Title
Approve Draft Minutes of the November 15, 2023, Transportation Commission Meeting (Action)
Body
Draft Minutes
Transportation Commission Meeting
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Alameda City Hall, 2263 Santa Clara Avenue, Council Chambers
The City allows members of the public to participate in person or remotely via Zoom. For information to assist with Zoom participation, please click: <https://www.alamedaca.gov/zoom>.
Zoom Attendees: 12
Legistar Link (Agenda and Video):
<https://alameda.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1061945&GUID=BED60751-3CF9-415C-8C75-B9243D3B250C&Options=info|&Search>=
1. Roll Call
Present: Chair Soules, and Commissioners Johnson, Weitze, Dara-Abrams and Suthanthira.
Absent: Vice Chair Yuen and Commissioner Nachtigall
2. Agenda Changes
None.
3. 2023-3329 - Staff Communications
Lisa Foster, Senior Transportation Coordinator, made several announcements (*0:36), which are available in detail at:
<https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6410808&GUID=7538A351-53D1-4E9A-8EC8-6ED0E3EA8895&FullText=1>.
4. Announcements / Public Comments
None.
5. Consent Calendar
5A. 2023 - 3596 - Approve Draft Minutes of the August 23, 2023, Transportation
Commission Meeting (Action)
Minutes can be found:
<https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6410809&GUID=DEC571B4-24C6-4063-BF82-F1FC15EE4BF5&FullText=1>.
Commissioner Dara-Abrams pointed out a correction about his name in a few places.
Commissioner Weitze made a motion to approve the minutes with this correction and Commissioner Suthanthira seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed 5-0.
5B. 2023-3594 - Approve 2024 Transportation Commission Meeting Calendar (Action)
Calendar can be found at:
<https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6410810&GUID=5B5C0ACD-FA89-4275-95A7-2359E18DF884>.
Commissioner Suthanthira made a motion to approve the Meeting Calendar and Commissioner Weitze seconded. A vote was taken the motion passed 5-0.
6. Regular Agenda Items
6A. 2023-3595 - Provide Feedback on AC Transit Realign Draft Bus Service Plan
Update Scenarios (Discussion)
Maria Henderson from AC Transit gave a presentation (*8:45).
Staff report and attachments can be found at:
<https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6410811&GUID=7AD926E7-68E1-4D16-A207-EE97DF6FDAB9&FullText=1>.
Brian McGuire, Planner II, also presented (*22:36)
Public Comment for 6A
Eric Schatmeyer, in person, (*33:29) who lives in Bay Farm and a former Transportation Commissioner, discussed his concerns about drastic the AC Transit bus service cuts to Alameda especially for Bay Farm residents. He suggested questioning the assumptions around future travel behavior.
Joshua Hahn, via Zoom, (*36:54) discussed his concerns about balanced coverage and frequent service for the 19 & 20 route.
Zac Bowling, via Zoom, (*38:42) discussed how Alameda lacked that “end to end” route and how line 20 was one possibility. He mentioned lines that had been cancelled and how that effected everyone.
Valarie Wilson, via Zoom, (*41:37) seconded the comments on the OX line and talked about how crowded that bus was.
Ken Dur, via Zoom, (*42:42) favored the balanced coverage scenario and was less in favor of the frequent service scenario. He was disappointed not to see more lines for the ferry or to Seaplane Lagoon. He was also concerned about traffic on and off the island, especially the West End. He then discussed a proposed bus line.
Bennet Shatz, via Zoom, (*45:24) discussed his use of the 51B and suggested using a 51 Express, he discussed the frustrations of getting to Berkeley. He then discussed his use of the O line and asked them to reconsider reducing it.
Action for item 5A
Commissioner discussion and clarifying questions start at the 47:30 minute mark in the video.
This was a discussion item and no formal action was taken.
6B. 2023-3596 - Discuss Transportation Performance Metrics Overview and Work
Scope (Discussion)
Rochelle Wheeler, Senior Transportation Coordinator, introduced this item and gave a presentation (*1:25:33). Staff Report and attachments can be found at:
<https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6410812&GUID=BB2E87BF-E11E-4C35-B852-027F1AAD6645&FullText=1>.
Public Comments for Item 6B
There were no public speakers
Action for Item 6B
Commissioner discussion and clarifying questions start at the 1:42:45 minute mark.
This was a discussion item and no formal action was taken.
6C. 2023-3597 - Update on Oakland-Alameda Estuary Bridge Project (Discussion)
Chair Soules recused herself from this item (*2:20:04). Commissioner Weitze chaired this item.
Staff Member Wheeler introduced this item and gave a presentation (*2:21:10). Staff report and attachments can be found at:
<https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6410813&GUID=D8854D0E-9368-4451-86EC-906FFBD1AD8B&FullText=1>.
Public Comment for Item 6C
Chris Lloyd, Bay 37 HOA, in person, (*2:35:53) asked the city to get more stakeholder input from the Bay 37 Community about the bridge alternatives. The entrance for bridge would directly affect the Bay 37 community and he felt that the community’s input was not being engaged enough. This would bring a lot of foot traffic right by their front doors and there were concerns.
Charles Isleheart, Bay 37 HOA Safety Committee, in person, (*2:38:33) discussed safety concerns, He was neutral about a bridge but had reservations about the top alternatives W4 and W6. He discussed what had been disclosed when buyers bought in. He discussed what alternatives were more acceptable and urged getting Bay 37 residents more involved.
Kristy Ing, via Zoom, (*2:41:24) who lived at Alameda Landing had questions about the data, she thought it was being used as a proxy to support the pedestrian bridge. She did not believe the bridge was the best way to spend funds.
Scott Harding, via Zoom, (*2:42:52) part of the Bay 37 community, urged the city staff to engage with the Bay 37 community more before presenting proposal to the City Council. He discussed the impact the bridge placement would have on residents. He was neither for nor against the bridge he just the city to involve the community more, he said this was the second time the city staff had overlooked the community that would be most impacted.
Denyse Trepanier, via Zoom (*2:44:21) Board President Bike Walk Alameda, discussed the history of the project and how the pedestrian bridge idea came about. She asked that everyone take into account the larger goals of this bridge. She felt that city had been involving the Bay 37 stakeholders and that Oakland also supported this bridge.
Joshua Hahn, via Zoom, (*2:47:02) said he had followed this project since before he moved to Alameda. He was strong advocate for the bridge.
Luca Solianordo, via Zoom, (*2:47:58) Bay 37 community member, recommended that the city rerun the numbers of who would use this bridge. He used the Richmond Bridge and said it had an insignificant use number.
Action for Item 6C
Commissioner discussion and clarifying questions started at the 1:49:45 minute mark.
This was a discussion item and no formal action was taken.
Chair Soules returned to the meeting (*3:11:36)
7. Commission Communications
Commissioner Suthanthira asked (*3:11:48) about a member of this commission being involved with AC Transit ILC group and thought it was good idea to have someone on that board.
Staff Member Foster discussed possibilities and how to get involved with that group.
Commissioner Dara-Abrams discussed (*3:14:41) a virtual event he had attended about Building and Improving the County’s infrastructure.
Commissioner Weitze discussed (*3:16:28) how happy he was about the Alley Up shuttle that would go from the ferry to Spirits Alley.
8. Adjournment
Chair Soules adjourned the meeting at 9:50 p.m.
*shows minute mark in video to hear comments in full.