REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Update on the VTA’s Santa Clara Bart Station Community Working Group
Report
BACKGROUND
The Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) established three Community Working Groups (CWGs) for VTA’s BART Silicon Valley Phase II extension project. Attachment 1, from VTA’s website, explains the role of the CWG as part of the BART process. Additional information on CWGs can also be found at the following VTA link:
http://www.vta.org/bart/phaseIICWGs
After first being convened in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Santa Clara Station BART Working Group began meeting again in 2015. This group has members from both the City of Santa Clara and the City of San Jose since the station area is near the border of both cities. Membership on these groups is a mix of business and residential representatives. The CWG is advisory only, and the group does not vote on recommendations and is not a decision-making body.
DISCUSSION
VTA is currently open to consideration of new members on the CWG’s, including the Santa Clara Station CWG. In order to be considered for the role, applicants would be required to meet the following VTA criteria:
• No more than one seat per organization across all CWGs.
• Nominee must live or work within ½ mile from the alignment/Represent a group or organization focused specifically on issues within the ½ mile
• Nominee must not be an elected official or working directly for an elected official representing San Jose, Santa Clara or Santa Clara County
• Nominee must not have conflict of interests in relation to the project in the following categories:
o Property
o VTA current or potential vendors/consultants/contractors
Additional considerations are a willingness to serve and make the time for the meetings which are held on Thursdays from 4:00-6:00 p.m. VTA has also received nominations from the current Santa Clara Station CWG members.
Attachment 2 includes current CWG members and CWG nominees. VTA staff will bring forward final recommendations to the VTA Board in June of 2018 for approval. The current members of the CWG will continue to meet as scheduled and the new members will be officially seated in mid-September.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Not a Project - The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(a) as it has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Note and file the update on the VTA’s Santa Clara Bart Station Community Working Group
Staff
Prepared by: Manuel Pineda, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Role of Community Working Groups
2. Member and Nominee List