Title
Draft Meeting Minutes - September 26, 2018
Body
DRAFT MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY OF ALAMEDA TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2018
Chair Miley convened the meeting at 7:00pm.
1. ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Miley, Commissioners Nearn, Soules, Nachtigall, Hans.
Absent: Commissioner Palmer, Johnson.
2. AGENDA CHANGES
Item 4-A was postponed because there were not enough members present that were also present at the July 25, 2018 meeting.
3. ANNOUNCEMENTS/PUBLIC COMMENT
Eric Schatmeier spoke about his opposition to the Line OX (AC Transit) being changed to not allow local riders. He said that before the recession there were more like 12 buses every hour from Bay Farm to the main island and that now there would only be two.
Jim Strehlow said that he recently encountered pedestrians entering intersections without having the light in their direction. He said he is noticing this behavior more in young people and wants to know what can be done to correct this behavior. He noted that LimeBikes do not have Alameda registrations as required by the municipal code.
Chair Miley asked if staff could clarify the question about registering LimeBikes.
Staff Member Wheeler said the registration requirement is not enforced in Alameda. She said there is an agreement in place with LimeBike. She said they have considered looking at new, more efficient ways of registering bicycles in the future.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
4-A 2018-6000
Draft Meeting Minutes - July 25, 2018
*Postponed- see Item 2: Agenda Changes*
5. NEW BUSINESS
5A 2018-6001
Discuss I-880/29th Avenue/23rd Avenue Interchange Project Update
Staff Member Payne introduced the item. The staff report and attachments can be found at: <https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=3679235&GUID=F6C91ED8-0983-4612-A205-91C1B0FA11CA>
Caltrans staff gave a presentation on the construction timelines.
Chair Miley opened the public hearing.
Jim Strehlow said that the 23rd Ave bridge should have been built with more lanes, not less. He said the new design will be intolerable and gives Alamedans less than they had before. He said the detour for the 23rd Ave closure would not be successful.
Chair Miley asked Mr. Strehlow if he noticed any messaging signs about the detour and closure.
Mr. Strehlow said he only saw signs noting that there would be a closure.
Staff Member Payne gave some an update on concerns raised regarding the new signal delays related to this project.
Chair Miley closed the public hearing.
Caltrans staff gave details on their public outreach efforts regarding the bridge closure and detour, which included mailing everyone in the city.
Chair Miley said that there is still time to add message signs on the High St. and Fernside commute routes.
Commissioner Soules said she has seen information shared via social media. She asked if Alameda was involved in planning for diversions.
Caltrans staff said that there has been coordination with Alameda since before the design phase.
Commissioner Nachtigall asked if there were signs and outreach regarding the closure for people who live west of Park St.
Caltrans staff said they had a sign at Lincoln and Park, and that they relied on social and traditional media to help inform the public.
Chair Miley said it appeared that Alameda residents are seriously impacted by signal timing decisions by the City of Oakland.
Staff Member Payne said they have tried to advocate for more favorable signal timing with Oakland, especially for the morning commute. She said that Oakland is trying to balance the needs of the area and that traffic patterns will change once the new bridges and ramps are open.
5-B 2018-6002
Discuss the WETA Ridership Survey Data and Overview of Next Steps
Staff Member Payne introduced the item. The staff report and attachments can be found at: <https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=3679236&GUID=1F449940-1E0A-49B9-9D4C-99A4B3BFEAE3&FullText=1>
Kevin Connolly, WETA, gave a presentation.
Chair Miley asked if WETA charges for parking anywhere and how that is working.
Mr. Connolly said that Vallejo charges for parking. He said that Alameda has asked them to charge for parking at Harbor Bay. He said they are revisiting the idea because they have already achieved some of their goals without having to charge for parking. He said it is an open question for them. He said Alameda is planning to charge for parking at the new Seaplane Lagoon terminal. He said Vallejo charges $7 per day, but only $3 per day if you have a monthly pass.
Commissioner Soules asked how frequently the surveys are conducted.
Mr. Connolly said they survey every three years.
Commissioner Soules asked when they expect to have 15 minute headways.
Mr. Connolly said they are hoping to achieve that by 2020 when Seaplane Lagoon opens and five new boats are delivered. He said Harbor Bay will upgrade to 30 minute headways.
Chair Miley asked how much the service expansion is contingent upon RM3 withstanding legal challenges.
Mr. Connolly said their service expansion is 100% reliant upon RM3.
Commissioner Hans said that school start times of 8:20am would make an 8:45am ferry desirable.
Mr. Connolly said they are looking to add a 9:00am boat as early as next summer. He said the 8:30 boats are filling up.
Commissioner Soules asked what metrics are used to revisit operating hours.
Mr. Connolly said they do not have specific thresholds but they try to be sensitive to changing ridership demand.
Chair Miley asked that WETA’s work plan be shared with staff coordinating the Climate Action Plan.
Commissioner Soules said that shuttles for hot spots could be a needed option if AC Transit is not successful at providing the last mile connections.
Mr. Connolly said they are exploring partnering with Uber and Lyft to help fill that gap.
Staff Member Payne said that they are looking at a shuttle option to serve the Main St. ferry terminal. She said finding operational money is very difficult.
Commissioner Hans asked if there was an update from BCDC regarding adding additional parking around the Harbor Bay Terminal.
Staff Member Payne said that they are working with a consultant and BCDC to try and get additional spaces on Harbor Bay Parkway and Adelphian.
6. STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
6A 2018-6003
Transportation Awareness Campaign Action Plan
Staff Member Payne gave the staff report. The draft Action Plan can be found at: <https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=3679237&GUID=315CB745-FE66-450A-8C08-641CCE2538E4>
Commissioner Nachtigall said she was willing to participate in the efforts.
6B 2018-6004
Potential Future Meeting Agenda Items
1. Main Street Interim Bikeway
2. Alameda Point Master Infrastructure Plan roadway section revisions
3. Quarterly Report
4. Alameda County Transportation Commission Capital Improvement Program Grant Submittals
5. Transportation Choices Plan and Housing Element Update
6. Transportation Management Association Annual Reports West End Ferry Terminal Service and Access
7. ANNOUNCEMENTS/PUBLIC COMMENT
Jim Strehlow questioned the need to change the date of the November meeting. He said the fire department has been charging him $5 per bicycle registration insead of the $2 the municipal code suggests. He asked whether he needs to sue for his money back or rather if we should get our municipal code updated.
Chair Miley asked that staff follow up with Mr. Strehlow. He said they can also examine the meeting schedule to make sure they have sufficient noticing and a quorum for the next meeting.
8. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Miley adjourned the meeting at 8:36pm.