Council approves MOS 3 amendment limiting scope, reallocating city contribution

The City Council voted to approve an amendment to the MOS 3 agreement that limits the remaining funded construction to the North Hollywood extension and removes the Mid City and East Side extensions from the current work plan.

Jerry Miller of the City Administrative Officer's office explained the amendment: it "limits the, segment 3 only to the North Hollywood extension. It eliminates the East Side and the mid city extensions," and it reduces the city's contribution from $200,000,000 "to $92,000,000," he told council members. Miller said the mechanism for the city's contribution uses FTA funds and municipal operator funds that the city currently cannot access; that freed $15,000,000 in the current-year budget for reallocation.

Nut graf: The amendment generated sustained debate among council members representing districts affected by the eliminated extensions. Members sought clarity about whether previously set-aside land-acquisition funds remain protected and pressed for guarantees that North Hollywood area mitigation and parking commitments would be fulfilled.

Council Member Holden sought clarification on land-acquisition commitments the city had previously planned for Mid City and East LA. Miller and other staff told Holden the Mid City and East Side extensions "were eliminated from MOS," and that the $15,000,000 in the current-year budget was "specifically provided for the North Hollywood extension." Several council members asked to delay final action in order to meet with Department of Transportation staff; ultimately the council proceeded.

Council Member Brinson moved an amendment (21a) that tied approval to specific parking and construction-scheduling conditions at Universal City Station: it required provision of 250 parking spaces at opening and directed the Department of Transportation to report back within 30 days on construction schedules, Caltrans review timelines, contractor penalties and other steps to maximize parking availability during construction. Brinson said the conditions aim "to ensure that there is parking there for the people of the community so they will have the ability to park and use the station."

Council members debated tying funding to the parking contingency. Council Member Wax said he supported the parking objectives but worried that conditioning MOS 3 funds on the contingency might delay North Hollywood business-improvement work. Staff clarified the MOS 3 agreement and the business-improvement district process are separate; council members adjusted language to allow both to proceed.

The council recorded votes: the motion for the Brinson amendment (21a) passed on a roll call of 12 ayes, 1 no. The amended MOS 3 agreement (item 21) passed on a roll call of 12 ayes, 1 no. Council members said the action reflects a response to funding changes at the MTA and the need to preserve projects that can be completed with available funds.

Ending: Council members asked for follow-up reports from DOT and the City Administrative Officer clarifying land-acquisition status and the schedule for the North Hollywood work; committee and staff follow-up was directed to ensure the parking requirements and construction staging plans are addressed.