15
Susana Barrios
From: OCTA Clerk of the Board <ClerkOffice@octa.net>
Sent: Monday, October 7, 2024 9:17 AM
To: Theresa Bass <TBass@anaheim.net>
Subject: \[EXTERNAL\] Comment Letter on Council Item 15
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Hi Theresa,
Please see attached comment letter for Item 15 on tomorrow’s City Council agenda. If you have any
questions, please let me know!
Thanks,
Andrea West
Clerk of the Board
OCTA
714.560.5611 (desk)
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1
October 7, 2024
City of Anaheim
City Council
200 South Anaheim Boulevard
Anaheim, California 92805
Subject: City of Anaheim Council Meeting Agenda Item #15 –
October 8, 2024
Dear Mayor Aitken and City Councilmembers,
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) values the long partnership
between the City of Anaheim (City) and our agency, which has facilitated the
successful delivery of several multimodal improvements to serve City residents
and the region at large, including the Anaheim Regional Transportation
Intermodal Center, State Route 57 improvements and grade separation projects.
The City is part of our core transit service area, with nearly half of OCTA’s 52
routes operating within the City and the second most boardings of any city within
the County. This service area is integral to OCTA’s larger transit system, which
connects people throughout the County to jobs, education centers, and other
points of interest. It is the backbone for many disadvantaged communities and
job centers. Therefore, OCTA has to take any potential negative impact to its
transit funding streams seriously.
For more than two years, the OCTA staff has worked collaboratively with the
Anaheim Transportation Network (ATN) to help develop and provide a
non-legislative pathway for ATN to receive revenue-based State Transit
Assistance (STA) formula dollars. This path was agreed to by OCTA and ATN in
lieu of the statutory changes proposed in 2022 by SB 1196 (Umberg,
D-Santa Ana) and led to Senator Umberg withdrawing the bill.
OCTA was willing to assist in this effort because this particular funding source
would bring new state transit dollars to Orange County and would not divert funds
that OCTA would otherwise receive to provide residents and visitors with
countywide transit service.
While the item on your agenda describes an agreement between ATN and the
City of Anaheim that aims to advance the objective of bringing new transit dollars
to Orange County, OCTA has serious concern that the proposed agreement goes
City of Anaheim
October 7, 2024
Page 2
beyond this intent and will divert transit funding from core services within the City
and County.
There is one element of the draft agreement that OCTA specifically opposes,
which we raised objection with at the ATN Board meeting on September 25, 2024.
The agreement references the pursuit of funding available through not only
revenue-based STA, but “other State funding sources.” Recital F in the draft
agreement lists some of those other potential revenue sources, many of which
are programmed to existing projects and services. As we have repeatedly stated
over the past two-plus years, OCTA strongly opposes any effort to divert funds
from state and/or federal sources that OCTA would otherwise receive that would
impact our ability to provide transit services to the residents of the City of Anaheim
and elsewhere throughout the County.
This is consistent with the discussions we have had with ATN’s staff and
Executive Director, Anaheim city staff, as well as with the OCTA Board of
Directors. I would respectfully request that you strike Recital F from the draft
agreement and any reference to funding sources other than revenue-based STA.
It is also disappointing to note that despite our ongoing conversations and
agreement to coordinate in good faith with ATN on this matter, ATN did not
discuss nor inform OCTA about the proposed agreement and lacked even the
courtesy to notify us that this item was on ATN’s agenda for Board consideration.
OCTA understands the role that ATN plays in primarily shuttling visitors in and
around the Anaheim Resort District. We support them in those efforts and in
helping to reduce local road congestion. OCTA also greatly values the
longstanding partnership we have developed with the City to deliver a range of
transportation projects and services no matter what mode of travel a person
chooses. We look forward to continuing our joint efforts to keep the residents of
Anaheim, and those throughout Orange County, moving in a safe and efficient
manner.
City of Anaheim
October 7, 2024
Page 3
Thank you for your support on this matter and we look forward to continued
discussions. If you have questions or would like additional information, please
contact OCTA’s Chief Financial Officer Andrew Oftelie, who has worked closely
with your staff on this issue over the past several years.
Sincerely,
Darrell E. Johnson
Chief Executive Officer