Vice Chairman Spohn led the pledge of allegiance.

A motion was made to approve the meeting minutes of April 28, 2008.
M/S/C:Spohn/Molina/Unanimous

There were no public comments.

Chairman Hunter thanked Harry Baldwin for attending Metro’s Planning Committee meeting wherein the Board approved a final multi-county goods movement action plan. Chairman Hunter also thanked staff and Mayor Gutierrez for the successful dedication ceremony at the Ramona Blvd. grade separation

Mr. Richmond indicated a meeting was held at the ACE offices meet requirements for September CTC Board meeting baseline agreement. Mr. Richmond reported that ACE is submitting a state application for the Nogales Street project for $21 M. Mr. Richmond introduced new employee Victoria Butler, Senior Project Manager, Project Controls. Mr. Richmond also reported that David Varnum, legislative assistant to Congressman Gary Miller would be leaving. He thanked Mr. Varnum and the Congressman’s office for their continued interest and support of the ACE Project and Mr. Varnum introduced his replacement, Kara Etheridge. Senior Project Manager Regina Talamentez reviewed project photos of the Brea Canyon Road grade separation project. Rick Richmond reviewed project photos of the East End Avenue and Sunset Avenue grade separation projects.

Mr. Richmond reviewed the project goals and accomplishments for fiscal year 2008. He reviewed the successes of construction of the Ramona Blvd., East End Ave. and Brea Canyon Road grade separations. He identified the less successful projects were Sunset Ave., Temple Avenue 4th track. He also reviewed funding accomplishments included SAFETEA-LU allocation of $31.25 million and Prop 1B allocation of $336M, the largest single project allocation. Outreach accomplishments included the ribbon cutting ceremony at Ramona and the continuation of the school, business and community outreach programs. Mr. Richmond reviewed 2009 goals which included: limited opening of the Brea Canyon Road grade separation by August ’08 and full opening by October; Complete the environmental clearance and design and begin right of way acquisition for the Nogales Street grade separation; construction of the Sunset Avenue project at 60%; complete preliminary engineering and environmental clearance for the San Gabriel Trench project. He also reviewed funding goals which included: submitting an application for FRA rail relocation funds, obtain Prop 1B funding for the Nogales Street project and seek dedicated freight trust fund in SAFETEA-LU reauthorization. Outreach goals included holding ribbon cutting ceremonies for the East End Ave and Brea Canyon Road projects; conduct at least one environmental outreach meeting for the San Gabriel Trench and Nogales Street grade separation projects and seek FY ’09 federal appropriations earmark. Carlos Monroy reviewed the budget figures for FY ’08 and FY ’09. He explained the increase in personnel costs were attributed to bringing program management services in-house which were offset by the A motion was made to approve the ACE Construction Authority budget for fiscal year 2009 and submittal to the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments for their consideration at their June Meeting. M/S/C/Molina/Spence/Unanimous

Mr. Richmond reported that the Riverside County Transportation Commission and the City of Banning requested project management assistance of ACE in a grade separation project at Sunset Avenue in the City of Banning. Mr. Richmond indicated such an undertaking would require about ½ person’s time. He reported that he has made it clear that ACE would require indemnification and outlined the project management tasks proposed which included: oversee design/construction, railroad coordination, local agency coordination and budget/schedule control. He indicated discussions were ongoing regarding actions necessary to implement the program but reminded the Board the interagency agreement but would also require approval from the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments. A motion was made to approve an interagency agreement with the City of Banning to provide project management advisory services to the City on their Sunset Avenue grade separation project. M/S/C/Baldwin/Wallach/Unanimous

Mr. Richmond reviewed the previous tasks of the construction managers of the Ramona Blvd grade separation. He reminded the Board of the past rain that delayed the opening of the Ramona Blvd grade separation, thereby also extending the contract duration. A prior delay from utility relocation also contributed to the need for an additional $50,000 to cover the contractor’s costs. A motion was made to authorize the Chief Executive Officer to amend the contract with Lim and Nascimento Engineering Corporation (LAN) to add $50,000 to Task Order #2 of the contract for construction management services associated with the Ramona Blvd. Grade Separation project, for a new task order value of $4,045,000. M/S/C/Spohn/Baldwin/Unanimous

Mr. Richmond reviewed the background of the construction at East End Ave and Reservoir Ave. He reminded the board that since the last budget augmentation one year ago the period of construction was extended one month. In addition the contractor was expected to split use of its inspectors, office engineers and clerical support between the Reservoir, East End and Temple Avenue projects as well as the Sunset Avenue project which caused charges to incur. Completion and activation of underground utilities took longer than expected. He indicated an additional $248,000 was necessary to continue the contract through construction and provide time for contract close out. The Board discussed contractor costs incurred as a result of utility schedules. Donna Lee, Southern California Edison, outlined factors which could contribute towards schedule delays and reminded the Board of Edison’s commitment to work cooperatively with ACE. A motion was made to authorize the Chief Executive Officer to amend the contract with PB Americas, Inc. (PB) to add an amount not to exceed $248,000 to Task Order #1 of the contract for construction management services associated with the East End Avenue and Reservoir Street grade separations. The new task order value will be the not-to-exceed amount of $4,577,164. M/S/C/Baldwin/Wallach/Unanimous

Mr. Richmond stated that during closeout meetings with project stakeholders additional work was identified. The work included restoration of a parking lot, landscaping and irrigation in front of the Ramona Valley shopping center and adding wrought iron fencing and concrete steps. In addition, delays to bridge and retaining wall pile driving due to conflicts with third parties was being negotiated with the contractor. He indicated the compensable delay for pile driving was a combination of time spent confirming the location on one relocated line and designing around one line not relocated to the proper place. He reminded the board that whatever compensation is due the contractor will be sought from the utility company. A motion was made to authorize the Chief Executive Officer’s change order authorization by $330,000 contract value to accommodate late-project change work and compensation to the contractor for delays. M/S/C/Spence/Wallach/Unanimous

Sharon Neely reviewed the staff report and outlined the key pending transportation bills. She reviewed financing options on six bills proposed by Assembly member Mike Feur. She reminded the board that staff with work with Metro and other agencies and return at the June meeting with a recommendation on positions on these bills. A motion was made to approve recommendations concerning ACE positions on pending state transportation legislation. M/S/C/Baldwin/Molina/Unanimous

Adjourn

The meeting was adjourned at 3:48 pm.