body,date,page,text,path
TransportationCommission,2014-04-23,1,"Transportation Commission Minutes:
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Commissioner Jesus Vargas called the Transportation Commission to order at 7:00 p.m.
1.
Roll Call
Roll was called and the following was recorded:
Members Present:
Jesus Vargas (Chair)
Thomas G. Bertken
Michele Bellows
Gregory Morgado
Members Absent:
Christopher Miley (Vice Chair)
Eric Schatmeier
Staff Present:
Staff Haun, Public Works Director
Staff Patel, Transportation Engineer
Staff Payne, Transportation Coordinator
2.
Agenda Changes
Commissioner Vargas said the Commission had not reached a quorum. So, they would vote on
the Consent Calendar items in May. He also requested a moment of silence for the pedestrian
killed by an auto on Otis Drive a few weeks ago. Moreover, he said he attended the National
Association of City Transportation Officials (NATCO) meeting in Oakland and found that
Caltrans embraced the organization's mission. Additionally, he reported that they were the third
state to adopt the NATCO policies for transportation, bikeways and all modes.
3.
Announcements / Public Comments
Jim Strehlow, Alameda Resident, referred to the last Commission meeting and the presentation
on the I-880 project. He exclaimed that the project manager's only goal was to move people into
Alameda. However, his goal was to ask the Commission to search for funds to assist the
overlooked needs of Alameda commuters. Thus, he requested that the Commission ask for a
Traffic Study along the 23rd and 29th at Fruitvale Avenue and High Street intersections. He felt
the Commission should request a formal traffic study to consider movements into and out of
Alameda. If Alameda County Transportation Commission decides against it then the City should
fund it for their own purposes. Ultimately, he would like this topic included as a future agenda
item.
Commissioner Vargas asked Jim Strehlow if he wanted the study to review the changes during",TransportationCommission/2014-04-23.pdf
TransportationCommission,2014-04-23,2,"Page 2 of 7
construction or after construction.
Jim Strehlow said if the study could happen soon and the numbers found after construction are
worth acknowledging, then the City could ask for the problems to be rectified.
Commissioner Vargas replied that the Commission could look into inserting this topic into a
future agenda item when they arrive at Item 6A.
Staff Payne stated that the Alameda Police Department will hold a pedestrian safety walk event
on Saturday, May 3 from the two Alameda ferry terminals and ending at City Hall. She said that
interested parties should register at the following link: http://www.eventbrite.com/o/alameda
police-department-6132421551?s=22507629
4.
Consent Calendar
4A.
Meeting Minutes - Special Meeting - Wednesday, December 11, 2013
4B.
Meeting Minutes - Wednesday, January 22, 2014
4C.
Meeting Minutes - March 26, 2014
5.
New Business
5A. Draft Transportation Demand Management Plan for Alameda Point
Andrew Thomas, Alameda City Planner, presented and requested that the Commission provide
recommendations for the plan.
Commissioner Vargas stated that a draft went before the Planning Commission recently. He
wanted to know the draft's revisions and highlights since going before the board.
Andrew Thomas replied that the document was reorganized to show a clear and concise
perspective as well as clarifying how the City would require new development to comply with
the Transportation Demand Management (TDM) policy. He noted that the TDM policy was
neither optional nor negotiable.
Commissioner Vargas opened the floor to public comments.
Jim Strehlow said he attended the Planning Board meeting and one of the board members said
the contribution for the TDM did not seem to add up. He concluded that the average household
would spend $90 to travel from Alameda Point to Oakland or Berkeley via public transit each
month. Thus, they should reach for the $90 figure as a TDM tax. Moreover, he felt the
alternative travel mode wish list was quite aggressive. Staff should think of residents' minimal
needs for the plan to be justifiable.
Commissioner Bellows referred to page 4 of the memo, where a residence averaging $370,000",TransportationCommission/2014-04-23.pdf
TransportationCommission,2014-04-23,3,"Page 3 of 7
market value would be required to pay $3,000 a year plus $200 a year. She felt the tax was fairly
high and she wanted to know the foundation for choosing the value.
Andrew Thomas stated that the tax could be adjusted over time as they would do for any project.
However, staff's challenge was balancing major operation and capital costs for Alameda Point.
The easiest way to cover this heavy burden was to distribute the cost the best way possible.
Commissioner Bellows replied that she understood the need to pay for operation and capital
costs. However, if a resident has a $300,000 house and must pay the property tax and special
TDM tax, there is no mechanism on how to cap the costs. Additionally, she found no
information on how the fee was derived.
Andrew Thomas replied that the amount was derived from taking the total burden that the City
would expect on a residential unit and each residential unit would pay for transportation and
municipal expenses.
Commissioner Bellows replied so that is the gross burden for all public needs.
Andrew Thomas stated yes. The annual taxes are $200 for the TDM plan and $3,000 for
municipal expenses for a residential unit totaling $370,000.
Commissioner Bellows replied so instead of paying a 1 percent tax, residents would pay a 2
percent tax. Additionally, she remembered that there was an issue with the structure of the
school tax, which was levied differently between businesses and homes. She wondered if the
issue was relevant in this case.
Andrew Thomas stated that there is no legal issue because the City owns the land. Therefore,
from a Planning perspective the City is the owner of the land and the City can impose certain
conditions and requirements when selling the land to individuals who are aware of the proposed
tax.
Commissioner Bellows wondered if there would be a tax cap on the TDM plan.
Andrew Thomas replied that the cap would work similar to a negotiation and the developer
would agree to an assessment. He said once the special district is established, the City could
reassess the area to see if the tax worked.
Commissioner Bellows asked if the assessed value decreased would the rates decrease as well.
Andrew Thomas said staff discussed this issue and Commissioner Bellows is correct.
Commissioner Bertken asked if the document becomes part of the environmental document.
Andrew Thomas replied yes, the plan becomes part of it.
Commissioner Bertken referred to the number of different policies for reducing vehicle miles",TransportationCommission/2014-04-23.pdf
TransportationCommission,2014-04-23,4,"Page 4 of 7
traveled and one is using the ferry. He viewed the importance of the ferry based on the current
increase to ferry patronage and that has caused parking issues.
Andrew Thomas said that the ferry system was an important component to Alameda Point. The
capital improvements to extend BART and the freeway system are more costly than extending
the ferry service from Alameda to areas such as San Francisco and South San Francisco.
Commissioner Morgado asked about the timeframe for the total build out.
Andrew Thomas stated that the build out estimate is 20-30 years, but it depends on the economy
and commercial development, which generally takes longer.
Commissioner Bertken wondered if the 80-acre development discussed earlier would be phased
as each developer acquires land.
Andrew Thomas replied yes.
Commissioner Bertken asked about the specific infrastructure tax that is being levied on the
taxpayer.
Andrew Thomas replied there are a lot of infrastructure needs such as the sea level rise perimeter,
open space system and fire building. The City will have the developers pay their share for this
detailed infrastructure.
Commissioner Vargas said he wanted to know the timing of the plan relative to the guidelines to
be consistent with the plan's performance measures. He also encouraged the easiest and most
effective options to be implemented to reduce vehicle trips. He also wondered if the plan does
not meet the intended reductions could staff implement the plan citywide. The TDM plan should
list the regional agencies that are included in the TMA, and should clarify it.
Commissioner Vargas called for a motion.
Commissioner Bertken made a motion to approve the item. Commissioner Morgado
seconded the motion. The motion was approved 4-0.",TransportationCommission/2014-04-23.pdf
TransportationCommission,2014-04-23,5,"Page 5 of 7
5B. Next Steps of the Federal Transportation Administration Grant Funds for Improving
Transit Access to and from Alameda Point
Staff Payne presented the report.
Commissioner Bertken said last spring he was using AC Transit's Line W two days a week and
he was annoyed by the lack of a queue lane along Webster Street north of Atlantic Avenue.
Commissioner Bellows asked if the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) monies had an
expiration date.
Staff Payne replied yes there is expiration and they requested an extension. Staff Payne also
explained that BART allowed an extension until December 31, 2015.
Commissioner Bellows asked if the queue jump design was currently under design.
Staff Payne replied yes it is under design and they have at least 65 percent of the construction
drawn out.
Commissioner Bellows asked staff if the project would be fully funded.
Staff Payne replied yes. Also, she explained that Commissioner Vargas presented an idea which
would give the queue jump lane the first in line for construction.
Commissioner Bellows asked staff about the Cross Alameda Trail and the timing of the
construction.
Staff Payne replied the funds have to be used by December 31, 2015.
Commissioner Bellows stated that measure B monies typically are used within a couple of years.
She wanted to know if the plan is fully funded or easily phased because the ultimate goal is to
get the trail to Alameda Point.
Staff Payne replied yes.
Commissioner Vargas called for a motion.
Commissioner Bellows made a motion to approve the item. Commissioner Morgado
seconded the motion. The motion was approved 4-0.",TransportationCommission/2014-04-23.pdf
TransportationCommission,2014-04-23,6,"Page 6 of 7
5C.
Transportation Grant Applications: Transportation Development Act, Active
Transportation Program and TIGER
Staff Payne presented the report.
Commissioner Bellows asked staff if the budgeted amount for the Transportation Development
Act (TDA) monies is not fully used for the project would the monies go back into the City's
reserve.
Staff Payne replied yes.
Commissioner Morgado asked if the bicycle parking was in the form of boxes.
Staff Payne replied yes as well as bicycle racks.
Commissioner Vargas asked about the bicycle counts and wondered if the counts would be
conducted by electronic devices or human counters.
Staff Payne replied that the project would go out to bid with a contractor and traditionally they
have multiple individuals conducting the bicycle counts at each intersection for the turning
movements.
Commissioner Vargas called for a motion.
Commissioner Bertken made a motion to approve the TDA item. Commissioner
Morgado seconded the motion. The motion was approved 4-0.
Staff Payne presented the remaining portions of the report.
Commissioner Vargas asked about the dollar amount for constructing the trail along the Jean
Sweeney Open Space.
Staff Payne replied that they are in the middle of developing the detailed cost estimate, but the
cost may go up to $2 million for the total stretch. Furthermore, the cost includes the section near
the Starbucks, which is tricky because it is a constrained space.
Commissioner Vargas asked if the funds are for studies or construction.
Staff Payne replied that the grant is for construction.
Commissioner Bertken asked staff if construction along the intersection is the next phase from
what the Commission voted on regarding pedestrian safety and crosswalks.
Staff Payne replied that this would be the long-term solution of construction.",TransportationCommission/2014-04-23.pdf
TransportationCommission,2014-04-23,7,"Page 7 of 7
Commissioner Vargas asked staff and the Commission what could be done to increase the
chances of receiving the funds. He acknowledged that if staff received letters of support from
public agencies or other supporters that would help.
Staff Payne stated that they received support letters from Congresswoman Barbara Lee and
various assembly members.
Commissioner Bellows felt staff should have a better chance of receiving funds because the
application was submitted at a previous time and the grantors like to see persistence.
6.
Staff Communications
6A.
Potential Future Meeting Agenda Items
- Next Transportation Commission meeting will be held Wednesday, May 28
- Presentation on Line W by AC Transit
- Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA)
- Quarterly report
- Pedestrian Safety Program
- Voting on all Meeting Minutes
7.
Announcements/ Public Comments
Jim Strehlow asked for funding to repair the bikeways and walkways approaching Bay Farm
Island. Also, he announced the annual Bike to Work Day on Thursday, May 8 and Bike Walk
Alameda will have Energizer Stations at various locations from 6:30 am to 9:30 am.
8.
Adjournment
8:30 pm",TransportationCommission/2014-04-23.pdf