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Executive Director's Report

Report to the Commission: November 20, 2024

Personnel

Retirements

  • Brad Paul – Brad started with ABAG in March 2013. He started with MTC as the Deputy Executive Director, Local Government Services (LGS) on July 1, 2017 as part of the ABAG and MTC staff consolidation. His last day with MTC was November 1, 2024, as the Deputy Executive Director, LGS in the Executive Office.

New Appointments

  • Saleha Jibran, HR Analyst- Leaves and Accommodations in the Administration and Human Development section.
  • Kate Lyons, Resilience and Environmental Planner in the Regional Planning Program section.
  • Yvette Lo, Accounts Payable Manager in the Financial Reporting and Operational Accounting section.
  • Lillian Tse, Contracts Specialist in the Procurement, Risk, and Property Management section.

Updates

Election Update

Voters approve MTC/ABAG-backed Proposition 4 and reject Proposition 5. Voters approved Proposition 4, authorizing California's largest-ever climate bond, and rejected Proposition 5, which would have amended the state constitution to establish a 55 percent voter-approval threshold for local and regional bond measures to support public infrastructure or affordable housing. Staff will be digging into the program details related to the climate bond to see how we might assist Bay Area jurisdictions seeking to compete for funding from the different programs.

BART Secures Loan from USDOT For New Cars

The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced a $545 million loan to BART to finance 775 new passenger-rail cars, part of a $2.2 billion overhaul of the system. The new rail cars have advanced safety and accessibility features, including LED screens, digital cameras for enhanced security, and a third door to streamline entry and exit.

Bay Bridge Steel Gets Second Life

You can now see parts of the old Bay Bridge in art projects around the state. Plans to take down the old structure spread among the Bay Area artist community. A group rallied together to gather signatures and create a proposal to our Toll Bridge Program Oversight Committee requesting 600 tons of cleaned and salvaged steel for distribution among artists for the creation of public art. The Committee approved the proposal, requiring that the projects pay tribute to the history of the bridge and the works be publicly displayed within California. SFGATE

Toll Increase Outreach

Last week, I presented to the Bay Area Council’s Transportation Committee on the proposed bridge toll increase. Committee members seemed to recognize the importance of keeping the bridges in a state of good repair and were also supportive of MTC continuing to advocate for state and federal funding to invest in the bridges. MTC staff held a webinar on Wednesday, Nov. 13, for the public on the proposed 2026 toll increase and HOV policy changes. Approximately 36 people attended the webinar.

Holiday Wreath and Award

The BATA bridge team delivered some early holiday cheer on Nov. 16 with the annual installation of the holiday wreath over the Yerba Buena Island Tunnel on the Bay Bridge. MTC was recognized as Partner of the Year at their 27th Annual Awards Ceremony on Nov. 13. MTC Director of Funding Policy and Programs, Theresa Romell and Kenneth Kao attended to accept this award.

Planning and Capital Grant Opportunities: 2024 Call for Projects

On Sept. 30, MTC announced the release of $60 million in planning and capital funding to support local implementation of MTC’s Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC) Policy and Climate Program. The funds include multiple grant and technical assistance programs that are being administered simultaneously to help applicants coordinate efforts across funding categories. Visit the 2024 Coordinated Call web page for an overview of the programs. Applications for the TOC Planning and Implementation grants are due on Nov. 22, 2024, at 4 p.m. These funds are focused on TOC Policy implementation and include grants and technical assistance to help jurisdictions develop and implement plans and policies to comply with the TOC Policy. Applications for the Climate Program Implementation grants are due on Dec. 20, 2024, at 4 p.m. These funds are focused on Climate Program implementation and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and include grants for capital investments.

BayREN Launches Its New Public Buildings Programs

The Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN) recently introduced new no-cost services for local government and special district staff within the region with the launch of its Integrated Energy Services (IES) Program and the Targeted Decarbonization Services (TDS) Program earlier this month. IES focuses on providing holistic support for all energy-related building systems and includes the Energy Concierge as well as an Energy Roadmapping service. TDS is focused on building decarbonization with a showcase pilot as well as education and financing services for local government staff. Jurisdictions interested in these no-cost services can fill out an interest form on BayREN’s website.

Looking Ahead

Select Committee Special Meeting at MTC December 9

A Special Commission meeting on Dec. 9 will be held to discuss the Regional Transportation Funding Select Committee and move the process forward.