January 7, 1999 PD-2

The Honorable Board of Supervisors
County of Los Angeles
383 Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration
500 West Temple Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Dear Supervisors:

LONG BEACH EAST-WEST BUS SPEED IMPROVEMENT CORRIDOR
PROPOSED CITY OF LONG BEACH-COUNTY COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT
SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICT 4
3 VOTES

IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOUR BOARD:

Approve and instruct the Chairman to sign the cooperative agreement with the City of Long Beach for a project to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion along the Long Beach East-West Bus Speed Improvement Corridor. The agreement provides for the City to administer the construction of the project, with the County to finance 13 percent of the project costs, up to a maximum County contribution of $765,000.

PURPOSE OF RECOMMENDED ACTION

The County and the City of Long Beach propose to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion along the Long Beach East-West Bus Speed Improvement Corridor, which is entirely within the City of Long Beach.

Your Board's approval of the enclosed agreement is necessary for the delegation of responsibilities and the cooperative financing of the project.

JUSTIFICATION

Sections 1685 and 1803 of the California Streets and Highways Code provide that the board of supervisors of any county may enter into contracts or agreements with the legislative body of any city for the purposes of more efficient construction or repair of streets and roads within the city. This proposal is also authorized and provided for by the provisions of Title 1, Division 7, Chapter 5, Article 1, of the Government Code.
The Honorable Board of Supervisors
January 7, 1999
Page 2

FISCAL IMPACT

The total project cost is estimated to be $5,890,000 with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (MTA) share being $5,125,000 and the County's share being $765,000.

FINANCING

Funding for this project is included in the 1998-99 Proposition C Local Return Fund Budget.

FACTS AND PROVISIONS/LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

The enclosed agreement provides for the City to administer the construction of the project, with the County to finance 13 percent of the project costs, up to a maximum County contribution of $765,000. Under the terms of the agreement, the City is to submit detailed invoices and project status reports to the County on a quarterly basis with the County to pay the City 13 percent of the actual expenditures incurred each quarter.

IMPACT ON CURRENT SERVICES (OR PROJECTS)

The proposed improvements are needed and of general County interest. The City plans to advertise the first phase of the project for construction bids next month.

NEGATIVE DECLARATION/ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORTS

The Public Resources Code provides that this type of project, by reason of the work proposed, does not have a significant effect on the environment. Accordingly and pursuant to Class 1, Subsection (x) 4, of the Revised Environmental Reporting Procedures and Guidelines adopted by your Board on November 17, 1987, and Section 15301, Class 1 (c), of the State California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines and Discussions, we have found that this project is categorically exempt from the provisions of said Act.

The Honorable Board of Supervisors
January 7, 1999
Page 3

CONCLUSION

Enclosed are two copies of the agreement, which have been approved by the City and approved as to form by County Counsel. Upon approval, please return the copy marked "CITY ORIGINAL" to this Department for processing together with one approved copy of this letter. The copy marked "COUNTY ORIGINAL" is for your files.

Respectfully submitted,

HARRY W. STONE
Director of Public Works

ESC:la
C981265
P:\PDPUB\PUBLIC\SECFINAL\PB&C\BDLTRS\LBCEWBUS.A

Enc.

cc: Chief Administrative Officer

County Counsel