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HomeMy WebLinkAbout112503 CC/PTS Jnt. AgendaIn compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the office of the City Clerk (909) 694-6444. Notification 48 hours prior to a meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to that meeting [28 CFR 35.102.35.104 ADATte I] AGENDA JOINT CITY COUNCIL/PUBLIC TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION AN ADJOURNED REGULAR WORKSHOP CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 43200 BUSINESS PARK DRIVE NOVEMBER 25, 2003 - 6:00 P.M. At approximately 9:45 P.M., the City Council will determine which of the remaining agenda items can be considered and acted upon prior to 10:00 P.M. and may continue all other items on which additional time is required until a future meeting. All meetings are scheduled to end at 11:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Jeff Stone Flag Salute: Mayor Pro Tern Naggar ROLL CALL: Councilmembers Comerchero, Naggar, Pratt, Roberts, Stone Public Traffic Safety Commissioners Katan, Lanier, Ramos, Wedel, and Connerton PUBLIC COMMENTS A total of 30 minutes is provided so members of the public may address the Council/Commission on items that appear within the Consent Calendar or ones that are not listed on the agenda. Speakers are limited to two (2) minutes each. If you desire to speak to the Council/Commission on an item which is listed on the Consent Calendar or a matter no~t listed on the agenda, a pink "Request to Speak" form should be filled out and filed with the City Clerk. When you are called to speak, please come forward and state your name for the record. For all Public Hearing or Council/Commission Business matters on the agenda, a "Request to Speak" form must be filed with the City Clerk prior to the Council/Commission addressing that item. There is a five-minute (5) time limit for individual speakers. CITY COUNCIL/PUBLIC TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION REPORTS Reports by the members of the City Council/Public Traffic Safety Commission on matters not on the agenda will be made at this time. A total, not to exceed, ten (10) minutes will be devoted to these reports. R:~Agenda\112503 1 COUNCIL/COMMISSION BUSINESS 1 Presentation of Tri-Tunnel Concept RECOMMENDATION: 1.1 Discuss this concept. ADJOURNMENT City Council next regular meeting: Tuesday, November 25, 2003, 7:00 P.M., City Council Chambers, 43200 Business Park Drive, Temecula, California. Public Traffic Safety Commission next regular meeting: Thursday, December 11, 2003, 6:00 P.M., City Council Chambers, 43200 Business Park Drive, Temecula, California. R:~Agenda\112503 2 Item No. 1 TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: CITY OFTEMECULA AGENDA REPORT City Manager/City Council Jim O'Grady, Assistant City Manag~''~ November 25, 2003 Presentation of "Tri Tunnel" Concept APPROVAL DIRECTOR OF FINA, J~,~ CITY MANAGER ( ~(',/J RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council discuss this concept. BACKGROUND: At your October 27, 2003 meeting, Mayor Stone requested that the City Council and Public/Traffic Safety Commission meet jointly to hear a presentation by representatives of the "Tri Tunnel" project. This is a project that would provide utility and highway linkages between Riverside and Orange Counties. Attached is information received from Mr. Jack Wagner, regarding the Tri Tunnel project. Recently the Public/Traffic Safety Commission also discussed this matter. Ron Roberts is the current chair of the Riverside County Transportation Commission, and Councilmember Roberts provided the Commissioners some background information as well. Also attached for your consideration is a copy of that material. FISCAL IMPACT: None at this time ATTACHMENT(S): 1) Letter and suppoding material from Jack Wagner 2) Memo and supporting material from Councilmember Roberts One Corporate Park Suite 101 Irvine, CA~92606 Tel. 949-852-0517 Fax 949-852-9582 info~TriTunnelExpress.com October 27, 2003 Susan W. Jones City Clerk City Hail, Temecula 43200 Business Park Drive P.O. Box 9033 Temecula, California 92589-9033 Dear Susan: The purpose of this letter is to provide you with some essential information to assist staff and council members as part of a resolution of support for the TriTunnel adopted by your city council. I am enclosing a copy of the resolution adopted by the City of Mission Viejo, the resolution adopted by the Municipal Water District o f O range County, o ur ? owerpoint presentation handout, a nd our brochure explaining the mobility crises and how the TriTunnel can benefit Orange and Riverside County residents and businesses. We have a 10 minute Powerpoint presentation that we would be pleased to present to your city council in order to receive their support. If you have any questions, call me at 949-852-0517 or email me via the TriTunnel staff at Jackw~bvengineering.com Thank You for all your assistance. Sincerely, ~W~agner '~~ Executive Vice President TRITUNNEL EXPRESS ADVISORY COMMI~I-FF Jerry Amante, Phil Anthony Wes Bannister, Bre Barbre, Peter Edea Dave Eve ett, Ken Hansen, Tom Kenny, Tony Korba, Frank Michelena, Eugene Montanez, John Moorlach, Jim Richards, Bobby Spiegel, Anne S urm B I Vardou s, Jack Wagner, Tom Wilck William Woollett Jr., RESOLUTION NO. XXXXX A RESOLUTION OF THE XXXXXXX SUPPORTING A JOINT TRANSPORTATION AND UTILITY CORRIDOR WHEREAS, Riverside County's economy is one of the most prosperous in America, and the continued success of that economy is dependent on its ability to move people, goods, and services efficiently, and WHEREAS, mobility is vital to the continued quality of life of Riverside County, individual cities, business and residents. WHEREAS, Riverside County's growing population needs water, power, and essential services to survive and prosper, yet there is currently limited access to these essential services, and WHEREAS, the fiscal crisis in the State of California will provide little opportunity for State funding at a meaningful level to provide mobility solutions for Riverside County and Southern California, and WHEREAS many transportation proposals to enhance our mobility have been studied for years, but few, if any, have been accomplished, and WHEREAS, the ability to widen our freeways, or build new freeways, is economically and environmentally unrealistic, and WHEREAS, the jobs and housing imbalance between Orange and Riverside counties has reached the point where, unless something is done to improve mobility between these two communities, the economies and quality of life of both will suffer, and WHEREAS, the mountains in the Cleveland National Forest have been a significant physical barrier and has prevented the efficient movement of goods and services between Orange and Riverside counties, and WHEREAS, a transportation solution is needed that: does not increase traffic congestion nor deteriorate air quality through the Santa Ana Canyon (SR 91 freeway); is economically sound and based on no new taxes; is environmentally acceptable; will not disrupt existing traffic; and must be completed in the shortest possible time, and WHEREAS, a single transportation and utility corridor has been proposed that addresses theses vital concerns and which appears to be environmentally sensitive, capable of moving large numbers of autos, tracks, rail, and utilities to the markets that need them, and WHEREAS that transportation and utility corridor is the "TRITUNNEL EXPRESS" corridor which connects Orange County and Riverside County under the Cleveland National Forest. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the (name of organization) supports the "TRITUNNEL EXPRESS" corridor and requests that all local jurisdictions in Orange and Riverside Counties, all transportation authorities, public utility authorities, and community organizations support the timely study, evaluation, approval, and construction of this new corridor through the Santa Ana Mountains. ADOPTED at a regular meeting of (name of organization) on (date). An important crisis faces everyone in South- ern California. It is a crisis in mobility - the ability to get from one place to another. It will affect not only you as an individual trying to get to or from Orange County and the Inland Empire, but also the goods and services that support life as we know it today. Our elected officials and governmental agen- cies charged with finding solutions have been discussing this local crisis for over 10 years. No consensus exists-as each entity prefers its own solution. It's about avoiding the economic chaos that will surely follow if we choose not to solve the problem that never seems to go away. Southern California business owners will fail economically. Or they will relocate to friendlier environments that attract and satisfy quality workers and improve their bottom line. The vision and leadership of Bill Vardoulis has provided the understanding of this unique connection of elements. He has assembled an impressive steering committee comprised of business leaders, local government officials, and concerned individuals who wil promote and educate the public on the Tunnel benefits. Freight and utilities (water, electricity, oil, and fiber optics) also have a growing need. Truck traffic will grow even faster than commuter traffic in the area. In addition, the develop- merit of airports at Ontario and March AFB Will require good ground access for effective commerce. Why a Tunnel? - Our preliminary analysis shows that a tunnel ~J;:i~¥::i'?~ld'prbvide a more effective an~l efficient '?;~b~iutioti tha i · or building a load ~)ver th~ TriTunnel ExpressTM would n homes or businesses. It would link to adjoin- ing freeways and available capacity routes so that commuters can continue their journey at reasonable speeds. The project, once funded, and backed by the political establishment (lo- cal, county, state, and federal) could be com- pleted in three years. Riverside and Orange County Transportation Gridlock The demand of cars and trucks between the Inland Empire and Orange County will reach 450,000 trips per day on SR-91 by the year 2020. Currently, there is no way to physically accommodate these trips through the Santa Ana Canyon. Studies about increasing capacity between the two counties have existed for years. They include additional rail service, widen- ing the 91 Freeway with no land left, ex- tending toll lanes, building new highways, and even double decking the 91 Freeway. These concepts would divert traffic to fur- ther complicate any sensible solution. Also, the Ortega Hwy route presents problems -costly engineering and enormous environ- mental considerations. Above- nancially and potenLiall billions of would out solutions !RS 'over More Critical Issues · These include the absence of automated highways; the scarcity of innovative ideas; massive funding cuts, and continuing rapid growth. · The jobs to housing imbalance continues unabated. Orange County has plenty of jobs; but affordable housing is limited and expensive. Riverside County is employee-rich, with fewer jobs, yet modestly priced housing is still abundant. · The Santa Aha Mountains, separating the two coun- ties, is a 50-mile barrier, offering little or no opportunity to traverse in an economical, safe, and environmentally- sensitive manner. · Orange County road and rail projects have been put on hold due to statewide $1.8 billion transportation budget funding cuts. · The grid-locked 91 Freeway has physical constraints to prevent it from being widened substantially. Double · ,decking?o~ d odly~ portions of freeway during construction and ultimately merely shift the choke points. Cost to TAXPAYERS would be in the billions, plus put tons of added pollution in the Santa Ana Canyon. · The SR-74 (Ortega Hwy): This is a very dangerous winding road which has grown to unmanageable levels. It would be extremely costly to widen, and it does not lead to employment centers. Environmental challenges would be enormous. · Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) projects 6 million more people by 2030. Plan- ners agree that modest gains against congestion will soon be obliterated. · Current regional demand of 230,000 vehicles per day (on the 91 Fwy) is estimated to double in 2020 to 450,000 vehicles/day of which 60,000 are big trucks. · Governmental think tanks have known about the problem and continue to "study" with no project cur- rently in,,i design~r~ .- )nmental r~w. /. ~-,.'-/" ~ The TriTunnel ExpressTM is a proposed !0-12 mile tunnel 'system' consisting of three 45- foot diameter tunnels under the Santa Aha Mountains. This direct-route tunnel starts slightly south of interstate 15 Freeway 0-15) and Cajalco Road Exit in Riverside County. It extends through the Santa Ana Mountains under the Cleveland National Forest to the interchange of SR-241 and SR-133 in Orange County. It is the BEST alternative to the Riverside Fwy (91) conges- tion. This estimated $3-billion tunnel complex would be privately funded (no new taxes) transporting cars, trucks, trains, utilities and communication services. The Cleveland National Forest is California's smallest national forest and is cut into three pieces, surrounded by the suburbs of River- side, Orange and San Diego counties. The Tun- nel will not intrude on the habitat of moun- tain lions, eagles and other species that roam the sensitive chaparral-covered mountains. It will not harm the Forest with tons of pollution and yet will transport utilities and :;commuters:a day · One Two-Way Commerce Tunnel will carry trucks on conveyors,_ high-speed li§ht rail, and water. The TriTunnel ExpressTM SOLUTION presents enormous benefits to agencies, business and end-users of the tunnel. It is economi- cally and environmentally sound! · No new taxes are required for construction as capital costs are repaid by user fees, util- ity leases and tolls. Improved .mobility promotes economic and community growth. Ventilation scrubbing equipment assures clean air at both tunnel exits. It is a more efficient construction solution, and it costs far LESS than widening exist- ing freeways, double decking the SR-91, or building roads over the mountains. · Commuting is enhanced through one-way traffic separation, trucks on conveyers, and and im Over 1,000,000 vehicle miles/day will travel through the Tunnel free of any emissions. Will not displace existing homes,_ businesses, or wildlife, plus no major land purchases required. TriTunnel Express can be constructed in three years or less, without disrupting existing traffic routes. Tunnel will generate more than $.~00 million income per year from users and utility industries. This project will be managed by a multi-county Joint Powers Agency for environmental and financial operations. · State-of-the art earthquake-sensing and design elements will be apart of construction and design. Heavy truck traffic moves on conveyors eliminating diesel exhaust, subsequent emissions, and avoids auto traffic. Emergency vehicles and personnel will be able to move more rapidly between the counties. Cross-passages located every 1,000 feet and pull-out lanes in each direction promote traffic flow and provide for disabled and emergency vehicles. Roe-Link, Inc., dba Tr~unnel Express · 1 Corporate Park #101, Irvine, CA 92606 Pre-Feasability Study Three years of engineering work have been complet- ed by ROC-Link, Inc. The next stage is to confirm the overall viability of this construction project. A world- renowned group of companies with extensive local and international expertise in projects of this nature 5 has come together comprising Kellogg, Brown & Root, Inc., (KBR) of the US, Halcrow of the UK and Macquarie of Australia. These companies with comprehensive experience in large tunnel and highway projects will ensure that the study find- ings will be of the highest credibility. Fnnding TaNBollars Who would build it? A consortium of private engineering and construction firms would design, build and finance the construction of the TriTunnel Express. Connector roads might be a combination of private and public investments, depending on the final configuration. Estimated Construction Costs Current preliminary cost estimates are in the range of $3.0 to $3.5 billion. This cost would cover three large tunnels and connecting passages at 1,O00-ft intervals. Costs have been validated by well-known engineering and financial entities including Macquarie of Sydney, Australia. Macquarie is a global investment banking organization managing the world's largest portfolio of private toll roads. They offer expertise in financing and financial analysis of toll road investments worldwide. Simply put, if it can not pay for itself through user fees, it won't be built. Fast Track Update Since We Went to Press Congressmen Chris Cox (R-Newport Beach) and Ken Calvert (R-Corona) are lobbying for $50 million in federal transportation funds to support a feasibility study of a new corridor to link Orange and Riverside counties. The lawmakers support is boosting momentum for the Tri-Tunnel project. Cox said, "The 91 Free- way is a bottleneck and completely inadequate to serve as the only artery between the Inland Empire and Orange County:' OCTA Chairman Tim Keenan said, "These are two heavy players. This is significant:' It's time to quit talking and get on the TriTunnel Express! Support and Endorsements In October 2002, the Board of the Metropolitan Water District of Orange County unanimously endorsed this project. The Irvine Chamber of Commerce and many other local communities are supporting the TriTunnel proposal. Over the last three years, it has been featured in many major newspapers and presentations have been made to over 80 local civic and community organizations. 6 wmv. TriTunnelExpress.com #nncingn#d Ed#c# on Financing can come from companies, the sale of bonds to investors, tolls, and fees paid by utilities and oil companies. Given the current political environment and budgetary State and Federal transportation cuts, the TriTunnel Express provides economic solutions that make common sense in trou- bled times. Orange County is on the brink of a major economic crisis where the jobs- to-housing imbalance and lack of regional infrastructure will cause the exodus of major businesses. In addition, electricity generated by the flow of water from Riverside to Orange County through the tunnel is three times that required to operate the power needs of environmental, truck and rail operations within the tunnel. The TriTunnel Express will help accommo- date the region's growth and give both Riv- erside and Orange County the second link they has always sought without disturbing the Cleveland National Forest. There is a tremendous need to educate the public and politicians about the problem and this solution. Financial help is needed in this vitally important pursuit and getting it completed on a fast track! TnTunnel ExpressTM Longitudinal Section Showing Geotechnical Conditions Elevation in Feet 4OOO 3000 !;~.,:: ::,: : WES1 2000 80-Ft Vent Shaft~ - 80-Ft Vent Shaft 0 2 4 6 8 Distance in Miles 10 12 14 Roc-Link, Inc, dba TnTun riel ~press · 1 Con, orate Park #~01, IMne, CA 92606 Your voice is urgently needed to bring aware- ness of this mobility crisis and the RIGHT SOLUTION to key decision-makers! Californians can affect transportation decisions for a bet- ter future. Contacting public agencies which influence these decisions on transportation improvements can have a major impact on the success of this important project! PLEASE write the following agencies stating that the 'TriTunnel Express connecting River- side and Orange Counties is the most finan- cially viable and environmentally sensitive solution to the mobility crisis. It will reduce congestion, provide jobs, enhance safety, improve air quality, provide needed infra- structure services and save the Cleveland National Forest." · U.S. Dept. of Transportation: www. dot.gov · CA Dept. of Transportation: www.dot.ca.gov · CA Transportation Commission: www. catc. gov · Southern Calif. Assn. of Governments: www. scag.ca.gov · OC Transportation Authority (OCTA): www.octa.net · San Bernardino Associated Governments: www. sanbag.ca.gov · Riverside County Transportation Commission: www. rctc.org Help Get Our Counties Moving! ROC-Link, Inc. dba TriTunnel Express One Corporate Park, Suite 101 · Irvine, CA 92606 T: 949.852.0517 · F: 949.852.9582 email: info@TriTunnelExpress.com Designed by TeamWay Mai ketin§ · www.teamway, com 8 Bill Vardoulis is the recent recipient of the TCA 2002 "Visionary Award" for his enduring efforts to promote mobility in our region. Vardoulis' three-year study and concept of a tunnel was recognized as the best mobil- ity solution to the congestion crisis. He has a 30-year history of public service and holds two masters degrees (Business Administration; Engineering). As a former transportation commissioner, councilman, and Mayor of the City of Irvine, CA, he has been politically active in helping solve transportation, infrastructure and eco- nomic problems. He has presented the Tunnel concept to over 1OO government, civic, industry and private en- terprise throughout the region, receiving a rapidly grow- ing list of supporters and endorsements. Mr. Vardoulis is President and CEO of BV Engineering of Irvine, CA. This nonprofit corporation, ROC-Link, Inc., was created to advocate a multi-purpose tunnel between the two counties. cc: Council TO: TEMECULA PUBLIC/TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION FROM: RON ROBERTS, COUNCILMEMBER SUB: AGENDA ITEM #4 - TRI-TUNNEL EXPRESS I understand that the Tri-Tunnel Express issue will be discussed again by your Commission leading to a possible joint workshop with the City Council to hear Mr. Vardolus give his Tri-Tunnel Express presentation. I'm sorry I cannot be at the meeting due to a previous scheduled meeting in Los Angeles; however, as the Chairman of Riverside County Transportation Commission, I would like to make you aware of some important information regarding this issue. Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) and Orange County Transportation Agency (OCTA) through it's SR91 Advisory Committee composed of $ voting members from each transportation agencies and 3 non-voting members from SANBAG and CalTrans have already funded a $3.3 million Major Investment Study (MIS) for the corridor study. The MIS will study various transportation alternatives for improving interregional travel between Riverside and Orange counties. The study will take approx. 18 months to complete. The study area will extend approx. 25 miles along the Santa Aha Mountains and the Cleveland National Forest. The cost for the corridor is estima be b.etw.e, en 1.3 B for an elevated 4 lane faciliSv =,~; .... · ,_ ~. ...... ted_to an 11 m,le tunnel through the Cleveland Natio'~l"~i RCTC, OCTA and the SR91 Advisory Committee have heard the Vardolus presentation. They were all receive and file agenda items with no follow-up requested. There were some heated discussions at the RCTC presentation regarding Vardolus giving his many presentations with a designated map route before the study has even began, especially major development on the Riverside County side. a route through a new Mr. Vardolus does not represent any public agency, only his own private consulting firm. His statements that his project will be all private funding are not backed by facts and would be the first truly privately funded three plus billion dollar transportation project in history. His complaint that the Transportation Agencies are going too slow does not hold water. This is a massive project that requires a full Major Investment Study to ever get through the engineering issues, environmental approvals and secure funding for the project. ~ou 05 03 08:58p po3 I hope this information more fully explains the process RCTC and OCTA will be following to be successful in building a second corridor between Riverside and Orange County, Ron Roberts Nqv. 05 03 06:58p p.~ General Information/Chronology on Orange County-Riverside County Major Investment Study (MIS) · Assembly Bill 1010 (Correa) was signed by Governor Davis in September 2002. · The authorizing legislation created an advisory committee (SR91 Advisory Committee) composed of 5 voting members each from the boards of the OCTA and the RCTC and 3 nonvoting members from SANBAG and Caltrans. · The first meeting of the SR91 Advisory Committee was held on February 7, 2003. On July 28, 2003 the RCTC approved development of a Cooperative Agreement between the OCTA and RCTC for the initiation of the MIS. On July 28, 2003 the RCTC approved the use of $1.5 M of Surface Transportation Program funds as RCTC's share towards the MIS. These funds have been obligated (10/24/03) through great assistance from Caltrans. The MIS will have a total budget of $3.3M. $1.5M from OCTA, $1.5M from RCTC and $300,000 from the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency (TCA). OCTA will hold the contract for the MIS. The RFP for the MiS is expected to be released in mid-November 2003. Bids will be due December 22, 2003. Interviews will be held in mid-January with a recommendation on a consultant contract to the OCTA Committee mid- February 2004. MIS will study various transportation alternatives for improving interregional travel between Riverside and Orange Counties. The study is expected to take 18 months to complete. The program of projects and locally preferred strategy emerging from the MIS would then move to a project-level environmental process for the selected improvements. It is estimated that a new corridor between Orange County and Riverside County could cost between $1.3B for an elevated 4 lane facility adjacent to SR91 to $3-6B for an 11 mile tunnel through the Cleveland National Forest. Various alternatives will be considered for a study area which extends approximately 25 miles along the Santa Ana Mountains and the Cleveland National Forest. The distance from SR71to SR55 on the SR91 is approximately 12 miles long SR91 currently carries around 250,000 vehicles per day. Estimates for 2020 shows a growth to about 450,000 cars per day.