Title
Transportation Commission 4.26.2017 - Approve Meeting Minutes Feb. 22, 2017 (Action)
Body
Transportation Commission
April 26, 2017
Item 4A
Action
Transportation Commission Approve Meeting Minutes Feb. 22, 2017 (Action)
Commissioner Michele Bellows called the Transportation Commission to order at 7:00 p.m.
1. Roll Call
Roll was called and the following was recorded:
Members Present:
Michele Bellows (Chair)
Jesus Vargas
Gregory Morgado
Thomas G. Bertken
Samantha Soules
Members Absent:
Christopher Miley (Vice Chair)
Michael Hans
Staff Present:
Jennifer Ott, Base Reuse and Transportation Planning Director
Gail Payne, Transportation Coordinator
Victoria Williams, Paratransit Coordinator
2. Agenda Changes
None.
3. Announcements / Public Comments
Jim Strehlow, Alameda resident, said he subscribed to the Transportation Commission mailing list and receives notifications ahead of time. He explained that he received an email notification that the January meeting was cancelled, but he did not receive an email notification for February. Regarding the Posey Tube, he said he’s been riding through it during the rainy weather and he does not like the new paneling design along the roadway because it is solid paneling and now has graffiti on it. He said he has yet to see if Caltrans cleaned it up because he hasn’t been through the tube in the past couple of weeks, so maybe they cleaned it up. He thanked Public Works for the Clement Street striping project because the road contains plenty of space for him to bicycle.
Commissioner Bertken said the panels are up to protect the bicyclists.
Jim Strehlow replied that he used to easily pass another bicyclist coming the opposite direction by leaning the bicycle over the railing.
4. Consent Calendar
4.A. Approve Meeting Minutes - November 16, 2016
Commissioner Soules moved to approve the November 16, 2016 minutes. Commissioner Morgado seconded the motion. The motion was approved 5-0.
5. New Business
5.A. Approve City of Alameda Paratransit Program Plan for Fiscal Year 2017/2018
Staff Payne presented the report and introduced Victoria Williams, Alameda Paratransit Coordinator, who was formerly the Paratransit Coordinator for the city of Hayward.
Staff Williams stated that the program is wonderful and exciting and she has worked with seniors and people with disabilities for over 30 years. She explained that she was ready to learn what is going on in Alameda and make it even more exciting for people to get around.
Staff Payne replied that Victoria Williams will be located at the Mastick Senior Center and she felt that it was a perfect location because there are a number of seniors who are part of the program and she would be able to interact with stakeholders and non-profits. She noted that the program is funded by Measure B and Measure BB administrated by the Alameda County Transportation Commission and staff is required to produce an annual application for this program, which is due March 2017.
Commissioner Bellows asked if the expenditures that are planned are sustainable for several years under Measures B and BB funding.
Staff Payne replied yes.
Commissioner Bellows asked staff if they will always receive that amount from Measures B and BB.
Staff Payne replied that it depends on the economy because currently they’re experiencing an economic boom. However, staff does not expect it to always remain this high and sales tax can vary, so they budgeted very conservatively. She went on to say they have the ability to reduce the amount of subsidy with the taxi program and they just increased it to reduce the reserves.
Commissioner Bellows asked staff if the stops are marked.
Staff Payne replied most stops are marked others are not. She explained that some shopping centers did not want a physical shuttle stop sign located on their property. Staff works with the riders to let them know where they would be picked up and dropped off.
Commissioner Bellows asked staff if the routes and days/times of service are located on the City website.
Staff Payne replied yes and they are going to improve the map and schedule as well.
Commissioner Vargas asked staff if the $200,000 capital funding is a one-time need for this year and what does that include.
Staff Payne replied the $200,000 includes several different expenditures and the most important ones were changing out the shuttle flags and rebranding the system to say “Alameda Loop” and that’s a one-time deal. She stated that changing out the poles and bus benches are one-time expenditures that relate to seniors and people with disabilities.
Commissioner Bertken said the presentation was conducted in a good and clear manner.
Commissioner Soules moved to approve staff recommendations. Commissioner Morgado seconded the motion. The motion was approved 5-0.
5.B. Review Quarterly Report on Activities Related to Transportation Policies and Plans
Jennifer Ott, Director of Base Reuse and Transportation Planning, presented the report.
Staff Payne presented an update on the Public Works projects.
Commissioner Bellows opened the floor to public comment.
Jim Strehlow said regarding the Line 19, when he was driving he became stuck behind the westbound bus on February 3. He exclaimed that the bus was running ahead of schedule and waited at the stop for 3-4 minutes causing many cars to be stuck behind it. He said there is a left-hand turn only lane for vehicles to get into their private driveways and nearby is a double yellow line going to Arbor Street and you don’t want to go around a bus when there is a double yellow line and left hand only turn lane. He stated that the cars eventually went around the bus, but when the bus is stopped, even if the stop is brief, causes cars to line up behind it. Consequently, this action blocks the street. He said all other City bus stops have parking removed and are on the side away from on-coming vehicular traffic, yet when the bus is stopped at the location just past Stanton Street and before Arbor Street it blocks the street. Therefore, he asked if it’s legal for this to take place and he wondered if the bus stop should have been moved further away off the street or if there needs to be restriping to accommodate the bus stop. Additionally, he said the buses don’t stop there and they now stop at Challenger Drive and Atlantic Avenue where he works. He went on to say that Challenger Drive goes into the Marina Shopping Center and he saw Public Works remove the cement barrier for a left hand turn lane, so that eastbound motorists can turn onto Challenger Drive. He said they removed all of that knowing that there would be a bus stop placed. Now, he noted there is only so much room for a car to go around.
Staff Payne replied AC Transit was looking into their bus run times and the fact that they are taking too long. She explained that AC Transit will be modifying the run times in March, so there shouldn’t be anymore buses stopping at time points and bus operators will be better trained. However for the interim, between now and March, the buses should not be blocking traffic. She said she will check with AC Transit to make sure they are not blocking traffic.
Sergeant Derespini, Alameda Police Traffic, stated that Jim Strehlow’s comments were valid. He explained that if striping were modified for that section, that would take away from motorists trying to get into their driveways and access the side streets.
6. Staff Communications
6.A. Potential Future Meeting Agenda Items
1. Annual Report on the Alameda Landing TDM Program
2. Cross Alameda Trail - Atlantic Avenue Gap Closure
2. I-880/Broadway/Jackson Multimodal Transportation Project
3. Draft Transit/Transportation Demand Management Plan
4. Transportation Component of FY 17-19 CIP
7. Announcements/Public Comments
8. Adjournment
7:51pm