TRANSPAC Committee Meeting Summary Minutes
MEETING DATE: June 8, 2023
MEMBERS PRESENT: Peter Cloven (Chair), Clayton; Sue Noack (Vice Chair), Pleasant Hill; Loella Haskew, Walnut Creek;
Mark Ross, Martinez; Carlyn Obringer, Concord;
Ken Carlson, Contra Costa County
PLANNING COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Craig Mizutani, Concord STAFF PRESENT: Melody Reebs, County Connection; Smadar
Boardman, Walnut Creek; Robert Sarmiento,
Contra Costa County; John Cunningham, Contra
Costa County; Matt Todd, TRANSPAC; Tiffany
Gephart, TRANSPAC
GUESTS/PRESENTERS: Matt Kelly, CCTA; Christian Lepe, MDUSD; Julie Carpenter, MDUSD; Sasha Dansky, Mark Thomas;
Sam Sharvini, Mark Thomas; Scott Simmons
MINUTES PREPARED BY: Tiffany Gephart
1. Convene Regular Meeting / Pledge of Allegiance / Self-Introductions Chair Cloven called the meeting to order at 9:01 A.M.
2. Public Comment
There were no comments from the public.
3. Consent Agenda
a. Approval of Minutes:
• Minutes of the May 11, 2023 Meeting.
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. Consider Meetings of the TRANSPAC Board and Subcommittees. Action:
Reauthorize the continuation of remote meetings of the legislative bodies
of TRANSPAC pursuant to the Brown Act Provisions under AB361 through July 8, 2023. By way of this action, TRANSPAC will conduct in-person meetings with a hybrid component for public participation for regular TRANSPAC Board meetings. Other TRANSPAC bodies including the TRANSPAC TAC, special and/or ad-hoc committees will continue meeting virtually.
On motion by Commissioner Noack seconded by Commissioner Obringer to approve the consent agenda by majority vote of the members present (Cloven, Haskew, Carlson), Commissioner Noack and Obringer approved consent items 3b-3f and abstained from item 3a.
End Consent Agenda
4. TRANSPAC WORKPLAN AND BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023/2024.
Mr. Todd provided a summary of the final budget and workplan details including the Managing Director and Clerk Contract amendment.
There were no comments from the Board.
On a motion by Commissioner Carlson, seconded by Commissioner Haskew to approve the workplan and budget and GBS contract amendment for FY 2023/2024 (consistent with budget assumptions) by unanimous vote of the members present (Haskew, Cloven, Noack, Obringer, Carlson).
Commissioner Ross entered the meeting.
7. STATE ROUTE 4 VISION STUDY.
This item was moved forward.
Matt Kelly of CCTA introduced the item. Sasha Dansky of Mark Thomas gave a presentation on the State Route 4 Vision Study.
Commissioner Noack asked how public feedback is considered, for example, the I-680/HWY 4 interchange project. Mr. Dansky commented that this project is unique in that it is very large and has many phases. Excepting that project, staff are mostly looking at unfunded studies to rank and prioritize projects and priorities to seek future funding. Commissioner Noack expressed concern that the public could be unaware of the impact of the project and construction. Mr. Dansky noted that the challenge with public outreach is information overload and noted that staff have been intentional in presenting information at each outreach event.
Mr. Dansky noted that Commissioner Noack’s comments are taken into consideration and will discuss amongst project staff.
Commissioner Obringer asked about the inclusion of Kirker Pass/Ygnacio Valley routes in this Corridor study. Mr. Dansky commented that it did come up in discussion and the project staff are considering how to incorporate those routes into the study. Commissioner Obringer further asked about the Smart Signals Project and how that fits into the study. Mr. Dansky commented that the Smart Signals project is being evaluated and ranked as part of the study.
Commissioner Obringer clarified if the truck activity along SR 242/ HWY 4 is inclusive of Concord. Mr. Dansky commented that the area around Port Chicago is the second highest area of truck activity in the county.
5. CONSIDER SPECIAL MEETINGS OF THE TRANSPAC BOARD FOR ASSEMBLY BILL 361 COMPLIANCE.
There was general discussion regarding remote meetings and the CCTA interpretation of AB361 requirements. It was agreed to conduct in-person meetings with a hybrid component for public participation for regular TRANSPAC Board meetings and that other TRANSPAC bodies including the TRANSPAC TAC, special and/or ad-hoc committees will continue meeting virtually, similar to how CCTA is operating. We will also continue to work with CCTA and reconsider these assumptions if conditions change.
The Board agreed to hold special meetings on the following dates to maintain AB361 Compliance through September 14, 2023:
• Thursday Jul 6, 2023 at 8:15 A.M.
• Thursday August 3, 2023 at 9:00 A.M.
• Thursday, August 31, 2023 at 8:45 A.M. (prior to the TRANSPAC TAC meeting)
6. MOUNT DIABLO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT – TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND COORDINATION DISCUSSION.
Christian Lepe and Julie Carpenter of Mount Diablo Unified School District (MDUSD) presented current transportation initiatives to address congestion and safety. Mr. Lepe noted that AB181, the home to school transportation reimbursement, was adopted by the school board in March of 2023. This legislation will allow schools to provide transportation to students out of the Board designated walking zones. Mr. Lepe commented that the district has recruited and trained 8 additional drivers. Mr. Lepe noted that an ongoing challenge is a shortage of drivers.
The district also added a survey to the website where parents can request transportation if they are out of the walking zones. There is not a guarantee that those families will receive transportation but the legislation allows for a 60% reimbursement of certain line items so that
staff can look for alternatives and partner with other entities such as purchasing bus passes from County Connection.
Mr. Lepe commented that MDUSD coordinated with County Connection to develop a heat map of where the students are located (Concord, Walnut Creek and Pleasant Hill). Mr. Lepe noted a challenge is that several schools are schools of choice and therefore have students coming from various parts of the county.
Commissioner Carlson asked with regard to Sequoia (which is a school of choice), if there are other options such as staggered start times. Mr. Lepe commented that staff researched staggered start times and there are bargaining unit limitations that would have to be negotiated. There can also be challenges with bus schedules. Commissioner Carlson further asked if parents can be charged a fee. Mr. Lepe noted that this question has come up and staff will be looking into it. Mr. Lepe commented that there may be some equity concerns as well.
Commissioner Carlson agreed that equity is important and further noted that in many cases a mitigation fee to parents is a lot less than a traffic ticket.
Commissioner Obringer asked if students would be able to take transportation (for schools of choice). Mr. Lepe noted that transportation is only available for neighborhood schools and that a small percentage of students are eligible for transportation. Mr. Lepe commented that the AB181 legislation focuses on items such as support for the unhoused, special educations students, and funding those programs. Mr. Lepe also noted that they transport general education students in the Bay Point area that attend Mount Diablo because of the closure of the high School in the Bay Point area and additionally transport the former Glenbrook school students to El Dorado middle school.
Commissioner Noack asked if Sequoia is a residential school for Monte Gardens. Ms. Carpenter commented that Sequoia is a school of choice. Commissioner Noack further asked if there is any system to assist with carpool programs. Mr. Lepe commented that there is not currently a system in place nor a requirement. Ms. Carpenter commented that the best way to solve the issue is to approach each school’s administration and offer an opportunity for parents to sign up for carpool. Mr. Lepe noted that suggestions were made to the administrators and principals on various opportunities, including walking and biking programs.
Ms. Carpenter noted in many cases transportation staff lack the authority to fix certain issues.
Ms. Carpenter noted that they have reached out to County Connection to see what can be done. It was noted in the general discussion that queues of parents waiting to pick up their children block emergency access vehicles. Commissioner Obringer asked if the safety concerns are addressed in the school safety plan such as emergency access. Commissioner Noack commented that she has attended meetings regarding the safety plans and noted that there has not been a traffic related safety plan.
Commissioner Noack commented that several infrastructure upgrades are being done at various intersections in Pleasant Hill including stop signs, speed bumps and flashing beacons.
Commissioner Noack further commented that there will not be funding for crossing guards after 2023 except for a couple of sites. Mr. Lepe commented that a survey was put out for volunteer crossing guards and there was some interest. Mr. Lepe commented that there isn’t any training available currently. Ms. Carpenter asked if training for volunteer crossing guards could be a funding area that the Board can support. Commissioner Noack commented that she is not sure if the existing funding falls into the school category that the Board has direct authority to disburse.
Mr. Todd noted that 511 Contra Costa is another resource and could be considered for resources to assist schools. Staff can reach out to CCTA as well to see if there is any funding available and for crossing guard training. Mr. Todd further noted that 511CC does offer bicycle training. Commissioner Noack commented that there are liability concerns with the training and oversight of the crossing guards.
Commissioner Obringer asked about potential funding related to offsetting carbon emissions.
Commissioner Noack commented that she has raised the issue with state and federal legislators and that there is no funding for school transportation.
Melody Reebs commented that she will be taking to an item to the CCCTA Board to increase the youth fair discount pilot program to 50%.
8. TRANSPAC CCTA REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS.
Commissioner Noack commented that she did not attend the recent CCTA Board meeting but noted that she will report in the future on CCTA and MTC. Commissioner Noack commented on the “fiscal cliff” BART is approaching in 2025 and there is discussion around what impact this will have. There are letters of support going to the state legislature to get support to keep transit going. Commissioner Noack commented that there is a lot of work being done along I680/HWY 4 and there will be more to update at the next meeting.
9. TAC ORAL REPORTS BY JURISDICTION
No comments from the TAC.
10. BOARDMEMBER COMMENTS
Commissioner Obringer commented that the RFQ has been released for the redevelopment of the former Concord Naval Weapons Station as of June 1. Response are due by June 14th at 5pm.
10. MANAGING DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Mr. Todd introduced Craig Mizutani, Planning Commissioner recently appointed to Concord.
Mr. Todd commented that the June 29th TAC and July 13th Board meeting will be canceled.
11. ADJOURN / NEXT MEETING The meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m. The next special meeting will be held on July 6, 2023 at 8:15 A.M. The next regular meeting will be held on September 14, 2023 at the City of Pleasant Hill Large Community Room – 100 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill. Remote teleconferencing information for members of the public will be included in the posted meeting materials.