COMMISSION ON PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
MINUTES FOR REGULAR MEETING
January 22, 2025, CITY HALL CONFERENCE ROOM 391
The regular meeting of the Commission on Persons with Disabilities was called to order at 6:30 PM.
1. ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Mullings, Commissioner Schmitz, Commissioner Roloff, Commissioner Bonsmith, Commissioner Beehler, Commissioner Hall
Absent: None
Staff: Secretary Sarah Henry
2. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT
• Speakers Erin Smith, Public Works Director, and Lilian Jewell, new ADA Coordinator, City of Alameda introduced to Commission
3. REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS (labeled as on Meeting Agenda)
4-A Recommendation to Endorse the Concept Designs for the Estuary Adaptation Project and the Bay Farm Island Adaptation Project and to Discuss a Status Update of the Subregional Adaptation Plan
• Presented by Gail Payne, Senior Management Analyst, City of Alameda
• Early funding phases for design of three sea-level rise projects, focusing on Estuary and Bay Farm Island projects
o To include water retention, erosion solutions, pump stations, nature-based solutions, and pedestrian elements incorporated
• Clarifying Questions and Comments
o Commissioner Roloff asked what insight from this Commission would be most helpful to projects’ development
§ Speaker Payne stated that equity is top of mind as well as how community might engage with the projects
o Commissioner Hall asked why exemption from Environmental Quality Act; Speaker Payne clarified that just this design stage is exempt
o Commissioner Schmitz expressed concern that the wooden pedestrian bridge is not included in the project
§ Speaker Payne stated that Mayor Ashcraft had the same concern; due to grant funding, the bridge cannot be included in the near term and would require more support from Transportation and East Bay Regional Parks
o Commissioner Schmitz affirmed that lookouts along the proposed trails would be valuable for variety of mobility aid users
o Chair Mullings encouraged investment in multimedia approach to accessibility for signs, trails, etc.
o Commissioner Bonsmith asked about ten-year flood level being used as baseline
§ Speakers Payne and Erin Smith clarified predictive modeling and possible flood levels used in designing
o Commissioner Roloff asked about dependence on grant funding
§ Speaker Payne stated that grant is nearly out and future funding is still needed
4-B Presentation by the Social Service Human Relations Board
• Presented by Jim Means
• Adaptation of AARP presentation, Age-Friendly Alameda: Livable Communities for People of All Ages
o Assesses the Built and Social Environments and within them:
§ Housing, Outdoor Spaces and Buildings, Transportation, Civic Participation and Employment; Communication and Information, Respect and Social Inclusion, Social Participation, Health Services and Community Supports
o Next steps: community outreach and creation of SMART Goals for continued city improvement
• Speaker Means requests Commissioner involvement by subscribing to info list, participating in conversation
• Clarifying Questions
o Commissioner Roloff stated that collaboration would be helpful in providing adults with developmental disabilities more opportunities for activities, especially with less job availability
o Chair Mullings encouraged sensitive and inclusive messaging in order to cast a wide net for resident engagement
o Commissioner Bonsmith encouraged inclusion of mental health
• Public Comment
o Speaker Andy Wang wanted to be sure public comment was solicited
o Speaker Jim Strelow shared that Pacific Pinball Museum is always open to visits and volunteering from the elderly and could form a relationship with local adult day programs
10-MINUTE RECESS
4-C Review and Discuss Draft Final Design Concepts for the Fernside Traffic Calming & Bikeways Project
• Presented by Lisa Foster, Transportation Planning Manager, City of Alameda and Jimmy Jessup, Project Consultant
• Feedback from this Commission will be included in Staff Report for Council
• Project Location: 1.3-mile corridor project from Tilden to San Jose; could include near-term upgrade from Tilden to Fernside
• Goals: to improve safety, to slow speeds; part of Vision Zero
o Improved pedestrian pathways, bikeways, street parking, accessible bus stops
• Considerations: lane width, locations of curb or raised bikeway, additional blue zones (disabled street parking), accessible loading zone at Nursing Center, design for medians
• High-Gibbons-Fernside intersection’s initial design will receive more public comment
• Public Comment
o Speaker Jim Strelow indicated that trees will always affect sightlines, whole design is pedestrian- and bike-oriented but not resident-oriented, nor will it reduce speed; no stop signs, dips, or bumps to slow speeds; confused about bus stop placement
o Speaker Andy Wang asked that plan be considered as part of 2026 Gibbons restriping and resurfacing project, instead of being delayed several years; design issues such as narrow medians, unclear crosswalks; emphasize safety on Gibbons with 1.3-mile corridor as secondary project
o Speaker Ken Fagel addressed lack of public parking
o Speaker Kevis Brownson expressed concern over current crossings and safety; appreciated long-term plan as proposed
• Commissioner Questions
o Commissioner Roloff asked about rapid-flashing beacons or stop signs as alternatives to proposed pathways
§ Speaker Jessup noted that stop signs are not a traffic calming measure, but rapid-flashing beacons may be considered
o Commissioner Hall asked about traffic light being red longer at High St bridge entering Alameda from Oakland
§ Speaker Jessup said long-term project includes intersection operations
o Chair Mullings asked for clarification about bus transfer zones
o Commissioner Schmitz asked about accessible vehicles with ramp being usable parked against curb
§ Speaker Jessup said that ramp would go over planting strip to the curb or across the bikeway
§ Speaker Scott Wikstrom (City of Alameda) described accessible street parking defined by PROWAG (Public Right of Way Accessible Guidelines)
o Commissioner Bonsmith asked about likelihood of raised bikeways; effectiveness of speed humps
§ Speaker Jessup said that raised bikeways are 40% more expensive than road-level bikeways
§ Speaker Wikstrom said all funding is grant-based and preference is for raised bikeways
o Commissioner Beehler asked about project timeline to include Gibbons in 2026
• Additional Public Comment
o Secretary Henry stated that bikeway needs different coloring; asked for reasoning behind pedestrian median islands; bikeway direction changing and safety for bicyclists; Bayo Vista and High neighbors upset about being rerouted by losing left turn
§ Speakers Jessup and Foster clarified that motorists will maximize right turns and minimize left turns
• Commissioner Comments
o Commissioner Beehler thanked Transportation team for including past Commission feedback in the design
o Commissioner Hall shared PROWAG with the Commission
4. STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
• Oakland-Alameda Access Project to begin soon, in collaboration with City of Oakland and Caltrans; one lane of each Tube to be shut down during construction
• Encouraged Commissioners to attend other Board meetings and events
• Share current/future vacancies on this commission, especially to recruit someone with disabilities
5. COMMISSION COMMUNICATIONS
• Warming shelter at Christ Church is being well-supported with donated meals, Amazon wish list, and volunteers
• Meeting dates set for 2025
Meeting adjourned at 9:15 PM.