ST Board Approves 2017 Budget, Lege Program, SIP, TIP, and Northgate Station Land Deal
The Sound Transit Board of Directors met Thursday afternoon to conduct monthly business, and approve four annual documents.
The Board adopted the 2017 Service Implementation Plan, and authorized the CEO to implement recommended service changes in 2017. Zach detailed the service additions last month. Board Member Rob Johnson pointed out public comments calling for late night Link service or similar bus service. CEO Peter Rogoff responded that that is something that could be looked into for the future.
The Board approved the $1.6 billion 2017 Budget and Transit Improvement Plan. At the time the proposed 2017 budget and Transit Improvement Plan were released, voters had not had their say yet on Regional Proposition 1 (Sound Transit 3). The two documents therefore had to prepare for both a win scenario and a lose scenario. The passage of Regional Proposition 1 enabled a substantial increase in projected revenue for next year.
The final budget includes:
$396 million for operations and maintenance
$394 million for East Link construction
$294 million for Northgate Link construction
$116 million for Lynnwood Link final design work
$100 million for a design-build contract for the East Link base
$59 million for more light rail vehicles
$38 million to complete the new Tacoma Trestle
$24 million to complete the I-90 2-way transit & HOV project
$20 million to finish the second track to Lakewood Station and add cars for the final 2 round trips
$14 million for preliminary engineering for downtown Redmond Link
$14 million for five new compressed natural gas buses and four new double-talls
$10 million for final design of the Tacoma Link extension
$6 million to complete the environmental review process for Federal Way Link
$1 million for conceptual design work for Auburn and Kent Station access improvements
The Board adopted its State Legislative Program for 2017. Chairman Constantine summarized, "The object is to support things that help Sound Transit and oppose things that hurt Sound Transit."
The Board authorized an agreement with King County over property usage around Northgate Station, including acquisition of property and temporary construction easements from King County; construction of transit facility improvements for King County Metro including bus passenger shelters, communication system improvements, bus roadway and signal improvements, van service facilities, and bus layover facilities; design and construction management services needed to complete King County Metro facilities; parking replacement for displaced park & ride lot stalls during station construction; and transfer of the parking garage lease (J. C. Penney's garage) from King County to Sound Transit in 2021. Sound Transit will pay Metro $6,380,000 for property and easements valued at $10,200,000. A few board members enquired whether King County or Sound Transit was getting the better part of the deal. Chairman Constantine quipped, "You're getting the friends and family discount."
The Board authorized a Permit and Project Review Reimbursement Agreement with the City of Mountlake Terrace for the Lynnwood Link Extension in the amount of $903,586, with a 10% contingency of $90,359, for a total authorized agreement amount not to exceed $993,945. The agreement provides for design review services by the City of Mountlake Terrace staff, including the hiring of an additional city staff person to perform project coordination of Sound Transit design submittals and review comments provided by city departments, and procurement of a consultant team to perform engineering support during city reviews of Sound Transit final design.
The Board authorized a contract with the Hallcon Corporation to provide Station Agent Program services at all Sounder stations, and some special event staffing at Link stations, in the amount of $5,645,371, with a 10% contingency of $564,537, for a total authorized contract amount not to exceed $6,209,908 to cover five years of service. The contract has a base period of two years and then three one-year options.
The Board authorized a contract amendment with Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc. to provide locomotive overhaul services in the amount of $1,100,000, for a total authorized contract amount not to exceed $19,488,764. This will upgrade the last three Sounder locomotives to the EPA Tier 3 standard, using an FTA grant, yielding better fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.
The Board approved a 60-day extension to the deadline for a developer to complete its due diligence in relation to planned transit-oriented development on land currently owned by Sound Transit around Capitol Hill Station.
The Board gave CEO Peter Rogoff his annual performance review. He received a rating of "Excellent", one step below the top level of "Outstanding", which, under his employment contract, entitles him to a bonus equal to 7.5% of his annual salary.