TRANSPAC Committee Meeting Summary Minutes
MEETING DATE: November 10, 2022
MEMBERS PRESENT: Loella Haskew, Walnut Creek (Chair); Peter Cloven, Clayton (Vice Chair); Tim McGallian, Concord; Sue
Noack, Pleasant Hill; Karen Mitchoff, Contra Costa
County
PLANNING COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Diana Vavrek, Pleasant Hill STAFF PRESENT: Melody Reebs, County Connection; Celestine Do, BART; John Cunningham, Contra Costa County;
Ananthan Kanagasundaram, Pleasant Hill; Lynne
Filson, Martinez; Matt Todd, TRANSPAC Managing
Director; and Tiffany Gephart, TRANSPAC Clerk
GUESTS/PRESENTERS: Cris Lepe; MDUSD; Julie Carpenter, MDUSD; Matt Kelly, CCTA; Colin Clarke, CCTA; John Hoang, CCTA;
David Early, Placeworks; Raul Tovar, Placeworks;
Charlie Knox, Placeworks. Martin Engelmann,
Stantec
MINUTES PREPARED BY: Tiffany Gephart
1. Convene Regular Meeting / Pledge of Allegiance / Self-Introductions Chair Haskew called the meeting to order at 9:03 A.M. Introductions followed.
2. Public Comments
There were no comments from the public.
3. Consent Agenda
a. Minutes of the October 13, 2022 Meetings.
b. CCTA Executive Director’s Report Regarding CCTA Actions/Discussion Items c. Items Approved by the CCTA for Circulation to the Regional Transportation Planning Committees and Related Items of Interest
d. RTPC Meeting Summary Letters
e. CCTA Meeting Updates and Countywide Information Links f. Continue use of Teleconferencing for Public Meetings by the TRANSPAC Board and Subcommittees Pursuant to the Provisions of AB 361. Approve the proclamation of a local emergency, ratify the proclamation of a State of Emergency, and authorize the continuation of conducting remote
teleconference meetings of the legislative bodies of TRANSPAC for the period through December 10, 2022, pursuant to the Brown Act provisions under AB 361.
On motion by Commissioner Noack seconded by Commissioner Cloven to approve the consent agenda by unanimous vote of the members present (Haskew, Cloven, Mitchoff, McGallian, Noack).
End Consent Agenda
4. MOUNT DIABLO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT – TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND COORDINATION
DISCUSSION
Item moved forward.
Commissioner Noack opened the discussion and provided some background. Commissioner Noack commented that the Board felt that it is important to build relationships with transportation staff within MDUSD as traffic congestion around schools is a significant transportation issue within Central County. Commissioner Noack further noted greenhouse gas concerns.
Cris Lepe noted that MDUSD staff have worked with County Connection and noted discussions regarding congestion at Oak Grove Middle, Sequoia Middle and College Park High. Mr. Lepe commented that staff sent a heat map to County Connection of where students were coming from in the Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek and Concord areas in order to explore options to better service the schools. Mr. Lepe noted that routes have been created to service some of the area.
Commissioner Noack asked if there are other transportation services that MDUSD coordinates besides special education. Mr. Lepe commented that 90% of busing is for special education students. He noted the district transports 11 routes from Bay Point to Mount Diablo High School and 2 routes from Glenbrook to El Dorado.
Commissioner Noack further asked how the decisions were made as to which buses serviced general education students. Mr. Lepe noted that transportation funding was cut in 2008 and many districts cut general education transportation. He commented that MDUSD is legally obligated to transport students from Bay Point to Mount Diablo High School because of the Pacifica High School closure.
Commissioner Noack asked when new bond measures are discussed, how can the issues of traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions be considered and addressed in the planning process. Mr. Lepe commented that MDUSD will need to partner with transit authorities and continue building relationships like with County Connection. Mr. Lepe noted that the district has acquired 16 electric school buses, and there are 2 on order and 8 more have been
requested through a grant and staff is taking steps to address greenhouse gases. Mr. Lepe also noted a desire to incentivize students who drive their own cars and parents who transport one student to use non-vehicle modes such as walking or public transit.
Commissioner Mitchoff commented that high school students do not like to ride buses even if provided. Commissioner Mitchoff further noted that in the Traffix system, both the users and SWAT contributed money into the program.
Commissioner McGallian asked if there is an implementation strategy to educate parents at the beginning of the year where kids should be dropped off. Commissioner McGallian suggested outreach on proper queuing and traffic patterns and consistent approaches across the district.
Mr. Lepe commented that there are some principals that are proactive. Mr. Lepe noted working with individual principals to come up with strategies. Commissioner McGallian further asked if there is a traffic plan that each school follows. Mr. Lepe noted that there isn’t a district wide strategy. Commissioner McGallian recommended an interactive YouTube instructional video to this end. Commissioner McGallian also noted the disconnect between cities and school sites in terms of traffic planning.
Commissioner Noack further noted the increasing costs of retaining crossing guards and commented that in Pleasant Hill and Clayton, the cities pay for crossing guards due to school district budget cuts. Commissioner Noack further noted the need to partner with parent groups to address safety concerns as well as training and encouragement to walk, bike and carpool to school safely. Mr. Lepe noted some safety programming occurring in the district such as safety training led by the police department in the Bay Point area and commented that there is a need to continue similar programs throughout the district.
Commissioner Noack commented that Mr. Lepe could partner with 511 Contra Costa and Bike East Bay. Ms. Carpenter commented that coordination needs to happen with the local police departments and cities so that any additional initiatives follow traffic laws.
Mr. Hoang noted that CCTA applied for an approximately $4.4 million OBAG Cycle 3 grant for a Countywide Safe Routes to School program.
Mr. Todd noted some relevant safety programs and events listed on the 511 Contra Costa website.
Commissioner Noack commented that she would like to invite MDUSD staff back semi-annually to further discuss these topics.
5. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL REPORT MANAGING DIRECTOR/CLERK CONTRACT
AMENDMENT
On motion by Commissioner Mitchoff seconded by Commissioner Noack to authorize the Chair to execute a contract amendment to add $4,079 to the Managing Director/Clerk Contract and make the payment through the TRANSPAC contingency budget, by unanimous vote of the members present (Haskew, Cloven, Mitchoff, McGallian, Noack).
6. DRAFT CENTRAL COUNTY ACTION PLAN
Mr. Early provided an overview of the Draft Central County Action Plan components. A link to the full Draft Action Plan is included in the staff report for this agenda item.
Mr. Kelly commented that project staff anticipate presenting an updated draft at January and February TAC and Board meetings.
7. MEASURE J LINE 20A FUNDS PROGRAM – FY 2021-2022 PROGRESS REPORT Ms. Gephart provided a summary of the Measure J Line 20a FY 2021-22 progress report. The report can be found in the staff report related to this item.
There were no comments from the Board.
8. TRANSPAC CCTA REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS.
Commissioner Noack commented that the CCTA Administration and Projects Committee meeting was canceled. Commissioner Haskew commented that at CCTA Planning Committee meeting she received an update on the Countywide Transportation Plan, and authorized CCTA staff to enter into an MOU with the cities of Antioch Hercules, Martinez to evaluate the feasibility of expanding ferry service in the county.
9. TAC ORAL REPORTS BY JURISDICTION
No member comments.
9. BOARDMEMBER COMMENTS
No member comments.
10. MANAGING DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Mr. Todd commented that the application to fund the Monument Corridor Feasibility Study was not selected and that staff have scheduled a debrief in January to talk to the scorers on what can be done to make it better and will also coordinate with the City of Pleasant Hill.
Mr. Todd commented that the state of California is ending the state of emergency at the end of February, and it may impact how the Board and TAC meet in the new year. Mr. Todd further noted that staff is working with Pleasant Hill to determine when the Community Room will be available and that we can include an item to discuss this further in December.
12. ADJOURN / NEXT MEETING The meeting adjourned at 10:06 A.M. The next meeting will be on December 8, 2022 at 9:00 A.M.