COUNCIL INFRASTRUCTURE &
AIRPORT COMMITTEE
MEETING
JUNE 26, 2024
DOCUMENTS RECEIVED AFTER
PUBLISHED AGENDA
HAYWARD
DATE:
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT
April 24, 2024
Council Infrastructure & Airport Committee
Director of Public Works
April 24 Council Infrastructure & Airport Committee Meeting Minutes This serves to amend the April 24 Council I nfrastructure & Airport C ommittee meeting minutes to correct typographical errors.
1) Page Six, currently reads:
"
COMMITT EE MEMBER/STAFF A NNOUNCEMENTS A ND REFERRALS
There was one."
Proposed to read:
"COMMITT EE MEMBER/STAFF A NNOUNCEMENTS A ND REFERRALS
There wer e none. ”
COUNCIL INFRASTRUCTURE & AIRPORT COMMITTEE MEETING
Hybrid Participation - Digital Zoom Meeting/Conference Room 2A
April 24, 2024
5:30 p.m.
MEETING MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER: Meeting called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Mayor Salinas.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present:
• Angela Andrews, City Council Member, Mayor Pro Tempore • George Syrop, City Council Member
• Mark Salinas, Mayor
Staff Present:
• Alex Ameri, Director of Public Works
• Kathy Garcia, Deputy Director of Public Works
• Dustin Claussen, Interim City Manager
• Judy Phung, Senior Secretary
• Colin Patterson, Associate Transportation Planner
• Hugh Louch, Deputy Director of Public Works - Transportation
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Mary Clements, a resident of the SkyWest Townhomes in Hayward, expressed her concerns about the draining of the front pond at the SkyWest Golf Course, which has resulted in the death of three out of four domestic geese, leaving one remaining goose that is unlikely to survive as the pond continues to dry up. She inquired about the plans for the pond given its current state. Additionally, she raised an issue regarding the mature trees along her property line and the golf course, noting that three large trees had fallen in February. With summer approaching, she questioned the plans for tree maintenance, observing that while the grass is being maintained, the trees are not being cut. She mentioned having consulted her tree service to remove a significant portion of a tree that had overextended into her property.
Tyler Dragoni, a resident of Hayward, commented on the holiday of Earth Day, emphasizing that it was created because human beings are the only creatures on the planet capable of speaking on behalf of the Earth, which cannot speak for itself. He stated that the purpose of Earth Day is to speak and defend those that cannot defend themselves against human actions. Dragoni expressed concern over the City's handling of SkyWest, accusing it of neglect until the situation becomes a worse problem for residents. He added that when the City finally does move and position itself to develop the area, the people will be so fed up with the dumping, blight, and fire hazards that the political conversation will shift in favor of the destruction and desecration of one of the last natural preserves, which this neighborhood needs.
Mimi Dean, a member of the public, commented that she took a walk that morning at SkyWest and observed the first pond nearly dry with cracked mud, which raised her concern for the western pond turtles residing there. She echoed earlier public comments emphasizing the need to speak up for animals and not neglect them, as neglect would lead to their suffering. Dean mentioned that she had emailed the Director of Public Works on April 7th about the condition of the pond but had not received a response. She described the green space at SkyWest as magnificent, noting the birds chirping and critters running around, and expressed her confusion and concern over the plan to cut down mature trees to plant six-month-old trees, which didn't make sense to her. Additionally, she pointed out the neglected state of the clubhouse, with weeds growing around it, and asked if there could be an agreement to maintain this beautiful place, stressing that the neighborhood needs open space.
1. Approval of Minutes of the Council Airport Committee (CAC) Meeting Held on October 25, 2023
The item was moved by Council Member (CM) Andrews, seconded by CM Syrop, and approved unanimously.
2. Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) Improvements, Phase II - Project Update
Director Ameri provided a synopsis of the staff report and introduced Utilities Engineering Manager, Suzan England, and Water Pollution Control Facility Manager, David Donovan who presented a PowerPoint presentation.
Public Comments
There were none.
Committee Questions / Discussion
Council member Andrews sought clarification on several financial and project management aspects related to the Phase II Project, particularly regarding construction costs and guarantees. Council member Andrews mentioned hearing about the state revolving funds (SRF) being considered for a lot more facilities. She inquired whether the SRF program would prioritize projects. She also asked about the availability of funds under the Self- Generation Incentive Grant (SGIP) and if lobbying efforts from Council Members expressing support for funding could influence the availability or prioritization of SGIP funds or other funding sources.
Council member Syrop commended staff for the comprehensive report and sought clarification on page 2 of 9 regarding the statement that the project would reduce nutrients by 50% by 2034 and whether the City’s share of this reduction would indeed be 50%. He raised concerns about the potential increase in sewer service rates to meet this requirement, noting that it might be unavoidable. He also inquired about the relationship
between the commercial side and the residential side concerning zero connection fees and its impact on economic development.
Mayor Salinas inquired whether other cities are exploring similar options and having the same conversations. He wondered if there were a large grant that all cities would need to compete for and questioned if there were any collegial relationships with other cities that would help in understanding what funding is available. Mayor Salinas questioned the timeline, noting that the anticipated construction for the Phase II Project would commence in the next year or two. He expressed concerns about whether there would be enough contractors available to undertake the project.
Council member Syrop circled back to the issue of service rates, particularly focusing on the potential impact for low-income. He inquired if there are any federal or state subsidies available for low-income utility costs and whether the City plans to pursue such subsidies as it begins the process of adjusting rates. Council member Syrop further suggested exploring creative policy solutions to reclassify parts of the utility program outside of the enterprise fund structure. He proposed considering innovative approaches to attract funding to help subsidize rates.
3. Review of Recommended Capital Improvement Program for FY25 - FY34
Director Ameri provided a synopsis of the staff report and introduced Management Analyst, Michael Wolny who presented a PowerPoint presentation.
Public Comments
Tyler Dragoni, a resident of Hayward, commented that while biking down Martin Luther King Jr. Way in Hayward and crossing into Alameda, Tyler wondered about the history of Alameda and how it transitioned from a peninsula to an island due to federal government actions. He questioned the federal government's allocation of funds towards military projects and international ventures, contrasting this with the impact on local ratepayers in Hayward who may face increased costs for basic services.
He discussed various city
projects, including La Vista Park and the undergrounding at Sulphur Creek. He suggested using the former SkyWest golf course as a potential mitigation site. Tyler raised concerns about the financial impact of the Hayward Executive Airport, specifically questioning whether the $43 million in capital improvements are beneficial to Hayward taxpayers. He proposed considering alternative uses for the airport, such as transforming it into an industrial park, given changes in technology and usage patterns of airports.
Mimi Dean, a member of the public, had expressed concerns about the lack of park space and open areas in the flatlands northwest of Hayward, particularly in comparison to SkyWest. She pointed out that there are ample park spaces at the end of Tennyson, but comparatively little park and open space in northwest Hayward. She echoed concerns about Sulphur Creek underground, noting that the lack of space for mitigation work has
been a longstanding issue. She suggested that SkyWest could be an ideal location for such mitigation efforts; and urged to thoroughly examine how funds are being allocated and to consider the potential for transforming SkyWest into a significant asset for the community.
Committee Questions / Discussion
Council member Syrop questioned the allocation of funding from the airport capital and expressed excitement about the report, commending the efforts to make the budget more accessible through OpenGov Stories. He echoed concerns raised earlier about SkyWest, particularly regarding the water situation and maintenance issues, and hoped these concerns would be addressed. Council member Syrop expressed satisfaction with the prioritization of traffic calming measures and investments in various local neighborhood projects benefiting schools and seniors, highlighting the city's attention to diverse demographics. He sought clarification on Measure C and its implementation, specifically referencing a PowerPoint presentation that outlined proposed changes and inquiring if the projects underneath the amounts are affected projects or whether it is listed as a project that will be touched on in the future.
Council member Andrews commented that she had identified the facilities assessments but sought clarity if there were any other assessments that are being tracked as a part of the individual funds. She questioned how the previous item aligns with the master plan, whether adjustments were made, or if it was identified in the regional master plan.
Mayor Salinas suggested the idea of sharing a courtyard with the Hayward Unified School District and questioned whether this possibility had been explored or deemed feasible. He expressed his belief that such an arrangement would represent a strong partnership between the City of Hayward and the school district. Mayor Salinas referenced the LaVista Park project on Tennyson, highlighting the seamless integration of the park with adjacent developments, particularly the partnership between the City and Eden Housing. This partnership resulted in the creation of 176 units of 100% affordable housing. He further mentioned plans for a major destination park in conjunction with affordable housing for various income levels, as well as a potential school facility.
The item was moved by Council member Andrews, seconded by Mayor Salinas, and approved unanimously for recommendation to Council.
4. Updated Guidelines for Installation of Speed Humps – Discuss and Recommend to Council
Director Ameri provided a synopsis of the staff report and introduced Deputy Director of Public Works Transportation, Hugh Louch, and Associate Transportation Planner, Colin Patterson, who presented a PowerPoint presentation.
Public Comments
There were none.
Committee Questions / Discussion
Council member Syrop praised the staff for their presentation, expressing his anticipation for it even before his tenure on the City Council. He conveyed excitement about the progress made, noting that the timeline for the initiative dated back to 2002. In reference to the discussion about reimagining public safety, Council member Syrop emphasized the potential for this approach to reduce traffic fatalities and alleviate concerns parents may have about their children's safety when navigating streets.
Council member Andrews raised a pertinent question regarding the possibility of identifying areas where sideshows occur and prioritizing those locations for interventions such as the installation of speed tables. She suggested focusing on areas with open spaces where sideshows commonly occur, rather than just targeting intersections. Council member Andrews highlighted the importance of addressing not only the intersections themselves but also the routes leading to them, as disruptions along these routes can influence individuals' decisions to participate in sideshows. Council member Andrews inquired about the implementation of speed bumps around school locations. She asked whether there is a system in place to ensure that speed bumps are installed and maintained in areas where schools are relocated, ensuring these safety measures remain up to date.
The item was moved by Council member Syrop, seconded by Council member Andrews, and approved unanimously for recommendation to Council.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Council member Andrews requested updates on the following items: (1) Orchard Avenue Traffic Calming Project; (2) She sought an update on the Gading Road Complete Streets Project; (3) She inquired about the installation of decorative street lights on Tennyson Road, specifically asking if they could be designed to resemble those on Mission Boulevard; (4) She requested information on potential collaborations with the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District (H.A.R.D.) and the Hayward Unified School District (H.U.S.D.) to address dog waste solutions; (5) She asked for an update on the Access Hayward website project, focusing on its development, implementation, and how it is serving the community’s needs for information and services.
Council member Syrop echoed Council member Andrews' request for an update on the neighborhood traffic point project. He suggested making it a standing item to regularly review the project's status, specifically seeking information on resident engagement, the nature of the comments received, and how feedback is being incorporated. Additionally, Council member Syrop commended staff for the installation of 12 bus benches that were presented at the City Council meeting. He inquired about the timeline for the installation of the remaining 11 bus benches, seeking to understand when these additional benches would be completed and available for public use.
COMMITTEE MEMBER/STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REFERRALS
There were none.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Salinas adjourned the meeting at 7:10 p.m.
MEETINGS
Attendance
Present
04/24/2024
Meeting
Present
to Date
This
Fiscal
Year
Excused
to Date
This Fiscal
Year
Absent
to Date This
Fiscal Year
Angela Andrews ✓ 2 0 0
Mark Salinas ✓ 2 0 0
George Syrop ✓ 2 0 0