Mark Nelson (Home Gmail) <menelson@gmail.com>
Attachments
Sat, Jun 17, 3:00 PM (3 days ago)
to executiveoffice, BoardClerk, gormank, InspectorGeneral, tliu, Garth, Jane, Vanessa, Martha, Noel, Michelle

The LA County Board and Metro are allowing BCHD to continue wasting Measure M funds. Formal complaints have been filed with the Inspector General of Metro. The Inspector General of LA County has been looped in, since LA County has a significant exposure to Metro failures with Measure M funds regarding BCHD.

BCHD proposed a total cost for 1200-feet of $1.8M and was granted that funding from Metro for a bike path in Torrance and Redondo Beach. That cost exceeds metrics from studies by the UNC Chapel Hill by 30-fold. A clear sign of Metro's failed due diligence prior to funding award.

BCHD has changed the plan scope to only 400-feet. BCHD has further demonstrated a planning cost of over $1.2M for the 400-feet ($400,000+ reimbursed by Metro and $800,000 proposed cost for construction by 3rd parties.) As such, BCHD's bait and switch has now changed to completing only 1/3rd of the project for 2/3rds of the budget.

However, BCHD's estimates were faulty. Based on BCHD's recent received bids, the new cost will be $1.4M to $2.2.M for the 400-feet. See attached bid summary.

Metro failed in its due diligence when it awarded to BCHD with determining if BCHD had secured right-of-way from Torrance. BCHD did not and cannot. It has been denied as of December 2022. Both Metro and the Board were provided a statement from the Torrance City Council on that denial.

Metro and the Board need to take action immediately to preserve the taxpayer funds in Measure M including a full recapture of all reimbursements to BCHD.

Mark Nelson