body,date,page,text,path
LibraryBoard,2005-12-14,1,"OF
Minutes of the
ALAMEDA FREE LIBRARY BOARD
December 14, 2005
The regular meeting of the Alameda Free Library Board was called to order at 7:05 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present:
Leslie Krongold, President
Ruth Belikove, Vice President
Karen Butter, Board Member
Alan Mitchell, Board Member
Absent:
Mark Schoenrock, Board Member
Staff:
Acting Library Director Jane Chisaki, Secretary
David Hall, Technical Services Supervisor
Jenna Gaber, Recording Secretary
CONSENT CALENDAR
As asterisk indicates items so enacted and adopted on the Consent Calendar.
A.
*Report from Library Director highlighting Library Department activities for the
month of December 2005. Accepted.
B.
*Draft Minutes of the Regular Library Board meeting of November 9, 2005.
Approved.
C.
*Library Services Report for the month of October 2005. Accepted.
D.
*Report from Finance Department reflecting FY 2004-05 Library expenditures (by
fund) through November 2005. Accepted.
E.
*Bills for ratification. Approved.
Acting Library Director Chisaki reported that the new main library is on time and on
budget and will be weather-tight in January. President Krongold asked how it could be
on time with the rain we have had. Ms. Chisaki stated that there are 30 ""rain days"" built
into the contract. Ms. Chisaki added that the City Council has asked to look at items that
were taken off during the value engineering process so that some items might be added
back to help prolong the life of the building.
Board member Mitchell MOVED approval of the Consent Calendar. Board member
Butter SECONDED the motion which CARRIED by a unanimous voice vote.",LibraryBoard/2005-12-14.pdf
LibraryBoard,2005-12-14,2,"UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A.
Materials Security and Inventory System. (J. Chisaki)
Resolution
Passed by Alameda Free Library Board
December 14, 2005
WHEREAS, in order to improve library service to the residents of Alameda, by providing
them with modern materials security and inventory system; and
WHEREAS, in order to provide accurate, reliable, and state of the art, library materials
security and inventory capability, it is necessary that the library replace its 3-M magnetic
strip security system; and
WHEREAS, an extensive and impartial evaluation process has determined that
Libramation Inc. has the best security and inventory system for our library and our
community;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of the Alameda Free Library that
the Board supports the acquisition of the Libramation Inc. Materials Security and
Inventory System and believes it will improve library services to the community with
cutting-edge technology, and therefore respectfully urges the City Council to approve
acquisition of this system.
Board member Butter stated that she would have liked to have seen a comparison chart
and receive more information during the process. Ms. Chisaki stated that Technical
Services Supervisor David Hall was here to answer questions from the Board.
Supervising Librarian Hall discussed the process that was used to evaluate all of the
applications. The evaluation was based on 5 points: completeness of the proposal,
vendor support, is it what the library needs, standards/practices and vendor references &
credentials. The team used a total of 100 points to score each evaluation. The vendor
who had the highest score was chosen.
Board member Mitchell MOVED approval of the Resolution for Material Security and
Inventory System. Vice President Belikove SECONDED the motion which CARRIED
by a unanimous voice vote.
NEW BUSINESS
A.
Alameda Free Library Foundation (R. Belikove)
Vice President Belikove stated that the Foundation sent out 5,000 letters and are getting
some responses with small contributions. Acting Library Director asked if letters were
going out to corporate offices. Vice President Belikove replied at the present time none
have gone out to any corporate offices.
B.
Friends of the Alameda Free Library (M. Skeen)",LibraryBoard/2005-12-14.pdf
LibraryBoard,2005-12-14,3,"President Krongold stated that the next book sale would be May 5th, 6th and 7th
C.
Library Building Watch (L. Krongold)
President Krongold stated that she would be sending out a newsletter next week.
D.
Patron suggestions/comments (Speak-Outs) and Library Director's response.
None.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, NON-AGENDA (Public Comment)
Marc Lambert advised the Board that Day in the District would be January 27th and
February 3rd.
LIBRARY BOARD COMMUNICATIONS
Board member Mitchell noted that he went to the Humbolt Library.
DIRECTOR'S COMMENTS
Library Director Chisaki updated the Board members on the teenage gang problem the
library has been experiencing for the last few months. She congratulated Marc Lambert
on obtaining his MLS. Ms. Chisaki announced that 2 new part-time librarians have been
hired. Peggie Dorrance will be the children's librarian and Anne Vannucchi will be the
new branch/reference librarian. Anne Vannucchi is currently a library technician who
has just completed her MLS. Ms. Chisaki also announced that Jenna Gaber, Executive
Assistant at the Alameda Free Library, is retiring and moving out of the area.
ADJOURNMENT
Board member Mitchell MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 8:37 p.m. Vice President
Belikove SECONDED the motion which CARRIED by a unanimous voice vote.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane Chisaki
Interim Library Director and
Secretary to the Library Board",LibraryBoard/2005-12-14.pdf
TransportationCommission,2005-12-14,1,"TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MINUTES
DECEMBER 14, 2005
Chair Knox White called the Transportation Commission to order at 7:30 p.m.
1.
ROLL CALL - Roll was called and the following recorded:
Members Present:
John KnoxWhite
Pattianne Parker
Michael Krueger
Eric Schatmeier
Jeff Knoth
Absent:
Robb Ratto
Robert McFarland
Staff Present:
Barbara Hawkins, City Engineer
Barry Bergman, Program Specialist II, Public Works
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chair Knox White moved to approve the minutes of the November meeting. All were in favor
except for Commissioner Parker who abstained.
3. AGENDA CHANGES
None.
4. COMMISSION COMMUNICATIONS
Regarding the Pedestrian Transportation Master Plan update, there was a Task Force meeting on
December 7th. Rebecca Kohlstrand from the Planning Board, Nancy Gormley from the Housing
Authority, and two members of the public attended the meeting. They reviewed the feedback
from the first public workshop and provided input regarding key pedestrian issues and policies.
Chair Knox White suggested that staff call Task Force members prior to meetings to remind them
of the meeting time.
Staff Hawkins said that staff had called and that some members had either indicated they would
be attending but did not show up or that they left messages and could not connect directly.
1",TransportationCommission/2005-12-14.pdf
TransportationCommission,2005-12-14,2,"Chair Knox White suggested that it might be helpful to follow up with the staff person from each
board and commission to make them aware that their representative did not make it to the
meeting, and also to let them know how many more meetings there would be.
Chair Knox White noted that no progress has been made on the Circulation Plan since the
consultant is not yet on board.
Commissioner Krueger requested an off agenda report on the status of the Bus Stop Accessibility
Program at a future TC meeting.
Staff Hawkins said that she would be working on that. She noted that Public Works is short
staffed so it will take some additional time. The main tasks are to check to see if the requests all
went through the TTT and to review the status of the work orders.
Commissioner Krueger noted that he is interested in three issues: 1) Red curbing, 2) Paving for
accessibility and 3) Parking restrictions.
6A. CAPITAL IIMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP) CALL FOR PROJECTS
Staff Hawkins stated that the CIP would be presented first in house to the Commissions and
Boards who can provide input. There will then be three public meetings held in
January/February or February/March Staff will prepare cost estimates for the top-ranked
projects. These will be presented to the public, and will then go back to the boards and
commissions prior to being sent to the Council.
Chair Knox White said that this item was put on the agenda so that the Commissioners can make
recommendations regarding projects that are either on the unfunded list or not on the list at all.
Through the project evaluation process, some of these projects could potentially be added to the
list of funded projects.
Chair Knox White asked for clarification about the carryover projects, such as the $30,000
allocated for Bike and Pedestrian Operations.
Staff Hawkins said that when staff deals with all bicycle and pedestrian requests, this pays for the
time to conduct analysis, collect data, and other related tasks.
Chair Knox White asked if all staff time is included in the CIP.
Staff Hawkins said that previously all projects have generally been included in the CIP, but that
beginning this year the projects will be separated from annual costs. There will be two project
lists, an annual projects list for these ""work program"" activities, and a capital projects list.
Chair Knox White asked if the ""General Plan Update"" project includes the Transportation Master
Plan (TMP).
2",TransportationCommission/2005-12-14.pdf
TransportationCommission,2005-12-14,3,"Staff Hawkins responded that the Planning Department generally has that money dedicated to
consultant activities, so it is not likely that this funding would be available for the TMP.
Chair Knox White asked about the I-880 High Street improvements.
Staff Hawkins responded that the project includes reinforcing the bridge for seismic purposes and
possibly adding an extra lane. She noted that the City would also like to continue to work with
Oakland to improve circulation on local streets in that area. This is a Caltrans project and
Alameda's contribution is participating in meetings and providing our perspective.
Chair Knox White noted that the list includes $176,000 for in-pavement crosswalk lights. He
asked if before and after studies could be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of these
devices, as opposed to other treatments such as pedestrian paddles.
Staff Hawkins said that this project is for crosswalks near Lum, Chipman and Haight schools,
and was funded by a Safe Routes to School grant. Therefore the only discretionary spending in
the project is the $18,000 in Measure B funds.
Commissioner Parker asked if the projects list is a wish list for grants.
Staff Hawkins said that in the header the sheet it says ""carryover"" or ""funded"". The carryover
projects are supposed to be fully funded and grant submittals that were not funded should have
been eliminated. She noted that the City had submitted a grant proposal for the
audible/countdown signal heads. While the grant was awarded for the countdown devices, the
audible signals were not funded. Therefore, while the entire budget amount is listed in the table,
the only the countdown portion of it has been funded. Staff Hawkins stated that the proposed
grant amounts are included, even if funding has not been secured, because the City needs to
earmark then matching funds. If the City is not awarded the grants, the matching funds can be
released for something else.
Commissioner Parker asked if any of these grants going to sunset if we haven't started the
project.
Staff Hawkins said that the pole-mounted radar speed displays was one that was just about to
sunset but the City received an extension. It was supposed to have been finished by December
but instead it will be finished by March.
Commissioner Parker asked who ranked the projects.
Staff Hawkins said that the departments rank them. However, she noted that sometimes a project
with a lower ranking will proceed ahead of a higher priority one if grant funding becomes
available.
Commissioner Parker requested that the list indicate what projects have been started, the
percentage of completion, the estimated date of completion or estimated date of start if not
started.
3",TransportationCommission/2005-12-14.pdf
TransportationCommission,2005-12-14,4,"Staff Hawkins mentioned that there are sheets that include this information, it's just not printed in
the report that was distributed.
Chair Knox White suggested that it would be helpful to indicate the funding status in the table, so
it would be understood if the funding status is uncertain.
Staff Hawkins responded that this could be indicated in the Comments section.
Commissioner Parker asked if the phase of the project, e.g. design, could be indicated.
Staff Hawkins stated that the way the document is compiled is that the whole project is listed as a
single record. This helps with the keeping track of overall project costs. She said that the phase
of the project could also be indicated in the Comments section.
Commissioner Parker asked if a project falls off the carryover list if it would then be put on the
unfunded list? And would it continue to be a priority?
Staff Hawkins said that the Council determines which projects are the priorities.
Commissioner Krueger asked if there are any other means by which operations are handled and
do on going operations count under projects?
Staff Hawkins replied that the purpose of some operations is to give Council the understanding of
what people are working on. Work program is an annual project such as sidewalks, tree
trimming as to how much money has been put into it.
Commissioner Krueger asked if there is any discretion for removal of projects from the
carryover/funded list or is everything on her subject to go forward no matter what.
Staff Hawkins said that was her understanding.
Chair Knox White asked about the pedestrian heads project with various locations for $400,000
and wanted to know what that was (page 4).
Staff Hawkins stated that the Commission on Disability Issues had requested that all signals have
countdowns and audible signals. Public Works then applies for grants to bring the City's costs
down. The budget for this project indicates the cost for all signals in the City.
Commissioner Krueger said that this sounds like another project, 1-04-96.
Staff Hawkins acknowledged that it might have been put in twice. She's meeting with the
departments to review the projects and determine where there is duplication.
Chair Knox White asked about the unfunded Tinker Extension project, and whether it is almost
complete.
4",TransportationCommission/2005-12-14.pdf
TransportationCommission,2005-12-14,5,"Staff Hawkins said the Tinker Extension is considered the portion from 5th to Webster Street, and
should be called Tinker Intersection. This will be funded by state funds and developer funds.
Chair Knox White asked about the traffic signal at Fernside Boulevard and San Jose Avenue for
$400,000.
Staff Hawkins said that this was supported by the school district. The projects had to be included
in the budget because the City was seeking grant funding, but it hadn't yet been approved by the
school board at that time. The City did secure the funding but the school board voted against the
project, so it will be taken off the list.
Commissioner Parker asked if we could apply the funds to another project.
Staff Hawkins said that it was from local streets and roads funds, but will be applied towards the
bicycle and pedestrian access along with bus access.
Chair Knox White suggested that a potential project might be construction of roundabouts on
Fernside Boulevard to help deal with the volume of traffic.
Staff Hawkins said that the TC could recommend such a project. She noted that the City is trying
to work down on already requested traffic calming projects, and a petition has been submitted by
residents of Fernside Boulevard, so this issue could be addressed. If it turns out that the capital
portion is more than what we have budgeted, it can be brought before Council for more money.
Chair Knox White suggested adding several projects to the CIP list: purchasing and installing the
remaining 18 bus shelters, the top ten priorities from the bike plan, safe routes to school and safe
routes to transit improvements, and the bike lanes on Central Avenue between Walnut and Oak
Streets.
Staff Hawkins said that some projects need some preliminary analysis so that that the general
feasibility could be determined and cost estimates can be developed. She said that the Cross
Alameda Trail Feasibility Study is an example of this. Now that costs have been determined, it
can be included in the CIP. Staff Hawkins suggested that the Commission request funding for
feasibility studies so the projects would be moved forward.
Public Comment
Lucy Gigli said that she would like this budget cycle to include two projects from the bike plan's
priority project list. Also, she wanted to ensure that funding is available for bike lanes on Central
Avenue between Walnut Street and Oak Street, and if appropriate that should be included in this
process.
Commissioner Krueger suggested recommending the inclusion of the Cross Alameda Trail,
purchase and installation of the remaining 18 bus shelters, and bike lanes on Central Avenue
between Walnut and Oak Streets.
5",TransportationCommission/2005-12-14.pdf
TransportationCommission,2005-12-14,6,"Staff Hawkins said that those projects have been sufficiently developed to be submitted. She
noted that the bike lanes are to be included as part of the library relocation, but it still needs to be
in the budget. Staff Hawkins said a safe route to schools project is less defined, and that staff is
collecting data now to identify locations for improvements. Staff is also working with Jon
Spangler to get more volunteers to get data, which we then can substantiate where and what we
need in improvements.
Commissioner Parker moved that the following three projects be added to the capital
improvement budget for 2007-08: Cross Alameda Trail, purchase and installation of 18 Bus
Shelters to be bought and installed, and bike lanes on Central Avenue between Walnut Street
and Oak Street. Commissioner Krueger seconded and was passed unanimously.
Commissioner Parker moved that the operations and annual maintenance queue be formalized
and part II added to that. Feasibility studies for bike plan priority projects, safe routes to transit
and schools, bus shelter maintenance and transportation Master Plan. Commissioner Krueger
seconded and passed unanimously.
Chair Knox White indicated that he wanted to make sure that the TMP funding matches up with
what the Council has already approved.
Commissioner Krueger asked if there are any rules about how gas tax funds are spent.
Staff Hawkins said that it has to be spent on transportation related items and in the past gas tax
was always spent on the roads but in more recent years has been directed to transit purposes. For
transit purposes it's generally allocated to AC Transit and the only other given to the city is the
roads money, which is generally used for resurfacing. When the City does resurfacing, it tries to
update striping and bike lanes.
Commissioner Krueger asked why $67,000 of gas tax money is being spend on the Underground
District Conversion project.
Staff Hawkins said some money is made available from the utilities to underground the overhead
poles. People from the community presented to Council areas where they are willing to pay half
of the bill and the City would like to have its allocation from the utility company to be put
towards its share of the undergrounding.
Commissioner Krueger asked what does undergrounding utilities doing with transportation?
Staff Hawkins responded that she was not aware that the gas tax was to fund that.
Chair Knox White asked staff to check to see that this was correct.
Commissioner Krueger stated that some of the existing bus shelters do not have all the amenities.
The shelter at Buena Vista Avenue and Paru Street does not have a bench, map and schedule.
Most of the city shelters put in prior to the Park & Webster Renaissance Project and Bay Port do
6",TransportationCommission/2005-12-14.pdf
TransportationCommission,2005-12-14,7,"not have map holders, although most have trash cans. He recommended bringing all bus shelters
up to the new standards.
Staff Hawkins mentioned that we have been using the bus shelter funds to handle the existing
shelters, and that it would be appropriate to use the current maintenance fund money for this
purpose.
8.
STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
Staff Bergman mentioned that the workshop at the College of Alameda collected input and got
some good information for the Trail Workshop and Paratransit. The Paratransit covers almost all
of Alameda except for a few exceptions like Bay Farm Island. We have not been spending our
annual Paratransit allocation. We have been looking for ways to expand the current program.
One way is to open up an existing Taxi program to the disabled and anyone 75 years and over.
Have to figure and structure that. Short term during Christmas Season had it available to seniors
for shopping.
Chair Knox White asked when the consultant will be hired for the Circulation Plan.
Staff Hawkins responded that this should happen in January. She noted that staff is currently
working on the request for qualifications (RFQ).
Chair Knox White requested the RFQ indicate that consultants need to have planning experience
and that it would be two month process.
Staff Hawkins would like to see the RFQ go out in January and then everything done by June.
The consultant would meet with the Task Force in February or March.
Staff Hawkins noted that following projects are scheduled to be presented to the TC in the
coming months: Target EIR in January, Safeway gas station in February, and a request for a joint
meeting in April with the TC and the Economic Development Commission to look at the new
ProLogis environmental update.
Chair Knox White asked if there was any idea about a joint Council and TC meeting in January.
Staff Bergman has not heard anything more on it.
Chair Knox White said that when the negative declaration comes to the TC it would be helpful to
the Commission and Planning Board to give a 15 minute discussion on the difference between an
negative declaration and an environmental impact report (EIR) and what is to be expected from
both.
Staff Hawkins said that we would ask Doug Garrison of the Planning Board to present it.
Commissioner Knoth asked if someone from the school district is involved in the safe routes to
school initiative.
7",TransportationCommission/2005-12-14.pdf
TransportationCommission,2005-12-14,8,"schools along with a number of parents to get feedback.
Commissioner Knoth suggested that facilities at each school need to be surveyed to determine
where there are cross walks and other facilities.
Staff Hawkins said that staff is using Otis and Franklin schools as a pilot program to determine
what needs to be looked at for the other schools.
Commissioner Knoth said that lighted crosswalks are something that would be important at all
schools. Currently some schools have them and some not.
Staff Hawkins said that in-pavement lights are also going to be installed at 8th Street and Taylor
Avenue. Where in-pavement lights are installed depends on if they meet the warrants.
Chair Knox White mentioned that some schools have very vocal parents in getting thing done
faster, and recommended finding a way to level the playing field.
Commissioner Knoth said that everyone should have at least a minimum level of facilities and
that there will be some cases where traffic deems other things. He asked if there was a timeline
for the study.
Staff Bergman stated that as far as part of the Pedestrian Plan staff would be collecting a lot of
school data between now and the end of school year. Facilities have most of that already for
locations such as; cross walks and signals along with crossing guards, and in pavement lights
largely have not. Staff will also be looking at existing conditions and traffic patterns, such as
conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles.
9.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
G:\pubworks\LT\TRANSPORTATIONICOMMITTEES\TC\2006TC min 121405-final.doc
8",TransportationCommission/2005-12-14.pdf