MEASURE DD COMMUNITY COALITION MEETING
JANUARY 23, 2006
LAKESIDE GARDEN CENTER
Agenda Committee: Ron Bishop, David Bolanos, Sandy Threlfall
Minutes by Kathy Raymond, Executive Director, Friends of Oakland Parks and Recreation
In Attendance:
Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee – Ron Bishop
CALM – Jane Powell
Chabot Park Highlands Homeowners, Dunsmuir House – Ken Benson
East Bay Bicycle Coalition – Rick Rickard, Robert Raburn
East Bay Regional Parks – John Sutter
Friends of the Cleveland Cascade – Jim Ratliff, Barbara Newcombe
Friends of Oakland Parks and Recreation – Kathryn Raymond
Jack London Aquatic Center – Robert Kidd
Lake Merritt Institute – Liz Borowiec
Oakland Heritage Alliance – Naomi Schiff
Splash Pad - Pratt
Waterfront Action – Sandra Threlfall
Garden Center, Inc. – Anne Woodell
Interested Citizens – David Bolanos, David Mix, Eloise Sutter, Dennis Brown, Jerry Cauther, Michael Kilian
From the City of Oakland:
Environmental Services Division - Ali Schwartz
Public Art Coordinator - Steven Huss
City of Oakland Public Works – Joel Peter
Council Member Reid’s Office – Pat Mossburg
Council Member Kernighan’s Office – Jennie Gerard
The meeting was called to order at 7:04 P.M. by chair David Bolanos. The attendees introduced themselves.
A new agenda committee was selected, John Bowers, Liz Borowiec and Sandra Threfall volunteered.
CREEKS UPDATE:
Ali Schwartz, from the City’s Environmental Services Division, came to give an update on Measure DD creek restoration, creek acquisition and Lake Merritt water quality. The Council has approved the staff report (Dec. 20th) and they have authorization to move forward with their prioritized list. Most of the public process has been completed. The staff report is available on line at the City Clerk’s web site. There are 6 projects moving forward under the creek restoration in the design phase.
The Lake Merritt Technical Committee made further recommendations and they are moving forward and the design and installation of a restorative technology project, a kind of floating island. They are also working on a storm drain tide flap pilot, which if successful will allow for the installation of additional storm water treatment units around Lake Merritt. There are 3 storm water treatment units installed already and 1 under construction. They are also installing some “please don’t feed the birds” signs, this is a new OPR policy. The bird island project was asked about. This project is being done with other funding and is not a part of Measure DD. The issue that Gordon Piper asked about was raised again, concerning funding for the Temescal Creek area and the fire danger in North Oakland. It was indicated there might be some possible preservation of this area that is focused on water quality because the DD funds are specified for Water Quality issues.
EXECUTIVE MEETING:
It was noted that Claudia Cappio had reassigned Kerry Jo Ricketts-Ferris and that now Joel Peter is the single point of contact. It was noted that now that the bond is more in the implementation phase and less in the planning phase so that Kerry may have been needed on other items. The group expressed some concern over the grant writing piece that Kerry has been so involved in and also that the group had been given no notice of this change.
It was discussed again the need for individuals to attend the Executive Meetings on an ongoing basis so the group could be more effective. A finance expert was needed to be able to understand the numbers more effectively. Liz Borowiec had volunteered to be one of the members that would attend regularly, the next Exec. Meeting is Feb. 23rd. David Mix volunteered to go to the meeting with Liz.
PROJECTS:
Robert Rayburn, the Executive Director of the Bicycle Coalition, came to express some concerns over the Cryer Site. It was a former boat fitter’s site and the soil is contaminated and there is a requirement from the State Water Boardthat a portion of this area be fenced off. He believes there is some awkwardness in the path design and questions if this is a needed project and that perhaps the money could be better spent. Maybe the trail should be moved more inland or perhaps be used to calm the traffic on the Embarcadero in front of Union Point Park. Joel noted that the project is one of many important small links that will be needed to connect the entire Waterfront Trail into a continuous whole.. The renovation of the building would not be in Measure DD funds. Joel said he could come back to the next meeting with drawings. The Cryer Site is part of Phase 2 of Union Point Park and it would need to be capped and developed, they want to connect the waterfront trail through the Cryer site up to the street. They would need to fence off the beach but they could do the trail and park now and the beach and underwater clean up later if funds become available. The first phase of this project would be $1 million to cap site and about $1 million to do the trail and park. They are on a parallel track to get the BCDC and Water Board approval. There had been an open house on this project last February; however, there had not been a fence at that meeting. It was noted again, that there was a need to calm the roadway by Union Point Park.
COALITION DISCUSSION:
David Bolanos brought up what the role of the Community Coalition really is and what authority do we have. Ken Benson reminded the group that in the beginning the group made a decision in the beginning to be an advisory group. With fiscal oversight we have had an advisory role, no power or authority. There has been discussion around setting up a committee for fiscal oversight and Ken brought up is this to be an audit committee or an oversight committee because they have different connotations and would require different expertise and time commitments. There are audit requirements within the bond itself.
PROJECTS:
There is no further clarification on the use of DD funds for Estuary Park until the Oak to Ninth process gets some decision. Claudia is working on the EIR process. It was asked about the Brooklyn Basin and Marine Max, that the Port has, no deal yet. A developer is currently building phase I of a Boat Mall, and they may build phase II of a Boat Mall. If not then it may come back into the picture to negotiate with the City.
Joel handed out updated project summaries, Ron Bishop pointed out he would like these more in advance so there is time to review. Jim Ratliff mentioned it is one versus the other, either we get the latest information handed out or we get it earlier but it may not be as up to date. It was asked if there was a way to flag or bold items that have been modified so it would be easier to note the updates. Right now only the status column is actively changing.
A matrix was handed out on pathway materials. Ron Bishop mentioned again, that there is now a study going on in London to study the results of impact on the body of each surface. Joel noted that any scientific evidence would be helpful.
PUBLIC ART”
Steven Huss came to present that the 12th St. project is now underway and that Tod Blair and John Rogers are the artists selected, he presented a slideshow of some of their work. They have a number of items they are looking into potentially for these areas. It was noted that they should look at what they can do to the acoustics under the bridge to minimize the traffic noise from over the bridge.
The Studio One project is through all reviews but deferred by council until later to answer a question by Jane Brunner on the impact of the lights on the neighbors.
The 66th Ave. Gateway project has a March 31st deadline the RFP will go out in early February, it will be a national call. Fairyland RFP will also be released soon but will be Bay Area only.
FUTURE AGENDA SUGGESTIONS:
1. Update on Projects on Hold
2. Set meeting schedule for year
3. Review of matrixes – surfaces for pathways
4. Executive Committee update
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. and the next meeting is to take place on February 27th from 7-9 p.m. at the Lakeside Garden Center. (Moved to fourth Monday due to President’s Day.