Speaker 0: Imitation to provide direction to staff to pursue one or more options for reducing the negative impacts and public safety challenges associated with automobile oriented events at Alameda Point.
Speaker 1: Thank you. And this I'll note quickly as a follow up to an item, a council referral that Councilmember Knox White and I brought a while ago. And so I'm I know staff has put a lot of effort. I think staff in several city departments have put a lot of effort into this. So I'm city manager Leavitt, who is who's presenting this one now.
Speaker 2: I'm Mary Elbe, assistant city manager Boden. Okay.
Speaker 1: Hello, Assistant City Manager Jerry Bowden. Good evening.
Speaker 2: Good evening. Good evening, Mayor. As the Ashcraft. Members of the city council big team here tonight. Obviously our city manager and our city attorney, director of Public Works, Aaron Smith, is on the call this evening. We also have planning building transportation director Andrew Thomas. Lisa maxwell, our committee development director, may also be joining and we also have police chief, the Sean Joshi. So obviously multi departmental effort car events that are having negative impacts at Alameda point things like pedestrian and bicyclists safety. And I'll say next slide. Thank you. Pedestrian and bicyclists, safety, traffic congestion. There's concern about first responders being able to access the area during certain events that get so crowded that it might be challenging to do to be able to get folks in there. Noise, trash and property damage have also been associated with some larger scale events and those are having negative impacts on residents, businesses. And also we have an award winning climate action plan that has pretty lofty greenhouse gas reduction objectives. And so all of these things are at odds with some of the events that are happening. Next slide, please. So staff's recommendation this evening is really an attempt at striking the right balance between managing the different auto oriented events that are happening with allowing for the enjoyment of the area by residents, business, community and visitors. These four points on this slide will be discussed in more detail in the presentation tonight. Next slide, please. So as mayor, as the Ashcraft mentioned, staff did elevate this item to as a priority when the council referral came forward earlier this year. At that time, direction was given to the city manager to evaluate the situation and implement measures to mitigate or eliminate those negative impacts from certain auto oriented events occurring at Alameda Point, including the comings and goings from the point that there were also resulting in a lot of complaints and concerns from residents. So staff did identify three types of events that are happening at Alameda Point, things like city permitted events, special events, conditional use permit events that that were occurring. There are also non permitted events, informal, large scale events where hundreds of vehicles were coming through either online or just group meets. And then we're also seeing individual reckless driving. We're calling those events. Sometimes it's a couple of cars or an individual car, but those are also creating issues in the area based on our look into the situation. So next slide. We have scaled back staff has scaled back the permits that we've been issuing for auto related events at Alameda Point since the council referral in August. We did actually have a slide behind. I'll say next slide one more time, please. We did also scaled back the the permits. We also put a number of. We also look at key locations where informal event group events were or congregating for the parking lot. Next to the skate park is an example of that. And that area was the recipient, recipient of wheel stops, which are those concrete blocks that you have to stop your car at the shopping center parking lot? Those when those are installed, they deter faster moving vehicles, spinning car activities, things like that become a lot harder when the wheel stops are in place because there's just less room for that and there are physical barriers. Similarly, the south side of Building five on West Tower Avenue and the open area between the Lookout Tower and Building 25 near the end of Monarch Street, which is the street that runs north, south, west tower, west, midway, west redline all tie into monarch and monarch takes you out to the park area. Those barriers were put barriers were put in place at a number of locations. We've also had greater police presence in the area and as part of monitoring the events as they're occurring. Next slide. So this is what the area near building 25 at the end of just as you come down West Tower, if you come past palladium and keep going straight out to Spirit's Alley, West Tower cheese into monarch. And if you turn left, building 25 is is located in that area. There's a mix of rail and tree planters which kind of neck down or narrow the entrance to the larger I'll call it future deep paved park area or that larger parking lot area. This still allows bicyclists and pedestrians to navigate the area. Vehicles can still navigate through the area, but it just creates a kind of a slower entrance and exit area from the larger parking area. And that is the one of the near term solutions that were put in place, does a lot, still allows tenant access as well in that area. Next slide. So there were a number of there were obviously a number of improvements that have been put into place. Staff is wanted to take this opportunity to check in with the city council and and make a recommendation on additional refinements to our program. Obviously, the the improvements that have been put in place have been effective to some extent, but still allow for some of the negative activity or the negative impacts that were occurring through some of these activities. And so permitted events are obviously an area where we as the city have a lot more authority, land use controls and other permitting authority. So with policy direction from council staff could continue to modify or modify existing use permits or continue to more carefully monitor applications for auto related events. So that is an option for us to pursue and maybe more fully execute on. Next slide. Non permitted events continue to be more difficult to manage, even with the improvements that we've made to date, staff has developed three options that would allow for even less space for vehicle events at the end of Monarch Street. And I'm talking about the area that really extends past where that current neck down area is at Alameda Point. And I'll just briefly show each of these three options now. Next slide, please. So what we're calling barrier option one would maintain those existing vehicle barriers that north or the top end of the the of the slide shows the next down area the blue the blue barricade indicators on this map would be the the new barriers that would be put in place. And there would be mostly a complete limit of vehicle traffic beyond the barriers. This would allow for a limited amount of public and tenant parking. And then the areas that are kind of to the bottom of this slide beyond the blue barriers would be bike and pedestrian access only in option one. So this is one option for consideration. It would certainly limit any large scale vehicle events beyond those blue barriers would not be possible. It would be ten and access only. Next slide, please. Barrier. Option two is the retaining walls with which the retaining system would be maintained. Again, those blue barriers indicate the new cordoned off area, so there'd be a long, narrow road that would take you to public parking at the South End. The area that's closest to the water would be open to bicyclists and pedestrians in that parking area. At the bottom of the slide could be right sized over time to make sure that we had adequate vehicle parking but not created an attractive nuisance area at that far end. Next slide, please. So barrier option three is again really limited vehicle access tenants only beyond the tower building. And so this is the most limited and limited option. You have bicyclists and pedestrians allowed past that area. Next slide, please. Last week. The second bullet on this slide talks about the possibility of municipal code amendments. We're not recommending, though, this those this evening. There are already laws on the books that criminalize street racing, reckless driving events, and their coordinators often happen online. And that creates its own challenge in terms of resources to track people on the Internet, on social media. So we're not recommending that it is an option that we did look at one of their location that's not Deep Park is at the end of Mt. Hood, which is at the end of Monarch is the USS Hornet area across from the Wheeler facility on West Hornet Avenue. Next slide, please. This is a location that staff is recommending a temporary chain link fence, which would limit vehicle access, but still allow the city to readily lease the space for events or other uses that are deemed appropriate. And the last slide, please. So with that, staff is recommending the following actions for council consideration restrict or limit the large scale auto events. A policy direction like that would allow staff to consider applications but not facilitate events that could be problematic. Second, retain the barrier system that was put in place in August and implement the barrier option number two, which would allow for public access but restrict a larger area to just bicycle and pedestrian access. Third would be the installation of fencing across from Wheater and finally leave those wheel stops and other physical barriers that have been put in place. That concludes our presentation.
Speaker 1: Talk about perfect timing, Mr. Boden. Thank you so much. So, Madam Clerk, I'm sure we have some public speakers, but before we get to our public speakers council excuse me, we have a great array of city staff here who can answer your questions. So let's take clarifying questions at this time in Kalahari Desert. Go ahead and start a.
Speaker 2: Quick clarifying question for the the chain link fence around near the west, near the LEDA facility. Is there any reason why the chain link fence doesn't extend to cover that portion? That seems to be just right, right next to it. It looks like I think people practice motorcycle driving in that area. Is there a reason why we don't include that the chain link fence doesn't extend to that area? It's a great question. Councilmember de SAC, the the the answer to that question that we've received so far is that we think that the Hornet lease actually covers some of those other areas. And so we want to make sure we'll make sure that we align the fence and are as if council endorses this concept. We'll make sure that it's as inclusive as possible for that large area, but we don't want to infringe on anyone's rights. Thank you.
Speaker 1: Thank you. I saw a hand go up. Who was that? Councilmember Harris Spencer.
Speaker 0: Thank you. I want to follow up on member de SACS question. So sometimes the Hornet has events with a lot of people that are driving and I know they go beyond that area that's available outside of that fence. So with the area within the fencing be opened for when they're having their events.
Speaker 2: It certainly could be there. Their lease currently would not cover that area, but it's certainly something that we could talk with them and coordinate. We're in close coordination with the Hornet representatives, so if they were planning a large scale event and needed more parking, we could certainly be open to that conversation. And what we're talking about is temporary fencing that could be easily relocated or moved over time as necessary.
Speaker 1: I had Councilor Hurst answer.
Speaker 0: So I also know shopping centers have this issue too, but they actually don't block office spaces. What they do is they add speed lines or speed bumps or the bot stops. Oakland and Chief Joshi may know this, right. They've added a lot of these raised starts to try to address it, but they still keep the spaces available. So can I ask, why hasn't staff done other things like that that allow the space to be used by law abiding citizens, many of which go to the Hornet and want to be able to park. You want to watch the sunset, things like that. But it sounds like, you know, what I'm hearing is that staff is jumping to let's just cut off areas, make them not accessible to cars. And maybe that is what we're trying to do here is have everyone on bikes and walking and we have fishermen that go out there and use the area. Some of these proposals would take that opportunity away.
Speaker 1: Yeah. Can I ask Chief Joshi if you'd like to address the you know, what is it? What is the problem we're trying to address here?
Speaker 2: Sir. Good evening and thank you, Madam Mayor, and good evening to the city council. So the concern these recommendations are to mitigate the gathering of cars that that then so those bot dots or the the rumble strips or, you know, things like that can actually they would they would deter people engaging in in, you know, doing the burnouts and things like that in those specific areas. However, when they when they do leave through the, you know, that entry chute, I guess you could call that it's been referenced in that way that that's where a lot of the burnout activity is also occurring. So I think that, you know, we can still have vehicles go down into that area, into those areas, and people can still enjoy the scenery there. And so, I mean, these I mean I mean, these are recommendations that we came up with for the council to provide direction on.
Speaker 1: So I put further clarifying questions. Councilmember Spencer.
Speaker 0: I appreciate your asking a question, but I've had a question. It's not the same question. For instance, the area of chief that you just brought up where the cars can enter, there are no speed bumps or speed lamps, anything like that. To slow traffic in that area is just a it's just a more narrow area. It's like a lane. Right. So my question was, why aren't we doing speed lamps or speed bumps to slow down traffic, for instance, in that area?
Speaker 2: It was like.
Speaker 1: Any of the any of the staff who's worked on this, too, would like to have been Andrew Thomas plan planning transportation.
Speaker 2: To a day. I think they probably both strategies work, right? We're trying to make the area unattractive for people to do inappropriate activities with their automobiles. So whether it's the Dot's all over the place or whether it's the barricade system, I will defer to our public works director, but my hunch is that the dot's to do it well and to do it as effectively as the barricades. There's just going to be a more expensive strategy to implement and to maintain.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Mr. Thomas. Public Works Director Aaron Smith. Did you want to weigh in?
Speaker 0: I just wanted to add an additional thought. The bumps and there's both speed bumps and there's the dots that that folks are talking about. Those are definitely options. Where we went with just blocking off areas was really considering, you know, there's not a lot of travel. There's no travel lanes out here. It's just wide open space. And so this the intent here was to focus travel in one area and to focus it safely. That was the 40 foot lane that exists. If we just did the lumps or the bumps everywhere, then you just have that everywhere and there's still no identified travel lane and that presents and safety issues as well. There probably could be a way to create travel lanes with those bumps, but this is the approach that we took because it builds on what's existing with the 40 foot lane.
Speaker 1: Thank you. Katherine Harris. Spencer.
Speaker 0: Thank you. So I appreciate, you know, the safety plan. It sounded like from the chief's comments, though, that it's still not working, that, yes, there is an identified lane. So my question is why? Why aren't you considering adding maybe you are the speed bumps or bumps so that when the cars do funnel down that there is something that actually slows them down? I think that can definitely be an option within the 40 foot lane for sure. My understanding is another objective of what we're trying to do here is prevent the large scale congregation, not just the reckless driving that oftentimes happens at the tail end of these events, but a number of the events that I've been informed about and I've witnessed one, when I happen to be out there, it's the congregation. And so the bombs won't necessarily prevent the large scale congregation. So that was just another factor. But Councilmember Spence, you're absolutely right. In that 40 foot lane, we could certainly put in things that would if that became an issue of speed within that 40 foot lane, we could certainly put deterrents to reduce the speed within that. Okay.
Speaker 1: Further clarifying questions for you, Councilmember Herr Spencer. At this time. Okay. How about any other council members any any questions you want to ask of staff before we get to our public comments? Okay. I'm not seeing any hands up. So, Madam Clerk, how many speakers do we have?
Speaker 0: We have three speakers.
Speaker 1: Okay. So you want to explain what that means?
Speaker 2: Yes.
Speaker 0: So it means that we they all get 2 minutes unless we are 3 minutes, unless we get seven speakers, and then they would be lowered. And my thing is. Here we go. I can't find them. Okay, here. There.
Speaker 1: The case of the misplaced speakers.
Speaker 0: No, I can't. I can't see their names. It's really weird. And the first one is Laura. I have to maybe fini.
Speaker 1: Oh, okay. Laura. Well, yeah, I see her thing. Okay. Speaker fees are five. Go ahead. Welcome.
Speaker 0: Hello. Good evening. My name's Laura Fees. I'm executive officer at the U.S., a foreign art museum. So, first of all, thank you so much in this for differentiating between the various types of car events. That was really a very nice for me to hear and I could pass it along to everyone else on the crew. So from the museum's perspective, this kind of the car congregation is two fold. And the primarily, of course, is our general mission. You know, we'd really like to grow our general mission. We took a 90% revenue hit during COVID. So we are looking forward to getting that crowd back. And while generally the parking that we are leased is sufficient, ideally we'd like to sometimes, you know, peek into the what we referred to as the enterprise lot, which is a larger lot beyond us. And we already have that good coordination like assistant city manager was saying between us and the city to let them know when we have specific events that we are anticipating large numbers for and we can alert them that we are looking for more parking. But specifically also until the fantastic public public transportation options that have recently been introduced, Seaplane Lagoon and then Bus Line 78 are expanded to also cover the museum's hours of operation. And we will be depending on car traffic to bring attendance to the museum. Secondarily, I'd like to address the special events that we are looking forward to continue to hosting. We were allowed for events in our use permit, which I do hope we are able to keep because our museum, perhaps unsurprisingly, is particularly attractive to, I'll call them transportation enthusiasts, the planes, trains and automobiles types of people. So we've been having a great luck with kind of coordinating and city approved events where we are able to bring in car clubs who are generally well-behaved. I will not say perfectly, but I will say that specific car clubs that we have worked with officially have done things like reprimand and kick people out of their clubs for poor behavior. So I would hate to eliminate an entire car club on the bad behavior of one or two individuals who made poor choices during their visits. But yeah, I was just here in general to to advocate for the kind of differentiation on behalf of the museum, kind of consider those what is a, a good and safe and appropriate car club congregation, if you will. And then, of course, what is the dangerous stuff that we also don't want on the base? And we will do everything in our power to help eliminate that. And things like wheel stops and our parking lot would be lovely because we also don't want donuts and burnouts. So happy to talk to you more about it. It looks I'm just about to run out of time here, but thank you very much.
Speaker 1: Thank you for your comments. Our next speaker.
Speaker 0: Steve Shafer.
Speaker 1: Good evening, speaker. Maybe Shaffer.
Speaker 2: Schaffer.
Speaker 1: Schaffer It is. Okay.
Speaker 2: Yeah. I'm Steve Schafer. I'm the owner of Urban Legend Cellars in Building 25 or, as I've called it, ground zero for these events these days. First off, thank you very much to the assistant city manager, city manager, director Aaron Smith and to Chief Joshi and the council. I'm glad this is getting the attention it needs. The we really do need to do something here. If you look at option two, that entire area was full two weeks ago with a car show and a week before that. These shows have gotten very large, over 500 cars in attendance and well over 1000 people. You now have vendors coming out vending food. There appears to be a vendor coming out vending alcoholic beverages, which is completely illegal. The mess from the trash here and the sanitary mess that's leftover because there are no sanitary facilities out there are becoming a big problem. It is taking our customers 25 to 30 minutes to get into our site. We have been somewhat effective in being able to maintain a parking area for our customers, but we are at the last amount. We lost control of that. So if something needs to be done of the options that are out here, we prefer option two. It does not require vigilance as far as keeping a gate closed. It also provides a very nice public parking space out in one of the more scenic parts of the point. So I'm looking forward to seeing what action can be taken. And as always, I am here to do whatever I can to support this.
Speaker 1: Thank. Thank you. Thank you, Speaker Schafer. Were you were you finished?
Speaker 2: Yes.
Speaker 1: Okay, great. Thank you. I think we have at least one more speaker.
Speaker 0: Yes, one more speaker. Victor. Yay!
Speaker 1: Welcome back, Speaker to.
Speaker 2: Thank you so much. This has been incredibly insightful. Thank you to everyone on the city council. So I am a resident of Alameda landing on the West End. So this is all new to me. I've recently realized I think the last speaker said maybe two or three weekends of there's just been these car shows. And I think it's the one at the Monarch Street that assistant city manager Jerry was mentioning. So I actually first noticed when I was at home these last couple of Sundays, that there was just a hundreds of cars that were just coming down, Willie Stargell and Fifth Avenue around that area. And they were near hitting kids almost like it was one per hour. And they were, you know, it was just like really mind boggling to see because they didn't care just rushing their way through. And so I definitely am speaking up in terms of like neighborhood safety for the West End. They are to address, you know, councilmember harass. Spencer with regards to the bumps, I think they would help but I drove over to the actual area and it's like I testosterone felt like a lot. So it's not even about like they would just go over the bumps like fast like that actually were probably a fun thing to do, but they're, they're just like, vroom, vroom, vroom, the whole thing. And it's when they leave the site that that's where our neighborhood gets impacted and they're just coming through and speeding, doing kind of wheelies in the area. And it's just a train. Just see down that down Atlantic. All right. I think that's the street. So I definitely agree with the recommendations. And I'm looking but I also have some compassion for the Hornet museum in a sense of maybe there is a compromise. But I actually think it would be great to have a fence for the Hornet site and then also the maximum barriers possible to prevent congregation and allow the permitted shoulder to keep going, but these unauthorized ones to be deterred. So thank you so much for your time.
Speaker 1: Thank you for your comments. Any further speakers, Madam Clerk?
Speaker 0: No, there are no more speakers.
Speaker 1: With that, I'm going to close public comment on this item and we'll go back to the council. And I guess I have a clarifying question. I thought that I wish I'd asked earlier, but I'll ask it of Chief Joshi. Now, if I could, can you just explain to us the challenges that your officers and I think you've actually been out at Alameda Point on some of these weekend days when there's been problematic auto activity. Can you just describe for us what you and your officers experience and how you control that?
Speaker 2: Sure. So a couple of things. I think that the previous speaker, just this last speaker that came on, really emphasized a point that are brought up, a point that I'd like to emphasize when you have the sheer numbers. You have so many hundreds and hundreds. In fact, I think it was in one of these events, as reported, somewhere around 600 vehicles that were out there. It's hard to get. There are no lanes. There's no way to get. You know, for example, if you need to get an ambulance down there, you need to get some type of medical attention to to someone that was down there. It's difficult to do that. And then the other thing is that the side sideshow, the whole mindset with these sideshows that you want to draw a large enough group, a large enough audience to to then do these sideshow, these stunts, the reckless driving and things like that. So when you have a bunch of participants that are there, that's what kind of fuels the activity. And so as they are leaving the site, that's when a lot of the reckless driving will occur. So I think it's it's by having an approach that addresses and minimizes the numbers, we're able to one, most importantly, be in a position to provide some type of public safety if there's a need for an emergent an emergency response. We can do that when the numbers aren't so thick. And then the other thing is that people are not they don't have a huge audience, a large audience, where they can engage in the reckless driving as they're leaving out from a paved park. Thank you.
Speaker 1: Okay. Council members. We've heard from one of you. And that's why you have your hand up. I saw that.
Speaker 2: But I thought. Huh?
Speaker 1: I was so serious. See where you get that?
Speaker 0: Oh, did you.
Speaker 1: You bagged the reason?
Speaker 2: I guess so. Thank you. I just want to thank staff for all the work on this. I know it's a complicated effort for me. You know, I have approached this since we decided to open this as from from the position that debate park is. We are going to spend millions of dollars to turn and turn this into a park where you can't walk, where you can't drive. And the only way to access is walking and biking. And I don't personally see any reason why, just because it's currently paved and not paved, that we need to encourage people to drive to the end there. I'm glad to see that a you know, a number of our the supporters of the future D Pave Park are now supporting the idea of turning this into a place so that it's a little bit more family and community oriented with walking and biking. You know, I was very saddened to learn about kind of the impact of some of. Activities that have been happening near Building 25 and the wineries out there. That was actually a bob of all the negative impacts. That was not one that was on my radar until very, very recently. So I would be very supportive of choosing option one. No, option two, if that's where we want to go. I don't understand why we would be creating yet another very long driveway for people to race up and down and go to the parking lot and whatnot. I fully support the fence over by the Hornet. I think we started this conversation with everybody, you know, pointing pointing fingers at the Hornet. And it turned out that it really wasn't the Hornet, but it was people using that space. And I think if we closed down be paved park, we're going to find a lot of folks heading back over to that large section of cement. And, you know, beyond the fact that these sideshows have become a real problem out there. Again, this the back end during the sideshows where the problem was the behavior of the all the people coming and going, racing through our neighborhoods. And we can as as presenters have mentioned, we can stop some of the sideshow like behavior within one of our lots, maybe using dots and curbs and whatever else. But at the same time, we're still going to be getting the calls from our neighbors who are unhappy with people doing 40, 50 miles an hour down in the Pacific and and through our neighborhoods. And so I think we can work. Personally, I would be more than happy to continue to work with the Hornet to figure out a way to support meaningful events that may have a have an auto focus as long as it also has some focus to what they need to do to the business of the Hornet as well, whether that's classic cars, etc., not just souped up cars that are that are that are racing their engines and causing problems out of the at the point. And with that, I will I will yield the rest of my time.
Speaker 1: Thank you, councilman rex. Wait. I think I saw cycles what councilmember de folks hand up. No, it didn't. Okay. Councilmember, her response. I think I saw your hand up. Did I?
Speaker 0: Yes. Thank you, Mayor. So I have a question is when the paper comes along, is dash sellers going to be still there? Building 25 going to be there. Kathleen, the.
Speaker 1: Message you want to answer that or.
Speaker 0: The current master infrastructure from the point now's the perimeter levee that saves building 25 building 25 is inland of the perimeter levee so. It is intended to be protected from sea level rise and not be part of deep far. Thank you. And then the area that's already cordoned off by the train did take part or I'm sorry, dash sellers. And I think the tower there, there's a big area that has already been blocked off. Is that going to be the park or is that still going to go? That's intended. I'm sorry to interrupt you, Councilmember Spencer. I just got excited to answer it is our the master infrastructure plan has it as a large stormwater detention basin kind of similar to what was put in like Bayport where it'll collect stormwater flow before it discharges. Thank you. Okay, so I've submitted some pictures and I don't know if the clerk was able to show some of my pictures because I want to answer some of the questions about what do people do out there that are law abiding citizens like myself? I go out there all the time. I pick up food, many of us social distance. Then we park, we congregate somewhere. I guess maybe the term is congregate, but I actually don't think that's illegal to congregate. So this is actually something I think staff has added these cement logs almost and quite often they are filled with skateboarders and they actually bring out cars and they film each other. There's nothing illegal as far as I know. With that, I think it's a great place to have young adults and youth families congregate there and they use these. And some of you may have gone out there and seen seen where this is, but it's towards the end. And as I'm looking at the drawings correctly, this will be not this area will no longer be accessible to the public. Are these going to stay for the skateboarders to use? Are they going to be removed or not accessible? Option two, the intent was to not remove those. So that would remain. And the reason why option two was presented was to allow for this just for those that aren't from this building 29 saw at the very end there are. Law abiding citizens that access the shoreline very regularly for fishing or for skateboarding or for however that whatever they're doing out there an option to actually keep this open. And this would be part of the space that's exterior to the barriers. So I appreciate that. And we can just imagine honestly, quite often it could be, I'm going to guess 50 young adult teenagers playing on this with their skateboards. I think that's a healthy activity. And, you know, it's like a playground for them that is, you know, more age appropriate. Okay. Next picture, please. Okay. And so I was out there this evening and you have your cars that come out and then the people stand there and they push and that's the ride along the bay. And that's an amazing view. And one of the this could also maybe start, if you could help me again, is this option too that would allow the cars to come out and fish people the fish. Yeah. This was this picture exactly. Was the to preserve this was the objective of option to keep this area accessible for vehicles. And I'm not sure how wide the point is. You know, at the end there, the staff is leaving, how much space. But you can see and quite often on weekends this will have multiple cars, it will add canopies so that they have shade because they're close to no trees and they'll have families come out, get a couple of cars together, put a canopy over it and put their chairs in there and sit there and enjoy the shoreline. Okay. So the next picture. Okay. So this is also from this evening, you can see the cars go all the way to the fence and that actually was starting to be sunset. So that's what they're seeing and why they go out there. Some of them are fishing, some are just enjoying the bay. And, you know, they're law abiding people. You're not doing anything wrong. Next picture. Okay. And here's another group that was from this past weekend. You know, they bring their chairs, they sit out there, they fish and enjoy the bay. So I would like us to be able to come up. I personally and I think that could be the the last picture. I guess I should check with staff to make sure that's the last one. Thank you. And so I. I want to speak for the law abiding citizens that hang out there and enjoy the bay. And I do know at some point that we won't have as much access via cars, which I support D.P. Park. But I feel like in the meantime, we should be able to have access via cars. And I personally, you know, I'm one of those people that had a terrible bicycle accident. This is a very long area to walk. And if you're going to be carrying your chairs, bringing your fishing equipment, people of all ages, I hope, you know, I would like us to come up with a way to allow, as law abiding citizens that like to congregate and not break any laws, but enjoy and during COVID. I do it almost every weekend, if not multiple times, because I pick up food to go. I get my chairs and you're going to see cars scattered the length along the water, socially distance. Right. So we're not on top of each other. So personally, I think the area is insufficient. I'd like to see the area so the cars could almost do like a new block out and fine blocking out more of the middle if that would help. But I would also like us to consider more of the speed bumps, just, you know, to honesty in regards to do you do donuts over speed lumps and bumps? I'm going to disagree. I actually think that I think that those work and deter and slow down. And I have seen car shows, if you will, not there. I've actually seen it down one of the other streets. That is long. And the issue goes across our city. We're really not going to be closing off all the streets. I need a staff that can help figure out how do we address the criminal behavior and support people like myself and these people that are efficient and people of all ages so that they can enjoy the bay . And I think that may be the U-shape where the cars can pull up and still be along the water. For me, I think that could be a better solution instead of just saying, no, we can't, we can't do that. And I do support that. The Hornet also, I do want to work with them and the fencing and whatnot to try to accommodate the shows. They can have a lot of people. We all know the biggest event out there is the antique fair and they'll have like 10,000 cars. They can have a lot of cars. So this is not just the deep part. And I also think we should put trash cans out there. Think about putting trash cans out there. There are no trash cans. And even consider like one of the speakers said, the bathroom facilities, we don't have any out there. We've added them to other places in our community. Maybe we could do that too. But I am concerned about I'm going to call overreach. I'm really not addressing the problem. There are, I think like even that lane cars can go fast there. And to me, if the issue is to slow down cars, that's different than cordoning off big areas and not allowing people to have access. Thank you.
Speaker 1: Thank you. I would just like some clarification. I think, Mr. Smith, maybe when the staff report to to Councilmember Herb Spencer's point and desire for people to be able to enjoy that area of the shoreline that was shown in the photos under the barrier. Option two. Am I understanding this correctly that it.
Speaker 0: Would.
Speaker 1: So it would provide vehicle access and parking for building 25 customers that are wineries but and allow vehicle access to the southernmost shoreline. Wasn't that the southernmost shoreline we were looking at in the photos?
Speaker 0: That's correct. And it it would continue to allow vehicle access to the southern portion, not the full length of the eastern portion.
Speaker 2: So just the southern portion.
Speaker 1: Okay. Thank you. All right. Who would like to go next? Kalahari Desert. Go ahead.
Speaker 2: Thank you. Just a quick comment. You know, four West Enders traumatized by sideshows and reckless driving. I think the message is pretty clear that help is on the way. And so I certainly support the recommendation from staff. All of the recommendation from staff. I do think, though, that what council member Harris Spencer is raising about putting some some kind of speed lamps, especially around the that that that the length of option to use that road that might slow down if there's going to be speeding, you know, down that road, maybe speed lamps outside of the outside of the West Haunted Avenue area as well. But but I certainly appreciate what staff has put together. I think it's going to go a long way in addressing the underlying causes. As to why there's just so much reckless driving is because there's these big areas where people are able to hold, you know, these kinds of massive sideshows. But I think the options that you have laid out here is addressing that. So I certainly appreciate that. I also want to convey my appreciation to Councilmember Knox White and mayor as the crafting bringing this forward as a council agenda item. You're welcome.
Speaker 1: Thank you. Vice mayor of L.A..
Speaker 0: I appreciate the presentation by staff. I think getting the visuals really helps in terms of having this conversation. You know, I was out there today and kind of trying to to kind of better orient myself with some of the spaces that were that were listed in terms of the options. I do want to be I do want to be careful in that we can still preserve the bike and pedestrian access. But I do think that more needs to be done to limit vehicle access. We do have a number of spaces that are still left completely open. I don't necessarily think putting any additional speed bumps and things like that are going to be helpful. I think we can add certain things in or along the way, but if we're not going to block off these larger spaces, we're still going to have problems out there, which are the sideshows and the larger gatherings. So I. You know, I do support option two, I think and I think that there's that that'll offer, you know, some some more protections for us. And I just want to thank staff for their work on this. And, you know, I know that we get lots of calls from folks about, you know, events and things like that occurring out there. And I you know, I think our police officers are doing what they can to enforce. It's also very difficult, as our chief mentioned, to be at all places, at all times. And so I think taking into account these mitigation efforts through design and things like that will really make a difference. I think they have started to make a difference as well.
Speaker 1: Thank you. Vice Premier So so I'll go last and the I and I did was one of the the conveners of this council referral that underlies the staff report. And I think all of the staff lots of you were involved. Thank you for bringing all this good information forward. So what I've asked myself is what are the advantages and disadvantages of auto oriented events? At Alameda point to the city it was mentioned that there is the once the month for is a month antiques by the bay fair that takes place the people who come there, both the vendors who pay their fees to be there and the buyers who buy goods there are contributing to the city because they're paying sales tax for what the sales tax on the items and then the permit fees and whatnot that the the organizer of of that space collects. And and it is once a month and it does have an impact on the traffic. Sometimes it coincides with these spontaneous advertised on social media non sanctioned events and that can really create havoc on getting in and out of the island and on just the safety. As our Western resident who spoke and was one of many Western residents that I would hear from after every weekend about just the terror they felt about not being able to safely cross the street, ride their bikes with their families in bike lanes on our streets because of this reckless driving and weaving in and out and just disregard for for the the public safety of our residents and our visitors. And so when we're talking about these gatherings of autos, for the most part, they're just gatherings of autos. Somebody may be setting up as a vendor selling food and drink, which I think is probably illegal and unpermitted, but they're not paying any revenue back to the city. But what they're leaving behind, and we heard it described is the litter is, the human waste is and then all of the particulate matter that all of these cars are spewing into the atmosphere at a time when we as an island are struggling to get greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change and sea level rise under control. So I don't see and the other disadvantages are that increased traffic, the speeding that impacts public safety, as I mentioned, risks to pedestrians, bicyclists and and then there's the interference with the businesses that are out there. And we have heard from the owners of urban legends of Dash Cellars that they're I mean, after all they went through with the pandemic and having to close down and now their visitors sometimes can't even get to them when things are open again. So and as far as the Hornet, you know, I've been to many events on the Hornet. I had the honor of presiding over a naturalization ceremony for 50 new citizens just before the 4th of July this year. I've gone out on the flight deck. It was wonderful. There's a lot of history throughout that vessel, but I really struggle to see the connection to the USS Hornet, this World War Two era ship aircraft carrier, with permitting auto related events of up to 1000 autos at the Hornet Museum. I don't see the connection, and I also think it's sending the wrong message that to the greater public in the Bay Area that, oh, this Alameda point out there, that's a great place for lots of wide open space. Come on out. And you can just do all kinds of things because it's it's pretty much the Wild West. They just, you know, it's it's you can do what you want. And that's the sort of message we're sending. I want to support the Hornet. I think there's ways we can do it, but I don't want to do it with allowing them to have events with up to 1000 autos, because those autos are coming down our city streets and sometimes driving too fast and just causing the traffic for our residents and any way I want to . So what I would like to do is we can work to help the Hornet Museum. It's you know, it should be able to be marketed in a lot of different ways, but not as a car venue. So. I am very much supportive of what staff has recommended the both the restricting or eliminating use permits. I would eliminate them authorizing large scale automobile oriented events and to minimize noise, speeding and emission risks associated with these advance implement barrier. Option two that sounds reasonable to me. And also implement the West Hornet fence option, but also to work with the Hornet Museum when they're having events on the Hornet to make sure that they're there . Visitors have good places, options for parking. So I and I guess the fourth one is to leave the wheel stops that were placed where they are. But I think that it's time to listen to our residents and to our businesses out there who are being impacted. I think that we still have options for people who want to enjoy the shoreline, but we can do it in a safe in much more environmentally friendly manner. So is anyone ready to make a motion? Councilmember decide?
Speaker 2: Yes. I'd like to move. Staff's recommendation. The one addition that I'd like to ask, and I don't think it's a substantive addition, but that staff as this as a situation warrants consider a speed bumps along that one path as the situation warrants the one path towards you know, the areas where Councilmember Harris Spencer took pictures. So and I'm not requiring it. I'm just saying that as the situation warrants. So but other than that, a moving staff recommendation.
Speaker 1: Okay, Councilman Ashley. Thank you, Councilmember. Not sorry. I think I saw your hand go to.
Speaker 2: Well, I will second that the motion ma'am asked for a clarification from councilmember decide which is a recommendation everyone says restrict or eliminate use use permits authorizing large scale automobile or car events. I would be very okay with eliminating use permits with the exception of maintaining the historic the existing contract we have with the Hornet. But that allows them to maintain certain of a certain number of events.
Speaker 1: Okay. So Councilmember. That's right. Are you okay with. With that addition.
Speaker 2: Yeah. I want everyone to find out. Councilmember Desai.
Speaker 1: I meant Cosmo Design. Did I say dockside?
Speaker 2: I'm okay. We had a discussion. Just. Just as long as I can ask this clarifying question. That wouldn't affect antiques by the bay, though. That. Correct. Okay. All right. I just. Yeah. Okay, good. Okay.
Speaker 1: To both the maker and second of the motion, I have a request. I personally think that a permit that allows up to 1000 vehicles is too many, and I would want to see that number reduced.
Speaker 2: That sounds fair. I refuse to let.
Speaker 1: Councilmember Knox wait.
Speaker 2: You know, I mean, we haven't actually seen that that the Hornets issue is the issue is the issue. And I just I do worry that we we will continue to bump up against this issue with the Hornets, where they are constantly looking for ways to keep themselves solid. And so this isn't where the problem's coming from. I personally, I would rather just kind of address that if it becomes an issue in the future where we're taking some pretty major steps as it is. I mean, I know if that's the only way to get the three votes, the ninth, and yeah, I would be happy to . For me, I don't I don't see the need to limit that. If staff is working with the Hornets to improve appropriate order we're in, it shows that they're somatic and not, you know, just sideshows. You know, I.
Speaker 1: Okay. I will just add that I think the impact of a thousand vehicles, even if they're not sideshows, is significant. Councilor Everyday said you had your hand up.
Speaker 2: I just wanted to get staff's comments or observations on mayor as he Ashcraft thoughts.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Mr. Thomas. You know, I just I just.
Speaker 2: Thought it'd be helpful to clarify the current use permit for the U.S.. HORN It allows up to four car oriented events per year and limits those to 75 military and or antique cars 50 years or older. Oh.
Speaker 1: Okay. Where do they get the.
Speaker 2: Now what? They have to get special event permits for events where they think a thousand people or more might be attending. So the way they work, the way they use permit is set up for the Hornet, is that we we treat them as a museum and an event space. So basically, if you're having events, you can have events. If you think you're having more than a thousand people show up, then we need you to apply for a special event permit just so we can warn police and public works and everyone else. And then we put this additional limitation. If that special event is for a car show, you can only have four of them and you can. It has to be limited to those criteria I mentioned.
Speaker 1: Thank you for that clarification. I did not pick that up from the staff report. I just thought there's, you know, for more than 1000, it would require special events. Okay. I'm okay then with book promotion, the second is okay. All right. Thank you. We've had a motion. We've had a second councilmember Herb Spencer. I saw your hand up.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Mayor. I was going to ask for clarification, but I will not be supporting this. I think it's unfortunate that we're being I think doing overreach and not doing more what other cities are doing to actually slow down the problem. And I want to make it really clear we have a right to park our car and talk to other people. I'm very concerned about trying to eliminate what has been referred to as congregating. And I'm going to add that many times. It is people of color that come to these. Places, too. And honestly, they're not they're talking to each other and whatnot. So I think it's unfortunate.
Speaker 1: Thank you. I can't help it.
Speaker 2: So is it just a clear clarification? My understanding of option two is that people can still drive down the road to the tail end where where Councilmember Harris took pictures and fish. That's my understanding of option do.
Speaker 1: Nick Smith Director Smith.
Speaker 0: That's correct. And I did want to clarify, when I used the term congregate, I was talking about the large number of vehicles, not the access of the shoreline by individuals, but the large unpermitted events was when I used the term congregate.
Speaker 1: Okay. Thank you. Cause we're not quite.
Speaker 2: Sorry. And just for. For folks. What? I mean, you know, there is no prohibition against competition, and we have 840 acres of places people can park their cars next to each other, congregate, communicate, etc.. We're just trying to address some large areas that have attracted huge and illegal sideshows that have caused significant problems. But I don't want people to walk away thinking that we're somehow keeping people from parking, driving at this point or whatever else.
Speaker 1: Thank you for that clarification to. All right. We have a motion. We have a second. Any further discussion since then? Madam Clerk, may we have a roll call vote, please? It's interpretation.
Speaker 2: By.
Speaker 0: Her, Spencer. No, not quite. Avella by Mayor Ashcraft, I That carries 4 to 1.
Speaker 1: All right. Thank you, counsel, for all your valuable input and thank you so much to staff all of you for the work that went into putting this together. And I know our residents and especially our Western residents are grateful. So thank you so much. Okay. With that, we wrap up item seven B and we move on to item seven C, Madam Clerk.
Recommendation to Provide Direction to Staff to Pursue One or More Options for Reducing the Negative Impacts and Public Safety Challenges Associated with Automobile-Oriented Events at Alameda Point.  (Planning, Building and Transportation 20962700 / Public Works 31041500 / Police 10031100)