MEETING NOTICE AND AGENDA

 

WEST CONTRA COSTA

 

TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE

 

 

FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 2007

 

 

PLEASE NOTE TIME:  7:30 AM TO 9:30 AM (approximately)

 

 

LOCATION:   City of San Pablo, Council Chambers

13831 San Pablo Avenue (at Church Lane) - San Pablo, California

 

 

·  In compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, if you need special assistance to participate in the WCCTAC Board meeting, or if you need a copy of the agenda and/or agenda packet materials in an alternative format, please contact Nancy Cuneo at 510.215.3035 or Lisa Hammon at 510.215.3044 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting so that your request can be handled.

·  If you have special transportation requirements and would like to attend the meeting, please call WCCTAC (see phone numbers above) at least 48 hours in advance to make arrangements.

·  Please refrain from wearing scented products to the meeting as there may be attendees susceptible to environmental illnesses.

·  Please turn off all cellular phones and pagers during the meeting.

·  A meeting sign-in sheet will be circulated at the meeting.  Sign-in is optional.

 

 

1.      Call to Order and Self-Introductions – Chair Sharon Brown

 

2.      Recognition of Outgoing Board Members – Irma Anderson from Richmond, Alternate Trevor Evans-Young from Hercules, and Alternate Bill Jones from El Cerrito.

 

 

3.      Public Comment – Please fill out a speaker card and hand it to the Chair/Staff

 

      At this time, the public is welcome to address the WCCTAC on any item which does not otherwise appear on the agenda.  With a full agenda, comments may be limited to three minutes per speaker.  Speakers shall follow the rules of common courtesy and decorum.

 

 

 

***** CONSENT CALENDAR *****

 

 

 

4.            Minutes, Sign-In Sheet, and Meeting Summary from the December 8, 2006

         Meeting – ATTACHMENTS

 

         PLEASE NOTE THAT WCCTAC HAS A NEW MINUTES-TAKER AND THE FINISHED FORMAT MAY BE SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT.

 

         The minutes, sign-in sheet, and meeting summary from the December 2006 meeting are attached.

 

         Staff Recommendation:   Approve the December 2006 minutes.

 

 

5.      Staff Reports – ATTACHMENTS

 

Staff reports from the Managing Director, Management Assistant, and Transportation Project Specialist for late December and January are attached.

     

         Staff Recommendation:  Accept the reports.

 

 

6.      Contra Costa Mayors Conference Appointments - ATTACHMENT

 

The current listing of Mayors Conference appointments is attached. 

 

Staff Recommendation:    No recommendation; for information only.

 

 

7.      Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) 2009 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) Approach and Schedule – ATTACHMENT

 

Attached is a Memorandum from MTC’s Executive Director to the Planning Committee outlining the approach and schedule for the preparation of the 2009 RTP.  In Contra Costa, the update to the Countywide Transportation Plan (and prior to that the Action Plan Updates and the Countywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Update) will advise the RTP.

 

Staff Recommendation:   No recommendation; action as appropriate.

 

 

8.             Measure J Model Growth Management Element – Circulation Draft – ATTACHMENT

 

The Measure J Growth Management Program requires that each jurisdiction adopt a Growth Management Element (GME) to its General Plan.  The WCCTAC-TAC received the draft document and had a brief discussion.  Comments are due to the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) by February 9th.

 

Staff Recommendation:    No recommendation; action as appropriate.

 

 

9.             2006 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) Augmentation – ATTACHMENT

 

Attached is the Board Letter from Administration and Projects Committee (APC) of the CCTA Board regarding the STIP augmentation (from Proposition 1B) and the recommendation for how to move forward.  The recommendation includes funding in the amount of $4 million for three West County projects – the Richmond Parkway Transit Center, the parking structure at the Richmond Transit Village, and the Capitol Corridor train station in Hercules.

 

Staff Recommendation:    No recommendation; action as appropriate.

 

 

10.        FY 07-08 Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA) Projects – ATTACHMENT

 

Attached for review and approval are the project information sheets for the 2007-2008 WCCTAC TDM projects.  Funding for the TDM projects is from the Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA) Program Managers funding, Measure C (“Carpool, Vanpool, Park & Ride Lot” category), and a small amount of staff salaries/benefits from WCCTAC Operations.

 

Staff Recommendation:    Approve the projects as listed for FY 07-08 and forward the information to CCTA.

 

 

11.        Resolution 07-01 for the Lifeline Transportation Program Project (Low-Income Middle School Bus Pass Program) Grant – ATTACHMENT

 

Attached is Resolution 07-01 that is required by MTC for the Lifeline grant.

 

Staff Recommendation:    Authorize the Chair to sign the Resolution in substantially the same form as presented herein.

 

 

12.        Interest Rate on City of  San Pablo Loan for CALPERS Unfunded Liability – ATTACHMENT

 

During the Financial Statements/Audit presentation at last month’s meeting, the Board asked staff to research lower interest rates on the loan from the City of San Pablo for unfunded CALPERS liability (the loan balance is $187,550 at June 30, 2006).  The interest rate is currently 7.75% and the loan is scheduled to be repaid over fourteen years.

 

The attached letter to the City of San Pablo requests that WCCTAC’s interest be reduced from 7.75% to the more favorable Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF) rate of 5.129%.

 

Staff Recommendation:    Authorize the Chair to sign the letter; and direct staff to provide feedback on the City of San Pablo’s response at the February 2007 meeting.

 

 

13.        State Infrastructure Bond Projects – Corridor Mobility Improvement Account (CMIA) – Update on the I-80 Integrated Corridor Mobility Project – ATTACHMENTS

 

Attached is information from CCTA and MTC regarding the CMIA projects and the I-80 Integrated Corridor Mobility Project.  Additionally, staff would like to report that a committee is working on potential funding sources for the Operations, Management, and Maintenance of the I-80 Integrated Corridor Mobility Project.

 

Staff Recommendation:    No recommendation; action as appropriate.

 

 

14.        Countywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan and Action Plan Updates - ATTACHMENTS

 

CCTA has initiated the processes of updating the Countywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan and the Action Plans for Routes of Regional Significance.  Both updates will feed into the update of the Countywide Comprehensive Transportation Plan as noted in Agenda Item #7 above.  Attached is information on the update process for both documents.

 

Staff Recommendation:    No recommendation; action as appropriate.

 

 

 

 

 

15.        Upcoming Agenda Items

 

ü      Caltrans and local jurisdiction communication during freeway incidents; and management of the local arterials (primarily San Pablo Avenue) during freeway incidents.

 

 

 

*****  END OF CONSENT ITEMS  *****

 

 

 

16.    Board Member Comments and Announcements – 2 minutes per Board Member

 

 

17.    Legal Counsel Comments and Announcements – Up to 5 minutes

 

 

18.    Election of the Following Officers and Representatives: (a) WCCTAC Chair; (b) WCCTAC Vice Chair; (c) CCTA Representative (odd-year term); and (d) CCTA Alternate – Staff and Chair – ATTACHMENT – 10 minutes

 

a.       WCCTAC Chair – The Board will need to elect/reappoint a Chairperson.  Sharon Brown is the current Chair who has served a partial term after the resignation of former Chair Mindell Penn in June 2005, and one full term.  Typically, for continuity, WCCTAC Chairpersons have served for two terms.

b.      WCCTAC Vice Chair – The Board will need to elect/reappoint a Vice Chair.  Current Vice Chair is Maria T. Viramontes.  Typically, for continuity, WCCTAC Vice Chairpersons have served for two terms.

c.       CCTA Representative – WCCTAC’s “odd-year” representative’s term expires on January 31, 2007.  Terms are for two years.  Maria Viramontes is currently the “odd-year” CCTA Representative.  The Board will need to elect/reappoint a representative for the term from February 1, 2007 through January 31, 2009.

d.      CCTA Alternate – The Board will need to reappoint the current alternate (Ed Balico) or elect a new alternate.  The CCTA Alternate serves until replacement/resignation and is the alternate for both WCCTAC CCTA representatives.

 

Background:  Previous WCCTAC Chairpersons – in order of most recent – include:  Mindell Penn (Richmond); Kris Valstad (Hercules), Janet Abelson (El Cerrito), John Marquez (Richmond), Maria Alegria (Pinole), Irma Anderson (Richmond), Lloyd Wagstaff (Hercules), and Cathie Kosel (El Cerrito).  While there are no formal policies regarding these appointments, they generally rotate among the jurisdictions and Board of Supervisors representatives, and generally WCCTAC members with at least one year of tenure are appointed.

 

Note:  According to the WCCTAC Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement (JPA), only the Cities and the County may vote for CCTA Representatives – six votes total (one each – El Cerrito, Hercules, Pinole, Richmond, San Pablo, Contra Costa County); four votes are required for a majority vote.

 

         Staff Recommendation:   No recommendation; action as appropriate.

 

 

19.    Updates on:  (a) the I-580/Western Drive Bicycle Accident; and (b) the San Pablo Avenue Visioning Project/Affordable Housing Incentive Group – Staff – ATTACHMENTS and Verbal Report – 15 minutes

 

    1. I-580/Western Drive Bicycle Accident – Attached are photos from the City of Richmond staff that were distributed at the WCCTAC-TAC meeting.  These photos show that signage has been installed by Caltrans.  Additionally, rumble strips have been added to the pavement on the shoulder of I-580.
    2. San Pablo Avenue Visioning Project/Affordable Housing Incentive Group – Working with the San Pablo Avenue Working Group, staff has been researching a potential project on or adjacent to San Pablo Avenue that would highlight the relationship between transportation, land use, and workforce housing.  The prototype project (see attached) is being discussed both with the Working Group and other potential partners.  Staff will provide a verbal update.

 

Staff Recommendation:   Board discussion and action as appropriate.

 

 

20.    Letter to Caltrans District Director Regarding Willow Avenue Stoplight and Access to Park & Ride Lots/WestCAT Bus Stop – Staff – ATTACHMENT – 10 minutes

 

Several issues are currently emerging at the I-80/Willow Avenue Interchange:  a new stoplight at the bottom of the westbound off-ramp that does not currently have pedestrian access or a crosswalk; the WestCAT bus stop located on the northeast side of Willow Avenue across from the northwest Park & Ride lot with no pedestrian access; and potential solutions for Caltrans’ consideration (working with the local partners), as outlined in the letter to Caltrans District 4 Director Bijan Sartipi.

 

Staff Recommendation:   Authorize the Chair to sign the letter; follow-up at a future WCCTAC meeting.

 

 

21.    Subregional Transportation Mitigation Fee Program (STMP) Strategic Plan –   Update – Staff – ATTACHMENT – 10 minutes

 

      The Draft STMP Strategic Plan is underway and Staff/TAC were hoping to bring a draft to the Board this month.  However, project sponsors propose to spend the entire $98 million in STMP fees, collected over the course of 30 years, in the first eight years of the program.  As the accompanying graph illustrates, STMP revenues are projected in a steady stream of approximately $3.5 million per year over 30 years, whereas project sponsors anticipate expenditures of $98 million between FY 06-07 and FY 14-15.  Unless a solution can be identified and implemented, the program will operate on a “pay as you go” basis, and the WCCTAC-TAC and Board will need to prioritize expenditures over the thirty-year life of the STMP.  Staff and the TAC are working with local Finance Directors, bond counsel, and others to develop a solution.

 

Staff Recommendation:   Board discussion and action as appropriate.

 

 

22.  NEW ITEM:  West County Transportation Resource Foundation – Staff – ATTACMENTS – 15 minutes

 

The attached Staff Report and Mission Statement outline the West County Transportation Resource Foundation.  Staff have been researching this Foundation idea for several months and are presenting it to the Board for discussion and direction.

 

Staff Recommendation:   Board discussion and action as appropriate.

 

 

23. Correspondence/Other Information: 

 

Incoming:

Summary of December 20, 2006 CCTA meeting, 12.21.06.

Letter from AC Transit to MTC regarding the Infrastructure Bond State-Local Partnership Program, 01.03.07.

Letter from AC Transit to WCCTAC regarding their Board representation, 01.05.07.

Summary of December 14, 2006 TRANSPAC meeting, 01.08.07.

Email from Eugene Skoropowski to WCCTAC regarding the Capitol Corridor ridership numbers for December 2006, 01.09.07.

New Year Report on the Bay Trail in Richmond from TRAC, 01.10.07.

From John Greitzer, Contra Costa County, re: County STMP Projects, 01.11.07.

 

Outgoing:

To TDA Subcommittee, C/O Steve Kowalewski at Contra Costa County, Transportation Engineering Division, re: TDA Article 3 Grant Application Letter of Support, City of San Pablo El Portal Gateway Project, 01.04.07.

 

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

“City offers to fund eBART station;” 12.01.06.

“Anticipation grows over San Pablo improvements;” 12.01.06.

“AC Transit offers free rides on Holiday Bus;” 12.02.06.

Bay Bridge work hits milestone;” 12.06.06.

“Study finds fewer drivers on the road;” 12.06.06.

“Capitol Corridor rail service chugs into 16th year;” 12.08.06.

 “Developer hopes to replace parking with housing, shops;” 12.10.06

“City falls deeper into its potholes;” 12.10.06.

“Firms aim to reverse carbon emissions;” 12.11.06.

“Changes delay eBART’s arrival;” 12.11.06.

“Estimated mpg will dip starting with ’08 fleets;” 12.12.06.

“For whom the lane tolls: I-680 drivers;” 12.13.06.

“Bond money sufficient if used wisely;” 12.13.06.

“Transit bond funding under area microscope;” 12.14.06.

“Agency predicts older, populous Bay Area;” 12.15.06.

“Cyclists group seeks better estuary crossing;” 12.15.06.

“Sycamore plan sees parking changes;” 12.18.06.

“Officials promise ‘ramp metering’ will ease traffic;” 12.20.06.

“A car-less commuting exercise;” 12.21.06.

“Childhood lessons are taken to heart: Sharing cars is fun;” 12.21.06.

“Low bids restore timeline for Bay Bridge project;” 12.21.06.

“Get ready for $1 toll increase;” 12.30.06.

“Grants to help cities’ transportation projects;” 12.31.06.

“Sorting out San Pablo avenue: Multiple voices take part in redevelopment project;” 01.04.07.

“Cities join forces on development;” 01.05.07.

“FasTrak devices selling fast before bridge toll increase;” 01.06.07.

“Bay Trail planners clear obstacle;” 01.09.07.

“Spare the Air Stays Despite Fairly Low Effectiveness;” 01.11.07.

“Officials Submit $2 Billion Wish List;” 01.11.07.

“Governor’s Budget Wants to Revise Gas Tax Spillover Destination;” 01.12.07.

“Bus Riders Protest MTC Spending;” 01.13.07.

 

 

24.    Other Business

 

 

 

ADJOURN TO NEXT MEETING: 

February 23, 2007