TRANSPAC Committee Meeting Summary Minutes
MEETING DATE: May 8, 2025
MEMBERS PRESENT: Carlyn Obringer, Chair, Concord; Ken Carlson Vice Chair, Contra Costa County; Kevin Wilk,
Walnut Creek; Richard Enea, Clayton, Sue Noack,
Pleasant Hill; Greg Young, Martinez
PLANNING COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Craig Mizutani, Concord STAFF PRESENT: Andy Smith, County Connection; Matt Todd, TRANSPAC; Tiffany Gephart, TRANSPAC
GUESTS/PRESENTERS: John Hoang (CCTA), Sasha Dansky (Mark Thomas & Company), Rosie Reid (Mount Diablo Unified
School District SOAR Program), Vannessa Castillo
(Mount Diablo Unified School District SOAR
Program)
MINUTES PREPARED BY: Tiffany Gephart
1. Closed Session
The Board convened in closed session at 8:30 A.M. for:
Public Employee Performance Evaluation Pursuant to Government Code §54957 • Title: Managing Director
Conference with Labor Negotiators Pursuant to Government Code §54957.6 • Agency Designated Representative: Carlyn Obringer, Chair • Unrepresented Employee: Managing Director
2. Report on Action Taken in Closed Session
Chair Obringer reported that no action was taken in closed session.
3. Convene Regular Meeting / Pledge of Allegiance / Self-Introductions Chair Obringer called the meeting to order at 9:02 A.M. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
All commissioners were present. Commissioner Young participated remotely.
4. Public Comment
There were no comments from the public.
5. Consent Agenda
a. Approval of Minutes
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. Correspondence and Communication
g. Transportation Meetings Attended by Staff
h. Subregional Transportation Mitigation Program -- Development Project Tracking
i. TRANSPAC Quarterly Financial Report. Action Recommendation: Accept the quarterly financial report for the period ended March 31, 2025. j. TRANSPAC Committee Appointments -- CCTA TCC Appointment for the Term April 1, 2025 -- March 31, 2027. Action Recommendation: Appoint Srinivas Muktevi as the TRANSPAC TAC alternate appointment to the CCTA Technical Coordinating Committee for the term April 1, 2025 -- March 31, 2027.
On motion by Commissioner Carlson, seconded by Commissioner Wilk to approve the consent agenda by unanimous vote of the commissioners present (Enea, Young, Obringer, Carlson, Wilk, Noack).
6. TRANSPAC Work Plan and Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Mr. Todd presented the draft TRANSPAC work plan and budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026. He explained that the bylaws require adoption of an annual budget including operational expenses and proportional agency contributions.
Mr. Todd highlighted that the work plan includes county-wide transportation plan coordination as CCTA updates their plan, regional coordination projects, transportation demand management programs, and coordination with neighboring committees. The detailed work plan is included in the meeting packet.
Commissioner Noack asked for clarification regarding the transit pass program discussions with SWAT and TRANSPLAN. Mr. Todd confirmed this referred primarily to the student transit pass program currently under development.
Chair Obringer inquired about coordination with TRANSPLAN, noting that no specific bullet points addressed potential collaboration. Mr. Todd explained that the approach had been broadened to maintain both SWAT and TRANSPLAN on the radar for potential coordination opportunities, including the transit pass program where County Connection routes serve students from that area.
Chair Obringer asked about Line 21A for safe transportation for children. Mr. Todd explained this line item had been in the expenditure plan previously, and had been used for the 511 program, but had not been actively programmed by TRANSPAC. That particular program is being considered to support the student transit pass program discussions.
Budget Overview:
• Managing Director support contract: $326,000
• Audit services: Updated multi-year contract reflecting accurate costs • Pacheco transit hub maintenance contribution: $10,000 (continuing historic commitment)
• Pleasant Hill finance department treasurer services: Continuing at standard rate • Contingency: $35,000 (10% of budget)
• Project reserve funds: $41,000 (unrestricted funds from previous monument study) Mr. Todd explained the member contribution formula: 50% split evenly among six jurisdictions, 50% based on Measure J return-to-source formula using population and road miles. Total proposed member contributions: $339,000.
Commissioner Carlson questioned the significant year-over-year increase. Mr. Todd explained that approximately $20,000 of contingency funds had been used during the current fiscal year for a Managing Director contract amendment, requiring replenishment of the contingency reserve. He projected future increases would be more modest without similar contingency usage.
Commissioner Carlson noted the historical variability in contribution increases and expressed preference for maintaining increases in the 5-7% range for greater stability.
The item was received for information and will return for final approval at the June meeting.
7. TRANSPAC Planning Commissioner Vacancies
Ms. Gephart reviewed the bylaws requirement for one planning commissioner to be appointed as ex-officio member by each representative city council. Planning commissioners provide vital advisory input but do not vote or count toward quorum.
Currently appointed: Craig Mizutani (City of Concord) and Molly Clopp (City of Walnut Creek).
Vacancies exist for: Cities of Clayton, Martinez, Pleasant Hill, and Contra Costa County.
The board was asked to provide input on potential candidates, with the understanding that commissioners would return to their respective agencies to identify suitable representatives.
8. Measure J Line 21A Program Funding - Pilot Program Framework Ms. Gephart provided an overview of the Measure J Line 21A program for safe transportation for children. The program allocates 0.5% of Measure J sales tax revenue annually, generating approximately $600,000 per year. With accumulated funds of $4.2 million available, staff explored potential programming options.
Through discussions with stakeholders including County Connection, CCTA, SWAT staff, and TRANSPAC leadership, a youth ride-free bus program emerged as the preferred option. This initiative would build upon the existing Pass to Class program while eliminating application barriers.
Proposed Pilot Program Features:
• Six-month duration with potential fall commencement
• Free County Connection bus rides for youth 18 years and younger • No application process or passes required - youth simply board buses • Estimated cost: $187,500 ($115,000 for central county routes, $72,500 for SWAT area overlap)
• Funding combination of Measure J Line 21A and TFCA funds • Data collection through driver button-press tracking and surveys • Title VI analysis required after six months
Coordination Challenges: The program faces complexity due to County Connection routes overlapping TRANSPAC and SWAT service areas. Discussions continue regarding seamless service provision and equitable funding arrangements between the two regions.
Chair Obringer asked why TRANSPLAN was not included, noting significant student ridership from Bay Point and Pittsburgh to Mount Diablo High School. Mr. Smith from County Connection explained that those routes are operated by Tri-Delta Transit, not County Connection, though coordination with all operators would be ideal for a comprehensive program.
Commissioner Carlson confirmed TFCA fund eligibility based on past usage for similar programs.
He also questioned spending down the significant Line 21A fund balance, suggesting treating it as an endowment for long-term program sustainability.
Commissioner Enea asked about application requirements. Ms. Gephart clarified that the new program would eliminate all application processes - youth would simply board buses without passes or documentation.
Commissioner Young expressed support for eliminating applications, noting potential barriers for immigrant families concerned about documentation requirements.
Commissioner Enea inquired about ridership tracking. Mr. Smith explained that drivers would use button-press systems to record youth boardings, providing route-level data though stoplevel accuracy would be less reliable.
Commissioner Carlson emphasized the importance of marketing and outreach investments to ensure program success, suggesting budget allocation for promotional efforts.
Chair Obringer asked about program continuation after the six-month pilot. Commissioner Noack explained that evaluation would occur during the pilot period, with decisions about extension requiring board approval based on available Line 21A funds.
Public Comment:
Rosie Reid from Mount Diablo Unified School District SOAR program strongly supported the initiative, explaining that transportation represents the primary barrier to school attendance for disenfranchised student populations including homeless, foster, newcomer immigrant, and refugee families. The program would significantly impact families who must choose between rent, basic bills, and student bus passes.
Vannessa Castillo from Mount Diablo Unified School District emphasized the connection between reliable transportation and student success, noting that chronic absenteeism leads to increased dropout rates and juvenile justice involvement, while regular attendance produces economic benefits of approximately $4 for every $1 invested in student transportation.
Craig Mizutani supported the program's potential to reduce traffic congestion on key corridors including Ygnacio Valley Road, Clayton Road, and Treat Boulevard by encouraging public transit usage among students.
The item was received for information with staff directed to continue coordination with partners and return with a refined proposal for board action, targeting an August program launch.
9. State Route 4 Vision Corridor Study
John Hoang from CCTA and Sasha Dansky from Mark Thomas & Company presented the comprehensive State Route 4 Vision Corridor Study results. The study analyzed 79 documents and identified 87 potential projects to address congestion, safety, and mobility concerns along the Highway 4 corridor.
Key Findings:
• 34% of pedestrian crashes resulted in death or serious injury • Highway 4 functions as a reliever route for Highway 580 during congestion rather than a primary freight corridor
• Arterial networks parallel to Highway 4 experience significant congestion, particularly between Highway 242 and Lone Tree Way
• 14 emerging technologies were identified for potential deployment The study used goal-based weighting criteria to categorize projects into three tiers, with top-tier projects bundled into eight comprehensive packages plus two standalone county-wide initiatives. The analysis included capital costs and potential funding sources for each bundle.
The study produced 10 total bundles of projects including mobility hubs throughout the corridor and county-wide smart signals programs. Detailed fact sheets for each bundle were included in the meeting packet.
Commissioner Enea questioned the absence of freeway cameras for violence prevention and challenged the characterization of Highway 4 as a secondary freight route, citing future growth including Byron Airport freight operations, Amazon fulfillment centers, and potential Pittsburgh steel mill redevelopment.
Mr. Dansky acknowledged camera systems could be incorporated and clarified that while Highway 4 serves as an important freight corridor, origin-destination data showed primary freight movement occurring along Highway 80 north to Solano County and Highway 580 to Tracy distribution centers.
Commissioner Enea asked about mobility hub concepts. Mr. Dansky explained these function as enhanced park-and-ride facilities combining multiple transportation modes including transit, bike share, ride share, and potential future autonomous vehicle connections.
Commissioner Noack emphasized fiscal constraints facing project implementation, noting that Plan Bay Area 2050 and Transit 2050 requirements for fiscal constraint would significantly limit actual project delivery timelines. She stressed the need for new CCTA revenue measures to maintain existing transit service, much less expand service.
Commissioner Carlson noted the VMT mitigation requirements that accompany highway capacity improvements, requiring complementary projects to offset increased vehicle travel.
Commissioner Young highlighted the potential impact of return-to-office mandates on future traffic patterns as employers respond to urban tax revenue concerns.
The item was received for information with the study proceeding to CCTA Board approval and subsequent Caltrans coordination for CMCP designation.
10. TRANSPAC CCTA Representative Report
Commissioner Carlson reported that at the recent CCTA Board meeting held April 15, the board approved the county-wide broadband plan and executive plan. No other major action items were taken.
11. TRANSPAC MTC Representative Report
Commissioner Noack reported on the following Metropolitan Transportation Commission activities:
SB 63 (Transit Funding): Continues to progress through the legislative process, currently structured as a three-county measure with two additional counties considering opt-in participation. The bill has passed Senate Transportation and Revenue & Taxation committees and is advancing through the Assembly.
Richmond-San Rafael Bridge: An amended BCDC application proposes modifying the bike lane barrier schedule to create shoulder space for disabled vehicles four days per week while maintaining bike access three days per week. The long-term goal includes potential HOV or busonly lane designation.
Route 37: Legislative efforts address protected species constraints that would otherwise limit construction work to 10 weeks annually. Proposed changes would protect species through alternative methods while enabling year-round construction access.
Bay Area Housing Finance Authority (BAHFA): A $30 million budget request includes $15 million for continuing 10 existing affordable housing programs started in 2019, plus $15 million for a lending program proof-of-concept. The lending program would eventually become selfsustaining through interest returns, potentially supporting future bond measures for affordable housing without ongoing general fund requirements.
Commissioner Noack noted that MTC has postponed bond measure consideration until 2028 or 2030.
12. TAC Reports by Jurisdiction
No reports were provided.
13. Board Member Comments
Commissioner Carlson reported participating in Transit Day All Aboard at the Ferry Building, promoting public transit usage with good turnout from transit agencies and elected officials.
Commissioners Noack and Carlson announced their upcoming travel to Washington, DC, May 19-22, representing MTC and County Connection respectively for transit advocacy meetings with congressional representatives.
Commissioner Enea suggested contacting the League of California Cities regarding meetings with Senator Padilla, noting his previous leadership role with the organization.
14. Managing Director's Report
Mr. Todd highlighted several items:
• New consent calendar item tracking of environmental document releases will be included monthly
• Bike to Work Day materials available for distribution next week • TFCA call for projects expected mid-month with approximately $1.9 million available ($1.5 million base plus $425,000 carryover)
Mr. Todd reminded attendees that vehicle registration fees fund TFCA programs, with $10 annual fees split between Air Quality Management District programs ($6) and county transportation projects ($4).
15. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned 10:50 a.m. with the next meeting scheduled for June 12, 2025.