Title
Approve Draft Minutes of the December 17, 2025, Transportation Commission Special Meeting (Action)
Body
Transportation Commission
Draft Meeting minutes 12-17-25
Zoom Attendees: 9
Legistar Link (Agenda and Video)
<https://alameda.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1354647&GUID=8F410B8A-31D9-44A5-9F92-F6A9F47265B6&Options=info|&Search=>.
1. Roll Call
Present: Chair Weitze and Vice Chair Suthanthira; Commissioners Dara Abrams, Kim, Gloyne, Johnson, and Nachtigall.
Absent: None
2. Agenda Changes
None
3. 2025-5385 Staff Communications (Discussion)
Lisa Foster, Transportation Planning Manager, provided (*0:38) several updates and Scott Wikstrom, City Engineer, also gave construction updates.
Updates can be found:
<https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7769614&GUID=5B3DDA7C-0CDA-47BF-8600-3307BA6B41C5&FullText=1>.
4. Non-Agenda Public Comment
2025-5629 - Non-Agenda Public Comment.
Comment can be found here: <https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7785185&GUID=3685D540-063E-44D1-A7BD-D2B9E5CFE9FA>.
Jim Strehlow (*12:01) discussed his experience driving at night through a roundabout on Central and felt that more signage was needed. He felt it was also poorly lit and was worried for people not familiar with the area.
Jay Garfinkle, via Zoom (*14:18) shared his concerns on the planning process for current projects and felt that no one cares about the opinions of residents. He said there was no way to ask questions and felt that surveys were not an accurate way to gather information. He felt that motorists weren’t being thought of and that Bike Walk Alameda got everything they asked for.
5. Consent Calendar
5-A 2025-5603 - Approve Draft Minutes of the October 22, 2025, Transportation Commission Meeting (Action)
Minutes can be found: <https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7769615&GUID=AB6F0792-547C-4CF3-9A98-175D66C28135&FullText=1>.
Vice Chair Suthanthira made a motion (*17:58) to approve the Consent Calendar and Commissioner Dara Abrams seconded the motion. A voice vote was taken, and the motion passed 6-0 and Chair Weitze abstained due to his absence at the meeting.
6. Regular Agenda Items
6-A 2025-5604 - Receive an Update on Neighborhood Greenways Implementation and Provide Input on the Pacific Avenue Pilot (Discussion)
Rochelle Wheeler, Senior Transportation Coordinator, introduced this item and gave a presentation (*18:29). The presentation and attachments can be found:
<https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7769616&GUID=EBFC4869-C6EB-4C76-9C70-980ECD4779D1&FullText=1>.
Clarifying questions start at the 39:13-minute mark.
Public Comment for 6-A
Cyndy Johnson, via Zoom (*41:41) said she appreciated the changes and was eager to see feedback incorporated into the design. She also discussed her thoughts on a 15MPH for bikes on shared trails and how, due to a law this could be applied to cars on certain roads.
Denyse Trepanier, via Zoom (*43:31) Board President for Bike Walk Alameda said how much she appreciated all the work done on the Neighborhood Greenways. She then addressed some of the concerns and opposition to the Greenways.
Mitch Ball (*46:04) really appreciated this project. He discussed funding and shared some thoughts that he had. Speaker Ball provided his comments in writing with photos; they can be found in the attachments for this item.
Jim Strehlow (*48:40) discussed his experience riding his bike in 2009 and that he hated that Pacific was billed as a Bike Boulevard. He discussed how he did not like the traffic circle and that anyone could go right though it. He felt this was a waste of money for a Pilot Project.
Katherine Untch (*51:27) had a lot of concerns about the traffic circle on Pacific and Paru. She discussed how cars Zoom up Paru St and how kids ride their bikes along Pacific and no one stops. She felt that the traffic circle would not stop cars from zooming. She said that the neighbors she talked to didn’t like it.
Action taken for 6-A
Commissioner discussion started at the 54:51-minute mark in the video.
This was a discussion item; no formal action was taken.
There was a brief recess between items.
6-B 2025-5605 - Approve 2026 Transportation Commission Meeting Calendar (Action)
Manager Foster introduced (*1:52:38) this item and explained the schedule dates. The 2026 Calendar can be found:
<https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7769617&GUID=0265F678-DA9D-463A-90DF-7202BF95202D>.
Public Comment for Item 6-B
There were no public comments.
Action taken for 6-B
Chair Weitze made a motion to approve (*1:55:06) the 2026 Transportation Commission Meeting Calendar and Commissioner Gloyne seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed 7-0.
7. Commission Communications
Commissioner Dara Abrams wished everyone a Happy Holidays and then discussed (1:55:45) teen safety related to electric bikes and e-motorcycles. He was personally getting the word out and encouraged any parent to reach out to him.
Manager Foster added that the Police Department has recently published a new Electric Bikes and Scooters webpage with information about e-bike regulations, including how to recognize a legal e-bike vs an e-moto: www.alamedaca.gov/ebikes <http://www.alamedaca.gov/ebikes>
Chair Weitze discussed recent traffic issue due to construction and said that the city took feedback and addressed the problem quickly.
8. Adjournment
Vice Chair Suthanthira adjourned at 8:33 PM.