1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Cutter at 5:00 p.m. on June 2, 2015
1.A. Attendance
Committee Members: Mayor Pauline Cutter, Councilmember Corina Lopez, Councilmember Ursula Reed
City Staff Present: Cynthia Battenberg, Keith Cooke, Kirsten Foley, Lianne Marshall, Austine Osakwe, Debbie Pollart, Nick Thom
Outside Presenters: Elsa Ortiz (AC Transit Board of Directors, Ward 3), Joe Callaway (AC Transit), Robert Del Rosario (AC Transit), Rama Pochiraju (AC Transit), Miguel Martinez (BRT), Hannah Lindelof (BART)
Aida Asuncion (AC Transit), Wil Buller (AC Transit), Beverly Green (AC Transit), Thomas Kronemeyer (Community Design + Architecture), Chris Parsons (Parsons), Garrett Parsons (Parsons), Marianna Parreiras (BART)
Public Present: Jim Prola, Deborah Cox, Helene Fried
1.B. Announcements
None
2. DISCUSSION ITEMS
2.A. Discussion regarding AC Transit BRT and San Leandro BART Transit Center
(00:00:00)
Rama Pochiraju of AC Transit a Senior Project Manager for the BRT Project gave a presentation providing an update on the BRT project up to the San Leandro BART station. The project is currently a month and a half into the construction phase of the utility relocation bid package. Helen Fried provided a brief description of the artistic elements in the project.
(00:07:35)
Joe Callaway of AC Transit is the Project Manager for the portion of the BRT project that terminates at the San Leandro Transit Center (TC) at the San Leandro BART station. Purpose of his presentation is to collect comments, concerns, and thoughts on the BRT project. There are plans to expand the TC at both BART stations, as well as add more routes. Goals are to update the TC with a new look and feel, provide for improved pedestrian circulation and raise ADA compliance and accessibility.
Mr. Callaway would like the Committee’s input on the entrance into BART from Davis Street and will look into mitigating the loss of parking spaces. A new pedestrian signal is planned for the West Juana Paseo location. AC Transit is working with BART and the City to establish a design that will work as best as possible for all parties. Mr. Callaway reviewed the design development of the current proposed concepts for the TC. Discussion ensued regarding the time-period for completion of the Tech Campus development as it relates to parking.
Councilmember Lopez expressed concern about losing parking spaces and the need for east/west service to augment ridership.
(00:26:28)
Robert Del Rosario presented for AC Transit. He referred to the Council’s requirement three years ago to establish a complete north/south access, which will be provided by terminating and replacing Line 1. There will be another service that will operate at 15 minute frequency down East 14th Street, which will provide the north/south service for the city.
AC Transit is reviewing east/west (cross-town) 15 minute intervals along Estudillo Avenue and Llewelling Boulevard as well as 30 minute service intervals at other locations. Voter approval of Measure BB will allow AC Transit to offer more service routes and more frequent service on existing routes in San Leandro. AC Transit is working to restore service in the spring of 2016 to levels similar to pre-2010 service cut levels.
00:34:07
Mayor Cutter asked BRT to schedule a meeting for review of all of the proposed changes to the San Leandro TC and surrounding areas and discussion of adjustments before a decision can be made. The Mayor commented on supplementing the Links Shuttle with Measure BB funding to improve service in the western areas of San Leandro and expanding BRT down to Bayfair Mall. The Committee expressed concern regarding the lost vehicle entrance on San Leandro Boulevard and general vehicle circulations.
The Committee is concerned about giving up services such as the 33 BART parking spaces to the BRT TC changes if increased east/west bus services and ridership does not happen.
The City Manager reviewed major interest areas of the discussion including communication, art issues, fiber optics features, asphalt paving, business collaboration, coordinating with adjacent development, maintenance, and parking.
00:50:31
Hannah Lindelof of BART indicated that BART considers the current proposed TC as a work in progress and that it is moving forward as a collaborative design that serves all of the needs of the station. She added that BART is desirous of the long-term success of the BRT System.
Marianna Parreiras (BART) expressed concern from creating a larger transit center as it relates to personal security at the BART stations for passengers transferring to buses. The main concern is the experience for BART riders.
Mayor Cutter requested that staff work on the parking issue and to initiate BRT meetings to keep everyone involved up-to-date. Councilmember Reed wants BRT to coordinate all agency involvement to ensure effective community meetings.
00:58:43
The Committee agreed to re-adjourn in July or September 2015 regarding this issue. Meantime, the City and BART will provide comments and input to AC Transit so they can complete the project design.
The meeting was adjourned after this item was concluded.
2.D. Project Updates / Discussion
Moved to next meeting
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS
None
4. COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS
None
01:04:25
5. ADJOURN