COMMISSION ON PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
MINUTES FOR REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 24, 2024, CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
The regular meeting of the Commission on Persons with Disabilities was called to order at 6:35 PM.
1. ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Mullings, Commissioner Bugge, Commissioner Schmitz, Commissioner Bonsmith, Commissioner Beehler, Commissioner Hall
Absent: Commissioner Roloff
Staff: Secretary Sarah Henry
2. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT
None
3. REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS (labeled as on Meeting Agenda)
4-A Approve the City of Alameda Transportation Program Plan for Seniors and People with Disabilities for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 (ACTION ITEM)
• Presented by Kat Kaldis, Paratransit Coordinator, City of Alameda
• Presentation details the following four topics:
o FY 2022/23 Status Summary: Over 900 participants taking over 209,000 rides under Free AC Transit Bus Pass Program; 72% of riders identify as Asian or Asian-American (informational materials have been translated to multiple languages); program users over 50 years old must register for Mastick Senior Center; recommendation to continue Free AC Transit Bus Pass Program for three (3) years with budget of $278,064, an increase of $42,064.
AIM (Uber & Lyft) program pays (partially, or in full) for rides on ride-share services; slow and steady growth because of requirement to sign up for Paratransit first; recommendation to continue current three-year pilot program with $125,000 budget.
o FY 2024/25 Proposed Programs: Customer Support & Outreach, $112,000 decrease of $5,000; Capital Program, $800,000, increase of $225,000; Group Trips, $27,000 budget, Program Management, $97,091, increased budget of $50,980.
o Planning Process: community engagement surveys, Board and City Commissions, City Council
o Budget: revenues $1,391,184; expenditures $1,350,613; reserves $40,572
• Questions
o Commissioner Bugge asked for end date of funding Measure BB
o Commissioner Schmitz asked about bus stop improvements
§ Speaker Lisa Foster listed curb ramps, crosswalks, flashing lights
o Chair Mullings asked if AIM program is cost-prohibitive
o Commissioner Schmitz asked why Paratransit signup is required to use AIM program
o Discussion about Paratransit program
o Commissioner Bonsmith asked about language translation expansion
o Commissioner Beehler asked about evaluating AIM program based on Commission’s questions and feedback
• Vote: unanimous approval (5)
4-B Transit Supportive Design Guidelines
• Presented by Crystal Wang, Transportation Planner, AC Transit
• Currently developing standardized AC Transit Supportive Design Guidelines to address bus stop comfort, safety, and impact on persons with disabilities
o Bus stop dimensions and roadway considerations
o Preferred stop locations
o Designs not compatible with transit
o Layover space (size, location, access to bathroom, etc.)
o Pedestrian access improvements to/from stops
o Paratransit operations and needs
• Questions
o Commissioner Bugge asked why Paratransit cannot stop at bus stops
o Chair Mullings asked about minimum accessibility at all bus stops, and how design improvements are chosen
o Chair Mullings asked how the Commission is to engage with the community to assist with AC Transit Outreach efforts
o Commissioner Bonsmith mentioned the need for shaded bus stops due to certain medical conditions and sensitivities to sun exposure
o Commissioner Beehler asked about bike signals for speed safety, well-lit bus stops, sheltered stops
4. COMMISSION COMMUNICATIONS
• Commissioner Bugge asked how members of the public would submit comments about AC Transit or other things that relate to accessibility
o Secretary Henry stated that emails to her are possible, but SeeClickFix might be best channel because it is redirected to correct department; Commission would like report about SeeClickFix comments
• Chair Mullings asked about newsletter, landing page, or communication related to SeeClickFix
o Secretary Henry suggested a link on Commission webpage for reporting accessibility problems; could add problem categories to SeeClickFix
• Commissioner Bonsmith asked if there is communication between Commission and East Bay Regional Parks District or ARPD
o Secretary Henry suggested Parks departments visit for annual presentation
5. STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
• Ad hoc meeting scheduled in May as a Work Plan Meeting
• ADA Transition Plan update will be presented by Erin Smith, Public Works Director
• Commissioners attending city events and other board meetings to foster connections with community on accessibility
Meeting adjourned at 7:40 PM.