February 23 Meeting Minutes

TRANSPORTATION ACTION TEAM MEETING MINUTES

Meeting Date: February 23, 2012
7:00pm
Keller House

Chair: Bruce Lyon
WELCOME: Jeff Rogers PE, City of Concord Community Economic Development Dept, David Pitman, Edi Birsan, Harold Blair, Kathy Renfrow, Luz Sierra, Joyce Davidson Seitz, Economic Development Specialist, City of Concord Grant writer, Wes Laubscher, Mary Lou Laubscher, Michael Van Hofwegen, director of the Michael Chavez Center.

COMMUNITY REPORTS:

Shared Use Trail:
Jeff Reported about the progress of the Shared Use Trail, 1.6 mile trail. The City has been working on obtaining State Environmental Approval and an E76 form or “Construction Authorization ” from CalTrans. The process requires the City to enter into a Right-of-Way (ROW) agreement with the portion of the proposed trail that is owned by the county. The Initial Site Assessment discovered high concentrations of Arsenic in the soil centered on the old rail road right of way. The proposed mitigation is to Ca- in-Place the hazardous materials. With $666,000 of funding at stake, under the pressure of looming deadlines, the project was broke into two segments, the City's ROW segment, and the County's ROW segment. By doing so, the City anticipates the states approval for the City's segment soon, and thus will have secured funding for the City's segment. Approval for the County's segment should follow a few months later,(pending execution of the ROW Agreement, and the City of Concord's City Council and the County's Board of Supervisors approval of the agreement.) Mary Lou suggested trees along the trail Jeff responded that there will be Oak trees along the trail. Trees will help provide better air quality and shade. The Map of the City that Jeff shared shows, Bike Trails and the Shared Use Trail.

Mary Lou suggested trees along the trail Jeff responded that there will be Oak trees along the trail. Trees will help provide better air quality and shade. The Map of the City that Jeff shared shows, Bike Trails and the Shared Use Trail.

Cambridge:
Several schools throughout the community including Cambridge Elementary School suffer from poor access and traffic problems when students are dropped off. More people choose to ride a car to school. Work is needed on trails that lead to school and to provide pedestrian access from side streets to schools. Many of these necessary trail improvements are under construction. On San Miguel from Cowell to Tioga paving project is going to include Bicycle Lanes. Recently a site walk occurred at Cambridge Park to assess the need for ADA accessible decomposed granite trails, a wider loop for various uses, and improved access through the park for parents and students on their way through the park to school.

MTC GRANT FOR A COMMUNITY SHUTTLE

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) has set aside $5.5 million dollars for Contra Costa County transportation projects and the Monument Community is eligible for a 3 year, $500,000 grant for transportation projects included in the Monument Corridor Community Based Transportation Plan (MCCBTP) (2006) Nelson Nygaard for the City of Concord. There is strong community based support for a Shuttle project.

The proposed community shuttle would be a 10 passenger, ADA accessible, have a bilingual host. The Shuttle would serve those who don’t own cars, disabled persons, seniors, and provide curb to curb service. The Shuttle would deliver passengers to the senior center, social service agencies, transit, BART, employment centers, Michael Chavez Center, La Clinica and other Community clinics and Hospitals.

The best part of the proposed Community Shuttle is that it will be free, at least until the program matures to the point where it can be a sustainable business. The Community Shuttle project is a micro enterprise which will provide training and employment opportunities and grow to be a permanent service for our community.

Joyce Davidson Seitz of the City of Concord is writing the Grant by the March 2nd dead line proposal to the CCTA. It may take up to 6 month process to finalize eth business plan for the micro enterprise.

Edi Birsan has a brilliant solution to provide the matching funds required to obtain the Grant. The Mt Diablo Health Care District, granted $12,000 to the Senior Club for the Senior Club’s Taxi/ van program and collaboration with the Senior Club would qualify to comply with the matching fund requirement. Virginia Brunk is already developed a successful senior taxi van project for the Senior Community and Edi Birsan and Mary Lou Laubscher are on the Contra Costa Community Mobility Committee indicating strong support for the shuttle from the senior community.

With lessons learned from the Route 8 Bus and a step by step plan to build a shuttle service a sustainable business will evolve to serve the Monument Community.

The MTC grant is necessary for the Monument Corridor, based on our needs assessment (MCCBTP), and based on needs of the population to be served in this tough economy. Seniors living in the Monument Corridor have difficulty paying $8 for transportation to obtain a free or low cost senior meal and many more residents who don’t own a car need a shuttle to travel to La Clinia, afterschool programs, and the store.

A strong connection to the monument community is important and the transportation action team support the idea of community based people on the advisory board for the Shuttle Program.

Mary Lou said that it will work great if seniors can have door to door service and others could use curb to curb service. Wes, commented that we make the service efficient by servicing groups of people and combine destinations.

HEAL

Healthy Eating Active Living:
Is almost ready to announce a project for the monument community to assess water fountains throughout the Monument, training begins March 14th at 6:00pm to 9:00pm hoping ot train 15 to 20 youth and young adults.

TRANSIT TO TRAILS

Dave Pitman commented on much progress on the Transit to Trails Project.

Arterial tech transfer HCM 2010 MUTCD 2012. Multi mode pedestrian bike bus. Levels of service event on Web March 21, 2012

Wes reminded the Transportation action team how we looked at all forms of mobility: bicycle, pedestrian, transit. We learned the meaning of the word Sharrows, striping lanes for bicycles, and how we are more aware of transit projects in other communities.

NEXT MEETING: Monday March 12 at 6;00pm a Joint NAT and TAT meeting with BART representatives.

POSITIVES: Good meeting because much information was shared about the Shared Use trail and the MCT Grant. It was Great to have Edi Birsan, Joyce Davidson Seitz, and Jeff Rogers from the City to inform us about Transportation happenings and great to see progress on connecting all of the modes of mobility. It was great that Jeff and the City was successful in the grant process.

THINGS TO CHANGE: encourage more concerned residents to attend the meeting.

MEETING ADJOURNED 8:45pm

Bruce Lyon
Chair Transportation Action Team
blyon@pacbell.net

Safe Routes to School

The Transportation Action Team join Ray Kuzbari, Transportation Manager and Danea Gemmell, City Engineer in examining paths and trails at El Dorado Middle School, Cambridge Elementary School and Cambridge Park on February 17. The paths and trails where tested for usability with a wheel chair and electric scooter.

January 19 Meeting Minutes

TRANSPORTATION ACTION TEAM MEETING MINUTES

Meeting Date: January 19, 2012
7:00pm
Keller House

Chair: Bruce Lyon

WELCOME: Dave Pitman, Wes Laubscher, Mary Lou Laubscher, Bruce Lyon, and Harold Blair

ANOUNCEMENTS:
Bay Area One Plan meeting Monday January 23, 2012 from 5:45 - 8 p.m. at the Richmond Convention Center, 403 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond, CA

Contra Costa County Clean Water Parcel Tax Public Hearing Tuesday February 7, 2012 10:00am Board of Supervisors Chambers, Room 107, 651 Pine Street, Martinez California

COMMUNITY REPORTS:

TRANSIT TO TRAILS:
Dave Pitman reported that he attended a meeting with the Spare the Air Resource Team to work on a health oriented project. Stephanie Andersen facilitated the event and they discussed various projects like Transit Buddy, Anti idling (vehicles), Walking Wednesday, Carpool Events and Transit to Trails. The projects were focused toward various segments of the community like Schools and General Public. The committee voted to work on two projects, Transit to Trails with a local focus and an anti idling campaign focused toward schools. Some ideas that Dave shared for a Transit to Trail plan included a web site with maps depicting various walking excursions coordinated with bus and transit schedules. Participants including senior groups for instance could take a bus from their neighborhood to the trail head, go on the walk that could last up to an hour and a half and board a bus at the end of the trail with their bus transfer for the ride home. Dave shared a spread sheet that took into consideration the length of the trail and the speed of the participant, to facilitate the connection. The path displayed connected the Contra Costa Canal Trail and Shared Use Trail from San Miguel / Treat bus stop to the Mohr Lane / Del Rio circle bus stop. This fascinating project would allow community groups like seniors to board the bus, walk the trail to the next bus that could deliver them back to their neighborhood. Information could be added that would indicate the difficulty level, surface conditions etc.. Mary Lou suggested that Transit to Trails could show connections from various transit pickup points to City Parks like the Markham Nature Park and Arboretum, which would be enjoyable destinations for seniors.

WALKABILITY:
Mary Lou reported on an article titled What Neighborhoods Need to Succeed at Walkability.
http://www.theatlanticcities.com/commute/2012/01/what-neighborhoods-need-succeed-walkability/922/
The article mentions the idea that "residents of neighborhoods with a central core of shops and services- a pattern found in older, traditional communities walk nearly three times more of the than do residents of neighborhoods whose nearest shops and services lie along a major arterial roadway, a pattern typically found in newer suburban development." The shared use trail is an example of a community trail improvement that will certainly provide improved walk ability to our cities central core of shops and services.

COMMUNITY CLEAN WATER INITIATIVE:
Bruce reported on a proposed County Parcel Tax of $22.00 per parcel which would support the Contra Costa Clean Water Program and their proposed 2012 Community Clean Water Initiative. The web address ishttp://www.cccleanwater.org/ A link to an educational video that describes water quality problems and proposed solutions to water pollution is http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/stormfilm/slow_the_flow.shtml

Since the parcel tax must be spent in the same community, the parcel tax could provide grants for community projects, like a community garden, that would demonstrate native landscaping, bio swales, and have educational elements to encourage individual water quality projects. The idea is to reduce water pollution caused by flooding by increasing pervious surface areas. Replacing concrete driveways with pervious concrete or pervious pavers, collecting rain water from downspouts, and replacing lawns with native landscaping utilizing mulch, are encouraged by clean water advocates to "slow the flow". We are interested to see what specific projects that the County is planning.

NEXT STEPS:
Invite Jeff Rogers to our next meeting to report on updated to the progress of the Shared Use Trail. Keep Ray Kuzbari informed of our activities and ask him to report to our group on input from the City of Concord.

Ask Jeff or Ray if the Police Department has weighed in on the Shared Use Trail. We are interested to see if trail markers would allow users to identify their location if they are in need of Police, or Ambulance services, and to see if the existing Bollards that currently block emergency access will be replaced with a suitable gate or specialized bollard.

NEXT MEETING: February 23rd 2012

NEXT AGENDA: Seniors driving.

POSITIVES: Good meeting because much information was shared about the Transit to Trails project and the environment.

THINGS TO CHANGE: Improve the meeting to keep from going over time, and encourage more concerned residents to attend the meeting.

Bruce Lyon
blyon@pacbell.net

December 1 2011 Meeting Minutes

TRANSPORTATION ACTION TEAM MEETING MINUTES

December 1, 2011
7:00pm
Keller House
Facilitator: Bruce Lyon

WELCOME:
Wes Laubscher, Mary Lou Laubscher, Bruce Lyon, and Dave Pitman

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Dave referred us to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission web site, under Services, Arterial Operations for information on The purpose of the Program for Arterial System Synchronization (PASS) is to provide technical and financial assistance to Bay Area agencies to help improve the safe and efficient operation of certain traffic signal systems and corridors. http://www.mtc.ca.gov/services/arterial_operations/
And the MUTCD, the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/ for information on the MUTCD which defines the standards used by road managers nationwide to install and maintain traffic control devices on all public streets, highways, bikeways, and private roads open to public traffic.
Transform is promoting support of Senator Boxer’s bill to promote Complete Streets pedestrian and bicycle improvements into the Federal Budget.
Future meetings, One Bay Area Plan workshop to be announced with clearly defined scenarios for the regional plan to be held at the Richmond Convention Center.

COMMUNITY REPORTS:
Wes, advocating for seniors who live in the Monument area who need meeting space, there is a need for multiple group gathering places throughout the Monument located so that people with transportation limitations can walk to the meeting spaces.
Dave, reported on the Clipper Card, that by the end of this December that BART Discounts for Youth and Senior’s will only be available on Clipper Cards. Clipper Cards are available at California Check Cashing at Park and Shop on Willow Pass Rd. in Concord, and Walgreens on Clayton Road, Concord, CA.

NEXT STEPS:

• Check with Jeff Rogers, Associate Civil Engineer, about the status of the City obtaining a grant from California Parks to support the proposed Shared Use Trail improvements near the Iron Horse Trail. The linear park aspect of the proposed Shared Use Trail qualifies for a park grant.
• Check with County Connection on progress and timeline in adopting the Clipper Card.
• Work with Transportation Action Team (TAT) to create guidelines to support the incorporation of Transportation and Health into elements of the General Plan in an effort to help the City comply with the incorporation of Complete Streets into the City General Plan.

NEXT MEETING: Thursday Jan 19, 2012

POSITIVES: Good meeting because Dave is organized with information in his note book.
THINGS TO CHANGE: Encourage more interested residents of the Monument to bring their transportations issues and participate in TAT meetings.

Bruce Lyon
blyon@pacbell.net

CCTA Citizens Advisory Committee Sept 28, 2011

At the committee meeting, Peter Engel, Program Manager, CCTA provided a briefing on Transportation Programs for Seniors, which vary considerably from city to city. The City of Concord does not have such a program.

Elaine Welch also presented information on the transportation options for seniors (see the pyramid chart) which range from independence (drives self) to complete dependence (volunteer driver programs). Her agency, Senior Helpline Services offers free one-on-one, door-through-door rides provided by volunteer drivers. These rides are for obtaining medical care, groceries, and other basic necessities. She asks for more people to volunteer to drive since she now has a waiting list.

August 25 Meeting Minutes

TRANSPORTATION ACTION TEAM MEETING MINUTES

August 25, 2011
7:00pm
Keller House
Chair: Bruce Lyon

WELCOME:

Dave Pitman, Wes Laubscher, Mary Lou Laubscher, Bruce Lyon, Kathy Renfrow
Jeff Rogers with the City of Concord Engineering Dept.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Queen of all Saints Festival, Sunday, August 28, 2011

St. Francis Festival, Sunday Sept. 11, 2011

Monument Health Fair at Meadow Homes Park on October 1, 2011

PEHAB meeting Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2011

CCTA will have a hearing on Wednesday, Sept 28 at 6:00 at 2999 Oak Road Pleasant Hill on senior transportation at the CCTA. Many seniors, concerned about senior transportation options, are expected to come to the meeting. Brad Bick senior link for Para transit advisory group and Elaine Welch is also presenting.

Mary Lou is meeting with Jim Smith East Bay Air Quality District. 29th of Sept at 2:00pm at the Keller house, for those people who are interested in Air pollution. Concord is one of the 10 most polluted area in the county. People could come and speak out about air pollution. The bay area air quality management district has a grant for trees that promote improved air quality, and perhaps that grant would be suitable to pay for the proposed trees on the shared use trail.

Mary Lou shared several news stories related to Complete Streets: Bay Area News Group, Sunday July 17, 2011, “Aging Boomers Strain cities built for the young.” Bay Area News Group, Sunday August 14, 2011, “Cycling sense is best defense.” Bay Area News Group, “Redrawing the road, Lanes get thinner to make room for non-motorists”

Bike repair shop: Community group who did bike repair and bike loan grew to 3 days a week. 100 repaired bikes for people going to work or going to school.

COMMUNITY REPORTS:

Kathy Renfrow reported on the HEAL and HOPE grants:
HEAL Grant: 3 year grant started July 1, 2011 $1,000,000 along the Monument incorporating Cambridge Elementary and Meadow Homes Elementary, increase consumption of fruits and vegetables, reduce diabetes, reduce caloric intake promote physical activity in institutional and throughout the community. The program requires documented outcomes. HEAL promotes Nutrition Classes, Healthy and active zero through five.
HOPE Grant: HOPE Campaign started with Gender Respect working to eliminate domestic violence against women. A group is trying to get 10000 Signatures to get people to commit to promoting gender respect program. Safe family zone. Teenage boys to go door to door to promote gender respect.

Dave Pitman reported on a Neighborhood meeting that took place, Monday August 22, 2011 at senior multifamily building near Todos Santos Park regarding a proposed smoking ban. The multifamily building is non smoking. People were concerned that their right to smoke is being taken away. The park is non smoking by administration but a non smoking area along the sidewalk requires an ordinance and lengthy approval process. E-cigarettes are proposed to be banned. The lawyer speaking at the meeting said that the government has the right to protect public health.

SHARED USE TRAIL UPDATE:

Jeff Rogers, P.E. City of Concord Engineering Dept. reported on the status of the Shared Use Trail.
The engineering plans and specifications by Nolte is 60% complete and the state and county approval process continues.
Preliminary plans and specifications have been prepared and reviewed by the City. Nolte Vertical Five is currently incorporating the City comments on this submittal for the next submittal in September.
Environmental: A biological report has been prepared and approved by Caltrans. An archeological report was also prepared and Caltrans review/approval of the document is expected soon. The City's other consultant (Geocon) is currently testing for metals in the old railroad right of way. We are on schedule to incorporate the results of these efforts in the final plans and specifications and environmental document this fall.
The project plans and specifications and environmental documents will then be submitted to Caltrans for final approval in early 2012 (required due to the federal and state grant funding of the project). Construction is scheduled for completion in late 2012.
Jeff reported on technical requirements.
Mary Lou asked for a detention area or pond 72 hour dissipation. Aerated lakes add cost because of pumps for aeration. Two (2) Call boxes are incorporated in the design.
State environmental process is ongoing.
City is submitting plans for a new grant to support the project again.
City departments are working together to solve the bollard puzzle.

NEXT STEPS:

Invite Ray Kuzbary to our next meeting to report on updated to the Master Trails Plan and update the TAT on the approval process of the Shared Use Trail.

NEXT MEETING: Sept 22, 2011

NEXT AGENDA: Seniors driving.

POSITIVES: Good meeting because the city has been working on the shared use trail and has made much progress in the approval process.

THINGS TO CHANGE: need more concerned residents at the meeting.

Bruce Lyon
blyon@pacbell.net

Redrawing the road

Article in Contra Costa Times on July 30: "Street designs aim to keep cyclists, pedestrians safe, encourage car alternatives", by Gary Richards