I have heard from lots of people who live at Watergate over the past couple of weeks. Emery-Go-Round, which temporarily suspended its service beyond the Watergate office towers during sidewalk construction this summer/fall, announced that it would not reinstate the bus-stops out on the peninsula due to safety concerns and difficulty turning around. The Emery-Go-Round continues to stop at the Towers, which is a walk from the residential community.
Many people who live in Watergate (which constitutes about a fourth of the population of Emeryville) depend on the free shuttle service to get around without a car. Lives and travel patterns have been disrupted by this change, and everyone agrees -- we like our Emery-Go-Round! Watergate folks can get to MacArthur BART faster than most of us in town!
Well, I am a big fan of public transportation, so I do not take these changes lightly. In fact, abrupt changes like this make it clear that it is time to look carefully and comprehensively at public transportation throughout town and the area. There is a study being conducted now (dubbed EBOTS) that is looking at greater transit service in West Berkeley, Emeryville and West Oakland. See this blog entry for info on upcoming workshops. This crisis also shows how vulnerable chunks of town are to small and big changes -- changes that are not under the control of the city or your elected officials. Emery-Go-Round is predominantly funded by commercial property owners in town, and was set up originally as a shuttle for employees. The Emeryville Transportation Management Association (ETMA) runs the Emery-Go-Round through a funding mechanism called a Property Based Improvement District (PBID). That funding and other options are being considered soon.
The City Council has been asked to weigh in on future plans for Emery-Go-Round and its funding source, the PBID, along with plans for a bus yard. We are planning a study session for Tuesday, Dec. 3, starting around 6:30 pm at City Hall, before our regular council meeting. Please come and tell us what you think!
Some in town have asked for increased service to West Oakland BART, for example. We know that ridership has continued to grow and the free shuttle serves over 1 million riders per year. AC Transit has reduced service in Emeryville over the years. I would like to hear from you about Emery-Go-Round and public transportation in general.
Friday, November 1, 2013
Mentor a High School Senior
Every senior at Emery High School is being matched with a mentor for the year. Please consider giving 1 hour per week to advise a young person getting ready to graduate from high school. More information is available on this flyer, or by calling the Emery Ed Fund at (510) 601-4911.
Capital Improvement Program (CIP) discussion begins Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013
On Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 6:30 pm, the City Council will hold a special study session on our Capital Improvement Program (CIP). This is our first attempt after the end of Redevelopment (it has been 4 years since the last real discussion) to look at how we will spend our "capital" dollars over the next 5 years to improve livability in town. This will be a challenge as we have less money and will balance prioritizing sewer repairs, road infrastructure, parks, building maintenance, and other worthy projects, all with fewer dollars to spend. This study session which will last until around 7:15 is the beginning of a process (see below) with culminating Council action in March/April 2014.
The staff report lays out the following steps:
- Identify available resources
- Identify priorities based on our plans that give us a roadmap for our future growth
- Define priority results more precisely
- Prepare a list of projects and programs for evaluation
- Create a priority listing of projects and programs
- Allocate resources
Come to City Hall (1333 Park Ave) and join in the discussion!
Our last CIP plan (2006-2011) is available here.
EBOTS - planning better transportation for our area
Workshops are coming up for public input! Please attend one of the following:
Emeryville-Berkeley-Oakland Transit Study Community Workshops and Questionnaire
Help us improve transit in West Berkeley, Emeryville and West Oakland. Join us for a community workshop to explore future visions for transit in these three cities and to provide input on our transit study. Your ideas will help shape the future of transit in this area!
* Thursday, November 7, 2013, 6:30-8:30pm
West Oakland Senior Center, 1724 Adeline St., Oakland
* Saturday, November 9, 2013, 11:00am-1:00pm
James Kenney Community Center, 1720 8th St., Berkeley
* Tuesday, November 12, 2013, 6:30-8:30pm
Emery Unified School District Office, Multi-Purpose Room
1275 61st St., Emeryville
You can also fill in a questionnaire at* https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/EBOTS
* https://es.surveymonkey.com/s/EBOTS_Spanish
For more information on the transit study, go to www.emeryville.org/ebots or contact Diana Keena at or 596-4335.
The City of Emeryville is conducting this study using Federal Transit Administration funding through Caltrans, in collaboration with AC Transit, Amtrak/Capitol Corridor, BART, Berkeley Gateway Shuttle, City of Berkeley, City of Oakland, and Emery-Go-Round.
Emeryville-Berkeley-Oakland Transit Study Community Workshops and Questionnaire
Help us improve transit in West Berkeley, Emeryville and West Oakland. Join us for a community workshop to explore future visions for transit in these three cities and to provide input on our transit study. Your ideas will help shape the future of transit in this area!
* Thursday, November 7, 2013, 6:30-8:30pm
West Oakland Senior Center, 1724 Adeline St., Oakland
* Saturday, November 9, 2013, 11:00am-1:00pm
James Kenney Community Center, 1720 8th St., Berkeley
* Tuesday, November 12, 2013, 6:30-8:30pm
Emery Unified School District Office, Multi-Purpose Room
1275 61st St., Emeryville
You can also fill in a questionnaire at* https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/EBOTS
* https://es.surveymonkey.com/s/EBOTS_Spanish
For more information on the transit study, go to www.emeryville.org/ebots or contact Diana Keena at or 596-4335.
The City of Emeryville is conducting this study using Federal Transit Administration funding through Caltrans, in collaboration with AC Transit, Amtrak/Capitol Corridor, BART, Berkeley Gateway Shuttle, City of Berkeley, City of Oakland, and Emery-Go-Round.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
ECCL bike/ped path conversation
This evening about 40 people gathered at the Emery Secondary Site to talk more about the ECCL project and the bike/ped path that is in the General Plan for that site. In case you have not followed this issue, Emery Unified School District has asked the city to delete the path from that site saying that there is not space or money to put in the path with the new construction of our K-12 community school and center. Emery Bay Village residents have also asked for the path to be deleted citing security concerns. The Bike/Ped Advisory Committee (BPAC) asked to meet on the site today to walk through and talk about the concerns, trying to understand how we got to this point and how to solve this problem. The City Council voted NOT to delete the path from the General Plan a few months back. City staff pointed out that the path could remain in the General Plan, but that the project could also move forward without including it. Hmmm.
It was an animated discussion, although I left feeling discouraged. Several people called for creative thinking to break through and find a real solution. But road blocks are put up again and again, and some individuals didn't seem to be listening to all sides of the conversation. As to when the decisions are made and how firm those decisions are is always contentious. It isn't over until the building is built, one person said. Others said, the plans have been completed and the CEQA documents are in public comment now.
I feel that we need to envision the Emeryville we want to have and work steadily to get there. The General Plan process put "connectivity" and improving the pedestrian experience high on the list of goals. That is what all of the paths in the General Plan are about -- breaking up super blocks, where the only way to get from one quiet street to another is by going to the arterials, such as San Pablo, Hollis or Adeline. That is not pedestrian friendly to me.
And our brand new, we-want-to-feel-so-proud-of-it, hope-it-lasts-a-long-time Community Center and Full Service K-12 school should be setting the example, not shirking its pivotal role. Where better can we make a statement to kids, families and neighbors about encouraging alternative modes of transportation, reducing car emissions, encouraging physical activity and active transportation? I think kids should be able to walk or bike safely to school. It is all about priorities and the cost of everything... and what needs to change to make it all work.
The fear mongering about how dangerous a bike/ped path will be, with a sound wall and a security fence do not make sense to me. The street is dangerous as well, but we still put schools next to streets. Active uses tend to make places safer. And the increased cost of security personnel monitoring students may be mitigated by fewer vehicle miles driven, if we can put a cost on all the ramifications of our decisions, including the air we breathe and the lifestyles we choose. Saying that we are not ready for a bike/ped path, and will get it once we have erased all criminal activity nearby is giving in to defeat. We are building for our tomorrow.
The biggest surprise today is that the pool deck problem seemed to go away through the conversation. The sound wall can be placed closer to the property line (it will need shoring up seismically anyway , and a sound wall is planned to be built for the remaining length of the property line) and the visibility will be improved with a security fence between the path and the pool, with plenty of room to take a couple of feet off the deck for the path. The entrance to the pool is moving to the other side of the pool anyway it turns out! In fact that seemed like the easier problem to solve today, when compared to compromising a portion of the track around the football and baseball fields to get the path to fit on the north end of the property.
EUSD says that the path can go in during Phase 2. I am concerned that if Phase 1 doesn't get planned with the path included, there will be no political will to be certain that Phase 2 will include a path, especially if it will mean taking away the track or something that everyone has already gotten used to.
So, we had a wonderful chance to discuss, learn new things from each other, embrace community engagement and dialogue, but I am still not certain that this problem has been solved. Not yet anyway. We will keep trying. We have to if we want to realize our dreams for this wonderful town, Emeryville. We have to get it right!
It was an animated discussion, although I left feeling discouraged. Several people called for creative thinking to break through and find a real solution. But road blocks are put up again and again, and some individuals didn't seem to be listening to all sides of the conversation. As to when the decisions are made and how firm those decisions are is always contentious. It isn't over until the building is built, one person said. Others said, the plans have been completed and the CEQA documents are in public comment now.
I feel that we need to envision the Emeryville we want to have and work steadily to get there. The General Plan process put "connectivity" and improving the pedestrian experience high on the list of goals. That is what all of the paths in the General Plan are about -- breaking up super blocks, where the only way to get from one quiet street to another is by going to the arterials, such as San Pablo, Hollis or Adeline. That is not pedestrian friendly to me.
And our brand new, we-want-to-feel-so-proud-of-it, hope-it-lasts-a-long-time Community Center and Full Service K-12 school should be setting the example, not shirking its pivotal role. Where better can we make a statement to kids, families and neighbors about encouraging alternative modes of transportation, reducing car emissions, encouraging physical activity and active transportation? I think kids should be able to walk or bike safely to school. It is all about priorities and the cost of everything... and what needs to change to make it all work.
The fear mongering about how dangerous a bike/ped path will be, with a sound wall and a security fence do not make sense to me. The street is dangerous as well, but we still put schools next to streets. Active uses tend to make places safer. And the increased cost of security personnel monitoring students may be mitigated by fewer vehicle miles driven, if we can put a cost on all the ramifications of our decisions, including the air we breathe and the lifestyles we choose. Saying that we are not ready for a bike/ped path, and will get it once we have erased all criminal activity nearby is giving in to defeat. We are building for our tomorrow.
The biggest surprise today is that the pool deck problem seemed to go away through the conversation. The sound wall can be placed closer to the property line (it will need shoring up seismically anyway , and a sound wall is planned to be built for the remaining length of the property line) and the visibility will be improved with a security fence between the path and the pool, with plenty of room to take a couple of feet off the deck for the path. The entrance to the pool is moving to the other side of the pool anyway it turns out! In fact that seemed like the easier problem to solve today, when compared to compromising a portion of the track around the football and baseball fields to get the path to fit on the north end of the property.
EUSD says that the path can go in during Phase 2. I am concerned that if Phase 1 doesn't get planned with the path included, there will be no political will to be certain that Phase 2 will include a path, especially if it will mean taking away the track or something that everyone has already gotten used to.
So, we had a wonderful chance to discuss, learn new things from each other, embrace community engagement and dialogue, but I am still not certain that this problem has been solved. Not yet anyway. We will keep trying. We have to if we want to realize our dreams for this wonderful town, Emeryville. We have to get it right!
Friday, May 17, 2013
New City Manager Contract for Sabrina Landreth to be considered May 21, 2013 at 7:15 pm
On Tuesday, May 21, 2013, the City Council will vote on a contract for a new City Manager. Sabrina Landreth is the person we selected out of a large number of applicants, and I look forward to introducing her to the entire community. As I had mentioned previously, this is the biggest job of the council -- to find an inspiring leader to manage the operations of the city. I think we have found a real star.
Please come to the meeting to learn more and meet Sabrina. More info is available from the staff report for item 5/14 in the revised agenda packet for May 21. We will have a more formal introduction of her once her contract is confirmed.
Here is the information from the interim City Manager: As you are aware, over the past several months the City Council has been engaged in a process to bring on board a new City Manager. The City Council has selected Sabrina Landreth to fill that role and the Council will consider an employment agreement with Ms. Landreth at their meeting next Tuesday May 21, 2013. Sabrina comes to Emeryville after working for the City of Oakland for several years, most recently as Deputy City Administrator and Budget Director. Sabrina holds an engineering degree from M.I.T. and a Master’s in Public Policy from U.C. Berkeley. Should the City Council approve the employment agreement on Tuesday evening, Sabrina will start in her new role on June 24, 2013.
Please come to the meeting to learn more and meet Sabrina. More info is available from the staff report for item 5/14 in the revised agenda packet for May 21. We will have a more formal introduction of her once her contract is confirmed.
Here is the information from the interim City Manager: As you are aware, over the past several months the City Council has been engaged in a process to bring on board a new City Manager. The City Council has selected Sabrina Landreth to fill that role and the Council will consider an employment agreement with Ms. Landreth at their meeting next Tuesday May 21, 2013. Sabrina comes to Emeryville after working for the City of Oakland for several years, most recently as Deputy City Administrator and Budget Director. Sabrina holds an engineering degree from M.I.T. and a Master’s in Public Policy from U.C. Berkeley. Should the City Council approve the employment agreement on Tuesday evening, Sabrina will start in her new role on June 24, 2013.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
More on the Bike/Ped Bridge decision
I am not one to count chickens before they hatch. There is still some uncertainty in the funding source of the Bike Ped bridge, so I figure a little more background on the case is important to share. It is a complicated story. Here are some of the facts:
The City of Emeryville sued the State last year because they did not allow us to use our bond money to proceed with 3 projects after the dissolution of redevelopment. There have been two state "end of redevelopment" laws. The first was in the summer of 2011 (ABx1 26), and the clean up bill in the summer of 2012 (AB 1484). The first took away the ability to enter into any new contracts with redevelopment funds, but it had a clause that allowed cities like ours to re-enter into contracts as long as they were subsequently approved by the Oversight Board. The Oversight Board (subject of this blog) has by design a seat for every large taxing entity that would have benefited from the funds freed up by the end of redevelopment, the funds that had previously been redirected toward redevelopment projects. The week before AB 1484 (which would no longer allow any agency to re-enter into agreements) went into effect , the City of Emeryville re-entered into agreements on 5 projects: ECCL, the Bike-Ped bridge, the Transit Center, the Arts Center and a loan repayment for brownfield remediation called the CIERRA loans. The day before AB 1484 went into effect, the Oversight Board approved three (not all 5) of those agreements. The OB did not approve the ECCL project and the Arts Center.
We won our case (read the decision here) in Superior Court in Sacramento based on these facts. The judge repudiated the Department of Finance's denial of those three projects moving forward, even though agreements had been re-entered and the OB had approved them in time. The total amount of bond funds in dispute is around $16 million and the bike ped bridge will cost around $12 million. The State has 30 days to appeal the decision, which might tie up the use of these funds longer.
The bike ped bridge is an important connection over the railroad tracks that divide Emeryville. Bikes and pedestrians can now cross the tracks on the 40th St. bridge, pedestrians can cross on the Powell St. ped bridge, bikes and pedestrians can cross at the Amtrak station, but the next place north of 40th where a bike can ride across the tracks is at 65th St. There is no doubt to me that increased access to Bay St. and the new Bay Trail connection, as well as the new east span of the Bay Bridge that will allow bikes and pedestrians, will be a great thing for Emeryville residents and visitors. Now to improve the bike and pedestrian experience on both sides of the tracks!
There is a bit more information on the bridge itself here. Here is a rendering of the bridge. The site plan for Horton Landing Park is here. Some FAQ from early 2008 can be accessed here. These answers indicate that the bridge would be open in 2010! Let's hope it is by 2015.
The City of Emeryville sued the State last year because they did not allow us to use our bond money to proceed with 3 projects after the dissolution of redevelopment. There have been two state "end of redevelopment" laws. The first was in the summer of 2011 (ABx1 26), and the clean up bill in the summer of 2012 (AB 1484). The first took away the ability to enter into any new contracts with redevelopment funds, but it had a clause that allowed cities like ours to re-enter into contracts as long as they were subsequently approved by the Oversight Board. The Oversight Board (subject of this blog) has by design a seat for every large taxing entity that would have benefited from the funds freed up by the end of redevelopment, the funds that had previously been redirected toward redevelopment projects. The week before AB 1484 (which would no longer allow any agency to re-enter into agreements) went into effect , the City of Emeryville re-entered into agreements on 5 projects: ECCL, the Bike-Ped bridge, the Transit Center, the Arts Center and a loan repayment for brownfield remediation called the CIERRA loans. The day before AB 1484 went into effect, the Oversight Board approved three (not all 5) of those agreements. The OB did not approve the ECCL project and the Arts Center.
We won our case (read the decision here) in Superior Court in Sacramento based on these facts. The judge repudiated the Department of Finance's denial of those three projects moving forward, even though agreements had been re-entered and the OB had approved them in time. The total amount of bond funds in dispute is around $16 million and the bike ped bridge will cost around $12 million. The State has 30 days to appeal the decision, which might tie up the use of these funds longer.
The bike ped bridge is an important connection over the railroad tracks that divide Emeryville. Bikes and pedestrians can now cross the tracks on the 40th St. bridge, pedestrians can cross on the Powell St. ped bridge, bikes and pedestrians can cross at the Amtrak station, but the next place north of 40th where a bike can ride across the tracks is at 65th St. There is no doubt to me that increased access to Bay St. and the new Bay Trail connection, as well as the new east span of the Bay Bridge that will allow bikes and pedestrians, will be a great thing for Emeryville residents and visitors. Now to improve the bike and pedestrian experience on both sides of the tracks!
There is a bit more information on the bridge itself here. Here is a rendering of the bridge. The site plan for Horton Landing Park is here. Some FAQ from early 2008 can be accessed here. These answers indicate that the bridge would be open in 2010! Let's hope it is by 2015.
Friday, May 10, 2013
Bike/Ped Bridge Victory on Bike to Work Day
Yesterday the City of Emeryville had a real victory! We won our litigation against the State of California, who had denied our use of Redevelopment funds to pay for the South Bayfront Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge and Horton Landing Park, after the dissolution of redevelopment.
It is a long and complicated story, but the short version for now is that the Department of Finance, which insisted on us turning over funds set aside for the Bike Ped bridge connecting Stanford and 53rd St. (east of the railroad tracks) with Bay St. (west of the tracks), lost, and the City of Emeryville, the residents of Emeryville, have won!
This is a wonderful decision that came on a day of celebrating bikes and connectivity with Bike to Work Day, May 9, 2013.
The Bridge had been planned over the past 10 years or so, and was ready to go to bid for construction 2 years ago when redevelopment was ended by the state. I hope that with this decision the city can move quickly on getting the project over the train tracks moving again. Having a better connection with Bay St. will be a huge asset for the retail area, the residents, employees, and for the region. With improvements coming soon for the Bay Trail through town, and with the bike and pedestrian access to the new east span of the Bay Bridge being worked on right now, this sorely needed bike link will be important for our town.
I will post more details on the court's decision soon.
It is a long and complicated story, but the short version for now is that the Department of Finance, which insisted on us turning over funds set aside for the Bike Ped bridge connecting Stanford and 53rd St. (east of the railroad tracks) with Bay St. (west of the tracks), lost, and the City of Emeryville, the residents of Emeryville, have won!
This is a wonderful decision that came on a day of celebrating bikes and connectivity with Bike to Work Day, May 9, 2013.
The Bridge had been planned over the past 10 years or so, and was ready to go to bid for construction 2 years ago when redevelopment was ended by the state. I hope that with this decision the city can move quickly on getting the project over the train tracks moving again. Having a better connection with Bay St. will be a huge asset for the retail area, the residents, employees, and for the region. With improvements coming soon for the Bay Trail through town, and with the bike and pedestrian access to the new east span of the Bay Bridge being worked on right now, this sorely needed bike link will be important for our town.
I will post more details on the court's decision soon.
Sunday, January 6, 2013
More Parking discussions, Sat 1/12 and Tues 1/15
The Transportation Committee meeting on December 11 at the Fire Station on Hollis Street was very well attended, thanks in part to the efforts of Ken Bukowski. We had about 30 people there: residents, property owners, and business owners. Many points of view were expressed, and quite a bit of concern about changes, as well as frustration about the current situation.
This issue is not an easy or obvious one to solve. Emotions run high when it comes to parking. Some expressed the "right" to park for free in front of homes or businesses. Some pointed fingers at other property owners who have not handled parking needs correctly. Some said that we do not want to be like Oakland or Berkeley where parking is too hard or too expensive. Others said that permit parking will be the future, sooner or later. Some said there are too many empty parking garages, perhaps because of the fees charged there. Some say that the public doesn't respect private parking for customers, disregarding signs. Although many say that these problems already exist, there was real fear that any changes will make them worse, not better.
I recognize that parking management is very complex. I do not believe that Emeryville has a parking shortage. I think that we have a parking management problem, and that we should try to make sure that each street has spaces for the users who have priority for that area. If you are allowed to park for free all day long in front of your house or business, then it will be very hard to prevent anyone else from doing so as well, or worse, instead of you.
On Saturday, January 12 at 10:00 am, Ken Bukowski is hosting a community meeting at the Ralph Hawley School site at Doyle St. and 61st St. to have the opportunity to talk more about parking issues in Emeryville. I am grateful that he is allowing me to address the gathering for 10 minutes. Please consider attending and sharing your point of view as well. His flyers talk about a parking plan in a limited part of town that the City Council is considering implementing, and will be discussing on Tuesday, January 15, City Hall, 7:15 pm. The plan has been waiting on the shelf for 3 years. It is a sensible plan with a phased approach and monitoring in place to see how changes that are put in place impact availability. It does not include paid parking in the first year or two, only later in the plan. The initial changes include limited time parking, with the painting of green curbs on certain blocks. Later in the plan there is also the possibility of residential parking permits and business/employee parking permits, if there is a need to support these uses.
I know that we all need to do our part to reduce reliance on cars, not only in Emeryville, but in the region, in the state and the world. It is a hard change to make for many of us. We have already committed to these changes with our state laws, such as SB375. Regulating on-street parking is one way to change people's behavior. Free parking actually costs all of us a lot of money in the long run.
Please consider joining me on Saturday morning, or on Tuesday evening. I welcome your comments.
This issue is not an easy or obvious one to solve. Emotions run high when it comes to parking. Some expressed the "right" to park for free in front of homes or businesses. Some pointed fingers at other property owners who have not handled parking needs correctly. Some said that we do not want to be like Oakland or Berkeley where parking is too hard or too expensive. Others said that permit parking will be the future, sooner or later. Some said there are too many empty parking garages, perhaps because of the fees charged there. Some say that the public doesn't respect private parking for customers, disregarding signs. Although many say that these problems already exist, there was real fear that any changes will make them worse, not better.
I recognize that parking management is very complex. I do not believe that Emeryville has a parking shortage. I think that we have a parking management problem, and that we should try to make sure that each street has spaces for the users who have priority for that area. If you are allowed to park for free all day long in front of your house or business, then it will be very hard to prevent anyone else from doing so as well, or worse, instead of you.
On Saturday, January 12 at 10:00 am, Ken Bukowski is hosting a community meeting at the Ralph Hawley School site at Doyle St. and 61st St. to have the opportunity to talk more about parking issues in Emeryville. I am grateful that he is allowing me to address the gathering for 10 minutes. Please consider attending and sharing your point of view as well. His flyers talk about a parking plan in a limited part of town that the City Council is considering implementing, and will be discussing on Tuesday, January 15, City Hall, 7:15 pm. The plan has been waiting on the shelf for 3 years. It is a sensible plan with a phased approach and monitoring in place to see how changes that are put in place impact availability. It does not include paid parking in the first year or two, only later in the plan. The initial changes include limited time parking, with the painting of green curbs on certain blocks. Later in the plan there is also the possibility of residential parking permits and business/employee parking permits, if there is a need to support these uses.
I know that we all need to do our part to reduce reliance on cars, not only in Emeryville, but in the region, in the state and the world. It is a hard change to make for many of us. We have already committed to these changes with our state laws, such as SB375. Regulating on-street parking is one way to change people's behavior. Free parking actually costs all of us a lot of money in the long run.
Please consider joining me on Saturday morning, or on Tuesday evening. I welcome your comments.
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