WCCTAC

West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee

MINUTES

March 30, 2007

The regular meeting of the West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee was called to order at 7:40 A.M. on Friday, March 30 2007 by Chair Sharon Brown in the City Council Chambers of the City of San Pablo, 13831 San Pablo Avenue, San Pablo, CA 94806.

1. CALL TO ORDER/SELF INTRODUCTIONS

PRESENT: Sharon Brown, Chair (San Pablo), Maria Viramontes, Vice-Chair (Richmond)*, Maria Alegria (Pinole), Ed Balico (Hercules ), John Gioia (Contra Costa County), Gayle McLaughlin (Richmond), Leticia Moore (El Cerrito), Jerrold Parsons (WestCAT)*

ABSENT: Joe Wallace (AC Transit), Bob Franklin (BART), Tom Butt (Richmond)

STAFF: Lisa Hammon, WCCTAC Managing Director

Linda Young, WCCTAC Transportation Project Specialist

John Rudolph, WCCTAC Management Assistant

Nancy Cuneo, WCCTAC Administrative Analyst

Jeremy Hughes, WCCTAC Administrative Clerk

Bryan Otake, WCCTAC General Counsel

Hisham Noeimi, CCTA Staff

*Arrived after Roll Call

2. Public Comment

Peter Loubal of El Cerrito started by saying that he had hoped that the BART Bus contingent would be present. He then said that funds from the I-80 Integrated Corridor Mobility Project should be used to increase the capacity of the Richmond BART line and facilitate bus access to BART. He further stated that the San Pablo Avenue Visioning Project and youth programs, while admiral goals, would not help to relieve congestion on I-80 or aid in providing affordable transit alternatives to the public. Mr. Loubal also said that the El Cerrito Olson project would block the best option for assuring bus circulation and access to BART at Del Norte.

Nancy Baer, injury prevention and physical activity promotion manager of projects for Contra Costa Health Services, reminded the Board of the planning communities’ forum scheduled for Friday, April 6th at Maple Hall would address the impact of land use and transportation on health. Ms. Baer noted that an array of planning commissioners, design review boards, and planning directors would be on hand, and extended an invitation to additional elected officials who might be interested in attending.

Jerrold Parson and Vice Chair Maria Viramontes arrived and introduced themselves.

Consent Calendar

On motion by Maria Alegria, seconded by John Gioia, and carried unanimously the WCCTAC Board adopted the Consent Calendar as follows:

3. Approved minutes, Sign-In Sheet, and Meeting Summary from the January 26, 2007 Meeting.

4. Approved Staff Reports.

5. Approved City of San Pablo Finance Department Fiscal Responsibilities Related to WCCTAC.

6. Approved Draft Scope of Work and Timeline for the West County Action Plan Update.

7. Approved Follow-Up Items from the January WCCTAC Meeting.

8. Received “Planning Communities: “What’s Health Got To Do With It?” forum announcement.

9. Approved CCTA Technical Coordinating Committee (TCC) appointment procedure.

Item 10: Board Member Comments and Announcements

Chair Brown congratulated Lisa Hammon on her receipt of the Women's History Month Award and the Board applauded Ms. Hammon for her achievement.

Item 11: Legal Counsel Comments and Announcements

Bryan Otake reminded the Board that their Form 700’s need to be filed by April 2nd. Mr. Otake reiterated to the Board that members must file a separate form for each public agency they serve on.

Item 12: Issues Related to the Subregional Transportation Mitigation Fee Program (STMP or Developer Fees)

Lisa Hammon began by addressing the requests for proposals for firms to assist with project financing. Ms. Hammon noted that four responses had been received by KNN Public Finance, Piper Jaffray and Co., Public Financial Management Inc., and Sperry Capital Inc.

Ms. Hammon noted that staff, after consulting with Chair Brown, is recommending the formation of an ad-hoc subcommittee to review proposals, interview firms, and take on other responsibilities relative to the financing of the STMP projects.

Chair Brown suggested that she, Maria Alegria, Bryan Otake, Lisa Hammon, City of San Pablo Finance Director Bradley Ward, John Gioia, and an additional member city finance director act as the interviewing group.

Ms. Hammon directed the Board's attention to the second part of Item 12 related to the Interim STMP Strategic Plan. She pointed out that the strategic plan has been delayed until the financing is in place and made note of the interim strategic plan she had prepared as included in the staff report.

Related to the Interim Strategic plan, there is currently $70,000 available for STMP projects. She noted that there are only three projects requesting funding this fiscal year; the San Pablo Ave Corridor project and the BART access and parking project in combination with the Del Norte project. The Bart access and Del Norte funding would be pooled to facilitate a planning study around the Del Norte transit oriented development project.

Ms. Hammon directed the Board’s attention to Resolution 07-02 to adopt an interim strategic plan for the STMP Program and the interim strategic plan which lists the three projects requesting funding in priority order. She noted that the reason they are listed in the given order is because of the existence of a $25,000 proposal for a youth engagement internship program that would involve local students in the planning process. Their work would advise the Del Norte TOD Project.

Ms. Hammon noted that there are three parts relative to the action related to Item 12: approve the interim strategic plan, adopt resolution 07-02, and approve the funding request for the Ma’at Youth Academy, Assemblywoman Loni Hancock’s office, and the UC Berkeley Center for Cities and Schools. Ms. Hammon noted that part of this item is the approval of funding for two projects that rolled over from the old program. Approval would allow continued funding for the Richmond Intermodal Station Project and the El Cerrito Bart parking project which is going to the Richmond, El Cerrito strategic plan.

Ms. Hammon stated that groups that are here for the funding requests are on hand to address the Board regarding the proposal.

Jessica Buendia from the office of Loni Hancock provided a brief overview of the vision for the youth engagement project proposal. She relayed Loni Hancock’s vision for a Grand Boulevard on San Pablo Avenue, and that this project would think regionally in its planning and expressed a desire to engage local youth in the planning process with an overall goal of circumventing jurisdictional and social boundaries.

Sharon Fuller introduced herself as Director of the Ma’at Youth Academy for Environmental Leadership, which examines how to engage students in their academic achievement by involving them in projects that are practical. The San Pablo Ave Youth Engagement Program would examine the perspective of the students, many of whom are directly affected by access to transit and therefore are genuinely concerned about safety as it relates to transportation.

Ms. Fuller noted that the creation of an environmental science curriculum as a collaboration with the Center for Cities and Schools at UC Berkeley would examine sustainable development and seek to circumvent the gap in communication that exists between planners and environmentalists, and in the process create an exciting curriculum that would promulgate environmentally conscientious development and keep kids in school by getting then excited about learning.

Jennielyn Dino Rossi, of the Career Academies of West Contra Costa County and representative for the Kennedy High School Career Academy, Architecture Construction Engineering and Technology Program (ACET), noted that prospective interns expressed enthusiasm about the project. Ms. Linn expressed thanks for the opportunity to collaborate on this project.

Ms. Hammon remarked that there are specific deliverables associated with this project, the final product of which would lead to a neighborhood improvement plan around the Del Norte Bart station. The results of the students work would be seen by the communities and jurisdictional bodies.

Maria Alegria asked if the money was coming out of WCCTAC's budget and requested clarification of CalTran's proposal for $200,000.

Ms. Hammon clarified that there is $200,000 in the budget for this fiscal year set aside for the San Pablo Corridor Project, and of that $25,000 was for the youth internship program. Ms. Hammon further stated that the total amount for the San Pablo Corridor Project over the course of its life is $1.65 million and that this was a small portion of the overall budget and is representative of the start of planning for a much larger effort.

Vice-Chair Viramontes asked regarding deliverables, if this plan is to come together what is the commitment from the individual jurisdictions and has the interim strategic plan been incorporated into their plans. She expressed a desire for assurance the plan would not just sit on the shelf and that the youth plan can in fact be implemented.

Ms. Hammon stated that the goal of the interim strategic plan is for the cities to include it in their planning. She also stated that the youth internship program would be working along with the San Pablo working group and through speaker sessions would be closely connected to WCCTAC staff and other agencies involved in the San Pablo Working Group.

Gayle McLaughlin asked if there is a site where the program would be housed.

Sharon Fuller responded by stating that the details are being worked out but most likely the project would be housed at the Kennedy site and a coordinator would be brought in to oversee the group’s activities.

Ed Balico asked if the funding is for three years or the life of the project.

Ms. Hammon responded by stating that the funds are only for the summer internship this year. After the first year the group would have to seek additional funding from other sources. She reiterated that the commitment from STMP is to fund the youth internship and there are specific deliverables relative to it which are not affected by future work.

Mr. Balico stated there should be equal representation from all high schools located throughout West County.

Mr. Gioia noted that in the future it would be great to include all schools but with regard to this program Kennedy’s proximity to the Del Norte TOD project helps reinforce its practicality as the students have a personal interest in its success. Mr. Gioia also noted that Kennedy high school already has an established infrastructure.

Ms. McLaughlin praised the project and expressed hope that area planners would be included in the planning process as it relates to the program and move this sustainability vision forward.

Chair Brown expressed hope that the youths would be brought before city councils to report on the project to expose them to the administrative aspect of the planning process. She as well expressed concern about the pedestrian situation at Cutting and San Pablo and hoped that the program would address this matter.

On motion by Maria Viramontes, seconded by John Gioia and carried unanimously the WCCTAC Board voted to (a) approve appointment of the ad-hoc subcommittee for the STMP Financing and (b) approve the STMP Strategic Plan including the prioritized list of projects and funding the Ma’at Youth Academy, and finalize reauthorization of expenditures for 97 STMP list.

Item 13: I-80 Integrated Corridor Mobility Project and the Corridor Mobility Improvement Account (CMIA) in the State Infrastructure Bond Program

Regarding the I-80 Integrated Corridor Mobility Project, Lisa Hammon directed the Board's attention to the California Transportation Commission list of approved projects in the CMIA account of the Infrastructure bond funding. She noted that the I-80 Integrated Corridor Mobility project is recommended for funding along with two other projects in Contra Costa County.

She stated that the only caveat is that CTC required $8.1 million of total project be funded locally for project development costs.

Ms. Hammon noted that action is currently being taken to identify potential funding sources.

Ms. Hammon briefly addressed the staff report stating that WCCTAC has been working on Intelligent Transportation System improvements (ITS) along San Pablo Avenue as part of the Smart Corridors project. She noted that the passing of the infrastructure bond package has enabled improvements along I-80 and the adjacent arterials.

She continued by stating that there are a number of things that would need to be resolved as this project moves forward as it is a joint project between West Contra Costa County and Alameda, which involves a number of components and requires something of a leap of faith moving forward.

Ms. Hammon proceeded by pointing out that Alameda CMA is going to issue a request for proposals for the total project development work in the amount of $8.1 million however would only be moving forward with the initial phase which includes environmental work, ramp metering, a lane management study, initial public outreach, and consensus building that would include all jurisdictions. She suggested that transportation officials become educated and aware of all the potential benefits of the project and work through some of the issues as it moves along.

Ms. Hammon noted that a committee has been meeting already to look for funding sources for operations and management for the I-80 improvements as well as the Smart Corridors project.

(b) Presentation by John Rudolph

John Rudolph, WCCTAC staff, gave a presentation of the seven components of the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS).

Mr. Rudolph began with an exercise that stems from the idea that each lane on the highway has a maximum efficiency which involves the distance between one car and another and the desire to maintain a certain amount of distance between each vehicle relative to the speed at which they are traveling. If it were possible to have all cars traveling at the exact same speed with no breakdowns the maximum lane capacity is achieved. When there is a breakdown all the seconds in delay add up to the gridlock phenomenon which takes some time to actually clear after traffic has begun to move again.

Mr. Rudolph then moved to examine the components of ITS and how they can be implemented to alleviate the problems associated with constrained flow.

Mr. Rudolph began with an explanation of the Variable Speed Limit Advisory Sign: If there is an incident on the road this would adjust the speed limit to improve flow and maintain a consistent speed. A consistent speed may provide for fewer incidents and predictable travel times.

Changeable Message Signs would disclose lane closures and allow drivers to adjust accordingly.

Mr. Rudolph noted that changeable message signs would gradually condition drivers to associate reduced speed with reduced travel times.

If drivers choose to stay in their lane although advised otherwise they would be made aware that their decision to ignore advisories would augment travel times.

Eventually motorists would realize that by obeying the changeable message signs they would get where they are going more quickly. Mr. Rudolph noted that changeable message signs, when obeyed, increase safety for highway workers, emergency responders, and accident victims.

Mr. Rudolph proceeded to inform the Board about loop detectors. He pointed out that there are four kinds of roads:

• highways
• arterials
• collector roads
• local streets

Mr. Rudolph then summarized the way loop detectors work: there is a wire which is placed across a stretch of road; each time the current running though the wire is interrupted it registers a hit. The number of hits is recorded to create a tally. In addition to a tally, the number of cars, volume of traffic, and the speed of traffic can also be determined. As well, loop detectors talk to the traffic signals on arterials and collector streets to keep traffic moving.

In an ITS system the loops on the freeway communicate with the arterials and collector roads which in turn communicate with traffic signals; which is directly related to adaptive ramp metering; calibrated to match local specifications and address specific needs for individual ramps and arterials in a manner that would benefit the community.

Another component of ITS is how it relates to transit stops. Mr. Rudolph pointed out that devices would talk to transit stops so commuters would know where their buses are; and transit vehicles would receive priority regarding movement through corridors. Devices would also talk to people seeking parking and aid them in finding a spot; Emergency responders, PDA's, computers, mobile devices, and in-vehicle navigation systems.

Mr. Rudolph then showed a video depicting a futuristic transportation system.

John Gioia stated that right now there are message boards that estimate travel time and asked if they are currently using loop detectors to estimate travel times.

Mr. Rudolph replied that yes they are and the ITS would be extension of the current system.

Mr. Gioia asked how would people be conditioned, by use of the changeable message signs, to slow down and what would be the actual message people would see; would the messages include the speeds that must be traveled at in order to achieve a specific travel time?

Mr. Rudolph stated that this is the long term goal but it would have to be determined how much information can be put on a sign. Mr. Rudolph noted that in Europe there is markedly more information of a higher degree of sophistication given on signs along European roadways and in fact all the aforementioned information could be included on the signs.

Mr. Gioia asked how loop detectors and ramp metering would be implemented in a manner that respects the needs of various communities.

Mr. Rudolph emphasized the need for micro-analysis which examines and implements policy with regard to the specific needs of individual communities.

Mr. Gioia asked if there has been discussion with the air district regarding funding opportunities through the mobile source committee. He stated that ITS is linked to air quality issues and therefore there should be discussion with the air district about potential funding resources.

Lisa Hammon thanked Mr. Gioia and stated that WCCTAC would look into funding opportunities through the Air District.

Ed Balico stated his belief in using technology to improve lives. He made note of the success of ramp metering in Minneapolis. He would like to see some consideration given to emerging areas like Highway 4 in Hercules. He as well addressed the difficulty associated with trying to condition people's driving habits. He stated that ITS is good idea but would take a great degree of patience and cooperation.

Vice Chair Viramontes remarked that trying to educate people so that they slow down is going to take a long time as it is difficult to alter peoples’ behavior. She inquired about the consequences if people don’t alter their behavior and are diverted onto local roads. She expressed that approving this is a leap of faith due to the fact that even if the loop process works the reality is that it causes people to avoid the freeway to go short distances. This would divert traffic onto arterials for which the local jurisdictions receive no compensation.

She noted that given local agencies would be picking up the cost for the traffic which avoids the freeway WCCTAC should have a real conversation with the state and MTC to determine how this cost would be covered as the burden is too great for the local jurisdictions alone.

Maria Alegria expressed a desire to make Pinole Valley Road an arterial as people have begun using it as an alternate to the highway. Regarding diverted traffic she requested further action regarding the state and MTC’s providing compensation for the impact on local streets. She continued by asking if San Pablo Avenue, from El Cerrito to Crockett, is a state highway and are there parts of it that are covered by the local jurisdictions?

Ms. Hammon stated that San Pablo is a state highway up to approximately Cutting Boulevard.

Maria Alegria asked why the state does not take over the whole road.

Chair Brown stated that attempts have been ongoing for some time.

Vice-Chair Viramontes remarked that the state funds Alameda County but not Contra Costa.

Ms. Alegria expressed a desire to go on record as stating that something should be done to solicit state compensation for impact on local jurisdictions from diverted traffic, and suggested that WCCTAC petition Loni Hancock.

She further asked that in regards to ITS; how the people creating the gridlock would be educated to create maximum lane efficiency. She suggested talking to the auto industry to have vehicles equipped with speed restricting devices as one alternative.

Leticia Moore asked if ITS can create a disincentive for people seeking to come off of the freeway and onto local roads to avoid congestion.

Mr. Rudolph stated that yes, ITS can create a disincentive with regard to diversion from the freeway to local roads.

John Gioia reiterated that regional cooperation is necessary and remarked that the county has done a number of traffic studies and established a direct correlation between I-80 congestion and traffic volume within local jurisdictions.

Chair Brown asked if this was going before the TAC and noted that the public works directors would be looking at this in great length.

Gayle McLaughlin stated in regards to educating people that in addition to the changeable message signs, media outreach should be implemented in helping to disseminate the knowledge about how ITS works.

Jerrold Parsons noted that Alameda freeways are a good example of the positive effect that updated freeways and ramp metering can have on congestion relief and expressed that expansion of the HOV lanes between Pinole and Hercules should be considered.

Chair Brown advised that this is a long term situation and that jurisdictions should be in communication with their public works directors. She asked if there was action to be taken.

Ms. Hammon stated that the preceding was for the Board’s information and no action is required at this time.

Ms. Alegria requested action on state compensation for San Pablo Avenue.

Chair Brown noted that talks have been ongoing for the last twenty years.

Vice-Chair Viramontes suggested making a request to the government relations lobbyists from CCTA to look into a bill for reimbursement on Contra Costa’s behalf.

She continued by stating that this body should make a formal request to Senator Perata and Loni Hancock on the behalf of the members but someone is needed to actually work this bill.

Ms. Hammon stated that she would look into this.

Hisham Noeimi remarked that CCTA staff is going to recommend funding in the amount of $954,000 to start phase one of the project.

Item 14: WCCTAC Budget Items

Lisa Hammon informed the Board the Bradley Ward could not be present to go over the mid-year budget report.

Ms. Hammon continued by addressing the Budget for FY 07-08. She stated that in mid-2006, independent review of WCCTAC salaries determined that staff was below industry standards and in order to retain staff and remain competitive salaries need to be adjusted. Ms. Hammon noted that this year due to the vehicle registration fees the TFCA budget has been reduced and therefore the scope of work for TFCA projects would need to be adjusted.

She added that last year the Board requested that WCCTAC establish a reserve fund in addition to the PERS fund.

Ms. Hammon directed the Board’s attention to page 14-2 which lists the 14 projects within the scope of work. She noted that never in the past has staff come to the Board asking them to prioritize projects. She noted that the agency has expanded greatly in its scope during its time as an acting agency.

Ms. Hammon then directed the Board’s attention to page 14-4 of the staff report, which lists what the WCCTAC portion of the operating budget is, what the jurisdictions are paying in dues, what needs to happen in terms of salaries and projects if things were increased or stayed the same.

Ms. Hammon then summarized the various options as follows:

Option One: if the budget, staff and salaries stay the same the number of projects would have to be reduced.

Option Two: Same budget; same staff and salary increases; number of projects would have to be reduced.

Option Three and Four: Provide an increase in the budget and dues and the addition of a part time financial analyst; however, in order to actually increase the number of projects a full time project manager would need to be hired.

Ms. Hammon noted that the numbers given here do not make provisions for the PERS liability.

Ms. Hammon offered the preceding to the Board and requested direction.

John Gioia began by stating that he is not against raising salaries and looking at an increase in dues. He stated that it may be useful to review the existing project list, analyze the value of each program, and create a value list to determine the regional value of the projects and make cuts where necessary.

Jerrold Parsons thanked Ms. Hammon and her staff for attention to issues north of Hercules and their ability and willingness to achieve results. He stated that he is in favor of a salary increase.

Ed Balico agreed with Mr. Gioia that the Board should take a look at the value of current projects and examine salary increases. He suggested the formation of an ad-hoc committee.

Vice-Chair Viramontes expressed support for the ad-hoc committee and agreed that a salary increase is needed as no action has been taken relative to this matter, for seven years. She stated that she felt that WCCTAC can’t afford not to put money into the PERS liability to ensure pension plans for employees. She expressed that there is a need to prioritize projects and that there would be a need for additional staff in the coming years.

She continued by stating an understanding of the need for a part-time financial analyst and expressed her belief that the Project Manager position should be contracted out as she is not ready to commit to an in-house project manager. She reiterated the need for appointment of a sub-committee to work out details and volunteered to serve on the committee.

Ms. Moore stated that she supports an increase in salary and the addition of a financial analyst and an in-house project manager. She stated that this is not a short term issue and there is a need to find alternate means of funding moving forward.

Ms. Moore inquired about the scope of work and asked if it was included in the budget review?

Ms. Hammon stated that it is.

Ms. Moore stated that; she does not want separate analysis of projects and prioritization; adjustments to staffing should reflect the scope of work.

Gayle McLaughlin stated that she would like to see prioritization of projects and raised dues may be in order but she expressed concern about the impact raised dues might have on Richmond. She emphasized that pensions should be of high priority.

Chair Brown announced recommendation of a small committee and confirmed the appointment of members Ed Balico, Maria Viramontes, and Jerry Parsons.

Maria Alegria stated regarding the committee members, that the committee should revisit Lisa’s position and analyze the future scope of work.

Vice-Chair Viramontes asked if members could provide feedback about the issue of the project manager position with regard to the position being in-house vs. contracted.

Ed Balico expressed his view that a full time in house project manager would be the best course of action.

Chair Brown stated that her city manager said he had no problem with salary increases and increased staffing as appropriate.

Chair Brown stated that she did not know where West County would be without WCCTAC and reminded the jurisdictions to be mindful of WCCTAC’s value to each jurisdiction. She also reminded the Board that one year dues were foregone due to a budget surplus. She emphasized that WCCTAC’s value reaches beyond transportation issues alone.

Ms. Hammon noted that she would try to meet in the next week and send out email notification to the Board regarding this issue.

Sharon Brown noted that the individual jurisdictions should notify their finance directors and city officers.

Item 15: Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Projects

Postponed until next meeting

With no further business to come before the WCCTAC Board, Chair Brown adjourned the meeting at 9:30 AM, until the next meeting on April 27, 2007 at 7:30 AM at the San Pablo City Council Chambers, 13831 San Pablo Avenue, San Pablo, CA 94806.