Official Minutes for CI&AC Meeting on October 23, 2024
Minutes were approved by the CI&AC on February 26, 2025
COUNCIL INFRASTRUCTURE & AIRPORT COMMITTEE MEETING
Hybrid Participation - Digital Zoom Meeting/Hayward Executive Airport
October 23, 2024
5:30 p.m.
MEETING MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER: Meeting called to order at 5:32 p.m. by Chair Salinas.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present:
Angela Andrews, City Council Member
George Syrop, City Council Member
Mark Salinas, Mayor/ Chair
Staff Present:
Alex Ameri, Director of Public Works
Amber Parras, Senior Secretary
Douglas McNeeley, Airport Manager
Hugh Louch, Deputy Director of Public Works – Transportation Lucas Woodward, Senior Transportation Engineer
Pamela Svrdlin, Airport Operations Supervisor
Jhay Delos Reyes, Alameda CTC
Kanda Raj, Alameda County Transportation Commission
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mimi Dean, a community member, shared that she heard an airplane passing by while lying in bed and raised questions regarding the types of monitors used, where they were located, and the specific services they provide to the community.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Approval of Minutes of the Council Infrastructure & Airport Committee (CIAC) Meeting Held on August 28, 2024
The item was moved by CM Andrews, seconded by CM Syrop, and approved unanimously.
REPORTS/ACTION ITEMS
2. East Bay Greenway Multimodal Project - Status Update
Deputy Director of Public Works -Transportation Louch provided a synopsis of the staff report and Senior Transportation Engineer Woodward presented a PowerPoint presentation.
Public Comments
Robert Prinz, Advocacy Director with Bike East Bay, expressed gratitude for the presentation and the ongoing work of the Committee. He raised concerns about the complexity of the streets parallel to Mission Boulevard, noting that specific design details were not discussed in the presentation. He emphasized the importance of establishing clear metrics for an all-ages-and-abilities low-stress bikeway, which should include specific guidelines for shared lane segments. He referenced NACTO's recommendations for an average measured speed of 20 miles per hour or less, with under 2,000 vehicles per day and no more than 50 vehicles per hour during peak times. He highlighted the need to follow Caltrans' new complete streets guidance for protected bikeways, recommending a minimum width of at least six feet, ideally seven feet, outside of the gutter pan. He urged the committee to prioritize adherence to these guidelines in the project's design, ensuring it provides a truly accessible and low-stress experience for all users, rather than focusing solely on the type of bikeway.
Alejandro Jasso, a Hayward resident and member of Bike Hayward, expressed gratitude for the work done on the project, highlighting his positive experience participating in the active transportation working group doing bike and walk audits. He emphasized the importance of connecting schools and protecting bike lanes but raised concerns about the switching of bike lanes from one side to another. He acknowledged the challenges posed by speed bumps, stating that while they allow emergency vehicles to pass, they are not effective for pedestrian crossings. He encouraged the committee to look into implementing raised crossings like those on Fairview Avenue, as they could help ensure vehicles slow down at critical points, ultimately benefiting both cyclists and pedestrians.
Tyler Dragoni, a Hayward resident, expressed strong concerns regarding the decision to remove the alignment from Mission Boulevard, stating that the choice lacked transparency and that the supporting data was not made available to the public. Mr. Dragoni suggested that the decision to alter the alignment might have been politically motivated, stating that prioritizing residents' needs would have been the easier argument. He questioned why engineers did not discuss specific plans for the project, including the implications of closing off Silva Avenue as part of the new alignment. He concluded by affirming his support for the overall project but stressed that the chosen approach could present significant political challenges moving forward.
Dario Duentas, a member of the public, commented on the project, stating that while it is a great idea, its effectiveness depends on usability. He acknowledged the community outreach efforts but raised concerns about the significant bike pileups often seen, which he described as unsafe, even with riders wearing helmets. He questioned how the project plans to address these issues and funnel cyclists into safe areas, as he didn't see that connection in the presentation. He emphasized the need for the bike lane project to align with safe biking practices in Hayward, highlighting that safety measures are currently lacking.
Committee Member’s Comments
CM Syrop expressed overall support for the plan and appreciation for the thought and effort put into it. CM Syrop requested clarification on the decision to remove the project from Mission Boulevard, highlighting that this question has surfaced multiple times. He referenced the public comment regarding Whitman Street, noting that the area sees significant parking use, especially in working-class neighborhoods. He suggested exploring options that prioritize data on community needs, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with local stakeholders. He also raised the distinction between business and residential parking, suggesting that businesses with ample parking lots might not require as much on-street parking.
He questioned whether an alternative alignment might be feasible and proposed exploring segments that run parallel to Mission Boulevard without extending all the way to Jackson Street. He suggested that a route that briefly intersects with Mission Boulevard before returning to a parallel path could potentially preserve more residential parking. He noted that although he understands the practical reasons behind the changes, he wanted to know what other alternatives were considered besides Mission Boulevard.
CM Andrews commended staff for their presentation and sought clarification on the outreach efforts, particularly asking whether pop-up events had been organized or if outreach was conducted during school events. She noted the significant development along Mission Boulevard, including both residential projects and new amenities, and emphasized the impacts these changes have brought. She acknowledged the City's efforts to mitigate and manage these impacts and inquired whether there are plans for a detailed review of Mission Boulevard before the project moves forward, especially if it is already underway.
She suggested implementing temporary measures or demonstrations, such as pop-up events at the proposed locations or nearby schools, to provide the community with a tangible preview of the project's potential impact prior to full implementation.
Mayor Salinas emphasized that the project is currently at the conceptualization stage, seeking clarification that no immediate actions, such as parking elimination or street modifications, would be undertaken at this time. He reiterated the importance of effective community outreach, aligning with Council Member Andrews' earlier remarks, to ensure thorough engagement during the project's planning and development phases. Mayor Salinas emphasized the importance of the three schools located along that corridor emphasizing that if the goal is to promote biking, walking, and local transportation for students, it is currently very difficult to do so safely. Mayor Salinas highlighted two primary concerns: speeding throughout the city, noting that speeding on Whitman Road is even more prevalent than on Mission Boulevard. He pointed out issues specific to Mission Boulevard, particularly the stretch between Fletcher and Carlos Bee or Orchard. He noted that the area is often congested, with cars parked illegally in front of businesses such as the tobacco store and ice cream shop, creating significant challenges for vehicles trying to navigate or exit the area. Mayor Salinas further expressed concerns about proposals to reduce Mission Boulevard's width to accommodate bike lanes. He described the idea as impractical, emphasizing that it would likely lead to even greater congestion, especially during peak hours between 2 PM and 6 PM.
Lastly, Mayor Salinas proposed memorializing Mr. Pena, a long-time bike rider and advocate, in the project's plans. He referenced a tragic accident that occurred about a year ago at Mission Boulevard and Orchard Avenue, suggesting that the Orchard Corridor, Silva Corridor, or even the Whitman Corridor could be named in his honor. He recommended calling it the "Pena Gateway" or "Pena Pathway" as the project progresses, recognizing Mr.
Pena’s contributions to the biking community.
CM Andrews raised a question about parking permissions and enforcement, noting the increasing development along Mission Boulevard. She mentioned that with more traffic on Mission Boulevard, she wasn't sure if it was mutually exclusive to have different types of bike lanes on Mission Boulevard versus Whitman. While she had not yet reviewed the study, she inquired whether it would be possible to look into the situation with businesses that are occupying street space with parked cars for extended periods, sometimes not moving for weeks and asked if this issue would be addressed either as part of the current project or through zoning regulations.
3. ORAL REPORT: SkyWest Property Update
Airport Manager McNeeley provided a synopsis of the staff report and presented a PowerPoint presentation.
Public Comments
Tyler Dragoni, a Hayward resident, commended staff for the update and emphasized the importance of maintaining SkyWest, noting its significance in a predominantly Black and Brown neighborhood. He highlighted that SkyWest provides an important recreational space for residents, including people walking their dogs, elderly individuals using canes, and others rehabilitating. Mr. Dragoni pointed out that SkyWest is a revenue source for the City but expressed concern about the potential to prioritize revenue generation at the expense of community needs. He concluded by expressing the belief that the airport should not be expanded with more hangars.
Mimi Dean, a community member, shared a concerning story about witnessing a fire truck trying to leave the fire station on Winton Avenue but being unable to do so due to heavy traffic. The truck had to navigate down the wrong side of the street to proceed, which she found frightening. She expressed concern about how closing off SkyWest Road might further congest Winton Avenue, potentially making it even more difficult for emergency vehicles to navigate. Ms. Dean urged the city to consider the impact on the fire station when making traffic-related decisions and to consult traffic engineers on this issue. She also raised a question about the involvement of the USDA with turtles and wondered if it was related to the Alameda County Resource Conservation District. She mentioned she had been studying flood maps, expressed concern that the area designated for proposed industrial development may be prone to flooding unless significant mitigation efforts are implemented. Ms. Dean reiterated her support for preserving SkyWest as a recreational space for Hayward residents, particularly those in the northwest part of the city, who currently have limited access to park space.
Committee Member’s Comments
CM Andrews inquired about the time frame regarding the ponds, asking if any developments or actions were currently taking place.
CM Syrop expressed satisfaction with the ongoing efforts to address the ponds and inquired whether any discussions had been held regarding policy development or further building out related initiatives. He also raised the question of whether the city had engaged with other regional park districts, such as the California Department of Parks and Recreation (CDPR), to assist with the maintenance costs at the airport. He suggested exploring opportunities for these agencies to help manage the park's maintenance needs or if current staffing resources were adequate to meet the ongoing demands. Recognizing the park as an asset to the community, CM Syrop expressed concerns about dedicating city resources to maintaining such a large space and proposed the idea of a short-term agreement or contract with external parties to alleviate the burden on city staff while ensuring the park is properly cared for. He emphasized the importance of balancing the park’s community value with the efficient use of city resources.
4. ORAL REPORT: Taxiways Zulu & A1 - Project Update
Airport Manager McNeeley provided a synopsis of the staff report and presented a PowerPoint presentation.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
5. Proposed 2024/2025 Planning Calendar: Review and Comment
Director of Public Works Ameri provided a synopsis of the City’s Pavement Condition Index (PCI) and delivered a PowerPoint presentation to outline the status and related details.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Salinas adjourned the meeting at 6:55 p.m.
MEETINGS
Attendance
Present
10/23/24
Meeting
Present
to Date This
Fiscal Year
Excused
to Date This
Fiscal Year
Absent
to Date This
Fiscal Year
Angela Andrews ✓ 5 0 0
Mark Salinas ✓ 5 0 0
George Syrop ✓ 5 0 0