body,date,page,text,path
TransportationCommission,2022-01-26,1,"Draft Minutes
Transportation Commission Meeting
Wednesday, January 26, 2022
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.
Legistar Link:
https://alamedaca-gov.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_RdDnLxBeQjuXZhWV-OEQNA
1. Roll Call
Present: Chair Soules, Vice Chair Yuen and Commissioners Kohlstrand, Weitze, Rentschler and
Nachtigall.
Absent: Commissioner Michael Hans.
2. Agenda Changes
None.
3. Staff Communications are as shown in the web link here:
ttps://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=5385385&GUID=0524F134-2FC5-
 47DB-8D47-125D50782A68&FullText=1.
4. Announcements / Public Comments
Jim Strehlow questioned why July 27, 2022, had been recommended for cancelation. He also had
issues with recent City Council decisions about slow streets and beg buttons. He noted there was
no public opportunity to question why the City Council had not followed the staff's
recommendation. He felt that the public had been left out of the process. He also discussed a recent
trip to Orlando Florida where he felt they had very bad bike/pedestrian facilities.
Robert Vance, Public Work Senior Engineer, introduced Tawfic Halaby who had recently joined
Public Works as a Supervising Civil Engineer. He would be working on the Capital Improvement
Program.
TC Draft Minutes
1
1/26/22",TransportationCommission/2022-01-26.pdf
TransportationCommission,2022-01-26,2,"Chair Samantha Soules congratulated Commissioner Randy Rentschler who had recently retired
from MTC (Metropolitan Transportation Commission).
5. Consent Calendar
5A. Approve Special Meeting Minutes - October 27, 2021 (Action Item)
https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=5385386&GUID=7761655A-3E7F-
4669-9501-35A0E865E689&FullText=1.
5B. Approve Meeting Minutes - November 17, 2021 (Action Item)
https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=5385387&GUID=9067248C-DC24-
40D2-9BED-5F5A482C4702&FullText=1.
Commissioner Rebecca Kohlstrand made a motion to approve the minutes from October 27th and
November 17th, Commissioner Natchtigall seconded the motion. A vote was taken by a raise of
hands and the motion passed 5-0, Commissioner Rentschler abstained since he had been absent at
the meetings.
5C. Approve Meeting Calendar for 2022 (Action Item)
https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=5385388&GUID=3A8E20A9-B5DF-
4B06-B387-8CC10BC3F5BA.
Gail Payne, a Senior Transportation Coordinator, explained the changes in the calendar for July.
Chair Soules opened public comment.
Jim Strehlow thought that the changes complicated things but he understood and would make sure
people knew about the schedule changes.
Chair Soules closed public comment.
Commissioner Rentschler moved approval of the 2022 Meeting Calendar and Vice-Chair Tina
Yuen seconded the motion. A vote was taken by raise of hands and the motion passed 6-0.
6. Regular Agenda Items
6A. Discuss and Endorse the Annual Report on Transportation and the Annual Report on
the Climate Action and Resiliency Plan for the 2022 Work Plan (Multiple City staff) (Action
Item)
TC Draft Minutes
2
1/26/22",TransportationCommission/2022-01-26.pdf
TransportationCommission,2022-01-26,3,"Staff Member Payne introduced Danielle Mieler, Sustainability & Resilience Manager, who gave
the presentation on the Annual Report on Climate Action & Resiliency 2022 Work Plan. The staff
report and attachments can be found at:
https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=5385389&GUID=CD117554-40EC-
4D67-9B54-5D65F51F339B&FullText=1
Commissioner Clarifying Questions for #6A CARP
There were no questions.)
Public Comments for #6A CARP
Jim Strehlow discussed how many recent council actions (roundabouts) were already slowing
down traffic, he felt that these actions would increase carbon emissions as cars wait longer for
non-existent pedestrians. He also discussed how the city was not preparing for electrical
brownouts, and that too much demand was being put on electricity, especially with plans to get rid
of PG&E gas lines to homes. He felt that these plans were leading Alameda's citizens and
businesses to chaos.
Commissioner Comments and Discussions for #6A CARP
Commissioner Scott Weitze questioned the goal for commuters and if it was on track.
Staff Member Meiler discussed current traffic demands and telecommuting. She acknowledged
that people were returning to work but that emphasis was on public transit.
Commissioner Rentschler discussed that FHWA (Federal Highway Administration) had
recognized that roundabouts reduced greenhouse gases and decreased travel times. He then
discussed how the pandemic had affected the data but it looked like people were going back to
driving. He did believe though that the city's goals were on target even if they feel aspirational.
Commissioner Kohlstrand believed Alameda had done a good job developing the policy
framework for CARP. She noted this was a critical time to take action against climate change. She
noted the importance of funding to take concrete actions.
Chair Soules also discussed the stretch goals and goals that were not on track due to lack of
funding. She wholeheartedly would recommend to Council to have revenue priorities.
TC Draft Minutes
3
1/26/22",TransportationCommission/2022-01-26.pdf
TransportationCommission,2022-01-26,4,"Commissioner Weitze asked about the Easy Pass Programs and free bus tickets. He was concerned
they were not targeting the right ""carbon-intense"" groups. He liked the program but wanted to
make sure they were targeting people who would otherwise drive.
Andrew Thomas, Director of Planning Buildings and Transportation, discussed Alameda's role
with AC Transit and how they were looking at the E-Z Pass Program.
Commissioner Kohlstrand noted that the E-Z Pass Program was not on target and wanted to know
metrics that were being discussed to get in back on target.
Vice-Chair Yuen wanted to see a dashboard with performance metrics to see where they were on
track. She also wanted to see Greenhouse Gas measurements.
Staff Member Meiler answered that a dashboard was in the works and explained other metrics that
were in the works. She also discussed potential regional greenhouse gas emission measurements
that locals could use.
Commissioner Yuen then asked about existing housing for electrification.
Director Thomas discussed existing incentive programs and potential requirements to encourage
electrification. He added that this is something that would take time.
Commissioner Alysha Nachtigall asked about data availability for car, electric vs. non-electric
ownership.
Staff Member Meiler answered that 2020 was all that was available at the moment.
Vice-Chair Yuen asked about Congestion Pricing.
Director Thomas said it was still in the plans and that it needed State Legislation to make it
successful. They would have to work with the regional partners.
Commissioner Kohlstrand made a motion to support the endorsement of the Climate Action Plan
to the City Council. Also to urge the City Council to not only prioritize Climate Actions for funding
in the city but also to strongly consider new local funding sources to facilitate concrete action
towards meeting these goals. Commissioner Rentschler seconded the motion. A vote was taken by
a raise of hands and the motion passed 6-0.
TC Draft Minutes
4
1/26/22",TransportationCommission/2022-01-26.pdf
TransportationCommission,2022-01-26,5,"Staff Member Payne then introduced Lisa Foster, a Senior Transportation Coordinator, who gave
a presentation on the Annual Report on Transportation. Robert Vance and Areli Vazquez of Public
Works and Rochelle Wheeler of Transportation and Director Thomas also presented. The staff
report and attachments can be found at
  https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=5385389&GUID=CD117554-40EC-
4D67-9B54-5D65F51F339B&FullText=1.
Public Comments for #6A Transportation Annual Report
Denyse Trepanier expressed her appreciation to the staff for their work and commented on the
Clement St bike path. She also discussed improvement ideas for Willow to make cycling safer.
Jim Strehlow believed that the Traffic Fatality goals were faulty, he believed that traffic fatalities
were usually committed by drunks and bad drivers. He thought the goals penalized good citizens
with infrastructure changes. He discussed how roundabouts would not decrease greenhouse gases.
He also gave suggestions on how Agendas for meetings should be worded.
Commissioner Clarifying Questions and Comments #6A Transportation Annual Report
Commissioner Rentschler discussed roadway striping on Alameda Ave and the paid parking at
Seaplane Lagoon. He discussed that fares should really benefit the rider and he urged everyone to
think twice about charging for parking right now. He also discussed the bike/ped Oakland Bridge
and the likeness of it happening.
Chair Soules discussed the best way to get updates with PowerPoint and what data needed to be
seen by the public and the Commissioners.
Commissioner Kohlstrand agreed with Chair Soules about the mid-year updates through
PowerPoint. She also discussed parts of the Cross Alameda Trail that said they were completed
but were still fenced off. She also wanted the Sub-Committee to get information on the Street
Classifications before it came back to the Commission. She also discussed and agreed with some
of the points made by Commissioner Rentschler about the bike/ped Oakland Bridge.
Director Thomas discussed the timeline for the Street Classification and agreed it should go to the
Sub-Committee first.
Chair Soules discussed that a subcommittee could help with the prioritization of goals.
TC Draft Minutes
5
1/26/22",TransportationCommission/2022-01-26.pdf
TransportationCommission,2022-01-26,6,"Staff Member Wheeler said the fencing should be down from the Cross Alameda Trail on the
following Monday.
Commissioner Nachtigall asked about the Grand resurfacing project. She discussed other sections
that should be included. She also discussed priorities and that completing the Cross Alameda Trail
should be high on the list.
Staff Member Vance explained that sections for resurfacing were chosen based on paving needs.
Commissioner Weitze discussed the Cross Alameda Trail and how to safely get people to the
Alameda Landing Waterfront. He also wanted an update on the Alameda Point Adaptive Reuse
Project and about the EV (electric vehicle) plan for the parking lot at Seaplane Lagoon.
Staff Member Wheeler answered that Fifth Street was the best option. She also pointed out other
places to find information on the connected network.
Staff Member Vance gave an update on the Adaptive Reuse Project.
Staff Member Foster answered that EV chargers should be put in by spring, it was currently only
a small percentage.
Chair Soules expressed the need for equity with having EV charging spots, especially with
reducing overall parking. She then discussed goals in the Vision Zero Plan and that you have to
look at more than one plan to get the full picture.
Vice-Chair Yuen gave her thoughts on the West End Bike Bridge and the feasibility of it
happening. She believed that regardless of whether the bridge happened or not it was imperative
that the city looked at alternative ways to get on and off the island.
Chair Soules agreed and discussed other potential ideas.
Commissioner Kohlstrand made a motion to endorse the Transportation Annual Report,
Commissioner Nachtigall seconded the motion. A vote was taken by a raise of hands, all were in
favor except for Commissioner Rentschler.
Commissioner Rentschler discussed his issues with the ambitious bike/ped bridge. He believed the
cost was too high, was not feasible and he could not support it.
TC Draft Minutes
6
1/26/22",TransportationCommission/2022-01-26.pdf
TransportationCommission,2022-01-26,7,"Commissioner Kohlstrand made a motion to endorse the Transportation Annual Report.
Commissioner Nachtigall seconded the motion. Chair Soules made an amendment to consider the
priority and the low feasibility of the Bike/Ped Oakland Bridge (West End Bike Bridge) with the
comments made by Commissioner Rentschler. Commissioner Rentschler seconded the
amendment. A vote was taken by a raise of hands and the motion passed
6B. A Public Workshop to Review and Comment on the Draft Housing Element Update to
accommodate the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) for the Period 2023-2031 in
Compliance with State Law
Director Thomas introduced the item and gave a presentation. The staff report and attachments can
be found at
https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=5385300&GUID=E42261C5-E282-
4236-BC4A-145AB6AEF4CD&FullText=1.
Commissioner Clarifying Questions and Comments for #6B
Chair Soules asked for clarification on State requirements.
Director Thomas discussed and explained what State Law required and that part of these
workshops was showing citizens what the city had to do. This was a State requirement and the city
had to do this.
Commissioner Rentschler discussed the difficulties around this challenge, such as SB-10.
Commissioner Kolhstrand wanted clarification on where SROs (single room occupancy) were
allowed. She wanted to ensure there was a mix of housing types. She also discussed the Gold Coast
and High Street and where multi-family housing could work.
Director Thomas went into the details around SROs and what other changes were coming to Park
and Webster.
Commissioner Weitze believed that SROs were good and worked. He discussed why they were
beneficial. He also discussed Linear Park and why it should be rezoned. He thought it would be
great for more housing.
Chair Soules went into detail about the importance of equity.
TC Draft Minutes
7
1/26/22",TransportationCommission/2022-01-26.pdf
TransportationCommission,2022-01-26,8,"Commissioner Nachtigall discussed the different barriers they had to remove to be successful.
Chair Soules discussed the possibility of another joint meeting with the Planning Board.
Public Comments for #6B
Jim Strehlow spoke against multi-family housing. He also expressed his concerns about safe
evacuations off the island.
7. Announcements / Public Comments
Jim Strehlow pointed out that in-person meetings were better because you could see who was
attending them. He also wanted to hear more about the plans for water taxis.
Alex Spehr asked about the bike barge idea instead of a bridge. She also suggested bollards for
protected bike lanes.
Chair Soules discussed items that should come back such as Estuary Crossing options.
8. Adjournment
Chair Soules adjourned the meeting at 9:45 p.m.
TC Draft Minutes
8
1/26/22",TransportationCommission/2022-01-26.pdf