HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 2021 0407 CCSA REG ITEM 09ACITY OF MOORPARK, CALIFORNIA
City Council Meeting
of April 07, 2021
ACTION Approved Staff Recommendation,
as Amended. (Roll Call Vote: Unanimous).
BY B.Garza.
A. Review and Approve Freight Corridor Study Draft Letter. Staff Recommendation:
Approve Draft Freight Corridor Stud letter. (Staff: Troy Brown)
Item: 9.A.
MOORPARK CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: Troy Brown, City Manager
DATE: 04/07/2021 Regular Meeting
SUBJECT: Review and Approve Freight Corridor Study Draft Letter
BACKGROUND
On October 10, 2019, the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG)
awarded a contract to Iteris, Inc. to develop a Ventura County Freight Corridor Study to
identify and prioritize the most significant freight corridors in Ventura County. The project
objectives include mitigating impacts associated with freight traffic, greenhouse gas
(GHG) emissions, and air quality by planning for a safer, more efficient, sustainable freight
connection beyond US 101, and between US 101 and the regional highways (SR-126
and SR-118).
Consistent with the requirements of the Caltrans Regional Planning grant that funds this
project, the project shall identify new or alternative freight routes to mitigate the impacts
from freight traffic that generates GHG emissions, particulate matter, and other criteria
pollutants that disproportionately affect disadvantaged communities adjacent to these
corridors.
DISCUSSION
The Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC), the Port of Hueneme, and
Caltrans have partnered with the SCAG to develop the Ventura County Freight Corridors
Study. The study anticipates working with community and industry groups and the
general public to refine the project objective, focus analysis efforts, and develop solutions.
The Ventura County Freight Corridors Study will establish a more thorough understanding
of the highway freight corridors in Ventura County, along with key related local roads, and
use the knowledge to inform future highway planning and investment decisions. It will
identify opportunities to support cleaner freight and goods movement, while continuing to
promote Ventura County’s industries, including the strong agricultural economy, as well
as the region and State’s economic growth.
Item: 9.A.
174
Honorable City Council
4/07/2021 Regular Meeting
Page 2
The City of Moorpark could potentially be impacted by the outcomes in the study as Los
Angeles Avenue is a major statewide freeway (SR-118) that traverses the City. Truck
traffic along Los Angeles Avenue is among the City’s top priorities, and the City has a
long history of taking measures to mitigate the impact of truck traffic along Los Angeles
Avenue, (SR-118).
This Freight Corridor Study is an opportunity for the City to once again state its position
and outline the efforts that have been undertaken to address truck traffic. By providing
input into the process on efforts we have undertaken (such as securing right-of-way and
identifying potential bypass routes) in addition to outlining safety concerns and resident
sentiment around the truck issue, the input of the City can be inserted into this effort, as
our sentiments have been outlined in other efforts.
A letter that will serve as testimony into the process has been drafted for your review and
approval.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
COUNCIL GOAL COMPLIANCE
This action does not support a current strategic directive.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Approve Draft Freight Corridor Study letter.
Attachment: Draft Freight Corridor Study Letter
175
April 8, 2021
Caitlin Brooks, Project Manager
Ventura County Transportation Commission
751 E. Daily Drive, Suite 420
Camarillo, CA 93010
Subject: Ventura County Freight Corridor Study
Dear Ms. Brooks,
The movement of goods and services is vital to the health of our region’s economy, future
investments and sustainability, and quality of life. The City of Moorpark recognizes the goals of
the Freight Corridor Study to identify and prioritize projects, investments, and solutions to ward
more efficient and safe freight connections. We recognize that these goals are intrinsic values
to the County, and to the broader geographic region that will benefit from this study. Along those
overarching goals and priorities, we hope that this study will also consider and recognize that
the City of Moorpark is an important component to the success of this study and its
implementation.
Moorpark is located along, and bounded by, State Highway 118, State Route 23, freight rail
lines, and a freeway interchange that connects the region to the US 101 corridor. The residents
of Moorpark are impacted by the transportation systems that provide the continuous movement
of goods and services throughout the region. It has been a longstanding goal for the City Council
to reduce the traffic congestion along State Highway 118 as it serves as the primary east -west
arterial within the City Limit. The City has engaged with Caltrans District 7 staff, private
developers, and community stakeholders to make the necessa ry investments on Highway 118
to improve traffic flow, safety, and mobility for its residents and community stakeholders. The
heart of Moorpark’s commercial district relies on a safe and efficient Highway 118. Any
proposals, capital improvements, and investments that will increase truck traffic onto State
Highway 118 will be discouraged and opposed by the City. Instead, the City would like to
participate in improvements that would maintain truck traffic on the larger freeway corridors such
as US 101, 23 Freeway, and Highway 118 Freeway easterly toward Simi Valley.
The City’s Capital Improvement Program has identified several key projects that focus on the
improved movement of goods and services within the eastern Ventura County area by creating
a new truck bypass route and a new 118/23 Freeway Interchange. This long -term vision aims
to fulfill the City’s goals to create the “free-flow” movement of freight between the 23 and 118
Freeways, improve quality of life for Moorpark residents, and take a proactive approach to
reduce greenhouse gases in and around the vulnerable populations that reside along the Los
Angeles Avenue corridor.
ATTACHMENT
176
The City has acquired some right-of-way along the proposed alignment of this truck bypass
route. Although the projects are still in the planning phases, we believe the proposed
improvements are an opportunity that should be considered and evaluated as part of the freight
study.
In addition to the State Highways, Moorpark is bifurcated by a Union Pacific railway that is also
used by Amtrak and Metrolink. There are several at-grade crossings that should be considered
for improvements to increase efficiency and safety for all modes of transportation. When a large
freight train breaks down or becomes inoperable while moving through the City, the local street
and transportation network become paralyzed. Both truck traffic and freight rail systems
converge within Moorpark City Limit and have a direct impact on the residents and their quality
of life.
We appreciate VCTC’s engagement with the public and this letter serves to provide the City’s
position towards a positive outcome for the Freight Corridor Study. The City wishes to be an
active participant during the study and its prioritization for solutions that will improve the safety
and efficiency for the freight corridors that are within the City limit. If you have any questions or
would like to discuss further, please contact Karen Vaughn, Community Development Director,
or Daniel Kim, City Engineer/Public Works Director.
Very truly yours,
Janice S. Parvin
Mayor
e-copy: Troy Brown, City Manager
Karen Vaughn, Community Development Director
Daniel Kim, City Engineer/Public Works Director
177