SR 11-01-2016 3B
Ci ty Council
Report
City Council Meeting : November 1, 2016
Agenda Item: 3.B
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Susan Cline, Director , Public Works, Civil Engineering
Subject: Memorandum of Understanding with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan
Transportation Authority for Operation and Maintenance of a Light Rail Transit
System wi thin the City of Santa Monica
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Los Angeles County
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) regar ding operation and maintenance of
the light rail system within City boundaries .
Executive Summary
On May 20, 2016, Metro opened its Expo line for passenger service, connecting
Downtown Los Angeles to Downtown Santa Mon ica. Staff is seeking Council
authori zation to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Metro regarding
operation and maintenance of the light rail system within City boundaries.
New improvements, related to rail service, have been constructed for both City and
Metro uses. Such infrast ructure will be maintained by either the City or Metro.
Therefore, staff recommends a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and all other
appropriate agreements with Metro to distinguish and identify the responsibility for
maintenance and operations of exclus ive infrastructure within City boundaries. The
MOU would ensure that the City can continue its daily activities adjacent to the new rail
line and that the future train operations and maintenance meet the needs of both the
City of Santa Monica and Metro inf rastructure.
Background
The Expo Line connect s Downtown Los Angeles to Downtown Santa Monica. The
three stops in Santa Monica are at the 26 th Street/Bergamot Station,
Colorado/17 th Street/SMC Station, and the Downtown Santa Monica Station. The
Construct ion Authority has completed construction of Expo Line and turned it over to
Metro for operation . Metro opened the line for passenger service on May 20, 2016.
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On September 13, 2011 , Council approved an ordinance that authorized a Master
Cooperative Agreem ent (Cooperative Agreement) with the Exposition Metro Line
Construction Authority (Construction Authority), per Attachment A . The Cooperative
Agreement sets the respective duties of each party and also establishes the parameters
on how each of the parties will interact in the construction of Phase 2. To date, the
Cooperative Agreement has proven to be effective in facilitating completion of
construction within the City.
On May 27, 2014 (Attachment B ), Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) and
the Exposition Metro Line Construction Authority (Construction Authority) regarding train
operation on City streets.
On June 11, 2013 (Attachment C ), Council approved a Bikewa y License Agreement
with Metro. The bikeway is located within the Metro -owned Exposition right -of -way
adjacent to the Exposition Phase 2 Light Rail and includes 1.3 miles within the City of
Santa Monica. The agreement allowed Metro to grant the City a non -exclusive license
for the use, operation, alteration, maintenance, security, reconstruction and/or removal
of the Bikeway. The City is to perform annual maintenance of the bikepath which
includes landscape, sweeping, hardscape repairs, electricity costs, paving, signage, and
striping maintenance. The bikeway is constructed within the City and was opened on
May 20, 2016.
Discussion
City staff has been working with the Construction Authority, the Design Builder and
Metro over the past six years to complet e the light rail design and construction within
the City boundaries. City staff have reviewed and approved numerous design packages
for City infrastructure adjacent to the light rail. In addition , City staff participated in
reviews of newly constructed Met ro facilities within the City.
There are new and existing maintenance responsibilities due to the light rail
construction for both Metro and the City. The proposed MOU sets forth in detail each
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party’s understanding of the mutual maintenance and repair responsibilities that impact,
or may be impacted by operation of the rail lines within the City.
Metro Maintenance Responsibilities
Metro would be responsible for maintenance, repair, and reconstruction of its rail
facilities, including tracks, rail sta tions, tactile warning strips, vehicular and pedestrian
gates (both arm and swing), regulatory and operational signs within Metro right -of -way,
train detector loops and conduits, low voltage communications between train loops and
City’s traffic signal cont roller cabinet, fencing and landscaping along the Metro right -of -
way.
City Maintenance Responsibilities
In accordance with applicable law and City policy and practice, the City would be
responsible for maintenance, repair and reconstruction of City f acili ties, including curbs,
gutters and sidewalks, streets, and of City -controlled sidewalk areas adjacent to the
light rail (excluding any Metro Structure as well as pavement or other types of walking or
rail crossing driving surfaces between tracks), City str eetlights, related circuits , and
other equipment within the City right -of -way and adjacent to the light rail.
Metro Track Allocation
The City would be responsible for obtaining Track Allocation permits from Metro prior to
performing any non -routine maint enance or repair work that may intrude into Metro
tracks as required in the MOU. The City would not be required to obtain a Track
Allocation permit for the routine operations of the City, including its normal and
customary operations and maintenance upon t he public right of way or other City owned
or controlled property, as well as trash pickup, street and sidewalk maintenance.
Emergency work w ould also be excluded from the Tra ck Allocation permit process. If
emergency maintenance or repair work is required , the City w ould notify Metro as soon
as possible with as much notice as is reasonably practical under the circumstances.
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Training
Metro would provide training and instruction to key City personnel and contractors, as
appropriate , for safety related pu rposes.
Permits
The City would advise third parties that perform work within or adjacent to Metro’s rail
line that the work may require Metro to give its written permission as to time, place , and
manner of such work , and may be subject to Metro’s Track A llocation permit process.
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
There is no immediate financial impact or budget action necessary as a result of
recommended action. Costs associated with City Maintenance Responsibilities are
included in the FY 2016 -17 Adopt ed B udget . Budget authority for subsequent years will
be requested in each budget cycle for Council approval. Costs associated with Metro
Maintenance Responsibilities will be paid by Metro.
Prepared By: Alex Nazarchuk, Principal Civil Engineer
Approved
Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. September 13, 2011 Staff Report
B. May 27, 2014 Staff Report
C. June 11, 2013 Staff Report