WCCTAC

                                    West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee

 

                                                                                             MINUTES

                                                 February 27, 2004

 

The regular meeting of the West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee was called to order at 7:35 a.m. by Chair Valstad 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 Kris Valstad (Hercules), Janet Abelson (El Cerrito), Joe Gomes (San Pablo), Tom Hansen (WestCAT), Joe Wallace (AC Transit), Mindell Penn (Richmond), Maria Alegria (Pinole), Maria Viramontes (Richmond), John Gioia (Contra Costa County), Irma Anderson (Richmond)

 

ABSENT:      None

 

STAFF:         Lisa Hammon, WCCTAC Managing Director

Linda Young, WCCTAC Transportation Project Specialist

Paul Maxwell,  CCTA Staff

                                                                  

2.  Public Comment

 

None.

 

3.  Commendation to Outgoing Chair Janet Abelson

 

Chair Valstad, on behalf of WCCTAC and staff, presented Ms. Abelson with a plaque acknowledging her great leadership and dedication to support of transportation programs and projects.  Ms. Abelson was recently elected Vice Chair of CCTA, and WCCTAC and staff were encouraged West County will be well represented on CCTA.

 

CONSENT CALENDAR

 

On motion by John Gioia, seconded by Janet Abelson and carried unanimously, the WCCTAC approved the Consent Calendar without Item 7.

 

4. The Minutes and Sign-In Sheets from the January 30, 2004 Meeting were                      approved.

 

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

 

6. The Board approved the request from AC Transit  for Regional Studies Funds for      Second Year Evaluation of Student Bus Pass Program.

 

7. Support for the Living Skills Center for the Visually Impaireds’ Request for an AC       Transit Stop at Van Ness Avenue 

 

The Managing Director stated the Living Skills Center is working with the City of San Pablo and neighbors in the Center’s area to support a Rapid Bus stop at Van Ness Avenue.  The Managing Director stated she would write a letter for review by the WCCTAC Chair and forward the letter to AC Transit.

 

On motion by Irma Anderson, seconded by Janet Abelson and carried unanimously, the Board directed staff to write the letter, submit the letter to the Board Chair for approval and signature and send the letter to AC Transit supporting the need for a Rapid Bus stop at Van Ness Avenue.

 

8. The Board authorized the Managing Director, Transportation Project Specialist and Advising Attorney to negotiate and draft a new contract for the purchase of a services contract with Enterprise Rent-A-Car.  Staff will bring the contract to the WCCTAC Board for review and approval at a later meeting.

 

9. The Board authorized the Chair to sign the Cooperative Agreement between WCCTAC and the Alameda County Congestion Management Agency (ACCMA) for WestCAT AVL equipment following approval by CCTA and by WCCTAC’s Advising Attorney.

 

10. The Board received the updated WCCTAC Board roster.

 

11. The Board was advised of their new live website at www.wcctac.org.  Members were asked to provide feedback/comments to staff. 

 

12.  The Board received the list of upcoming agenda items.

 

 

 

 

 

ACTION ITEMS:

 

13.     Items forwarded from the Measure C Subcommittee 

 

a) Update on Measure C Renewal 

 

The Managing Director prepared a chart at the request of the Subcommittee listing all the projects and programs submitted; the costs of each as they are now known; the percentage of each project/program of the total projected Measure C dollars; and other funding for each project/program.  This information was provided at both the 70% and 130% levels.  The Managing Director stated the Board needs to provide comments to the Authority on the alternatives and how each of the alternatives addresses or does not address the needs of West County projects and programs.  The TAC did not feel there was any one alternative that captured what was submitted by WCCTAC.  The TAC recommended the local bus service improvement project be highlighted as a high priority project and also to point out that not only does the $50 to $67 million dollar allocation not cover the amount submitted by WCCTAC, but that there is no definition of allocation of the money.

 

The TAC expressed concern with the Capitol Corridor Rail Service.  Not only is the projected date of 2009 far too distant, but $3 million dollars is considerably less than what was requested.

 

John Gioia clarified that the EPAC alternative has not been endorsed or supported by EPC.  He added that up until now all projects submitted were based on a 20-year plan.  Subsequently, the legislature has indicated a 30-year plan could be better.  Polling indicates no adverse reaction to a 30-year plan, and a 30-year plan would bring in more money for all projects.  John Gioia recommended the Board investigate support of a 30-year plan as long as this 10-year extension of the Measure would not affect the success of the Measure.  Paul Maxwell stated the Authority will conduct another poll on the extension of Measure C in mid-April 2004.

 

Dave Kurrent, Chair of CAC, reviewed a letter dated 2.26.04 to the chair of CCTA.  He stated the CAC recommends more focus on programs, not projects; they do not believe there is enough money in the bus and senior/disabled categories; and the CAC recommends at least one key project in each region get immediate funding.  The CAC does not believe each region of the county was being given equal distribution of the funds.  They are also in favor of a GMP with performance standards.

 

 

 

 

Jerrold Parsons suggested if the Measure is extended to 30 years, he would like to include HOV lanes westbound from the bridge to Hercules.  The Managing Director stated this project would not be a new project, but that the dollar amount would be raised to include that project.

 

The members discussed the charts.  They felt the TAC letter of 2.24.04 items 1 through 5 were very clear and concise and should be included in the WCCTAC letter to the Authority.  John Gioia suggested including that one way to achieve some of the funding levels is by having a higher base, which addresses the regional fair share issue.  The Managing Director stated WCCTAC prepared their 70% and 130% projects/programs based on population, which would give West County a 25% share of the total Measure C funds over a 20-year horizon.

 

Maria Viramontes expressed concern that the funding is so low for the Richmond Parkway project it will not be completed.   John Gioia stated there are other sources of capital funding, but no other operational funding sources for some of the high priority projects on the list.  Irma Anderson agreed with Maria that having CalTrans take over the Richmond Parkway would free the maintenance funding to be used for other projects/programs in the area; however, the cost of meeting CalTrans requirements in order for CalTrans to accept the Parkway are overwhelmingly impossible to meet and only keep rising from year to year further and further out of reach.

 

Deidre Heitman requested WCCTAC consider increasing BART’s request for funding should the extension of Measure C go to 30 years.

 

Maria Viramontes stated the WCCTAC has made a huge commitment to buses and bus service in West County; however, there are other issues, such as infrastructure, that are likewise as important.  Irma Anderson agreed infrastructure has not been a priority; however, the need to invest in bus and bus service is paramount for the residents in West County. 

 

Janet Abelson requested the Managing Director be sure to include a statement regarding regional equity and fair share.

 

The Managing Director will draft a letter regarding the projects, email it to members for comments and send the letter to CCTA.

 

b) Additional Public Outreach in West County

 

No discussion.

 

 

c) Comments Regarding the Countywide Transportation Plan (CTP) and WCCTAC’s Preferred Expenditure Plan Alternative

 

No discussion.

 

d) Growth Management Program (GMP) Preferred Alternative

 

Irma Anderson reported the CCTA Board voted to not link the return-to-source funds to a GMP.  Both John Gioia and the Managing Director felt there was enough support in West County to tie the return-to-source funds with performance in a GMP, that if a GMP is not included in the measure, the measure may not be on the ballot.  Nathan Landau, AC Transit, stated the EPAC took a position to require all regions’ return-to-source funding should be tied to performance standards.  The EPAC also discussed types of requirements to be included in the GMP. 

 

On motion by Maria Viramontes, seconded by John Gioia and carried unanimously, staff was directed to draft a letter supporting the funding at 130% for all projects and programs; requesting consideration be given to a 30-year extension of the measure with a subsequent discussion on how the additional funds get distributed; separating out the student bus project; supporting of a GMP; and addressing regional equity.

 

INFORMATION ITEMS:

 

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

Continued. 

 

15.  Correspondence/Other Information:

Incoming:

TRANSPAC meeting summary – January 26, 2004.

SWAT meeting summary – February 5, 2004.

Letter from Caltrans re:  Highway 4 West pavement – February 11, 2004.

Outgoing:

Letter to David Murray re:  Richmond Intermodal Station STMP fees.

Memorandum to Senator Perata re:  RM 2 Resolution.

Letter to San Pablo Mayor Barbara Vigil re:  Measure C campaign.

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

“Seminars Cover Measure C Tax Issue” – February 11, 2004.”

“East Bay Bus Operators to Study Merger Option” – February 12, 2004.           

“Transit Centers Attract Residents, Businesses” – February 15, 2004.

“Another Day, Another Dollar...” – February 16, 2004.

Conferences/Workshops:

May 1 (Saturday; morning) - Measure C Countywide Summit of Elected Officials.

 

16.       Board Member Comments/Reports

None.

 

17.     Other Business                       

With no further business to come before the WCCTAC, Chair Valstad adjourned the meeting at 9:30 a.m.  The regular meeting of the WCCTAC will be conducted at 7:30 a.m., March 26, 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