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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSS2 - Measure MMeasure M Investment 'Plan Update • Approved in November 1990 by 55 percent after two failures • One -half cent local transportation sales tax • Specific, voter - approved spending plan • 20 -year program ends on April 1, 2011 • Renewable with two - thirds majority voter approval l Measure M: A Contract Fulfilled Projects 1 -511 -405 Widening SR-55 SR-57 SR -91 P.E. ROW Purchase Metrolink OC to LA Metrolink Riverside to OC' Fare'Stabilization Transitways -oval "Turnback" 2 it North Transit Completed Underway $15.6 million Won in competition for major street improvements +$ 11.2 million Newport Beach local street maintenance million Exclusively for Newport Beach Street Improvement Highlights: MacArthur, Newport, Jamboree, Pacific Coast Highway • $1 billion less invested streets and roads • 1 -5 would be 6 lanes wide north of Tustin • No El Toro KY" improvements • No widening of the SR -55, SR -91, SR -57 or SR -22 • No Metrolink rail service • No rail rights -of -way • Higher fares for seniors and disabled 5- Orange County Future Growth 2000 =2030 39% "Self -Help" Counties Ci> Why Renew Measure M Now? Transportation Investment Plan Approval: 1. Majority of city councils representing majority of incorporated population 2. Board of Supervisors 3. Two - thirds of OCTA Board Plus: Two- thirds majority voter approval • 30 -year duration $11.86 billion expected revenue* • 43 percent Freeways ($4.8 billion) • 32 percent Streets & Roads ($3.6 billion) • 25 percent Transit ($2.8 billion) Taxpayer safeguards emphasized * In 2005 Dollars ICI I Nina Point San dements --A rn 1. $1.5 billion to improve the SR-91 2. More than $1 billion to improve 1-5 in South Orange County Widen 1-405 from Irvine to LA g!�7 "nty 101 453,010 NX-4 "FIR VIRIM-126 aw SO ,w a, MV A Fix 'Orange Crush and I-5/SR-55 ,,interchanges Q, 5. Aftfid"'Skm'55, SR-57 and improve access to SR-22 and 1-605 I Nina Point San dements --A rn 1. More than doubles funds for local streets I 1.2 Comparison of current Measure M Turnback funds* (formula) with draft plan. f * In 2005 dollars • Increased percentage of local turnback funds • Eligible projects . PCH between Dover and Newport Blvd. . MacArthur and Jamboree intersection . Bristol couplet areas and SR -73 ramps . Newport Blvd. from PCH to SR -55 • Water quality • Local coastal transit • Increased mobility for seniors and disabled * Based on letter dated March 14, 2006 from Newport Beach F Metrolink )- thirds of jobs & ations, parking, safety isions ate with best projects not defined ,ays for high -speed rail services transit ow fares iior mobility program i- emergency medical Dn PV 1. Nearly $240 million exclusively for transportation- related water quality improvements grant process is made by y of Orange, ewer agencies wards and audit 3 M kM Draft Plan Highlights: Safeguards & Audits Next Steps y. h Measure M Promises Fulfilled to maintaining and improving the network of streets On November 6, 1990, Orange County voters ap- and roads in every community; an expansion of proved Measure M, a half -cent local transportation Metrolink rail service through the core of Orange sales tax for twenty years. All of the major projects County with future extensions to connect with promised to and approved by the voters are under- nearby communities and regional rail systems; more way or complete. Funds that go to cities and the transit service for seniors and disabled persons; and County of Orange to maintain and improve local funds to clean up runoff from roads that leads to street and roads, along with transit fare reductions beach closures. for seniors and persons with disabilities will continue until Measure M ends in 2011. The promises made Strong Safeguards in Measure M have been fulfilled. These commitments are underscored by a set of strong taxpayer safeguards to ensure that promises Continued Investment Needed made in the Plan are kept. They include an annual Orange County continues to grow. By the year 2030, independent audit and report to the Taxpayers" on- Orange County's population will increase by 24 per- going monitoring and review of spending by an in- cent from 2.9 million in 2000 to 3.6 million in 2030; dependent Taxpayers' Oversight Committee; require - jobs will increase by 27 percent; and travel on our ment for full public review and update of the Plan roads and highways by 39 percent. Without contin- every ten years; voter approval for any major changes ued investment average morning rush hour speeds to the Plan; strong penalties for any misuse of funds on Orange County freeways will fall by 31 percent and a strict limit of no more than one percent for and on major streets by 32 percent. administrative expenses. Responding to this continued growth and broad No Increase in Taxes support for investment in Orange County's trans- The traffic improvements detailed in this plan do not portation system, the Orange County Transportation require an increase in taxes. Renewal of the existing Authority considered the transportation projects Measure M one -half cent transportation sales tax will and programs that would be possible if Measure M enable all of the projects and programs to be imple- were renewed. The Authority, together with the 34 mented. And by using good planning and sensible cities of Orange County, the Orange County Board financing, projects that are ready to go could begin as of Supervisors and thousands of Orange County early as 2007. citizens participated during the last eighteen months in developing a Transportation Investment Plan for Renewing Measure M consideration by the voters. The projects and programs that follow constitute the Transportation Investment Plan for the renewal of A Plan for New Transportation Investments the Measure M transportation sales tax approved by The Plan that follows is a result of those efforts. It Orange County voters in November of 1990. These reflects the varied interests and priorities inherent improvements are necessary to address current and in the diverse communities of Orange County. It in- future transportation needs in Orange County and cludes continued investment to expand and improve reflect the best efforts to achieve consensus among Orange County's freeway system; commitment varied interests and communities throughout the County. The Renewed Measure M Transportation Investment Plan is a 30 -year, $11.8 billion program designed to reduce traffic congestion, strengthen our economy and improve our quality of life by upgrading key freeways, fixing major freeway interchanges, maintaining streets and roads, synchronizing traffic signals countywide, building a visionary rail transit system, and protecting our environment from the oily street runoff that pollutes Orange County beaches. The Transportation Investment Program is focused solely on improving the transportation system and includes tough taxpayer safeguards, including a Taxpayers' Oversight Committee, required annual audits, and regular, public reports on project progress. The Renewed Measure M Transportation Investment Plan must be reviewed annually, in public session, and every ten years, a detailed review of the Plan must take place. If changing circumstances require the voter - approved plan to be changed, those changes must be taken to the voters for approval. Freeways Relieving congestion on State Route 91 (the Riverside/Artesia Freeway) is the centerpiece of the freeway program, and will include new lanes, new interchanges, and new bridges. Other major projects will make substantial improvements on Interstate 5 in southern Orange County and the I -405 (San Diego Freeway) in western Orange County. The notorious Orange Crush, the intersection of the I -5, State Route 22 and State Route 57 near Angel Stadium, will be improved and upgraded. Under the Plan, major traffic chokepoints on almost every Orange County freeway will be remedied. Improving Orange County freeways will be the greatest investment in the Renewed Measure M program: Forty -three percent of net revenues, or $4.871 billion, will be invested in new freeway construction. Streets and Roads More than 6,500 lane miles of aging streets and roads will need repair, rejuvenation and improvement. City streets and county roads need to be maintained regularly and potholes have to be filled quickly. Thirty -two percent of net revenue from the Renewed Measure M Transportation Investment Plan, or $3.625 billion, will be devoted to fixing potholes, improving intersections, synchronizing traffic signals countywide, and making the existing countywide network of streets and roads safer and more efficient. r Public Transit As Orange County continues to grow, building a visionary rail transportation system that is safe, clean and convenient, uses and preserves existing rights -of -way, and, over time, provides high -speed connections both inside and outside of Orange County is a long term goal. Twenty -five percent of the net revenue from the Renewed Measure M, or $2.83 billion, will be dedicated to transit programs countywide. About twenty percent, or $2.24 billion, will be dedicated to creating a new countywide high capacity transit system anchored on the existing, successful Metrolink and Amtrak rail line, and about five percent, or $591 million, will be used to enhance senior transportation programs and provide targeted, safe localized bus service. Environmental Cleanup Every day, more than 70 million gallons of oily pollution, litter, and dirty contaminants wash off streets, roads, and freeways and pour on to Orange County waterways and beaches. When it rains, the transportation - generated beach and ocean pollution increases tenfold. Under the plan, two percent of the gross Renewed Measure M Transportation Investment Plan, or $237 million, will be dedicated to protecting Orange County beaches from this transportation - generated pollution (sometimes called "urban runoff') while improving ocean water quality. Taxpayer Safeguards and Audits When new transportation dollars are approved, they should go for transportation and transportation purposes alone. No bait - and - switch. No using transportation dollars for other purposes. The original Measure M went solely for transportation purposes. The Renewed Measure M must be just as airtight. One percent of the gross Measure M A program, or $118.6 million over 30 years, will pay for annual, independent audits, taxpayer safeguards, an independent Taxpayers' Oversight Committee assigned to watchdog government spending, and a full, public disclosure of all Renewed Measure M expenditures. A detailed review of the program must be conducted every ten years and, if needed, major changes in the investment plan must be brought before Orange County voters for approval. Taxpayers will receive an annual report detailing the Renewed Measure M expenditures. Additionally, as required by law, an estimated one and a half percent of the sales taxes generated, or $178 million over 30 years, must be paid to the California State Board of Equalization for collecting the one -half cent sales tax that funds the Renewed Measure M Transportation Investment Plan. In this pamphlet, every specific project, program, and safeguard included in the Renewed Measure M Transportation Investment Plan is explained. Similar details will be provided to every Orange County voter if the measure is placed on the ballot. Every day, traffic backs up somewhere on the Orange To make any freeway system work, bottlenecks at County freeway system. And, every day, freeway traf- interchanges also have to be fixed. The notorious fic seems to get a little worse. Orange Crush Interchange — where Interstate 5 (the Santa Ana Freeway) meets the 57 (the Orange In the past decade, Orange County has made major Freeway) and the 22 (the Garden Grove Freeway) strides in re- building our aging freeway system. But in a traffic tangle near Angel Stadium is in need of a there is still an enormous amount of work that needs major face lift. And the intersection of Interstate 5 to be done to make the freeway system work well. and the Costa Mesa Freeway (State Route 55) is also You see the need for improvement every time you slated for major repair. drive on an Orange County freeway. Pays Big Dividends Forty -three percent of net revenues from the Re- Local investment in freeways also pays big divi- newed Measure M Transportation Investment Plan dends in the search for other needed freeway dollars. are dedicated to improving Orange County freeways, Because of state and federal matching rules, Orange the largest portion of the 30 -year transportation plan. County's local investment in freeway projects acts as a magnet for state and federal transportation dollars SR -91 is the Centerpiece — pulling more freeway construction dollars into the Making the troubled SR -91 (the Riverside /Artesia) county and allowing more traffic - reducing freeway Freeway work again is the centerpiece of the Re- projects to be built sooner. newed Measure M Freeway program. The fix on the 91 will require new lanes, new bridges, new over- passes, and, in the Santa Ana Canyon portion of the freeway, a diversion of drivers to SR -241 (Foothill Corridor) so the rest of the Orange County freeway system can work more effectively. And there's more to the freeway program than the fix of SR -91 — much more. More than $1 billion is earmarked for Interstate 5 in South County More than $800 million is slated to upgrade the 405 (the San Diego Freeway) between Irvine and the Los Angeles County line. Another significant investment is planned on the congested Costa Mesa Freeway (SR- 55). And needed projects designed to relieve traffic chokepoints are planned for almost every Orange County freeway r n Project Aft Orange Freeway (SR -57) Improvements Description: Build a new northbound lane between Katella Avenue and Lambert Road. Other projects include improvements to the Lambert interchange and addition of a northbound truck climbing lane between Lambert and Tonner Canyon Road. These improvements will be made generally within existing right -of -way The project will increase freeway capacity and reduce congestion. The daily traffic volume on this freeway is about 315,000. By 2030, this volume will increase by 15 percent, bringing it up to 363,000 vehicles per day Cost: The estimated cost to implement SR -57 improvements is $258.7 million. M W l W -% W s, Y= Project UP 1 -605 Freeway Access Improvements at Katella Avenue Description: Construct interchange improvements at Katella Avenue to improve freeway and arterial system connections in the Los Alamitos area. Cost: The estimated cost to make these 1 -605 interchange improvements is $20.0 million. Project Freeway Service Patrol Description: The Freeway Service Patrol (FSP) provides tow truck service for disabled motorists on the freeway system. This service helps stranded motorists and quickly clears disabled vehicles out of the freeway lanes to minimize congestion from rubbernecking. Cost: The estimated cost to support the Freeway Service Patrol Program for thirty years beyond 2011 is $150.0 million. r•al ��M Orange County has more than 6,500 lane miles of aging streets and roads many of which are in need of repair, rejuvenation and improvement. Intersec- tions need to be widened, traffic lights need to be synchronized, and potholes need to be filled. And, in many cases, to make Orange County's transportation system work smoothly, we need to add additional lanes to existing streets. Thirty -two percent of net revenues from the Re- newed Measure M Transportation Investment Plan are dedicated to the maintaining streets, fixing potholes, improving intersections and widening city streets and county roads. Making the System Work Making the existing system of streets and roads work better — by identifying spot intersection improve - mems, filling potholes, repaving worn -out streets — are the basics of making a countywide transporta- tion system work. Those basics have to be the first priority. But to operate a successful, countywide sys- tem of streets and roads, we need more: street widen - ings and traffic signals synchronized on a countywide basis. And there's more: pedestrian safety near local schools needs to be improved. Traffic flow must be smoothed. Street repairs must be made sooner. And, perhaps most importantly, cities and the county must work together —collaboratively —to find simple, low - cost traffic solutions. r U Renewed Measure M provides financial incentives for traffic improvements that cross city and county lines, providing a seamless, county -wide transportation system that's friendly to regional commuters and fair to local residents. Better Cooperation To place a higher priority on cooperative, collabora- tive regional decision - making, Renewed Measure M creates incentives that encourage traffic lights to be coordinated across jurisdictional lines, major street improvements to be better coordinated on a regional basis, and street repair programs to be a high priority countywide. To receive Measure M funding, cities and the county have to cooperate. The Streets and Roads program in Renewed Measure M involves shared responsibilities — local cities and the county set their local priorities within a competi- tive, regional framework that rewards cooperation, honors best practices, and encourages government agencies to work together. AML Project • Regional Capacity Program Description: This program, in combination with local matching funds, provides a funding source to complete the Orange County Master Plan of Arterial Highways (MPAH). The program also provides for intersection improvements and other projects to help improve street operations and reduce congestion. The program allocates funds through a competitive process and targets projects that help traffic the most by considering factors such as degree of congestion relief, cost effectiveness, project readiness, etc. Roughly 1,000 miles of new street lanes remain to be completed, mostly in the form of widening existing streets to their ultimate planned width. Completion of the system will result in a more even traffic flow and efficient system. Ile Another element of this program is funding for construction of railroad over or underpass grade separations where high volume streets are impacted by freight trains along the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad in northern Orange County. Cost: The estimated cost for these street improvement projects is $1,132.8 million. Project Aft Synchronize Traffic Signals Across ] urisdictions Description: This program targets over 2,000 signalized intersections across the County for coordinated operation. The goal is to improve the flow of traffic by developing and implementing regional signal coordination programs that cross jurisdictional boundaries. Most traffic signal synchronization programs today are limited to segments of roads or individual cities and agencies. For example, signals at intersections of freeways with arterial streets are controlled by Caltrans, while nearby signals at local street intersections are under the control of cities. This results in the street system operating at less than maximum efficiency When completed, this project can increase the capacity of the street grid and reduce the delay by over six million hours annually. To ensure that this program is successful, cities, the County of Orange and Caltrans will be required to work together and prepare a common traffic signal synchronization plan before receiving funds. In addition, cities will be required to provide 20 percent of the costs. Once in place, the program will provide funding for ongoing maintenance and operation of the synchronization plan. Local jurisdictions will be required to publicly report on the performance of their signal synchronization efforts every three years. Cost: The estimated cost of developing and maintaining a regional traffic signal synchronization program for Orange County is $453.1 million. pg � rtea` Project 0 Flexible Local Funding Program Description: This element of the program will provide flexible funding to help cities and the County of Orange keep up with the rising cost of repairing the aging street system. In addition, cities can use these funds for other local transportation needs such residential street projects, traffic and pedestrian safety near schools, etc. This program is intended to augment, rather than replace, existing transportation expenditures and therefore cities must meet the following requirements to receive the funds. 1. Continue to invest General Fund monies (or other local discretionary monies) for transportation and annually increase this commitment to keep pace with inflation. 2. Agree to use Measure M funds for transportation purposes only, subject to full repayment and a loss of funding eligibility for five years for any misuse. 3. Agree to separate accounting for Measure M funds and annual reporting on actual Measure M expenditures. 4. Develop and maintain a Pavement Management Program to ensure timely street maintenance and submit regular public reports on the condition of streets. rigA772, 5. Annually submit a five -year Capital Improvement Program and commit to spend Measure M funds within three years of receipt. 6. Agree to assess traffic impacts of new development and require that new development pay a fair share of any necessary transportation improvements. 7. Agree to plan, build and operate major streets consistent with the countywide Master Plan of Arterial Highways to ensure efficient traffic flow across city boundaries. 8. Agree to participate in the Traffic Signal Synchronization Program to implement and maintain effective signal synchronization. This requires cities to balance local traffic policies with neighboring cities - for selected streets - to promote more efficient traffic circulation overall. 9. Agree to consider land use planning strategies that are transit - friendly, support alternative transportation modes including bike and pedestrian access and reduce reliance on the automobile. The funds under this program are distributed to cities and the County of Orange by formula once the cities have fulfilled the above requirements. The formula will account for population, street mileage and amount of sales tax collected in each jurisdiction. Cost: The estimated cost for this program for thirty years is $2,039.1 million. Building streets, roads and freeways helps fix today's traffic problems. Building a visionary rail system that is safe, clean and convenient focuses on Orange County's transportation future. Twenty -five percent of net revenues from the Re- newed Measure M Transportation Investment Plan are allocated towards building and improving rail and bus transportation in Orange County. Approxi- mately twenty percent of the Renewed Measure M funds are allocated to developing a creative county- wide rail program and five percent of the revenues will be used to enhance programs for senior citizens and for targeted, localized bus service. All transit expenditures must be consistent with the safeguards and audit provisions of the Plan. A New Transit Vision The key element of the Renewed Measure M rail pro- gram is improving the 100- year -old Santa Fe rail line through the heart of the county. Then, by using this well - established, operational commuter rail system as a platform for future growth, existing rail stations will be developed into regional transportation hubs that can serve as regional transportation gateways or the centerpiece of local transportation services. A se- ries of new, well- coordinated, flexible transportation systems, each one customized to the unique trans- portation vision the station serves, will be developed. Creativity and good financial sense will be encour- aged. Partnerships will be promoted. Transportation solutions for each transportation hub can range from monorails to local mini -bus systems to new tech- nologies. Fresh thinking will be rewarded. The new, localized rail programs will bring compe- tition to local transportation planning, creating a marketplace of transportation ideas where the best ideas emerge and compete for funding. The plan is to encourage civic entrepreneurship and stimulate private involvement and investment. Selection Criteria Each local rail vision will be carefully evaluated on well - defined, well -known criteria that values: • Traffic congestion relief; • Project readiness, with priority given to projects that can be implemented within the first five years of the Plan; • Local funding commitments and the availability of right -of -way; • Proven ability to attract other financial partners, both public and private; • Proximity to jobs and population centers; • Regional as well as local benefits; • Ease and simplicity of connections; • Compatible, approved land uses; • Modern technology; and • A sound, long term operating plan In terms of bus services, more specialized transit ser- vices, including improved van services and reduced fares for senior citizens and people with disabilities, will be provided. Safety at key bus stops will be improved. And a network of community- based, mini -bus services will be developed in areas outside of the central county rail corridor. t� { Project High Frequency Metrolink Service Description: This project will increase rail services within the county and provide frequent Metrolink service north of Fullerton to Los Angeles. The project will provide for track improvements, more trains, and other related needs to accommodate the expanded service. This project is designed to build on the successes of Metrolink and complement service expansion made possible by the current Measure M. The service will include upgraded stations and parking; safety improvements and quiet zones along the tracks; and frequent shuttle service and other means, to move arriving passengers to nearby destinations. The project also includes funding for improving grade crossings and constructing over or underpasses at high volume arterial streets that cross the Metrolink tracks. Cost The estimated cost of capital and operations is $1,014.1 million. Project High Capacity Transit Extensions to Metrolink Description: Frequent service in the Metrolink corridor provides a high capacity transit system linking communities within the central core of Orange County. This project will establish a competitive program for local jurisdictions to broaden the reach of the rail system to other activity centers and communities. Proposals for extensions will be evaluated against clear criteria such as congestion relief, project readiness, local funding commitment, private investment, connectivity, compatible land uses, proven technology and a sound operating plan. These connections may include a variety of transit technologies such as conventional bus, bus rapid transit or high capacity rail transit systems as long as they can be fully integrated and provide seamless transition for the users. Cost: The estimated cost to implement this program over thirty years is $1,000.0 million. w I Project Air Convert Metrolink Station(s) to Regional Gateways that Connect Orange County with Nigh Speed Rail Systems Description: This program will provide the local improvements that are necessary to connect planned future high speed rail systems to stations on the Orange County Metrolink route. The State of California is currently planning a high speed rail system linking northern and southern California. One line is planned to terminate in Orange County In addition, several magnetic levitation (MAGLEV) systems that would connect Orange County to Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties are also being planned or proposed by other agencies. Cost: The estimated Measure M share of the cost for these regional centers and connections is $226.6 million. wly Amk Project Expand Mobility Choices for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities Description: This project will provide services and programs to meet the growing transportation needs of seniors and persons with disabilities. This includes fare discounts for bus services, specialized ACCESS services and future rail services. One percent of net revenues will be available to continue and expand local community van service for seniors through the existing Senior Mobility Program. Another one percent will supplement existing countywide senior non - emergency medical transportation services. Over the next 30 years, the population age 65 and over is projected to increase by 93 percent. Demand for transit and specialized transportation services for seniors and persons with disabilities is expected to increase proportionately. Cost: The estimated cost to provide these programs over 30 years is $339.8 million. Every day, more than 70 million gallons of oily The environmental cleanup program is designed to pollution, litter, and dirty contamination washes off supplement, not supplant, existing transportation- streets, roads and freeways and pours on to Orange related water quality programs. This clean -up County waterways and beaches. When it rains, program must improve, and not replace, existing the transportation - generated pollution increases pollution reduction efforts by cities, the county, tenfold, contributing to the increasing number of and special districts. Funds will be awarded to the beach closures and environmental hazards along the highest priority programs that improve water quality, Orange County coast. keep our beaches and streets clean, and reduce transportation - generated pollution along Orange Prior to allocation of funds for freeway, street and County's scenic coastline. transit projects, two percent of gross revenues from the Renewed Measure M Transportation Investment Plan are set aside to protect Orange County beaches from transportation - generated pollution (sometimes called "urban runoff') and improving ocean water quality. Countywide Competitive Program Measure M Environmental Cleanup funds will be used on a countywide, competitive basis to meet federal Clean Water Act standards for controlling transportation - generated pollution by funding nationally recognized Best Management Practices, including: • Catch basins and state -of- the -art biofiltration systems; • Special roadside landscaping systems called bioswales that filter oil runoff from streets, roads and freeways; • Environmentally - sensitive street cleaning programs. 0M Project Environmental Cleanup Description: Implement street and highway related water quality improvement programs and projects that will assist Orange County cities, the County of Orange and special districts to meet federal Clean Water Act standards for urban runoff. The Environmental Cleanup monies may be used for water quality improvements related to both existing and new transportation infrastructure, including capital and operations improvements such as: • Catch basin screens, filters and inserts • Roadside bioswales and biofiltration channels • Continuous Deflective Separation (CDS) units • Maintenance of catch basins and bioswales • Other street-related "Best Management Practices" for capturing and treating urban runoff This program is intended to augment, not replace existing transportation related water quality expenditures and to emphasize high- impact capital improvements over local operations and maintenance costs. In addition, all new freeway, street and transit capital projects will include water quality mitigation as part of project scope and cost. The Environmental Cleanup program is subject to the following requirements: • Development of a comprehensive countywide capital improvement program for transportation related water quality improvements. • A competitive grant process to award funds to the highest priority, most cost - effective projects. • A matching requirement to leverage other federal, state and local funds for water quality improvements. • A maintenance of effort requirement to ensure that funds augment, not replace existing water quality programs. • Annual reporting on actual expenditures and an assessment of the water quality benefits provided. • A strict limit on administrative costs and a requirement to spend funds within five years of receipt. • Penalties for misuse of any of the Environmental Cleanup funds. Cost: The estimated cost for the Environmental Cleanup program is $237.2 million. In addition it is estimated that new freeway, road and transit projects funded by the Renewed Measure M Transportation Investment Plan will include more than $ I65 million for mitigating water quality impacts. a� F: r When new transportation dollars are approved, Back to the Voters they should go for transportation and transportation Of course, over the next 30 years, things will change. alone. No bait - and - switch. No using transportation Minor adjustments can be made by a 2/3 vote of the dollars for other purposes. The original Measure M Taxpayer Oversight Committee and a 2/3 vote of went solely for transportation. The Renewed Measure the Orange County Local Transportation Authority M will be just as airtight. Board of Directors. Major changes must be taken back to voters for authorization. And, every ten And there will be no hidden costs in the program. years, and more frequently if necessary, the Orange County Local Transportation Authority must conduct Prior to allocation of funds for freeway, street and a thorough examination of the Renewed Measure transit projects, one percent of gross revenues from M Investment Plan and determine if major changes the Renewed Measure M Transportation Investment should be submitted to the voters. Plans are set aside for audits, safeguards, and taxpayer protection. By state law, one and one half There are other important taxpayer safeguards, percent of the gross sales taxes generated by Measure all designed to insure the integrity of the voter - M must be paid to the California State Board of authorized plans. But each is focused on one goal: Equalization for collecting the countywide one- guaranteeing that new transportation dollars are half percent sales tax that funds the Transportation devoted to solving Orange County's traffic problems Investment Program. and that no transportation dollars are diverted to anything else. Special Trust Fund To guarantee transportation dollars are used for transportation purposes, all funds must be kept in a special trust fund. An independent, outside audit of this fund will protect against cheaters who try to use the transportation funds for purposes other than specified transportation uses. A severe punishment will disqualify any agency that cheats from receiving Measure M funds for a five -year period. The annual audits, and annual reports detailing project progress, will be sent to Orange County taxpayers every year and will be reviewed in public session by a special Taxpayers' Oversight Committee that can raise fiscal issues, ask tough questions, and must independently certify, on an annual basis, that transportation dollars have been spent strictly according to the Renewed Measure M Investment Plan. go Taxpayer Safeguards and Audits Description: Implement and maintain strict taxpayer safeguards to ensure that the Renewed Measure M Transportation Investment Plan is delivered as promised. Restrict administrative costs to one percent (1 0/6) of total tax revenues and State collection of the tax as prescribed in state law [currently one - and - one -half (1.59'0) percent]. Administration of the Transportation Investment Plan and all spending is subject to the following specific safeguards and requirements: Oversight • All spending is subject to an annual independent audit. • Spending decisions must be annually reviewed and certified by an independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee. An annual report on spending and progress in implementing the Plan must be submitted to taxpayers. Integrity of the Plan • No changes to the Plan can be made without review and approval by 2/3 vote of the Taxpayers' Oversight Committee. • Major changes to the Plan such as deleting a project or shifting projects among major spending categories (Freeways, Streets & Roads, Transit, Environmental Cleanup) must be ratified by a majority of voters. The Plan must be subject at least every ten years to public review and assessment of progress in delivery, public support and changed circumstances. Any significant proposed changes to the Plan must be approved by the Taxpayer Oversight Committee and ratified by a majority of voters. Fund Accounting • All tax revenues and interest earned must be deposited and maintained in a separate trust fund. Local jurisdictions that receive allocations must also maintain them in a separate fund. • All entities receiving tax funds must report annually on expenditures and progress in implementing projects. • At any time, at its discretion, the Taxpayers' Oversight Committee may conduct independent reviews or audits of the spending of tax funds. • The elected Auditor /Controller of Orange County must annually certify that spending is in accordance with the Plan. Spending Requirements • Local jurisdictions receiving funds must abide by specific eligibility and spending requirements detailed in the Streets & Roads and Environmental Cleanup components of the Plan. • Funds must be used only for transportation purposes described in the Plan. The penalty for misspending is full repayment and loss of funding eligibility for a period of five years. • No funds may be used to replace private developer funding committed to any project or improvement. Funds shall augment, not replace existing funds. Every effort shall be made to maximize matching state and federal transportation dollars. r, NM'7 Taxpayer Oversight Committee • The committee shall consist of eleven members — two members from each of the five Board of Supervisor's districts, who shall not be elected or appointed officials —along with the elected Auditor /Controller of Orange County. • Members shall be recruited and screened for expertise and experience by the Orange County Grand Jurors Association. Members shall be selected from the qualified pool by lottery. • The committee shall be provided with sufficient resources to conduct independent reviews and audits of spending and implementation of the Plan. Collecting the Tax • The State Board of Equalization shall be paid one - and - one -half (1.5) percent of gross revenues each fiscal year for its services in collecting sales tax revenue as prescribed in Section 7273 of the State's Revenue and Taxation Code. Cost: The estimated cost for Safeguards and Audits over thirty years is $296.6 million. I -5 Santa Ana Freeway Interchange Improvements 0 $470.0 I -5 Santa Ana/San Diego Freeway Improvements W104, 0 ®' 1,185.2 SR -22 Garden Grove Freeway Access Improvements 0 120.0 SR -55 Costa Mesa Freeway Improvements 0 366.0 SR -57 Orange Freeway Improvements 258,7 SR -91 Riverside Freeway Improvements Goo 1,481.5 I -405 San Diego Freeway Improvements 819.7 1 -605 Freeway Access Improvements at Katella Avenue 20.0 All Freeway Service Patrol 150.0 Roads Projects Regional Capacity Program • 32.8 Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Program :];2,039.1 53.1 Flexible Local Funding Program ansit Projects (in millions) High Frequency Metrolink Service 0 $1,014.1 High Capacity Transit Extensions to Metrolink 0 1,000.0 Metrolink Gateways to High Speed Rail Systems 0 226.6 Mobility Choices for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities G 339.8 Community Based Transit/Circulators 0 226.5 Safe Transit Stops vironmental Cleanup (in millions) 25.0 Cleanup Highway and Street Runoff that Pollutes Beaches 10 1 $237.2 Collect Sales Taxes (State charges required by law) I I $178.0 Oversight and Annual Audits 118.6 The Renewed Measure M Transportation Investment Plan details the traffic improvement projects and programs that can be done if the Measure M one -half cent transportation tax is renewed for another thirty years. We are looking for your thoughts and ideas on this proposed Plan. To contribute your ideas, please fill out this card on the reverse side, fold and tape shut, attach a postage stamp and mail it no later than March 31, 2006. ajay dwels aoeld 3JV1SOd 96B 6SWCWZ6 `dO 'aBueaO VW4 xoe Od ue1d;u9uals9nuJ W ainseaW :u )jV fquuoglnV uoile}jodsuejl AlunoO eftwo 3IH3H 3dVl