pages
10 rows where "date" is on date 2009-05-27 sorted by date
This data as json, CSV (advanced)
Link | body | date ▼ | page | text | path |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
TransportationCommission/2009-05-27.pdf,1 | TransportationCommission | 2009-05-27 | 1 | DRAFT TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MINUTES May 27, 2009 Chair Knox-White called the Transportation Commission to order at 7:33 p.m. 1. ROLL CALL - Roll was called and the following recorded. Members Present: John Knox White Michael Krueger Jane Lee Robert McFarland Kathy Moehring Eric Schatmeier Members Absent: Srikant Subramaniam Staff Present: Obaid Khan, Supervising Civil Engineer Barry Bergman, Transportation Coordinator 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. April 22, 2009 Commissioner Krueger moved approval of the minutes for the April 22, 2009 meeting. Commissioner Schatmeier seconded the motion. Motion passed 6-0. (Absent: Commissioner Subramaniam). 3. AGENDA CHANGES None. 4. COMMISSION COMMUNICATIONS Chair Knox White noted that the Bike Task Force and the Alameda Point Advisory Task Force had not met. Commissioner Krueger indicated the Transit subcommittee members have prepared comments on the scope of work to update the transit plan. A meeting will be set up to discuss this. Staff Bergman stated timeframe and level of staff involvement will need to be discussed given the current resources. Chair Knox White asked for a report back on how this is going to fit into upcoming grant cycles. Page 1 of 10 | TransportationCommission/2009-05-27.pdf |
TransportationCommission/2009-05-27.pdf,2 | TransportationCommission | 2009-05-27 | 2 | DRAFT Staff Khan noted that the City has applied for grant funding for the transportation system management and transportation demand management plan. Program funding is dependent on the state's budget. Commissioner Krueger mentioned the Transit subcommittee provided feedback on the possible service cuts as well. Staff Khan noted that AC Transit will be bringing their proposed cuts to their Board on June 24. Discussions will be brought to both the ILC and the TC meetings. Commissioner Lee shared that she will be retiring from AUSD at the end of the school year and is submitting her resignation from the TC. She thanked all for their support this year and applauded the Commission's work. 5. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS There were none. 6. OLD BUSINESS 6A. Review of the Final Draft Estuary Crossing Feasibility Staff Khan presented the revised draft, which was brought originally to the TC in March. The draft had been modified to reflect the comments provided by the Commission at that time, primarily related to the recommendations and cost estimates. There are three sets of recommendations: 1) Minor modifications to Posey Tube - This would include moving the railing on the easterly side of tube only to create additional space for bicyclists and pedestrians, and improving the surface. The cost has been reduced from $7 million to $2.5 million. 2) Water shuttle/taxi - An intermediate solution, this would improve access for those traveling between Alameda and Oakland. 3) Bridge, tunnel or elevated structure - This was the preferred solution. Several concerns were mentioned regarding this type of crossing: the need for clearance from the Coast Guard; need for the bridge to remain closed during peak times for commuters; height elevation and vertical clearance for bridge (if a fixed bridge) and opening/closing lengths of time if a drawbridge. Dialogue needs to be continued with Coast Guard, and to date no replies have been received. Noted that if the funding was received, staff would like to move forward with th… | TransportationCommission/2009-05-27.pdf |
TransportationCommission/2009-05-27.pdf,3 | TransportationCommission | 2009-05-27 | 3 | DRAFT Staff Khan replied that the vertical elevation of the high fixed bridge would be 175'; elevator and ramps would be necessary and that was not an attractive concept to the public. Chair Knox White asked about the $1.5 million in bus improvements; he asked how these are bike related. Why was a water shuttle the preferred use over the buses? Staff Khan replied that congestion in the tube was not attractive to the public as well as the fare required for the trip. The water shuttle/taxi was a preferred method. Chair Knox White discussed docking and compared what would be involved in providing 15 minute headways for water taxis and road-based shuttles. Staff Khan replied that the size of the boats was not evaluated on that level. The analysis was qualitative at this time. Commissioner Krueger asked for clarification on the wording in the report, referring to congestion. Staff Khan replied that congestion referred to how the opening and closing of the bridge in addition to the possible railroad gate being closed, would affect the automobile congestion when these two items were in effect. Open public hearing. Jim Strehlow thanked Public Works for their handling of the suggested crossings and alternatives. He opposes SunCal's $1 billion monorail option, but supported special shuttles for buses only. Having only one ferry is not enough, and this would be expensive. The public needs to realize that we need to come up with a solution. Lucy Gigli, Bike Alameda stated that she was happy with the second draft and the preferred recommendation of the water shuttle. Close public hearing. Commissioner Krueger discussed the summary of his comments regarding land uses and congestion. Stated that congestion did not seem to be relevant to the land use. He requested that language be included to ensure that the preferred option would coordinate with the construction of a high speed rail alignment, should that happen in this area. High speed rail could impact grade separations. Chair Knox White asked why a project study report was n… | TransportationCommission/2009-05-27.pdf |
TransportationCommission/2009-05-27.pdf,4 | TransportationCommission | 2009-05-27 | 4 | DRAFT Chair Knox White stated that he would like to consider this study's need. He noted that the recommendation seemed to be geared towards a water shuttle only, but that operational characteristics are not optimal. He suggested looking into other options further. Staff Khan replied that in the next level of analysis, all operational characteristics would be evaluated. Chair Knox White expressed concern over spending thousands of dollars on a project study report when the goals haven't been established and not sure if they will be achieved. He suggested that the staff recommendation should be reworded. Not sure that the money should be spent on the study only to find out later the bridge cannot be built. He stated that he would support the water shuttle because the community is in favor, but wants to assure that we are providing a service that meets the project goals. Staff Khan stated that many options were presented to the public. The public did not support some options and those were eliminated. Commissioner Moehring made a motion to accept the report with the comments provided by the Commission. Commissioner Krueger seconded the motion. Coordinate project with alignment for high speed rail; potential grade separations. Long term bridge only be pursued once issues identified in report are understood. Land use and how project would address congestion should be clarified. Presentations were made at other boards and commissions, except TC Clarify why the PSR is necessary as a next step. During the PSR, once the operational characteristics are known, look at some of the other options and to determine if better service could be provided for less money. p. 23 - minimize language re: clearance of pedestrians and bicyclists and comparing to congestion (55:00) Note that existing bridges don't open during peak because of delays on I-880; however, even though the bike/ped bridge won't impact 880, 12-20 minute delays to open and close the bridge would have a major impact on bicyclists and pedestrians. There is concern ab… | TransportationCommission/2009-05-27.pdf |
TransportationCommission/2009-05-27.pdf,5 | TransportationCommission | 2009-05-27 | 5 | DRAFT 7B. Alameda County Congestion Management Agency Draft Community Based Transportation Plan Staff Bergman stated that the CMA undertook this project, based on a 2001 study by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), which identified a number of communities for further study regarding transportation gaps in low-income communities. He provided staff comments regarding the recommendations presented in the study: 1) Traffic calming issues would have to be addressed in consultation with other departments, especially fire and police; 2) It would be helpful if the report could be as specific as possible in identifying the locations where improvements were requested by residents; 3) He requested clarification regarding a recommendation to improve pavement and bicycle striping for bicyclists near the Ferry Terminal. He also noted that sidewalk maintenance is typically the responsibility of adjacent property owners. Bruce Brubaker, of Design Community Environment in Berkeley, the consultant on the project, introduced Diane Stark of ACCMA. Diane Stark stated that ACCMA's studies are focused on low-income populations and where there are gaps in transportation. Bruce Brubaker discussed the project and presented a slide show. He noted that the intent of the plan was to recommend strategies to address needs, to set priorities and hear the communities' priorities, estimate the costs and to find potential funding sources to implement the recommendations. He noted that the consultant team worked with a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and City staff to identify changes since the last Census. Outreach was done by phone interviews and questionnaires; they received 125 back regarding transportation. Mr. Brubaker noted that the consultant team conducted many outreach meetings with seniors, youth groups, low-income residents and people with disabilities in different locations in Alameda. Discussed the strategies about problems that were identified by the community. Broken down into groups: transit strategies (AC Transit,… | TransportationCommission/2009-05-27.pdf |
TransportationCommission/2009-05-27.pdf,6 | TransportationCommission | 2009-05-27 | 6 | DRAFT Bruce Brubaker noted there were needs at Alameda Point currently; recommended bus stop and shelter improvements, most at Alameda Point. The plan is intended to be a fund raising tool. Will list priorities for projects. Chair Knox White asked Diane Stark if CMA is committed to following through on this. Diane Stark replied that the plan is used as a way to identify projects and to list the needs of the community. When funding becomes available Alameda can compete for the funds. Lifeline Transportation Funds are available every 3-4 years. AC Transit applied for funds in Alameda for bus service. Other funds are available, such as Measure B. Commissioner Schatmeier asked if the Lifeline funding was allocated to CMAs by population of low-income people. Diane Stark agreed and stated that Alameda County did have a higher population of low-income people than most of the nine counties in the Bay Area. There is a share for the whole county. Only 5 areas have been identified, Alameda being one of them. Alameda could compete well because it has a plan already. Open Public Hearing Jay Smith, member of Operation Dignity stated many people at the Alameda Collaborative have absolute needs for transportation. He has been involved with meetings regarding the 63 Bus. He noted the shelters have no benches; some locations have no shelters, etc. Feel these issues need to be addressed. Commissioner Schatmeier inquired if the rankings on the report were staff's or the public. Bruce Brubaker replied that it was a staff analysis but some were from the public. He listed the issues: 1) bus stop and shelter improvements, 2) Shopper shuttle service on weekends at Alameda Point, 3) increase route 63 services on weekend and frequency, 4) implement route 51 on time performance improvements, 5) improve bus service to Alameda Hospital and schools. Chair Knox White asked for clarification regarding the proposed shopper shuttle on the weekends, if it was different from AC Transit's service. Bruce Brubaker responded that there were two differen… | TransportationCommission/2009-05-27.pdf |
TransportationCommission/2009-05-27.pdf,7 | TransportationCommission | 2009-05-27 | 7 | DRAFT Jay Smith noted again, the significant impact of the 63 Bus' lack of service on the weekends; particularly affected are those needing the Food Bank on Constitution Way and those needing to go grocery shopping at Lucky's. Bruce Brubaker continued listing items - increase and improve information regarding transit services, increased education regarding Paratransit, increase transit information for seniors, install real time information at the bus stops, create a low-income fare discount, to maximize accessibility of existing discounts, improving accessibility to the Oakland/Alameda Ferry, increase bus to BART frequency, implement route 50 frequency improvements. Pedestrian strategies included expanding safe routes to schools program, improve pedestrian experience at Alameda Point, install in pavement crosswalk lighting, and install night lighting. Chair Knox White noted that Staff wants to be selective as to where the in pavement lighting is placed, as it is quite expensive. Staff Khan noted that if there are too many of the in-pavement lighting facilities, people will start to ignore them. Also where they are installed affects their impact. Bruce Brubaker responded that the wording and the priority for the in pavement lighting will be revised. He continued with the list of items being discussed: Pedestrian strategies: Alameda has a good grid for bicycle/pedestrian users, but there was a need for improved pedestrian/bicycle safety in the tube, install pedestrian refuge islands. For bicyclists, more bicycle lanes were desired, as well as an increase in the bicycle capacity onboard buses, increased bicycle options for youth and low-income residents, improve bicycling access between Alameda/Oakland, improve pavement and bicycle striping near the Ferry Terminal. Commissioner Schatmeier noted that creating more bicycle lanes seems to be more significant for the overall transportation in Alameda. Bike lanes serving particular origins and destinations that are of interest and concern to the community we're talking a… | TransportationCommission/2009-05-27.pdf |
TransportationCommission/2009-05-27.pdf,8 | TransportationCommission | 2009-05-27 | 8 | DRAFT Chair Knox White noted that line 63 route displayed on the map is incorrect. He also noted it was odd that two of the top three strategies are the same, but different operators. Suggested they could be the same goal. Weekend service to Alameda Point is the goal. Staff Bergman noted that the route and number of the 63 Bus might change in the future, therefore note the report in such a manner that it would describe the route without referring to the bus number. Commissioner Moehring refers to page 6-52, C, amend to reflect the fact that the pipe in the tube will not be fixed and that the capital cost would be $2.5 million. Commissioner Krueger referred to page 6-19, discussion regarding bus service to the hospital and the bus stop at Otis and Willow. Report stated the stop had been rejected. Thought the stop was on hold, but not rejected. Chair Knox White suggested wording be changed regarding the bus stop. Staff Khan noted that the line 63 issues will be going to Council in July. Commissioner Krueger noted that the staff report should cite this report in terms of the issues to access to the hospital. 7A. Approval Parking Restrictions at Casual Carpool Site at Santa Clara and Webster and Enhancement of a Casual Carpool Site on Park Avenue near Encinal Avenue Staff Bergman presented the staff report. Stated the casual carpool had been discussed several times in the past when there were parking, bus interferences and ticketing issues with its location. Carpoolers relocated their pickup spot, and staff conducted surveys. It was determined the riders liked being near a bus stop; in case they did not get a carpool driver to pick them up, so they could hop on the bus. A new location was discussed on the East side of Broadway at Encinal Avenue; it was next to a traffic signal and had a wide travel lane, which should benefit pedestrians and minimize impacts on traffic circulation. Additional outreach was conducted and it initially seemed people were supportive of that location. Upon sending notifications out to peopl… | TransportationCommission/2009-05-27.pdf |
TransportationCommission/2009-05-27.pdf,9 | TransportationCommission | 2009-05-27 | 9 | DRAFT Commissioner Krueger pointed out a discrepancy on the map and asked if the project to alter the shape of the street at Park Avenue and Encinal Avenue would impact the casual carpool. Staff Khan noted that due to budget cuts, this $60,000 project was one that was cut. The idea is to take the pork chop out and narrow the turn and hopefully this will happen when funding becomes available. Open public speaking John Avignon and Elizabeth Noak residents of Alameda of Marti Rae Court, near the casual carpool site. They are affected by the carpoolers who are trashing their front yard and blocking their driveways. Concerned that this was a permanent decision and that they now have inherited this problem. Inquired if City will be participating in cleanup. They noted that there was no city trashcan at the site. Staff Khan suggested these concerns be included in the community outreach effort. Trash can issue will be discussed with Public Works. Chair John Knox White asked Staff what the time frame was for the proposed removal of the pork chop island at Encinal Avenue at Park Avenue. Staff Khan noted that due to the budget cuts; the earliest this project would be considered would be at least 3 years away. Chair John Knox White stated that if the speakers are unhappy with the recommendation that will be going forward, they have the opportunity to appeal their decision to the City Council. Noted casual carpooling is a difficult issue and problems, such as these, always come up. Commissioner Krueger asked if there was any enforcement that could be done to those who are lacking respect for others' property, such as littering. Agrees to add this issue to the outreach and to provide a trash can for public use. Commissioner Moehring discussed the number of drivers performing illegal U-turns in the City, especially in commercial business districts. Hopes that Staff can help mitigate any issues surrounding the speakers' concerns. Staff Khan mentioned that Staff will be bringing this up with the Alameda Police Department; enforci… | TransportationCommission/2009-05-27.pdf |
TransportationCommission/2009-05-27.pdf,10 | TransportationCommission | 2009-05-27 | 10 | and appointments made prior to July's meeting. Stated that the agreement to finalize with City Car Share to have two vehicles based in Alameda was in the final process. 9. ADJOURNMENT: 10:15 p.m. Page 10 of 10 | TransportationCommission/2009-05-27.pdf |
Advanced export
JSON shape: default, array, newline-delimited, object
CREATE TABLE "pages" ( [body] TEXT, [date] TEXT, [page] INTEGER, [text] TEXT, [path] TEXT, PRIMARY KEY ([path], [page]) );