Good afternoon or morning.
Thank you for being here at Metrolink.
Go ahead and call the meeting to order.
This is the executive committee meeting at about 904.
And may we have a safety briefing.
Good morning, Vice Chair and committee members.
Just go over a few housekeeping items in the event of an emergency.
In the event of a fire alarm activation, we'll collectively gather,
walk out the door here, right here to my left, to your right.
We'll take the escalators down to the stair,
down to the lobby and we'll congregate in front
of the Metro customer service office.
In the event of an earthquake,
we will take cover under the desks
and wait for the rumbling to stop.
Once the rumbling stops, we'll assess the situation
and determine if further evacuation is necessary.
Just be aware of some tripping hazards, chairs, bags
within the room if we evacuate.
In the event of a medical emergency
where First Aid is needed,
I will be providing CPR and then I'll ask the board secretary
to notify the security desk and call 911.
Thank you.
Very good, and now we will move to the Pledge of Allegiance
and Director Atlan will please lead us.
United States of America.
Thank you very much, and with that, Madam Clerk, we'll call.
I share Bergson
Second vice chair Tremblay
director Najarian
director Allen here
director McCallan
chair chafee
We do have a quorum present very good. Thank you
Were there any public comments received? I have not received any written public comments or any requests to speak
Okay, anybody in the audience requesting to speak to the committee on an unagendized item
Seeing none we will move to our regular calendar
First item approval of the minutes May 9th
McCallen moves
All in favor, aye
Anybody opposed
extensions motion carries
I'm 6b contract number sp 619-25 Olympic
Planning Support Services increased contract authority for Jacobs engineering group being presented by
Michael let's shy director of special projects
Okay, I apologize. No problem. Good morning vice chair Burkson committee members
So this morning I'm here to ask for the committee's approval to amend contract number SP 619-2 5 to increase contract authority
With Jacobs engineering to support our ongoing Olympics planning efforts. Next slide, please
So as a brief background in late 2024 staff initiated a competitive procurement process for Olympics planning support services to assist staff in
Preparing for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games and then on November 8th
2024 the board approved the word of contract to Jacobs engineering to complete that work with a term extending through December 31st of
2028 and a total not to exceed contract authority of five hundred and ten thousand for the first phase of work
So since that time Jacobs has been working with Metrolinx staff and utilizing a team of subject matter experts on the Jacobs side
That has significant experience working on previous international mega events including world cups and previous Olympic games
During the past six months. They've completed a number of different activities
which are
Summarized on this slide that includes documenting presenting lessons from previous Olympic games related to transportation issues
that we can learn from here at Metrolink
as we plan for L.A. 28.
Also performing some initial ridership demand modeling work
looking at what the expected impact
of the number of people who are coming to our region
for the Olympics will be on the Metrolink system
both in numbers and also in terms of where
those riders would likely come from.
Working on fair collection strategies,
station area planning, and perhaps most critically
really helping to focus our work efforts moving forward
by creating a work plan, a very detailed work plan
and schedule for all of the activities cross-functionally
throughout Metrolink that will need to take place
between now and 2028 in order to prepare for the games.
And also working currently to prepare a budget
to reflect the financial impact of those activities.
Next slide, please.
So today we are three years and three days
from the opening ceremony of the Olympics
on July 14th, 2028.
And obviously there's still a lot of work ahead of us.
We are meeting regularly at a staff level with LA-28
and our partner transportation agencies
throughout the region to begin preparing
for the large number of spectators and workforce
that will be utilizing our system
and connecting transit systems during the games.
And doing that while also ensuring
that we are focused on continuing
to meet the needs of our existing Metrolink riders,
many of whom will still need to travel
on our system during the games.
So the request before you today will allow the Jacobs team
to continue working with Metrolink staff
on that next phase of preparation activities.
And this slide outlines a few of those activities
that will be funded with this contract authority.
About half of the requested funding today
will support a Threat and Vulnerability Assessment,
which Hilary and our security team will be leading,
and that is really looking at potential risks
to the Metrolink system in advance of the game,
so that's critical work to complete,
but we'll also have benefits well beyond the games.
And then also critical is refining our games-related
service plan to reflect the latest venues
that were announced in late April,
many of which are very close to our Metrolink system,
and will change some of the demand
for ridership on the Metrolink system.
Also, we're looking at creating a toolkit
and some outreach strategies to support station planning
and working with our station cities and station owners,
including RCTC, to let stations know
what things they should start,
station cities and owners know what things
they should start being aware of
as we move into the planning process.
And then finally, because we do recognize
the critical importance of securing non-member agency
funding to support our ultimate operations
during the Olympics.
There is funding included in this request
for support for future grant pursuits
and looking at outside sources of funding.
Next slide, please.
So the recommendation before you today
is that the committee recommend to the board
to authorize the CEO to increase
the not to exceed contract authority
for the Jacobs contract by $1.2 million
for a total not to exceed amount of $1.7 million
support this next phase of Olympic preparedness work
the next year. I'll just note the 1.2 million requested was included in the
fiscal year 25-26 budget that was approved by the board at its June
meeting so no additional budget authority is necessary to complete this
work and because it is a not to exceed amount we will only pay for the work
that is completed as directed by staff and any future increases in contract
authority will come back to the board for future approval. And then one final
note we do plan to return to the board at your September meeting with a
a comprehensive update on both the World Cup and Olympics
and our planning efforts for those two events.
We are planning to meet with the Olympics ad hoc committee
at the end of this month,
and then we'll return to the full board
with a comprehensive presentation in September.
That concludes my presentation.
I'm happy to answer any questions.
Very good.
We thank you for your presentation.
Any of my colleagues have questions?
We don't have anybody on Zoom for this meeting, right?
Okay.
All right.
One second.
We have a motion and a second.
And I'll just say before we vote that what you mentioned
in your report, questions I asked at the board briefing
about making sure that we, the board understand it.
So I was glad that you mentioned it today
that the ad hoc meeting you're gonna meet
at the end of the month and then it comes to the full board
because in the staff report,
it talked about 60 or 80 different tasks.
We'd like to know what the heck that is
so we can figure out if we can even handle that or not.
Anyhow, all in favor?
Aye.
Opposed?
Abstentions?
Motion carries.
All right.
Item six, C,
the Student Adventure Pass Pilot Program Summary,
presented by Amber Moyers,
Manager of Corporate Partner Program.
Good morning, members of the committee and share.
Next slide, please.
As you know, the Student Adventure Pass
launched in October of 2023,
and was designed to remove cost as a barrier
to travel for all enrolled students
across our service area, including K through 12,
community colleges, trade schools, and universities.
It was initially funded by a $4 million LC Top grant,
and prior to the launch, Metrolink offered
a 25% discount to students on regular affairs,
and students made up just 17.6%
of Metrolink's overall ridership.
Next slide, please.
Within the first year, the program achieved
1.69 million boardings,
far surpassing our original projection of 1.23 million.
As of May 2025, students account for 35% of total ridership,
making them one of the most engaged
and consistent rider segments.
The program's success was driven not only by student need,
but also by strong partnerships.
We worked with over 50 schools spanning high schools,
community colleges, public, and private universities.
To promote the program to an estimated 930,000 students.
For many, it was their first time riding Metrolink.
Nearly half of the surveyed students had never ridden
Metrolink before, and 65% became repeat ridership
after their first trip.
Over the course of the program,
over 3.5 million rides were taken.
Next slide, please.
Some of the strongest adoption came from institutions
like Cal State CSUN, sorry CSUN, Cal State LA, UCI and UCR.
In total, more than 77,000 students from 921 schools
activated the pass through the mobile app.
While the student adventure pass concluded on June 13th
after exhausting the LC top grant funding,
the impact it made is long lasting.
Staff explored ways to continue the program
through a school supported model.
However, due to current staffing and system constraints,
we are not in a position to manage the complex coordination,
billing, and technical infrastructure
that the mall will require.
Next slide please.
However, we are building on the momentum
in a sustainable way.
As of July 1st, we launched a new 50% student discount,
doubling the discount that was available
to students before the pilot.
The new discount applies to the SoCal day pass
and all multi-day passes,
keeping fares affordable for students across the region.
In addition, students with the California EBT card can take advantage of our mobility
for all program, unlocking an additional 50% off their student fair.
Looking ahead, we remain committed to student mobility.
We'll continue partnering with our member agencies, schools, colleges,
and community partners to promote student ridership.
We also actively support state-level efforts to secure ongoing funding
for free fair student programs and policies
that include access to students.
Next slide please.
And I appreciate your time today
and I'm happy to take any questions.
Thank you very much for the report.
Do my colleagues have questions?
Larry?
I was just gonna say what a great program
and what a great success it was
and the fact that we can add that additional 25%
for that discount for 50% discount is great.
I just wanted to say that SBCTA is working with our local colleges and universities to see how we can get them involved, so hopefully we can and move forward.
Well, you saw the numbers from my alma mater, CSUN, go Matadors.
There's a need and it's reaching out and letting these other places know that we exist
and work deals somehow.
I mean, there are deals that they do pass and there's other programs
that there's coordination with so we have the ability to do that.
Linda?
Yeah, I just wanted to say these are our future permanent riders.
It's increased, you know, when they grow up, like us,
they're going to be familiar with public transportation.
But I still meet people on the train
who are experiencing their first rides on the train.
The younger generations are not ones like us
that grew up with it.
My, the generation before me, especially,
then my generation and then the generation's following,
they all wanted cars.
Every family had five cars in the driveway.
So I see this as a great opportunity
to expand what how wonderful public transit is how easy it is with apps on
your phone you don't have to think it's wonderful you take the fear of the
unknown out of the equation so kudos to this program it's a great success sad to
see it go we got you know the million point whatever writers that what
percentage of that would we have had without this program? Very unlikely we'd
be anywhere near it. So this was an exceptional program, it's you know but
grant funding does run out unfortunately and so at least you know our team here
has struggled hard to find ways to at least save the students the most that
they can so we appreciate that. And with that this is a perceive and file so
without objection that is what we will do and we will move to item 6d the July
legislative update and this will be presented by Jeffrey Dunn, Director of
Government and Community Relations. Thank you Vice Chair Burksen, members of
the committee. Next slide please. In local matters this past month we focused on
strengthening our relationships in the San Fernando and San Gabriel Valleys.
Planning and community relations staff attended the San Fernando Valley Cog
Transportation Committee meeting on June 2nd, acknowledging and thanking the
committee and the COG for its support of Metrolinx AVL projects among the LA
Metro submission of projects to SCAG for consideration of award of funding from
the congestion mitigation air quality funds through a first of its kind MPO
led allocation of regional CMAC funds to specific projects. This process is
ongoing and we will keep the board apprised as a final award decision will
be made by the end of the year by the SCAG regional council. On June 4,
Community Relations staff attended the 3rd annual convening of more than 100 San Fernando Valley nonprofits and foundations.
Our goal was to continue to strengthen relationships with existing CBO's, particularly to ensure the robustness of future Title VI outreach efforts.
On June 20th, staff attended the San Gabriel Valley Public Affairs Network legislative reception and also joined the San Gabriel Valley Cog at an event to honor the outgoing and incoming governing board leadership.
Next slide, please.
In state matters, as you likely know, the legislature passed and the governor signed
the state's FY2526 budget, which projects an overall $12 billion shortfall that is being
addressed through a variety of spending reductions, fund shifts, and withdrawals from the state's
rainy day fund.
However, thanks to continued advocacy efforts both on the part of Metrolink and our member
agencies, the California Transit Association, and many others, transit has fared very well
in this difficult budget year.
The budget maintains the $1.1 billion of funding promise in SB 125 for transit operations and
capital needs.
Despite the good news, though, the budget does not include cap and trade reauthorization
or related GGRF expenditures for future years.
An agreement on the future of the program is yet to be fully agreed upon, and Metrolink
continues to advocate for robust funding for both regional rail capital and operations
needs as these negotiations continue.
On other state matters, MetroLink is now on record in support of SB 71 by Senator Scott
Weiner.
SB 71, as amended, would exempt passenger rail stations, terminals and operations facilities
that are exclusively used by Tier 4 or cleaner locomotives from CEQA requirements.
This exemption would last until 2040.
MetroLink joins several other member agencies in support of this bill.
Also two other important state matters happening since preparation of the report before you and briefly touched upon at the June board meeting
But worth repeating first Metro link was awarded by the California Transportation Commission
52.6 million dollars from the solution for congested corridors grant program to add to the ninety one ninety eight point one million of Carl
Moyer and other local and federal funds that were provided by our member agencies
To complete all of the needed funding to procure twelve tier four locomotives
To add to our fleet of 40 replacing legacy tier twos and fulfilling the mission of our board to move this agency to a ventral zero
Emissions operation by first converting our entire fleet to the cleanest diesel locomotives available in the world today
running fully on renewable rather than fossil fuels
In equally good news last month late the California air resources board unanimously voted to repeal its previously adopted in use
locomotive rule
thus alleviating passenger rail operators from arguably unattainable emissions reduction
standards without forcing significant reductions in service and possible heavy financial penalties.
Implementation of the rule was predicated upon the granting of a waiver from the Federal
EPA, which earlier this year it indicated it would not grant, thus precipitating repeal
of the rule.
Metrolink will be able to continue its efforts to develop zero emissions technology in the
space with its Aero Service Zero Mission Pilot Project in partnership with SBCTA, the first
such project in the nation, without the overhang of regulatory requirements it possibly could
not meet.
Finally, in state news, I would like to share that just yesterday, Metrolink Chief Strategy
Officer Paul Huber appeared before the Senate Subcommittee on Losan Rail Corridor Resiliency
with other stakeholders at the invitation of Chair Kathryn Blakesphere to provide an
update on a number of issues impacting Metrolink as the railroad of record and operator in
the corridor, including both its capital and operational costs and needs, the recent optimized
service schedule and restructured fares implemented at Metrolink, and a summary of state investment
into Metrolink both before and since the pandemic, as well as Q&A back and forth on
how to best meet the ongoing and future service and maintenance needs of the corridor.
This is the third such appearance of Metrolink before the subcommittee as we work collaboratively
with legislative leaders to meet the unique challenges of operating surface in this corridor.
In federal matters, of course, the big news at the macro level is the passage of the big
beautiful bill through the reconciliation process, which includes many of the president's
second-term priorities, including greatly enhanced funding for border security, immigration
enforcement, and equally significant adjustments to SNAP, Medicaid, and many other items.
In short summary, this comprehensive legislation has little to no impact on transit and passenger
rail funding operations or policy, except that it does include $1 billion of funding
for Olympic Games security needs that are administered and allocated through the Department
of Homeland Security.
The specifics of how this funding will be prioritized and allocated is not spelled out
the legislation and because it is a DHS program which does not have ready precedent it is still
somewhat uncertain the criteria and timeline governing allocation of this funding. We will
continue to monitor this with a laser focus and make sure the board and its constituted
olympics ad hoc committee is surprised to deliver on this board directed legislative priority.
As we have repeatedly stressed 2025 year is an important year to procure tangible support to
to put into place the important structures
that the games will require from Metrolink
to provide service critical to the game's success.
None more important than system security.
Passage of the Big Beautiful Bill is separate
from the development of passage
of the FY26 appropriations bills,
which is now fully underway.
As part of that process, legislators have submitted
community project funding lists, also known as earmarks.
I'm pleased to say that four Metrolink projects
were submitted by our delegation.
They include a $1.3 million request
from Congressman Whitesides for technology improvements on the AVL, $2.5 million from
Congresswoman Brownlee to support the Arroyo CME Bridges scour mitigation project, $625,000
from Congresswoman Friedman to update and replace customer information systems at the
Glendale and Burbank stations, and $1 million from Senator Padilla for other security and
infrastructure enhancements through the network.
D-HUT appropriations markups are happening next week, with the subcommittee scheduled
on Monday, and the full committee expected next Thursday.
From there, the bill will move to the floor at some point later in the year with any number
of other appropriations bills.
We should know, at a minimum, whether these four projects make it into the next round
of consideration by or before this month's board meeting, and we will, of course, provide
you an update.
Many of our board members submitted letters of support in favor of our EMARC's applications,
including members of this committee.
We truly appreciate your willingness to work with us on this process.
Finally, I am pleased to share that Metrolink will, with its partner agency, SBCTA, host
House T&I Transit and Highways Subcommittee Chair David Rauser of North Carolina on August
5th, an instrumentally important member as the next authorization bill is considered
later this year.
Recall, this legislation sets the nation's transportation and rail policy priorities
and funding authorization into the future, typically for the next five to six years.
Although the details are still being flushed out, the tour will involve a helicopter tour with a congressman to observe, among other things, the Rancho Cucamonga Station, an eventual connection of Metrolink and Brightline, providing high-speed service from Southern California to Las Vegas, a briefing at the SBCTA Depot, and a ride on Metrolink with our CEO and other people from San Bernardino to Union Station to talk about Metrolink, the Olympics, Brightline, Aero service in Zemu.
Reauthorization of the surface bill and hopefully some baseball, too. Thank you. This concludes my presentation
Very good. Thank you. That was quite a lot
Anybody have any comments or questions
Beautiful bill you forgot to mention the biggest impact to all of us is the tax reduction or the
the continuation of the tax cuts
That, of course, tax relief affects different people differently.
You walk into a minefield when you talk about who benefits and who doesn't.
I understand.
Also, I noticed that there's this AB-476 that we've got a monitor position on, which deals
with the nonferrous metals to the junk dealers, et cetera.
Yes.
I would think that would be important to us since, you know, there's been thefts of our
copper, wire, etc. Why don't we sponsor to help sponsor the bill or support it?
It's a good question. None of our member agencies I believe are on record in
support of that bill and we we do like to confer with our member agencies
although that's not a necessarily requirement. We'll take a look closer look
at it and get back with you sir. We very well could take a position if so
advise our advocacy CEO. Thank you. All right. Okay. With that, we will move to our chief
executive officer's report. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just a real brief report. It's based
on very much current sort of current events that we're wrestling with right now. Once
again today we've had to cancel or annul a number of trains, starting with seven trains
this morning due to a very late notice, what's called Mark-Off by some conductors and engineers
based out of our San Bernardino crew base.
We are working with Alstom to try to better understand what's been transpiring, but obviously
it's a concern for us because this impacts our customers directly, and we've had various
crew issues over the course of the transition from Amtrak to Alstom, but this one was particularly
notable given the number and the lateness of the Markoff request.
So Mr. Chair and members of the committee just know that this is not lost on us.
We're taking it very seriously working closely with Alstom, and Alstom is prepared to start
involving their own labor negotiations folks out of their headquarters to try to address
what issues may be out there related to the unions that are involved that represent these
employees.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
That's all I have as far as a report.
All right.
Well, we look forward to, you know, working with Alstom and its staff members so that
our system works and we shouldn't be having this issue.
We will trust that you'll get us more information as you receive it
Thank you with that. We'll move to committee member comments committee members wishing to speak seeing none
Chair comments fortunately. I don't have any comments today and with that we will adjourn this meeting at 932. Thank you