The Regular Meeting of the Downtown East Valley Policy Advisory Board (PAB) was called to order at 3:10 p.m. by Chairperson Chavez, Lower Level Conference Room,  70 West Hedding Street, San Jose, California.

ROLL CALL

A quorum was present

There were no Public Presentation.

M/S/C (McHugh/Campos) to approve the Minutes of June 2, 2005.

Steven Fisher, Senior Transportation Planner, reported that staff is waiting for concurrence from Federal Transit Administration (FTA) language regarding construction mitigation with the air quality and stringent language with regard to idling two pieces of equipment at one time.   Mr. Fisher further reported staff is also awaiting concurrence with VTA’s historic property survey report from State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO).  Mr. Fisher noted that once SHPO completes their review of the report, VTA anticipates public circulation of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Statement (EIS/EIR). 

Mr. Fisher advised that staff will provide a report to the PAB on the Monterey Highway Bus Rapid Transit at their meeting on October 6, 2005. 

Member Cortese took his seat at 3:15 p.m.

On order of Chairperson Chavez, there being no objection, Downtown East Valley Quarterly Status Report was received and filed.

Ken Ronsse, Design and Construction Manager, reported the roadway alignment report has been completed and forwarded to the City of San Jose for their review.   The intersection layouts, roadway layouts, and main line corridor lane configurations have been completed as well.

Mr. Ronsse stated that due to environmental constraints, a small portion of Tully Road will remain at eight lanes through the intersection, which will allow a widening through the intersection through Tully Road then narrow back down.

Member Cortese queried if the lanes will be used as turn lanes or through lanes.   Mr. Ronsse responded they will be through lanes and staff is still working with the City of San Jose to determine if they will be a mixed-flow lane or High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lanes.  Mr. Ronsse noted final determination would not be made until final design.

Member McHugh referenced Page 1 of 2, last paragraph, “The relinquishment of Capitol Expressway by the County of San Jose remains an open issue.” and requested staff expand on the comment.     Mr. Ronsse responded that both the City of San Jose and the County of Santa Clara are in negotiations regarding when the transfer might occur.    Member McHugh stated he will provide the County of Santa Clara County’s perspective at the meeting of October 6, 2005.

Mr. Ronsse reported staff is in the process of beginning the construction impact mitigation plan and are now looking at what construction would look like and configuration during construction to prepare a draft implementation mitigation plan during preliminary design. 

Mr. Ronsse noted that staff has had several meetings with stakeholders in the area such as Beschoff Motors, Eastridge Staff and Airport Staff.   Beschoff Motors are very supportive of VTA’s project and appreciates the improvements on the Corridor.    Eastridge continues to be supportive of the project and staff will have continued dialogue with Eastridge because there are some substantial sequencing issues.  

Mr. Ronsse informed the PAB that staff has been giving a lot of attention and energy to aesthetics.   Design staff has come up with a good design, which is sensitive to the Community.   The designs will be provided to the PAB at their October 6, 2005 Meeting for review and input.

Mr. Ronsse stated that upcoming activities, which will be conducted in the near future, are finalizing the right-of-way mapping, identifying design enhancements, and community outreach effort. 

Mr. Ronsse distributed a list entitled Downtown East Valley Transit Improvement Plan Capitol Expressway Light Rail Project (Preliminary Engineering) Public Involvement Stakeholders List, which outlines the stakeholders, business communities, Strong Neighborhood Initiatives (SNIs), and the community and when staff will be meeting with them.

Vice Chairperson Campos referenced staff’s meeting with Pleasant Hill’s Community and queried as to the feedback provided to staff.   Mr. Ronsse responded that the Pleasant Hill Community’s main interest is in the Tully Avenue area.   The Community is in support of the project as a whole and was influential in staff’s selection as the aesthetic theme.  The Community is very transit oriented and appreciates what is being done at the Transit Center at Eastridge and is interested in more feedback from staff as to how bus linkage might work.

Mr. Ronsse advised that staff does have a record of the meeting which can be forwarded to Vice Chairperson Campos.

On order of Chairperson Chavez, there being no objection, the Capitol Expressway Preliminary Engineering Status Report was received and filed.

Mr. Ronsse introduced Shirley Bassett, Lead Architect, who outlined the aesthetic development recommendations.   

Ms. Bassett stated that the two main influences were habitat elements such as wildlife and plant life such as coyotes and evergreen oak trees, which influenced the name for the Evergreen District and cultural elements from Latino and Vietnamese cultures such as reflecting bright colors, snake-type wildlife, concrete textures and mosaics. 

Ms. Bassett noted that the local habitat in that area is defined by images such as fauna and flora as she referenced displayed boards with photographs of local animals such as coyotes and local birds and vegetation such as the Evergreen Orchards.

Ms. Bassett informed the Committee that the expressway is a massive expanse that does not have existing architectural styles to relate to and staff is proposing the concept of this project should respond to the natural local elements and cultural arts. 

The aerial view of the pedestrian bridge depicted the pedestrian bridge with an arch to the other side of the road with curves lines at the stairs coming up and down the bridge. 

The aerial view of the pedestrian bridge at Story Road depicted the pedestrian bridge with the arch, curved lines at the stairs.   The pedestrian bridge is designed so that people coming up or going down the stairs will follow the curved lines and experience the sense of a playful sort of flowing experience. 

Member McHugh stated that he is impressed with the recommendation staff has presented and the artwork shows respect for the community and will do wonders to the corridor.

Vice Chairperson Campos recommended that arches not be installed to resemble barriers separating one portion of the community from the other portion.

Vice Chairperson Campos stated the trees are an excellent idea which will provide height that will enhance the neighborhood.

Vice Chairperson Campos requested staff provide photographs to the PAB, which will allow them to have a better view of the elevators.

Member Cortese recommended reconvening focus groups.

Vice Chairperson Campos requested staff keep in mind that when bringing in all of the different ethnic groups to discuss artwork, no matter which culture looks at the artwork they should be able to identify with it.

On order of Chairperson Chavez, there being no objection, the presentation on the Capital Expressway Urban Design was received and filed.

Kevin Connolly, Transportation Planning Manager and Staff Liaison, reported the project extends from McKee Road down to Capitol Expressway and from Guadalupe Corridor to Capitol Avenue.   The Santa Clara/Alum Corridor is a 4.3-mile corridor, which will serve as a gateway into Downtown San Jose.  The project is marked into three parts:  Downtown San Jose, Seventh Street to Highway 101 and east of Highway 101 to Capitol. 

Mr. Connolly provided an overview of a power point presentation outlining project background.

Member McHugh requested staff provide background information on community reaction and input on the impact of light rail on the Corridor.

Member Cortese stated a process such as debate on whatever options are available to business interests should be made available, as business will not know the impact construction will have.   Member Cortese also stated that there is a need to figure out a way that the business’ impact should be offset.   Member Cortese stated people who are knowledgeable should come in to advocate and it should be people who represent the vendors who will be making the money on whatever option VTA chooses.     

Chairperson Chavez recommended that staff ask Eileen Goodwin to provide feedback on how to accomplish the task of a debate. 

Chairperson Chavez also noted that she had seen a visual simulation done for the Airport People Mover project and requested something similar be done for Santa Clara/Alum Rock.   Mr. Connolly noted that there is very little funding available in the budget to support the recommended outreach efforts.   Chairperson Chavez stated that she would seek additional funding. 

Mr. Connolly continued the overview of the power point presentation highlighting: propose of improvements (from Major Investment Study (MIS); corridor characteristics; project benefits; and comparison of alternatives with regard to enhanced bus and single car light rail; and alternative design options with regard to vehicles, service, ridership, and costs.

Tom Fitzwater, Environmental Planning Manger, provided an overview of a power point presentation outlining:   summary of environmental impacts; benefits of both alternatives; summary of long-term environmental impacts; transportation impact; biological resources impact, hazardous materials impact; noise and vibration impact, socioeconomic impact; visual quality impact; and construction impact regarding:   transportation, cultural resources, noise and vibration and visual quality; and, summary of significant impacts. 

Mr. Connolly stated staff anticipates releasing the Draft EIS/EIR in Fall 2005, issue the Final EIS/EIR in Spring 2006, and submit Final EIS/EIR to the VTA Board of Directors for certification consideration in late Spring 2006.

M/S/C (Cortese/Campos) to recommend staff work with Eileen Goodwin to a setting up a debate on choices at community meetings; staff examine what other strategies might be employed to make the presentations more realistic, and staff prepare a recommendation to the Board of Directors to approve funding for a computerized simulation showing dimensions of the streets with the Enhanced Bus and Single Car Light Rail Alternatives.

On order of Chairperson Chavez, there being no objection, the meeting adjourned at 4:35 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Gilda M. Grozdanich, Board Assistant
VTA Board of Directors

NOTE:   M/S/C MEANS MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED, AND UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, THE MOTION PASSED UNAMINOUSLY.