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ACTION ALERT: Tell your local Council of Governments that you support Metro’s proposal to modernize

As we shared in our recent News Cycle, Metro has proposed a change that would open up the funding available for the highway program to be used by local jurisdictions for active transportation projects. We have been made aware that despite there being support from members of the Metro Board of Directors, they will not push to make this change so long as the Council of Governments, which represent the nine sub-regions, offer strong pushback.

To show a groundswell of support for the motion, which would increase availability of funding for city active transportation projects, LACBC is asking you to reach out to your local COG representatives and share your support for the motion during each meeting’s public comment period.

Below are the key talking points we recommend you incorporate into your public comment.

Use these links to access the instructions for how to join the meeting and provide public comment for each COG. The list is prioritized by the date and time of the upcoming meeting.

Key Talking Points:

  1. Metro’s role is to develop multimodal transportation facilities that meet the needs of all community members. Metro’s goal should be to improve transportation infrastructure that increases accessibility to safe and sustainable travel. Promote safe, sustainable, and equitable transportation for all communities. 

  2. Growing access to active transportation also serves to increase access to economic development opportunities, educational attainment, and greater community engagement

  3. Adding more lanes doesn’t reduce traffic. The outcome of roadway widening and expansion is well-documented and acknowledged in the academic world. In 2017 the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research advised agencies that “each percent increase in lane miles results in a 1.03 percent increase in vehicle travel” (Source: pg. 29 – http://opr.ca.gov/docs/20180416-743_Technical_Advisory_4.16.18.pdf). Even Caltrans has acknowledged this fact. 

  4. Allow cities more flexibility in how they utilize funds for multimodal transportation (i.e. complete street projects) — make the program more flexible.

  5. The funds will remain with and be spent at the discretion of sub-regions. This will allow for greater flexibility so that projects that provide alternatives to vehicular transportation can also be funded.

  6. Vehicular transportation is the main source of air pollution in southern California, which is one of the most polluted regions in the United States. Disadvantaged communities bear a disproportionate burden of air pollution from vehicular trips. Vehicular transportation (commercial and individual vehicles) account for over half of greenhouse gas emissions in California.

  7. It is critical that future investments help reduce vehicular dependence if we want to reach California’s climate goals. We must work toward mitigating the worst impacts of climate change and contribute to a safer and more sustainable future. 

SGVCOG Transportation Committee Meeting – Thursday, November 19, 2020 – 2PM

Submission of Public Comments: For those wishing to make public comments on agenda and non-agenda items you may submit comments via email or by phone.

  1. Email: Please submit via email your public comment to SGVCOG Management Analyst, Alexander Fung (afung@sgvcog.org), at least 1 hour prior to the scheduled meeting time. Please indicate in the Subject Line of the email “FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.” Emailed public comments will be part of the recorded meeting minutes. Public comments may be summarized in the interest of time; however, the full texts will be provided to all members of the Committee prior to the meeting.

  2. Phone: Please email your name and phone number to SGVCOG Management Analyst, Alexander Fung (afung@sgvcog.org), at least 1 hour prior to the scheduled meeting time for the specific agenda item you wish to provide public comment on. Please indicate in the Subject Line of the email “FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.” You will be called on the phone number provided at the appropriate time, either during general public comment or specific agenda item. Wait to be called upon by staff, and then you may provide verbal comments for up to 3 minutes.

SGVCOG Governing Board Meeting – Thursday, November 19, 2020 – 4PM

  1. Livestream available: https://youtu.be/fnCG5FLw4cE

  2. Website with meeting agenda and details: https://www.sgvcog.org/governing-board-agenda

Submission of Public Comments: For those wishing to make public comments on agenda and non-agenda items you may submit comments via email or by phone.

  1. Email: Please submit via email your public comment to SGVCOG Management Analyst, Alexander Fung (afung@sgvcog.org), at least 1 hour prior to the scheduled meeting time. Please indicate in the Subject Line of the email “FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.” Emailed public comments will be part of the recorded meeting minutes. Public comments may be summarized in the interest of time; however, the full texts will be provided to all members of the Committee prior to the meeting.

  2. Phone: Please email your name and phone number to SGVCOG Management Analyst, Alexander Fung (afung@sgvcog.org), at least 1 hour prior to the scheduled meeting time for the specific agenda item you wish to provide public comment on. Please indicate in the Subject Line of the email “FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.” You will be called on the phone number provided at the appropriate time, either during general public comment or specific agenda item. Wait to be called upon by staff, and then you may provide verbal comments for up to 3 minutes.

South Bay Cities

  1. Board of Directors Meeting – Thursday November 19, 2020 – 6PM 

  2. Register in advance of the meeting to receive Zoom Credentials – https://scag.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIld-uorDsqhEYyjIrAPN_G-rVEpc0Lrw

OR

  1. To access the Zoom meeting, visit https://zoom.us/join OR call (669) 900-6833 

Meeting ID: 968 020 200; Passcode: 398836

Gateway Cities COG

  1. Board of Directors Meeting – Wednesday December 2, 2020 – 5:30PM 

  2. Register in advance of the meeting to receive Zoom credentials – https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_vdMMC-f4Qv6xaBlmzV0DZQ

  4. Comments should be focused on item VII on the agenda

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