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Action Alert: Support a More #Sustainable710 - Metro Board to Vote on $500+ MILLION in Local Mobility Projects 9/26/19

9/24/2019

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At its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, September 26th, the Metro Board of Directors will consider authorizing over half-a-billion in funding to local roadway projects. 

Over a dozen community organizations, neighborhood groups, and other key stakeholders have submitted a joint comment letter (also viewable below) urging the Metro board to support more sustainable, multi-modal transportation projects for the San Gabriel Valley cities within the SR-710 corridor. 

With $500 MILLION in very flexible funding on the table, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for local communities to fund 21st century mobility improvements. 

Take Action!

There are a few ways you can take action to support a more #Sustainable710!

1) Attend the Metro Board Meeting on 9/26 and provide Public Comment in person
  • What: Metro Board of Directors Meeting: Meeting agenda (Item #9)
  • When: Thursday, September 26 (10am) 
  • Where: One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012, 3rd Floor, Metro Board Room
  • How: Sign in via the computers in the entryway upon arrival, and request to speak on Item #9 on the agenda. Each speaker receives 1 minute of time.
  • Board Report - includes City submitted project lists and project descriptions.  
  • Please note it is unclear when Item 9 will be heard, but the Board Room does offer free wifi and there's a cafeteria across the hall! 

2) Email Metro Board Member Kathryn Barger 
Due to the provincial nature of Los Angeles County transportation politics, Metro Board Members are largely deferential to colleagues who represent areas where sub-regional projects will take place. In this particular case, Board Member and LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger is the primary representative for the SGV cities, and thus is in the proverbial driving seat with regards to project selection. You can reach her and her transportation staff at the below addresses. A sample email can also be found below. 
  • kbarger@lacbos.org
  • DPerry@bos.lacounty.gov

Template Email (please personalize)

Dear Supervisor Barger and staff,

As a constituent concerned about [the health of my neighborhood; the safety of our streets for people of all ages; reducing the number one source of greenhouse gas emissions in California -- vehicle emissions; etc), I urge you to support more sustainable mobility projects for the San Gabriel Valley. 


The reallocation of another $500 million in SR-710 North funding is a historic opportunity to move our region towards a more healthy, sustainable future. For the past six decades we have focused almost all our transportation spending and investment on moving more vehicles faster, to the detriment of public health, public safety, and our environment. 

Given this historic opportunity to fund multi-benefit projects, I ask you to please provide San Gabriel Valley cities eligible for SR-710 funding additional time to submit sustainable mobility projects for consideration, and direct Metro staff to select a more balanced portfolio of mobility projects.
 San Gabriel Valley residents deserve a chance to benefit from multi-modal improvements similar to the ones recommended for LA City and LA County.

Sincerely,

NAME

EXAMPLES OF UNFUNDED, MULTI-MODAL PROJECTS FOR SGV CITIES
  • Alhambra
    • Metro Gold Line Shuttle - $750,000
    • Bike Plan Implementation Project [Citywide] - $650,000
  • San Gabriel
    • Transit Service to Light Rail - $500,000 
    • Local Circulator Bus Service - $1,000,000 
    • First-mile/last mile improvements - $2,000,000
    • Valley Boulevard Corridor Bus Rapid Transit [BRT]-  $59,100,000
    • Multimodal Transit Center and Parking Structure - $24,000,000
    • Citywide Bicycle Facilities - $35,000,000
  • South Pasadena
    • Regional Traffic Corridor Improvements (supporting bicycle and pedestrian safety components) - $10,000,000 
    • Neighborhood Traffic Safety Program - $5,000,000
  • Pasadena
    • Pasadena Avenue/St. Johns Avenue Complete Streets - $15,000,000
    • Allen Avenue Complete Streets - $1,500,000 
    • Hill Avenue Complete Streets - $1,500,000
    • Avenue 64 Complete Streets - $2,000,000
    • Rapid Bus Improvements - $10,000,000
    • Student Transit Passes - $200,000
    • Electric Transit Vehicles - $28,000,000
    • Bicycle Transportation Action Plan Projects - $5,000,000
    • The Arroyo Link - Multi-Use Path - $2,000,000
    • Mobility Hubs - $10,000,000

3) Encourage Board Member Barger to Support a More #Sustainable710 on Social Media 
​
You can reach her via the below platforms. Please include #Sustainable710
  • Twitter - @kathrynbarger
  • Facebook - Supervisor Kathryn Barger (@supervisorbarger)
  • Instagram - Supervisor Kathryn Barger

Project Background

In Spring 2017 the Metro Board of Directors unanimously voted to shelve its support for tunnel option for the 710-N corridor project. The landmark vote was the latest chapter in over 40 years of struggle over the proposed freeway extension through the communities of El Sereno, Alhambra, South Pasadena, and Pasadena. The motion by Directors Fasana, Barger, Solis, Garcetti, and Najarian encouraged Metro, Caltrans, and the corridor cities to:

 “pursue policies and actions that would promote smart and functional land use, reduce automobile dependency, encourage multi-modal trips, improve traffic operations, and maximize the use of the latest available technologies to enhance performance of the existing transportation system to minimize impacts of the regional traffic on the communities along the SR-710 corridor.” 

The motion also directed staff to redirect almost $1 BILLION in Measure R and other funding originally set-aside for the freeway to local mobility projects within the project corridor, to be split up and redirected as follows:
  • $105 million for “Transportation Systems Management / Transportation Demand  Management (TSM/TDM)” projects
  • $900+ million in remaining funding for to-be-determined local transportation improvements
This directive set off a process we wrote about in Fall 2017 in which project area communities were asked to submit local project ideas of two primary types:
  1. Projects to increase automobile traffic throughput (e.g. signal optimization, turn lanes, wider streets)
  2. Projects to reduce driving or replace car trips (e.g. increased/improved transit service, new pedestrian/bicycle facilities, alternative travel incentives)
 
Project Area Vehicle Traffic 
Ostensibly all this funding for local mobility improvements would be geared at mitigating regional traffic. However, per Metro's own detailed analysis, only 13.7% of peak PM traffic in the project area is regional (i.e. moves between the I-10 and I-210/I-134 freeways). Over 86% of auto trips along major arterials such as Atlantic, Rosemead, and Garfield in the corridor are thus
 local in nature (Source: DEIR Transportation Technical Report, Table 4-9, page 4-18). Many of these trips are also less than 3 miles long, distances which can be covered by transit and active modes with relative ease, conditions permitting. According to the Southern California Association of Governments, approximately 20% of work trips, and 40% of non-work trips, in southern California are under 3 miles.
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Source: Southern CA Association of Governments
Round 1 Funding (December 2018)
At its December 6, 2018 meeting, the Metro Board approved over $500+ million in funding for projects that will increase automobile dependency, discourage multi-modal trips, and further entrench auto-centric land-use. With the exception of the $100 million allocated for stub redesign in the City of Alhambra, the selected projects focused on moving vehicles faster, an approach that will result in more vehicle miles traveled (VMT), more localized air pollution, more greenhouse gas emissions, and more preventable traffic collisions and deaths. See StreetsblogLA coverage of that decision here. At the time, Metro staff and board members stated Round 2 funds would be focused on multi-modal projects. ​

Round 2 Funding - Staff Recommendations

For LA City and County project area residents, the draft project list includes a variety of transit, active transit, and multi-modal projects designed to reduce vehicle trips. This is laudable and the direction Los Angeles County needs to move in to successfully address existing health, environmental, and equity issues. These projects are also largely consistent with board adopted Complete Streets, Equity, and Sustainability policies. 
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Yet for San Gabriel Valley residents, staff recommendations do not include a single transit, active transportation, or other demand management project to support reducing vehicle trips. Recommended projects for the San Gabriel Valley are singularly focused on enhancing vehicle capacity, to the detriment of public health, public safety, greenhouse gas emissions, and the region’s worst-in-nation air quality. 
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No longer a highway project, the SR 710-N reallocation must consider the needs and safety of all roadway users, including older adults, children, and mobility-impaired residents who walk along and walk across streets selected for auto improvements -- not for recreation, but transportation -- to access local schools, community sites, and businesses. The vast majority of Round 1 and 2 San Gabriel Valley projects are designed to move cars versus people via “improvements” that will make streets more difficult to cross by foot. Unless mitigated with best practices in safe design, this will result in more serious injuries and deaths at a time when such preventable collisions are on the rise across Los Angeles County; traffic crashes are the number one cause of premature death in Los Angeles County for children aged 5-14, and number two cause for children 1-4, young adults 15-24, and adults 25-44 (Source: Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Mortality in Los Angeles County).

At the Metro Planning and Programming Committee meeting on September 18th, 2019, Metro staff stated that eligible cities were invited to submit a wide range of project types, including transit, active transportation, and rehab/safety projects. Yet over the past nine months city staff from multiple San Gabriel Valley communities have shared that Metro staff members declined requests to integrate safety measures and pedestrian, bicycle, and transit improvements to corridor projects, even in cases when the latter would have no impact on vehicle throughput. Due to the inconsistency between the original board motion, project submission directions, and project selection process, the Cities of Alhambra, Pasadena, and South Pasadena submitted a joint letter to Metro on March 26, 2019 requesting clarification on this matter. Six months later every San Gabriel Valley request for multi-modal project funding -- including but not limited to Bus Rapid Transit, first/last mile improvements, and Gold Line shuttle service -- was unjustifiably rejected by Metro staff.
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#Sustainable710 Group Letter

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Get Active: Call Your Legislator!

9/3/2019

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Many of us lead busy lives, and it's tough to keep up with all the decision-making being made in our names. The team at ActiveSGV is thus committed to making SGV residents aware of opportunities to support a more sustainable San Gabriel Valley.

One of the most impactful and time-efficient ways you can make your voice heard is by calling your state legislators. These calls generally take 2 minutes or less, as legislative staff only want to tally community support/opposition to bills, and confirm your residency within the district. 

To be adopted, bills must be approved by both houses of the legislature, and then be signed by the Governor. 

If you've never called your State Senator or Assembly Member before, we have included a sample script below, as well as a brief summary of each bill ActiveSGV has taken a formal stance on.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to us for more info!

Pending, ActiveSGV-supported Bills

The following bills are still making their way through the CA legislature and in need of support!
​​
  • SUPPORT - SB 54 / AB 1080 - Plastic Pollution Reduction Act - Would set CA on a path to phase out single-use, non-recyclable plastics that are now more than ever ending up in our landfills, waterways, and open spaces. Strongly endorsed by environmental partners across the state. As of 8/26/19, this bill has passed the Senate and moved to the Assembly. Bill info here.
  • SUPPORT - SB 127 - Complete Streets for Active Living Bill - Would require Caltrans to improve the safety of people walking, biking, and taking transit when they repair or repave state routes in urban areas and along main streets in more rural communities. Strongly endorsed by Cal Bike, AARP, American Heart Association, and other partners. As of 8/26/19, this bill has passed the Senate and is on "suspense" in the Assembly. Bill info here. Also see Streetsblog CA coverage here.
  • SUPPORT - SB 742 - Thru-Way Buses - Would allow the public to purchase tickets on Amtrak Thru-Way buses without having to purchase a rail ticket at the same time. As of 8/26/19, SB 742 has unanimously passed the Senate and two committees in the Assembly. Bill info here.
  • SUPPORT - ACA 8 - Elections: Vote by 17 - Would lower the age of voting to 17 in California. As of 8/26/19, ACA 8 has passed the Senate and moved to the Assembly floor. Bill info here.
  • SUPPORT - AB 29 - 710 Freeway - Removes portion of 710 freeway between the 10 and 210 freeways from the California Freeway and Expressway System. As of 8/26/19, this bill is in Senate Appropriations Committee. Bill info here.
  • SUPPORT - AB 857 - Public Banking - Would legalize public banking in California, creating lower-cost, more ethical banking options for cities and counties. Unfortunately most major financial institutions in the United States continue to lobby against consumer protections, charge high rates, and fund massive fossil fuel projects. Public banks would be akin to local credit unions, but for Cities/Counties. As of 8/26/19, AB 857 narrowly passed the Assembly and is on 'suspense' in the Senate Appropriations Committee. Bill info here.​
  • SUPPORT - AB 1788 - CA Ecosystems Protection Act - Would prohibit the use of over-the-counter poisons (anti-coagulants) that easily move up the food chain, killing wildlife and pets, including bobcats, predatory birds, and mountain lions in the San Gabriel Valley. As of 5/31/19, AB 1788 has passed the Assembly and has moved to the Senate. Bill info here.

Sample Call Script

Hello my name is___________ and I'm calling today as a local constituent from the City of _______ to urge my representative to support the following bills:
                [Share which bills you support here, such as:]

  • SB 127 (support) - Complete Streets for Active Living 
  • SB 54 - AB 1080 (support) - Plastic Pollution Reduction Act 
  • AB 857 (support) - Public Banking
  • etc.

[Staff may ask you for your home address to verify you live in the District.]

Thank you and good day!

SGV Area State Legislator Numbers

Unsure who your rep is? Find out here.
Once you know yours, we strongly recommend saving their numbers on your phone to make any future calls even easier.
  • Sen. Anthony Portantino: (916) 651-4025 - district includes the SGV cities and communities of Pasadena, Altadena, La Cañada Flintridge, South Pasadena, San Marino, Sierra Madre, Monrovia, Duarte, Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne, and Claremont.
  • Assm. Chris Holden: (916) 319-2041 - district includes the SGV cities of Pasadena, South Pasadena, Altadena, Sierra Madre, Monrovia, San Dimas, and La Verne.
  • Sen. Susan Rubio: (626) 430-2499 - district includes the SGV cities of Alhambra, Arcadia, Azusa, Baldwin Park, Covina, El Monte, Industry, Irwindale, La Puente, Monterey Park, San Gabriel, Rosemead, South El Monte, Temple City and West Covina as well as the unincorporated communities of Avocado Heights, Charter Oak, Citrus, East Pasadena, East San Gabriel, Mayflower Village, North El Monte, South Monrovia Island, South San Gabriel, South San Jose Hills, Valinda, Vincent and West Puente Valley.
  • Assm. Blanca Rubio: (916) 319-2048 - district includes the SGV cities of Azusa, Baldwin Park, Covina, Duarte, El Monte, Glendora, and West Covina.
  • Assm. Ed Chau: (916) 319- 2049 - district includes the SGV cities of Alhambra, Arcadia, Monterey Park, San Marino, San Gabriel, Rosemead, and Temple City.
  • Sen. Bob Archuleta: (916) 651-4032 - district includes the SGV communities of Montebello and Hacienda Heights.
  • Assm. Ian Calderon: (916) 319-2057 - district includes the SGV communities of South El Monte, La Puente, and Hacienda Heights.

Bill Checker: Pending, Adopted, Shelved Bills

[AWAITING GOVERNOR'S SIGNATURE]
​Call the Governor's office at 916-445-2841 to help carry these bills over the line! 
  • SUPPORT - SB 400 - E-bike Eligibility - Would make e-bikes eligible for state zero-emission vehicle rebates. As of 8/26/19, SB 400 has unanimously passed the Senate and passed the Assembly floor. Awaiting Governor's signature. Bill info here. ​​

[ADOPTED BILLS]
  • PASSED! - SB 307 - Protect Desert Wildlife from Cadiz Water Project - Would protect sensitive wildlife habitat in the high desert from an unsustainable water project. Strongly supported by our environmental partners including the Nature for All Coalition. SB 307 passed both the Senate and Assembly, and was signed by the Governor on 7/31/19! Bill info here.​

[PUNTED to 2020]
Sometimes legislative authors elect to put their bills on a two-year track, to buy themselves more time to garner support.
  • SUPPORT - SB 347 - Soda Warning Labels - Would require science-based labeling underlining the link between sugary-sweetened beverages and diabetes, obesity, and other chronic illnesses. Strongly supported by our public health partners including American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association. As of 8/26/19, SB 347 passed the Senate and is now on a two-year track, due to significant soda industry opposition. Bill info here. 


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  • HOME
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  • ABOUT
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