body,date,page,text,path
TransportationCommission,2015-05-27,1,"Transportation Commission
November 18, 2015
Item 4B
Action
Transportation Commission Meeting Minutes
Wednesday July 22, 2015
Commissioner Michele Bellows called the Transportation Commission to order at 7:00
p.m.
1.
Roll Call
Roll was called and the following was recorded:
Members Present:
Michele Bellows (Chair)
Eric Schatmeier (Vice Chair)
Christopher Miley
Thomas G. Bertken
Michael Hans
Members Absent:
Gregory Morgado
Jesus Vargas
Staff Present:
Staff Patel, Transportation Engineer
Bob Haun, Interim Assistant City Manager
2.
Agenda Changes
None.
3.
Announcements / Public Comments
Commission Bellows asked for a moment of silence for Dennis Harry Stone who passed
away on July 8 and owned Stone Cyclery.
Bob Haun stated that the changes of staffing to the Commission include Gail Payne
moving to take the initial lead on the City's transportation study. He explained that the
study was requested by the City Council to look at Transportation Demand Associations
(TDA) and Transportation Demand Management (TDM) programs around the island. He
went on to say that there will eventually be one TDM program for the entire island.
Direction was given to staff in January to begin the study but it languished for about six
months. Gail Payne is on loan to the Planning Department and will be there for at least
Page 1 of 12",TransportationCommission/2015-05-27.pdf
TransportationCommission,2015-05-27,2,"the next six months to get the study off the ground. He anticipates that the study will last
for a couple of years and the results will be reported back to the City Council. He said
Gail Payne will attend almost every single Commission meeting to present the tasks
that she is working on, which is developing the scope of work and the RFP for the
consultant which he anticipates will be able to be presented at the September 23rd
meeting. Moreover, the Commission will be able to weigh in on the information
presented. He said he will support Staff Patel who came back to staff the Commission.
However, he mentioned that given the lack of staffing for the next six months and
depending on where Gail Payne will be placed permanently staff will be fairly restricted
on what they can do and what they can staff. Yet, staff will support the Commission and
the Interagency Liaison Committee (ILC) with AC Transit.
Commissioner Miley said he looked forward to having Gail Payne present to the
Commission as the process moves forward.
Commissioner Schatmeier asked Bob Haun how he saw this fitting into or
supplementing the Transportation Element (TE) of the General Plan.
Bob Haun replied that was yet to be determined and he was not sure if the study would
drive changes to the TE. However, the City Council will be very involved in the study.
He also said they will generally try to change Single Occupant Vehicle (SOV) travel,
review the ingress and egress of the island and try to improve those routes.
Commissioner Bertken asked about the role the Commission would play in the study
and what would be the ultimate relationship with the Planning Board.
Bob Haun replied the Planning Board would have a lot less input than the Commission
and although Gail Payne was assigned to the Planning Department, this is not a
planning function necessarily. He said they have not discussed who Gail Payne will
report to although she will probably report to the Planning Board. He explained that the
general feeling within the City is that the Planning Department started this because
there was a large report on transportation that began with Jennifer Ott and Andrew
Thomas. Therefore, since they initiated and have ownership of the study then the
natural direction would be for the Planning Department to complete the study.
Commissioner Miley stated that it would be useful to have the chair of the
Transportation Commission speak with the chair of the Planning Board to schedule a
joint meeting at some point about this issue.
Bob Haun said he suspected that at some point there will be a joint meeting because
there will be a development portion of the study including how to handle the additional
traffic from the developments.
Commissioner Bertken stated that if the development was a given as a supposed to
constrained by transportation, then part of the study will be dealt with where the TDM
approach would be worked out along with the development.
Page 2 of 12",TransportationCommission/2015-05-27.pdf
TransportationCommission,2015-05-27,3,"Bob Haun replied that development was not a given because they do have some
options on the future of development. He explained that some things do not have
options, but with the development parcels on the books now they have somewhat of an
option. Therefore, he said that may come back up for discussion about where they want
to insert instances of having discretionary approval.
Louie Krevnovski, Alameda resident, stated that he lives on Central Avenue and Ballena
Boulevard and he felt reducing Central Avenue from four lanes to two lanes will cause
congestion and accidents because vehicles stop at the right-hand lane quite frequently
and there is high turning activity from Central Avenue onto Webster Street. He also
explained that vehicles will have to pass the stopped cars on the left turn lane and that
will cause congestion and accidents. He suggested that the City conduct a one day
traffic study by closing the two center lanes with left turns allowed. This will show you
the effect it would have on traffic.
Commissioner Schatmeier asked Louie Krevnovski if he lives near Central and
Webster.
Louie Krevnovski replied he lives on Central Avenue and Ballena Boulevard and passes
that area often. He said when he drives west on Central Avenue and turns onto Webster
Street there is always congestion because motorists are trying to turn right, but cannot
because pedestrians constantly enter the crosswalk. He went on to say that currently
cars can get around stopped vehicles in the left turn lane, but if there is only one lane
traffic will back up a long way. His concern is that there will be a lot of congestion that is
not foreseen by discussion.
Jim Strehlow, Alameda Resident, stated that while riding his bicycle around the city of
Oakland from Alameda he noticed the following activities that could affect the city of
Alameda: 1. A four to five story development is being built at Park Street right across
the bridge and he did not remember the project or potential traffic implications being
discussed at past Transportation Commission meetings. So, he wanted to know if that
was included in past traffic studies.
Commissioner Bellows asked Jim Strehlow if he was speaking about the study for the
Caltrans 23rd/29th Avenue Overcrossing Project.
Jim Strehlow replied he did not remember the project being discussed and he would like
to know if that development was included in any previous study and if the city of
Oakland had to conduct an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) with Alameda.
Commissioner Hans replied he did not think so because the project will be a senior
living area and was advertised at the Alameda Theater.
Commissioner Bellows replied that the project was advertised at the theater, but she did
not remember discussing the project. However, she would look into it.
Jim Strehlow referred to the High Street on ramp going from High Street to the on ramp
Page 3 of 12",TransportationCommission/2015-05-27.pdf
TransportationCommission,2015-05-27,4,"at
I-880 headed northbound and westbound. He said there use to be a left-hand turn
signal and once the signal was done and motorists were stopped at the light they could
still make a left-hand turn. However, with the new signal it is a left-hand only turn, so
when the signal is green motorists cannot make a left hand turn. He felt vehicles are
trapped at the left-hand turn and he wondered who made that decision.
Commissioner Bellows replied Caltrans operates those signals if it relates to the
freeway.
Commissioner Schatmeier replied Jim Strehlow's comment was well taken because the
interchange is a disaster since it has been reconstructed.
Commissioner Bellows replied she would talk to the staff at Caltrans to see what could
happen.
Commissioner Miley seconded Jim Strehlow's comment and said the interchange never
really worked and may be worse now.
Commissioner Bellows felt the interchange was broader now.
Commissioner Miley said constructing two left turn lanes or a split left may have been
brought up at a previous Commission meeting to push more traffic through. However,
he felt something should be done to improve the functionality of the interchange and he
hoped that staff will continue to push Caltrans to improve the functionality of the
interchange.
Jim Strehlow stated that the last issue he noticed was at San Leandro Boulevard when
turning left onto High Street and into Alameda on the northwest corner. He saw a sign
that reads City of Alameda, and it is in bad shape. He wondered who is responsible for
the sign's condition.
3. A. Transportation Commission Meeting: Wednesday, September 23, 2015 at 7
p.m.
4.
Consent Calendar
4.A. Transportation Commission Minutes - Approve Meeting Minutes - March 25,
2015
Commissioner Miley moved to approve the minutes of March 25, 2015. Commissioner
Bertken seconded the minutes. The motion was approved 5-0.
4.B. Transportation Commission Minutes - Approve Meeting Minutes - May 27,
2015
Page 4 of 12",TransportationCommission/2015-05-27.pdf
TransportationCommission,2015-05-27,5,"Commissioner Miley stated that within the minutes Commissioner Hans was shown to
be present and absent. Since, Commissioner Miley could not remember if
Commissioner Hans was present he called for the minutes to be postponed.
Commissioner Bellows made a motion to postpone the approval of the May 27, 2015
minutes until further review.
5.
New Business
5.A. Review AC Transit's Draft Comprehensive Operations Analysis Study
Staff Patel introduced Robert Del Rosario, AC Transit Director of Service Development,
to present the report.
Commissioner Schatmeier asked Robert Del Rosario about the proposed route that
would increase service on Otis Drive and Shoreline Boulevard and is currently served
by Route 20 with 30-minute headways. He wanted to know if the proposed route would
be staggered with the Route 20, so one or most of them would create 15-minute
headways.
Robert Del Rosario replied yes. He explained that the area on Otis Drive, from Park
Street to Webster Street, would contain two routes that are 30 minutes staggered
against each other creating 15 minute headways.
Commissioner Schatmeier asked Robert Del Rosario would there still be 15-minute
service along Park Street provided by the Routes 20 and 21. However, the half hour
headways would be along High Street.
Robert Del Rosario replied yes.
Commissioner Miley asked Robert Del Rosario for the total number of double decker
buses purchased by AC Transit.
Robert Del Rosario replied 20 buses to start with.
Commissioner Hans asked Robert Del Rosario if the buses would fit in the tube.
Robert Del Rosario replied yes.
Commissioner Bertken asked Robert Del Rosario if there would be any problems with
the double decker buses in the tunnel.
Robert Del Rosario replied there should be no problems and the bus should fit in the
tube where the bus height is 13 feet and six inches.
Commissioner Bertken stated that there is also a limit on the side road at the Yerba
Page 5 of 12",TransportationCommission/2015-05-27.pdf
TransportationCommission,2015-05-27,6,"Buena Tunnel.
Robert Del Rosario replied AC Transit staff tested the limit and brought a bus over there
in February and reviewed the buffer.
Commissioner Bertken asked Robert Del Rosario about providing weekend service
since everyone is trying to get people out of their cars.
Robert Del Rosario stated that staff is looking at the cost and pacing themselves to see
what ridership demand looks like. He explained that if funding became available staff
could look at weekend service.
Commissioner Bertken replied access off the island on the weekend was important.
Robert Del Rosario stated that the goal was for staff to review weekday service, but
weekends are just as important.
Commissioner Schatmeier asked Robert Del Rosario about the bus circulator concept
and whether the buses would go in clockwise and counterclockwise directions.
Robert Del Rosario replied that staff created the cost out for both directions.
Commissioner Bellows referred to the fact that 85 percent of Measure BB goes for
operations and that translates to $20 million a year and she asked if those funds go
through the entire AC Transit service district.
Robert Del Rosario replied that was correct, although only in Alameda County.
Commissioner Bellows asked Robert Del Rosario how much did the city of Alameda
receive.
Robert Del Rosario replied he would have to review the numbers, but he estimated $2
million.
Commissioner Bellows replied then none of the service proposals would really work.
Robert Del Rosario referred to 3A of the staff report or 3C in the PowerPoint
presentation and stated that the route that would work would be along Buena Vista
Avenue. He further explained that if AC Transit partnered up with the Estuary Shuttle
they could probably make it happen. However, he felt AC Transit was committed to
adding a new route with the Measure BB funds and it would be at 30-minute headways.
Commissioner Bellows replied so the City would receive one new route with 30-minute
headways and everything else would be implemented later.
Robert Del Rosario replied AC Transit would also fix Route 31, which would serve
Alameda Landing.
Page 6 of 12",TransportationCommission/2015-05-27.pdf
TransportationCommission,2015-05-27,7,"Commissioner Hans stated that one issue that his neighbors have asked him to discuss
was to relieve the pressure on the Route 51 because they have to stand all the time.
So, he wondered if AC Transit staff has considered that issue.
Robert Del Rosario replied staff added more runtime to the Route 51 and although the
route has 10-minute headways, which is good, they felt the service does not run on the
even spacing. So, staff is trying to improve the route's on time performance and
reliability. Furthermore, he said the capital project for the Route 51 included relocating
and removing some bus stops and looking at signal priority along Webster Street, which
should relieve pressure.
Commissioner Miley asked Robert Del Rosario going forward to bring handouts for the
Commissioners to follow along to if the staff report changes at the last minute, otherwise
he appreciated the presentation. He pointed out that staff handed out comments from
John Knox White and he wanted to present the comments to Robert Del Rosario. He
felt Robert Del Rosario answered some of John Knox White's questions such as bus to
ferry connections. Also, John Knox White proposed a two-year pilot program for the bus
to ferry connections, which he seconded the idea. He also said that Commissioner
Schatmeier proposed having an ad hoc committee consisting of Transportation
Commission and Planning Board members to meet with AC Transit and City staff to
discuss the City's long-term and short-term priorities and he felt it would be useful to
have those meetings. He also suggested that a future ILC meeting could include an
agenda item that allowed the ad hoc committee to address some of the items they have
discussed.
Commissioner Schatmeier said he has had conversations with Bob Haun about this and
Bob Haun ensured him that it was not too late to submit ideas and comments. He put
some ideas out there, but his hope was at the end of the subcommittee process that the
ad hoc committee would come back to the Transportation Commission and recommend
some priorities that the plan could address. He went on to say that the Commission has
already created the committee and they have to decide when to meet. He also
explained that his goal was to have a list of 3-5 priorities that the City would like AC
Transit to address.
Commissioner Bellows replied logistically there was an issue because the public
comment period closes on July 31.
Robert Del Rosario stated that the purpose of the comment period date allowed AC
Transit to start the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process.
Commissioner Bellows replied so this was part of the scoping of the CEQA.
Robert Del Rosario replied yes.
Commissioner Schatmeier stated that AC Transit's proposal contains some interesting
ideas, but this may reallocate resources to something else and that may be a discussion
Page 7 of 12",TransportationCommission/2015-05-27.pdf
TransportationCommission,2015-05-27,8,"outside of this process. He understood that AC Transit Boardmember Pebbles has
expressed interest in reviewing the Route 21 service at the next ILC meeting and he
had no problem with that, but he suspected that Boardmember Pebbles was doing that
to save some resources.
Commissioner Miley stated that one priority would be that resources already expended
in Alameda stay in Alameda. He felt it was important to have different government
agencies' perspectives such as the Planning Board and City staff, so if there was a way
to get a meeting accomplished by using existing infrastructure that would be ideal.
Bob Haun explained that neither he nor Staff Patel could staff an ad hoc committee at
this time due to short-term staffing constraints. He went on to say that Route 21 is on
the agenda for the next ILC meeting scheduled on October 7 and that would be the
appropriate time to speak to that item. He said if the Commission would like to have an
informal committee they could do that without staff support, but the priority items would
have to come back to the Transportation Commission for endorsement before it went
out.
Commissioner Bellows replied so the ad hoc committee could present their findings to
the Commission and the Commissioners could discuss the items and agendize them for
the September meeting.
Bob Haun said that would be within the appropriate window because the next public
hearing is November 8. He further explained that from the City's perspective they are
interested in Route 19 for the Northern Waterfront because Marina Cove Il housing will
be available as of spring 2016. Furthermore, he mentioned that the Estuary Crossing
Shuttle was only funded for half a year and the City would like to keep that going. So,
shifting the Route 19 service at Sherman to go up through Atlantic Avenue would
basically pick up all the stops for the Estuary Crossing Shuttle. He pointed out that
Route 31 touching Alameda Landing may have some synergy with the Alameda
Landing Shuttle because there are significant contributions from Marina Cove II, Del
Monte, Wind River and Marina Village who either subsidize the Estuary Shuttle or
operate their own shuttle and they may want to jump on the boat too if Route 19 goes
through Marina Village.
Commissioner Bellows noted that Robert Del Rosario mentioned that there would be a
line going down Buena Vista that would ultimately shift to Clement Avenue.
Robert Del Rosario replied that staff talked about this in the very long-term and they
would have to consider a number of factors such as bus stop placement and how the
service would interact with the bicycle proposal along Clement Avenue.
Commissioner Bellows asked Robert Del Rosario why the service would be placed on
Clement Avenue.
Robert Del Rosario replied to get closer to developments.
Page 8 of 12",TransportationCommission/2015-05-27.pdf
TransportationCommission,2015-05-27,9,"Bob Haun stated that the potential development at Boatworks would contain 182 units
sooner rather than later since it has been approved by the City. Therefore, he felt the
ideal time even when thinking of shifting the route to Clement Avenue would be to
somehow acquire the Pennzoil property that would extend Clement Avenue.
Commissioner Bertken mentioned one of the comments from John Knox White's memo.
He felt that the coordination with bus service to the ferry schedule is important because
within the next 20 years there will not be additional capacity across the bay except what
you could do with ferry boats.
Bob Haun replied that was on their radar and he currently sits on the Metropolitan
Transportation Commission (MTC) Core Capacity Study Technical Advisory Group.
Thus, he explained they are looking at a number of options such as the opening of a
ferry terminal at Seaplane Lagoon and charging for parking at the ferry.
Commissioner Bellows asked Bob Haun do drivers have to pay for parking at the Jack
London Square terminal.
Bob Haun replied he did not believe riders have to pay for parking, but they have to
obtain a parking validation on the ferry.
Commissioner Schatmeier replied he is a bus and ferry rider, but his experience with
bus service to the ferry terminal is similar to bus service to the airport. He said bus
service along the Harbor Bay end are running empty and they are timed to meet the
ferry, but they do not have a tremendous on time performance record. He gave an
example of when he worked in Marin County and the Golden Gate Transit bus to ferry
service was not in heavy demand, so when John Knox White proposed to conduct a
pilot program there should not be empty buses to the ferry terminal.
Commissioner Bertken replied he has not seen a real survey conducted that showed
where in Alameda ferry riders are coming from.
Commissioner Bellows replied that Kevin Connolly, Water Emergency Transportation
Agency (WETA) Planning and Development, provided a map of where riders come from
when he presented to the Commission last time.
Robert Del Rosario replied the bulk of riders live between Webster Street and Park
Street. Residents living east of Park Street use the Harbor Bay ferry. He explained that
all three proposals have their merits, but scarcity of resources forced them to prioritize.
Commissioner Schatmeier stated that one of the proposals labeled Service
Enhancement Proposal # 2 for the Route O has the service truncated on the island and
does not go to Fruitvale BART Station anymore. So, he wanted to know if the change
would save resources.
Robert Del Rosario replied that they could do both, but what is hurting the Route O is
reliability with the traffic they face when crossing into the Fruitvale BART Station.
Page 9 of 12",TransportationCommission/2015-05-27.pdf
TransportationCommission,2015-05-27,10,"capture revenue and reduce fraud with the transfer policy. However, he said Clipper
does reduce the fraud, but when getting a paper transfer from the farebox that is when
fraud comes into place.
6.
Staff Communications
6.A. Potential Future Meeting Agenda Items
-
C. K. Myers letter regarding Central Avenue Complete Street proposal
-
IDrive Alameda letter regarding Central Avenue Complete Street proposal
Bob Haun stated that the letters were forwarded at the direction of the mayor to provide
to the Commission, and the Commission could comment on the letters if they would like.
However, he stated that the IDrive Alameda letter was different because the letter
requested a response from the Commission. From his knowledge, the Commission
does not typically respond to a letter. However, if a representative from the group would
like to attend the next Commission meeting and appear before the Commission, then
the Commissioners would reply back to the comment. Therefore, he recommended that
staff could get back to IDrive Alameda to explain that the Commission would hear ideas
at a future meeting, but the Commission does not respond to letters to specific people,
and the letter was sent anonymously.
Commissioners Bellows and Miley agreed with staff recommendations.
Commissioner Miley stated that the Central Avenue Complete Street Proposal was part
of the future meeting agenda items, so he assumed that staff would come back to
provide an update.
Page 10 of 12",TransportationCommission/2015-05-27.pdf
TransportationCommission,2015-05-27,11,"Bob Haun replied the next meeting for the Central Avenue Complete Street Proposal
will be held on September 17. He said he will update the Commission and he
encouraged the Commissioners to attend. Afterwards, staff will gather the data and
public input received and develop a recommendation with the Commission and City
Council.
Commissioner Bertken asked about the future agenda items and whether the items are
programmed, scheduled, or just discussed for the future.
1. Quarterly Report on Activities Related to Transportation Policies and Plans
2. Proposed I-880/Broadway/Jackson Multimodal Transportation and Circulation
Improvements
3. Main Street Ferry Terminal Improvements
4. Central Avenue Complete Street Concept Proposal
5. Improving Service to Spirits Alley and Other Base Businesses
6. Ferry Terminals' Connectivity Improvements
7. Promote Increasing Ridership from Alameda High School and Middle Schools
8. What are Key Cross Island Lines, Ranked in Order of Priority or Ridership
9. Any Planned New Stops Based on Approved Development
Commissioner Bellows replied nothing was scheduled yet, so as things happen they will
be presented to the Commission.
Bob Haun stated that if any of the Commissioners need a briefing on item 2, I-
880/Broadway/Jackson he could give individual briefings. He stated that this was an
Oakland project and Oakland was still going through their downtown circulation plan. He
said Oakland wanted to complete the plan in conjunction with the Broadway/Jackson
Committee meetings and Alameda was not participating in those meetings. However,
the City is waiting for the end of this year to take a pulse of the project's stage and then
they will decide where to land.
Commissioner Bertken replied on this particular project, this was a portion of Measure B
funding. Thus, he wanted to know where the allocation of Measure B funds comes from.
Bob Haun replied that the funding comes from Alameda County Transportation
Commission, through the expenditure plan.
Commissioner Bertken replied that part of the Measure B funds, when looking at it, will
give a set amount of funding for this project.
Commissioner Bellows replied Broadway/Jackson is a capital project, not a program.
Commissioner Miley stated that ACTC tries to ensure geographic equity in the
allocations for the capital program, so there was a percentage for each geographic
region in the county.
Page 11 of 12",TransportationCommission/2015-05-27.pdf
TransportationCommission,2015-05-27,12,"Commissioner Bellows said the voters actually voted on the expenditure plan that listed
Broadway/Jackson amongst other projects from different cities within Alameda County
and those projects are set.
7.
Announcements/Public Comments
John Bidorg, resident of Alameda County, explained that he is currently homeless living
in the city of Berkeley. He wanted to touch base about AC Transit and how the bond
was first created to raise funds for public transportation and assist people who heavily
rely on public transportation.
8.
Adjournment
7:33 p.m.
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