WCCTAC

West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee

MINUTES

October 31, 2003

The regular meeting of the West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee was called to order at 7:33 a.m. by Chair Abelson 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 Janet Abelson (El Cerrito), Tom Butt (Richmond) , Mindell Penn (Richmond), Sharon Brown (San Pablo), Jerrold Parsons (WestCAT), Maria Alegria (Pinole), Kris Valstad (Hercules), Maria Viramontes (Richmond), Joe Wallace (AC Transit)

ABSENT: Lynette Sweet (BART), John Gioia (Contra Costa County)

STAFF: Lisa Hammon, WCCTAC Managing Director

Linda Young, WCCTAC Transportation Project Specialist

Elaine Fielding, WCCTAC Administrative Assistant

Hisham Noeimi, CCTA Staff

2. Public Comment

None.

3. Certificate of Commendation to Former WCCTAC Board Member Joel Keller

The Chair, on behalf of the WCCTAC Board, presented Joel Keller with a certificate acknowledging his many years of service on WCCTAC.

CONSENT CALENDAR

On motion by Sharon Brown, seconded by Joe Wallace and carried unanimously, the WCCTAC approved the Consent Calendar.

4.. The Minutes and Sign-In Sheets from the September 26, 2003 Meeting were approved.

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

6. The Board authorized the Chair to sign the Agreement with Summer Brenner for consulting services.

7. The Board authorized the Chair to sign the Agreement to the Employment Contract with the Managing Director.

8. The Board received the Auburn to Oakland Regional Rail Update.

9. The Board received notice of the vacancies that exist on the Citizens Advisory Committee to the CCTA.

10. The Board authorized the Chair to sign a Professional Services Agreement with Ove Arup and Partners, following review and approval by the WCCTAC’s Advising Attorney.

11. The Board approved the recommendations outlined in a staff memo to spend TFCA Funds and Measure C Funds on Expanded/New Projects.

12. The Board received the Transportation 2030 (Regional Transportation Plan) Project List.

13. The Board authorized the Chair to sign the Co-Operative Agreement between WCCTAC and CCTA for FY03-04 Transportation Fund for Clean Air Projects, once approved by WCCTAC’s Advising Attorney.

14. The Board approved the WCCTAC Office Schedule for the upcoming holidays as presented by Staff.

ACTION ITEMS:

15. WCCTAC Board Retreat - Revised Approach and Potential Date

The Managing Director proposed January 16, 2004, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for the Board Retreat. All members present indicated they would be available to attend a retreat on this day. The Managing Director will poll the alternates to determine their availability. The members agreed they wish to discuss general transportation information, Measure C renewal and project funding and implementation. The Managing Director will develop a more detailed agenda to be presented at the December meeting.

Maria Alegria requested information be presented at the retreat on how all the cities could integrate land use and smart growth along common corridors, e.g. San Pablo Avenue.

16. Revised Proposal from Nelson/Nygaard for Additional Outreach Related to the Measure C Transportation Sales Tax Renewal

Linda Rhine, Nelson/Nygaard, presented a revised outreach proposal following receipt of comments from the September WCCTAC Board meeting. The consultant will request participation at upcoming scheduled meetings in the community to present information on Measure C and obtain feedback on the draft Expenditure Plan, and will also encourage participation by offering cash incentives to community agencies/organizations. The consultant proposes to work closely with WCCTAC staff to attend and present information at scheduled meetings. Detailed summaries following each meeting will be prepared and included in a final comprehensive summary of West Count residents’ common concerns. The consultant will also attend local events, fairs and other popular activities where they will host mini-stations to provide information to the public.

The members requested that outreach efforts be as evenly distributed among the West County area as possible.

17. Confirm Date for November/December WCCTAC Board Meeting and Discuss West County BART Station Tour

The Managing Director proposed December 12, 2003, 7:30 a.m. as the combined November/December meeting for the Board. She also proposed a walking tour of the BART stations in West County following the meeting hosted by BART staff. Transportation will be provided or members can travel independently.

Maria Alegria requested Richmond staff also be present on the tour to discuss the transit village.

INFORMATION ITEMS:

18. Update on the Contra Costa Commute Alternative Network (CCCAN) Program

Linda Young provided an update on the CCCAN Program, highlighting the Rideshare Thursday program; the Regional bicycle map; and the Guaranteed Ride Home program.

19. Update on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge Project

Saeed Shahmirzai, Ugen Luyahg and Bob Haus, Caltrans, provided an update on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge Project.

Members suggested more use of signage to alert drivers of the upcoming construction delays, as well as a sign indicating the speed at which travel is safe over the metal plates. They also offered to air the Caltrans video on this project on the local cable channels.

20. Correspondence/Other Information:

Incoming:

TRANSPAC meeting notes, September 22, 2003.

Letter form AC Transit re: RTP projects – October 9, 2003.

Items approved for circulation from CCTA, October 16, 2003.

Outgoing:

Letter to Bijan Sartipi, Caltrans re: Highway 4 pavement – September 26, 2003.

Letter to Thomas Margro, BART re: representation on WCCTAC – October 6, 2003.

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

“Queen of the Road re: Pierce/Central,” September 28, 2003.

“Richmond Greenway to Wait,” October 1, 2003.

“Carquinez Strait Span is Almost Completed,” October 2, 2003.

“Shaping our Future Seeks Cities’ Support,” October 3, 2003.

MTC News Release – “SB 916 Enacted,” October 10, 2003.

“Rapid Bus Gets Official Welcome Celebration,” October 10, 2003.

“Safe Routes to Transit Program Gains Ground,” Email from East Bay Bicycle Coalition, October 11, 2003.

“East County BART Plan in Jeopardy,” October 11, 2003.

Water Transit Authority Press Release – “State of CA Approves Major Ferry Expansion Plan,” October 13, 2003.

SF Chronicle, “Carquinez Span to Open Nov. 8, a Week Early,” October 17, 2003.

Conferences/Workshops:

Town Hall Meeting Sponsored by the West County Senior Coalition – October 31, 2003 at the Richmond Art Center.

City Center Renaissance Conference, December 8 and 9 in Los Angeles.

Planning, Zoning, and Eminent Domain, December 10 – 12 in San Francisco.

3^rd Annual New Partners for Smart Growth, January 22 – 24 in Portland.

21. Board Member Comments/Reports

None.

22. Other Business

None.

With no further business to come before the WCCTAC, Chair Abelson adjourned the meeting at 9:17 a.m. The regular meeting of the WCCTAC will be conducted at 7:30 a.m., December 12, 2003, 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