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.
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Parking or "Where do we put all the cars?"
When I decided to run for City Council, I had lots of conversations with people in Emeryville concerned about traffic.
I have written a few times about this, and yet, after 3 years on the
council, I am not sure that the average person thinks things have
improved. Consider that within the next 20 years, it is projected that
the number of residents in Emervyille will increase from 10,000 to
16,000, according to our General Plan. Where are we/they going to put
all those cars?
I have found a strong consensus through the transportation planning world about how plentiful, free parking actually encourages people to use cars when they otherwise might not; free parking is like a car magnet. Emeryville is different from our immediate neighbors to the north and south, in that public parking is free here. (Note that some private parking, like at our hotels and at Bay St. is not free.) I believe that free and unrestricted parking is part of the reason we have more cars here than we like. You should also know that we have 20,000 people working in Emeryville each day. They weigh many considerations as they decide how they will get here, including the direct cost to them of driving.
Several years ago (before I joined the council) Emeryville commissioned a study of the North Hollis area to look at parking issues and solutions, as the streets in this part of town are very often completely "parked up" on a weekday. Restaurants and businesses with customers who come and go have complained people can't find a place to park, and that this could impact their number of customers and sales. With off-street parking required to be provided for employees, why is the on-street parking so full all the time?
Wilbur Smith Associates, who completed the study, found that people will park where it is most convenient. With free unrestricted street parking, people will park there first, and when it is full, find another spot (maybe in a garage). Some people don't have access to off-street parking as it is private or don't want to park there as it is costly, and find themselves circling, looking for a spot on the street. With no time limits on the street, during the day there is very little turn-over of spots.
By limiting street parking in non-residential areas with a time limit, we can help people find spots that are meant for them. This is about managing parking, not just providing it. We can manage it with time limits or fees. Our hope is to first put limited time parking zones in places planned out by the study. The transportation committee, on which I serve, is having a special meeting on Tuesday, December 11, 2012, at 9:00 am at the Fire Station on Hollis and 63rd St. (6303 Hollis) to talk about next steps in the parking plan. Eventually, if the city puts in paid parking on the street, we could use the revenues (once capital costs are covered, which would likely be within 2 years) to fund additional pedestrian or bike improvements that would enhance the area for everybody. This is called a parking benefit district, where the use of cars and paid parking actually helps to pay for direct improvements. Right now we taxpayers are all subsidizing those who drive here and park for free.
Residents need to be protected from other users spilling over into the areas they depend on for parking. We have some areas with residential parking permit programs, and the city can support more if it is warranted.
What is important is to hear from the community regarding this pending change. I want residents to have residential parking, I want employees to have employee parking, and customers to be able to find customer parking. It is great if we can share parking, but I know we can manage the parking we already have better to be sure each type of user can have parking when and where they need it.
Emeryville is special in that we have a free shuttle provided by businesses, property owners, and our city government that gives us a ride to and from BART, the Emery-Go-Round. With over 1.3 million riders each year, Emery-Go-Round certainly keeps some cars off our streets. We can build on this service to further encourage people to get to Emeryville without driving their cars.
I have found a strong consensus through the transportation planning world about how plentiful, free parking actually encourages people to use cars when they otherwise might not; free parking is like a car magnet. Emeryville is different from our immediate neighbors to the north and south, in that public parking is free here. (Note that some private parking, like at our hotels and at Bay St. is not free.) I believe that free and unrestricted parking is part of the reason we have more cars here than we like. You should also know that we have 20,000 people working in Emeryville each day. They weigh many considerations as they decide how they will get here, including the direct cost to them of driving.
Several years ago (before I joined the council) Emeryville commissioned a study of the North Hollis area to look at parking issues and solutions, as the streets in this part of town are very often completely "parked up" on a weekday. Restaurants and businesses with customers who come and go have complained people can't find a place to park, and that this could impact their number of customers and sales. With off-street parking required to be provided for employees, why is the on-street parking so full all the time?
Wilbur Smith Associates, who completed the study, found that people will park where it is most convenient. With free unrestricted street parking, people will park there first, and when it is full, find another spot (maybe in a garage). Some people don't have access to off-street parking as it is private or don't want to park there as it is costly, and find themselves circling, looking for a spot on the street. With no time limits on the street, during the day there is very little turn-over of spots.
By limiting street parking in non-residential areas with a time limit, we can help people find spots that are meant for them. This is about managing parking, not just providing it. We can manage it with time limits or fees. Our hope is to first put limited time parking zones in places planned out by the study. The transportation committee, on which I serve, is having a special meeting on Tuesday, December 11, 2012, at 9:00 am at the Fire Station on Hollis and 63rd St. (6303 Hollis) to talk about next steps in the parking plan. Eventually, if the city puts in paid parking on the street, we could use the revenues (once capital costs are covered, which would likely be within 2 years) to fund additional pedestrian or bike improvements that would enhance the area for everybody. This is called a parking benefit district, where the use of cars and paid parking actually helps to pay for direct improvements. Right now we taxpayers are all subsidizing those who drive here and park for free.
Residents need to be protected from other users spilling over into the areas they depend on for parking. We have some areas with residential parking permit programs, and the city can support more if it is warranted.
What is important is to hear from the community regarding this pending change. I want residents to have residential parking, I want employees to have employee parking, and customers to be able to find customer parking. It is great if we can share parking, but I know we can manage the parking we already have better to be sure each type of user can have parking when and where they need it.
Emeryville is special in that we have a free shuttle provided by businesses, property owners, and our city government that gives us a ride to and from BART, the Emery-Go-Round. With over 1.3 million riders each year, Emery-Go-Round certainly keeps some cars off our streets. We can build on this service to further encourage people to get to Emeryville without driving their cars.
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Democracy in Emeryville
I serve Emeryville on the city council with the goal of increasing people's involvement with decisons that impact them. You may have heard that our city council elections typically have low voter turnout (in 2011 it was 26%). By having our elections on odd-years (2011, 2013), there often is not a lot of other things to vote for, and statistically fewer people vote (than in even years: 2010, 2012). In 2010, for example, the turnout and vote for local measures (in Oakland), even down at the bottom of the ballot was about 60%.
When I won my council seat in 2009, I won with a 13% margin over the next person, more than 100 votes over him, but alas, I won with only 855 votes! We had about 5,400 registered voters in town, but only 855 votes got me elected. That means 16% of people who could have voted, voted for me. With 10,000 residents now a mere 8.5% of people who lived in Emeryville voted for me.
I believe that it is time for Emeryville to move our elections to even years, when more voters vote. Yes, we will be competing for attention with all those other candidates, propositions and measures, but it is when more people actually pay attention and participate by casting their votes. I proposed this to the city council last month, and they unanimously agreed to consider it formally. We will have an item to discuss this again and get your input on sometime in early 2013 (not on Tuesday, December 18 at our council meeting, which begins at 7:15pm, City Hall, 1333 Park Ave). Bottom line is, Emeryville will save money by consolidating our elections with the rest of Alameda County.
How to make a transition to even years is another consideration on which I would like to hear your input. To me, the simplest and cheapest way to make the change would be to extend all terms of current council members for a 5th year. That would mean the next elections would be changed to one year later: from 2013 (for me and Kurt Brinkman) to 2014. The other three council members (Ruth Atkin, Jac Asher and Nora Davis) would be done with their current terms in 2016 instead of 2015. Others think that making the next term a 3 year term would be better. In other words, whoever is elected in 2013 is up for re-election in 2016.
There are many views on this. Some say it will cost more for candidates, some say it will favor incumbents, some say it will favor new-comers, some say people will not have the patience or attention span to vote all the way down the ballot. Some say it is better to have only those who care about city issues voting in the smaller elections on odd-years. I think it is worth making the change in the interest of greater potential participation and democracy (with a small "d").
This could impact our School Board elections, which are also held in odd-years, as we have shared the extra cost of the odd-year elections with Emery Unified School District.
Further information (if you are still reading): the only other two cities in our County with odd-year elections were Livermore and Newark. Livermore voters just voted to change their elections to even-year. I hear that Newark is also considering a change.
When I won my council seat in 2009, I won with a 13% margin over the next person, more than 100 votes over him, but alas, I won with only 855 votes! We had about 5,400 registered voters in town, but only 855 votes got me elected. That means 16% of people who could have voted, voted for me. With 10,000 residents now a mere 8.5% of people who lived in Emeryville voted for me.
I believe that it is time for Emeryville to move our elections to even years, when more voters vote. Yes, we will be competing for attention with all those other candidates, propositions and measures, but it is when more people actually pay attention and participate by casting their votes. I proposed this to the city council last month, and they unanimously agreed to consider it formally. We will have an item to discuss this again and get your input on sometime in early 2013 (not on Tuesday, December 18 at our council meeting, which begins at 7:15pm, City Hall, 1333 Park Ave). Bottom line is, Emeryville will save money by consolidating our elections with the rest of Alameda County.
How to make a transition to even years is another consideration on which I would like to hear your input. To me, the simplest and cheapest way to make the change would be to extend all terms of current council members for a 5th year. That would mean the next elections would be changed to one year later: from 2013 (for me and Kurt Brinkman) to 2014. The other three council members (Ruth Atkin, Jac Asher and Nora Davis) would be done with their current terms in 2016 instead of 2015. Others think that making the next term a 3 year term would be better. In other words, whoever is elected in 2013 is up for re-election in 2016.
There are many views on this. Some say it will cost more for candidates, some say it will favor incumbents, some say it will favor new-comers, some say people will not have the patience or attention span to vote all the way down the ballot. Some say it is better to have only those who care about city issues voting in the smaller elections on odd-years. I think it is worth making the change in the interest of greater potential participation and democracy (with a small "d").
This could impact our School Board elections, which are also held in odd-years, as we have shared the extra cost of the odd-year elections with Emery Unified School District.
Further information (if you are still reading): the only other two cities in our County with odd-year elections were Livermore and Newark. Livermore voters just voted to change their elections to even-year. I hear that Newark is also considering a change.
My new job!
I have completed my personal transition and career change by taking a full time job with TransForm, a non-profit organization based in Oakland that does transportation policy and transit advocacy. In many ways, this is my dream position: working on transportation and land use issues that have been so important in my service to Emeryville. I work specifically on GreenTRIP, a certification program for new development projects that are low-traffic by design (like LEED is for energy efficiency). TransForm is also known for administering Safe Routes to Schools, a program to encourage kids and families to walk and bike to school. You may also be interested in our Great Communities Collaborative, which includes increased engagement of stakeholders in local land use planning.
With our climate concerns, with CA's focus on reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions, and with SB375 rolling out in our region, I am very excited to be working right in the thick of it. And my commute to Downtown Oakland by either bike or bus is great (especially when it is not raining)! Also, having the chance to put the skills I learned in my Masters of Public Policy program (Goldman School, graduated June 2012) to work is very satisfying. Please check out the organization, and let me know if your work is related to what we do or if you would like to learn more!
The other side of this transition is that my time for public service is less than I had before. I remain a strong and engaged council member (will end my year as Mayor on Tuesday, December 4, and have greatly enjoyed it), but I no longer have the luxury of time with my own children in the afternoons. As a result, I am reducing my evening commitments. I am still reachable by email and phone, but my responses might be a bit slower than before.
The positive side is that I have a whole new area of expertise that I bring to Emeryville, our transportation challenges, parking, and development projects. I look forward to working with you on these challenges moving forward.
With our climate concerns, with CA's focus on reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions, and with SB375 rolling out in our region, I am very excited to be working right in the thick of it. And my commute to Downtown Oakland by either bike or bus is great (especially when it is not raining)! Also, having the chance to put the skills I learned in my Masters of Public Policy program (Goldman School, graduated June 2012) to work is very satisfying. Please check out the organization, and let me know if your work is related to what we do or if you would like to learn more!
The other side of this transition is that my time for public service is less than I had before. I remain a strong and engaged council member (will end my year as Mayor on Tuesday, December 4, and have greatly enjoyed it), but I no longer have the luxury of time with my own children in the afternoons. As a result, I am reducing my evening commitments. I am still reachable by email and phone, but my responses might be a bit slower than before.
The positive side is that I have a whole new area of expertise that I bring to Emeryville, our transportation challenges, parking, and development projects. I look forward to working with you on these challenges moving forward.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
VOTE!
Today is the day! Be sure you get to the polls, if you haven't already turned in a mail-in ballot. They are open until 8:00 pm, and City Hall at 1333 Park Ave. has a polling place!
The City Council meets this evening, but we hope to have a short meeting so that we can all go watch the election returns. Come at 6:15 pm for a special study session on trees in Emeryville. Stay for a conversation about the council committee structure during the regular City Council agenda beginning at 7:15 pm.
Today is an exciting day, and you have a part to play in our beautiful democracy!
Some of my positions include:
YES on Prop 30
No on Prop 32
YES on Prop 34
YES on Prop 37
YES on Measure A1
YES on Measure B1
Just go get that little "I voted" sticker and wear it with pride! VOTE!
The City Council meets this evening, but we hope to have a short meeting so that we can all go watch the election returns. Come at 6:15 pm for a special study session on trees in Emeryville. Stay for a conversation about the council committee structure during the regular City Council agenda beginning at 7:15 pm.
Today is an exciting day, and you have a part to play in our beautiful democracy!
Some of my positions include:
YES on Prop 30
No on Prop 32
YES on Prop 34
YES on Prop 37
YES on Measure A1
YES on Measure B1
Just go get that little "I voted" sticker and wear it with pride! VOTE!
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Celebrate Art! Friday, October 5, 6-9 pm, 5890 Christie Ave.
Friday, October 5 is one of the best nights of the year! This year that evening is the opening night of the annual Emeryville Celebration of the Arts exhibition, which will run (free of charge!) from October 6-28. Please come to 5890 Christie Ave. to see the wonderful collection of art made by people who live or work in Emeryville.
The artists of Emeryville are passionate about what they do, and the variety at this exhibit never disappoints. I love spending time with my children gazing at the art, and then enjoying the magic of turning and meeting the artist who created the piece, and discussing the work with him/her. There will be music, snacks and drinks, and all the community turned out to celebrate. My appreciation to all the volunteers who make this event one of the best all year, every year! More information is here.
The artists of Emeryville are passionate about what they do, and the variety at this exhibit never disappoints. I love spending time with my children gazing at the art, and then enjoying the magic of turning and meeting the artist who created the piece, and discussing the work with him/her. There will be music, snacks and drinks, and all the community turned out to celebrate. My appreciation to all the volunteers who make this event one of the best all year, every year! More information is here.
Oversight Board - where are we now?
For those of you who have followed the end of Redevelopment in Emeryville, the Oversight Board has been meeting since April 2012 to oversee the unwinding of the Agency. See my previous posts here (Feb. 29) and here (May 17) on the work we do and who serves on the OB. To read about the end of redevelopment read my January 17 post.
Next Tuesday, October 2, at 5:30 pm at City Hall, there will be a public comment session.
The following Wednesday, October 10, at 5:30 pm at City Hall, the Oversight Board will meet.
With the new state budget passed in June 2012, there have been some modifications to our process of "unwinding." Emeryville is undertaking a "due diligence review" of all of the redevelopment funds and assets in two parts. First, all of the Low and Moderate Income Housing Funds are being audited (to be completed and released to the public by Monday, October 1), and second all other funds are to be scrutinized (by December 15). At the end of these reviews, any unencumbered cash will be redistributed to the taxing entities (who are represented on the Oversight Board and are listed on your property tax bill), and the remaining enforceable obligations will be paid from cash on hand or future tax increment money. Only enforceable obligations listed on the ROPS and approved by the Department of Finance are allowed. The public meeting next Tuesday is for people to weigh in on the first of the two "due diligence reviews." At the 10/10 meeting, the Oversight Board will review the document as well. The public is welcome at both meetings.
At the end of this process, the state is allowing the Successor Agency (which took over the unwinding of the former Redevelopment Agency) to use unspent bond proceeds that are still being held. For Emeryville, that means that there are $24.5 million from previous bond sales (most recently 2004) to pay for projects such as the Center of Community Life, to which we have committed $21.2 million. The remaining $3.3 million will be decided on in the spring of 2013.
Next Tuesday, October 2, at 5:30 pm at City Hall, there will be a public comment session.
The following Wednesday, October 10, at 5:30 pm at City Hall, the Oversight Board will meet.
With the new state budget passed in June 2012, there have been some modifications to our process of "unwinding." Emeryville is undertaking a "due diligence review" of all of the redevelopment funds and assets in two parts. First, all of the Low and Moderate Income Housing Funds are being audited (to be completed and released to the public by Monday, October 1), and second all other funds are to be scrutinized (by December 15). At the end of these reviews, any unencumbered cash will be redistributed to the taxing entities (who are represented on the Oversight Board and are listed on your property tax bill), and the remaining enforceable obligations will be paid from cash on hand or future tax increment money. Only enforceable obligations listed on the ROPS and approved by the Department of Finance are allowed. The public meeting next Tuesday is for people to weigh in on the first of the two "due diligence reviews." At the 10/10 meeting, the Oversight Board will review the document as well. The public is welcome at both meetings.
At the end of this process, the state is allowing the Successor Agency (which took over the unwinding of the former Redevelopment Agency) to use unspent bond proceeds that are still being held. For Emeryville, that means that there are $24.5 million from previous bond sales (most recently 2004) to pay for projects such as the Center of Community Life, to which we have committed $21.2 million. The remaining $3.3 million will be decided on in the spring of 2013.
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