East Noble Citizen Advisory Council Meeting - January 22, 2026

The East Noble Citizen Advisory Council (CAC) met on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 6:30 PM in Sunol, California. Chair Connie DeGrange presided. The meeting covered law enforcement updates, fire safety, downtown revitalization, pedestrian improvements, and an in-depth presentation on emergency notification systems for the community. Supervisor David Halbert gave opening remarks, welcoming new member Ian and highlighting the agenda.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made at the start of the meeting. Later, a resident (unidentified) expressed appreciation for sheriff's presence on Kilcare Road but raised concerns about speeding drivers, especially during school rush hours, and reported near head-on collisions on Foothill Road due to illegal passing.

Law Enforcement Monthly Updates

• Alameda County Sheriff's Office (Sergeant Petrini): Reported 65 calls for service since the last meeting (November 2025). Deputies conducted 60 proactive stops and 128 patrol/business checks. No major incidents. A resident commended the sheriff’s presence during Hanukkah and Train of Lights events.
• California Highway Patrol (CHP): The officer reported the office is shorthanded due to promotions, transfers, and a reduction in academy classes (from every 10 weeks to three classes per year). Currently five officers are down (three injured, two on maternity leave). Expects five new officers by June 2026 but will be training them, reducing road enforcement temporarily. The officer agreed to increase patrols on Kilcare Road during morning school hours.
• Discussion on traffic issues at the 680/84 interchange: fewer accidents noted, possibly due to improved flow after the northbound 680 two-lane connector opened. The CHP officer will request Caltrans to re-evaluate signal timing during peak commute and school hours, as the current timing causes backups on Main Street.

Fire Safety Update

• Alameda County Fire Department (Chief Terra): Reported 54 calls for service since November, 91% of which were EMS-related, plus one dumpster fire. The area was relatively quiet.
• Fire Safety / Defensible Space (Denise, Fire Safe Group): Announced a grant modification (through Diablo Fire Safe Council) funding 10 days of an arborist with a five-person crew to create defensible space along Kilcare Road. Work will start in February, removing dead branches and clearing for emergency vehicle access. Additionally, a CalFire grant to Alameda County Fire Department for a shaded fuel break on Kilcare Road is expected to start in March.

Downtown Revitalization Work Group (Wayfinding Sign)

• Progress update: The prototype wayfinding sign is near installation. The sign design was developed with local artists and community input (Tom Harlan). The sign will be placed across from the former Bosco's, on the sidewalk near the mini parking lot by the park. Once installed, it will seek community feedback. The sign will list locations of interest, not businesses. The group is finalizing the purchase order and expects the sign maker to be paid soon.

Pedestrian-Friendly Main Street Update (Amber Lowe, Alameda County Public Works)

• Public Works is finalizing an RFP to update the Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan and ADA Transition Plan. Contract approval is expected in February, with community outreach (including CAC meetings) likely by summer.
• Speed survey results (May 27-29, 2025) on Bond and Main Streets showed 85th percentile speeds of 23-28 mph, indicating most drivers comply. However, speeding on Kilcare Road remains a concern, especially from non-residents cutting through. Public Works will conduct an Engineering Traffic Survey (ETS) on Foothill Road from B Street to mile marker 6.7 to confirm the 25 mph speed limit and allow enforcement. A speed limit sign on the western terminus of Foothill has already been installed.
• Regarding crosswalks on Main Street: Lowe suggested keeping pedestrians on the sidewalk side rather than crossing near the island, to improve safety. Temporary pavement marking options may be considered to guide pedestrians. For the missing two streetlights in front of the Bosco's building, Lowe will investigate whether the original bases have power and if replacement poles are available from the 2012 project inventory. Installing new lights may require a separate power application.

Emergency Notification Systems Presentation (Denise, with Brent from Alameda County OES)

• Background: Sunol is in a high fire hazard zone (99% of homes at risk), has poor cell coverage, a multilingual and hearing-impaired population, and many visitors. The goal is to find a passive, reliable notification system.
• Research: Two companies were evaluated: Genesis Protect (LRAD sirens, zone-based) and HQE Safe Network (mesh system using low-frequency radio). A siren test by Genesis showed poor sound penetration in Sunol’s terrain; voice messages were unintelligible beyond a short distance (e.g., near Little Brown Church, but not at Elliston). Nine HQE sirens would be needed to cover Sunol (at an estimated cost of $100,000–$250,000 per siren, plus maintenance). In-home units (HQE) cost ~$150–200 each and create a mesh network independent of cellular or grid power, with 10-day battery life and features for the hearing impaired (vibrating wristband).
• Expert Input (Brent, Alameda County OES): He cautioned against investing heavily in sirens due to rapid technological changes (e.g., satellite-to-phone services already available via T-Mobile, with Verizon coming in 2026). He recommended exploring micro cell towers on existing utility poles to improve cellular coverage, which would enhance existing alert systems like AC Alert. He also noted that sirens require ongoing maintenance ($34,000+/year in Marin) and are difficult to manage across fragmented systems. He suggested the county develop standards and avoid vendor lock-in. Community members expressed interest in low-tech backups (e.g., AM radios) and mesh networks for two-way communication.
• Next Steps: The CAC will investigate micro cell tower options with cell providers. Brent will provide contacts. The group will continue to monitor technology developments (e.g., satellite direct-to-phone) before making large investments.

2025 Year in Review (Connie DeGrange)

• Accomplishments included: feasibility study for septic system (costs expected soon), prototype wayfinding sign progress, support for Sunol School’s 100th anniversary, bulky waste drop-off day, fire safety picnic and home hardening presentation, participation in Senator McNerney’s roundtable, successful reopening of the Pleasanton Ridge gate, facilitating Niles Canyon Railway ticket fundraiser, pushing PG&E pipeline relocation for quarry revegetation/salmon habitat, and multiple town halls on flooding, senior services, budgets, and building permits.

Key Outcomes

• Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the October 15, 2025 meeting were approved on a motion and second. Councilmember McLean abstained (noted as not present at the time of vote, though present at roll call).
• Date Change for Next Meeting: To accommodate a speaker from Zone 7 (Valerie Prior), the February meeting date may be moved. Chair DeGrange will coordinate with Valerie and propose a new date (possibly the second or fourth week).
• Law Enforcement Follow-Up: CHP will increase patrols on Kilcare Road during morning school hours; Caltrans will be asked to re-evaluate signal timing on Main Street/84 during peak and school hours.
• Traffic Safety: Public Works will conduct an Engineering Traffic Survey on Foothill Road to confirm the 25 mph speed limit. The two missing streetlights will be investigated for replacement.
• Emergency Notification: The CAC will pursue discussions with cell providers about micro cell towers. No immediate purchase of sirens or mesh systems; will monitor satellite-to-phone developments.