Executive Director's Report

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR STEVE HEMINGER’S REPORT TO THE
COMMISSION MEETING OF JULY 28, 2010

SUMMARY OF EVENTS:

ARB Hearing on SB 375
Sacramento, June 24

The Air Resources Board (ARB) held a hearing for purposes of releasing draft greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets as required by SB 375 (Steinberg). I joined my counterparts from the “Big 4” metropolitan planning organizations in testifying before ARB on the results of our scenario planning work to help inform the target-setting process. A set of principles to guide the region’s advocacy over the next few months is on the Commission agenda today. ARB must adopt final GHG targets by September 30, 2010.

MTI Board of Directors Meeting
San Jose, June 26

I attended the regular board meeting of the Mineta Transportation Institute which is affiliated with San Jose State University and directed by Rod Diridon, Sr., a former chair of the Commission. At the meeting, I was elected vice chair for the next two years.

TransLink® Management Group
Oakland, June 28

We held the last meeting of the body that was created to implement the transit smart card program (now known as Clipper) at the region’s major transit agencies. The regular monthly meetings of this group will henceforth be replaced by a more informal and routine consultation process as we move from the challenge of building the system to operating it and attracting far more customers over the next few years.

BATA Bond Closing
New York, June 29

Following your authorization in April, Brian Mayhew and our banking team have been busy with plans to sell up to $3 billion in new debt by year’s end. The first part of that strategy is now complete with the closing of $1.5 billion in taxable Build America Bonds (BABs) at an all-in cost – net of the federal interest subsidy – of 4.53%. We are now exploring other taxable and tax-exempt options for issuing the remaining amount of debt. An important consideration is the expiration of the BAB program on December 31, 2010, unless Congress passes new legislation to extend that sunset date originally contained in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

Francis Chin Retirement Party
Oakland, June 30

I’d like to thank the many commissioners as well as current and former MTC staffers who helped make our send-off for Francis such a smashing success. He is still lurking around the building, but warns that he will be gone for good by Labor Day.

Toll Hike Takes Effect
July 1

As approved by the Bay Area Toll Authority (BATA) in January, tolls on the seven state-owned bridges increased by $1 for two-axle vehicles, except at the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge where a congestion pricing scheme was implemented under which weekday tolls are $6 during morning and afternoon peak hours and tolls remain at the old $4 rate during off-peak hours. A new 50% discount toll ($2.50) for carpools also was implemented at the same time.

Doyle Drive Inspection Tour
San Francisco, July 6

I joined Senator Barbara Boxer and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom in an inspection tour of the Doyle Drive construction site.

SAS Tower Sections Arrive
Oakland, July 9

The four massive lower legs of the self-anchored suspension (SAS) tower arrived from Shanghai and since been transferred off ship onto construction barges in the Bay. “Tipping up” of the first leg into position at the tower foundation site near Yerba Buena Island is expected to commence later this week.

SAFETEA Authorization Outreach Tour
Washington, DC July 14

The U.S. Department of Transportation held the last in its series of Surface Transportation Reauthorization Outreach Tour events at its headquarters building in Washington. According to Tom Bulger, the general mood at the event was one of resignation that an authorization bill charting a major new course for the federal transportation program is not likely anytime soon. My own opinion is that we may be waiting until after the 2012 Presidential Election until we see the new bill.

CALCOG Directors Meeting
Sacramento, July 19

I attended the regular meeting of the California Council of Governments (CALCOG) Directors Association. We are currently discussing changes to the CALCOG organizational structure that would involve a significant reduction of its advocacy role and a greater focus on information exchange.

OAC Project Advances
Oakland, July 22

The BART Board of Directors has approved a new funding plan for the $480 million Oakland Airport Connector (OAC) project and has reaffirmed its decision to award construction contracts that have been pending since earlier this year when the Commission redirected $70 million in ARRA funds to other transit operators due to unresolved Title VI Civil Rights issues associated with the OAC project. BART also received word last week that the Federal Transit Administration had approved BART’s Title VI analysis of the OAC project.

• Memorandum: Oakland Airport Connector STIP Funding (PDF)

Map of the Month

The map of the month shows the number of Essential Destinations (Schools, Food Stores, Health Services, Social Services, Banks, and Places of Worship) accessible from Bay Area locations within a 30-minute transit trip.

• Essential Destinations Accessible by Transit (PDF)

MTC Operational Statistics

The monthly report on the performance of MTC’s operating programs:

• MTC Operational Statistics (PDF)

Upcoming Events

There are no Commission or Committee meetings in August.