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November 2017
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Rail to Redlands Working Group Presentation

November 6
Redlands, CA
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About Us
The San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) is the transportation planning agency for San Bernardino County.

SBCTA is responsible for cooperative regional planning and furthering an efficient multi-modal transportation system countywide.

SBCTA proudly serves the more than 2.1 million residents of San Bernardino County.
 
Agreement with Omnitrans for West Valley Project

During the November 1st meeting the SBCTA Board of Directors approved a contract in the amount of $29.9 million with Omnitrans, which defined the roles and responsibilities of each agency for the implementation of the West Valley Connector Project. The agreement also outlines Omnitrans' contribution to reimburse SBCTA for the cost of the project. The West Valley Connector project is a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line designed to improve the speed and quality of public transit service in the western San Bernardino Valley cities including: Pomona, Montclair, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga and Fontana. SBCTA plans to construct the West Valley Connector (WVC), which will then be operated by Omnitrans which was approved by both the SBCTA Board and Omnitrans Board in January 2017. 

Best Practices for Local Governments to Address Drug Misuse and Abuse 

As a result of the opioid crisis which has made national headlines, the San Bernardino Council of Governments (SBCOG) Board asked staff to identify how our local agencies may respond to this significant health issue. Staff reached out to the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health, the lead agency for responding to opioid misuse and the broader issues of substance abuse in the County. The team at Behavioral Health department provided a full range of substance use disorder treatment services for San Bernardino County communities and residents. SBCOG is working together with the County to inform and encourage local governments to use these existing programs and services to help address substance use disorders in their communities.

The Department of Behavioral Health presented the SBCOG Board with a review of opioid abuse in the County, how communities can engage in environmental prevention efforts, as well as local and national events to raise awareness. Substance misuse and abuse is a multifaceted issue that requires an ongoing collaborative effort, a variety of programs, policies, and community outreach aimed at addressing both prevention and treatment. 

To learn more on how to address drug misuse or abuse, visit the following websites that were referenced during the presentation:
I-215 Landscaping Replacement Project 

The SBCTA Board has awarded a construction contract for the Landscape Replacement project for the construction phase of the I-215 segments 1 and 3. The Invitation for Bids (IFB) was released on July 24, 2017 and sent electronically to 116 firms registered on PlanetBids. A total of 14 prime contractors and 13 subcontractors/suppliers downloaded the IFB. The solicitation was issued in accordance with current SBCTA policies and procedures for construction projects. Through the competitive low bid process, IFB and Disadvantage Business Enterprise (DBE) requirements, the contract was awarded to Griffith Company in the amount of $4.7 million.

GRID Alternatives Inland Empire

A representative from GRID Alternative Inland Empire presented the organization's list of programs and activities during this month's SBCTA Board of Director's meeting.

GRID Alternatives is a non-profit based in California that has two primary missions. The first is to help low-income households receive the benefits of switching to solar energy. And the second is to provide workforce development-training opportunities through hands-on experience and training in the field of solar installation.

GRID Alternatives has received funding from the California Public Utilities Commission to provide their services at no cost to qualifying households. GRID Alternatives has partnered with many jurisdictions throughout the Inland Empire to create a greater awareness of their services and identify potential clients who would benefit from those
programs. For additional information on GRID Alternatives and their programs and services, visit their website. 
 
Business 2 Business Expo Success 

On October 17th, SBCTA held its 5th Annual Business 2 Business Expo at the Ontario Convention Center. Assemblymember Reyes joined us to kick off the event that had more than 50 exhibitors and 350 attendees. This was the most highly attended Business 2 Business Expo that the agency has hosted and comes with great feedback from attendees and exhibitors stating that the conference was valuable, informative, and a wonderful way to enhance awareness of opportunities to work with SBCTA .  

Tiwi Oven Delights Coming to Santa Fe Depot

A lease agreement has been granted to Tiwi Oven Delights for the space adjacent to the Main Lobby of the San Bernardino Santa Fe Depot. The San Bernardino County Transportation Authority and the City of San Bernardino, as co-owners of the Santa Fe Depot and as Tenants-in-Common, share the responsibilities for the depot. The space last became vacant in 2014 and since then, SBCTA's Depot property management firm has worked to find a new tenant. Stay tuned for a grand opening announcement in the near future.

Veterans Ride Free!