TRANSPAC Board Meeting Summary Minutes
Meeting Date: September 11, 2025
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Carlyn Obringer, Concord (Chair); Sue Noack, Pleasant Hill; Greg Young, Martinez; Kevin Wilk,
Walnut Creek
PLANNING COMMISSIONERS
PRESENT:
Craig Mizutani, Concord; Molly P Clopp, Walnut
Creek; Alex Khalfin, Pleasant Hill
STAFF PRESENT: Trevor McGuire, Martinez; Samantha Harris, Contra Costa County; Pranjal Dixit, County Connection; Matt
Todd, TRANSPAC Managing Director; Tiffany
Gephart, TRANSPAC
GUESTS/PRESENTERS: Matt Kelly, CCTA; Hisham Noemi, CCTA MINUTES PREPARED BY: Tiffany Gephart
1. CONVENE REGULAR MEETING / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE / SELF-INTRODUCTIONS Chair Obringer convened the regular meeting at 9:01 a.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Chair Obringer noted that a quorum was present. Representatives from Contra Costa County and the City of Clayton were absent.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT
Chair Obringer opened the general public comment period. No public comments were received.
The public comment period was closed.
3. CONSENT AGENDA
3a. Approval of Minutes of the July 10, 2025, TRANSPAC Board Meeting Action: Approve the minutes of the July 10, 2025, TRANSPAC Board Meeting. 3b. CCTA Executive Director's Report Regarding CCTA Actions-Discussion Items 3c. Items Approved by the CCTA for Circulation to the Regional Transportation Planning Committees and Related Items of Interest
3d. RTCP Meetings Summary Letters
3e. CCTA Meetings Updates and Countywide Information Links
3f. Transportation Meetings Attended by Staff
3g. Subregional Transportation Mitigation Program – Development Project Tracking 3h. TRANSPAC Quarterly Financial Report
Action: Accept the quarterly financial report for the period ended June 30, 2025.
On motion by Commissioner Noack, seconded by Commissioner Wilk, to approve the Consent Agenda by unanimous vote of the members present (Noack, Wilk, Obringer, Young).
4. TRANSPORTATION FUND FOR CLEAN AIR FY 2025-26 CALL FOR PROJECTS Ms. Gephart provided an overview of the Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA) fiscal year 2025-26 call for projects. TFCA funds projects that promote alternatives to single occupancy vehicles and reduce air pollution. The call for projects was released in May with final applications due in July.
Ms. Gephart explained the funding model, where countywide programs are funded first with remaining funds divided between subregions based on a jobs and housing formula. Central County receives just over 30% of subregional funds, approximately $248,294.
Ms. Gephart stated that TRANSPAC's subregional project for fiscal year 2025-26 is the Walk 'n' Roll program, which will expand from seven participating schools to seventeen. She noted that 511 Contra Costa will provide an update on the Walk 'n' Roll program at a future meeting Mr. Todd transitioned to an update on youth transit programs and noted that TRANSPAC was unable to continue County Connection's Summer Youth Ride Free program into the school year due to funding coordination challenges. The traditional Pass to Class program is currently operational (this program requires students to apply for the certain amount of passes available). CCTA in coordination with 511 Contra Costa and local partners is developing a TFCA application that would combine free youth rides with pass distribution into a single countywide program for June 2026, running four to five months and requiring local contributions from TRANSPAC and SWAT.
Matt Kelly from CCTA stated the combined program would meet Air District cost-effectiveness requirements but would need local contributions from central and southwest subregions.
Chair Obringer asked about implementation lead time. Mr. Todd responded that they are targeting a June 1, 2026 start, running approximately four to five months through October.
Commissioner Noack expressed concern about the challenges in continuing the youth transit programs. She emphasized the importance of getting students on buses and questioned the need for extensive surveys when ridership numbers demonstrate program effectiveness.
Chair Obringer agreed the process represents backward movement from having both summer and fall programs. She requested Mr. Todd prepare a workflow document with critical path, timeline, required meetings, and responsible parties for the next meeting, with a goal of implementing a six-month program by June 1, 2026.
Mr. Kelly offered that CCTA could facilitate a joint SWAT and TRANSPAC meeting to coordinate the program.
Planning Commissioner Craig Mizutani asked about age verification, noting a news interview where an over-age rider admitted using the program without ID checks. He suggested student IDs for verification. Mr. Mizutani reported positive feedback from his Scout troop about the program as well as concern about potential service loss and asked how transit ridership challenges might affect transit-oriented development. He requested verification of reported tenfold ridership increases.
Pranjal Dixit from County Connection clarified the adult rider was on Route 14, which is free for everyone. Operators have the discretion to request ID. Survey results will be presented to County Connection's board next month, with an offer to present to TRANSPAC.
Commissioner Noack commended Walk 'n' Roll program success in Pleasant Hill, where Pleasant Hill Elementary, Valhalla, and Strandwood participate. The program has been so successful the city is receiving requests for road improvements due to increased children walking and biking to school.
On motion by Commissioner Noack, seconded by Chair Obringer, to approve the programming of $248,294 in TFCA subregional funds to support the Walk 'n' Roll school trip reduction program for fiscal year 2025-26 by unanimous vote of the members present (Noack, Wilk, Obringer, Young).
5. 2025 Measure J Strategic Plan Update
Hisham Noemi from CCTA presented the Measure J Strategic Plan update. Measure J is Contra Costa County's half-cent transportation sales tax expiring March 31, 2034. The plan splits funding 57% to programs and 43% to capital projects. The strategic plan updates every two years to address revenue forecasts, debt service, and project schedules.
Mr. Noemi reported that 95% of the 2022 strategic plan funding has been spent. Recent developments include revenues exceeding projections by $48 million over three years, $7 million saved through bond refinancing, $166 million in federal MEGA funds awarded for Innovate 680, and $58 million in Senate Bill 1 funds for Interstate 680/State Route 4
interchange. CCTA will have approximately $600 million in construction over the next three years.
The updated forecast projects $2.65 billion in total revenues through 2034, approximately $60 million more than the last strategic plan. Central County's additional capacity is approximately $12 million, programmed to construction reserves and unavailable until fiscal year 2033.
Mr. Noemi stated that between $30-40 million will be available for Transportation for Livable Communities (TLC) and bicycle/pedestrian projects, with a call for projects anticipated in early 2026. Central County remaining projects include Interstate 680/State Route 4 interchange phases, Highway 4 operations improvements, Innovate 680, BART projects, and Pacheco Boulevard.
Commissioner Wilk asked why revenues exceed projections. Mr. Noemi responded that increased online purchases after COVID-19 and law changes allowing sales tax to return to the county helped.
Commissioner Noack asked about MEGA grant status. Mr. Noemi stated that the Federal Highway Administration confirmed they are ready to work on 2025 awards after clearing backlogs from 2022 and 2023. Funding is not at risk. CCTA will submit the new agreement template within one to two weeks.
6. TRANSPAC CCTA Representative Reports
Mr. Noemi reported on the Administration and Projects Committee meeting, noting a $9.2 million State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) award for a Walnut Creek Oakland Boulevard complete streets project, a fund exchange adding approximately $5.5 million to reserves, and a presentation on Autonomous Transit Network (ATN) Glydways.
7. Metropolitan Transportation Commission Report
Commissioner Noack reported on Senate Bill 63 for a November 2026 ballot measure to fund transit. The bill passed the Assembly Transportation Committee and was scheduled for Assembly floor vote September 11 and Senate consideration September 12.
Commissioner Noack reported the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge will implement a new lane configuration with two lanes plus breakdown lane Monday through Thursday, with the bike lane returning Thursday afternoon through Sunday, starting in October.
Commissioner Noack provided an update on the Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC) policy, noting confusion about TOC requirements versus state requirements. The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) is working to clarify how TOC ties to Bay Area funding.
8. TAC Oral Reports by Jurisdiction
No TAC reports were given.
9. Board Member Comments
Commissioner Noack announced Pleasant Hill is hosting Bike Fest on Sunday, September 14.
Commissioner Wilk stated Walnut Creek has e-bikes on an upcoming agenda and will work with the county on solutions. Chair Obringer noted Concord faces similar e-bike challenges and is learning from other communities.
Planning Commissioner Clopp noted the Mitchell Town Homes project Environmental Impact Report was issued and is in the comment period.
10. Managing Director's Report
No additional report was provided by the Managing Director.
11. Adjourn / Next Meeting
Chair Obringer noted that the October 9, 2025 meeting coincides with the California League of Cities conference. Staff will poll to confirm a quorum.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 10:07 a.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for October 9, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. at Pleasant Hill City Hall Large Community Room, 100 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill.