WCCTAC
West Contra Costa Transportation
Advisory Committee
MINUTES
The regular
meeting of the West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee was called
to order at 7:37 a.m. by Chair Penn 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 Mindell Penn (Richmond), Janet
Abelson (El Cerrito),
Jerrold
Parsons (WestCAT), Ed Balico (Hercules), Maria Alegria (Pinole), Tom Butt
(Richmond), Maria Viramontes (Richmond), John Gioia (Contra Costa County), Bob
Franklin (BART), Sharon Brown (San Pablo)
ABSENT: Irma Anderson (Richmond)
STAFF: Lisa Hammon, WCCTAC Managing Director
Linda Young,
WCCTAC Transportation Project Specialist
John Rudolph,
WCCTAC Management Assistant
Nancy Cuneo,
WCCTAC Administrative Analyst
Hisham
Noeimi, CCTA Staff
2. Public Comment
Peter Loubal,
El Cerrito, stated he is requesting information on the work performed to date
by Michael Bernick on the transit-oriented development projects at both El
Cerrito and Del Norte BART stations.
CONSENT CALENDAR
On motion by Maria Viramontes, seconded by Sharon Brown and carried unanimously, the Board approved the Consent Calendar.
3. Minutes,
Sign-in Sheet and Meeting Summary, January 28, 2005 Meeting
The Board
approved the minutes, sign-in sheet and meeting summary from the January 28,
2005 meeting.
4. Staff Reports
The Board
accepted the Employee Staff Reports from the Managing Director, the Management
Assistant, and the Transportation Project Specialist for February 2005.
5. Conflict of Interest – Form 700 - Reminder
The
Board members and alternates were reminded to submit the Conflict of Interest
Form 700 to Nancy Cuneo in the WCCTAC office as soon as possible.
6. Acceptance
of the Updated Countywide Model for Application in West County (Resolution
05-01)
The
Board approved Resolution 05-01, accepting the Authority’s updated Countywide
model for application in West County to fulfill the requirements of the Measure
C Growth Management Program; and authorized the Chair to sign Resolution 05-01.
7.
Consulting Services for the Richmond Intermodal
Station/Transit Village Project - ATTACHMENT
The
Board approved the scope of work for Michael Bernick for consulting services on
the Richmond Intermodal Station/Transit Village project in an amount Not to
Exceed $13,000 using Subregional Transportation Mitigation Fee Program (STMP)
funds [no impact on the WCCTAC budget].
8.
SMART Corridors Policy Advisory Committee Member
The
Board appointed Janet Abelson as the West Contra Costa representative on the
SMART Corridors Policy Advisory Committee.
9.
Subregional Transportation Mitigation Fee Program
(STMP) Invoice for the El Cerrito Plaza BART Station Parking Structure
The
Board approved the invoice in the amount of $191,705.19 from STMP fee revenue
for the El Cerrito Plaza BART Station Parking Structure project.
10.
Future Agenda Items
ü
Form-Based Codes
Workshop
ü
WCCTAC Internship
Projects and Recommendation for Funding
ü
TPLUS Project
Recommendation
ACTION ITEMS:
11.
WCCTAC Measure C Strategic Plan Subcommittee
The Managing Director
reported the Subcommittee met once, at which time a chair and vice chair were
elected. Paul Maxwell, CCTA, gave an
overview of the SP process, and Scott Hanin, El Cerrito, provided an update on
the El Cerrito BART Parking Garage Project.
The Managing Director reported the Wildcat Creek Trail Project had been
discussed in detail at the WCCTAC-TAC meeting, and a recommendation will be
made to the WCCTAC Board in March. The
Subcommittee then spent the majority of time discussing “Alternatives for
Consideration.” The Subcommittee agreed
to support redirecting the Measure C funds for the El Cerrito BART Parking
Garage ($6.6 Million) to other projects in West County.
The Subcommittee’s first
motion unanimously supported: 1) adding
the Del Norte Transit Oriented Development Project to the list of projects on
the update to the Subregional Transportation Mitigation Fee Program; and 2)
redirecting $1 Million of the Measure C funds to the BART Park and Ride lot in
Hercules for 200 additional parking spaces and $3 Million to the Richmond
Transit Village parking structure project for 49 new parking spaces and two
additional floors of BART parking spaces.
The Subcommittee’s second
motion unanimously supported: 1)
$250,000 for design and planning funds for the Del Norte Oriented Development
Project; 2) the remainder of the funds redirected to the Richmond Transit
Village parking structure project for replacement parking; and 3) directing
staff to look at the issue of access to BART via the WestCAT JPX from Pinole.
The Managing Director
distributed updated information on the Hercules Transit Center and the Richmond
Transit Village projects. The fact
sheets on both projects included funding sources and amounts, as well as
detailed information on auto parking.
The funding estimate for the Richmond Transit Village has been updated,
and the revised estimate for new parking spaces is $4 Million and for
replacement parking $1.5 Million. The
City of Richmond has a Federal earmark request for the shortfall of $1.4
Million.
The Managing Director
reported the $250,000 for redesign and planning for Del Norte is not an
eligible use of the Measure C funds.
However, the Managing Director suggested amending the current Developer
Fee Program to include both the stations and use the remaining funds in that
program for the redesign and planning for Del Norte. She stated she could also commit to looking elsewhere for the
funding.
John Gioia, Subcommittee
Chair, reported the Subcommittee supported moving the Measure C funds to
projects in the region which can be completed.
On the issue of replacement parking, Mr. Gioia believes the
recommendation to CCTA will be approved as it is an appropriate use of the
funds. Maria Alegria requested
information on the costs incurred by El Cerrito on the parking structure
project and the need to reimburse the city for those costs. The Managing Director stated there is
approximately $256,000 for the El Cerrito Projects in the DFP. No invoices have been submitted or paid for
the El Cerrito share. The Managing
Director stated El Cerrito has requested reimbursement from CCTA from the DFP
funds. The first invoice submitted was
$191,000, and Scott Hanin has estimated the second invoice to be $20,000.
Charles Burress, PNA, was
in support of redirecting the funds to other worthy projects in the region.
Peter Loubal, El Cerrito,
stated proving shuttle buses at El Cerrito would be great and reduce traffic in
the area. He stated shuttles are needed
there because of the hilly residential location. Mr. Loubal also stated he would be investigating the funds spent
by the City of El Cerrito to date, and he was not in favor of more housing at
Del Norte.
On motion by Maria
Viramontes, seconded by John Gioia and carried unanimously, to 1) reauthorize
the $6.6 Million dedicated to El Cerrito BART Parking Structure to new parking
at the Hercules Transit Center in the amount of $1 Million; 2) authorize $4
Million for the Richmond Transit Village new parking and authorize $1.5 Million
for replacement parking at Richmond Transit village; 3) include the Del Norte
Transit Oriented Development project in the Developer Fee Program update for
funding; and 4) to authorize $191,705.19 to the City of El Cerrito for costs related
to the El Cerrito BART Parking Garage project.
12. Mid-Year
Budget Report
The
Managing Director reported all budget line items are tracking at or close to
budget, with the exception of salaries, professional services and
training/travel. She expects the
salaries to “even out” by the end of the fiscal year; the professional services
will be adjusted and charged to the appropriate program; and the Managing
Director recommended no Board or staff conference attendance for the remainder
of the fiscal year. The Travel/Training
budget will likely be increased for the next fiscal year due to many conferences
taking place out of state.
The
Managing Director stated she and Bradley Ward, WCCTAC Treasurer, will be
meeting with CCTA staff to discuss several issues including timely
reimbursement of TDM invoices, TDM budgeting and Air District requirements and
oversight and invoice reimbursement for the existing STMP program and the updated
STMP program.
On
motion by Sharon Brown, seconded by Janet Abelson and carried unanimously, the
Board approved the budget report.
13.
Proposed Casino San Pablo Expansion – Regional Transportation Impacts
The Managing Director
reported Senator Torlakson had toured the casino facility and the surrounding
area. He has requested local agencies
provide information on how this proposed expansion would impact the traffic, as
well as other concerns for local communities.
The Managing Director and John Rudolph have been working diligently to
educate themselves on the casino expansion and the process for WCCTAC’s
involvement in the Municipal Services Agreement to be negotiated by Contra
Costa County. They developed a list of
questions and issues for the Senator’s consideration and review. The issues include general information and
communication, data and mitigation.
The Managing Director
stated March 31st is the deadline for local jurisdictions and
affected parties to send information to Sara Hoffman (Assistant County
Administrator) identifying issues of concerns; and April 7th at the
San Pablo Event Center is the next meeting to discuss the issue further.
John Gioia stated the
Governor’s compact with the Lytton Tribe on the casino expansion states the
tribe must have a municipal services agreement with the County and State for
impacts to county services or services outside of the City of San Pablo to the
extent that they are impacted by the expansion. Mr. Gioia stated it is important to document the potential
impacts to surrounding city and county services because if either the Tribe or
the State does not agree, the agreement then goes to binding arbitration. At that point, the service impacts will need
to be documented if they are to be included in the agreement. Mr. Gioia recommended the Managing Director
coordinate West County cities’ and agencies’ concerns regarding potential
regional transportation impacts related to the casino expansion.
Maria Viramontes agreed
with the recommendation to appoint one individual; however, she expressed the
cities and agencies need to move expediently to address the issues given the
timeline and deadlines. She stated there
would also be costs to the cities and agencies. Mr. Gioia agreed cost sharing between all affected jurisdictions
would be effective. He added that there
are two EIRs being conducted simultaneously, one by the Federal Gaming
Commission and the other by the Tribe.
Neither of these EIRs follows the State of California CEQA process. Maria Viramontes stated each city
representative needs to discuss funding an independent review of the whole
issue and its impacts to surrounding jurisdictions. She suggested each city needs to declare their interest in
participating in a regional study.
On motion by Maria
Viramontes, seconded by Maria Alegria and carried with Sharon Brown abstaining,
the Board directed staff to draft the necessary resolution and proposal for cities
and agencies to have WCCTAC Managing Director serve as a central coordinating
body.
The Managing Director
stated she would bring a recommendation from the TAC to the Board in March on a
cost-sharing program with the local jurisdictions.
INFORMATION
ITEMS:
14. Capitol Corridor Update –
Gene Skoropowski, Managing Director, Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority
Mr.
Skoropowski provided an update on the Capitol Corridor service, including the
recent record-breaking Performance Reports.
Since the CCJPA contract went into effect six years ago, the revenue to
cost ratio has increased 30%; ridership has increased 152%; and revenue has
increased 110%. During this same time
period, train trips have tripled from 8 to 24.
To improve reliability, the CCJPA restructured its operating agreement
with Union Pacific Railroad by directly linking incentive payments with on-time
performance of the Capital Corridor trains.
Together with the construction of a second track of the Yolo Causeway,
on-time performance has increased from 79% to 86% and reduced travel time by 10
minutes. Riders continue to respond to
marketing promotions. Security
improvements at stations have been made, such as emergency call boxes and
increased security staff, in response to customer needs.
Mr.
Skoropowski stated more trains are needed to meet the ridership demand, but
there is no capital funding available from the State. The CCJPA is working with a variety of financing groups to try to
finance the purchase of trains.
Additional parking is also needed at stations. The CCJPA is currently working with the cities of Sacramento,
Davis and Suisun to provide more parking at the current lots. Grade crossings are also a concern for the
CCJPA, especially in the urban areas.
The
new Oakland Coliseum Intermodal Station, which will serve the sports venue and
allow connections between Capital Corridor trains, BART and shuttles to the
Oakland International Airport, will be open by the summer 2005. Rocklin is working on a new station; the
parking lot and bus loop have been completed.
Berkeley has completed the design plans and environmental documents for
the platform, and construction is scheduled to begin early 2005. In February 2004, the Auburn Intermodal
Station was opened.
15. Correspondence/Other
Information:
Incoming:
SWAT meeting report; January 14, 2005.
SWAT meeting report; February 8, 2005.
Outgoing:
Letter
to Paul Maxwell (CCTA) re: Strategic
Plan Update; January 29, 2005.
Letter
to Congressman Miller re: TEA3 Request –
Richmond BART Parking Structure; February 4, 2005.
Letter
to Congressman Miller re: TEA 3 Request – Hercules Rail Station; February 4,
2005.
Newspaper/Internet
Articles (all articles from West County Times unless stated otherwise):
Viewpoints
– SMART GROWTH – 1.26.05.
“Blame
Game at Bay Bridge Hearing,” 1.26.05.
“New
Panel Appointee May Display Limit Line Leniency,” 1.27.05.
“Officials
Disagree on Plan B Limit Line,” 1.27.05.
“Heat
Rises on Caltrans Over Bay Bridge,” 1.27.05.
“Antioch
Still Cool to Urban Limit Plan,” 1.27.05.
“Casino
Workers Not Breathing Easy,” 1.28.05.
“Caltrans,
Agencies Join to Add Caldecott Bore,” 1.28.05.
“Urban
Limit Line Should be Preserved,” 1.31.05.
“Supports
Casino,” 1.31.05.
“Complexity
of Design Blamed for Span Costs,” 2.1.05.
“BART
Garage Funds May be Re-Allocated,” 2.1.05.
“Bridge
Talks Lean Toward Higher Tolls,” 2.2.05.
“Lyttons
to Unveil Revised Casino Plan,” 2.8.05.
“Commuters
Will Bear Brunt of Transportation Funds Gap,” 2.9.05.
“San
Pablo Casino Would Aggravate Traffic, Study Says,” 2.9.05.
“Torlakson
Bill Seeks Caltrans Reorganization,” 2.11.05.
“Bridge
Tolls Put in Perspective,” 2.13.05.
“Cities
See future on Other Side of Line,” 2.14.05.
“Contra
Costa Cities’ Leaders Review Urban Limit Line Plans,” 2.15.05.
“Supervisors
Back Plan C for Limit Line,” 2.16.05.
“Planners
to Discuss Trail Project, Garage,” 2.16.05.
Upcoming Conferences:
Rail-Volution
2005, Salt Lake City, September 7 to 11, 2005.
Other:
“Running
on Empty: The Importance of Proposition 42 to California’s Transportation
Infrastructure” – provided by Bob McCleary, CCTA.
16. Board Member Comments/Reports