.
Thank you, and actually, the next presentation,
we'll dive into security
and we're gonna touch on that specific topic
a little bit more.
Well, let's go for it.
Yes, ma'am, I'm ready.
Okay, good morning and committee members.
Frank Castillon, Chief Safety Security Compliance Officer,
presenting this item six, I, for receiving file.
Next slide, please.
So to Director Allen's point, some of the activities
that we have taken on the past year,
in addition to some of the other slides,
which we'll talk about some of this information in detail,
during board meetings, one topic that came up
specifically was related to fencing.
Where are areas in our system that could benefit
from fencing, thus reducing the impact of trespassing events that occur on our system.
So over the past year, our staff has worked collectively to build a risk assessment tool,
identifying 28 areas or factors that we believe are risks that relate to strikes and trespassing
events.
This matrix, we are essentially baselining our experience as a system.
Where are these events happening?
Where are they occurring most frequently?
And when are these events most severe?
So severity would be based on if a large cluster of strikes happen in a certain area.
So by baselining this experience and using this risk pool as we move forward and progress,
we're going to use it to train law enforcement, our frontline staff to understand and provide
information to us.
So this will combine this information to create data points that will let us know where are
places that we can provide funding to put increased fencing, to remove things like crossings
or areas that provide greater risk to our system with the ultimate goal of reducing
the threat of trespassing pedestrian strikes, et cetera.
Of note, Q2 2023, we had a total of 15 trespasser strikes and three pedestrian strikes of 18.
In previous year, Q2 2022, we had 18 trespasser strikes and five pedestrian strikes.
The underlying thing that I want to emphasize that Director Allen picked up on is that we
decreased not only those trespassing strikes, but we sustain that. So these
next slides will speak to why that, why we believe that occurred. Next slide
please. So over the past year both myself and Captain Los Angeles County
Sheriff's Department Captain Ben Cihili is also in the audience, have partnered
together to change how we have approached law enforcement in directing
our resources. That has meant sitting down weekly and working with our partners
Sam Tracker, conductors, work with the allied private security or our private security vendor,
and getting information and having an open conversation. Where are we seeing the events?
Where are we seeing the incidents and threats? So below you'll see the numbers
comparatively for last year. You're going to see a dramatic increase. Why did that happen?
Well, last year as we were coming out of COVID, the message we had for law enforcement at that
point in time was reduce the risk of exposure to COVID. Don't ride trains. So we increased
that effort dramatically, as you can see noted by the comparison between Q2 and Q3.
Next slide, please.
Jump to the end.
I'm sorry.
Can we go back one more?
So what you don't see represented on here is those numbers directly correlate to the
activities in our system.
So in 2022, we had, at this same point in time, we had 43 total reported crimes.
We reduced that to 33 total crimes reported this same time this year.
Last year we had roughly 1,200 trespassing arrests, and this year we've actually had
less, 1,000.
What does that tell us?
We had less trespassers on our system.
So that correlates to the reduction of incidents that Director Allen pointed out.
So those efforts combined that directed law enforcement, the good partnership with our
law enforcement providers, and the information we get through our conductors and the public
through our SOC has resulted in not only a reduction but a sustained reduction.
So we are going to move forward continuing this effort and we hope to get to a point
some day of zero incidents.
That concludes my presentation.
I'm happy to take any questions.
So I'm just curious.
I mean, I know that my focus on the animal valley line because we've had, you know, concerns
and I know that there's been a lot more fair enforcement, correct?
So when you look at the numbers going up, what lines are you seeing impacted by this?
So the two lines of the most reported incidents or events are the Antelope Valley line and
the San Bernardino line.
With respect to those numbers, we've also increased ridership.
So given the fact we've increased ridership and reduced crime, it's a good outcome for
us.
We're going to continue to work on that.
I just want to publicly thank you, Captain, and your team that have been on the Antelope
Valley line because, you know, you have individuals that are going to and from work that want
want to feel safe, and there's no question that you all have done an incredible job.
So thank you and please pass that on and you've done a good job too.
Any additional questions?
Thank you very much.
Very informative today.
You're welcome.
The last item is the Capital Program Status Reports, our director of program management
out of your sights.
Good morning, Sherd and members of the committee.
I'm providing an update on the status of the capital program, including SCORD and State
of Goodeper. For fiscal year 2023, the authority expended $62.1 million in State of Goodeper
and $34.2 million in the new capital projects. I will now provide an update on this core
program starting with the Enter of Valley line, receive 30 percent design submitted
for Balboa double-track projects. On the Ventura line, delivered offer packages to property
owners and commenced negotiations for the right of re-acquisition on
Chartoess and semi-valley projects. On the Sembrenadino line, executed first
escrow payment for the City of Rancho Co-Commander right of re-acquisition on
the siding project. And finally on the orange line, commenced environmental
efforts for signals on La Palma to Averi project. Next slide please. I will now provide an
update on a few other projects in our portfolio, starting with the Bombardier
car rebuild program. 16 cars have been delivered of which 14 cars are accepted
and in service. 15 cars are in the factory undergoing rebuild and six
additional cars are to be delivered by the end of the year. On the Antelope
Valley Alliance State of Guitapère completed emergency railway replacement.
On the Vintour Alliance State of Guitapère all fiscal year 2020
structure rehab projects are complete and now we are working on the fiscal year 21
122 projects.
On the Anaheim Canyon Station Improvement Project,
we are in the project closeout process now.
And finally, on the Semper and Arduino Line,
signal house replacement complete at Temple Avenue.
Next slide, please.
I will now provide an update on the LAUS Station Project.
All construction component and punchless items
are complete for the track work.
The last remaining work is related
to the signal system cut over,
which is scheduled to be complete by the end of the year.
And for that, we're gonna have a four-day system-wide outage
which is scheduled between December 26th and 29th.
This is usually a period of low ridership within the agency
and will have released a disruptive to our riders.
Also, this has been coordinated
with other service providers, including LoSan and Amtrak.
And also, we'll use this outage
to complete other projects we have,
including the AVL, the railroad placement,
the SPL structure replacement,
the maintenance at the LAUS platform and on Rollingstock.
And finally, also the staff will begin execution
of a robust communication plan in late October
to give riders ample time
to find alternative travel options.
Before we conclude the presentation,
we're gonna have just a short video on the project at the US.
So Madam Chair, while they're getting the video ready,
I'll, do you mind if I jump into the CEO remarks very quickly?
We'll kill a little time that way.
Sure. There we go.
So just a couple of quick updates from the CEO
out of my remarks.
Again, we had really positive response
to our clean air day last week.
Broke a new record with 26,000, in excess of 26,000 riders.
And also very, very positive response to that.
We did launch our student adventure pass this week.
It's also been very successful, had a very positive response
from students.
I spoke with one of our conductors this morning,
and the feedback we're getting from our students
has been, from students throughout the system,
has been really positive.
Wanna make sure we touched on this briefly
in this agenda packet.
The fact that the Vista Canyon Project
is, was part of our agenda today.
It will start and operate with our new service
when we start the new,
the additional Antelope Valley Line service,
thanks in great part to Director Barger in LA Metro
supporting this new approach to how we're gonna offer
regional rail service in Southern California.
So a lot of very positive news.
You heard the information related to our crimes on trains,
trespasser strikes, that helps with our reliability,
our on-time performance.
You put all this stuff together,
Our product is getting better and better all the time.
And so I just want to bring everybody's attention again.
The Antelope Valley Land Additional Service
starts on the 23rd.
And on that day also we'll be stopping at a new station,
our 67th station in our system at Vista Canyon.
Did I filibuster long enough there
to make sure we can go to the video?
All right, I see nodding heads.
All right, thank you.
Is the largest railroad passenger terminal
in the western United States
and is widely regarded as the last
Great Train Stations. Union Station was originally built in 1939, and since then, Metrolink has
maintained the railroad track with minor improvements. Metrolink's real modernization
at Union Station project, at a cost of 67.5 million, includes replacing railroad tracks,
switches, and upgrading the signal system, which controls trade movements and continues to support
the local economy by generating approximately 1,300 jobs. This project is a major rehabilitation
and modernization of this critical railroad infrastructure that will allow us to continue
providing safe service while building the rail system of the future. Obsolete turnouts and
switches were removed and replaced with new concrete-tied turnouts within the mission control
point. The modernization efforts will pave the way for the larger vision, LinkUS project,
that will support Metrolink, Pacific Surfliner, and future high-speed rail service.
The Union Station modernization project consists of various phases and will be complete in early
2024. The final phase on the michigan trow point at Union Station will install state-of-the-art
signal infrastructure that allows trains to switch between tracks and arrive at different platforms.
During the three-year-long project, there were no unplanned interruptions to train service to and
from Union Station and teams were focused on safety throughout the project. By updating the
turnouts and switches, trains will be able to traverse tracks safely and seamlessly for years
to come. In this and every outage performed here, the track was returned to service on time with no
train delays and no safety close calls or incidents. Metrolinx rail modernization at
union station project included support from the California state transportation agency,
Los Angeles metro, Orange county transportation authority, San Bernardino county transportation
authority, Ventura county transportation commission, Riverside county transportation commission
and Amtrak.
Let us now conclude the presentation. I'm happy to ask any questions you may have.
Does anybody have any questions? Mr. Tremblay are you still there? Oh he departed. Okay if there's no
questions thank you very much. Does anybody have any comments? Okay with that being said I have no
comments and we will adjourn this meeting. I do want to adjourn in honor and memory of what's
going on in the Middle East and that I don't want to make a political statement
but I do want to just say is a lot of innocent lives were lost over something
that is so politically far gone that needs to be reconciled sooner than
later. Thank you. Well said.