Title
Approve Draft Minutes of the March 22, 2023, Transportation Commission Meeting (Action)
Body
Draft Minutes
Transportation Commission Meeting
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Alameda City Hall, 2263 Santa Clara Avenue, Council Chambers
The City allows members of the public to participate in person or remotely via Zoom. For information to assist with Zoom participation, please click: https://www.alamedaca.gov/zoom.
Zoom Attendees: 18
Legistar Link (Agenda and Video):
https://alameda.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1061903&GUID=9CB31BF7-AAB4-406C-8BC8-26B64480B185&Options=info|&Search=
1. Roll Call
Present: Chair Soules, Vice Chair Yuen and Commissioners Johnson, Kohlstrand, Suthanthira, and Weitze.
Absent: Commissioner Nachtigall
2. Agenda Changes
None.
3. 2023-2908 - Staff Communications
Lisa Foster, Senior Transportation Coordinator, made several announcements (*1:11), which are available in detail at:
https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6067405&GUID=F03D95E8-105E-427E-AD8D-30A0D361749C&FullText=1.
4. Announcements / Public Comments
Jim Strehlow thanked Public Works for their hard work in clearing away branches from streets and sidewalks after the recent major storm.
Commissioner Kohlstrand asked about an update on the estuary crossing study and how it had related to traffic over all for the island that she had asked for back in December and had not received. She wanted to know a date when that information would be available.
Commissioner Suthanthira also thanked staff for working late in the evening clearing the roads after the big storm yesterday.
5. Consent Calendar
5A. 2023-2909 - Approve Draft Minutes of the Transportation Commission Special
Meeting on December 7, 2022 (Action)
The Transportation Commission approved adding this abstract provided by Commissioner Weitze: "In the discussion of the Line 78 bus, Commissioner Weitze questioned why the 78 line had not made better attempts to publicize that a ride on the 78 bus was free with the purchase of a ferry ride. He suggested signage in the Seaplane Lagoon ferry parking lot, and that the Line 78 buses should include 'Bus Free with Ferry Ticket' on the bus marquee."
Commissioner Kohlstrand made a motion to approve the minutes with this amendment from Commissioner Weitze and Commissioner Weitze seconded the motion. Staff Member Foster took a roll call vote and the motion passed 6-0.
6. Regular Agenda Items
6A. 2023-2910 - Adopt a Resolution amending the Transportation Commission Rules and Procedures to Implement a Standardized Agenda Format Recommended by the City Clerk, Update Public Comment Time, and Make Other Updates. (Action)
Staff Member Foster introduced this item (*11:11). The staff report and attachments can be found at:
https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6067407&GUID=9C0ED4E2-413B-484E-B417-82B07FF2856E&FullText=1.
Public Comment for 6A
Jim Strehlow was upset that the Public Comment was being removed from the end of the meeting, and instead is just at the beginning. He thought it was important to keep it there.
Action for 6A
Chair Soules made a motion to approve the Resolution amending the Transportation Commission Rules and Procedures to Implement a Standardized Agenda Format Recommended by the City Clerk, Update Public Comment Time, and Make Other Updates as redlined and Commissioner Kohlstrand seconded the motion. Staff Member Foster took a roll call vote and the motion passed 6-0.
6B. 2023-2911 - Discuss Link21: New Regional Rail/Transbay Rail Crossing Project
Update (Discussion)
Gail Payne, Senior Transportation Coordinator, introduced this item and the BART staff presenting (*20:19). The staff report and attachments can be found at
https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6067408&GUID=242F3A2B-17A5-4DDA-9228-9CF44B9BF933&FullText=1.
Commissioner Johnson recused himself from this item before the presentation.
Camille Tsao, Capital Corridor Program Lead for Link 21, presented (*22:04)
Public Comment for 6B
Jim Strehlow thought this was a good thing for the region but was concerned about the “exuberance” factor. Some projects get a lot of excitement until reality sets in, he gave examples (*1:02:15) of projects in San Francisco. He wanted the projections to be realistic.
Action for 6B
This was a discussion item and no action was taken.
Commissioner Johnson returned to the meeting.
6C. 2023-2912 - Oakland Alameda Estuary Bridge Project Update (Discussion)
Chair Soules recused herself and Vice Chair Yuen facilitated the meeting.
Rochelle Wheeler, Senior Transportation Coordinator, introduced this item and gave a presentation (*1:04:24). The staff report and attachments can be found at:
https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6067409&GUID=F8FD4E24-7F6C-4C43-8D52-211081643D11&FullText=1.
Commissioner’s clarifying questions start at *1:30:54.
Public Comment for 6C
Bennet Shats was very excited for this project and discussed his experiences of being a biker in the Bay Area (*1:59:10).
Cyndy Johnsen was very much in support of this project (*2:01:03). She discussed in detail the importance of this project.
Jim Strehlow saw this as revisionist history (*2:01:56). He thought the published information was wrong and discussed that in detail. He wanted more information on the water taxi plan and he wanted to know where the data had come from.
Stephanie Bradshaw felt that as a Bay 37 resident they should be more involved in these discussions considering they will be directly impacted (*2:05:10). She also had concerns about property tax payments and what the demand for this was.
Christian Deitch was a strong supportive of this plan and discussed how this was climate infrastructure (*2:07:50) and would very beneficial to the plant. He went into detail about safety as well and recent funding that had become available.
Joyce Mercado also strongly supported this project (*2:09:40) and discussed climate change and changes that cities everywhere were needed to make.
Denyse Trepanier was very excited for this project (*2:11:12). She discussed the history of this project and the overall expense and how it was a fraction of what was spent on car infrastructure. She also pointed to where you could find info online.
Action for 6C
This was a discussion item and no action was taken.
Chair Soules returned to the meeting.
6D. Discuss and Provide Comments on Transportation Projects to be Included in the Capital Budget for Fiscal Years 2023-2024 & 2024-2025 (Discussion)
Robert Vance, Deputy Public Works Director, introduced this item (*2:14:10). The staff report and attachments can be found at:
https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6067410&GUID=508F6305-26FB-40C2-B678-77C19246F830&FullText=1.
Commissioner’s clarifying questions and discussion started at *2:28:02.
Public Comment for 6D
There were no public speakers.
Action for 6D
This was a discussion item and no action was taken.
7. Commission Communications
Chair Soules discussed important dates for transportation and upcoming meeting dates *2:49:15
8. Adjournment
Chair Soules adjourned the meeting at 9:20 p.m.
*shows minute mark in video to hear comments in full.