good morning everybody and thank you for joining us today I'm glad you could
join us for our first meeting of the year to start off today we're going to
call this meeting to order for the San Bernardino County Board of Directors for
the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority for January 7th
2026 we'll be working as the San Bernardino County Transportation
Authority and the San Bernardino Council of Governments today the board will be
acting in the capacity of both entities therefore each board member will be
entitled to receive $100 stipend for doing business
as the authority and $100 stipend for doing business
as the cog.
So today, we're going to have a closed session item.
So we will have conference with legal counsel regarding
anticipated litigation.
The item is first up at 10 o'clock for our agenda.
Is there anyone in the public that
wants to speak on this item?
Closed session item.
Seeing none.
So what I'll do is I'll go ahead,
and we'll be reporting out of closed session soon,
and we will be back to start the meeting again.
Thank you.
Welcome again to our first meeting of 2026
for the Samuel County Transportation Authority.
We'll be starting the meeting
as soon as we get everybody settled down.
Thank you.
I was getting ready.
Appreciate the help.
Thank you, Bill.
So at this time, we're gonna go ahead
and report out a closed session.
All that council will do that for us.
no reportable action was taken in closed session.
All right, well thank you very much.
And once again, thank you for making
the start of your year with us.
We appreciate your attendance as always.
We're gonna go ahead and start off
with the Pledge of Allegiance and at this time,
I'll have, let's see, how about, Eunice, Eunice, please?
Would you please lead us?
Thank you.
Pledge of Allegiance to the flag
of the United States of America
and to the Republic for which it stands,
One nation under God, indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all.
Thank you, everyone.
So, clerk, please call the attendance.
When I call your jurisdiction, please state your name.
Atalanto, Atalanto, please state your name.
Ramos, present.
Thank you.
Wake up down there, Ramos.
Apple Valley.
Art Bishop.
Barstow, not present.
Big Bear Lake.
Rick Herrick.
Chino.
Eunishila.
Gino Hills, not present.
Colton.
Frank Navarro.
Fontana.
Appanetta Warren.
Grant Harris.
Bill Hasse.
Hisparia.
Josh Pullen.
Hyland.
Larry McAllen.
Loma Linda, not present.
Montclair.
Needles.
Ontario.
Ellen Walker.
Rancho Cucamonga.
Redlands.
Mario Saucedo.
Rialto.
Joe Baca, present.
San Bernardino.
Helen Tran.
29 Palms.
Upplet.
Dan Mintz here.
Thank you.
Upplet.
Rudy Zuniga.
Victorville.
Robert Urban.
Yucaipa.
Judy Wolfing.
Yuca Valley.
Rick Denison.
County Supervisors, first district, not present.
Second district, not present.
Third district.
John Rao.
Fourth district.
Fifth district.
Junior president.
And our Caltrans ex-officio representative.
Catalina Penning.
Thank you.
We have a quorum.
Thank you.
So I'm gonna move on to announcements right now.
So this is a good time of year
to bring up some of the highlights we have,
and I'm pleased to share several recognitions
that reflect the strength of this agency
and the people that do the work here.
So first, SBCTA and our partners were recognized
the American Council of Engineering Companies of California
with the Mount Vernon Viaduct Project
receiving an honor award
for the 2026 Engineering Excellence Awards.
Any of you have seen that project?
It is a beautiful job.
Very proud.
Next is this acknowledgement.
It's an acknowledgement of the complexity, the quality,
and the regional importance to the project.
When they opened that up,
it certainly rejoined communities in our county.
Equally exciting, SBCTA was honored by WTS Inland Empire
with the 2026 Innovative Transportation Solutions Award
for ZEMU, recognizing the agency's leadership
in advancing zero-emission rail technology.
And in connection with that award,
we want to specifically recognize Joy Buenaflor
who was instrumental in the delivery of the Zemu.
Joy, are you here?
Hi Joy, there's Joy back there.
I'm certainly not done.
This is, we have so many great things.
So Joy has been named the WTS, i.e. Woman of the Year,
a well-deserved honor that reflects
both her technical expertise and leadership.
So thank you, Joy, for all the work to bring technology
and the future to San Reno County.
And finally, a brief note of congratulations
to Becca Hamilton, one of our staff consultants
who was recognized by WTS Inland Empire
also as member of the year.
And Becca, are you here?
Okay, Becca's not here,
but I would like to congratulate her on that.
And so these awards collectively speak,
So the awards collectively speak to the innovation,
talent, and dedication driving SBCTA forward.
So I'd like to thank everyone and the entire team
that makes these projects possible for our county.
So next I'll look for, the clerk,
do we have any agenda modifications, notifications?
Supplemental closed session item one
and support material for agenda items 19 and 32
were posted and distributed.
That concludes my notices.
Thank you very much.
And at this time we'll open it up for public comment.
Anyone in the public would like to speak on any subject
within the board's jurisdiction?
Seeing none, thank you.
Conflict of interest, please report to the clerk
if you have not done so already.
And informational items are gonna be our items
two through five.
Informational items do not require a vote.
These are received and file items
that are routine and non-controversial.
Next we'll have our consent agenda.
Consent calendar includes items six through 24.
Do we have any public comment on the consent agenda items?
Move the consent, Mr. President.
Okay, we have it moved by Ramos and seconded by Navarro.
All in favor?
Aye.
Opposed?
Abstentions?
Thank you, Board.
The consent calendar passes unanimously.
Thank you.
First discussion item is our agenda item number 25,
presentation of the annual comprehensive financial report
for fiscal year 2024, 2025,
and Lisa Lazar will be presenting.
Good morning, Mr. President and Board members.
This item is a receive and file item
present the annual comprehensive financial report, the audit of the local
transportation fund, the audit of the state transit assistance fund, and the
single audit for fiscal year 2025. All reports have been included as support
material for item number 25. Just a few items to highlight, CRO LLP has issued an
unmodified opinion for the financial statements. This is the most favorable
results, meaning that the auditors found the financial statements to be fairly
presented in all material respects in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles with no significant errors or misstatements. SBCTA
implemented GASB 101 for compensated absences and 102 for certain risk
disclosures and neither of which had a material impact on the financial
statements. Net position increased by 233.5 million dollars mainly due to
higher operating and capital contributions in the transit and project
delivery programs as well as interest revenue. The sales tax revenue bonds have
a compliance requirement that we have a debt service coverage ratio of two times.
the calculation for fiscal year 25 is at 20.25 times which far exceeds the
requirement. Crow also issued an unmodified opinion on our single audit
which is the audit of federal expenditures. Federal expenditures
totaled 113.3 million dollars for the fiscal year and there were no findings
on any of the audits. This concludes my presentation. I'm happy to address any
questions. Well done, thank you for the report. Are there any public comments on
this item? Any comments from the board or questions? Seeing none, I'll look for
someone to move. Oh it's receiving file, I apologize. Thank you. Item number 26,
board member appointments Marlene Roman will present the item. Good morning Mr.
President and members of the board. Recommendation A and B request approval
for the reappointment for Mayor Pro Tem Allen Wapner to serve on the SCAG
Regional Council representing SBCTA for a two-year term and the reappointment
for Mayor John DeTrey to serve on the Gold Line Phase 2 JPA as the primary
member for a two-year term. The remainder of the item is to apprise the
Board of Directors of various appointments made by the board
president and with that I'd be happy to answer any questions. Thank you very much
for the presentation. Do we have any public comment on the item? Seeing none
bringing it back to board. Moved by McCollum, second by Baca Senior. All in
favor? Aye. Opposed? Abstentions? Thank you. The item passes unanimously. Next we'll move
to item number 27 freeway service patrol insurance limits. Alicia Bullock will
present this item. Good morning President Dennison and board members. The item that
I'm bringing before you today is the approval to lower the insurance
requirements for the freeway service patrol program also known as the FSP
program. In the past year, insurance premiums have risen across the board,
including insurance in the tow industry. After review of SBCTA's insurance limits
in comparison to our neighboring agencies that have FSP programs
and consulting with SBCTA's risk management and broker consultant, SBCTA
would like to decrease the insurance requirements for the FSP program to
match Riverside County Transportation Commission's insurance requirements.
RCT sees along with the neighbor neighboring agencies insurance
requirements can be found on page 540 of your agenda packet. It has a breakdown
of what each limit is. Lowering the insurance requirements would help with
the competitiveness and cost effectiveness of the FSP program. If
approved the insurance requirements would be updated and all of the current
FSP contracts through our amendment process and incorporated into F into new
FSP procurements that concludes my presentation and I would be happy to
answer any questions you may have thank you for the presentation do we have any
public comment on this item see no move back to board McCollum moves Navarro
seconds all in favor I opposed abstentions thank you for the
presentation next item number 28 on the agenda award construction contract for
the I-10 Mount Vernon Avenue Improvement Project.
Juan Lazard will present the item.
Juan.
Thank you, President Denison.
Good morning and Happy New Year to all members.
I'm happy to present this item
for a Construction Contract Award of I-10 Mount Vernon.
The project will improve local traffic operations
by adding three additional left turn lanes
at the five-legged intersection of Mount Vernon,
East Valley Boulevard,
and the westbound on-ramps to the freeway.
This is achieved by replacing the over crossing
over the freeway with a wider bridge,
not only correcting a vertical clearance,
but also providing pedestrian and bicycle facilities.
As previously approved by the board,
SBCTA executive director released an invitation
for bids on October 1st, 2025.
The invitation for bids was released via PlanetBids
and downloaded by 166 firms.
Several addendum were issued in response to bitter questions
and on November 18th, 2025, SBCTA received three bids.
One from Biador Construction Company,
one from Flatiron Dragos Construction,
and one from Ames Construction.
The two lowest bids were within
the budgeted construction amount.
SBCTA procurement analysts conducted a responsiveness check
and think the bids to be responsive.
Funding for the project consists of Measure I
interchange funds and City of Colton developer impact fees.
Beaudoir Construction Company was determined
to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
Therefore, staff recommend approval
to award the construction contract
to Beaudoir Construction Company
in a not to exceed amount of $60,300,700
as noted in recommendation A.
Staff also recommend approval of an allowance
in a not to exceed amount of 8,502,000
for supplemental work, agency furnished materials,
and contingency, as noted in recommendation B.
Additional details of the bid results
and allowance summary can be found in the agenda item
starting on page 544.
That concludes my presentation.
I'm open to any questions.
Thank you for the presentation.
Do we have any public comment on the item?
You're coming back to the board?
Second.
I'll second that.
Baca Senior, second by Navarro.
I just have, you know.
Yes.
Mayor DeTrent.
And I already talked to Carrie
about the engineer's estimate she provided me,
but this item, 29 and 30, all construction items,
the bid amounts are coming in much less
than the engineer's estimate.
We've seen cost dropping is that is that what's happening? I mean we talked about in the past
So we're we are seeing our bids
The bid amounts coming in lower than engineers estimates and our some of our peer agencies are well as are as well
In under the traditional design bid build procurement process. We're not seeing the same thing happen
We had the O&T connector conversation last month or the month before I can't recall
But we're not seeing that translate to design build or non-traditional procurement.
Some indication talking to industry is, right now, the tariffs are not having the financial
effect that they were expected to.
Basically it was 30% at times on some materials.
That's getting dwindled down to the number I heard from someone in industry was 2% to
5%.
much much lower than than the risk we that was originally identified there and
then the second thing is that there is sufficient or excess workforce right now
so the contractors are hungry. Okay well that's good news. It's good to highlight
that type of good news for sure. Thank you so it was moved by Baca Sr. second
by Navarro. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Abstentions? Thank you. The item passes
seriously item number 29 construction allowance for the I 10 contract one landscape project and one you're up again
Thank you
The I 10 contract one landscape project is a follow-on project to the express links project contract one on I 10
This project will provide drought tolerant planting combined with wood gravel mulch and rock boulders. I
Was here last month requesting that the board authorize
SBCT executive director to execute the construction contract
Given that bids were received on December 2nd and our board meeting was on December 3rd
And that was requested because we were still conducting bid reviews and bid analysis
That authority was granted and the contract has been executed and awarded to diversified landscape
I'm here today to request that the board approve
a not to exceed allowance of $3,774,000
as noted in the recommendation for supplemental work,
agency furnished materials and contingency.
A breakdown of this allowance can be found
on exhibit 29A on page 582
and I'm happy to answer any questions.
Thank you for the presentation.
I'll open it up for public comment on this item.
Seeing none bring it back for board discussion
move moved by Navarro
second by Tran all in favor
opposed
Abstentions. Thank you. Yeah, I'm passes unanimously
All right
We're up to item number 30 on the agenda construction contract for the I-10 corridor freight and Express lanes project and this is contract 2a
Khalid basmi will be presenting the item
Good morning, President Denison members of the board. We're really happy to bring this item to the board
We seek your approval to execute construction contract on the I-10 corridor freight and express lane project
And also known as contract two-way with Sally Miller contracting company in the amount of not to exceed
309.3 million
contingent upon sale of
tax revenue bonds
The second I ask is to approve an allowance of 50.2 million for project contingency supplemental work an
agency furnished material
To be released as necessary for the project
This breakdown of this is shown on page 683 of your agenda
So, you know feel free to go through that or if you have any questions
I'm happy to answer it on I 10 contract to the project itself
Constructs next press single Express Lane in each direction from I-15 to Sierra Avenue in an approximate distance of six miles
through the cities of Ontario and Fontana
The information for bids was released on September 18
Excuse me
Three bids were received that they were Sally Miller Skanska and flat iron drug autos
Sally Miller submitted the lowest and responsive bid
The project is funded by state federal and local funds
And our next steps is to execute contract upon successful bond issuance in mid-January 2026
That's all I have. I'm happy to answer any questions. Thank you for the presentation another great project in our area
I'll open it up for public comment at this time
Seeing none back to board
Michael's moves second
Could we have over here? Oh
Hagman second. Okay. Thank you. Move by Michael second by Hagman all in favor. I
Opposed
Extensions. Thank you
the item passes unanimously
agenda item 31
VMT mitigation bank pilot program update for the RFP and budget amendment Josh Lee
Morning president venison and members of the board agenda item 31 has three components to it
One is to approve the pilot guidelines
Document that's attached to the agenda item and then the other two the second and third one are related to budget and finance
First the guidelines document that's attached
It is more of a conceptual not conceptual
But we in the past we've presented a conceptual operating procedure documents as well as
administrative plans for the board
This is a continuation a subsequent document that kind of goes more in detail
to kind of give limits as to
How the the staff should be implementing the the VMT mitigation bank program pilot pilot phase of the program
in their future so
It includes calculations of the VMT
For individuals that are participating in the program it includes
Receiving of the credits how those those should be generated and received that by the bank
includes limits and maximums of how much of an incentive we provide individuals who are participating in the program and
location specific information and how that should be treated.
But most importantly, it also includes an evaluation piece. Once the pilot phase is done, we'll definitely bring it back to the
board to and give a comprehensive report as to how the program is running whether it's successful or not, whether it's self-sufficient or not.
And at that point, the board will have opportunity
to determine whether to implement the program more
on a permanent basis for the agency.
But the one thing that I want to note is
that in the guidelines per document,
one thing that's not included
in there is the pricing of the selling of the credits.
We want to delay that process and we'll bring back an item
at a later date once we accumulate enough credits
from the individuals off of this program
and how we dispose or sell of those credits,
we'll bring that back because we don't really have
background information as to what this pricing
should be at this point.
So we'll concentrate, the pilot phase will concentrate
on accumulating VMTs from individuals who are participating
and then we'll reconsider the selling of the credits later.
However, if the board chooses that for some reason,
and SBCTA projects need VMT mitigation
during the pilot phase, we can certainly bring that back
and the board can approve usage of the VMT credits
that's generated by the bank at that point.
And we'll certainly bring that back.
So the second phase, on the technical side though,
I do wanna kind of report out that we are done
with kind of, with the development of the mobile app
and the consultant team did test it and it's working.
there's no major flaws or anything like that.
We received the app, we were able to,
the planning department team received the app
and were able to download it and test it
during the holidays and we've solicited volunteers
from our own agency and we'll be piloting it
with our own agency staff in this month.
So, and then after the testing phase is done
within our agency, we'll partner with our,
A couple of our larger employees are in our county
and who are participating in our IE commuter program
and solicit volunteers to test the app.
So we want to make sure that before we launch it
to the public through the pilot phase,
we want to make sure that all the testings
and all the functionality of the app is functioning fine.
So just wanted to make sure that that's reported out
and that there is no major flaws
with the actual technology behind the program.
So that second and third recommendations
associated with this agenda item,
if I may give a little bit of background,
we are basically utilizing grant funds
to do the beta testing
and all of the testing associated with that,
and we're also using grant funds
to actually implement the incentive funding
and the pilot phase as well.
So we're utilizing outside funding
to implement the pilot phase of the program.
One of the funding sources we're using
to develop and complete the application portion,
the phone application portion of this
is through the REAP through SCAG.
And that has a very tight deadline of completing.
So we wanna make sure that the following funds
that come after the REAP funding,
which is in this case CRP, the carbon reduction program,
which fund the incentive portion of it
is transitioned smoothly, so we want it to move faster.
So that is the reason why we're bringing this directly
to the board this morning.
So when we were first utilizing the refunding,
the concept of VM Tumigation Bank was still new to the state.
So state did give us a requirement or a limitation
as to not to use refunding for the incentive
portion of the program.
However, since then we've worked with SCAG
and Caltrans to seek out their other funding sources
and so therefore we've received funding
through the CRP program, which is federal funding,
and we'll be utilizing that for the incentive portion
and the ongoing maintenance of the software portion
of the program.
And because of CRP being a federal funding,
we do have to follow strict procurement guidelines.
So we have a recommendation B before you
to authorize executive director to release the RFP
and we'll go through the RFP process to solicit consultants
who can run and maintain the component of the bank software
as well as administering of the incentive funding
through the CRP program.
And then of course the third recommendation
is related to the budget.
We do need to do a budget amendment to receive
that funding from the feds
and then also to expand that money.
So we'll put it in this year's budget with this amendment
and then we'll also add the other million dollars
in next year's budget.
So with that, I'll be happy to answer any questions
related to the program.
I didn't go deeper into the actual running of the program
for the interest of time,
but happy to go into it if you wish.
Thank you, Josh.
Appreciate the presentation.
Public has an opportunity real quick
and then Art will be up next.
Any public comment on this item?
Seeing none, Art, please.
Thank you very much.
Josh, thank you so much, because for the last 10 years,
I've been struggling with BMT.
So I greatly appreciate your update.
So when Brightline comes online, and the whole idea
is we're going to be able to take all of these people who
were on Interstate 15, and whether they're commuting all
the way from Rancho Cucamonga to Las Vegas,
if they're going from Hisperia down the Cajon Pass
to where they might work, is there a benefit to,
because all these people are coming off the road,
they're not driving, they're not using miles,
and they are quality control type thing.
Is there a benefit to the local jurisdictions
or to San Bernardino County Transportation Authority
when you're looking at these miles
that we're hopefully going to be able to save in the future?
So I can answer that in two ways.
One is, yes, absolutely there's benefits.
We're currently internally looking
at how we can kind of take credits for all the VMTs
saved by the Brightline.
So that's one component.
The other component relates to actual mitigation bank itself.
If you're using modes that are other than single occupancy
vehicle for your commuting trip so home base work trip basically and if you're
living up in the high desert and traveling down and using Brightline to
do that to do that the app will capture that mode and that individual if they
participate in the program they'll be able to get credits for those. So if the
onus is on the individual yes and but it benefits the local jurisdiction? Absolutely.
Okay, thank you. Thank you, Brooke. You're welcome. Member Rao?
I just want you to know how appreciative I am of all the detailed effort that you put into this
so please don't take it personally when I vote no. It is a protest against the state and them thrusting their version of cap-and-trade in
this arena. It is ridiculous to have a county that is as large as ours and expect Mayor Jernigan to carpool from Needles for this meeting and
I just in protest am I no vote, but thank you very much.
Noted. Thank you.
Any other comments by board members?
Seeing none, look for the item to move.
Move the item.
Move by Bishop, second by Dutray.
All in favor?
Aye.
Opposed?
Abstentions?
The item passes with 23 in favor,
one opposed, opposition being Supervisor Ralph.
All right, moving on to item number 32.
This should be a very good item, a lot of discussion.
So this is an update from Skag and Steve Smith
will be facilitated.
Thank you, Mr. President, board members.
We're delighted today to have Comey at GSA
and Sarah Jepsen from Southern California Association
of Governments.
Comey is Executive Director, and Sarah
is Chief Planning Officer.
And so they're here to talk about recent progress
with Skag and also what's ahead for 2026.
So, Comey?
Thank you, Steve.
Good morning, Mr. President and board members.
Comey at GSA for the record with Skag.
It is a privilege and Happy New Year to you all.
It's a privilege to be here with you today,
and glad to stop by to share what we have been working on
the last year, and look forward to the coming year.
I just want to make a quick note,
because the last item that was just presented by Josh,
I think is a really important innovative project
that we don't talk enough about.
And I just want to thank this board and staff
for really stepping into an environment that's been thorny.
SB 743 passed almost more than 10 years ago.
And we've been trying to figure out how to work it.
And I think you all have sort of figured a way forward
with this incentive program that you've set.
And I'm glad to note that CAG was
able to participate to about $5 million with both REAP and CRP funds on this project.
But I just don't want that to pass without some recognition that you all have done something
that will be copied across the state because it's been an area of confusion for everybody
for the last almost dozen years now.
So thank you for that.
Again, privileged to be here with you and enjoyed seeing some of you at the last November
We're at the High Desert tour.
It was really impressive to see things around this sub-region
that are going on and looking forward
to continue to work with you.
Very on cue.
2025 was a significant year for us.
It was very busy.
It was a year that we actually began the planning process
for the next plan, the 2028 plan,
which we call Connect SoCal 2050.
We had a chance to administer the largest federal funding
program that we ever had last year.
And we also began working on a regional basis
on to provide support on the transmission needs
for the 2028 games, the Olympics and the Paralympic games,
and more.
So there was a lot that happened last year.
We will continue that momentum in this year.
In 2026, we expect to carry on with some of that work
that we began last year and with the expectation
that we will be working with all of you
as we go into the year.
So the presentation today, we want
to share some of last year's accomplishments.
But we also want to touch on the outlook
that we see for the year to come and hope
that you all will be part of that effort as we go forward.
Now, I'm going to introduce Sarah Jepsen, who's actually
going to run us through this, and at the end,
we'll hopefully get a chance to dialogue on questions
that you might have.
So with that, Sarah Jepsen, Chief Planning Officer at SCAG.
Thank you, Kome, and good morning, everybody.
Nice to be here today.
We always look forward to these opportunities
to be out here talking with SBCTA and especially excited
today to see some of the partnership projects
that we've been working on moving forward.
As Kome mentioned, it's been a busy year for us.
We used to in the good old days call this the gap year.
It was a very slow year because we were working
to pull together all the information
and gear up for our long range plan.
However, as the scope of our responsibilities at SCAG
has grown over the last several years,
we find ourselves in the middle of a very busy year
when we are both very much focused
on delivering programs to implement
our current long range plan while also taking those steps
to kick off the plan development process for 2050.
Today I'm gonna highlight the activities
that we have, a couple of the activities
we have going on to implement our plan,
share that outlook for our Connect SoCal planning process,
and give you a few slides as Komei mentioned
on the Olympics because everyone's excited
about the Olympics.
So first, a critical element of implementing our plan
are through our efforts for collaboration
and policy leadership.
And through these efforts, we look to bring more resources
to the region to deliver transportation projects
and promote a more sustainable development.
Our priorities in Sacramento this year to achieve this goal
include the modernization of a bill called SP375
and advocacy for project funding
under the cap and trade renewal.
As many of you will know, SP375 was adopted
more than a decade ago,
establishing greenhouse gas reductions
as a primary goal and responsibility
for regional transportation planning.
The law also established the policy framework
for integrating land use, housing,
and transportation planning with the goal
of creating more sustainable communities.
Overall, SB 375, you know, we feel has had
significant benefits in this region,
increasing our mobility options and housing options
and better coordinating land use plans
and transportation investments across the region.
However, the administrative and approval process
which is managed by the Air Resources Board
has been a real challenge for us
and overly burdensome, leading far more time and expense
being put towards the process
than in actually implementing our plan.
So a primary goal for SCAG
and the other metropolitan planning organizations
that we've been working with across the state
is to update this process, reform it,
and shift the framework to focus far more on implementation,
reducing barriers to implementation
and providing greater resources and incentives
to our local agencies and our county transportation
commissions to actually deliver the projects
that are in the plan.
Much like we've been doing through the REAP2 program,
which has been really a great program
for the entire region and the state.
Another priority for us, both at this state
and federal level, is to leverage the upcoming
2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games
to accelerate the implementation of mobility innovations
in our region and bring more funding
to Southern California projects.
The games are expected to attract
both public and private investment,
and it's a tremendous opportunity
to accelerate many of the innovations
that we have in our long range plan.
So our team is also working to implement our regional plan
through the administration of some of our existing
federal funding programs.
In December, through a project selection process
that we developed in consultation with SBCTA
and our other county transportation commissions.
SCAG's regional council approved 1.25 billion
of available federal highway administration funding
to eligible projects within the SCAG region,
including $147 million in San Bernardino County,
including I think to one of the projects
that you had mentioned here today on the I-10 corridor.
Later this year, the regional council
will approve the program guidelines
for the next cycle of the active transportation program.
And we will work in partnership with the state
to release a call for projects to fund plans, programs,
and projects to promote walking and biking and safety.
So hopefully many of your local jurisdictions
working with SBCTA will be pursuing those funds.
In addition to the federal funding we are administrating
in recent years, we've also benefited
from far more state support through our REAP1
and REAP2 programs, which I think
you're all fairly familiar with.
And these programs facilitate both housing
and transportation funding programs to implement our plan.
This is a really important year for us
to wrap up the investments across all of our REAP2 programs,
as Josh had mentioned, as most of those projects
are required to be completed by this summer on June 30th,
and all of the dollars have to be expended
by the end of the calendar year.
In San Bernardino County, we have close to $24 million
invested in REAP 2 programs.
This program has not been without its hiccups.
The enlarged part due to the fact
that the resources were pulled back from the state
and then they were reissued,
which created some disruption in the work overall.
So that disruption has been a bit of a challenge for us.
And there's also been some specific project challenges
that have meant that some of the funding
had to be returned to the program.
The upside of that is that we're still very much committed
to having all those dollars programmed.
So SCAG has issued a call for projects
through our lasting affordability program
that was just released at the end of the year,
which is gonna make an additional $20 million available
to fund existing housing trusts in the region
and we're accepting applications on that
through January the 20th.
So those are some of the things to highlight
on how we're implementing the plan right now.
And I'm just gonna give you this broad overview
of where we're going with the development of our next plan.
If you focus just on the bars, the colored bars up there,
you can see that in 2025,
most of our work has been on more technical in nature
as we plan for the update of our long range plan,
working to update our model.
Starting this spring, we will have our kickoff
with the regional council and policy committees
to update our planning policies for this upcoming plan.
I would expect a lot of conversation
around sustainable freight.
We have some planning studies that we're
putting together in that space, and know
that that is a very important priority for this region.
Also this spring, we will initiate,
more on a technical level, our local data exchange process
with all of your local jurisdictions
to collect information from the cities on the land use
and development they are planning,
as well as starting to collect information
from all the transportation agencies
on their transportation projects.
This work that occurs will flow into 2026 and 2027
and our public outreach and workshops,
and will release a plan in 27 and hopefully finalize it
in 2028.
Finally, I want to end with a little bit of information
on our role and our work on the games.
Our efforts are guided by a program development framework
that our regional council adopted back in September.
That includes four main objectives of how
SCAG will support the games.
We're looking to optimize investment in legacy
infrastructure, accelerate innovation
through pilot projects, foster alignment of policies
and programs to manage the demand on our systems,
and to showcase our communities through various place-making
efforts.
One of the key activities we have in moving forward
that framework is the development
of a regional transportation demand management strategy,
both on the freight and passenger side for the entire region.
So we're really looking at how do we manage and minimize
the impact of the games on travel
for people who may not be going to the games
but just need to live their lives
during the time of the games.
And that's for people traveling, as well
as to make sure that our businesses can continue
to operate efficiently.
So key elements of our regional transportation demand management
strategy include convening partners
to facilitate regional coordination,
developing a TDM initiation plan and roadmap,
providing technical assistance and resources to partners,
including these will be resources to all of your cities
because we're gonna need a lot of help
just getting communication and information out to locals
about how they're gonna be traveling during the games.
And finally, we will be supporting,
as I mentioned, this overall communication strategy
throughout the region to keep the region moving.
So I just want to highlight over the next six months,
the main thing that we're gonna be focusing on
with this strategy is the development of that roadmap.
So we anticipate working closely with SPCTA
and our other county transportation commissions
on the strategies and priorities for,
and priority projects for reducing demand during the games,
and we'll have a final report to our board on that
with some recommendations by this summer.
That roadmap will tee up programming of additional funding
that we have reserved for pilot projects
and for this communication campaign
that we will be pulling together.
So we're really looking forward to engaging with SBCTA
on that work.
Finally, on the Olympics, I wanted to close with
some information on our community hubs program
and the resources that are gonna be available
to local agencies.
SCAG will be supporting community hubs
to activate public spaces and support community-centered
placemaking during the 2028 games and beyond.
This is the creation of fan zones,
places for your communities to go nearby their homes
and celebrate the games,
which is a great community building
and economic development opportunity,
but it's also a tremendous opportunity
for the regional transportation system
because it means people aren't getting in their cars
and driving to the venues
if they aren't actually going to be watching the games.
So we think these are really exciting opportunities.
We'll be working to develop an activation toolkit
that will be provided for free.
And then we'll also be working to implement
a couple pilot projects in support of this effort.
And so hopefully we can work with your cities,
get the word out, and have some community hubs
in San Bernardino County.
Here's the full schedule of the things
that we're working on for the games.
And in closing, I just wanted to highlight
that at our transportation committee meeting in February,
we're going to have a much fuller report on games planning.
And we've invited Michael Kraus, who's
the president and CEO of GoCal, the Toyota
Arena and the Ontario Convention Center,
and oversees the Greater Ontario Tourism and Marketing District
to talk specifically about the games and opportunities
in the Inland Empire and the economic benefits.
And he has done some work teeing off some regional analysis
that SCAG did on the overall economic benefits of the games
to better understand what it could mean for your communities
here in the Inland Empire.
So we're excited for that presentation.
And I know some of you will be there
and hope others will be able to tune in online
if you are interested.
And with that, I will hand it back to Komei.
And then I think we're happy to take some questions
if you have some time.
Thank you, Sarah.
Just a couple more things to close out with.
Always a pleasure to engage with you.
And we'll be glad to take questions.
But I just want to mention that on the 14th of January,
in partnership with Riverside Mayor Patricia Luck Dawson.
We are hosting a housing workshop from 12 to three
and hope that some of you can be there.
And also to mention that we didn't mention it
but the process for the arena cycle, the seventh cycle
is actually gonna begin again this year.
So that's one of the things that we're gonna be working on
the next year plus at SCAG.
I'll be glad to take questions, Mr. President.
Well, no shortage of projects and things
that are affecting our entire part of the state
and the entire state in the world, too.
So thank you for the presentation, Sarah.
Thank you, Komei, for being here.
I see that Art Bishop, Member Bishop, please.
Thank you very much, Komei.
Thank you so much for both of you
to come and talk about this today.
Obviously, I'm speaking from here in San Bernardino,
not from the high desert,
But I'm really concerned about the impact
that the games in 2028 are going to have
looking at the big picture.
Not only from a transportation point of view
where all of our residents hopefully
will be wanting to go in to see the World Cup games
or the Olympics and traveling from San Bernardino County
or the high desert into Los Angeles.
It's not only the transportation impacts,
I'm concerned about the impact on our people
that use those facilities, let's say Metrolink or bus lines,
every day to go to work, and I want to make sure they're still
going to be able to have it.
But I'm also concerned with, and I know this isn't your concern,
but it's ours, or it's mine at least.
It's probably mine too.
What the Los Angeles Basin is going
to do with all their homeless during the games?
Now, I know you don't have an answer,
And I'm not looking for an answer, but I just want you to understand that from San Bernardino
County, there's a real concern that this 50,000, 100,000 homeless people are all going to have
to go somewhere during the games.
And I'm just wondering if they're all moving to Apple Valley or not.
Yes.
Yeah.
And if I heard it, yes, I'd know this.
I would not.
Stop it.
I would not hazard a guess on the treatment on the homeless.
But I think your point about the impact on traffic,
we expect that.
I think the estimation is there is
going to be about 15 million ticketed
events for the Olympics.
So when you think about that, that's
a lot of people that are going to show up in our region.
This is why the TDM work that Sarah talked about
is very important.
And we want to be able to manage how people travel so that we
can continue to protect capacity for folks
within the region to do what they need to do,
get to the appointments, get to work,
get to school, and all of those things.
And so having a robust TDM set of strategies
that we can begin to test from next year out,
I think, from next year already,
from this year out, I think is gonna be key
to being able to manage the traffic in 2028.
We, I mean, there's a lot of work that's going on
with the Games Management Executive,
which includes supplemental bus program,
transit properties across the region will be engaged and we hope to bring
additional transit capacity into the region. We're still looking for
resources from both that are on state to to address those but we need to come up
with we're working on coming up with a robust transportation plan to manage the
demand that we expect will happen as a result of the games. But it's not just for
people, it's also for freight. Freight's a critical element of our region. How we move
rates going to change slightly during the games. There will be different windows
that are available for people to travel in part because some of the system, some
parts of the system will be taken down and devoted exclusively to the games and
so we're going to lose some of that capacity so we have to manage the rest
of the demand as a result of that. Well we know that you're looking out for us
in the big picture.
And that's really the point, you know,
the venues are not region-wide,
but the effect of the games are gonna be region-wide.
I think one of the major hubs in our region
is gonna be Ontario Airport.
There's gonna be a lot of folks that come in
through Ontario Airport.
There'll be a lot of folks that will be visiting
parts of the Inland Empire.
There's still gonna be goods that need to be moved.
So all of those impacts that are goods
that are in support of the games and goods that are normal
will be part of the impact that we're going to be dealing with.
I've actually heard that there are going
to be people flying into Las Vegas as a hub,
and then taking I-15, obviously affecting our county,
down to the Los Angeles area.
So I appreciate all that you're doing,
and wish you all the best.
I'm a loud talker, so I really probably don't need that.
I'm just curious and I'm new, everybody,
so just bear with me.
I understand San Bernardino Airport.
What is the name of that?
Have they changed it since it's taking passenger,
isn't it doing passenger planes there now?
Yeah, they have Breeze serving them.
San Bernardino International Airport.
Okay, so is that being factored in?
Are we looking at having that airport
handle some transportation into Southern California,
just like he mentioned Las Vegas.
I know that there's an airline that me and my wife
take to Eureka, who was called a Velo,
and they are not doing that anymore,
but could you kind of elaborate on that?
What I've heard from the airport is they are looking
at some of the logistics side of moving equipment
in and out for teams and countries.
But I haven't heard anything on their end
discussing increase in passenger service
to support the visitors for the Olympics.
I don't know if, Scott, Komey, if you've heard anything different?
Well, we expect every transportation facility
to be in use.
And I'm glad you talked about the countries,
because a lot of the countries are
going to be looking for places to train.
And so the athletes are going to be all over the region.
They're not all going to be around the venues.
We know several of our cities already
have agreements with countries that
are going to be training within the city.
So the San Bernardino International Airport
will be an example of another facility
that could be used to move equipment in for the games,
but also to move people in.
People are going to be coming in.
People are going to fly into San Francisco
to get to the games in LA.
So we expect that every single airport up to all the way out
to San Diego will be used for the games
because that's just the crush of folks
that are coming for the games.
Are we looking at the logistics of equipment?
We have an airport in Victorville that's actually
a logistics airport, so I'm curious if that's
going to be in the mix maybe.
That's a great place to bring equipment.
It's gonna be all it's gonna be off to folks that are moving stuff in to figure out how to bring it in
But we just want to be ready as a region
To to be sure that we can handle all of that while we continue no more life within the region
All right, thank you for that
Member Bockage senior, please. I have a question in reference to communications from scags
Are you going to be doing any kind of outreach and hopefully you are doing an outreach to each of the cities that are being
impacted that has Metrolink and the utilizing of Metrolink at each and every one of the cities but
Contacting those cities so they can actually be involved in part of this process as well
Not just the map that says all right. We're gonna be there
But have you actually contacted each city where the Metrolink stops and goes into the LA area?
You need to make sure that you have some form of coordination
With each of the city so they can be involved whether they have programs in their areas or direct transportation
to the Olympics
Great point we have right now. We have a quarterly
Transportation demand management forum where we invite cities and other stakeholders
as we get closer to the games and
You know as we work on this roadmap. We will be looking at other strategic outreach that needs to be done
To communicate with the city. So yes those Metro link stations and the impacts to those communities will certainly be something that
That we're thinking about but you need to have direct contact with the cities itself
So this way they can be involved and not just say well
We have a meeting and you can come and so this way each city where the Metro link stops and starts
They can actually be involved in part of this process other than that
I mean, information goes all over the place, but how does it get to the city itself so
they know that they can be involved in part of this process?
Great, we'll note that and make sure that there's direct engagement with those cities.
Navarro.
Yes, thank you, Mr. President.
Adding to the question from the member from Victorville, San Bernardino International
Airport does have cargo logistics.
We only have one commercial airline, which is Breeze, which flies from Provo, Utah to
We do have capacity for charter flights to come in to San Bernardino International Airport
for private passengers.
And at this time, that's what we do have, and we are 25th in the nation for cargo logistics.
Well, I want to catch you.
Member McCallum.
I want to catch up to you.
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
First of all, before I get to my comment,
I wanted to say to Sarah, she's a fellow Wolverine
University of Michigan.
But her family has something to do with Ohio State.
And I just want to say, if I said
I was sorry that Ohio State lost, I would be lying.
Unfortunately, Michigan also didn't do too well, but thank you
Before
I'd like to go back to the CMAK and STBG funds that we
the fact that
31 million of that funding was set aside
To it for programs mostly sport the two 2028 games
Planning and implementation activities
I'm concerned that a significant amount of the funding is being taken off the top for
activities that may not provide long-term regional benefit.
I recognize the need to prepare for the 28 Olympics and other major events, but federal
formula funds should first and foremost support lasting regional mobility improvements.
Historically County Transportation Commission's have not used the STPG CMAQ
funds for administrative costs when we directly manage the program. The current
proposal shifts both decision-making and project funding away from counties
without consultation or concurrence from the CTCs.
Any comments?
Yeah, thank you for bringing that up.
We had spent the last three months talking about this
and I think we will talk about it again
in February at the board.
The set aside, just to back up a little bit,
The reason SCAG got involved in the federal funding
is because we were in violation of federal regulation
in the region.
SCAG had never been involved in federal funding because...
We're all aware of that.
Okay, so as a result of that, we did not,
county commissions have resources
to manage projects anyway.
We don't do that.
And so in the negotiation
and going through the corrective action,
we had to find resources which we could not use
existing SCAG resources for to manage the program.
And so we have enough resources set aside for one person
to manage this program and the consultants.
So that is the bit of the administrative cost.
The 25th set aside which you're referring to
is intended to also create the requirement
that we have regional decision making on the funds.
That's really what the federal government was looking for,
that the money was not sent out.
The money is regional money, the way
the federal government looks at it.
And, ideally, I mean, theoretically,
you could spend all that money in any one county
if that was where the project was.
That's the way the federal government looks at it.
And so for us to be able to demonstrate
a regional perspective in decision making,
We have that set aside to do region-wide projects that do not
go through county commissions.
The bulk of the monies still go through county commissions.
And the decision making is, in fact,
through the county commissions, as you saw in the $1.25 billion
that was approved by the regional council.
All of those projects were sourced
through the county commissions.
And they had a say in what projects came through to SCAG.
And the final decision was made at SCAG,
at the Regional Council.
And most of those projects that were approved
by the Regional Council are consistent
with what priorities came from County Commission.
So the County Commissions have had a fair play
in deciding this.
Not only that, they also had a fair play
in coming up, working with us on the guidelines,
both the program guidelines
and the administrative procedure guidelines.
So, none of those guidelines were developed
in isolation at SCAG.
It's in consultation with the six county commissions
and we're bringing that back to the board in February.
So, that's what I have to say now.
In terms of the expenditure of funds
that are set aside funds that are for the Olympics,
if you look in the framework that we had
before our regional council,
framework that was approved by the Regional Council. The objective, the
primary objective of that framework is to in fact to expand resources on legacy
type activities. And so what we are hoping is the games are an opportunity
for us to accelerate projects across the region to get some things in the ground.
The games are also an opportunity for us to be able to create place-making events that
can then become lasting public spaces that will also be for the rest of time.
So legacy will be had as a result of that.
There is some work that we're doing right now that is directly attached to the games
because we have to do TDM work that we were assigned as part of the Games Manager and
Executive. The TDM work is also looking across the region, not just at the venues. It's looking
across the region with intent that some of those strategies that we come up in the TDM
will also be longer lasting than just the games. So there is a lot of contemplation
in how we make this a region-wide effect, but also a legacy long-lasting effect beyond
of just the games.
So would you support our efforts
on the next federal reauthorization
to put the CMAAT fund decisions back
to the county transportation commissions
rather than at SCAG?
If the SCAG board decides to do that,
then it would be my pleasure to support it.
Thank you for your comments.
Excuse me.
Member Hagman.
Thank you.
I'm putting my SCAG hat on and depending a little bit for those who are saying that we need to do more outreach
This is our outreach about the Olympics and about the things
There's many of the cities that I sit on the board of SCAG that have already been for a last year
Approaching different countries and saying look let us be your host country. We want to use our hotels. We use our parks
We want those things that's not gonna be SCAG's role to do each and every one of ours individual efforts
If you want your airport to be considered you don't gonna have to outreach to these different places be considered
If you want your hotels to be considered and different things that's your job your city staff our county staff job
Our cog staff job to do this
member Skag represents
300 and some odd cities and six counties whatever they're not going to do that for us
so just put that on the radar if you want your city can participate much in Olympics or much of the
discussions as the time you put in to go do that but it's not gonna be Skaggs
Staff's job to go do that for us
Thank you for the comments
Member to Trey. Yeah to add on to Larry's comments on the the
STBG CMAIC funding a
Olympics $30 million. I'm assuming at some point there'll be an RFP to come out request for proposals for projects to
to receive the funding based on the guidelines at some point?
Yeah, as mentioned, we're in this planning stage right now
with the development of the roadmap.
So, you know, we're using models and we're looking
at what the most effective strategies are going to be
and then we're going to, you know,
bring more specific projects back to the board this summer.
So, yeah, so you can have discussion
about are these the things you want to focus on
and what are the legacy benefits of those projects?
And one last thing I know Metrolinx mentioned
and I know Larry and Ellen are bringing it up,
but obviously one of the challenges we're having
on Metrolink, and I'll be trans, I'll throw in there,
and perhaps the other transportation agencies,
there is no funding right now to pay
for additional operations costs for transit,
especially Metrolink.
I'm assuming you're aware of that,
and I don't know if you want to elaborate on that,
but I'm assuming you're aware of it.
Very aware of that, and I mean, we have a budget
that's been put together by the Games Management Executive
that is being in play.
I think there is about, I think it's anywhere between two or two and three billion dollars
that is being shopped around at the federal level right now, and I think there is a reason
to be optimistic.
I tend to be an optimistic person that at some point there will be federal funding that comes
through to fund both the supplemental bus program, which will bring additional buses
into the region, but also MetroLink service, additional MetroLink service, and also improvement
on the state highway system to make sure that we can actually provide a level of service
that's necessary for the Games Route Network to service the officials and the Games representatives
and athletes.
So there are a few budget line items that are there where we have a budget for that
is already, you know, been, I mean, we have meetings, LA28 and several stakeholders have
meetings in Sacramento, in Washington, D.C., last month and the month before, and there
is reason to be optimistic that there will be some federal funding for that.
Okay, thank you.
Thank you.
Member Watmer?
Thank you, Mr. President.
As far as the Metrolink Olympics thing, I serve on the ad hoc for Metrolink in the Olympics.
board is pretty much united in saying that if we don't get the funding we need
we're not going to provide train service to the Olympics. We can't, we as member
agencies can't afford to take on that risk in leasing the train sets and
bringing the crews in. So we've been trying to negotiate a term sheet with
with LA-28. They've already said there's no funding there for us. They won't even
go with us to lobby for money from Washington. We go in there and they
refused to participate in meetings with us. So let's just say that it
relationship between MetroLincoln and LA 28 has not been there and I think
we've all see demonstrated that it's become an LA Olympics it's really not
Southern California Olympics and I'm gonna make the same case it on the
trends as well was that I'm not gonna go out there and give them all our buses
and our operators if we're not going to get reimbursed because remember they're
projecting I don't think they'll get it a billion dollar profit on this thing
and all the money's gonna stay in LA.
So we're gonna put the money out,
we're not gonna get repaid.
But we're trying to negotiate with LA 28,
but so far it's been fruitless,
we're not getting anything out of it.
Thank you for your comments.
Any other board members?
Well, I can see that we're definitely driven by technology,
you know, with the TDM that you're talking about
and the information data hubs that we have to partner with
to get the right data at the right time,
to get the right logistics
for these events that you've spoken of.
Thank you for the presentation.
very good information and we have a long ways to go.
And one other comment a family of mine had used
successfully international flight
in and out of Ontario airport, very satisfied.
So it's another way to get in and out of the country
close by the events, thanks.
Thank you.
Appreciate you being here, thank you very much.
With that, I think that was our last item.
So we'll open it up for any board member comments.
Mr. Chair. Yes.
Oh, Akunera, go right ahead.
I'm so glad you saw me.
I missed that corner every single time.
You know, I know what's going on.
What's going on?
I just like to say people stop calling each other
when we're in these meetings.
They don't have to hear this music.
Thank you.
Yes, Member Herrick, please.
I just actually wanted to acknowledge
and thank Caltrans, Catalano, and the contractor.
Highway 38 is open this week.
We'll be closed next week.
was a big deal because that road was so washed out.
And our thoughts for other members in mountain communities,
including Wright Wood and Lattel Creek,
for their suffering they're going through right now.
Absolutely, thank you for that.
Yes, Member Detroit.
I just wanna, I have a nook of past I serve
as the president of the city selection committee,
along with that, you know, one of my vice president,
but I just wanna announce that an email came out
early this week, we'll have a meeting on the March the 4th,
the city selection committee.
are two organizations turn Europe LAFCO field group who is the permanent rep
Melinda Lenda and of course yourself Rick as the alternate for LAFCO and then for
the city selection committee which is myself and not go to Warren for those
businesses if you're interested in there's an email and then once you're a
city manager or to your city clerk or to the mayor and the deadline just submit
for those positions is February tonight thanks thank you very much for that
important notice to the board. Any other comments from board members? I've seen
none. Executive Director, please, Carrie. I want to thank Komi and Sarah for coming
out and sharing an update with us today and wish you all a very happy 2026.
Excellent, thank you for that. With that, this meeting is adjourned. I don't know if
you ever actually answered Larry's question.