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.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Thursday, January 26, 2012
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
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
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
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.
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
Friday, September 30, 2011
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.
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 RenfrowJeff Rogers with the City of Concord Engineering Dept.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Queen of all Saints Festival, Sunday, August 28, 2011St. 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
Saturday, July 30, 2011
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
Friday, June 10, 2011
April 28 Meeting Minutes
TRANSPORTATION ACTION TEAM
Meeting Minutes
Date: April 28, 2011
Time: 7:00 PM
Place: Keller House, 1760 Clayton Road, Concord, CA 94520
Facilitator: Mary Lou Laubscher
Co: Facilitator Bruce Lyon
Members Present: Dave Pitman, Mary Lou Laubscher, Wes Laubscher, Bruce Lyon, Lindsay Emi, Urban Habitat of Alameda County, Susan Lawson, and Sally Smith, Mike Van Hofuegen, Executive Director of the Michael Chavez Center, Eric Anya
Introductions:
We were asked to introduce our selves and tell what current form of transportation that we currently use and what future form of transportation that we aspire to use.
Members present, Current transportation, Future Transportation
*Wes Laubscher, Drives a car ,Bike & walk
*Lindsay, Bicycle and bus, Live close to work and walk
*Susan, Car, para transit
*Sally, Car, para transit
*Dave Pitman, Drives, para transit
*Bruce, Commuter personal type public transportation with personal vehicle
Meeting Minutes
Date: April 28, 2011
Time: 7:00 PM
Place: Keller House, 1760 Clayton Road, Concord, CA 94520
Facilitator: Mary Lou Laubscher
Co: Facilitator Bruce Lyon
Members Present: Dave Pitman, Mary Lou Laubscher, Wes Laubscher, Bruce Lyon, Lindsay Emi, Urban Habitat of Alameda County, Susan Lawson, and Sally Smith, Mike Van Hofuegen, Executive Director of the Michael Chavez Center, Eric Anya
Introductions:
We were asked to introduce our selves and tell what current form of transportation that we currently use and what future form of transportation that we aspire to use.
Members present, Current transportation, Future Transportation
*Wes Laubscher, Drives a car ,Bike & walk
*Lindsay, Bicycle and bus, Live close to work and walk
*Susan, Car, para transit
*Sally, Car, para transit
*Dave Pitman, Drives, para transit
*Bruce, Commuter personal type public transportation with personal vehicle
*Mike Hofwegen, Driver, Bike & Walk
*Eric Anya, Bike & Walk, Bike & walk
*Eric Anya, Bike & Walk, Bike & walk
* Mary Lou, Drive, Door to Door Para transit
PRESENTATION: by Lindsay, from Urban Habitat of Alameda County
Lindsay talked about the Metropolitan Transportation Planning project called One Bay Area it is designed One Bay Area Plan to incorporate land use, decrease green house gas emissions and vehicle miles traveled.
The One Bay Area Plan will add 200 billion Dollars 25 year transportation plan to maintain and operate the nine-county region transportation network.
Goals of the One Bay Area Plan
* Reduce air pollution, improve health, reduce Green House Gas emissions.
* Provide Equitable access for transportation
* Provide Open space and Agricultural Preservation:
* 100% of proposed housing to be located within the region.
* Plan to be Updated every three to four years.
* Ami Worth from City council fromOrinda our MTC representative for MTC (MTC is 9 county region)
* SB375 Senate Bill Green House Grass (GHG)reduction.
Priority Development Areas "PDA" estimates 40% growth in Contra Costa County 42%. In Concord 19,000 households to be added by 2035
Future housing growth will match jobs with housing near existing transit,
Future housing growth is expected along, Clayton Road and Monument Blvd.
Some concerns from members present is that the high cost of new housing is expected to displace the existing low income residents and there are health concerns and cancer risks associated with locating housing in close proximity to emitter sources like freeways.
Lindsay reported that:
Transportation cost is high for low income, the second highest cost in family
budgets.
Living near Public transit will reduce the cost by half.
FUTURE EVENTS:
July 2011 MTC develops a few different RTP (Regional Transportation package) of projects for review.
Sept. Oct 2011 Discussion of the pros cons of the alternatives.
COMMUNITY REPORTS:
Dave, Bruce and Mary Lou gave reports on the meetings they attended:
PRESENTATION: by Lindsay, from Urban Habitat of Alameda County
Lindsay talked about the Metropolitan Transportation Planning project called One Bay Area it is designed One Bay Area Plan to incorporate land use, decrease green house gas emissions and vehicle miles traveled.
The One Bay Area Plan will add 200 billion Dollars 25 year transportation plan to maintain and operate the nine-county region transportation network.
Goals of the One Bay Area Plan
* Reduce air pollution, improve health, reduce Green House Gas emissions.
* Provide Equitable access for transportation
* Provide Open space and Agricultural Preservation:
* 100% of proposed housing to be located within the region.
* Plan to be Updated every three to four years.
* Ami Worth from City council from
* SB375 Senate Bill Green House Grass (GHG)reduction.
Priority Development Areas "PDA" estimates 40% growth in Contra Costa County 42%. In Concord 19,000 households to be added by 2035
Future housing growth will match jobs with housing near existing transit,
Future housing growth is expected along, Clayton Road and Monument Blvd.
Some concerns from members present is that the high cost of new housing is expected to displace the existing low income residents and there are health concerns and cancer risks associated with locating housing in close proximity to emitter sources like freeways.
Lindsay reported that:
Transportation cost is high for low income, the second highest cost in family
budgets.
Living near Public transit will reduce the cost by half.
FUTURE EVENTS:
July 2011 MTC develops a few different RTP (Regional Transportation package) of projects for review.
Sept. Oct 2011 Discussion of the pros cons of the alternatives.
COMMUNITY REPORTS:
Dave, Bruce and Mary Lou gave reports on the meetings they attended:
4-8 CCTA hearing with non-governmental agencies
4-12 Concord City Council Meeting. Monument Corridor Shared Use Trail: City hired an engineering company of Nolte Associates inWalnut Creek
4-20 CCTA forum Regional transportation plan
4-21 TANSPAC Hearing on Regional Transportation Plan
4-25 Senior Mobility Action Council
4-27 CCTA advisory committee measure J transportation for livable communities, pedestrian Bicycle and trail facilities, MTC safe routes to school.
4-12 Concord City Council Meeting. Monument Corridor Shared Use Trail: City hired an engineering company of Nolte Associates in
4-20 CCTA forum Regional transportation plan
4-21 TANSPAC Hearing on Regional Transportation Plan
4-25 Senior Mobility Action Council
4-27 CCTA advisory committee measure J transportation for livable communities, pedestrian Bicycle and trail facilities, MTC safe routes to school.
BART mobile seating lab, is coming to the Keller house so residents can try out new types of seats and give their opinions.
No TAT meeting in May
May 18 MTC forum meeting at
ADJORNMENT: 9:00
Next Meeting
June 23, 7 p.m. at Keller House
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