Title
Draft Meeting Minutes - July 25, 2018
Body
DRAFT MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY OF ALAMEDA TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 2018
Commissioner Vargas convened the meeting at 7:00pm.
1. ROLL CALL
Present: Commissioner Vargas, Commissioners Miley, Soules, Bertken, Hans, Palmer
Absent: Chair Bellows
2. AGENDA CHANGES
*None*
3. ANNOUNCEMENTS/PUBLIC COMMENT
Jim Strehlow asked why there is a sign on High St. telling drivers headed to the Oakland Airport to turn around and use I-880. He says the neighbors think it sends a bad message and should be taken down. He said the street sweepers go too fast to clean up bird waste on the street.
Kandice Lee raised concerns about the uncontrolled parking situation at the dirt lot near the Main St. ferry terminal. She said she was stuck four cars deep for hours because of the lack of organization and signage. She said there needs to be a temporary solution while we wait for long term plans.
Staff Member Ott said that they did not realize that the issue at the dirt parking lot was as severe as it appears to be. She said staff is going to look for interim solutions to improve the situation. She said that the dirt lot is owned by the City.
Commissioner Miley noted that the item was not on the agenda and that bringing it back at a future meeting would be helpful. He said he is worried about the liability issues that come with the lot.
Commissioner Vargas suggested that the City cover Ms. Lee’s costs relating to the incident.
Commissioner Soules suggested that whatever plan is put in place be mindful of the temporary nature of the improvements and consider the appropriate level of investment given the potentially short life span.
Commissioner Palmer asked how much parking would be available at the new terminal, and whether people are ever not able to find parking there.
Staff Member Ott said she will address those questions more later in the agenda.
Ms. Lee said the meeting with staff should be open to the public. She said she was not satisfied with Staff Member Ott’s responses.
3A 2018-5823
Transportation Commissioner Appreciation of Service Resolutions for Thomas Bertken and Jesus Vargas (Information)
Commissioner Vargas read a resolution recognizing Commissioner Bertken.
Commissioner Soules read a resolution recognizing Commissioner Vargas.
The resolutions can be found at: <https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=3557180&GUID=7A3A09C7-CC9A-4969-9391-294BB09CF5C1>
3B Transportation Commission Meeting: Wednesday, September 26 at 7:00 p.m.
3C Upcoming Grant-Funded Bicycle Safety Education Classes: https://bikeeastbay.ord/alamedabikeed
3D Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) 2018 Trainings in September and October: register on Fire Department web page
Commissioner Soules asked how many people have completed the program.
Staff Member Payne said there are over 150 active CERT members.
3E Request for Appointment of Transportation Commissioner to the Climate Plan Update Task Force
Commissioner Miley agreed to serve on the Task Force.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
4A 2018-5824
Approve Meeting Minutes - March 28, 2018 (Action)
4B 2018-5825
Approve Meeting Minutes - April 9, 2018 (Action)
Commissioner Miley said he would be abstaining from the April 9th minutes because he was absent.
Commissioner Palmer made a motion to approve both sets of minutes. Commissioner Hans seconded the motion. The motion passed 6-0.
5. NEW BUSINESS
5A 2018-5826
Approve the AC Transit Line 96 Route Adjustment Proposal to Expand Service to Alameda Point Businesses as Part of the Implementation of the Transportation Plan for Alameda Point (Action)
Staff Member Payne gave a presentation. The staff report can be found at: <https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=3557215&GUID=7843278B-3735-4E67-A414-B1DE4A393253>
Commissioner Vargas called the public speakers.
John Atkinson said the changes provide a great opportunity to residents, visitors, and employees at Alameda Point to not rely on single occupancy vehicles. He said they are trying to plan for current and future users in the area and lines up with the City’s transportation plans.
John Spangler said we need to take a wider perspective. He said he is appalled by our inability to find a way to serve the Main St. ferry terminal.
Commissioner Palmer asked how old the ridership data that was used for this analysis was.
Mr. Berman, AC Transit, said the numbers are from last winter and are consistent with ongoing analysis.
Commissioner Palmer asked why we are not putting service to the ferry terminal in this plan right now.
Staff Member Ott said that this line does not serve most of the island and WETA’s data show that their riders come from across the island. She said they do not want to put a service in place that is doomed to failure and prefer to seek funding for a more appropriately designed line.
Commissioner Miley asked what the timeline for a ferry bus line is.
Staff Member Payne said they can apply for grant funding in the next year.
Commissioner Soules said the mode to mode connection is a hard problem to solve, but is taking a long time to make progress on the ferry connection issue.
Staff Member Ott said they are trying to be creative at Harbor Bay, but that people are finding alternative ways to get to the terminal.
Commissioner Vargas said that it would be good for AC Transit to provide enhanced service for festivals and special events.
Commissioner Miley made a motion to approve the staff recommendation. Commissioner Hans seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0-1 (Vargas abstained.)
5B 2018-5827
Accept the Annual Report on the Alameda Landing Transportation Demand Management Program and Review of the City Staff Recommendations (Information)
Staff Member Payne introduced the item. The staff report can be found at: <https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=3557209&GUID=2C08EC85-3E29-4624-BA77-C30A7FB72305&FullText=1>
Commissioner Vargas opened the public hearing.
John Atkinson gave a brief history of the Alameda Landing TMA. He said employers of service workers want service outside of the current shuttle commute hours. He said the shuttle is training people to ride transit. He said they are in total agreement with the staff recommendation.
Jim Strehlow said that bicyclists are still in need of a solution for getting through the tube, especially at non-peak hours. He asked whether a previously discussed water shuttle would become a reality. He said the Main St. ferry is not really an option for crossing the estuary.
John Atkinson said that a water shuttle dock would be part of the next phase of Alameda Landing. He said the economic viability of a water shuttle is not good.
Staff Member Payne said WETA is also studying small boat operations that could include a cross estuary option, funded by RM3.
Staff Member Wheeler said the city is actively looking at water shuttle opportunities, including privately run options.
John Spangler asked if the city can offer residents the opportunity to buy into the transportation options being offered to people in the new developments. He said that hopefully any new water shuttle would be more environmentally friendly than the diesel powered option offered previously.
Commissioner Vargas closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Miley asked what the cost differences would be for a bus shuttle versus a water shuttle option.
Staff Member Wheeler said they are investigating costs and also ridership estimates for different options, but did not have numbers available at the moment.
Commissioner Soules said she would like to see more land based options because water based options are so expensive.
Commissioner Palmer said the market may provide novel solutions to the water crossing option, similar to an Uber on the water.
Commissioner Bertken said that there is an extensive ferry and water taxi system in Sydney Harbor that seemed quite viable.
Commissioner Soules asked what the timeline is for the WETA small boat study.
Staff Member Payne said that it should take at least six months to a year.
Commissioner Vargas suggested the formation of an estuary joint power authority.
Commissioner Soules said we would need to monitor how many people may not stick to the bus option when the private shuttle for Alameda Landing goes away.
5C 2018-5828
Elect Chair and Vice Chair (Action)
Commissioner Soules nominated Commissioner Miley to be Chair for the upcoming year. Commissioner Bertken seconded the nomination. The nomination was approved 5-0-1 (Miley abstained.)
Commissioner Miley nominated Commissioner Soules to be Vice Chair for the upcoming year. Commissioner Bertken seconded the nomination. The nomination was approved 5-0-1 (Soules abstained.)
6. STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
6A 2018-5829
Quarterly Report on Activities Related to Transportation Policies and Plans (Information)
Staff Member Payne gave a brief report. The staff report and attachment can be found at: <https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=3557216&GUID=4E8FE4B8-E3A7-4496-BBBD-AAE0470BB288&FullText=1>
Staff Member Wheeler said the Cross Alameda Trail from Main to Constitution will be going out to bid soon and will begin construction in the fall. She gave an update on the Oakland Alameda Access Project, which is in the environmental phase and being led by the County.
Staff Member Ott gave an update on the Seaplane Lagoon Ferry Terminal process.
6B Potential Future Meeting Agenda Items
1. I-880/29th Avenue/23rd Avenue Interchange Project Update
2. Update on the Oakland-alameda Access Project
3. Alameda County Transportation Commission Capital Improvement Program
Commissioner Soules suggested the new commissioners get a shorter version of the update the commission got from the Planning Board.
7. ANNOUNCEMENTS/PUBLIC COMMENT
Jim Strehlow announced the Fernside neighborhood plans for National Night Out. He said he regular encounters about five people using the Posey Tube pathway and the 2008 data may be obsolete. He said all the new panels along the railing are loaded with graffiti.
John Spangler announced that Pedalfest is this Saturday at Jack London Square. He said there is no signage for how bicyclists navigate the Park St. bridge area.
Pat Potter said that the ferry and water shuttle discussions need a broader focus than just commute hour trips. She said it is an economic development opportunity.
Staff Member Payne announced that Bicycling Magazine rated Alameda the 21st safest place for cycling.
8. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Vargas adjourned the meeting at 9:15pm.