WCCTAC
West Contra Costa Transportation
Advisory Committee
MINUTES
The regular meeting of the West Contra Costa
Transportation Advisory Committee was called to order at 7:30 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), Sharon Brown (San Pablo), Maria Viramontes (Richmond), Bob Franklin (BART), Irma Anderson (Richmond), Joe Wallace (AC Transit)
ABSENT: John Gioia (Contra Costa County)
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 more study might need
to be conducted on the casino expansion and the related increase in traffic in
West County. He also stated that any future work on the BART stations in West
County needs community/neighborhood input in.
CONSENT CALENDAR
On
motion by Janet Abelson, seconded by Sharon Brown and carried unanimously, the
Board approved the Consent Calendar with the exception of Item 5.
3. Minutes,
Sign-in Sheet and Meeting Summary, 2-25-2005 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 March 2005.
5. Contracts
with Yellow Cab for Guaranteed Ride Home Program (GRH) Taxi Vouchers and
Enterprise for Guaranteed Ride Home Rental Car Vouchers.
Linda Young stated the GRH provides a safety net for commuters, who have signed up for the GRH program. It provides transportation program participants a maximum of 6 emergency vouchers for commuters who use transportation alternatives to/from their employment. Program participants need to provide their name, address, contact person and employer for funding requirements through the Air District. Staff confirms employment with the employer and that a commute alternative is used by the participant. Linda added that casual carpoolers also qualify for this program. On motion by Sharon Brown, seconded by Janet Abelson and carried unanimously, the Board approved the contracts with Yellow Cab and Enterprise and authorized them Chair to sign the contracts.
6.
Resolution of
Support for the Contra Costa Housing Trust Fund Initiative
The Board approved support of Resolution 05-02 and authorized the Chair to sign the Resolution.
7.
. T-PLUS
Planning Grant Recommendation
The Board approved the TAC recommend funding for the El Cerrito Del Norte BART Master Plan, Hercules’ Waterfront District Transit-Based Development Plan and the Richmond Redevelopment Agency’s Richmond Transit Village East Side Public Improvement Plan; and directed staff to
8. . Future Agenda Items
Form-Based Codes Workshop WCCTAC Internship Projects and Recommendation for Funding.
9. West County’s Strategic Plan Projects – Draft Letter
to CCTA
The Managing Director reviewed the Draft Letter to CCTA and WCCTAC’s previous recommendations for the El Cerrito BART Parking Garageproject and the TAC recommendation on the Wildcat Creek Trail project. Due to unlikely funding of the Wildcat Creek Trail Project and the construction costs and safety concerns of a box culvert, the TAC recommends a project at the Atlas Road Bridge at Point Pinole Shoreline. This project would provide both vehicular and pedestrian/bicycle access to the Point Pinole Regional Shoreline.
The
WCCTAC Board and a Board Subcommittee have discussed ther options for the El Cerrito
Parking Garage Project. The recommendation is to fund new parking at the
Hercules Transit Center and Richmond Transit Village; replacement parking at
the Richmond Transit Village; include Del Norte Transit-Oriented Development
Project in the West County Developer Fee Program and authorize funding to El
Cerrito for eveloper fees/costs related to the El Cerrito BART Parking Garage
Project.
The Managing Director stated a CCTA subcommittee will review the recommendations
from all the RTPs on May 5thth meeting. The Managing Director suggested
there be a discussion at the next WCCTAC meeting on a strategy for having
representatives at the two CCTA meetings. One issue the CCTA will face is
using the Measure C funding for replacement parking. This change may
Joe Wallace requested maintenance costs for the
increased BART parking. He stated money is being taken from
transportation to fund parking that is not used. Sharon Brown requested
the staff verify that no previous amendments to the Measure C Spending Plan
have been made. The Managing Director will meet with CCTA staff to clarify
the use of the funding.
On motion by Ed Balico, seconded by Maria
Viramontes and carried unanimously, the Board approved the draft letter.
10.
WCCTAC Budget, Dues,
and Scope of Work for FY05-06
The Managing Director reviewed her staff
report. She highlighted the following line items: Staff salaries
and benefits have increased and represent the largest item in the budget.
The West County Regional Studies budget has been reduced. For the past 12
years the Richmond Assistant City Attorney has provided legal services at no
cost; however, he will no longer be able to provide those services.
Outside counsel isnow budgeted at $25,000. A $50 reimbursement per meeting
for Board members was included in this budget, as well as an increase to the travel/transportation/conferenceattendance.
The Managing Director stated in the new
budget, the City of Richmond’s dues would increase and the other agencies’ dues
would remain the same.
On motion by Irma Anderson seconded by Janet Abelson and carried unanimously,
the Board directed staff to remove the meeting stipend for Board members from
the budget.
The Board agreed that conference attendance is a great benefit to the Board and
the community as a whole, and agreed to the budget increase. Sharon Brown
expressed concern that all members have the opportunity to attend conferences,
not just a select group of members. The Managing Director suggested the
Board have discussions on conference attendance at future meetings. Irma
Anderson added that many members have travel budgets through other affiliations,
and suggested these members use that funding source if possible.
Maria Alegria suggested the Managing Director contact the legal firm currently
used by the City of Richmond
The Board thanked the Managing Director and her
staff for their dedication and work. Ed Balico requested a future agenda
item to discuss increasing the budget for the next 3 to 5 years to learn about
technology to save money in the long run.
On motion by Irma Anderson, seconded by Sharon Brown and carried unanimously,
the Board directed staff to forward the documents to the member agencies and
request comments by June 10, 2005.
11.
Proposed Casino
San Pablo Expansion – Regional Transportation Impacts
The Managing Director reported staff has attended several meetings recently regarding the proposed Casino San Pablo expansion and potential regional transportation impacts. She stated the Tribe has abandoned full expansion of the existing facility and is now considering remodeling to add Class II gaming units. A meeting is scheduled for April 7th from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. to discuss a coordinated traffic study on the impacts of a larger facility.
There may be as many as
four other casinos proposed in West County, and WCCTAC staff is working with
county staff and city staff to be prepared to discuss traffic mitigation for
any new gaming locations.
12.
AC Transit Line
74 (San Pablo Dam Road)
The Managing Director
reported there are currently two issues regarding AC Transit’s Line 74 along
San Pablo Dam Road to Orinda BART. The bus is funded with Air District
Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA) funds and, while the ridership has
been steadily increasing, it is not meeting the TFCA cost-effectiveness
criteria. Therefore, the TFCA funds will expire in May, and AC Transit
will have to fund the service and/or secure grant funds. The TFCA grant
required that AC Transit provide free transfers from BART (at an annual cost of
approximately $60,000), which AC Transit must also fund in May, or start
charging for transfers, which will have an effect on ridership. The
Managing Director drafted a letter to the AC Transit General Manager regarding
the importance of the service and possible assistance from WCCTAC’s TFCA
funding to provide a portion of the cost of the transfers
for new riders.
There are concerns from
neighbors along Olinda Road where Line 74 currently runs. They cite
too frequent service; buses traveling on Olinda during non-scheduled hours;
speeding; empty buses; and excessive noise from the buses. Due to a
lack of bus stops along San Pablo Dam Road in that vicinity, the bus has been
routed onto Olinda Road. Staff and AC Transit have agreed to
schedule a meeting with Supervisor Gioia’s staff and county staff to address
the issues. A developer in the Castro Ranch area may upgrade the
intersection at San Pablo Dam Road and provide bus turn-outs, at
On motion by Maria Viramontes,
seconded by Jerrold Parsons, the Board approved the draft letter be sent to AC
Transit General Manger Fernandez, with Joe Wallace abstaining.
INFORMATION
ITEMS:
13.
Richmond Parkway Transit Center
Report
Jon Twichell, AC Transit’s
Capital Projects Implementation Manager, was unable to attend today’s
meeting. This item will be rescheduled. Janet Abelson
requested Mr. Twichell include a discussion on pedestrian travel in his presentation.
14. Correspondence/Other Information
The Managing Director stated the parties working on the Parchester Elementary School Bus Service are trying to work out a pilot program to provide a bus monitor beginning in the fall of 2005. There are two options for consideration: either; the monitor and children could cross Broadway and walk five blocks to the school or; the AC Transit bus could detour off Broadway to Parchester School, drop off the children, and return to Broadway. Members of the committee will take a field trip on the bus, Line 71 at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 29th. All members were invited to attend.
Incoming:
TRANSPAC letter to Barbara Boxer re: Amtrak Funding
– February 24, 2005.
“New Urban News,” Article on Hercules TOD – March 2005.
Email from Peter Loubal Regarding
February 25th meeting – March 1, 2005.
TRANSPAC meeting summary – March 3,
2005.
SWAT meeting summary – March 9, 2005.
Email from Gene Skoropowski (Capitol
Corridor) re:
February
2005 statistics – March 10, 2005.
Email from Roy Nakadegawa re: El Cerrito BART Parking
Measure C Funds – March 14, 2005.
Items approved by CCTA for circulation to the RTPC’s
– March 17, 2005.
Email from Bob McCleary with a Press Release from
Ellen Tauscher’s office re: “House Passes Highway
Bill” – March 17, 2005. (NOTE: $3.9 M for the Central Avenue/I-80 interchange
in Richmond is on the list in West County.)
Email from Bob McCleary with a letter from George
Miller re: “House Passes Major Bill with Local Transportation Funding” – March
17, 2005. (NOTE: $5M for the parking structure at the Richmond BART
station and $1.5 M for the Hercules rail station are on the list in West
County.)
Outgoing:
Letter to George Miller re: FY 2006 Appropriations Request – 2.18.05.
Letter to George Miller re: Appropriations Request (FY 2006) – 2.24.05.
Letter to David Murray re: STMP fees for City of El Cerrito – 2.28.05
Letter to Martin Engelmann re: Countywide Model – 2.28.05.
Letter to AC Transit Board re: Fare Restructure – 3.2.05.
Letter to Peter Loubal re: request for information – 3.2.05.
Letter to Peter Loubal re: additional information – 3.7.05.
Newspaper/Internet Articles (all articles
from West County Times unless stated otherwise):
“Richmond Chimes in on Cleanup of Toxic Site,” 3.3.05.
“Still a Bad Deal,” 3.4.05.
“Bishop Ranch’s Efforts Keep 9,000 Cars Off Road,” 3.6.05.
“In a Bind Over Casino,” 3.8.05.
“San Pablo Casino Deal Rejected by Key Sponsor,” SF Chronicle, 3.12.05.
“House Approves Highway Bill Giving $25 Billion to California,” 3.12.05.
“Miller urges Killing San Pablo Casino
Bill,” 3.12.05.
“Consider
Casino Zones,” 3.14.05.
“Supervisors Fortify for Urban Limit Line Battle,” 3.16.05.
“Controversial Issue of urban Limits May End Up on Ballot,” SF Chronicle,
3.16.05. “Cities Unite for Urban Line Limit Fight,” 3.17.05.
15. Board Member Comments/Reports:
Joe Wallace stated AC Transit will
hold a Public Hearing on fares May 18th. He added he attended a
workshop on fare restructuring resented by the BART General Manager. The
workshop was very informative.
Chair Penn stated she had the opportunity to travel by train to Yosemite.
Her experience was wonderful, and she encouraged everyone to try the
train.
Maria Viramontes attended a state Transportation Forum in Sacramento
representing CCTA. Proposition 42 will not be funded again this year, and
CCTA will consider next month defunding projects on the STIP. She stated
WCCTAC needs to oppose any reduction to the STIP commitments.