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intersection of Owens and Willow taken on November 9, 2017 from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. showing sporadic <br /> congestion, and listed recommendations. <br /> Councilmember Brown reported receiving emails regarding improved safety and asked whether any of <br /> the actions have improved safety. Mr. Tassano reported one of the main issues of concern is increased <br /> pedestrian delay. When staff first observed congestion, one of the first actions was to make Iron Horse <br /> Trail crossing more vehicular friendly and less pedestrian friendly and after 45 seconds, pedestrians <br /> gave up on the signal and began crossing. The goal is to make it as safe as possible for pedestrians <br /> through a signalized crossing and noted differences in speeds eastward and westward. Councilmember <br /> Brown stated none of the options increases danger to pedestrians or bicyclists. <br /> Councilmember Brown asked whether any of the options delays the ability of an ambulance getting to <br /> the hospital and Mr. Tassano reported the City offered to provide ambulance companies with Opticons <br /> (Police and Fire preemption). Regarding widening the westbound section, Councilmember Brown <br /> asked about funding. <br /> City Manager Fialho reported when the plans were originally developed by the City and the Task Force, <br /> there were no funds allocated to either project. The vision was that any widening taking place would be <br /> paid by the developer. In this instance, the developer made the improvements on Owens Drive. <br /> Councilmember Brown reported a lot of housing has been zoned for that area in the General Plan and it <br /> seems like the presentation will catch the City up to an acceptable level of eastbound and westbound <br /> traffic flow. She asked whether that will take into consideration that the BART parking lot is zoned for <br /> 249 more units and the already-approved residence at what used to be the Carr America building, the <br /> Hacienda Roadside and the 500 units at the Essex. <br /> Mr. Tassano referenced the Microsimulation Models and reported there is a City-wide model that looks <br /> at existing conditions including projects already approved. The model also includes the BART property <br /> with a parking structure. <br /> Mr. Fialho added that model also contemplates what is happening in Dublin and other nearby areas <br /> and freeways. <br /> Mr. Tassano noted everything with traffic is a balance and reported there will be congestion that makes <br /> people take a different route. The focus will be to balance vehicle needs with pedestrian and bicyclist <br /> needs. <br /> Councilmember Brown stated staff is looking to potentially bring before Council an anti-panhandling <br /> ordinance prohibiting people standing in medians, reported people are queuing up and asked whether <br /> the two-stage crossing is safe. <br /> Mr. Tassano did not think it presents a safety issue. <br /> Councilmember Brown reported it was negotiated that parking sites in front of mixed-use areas were <br /> land given from the City to a land developer and asked about the legality of doing so. <br /> City Attorney Daniel Sodergren reported the condition is appropriate and completely legal to facilitate <br /> retails uses. <br /> Mr. Fialho added transfer of the public right-of-way, to facilitate this kind of development, occurred over <br /> several meetings and culminated with a PUD approval for that project heard by the Planning <br /> Commission and Council. It was conditioned, at the time, for the improvements out there, currently. It <br /> was a controversial issue and was studied thoroughly. He addressed current conditions of the <br /> City Council Minutes Page 4 of 9 January 16, 2018 <br />