MEASURE DD COMMUNITY COALITION MEETING
FEBRUARY 27, 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 – James Vann
Chabot Park Highlands Homeowners, Dunsmuir House – Ken Benson
East Bay Bicycle Coalition – Rick Rickard, Robert Raburn
Essex HOA Board Member – Joe Matera
Friends of the Cleveland Cascade – Jim Ratliff, Barbara Newcombe
Friends of Oakland Parks and Recreation – Kathryn Raymond, Judy Johnson
Golden Gate Audubon Society – John Bowers
Lake Merritt Institute – Liz Borowiec
Merritt Lakesiders – Gloria Pieretti
Waterfront Action – Sandra Threlfall
Garden Center, Inc. – Anne Woodell
Interested Citizens – David Bolanos, David Mix, John Wilson
From the City of Oakland:
Budget Office – Michael Kilian
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 Sandra Threlfall. The attendees introduced themselves. The schedule to meet eight times a year was approved by the Coalition.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE UPDATE:
Liz Borowiec and David Mix attended and reported. The meeting had been held on February 23rd. David handed out a report that he had put together. Liz handed out copies from the finance report and Joel sent to Kathy to put on the web. Costs are going up a lot, the report showed allocations versus expenditure which was the main focus of the meeting, the project status. One question that was discussed was how do you allocate the interest money. There is discretion on how to use the interest, according to the City Attorneys. One way could be to allocate in the same proportion as the bond, but then larger projects may get more funding over some of the smaller ones that could need it more. This issue is about a year off but discussions have been started. As far as grant money they do have lobbyists looking for state and federal money but it is not looking good. Right now they are coordinating with grant writers within public works to write state and federal grants. There is not really a plan for going after private funds. Jennie Gerard did indicate that it would be hard for a City entity to go after private funds.
It was asked about getting more details on Traffic simulations that have been done on Lakeshore. There is concern about the narrowing of the street and it was suggested the City should hold another public meeting or perhaps walking tours like was done for the trees. It was suggested that this should be put on as an agenda item for the next meeting. There is also interest in the proposal for the parking lot that will go by the Municipal Boathouse and the restroom location. Joe Matera, who came to represent the Essex, was very unhappy about the plans for the parking lot that will become their view. He feels they were not informed about the plans in a timely manner and the residents are concerned. Liz Borowiec remembers that Claudia Cappio had stated that she would set up a meeting with the neighbors to try and work out these issues. Joel Peter said that they are exploring other design possibilities and nothing is set in concrete yet, such as parallel parking along lakeshore. There was also a note that Joel had put together a sign about the Community Coalition that they were posting at the public meetings, Liz thanked him for this. It was asked if the Coalition could be mentioned on the public signs.
PATH SURFACES:
Ron Bishop went over a chart he created through research he had done and an article from Runner’s World. The surfaces in question have to do with the multi-use trail that will go around the lake. It was noted that the multi-use trail would be the sidewalk around a part of the lake (along lakeshore). Joel questioned some of the data that contradicted with his data about the maintenance costs of concrete; he believes it ends up being cheaper due to longevity. Joel also noted that there would be an unstabilized DG path next to the path for joggers. It was noted that due to the unstabilized DG it could kick up DG on the multi-use path surface and make it slippery. Ron doesn’t believe that concrete is the right surface for walking. The City rudimentary testing, as no hard data, is that concrete and asphalt have about the same resiliency to humans. Therefore, they selected concrete because of aesthetics and durability. Along the estuary they are planning for asphalt with DG borders, it was stated that this could be done along lake though is not called for in the plans. Overall there is a lack of scientific evidence on this topic. It is also a consideration that trucks will have to drive on these paths. It was noted that the path materials could still be changed it wasn’t too late. Along the lake there will be stabilized DG, only unstabilized DG for joggers along multi-use pathway.
PROJECTS:
John Bowers gave a presentation about 66th Ave. down by the coliseum. There is a project for a new gateway to announce the waterfront trail and connect it with the neighborhood and an observation platform. There is also an area that they would like to return to wetlands, which is not part of DD. Old Railway Bridge across Damon Slew, Damon Slew water flow makes a wonderful opportunity for wetlands. The Port owns the airport and due to development on wetlands the Port will need to mitigate by creating more wetlands. John believes this gives them a wonderful opportunity for mitigation credits. In fact, the Port did a project right across Damon Slew on the other side. John is trying to get the Port to make a commitment to the project, they will not commit but they will discuss it and say it is on the drawing board as an identified project that would meet mitigation credits. A couple items to overcome, but don’t think they are showstoppers are the following. 1. FAA doesn’t like wetland restoration projects near airports due to the birds. 2. Issue with invasive Spartina taking over and choking San Francisco Bay. They want to put a hold on wetland projects until they find a solution. They have started herbicides to destroy it. Jody Ziegler is the Port contact.
It was asked about partnerships and how the coalition can lobby and advocate.
Joel went over briefly projects on hold and we hope to cover in more detail at next meeting, due to time constraints. The Cryer Site may be on hold due to the water board and the remediation over contamination. Estuary Park, Brooklyn Basin, Livingston Pier, Gallagher & Burke Asphalt Plant and adjacent path, East Oakland Sports Complex on hold. The 3 bridge crossings they have made some progress and may be moving again, working with Corps of Engineers.
FUTURE AGENDA SUGGESTIONS:
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. and the next meeting is to take place on April 17th from 7-9 p.m. at the Lakeside Garden Center. (no meeting in March)