Title
ACCEPT: Facilities and Transportation Committee Meeting Highlights of April 10, 2012
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: Schedule approval of the sale of the former Hugo’s Linen property at 2015 Laura Avenue
Body
CITY OF SAN LEANDRO
CITY COUNCIL FACILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
April 10, 2012
4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
San Leandro City Hall
835 East 14th Street
San Leandro, California
Sister Cities Gallery
HIGHLIGHTS
Committee Members: Councilmember Cutter (Absent), Councilmember Gregory, Councilmember Starosciak
City staff present: Keith Cooke, Uche Udemezue, Lianne Marshall
Outside presenters: None
Public present: None
The meeting was called to order at 4:05 p.m.
1. Discussion Regarding Selection of Committee Chairperson
The item will be tabled until the May Facilities Committee meeting.
2. Discussion Regarding Former Hugo’s Linen Property
Uche Udemezue gave a brief background regarding the former Hugo’s Linen property. He explained that the Westgate Parkway project was designed to connect Davis Street to Williams Street, but Caltrans rejected a direct connection to Davis Street. The objective of the project was to relieve traffic on Davis Street. Staff looked at two alternatives for the project. One alternative was the widening of Davis Street and the other was to build a pedestrian crossing across Davis Street. Staff met with the community and they did not want the crossing. It was determined that the widening of Davis Street was the better alternative. The Hugo’s Linen property was acquired for the project as it was originally planned, but it was later determined that the property was not needed. The City has been approached by a potential buyer, but certain processes have to be followed to sell it. The property has to be listed and potential buyers must make bids before the City can proceed to enter into a contract and sell the property. Staff is requesting approval from the Committee to proceed to sell the property.
Discussion ensued. Staff responded to questions from the Committee.
Committee Recommendation
The Committee recommends proceeding with the sale of the former Hugo’s Linen property at 2015 Laura Avenue.
3. Discussion Regarding Neighborhood Traffic Calming
Keith Cooke gave a PowerPoint presentation regarding Neighborhood Traffic Calming. He explained the criteria for the program, qualified roadways, and speed humps and cushions. Keith discussed last year’s list and the upcoming list for 2012-13.
Discussion ensued. Staff responded to questions from the Committee. Keith explained that an application has not been received for Lake Chabot Road, but feedback signs will likely be installed to slow down the westbound traffic. Uche explained that the process is resource intensive. Neighborhoods do not always agree on the nature and the existence of a traffic problem. Keith stated that there will be challenges on some streets and studies need to be done. Staff is researching converting streets to one-way streets in the area of Kesterson Street based on a request by a resident to relieve traffic volume. Moving forward, the affected neighborhoods need to affirm the existence of the stated traffic problems and commit to making changes to their streets that any potential solution would entail. If these were to come to pass, staff will research options and resources to make the improvements for traffic relief. Councilmember Starosciak stated that she will bring the issue to the homeowner’s association meeting.
4. Discussion Regarding AC Transit Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)
Keith gave a brief update on the AC Transit BRT project. He stated that AC Transit requested a postponement of the April 19, 2012 neighborhood meeting. A meeting will be scheduled for a weekday in May for residents and businesses to attend as soon as it can be coordinated. AC Transit has asked the City to postpone making a final judgment on our locally preferred alternative until June. Keith reviewed some of the key comments from the environmental document.
Discussion ensued. Staff responded to questions from the Committee. Councilmember Gregory asked if BRT should be a system upgrade. Keith stated that it should be and that local service should not be diminished. Councilmember Gregory asked if there will be further dialogue with AC Transit regarding BRT. Keith explained that the process is not complete and there will be further discussion. Uche stated that the project is one that you have to look at for the future. The advantage to doing the project now is that money is available now and may not be available in the future.
Councilmember Starosciak complimented Keith on the comments, questions, and requests that he forwarded to AC Transit, and remarked that they really reflect the concerns of the residents. She stated that the City needs to look at this project and understand what is in it for San Leandro. She felt that, perhaps, the Council, as a body or individually, should explore feasible political solutions that are beyond the technical evaluations and solutions that staff are required to pursue under the law. The Council should look at what type of project it desires instead of an outright rejection of what is being offered. A modification of the proposed project that offers more to San Leandro residents would not be a bad thing. San Leandro, she felt, could emulate political success that Oakland has achieved with this project. She stated that there is an opportunity for the Council to discuss and decide what they want from the project.
Councilmember Gregory stated there have been a lot of mixed signals coming from AC Transit and the project could have been better handled. He further stated that he and Councilmember Cutter have an opportunity to sit down in the near future with Oakland Councilmember Kaplan. At their meeting, they will discuss the project and go over Keith’s comments. He affirmed the need for the Council explore other options and take an active political role.
5. Discussion Regarding Future Committee Meeting Days/Time
Councilmember Gregory stated that the second or third Wednesday of the month works best for Councilmember Cutter. Lianne Marshall stated that day is fine if it works for everyone. Councilmembers Gregory and Starosciak and staff agreed that meetings will be held on the second Wednesday of each month at 4:00 p.m.
6. Public Comments
Lianne Marshall stated that the due date for the Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant is June 10, 2012. It needs to be submitted 3-4 weeks in advance for review and feedback for any necessary changes. Staff is depending on the expertise of the Engineering and Transportation Department for assistance.
7. Committee Member Comments
Councilmember Gregory asked if the signal at 136th Avenue will be completed over the summer. Uche stated that it will be functional by the time school resumes in August. Keith stated there will be a comprehensive traffic safety class for students beginning in late May that will specifically address the scramble signal.
Councilmember Starosciak stated that the Mayor has mentioned a couple of times that pavement at East 14th Street and Joaquin needs to be fixed, and asked if there is a plan to address the issue. Uche stated that Caltrans is committed to do work this summer. Staff will do concrete work and Caltrans will address the curb and gutter work.
Councilmember Starosciak stated that she spoke with Dr. Patrick Kennedy regarding getting the conduit over the Maltester-Polverosa overpass. She asked if Caltrans can put a 4-inch conduit along the underside of the overpass. She asked if she should make the request. Keith said that the conduit is a solution to the issues on the overpass.
Councilmember Starosciak asked if the San Leandro Boulevard project that’s scheduled for next summer will be coordinated with the San Leandro Crossings project. Keith responded that the two projects are being coordinated.
Councilmember Gregory stated there has been graffiti under the overpass near Root Park. He has had conversations with the City Manager and with Public Works and they have generously offered to split the cost of clean-up.
8. Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 5:19 p.m.