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Highlights of the Facilities and Transportation Committee Meeting of July 19, 2016.
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Title
Highlights of the Facilities and Transportation Committee Meeting of July 19, 2016.
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CITY OF SAN LEANDRO
FACILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
July 19, 2016
5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
San Leandro City Hall
835 East 14th Street
San Leandro, California
(Sister Cities Gallery)
HIGHLIGHTS
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Cutter called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
1.A. Attendance
Committee members present: Mayor Pauline Cutter, Councilmember Corina Lopez, Vice Mayor Ursula Reed
City staff present: Associate Engineer Mark Goralka, Library Director Theresa Mallon, MTC College Intern Flore Mountsambote, College Intern Reign Nelson, Senior Engineer Austine Osakwe, Library Manager Bill Sherwood, Principal Engineer Michael Stella, City Engineer Nick Thom, High School Intern Adrian Toscano, College Intern Henry Wijaya, City Manager Chris Zapata
Public Present: San Leandro Improvement Association District Manager Dominic LiMandri, Group 4 Architect Andrea Gifford
1.B. Announcements
N. Thom asked that Item 2C be moved ahead of 2B to which Mayor Cutter had no objection.
2. DISCUSSION ITEMS
2.A. Discussion Regarding Engineering & Transportation Department Summer Intern Program
The Engineering & Transportation offers a summer internship for local college and high school students. This summer, E&T employed one high school intern and three returning college interns, as well as an MTC intern. A. Osakwe introduced the Interns, Eric Hytonen (not present), Reign Nelson, Flore Mountsambote, Adrian Toscano and Henry Wijaya to the Committee, whereby each gave a brief bio.
The Committee expressed their appreciation and thanked the interns for their service.
2.C. Discussion Regarding Neighborhood Traffic Calming
M. Stella presented on neighborhood traffic calming and updated the Committee on projects that will receive traffic calming for this fiscal year.
Councilmember Lopez had concerns regarding several streets:
138th Avenue: Neighborhood applied in 2014-15 but no traffic calming to date. M. Stella said this street met volume criteria and that all neighbors reached consensus on traffic calming. This project is projected for 2017 so it will be included in the next CIP street project. Staff intends to attend neighborhood meetings when scheduled to provide more information.
Dowling Boulevard: M. Stella said Dowling meets the volume criteria, almost meets the speed criteria and now needs neighborhood support and consensus. Mayor Cutter asked staff to look in to getting bike lanes as a traffic calming option for Dowling Boulevard.
Mitchell Avenue: Councilmember Lopez communicated residents' feedback that the threshold for volume/speed criteria appears too high to qualify for them for the program. M. Stella will investigate conditions on Mitchell Avenue and report back. He will also research parklets as an option for traffic calming. As requested by Council Member Lopez, N. Thom will look into landscaped medians (as modeled in Berkeley) as an option for Mitchell Avenue.
Mayor Cutter mentioned the use of speed indicators on streets that are going through the traffic calming process and asked about getting more. M. Stella said the City currently has two portable speed indicators. The State Office of Traffic Safety reduced grant funding allocation so staff is currently re-evaluating their application for two additional speed indicators.
The Committee requested that staff review the criteria for traffic calming process and also requested that staff explore other cities' traffic calming options with the goal of offering a wider range of options to San Leandro residents. M. Stella said the City has a range of options available; speed humps the least costly. Allocated funding also determines the solution.
2.B. Discussion Regarding Library Flooring & Furnishings Project
N. Thom provided a brief description of the Library Flooring & Furnishings project at the Main and Manor Libraries. He introduced the consultant on the project from Group 4 Architecture, Research and Planning, Inc., Andrea Gifford. A. Gifford gave a presentation on various options for the flooring and furniture for the Main Library as well as for furniture at the Manor Branch Library.
A discussion ensued regarding color options for the flooring. The Committee felt a darker color in rooms that allow food, (specifically the Karp and Estudillo rooms) and the children's library area would be appropriate. Other concerns include whether the flooring options are allergen-free; the need for furniture fabric that is easy to clean; adult area chair options with a seat height that accommodates the elderly; and adequate light in the former periodical area.
There is a program called the California Multiple Award Schedules (CMAS) whereby suppliers offer their products at a pre-negotiated price to state and local government agencies. Agencies can purchase a wide variety of commodities, including carpet, off this list without having to go to bid. Staff will compare this option with projected bid prices and proceed with the lowest cost option.
Staff will bring Committee's concerns to the Library Commission who will make the final decision. The project is set to begin at the end of December 2016.
2.D. Project Updates:
N. Thom provided a map and discussion of street work over the last 8 years. N. Thom will present the same information to the full Council on September 6, 2016 along with the paving program, budget information, 5-year budget forecast and review the criteria of street selection.
N. Thom provided a list indicating the status of each active CIP project. Various projects were discussed.
Concerns about the September grand opening for the Siempre Verde Park were expressed and inquiries as to whether rehab will be completed in time for Recreation's scheduled movie night in August. N. Thom anticipates completion in August 2016.
MacArthur / Superior Roundabout - an informational public meeting is planned for September. At Councilmember Lopez's request, N. Thom will notify neighbors.
2.E. Discussion Regarding Future Agenda Items
C. Zapata recommended that rail safety be included in Future Agenda Items.
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS
District Manager for the San Leandro Improvement Association Dominic LiMandri was present to answer questions regarding the Bocce Ball Court project at Root Park. He announced that a meeting for September 20th is scheduled to discuss material options.
Committee Member Lopez made the Committee aware of a redwood tree that has a health issue at the park. D. LiMandri is aware and will try to mitigate damage and preserve the health of the tree. City Manager Zapata suggested that Public Works has experienced staff to deal with tree issues.
City Manager Zapata thanked the committee for the work on funding for East 14th Street. He also would like to visit the idea of rail safety and asked that the subject be on a future meeting. Mayor Cutter agreed.
4. COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS
None
5. ADJOURN at 6:38 PM
The meeting was adjourned at 6:38 PM