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Traffic & Pedestrian Safety News - Past Reports

September 2004

Accomplishments since last report:

  • Produced community meeting main presentation on 9/23/04
  • Monitored implementation of pedestrian facilities at Mountain/Cabot
  • Visited Joaquin Miller School during Walk to School Day (Tuesday, October 5th) with various TPST personnel, school staffs, OPD Officers Schmitt & Ansthorpe, and various parents
  • Continued processing of MSIC TPST Questionnaire data
  • Put up Keep Kids Alive, Drive 25 signs throughout school complex areas at beginning of school year
  • Safety repair request to PWA for Lower Merriewood Stairs
  • Participated at Montclair Flea Market Festival
  • Continued meetings with District 4/TPST/PWA regarding overall PWA communication issues
  • Expanded efforts at improving relationships with local neighborhood organizations
  • No Parking signage installed on uphill side of Merriewood Drive (5744 Merriewood Drive to past 5672 Merriewood Drive)
  • No Parking signage installed on uphill side of Florence Terrace between Merriewood Drive and Capricorn
  • Detailed examination of the El Caminito/Camino Lenada/La Questa traffic situation, with coordination with Piedmont Pines NA
  • Detailed examination of the Shepherd Canyon/Saroni path construction work issues, with coordination with Shepherd Canyon HA

Work in progress:

  • Preparation of new section of MSIC TPST web site
  • Continued data entry on MSIC TPST Questionnaire (East Side)
  • Preparation of a new MSIC TPST Questionnaire (West Side) with additional page for west side traffic/pedestrian issues
  • Evaluation of effectiveness of the Mountain/Cabot intersection new infrastructure (are pedestrians safer?)
  • Development of a monthly TPST issues list to PWA (3 projects)
  • Negotiation with the four public schools PTA/PFC & school staffs for MSIC Driver Education flyer approval for text and methodology of distribution (goal is for schools to print and distribute, Joaquin Miller has agreed already)
  • Develop firm proposed plan for the El Caminito/Camino Lenada/La Questa traffic situation, in coordination with Piedmont Pines NA (speed bumps, additional one-way designations, new no parking zones, improvements to crosswalk access, etc.)
  • Coordinate new visits to Joaquin Miller Elementary School & Montera Middle School, with various TPST personnel, District 4 staff, school staffs, OPD Officers Schmitt & Ansthorpe, and various parents, major issue to determine appropriate process for education of driving parents leading towards traffic enforcement (ticketing)

Road blocks • None

Budget Issues:

Possible expense for MSIC Driver Education flyer printing/distribution, but nothing firm yet.

August 2004

$4,000 grant status:

  1. Mural completed.
  2. MSIC financial report issued.
  3. Oakland Pedestrian Safety Office final report issued.
  4. Grant implementation completed early July 2004.
  5. Coordination with Laurel District for signage display completed.
    • Beginning of school year project - Done.
    • Signs to be distributed - Done.
    • Signs to be installed in a single day - Done.
    • Limited display time - Done.
    • Signs then donated to other organization for same effort - TBD.

September 23rd Meeting Preparation:

  1. Working on two PowerPoint presentations.
  2. Working on initial tabulation of questionnaire responses to establish preliminary results.
  3. Invited District 4 Council Member Jean Quan, Sue Piper to speak (both accepted).
  4. Invited PWA Director Raul Godinez & Wlad Wlassowsky to speak (both accepted).

Questionnaire:
Team currently evaluating request from Jill Broadhurst to distribute a second round of questionnaires west of Highway 13.

Schools:

  1. Finalized draft of driving safety flyer.
  2. Requested traffic enforcement by OPD in front of public schools.

Small Request for Minor Vegetation Control (MVA):

  1. Vegetation on Mountain Boulevard median at 13 on/off ramp blocking view of traffic ...asked MVA to address.
  2. Attended MVA meeting, repeated request, understand MVA contacted Parks and Rec Maintenance to trim vegetation.

Stairs:

  1. Finalized cleaning of the Lower Merriewood Stairs, began next-stage request for repair to PWA (13Y)
  2. Support Activity for the Cabot Stairs:
    • Continued efforts to get signage on stairs.
  3. Support Activity for the Taurus Stairs (13Y)
    • Fire Department has removed all major vegetation from stairs.
    • Another email to Waver Garrett requesting signage.
  4. Support Activity for Gaspar Stairs:
    • Continued efforts to get signage on stairs.

Meetings:

  1. Established Regular Meetings with PWA on establishing request procedures for MSIC projects:
    • Discuss pedestrian issues throughout hill area.
    • Discuss MSIC relationship with PWA.
  2. Continued meetings with the Bicycle/Pedestrian Safety Advisory Committee (BPAC).

Miscellaneous:

  • Continued efforts in support of Cabot/Mountain intersection construction (now under construction).
  • Continued efforts to support Ascot/Mountain intersection problem solving (no further action this month).
  • Evaluation of TPST Pedestrian Safety Questionnaire under way.
  • Continued support of MSIC Web site community comments.

July 2004

$4,000 grant status:

  • Mural completed
  • MSIC financial report to be issued this month (didn’t happen last month)
  • Oakland Pedestrian Safety Office final report to be issued this month
  • Grant implementation completed by end of June 2004
  • Coordination with Laurel District for signage display to begin July 2004
    • Beginning of school year project
    • Signs to be distributed
    • Signs to be installed in a single day
    • Limited display time
    • Signs then donated to other organization for same effort

Stairs:

  • Additional cleaning of the Lower Merriewood Stairs (both 1 & 2) (13Y)
  • Support Activity for the Cabot Stairs:
    • Continued efforts to get signage on stairs
  • Support Activity for the Taurus Stairs :
    • Email to Camille Rodgers requesting cleaning
    • Email to Waver Garrett requesting signage
  • Support Activity for Gaspar Stairs:
    • Continued efforts to get signage on stairs
  • One-Time Cleanup performed by OFD

Miscellaneous:

  • Dexter joined City of Oakland Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) as MSIC Representative
  • Continued efforts in support of Cabot/Mountain intersection construction
  • Continued efforts to support Ascot/Mountain intersection problem solving
  • Development and distribution of TPST Pedestrian Safety Survey:
    • 900 printed
    • 800 distributed:
    • 100 still undistributed
    • 108 returned

Meetings:

  • Setup Additional Meeting with PWA’s Director Raul Godinez for July 15th:
    • Discuss pedestrian issues throughout hill area
    • Discuss MSIC relationship with PWA
  • Met with Oakland Pedestrian Safety Project (OPSP) again:
    • Continued to integrate MSIC TPST goals with OPSP (Tom Vandemark, Jason Patton, Catherine Tsang)
  • Met with the Bicycle/Pedestrian Safety Advisory Committee again:
    • Discussed pedestrian issues surrounding schools
    • Initiated discussion of pedestrian master plan for hill area
    • Participated in the review of pedestrian issues surrounding Grand Lake/Lake Merritt intersections

May 2004

$4,000 grant status:

  • Final negotiations with mural painter completed June 2, 2004
  • MSIC financial report to be issued this month
  • Oakland Pedestrian Safety Office final report to be issued this month
  • Grant implementation to be completed by end of June 2004
  • Coordination with Laurel District for signage display to begin late June 2004
    • Beginning of school year project
    • Signs to be distributed
    • Signs to be installed in a single day
    • Limited display time
    • Signs then donated to other organization for same effort

Stairs:

  • Strategic cleaning of the Lower Merriewood Stairs (both 1 & 2) (13Y)
  • Support Activity for the Cabot Stairs:
    • Continued efforts to get signage on stairs
    • Accomplished Fire Department (Rodgers) massive cleanup on Section One
  • Support Activity for the Taurus Stairs
    • Email to Camille Rodgers requesting cleaning
    • Email to Waver Garrett requesting signage
  • Support Activity for Gaspar Stairs:
    • Continued efforts to get signage on stairs
    • Attended cleaning session
    • Continued negotiations with Camille Rodgers for one-time cleanup

Meetings:

  • Meeting with Sue Piper
    • Discussed pedestrian safety issues throughout 13Y/13Z
    • Discussed methodologies for working with Oakland’s PWA
    • Forwarded Don Peterson’s list of stop signs to her
  • Lessard/Dexter initiated a conference call meeting with Monterey PWA engineer:
    • Discussed general relationship between citizens and PWA
    • Discussed rules/regulations of traffic engineers
    • Discussed overall game plan for forward action with Oakland PWA
  • Met with PWA’s Director Raul Godinez (at Citizen’s Academy):
    • Discussed pedestrian issues throughout hill area
    • Discussed MSIC relationship with PWA
  • Met with Oakland Pedestrian Safety Project (OPSP) twice:
    • Began integrating MSIC TPST goals with OPSP's Tom Vandemark, Jason Patton, Catherine Tsang
    • Received three Safe Routes to Schools Informational Packets (Parents, Teachers, Principals)
  • Met with the Bicycle/Pedestrian Safety Advisory Committee:
    • Introduced MSIC
    • Discussed pedestrian issues surrounding schools
    • Initiated discussion of pedestrian master plan for hill area
    • Individual Meeting with Brian Vejby
    • Individual Meeting with Paul Lessard
    • Meeting with Taurus Neighborhood Association (13Y):
      • Welcomed new group
      • MSIC in attendance ( Nick Vigilante, Sue Piper (District 4), Jim Dexter

Miscellaneous:

  • Submitted traffic hotspot list for District 4 radar
  • Dexter joined East Bay Bicycle Coalition (EBBC) as MSIC Member
  • Reviewed the Portland Oregon Pedestrian Master Plan (June 1998)
  • Initiated parking enforcement actions on Merriewood (test case)
  • Continued efforts in support of Cabot/Mountain intersection construction
  • Continued efforts to support Ascot/Mountain intersection problem solving
  • Organized “Walk on Thornhill” to familiarize the PWA with pedestrian problems
  • Continued efforts to find new grant monies for TPST projects
  • Development and distribution of TPST Pedestrian Safety Survey:
    • 900 printed
    • 700 distributed:
      • Piedmont Pines yearly meeting
      • Fernwood Neighborhood Association meeting
      • Taurus Neighborhood Association meeting
    • PDF available on MSIC web site
    • Link to Survey on Jean Quan’s electronic newsletter
    • 200 still undistributed
    • 70 returned to date

March 2004

Grants Acquisition:

  • Re-defined activities are being performed in acquiring a grant from the “Safe Routes to School” (SRTS) agency for February 2005:
    • Explore options of MSIC TPST to pursue SRTS grants independently in 2004
    • Decision by PWA/MSIC TPST to incorporate our 2003 SRTS grant effort into existing plan by PWA to submit SRTS grant (not to compete against PWA)
    • Preparation of draft grant proposal for Cabot/Mountain Solutions completed and submitted to PWA
      • Additional activity to prepare support letter for PWA Cabot/Mountain Solutions grant submission
      • Decision by PWA to extract Cabot/Mountain Solutions MSIC TPST portion from PWA grant submission
      • Decision by PWA to fund Cabot/Mountain Solutions MSIC TPST portion by itself
    • Invitation to PWA for meeting on Cabot/Mountain Solutions
    • Continued contacts with City of Oakland PWA
      • Design and Construction Services Division
  • A grant application for $75-90K planning grant is under preparation, a direct application by TPST, perhaps without any City involvement.
    • Grant monies for development of a master plan for traffic throughout area

Fundraising:

  • $500.00 fundraising proposal in cooperation with Montclair businesses under consideration

Grants Management:

  • $4,000 grant has completed initial definition of expenditures, currently planned to include the following:
  • Purchase one hundred “Drive 25” signs, coordinate display times with Laurel Canyon
  • Purchase and install three+ in-crosswalk street signs (with additional financial support by Jean Quan’s office)
  • Purchase 10 metal signs for distribution around schools
  • Purchase 100 reflective stickers (distribution on Earth Day and other events)
  • Purchase of 1000 brochures (distribution on Earth Day & other events)
  • Fund mural at Montclair Elementary School

City of Oakland Liaison:

  • Meeting with PWA Director Raul Godinez under development
  • Work on PWA Plans for Cabot/Mountain

Schools Liaison:

  • Meeting with Montclair PTA accomplished
  • Meetings with Joaquin Miller, Montera, and Thornhill in development

Neighborhood Organizations Liaison:

  • Piedmont Pines working directly on traffic issues around schools, plus speeding and parking throughout neighborhood, TPST is participating and cooperating
  • North Hills was able to get stop signs, and TPST will inquire how they achieved this goal

Issues Evaluation:

  • Cabot/Mountain intersection evaluated by entire team:
    • TPST response to PWA:
      • Ask for further definition of PWA proposed solutions
      • Continue to ask for stop signs
      • Invite PWA to public meeting @ Montclair Elementary School
  • Initiate community meeting on traffic enforcement (OPD)
  • Initiate internal TPST review of existing issues list to prioritize

Upcoming Actions:

  • TPST participation in Earth Day events
  • Internal effort to have TPST committee reports submitted by 1st Monday of month

February 2004

  • Additional volunteers contacted to add to the team
  • Second Team meeting held on February 4 – regular meetings established for the 1st Wednesday of every month
  • Continued activities are being performed in acquiring a grant from the “Safe Routes to School” agency:
    • Evaluation of the traffic and pedestrian situation surrounding Montera and Joaquin Miller schools (click here to see preliminary list of ideas)
    • Preparation of draft grant proposal completed and submitted to PWA
    • Coordination with Jean Quan’s staff
    • Continued contacts with City of Oakland Parks and Recreation Department
    • Continued contacts with City of Oakland Public Works Agency Design and Construction Services Division, Traffic Engineering and Parking Department
  • Expanded efforts to develop PTA/PFA representatives:
    • TPST Presentation at Joaquin Miller PTA meeting (Dexter)
  • In progress efforts to resolve severe traffic issues on the Cabot/Mountain Boulevard intersection in front of the Montclair Elementary School:
    • Second contact with City of Oakland Public Works Agency Traffic Department
      Evaluation by Traffic Department of intersection is completed, and a formal PWA response is being prepared
    • Continued communication on re-painting red, yellow, gray, and green curbs with City of Oakland Public Works Agency Design and Services Division, Traffic Engineering and Parking Department
    • Continued communication on re-painting crosswalks with City of Oakland Public Works Agency Design and Construction Services Division, Traffic Engineering and Parking Department
    • Continued communication on enhancement of streetlights with City of Oakland Public Works Agency Design and Construction Services Division, Electrical Services Department
  • Enhanced the TPST Web Pages for the MSIC Web Site
  • Continued expansion of the Team’s Issues List
  • Continued introduction activities with the following neighborhood organizations on Traffic & Pedestrian Safety:
    • Shepherd Canyon
    • Butter's Land Trust
    • Friends of Sausal Creek
    • North Hills Phoenix Association
    • Piedmont Pines
January 2004
  • Initial volunteers contacted to establish the team
  • First Team meeting held on January 7
  • Activities are being performed in acquiring a grant from the “Safe Routes to School” agency:
    • Evaluation of the traffic and pedestrian situation surrounding Montera and Joaquin Miller schools (click here to see preliminary plan)
    • Preparation of draft grant proposal
    • Coordination with Jean Quan’s staff
    • Initial contact with City of Oakland Parks and Recreation Department
    • Initial contact with City of Oakland Public Works Agency Design and Construction Services Division, Traffic Engineering and Parking Department
  • Initial efforts to develop PTA/PFA representatives:
    • TPST Presentation at Joaquin Miller PTA meeting (Dexter)
  • In progress efforts to resolve severe traffic issues on the Cabot/Mountain Boulevard intersection in front of the Montclair Elementary School:
    • Initial contact with City of Oakland Public Works Agency Traffic Department
    • Evaluation by Traffic Department of intersection is now under way
    • Continued meetings with Traffic Department scheduled for February 6
    • Initial contact on re-painting red, yellow, gray, and green curbs with City of Oakland Public Works Agency Design and Services Division, Traffic Engineering and Parking Department
    • Initial contact on re-painting crosswalks with City of Oakland Public Works Agency Design and Construction Services Division, Traffic Engineering and Parking Department
    • Initial contact on enhancement of streetlights with City of Oakland Public Works Agency Design and Construction Services Division, Electrical Services Department
  • Created the TPST Web Pages for the MSIC Web Site
  • Initiated contacts with the following neighborhood organizations on Traffic & Pedestrian Safety:
    • Shepherd Canyon
    • Butter's Land Trust
    • Friends of Sausal Creek
    • North Hills Phoenix Association
    • Piedmont Pines


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