George Hunter, Chairman Tim Spohn, Vice Chairman Ernest Gutierrez, El Monte Dave Spence, La Canada Flintridge, SGVCOG Harry Baldwin, San Gabriel Rosemarie Vasquez, Montebello Gloria Molina, Los Angeles County Staff Rick Richmond, Chief Executive Officer Joe Silvey, Legal Counsel Sharon Neely, staff Lou Cluster, staff Regina Talamantez, staff Cynthia Ambrose, staff Carlos Monroy, staff Deanna Stanley, staff

Guests David Varnam, Congressman Gary Miller’s office Donna Lee, Southern California Edison Enrique Alonso, Jacobs Engineering

II. Pledge of Allegiance

Vice Chairman Spohn led the pledge of allegiance. 

III. Approval of Minutes of February 25, 2008

A motion was made to approve the meeting minutes of February 25, 2008.
M/S/C: Gutierrez/Spohn/Unanimous

IV. Public Comment

There were no public comments.

V. Chairman’s Report

Chairman Hunter thanked Vice Chair Spohn, members Gutierrez and Baldwin for participating in legislative meetings in Washington to represent ACE. Members Spohn and Baldwin indicated the meetings were informative and well received. Chairman Hunter reminded the Board of an upcoming dinner in Sacramento co-hosted by Foothill Transit and the San Gabriel Valley COG on April 16 at the Firehouse restaurant. He indicated briefing appointments are scheduled beginning at 11AM and that members should confirm their attendance with staff.

VI. Chief Executive Officer’s Report

Rick Richmond updated the Board on the status of SB 974 (Lowenthal). He said that the bill is moving again in the new session with changes, seen as neither neutral nor positive by staff. He also indicated there has been nothing new on the CTC staff recommended $336M Prop 1B program and the CTC will meet on April 9 and 10. Staff will keep the Board updated accordingly.

Senior Project Manager Regina Talamantez reviewed construction progress photos of the Brea Canyon Road grade separation project. Senior Project Manager Lou Cluster reviewed construction progress photos of the Ramona Blvd. East End Ave and Sunset Ave grade separation projects. George Nomura, Program Manager reviewed program management support tasks completed or ongoing over the past month.

VII.  Approval of Additional Contingency Authorization for the Sunset Avenue Grade Separation

Mr. Richmond reviewed the scope of work for the Sunset Avenue grade separation. He reminded the Board the project consisted of construction of a railroad bridge structure of 1.3 miles with a requirement to relocate a 1.5 miles of track to a shoofly track. The original contract was issued in November 2006. At 22% complete the project has had significant complications which have resulted in an unusually high number o f change orders. Mr. Richmond reported the details of the issues with the Sunset Avenue project which included inadequate assumptions in site conditions and level of design, UPRR requirements and delays to the contractor. The matter was discussed at length. Mr. Richmond indicated he was hopeful all inadequacies were uncovered but because of the significant changes would provide the Board with more comprehensive quarterly updates on this project. It was also suggested by the Board a site visit would be appropriate and Mr. Richmond agreed to make arrangements for the Board to visit the Sunset Avenue grade separation project site as well as other construction projects.

A motion was made to authorize an additional 14% of the base contract value to approve future change orders on the Sunset Avenue grade separation project, resulting in a total contingency authorization of 24%.
M/S/C:Gutierrez/Baldwin/Unanimous

VIII.  Approval of Contract Amendment for PB Americas for Construction Management Services for the Temple
        Avenue Train Diversion

Mr. Richmond reviewed the scope of work for the Temple Avenue train diversion project which was substantially completed in late 2007. He reminded the Board that included in the PB Americas’ scope of work was surveying and testing. However, the Union Pacific required additional man-hours for surveying, compaction and settlement. The hours exceed the original negotiated amount by $90,000.

A motion was made to authorize the Chief Executive Officer to amend the contract with PB Americas, Inc to add $90,000 to Task Order #2 of the contract for construction management services associated with the Temple Avenue train diversion project, for a new task order value of $2,285,950.
M/S/C/Gutierrez/Vasquez/Unanimous

IX. Approval of Assignment of Bechtel Program Management Subcontractors to ACE

Mr. Richmond reviewed the history of the Bechtel program management contract. He indicated the Board approved the contract in 1999 for the life of the project with annual approvals of task orders. Within the program management contract were subcontracted services for various critical elements of the project. Those subcontracted services included: right of way acquisition, relocation specialists, railroad engineering, community outreach, environmental management and surveying and mapping. He indicated changing contractors at this point of the project was not a viable option but as funding becomes available, staff will conduct an analysis to determine if new procurements are warranted.

A motion was made to authorize the Chief Executive Officer to execute assignment agreements that would allow ACE to assume responsibility for eight Bechtel subcontractors to provide for continuity of the professional services currently provided by the subcontractor.
M/S/C/Baldwin/Gutierrez/Unanimous

X.  Approval to Add Nogales (LA Subdivision) Grade Separation into ACE Program

Mr. Richmond reminded the Board that the completed Nogales Street grade separation at Valley and Nogales was less than a mile from the crossing at Nogales and Railroad (LA Subdivision), a heavily traveled access to the 60 freeway. He reported that three years ago staff was approached by the County to assist with design and engineering of the LA Subdivision Nogales Street grade separation. The designer of the Nogales Street (Alhambra line) grade separation performed the services. The project’s construction was initially to be done by the County until recently when the Authority was asked to assume responsibility for the project and fully incorporate it into the ACE Project. He reviewed the project definition and project costs. He highlighted the estimated project cost of $70,250,000 done in January 2007 but stated it does not incorporate an adequate pump station. He indicated the conditions revealed an unusually high level of ground water which would require the pump to run consistently. He indicated contamination could potentially be another unaddressed issue which would not be known until construction. He reminded the Board that unlike other projects, 80% of the funding for this project was already secured and reviewed the status. He indicated the approval would be contingent on the transfer all funding to ACE and required approval by the COG board to be adopted into the ACE Program.

A motion was made to authorize the adoption of the Nogales Street grade separation (LA Subdivision) into the adopted Alameda Corridor-East Project, that ACE assume responsibility for its design, land acquisition and construction subject to approval of the transfer all of approved funding and approval of the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments.
M/S/C/Molina/Vasquez/Unanimous

XI. Approval of Revised Staffing Plan

Mr. Richmond indicated this was the last request to complete staffing as a result of the bringing program management in-house. He reported the two contracts and procurement positions requested were responsibilities currently performed by Bechtel staff.

A motion was made to approve to continue from the conversion from contracted in-house program management support through the authorization of two new staff positions for project management support.
M/S/C/Vasquez/Baldwin/Unanimous

XII.  Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 2:57 PM.