WCCTAC

                                    West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee

 

                                                                                             MINUTES

                                                  January 30, 2004

 

The regular meeting of the West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee was called to order at 7:35 a.m. by Chair Abelson in the City Council Chambers of the City of San Pablo, 13831 San Pablo Avenue (at Church Lane), San Pablo, California. 

 

1. Call to Order and Self-Introductions

                                                                       

PRESENT:     Chair Janet Abelson (El Cerrito), Sharon Brown (San Pablo),  Jerrold Parsons (WestCAT), Kris Valstad (Hercules), Joe Wallace (AC Transit), Mindell Penn (Richmond), Maria Alegria (Pinole), Maria Viramontes (Richmond)

 

ABSENT:      Lynette Sweet (BART), John Gioia (Contra Costa County)

 

STAFF:         Lisa Hammon, WCCTAC Managing Director

Linda Young, WCCTAC Transportation Project Specialist

Nancy Cuneo, WCCTAC Administrative Assistant

Martin Engelman,  CCTA Staff

                                                                  

2.  Public Comment

 

None.

 

CONSENT CALENDAR

 

On motion by Sharon Brown, seconded by Joe Wallace and carried unanimously, the WCCTAC approved the Consent Calendar.

 

3. The Minutes and Sign-In Sheets from the December 12, 2003 Meeting were           approved.

 

4. The Employee Staff Reports from the Managing Director and the Transportation             Project  Specialist for December were accepted.

 

5. The January CCTA Administration and Projects Committee information regarding the       2004 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) was received.

6. The Board approved the staff recommendation to support Option B of the Draft              Amendments to CCTA’s Administrative Code regarding the composition of each               Regional Transportation Planning Committee and current RTPC practices. 

 

     7. The Board approved the staff recommendation to request West County           jurisdictions/County to review the Project Fact Sheets and provide comments to      CCTA by February 5, 2004.

 

8. The Board received the revised WCCTAC meeting schedule for January through June,      2004.

 

9. The Board authorized the Managing Director, Transportation Project Specialist and          Advising Attorney to negotiate and draft a new contract with Greyline Cab for                 Guaranteed Ride Home taxi services, and to bring the contract to the WCCTAC Board      for review and approval at a future meeting.

 

10. The Board approved Resolution 04-01 and directed staff to distribute the        Resolution.

 

11. The Board approved the WCCTAC Treasurer’s recommendations regarding the             WCCTAC Reserve Balance.

 

ACTION ITEMS:

 

12.     Election of Officers and Representatives 

 

a) WCCTAC Chair

 

On motion by Sharon Brown, seconded by Mindell Penn and carried unanimously, commencing February 1, 2004, Kris Valstad was elected to serve as WCCTAC Chair. 

 

b) WCCTAC Vice Chair

 

On motion by Sharon Brown, seconded by Joe Wallace and carried unanimously, commending February 1, 2004, Mindell Penn was elected to serve as WCCTAC Vice Chair.

 

c) CCTA Representative

 

On motion by Kris Valstad, seconded by Mindell Penn and carried unanimously, commencing February 1, 2004, Janet Abelson was elected to serve as the CCTA Representative.

d) CCTA Alternate

 

On motion by Sharon Brown, seconded by Mindell Penn and carried unanimously, commencing February 1, 2004, Maria Viramontes was reappointed to serve as the CCTA  Alternate.

             

Maria Viramontes requested the Board support Janet Abelson’s appointment to Vice Chair of CCTA and requested staff forward this support to CCTA.

 

13.  Measure C Issues: (1) Report from WCCTAC Measure C Subcommittee; (2) West County Outreach; and (3) CCTA’s Public Outreach

1)  The Managing Director reported the Subcommittee had requested she draft a letter requesting CCTA prepare subregional marketing materials for the continuation of Measure C, which was in the Board’s packet for approval.  The Subcommittee also commented on the lack of West County representation in the recently-distributed Measure C booklet.  Jerrold Parsons requested the “or” in the fourth bullet regarding ferry service be removed.   The Board agreed unanimously. 

 

On motion by Mindell Penn, seconded by Kris Valstad and carried unanimously, the Board approved the letter be sent to CCTA without the “or” in bullet 4.

 

Noting the cost impacts of printing a new booklet, Maria Viramontes recommended using an insert highlighting West County projects to be included in the Measure C booklet.  Joe Wallace stated there should not be a need for an insert; West County projects should have been included in the original booklet.  It was noted that the West County support of the original Measure C was necessary in passing the Measure and perhaps, CCTA needs to be reminded of this fact.  Kris Valstad stated the public sentiment at the CCTA Public Outreach meeting was not supportive of the continuation of Measure C due to no recognition or representation in the CCTA booklet.  Martin Engelman stated an insert could be placed in the booklets yet to be distributed, and the inserts can also be sent everyone who has already received the booklet.  Diedre Heitman, BART, suggested using pictures of WestCAT, AC Transit and BART in the insert.  Chair Abelson requested Mr. Engelman inform CCTA the booklet is inflaming residents in West County, and in the future, CCTA needs to ensure all parts of the county are served equally in future publications.

 

Maria Viramontes requested the term “renewal” be replaced with “continuation” when referring to Measure C.  She stated it is not a new tax, just a measure to continue the present tax. 

 

2) West County Outreach

The Managing Director stated the deadline was extended twice, and WCCTAC received six responses from community-based organizations.  Staff and the consultant presented a scoring of the incentive award applications and a summary of relevant information on the six agency applicants.  The Managing Director noted all applicant together serve a wide range of people in West County.  Regarding the legal question raised regarding the cash incentive, the Advising Attorney stated the incentive should be limited to reimbursement for time, staff and materials to produce the meetings.  Also, staff will be careful in their presentations at the meetings to be informative and provide education, rather than advocating for/against the measure.

 

The Board requested staff refer to the measure as the transportation sales tax and downplay Measure C.  Staff will make every effort to make this request clear to the public.  Maria Viramontes suggested an electronic phone message for all of West County thanking the public for their past support of Measure C and itemizing the list of projects in West County that have been completed and that need to still be funded through their continued support of the transportation sales tax on the March 2004 ballot.  Staff will look into this possibility and report back. Jerrold Parsons suggested a full-page ad in the Contra Costa Times to get the word out to the public.  He stated that outside of his personal involvement as an elected official, he does not see public information on the sales tax measure.  Maria Alegria suggested the Authority post signs in the different regions noting sales tax dollars were used to fund a particular project in an effort to educate the public and garner support for passing the measure.

 

3) CCTA Outreach Meetings

The Managing Director reported there were few public members at the 1/29 West County meeting.

 

14. Richmond-Area Community-Based Transportation Plan

Ms. Murray and Ms. Knudsen presented the findings of a study of low-income community of North Richmond.  There was a slide presentation to the Board, and the “next steps” were outlined.  The Board was requested to approve funding from the WCCTAC Regional Studies budget to hire a part-time staff person to write grant applications and to oversee the next phases of the Plan. 

 

The Board provided the following comments:

- Present this information at the upcoming Conference in Washington, D.C.

- Improve lighting/shelters at bus stops

- Improve public transit to meet the needs of the community, e.g. more early morning/late night and weekend service

 

On motion by Maria Alegria, seconded by Maria Viramontes and carried unanimously, the Board approved funding for a staff person to apply for grants and oversee the next phases of the Plan and develop a strategy to obtain funding for the Plan.  Joe Wallace excused himself from voting on this item.

 

15.  Follow-Up to WCCTAC Board Retreat on January 16th

Continued to February 27th

 

INFORMATION ITEMS:

 

16.  University of California’s Institute of Transportation Studies - San Pablo Avenue Smart Growth Project and Recommendations

UC Berkeley students presented their findings from the recently-completed study of Smart Growth and livability along San Pablo Avenue.  Their information included transportation, economic development, housing and cost estimates.  The Board felt the presentation was great and appreciated the important information provided in the study.  The Board received the study on CD. 

 

17.  Presentation and Discussion of the Draft Countywide Transportation Plan (Draft CTP) and the Draft Environmental Impact Report (Draft EIR) on the Draft CTP

Continued to February 27th

 

18.       Correspondence/Other Information:

 

  Incoming:

  Local Government Commission Reports – December 2003.

  CCTA Items Approved for Circulation – December 18, 2003.

  Richmond Bay Trail New Year Report – January 2004.

  TRANSPAC Meeting Summary – January 5, 2004.

  CTP and Measure C Extension Proposed Meeting Schedule – January 6, 2004.

 

  Outgoing:

  Letter to David Murray at CCTA re:  STMP Administrative Fees – 12.16.03.

  Letter to Office of Traffic Safety re:  Grant Application – 1.13.04.

           

  Newspaper/Internet Articles (all articles from West County Times unless    stated otherwise):

  “Bus Cuts’ Impact Harder on Disabled, Seniors” – 12.26.03.

  “Commuter Bus Service Delayed Till February” – 12.29.03.

  “Blueprint OK’d for Bicyclists, Pedestrians” – 1.2.04.

  “Greenway Restoration on its Way” – 1.6.04.

  “Transportation Funds to be Tied to Housing” – 1.12.04.

  “Transportation (from Budget Analysis)” – 1.12.04.

           

       Conferences/Workshops:

       ABAG Regional Economic Outlook – January 29 in Oakland.

       CTF Transportation Forum – February 25 in Sacramento.

       American Planning Association National Conference – April 24 to 28 in Washington,          DC.

       Community Transportation Expo – June 12 to 18 in Seattle.

 

19.       Board Member Comments/Reports

None.

 

20.     Other Business                       

 

With no further business to come before the WCCTAC, Chair Abelson adjourned the meeting at 9:30 a.m.  The regular meeting of the WCCTAC will be conducted at 7:30 a.m., February 27, 2004,  in the City of San Pablo City Council Chambers, 13831 San Pablo Avenue (at Church Lane), San Pablo, California. 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Lori D’Orazi

Stenocaptioner