bus & maintenance soq

ULTRASYSTEMS ENVIRONMENTAL | BUS & MAINTENANCE SOLUTIONS | STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS

Environmental Services for Bus and Maintenance Facilities – Page i

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................ 1

About the Firm ........................................................................................................................................................ 1 Qualified Environmental Services .................................................................................................................... 1

Areas of Expertise .................................................................................................................................................. 2 Firm Stability and Strength | Credibility | In Business for More Than 20 years ............................ 2 Business Certifications .......................................................................................................................................... 2 Meeting Client Expectations ................................................................................................................................ 2 Hands-on Expertise with Regulatory Agencies ........................................................................................... 3 Understanding of Local Laws .............................................................................................................................. 3

Company Capabilities .......................................................................................................................................... 3 Technical Disciplines .............................................................................................................................................. 3

Experience With Regulatory and Funding Agencies ................................................................................. 6

Key Personnel ......................................................................................................................................................... 7

Representative Project Experience.............................................................................................................. 10 Perris Transportation Facility .......................................................................................................................... 10 RTA Bus and Maintenance Facility - Hemet ................................................................................................ 10 Transportation Facility Improvements ........................................................................................................ 11 Yucca Valley Transit Center ............................................................................................................................... 11 Corona Bus Transit Facility ............................................................................................................................... 12 Warner Center Park and Ride Facility .......................................................................................................... 12 Transit Administration, Operations and Maintenance Facility .......................................................... 13 Transportation Facility, Phase II Expansion............................................................................................... 14 Property Acquisition ............................................................................................................................................ 14 Revised Final EIR for the Metro Orange Line ............................................................................................. 15 Environmental Monitoring - San Fernando Valley Bus Rapid Transit Line .................................. 15 Metro Technical Feasibility Analysis, Harbor Subdivision Passenger

Transportation Operations ................................................................................................................ 16 Compressed Natural Gas, Metro Division 5 ................................................................................................ 16 Compressed Natural Gas, metro division 7 ................................................................................................. 17 Foothill Transit Bus and Maintenance Facility .......................................................................................... 18 Transit Village (Planned but not Developed) ............................................................................................. 18 City of Mesa Transit Maintenance Facility .................................................................................................. 19 City of Gardena Bus and Maintenance Facility .......................................................................................... 20 Los Alamitos Unified School Auxiliary Maintenance Yard Modernization and

Improvements ......................................................................................................................................... 22 New Century High School ................................................................................................................................... 22


Environmental Services for Bus and Maintenance Facilities – Page 1

INTRODUCTION

As public transportation agencies in southern California continue to expand their operations and increase their fleets, the need for administrative, vehicle maintenance and vehicle repair facilities will grow. Helping transportation agencies obtain environmental clearance under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) has been a core business of UltraSystems Environmental, Inc. (UltraSystems) since the company’s founding. This statement of qualifications (SOQ) describes UltraSystems’ general qualifications to provide a variety of environmental analytical and compliance services, along with capabilities and experience directly related to maintenance and repair facilities.

ABOUT THE FIRM

UltraSystems is a leader in compliance with federal, state and local environmental regulations governing project planning and development. As a full-service, interdisciplinary environmental consulting firm, we have the expertise to help our transportation clients successfully meet their business objectives. UltraSystems has been serving both public and private sector clients throughout California since 1994. Our headquarters are located at 16431 Scientific Way in Irvine, California. UltraSystems also maintains offices in Berkeley, Carlsbad, El Centro, Grass Valley and Sacramento, California.

QUALIFIED ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

UltraSystems utilizes its broad range of experience with bus maintenance facilities to prepare legally defensible environmental documents and technical studies in compliance with NEPA, CEQA, the Clean Air Act (CAA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), the Archaeological Resource Protection Act (ARPA) and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) guidelines.

Preparing and reviewing CEQA and NEPA documents is our core service at UltraSystems. This expertise involves coordination with local, state, federal and other governmental agencies; management of public participation programs; issuance of required legal notices; and incorporation of the document into the overall planning process. Once environmental clearance is obtained, UltraSystems works closely with the lead agency and the staffs of regulatory agencies to obtain environmentally-related permits for the new or modified facility. Finally, during construction and often after, UltraSystems provides field monitors to ensure that mitigation measures are carried out properly and that permit conditions are being followed.



AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Our areas of expertise include environmental due diligence review, including site selection and analysis; construction environmental management; and technical studies to fulfill environmental regulations. Our reputation as a problem-solver comes from our commitment to pragmatism, technical excellence and meticulous communication in service to our clients. UltraSystems is committed to successful project management, time management and project delivery.

FIRM STABILITY AND STRENGTH | CREDIBILITY | IN BUSINESS FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS

UltraSystems has been providing consulting services to public and private sector clients throughout California since the founding of the firm in 1994. During those 21 years, the firm has prepared over 4,000 environmental reports, engineering studies or technical studies for clients. UltraSystems continues to specialize in providing comprehensive services, emphasizing quality and client-oriented service.

UltraSystems’ team of working professionals offers the highest level of experience, knowledge and commitment in providing environmental and engineering services. Our purpose is to manage each project we undertake efficiently, with respect to the project’s work scope, budget and schedule; ultimately producing and delivering quality work product for that project.

BUSINESS CERTIFICATIONS

UltraSystems is certified with various federal, state and local agencies. Currently, the firm holds certification as a federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), Small Business Enterprise (SBE), Woman-owned Business Enterprise (WBE) and federal Woman-owned Small Business (WOSB). We also maintain certification through the Supplier Clearinghouse (CPUC) for utility clients.

MEETING CLIENT EXPECTATIONS

UltraSystems has a long history of providing technological innovation and creative approaches to solving challenging issues for clients. Public agencies and private businesses in California have relied on UltraSystems to keep them in compliance with federal, state and local environmental laws, regulations and guidelines since 1994. The majority of our work stems from repeat customers who trust us to deliver scientific objectivity, environmental expertise and legally-defensible technical documents, required to meet stringent agency regulations.

UltraSystems’ CEQA/NEPA documents have never been successfully challenged in a court of law. This is a direct result of our proven expertise interpreting and advising our clients on complex environmental legislation and regulations. Additionally, our respected working relationships with regulatory agencies are advantageous for our clients to swiftly obtain required permits and project approvals.



HANDS-ON EXPERTISE WITH REGULATORY AGENCIES

UltraSystems staff regularly interacts with federal, state, regional and local regulatory agencies, both as part of our environmental analyses under CEQA/NEPA, and in securing permits for our clients. We keep up to date on the requirements of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the California Coastal Commission (CCC), California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA), Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), Regional Water Quality Control Boards (RWQCBs), South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), California Air Resources Board (ARB), Imperial County Air Pollution Control District, the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle), and various other agencies to ensure that our regulatory knowledge is current. UltraSystems has been responsible for compliance documents, management plans and associated permits. Our firm has also conducted interagency coordination at varying levels of detail and complexity on behalf of clients.

UNDERSTANDING OF LOCAL LAWS

Environmental evaluation of a maintenance facility requires understanding of the local regulatory context. Staff who would be assigned to your projects would be familiar with the political entities (e.g., city and county), resource agencies and environmental issues of the surrounding area. Of particular interest are the community’s general plan (especially the land use, circulation, and noise elements) and specific plans, noise ordinance, climate action plan (if any), and local and regional habitat conservation plans.

COMPANY CAPABILITIES

TECHNICAL DISCIPLINES

UltraSystems’ Air Quality experts have prepared hundreds of air quality technical reports and performed on-site compliance monitoring for major construction projects. They have prepared air quality analyses for multiple industrial, transportation, infrastructure, commercial and residential development projects. UltraSystems provides baseline assessments of existing conditions; estimates construction and operational emissions; and prepares health risk assessments. UltraSystems’ staff are experts in using emissions models such as CalEEMod, EMFAC2011, and CT-EMFAC; and dispersion models such as ISCST3, AERMOD, EDMS, and ALOHA. We develop successful mitigation strategies, offering fresh and creative solutions, and have negotiated agency approvals to expedite projects. UltraSystems also helps clients comply with air quality regulations through obtaining permits to construct and operate, preparing annual emissions reports and quadrennial air toxics emission inventories, and responding to notices of violation.

UltraSystems’ Noise group has prepared noise control and noise monitoring plans for construction projects and has audited compliance with field sampling requirements. The Noise group supports CEQA and NEPA documentation by preparing stand-alone technical studies and report sections. It conducts ambient noise monitoring to establish background exposures. Using its extensive library



of construction equipment noise data, UltraSystems calculates noise exposures during construction and recommends mitigation measures to satisfy local criteria. UltraSystems models traffic noise with TNM 2.5; it also use the program for preliminary design of soundwalls. Train noise is another one of UltraSystems’ specialties. It has in-house software to conduct train noise analyses per Federal Transit Administration (FTA) guidelines. Finally, one potential noise source from bus maintenance

facilities is compressed natural gas equipment. On several projects, we have estimated exposures of nearby sensitive receivers to compressor noise.

UltraSystems’ Air Quality experts have the knowledge and experience to assist clients in meeting the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emission reductions required by AB 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. We have performed (GHG) inventories for the Port of Long Beach and for numerous public agencies, industrial firms and residential and commercial developers. UltraSystems can estimate GHG emissions for specific projects, and for a client’s day-to-day operations. Project-related emissions include those from off-road construction equipment, transportation of building materials, and construction waste, including short- and long-term traffic generated by a project. GHG emissions from day-to-day operations include direct emissions from combustion processes for water and space heating, on-site electrical generation and co-generation; fossil fuel-powered landscaping equipment, and use of company motor vehicles; and from fugitive sources (such as refrigerant leaks). Indirect emissions normally include those associated with purchased electricity, but can also include such uses as employee business travel, waste disposal and subcontracted services. A GHG analysis can sometimes include the carbon footprint of building materials, appliances and other supplies purchased from others.

In the field of Biology, our scientists provide a wide array of biological services, including field surveys, vegetation mapping, habitat evaluations, threatened and endangered species surveys, jurisdictional delineations and permitting. We maintain valuable ongoing relationships with the reviewing agencies for large construction projects, including the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Forest Service.

For maintenance facilities that would be built on undeveloped land, a variety of biological services may be needed, and we are equipped to provide them. UltraSystems’ biologists are experienced in major field work in Southern California using small to large teams of field crews. They offer a broad array of knowledge and are thoroughly familiar with California flora and fauna as well as special-status species’ natural history and conservation issues. Biological staff field experience includes reconnaissance-level to focused-level biological field surveys of on-site resources; habitat assessments and plant community mapping; riparian/riverine/vernal pool and fairy shrimp habitat assessments; general botanical and wildlife surveys; protocol surveys that focus on individual plant or wildlife species and conform to agency survey protocols for those species; breeding bird surveys; California Rapid Assessment Method (CRAM) analyses; jurisdictional wetland delineations; wildlife movement evaluations; habitat restoration and site qualitative/quantitative monitoring; preconstruction clearance surveys; and construction-related biological and permit compliance



monitoring. UltraSystems biologists hold federal and state permits, and are qualified to conduct protocol surveys for a wide range of sensitive species.

Our Cultural Resources staff is recognized as qualified historians, archaeologists and paleontologists by the federal government, state agencies and all local jurisdictions to which applications have been made. We have experience in all facets of cultural resource projects, including surveys, site testing and evaluation, Native American consultation, historic site recordation and research, mitigation programs, construction monitoring, cultural evaluations of geophysical data, evaluations for National Register eligibility and paleontological studies.

In the fields of Geology and Seismicity, our experts have a successful track record in obtaining approvals from the Division of Safety of Dams and the California Department of Water Resources, and have experience in researching and interpreting local seismic ordinances, incorporating existing background information contained in reports, memoranda of understanding (MOU) and other publicly-held documents from cities, counties and regional agencies, and combining this information to craft legally-defensible environmental documents and technical studies.

At some bus maintenance facilities, previous and/or current operations may have led to contamination of soils and groundwater with petroleum products and heavy metals. UltraSystems provides consulting services relating to the identification of Hazardous Materials, including Phase I Environmental Due-Diligence, Phase II Site Characterization Studies, and Phase III Remediation. Some of these assessments are included as part of the CEQA process, or many are performed for on-going businesses or property ownership transfers.

UltraSystems develops general construction Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP) to assist clients in complying with Section 402 of the Federal Clean Water Act NPDES regulations. Every construction site that disturbs one acre or more, or is less than one acre but part of a larger common plan that would disturb one acre or more, must comply with the State of California’s General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Construction Activities. The SWPPP must outline the Best Management Practices (BMPs) planned for use on the site to prevent pollutants from leaving the project site. The submission of a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) is required prior to the issuance of an improvement plan, grading permit or encroachment permit.

UltraSystems’ Geographic Information Systems staff is critical to our success, interpreting and presenting complex information in visually appealing ways. UltraSystems utilizes spatial analysis and mapping techniques to record significant features of a project study area, such as biological resources, land use coverage, topography, and hydrology, geology, and artifact densities. Our GIS capabilities enable us to locate, record, analyze and present significant amounts of project data and perform sophisticated modeling and spatial analysis to guide decision-making in site development.



High quality cartographic materials and well-defined analyses are standard products for our GIS services. Accurate and clear mapping, visual simulations, shade/shadow analyses and photography are essential components of our presentation of environmental analyses and planning projects.

The UltraSystems Planning group has recognized experts in the fields of federal and state environmental laws (NEPA/CEQA), planning and zoning laws, social sciences, environmental justice, and demographic analysis. Our staff has managed the environmental review for general plan updates and amendments, specific plans, and zoning changes. We also work with clients to conduct pre-project constraints analysis, feasibility studies, and land use compatibility analysis. Our planning group is well versed in coordinating with affected state, federal, and local agencies, and we have developed successful working relationships with a number of responsible agencies in southern California.

EXPERIENCE WITH REGULATORY AND FUNDING AGENCIES

UltraSystems’ staff regularly interacts with federal, state, regional and local regulatory and funding agencies, both as part of our environmental analyses under CEQA and NEPA, and in securing permits for our clients. We keep up to date on the requirements of agencies including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), the California Coastal Commission (CCC), Caltrans, the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA), Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), Regional Water Quality Control Boards (RWQCBs), South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), California Air Resources Board (ARB), and the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle). Frequent interactions with the professional staffs of these organizations gives us a thorough understanding of submittal requirements and mitigation options, and helps to smooth the way for our clients’ projects.

Many public transit agencies receive partial federal funding for bus maintenance facility projects. Environmental clearance frequently takes the form of a categorical exclusion (CE). We are familiar with, and have frequently used the CE checklist developed by the Federal Transit Administration’s San Francisco regional office.



KEY PERSONNEL

The following UltraSystems senior management staff and technical experts are available to assist you with your transit facility project.

Betsy A. Lindsay, MS – President/CEO Ms. Lindsay is the founder of UltraSystems Environmental. She has led the firm’s growth by focusing on quality and a service-driven approach for its clients. Ms. Lindsay brings over 31 years’ experience managing or providing principal oversight of environmental documents for various types of projects. Her primary responsibilities in-house include business and project management, contract administration, resource allocation and quality control. She also manages all corporate endeavors and assists with the QA/QC process of many environmental documents. Ms. Lindsay has managed and prepared more than 200 environmental documents, and provided entitlement obligations for large-scale public and private infrastructure projects.

Ken Koch, MS – Associate Principal Mr. Koch is an environmental professional with 25 years’ consulting experience assisting local, state and federal agencies navigate the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other local, state and federal requirements. He has successfully managed the environmental review of complex land use developments, water supply planning efforts, university and elementary school construction projects, transportation improvements, renewable energy development, and other infrastructure related projects. Mr. Koch specializes in managing multi-disciplinary teams of professionals in building a defensible and accurate environmental document that is understandable to the layperson.

Dan Herlihy, PG, CEG, CHG, QSP/QSD – Director of Operations, Environmental Compliance Specialist Mr. Herlihy has over 36 years’ hazardous materials management experience with knowledge and qualifications to evaluate hazardous materials and other environmental conditions in accordance with applicable regulations for brownfields; contaminated properties; and railway, freeway and bridge right-of-way projects. These include assessments of (1) aerially deposited lead (ADL); (2) oversight of asbestos containing material (ACM), lead-based paint (LBP) and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) sampling/abatement; and (3) hazardous materials and wastes storage, transportation and disposal. Mr. Herlihy has completed the 40-hour Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) training and annual certification refreshers.

In addition, Mr. Herlihy has experience in surface and groundwater hydrology, environmental project management, groundwater and soil contamination and regulatory affairs. He has been involved with hydrologic testing and analysis since 1976 and has performed hydrologic studies in a variety of geologic settings in California, Wyoming, New Mexico, Texas, Australia and Mexico. He has been selected as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) by the California Board of Registration for Geologists and Geophysicists to develop qualifications for the practice of hydrogeology in California.

Michael Rogozen, D.Env. – Senior Principal Engineer Dr. Rogozen heads UltraSystems’ air and noise practice. He has 38 years’ experience in project management, health risk assessment, air and industrial wastewater permitting in California, greenhouse gas emission inventories and carbon footprint studies, ambient air and noise



monitoring, dispersion modeling, pollution control technology assessment, economic analysis of air pollution control alternatives, air toxics emission inventory development, offsite consequence analysis, environmental database design, survey design and management, source test design and analysis, subsurface methane investigations, regulatory analysis, and technical writing and editing.

Dr. Rogozen is responsible for consulting, technical project management and business development. He has assisted industrial and governmental clients in complying with federal and local air quality regulations. His work has included managing air compliance audits, preparing applications for permits to construct and operate (including Title V permits), annual emissions reports and responses to notices to comply and notices of violation. He has also conducted many health risk assessments under AB2588, Proposition 65, and SCAQMD Rule 1401. Dr. Rogozen serves as a quality assurance officer for UltraSystems’ technical documents and proposals. He was project manager for an initial study/mitigated negative declaration for a new headquarters and bus maintenance facility for the SunLine Transit Agency in Thousand Oaks, California. Dr. Rogozen has also prepared operational noise (including CNG compressor units) analyses for several transit facilities.

Michelle Tollett, BA – Senior Biologist Ms. Tollett has 15 years’ professional experience. As a professional biologist, certified wetland delineator, and CRAM assessor, Ms. Tollett has a wide range of expertise in wetland delineations, and subsequent watercourse permitting, and habitat assessments, biological technical reports, natural environment studies, focused species surveys, including California Department of Fish and Wildlife streambed alteration agreements (Section 1600 permits), Regional Water Quality Control Board water quality certifications (Section 401 permits), United States Army Corps of Engineers individual and nationwide (Section 404) permits, California Coastal Commission coastal development permits (CDPs), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration essential fish habitat (EFH) assessments, and United States Fish and Wildlife Service Section 7 consultations under the Endangered Species Act.

Alan P. Garfinkel Gold, Ph.D. – Cultural Resource Director Dr. Garfinkel Gold has 35 years’ experience in all facets of cultural resource management, environmental planning and compliance. His background includes work on 57 construction-related projects. At UltraSystems, his responsibilities include project management, contract administration and quality control. He is responsible for the overall management and preparation and completion of both CEQA and NEPA compliance documents, including cultural resources archival research, Phase I Surveys, Phase II testing and evaluation, Phase III data recovery and mitigation, National Register of Historic Places evaluations and cultural resource management recommendations. Additionally, he has managed Native American coordination and consultation and cultural resource construction monitoring for a variety of development projects. Dr. Garfinkel Gold has especially good working relations with many of the Native American communities throughout southern California and close ties with a variety of public agencies, including the Bureau of Land Management, United States Forest Service, California Department of Parks and Recreation, California Native Heritage Commission, California Department of Transportation and the State Office of Historic Preservation.



Stephen O’Neil, MA, RPA – Archaeologist/Anthropologist – Cultural Resource Manager Mr. O’Neil has over 30 years’ experience with responsibilities including management of cultural resources tasks for multiple projects, writing and QA/QC of technical documents, coordinating field surveys and construction monitoring, and leading field efforts for historic and prehistoric site excavations and analysis. Mr. O’Neil has a broad scope of environmental consulting responsibilities and experience ranging from general project management and technical writing to prehistoric site excavation and construction monitoring. He has worked on projects with clients in both the public and private sectors—including alternative energy, energy transmission, U.S. Forest Service, parks, public works and water resources. He has authored and coauthored numerous technical reports and conducted surveys and monitoring in compliance with NEPA, CEQA, and other federal, state, regional and local laws and regulations. Mr. O’Neil is an active member in the field of cultural resources—he is a board member of the Pacific Coast Archaeological Society and the Orange County Natural History Museum Foundation. He is also a member of the Society for California Archaeology.

Mina Rouhi, MURP – Senior Planner/GIS Analyst Ms. Rouhi oversees the GIS group at UltraSystems. She provides mapping and analytical services for a wide range of projects. She has assisted with the graphical presentation of environmental documents, including Initial Studies and Preliminary Environmental Studies based on the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Ms. Rouhi has prepared maps utilizing ArcGIS in order to illustrate potential project impacts to sensitive environmental concerns. Her skills extend to GPS data transfer to GIS as well as analyzing impacts through spatial relationships. Her GIS experience extends to data management cartography, ArcGIS extensions, and geoprocessing tools. Ms. Rouhi’s GIS skills include file conversion from various data sources (i.e., AutoCAD, Google Earth) to GIS; manipulating and digitizing data, including parcels; utilizing U.S. Census socioeconomic data for graphical presentations; and utilizing geoprocessing tools to analyze project impacts. Her responsibilities include project management, data acquisition, cartographical analysis and map creation. Ms. Rouhi serves as task manager to GIS staff technicians, which requires in-depth technical knowledge, clear communication and strong project management skills.

Jolee Hui, MCP – Environmental Planner Ms. Hui is experienced in the preparation of the environmental documentation in accordance with the requirements of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). As an environmental planner, Ms. Hui assembles and integrates the contributions of technical staff into CEQA documents such as IS/MNDs and EIRs. Her experience in preparing NEPA and CEQA documents includes school facilities, housing, infrastructure, and transportation projects. Furthermore, she served as the Deputy Project Manager for the Auxiliary Maintenance Yard Modernization and Improvements project, which involved the installation of a CNG station to fuel school buses and the construction of a bus wash/maintenance building. Ms. Hui also analyzes land use compatibility issues and assists in project compliance with applicable local, state, or federal regulations or laws. She is also responsible for preparing responses to agency and public comments on circulated environmental documents.



REPRESENTATIVE PROJECT EXPERIENCE

PERRIS TRANSPORTATION FACILITY Client: Riverside Transit Agency Contact: Larry Rubio, CEO | T: (909) 684-0850 In order to meet demands for future fleet growth and to improve existing service levels, the RTA had determined that one or more satellite transportation facilities would be needed. Such a facility was considered by the RTA at a site within the city of Perris, CA. The RTA planned to construct a bus maintenance and operations facility for up to 200 buses, with fare retrieval, bus washing, and fueling capacities. At project buildout (approximately 15 years), the project would include employee and bus parking (approximately 400 spaces), administration offices (1,700 square feet), operations (13,500 square feet), maintenance (24,000 square feet), and fuel and wash station (6,500 square feet).

Work Scope: UltraSystems prepared an Initial Study for this project in accordance with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to analyze the direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental effects associated with the project. Because federal funds were being requested from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the environmental requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) were also adhered to by RTA. UltraSystems provided preliminary consultation with the FTA and the project met the criteria for a Class II Categorical Exclusion (CE).

The documentation contained in the Initial Study supported the finding that the proposed action would not cause a significant environmental effect, and that a Negative Declaration should be adopted in accordance with CEQA.

Project Highlights: UltraSystems prepared several technical studies for this project for RTA; they included air quality, noise and traffic studies.

RTA BUS AND MAINTENANCE FACILITY - HEMET Client: Riverside Transit Agency Contact: Larry Rubio, CEO | T: (909) 684-0850 The Riverside Transit Agency (RTA) operated bus transportation services in the western part of Riverside County with a fleet of 79 buses, three sheriff buses and six trollies, as well as various support vehicles. The RTA service area covered approximately 2,500 square miles. Initial studies by RTA had indicated that facility expansion was necessary to meet both current and future demands. To meet new transit demands, the RTA considered purchasing an existing waste storage facility located at 700 Scaramella Circle and 3750 Wentworth Drive. The project site was 11.95 acres and included existing administration and vehicle maintenance buildings, used by Waste Management Incorporated (WMI). WMI used the site for storing various pieces of equipment for its waste operation, including collection vehicles, trash bins, and roll-off containers.

Work Scope: UltraSystems prepared an Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) for RTA. RTA did not propose any new building construction for this project; rather the internal floor plans were reconfigured to meet RTA’s need for a bus line maintenance and operations facility. The



existing buildings were also brought up to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) code. In addition, a canopy was to be built over an existing fueling area to reduce the amount of contaminants released into the storm drain system, and a compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling area was also added as a project component.

Project Highlights: The planned site was expected to employ up to 70 individuals and provide a mix of 35 Dial-a-Ride (i.e., paratransit) vehicles, and 20 heavy-duty buses. Both fixed route and Dial-a-Ride services were to be operated from this site.

TRANSPORTATION FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS Client: IBI Group for SunLine Transit Agency Contact: Kevin Fleming (IBI) | T: (949) 833-5588 Work Scope: UltraSystems, as a subcontractor to IBI Group prepared an Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) under CEQA and a Categorical Exclusion (CE) document under NEPA for improvements at the SunLine Transit Agency’s (STA) headquarters facilities, located in Thousand Palms, California.

The transportation facility improvements included a new two-story administration building and a new open parking lot within the northeast portion of the property. In addition, a “Park-and-Ride” transit hub was proposed at the southwestern portion of the property, along Varner Road, to enable passengers to connect with other bus routes serving the transit hub as well as traveling to the Pass Area and Riverside. The transit hub included a passenger waiting area with advanced passenger information systems, and a support center for passenger information. The waiting area also included a bus shelter and restroom facilities.

Project Highlights: UltraSystems performed peer reviews of prior technical studies, including biological and cultural resources studies, a traffic study, and a Phase I ESA.

YUCCA VALLEY TRANSIT CENTER Client: Morongo Basin Transit Authority, c/o Psomas Contact: Joe Meer | T: (760) 366-2986 (MBTA); Psomas | T: (858) 576-9200 Work Scope: UltraSystems prepared the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) for the construction and operation of a bus transfer facility in the Town of Yucca Valley, California. The transfer facility provided a permanent common meeting point for buses and helped facilitate the transfer of passengers. Buses entered and departed the facility from Yucca Trail. This street was moderately busy with an existing 100-foot right-of-way. The bus transfer facility was an eight-bus bay transit center with pedestrian plaza, bus shelter, planters, a restroom for drivers, informational kiosk, newspaper racks, drinking fountain, and a retail (coffee) cart. In addition, a new sidewalk and curb and gutter along Yucca Trail were provided as part of the project. The facility accommodated passengers only, and did not provide any bus maintenance, washing, or refueling.

Project Highlights: As part of its services to the MBTA, UltraSystems assisted with the preparation and processing of the Town of Yucca Valley’s Conditional Use Permit (CUP) application.



CORONA BUS TRANSIT FACILITY Client: Riverside Transportation Agency, c/o Psomas Contact: Vince Rouzard | T: (951) 565-5000 (RTA); Psomas | T: (858) 576-9200 RTA provides both local and regional services in western Riverside County, with 38 fixed-route, 5 CommuterLink routes, and demand-responsive (Dial-A-Ride) services. Its service area spanned more than 2,500 square miles and included approximately one million residents. To meet future regional transit needs, RTA planned to increase bus service, add new local and regional commuter routes, and develop a Bus Rapid Transit project.

Work Scope: UltraSystems prepared the Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) for the Corona Bus Transit Terminal, located on a 2.5-acre parcel at the corner of Main Street and Grand Boulevard in the City of Corona. Two existing transportation facilities were adjacent to the site: the North Main Corona Metrolink Station (250 East Blaine Street) on the north; and the Metrolink Park-and-Ride on the south (across Grand Boulevard). This selected property was vacant, and the western portion was used (under lease) as a recycling collection center. RTA proposed to develop the site as a bus transit terminal with an 8-bay bus plaza, driver restroom, and an approximately 26-stall parking lot.

After completing the CEQA environmental documentation for this project, UltraSystems worked with the Federal Transit Administration and conducted environmental impact analysis pursuant to 23 CFR 771.117(d) that demonstrated that the specific conditions for a Categorical Exclusion were satisfied, and that significant environmental effects would not occur, as a result of project development.

WARNER CENTER PARK AND RIDE FACILITY Client: Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) Contact: Carl Ripaldi, Environmental Specialist | T: (213) 922-7304 Work Scope: UltraSystems prepared three Addendums and Modified Initial Studies (Modified IS) to evaluate the environmental impacts of minor project modifications to the previously adopted Final Environmental Impact Report for the San Fernando Valley East-West Transit Corridor (FEIR). UltraSystems coordinated closely with Metro staff to complete these work assignments. First, a Modified IS and Addendum to the FEIR was prepared to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of installing fiber optic communications trunk routing in three segments of the original project area. These three segments were not analyzed as fiber optic routes in the approved FEIR, although the intervening portions of the linear project were evaluated.

A second Modified IS and Addendum was prepared to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of developing a park-and-ride facility at one of three site alternatives near the planned Warner Center Transit Hub, and implementing three other minor project modifications. One of the three site alternatives was a triangular-shaped parcel of land owned by Boeing North American, Inc. This parcel, referred to as the “Boeing Site,” was determined the most suitable of the three site alternatives for the park-and-ride facility.

The three minor modifications examined in the second Modified IS and Addendum were: (1) possible substitution of rubberized asphalt concrete pavement instead using Portland cement



and/or regular asphalt at select busway segments, (2) adding a recycled water pipeline to irrigate landscaping along the busway and the bike path/pedestrian walkway, and (3) incorporating a surfacing option to differentiate the bike path from the pedestrian walkway.

A third Modified IS and Addendum was prepared by UltraSystems to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of constructing a park-and-ride facility spanning two properties: (1) the Boeing site identified in the second Modified IS and Addendum, and (2) an adjacent property referred to as the “North Parking Lot.” The North Parking Lot was located at the northeast corner of Vanowen Street and Canoga Avenue, north of the Boeing site. It was expected that the North Parking Lot would be developed with 236 parking spaces in addition to the 662 parking spaces planned for the Boeing site, therefore, a total of 898 parking spaces in the park-and-ride facility as a whole. The Modified IS and Addendum also evaluated the potential environmental impacts of a second minor project modification to the original project: modification of a small portion of the planned pedestrian path along Chandler Boulevard between the Laurel Canyon Boulevard Metro Station and the Valley College Metro Station (located at the intersection of Fulton Avenue and Burbank Boulevard). The pedestrian path modification deleted a small portion of the pedestrian path planned for construction along the south-side of the Metro ROW, and replaced it with sidewalk along the north side of Chandler Boulevard North.

TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION, OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE FACILITY Client: Victor Valley Transit Authority (VVTA) Contact: Kevin Kane, General Manager | T: (760) 948-1380 Work Scope: UltraSystems prepared the Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration for the construction and operation of a new consolidated transit administration, operations and maintenance facility that included approximately 57,500 square feet of building space, 114,000 square feet of bus parking, and 103,400 square feet of other exterior facilities (e.g., fuel/wash facility, storage, other parking areas), in addition to an estimated 137,500 square feet for onsite circulation, setbacks, and easements. The project accommodated 120 buses at the projected build-out year 2020.

The projected fleet will consist of: (1) 70 fixed route buses (40-foot), (2) 45 paratransit buses (29-foot), and (3) 5 commuter coaches (45-foot)

With the exception of a portion of the paratransit buses, which ran on unleaded gasoline, the vehicle fleet was to be powered by CNG. In addition to the operating vehicle fleet, the site provided parking areas for 27 service vehicles: eight administrative vehicles, six road supervisor vehicles, six relief vans, six lunch relief vans, and one service truck. The project performed daily servicing, including fare extraction, CNG and unleaded gasoline fueling, interior cleaning and exterior washing; scheduled vehicle inspections; minor repairs; selected heavy repairs; minor body work; brake, tire, air conditioning, and wheelchair lift repairs; and parts storage and material management. The CNG fueling system comprised a compression system, rated at about 1,500 standard cubic feet per minute, with two dispensers in the fueling building and one dispenser at a public-access island along E Avenue. The unleaded gasoline fueling system comprised one 12,000-gallon underground storage tank, feeding one dispenser located in the fueling building. The gasoline fueling system was designed and constructed to meet all current California containment standards, including double wall, continuously monitored tanks, tank and piping sumps, and



product, vapor, and vent piping. Heavy repairs, such as engine and transmission rebuilding, were outsourced, and not performed on-site.

Following construction of the project, the VVTA was to take on the responsibility of the operation and maintenance of the expanded vehicle fleet at the new facility. Coupled with a projected increase in demand for bus transit services, employment opportunities at the site would increase significantly over current needs. Projected staffing needs by the year 2020 were 21 administrative staff, 250 full-time drivers, 25 part-time drivers, 28 other staff (such as dispatchers and supervisors) involved in transportation operations, and 53 mechanics and other staff involved in vehicle maintenance. The estimated total staff was 352 full-time, and 25 part-time staff by the year 2020.

Project Highlights: After completing the CEQA documentation for this project, UltraSystems worked with the Federal Transit Administration, and conducted an environmental impact analysis pursuant to 23 CFR 771.117(d) that demonstrated that the specific conditions for a Categorical Exclusion was satisfied and that significant environmental effects would not result.

TRANSPORTATION FACILITY, PHASE II EXPANSION Client: Carpenter Sellers Architects c/o Antelope Valley Transit Authority Contact: Steve Carpenter, Principal | T: (702) 251-8896 The Antelope Valley Transit Authority (AVTA) proposed to remodel and make additions to its existing transportation facility in the city of Lancaster, California. The existing site consisted of an administration/operations building, maintenance building, bus wash building, fueling stations, bus parking and general parking.

The Phase II Expansion Project consisted of interior remodeling and building additions to the administration/operations building, maintenance building, and bus wash building, as well as modifications to the two existing north and south driveways. Funds from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) were used for the expansion, and environmental documentation to support the proposed renovations complied with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Work Scope: UltraSystems prepared an Environmental Assessment/Initial Study in support of a Categorical Exclusion/Categorical Exemption for AVTA.

PROPERTY ACQUISITION Client: Carpenter Sellers Architects c/o Antelope Valley Transit Authority Contact: Steve Carpenter, Principal | T: (702) 251-8896 AVTA proposed to purchase a vacant 10+ acre lot at the southeast corner of 6th Street West and Avenue L-8 in the City of Lancaster, California. The property was immediately north of, and adjacent to, an existing AVTA transportation facility. The acquisition was to accommodate future expansion plans at the AVTA transportation facility; however, no site development plans were developed. Funds from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) were used to acquire the vacant 10-acre lot. An environmental document was prepared to support the project’s National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements.



Work Scope: UltraSystems, on behalf of AVTA, prepared a Categorical Exclusion (CE) for this project. Additionally, UltraSystems prepared a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) for this acquisition.

REVISED FINAL EIR FOR THE METRO ORANGE LINE Client: Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) Contact: Roger Martin, Project Manager | T: (213) 922-3069 Work Scope: On July 19, 2004, the Court of Appeals for the 2nd Appellate District of California decided in Citizens Organized for Smart Transit v. Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority that the Environmental Impact Report certified by Metro was deficient for not evaluating several suggested multiple route Rapid Bus alternatives to the BRT Alternative. To correct this inadequacy, three additional Multiple Route Rapid Bus Alternatives were considered in a Revised FEIR, in addition to the other alternatives set forth in the Final EIR. The three new alternatives were: Three East-West Rapid Bus Routes Alternative (RB-3), Five East-West Rapid Bus Routes Alternative (RB-5), and Rapid Bus Network Alternative (RB-Network). The corridor was approximately 14 miles long and connected major activity areas through the San Fernando Valley, including Warner Center, the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area, the Van Nuys Government Center, Pierce College, Valley College, and North Hollywood.

UltraSystems coordinated and directed the activities of a project team of leading environmental and transportation consulting firms to produce a comprehensive environmental document (Revised FEIR) under a very compressed, five-month time schedule. The members of the project team were all recognized industry leaders known to Metro from their past performance on previous Metro projects. UltraSystems coordinated all phases of the FEIR process with Metro’s fundamental staff. UltraSystems also broke the scope of work into two main phases, the tasks being completed by the Prime Contractor leading the project team, and the second part consisting of tasks proposed as technical studies to be prepared by our in-house expert staff or subconsultant partners.

Project Highlights: The UltraSystems Team completed the Revised FEIR one month ahead of schedule (within five months) and $50,000 under budget. The construction of Orange Line facilities was on hold while the Revised FEIR was being prepared. To complete the Revised FEIR ahead of schedule and under budget saved Metro a substantial amount of money, since it was paying the existing Contractor for related construction delays.

ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING - SAN FERNANDO VALLEY BUS RAPID TRANSIT LINE Client: Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) Contact: Manny Gurrola, Project Manager | T: (213) 922-8889 Work Scope: UltraSystems performed a biological field survey for the Los Angeles River Bridge, utilizing a 300-foot-radius study area, and then prepared a brief detailed report that presented our



findings and recommendations. The report delineated our recommendations for bridge construction at the Los Angeles River. On behalf of Metro, UltraSystems prepared permit applications for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, California Department of Fish and Game and the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board. In addition, UltraSystems provided biologists bi-weekly to the Los Angeles River Bridge to remove (if necessary) any new or abandoned migratory bird nests on or near bridge structure.

Project Highlights: Preparation of a biological field survey for the Los Angeles River Bridge construction; preparation of regulatory Permits (i.e., 1601, 404, and 401 Certification); biological monitoring during migratory season.

METRO TECHNICAL FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS, HARBOR SUBDIVISION PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION

OPERATIONS Client: Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), c/o Wilbur Smith

Associates Contact: Justin Fox, Project Manager | T: (415) 495-6201 x216 The Harbor Subdivision extended 28.3 miles from Harbor Junction to the north, where it diverged from the Transcon mainline of the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) to Long Beach Junction to the south, where it joined tracks leading to and from the Alameda Corridor.

Work Scope: UltraSystems conducted a feasibility analysis for five modal alternatives: FRA compliant diesel multiple units (DMU), non-FRA compliant DMU, light rail transit (LRT), heavy rail, and bus rapid transit (BRT). The constraints considered were noise and vibration, park and recreational facilities, right-of-way width restrictions, elevated structures, cultural resources, visual constraints, and safety concerns. This feasibility analysis described the environmental constraints for 13 segments along the Harbor Subdivision, with one constraint summary table per segment, concluding in a matrix comparing all 13 segments. For environmental, the modal alternative with the least environmental constraints was the FRA compliant DMU.

COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS, METRO DIVISION 5 Client: Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) Contact: Warren H. Fu, P.E., Director of Facilities Engineering | T: (213) 922-5028 The project involved modifications to Metro’s Division 5 fueling operations. The improvements included the installation of a CNG compressor compound, the excavation of a trench for the placement of high-pressure natural-gas lines, and the conversion of the existing fueling system from diesel to compressed natural gas. The project was located on a northerly portion of Division 5, located at 5425 South Van Ness Avenue, in the city of Los Angeles. The project site was located west of Interstate 110, near the intersection of Slauson Avenue and Western Avenue.

Work Scope: UltraSystems prepared an Initial Study in support of a Mitigated Negative Declaration for this project.



Project Highlights: UltraSystems prepared air quality and noise technical studies for this project. Several hazardous mitigation measures were adopted by Metro, including (1) the use of CNG equipment operations and maintenance procedures, including provisions for regular inspections, personnel training, and emergency response; (2) the installation of shutdowns and alarms in electronic form, and displayed or annunciated on a display panel; each compressor was to be equipped with a gas detection and warning system, as well as emergency shut-down switches at each compressor control panel capable of shutting down the entire system; (3) the CNG equipment manufacturer (vendor) was to plan, schedule, and conduct prescribed performance tests, in cooperation with the Metro, or its designated representative; (4) Metro’s retained contractor and project engineer were responsible for all inspections, field tests, adjustments (if necessary), and start-up activities undertaken prior to full operation of the CNG equipment.

COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS, METRO DIVISION 7 Client: Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) Contact: Warren H. Fu, P.E., Director of Facilities Engineering | T: (213) 922-5028 Metro is the primary bus transit provider in Los Angeles County. In an effort to comply with federal and state air quality mandates in the region, the Authority initiated use of alternative fuels to power portions of its bus fleet. Compressed natural gas (CNG), a clean burning fuel, was chosen as an alternative fuel source to diesel fuel, after experimentation with both methanol and ethanol. The replacement of diesel powered vehicles with CNG-fueled buses has been ongoing since 1989 at Metro, requiring the installation of proper equipment and use of specific procedures. Over the long term, a reduction in exhaust emissions associated with diesel-powered vehicles is expected. It is anticipated that the use of CNG buses would contribute to improving air quality in the South Coast Air Basin (SCAB).

Metro had already installed CNG fueling equipment in Divisions 3, 8, 10, 15, and 18, which are in Chatsworth, Carson, Los Angeles and Sun Valley. The proposed CNG project involved installation of similar equipment and improvements at Division 7, located at 8800 Santa Monica Boulevard in the City of West Hollywood. Metro currently operates 200+ buses from this division. Buses access the property through an entrance located on Santa Monica Boulevard, while employee parking is located in a parking structure with a separate entrance on that street.

Residential and commercial uses surround the Division 7 facility. The West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station is on the west, adjacent to the Division 7 property along Santa Monica and San Vicente. Commercial and retail uses are located along the northern and southern property boundaries. To the south of the project site is the Pacific Design Center, a design furnishings commercial building. Along the northern boundary on Santa Monica are numerous retail businesses (e.g., restaurants, specialty shops, etc.). Along the eastern boundary is a mixture of single-family residential and apartment buildings which abut a sound attenuation wall erected along the eastern boundary of the project site.

Work Scope: UltraSystems prepared an Initial Study in support of a Mitigated Negative Declaration for this project. Additional technical studies included air quality and noise.



FOOTHILL TRANSIT BUS AND MAINTENANCE FACILITY Client: Foothill Transit c/o RNL Design Contact: Pat McKelvey, Principal | T: (213) 955-9775 Foothill Transit is a unique public/private partnership, which includes 21 participating agencies and private businesses operating under a Joint Powers Authority (JPA). It operates a fleet of 330 buses, and serves a 327-square-mile area within the San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys. After its Pomona Operations and Maintenance Facility (designed by RNL) became operational, Foothill Transit decided to proceed with a second such facility in the cities of Irwindale and Arcadia. The project site encompassed 11.45 acres (10.19 acres in the City of Irwindale and 1.26 acres in the City of Arcadia). When completed, the facility would provide parking and service for 156 buses.

Work Scope: UltraSystems prepared an Initial Study in support of a Mitigated Negative Declaration for this project. The principal onsite structures developed included an administration/operations building, maintenance building, and warehouse facility. All buildings were single-story enclosed structures. The administration/operations building contained 12,000 square feet of office and work areas (e.g., dispatch office, security office and employee lounge). The maintenance building of 30,000 square feet (including a 2,000-square-foot storage mezzanine) provided space for servicing of the buses. The warehouse building was approximately 11,000 square feet.

Outdoor and semi-enclosed uses included a 6,000-square foot fueling area; a 4,000-square-foot bus wash area; and parking for 156 buses, 24 support vehicles, and 225 employee and visitor vehicles. The total area for all project uses will encompass approximately 498,762 square feet. The maintenance area was constructed of tilt-up, exterior, load-bearing concrete walls, with steel beams and columns to support the roof structure. The administration and operations area of the building was constructed of steel columns and beams, with supporting metal stud walls.

Project Highlights: Conceptual building plans were based on functioning aspects of the proposed buildings, space allocations, aesthetic goals, and public image goals identified by the Foothill Transit’s Executive Board. The result of this plan provides a bus maintenance facility that enhanced the site and surrounding industrial area.

TRANSIT VILLAGE (PLANNED BUT NOT DEVELOPED) Client: City of West Covina Contact: Jeffrey Collier, Former Planning Director | T: (213) 922-5028 The West Covina Transit Village was to be located in the City of West Covina and encompassed approximately five acres. The project would have consisted of a bus transfer facility, a five-story parking garage (capacity for 1,340 cars), 96 senior apartment units, and two office/retail buildings, each consisting of 32,700 square feet.



Existing uses on site included the Wescove Theater building, two office buildings (two stories each), and the Bright Now Dental building (three stories). Surrounding uses included the County Courthouse building to the north, office uses to the south, a vacant building and the West Covina Kidney Center to the west, and a gas station, tire shop and the Plaza at West Covina to the east. There were also single-family residences south of West Covina Parkway, east of Sunset Avenue. In order to accommodate the transit facility, one of the two adjoining theaters within the Wescove building would have needed to be demolished, leaving a total building area of 8,500 square feet. The two office buildings which faced West Covina Parkway would also have been demolished to construct the new office/retail buildings described above.

Work Scope: UltraSystems prepared an Initial Study in support of a Mitigated Negative Declaration for this project. Air quality, noise, and traffic technical studies were also prepared.

CITY OF MESA TRANSIT MAINTENANCE FACILITY Client: City of Mesa, Arizona c/o RNL Design Contact: Pat McKelvey, Principal | T: (213) 955-9775 The City of Mesa, Arizona bus system included 29 compressed natural gas (CNG) fueled buses and four buses leased from its contractor (Forsythe). The City also had 20 buses on order. The vehicles were maintained by the City's Fleet Support Services Division and operated by a contractor. In order to accommodate future growth, the City determined that a new maintenance facility was necessary to support the larger bus fleet. The City had established that the initial phase of construction should accommodate 100 buses, with ultimate build-out to accommodate 200 buses. Currently, bus maintenance, CNG fueling, and parking occur at the East Mesa Service Center located on Power Road.

Thirty-one sites in the City of Mesa were evaluated to determine the most appropriate site based on size, proximity to sensitive uses and compatibility with surrounding land uses, availability of services, accessibility to service area, acquisition cost, potential environmental impacts and other factors. Eight of these sites were chosen as potentially suitable. Based on the factors outlined above, the 23-acre site at East Virginia Street and Greenfield Road in the City of Mesa were chosen as most suitable for a new transit maintenance facility.

Communities surrounding the preferred project site include Tempe to the west, Chandler and Gilbert to the south, Apache Junction to the east, and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community to the north. The project site was located southwest of the intersection of Virginia Street and Greenfield Road. Primary access to the project site was provided from Greenfield Road with additional access to the future park-and-ride area from the proposed Virginia Street extension west of Greenfield Road. Virginia will be extended into the site and curved to connect with the existing 40th Street.

The preferred project site encompassed 23 acres, and the project resulted in new construction of a 21,000-square-foot administration/operations building, a 40,720-square-foot maintenance building, a 5,810-square-foot bus fueling building, an 8,120-square foot bus wash building, and a 1,250 square-foot fare retrieval building. There were also two bus canopies covering 9,180 square feet each. The area for all project uses was 95,260 square feet. Parking requirements included 254 spaces for personal vehicle parking in the first phase, and an additional 198 spaces in the second



phase for a total of 452 personal vehicle parking spaces. There were spaces for 100 buses in the first phase and an additional 100 spaces in the second phase to accommodate parking for up to 200 buses at ultimate buildout. A 200-space park-and-ride facility was proposed for the final buildout plan.

Work Scope: Based on preliminary evaluation of the site, the proposed transit facility was accommodated without significant environmental impacts. Therefore, alternative designs and locations were not considered. As part of this project, UltraSystems prepared an Environmental Assessment in support of a Categorical Exclusion.

CITY OF GARDENA BUS AND MAINTENANCE FACILITY Client: Gardena Municipal Bus Lines Contact: Whit Ballenger, Director of Transportation (Retired) | T: (213) 486-9884 The Gardena Municipal Bus Lines (GMBL), located at 15350 South Van Ness Avenue, is owned and operated by the City of Gardena, and provides transit services throughout the city. GMBL proposed to construct a new operations and maintenance facility to be located at 13999 South Western Avenue, at the southwest corner of 139th Street and Western. GMBL is an integral part of the transit system throughout southern Los Angeles County. The project was funded using federal grants and regional transportation (matching) funds. It was to include a new transportation facility to house and maintain a fleet of approximately 105 buses, 20 paratransit buses, 24 support vehicles, and 218 employees to administer, operate, maintain, and support the fleet.

The planned bus and maintenance facility was to include a 15,000-square-foot administration building, a vehicle maintenance building, a bus-wash and fueling facility, and parking spaces for 100 buses and 150 employees. Additional development onsite included fueling areas with the potential for CNG fuel, access ways, and landscaping areas.

Proposed Project Site. The existing structure on the project site was used for an indoor swap meet (Discount Price Land) consisting of several different vendors. Except for minor landscaping, the remainder of the project site was paved and used as a parking lot. Existing zoning on the project site was General Industrial (M-2), with a General Plan designation of General Industrial. The project was to be in conformance with existing zoning, and it was expected that a Conditional Use Permit and site plan review would be required by the City of Gardena.

Property Acquisition. Upon approval of the project, the City considered acquisition of the property through a negotiated purchase/sale. However, should it become necessary, the City would also consider exercising its right to acquire the property through eminent domain. All public processes were completed, including approval by the City Council and payment of fair market compensation to the current owner. The relocation of existing tenants was addressed in accordance with the Uniform Relocation Act.



Proposed Design and Layout. Functional and aesthetic considerations govern the design and placement of the buildings, parking, and landscape areas. For example, the two-story administrative and operation building, located near the northeast corner of the site, would provide a corporate office image when viewed from the corner of Western Avenue and 139th Street. This building was conveniently placed between the employee/visitor parking on one side and the bus parking on the other, and enabled a view of the entire facility, including bus ingress/egress, bus parking, and the fuel and wash area. The vehicle maintenance building was conveniently located along the south property line so that it would be accessible from the employee parking areas east of the building, accessible by the buses, and yet not in the main path between the bus operation areas and the bus parking lot. The fuel and wash areas would be appropriately located at the northwest corner so that they would not prohibit efficient site circulation. The location of fueling dispensing stations along the northern edge of the site would allow other City and police department vehicles to be fueled without conflicting with the operation of the transportation facility.

Aesthetic Considerations. The project proposed to locate the bus parking in the interior area of the project site, which would shield it from the adjoining street (Western Avenue). The proposed administrative and operation building, landscaping, and a perimeter wall were located between the bus parking area onsite and Western Avenue. Project landscaping would screen the bus operations and maintenance areas from offsite views, and would reinforce the public view of the two-story administration and operation building. The project landscaping, paved entranceway, and employee/visitor parking areas would give the new facility an appropriate corporate image.

Circulation and Access. The proposed project was designed to provide a smooth, safe, and efficient onsite circulation pattern with minimal vehicular conflicts. There would be separate parking areas for buses, support vehicles, and employee/visitor vehicles; adequate turning radii for all vehicles; covered parking areas for 25% of the transit buses; nine bays for preventive maintenance and running repair; and four bays for tire, body, paint, and chassis work.

The transit buses, paratransit buses, and GMBL support vehicles would access the project site from 139th Street along the north property line via two gated driveways. The westernmost driveway was for bus ingress, and the northern driveway was for egress. All maintenance and operation employees would access the site and the employee parking area along the east property line from two proposed driveways fronting Western Avenue. A northern driveway on the northeast portion of the site provided vehicular access for the administrative employees and visitors who needed access to the administration building. All employee-parking areas were linked together for easier circulation throughout all parking areas. The onsite bus circulation pattern for the transit facility was organized with a counter-clockwise circulation to allow for a safer traffic flow (which also eliminates most “right-mirror” backing up), and maximum visibility.

Work Scope: An Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) was prepared in accordance with the requirements of CEQA and the Guidelines for Implementation of the California



Environmental Quality Act, codified in the California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 14, Chapter 3, § 15000 et seq. (State CEQA Guidelines), to analyze the direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental effects of the proposed project. The Initial Study concluded, based on the results of Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs), as well as that of the Human Health Risk Assessment (HHRA), potentially significant hazards to public health or the environment through the historical transport, use, and disposal of hazardous materials onsite and its vicinity. However, significant impacts were reduced to insignificant levels through the incorporation of the mitigation measures provided in this IS/MND. In addition, all other potential adverse impacts of the project would be less than significant. Thus, an MND was warranted for this project. Additionally, a Categorical Exclusion was prepared pursuant to NEPA for this project.

LOS ALAMITOS UNIFIED SCHOOL AUXILIARY MAINTENANCE YARD MODERNIZATION AND IMPROVEMENTS Client: Los Alamitos Unified School District Contact: John Eclevia, Director of Facilities, Maintenance, Operations and Transportation |

T: (562) 799-4592 ext. 81116 Work Scope: UltraSytems completed a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment, Hazardous Material Business Plan, Contaminated Material Management Plan, an Initial Study (IS), and a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) for the modernization and improvement of an auxiliary maintenance yard. The improvments included installation of a CNG fueling station, construction of a warehouse building, construction of a vehicle maintenance and bus wash building, interior renovation of the existing administration building, relocation or repaving of parking areas, dismantling and removal of selected existing structures, and modifying existing drainage features. In the past, solvents and other wastes were stored and used on exposed soils throughout the east portion of the site, and school buses were routinely washed on open ground or asphalt. These past activities may have subjected exposed and subsurface soils to spills containing fuel hydrocarbons, waste oil, solvents, and other contaminants. During grading, impacted soils may significantly threaten human health by exposing workers and other property occupants to contaminants. At the recommendation of UltraSytems, a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment was completed, and a Contaminated Materials Management Plan was prepared to specify procedures to remove and properly dispose of hazardous soils that may be encountered during site modernization. A Hazardous Materials Business Plan was also prepared to identify hazardous materials stored onsite, and specify emergency evacuation procedures during project operation.

NEW CENTURY HIGH SCHOOL Client: Alhambra Unified School District Contact: Keith Matsuo, Construction Director | T: (626) 943-6510 Work Scope: Alhambra Unified School District (AUSD) demolished existing on-site buildings at the AUSD Transportation Facility in Alhambra in order to construct the New Century High School with a capacity for 230 students and 24 faculty and staff members. To assess potential releases of



contaminants at the former Transportation Facility, UltraSystems completed a Preliminary Endangerment Assessment (PEA) to include soil matrix sampling near fuel underground storage tanks (USTs), a waste oil UST, clarifier, bus-wash area, maintenance area, chemical storage area, and other sources. Based on the findings, a removal action workplan (RAW) was prepared and implemented to address contamination associated with former fuel underground storage tanks (USTs), a clarifier, and chemical storage area. A UST Closure Report for the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACFD) and a Removal Action Completion

Report (RACR) for the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) were prepared by UltraSystems to obtain “closure.” A Human Health Risk Assessment (HRA), to include vapor intrusion analyses, was completed to demonstrate that residual contaminants were protective of school children and faculty health. Subsequently, an Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) was completed by UltraSystems to assess potential impacts to biological resources, cultural resources, geology and soils, hydrology, water quality, and noise for the construction and operation of the New Century High School. Mitigation measures proposed by UltraSystems were adopted by AUSD as part of the Mitigation and Monitoring Program (MMRP) and Final IS/MND to reduce potential environmental impacts to less than significant levels.

bus & maintenance soq

Documents

maintenance facility

corona bus transit facility

ride facility

perris transportation

rta bus

regulatory agencies

maintenance facilities

yucca valley transit