Then I'll tell you if you guys out in TV land
We'll make sure Michelle is ready. Okay, we're gonna start the meeting call the meeting to order. We'll start with the safety briefing
Good morning committee chairman Wapner and directors in the event of an evacuation
We'll exit the room down the escalators exit the building to our it will congregate at the right of the
Door which is located at the Metro LA Metro customer service area
If anybody needs assistance evacuating the room, just let us know and we'll provide that assistance for you as you're exiting the room
Please watch for tripping hazards chairs
Briefcases that sort of thing in the event of a medical emergency our board secretary will down 911 and
We'll notify the security desk outside of the room. There is an ad located
At the security desk, and if we need to render aid
We have a predetermined staff that will do that if necessary in the event of an earthquake
We'll get down on the ground under the desks wait for the rumbling to stop
We'll assess the situation and see if further evacuation is necessary and in the event of an active shooter
We'll deploy the run hide fight tactic. Thank you
Thank you very much appreciate that okay. We're going to go to the pledge
I'll leave the pledge since there's nobody else here to ask.
Please join me in a pledge for our Greek flag.
I pledge allegiance.
Thank you.
Roll call, please.
Director Marquez.
Present.
Vice Chair Spiegel.
Here.
Director Vargas.
Present.
Director Nguyen.
Here.
Director Goe.
Present.
Director Engler.
Director Barger.
Director Solis.
Director Allen, Director Preciado, Chair Wapner.
I'm here.
We do have a quorum present.
No one from Los Angeles?
OK, guys, it's time to beat up in LA.
We're here.
We can do it.
OK, brings us to public comment portion of the meeting.
Are there any members of the public that want to address us,
or have we received any written comments?
I have not received any requests to speak.
I have received one written public comment
from Michael Mansurian regarding
tap cards that will be emailed to the committee after the meeting thank you
very much brings us to our first item and that is approval of the minutes for
our last meeting a motion on that sorry but vice-chair Spiegel is the moving in
voting member for Riverside County today so Karen you're gonna make the
motion okay I'll make the motion we have a second thing this isn't gonna work if
you don't participate. We have a second to the motion. Yes, I second. Thank you.
Roll call vote please. Vice Chair Spiegel. Yes. Director Nguyen. Yes. Chair Waffner. Yes.
That motion passes. Thank you very much. Brings us to the second item.
Locomotive service life extension. Decay. Good morning. Member of the
My name is DK Ha, Rolling Star Engineering Manager
with the Metronical Capital Delivery Team.
I'm here to present the item 6B, contract number EP245-25,
MP36, locomotive service life extension and repair,
the recommendation to award to higher power industry, HPI.
I'm here with the Dorothea Contero,
contract administrator for this project.
Next slide the authority has total 15 mp 36 locomotive and
Right now they are for them are in long-term our service condition
This project is to overhaul and repair those out of service locomotive into returning to service
Rp number EP to 45 there's 25 was issued on October 10th
2024 and one responsive proposal was received by the due date of February 2025
next light as
The agency considered on a new tier 4 locomotive delivery program
This slide is presenting the information about the existing
mp36 locomotives
mp36 fleet was due for midlife overhaul in
2023
And we have five to seven more years of the uses before decommissioning
Therefore, it must remain reliable 2025 through the 2031 seven years.
This brief chart describes tier four delivery, projecting tier four delivery versus NP36
fleet in service, which means these NP36 locomotives must be running for the service until 2031.
Next slide.
Evaluation.
HPI was the only proposal.
A proposal was deemed responsive and responsible.
After reviewing the technical complexity
of the redesign and replacement of the obsolete system,
their press proposal was determined
to be fair and reasonable.
Next slide.
Therefore, it is recommended that the committee
recommends that the board authorize the CEO
to negotiate and execute the contract number
EP 245-25 to HPI for MP36 locomotive life cycle extension and repair project and the
amount of $31,337,683 plus 20% contingency and the amount of $6,267,536 for total contract
authorization amount not to exceed of $37,605,220. This amount is to repair the overhaul, repair
and overhaul for auto service locomotives as a base order or also 11 additional locomotive
as an option order. The term of this contract is effective upon issuance of the notice
to proceed and continues through the acceptance of all locomotives.
This award is subject to resolution of any timely file for tests.
Next slide.
This concludes my report.
Please let me know if you have any question.
Thank you.
Great job, DK.
Any questions?
I have one.
If I read this right, the bid came in about 30%
over engineering estimate.
How does that happen?
That's a pretty big difference.
So anything related to cost, I would like to defer
to the question, Dotha Kantara, the country administrator.
This was not just a straight fit, it was proposals.
So there were technical proposals considered regarding the replacement
of two systems with in like kind systems or a redesign with new systems.
From the technical aspect, EM chose the redesign with the new systems
because obsolescence is a major risk and a major portion of this,
at no point will we be able to get new equipment from the OEM
to replace those current obsolete systems.
It is a current issue not something that will come.
So the ICE, the independent cost estimate considered the other
approach not the redesign it considered trying to make make use of what was
what was there so that's the differences I understand that but once we decided
that we were gonna modify it shouldn't they come out with another ice I mean
it would make sense to do something like that otherwise we had no idea where we
are you don't get closer to the mic please I'm Neil Brown I'm director of
of the locomotive capital procurements and loan stock.
So we took a look at the estimates.
And we have a good deal of staff experience
with regard to overhauling locomotives,
in particular the complexities of control system upgrades,
using existing equipment, and then
having to retrofit it with a control component that
is no longer available.
It's a significant effort.
We spent some time reviewing it and we feel that the bid that was submitted was reasonable
and fair.
I think to the Chairman's question, this may be a process item, Chair Wapner, that we need
to look at because we had effectively two different ways to approach this.
We did an ICE off one, so the proposal came in with a redesign concept and we never did
an ice on with the redesign concept is it something we could have even done do
we have the that did we have that capability or did we only have the
capability to do it with the making do if you use your term thanks to the that
was a good work I my assessment is that this is a specific enough scenario that
it isn't broadly a broad capability in the industry and so I what we did was
look at the cost and take a look at what it was going to require to reconfigure
these control systems. Quite honestly there aren't a lot available in the
market to this is somewhat niche so we did not do an additional ice we I would
call it an engineer's estimate internal that we did so I'm assuming that excuse
me based on the assumptions that were utilized in the first ice they applied
and you guys felt comfortable with the bid coming in that it would probably be
consistent with the ice if we get a different ice. I think that's what I'm
hearing. Thank you. Any other questions for staff? Did we get a motion? I'll move the
item. Is there a second? I'll second it. Thank You Karen. Roll call vote please.
Vice-chair Spiegel. Yes. Director Nguyen. Yes. Chair Wapner. Yes. That motion carried.
Thank you next item on brake pads. That's gonna be Eduardo morning chair members of a committee
next slide please
on March 26 2021 the board approved the award of contract number PO
857-21 brake pads and brake shoots for shoots for locomotives and rail cars the railroad friction products corporation for a tree
three-year base period and one two-year option for a not to exceed amount of 1.5 million on April 1st
The two-year option was exercised and it is set to expire on March 30,
2026. Due to higher than expected usage, the Arena Contract Authority has almost
been exhausted. Next slide please. The Authority utilized this contract PO857-21
to purchase new brake pads and brake shoes needed to ensure timely
replacement of old worn brake shoes and brake pads on its fleet of locomotives
and passenger cars.
As seen in recent years, prices of the parts purchased
by the authority have increased considerably.
A quick quote to compare the pricing
of the F125 locomotive brake chute model, B330,
showed that the contract pricing of $15.50 is $20.44 less
than the quoted price of $35.94
by Progress Rail Locomotive Inc. A new IFB will be advertised
to replace PO857-21, but it is in the authority's best interest
to continue taking advantage of the pricing established five
years ago under PO857-21.
Next slide, please.
Therefore, it is recommended that the committee recommend the
board to authorize the CEO to increase the authority
of contract PO857-21 for railroad frictions corporation
by 350,000 to a new not to exceed amount of 1,850,000.
Next slide please that is my presentation and I'll be happy to take any questions. Thank you any questions of staff
or a motion on the item, please
So moved thank you Karen second. I'll second it
We'll call please
I share Spiegel. Yes, director. No in
Yes, chair Wapner. Yes emotion carried. Thank you brings us to item
6d Eduardo again
Next slide, please.
Progress Rail Locomotive Inc. is the original equipment
manufacturer of the Authorities F125 locomotives
and sole supplier for most of the parts
used within that locomotive.
Progress Rail Locomotive Inc. is also the sole supplier
for many of the components used by the Legacy locomotive
fleet.
Caterpillar is the OEM of the C175-20 engines that power
the Authorities F125 locomotive and C27 engines
the power of some of the legacy fleets.
Queen Power Systems is the caterpillar dealer
authorized to sell caterpillar engine components
to the authority.
Currently, the authority purchases parts and repair
and return services from progress rail,
locomotive ink, and Queen Power Systems
on an as needed basis utilizing contract authority
approved by the board each fiscal year
through its annual budget request process.
The successful negotiation of a multi-year contract
Agreement with the suppliers will replace a yearly request for the contract authority brought in front of the board for the suppliers
next light, please
Progress real locomotive ink is the authority sole supplier for three hundred and forty one time use parts and eighty four repairable parts
Empower systems is the authorities main supplier for two hundred ninety three one-time use parts and fifteen repairable parts
multi-year agreements with will allow the authority to the ability to negotiate
favorable terms shorter lead times and lock-in set pricing which can lead to
more accurate forecasting of key components to support timely maintenance
of the locomotive fleets multi-year contracts will also streamline our
procurement process instead of requesting new quotes for every purchase
order these contracts will allow the creation of blanket purchase orders
within the authorities ERP system with pricing already set the procurement
the department will be able to process POs
in a more efficient and cost-effective manner.
Next slide, please.
Therefore, it is recommended that the committee
recommend the board authorize the CEO
to negotiate and award a three-year term
sole source contract with Progress Rail Locomotive Inc.
for the procurement of new parts
and repair and return services,
for an estimated not to exceed amount of a million,
and a three-year single source contract
with Queen Power Systems for the procurement
New parts and repair and return services for an estimated not to exceed total amount of six point five million next slide
That is my presentation. I'll be happy to answer any questions. Thanks Eduardo any questions
We have a motion on the item, please
Wait a minute you
When did you make it great?
All right, I'll make the motion Karen's gonna second it. Let's do a real call
I'm sorry
That's good. So you have a motion in a second. I appreciate that. I'll stay out of it
Real couple, please
Vice chair Spiegel. Yes director Nguyen
Chair Wapner. Yes emotion carried. Thank you very much 6e Eric's gonna talk about
Real jacks good morning chair
Member as a committee my name is Eric progression director of facility and fleet maintenance
Next slide, please
I'm here to discuss the purchase order
Ep2
48-26 for purchase of 12 rail jacks for zimou project on the single source project
The service newly acquired start their zimou vehicle a higher capacity set of jacks is needed
Compared to set is current that currently used for DMU service
The Zemu is longer and heavier
Vehicle especially at the both ends of the vehicle
authority initially pursued purchase of jacks through a maintenance contract with Stadler that currently maintains
Arrow maintenance vehicles and the facility
By issuing the RFP work directive in December
After receiving the bids and negotiations, authority and Stuller were unable to reach an agreement to purchase price for the jacks due specifically to profit margins.
Next slide, please.
that authorities seeking a single source procurement
approval and for purchasing new rail jacks
to maintain essential operation of Zemu train set.
During the procurement, during this process,
authority obtained four bids, lowest of which
came in by rail quip ink for $529,437.
The vendor is very familiar to authority
because we do have three sets of jacks in our system.
And unfortunately, they lack US-based support
and technical staff.
Prime example is current status of one
of those jacks that's been out of commission
since beginning of the year, still pending parts from Europe.
We looked at the next lowest price, which
is by B&B Railway Equipment LLC.
They came in under authorities estimate.
BBM railway equipment has a good presence in United States
and can provide good post delivery support.
Next slide please.
Thus, we recommend that committee recommend the board
to authorize chief executive officer
to negotiate single source purchase
of one set of 20 ton jacks plus one spare unit
with BBM railway ink for total not to exceed amount
of $591,611.96.
The price include tax, delivery, and commissioning
of 12 jacks, the spare unit, and the control.
Next slide, please.
That concludes my presentation.
I'll take any questions.
Thank you.
Any questions of staff?
I guess the term U.S.-based support is concerning to me,
and it should be for my colleagues.
Do we just not have that many businesses
that can supply this?
I mean, when you say it's been since the beginning
of the year, that's an awful long time.
I agree with you and it's concerning.
That's one of the reasons why we,
well, main reasons why we didn't.
Eric, face this way.
Thank you, Darren.
That is the reason why we didn't recommend
to go with Railquip and to go to the next lowest bidder
because of the firm not having enough staff
or support here in the United States
since they are, you know, Italy based firm.
But BBM Railway is?
Railway, they're Canadian based
and they do have a big presence in the United States.
All right. North America.
Okay, thank you.
Thank you.
Do you have any questions?
Seeing no, we have a motion on that, please.
So moved.
I'll second.
Motion is second.
Roll call, please.
Vice Chair Spiegel.
Yes.
Director Nguyen.
Yes.
Chair Wapner.
Yes.
That motion carried.
Thank you.
6-F, capital program status report.
Good morning, Mr. Chairman, members of the committee.
Our CEO, good morning.
My name is Raja Vishwanathan.
I'm the director of program management oversight.
Next slide, please.
This is a current allocation of our capital budgets,
of which about, between FY18 and FY25,
we have allocation of about $871 million,
of which $502 million have been expended,
just about 60% of it.
Next slide, please.
This shows our overall $1.25 billion in capital budgeting,
of which $439 million have been expended.
That includes core programs as well.
While I'm here, I did want to mention this report
is as of June 30, 2025.
Some things have happened since then
that I'd be behoove not to mention the committee.
Staff has been working very closely with the state
and the CTC for allocation for major construction projects
when it comes to score.
I'm happy to report that as of August of this year,
the CTC board approved about $30 million
in construction funding for major construction funding
for the Moringo project.
And we continue to work with the state
to initiate and move forward with additional construction
projects, especially like Rancher,
which is going to the board in December.
Next slide, please.
This represents our state of good repair spending
across multiple years, for which we're investing
close to about $65 million on an annual basis.
Next slide, please.
While I've been here, I've never mentioned
the third-party projects, which also include
quite a bit of work that our staff does.
There are about 71 total third-party projects
that we conduct, these are projects that are requested
by other agencies, other entities, cities,
that we conduct, we do for them.
There are about 67 projects that are managed
for program delivery with a total budget
of about 15 plus million dollars,
for which we spent about 29, almost 30 million dollars
till date, as of June 30th of this year.
Next slide.
These are some of the updates that are happening
on the San Juan Creek Bridge,
some pictures that are there.
While I'm here, I'm also happy to report,
Like I said, this report is as of June 30th of this year.
A lot has changed.
The cut over of tracks and signals
is happening on the weekend of October 25th
through October 27th.
This is really important work
for which staff has been planning extensively.
There's expectation of running more than 40 trains
in that weekend just to test and ensure things are working.
And we expect to go revenue service Monday morning
on October 27th.
I'm quite happy to report on that one.
And that concludes my presentation.
I'm happy to take any more questions.
Any questions that's receiving file on during your report. Yes. Thank you. Mr. Chair. Just real briefly a quick update
From the incident occurred two days ago on the Ventura County line train 104 and making impact at LA Unistation with a park's train
the
Safety security and compliance department as well as the operations department continues its investigation
we are looking at both human element and
mechanical or equipment.
We don't have complete answers at this point.
And as we have more information,
we'll be sure to share it with the board.
But given the nature of the currency of that event,
I wanted to make sure the board had the latest
and know that we are testing all of our equipment
to ensure that our focus is that to the degree
we can identify issues, we try to make sure
that an incident like this does not happen again.
So stay tuned for more information on that
as we continue that investigation.
That's it, Mr. Chair.
Thank you so much.
And remind everybody, this is our last meeting as a committee.
We're gonna go to board meetings
the fourth Friday of every month, and that's gonna be it.
Any other comments from committee members?
Mr. Chair, this is Marquez.
I have a question.
Sure.
For the executive director.
But, Darren, just a question.
I've noticed lately, there's been a little bit more
mechanical issues with our trains,
and I just wanna know, is this normal within the norm,
or is there a reason for it?
Director Marquez, we were plagued
with some mechanical issues in August and September.
We've been working very, very closely with Alstom
to get there, to get the mechanical issues addressed.
They have brought in new leadership from Alstom
and done some reorganization within the company
on our project.
So we're seeing progress already.
We are already in the last couple of weeks
seeing improvement on the mechanical side.
As you can imagine with mechanical,
it's not something where it gets fixed overnight.
It does take some time to get all the issues worked out.
But they have brought in some really strong leaders
to help get that team back in place.
And we've already seen some progress on that.
The issues we dealt with there were alarming
in August and September,
and they have taken it seriously
and are making appropriate steps.
And we hope to continue to see that progress
that we've seen these last couple of weeks.
So stay tuned on that.
I'm not gonna bank it yet,
but we're seeing some good progress.
Well, Jaron, thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Any other comments from committee members?
Seeing none.
Mr. Chair, Director Vargas, stop.
Hold on, I have a question.
Wait, I didn't hear him.
Go ahead.
Go ahead.
Thank you.
So for the executive director as well, I recall one of our conductors was injured on that
incident.
I just wanted to get a status on that person.
The conductor, it took a cut to the lip.
It was a very minor injury, and my understanding is back working, so it was a very minor laceration.
All right, thank you.
Thank you.
Anything else?
All right.
Meeting is adjourned.
Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Bye-bye.