Alameda Transportation Commission Meeting – December 17, 2025

The Transportation Commission convened on December 17, 2025, to receive updates on staff communications, discuss the Neighborhood Greenway implementation and Pacific Avenue pilot, and approve the 2026 meeting calendar. Commissioners reviewed a pilot project installed a month prior, heard public comments both supportive and critical, and provided feedback on specific traffic calming treatments.

Staff Communications

• Gibbons High Fernside project: City Council accepted staff recommendations for traffic calming phase one (quick build) and phase two data collection; staff to return with options for future measures, including possible permanent roundabouts.
• Upcoming agenda topics: AC Transit signal priority update, Lincoln Ave and Walnut Street planning, February 2025 annual report and 2026 work plan.
• Project updates: Water shuttle on winter schedule (6 days, shorter weekends); Oakland Alameda Estuary Bridge study contract approved (completion expected 2027).
• Construction updates (Scott Wickstrom): Central Avenue roundabouts at 3rd and 4th Streets complete and open; Pacific/Main roundabout closure expedited, aiming for early spring completion; annual paving on Bay Farm Island nearly done (striping delayed by weather); Cross Alameda Trail fully open from Seaplane Lagoon to Broadway; Tilden Clement work ongoing (lane reductions and closures planned).
• Community feedback on Bay Farm Island paving: Concerns about traffic capacity, loss of lanes, and turn restrictions; staff evaluating notification and input processes for future projects.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of draft minutes (October 22, 2025): Motion carried unanimously with Chair Whitesy and one other commissioner abstaining (Chair recused).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jim (non-agenda): Expressed concern about poor lighting and lack of signage at the new Central Avenue roundabouts, stating it felt unsafe at night and asking for improved visibility.
• Jay Garfinkel (non-agenda): Criticized the planning process as top-down, argued that residents are not meaningfully involved, and alleged that Bike Walk Alameda exerts undue influence on city projects.
• Cindy Johnson (on 6A): Supported the Pacific Avenue pilot, noted speeding still occurs between traffic calming elements, and suggested the city consider 15 mph speed limits on neighborhood streets (citing a UC Berkeley SafeTREC confirmation of legal authority).
• Denise Trapigny (Bike Walk Alameda board president): Expressed strong support for neighborhood greenways, urged the commission to prioritize safety and climate goals over parking and driving convenience, and thanked staff for their work despite misinformation from opponents.
• Mitch Ball (on 6A): Praised the pilot overall, recommended adding bollards in outbound bulbouts and at traffic circles to prevent vehicles from overrunning them, and provided diagrams.
• Jim Straylo (on 6A): Criticized the pilot as a waste of money, stating the traffic circle does not slow cars enough and that cyclists already use other routes.
• Catherine Hunch (on 6A): Opposed the traffic circle at Peru and Pacific, presented a petition where 85% of neighbors surveyed were strongly opposed, and requested a four-way stop instead, citing safety concerns for cyclists and pedestrians.

Discussion Items

• Neighborhood Greenway Implementation and Pacific Avenue Pilot (6A):

  • Staff (Rochelle Wheeler and Alison Mills) presented an overview of the three-phase Greenway program, focusing on Phase I (Pacific, San Jose, Versailles). The Pacific pilot (Lafayette to Oak) installed in two phases (stop signs in April, rest in November) includes a traffic circle at Chestnut, asphalt speed humps, hardened center lines, painted bulbouts, and other treatments.
  • Community survey (221 responses, Dec 4-14) showed 52% overall positive, 62% of non-drivers liked it, while 43% of drivers-only reported issues. Free-form comments varied: many supported the traffic circle and speed humps, but some wanted more slowing and clearer signage.
  • Commissioner discussion explored:
    • Traffic circle at Chestnut: Commissioner noted predictability versus irregular stop signs on Pacific; staff explained that traffic circles (all-way yield) are preferred over four-way stops for traffic calming and that four-way stops require a warrant analysis. The circle is designed low-profile for large vehicles; some commissioners suggested future design tweaks for visibility.
    • Hardened center lines: Staff explained they slow turning traffic and improve predictability; commissioners questioned effectiveness due to low profile but acknowledged potential safety benefits. Some suggested exploring vertical elements like flex posts, but staff noted maintenance concerns.
    • Speed humps: Located based on spacing (300-500 ft) and driveway constraints; no specific outreach to adjacent property owners but no complaints received.
    • Network connectivity: Commissioner emphasized the need to connect greenways to schools and other destinations; staff showed the 2030 low-stress network map and noted that additional funding is needed for full buildout.
  • Chair concluded that the commission generally felt the pilot is a good start, safer based on experience and feedback, and provided design critiques for staff to consider.

• Approve 2026 Transportation Commission Meeting Calendar (6B):

  • Staff proposed meetings on Jan 28, Feb 25, Mar 25, May 20 (adjusted for Eid), Jul 22, Sep 23, Nov 18 (avoiding Thanksgiving), plus holding fourth Wednesdays of even months for potential special meetings.
  • Commissioners noted potential conflicts for January meeting. Motion passed unanimously.

Commission Communications

• Commissioner shared personal concerns about unregulated e-bikes, noting lack of federal oversight and difficulties for parents; staff provided information on the Police Department's new webpage (AlamedaCA.gov/e-devices) and a recent Facebook post with shopping advice.
• Commissioner complimented the quick response from Public Works and Transportation to fix initial traffic issues at the Pacific/Main roundabout closure (signs rearranged within 24 hours).

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Consent calendar minutes (with abstentions).
• Approved: 2026 Transportation Commission meeting calendar (unanimously).
• No formal vote on the Neighborhood Greenway pilot; commission provided input as a discussion item. Staff will incorporate feedback into final designs for Phase I implementation by fall 2026.
• Next steps: Data collection on the pilot (speed, volume, bike counts) planned one year post-installation; staff will consider creating a two-year paving planning cycle to improve community outreach timing; further study on modal filters for future greenways.