City Council, December 14

At the Concord City Council Meeting on December 14, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. (earlier starting time) two projects of interest will go before the City Council. The Transportation Action Team applauds the City Staff for their hard work in getting funding for these projects that will improve the mobility of bicyclists and pedestrians in our community.

Consent Calendar Item 3e.
Monument Corridor Pedestrian Infrastructure Improvements

City Staff recommends that the City Council award a construction contract. The project was scheduled for construction in 2009, but due to the budget crisis, the original Transportation for Livable Communities (TLC) grant funds were depleted. The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) reprogrammed the TLC Grants to Surface Transportation Program (STP) and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Grants, and Staff obtained the replacement funding.

Consent Calendar Item 3h.
Monument Corridor Pedestrian and Bikeway Network Improvements

City Staff recommends that the City Council adopt resolutions to authorize the filing of applications for Transportation Development Act (TDA) Funds and State Transportation Improvement Program-Transportation Enhancement (STIP-TE) funds.

November 19 Meeting

Extension to Pedestrian and Bikeway Trails
Ray Kuzbari, Transportation Manager for the City of Concord reported that the Contra Costa Transit Authority has approved $900k of funding for a proposal to extend Pedestrian and Bikeway Trails in Monument Corridor (see map). The improvements include signage, striping, paving, benches and call boxes.

This is "joyous news" says Mary Lou. She would like to call it the "Stan Hansen Trail".

The City Council will need to pass a resolution to send to the CCTA. Ray says for the Transportation Action Team to come to the City Council meeting and make a Public Comment about the trails extension. He says to "have a crowd there" and with a show of hands demonstrate community support for the new trails. [Dec. 6 Update: the City Council hearing will be on Dec. 14.]

Youth Art Contest Promotes Route 8
Cindy Dahlgren of the County Connection was presented with a dozen drawings of the Route 8 Bus produced for an art contest organized by the Youth and Volunteer Action Team. Cindy will hang the drawings in her office. The winners Diego, Mayra and Luis will receive prizes.

Meeting on September 17

Concord Community Reuse Project
Draft Revised Environmental Impact Report (DEIR)
Edi Birsan made a presentation on his research of the DEIR. In Chapter 4 "Transportation", Figure 4-14 shows major street improvements which include upper Monument Boulevard widened to 6 lanes and Meadow Lane widened to 4 lanes (see number 15 and 16 on map). How can Meadow Lane be widened with out eminent domain of single family residences? The public review comment period was extended and now ends October 26, 2009 at 5 p.m.!

Monument Redevelopment Forum
An upcoming public meeting on a date to be determined will follow up on the development of Urban Design Guidelines.

City of Richmond's Draft General Plan
Community Health and Wellness Element
This is a brilliant GP element that we should consider for Concord's GP. Of particular interest is Goal HW4 "Encourage Safe and Convenient Public Transit and Active Circulation Options". Here are the policies:

HW4.1 Expanded and Affordable Public Transit
HW4.2 Enhanced and Accessible Paratransit
HW4.3 Safe and Convenient Walking and Bicycling
HW4.4 Safety and Accessibility
HW4.5 Complete Streets

Concord Trails Master Plan

Here is some information on the Concord Trails Master Plan that was presented by Ray Kuzbari that I missed in the August 20 meeting:

• A new Concord Trails Plan will be adopted by the City Council in October, and will be included in Concord’s General Plan.
• Bicycle trails paralleling Monument Blvd. are planned in the Concord Trails plan.
• One route will be a Class III Bike Connection Trail from Sunshine Drive to Linden Drive which connects to a Class II Bike Lane from Walter Way to Mohr Lane and the Iron Horse Regional Trail.

Meeting on August 20

Today's guests include Joni Carlson of the East Bay Bicycle Coalition , Cindy Dahlgren of the County Connection and Ray Kuzbari, Transportation Manager for the City of Concord. Joni is the official representative of the EBBC to our TAT. Ray hopes the Pedestrian Infrastructure Improvement Project will begin construction in the fall. Caltrans funding is allocated but not yet available.

Joni points out to Ray that in the Contra Costa Countywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan it has Monument Blvd as a bike route. Ray thinks this is a mistake, and he has submitted the city's Trails Master Plan to the CCTA. (I have reproduced portions of the two maps in the June 1 draft of the CBPP. The first map shows the proposed Monument Blvd bikeway by CCC in red and by MTC in light blue. The other map shows the existing Class III bike routes in orange on Sunshine Dr and Meadow Ln.)

Cindy says the Route 8 bus has been advertised in many ways more than any other route. To get more people to ride Route 8, Luz and Hanna tried it. Also, the kids attending our meeting from the Youth and Volunteer Action Team have tried it. Laura-Jean says, "Route 8 is great!" People didn't know that Route 8 bus would come to your door. Call the day before to have it pick you up. (For your information, I have reproduced the Riders Guide / Guía del Viajero.) Cindy reminds us the funding quits in June 2010. We brainstormed ways for how Monument Blvd businesses could promote the Route 8 bus.

Meeting on July 16

We warmly welcomed Brad Beck, Senior Transportation Planner for Contra Costa Transit Authority and Ray Kazbari, Transportation Manager for City of Concord, and we introduced our selves. Brad's introduction of himself included an explanation of what the CCTA does: it distributes sales tax money to transportation projects undertaken by cities and the county. We had a lively discussion on the Countywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan. Kathy Renfrow questioned why Monument Blvd. was not included on the bicycle route plan. The answer is too much traffic and not enough right-of-way for bicycle lanes on streets such as Monument and Clayton. The meeting ran out of time and we will continue the discussion at our next meeting.

Monument Boulevard Urban Design Plan and Design Guideline

I spoke in favor of the proposed plan at the Concord City Council meeting on July 6. It's so good it should be referred to in related plans: CCTA's 2009 Countywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Update, and City of Concord's Economic Vitality Strategy Update.

Read the July 9 Contra Costa Times article "Monument redevelopment plans pit traffic needs against community interests", and The Concordian article on page 32 "Vision for Monument Corridor taking shape".

Countywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan (CBPP) 2009 Update

The Draft 2009 Countywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan is now available for review and comment. (I've attended the June 29 Public Workshop on the 2009 CBPP.) The update addresses MTC's "routine accommodation" policy, where Measure J explicitly supports the idea that bicycle and pedestrian needs should be routinely accommodated in projects funded with Measure J revenues.

Take a look at the plan at http://www.ccta.net/EN/main/bike/cbpp.html, and send your comments and suggestions to Brad Beck, Senior Transportation Planner.

February Transportation Action Team Minutes

Monument Community Partnership
Transportation Action Team
Keller House
February 19, 2009

Attendance

Steve Ardrey East Bay Bicycle Coalition
Harold Blair MCP Board
Virginia Brunk, AARP
Gaby Castanada Facilitator, MCP Volunteer Action Team
Mary Lou Laubscher, Facilitator
Wes Laubscher Monument Crisis Center
Robert Mc Callister Resident
Bill Miller Senior Action Team
Dave Pitman Chair, Concord Park Association
Riena Velaquez Resident

Announcements
* Monument Pride Celebration coming on June 6th
* Volunteer Action Team is looking for space to meet
* Reina is concerned about safety on the Monument
* Wes suggested the group visit the Alameda Bicycle shop and program at the redeveloped Alameda Naval Base Redesign Project
* Bike to Work Day coming next month. Free “Goodie Bags will be given out to bikers at the Concord BART Station
* Lakeside Community Garden work day is February 28th at 10 a.m. Every one is invited to help out.
* Gentle Exercise class starting Monday, February 23 10:45 at the Police Sub Station , 1500 Monument Blvd.


Update on Changes in the County Connection Bus Routes by Virginia and Gaby

* All County Connection Bus Routes will be renumbered and changed.
* Bus fares will increase.
* Senior ID cards (Free Passes) will be eliminated
* LINK Services for disabled and seniors will cost $4.oo each way
* The Disabled /Senior Pass will be increased to 20 rides for $5.00
* Route 114 will not change but will be called Route 14
It will run on Weekends as Route 314
* Route 111 will be renamed Route 11
It will run on Weekends as Route 311
* Route 110 will be named Route 10
It will run on weekends as route 10 or route 20
* More weekend routes will be added to the system
* For information call 676-7500 or look up information at www.ccta.org
* Transportation Action Team can help by passing out blue information flyers widely

Starting a Monument Bicycle Repair Program by Steve Ardrey, Board Member East Bay Bicycle Coalition

Steve developed outline of a possible local program
Gaby, Mike Van Hofwegan (Monument Futures) and Mary Lou brainstormed suggestions

Starting a Community Bike Facility which would include:

Place to work on bikes with tools available
Kids/ workers build own bikes from recycled parts
An example is the Bicycle Kitchen project in San Francisco
Grants are available to start a simple program:
Saturday program using volunteers from Bicycle Coalition
Kids would fix a broken bike
Earn a biked
Learn how to patch a tire
Book on How To Do Repairs could be translated into Spanish
Space is main concern to get started
Meeting requested with Councilman Peterson
Virginia suggested into looking at Loma Vista Adult Ed. Site

Plan a group trip to Alameda Reuse project

Invite Garden Action Team, Transportation Action Team and Monument Redevelopment Team to join us.

Ratification Transportation Action Team Goals for 2009

Programs to in Be Continued in 2009
Urban Design Plan for Monument
Informative Speakers
Advocacy on Transportation Issues
Partnering with other agencies
Programs to Add in 2009
Participation in the Monument Redesign effort
Advocating for Safe Bicycle Routes and Walking Trails
Bicycle Safety Classes
Youth Bicycle Programs
Explore Boulder Colorado’s System for bikes, trails and other transportation Systems
Raising awareness for Safe use of Monument Corridor by pedestrians and bicyclists
Look for creative solutions to our transportation needs
Holding a bicycle Rodeo in conjunction with Monument Health Fair
Featuring new street improvements
Explore/ Initiate the feasibility of establishing a bicycle repair or recycling program

Approved 2-19 -09

Approval of Draft Letter Regarding MTC Use of Stimulus Funds

Group approved draft letters to Supervisor Federal Glover and Orinda Council Member Any Worth requesting they vote to use new Stimulus funds on local transportation projects that have be eliminated or greatly reduced in Contra Costa.

Next Steps

* Talk to Garden, Monument Re Design and Transportation groups about a joint trip to Alameda
* Distribute widely the blue informational flyers on County Connection Changes
* Harold and Mary Lou to attend press conference on February 25th regarding use of Stimulus funding
* Explore feasibility of Loma Vista site

Agenda Next Meeting
Report on meeting with Councilman Peterson
Start planning for Bicycle Repair Project
Update our blog with Dave’s help
Plan for tour of Alameda Re Design Project

Tonight’s meeting

+
Lots of great shared information
Better attendance from community members
Each person contributed information
Each person has been working on transportation projects
Meeting close almost on time

∆
Even more resident participation needed

Next Meeting
March 19, 7 p.m. at Keller House

Vision Statement By the year 2015 The Monument Transportation Action Team will have planned and implemented a “local” transportation system that will serve all residents of the Monument area who need it. It will be affordable, sustainable, safe, coordinated, environmentally sound, and get riders where they need to go in a reasonable time.

January 2009 Meeting Minutes

Monument Community Partnership
Transportation Action Team
Keller House
January 16, 2009

Attendance

Steve Ardrey, East Bay Bicycle Coalition

Gaby Castanada, Facilitator, MCP Volunteer Action Team

Ray Kazbari,Concord City Transportation Manager

Mary Lou Laubscher,Facilitator

Wes Laubscher, Monument Crisis Center

Robert Mc Callister, Resident

Bill Miller, Senior Action Team

Ashok Patwardhan, Civil Engineer

Dave Pitman, Chair, Concord Park Association



Announcements

Paul Branson’s position in the County Employment & Human Services Department along with 160 other positions has been eliminated. He has helped develop transportation services for seniors, welfare to work parents, safe rides to school and our own Route 8 bus. His departure is a great blow to us and others working on developing transportation projects in the county


Feb. 11th Amigo/Ambassador Training Dinner at Keller House 6 p.m.
Trainees will become familiar with new route changes in CCCTA (County Connection) They will be able to assist riders in using the new bus routes starting March 1st

Cindy Dahlgren’s new phone number is 680-2045


Concord Transportation Updates, by Ray Kusbari

Concord Naval Weapons plan was adopted by City Council

Very rough plan

Calls for Clustered Villages with Multi Family High Density Housing

Incorporates modern planning which reduces car usage

In many ways it is comparable to the new Dublin design

Transit Village

Shopping Center

Large beautiful park

Trails

University

Sport Facilities



Because of limited funds for Concord for matching, there are no transportation grants being developed at the present

Current transportation funding comes from:

Traffic Mitigation Funds for infra structure

City General Fund

Air District Funds

Measure C and J funds


Types of Bicycle Lanes from the 2003 Concord Trails Master plan

Class I Separated lanes between cars and bikes

Class II Dedicated bike lanes with pavement markings

Class III Bike Route that share roads

A In residential areas with no should

B Aerials and Connector roads with shoulder stripes


Report on Boulder Colorado Transit Plan by Ashok Patwardhan

Excellent transportation options are available in Bolder Colorado.

Alternate transportation options to the car are available any where in the city, even during winter snows.


Bicycle Report by Steve Ardre, Member East Bay Bicycle Coalition

* Problem with drivers exiting Malls and shopping centers - they do not stop before entering street

Need for city ordinances or increase in police ticketing
* Bay Area Air Quality Management District has funding for stores to acquire additional bike racks
* New shopping centers now required to provide bike racks, Wise bikers use steel cables to secure their bikes
* Increased bicycle theft throughout the Bay area, but most people don’t report it

Bicycle Coalition has Bay Area All points Bulletin on Web site.
They often find stolen bikes

* Bicycle licensing not very effective.
* Pleasant Hill had a successful Volunteer Day

Special Section for bike repairs

REI gave away free bike merchandise such as tools & bike parts

* Oakland has Bicycle COOP shops-supported with funding from grants
Waste Management has Grants for repairing bikes obtained from dumps

* Community Bicycle Exchanges
* Kids Build Bikes Grants available
* Bike Coalition Sponsors Bike to Work Day – B of A gives out funds for Energizer Bags of drinks and snacks

What Went Well in 2008 for Transportation Action Team

Good speakers at meetings

Advocacy on Transportation Needs of Community

Strong partnering with City and County Connection

Route 8 Bus serving area

Monument Street Scape Hearings

Positive dialog to address transportation needs

Being Selected to hold MTC Transportation Forum here

Representative on Contra Costa Transit Authority Grant Selection Committee
Representative on Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s Transit Affordability Committee

What Could Have Been Improved in 2008

More Community Involvement and attendance

Better understanding of TAT Goals and Objectives

Better understanding residents transportation needs

Better publicity about meetings

Get DVC students involved



What Should Be Continued 2009

Urban Design Plan for Monument

Informative Speakers

Advocacy on Transportation Issues

Partnering with other agencies

What Should Be Added

Participation in the Monument Redesign effort

Advocating for Safe Bicycle Routes and Walking Trails

Bicycle Safety Classe
Youth Bicycle Programs

Explore Boulder Colorado’s System for bikes, trails and other transportation Systems

Raising awareness for Safe use of Monument Corridor by pedestrians and bicyclists

Look for creative solutions to our transportation needs

Holding a bicycle Rodeo in conjunction with Monument Health Fair

Featuring new street improvements

Explore the feasibility of establishing a bicycle repair or recycling program

Next Step

Steve share additional written information on resources for tonight’s ideas.
Attend February 11th Meeting but make reservation with Cindy for the Amigos/
Ambassador training


Agenda Next Meeting

Follow up discussion with Steve

Invite Elaine Welsh to talk on Senior/Disabled Transportation Options in Contra Costa County

Information from Cindy on new County Connection Routes and Fees


Tonight’s meeting

+

Speakers were very good

Lots of great information

Fresh information from Ray and Steve

Ashok’s information on the Bolder Colorado’s transit system

More resident participation needed

Next Meeting

February 19, 7 p.m. at Keller House


Vision Statement By the year 2015 The Monument Transportation Action Team will have planned and implemented a “local” transportation system that will serve all residents of the Monument area who need it. It will be affordable, sustainable, safe, coordinated, environmentally sound, and get riders where they need to go in a reasonable time.

December Minutes

M.C.P
Transportation Action Team
www.transportationactionteam.blogspot.com
December 17, 2008
Keller House

Present: Mary Lou Laubscher, Lina Ortiz, Cindy Dahlgren, Bill Miller, Gaby Castaneda, Dave Pitman, Jenna Carlsson

Check In’s
Lina, enjoyed watching her children perform in their Christmas Music Shows in the last two days.
Dave, is doing good, selected chair for the neighborhood association Meadow Homes and won award 4 years ago for his neighborhood association. Various rankings completed and graduated back in 2004.
Cindy, Cal Act Fall Conference in Monterey in combo with the CA Transit Operation good speaks good conference, Robert F Kennedy his speaker and huge environmentalist and spoke about the connection between the environment and transportation. ADA proposed new regulations for American Disability Act and tours of course for functionability and they test everyone who apply. Like those who apply for the link service. American Disability Act eligibility revolves around the functional-ability. Can you pay the fare, can you get on the bus, can you follow a route. Then a 10 day vacation and then networking is really good but back home and working again. small specialized urban transit drivers convention, 131 big buses 63 paratransit.
Gabby, Christmas is so special this year with her 2 month old granddaughter Natalie, started smiling and laughing. Feels so happy and feels her sunshine at home.
Bill, is doing fine, is looking for a job. Enjoying his grandkids and watching their activities.
Mary Lou, glad to be thinking about the holidays and her last two weeks were spent in the hospital.
Jenna, originally from the Bay Area and studied Sociology Americorp Vista volunteer and worked with newly arrived refugees. Berma, Africa, Iraq and had started new programs for these refugees. Minority health and health discrepancies are currently her passions.

Community Reports
11-5 CCTA Meeting Forum Keller House
11-11 County Connection
11-18 Means Based Transit Fare Discount Program Planning Meeting, Service Providers
12-8 Senior Mobility Action Committee, Paul Bransons position eliminated. Worked for the County, Welfare to Work transportation, Laying off 200 People and his programs will go away. Children Transportation program not continued and Rise to Success program also not to continue. Active with CC for Every Generation.
12-8 Dr. Len announces his retirement from MCP

Cindy, Changes Planned for County Connection starting March 2009
• Board met this morning and put together a plan. 6 workshops to cut 20-30% of their service.
• The voice of most said to not cut routes completely, doesn’t matter if they come at least every hour and a half.
• Weekend service (Sat and Sun the same and more Sunday service but at least every hour and half.) Weekday Service
• Approved the Service Plan, changes will happen March 22
• Lay off 40 bus drivers, transit center in WC closing at WC Bart.
• Free midday Senior fares from 10-2pm will be discontinued
• 2 phase fare increase back in 2005, 2006 was the first one, March 22 in 2009 is the second one.
• $2 cash care, $1 Seniors, $4 for Link are the new fares. Repercutions mostly on link with ridership.
• School trippers (buses to schools) will still be there, will not cut buses going to school and transporting students.
• Software on buses has helped them figure out
• www.cccta.org for updates and news flashes, Cindy will 1,800 bus stops over 200 square miles, all the signage will have to be changed and reprinted.
• Lost and Found in the Concord Office, ironically the bus doesn’t go there.
• Transit Discount Cards can only get at Senior Center, will heavily rely on riders to buy passes at community outlets, online or mail.
• Monument Crisis Center has passes for sale. MCP could sell passes if they wanted. Other places in
Concord as well.
• Bart is moving at the Transit Center, ticket people will selling tickets and will combine all tickets for you.
• Customer Service representatives will be challenged. Amigos de Viajar and Bus Ambassadors will be heavily relied on to help passengers will all the new route changes. Bus drives will have to learn new bus routes. Some bus stops will have new numbers on them.
• Some stops will go away – like when routes are straightened out.
• 3 people will do the job of changing everything. No action plan yet but most likely the most used routes first and then do the other ones later.
• Mobility Management Center, waiting for grant to do mobility inventory in CC County. Will hire a consultant to do an inventory in the communities. Like a church, do they have a van. Preschools that have vans and medicare vans, taxi, airport operators, car shares. Where it is, how it operates, who it serves and where it goes. EXAMPLE, Broadway Plaza called and wanted a shopping shuttle from Rossmoor to Broadway Shopping Center. She directed them to someone else so they could share resources. Share resources and how to use those resources the best. They really don’t know what’s out there. Next Step: put it into a database and make it accessible in a website. Then one number to call to get connected. Transportation provider and rider will be connected to resources. Could go into an insurance pool. Non-Profits united.
• In Lamorinda Seniors came up with 3 things they wanted to do. 1, discount taxi rides, 2 volunteer driver program, 3 a van driver program. Within 2 years they accomplished it. 20% off taxi drivers, Senior Helpline Services and put together a budget and applied for a van through Cindy. Got a grant through the City of Lafayette and Moraga, Freedom Money, aggressive fund-raising. Big pool of volunteer. Mary Brunes, heading it, has lots of articles in Lamorinda Newsletter. Meisun Lei, at Lafayette Senior Center.
• 2nd New Freedom Grants, West and East County, to do three outreach meetings and take information from those meeting for the Mobility Management Center. Next step: opening Mobility Management Center. Website will come first.
• Director of Planning, Ann Muzzeni bright and is doing an amazing job of leading these changes.


What went well in 2008: Good advocacy on community needs at Concord Monument Street Scape Hearing, speakers excellent, maps were excellent, good professional speakers that cooperate with us, City staff lets us know when transportation meetings are coming up, Mary Lou’s involvement, Monument Blvd Sidewalk Improvements, Signal at Robin and Meadow. Planning for bicycle rodeo. Cindy’s participation and her early notification of all the changes within the Contra Costa County Connection.
What could be improved in 2008: Better attendance, Lina and Gabby take more of a leadership roles, better attendance, find out what transportation issues people would come out for. phone announcements, notification of meetings by Concord’s Engineering Dept., no group goal because we’ve been in a learning and observing mode.

Next Steps: Looking at and revising strategic plan for 2009, bring goals and objectives. Making the changes in the transportation world connect with real persons and their stories. Brainstorm issues on what residents would coume out for – survey? Distribute info County Connection changes and bring distinguished people to meetings. Secure meeting room space. Invite bicycle guy, EBRP Dist. Speaker.
Agenda for Next Meeting:
This Meeting Highlights: ideas, Cindy’s info of changes within County Connection
How this meeting could be improved: more interested people
Next Meeting: January 15th 2009, 7pm-9pm Keller House


Vision Statement By the year 2015 The Monument Transportation Action Team will have planned and implemented a “local” transportation system that will serve all residents of the Monument area who need it. It will be affordable, sustainable, safe, coordinated, environmentally sound, and get riders where they need to go in a reasonable time