CRESCEN
* ARCT)
1854
CALIFORNI REDWOOD COAST TRANSIT
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY
AND THE
REDWOOD COAST TRANSIT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MINUTES
Flynn Center
981 H Street
CRESCENT CITY, CA 95531
MONDAY JANUARY 23, 2023 6:00 P.M.
OPEN SESSION
Redwood Coast Transit Board of Directors
Call to order Chairman Altman called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Roll call Directors present: Director Valerie Starkey, Director Vidette Roberts, Vice Chair Darrin Short, and Chairman Ray Altman
City Council
Call to order Mayor Wright called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Roll call Council Members present: Council Member Ray Altman, Council Member Jason Greenough, Council Member Kelly Schellong, Mayor Pro Tem Blake Inscore, and Mayor Isaiah Wright
Staff present: City Manager Eric Wier, City Attorney Martha Rice, and City Clerk/Administrative Analyst Robin Altman
Pledge of Allegiance led by Chairman Altman
NEW BUSINESS
1. Front Street Transit Hub Site Selection
• • Recommendation: Hear staff report
Technical questions from the Board/Council
• Receive public comment
• Further Board/Council discussion
• Give staff direction regarding preferred location of the transit hub City of Crescent City/Redwood Coast Transit
Special Meeting Minutes
January 23, 2023
• If appropriate for the transit hub location, direct staff to bring back an Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the City / RCT Board for the use of public property
Redwood Coast Transit General Manager Joe Rye reported to the Board and Council that as previously discussed, there were concerns of transient activity at the transit hub proposed location at the library. There will be staff down there all day to answer questions about the service as well together plans for two sites for both locations for consideration. Jeff Schwein, of Green Dot meeting and incorporated it into the plans being presented this evening. This project will bring millions of dollars into the community as the current status is not providing the same type of service. Riders and drivers need a place to rest as well as have restrooms to use. Having a staff member kiosk at the transit will support both riders as well as drivers. Engineering and Design has not been done yet, however, these projects are always successful and improve the community. The Library site is a larger site that serves the Library, Wild Rivers Foundation and has electric vehicle charging stations. The entire parking lot will need to be reconstructed to meet the present needs. There will be traffic flow through the northern half of the parking lot as well as preserving parking stalls as well as improving pedestrian safety, traffic will not be allowed in the bus lanes and the charging spots would not be moved. For the Front and H Street location, it's next to the Surf Apartments and across from the Park. The entire parking lot will be used for the transit hub, unlike the other location. There will be a few parking spaces for staff as well as the required handicapped parking spaces. This is a $2-3million project and Transit Intercity Capital Program is a good source of funding. RCTA is doing a joint application with Humboldt Transit Authority; other funding is the SB1 Rural Connectivity Program, SB39, RAISE program, Build Back Better, IGA, and capital investment grants. Grants will be pursued over the next several months, design and environmental work, and then under construction in Fall or Winter of 2023-
24. Director Starkey asked if the estimated cost was for both sites; Mr. Schwein answered in the affirmative. Council Member Schellong asked how the bringing millions of dollars to the community, how was that determined; Mr. Schwein stated there is no quantifiable data, however public investment has always, in time, brought in more investments. Council Member Schellong asked about the Farmers Market and have discussions been held in regards to being moved elsewhere; City Manager Wier answered that there were a few alternative locations offered to Billie Kaye Tygart, representative for the Farmers Market. Council Member Schellong asked how many buses and how long they will be there; Manager Rye stated 2 buses at a time and they would not be there 24 hours. Council Member Schellong asked about staffing; Manager Rye stated the kiosk would be staffed from 7am- 7pm. Council Member Schellong asked about the maintenance of the restroom; City Manager Wier stated that would be evaluated. Manager Rye stated that having a site selected, which is the requested action tonight, is a benefit to the application for funding. Jeff Schwein stated that the cost estimates will come in within the next three weeks. Director Short asked if 6 months for CEQA and Planning, is that an timeline being its in the Coastal Zone; Mr. Schwien stated it is ambitious, however the site is already developed. City Manager Wier clarified that these locations are actually outside of the Coastal Zoning. Council Member Schellong asked the Board what feedback they had from the stakeholders regarding the Library; Director Starkey had the same question; City Manager Wier stated that the main concern was loss of parking and safety of the site with transient activity. The manning of the kiosk will definitely help mitigate the safety concerns. Chief Griffin was present at the stakeholders meeting as well to answer any questions. City Manager Wier went over plans to discuss with public for the Beachfront Park Master Plan which included the transit hub being in the library parking lot.
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Special Meeting Minutes
January 23, 2023
Director Starkey stated that both locations are good with pros and cons.
The following public comment was received:
Kevin Hartwick: stated that with current rules in public parking lots, enforcement is difficult, so rules can be changed. Having the riders taken care of and a location close to the Cultural Center for tourists will help bring money into the community. Safety is a huge concern for those who have businesses, etc in the area.
Fernando Hernandez, RCT Operations Manager: manpower is there for the transit hub.
Director Roberts concurred with Manager Hernandez; Director Short stated that the Board hears the concerns for safety. Council Member Schellong asked who will own the building; City Manager Wier stated that RCT will own it, the City will maintain it. Council Member Schellong asked if there were any cost projections for the maintenance; City Manager Wier stated that he would review the janitorial services contract and the design itself will need to be reviewed. Council Member Schellong asked about Urban Campgrounds for relocating the transients to that location; Chief Griffin explained how the Urban Campgrounds work. The rules in the parking lot for vehicles is that they can park in public parking places for 72 hours, and after moving 1,000 feet, can come back afterwards for another 72 hours. Director Roberts asked if by putting the transit hub at that location, would it eliminate having people camp in the parking lot; Chief Griffin stated that camping is not allowed within the City limits, only being able to "rest". Director Roberts stated that she has seen RVs parked in those places; Chief Griffin stated that oversized vehicles are only allowed 8 hours, but after being moved 1,000 feet, they can return for another 8 hours. Council Member Schellong asked if this State law; Chief Griffin answered that it is State Law. Council Member Schellong asked what if you are paying for parking; Chief Griffin stated that with a permit or pass from Redwood Coast Transit it would be allowable. Mayor Pro Tem Inscore asked for clarification on the language in the MOU that says "leasing" and wanted to make sure we were not leasing the property to RCT, only cost recovery for general maintenance; City Manager Wier stated that either would be options. Council Member Schellong asked if there was any future plans for businesses at locations; City Manager Wier stated that the site that has the most benefit for economic development is the H to I Street location because there are buildings with apartments above and business space above. If Crescent City ever have a parking problem, that would be a good thing. Council Member Schellong asked how many parking spaces are planned for Front Street; City Manager Wier stated 15 parking spaces per block. Council Member Schellong stated that parking near the Veterans Monument is very important for people to access the Monument.
Council Member Greenough asked if there was a potential to partner with RCT for the RAISE grant funds, etc; City Manager Wier stated that yes, some of these are transit only, others are transportation. We are currently working with Elk Valley Rancheria for the next round of funding for the RAISE grant. Clean California and the Coastal Conservancy are other potential sources of funding. Mayor Pro Tem Inscore stated that the most pressing need is housing, therefore if you want State funding for housing there is a connectivity for that and having access to transit. He stated that he prefers the Library Parking Lot location as the Cultural Center could be re- envisioned. Mayor Wright asked if there are plans for a charging station for electric buses; Manager Rye stated that the application they are applying for are 6 electric buses as well as a charging station. Chairman Altman stated that the RCTA Board had already chosen a location.
Director Roberts stated her decision was changed after tonight's meeting; Director Short stated that the Board had chosen the H& I location, but he is now rethinking his choice.
There were no comments from the public
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Special Meeting Minutes
January 23, 2023
On a motion by Mayor Pro Tem Inscore, seconded by Council Member Schellong, and carried unanimously on a 5-0 polled vote, the City Council of the City of Crescent City gave staff direction that the preferred location of the transit hub would be the Library parking lot located at K Street and Front Street.
On a motion by Vice-Chair Short, seconded by Director Schellong, and carried unanimously on a 5-0 polled vote, the Redwood Coast Transit Authority Board of Directors gave staff direction that the preferred location of the transit hub would be the Library parking lot located at K Street and Front Street and directed staff to bring back an Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the City / RCT Board for the use of public property
The Council was in unanimous consensus to direct staff to bring back an Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the City / RCT Board for the use of public property
ADJOURNMENT
Redwood Coast Transit Board of Directors:
There being no further business to come before the Board of Directors, Chairman Altman adjourned the meeting at 7:28 p.m. to the regular meeting of the Redwood Coast Transit Board of Directors scheduled for February 27, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. at the Flynn Center, 981 H Street, Crescent City, CA 95531.
City Council:
There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Wright adjourned the meeting at 7:28 p.m. to the workshop for the City Council of the City of Crescent City and the Measure S Oversight Committee scheduled for January 30, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. at the Wastewater Treatment Facility, 210 Battery Street, Crescent City, CA 95531.
ATTEST:
Paltran
Robin Altman
City Clerk/Administrative Analyst
City of Crescent City
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