Title
Approve Draft Minutes of the January 25, 2023, Transportation Commission Meeting (Action)
Body
Draft Minutes
Transportation Commission Meeting
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Pursuant to Assembly Bill 361 codified at Government Code Section 54953, Transportation Commissioners can attend the meeting via teleconference. The City allows public participation via Zoom.
Zoom Attendees: 20
Legistar Link (Agenda and Video):
https://alameda.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1055586&GUID=8155944E-8AED-401F-A9C5-975E3B7E2015&Options=info|&Search=
1. Roll Call
Present: Chair Soules, Vice Chair Yuen and Commissioners Johnson, Nachtigall, Suthanthira, and Weitze.
Absent: Commissioner Kohlstrand
2. Agenda Changes
None.
3. LegiStar File #2023-2763 - Staff Communications
Lisa Foster, Senior Transportation Coordinator, made several announcements, which are available in detail at:
https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=5999039&GUID=1D0D856B-36AA-44B8-BDD9-CF6D7BC61429&FullText=1.
4. Announcements / Public Comments
Commissioner Weitze wanted the city to look at the no right turn at the intersection of Ralph Appezzato Way and Webster. He discussed the issues at that intersection.
Denyse Trepanier, Board President for Bike Walk Alameda, discussed the statement “not everyone can ride a bike”, saying that making everyone ride a bike was never the goal. She discussed what a hindrance to making the goals set forth by plans that statement was.
Jim Strehlow discussed biking on High Street when he was blocked by a sign that said “watch out for bikes” he had get into traffic to avoid the sign, which was not very safe. He also wanted to know when the new paved roadway east of Posey Tube open. He also noted that bike ridership was down during the storms and he discussed a mistake he made in rain at Shoreline, got his car in a bike lane. He suggested pole or some blockade.
Cyndy Johnsen shared a book called “There are No Accidents” by Jesse Singer. The book goes into detail about how collisions are far from incidental, but instead patterns and trends that can be addressed. She felt this book would help address street safety and the Vision Zero plan.
John Spangler seconded Speaker Trepanier and Johnsen, he also recommended the book “There are No Accidents,” and how it can help us look at the problems we are trying to fix.
Michael Sullivan discussed the recent rains, and that he had been out on his bike with his wife. He also saw about a dozen bikers, some with children. The rains don’t mean bikers stop.
5. Consent Calendar
5A. LegiStar File #2023-2761 - Approve Meeting Minutes - October 20, 2022 (Action Item)
Commissioner Nachtigall made a motion to approve the minutes and Vice Chair Yuen seconded the motion. Staff Member Foster took a roll call vote and the motion passed 5-0 with Commissioner Weitze abstaining due to his absence at the meeting.
6. Regular Agenda Items
6A. LegiStar File #2023-2762 - Recommendation to Endorse the Design Concept for the Clement Avenue/Tilden Way Project (Action Item)
Gail Payne, Senior Transportation Coordinator, introduced this item and gave a presentation (*21:48032). The staff report and attachments can be found at:
https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=5999038&GUID=E1C49EAC-289B-414E-BA3F-421294DE887A&FullText=1.
Mike Alston, Kittelson, also presented (*28:09).
Public Comment for #6A
John Spangler discussed the Alameda Trail and how long this intersection had been under review, he was happy to see it coming through. He discussed his role with the Bart Bike Advisory Task Force (*1:16:16) and what work he had done with Bart. The consensus was that this was a terrific project and that there was an enthusiastic response at that Task Force. He then discussed his experience at the intersection from Tilden onto Blanding and how difficult it was.
Robert Raburn gave his strong support for the staff’s recommendation. He discussed his work with BART and shared some facts about Fruitvale BART (*1:19:19). He also went into detail what effects the pandemic had on ridership and travel modes. He urged the commission’s support for this project.
Karen Miller clarified a statement about the Fruitvale Bridge having one lane on the way to Oakland (*1:21:58). She believed the configuration at Tilden was a terrible idea and believed it would create a bottleneck. She was very concerned about natural disasters and the need to evacuate the island. She went into detail about those concerns. She wanted Lincoln to be kept at 4 lanes for an evacuation route.
James Johnston asked the commission to move forward with this project. He discussed his experience biking on Tilden Way in 2018 when he was hit by a Safeway Truck (*1:25:12). He believed if Tilden had these safety precautions he would not have had his collision. He gave suggestions on how to make roundabouts even safer.
Edward Sommerauer discussed parking on Versailles and how it could change. He also wanted clarification on where the raised sidewalks were.
Jim Strehlow was concerned about bumper to bumper traffic in the circle when the bridge was raised. He was also concerned about how emergency vehicles would get through roundabouts. He then discussed his experience with roundabouts in Spain (*1:28:58). He wanted a video from staff showing a similar traffic circle.
Carmen Reid wanted to know what metrics were used for the current traffic patterns. She did not understand how 18 wheelers were going to get around the roundabout, she saw this as a problem. She was not sure how in this plan it would help pedestrians and cyclists. She did not think this plan was flushed out and wondering if AMP’s plan to undergrounding would effect this plan.
Cyndy Johnson, Bike Walk Alameda, gave support for this project. She said the current situation was very bad for cyclists and pedestrians. She added that Fruitvale BART was starting a project that would improve the conditions for cyclists and it was going to be awesome.
Evan Schwimmer was very supportive of this project. He had concerns about crosswalks were motorists were in a more continuous driving mode. He also wanted more information on raised sidewalk and how the roundabout would operate when the bridge is up.
Clifford Mapes was concerned about how his property on Fernside was depicted. He also felt that they were vastly under estimating the traffic that goes to the bridge. He discussed his observations (*1:38:45). He was concerned about his renters on Fernside and how it would effect their parking.
Drew Dara Abrams was very glad to see the main intersection revised with a roundabout. He saw some ways to improve the overall design (*1:41:30).
Action for #6A
Chair Soules made a motion to accept staff’s recommendation with the addition of future-proofing for power and comps in infrastructure. Commissioner Weitze seconded the motion. Staff Member Foster took a roll call vote and the motion passed 7-0.
7. Announcements / Public Comments
Commissioner Suthanthira wanted a status update on the Mecartney Rd roundabout.
Jim Strehlow asked about drone videos that were supposed to be attached to item 6A. This was not the first time agendas stated something was attached but it wasn’t.
8. Adjournment
Chair Soules adjourned the meeting at 8:31 p.m.
*shows minute mark in video to hear comments in full.