MEASURE DD COMMUNITY COALITION MEETING
APRIL 17th, 2006
LAKESIDE GARDEN CENTER
Agenda Committee: Liz Borowiec, Sandra Threlfall and John Bowers
Minutes by Kathy Raymond, Executive Director, Friends of Oakland Parks and Recreation
In Attendance:
15XNCPC - Eren Berkenkotter
Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee – Ron Bishop
CALM – James Vann
Chabot Park Highlands Homeowners, Dunsmuir House – Ken Benson
DKS Associates – Tom Krakow
East Bay Bicycle Coalition – Rick Rickard, Robert Raburn
Essex HOA Board Member & Residens – Joe Matera, Lisa Austin, Eric Petersen, Carley Petersen, MADS
Friends of the Cleveland Cascade – Jim Ratliff
Friends of Oakland Parks and Recreation – Kathryn Raymond, Judy Johnson
Greenlink Task Force - Nancy Rieser
Lake Merritt Institute – Liz Borowiec
Waterfront Action – Sandra Threlfall
WRT – John Gibbs
Interested Citizens –David Mix
From the City of Oakland:
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 7:05 P.M. by chair Liz Borowiec. The attendees introduced themselves. There were no changes to the previous minutes.
LIFE ENRICHMENT COMMITTEE REPORT UPDATE:
Joel Peter reported that he gave a report on April 11th to the Life Enrichment Committee. They asked that he return to full Council on May 2nd and provide a supplemental report and further look into a proposal by citizens around Lakeside Dr. for the revised parking lot and make recommendations from the staff. He said no action was taken until the full council.
David Mix had a flyer of his concerns and asked if there was a summary sheet the City had of all the comments that they have received during public input. Joel said he was not aware of one. He was concerned about the funds deficit and the plans to divert money slated for the sailboat house to finish the municipal boathouse that is now about $9 to $10 million when it was originally slated in the council report to be $6.5 million. It was stated that since it is in the same bond category the funds could be moved. Some concern was expressed if this was really the case.
PARKING LOT PROPOSAL:
Joe Matera, from the Essex, presented their revised plan for parking that would save the meadow north of the Boathouse. Handouts were distributed. A few concerns were that it didn’t include the bioswale that would pick up street water and run off so it didn’t go into the lake. Also, Ron Bishop was concerned that it needed some work on the bicycle pathways with this plan. The proposal makes more parking on Lakeside, 34 additional spots and would include a median to make it 3 lanes, though perhaps it could be opened at certain hours to relieve congestion. It also expands the small existing parking lot beside the Camron Stanford house. This would preserve the meadow. A number of individuals expressed support for saving the meadow but had some reservations about the current proposal. The bathroom has been proposed to be moved so not in the view of the neighbors. The City proposed adding trees to try and screen the parking lot in the meadow. David Mix expressed concern with the bathroom design and that he has not been able to get a clear description of the bathroom. It was stated that it is on the public works web site at www.oaklandpw.com.
PROJECTS UPDATE:
We reviewed briefly the projects on hold for various reasons, Estuary Park, Brooklyn Basin, East Oakland Sports Complex and Gallagher & Burke. The first two there are proposals to develop by developers that are being looked into. There is insufficient funding currently for the East Oakland Sports Complex and there are land rights issue for the pathway by Gallagher and Burke.
Tom Krakow presented an overview of the traffic studies that were done about narrowing Lakeside Dr. It was asked if the proposal by the Friends of Lakeview Library that would close El Embarcadero on weekends. It was stated that traffic studies failed when looking at closing El Embarcadero. The original study called for looking at all roads around the link and doing a syncro-analyization of what would occur in each scenario. They also did supplemental traffic studies after the Master Plan was complete. They looked at going from 4 lanes to 2 lanes (1 each direction) and projected out until 2020 and then later to 2025. They spoke about that you would take 1st into a new Blvd. and put the parking on 1st around the corner. Other parking issues mentioned that they should use the Kaiser Convention Center for parking. It was also mentioned that this would be creating a new plot of land, the DD funds are just slated to put grass on this area. It was mentioned that it was already slated for development, however, Joel mentioned that this was not part of DD and if it is to get developed that is outside the scope of their involvement.
The Studio One notice to proceed went out and they are officially under construction. A Draft EIR is underway on the new wetland by the 12th St. project below bridge. The tree permits have been issued and plans are being posted on the public works website and at the Lakeview Library.
The East 18th pier was studied and the whole thing need to be replaced. They will be doing this in a historic fashion. They will be putting back light fixtures and do a complete replacement but keep it historically accurate. They do not need a BCDC permit but do have Army Corps of engineers permit. They will be doing a Dept. of Interiors level reconstruction and Allan Dreyfus is the historic architect. It was asked to put the historic structures report on the web site.
Ron Bishop is still trying to get rid of the last remaining slip turn on E 18th. And suggested a double curb cut on El Embarcadero.
EXPENDITURE QUESTIONS:
It was questioned about the Measure DD allocations and if you could really move funds within the major categories. It was noted that the Council would have to approve reallocation of any funds to do this but that they believe it is legal to do as long as it stays in the same bond category. When asked where we were to meeting the spending requirements it was noted that the staff costs are currently running below projections. Also it was noted that engineering studies are okay to fund as long as it is leading to a capital project.
FUTURE AGENDA SUGGESTIONS:
1. Lily Soo Hoo on Draft Non-profit contract
2. City Attorney opinion on use of bond fund reallocation
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. and the next meeting is to take place on May 15th from 7-9 p.m. at the Lakeside Garden Center.