Aug 05, 2025 Board of Directors Meeting

[00:00:03]

GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING, AND WELCOME TO THE CLOSED SESSION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT FOR AUGUST 5TH,

[ROLL CALL]

DIRECTOR DESCHAMBAULT. HERE. DIRECTOR ECHOLS.

HERE. DIRECTOR SANWONG. HERE. DIRECTOR WAESPI.

HERE. DIRECTOR ESPAÑA. HERE. PRESIDENT MERCURIO.

HERE. GENERAL MANAGER LANDRETH. HERE. AND GENERAL COUNSEL BOURGAULT.

HERE. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU FOR THAT. DO WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION AGENDA ITEMS? YOU KNOW, WE DO HAVE TWO PEOPLE IN THE ZOOM ROOM.

LET ME TAKE A LOOK AND SEE IF I CAN FIND OUT IF THEY'RE HERE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.

LET'S SEE. HELLO? MISS AUDREY WEBB, ARE YOU HERE TO COMMENT ON AN ITEM ON CLOSED SESSION, OR ARE YOU HERE FOR THE 1:00 BOARD MEETING? OKAY, I'M GOING TO PROMOTE YOU RIGHT QUICK. I WAS HOPING I COULD JUST SPEAK TO YOU.

AUDREY WEBB, CAN YOU HEAR ME? OKAY. WE'RE GOING TO REMOVE HER. DEBORAH, COULD YOU PUT HER BACK IN THE YES.

YEAH. WE'RE GOING TO FIND OUT WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH MISS LAPOINTE.

LAPOINTE, ARE YOU HERE FOR TO SPEAK ON AN ITEM ON CLOSED SESSION, OR ARE YOU HERE FOR THE BOARD MEETING AT ONE? OKAY. ALL RIGHT. NO COMMENT. SO WE'RE GOING TO THINK THAT SHE'S HERE FOR THE BOARD MEETING.

OKAY. SO NO ONE. NO ONE. NO ONE IS ANSWERING.

ALL RIGHT. SO HEARING THAT WE WILL ADJOURN TO THE CLOSED SESSION.

[CLOSED SESSION ITEMS]

[ROLL CALL]

MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. YES, PRESIDENT MERCURIO.

DIRECTOR COFFEY. HERE. DIRECTOR ECHOLS. HERE.

DIRECTOR WAESPI. HERE. DIRECTOR SANWONG. HERE.

DIRECTOR ESPAÑA. HERE. DIRECTOR DESCHAMBAULT.

HERE. PRESIDENT MERCURIO. HERE. GENERAL MANAGER LANDRETH.

HERE. AND GENERAL COUNSEL BOURGAULT. HERE. THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. NEXT IS PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

DIRECTOR WAESPI. CAN YOU LEAD US? SURELY. PLEASE JOIN ME IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS. ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

AND THE LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT FROM DIRECTOR DESCHAMBAULT.

[LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT]

THE PARK DISTRICT IS COMMITTED TO IDENTIFYING WAYS TO WORK AND CONSULT WITH EAST BAY TRIBES, AS WE RECOGNIZE THAT THESE TRIBAL CITIZENS REMAIN CONNECTED TO THEIR LAND THEIR CULTURE.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. DOES ANY BOARD MEMBER WISH TO MODIFY THE ORDER OF THE AGENDA AT THIS TIME? OKAY. HEARING NONE, WE'LL MOVE ON TO LET'S SEE HERE.

DO WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS? MADAM CLERK, FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA.

[PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA]

YES. PLEASE DO. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT CAN DO SO.

IF ATTENDING BY ZOOM, THEY MAY RAISE THEIR HAND THEIR NAME WILL BE CALLED WHEN IT IS THEIR TURN TO SPEAK.

IF ATTENDING IN PERSON, THEY MAY SUBMIT A SPEAKER'S CARD TO THE CLERK, STAFF OR OTHERWISE INDICATE THEY WISH TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT ON A NON-AGENDA ITEM.

ALL WRITTEN COMMENTS RECEIVED PRIOR TO THE DEADLINE OF 3:30.

ON MONDAY, AUGUST THE 4TH HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN ADVANCE OF THE MEETING.

[00:05:01]

AND IF YOU ARE HERE TO PROVIDE COMMENTS ON AN ITEM THAT IS NOT ON THE AGENDA, I KNOW THERE ARE PEOPLE IN THE ROOM.

THERE'S ALSO PEOPLE IN THE ZOOM. SO I'M GOING TO START WITH THAT FIRST BECAUSE I'M NOT SURE IF THEY ARE HERE, JUST GIVE ME JUST A SECOND TO OPEN IT UP.

DEBORAH I SEE FOUR HANDS RAISED, BUT I DON'T THINK ON MY LAPTOP [INAUDIBLE] ON MY LAPTOP.

IT'S NOT SHOWING ME WHICH WHO HAS THEIR HANDS RAISED.

COULD YOU ASSIST? YES, YES. SO MY PHONE. OKAY.

COULD YOU BRING THEM IN? BECAUSE I OH, THERE IT IS.

RIGHT THERE. YES. THANK YOU. I SEE IT NOW. THANK YOU.

I DON'T SEE HIM. YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO THIS PART FOR JUST A SECOND.

DEBORAH. OKAY.

MIC] ARE THEY DECLINED TO BE PROMOTED? OKAY. OH. REJOINING.

OKAY. HERE'S STEVE. STEVE.

OKAY, I SEE HIM. OKAY. HELLO, STEVE ARE YOU HERE TO COMMENT ON AN ITEM THAT IS NOT ON THE AGENDA? I'D LIKE TO COMMENT ON THE WILDCAT TRAIL PROPOSAL.

APOLOGIES IF THAT'S ON THE AGENDA. YEAH, THAT IS ON THE AGENDA AND WE WILL COME BACK TO YOU.

OKAY. WE'LL PUT YOU BACK IN THE WEIGHT ROOM. THANK YOU.

LYNDA HALL, ARE YOU HERE TO COMMENT ON AN ITEM THAT IS NOT ON THE AGENDA? NO. I AM ALSO HERE TO COMMENT ON THE WILDCAT REGIONAL PARK PROPOSED MOUNTAIN BIKING TRAIL.

OKAY, GREAT. WE WILL WE WILL PUT YOU BACK INTO THE WEIGHT ROOM.

OKAY. AND, ALEX THERE WE GO. ALEX, I'M PROMOTING YOU TO PANELIST.

ARE YOU HERE TO COMMENT ON AN ITEM THAT IS NOT ON THE AGENDA? ALL RIGHT. ACTUALLY, I'M ALSO HERE TOO. COMMENT ON THE WILDCAT.

OKAY, WE WILL PUT YOU BACK INTO THE ROOM. THE WAITING ROOM.

AND MIKE BENTZ UP HERE. I'M GOING TO PROMOTE YOU.

ARE YOU HERE TO COMMENT ON AN ITEM THAT IS NOT ON THE AGENDA? YOU NEED TO. OH, YOU DECLINED IT. OKAY, SO YOU ARE NOT HERE TO COMMENT? I THINK WE'VE GOTTEN EVERYBODY, SO. OH.

SORRY. OH, BORIS SAPIR. YES, I BELIEVE I ALREADY ASKED HIM, BUT I'LL ASK ONE MORE TIME.

BORIS SAPIR, ARE YOU HERE TO COMMENT ON AN ITEM THAT IS NOT ON THE AGENDA? ARE YOU HERE TO COMMENT ON AN ITEM THAT IS NOT ON THE AGENDA? ONE IS AND ONE IS NOT. OKAY, WHOEVER IS COMMENT ON AN ITEM THAT IS NOT ON THE AGENDA.

PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME BECAUSE I ONLY SEE ONE NAME AND FEEL MY NAME.

MY NAME IS BORIS SAPIR. I'VE GOT ONE THING THAT'S NOT ON THE AGENDA.

OKAY, JUST GIVE ME ONE SECOND. JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE IN THE ZOOM ROOM AND IT'S KIND OF, IT'S GOING TO BE DIFFICULT FOR YOU TO SEE THE CLOCK.

[00:10:02]

WHEN YOU SEE MY FACE COME BACK UP AGAIN. YOU HAVE 30S.

OKAY, SURE. ALL RIGHT. THERE YOU GO. YOU CAN START NOW.

SURE. MY NAME IS BORIS SAPIR. I WILL BE TALKING ABOUT ONE ITEM THAT IS ON THE AGENDA.

BUT I'M ALSO A MAC REP. AND I'D LIKE TO FORMALLY REQUEST THAT SOMEONE FROM THE EAST BAY REGIONAL PARKS STARTS ATTENDING OUR MEETINGS.

I'M WITH EAST RICHMOND HEIGHTS TO KEEP US INFORMED ABOUT WHAT'S ACTUALLY HAPPENING.

YOU'VE NOT BEEN TO ANY OF OUR MEETINGS. OUR NEXT MEETING IS THE THIRD WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH, AND WE REALLY NEED TO START TO HAVE SOME REAL DIALOG SO THAT WE KNOW WHAT'S ACTUALLY HAPPENING IN OUR PARK.

AND SO I INVITE YOU TO COME TO OUR NEXT MEETING.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. AND NOW WE'RE GOING TO GO TO.

I KNOW THERE'S A COUPLE OF PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM AND LET ME KNOW THE PEOPLE THAT ARE ACTUALLY IN THE ROOM RIGHT NOW.

YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. GOOD AFTERNOON. YEAH.

OKAY. VERY OKAY. SORRY. SOMEDAY I WILL LEARN HOW TO PASS THE MICROPHONE.

GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS WILLIAM HUFF. I'M THE PRESIDENT OF THE AFSCME LOCAL 248.

AND I JUST WANTED TO COME THIS MORNING TO TALK OR THIS AFTERNOON TO TALK BRIEFLY ABOUT THE TEMPORARY AGREEMENT THAT WAS RATIFIED LAST MONTH FOR OUR TEMPS AND SEASONAL EMPLOYEES. I KNOW THE BOARD WILL NOT BE DISCUSSING THE TA TODAY, BUT WE STILL WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO EXPRESS THE SUPPORT FROM OUR BARGAINING COMMITTEE, FROM OUR EXECUTIVE BOARD, AND ALSO FROM THE PLURALITY OF OUR MEMBERSHIP.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE FROM AFSCME AND MANAGEMENT THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE NEGOTIATIONS, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING CLOSELY WITH OUR PARTNERS AND MANAGEMENT TO IMPLEMENT THE TA SHOULD THE BOARD CHOOSE TO ACCEPT IT, WHICH WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO.

AND THAT'S ALL. BET YOU THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, BUT NOPE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHERS IN THE ROOM? YES. WISHING TO SPEAK. MR. KEN PIANIN. PANIN.

SORRY. GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE. MY NAME IS KEN PIANIN, AND I'M A RESIDENT OF FREMONT. AND I'M LUCKY ENOUGH TO LIVE CLOSE TO THE ALAMEDA CREEK TRAIL AND COYOTE HILLS, WHICH I SPEND SEVERAL DAYS A WEEK RIDING MY BIKE OR WALKING MY DOG.

MANY YEARS I'M OUT THERE MORE THAN 300 TIMES A YEAR.

AND IN THE LAST 15 YEARS I'VE BEEN OUT THERE OVER 4,000 TIMES, I'M CERTAIN IT'S PROBABLY MORE THAN 95% OF THE STAFF HERE AT THE PARK DISTRICT. ALSO, JUST THIS YEAR, I'VE ALSO WORKED FOR PUBLIC AGENCIES, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FOR OVER 30 YEARS, AND HAVE SERVED ON COMMITTEES, COMMISSIONS AND BEEN APPOINTED BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO SERVE ON A COUNTY BOARD. SO I UNDERSTAND THE BALANCING THAT A BOARD LIKE THIS HAS TO DO.

BUT I'M ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE ALAMEDA CREEK TRAIL CONDITIONS.

THE PAVED SURFACES IN PARTICULAR ARE EXTREMELY BAD.

I CONTACT THE DISTRICT OFFICES OCCASIONALLY I REACH OUT TO BOARD MEMBERS AND STAFF.

I DON'T DO IT OFTEN. YEARS CAN PASS BETWEEN COMPLAINING AND ASKING FOR HELP, BUT I'VE BEEN ASKING FOR OVER A DECADE AND CONDITIONS ARE GETTING WORSE, AND IT SEEMS THAT THERE'S SO MUCH NEGLECT AND THE REPAIRS HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO FESTER, THAT A SMALL PROBLEM IS NOW A BIG PROBLEM AND A BIG BUDGET ITEM.

AND THERE JUST SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF IT. A LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND INTEREST IN RESPONDING TO THESE PUBLIC REQUESTS. I'VE TALKED TO A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE BIKE CLUBS THAT I'M PART OF.

I'VE TALKED TO PEOPLE ON THE TRAIL. MOST ARE APPALLED BY THE CONDITIONS AND THINK REPAIRS ARE LONG OVERDUE.

THE BOARD DOESN'T SEEM ACCOUNTABLE. THE DISTRICT STAFF DOESN'T SEEM ACCOUNTABLE.

IT'S AS IF NO ONE'S REALLY PAYING ATTENTION. I'VE SAID PICTURES AND EMAILS, AND EVERY TIME THEY'VE GONE TO AT LEAST A DOZEN STAFF MEMBERS, MY CONCERNS ARE ALWAYS BOUNCED DOWN TO THE FIELD WORKERS WHO SAY THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO.

AND THEY ENCOURAGE ME TO TALK TO THE BOARD AND TALK TO THE STAFF.

[00:15:03]

THEY NEED TO BECOME A PRIORITY FOR THE NEXT BUDGET CYCLE.

AND I ENCOURAGE THE BOARD TO REVIEW THE CONDITION PAVEMENT REPORT THAT HAS BEEN IGNORED FOR OVER A DECADE.

THAT'S THE GO TO GUIDE THAT I'M REFERRED TO OVER AND OVER, AND IT'S NOT BEING FOLLOWED.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. YEAH. COULD WE GET ONE OR MORE STAFF FOLKS TO INTERACT WITH HIM ON A PERSONAL BASIS, AND HAVE IT AS LONG OF A DISCUSSION AS HE WANTS TO HAVE ABOUT THIS ISSUE, JUST SO HE GETS THE BACKGROUND? ABSOLUTELY. ALWAYS AVAILABLE. AND ACTUALLY AGM GOORJIAN SIR IS RIGHT THERE BEHIND THE PILLAR, AND SHE'S HAPPY TO CHAT WITH YOU RIGHT NOW. YEAH.

ALL RIGHT. GREAT. THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE IN THE ROOM? YES. MR. COREY. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES, SIR.

GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE. MY NAME IS COREY. I'M THE PRESIDENT OF THE LONGEST ONGOING DOCTOR, MARTIN LUTHER KING MULTICULTURAL RALLY IN THE BAY AREA.

AND ME AND A COUPLE OF MY BOARD MEMBERS ARE JUST HERE TO THANK THE PARK DISTRICT FOR ALL OF THE WORK THAT YOU DO FOR US.

WE'VE BEEN IN PARTNERSHIP. YOU GUYS SUPPORT A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT WE DO.

A LOT OF APPRECIATION GO UNSAID. SO WE JUST WANTED TO SHOW UP IN PERSON AND SHOW OUR GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATION TO YOU.

PREVIOUS MR. LA DOUG SAT ON OUR BOARD. LA ELLIS SAT ON OUR BOARD.

PHENOMENAL PEOPLE. AND NOW WE HAVE MISS LUANA IN COMMUNICATION WITH US TO HELP SUPPORT US.

WE HAVE THREE PEOPLE WHO RETIRED, WHO SIT ON OUR BOARD FROM THE PARK DISTRICT, AND WE JUST THOUGHT IT'D BE A GREAT IDEA TO ONCE AGAIN COME SHOW YOU GUYS HOW MUCH WE APPRECIATE YOU, ALL OF THE WORK THAT YOU DO. THE PARKS IN OUR COMMUNITY LOOKS PHENOMENAL.

AND WE THANK YOU. WELL, WE APPRECIATE YOU FOR THOSE COMMENTS.

SO THANKS FOR COMING. YEAH. NEXT SPEAKER IS MISS CECILIA CUNNINGHAM.

GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE. I AM JUST SO HAPPY TO BE HERE THIS AFTERNOON.

AND I JUST WANTED TO SAY HOW MUCH WE APPRECIATE THE REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT AND THE DIRECTORS.

WE WANT TO THANK YOU KINDLY FOR SUPPORTING MARTIN LUTHER KING MULTICULTURAL RALLY.

THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO TO MAKE OUR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION SUCCESSFUL.

WE ARE COMING UP NOW FOR OUR 35TH YEAR AND NEW YEAR ON JANUARY THE 19TH, 2026 AND WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO YOU ALL'S SUPPORT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH AND CONTINUE TO DO THE WORK THAT YOU DO.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. VERY MUCH. THANK YOU.

OKAY. ALL RIGHT, MISS HALL. OH. DON'T CLAP. I COULDN'T RESIST IT.

IS OSSIE HALL. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EACH OF YOU.

AND THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SERVICE AND YOUR LOYALTY, YOUR LEADERSHIP AND YOUR GUIDANCE.

THANK YOU FOR BELIEVING IN THE MARTIN LUTHER KING RALLY COMMITTEE.

BECAUSE OF YOUR FUNDS, YOU GAVE US TO PROMISE TO MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER.

SO LET'S ALL OF US CONTINUE TO KEEP THE DREAM ALIVE, KEEP THE DREAM ALIVE, KEEP THE DREAM ALIVE.

AND I THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART. THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. I KNOW WE HAVE ANOTHER SPEAKER, BUT I DON'T HAVE A SPEAKER CARD. RIGHT OVER HERE. I DON'T HAVE YOUR CARD, SO.

YES, BUT I KNOW YOU PUT IT OUT. YES. COME ON.

[00:20:02]

I KNEW YOU WERE HERE. OKAY. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.

MY NAME IS KIRK PETERSON. I'M HERE NOT REPRESENTING ANYBODY EXCEPT ME.

AND FIRST, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE BOARD MEMBERS AND ALL THE STAFF WHO KEEP THIS GREAT SYSTEM GOING.

I'VE BEEN USING IT FOR OVER SEVEN DECADES AND I PLAN TO CONTINUE FOR A WHILE.

WHAT I'M HERE FOR TODAY IS TO PITCH THE IDEA OF ANOTHER PARK, AND I THINK YOU'VE GOT THIS HANDOUT, AND I STAND CORRECTED BECAUSE I SAY GOLDEN GATE FIELDS REGIONAL PARK, BUT APPARENTLY IT SHOULD BE A STATE PARK ADMINISTERED BY THE REGIONAL PARKS.

BUT I'M HERE TO JUST SUPPORT THE IDEA. YOU KNOW, ALL THE PARKS ARE GREAT.

BUT I'M AN ARCHITECT. I MOSTLY DO HOUSING. I'VE DONE HUNDREDS OF UNITS IN THE EAST BAY, AND THERE'S BEEN ALL THIS GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT, BUT THE PARKS NEED TO STAY AHEAD OF THE CURVE, BECAUSE MOST PEOPLE IN THE EAST BAY ARE NOT VERY CLOSE TO A PARK.

AND I WAS JUST THINKING ON THE WAY HERE, I CAN'T REMEMBER WALKING TO A REGIONAL PARK.

SO I PITCHED THIS IDEA BECAUSE I THINK IT SHOULD BE AT THE TOP OF THE LIST, BECAUSE THIS IS THE PARK THAT COULD PROBABLY HAVE THE MOST VISITORS, BECAUSE IT'S MOST PROXIMATE TO THE MOST PEOPLE.

MY LITTLE LIST IS, YOU KNOW, THE BUS LINES ARE A MILE AWAY.

BART IS TWO MILES AWAY. ABOUT BY MY CALCULATION, ABOUT 110,000 PEOPLE CAN GET THERE IN A 30 MINUTE WALK.

ABOUT 150,000 PEOPLE WITH A 30 MINUTE BIKE RIDE.

AND IN CARS, PROBABLY A MILLION PEOPLE CAN GET THERE IN A HALF AN HOUR.

I KNOW THERE'S BEEN OTHER PROPOSED DEVELOPMENTS.

WE DO NOT NEED A CASINO. WE DO NOT NEED ANY MORE SHOPPING CENTERS IN THE EAST BAY.

WE DO NOT NEED RETAIL. THERE ARE 100 MILES OF BOULEVARDS, AT LEAST IN THE INNER EAST BAY HERE.

AND WHICH INCLUDES 200 MILES OF STREET FRONTAGE.

AND SO THERE'S PLENTY OF ROOM FOR HOUSING. AND I AM A HOUSING ADVOCATE, BUT I GUESS I'M A PARKS ADVOCATE MORE.

SO, THAT'S REALLY ALL I HAVE TO SAY, SO I CAN VOLUNTEER, I DON'T KNOW.

OF COURSE, THIS IS NOT A NEW IDEA AT ALL, BUT IT'S JUST SOME THINGS ARE WORTH REPEATING.

THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU FOR THOSE COMMENTS.

I DON'T I JUST WOULD LIKE TO SAY. OH, DO YOU WANT TO DO YOU WANT TO GO UP TO THE MIC SO EVERYBODY CAN HEAR IT? YOU'RE WELCOME TO DO THAT. THANK YOU. YEAH.

HI, FAMILY, MY NAME IS JEARAL MCCLINTON. MY FRIENDS CALL ME JAHARA, AND I'M FROM THE MLK BOARD.

AND WE HAVE THANKED YOU ALL FOR YOUR VIGILANCE IN HOLDING US UP.

THE PARKS, OUR SACRED PLACE. FAMILIES GO THERE.

THERE'S WEDDINGS, BABY SHOWERS, CELEBRATIONS.

AND SO WE JUST REALLY WANTED TO COME AND SAY THANK YOU IN PERSON SO YOU CAN FEEL OUR ENERGY.

AND ESPECIALLY IN THIS CLIMATE, WE NEED TO THANK GOOD GOVERNMENT.

SO I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF OUR BOARD, WHICH THERE'S MANY MORE.

AND WELCOME, MISS LUANA, TO WORKING WITH US. AND THANK YOU, PRESIDENT.

WELL, WE THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO, TOO, AS WELL.

YES, SIR. YES. THANK YOU. SO LET'S ROCK. [LAUGHTER] THANKS FOR COMING. YEP. ALL RIGHT, SO THE NEXT ITEM IS ANNOUNCEMENTS.

DO WE HAVE ANY ANY OF THOSE? NO. OKAY. THANK YOU.

OR IS THERE ANOTHER PERSON THAT WANTS TO SPEAK? I'M SORRY.

WE HAVE ONE OTHER SPEAKER, AND KELLY, I'M GOING TO PROMOTE YOU BECAUSE YOUR HANDS HAVE BEEN RAISED.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO SPEAK ON AN ITEM THAT IS NOT ON THE AGENDA.

AND IF YOU DO. THANK YOU. MISS KELLY, I'M WITH THE MISSION PEAK CONSERVANCY, AND WE'VE BEEN FOLLOWING SOME OF THE LEGAL ISSUES HAVING TO DO WITH PARKS IN FREMONT FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

AND AS A RESULT WHEN IT COMES TO THE ALAMEDA CREEK TRAIL I THINK IT'S WORTHWHILE POINTING OUT

[00:25:02]

BUT THE LAND BENEATH THE TRAIL, AND PARTICULARLY THE FLOOD CONTROL CHANNEL, IS OWNED AND MANAGED BY THE ALAMEDA COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT AND UNDER THEIR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DANIEL WOLDESENBET.

NOW EBRPD DOES NOT LEASE THE TRAIL IN ANY CONVENTIONAL, NORMAL, USUAL LEGAL SENSE, BUT IT OPERATES IT THROUGH A COOPERATIVE RELATIONSHIP THROUGH WITH THE LANDOWNER, WHICH IS THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.

AND THIS THIS THING, BY THE WAY, WAS NOT BUILT BY THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT.

IT WAS ACTUALLY BUILT AROUND 1975 BY THE ARMY, UNITED STATES ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS.

SO THERE'S A LONG HISTORY TO THIS, AND THERE IS NO INDICATION THAT THE PARK DISTRICT HAS ANY RESPONSIBILITY, ANY LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR ACTUALLY GOING OUT AND MAINTAINING THOSE ROADS.

THEY WERE NOT BUILT AS ROADS. THEY WERE BUILT AS MAINTENANCE ACCESS FOR THE FOR THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT.

SO, YOU KNOW, TO GET THAT THING MAINTAINED AND REPAIRED, IT MIGHT BE WORTHWHILE TO TALK TO THE LANDOWNER AND THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND GET THEM ON BOARD WITH THIS, BECAUSE THEY HAVE A HABIT OF OF NEGLECTING THEIR CORE ASSETS, AS WE'RE SEEING.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

WE DO NOT HAVE ANY MORE COMMENTS. ALL RIGHT. AND DO WE HAVE ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS? NO ANNOUNCEMENTS. OKAY. SO NOW WE COME TO BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD, WHICH IS THE NEXT IS THE CONSENT CALENDAR.

[CONSENT CALENDAR]

I'M ALSO GOING TO ASK IF YOU WANT TO PULL AN ITEM FROM FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR AS WELL.

SO BUT IF YOU JUST HAVE LIKE ONE QUESTION I THINK WE CAN DO THAT.

DO YOU WANT TO DO THAT. SO I GUESS MY QUESTION I'M NOT SURE HOW TO HANDLE JUST THE SECOND ITEM MINUTES.

I WOULD BE AN ABSTAIN. SO I DON'T KNOW IF WE NEED TO PULL IT FOR ME TO ABSTAIN OR.

IT'S JUST A PROCESS QUESTION. IF YOU ABSTAIN, YOU'LL BE ABSTAINING FROM THE ENTIRE CONSENT CALENDAR.

IF YOU'D LIKE TO PULL AN ITEM SO THAT YOU CAN ABSTAIN, I RECOMMEND THAT YOU DO THAT.

I MEAN, THAT'S APPROPRIATE SINCE I WASN'T AT THE MEETING. CORRECT? TO ABSTAIN FROM THE ENTIRE. NO. TO ABSTAIN FROM THE MINUTES IF I WASN'T AT THE MEETING.

YOU DON'T NEED TO ABSTAIN. IF YOU'VE GOT THE REST OF THE BOARD HERE.

THEN I DON'T NEED TO PULL IT. OKAY. THANK YOU.

OKAY. ALL RIGHT. ARE THERE ANY ITEMS THAT MEMBERS WOULD LIKE TO PULL FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION? YES. YES. I'D LIKE TO ASK FOR ITEM FIVE FOR A SEPARATE VOTE AFTER WE VOTE ON THE REST OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR.

AND ALSO, I'D LIKE TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A COMMENT. OKAY, BUT NOT NECESSARILY A PRESENTATION OR ANYTHING FROM THE STAFF? NO, I JUST LIKE TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A SEPARATE VOTE AND BE ABLE TO VOTE.

OKAY. YES. OKAY. VERY GOOD. SO THEN THIS MOTION THAT IS ABOUT TO BE MADE WOULD BE TO APPROVE THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR, EXCEPT FOR ITEM FIVE. SO DO I HAVE A MOTION FOR THAT? SO MOVED. WE HAVE WAESPI MOVE. SECOND. SECOND FROM ECHOLS.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. AYE. AYE. OPPOSED? ABSTAIN.

OKAY. CARRIES. SO NOW WE HAVE ITEM NUMBER FIVE, SO YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND WORK THROUGH THAT.

[5. Authorization to Execute Concession Agreement for Camp Arroyo with United Camps, Conferences and Retreats for the Camp Arroyo Residence Camp Concession]

I BELIEVE THIS IS A VERY SIGNIFICANT DECISION FOR CAMP ARROYO, ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE CHANGES OVER THE PAST YEAR.

AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO REFLECT ON BOTH THE WORK OF UNITED CAMPS, CONFERENCES AND RETREATS THAT THEY HAVE DONE AND THE BROADER VISION AND FUTURE OF THIS SPECIAL PLACE. AND I'D LIKE TO BEGIN BY THANKING UCCR FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING WORK AT CAMP ARROYO, AND FOR HELPING THE PARK DISTRICT THROUGH A PERIOD OF MANY TRANSITIONS OVER THE PAST SIX AND A HALF YEARS SINCE JANUARY 2019.

AND I REALLY VALUE THE DEDICATION AND STABILITY OF UCCR THAT THEY PROVIDED DURING THIS TIME.

THAT SAID, I WONDER IF IT WOULD HAVE BEEN HELPFUL FOR THE BOARD TO HAVE HAD A BROADER DISCUSSION ABOUT THE VISION AND PURPOSE OF CAMP ARROYO, PARTICULARLY WITH THE 2024 DEPARTURE OF OUR LONGTIME PARTNER, THE TAYLOR FAMILY FOUNDATION.

FOR EXAMPLE, I WOULD BE INTERESTED TO KNOW HOW MANY OF THE SCHOOLS THAT BOOK OUTDOOR EDUCATION PROGRAMS WITH UCCR ARE LOCATED IN ALAMEDA OR CONTRA COSTA COUNTIES,

[00:30:01]

I ALSO APPRECIATE THAT MANY OF THE GROUPS THAT CAME THROUGH THE TAYLOR FAMILY FOUNDATION CONTINUED TO DO SO WITH UCCR, EVEN AS SOME TRAVEL LONG DISTANCES OR FLY IN TO ATTEND CAMP.

WHEN I LOOK AT THE SECOND APPLICANT FOR THE CONCESSION AGREEMENT, THE LIVERMORE AREA RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT, I AM CURIOUS ABOUT THEIR VISION FOR CAMP ARROYO. IN ADDITION TO RUNNING THE PRESCHOOL AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS FOR LIVERMORE VALLEY JOINT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, WHICH I MIGHT ADD IS A TWO COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT SERVING RESIDENTS FROM BOTH ALAMEDA AND CONTRA COSTA.

LARPD ALSO MANAGES A SUMMER DAY CAMP PROGRAM, AS WELL AS COMPREHENSIVE AQUATIC PROGRAM THAT INCLUDES TRAINED LIFEGUARDS AND WATER SAFETY INSTRUCTORS. WHILE UCCR BRINGS EXCELLENT NATIONAL EXPERIENCE FROM THEIR NEARBY HEADQUARTERS IN PETALUMA.

THERE MAY ALSO BE BENEFITS TO CONSIDERING A PARTNER BASED IN LIVERMORE, SUCH AS LA PD, WITH WHOM WE SHARE BOTH THE TAX SHARING AGREEMENT AND A COMMON SET OF CONSTITUENTS. IT'S ALSO WORTH NOTING THAT CAMP ARROYO HAS LONG OPERATED UNDER A HYBRID CONCESSION MODEL FOR 17 YEARS WITH THE TAYLOR FAMILY FOUNDATION AND THE YMCA, AND SINCE 2019 WITH THE TAYLOR FAMILY FOUNDATION AND UCCR.

I BELIEVE 2025 IS THE FIRST YEAR WE HAVE OPERATED CAMP ARROYO WITH JUST ONE PARTNER.

I WONDER WHETHER A HYBRID MODEL WITH UCCR AND LARPD MIGHT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE FOR THIS AGREEMENT AS WELL, AS WE CONSIDER THE NEXT CONCESSION AGREEMENT.

WE MUST CONTINUE TO ENSURE THIS FACILITY SERVES OUR EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT COMMUNITY AND REFLECTS THE PARK DISTRICT'S LONG TERM COMMITMENT TO ACCESS AND PARTNERSHIP.

IT IS POSSIBLE. HAD WE HAD A DEEPER BOARD DISCUSSION AND REVIEW OF CAMP ARROYO, WE MIGHT HAVE ARRIVED AT THE SAME CONCLUSION AS STAFF AND THE BOARD OPERATIONS COMMITTEE TO RECOMMEND UCCR FOR A TWO YEAR CONCESSION AGREEMENT.

HOWEVER, I'M CHOOSING TO ABSTAIN FROM THIS VOTE BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE APPRECIATED THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A MORE SUBSTANTIVE DISCUSSION ABOUT THE FUTURE VISION OF CAMP ARROYO AND TO BETTER UNDERSTAND WHETHER LARPD SHARED A SIMILAR OUTLOOK.

SO THANKS FOR ALLOWING ME TO PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE THESE REFLECTIONS. MY ABSTAINING FROM THIS VOTE IS NOT A REFLECTION OF UCCR'S WORK, WHICH I DEEPLY VALUE, BUT RATHER ON THE BELIEF THAT THE BOARD WOULD HAVE BENEFITED FROM A BROADER DISCUSSION ABOUT CAMP ARROYO'S FUTURE AT THIS IMPORTANT MOMENT OF TRANSITION.

THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS ITEM? MOTION TO APPROVE. APPROVE. WAESPI MOVES SECOND.

IS THERE A DISCUSSION? SURE. GO AHEAD. JUST I ACTUALLY HAD THE SAME NOTE.

YOU KNOW, I STRUGGLE SOMETIMES WITH THE ABILITY TO MAKE DECISIONS IF I HAVE A STANDALONE DOCUMENT IN FRONT OF ME THAT I CAN UNDERSTAND.

AND I DID HAVE A NOTE HERE WITH A QUESTION MARK ABOUT WONDERING MORE ABOUT THE PROS AND CONS.

I REALLY, OF COURSE, ADMIRE AND RESPECT STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION, BUT I'M USUALLY KIND OF USED TO MORE OF A MATRIX OF ALTERNATIVES THAT WOULD HAVE HELPED ME TO UNDERSTAND THAT DECISION PROCESS. SO YEAH, I JUST I SHARE THE INTEREST, THE CONCERN, AND KNOWING A LITTLE BIT MORE AND HAVING A LITTLE BIT MORE IN THE STAFF REPORT THAT WOULD MAKE ME MORE COMFORTABLE IN VOTING FOR ITEMS IN GENERAL, PARTICULARLY ON CONSENT. AND THIS IS YOU KNOW, DIRECTOR SANWONG DISTRICT AND I RESPECT AND HONOR HER REQUEST AS WELL. I FEEL LIKE I NEED TO MAKE A COMMENT ON YOUR COMMENT.

JUST A REMINDER TO THE ENTIRE BOARD THAT YOU ALWAYS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK QUESTIONS IN ADVANCE OF THE MEETING.

OUR AGENDAS HAVE BEEN COMING OUT MUCH EARLIER NOW THAN THEY WERE IN THE PAST.

AND SO THE PURPOSE OF THAT IS TO ALLOW YOU TO ASK THESE QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE.

AND SO I'M NOT SAYING THAT THAT WOULD BE EVERYTHING THAT YOU WOULD NEED TO FEEL BETTER ABOUT THIS, BUT IT WOULD BE A NICE EFFORT, YOU KNOW, TO ALLOW THEM TO PROVIDE THE INFORMATION THAT YOU HAVE.

AND I THINK I WOULD HAVE BEEN. BECAUSE THEY CAN DO THAT. THEY HAVE DONE THAT. YEAH. I WOULD HAVE BEEN 100% ON BOARD. BUT GIVEN THIS IS THE DIRECTOR'S WARD AND THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY I JUST RAISED THAT QUESTION OTHERWISE WITH HER VOTE, I WOULD FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH HER VOTE AND STAFF.

SO I HEAR YOU. UNDERSTOOD. OKAY. YEAH. ALL RIGHT.

ANY OTHER? YEAH, SURE. WELL, I TEND TO AGREE WITH DIRECTOR SANWONG, BUT I AM REMINDED THAT THROUGH THIS DEAL WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON RIGHT NOW, I'M REMINDED OF ELAINE TAYLOR.

AND I DON'T KNOW THAT YOU KNEW HER AS WELL AS I DID OR SOME OTHER PEOPLE, BUT SHE WORKED TIRELESSLY FOR UNDERPRIVILEGED, REALLY, REALLY SICK KIDS AND HAD A COLLABORATION WITH THIS PARK DISTRICT THAT I HAVEN'T SEEN IN MY 50 YEARS HERE.

[00:35:01]

SO I HOPE WE CAN DO THAT IN A FUTURE TIME. ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU. OKAY. AND ANY ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? YES. AS FAR AS WHEN THERE'S DIFFERENT AUTHORIZATIONS TO EXECUTE CONCESSION AGREEMENTS THOSE DO COME BEFORE THE OPERATIONS COMMITTEE, AND WE DO HAVE A ROBUST DISCUSSION.

SO AS FAR AS I DEFINITELY VALUE YOUR INSIGHT, YOUR INPUT.

BUT THERE ARE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THESE BEFORE.

OUR TEAM RECOMMENDS THEM FOR THE CONSENT CALENDAR.

OKAY. THANK YOU FOR THAT. ALL RIGHT. ANYTHING ELSE? SO DID I ASK FOR A MOTION YET? YES. DIRECTOR WAESPI MOVED.

DID I GET A SECOND? NO. OKAY. OKAY. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED? ABSTAIN. I ABSTAIN. I APOLOGIZE, WHO SECONDED THAT? NO. ONE SECOND. OH, THERE WAS A SECOND. I SECOND.

THERE WAS I JUST SECOND NOW. FIRST TIME THERE WAS ONLY.

OKAY. THE MOTION. WHEN I ASKED, I THOUGHT SOMEBODY SAID YES.

DID SOMEONE ELSE. OKAY. NO. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. SO ALL IN FAVOR? AGAIN, AYE. AYE. AND OPPOSED. ABSTAIN. I ABSTAIN.

ONE ABSTENTION. OKAY. THAT'S DIRECTOR SANWONG.

OKAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. MOVING ON TO THE NEXT

[ACQUISITION, STEWARDSHIP AND DEVELOPMENT DIVISION]

WHY DON'T YOU GO AHEAD AND INTRODUCE THIS AND TELL US ABOUT IT? ALL RIGHT. GOOD AFTERNOON. DIRECTORS MAX KORTEN AND DEPUTY GENERAL MANAGER, EAST BAY REGIONAL PARKS.

AND I JUST WANTED TO GIVE AN INTRO, AND THEN I'LL HAND IT OFF TO SUZANNE, OUR PROJECT MANAGER.

I WANTED TO START BY APPRECIATING THE YOUNG PEOPLE FROM THE COMMUNITY THAT THIS PROJECT CAME TO US FROM FOR ENGAGING WITH THEIR LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

AND THEN I WANT TO APPRECIATE OUR STAFF. WE WORK AS A BIG TEAM, AND WE HAVE A LOT OF REALLY TALENTED FOLKS.

SUZANNE'S BEEN OUR PROJECT MANAGER, BUT OUR STEWARDSHIP TEAM, OUR OPERATIONS TEAM, OUR PLANNING TEAM HAVE ALL WORKED TOGETHER TO DEVELOP THIS PROJECT TO THE STATE IT IS AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO WORK ON THIS TOGETHER.

THIS PROJECT CAME TO US, AND ONE OF THE REASONS THAT OUR TEAM MOVED IT FORWARD IS IT INTEGRATES WHAT WE KNOW IS A BEST PRACTICE AMONG LAND MANAGERS, AND THAT CREATING LEGAL BIKE TRAILS IS ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS AT REDUCING CONFLICTS AND REDUCING ILLEGAL TRAIL BUILDING.

THIS HAS BEEN TESTED IN A LOT OF OTHER AGENCIES, BUT ALSO HERE IN BRIONES PILOT, CROCKETT HILLS AND OTHER LOCATIONS.

THE STEP THAT WE'RE BRINGING TO YOUR BOARD FOR APPROVAL TODAY.

SORRY, I CAN MOVE THIS ISN'T IT'S NOT A REQUIRED BOARD ACTION.

WE'RE NOT SEEKING FUNDING. WE ALREADY HAVE THE FUNDING FOR THE NEXT STEP OF THIS.

AND IT'S NOT A PART OF THE TYPICAL CEQA PROCESS, BUT WE KNOW THAT THIS ISSUE, THIS POTENTIAL PROJECT HAS A LOT OF PUBLIC INTEREST.

AND SO WE WANTED TO PROVIDE TRANSPARENCY AND AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO ENGAGE IN YOUR BOARD TO ENGAGE ON THIS TOPIC BEFORE IT MOVES FORWARD.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR AUTHORIZATION FROM YOUR BOARD TO ISSUE A NOTICE OF PREPARATION FOR AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT.

WE'RE NOT RECOMMENDING THIS BECAUSE THIS PROJECT HAS POTENTIALLY SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS.

BUT BECAUSE THERE'S SO MUCH INTEREST IN THIS PROJECT, AND DOING A FULL EIR WILL PROVIDE AS MUCH AS MANY OPPORTUNITIES AS POSSIBLE, BOTH FOR THE PUBLIC TO LEARN ALL THE INFORMATION, BACKGROUND ABOUT THIS PROJECT AND FOR THE COMMUNITY TO ENGAGE AND PROVIDE THEIR COMMENTS AND FEELINGS ABOUT IT. AND AGAIN, FOR IMPROVED TRANSPARENCY AND ENGAGEMENT.

LET'S SEE, BEFORE I PASS THIS ON TO SUZANNE, I WANT TO TOUCH ON A COUPLE OF OTHER SORT OF BACKGROUND PIECES OF INFORMATION.

ONE QUESTION THAT'S COME UP FROM THE PUBLIC IS ABOUT LAND USE PLANS AND WHETHER PROJECTS NEED TO BE ENVISIONED IN THE LAND USE PLAN FOR THE PARK THAT THEY'RE IN. LAND USE PLANS ARE ARE LIKE VISIONING DOCUMENTS FOR OUR PARKS WHEN THEY'RE FIRST DEVELOPED.

[00:40:05]

BUT OVER THE YEARS PROJECTS ARE DEVELOPED THAT ARE OUTSIDE OF WHAT WAS INITIALLY ENVISIONED IN THOSE LAND USE PLANS.

AS AN EXAMPLE, THE LAND USE PLAN FOR WILDCAT CANYON WAS DEVELOPED AND COMPLETED IN 1985.

SO MANY THINGS HAVE CHANGED IN THE PARK SINCE THEN.

THE LAND USE PLANS ARE NOT LIKE A GENERAL PLAN FOR THE COUNTY.

THEY DON'T PROVIDE RESTRICTIVE, LEGALLY RESTRICTIVE ZONING OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

BUT WHAT IT DOES MEAN IS THAT WHEN WE DO A PROJECT OR PROPOSE A PROJECT THAT'S NOT ENVISIONED IN THE LAND USE PLAN, WE NEED TO DO THE FULL CEQA COMPLIANCE AND PLANNING RELATED TO THAT PROJECT, BECAUSE IT'S NOT NECESSARILY COVERED IN THE CEQA DOCUMENT.

LET'S SEE. AND THAT'S VERY NORMAL. WE DO THAT ALL THE TIME WITH ALMOST ALL THE PROJECTS THAT WE BRING TO YOUR BOARD.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS AS A MATURE PARKS ORGANIZATION, WE ARE NOW DOING IMPROVEMENT PARKS IN EACH OF OUR IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN EACH OF OUR PARKS. AND SO IF WE HAD TO REVISIT THE LAND USE PLANS EVERY SINGLE TIME WE BROUGHT THOSE PROJECTS, IT WOULD BE EXTREMELY INEFFICIENT. ONE OTHER ISSUE THAT'S BEEN BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION OR CONCERN IS AROUND POTENTIAL DONATION TO FUND HELP FUND A PROJECT LIKE THIS.

FROM A COMMUNITY MEMBER, I JUST WANTED TO ADDRESS BEFORE THE PRESENTATION THAT IT'S NOT UNCOMMON FOR US TO GET POTENTIAL DONATIONS TO SUPPORT PROJECTS. WE'RE VERY LUCKY TO HAVE A COMMUNITY THAT REALLY SUPPORTS THE WORK THAT WE DO.

BUT IT'S ALSO REALLY IMPORTANT THAT OUR WORK IS NOT DRIVEN BY THOSE DONATIONS, THAT WE APPROACH OUR WORK BASED ON THE MERITS OF THE PROJECT, AND THAT WE PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS TO YOUR BOARD THAT ARE FREE FROM BEING INFLUENCED BY THOSE MONETARY DONATIONS.

AND THAT IS THE CASE WITH THIS PROJECT AS WELL.

AND I THINK I COVERED EVERYTHING I WANTED TO BEFORE WE GOT STARTED.

AND I'LL HAND IT OVER TO SUZANNE TO TALK MORE SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THIS PROJECT. THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT. THE ARROW BUTTON. PERFECT. THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT. GOOD AFTERNOON. GOOD AFTERNOON, PRESIDENT MERCURIO, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, SUZANNE WILSON, SENIOR PLANNER IN THE TRAILS PROGRAM. THANKS, MAX, FOR SETTING UP THE CONTEXT FOR THIS PRESENTATION.

AS MUCH AS MAX MENTIONED, THE ITEM BEFORE YOU IS THE AUTHORIZATION TO ISSUE A NOTICE TO PROCEED WITH AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT, OR EIR, FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A BIKE TRAIL AT WILDCAT CANYON REGIONAL PARK.

FOR OVER A DECADE, THE BICYCLE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN ADVOCATING FOR MORE ACCESS IN TILDEN AND WILDCAT CANYON REGIONAL PARKS AND MORE RECENTLY, LOCAL CLUBS, INCLUDING THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL INTERSCHOLASTIC CYCLING ASSOCIATION, OR NICA, APPROACHED US TO LET US KNOW THAT WHILE THE NATIONAL TREND OF MOUNTAIN BIKING IS INCREASING, SO IS THE YOUTH POPULATION THAT'S INTERESTED IN RECREATING ON MOUNTAIN BIKES.

WE'RE SEEING THE TEAMS THAT REPRESENT THE AREAS OF BERKELEY, ALBANY, EL CERRITO AND RICHMOND HAVE INCREASED.

THERE'S OVER 200 YOUTH RIDING, PROBABLY MORE NOW BETWEEN THOSE, THE TEAMS THAT REPRESENT THOSE FOUR CITIES IN TILDEN AND WILDCAT REGIONAL PARKS, NOT ALL AT ONCE, OF COURSE, IN SMALLER GROUPS IN THEIR TEAMS. BUT THEY'RE NOTICING THAT THERE'S A LOT OF BURDEN ON THE MULTI-USE TRAILS THAT THEY ARE LIMITED TO.

AND THEY REQUESTED THAT THE PARK DISTRICT CONSIDER THE POSSIBILITY OF DEVELOPING A BIKE SPECIFIC DESIGN TRAIL IN EITHER WILDCAT OR TILDEN REGIONAL PARKS. AS A RESULT, STAFF WAS DIRECTED TO EXPLORE THE FEASIBILITY OF DEVELOPING A BIKE SPECIFIC TRAIL THAT WOULD NOT SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACT NATURAL OR CULTURAL RESOURCES.

SO A COLLABORATIVE TEAM MADE UP OF STAFF FROM THE TRAILS PROGRAM, STEWARDSHIP, PLANNING AND OPERATIONS WORK TO IDENTIFY A LOCATION AND TO PUT TOGETHER PROJECT OBJECTIVES. SOME OF THOSE OBJECTIVES INCLUDE REDUCING AND AVOIDING IMPACTS TO NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES.

RESTORING BOOTLEG OR NON SYSTEM TRAILS WITHIN THE VICINITY, PROVIDING ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR A VARIETY OF MOUNTAIN BIKING SKILL LEVELS,

[00:45:04]

THAT ONE'S A MOUTHFUL, BUT IT'S A PRETTY IMPORTANT ONE, AS MOST OF THE FOLKS THAT RIDE ON THESE TEAMS GATHER TOGETHER IN A DESIGNATED MEETING LOCATION IN THEIR COMMUNITY, WHETHER THAT BE A SCHOOL OR A COMMUNITY PARK, AND THEY RIDE UP INTO THE PARK.

THE PROJECT SHOULD ALLOW DIRECTIONAL, BIKE ONLY TRAIL ACCESS TO ALLEVIATE CONGESTION, INCREASE SAFETY, AND REDUCE CONFLICTS AND UTILIZE SUSTAINABLE DESIGN ELEMENTS TO MINIMIZE OPERATION AND TRAIL MANAGEMENT BURDEN.

ULTIMATELY, OUR GOAL HERE IS TO PROVIDE A SUSTAINABLE DESIGN THAT IS ATTRACTIVE TO CYCLISTS, THAT PULLS THEM OFF OF THE ILLEGAL TRAILS IN THE AREA AND GIVES US OPPORTUNITY TO SUCCESSFULLY RESTORE THOSE TRAILS AND THAT MANAGES USER EXPECTATION, GIVES US A BRANCH TO EDUCATE TRAIL USERS, MUCH LIKE WE'VE SEEN IN IN THE BRIONES PILOT PROJECT.

SO IN MARCH OF 2024, THIS PROJECT CAME BEFORE THE BOARD AS AN INFORMATIONAL ITEM.

AND WE DISCUSSED AT THAT TIME THE LOCATION OF THE PROJECT, HOW WE ARRIVED HERE.

AND WE ALSO DISCUSSED OTHER LOCATIONS IN WILDCAT, TILDEN, AND OUTSIDE OF THOSE PARKS THAT HAD BEEN CONSIDERED.

I'M NOT GOING TO RECAP THAT FULL DISCUSSION, BUT I JUST DID WANT TO TOUCH UPON HOW WE LANDED IN THIS, THE FOCUS IN THIS AREA OF WILDCAT. SOME OF THE LOCAL BIKING COMMUNITY MEMBERS HAD SUGGESTED STARTING WITH AN AREA TO THE EAST OF LEONARDS TRAIL EXPLORING THAT AREA. AS WE CONSULTED OUR STEWARDSHIP STAFF, WE LEARNED ABOUT THE PRESENCE OF A SPECIAL STATUS PLANT CALLED THE SANTA CRUZ TARPLANT TOWARDS THE BOTTOM OF THE LEONARDS TRAIL, AND WE KNEW IMMEDIATELY THAT WE NEEDED TO SHIFT OUR FOCUS, WHICH WE DID. AND THIS BUT THIS SEEMED LIKE A GREAT GEOGRAPHIC REGION BECAUSE IT'S ALREADY IMPACTED WITH TWO MULTI-USE TRAILS THAT ARE OPEN TO BIKES.

THEY'RE REGULARLY RIDDEN BY BIKES. IT STILL PROVIDES CONNECTIVITY FOR HIKERS AND EQUESTRIANS FROM THE WILDCAT CREEK TRAIL UP TO THE SAN PABLO RIDGE AND NIMITZ WAY.

SO WE SHIFTED OUR FOCUS TO THE WEST SIDE OF THE MESA TRAIL, AND WE NARROWED THAT FOCUS INTO A CORRIDOR SHOWN IN ORANGE ON THE MAP ON THE RIGHT. WE KNEW THERE WERE NO KNOWN LISTED PLANT SPECIES IN THIS CORRIDOR OR CULTURAL RESOURCES.

ALL RIGHT. WE THEN WORK WITH STEWARDSHIP TO ENLIST THE SUPPORT SERVICES OF NOMAD ECOLOGY TO CONDUCT TEN PLANT SURVEYS OVER A COURSE OF TWO YEARS THAT INFORMED A FINE SCALE VEGETATION MAPPING EFFORT.

THE STUDIES SHOWED THAT THEY DISCOVERED MOST OF THE AREA IS MADE UP OF NON-NATIVE GRASSES, BUT BIOLOGISTS WERE ABLE TO IDENTIFY A FEW POLYGONS OF NATIVE WILD RYE GRASSES, WHICH ARE CONSIDERED A NATURAL SENSITIVE COMMUNITY, AND WE WERE ABLE TO DESIGN THE TRAIL TO AVOID THE HIGH QUALITY STAND OF WILD RYE GRASSES.

THERE'S NO SANTA CRUZ TARPLANT WITHIN THIS CORRIDOR, AND FURTHERMORE, WE HAVE PROPOSED TO REMOVE BIKE ACCESS FROM THE LEONARDS TRAIL AND KEEP THAT EFFECTIVELY AS A HIKER AND EQUESTRIAN CORRIDOR, AND THAT REDUCES SOME OF THE CONCERN THAT WE HEARD THAT BIKES MAY FOLLOW SOME OF THE CATTLE TRAILS, OR CREATE THEIR OWN TRAILS OFF OF LEONARD'S TRAIL THAT WOULD NEGATIVELY IMPACT THE TAR PLANT POPULATION.

LASTLY, THE ENTIRE PROJECT AREA AND MOST OF WILDCAT REALLY IS IS WITHIN A DESIGNATED CRITICAL HABITAT UNIT FOR THE ALAMEDA WHIPSNAKE.

BUT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SELECT A CORRIDOR AND DESIGN THE TRAIL AWAY FROM CORE SCRUB HABITAT.

SO WE'RE NOT REMOVING ANY ALAMEDA WHIPSNAKE HABITAT.

ALL RIGHT. BEFORE I DIVE INTO WHAT THE CONCEPTUAL DESIGN AND SOME OF THE INITIAL STUDY RESULTS, I JUST WANTED TO SHOW HOW THESE STUDIES HAVE FIT INTO THE PROJECT'S TIMELINE.

SO BETWEEN 2020 AND 2022, WE WERE HEARING A LOT FROM THE COMMUNITY ABOUT ABOUT THIS PROJECT AND THE NEED TO DEVELOP MORE ACCESS ON NARROW TRAILS, BIKE SPECIFIC ACCESS IN THIS REGION.

SO IN 2021, THE TRAILS PROGRAM AND STEWARDSHIP STAFF BEGAN COORDINATING TO IDENTIFY THAT APPROPRIATE CORRIDOR.

IT WAS 22 THAT WE BROUGHT ON NOMAD ECOLOGY TO CONDUCT THOSE VEGETATION STUDIES, WETLAND STUDIES THAT INFORMED THE DRAFT BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES ASSESSMENT AND A PROJECT DESCRIPTION. WE'VE CONSULTED WITH OUR PRINCIPAL CULTURAL RESOURCES PERSON FOR AN INITIAL CULTURAL RESOURCES REVIEW.

AND 23, WE BROUGHT IN A GROUP CALLED POINT STRATEGIES WHO HELPED US WITH THE CONCEPTUAL DESIGN, BASICALLY PROVIDED AN ALIGNMENT WITHIN THAT CORRIDOR THAT AVOIDED THOSE HIGH QUALITY STANDS OF NATURAL,

[00:50:06]

AND FROM THE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PERSPECTIVE THIS TRAIL WAS FIRST BROUGHT BEFORE THE BOARD AS PART OF THE 2022 TRAIL STUDY SESSION, AND AS PART OF THE 2023 BUDGET ADOPTION PROCESS THE BOARD ALLOCATED FUNDS FOR PILOT TRAIL PROJECTS THAT INCLUDED FUNDING FOR BRIONES AND WILDCAT. AND ON APRIL 25TH OF 2023, WE HELD A PUBLIC MEETING VIA ZOOM.

OVER 280 PEOPLE ATTENDED THAT MEETING, AND OVER 25 PEOPLE SPOKE, MORE THAN HALF OF WHICH WERE YOUTH FROM THE LOCAL MOUNTAIN BIKING TEAMS. AND WE ALSO DID SOME POLLING DURING THAT MEETING.

SO YOU CAN SEE THE SCREENSHOT THERE ON THE LEFT JUST SHOWS THAT MOST OF THE PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE LIVED WITHIN FIVE MILES OF OF WILDCAT REGIONAL PARK.

IN 2024 AS PART OF THE BUDGET PROCESS, THE BOARD ALLOCATED 300,000 FOR CEQA FOR THIS PROJECT.

AND AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, IN MARCH 19TH, 2024, WE BROUGHT THIS BEFORE THE BOARD AT A REGULARLY SCHEDULED BOARD MEETING FOR AN UPDATE AS PART OF THE GENERAL MANAGER COMMENTS. NOW, LET'S SWITCH GEARS A LITTLE BIT AND TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE CONCEPTUAL DESIGN. SO THE RED LINE SHOWN HERE IS THE CONCEPTUAL DESIGN THAT ALL FALLS WITHIN THAT CORRIDOR THAT'S BEEN STUDIED.

IT'S APPROXIMATELY 1.44 MILES THAT WOULD BE OPERATED AS A DIRECTIONAL DOWNHILL TRAIL.

AND IT WOULD BE DESIGNED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF ALL BICYCLING LEVELS.

IT WOULD BE PROGRESSIVE IN NATURE, MEANING IT WOULD START A LITTLE EASIER IN THE TOP AND INCREASE IN DIFFICULTY AS YOU MOVE DOWN THE HILL.

THERE WOULD BE OPPORTUNITIES FOR NOVICE CYCLISTS TO RECONNECT WITH THE MIZZOU TRAIL BEFORE THEY OUTPACE THEIR SKILL LEVEL, OR IF THEY WANT TO RIDE UP AND REPEAT A SECTION AND PRACTICE A SPECIFIC SKILL.

YOU CAN SEE IN THE MAP THERE ARE FOUR AREAS OUTLINED OR IN YOUR BOARD PACKET.

THERE ARE FOUR AREAS THAT ARE OUTLINED IN ORANGE WITH AN ORANGE LINE, AND THOSE AREAS ARE MORE FEATURE INTENSE.

AND THAT ORANGE LINE REPRESENTS FENCING. SO THERE ARE FOUR SEGMENTS THAT WOULD BE FENCED OFF.

THIS IS TO PROTECT THOSE FEATURES FROM DAMAGE FROM LIVESTOCK.

BUT IT ALSO SERVES AS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO CONTROL SPEED COMING IN AND OUT OF THOSE SEGMENTS, ESPECIALLY WHERE IT CROSSES THE MIZZOU TRAIL TO BE ABLE TO CHECK SPEED FOR RIDERS BEFORE THEY'RE INTERSECTING WITH A MULTI-USE TRAIL.

WE DID MAKE SURE, IN CONSULTATION WITH OUR VEGETATION MANAGEMENT GROUP AND OUR GRAZING GROUP, THAT WE'RE LEAVING ENOUGH ROOM BETWEEN THOSE FENCED IN AREAS AND HAVE ADJUSTED THAT TO ALLOW FOR CATTLE TO MOVE ACROSS THE LANDSCAPE.

THE GRAZING HERE IS IMPORTANT FOR THE SUCCESS OF THAT SANTA CRUZ TARPLANT POPULATION.

SO IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE STILL MAINTAIN AREAS FOR THAT THE CATTLE TO WORK THROUGH.

AND THEN AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, THE LEONARDS TRAIL WOULD BECOME A HIKER HORSE ONLY TRAIL EFFECTIVELY CREATING A HIKING AND HORSE CORRIDOR AND A MORE MULTI-USE AND BIKE FOCUSED CORRIDOR. THESE ARE JUST SOME EXAMPLES THAT ARE IN THE CONCEPTUAL DESIGN THAT SHOW WHAT THE TRAIL COULD LOOK LIKE THIS IS TOWARDS THE TOP. YOU CAN SEE THERE ARE SOME BURNED OR BANKED TURNS.

THERE ARE ROLLERS, TABLETOPS. WHAT I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT HERE IS THAT THERE'S ALSO ROCK FEATURES AND HARDENING IN THESE AREAS THAT WOULD BE UNFENCED.

SO SOMETHING THIS GRAPHIC DOESN'T SHOW IS WHERE FENCING WOULD BE, WHICH WOULD BE AROUND THOSE TURNS IN THE TOP TO PROTECT SOME OF THOSE SOFT FEATURES.

SO THESE AREAS OF ROCK HARDENING, YOU KNOW, IN PRACTICE THEY CAN LOOK LIKE THIS.

THEY SLOW RIDERS DOWN IN THOSE AREAS AND THEY PROTECT THE TRAIL FROM, LIVESTOCK IMPACT.

THIS IS JUST ANOTHER ILLUSTRATION OF THE TRAIL AS IT MOVES FURTHER DOWN THE HILL. IT'S A LITTLE BIT HARD TO TELL AT THE SCALE, BUT THESE FEATURES ARE BIGGER AND AS THE TRAIL BECOMES PROGRESSIVELY MORE CHALLENGING AND YOU CAN SEE THERE ARE THREE ROLLERS BEFORE THE TRAIL MEETS BACK IN WITH MIZZOU, WHICH WAS THE SAME SITUATION AT THE TOP. AND THAT'S WHERE THOSE SPEED CHECK FACTORS COME INTO PLAY BEFORE INTERACTING WITH A MULTI-USE TRAIL.

THE CONCEPTUAL DESIGN ALSO PROVIDES A MENU OF OPTIONS OF HOW TO INCORPORATE DIFFERENT TRAILS, WHETHER WE DO THAT THROUGH DIRT. THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF A TABLETOP CONSTRUCTED WITH DIRT ON THE LEFT, AND A PREFABRICATED WOODEN TABLETOP. THAT COULD BE SOMETHING WE COULD CHOOSE TO INSTALL AT A CERTAIN STRATEGIC LOCATIONS ON THE TRAIL.

[00:55:09]

SOMETIMES THESE ARE REINFORCED WITH ROCK, OR THEY CAN BE ALSO CONSTRUCTED OUT OF WOOD.

AND THE CONCEPTUAL DESIGN RECOMMENDS CONSIDERATION OF SOME OF THE PREFABRICATED STRUCTURES, SHOULD WE CHOOSE TO USE THOSE. THEY WOULD BE USED IN AREAS WHERE THE SLOPES ARE STEEPER, SO WE WOULD REQUIRE LESS EXCAVATION.

THEY ARE MORE EXPENSIVE, BUT THEY'RE ALSO LESS ON THE MAINTENANCE SIDE.

AND THEN LASTLY, THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT SOME OF THOSE ROLLERS COULD LOOK LIKE EITHER DIRT OR WOOD.

SO THAT'S A LOT OF THE INFORMATION THAT INFORMED THE DRAFT INITIAL STUDY.

AND AS A RESULT OF THE INITIAL STUDY, STAFF IS SUGGESTING THAT THE FOLLOWING TOPICS BE CONSIDERED FURTHER AS PART OF AN EIR THAT'S AIR QUALITY, BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES, CULTURAL RESOURCES, GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS, TRANSPORTATION, AND TRIBAL CULTURAL RESOURCES.

THIS WOULD ALSO INCLUDE TECHNICAL STUDIES. FOR EXAMPLE, A TRAFFIC STUDY WOULD BE CONDUCTED TO HELP INFORM THE TRANSPORTATION AND GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS. AND AS FAR AS NEXT STEPS, WE DO HAVE THE BUDGET TO CONDUCT AN EIR.

IF THE BOARD APPROVES THIS TODAY, THEN WE WOULD ISSUE A NOTICE OF PREPARATION AND BEGIN SCOPING IN A PUBLIC OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT.

WE HOPE TO BRING THE FINDINGS BACK TO THE BOARD IN THE SPRING OF 2026 AND THEN SECURE PERMITTING AS NEEDED, WHICH WOULD SET US UP FOR FINAL DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION, PROBABLY IN AS EARLY OR NO EARLIER THAN 2027.

AND RIGHT NOW, THERE'S A BIG VARIETY IN HOW MUCH THIS PROJECT COULD COST.

AND WE HAVEN'T WE'RE NOT QUITE FAR ENOUGH ALONG TO DETERMINE FINAL COSTS, BUT IT COULD BE BETWEEN $500,000 AND $700,000 TO CONSTRUCT A TRAIL OF THIS NATURE, DEPENDING ON WHAT KIND OF FEATURES WE DECIDE TO INCLUDE AND WHAT KIND OF MATERIALS WE DECIDE TO USE.

SO WITH THAT, I THINK I'LL OPEN IT UP TO QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD FOR MAX AND I AND OTHERS TO FIELD.

ALL RIGHT. WELL, THANK YOU FOR THAT. RECALL THAT OUR PRACTICE IS TO ASK QUESTIONS NOW, HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT AND THEN HAVE BOARD COMMENTS. SO WHO WANTS TO GO FIRST WITH QUESTIONS.

ALL RIGHT. GO AHEAD. THE LAST PART, COULD YOU JUST QUICKLY REPEAT THE CONSTRUCTION COST ESTIMATE? YOU SAID BETWEEN $500 AND $700,000. JUST TO CONFIRM.

YEAH. WE DON'T HAVE A CONSTRUCTION ESTIMATE YET, BUT JUST BASED ON, YOU KNOW WHAT WHAT WE'RE SEEING BOTH IN THE PARK DISTRICT AND OTHER AGENCIES BUILD SOME OF THESE NATURAL SURFACE, NARROW TRAILS.

THAT'S WHAT WE WOULD BE EXPECTING. BALLPARK. THAT'S PERFECT.

AND THEN JUST REAL QUICK. WHAT WOULD BE OUR ESTIMATE SHOULD THIS YOU KNOW, THIS BE APPROVED TODAY? WHAT WOULD BE THE TIMELINE FOR THE EIR? AND THEN AFTER THAT, WHAT WOULD BE THE ESTIMATED TIMELINE FOR CONSTRUCTION? YEAH. SO I THINK WE WOULD HOPE TO BRING AN EIR BACK BEFORE THE BOARD IN THE SPRING OF NEXT YEAR, 2026, WHICH WOULD LIKELY SET US UP TO SECURE ANY NEEDED PERMITS AND BEGIN CONSTRUCTION IN 2027 AT THE EARLIEST.

OKAY. AND THEN JUST REALLY SO THAT THAT KIND OF HELPS LEAD TO MY NEXT QUESTION IN TERMS OF THE PROJECT APPROVAL.

SO TODAY WE'RE APPROVING THE EIR. CORRECT. BUT WE'RE NOT NECESSARILY APPROVING THE PROJECT BECAUSE TO APPROVE THE PROJECT WE WOULD REVIEW THE EIR.

AND IT WAS AT THAT PHASE, WHETHER OR NOT THE PROJECT THEN GETS APPROVED AND FUNDING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION IS ALSO APPROVED.

YEAH. YOUR BOARD IS NOT APPROVING ANYTHING. YOU'RE DIRECTING STAFF TO WORK ON THE EIR.

OKAY. THAT'S HELPFUL. AND THEN I DO HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS ABOUT LAND USE PLANS.

REAL QUICK. I THINK THAT THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF SO I REALLY APPRECIATED THE SUMMARY THAT WAS GIVEN DURING THE PRESENTATION ON LAND USE PLANS. I THINK THAT WAS HELPFUL TO HEAR.

I DO THINK THAT THERE ARE A NUMBER OF LAND USE PLANS ACROSS ALL OF OUR DIFFERENT PARKS, AND IT MAY BE BENEFICIAL FOR US IN THE NEAR TERM TO CONSIDER DOING MAYBE A LAND USE PLAN 101 SESSION TO TALK ABOUT ALL OF THE DIFFERENT LAND USE PLANS, WHAT THEY ARE BECAUSE THEY ARE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE.

AND WE DO GET A NUMBER OF PUBLIC COMMENTS THAT WILL REFERENCE OUR LAND USE PLANS.

AND YOU KNOW, AS YOU MENTIONED, YOU KNOW, THERE'S GOING TO BE PROJECTS THAT WERE NOT ORIGINALLY ENVISIONED THAT WE MAY WANT TO ADD TO THE PARKS.

[01:00:05]

AND SO MY QUESTION IS, YOU KNOW, DO WE THINK THAT THAT COULD BE HELPFUL FOR US TO MAYBE ALSO OVER THE NEXT YEAR, IN PARALLEL TO THIS PROCESS OF WORKING ON THE EIR TO ALSO MAYBE HOLISTICALLY ACROSS THE PARK DISTRICT, THINK ABOUT LAND USE PLANS AND YOU KNOW, HOW THEY FIT IN IN TERMS OF YOU KNOW, OUR COMMUNICATION AND WORK WITH MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC? YEAH. I THINK THAT'S A GREAT SUGGESTION. WE CAN BRING AN INFORMATIONAL ITEM.

I'M JUST KIND OF THINKING OUT LOUD WHEN WE COME BACK WITH OUR NEXT UPDATE ON THE DISTRICT PLAN, WE CAN I THINK THAT'LL PROBABLY BE A GOOD VEHICLE FOR US TO DO A LITTLE 101 AROUND THE LAND USE PLANS SO WE CAN FOLLOW UP WITH BRIAN, AND I'LL JUST DO A QUICK COMMENT. I BELIEVE MAX AND I ARE MEETING AFTER THIS MEETING TO TALK ABOUT A DIFFERENT LAND USE PLAN, SO WE'LL HELP KEEP THE PROCESS MOVING FORWARD.

ALL RIGHT. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? GO AHEAD. SO I WENT AROUND THIS WITH MAX.

THANK YOU MAX, FOR ALL THE TIME THIS WEEK. THIS MONTH SINCE JULY 7TH.

I'M JUST TRYING TO UNDERSTAND AND CONFIRM. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS IS OUR FIRST PUBLIC HEARING AT THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

SO WE HAVE HAD APRIL 25TH WAS OVER 200 PEOPLE.

IT WAS INFORMATIONAL ONLY. AND TWO OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS WENT.

WE DID HAVE A TRAIL STUDY SESSION IN 2022, BUT THAT DECISIONS NEED TO GO BACK TO THE BOARD FOR APPROVAL.

WE DID HAVE MARCH. THE FIRST LINE SAYS IT DID COME TO THE BOARD FOR ALTERNATIVES, BUT THE FIRST LINE SAID INFORMATIONAL ONLY.

WE DID HAVE IT IN 2024 EXHIBIT C, LINE 14, A LINE ITEM IN OUR BUDGET ITEM, BUT IT WASN'T NOTICED AS A FLOW TRAIL PUBLIC HEARING. SO IT HASN'T BEEN TO THE PAC.

IT HASN'T BEEN TO A COMMITTEE. SO I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT THIS IS OUR FIRST PUBLIC HEARING, AND IT'S THE FIRST TIME THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS PUBLICLY NOTICED AND BEING ASKED TO MAKE A DECISION ON THIS PROJECT OTHER THAN UPDATES, INFORMATIONAL, THAT TYPE OF THING. I DON'T THINK THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING.

IT'S AN ACTION ITEM FOR YOUR BOARD. IT'S BEEN ON OTHER BOARD PART OF OTHER BOARD AGENDAS.

BUT IS THAT CORRECT? THAT'S CORRECT. TECHNICALLY IT'S THIS IS NOT A PUBLIC HEARING AS WOULD BE DEFINED FOR CERTAIN TYPES OF ACTIONS THAT YOU TAKE WHERE IT'S REQUIRED TO HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING. RIGHT. FOR A FEDERAL REGISTER.

I GUESS I'M USING THE WRONG TERM. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS MADE A DECISION ASKED TO MAKE A DECISION TO VOTE ON THIS ISSUE. WELL, IT'S BEEN PART OF YOUR BUDGET, WHICH YOUR BOARD APPROVED.

BUT AS I SAID, IT WAS DEFINITELY IN THERE IN THE ATTACHMENT C, BUT I GUESS AS A STANDALONE ACTION ITEM, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT THIS IS A STANDALONE ACTION.

I THINK I THINK THAT THERE WAS A CONTRACT AUTHORIZED TO DO THE CONSULTANT WORK AS WELL.

SO I THINK THERE HAVE BEEN, YOU KNOW, THERE HAVE BEEN VARIOUS TIMES, NO DOUBT THE BOARD HAS TAKEN ACTION AND I'M NOT SURE EXACTLY WHAT WHAT YOUR QUESTION IS.

WELL, I GUESS I JUST WANTED TO CONFIRM OR ASK.

I MEAN THIS AS WE ARE THE POLICY MAKERS. THAT'S WHAT I WAS ELECTED TO DO.

THIS IS MAYBE THIS. AND THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A LONG TIME.

I MEAN, IT'S EXCITING TO SEE THE ROOM FULL OF PEOPLE.

I JUST GOT TO SAY THAT I'M, YOU KNOW, I'M A POLICYMAKER.

AND TO GET THIS TYPE OF INTERESTING COMMITMENT AND 80 LETTERS WE HAD POURING IN.

THANK YOU. YOLANDA LATE INTO THE NIGHT FORWARDING ALL OF THOSE.

SO I THINK THE REASON, YOU KNOW, WE'RE SEEING SO MUCH IS BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE EXCITED TO HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO BE ENGAGED AND TO COMMENT.

AND GOING THROUGH IT I WAS LOOKING TO PREPARE MYSELF AS A POLICYMAKER OF WHAT WE HAD HEARD FROM OUR ADVISORY BOARDS, WHAT I HAD HEARD FROM THE COMMUNITY, WHAT I HAD HEARD.

AND SO I THINK, YOU KNOW, WE JUST NEED TO BE FAIR THAT IN THAT NARROW SCOPE OF HOW I'M DEFINING IT, THIS TRULY IS THE FIRST TIME IT'S BEEN AN AGENDA ITEM.

AND THAT'S WHY OUR ROOM IS FULL AND YOLANDA IS DEALING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WITH 80 COMMENTS.

SO SEPARATE FROM THAT, MY SO MY NEXT QUESTION IS HOW WERE THE USERS NOTIFIED OF THIS? IN MY MIND, FIRST SEPARATELY AGENDIZED ITEM, HOW WHAT WAS THE PUBLIC OUTREACH AND HOW WERE NEIGHBORS AND ETC.? HOW WERE ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS AND THE VOTERS AND PEOPLE INFORMED OF TODAY'S MEETING? WHAT WAS OUR PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PROCESS FOR TODAY.

IT WAS NO DIFFERENT THAN EVERY OTHER AGENDA ITEM THAT WE BRING TO YOUR BOARD.

[01:05:04]

THIS IS A BIG NEW PROJECT. IT'S EXCITING. IT DIDN'T EXIST WHEN WE HAD LAND USE PLANS.

WE DIDN'T HAVE BICYCLISTS. MY GODDAUGHTER IS AN AVID MOUNTAIN BICYCLIST.

SHE COULD BE HERE. SHE'D BE ADVOCATING ALONG WITH SOME OF THESE YOUTH FOR THIS PROJECT.

BUT I THINK IT'S A BIG CHANGE FOR NEIGHBORS. I WAS ORIGINALLY TOLD I'LL STAY UNANIMOUS IN THE COMMENT I WAS MADE, BUT I WAS TOLD BY ANOTHER DIRECTOR THAT THIS WAS JUST A REGULAR TRAIL AND IT WOULD BE CURVY, THAT THIS WAS JUST A REGULAR TRAIL. THERE'D BE NO BERMS, NO JUMPS.

THERE'S JUST ANOTHER TRAIL. SO I JUST THINK OPPORTUNITY.

I GUESS YOU ANSWERED MY QUESTION. I DON'T WANT TO COMMENT, BUT IT DOESN'T SEEM THAT ANY EXTRA EFFORT WAS DONE TO ENGAGE ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS AND ALL THE VOTERS AND ALL THE THOSE ARE NOTIFIED. WHEN STEPPING BACK.

WE'RE ALL UP HERE TO PROTECT THE PARKS, RIGHT? WE'RE NOT HERE TO APPROVE A 3,000 HOME DEVELOPMENT.

WE ALL WANT OUR PARKS. WE ALL WANT MORE PARKS.

WE ALL WANT MORE ACCESS TO PARKS. BUT IT'S NOT UNCOMMON TO TELL THE NEIGHBORS NEARBY IF THEY'RE GOING TO BE IMPACTED BY PARKING OR TO NOTICE WITHIN SO MANY FEET.

SO NONE OF THAT EXTRA WORK WAS, DONE TO DO ANY EXTRA NOTICING FOR THIS NEW USE, INTENSE RECREATIONAL USE OF OUR PARK.

IT'S A STANDARD. IT'S OKAY. IT'S BEEN AS NOTED IN SUZANNE'S.

CAN YOU HEAR ME? I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS WORKING AND NOTED IN SUZANNE'S PRESENTATION THERE WERE THERE'S BEEN LOTS OF OPPORTUNITIES SINCE THIS FIRST CAME FORWARD IN FRONT OF THIS BODY AND OTHER. WE DID HAVE A COMMUNITY MEETING WHERE I THINK OVER 200 PEOPLE DID ATTEND.

AND AS SUZANNE NOTED, I THINK THEIR PROXIMITY TO THE PARK THE PARTICIPANTS THERE AND REMEMBER, THIS IS JUST ANOTHER STEP IN THE PROCESS. SO THIS IS IF THE BOARD DOES GIVE US THE DIRECTION TO PROCEED FORWARD WITH DOING THE CEQA REVIEW. THERE WILL BE OPPORTUNITY AS PART OF THAT FORMAL PROCESS FOR THE PUBLIC TO WEIGH IN.

SO THIS IS NOT THE END OF THE PROCESS. I WOULD SAY THIS IS KIND OF WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE THIRD HERE.

IF THAT HELPS, KIND OF GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT OF PERSPECTIVE ON THERE WILL BE MORE OPPORTUNITY FOR DIFFERENT STAKEHOLDERS TO LET US KNOW WHAT THEY THINK THE IMPACTS ARE GOING TO BE. YEAH. I CAN ADD THAT THE MEETING THAT TOOK PLACE IN 2023 WAS NOTICED ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA.

IT WAS ON OUR WEBSITE. IT WAS ALSO POSTED IN AT THE ACCESS ENTRY POINTS OF THE PARK.

ALVARADO RIFLE RANGE, ALL ON THE NEIGHBORHOOD ACCESS TO THE NORTH INSPIRATION POINT, WHICH I THINK IS ONE REASON WHY WE DID GET SO MANY FOLKS ATTENDING THAT PARTICULAR MEETING. AND EXACTLY I THINK, YOU KNOW, AS WE'RE HERE NOW, THIS THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS FOR DOING AN EIR IS TO HAVE MORE OPPORTUNITY FOR FORMAL PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT.

WE ALSO HAVE A SURVEY THAT'S BEEN UP ON THE WEBSITE FOR PROBABLY A YEAR NOW THAT PEOPLE HAVE SUBMITTED COMMENTS ON THROUGH AS WELL.

DEFINITELY APPRECIATE ALL THAT I DO. LIKE I SAID, I JUST THINK AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL, AS A DECISION MAKING BODY, THIS IS THE FIRST AGENDA ITEM. SO I'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC ON THAT.

I'D LIKE TO HEAR MORE IMPACT. AND WE ARE THE COMMENT WE ARE A THIRD WAY THROUGH ACTUALLY CONCERNS ME HONESTLY.

I MEAN, I JUST WANT TO HEAR FROM THE PEOPLE IN THE ROOM AND HEAR MORE, WHICH I BELIEVE THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT'S BEEN AGENDIZED IN FRONT OF US.

I WHEN I FIRST GOT ELECTED AND WHEN I CAME FORWARD, WHICH YOU'RE ALL SAYING, NO WHERE THERE'S NO WE'VE HAD FOUR PUBLIC MEETINGS ON THIS.

THEY'RE NOT DECISION MAKING. MAYBE THE LEGAL.

I HAD THIS QUESTION EARLIER. WE CAN'T MAKE DECISIONS AT STUDY SESSIONS.

WE CAN'T MAKE DECISIONS AT INFORMATIONAL UPDATES.

IF IT'S NOT AGENDIZED WE CAN'T MAKE DECISIONS ON SPECIFIC PROJECTS WHEN THEY'RE A LINE ITEM IN EXHIBIT C.

SO SO THAT'S ALL I'M SAYING. YES. GO AHEAD. YEAH.

YEAH, I THINK THERE'S SOME INTEREST HERE IN HELPING YOU UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS YOU WANT TO I THINK I UNDERSTAND IT, I THINK STAFF'S ANSWERED MY QUESTION. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT'S BEEN AGENDIZED AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT WE HAVE AND WE'VE DONE THE PUBLIC NOTICE LIKE WE'VE DONE OTHER PUBLIC NOTICES. SO I'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC.

AND THEN I DO HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT THE DESIGN ITSELF, BUT THOSE ARE MY TWO QUESTIONS REGARDING THE PROCESS HANDLED TO DATE.

[01:10:04]

IF YOU HAVE MORE QUESTIONS, YOU CAN FEEL FREE TO ASK THEM RIGHT NOW.

THIS IS THE QUESTION TIME. OKAY. I GUESS SO. OVERALL, WHEN I FIRST JOINED THE BOARD AND RAN, I HEARD A LOT OF PEOPLE AND EVEN DURING OUR RETREAT SESSION AND THINGS THAT THE ELECTED OFFICIALS WOULD LIKE TO BE MORE INVOLVED AS POLICYMAKERS ALONG THE WAY AND BE GIVEN OPEN AND TRANSPARENT INFORMATION, WHETHER IT'S EVEN GOING TO SERVICE AWARDS, WHETHER WE'RE JUST HEARING A LOT OF THAT, THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO BE MORE INVOLVED IN THIS PROCESS AS WE WENT ALONG.

SO A LINK TO A POINT STRATEGIES REPORT. AND A TEENAGER WHO CALLED ME WHO POINTED OUT TO ME THAT THIS POINT STRATEGIES REPORT EXISTED WAS REALLY IMPORTANT INFORMATION. I FELT FOR THE STAFF REPORT.

AND I DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN PULL UP ONE OF THOSE EXHIBITS IN PARTICULAR.

I JUST HAD A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THE DESIGN, THE CONCEPTUAL DESIGN OF THE TRAIL AND AN INVENTORY OF ITS FEATURES. SURE. GO AHEAD AND ASK THE QUESTIONS.

SO I GUESS ON THE FIGURE IN THE POINT STRATEGY REPORT FM-1, I'LL BRING IT UP. THE POINT STRATEGIES THAT ARE DESIGN OF THE PROJECT THAT WERE. JUST FOR THE PUBLIC'S SAKE.

MAX OR SUZANNE, THIS IS A REPORT THAT'S BEEN POSTED ON OUR WEBSITE.

CORRECT? CORRECT. SO ON OUR ON THE PROJECT WEB PAGE, THERE'S A LINK TO AND THERE WAS A LINK IN THE BOARD LETTER THAT WENT TO EACH OF YOUR BOARD MEMBERS WITH A LINK TO THE PROJECT WEB PAGE. THE PROJECT WEB PAGE HAS THE PROJECT DESCRIPTION, THE INITIAL STUDY AND THE CONCEPTUAL DESIGN THAT ARE ALL PART OF THE BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS THAT MAKE UP WHAT WE'VE BEEN DESCRIBING TODAY.

SO SUZANNE'S BRINGING HAS THE POINT STRATEGIES, THE CONCEPTUAL DESIGN.

AND. COULD YOU REFERENCE THE FIGURE AGAIN, PLEASE? HOLD ON. MAY I ASK WHAT DOCUMENTS YOU'RE LOOKING AT? FM-1 IT'S THE SAME ONE, YOLANDA, THAT WE PRINTED FOR DIRECTOR DESCHAMBAULT LAST NIGHT.

YEAH. YEP. SO I'LL JUST START THE KEY UP. SO THIS IS REALLY NICE THAT WE HAVE THIS AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THIS AND WHAT I'M INTERESTED IN BEFORE WE DO AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT OR REFERRAL IS IF WE REALLY HAVE ALL AGREED AND THIS BOARD HAS WEIGHED IN ON HOW WE WANT IT TO LOOK LIKE.

SO THIS FM NUMBER ONE ITEM TALKS ABOUT 5 TO 15 ROLLERS OR UP TO 30 ROLLERS IN THIS ONE PARTICULAR SECTION OF THE TRAIL.

IT GOES ON TO SAY THAT IN FOR WATERSHED DESIGN, IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE ROLLER FEATURES BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER, TO HAVE DRAINAGE TO SHED THE WATER, THAT THIS DESIGN WOULD HAVE TO HAVE AT LEAST AN ADDITIONAL NINE BERM FEATURES IN THIS ONE SECTION OF THE PARK, AND THAT THE FEATURES WILL BE SET UP TO ALLOW THE USERS TO GAIN SPEED BY PUMPING OVER THE FEATURES AND AT THE SAME TIME CAN IMPROVE THE TRAIL DRAINAGE THAT WOULD HAVE 5 TO 15 ROLLER FEATURES IN THIS AREA.

A MINIMUM OF 18 AND UP TO A MAXIMUM OF 30 ROLLER FEATURES IN THIS ONE SECTION.

SO I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND IF WE HAVE DONE COLLECTED THE DATA WE NEED HERE FOR ASSESSING HOW THIS IS GOING TO IMPACT THE WATER QUALITY, THE DRAINAGE AND THE ISSUES. I KNOW NEIGHBORING HAVEY IS CLOSED FOR PART OF THE YEAR BECAUSE OF DRAINAGE ISSUES, SO THIS IS JUST ONE, BUT IT CAN BE APPLIED TO ANY OF THE OTHER SECTIONS.

SO THAT'S MY QUESTION OF HOW. SO WE'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT IF WE ALL AGREE THAT THIS IS A GOOD USE OF OUR LAND IF WE WANT TO GO FORWARD WITH THIS. AND I HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT BESIDES WHAT NOMAD DID ON VEGETATION AND WHAT POINT STRATEGIES HAS DONE HERE? HOW HAVE WE LOOKED AT PARTICULARLY WATER DRAINAGE WATERSHED? AND I WOULD ADD TO THAT ALSO GEOLOGIC CONCERNS.

SO WE HAVE A NEW USE FOR AN AREA THAT'S BEEN IDENTIFIED IN A LAND USE PLAN, WHETHER WE CHOOSE TO FOLLOW IT OR CONSIDERING A GUIDANCE

[01:15:03]

HOW WILL THOSE BE ADDRESSED, AND WILL THIS GO FORWARD TO THE EIR IN THIS MANNER AS WRITTEN? IS THIS POINT STRATEGY IS GOING TO GO FORWARD AND HAVE WHO'S GOING TO DO THE ASSESSMENT OF THE DRAINAGE, THE WATER, THE WATERSHED IMPACTS THE WATER QUALITY.

THE FEATURES THAT I SEE IN THIS ONE OF MANY FIGURES.

WELL, RIGHT NOW WE'RE JUST ASKING FOR THE DIRECTION TO START THAT WORK SCOPING THE EIR PART OF THAT'S LIKE FIGURING OUT WHAT ALL THE SCOPE OF WHAT WE'RE GOING TO STUDY IS. SO I DON'T KNOW THAT WE HAVE THAT ALL FIGURED OUT AT THIS POINT.

BUT ONE THING I CAN TELL YOU IS THAT THOSE ROLLER FEATURES HELP TO IMPROVE DRAINAGE ON TRAILS.

AND SO IT'S ACTUALLY A BEST PRACTICE TO INCLUDE GRADE REVERSALS ON TRAILS.

BECAUSE WHAT HAPPENS AND ACTUALLY THESE EXISTING THE LEONARDS TRAIL AND THE MIZZOU TRAIL ARE EXAMPLES OF REALLY POOR TRAIL DESIGN BECAUSE THERE ARE LIKE FALL LINE TRAILS THAT GO RIGHT DOWN WITH THE SLOPE AND TEND TO CAUSE EROSION.

THE TRAILS THAT ARE DESIGNED AS A PART OF THIS PROJECT ARE LESS STEEP THAN THOSE NEARBY TRAILS AND INTEGRATE THESE ROLLERS THAT HAVE THESE GRADE REVERSALS SO THAT WATER NATURALLY SHEDS OFF OF THE TRAIL.

BUT ALL LIKE THOSE ARE AMONG THE TYPES OF THINGS THAT WOULD BE STUDIED IN THE EIR.

AND, YOU KNOW, I THINK AT THIS POINT, WE'RE ASKING FOR DIRECTION TO MOVE FORWARD, TO SCOPE THAT AND BEGIN THAT WORK.

BUT WHO'S GOING TO DEFINE THE PROJECT? WHO'S GOING TO DETERMINE IF WE WANT THE 2 TO 10 JUMP FEATURES THAT ARE IDENTIFIED HERE, OR THE 18 OR 30 ROLLER FEATURES, OR THE BEFORE AND AFTER DRAINAGE ON THE TURNS VERSUS CUT DOWN THE NUMBER OF TURNS, I GUESS I DON'T UNDERSTAND. I THINK IT WAS SCOTT BARTLEBAUGH IN ONE OF HIS LETTERS.

I APPRECIATED A LINE ITEM. HE SAID HE WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE A CLEAR PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND A TIMELINE.

SO MAYBE EXPLAIN TO ME, WHEN DOES IT COME BACK TO US? AND WHEN YOU AND I SPOKE, YOU SAID, THIS IS THE TIME.

IF WE WANT TO AGREE, WE DON'T WANT JUMPS. THEN WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT TONIGHT, OKAY? WE DON'T WANT ANY JUMPS ON THIS TRAIL OR WE DON'T WANT 36 TURNS.

CAN YOU BRING IT DOWN TO 20 TURNS? I MEAN, WHEN DO WE DO THAT AS A DECISION MAKING BODY.

THIS IS ON THE AGENDA. CAN YOU WHEN DO WE MAKE THOSE DECISIONS? SURE. SO PART OF THE ROLE OF STAFF IS HELPING TO WORK WITH SOME OF THESE REPORTS TO DEFINE THE SCOPE OF ANY PROJECT, INCLUDING THIS PROJECT, THE CONCEPTUAL DESIGN.

AND IN THE ON THE WEBSITE IS THE PROJECT DESCRIPTION.

THE PROJECT DESCRIPTION IS WHAT INFORMS THE CEQA DOCUMENT.

THAT'S THE SCOPE OF WHAT THE PROJECT IS THAT WE'RE EXPECTING TO EVALUATE THE YOU KNOW, I THINK HAVING THIS AS AN ITEM FROM YOUR BOARD, WE DO GET TO HEAR FROM YOU ALL AS BOARD MEMBERS, I ASSUME THAT AFTER PUBLIC COMMENTS THERE'S OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUR BOARD TO PROVIDE COMMENT, AND IF THERE'S A DESIRE FOR THE FULL BOARD TO PROVIDE SOME DIRECTION ABOUT THE WAY STAFF IS APPROACHING THIS PROJECT, THAT COULD BE PART OF YOUR MOTION. SO THIS YOU KNOW, THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUR BOARD TO POTENTIALLY PROVIDE DIRECTION.

IF THERE'S A WAY THAT YOU WANT THIS PROJECT TO LOOK, THAT COULD BE PART OF IT, I THINK LYNNE.

YEAH, AND I WOULD JUST ADD THAT YOU REALLY AT THIS POINT IN THIS STAGE, IT'S SO EARLY AND THE WORK OF THE CONSULTANT HASN'T BEEN DONE.

YOU REALLY DON'T WANT TO LIKE, COMMIT YOURSELF TO ANY PARTICULAR VIEW.

YOU WANT TO GET THE ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENT, REVIEW IT AND THEN APPROVE OR NOT APPROVE.

BUT RIGHT NOW WE'RE JUST IN THE INFORMATION GATHERING STAGE.

AND YOU KNOW, THE BEST THING YOU WANT TO DO IS JUST LET THAT PROCESS HAPPEN.

AND YOU CAN GIVE COMMENTS ABOUT WHAT YOU THINK GENERALLY ABOUT THE PROJECT, BUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL WORK HAS NOT ACTUALLY HAPPENED YET.

THE INITIAL STUDY OCCURRED, BUT THE EIR IS STILL OUT THERE TO BE DONE.

YOU DON'T WANT TO PREJUDGE IT, BUT THE PROJECT'S GOING TO DRIVE IT.

LET ME GIVE ANOTHER EXAMPLE. THEY HAVE TO HAVE A PROJECT DESCRIPTION IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO STUDY IT.

RIGHT. SO I THINK THAT'S WHERE I'M ASKING ABOUT THE PROJECT DESCRIPTION.

MAYBE YOU MENTIONED I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S IN A MOTION, BUT THERE'S ANOTHER SECTION HERE.

I ADDRESS THE HYDRO ANALYSIS, THE WATERSHED, THE DRAINING AND ALL OF THAT.

[01:20:01]

LET ME GIVE THE NEXT EXAMPLE IS WHAT DATA HAS BEEN COLLECTED ON THE GEOTECHNICAL AND THE GRADING PERMITS OF SORTS.

I DON'T SEE I'M A SOIL SCIENTIST. I DON'T SEE WHAT THE SOIL TYPES ARE IN HERE OR THE AREAS, BUT THERE IS A SECTION IN HERE. LET'S SEE IF I CAN FIND IT.

WHERE IT DISCUSSES THAT THE BOULDERS RECOMMENDED ARE TWO MEN OR THREE MAN BOULDERS WHICH ARE BETWEEN 1000 AND 2000 POUNDS OF ROCK SIZE IS WHAT THEY'RE RECOMMENDING TO STABILIZE THE TRAIL.

SO WHEN WE DECIDE THIS, IS THERE AN AREA MAYBE WE WANT TO MOVE A TRAIL TO THAT'S CLOSER TO THOSE ROCKS? OR DO WE WANT TO DECIDE IF IT'S HEAVY EQUIPMENT THAT'S GOING TO BRING IN THOSE ROCKS? IS IT GOING TO BE QUARRIED FOR THOSE ROCKS? SO JUST STANDING BACK TO THIS AREA, WE'RE AVOIDING TARPLANT.

THAT'S GREAT. BUT THIS IS STILL ALAMEDA WHIPSNAKE AREA AND THIS IS STILL RED LEGGED FROG AREA.

SO WHEN DOES THAT DECISION GET DONE WHEN WE LOOK AT FOR INSTANCE LOOK AT CN-1, WHICH LISTS THE PROJECT SPECIFICS LIKE ITEM FIVE SAYS THAT CONSTRUCTION IS GOING TO USE MATERIALS, STOCKPILE AND BORROW PITS LOCATIONS.

SO THE IMPACT, THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF DOING AN EIR HAS TO FIRST IDENTIFY THE PROJECT TO DETERMINE WHERE ARE THESE SOILS, THESE ROCKS, THESE 2,000 POUND BOULDERS, THESE BORROW SOILS ARE GOING TO COME FROM.

IN NUMBER EIGHT IT TALKS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, TREES BEING REMOVED.

AND NUMBER 12 IT TALKS ABOUT, DEPENDING UPON THE NUMBER OF TURNS, THE REMAINING MATERIALS WILL BE SPREAD OUT ALONG EITHER SIDE OF THE TRAIL AND STABILIZED WITHIN SEVEN DAYS OF CONSTRUCTION, NOT TO EXCEED FOUR INCHES IN DEPTH.

SO THERE'S A SPREADING OF SOILS. SO THERE'S A LOT OF DETAIL IN HERE THAT DOES GO BACK TO HOW MANY BERMS, HOW MANY TURNS, HOW MANY JUMPS. WHERE IS THE PROJECT.

SO I'M STILL NOT BUYING IN. LET THE PROCESS UNFOLD THROUGH THE EIR WE'RE THE DECISION MAKERS.

YEAH I THINK THE PROJECT IS DESCRIBED BOTH IN THE PROJECT DESCRIPTION, WHICH IS A WRITTEN DOCUMENT.

AND THEN ALSO IN THIS CONCEPTUAL DESIGN, THE, YOU KNOW, THOSE DESCRIPTIONS THAT YOU WERE JUST REFERENCING, THOSE ARE GENERAL CONSTRUCTION LIKE YOU KNOW, REFERENCE POINTS.

SO LIKE, I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY TREES THAT ARE TO BE REMOVED AS A PART OF THIS PROJECT USING STONE FOR USING BOULDERS FOR ROCK FOR RETAINING WALLS. THAT'S A NORMAL PART OF ALMOST ALL OF OUR TRAIL PROJECTS.

WE TYPICALLY DON'T QUARRY ANY ROCK ON OUR OWN LAND.

WE HAUL IT ALL IN. THAT'S HOW WE DO ALMOST ALL OF OUR TRAIL CONSTRUCTION AND REPAIR PROJECTS.

IT'S A NORMAL PART OF HOW OUR WORK TAKES PLACE.

SO CAN YOU PUT UP CI-3? SURE. I THINK THE THING IS, IS WE WERE UNDERSTANDING IN MY CONVERSATIONS WITH OUR OTHER DIRECTORS TOO, WAS THAT THIS WAS JUST A TRAIL. BUT THIS IS A GOOD EXAMPLE.

A GOOD CONCEPTUAL DESIGN OF THIS ISN'T A TYPICAL TRAIL.

AND WE TYPICALLY BRING IN AND WE TYPICALLY SUPPORT AND WE TYPICALLY THIS SHOWS HOW UNDER THOSE BUMPS ARE SOME OF THOSE WOOD FEATURES THAT HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED.

WOOD OR METAL FEATURES THAT ARE ON TOP OF THE SOIL.

AND THEN WILL NEED TO BE COATED WITH DIRT AND SOIL.

SO THERE IS SOME A LOT MORE GRADING CHANGES YOU CAN SEE IN THIS PICTURE.

I CAN SEE 1,2,3,4,5, SIX, SEVEN, EIGHT, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 19, 20, 20.

20 ROLLERS. SO THAT'S GOING TO NEED SOIL AND MATERIAL UNDER IT TO GIVE THOSE 20 ROLLERS.

SO DO WE AS A BOARD TONIGHT SAY WE DON'T WANT 20 ROLLERS.

MAYBE WE WANT TO MAKE IT A LITTLE SMALLER. MAYBE WE ONLY WANT 10 OR 5 FIVE OR I MEAN, LET'S LOOK, BUT I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY CUBIC FEET ARE GOING TO BE REQUIRED TO GET TO THAT PICTURE TO GIVE THE KIDS THE BIKE EXPERIENCE THAT THEY WANT WITH THESE 20 ROLLING FEATURES. AND WHERE IS THAT SOIL GOING TO COME FROM AND HOW? I'M SORRY, I'M JUST MISSING SOMETHING. HOW CAN WE DO AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT WHEN WE DON'T KNOW IF IT'S GOING TO HAVE THESE 20 ROLLERS OR NOT? AND THIS IS OUR FIRST HEARING TODAY AND I CAN KEEP TALKING.

AND I'M PROBABLY DRIVING MY FELLOW DIRECTORS CRAZY.

BUT IT'S A COMBINATION OF HYDROGEOLOGY, GEOLOGY, AND A GEOTECHNICAL REVIEW.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT WE'RE PUTTING FORWARD TODAY FOR AN EIR WHEN WE HAVE THESE HUGE DECISIONS IN FRONT OF US.

[01:25:03]

GREAT. APPROVE IT, SEND IT FORWARD. WE'LL FIGURE THAT ALL OUT LATER.

SO, PRESIDENT MERCURIO, IF I COULD MAYBE TEE THIS UP BECAUSE I THINK NOW I'M VERY LOUD.

IT'S WORKING. IT'S WORKING. SO AND IT'D BE GREAT IF ASSISTANT GENERAL COUNSEL JASON ROSENBERG, MAYBE IF YOU COULD GIVE A LITTLE BIT OF AN OVERVIEW OF KIND OF HOW THIS WORKS AND THE PROJECT THAT IS, THAT WILL BE ANALYZED AS A PART OF THIS, THIS DOES NOT LOCK IN PARTICULAR TURNS, PARTICULAR ROLLERS, ETC.. IT WILL LOOK AT THE PROPOSED PROJECT AS IT SITS HERE.

BUT THIS BY NO MEANS DOES THIS LOCK US INTO A FINAL PROJECT DESIGN.

YEAH. THAT'S CORRECT. THANK YOU. JASON ROSENBERG, ASSISTANT GENERAL COUNSEL I JUST WANTED TO KIND OF TAKE A STEP BACK BECAUSE DIRECTOR DESCHAMBAULT IS ASKING GOOD QUESTIONS ABOUT THE DETAILS OF THE BERMS AND THE ROLLERS.

BUT WHERE WE'RE AT TODAY IS, I THINK, YOU KNOW, IS TO APPROVE A NOTICE OF PREPARATION THAT WILL THEN START THE PROCESS FOR STAFF TO WORK WITH ITS CONSULTANT, TO DO AN EIR THAT WILL FULLY ANALYZE ALL THE IMPACTS OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT, AND THE WAY THAT THE CEQA PROCESS WORKS, IS THAT THE NOTICE OF PREPARATION IS BASED OFF OF THE INITIAL STUDY AND THE PROJECT DESCRIPTION, WHICH WAS ON THE WEBSITE, AND THE PROJECT DESCRIPTION DESCRIBES THE PROJECT, THE TRAIL LENGTH, THE DETAIL, THE EXISTENCE OF ROLLERS. THIS STRATEGIC I MEAN SORRY, THIS CONCEPTUAL PLAN THAT POINT STRATEGIES PREPARED IS REALLY KIND OF THIS MENU OF POTENTIAL OPTIONS. THAT IS WHEN YOU ANALYZE IT UNDER CEQA, YOU'RE GOING TO PROBABLY ANALYZE MORE ROLLERS THAN YOU'RE GOING TO DO BECAUSE IT ANALYZES THE FULL IMPACT. SO YOU HAVE THE MOST IMPACTS POSSIBLE SO THAT WHEN YOU COME UP WITH MITIGATION MEASURES, YOU'RE FULLY INCORPORATING ALL POTENTIAL IMPACTS.

SO FOR EXAMPLE, THE EIR CONSULTANT WILL LOOK AT 36 ROLLERS.

BUT IN REALITY WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO 36 ROLLERS.

BUT IT'S GOING TO ANALYZE THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF IMPACT TO GIVE THE STAFF MAXIMUM FLEXIBILITY IN THE PROJECT THAT'S ULTIMATELY CONSTRUCTED.

THIS IS JUST THE ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENT THAT DISCLOSES THE IMPACTS AND ALLOWS STAFF TO COME UP WITH MITIGATION MEASURES THAT THE BOARD WILL THEN ULTIMATELY ADOPT WHEN IT CONSIDERS THE EIR. SO FOR THIS PROCESS, FOR EXAMPLE, WITH THE INITIAL STUDY, IT CAME UP WITH INITIAL MITIGATION MEASURES THAT WERE GOING TO INITIALLY MITIGATE SOME OF THIS SOIL EROSION, GROUNDWATER ISSUES.

IT'S THE STANDARD PRACTICE. IT IDENTIFIES THAT, I BELIEVE.

GIVE ME ONE SECOND HERE AS LIKE IT'S OUR STANDARD HYDROLOGY MITIGATION MEASURE.

IT IMPLEMENTS BEST STORMWATER PRACTICES. THAT'S THE STANDARD.

WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT AT A MINIMUM AS THE PROPOSED EIR MITIGATION MEASURES.

BUT THIS STUDY WILL ALLOW STAFF TO IDENTIFY FURTHER MITIGATION MEASURES THAT ARE NECESSARY AND FEASIBLE TO INCORPORATE INTO THE PROJECT.

SO THIS IS REALLY A VERY PRELIMINARY STEP. THIS NOTICE OF PREPARATION IS NORMALLY A STAFF LEVEL DECISION AND DOCUMENT.

BUT BECAUSE OF THIS LEVEL OF INTEREST, STAFF THOUGHT TO BE APPROPRIATE FOR THE BOARD TO WEIGH IN AND SAY YES, GO AHEAD AND PREPARE THE NOP. AND WHILE YOU'RE AT IT, YOU KNOW, PLEASE CONSIDER THE SCOPE OF YOU KNOW THAT.

SO THAT'S KIND OF WHERE WE'RE AT TODAY. BUT IT'S, YOU KNOW, THESE THINGS ARE ALL GOING TO BE CONSIDERED AND IT'S JUST GOING TO COME AS PART OF THE EIR IF THE BOARD DIRECTS US TO GO FORWARD AND PREPARE THE.

BECAUSE JUST AND ALSO LET ME TAKE ANOTHER STEP BACK.

THE NOP JUST STARTS THE PROCESS AND NOP IS A NOTICE OF PREPARATION THAT WILL GET PUBLICLY ISSUED.

IT'LL GET SENT TO THE STATE CLEARINGHOUSE, AND ALL THE RESPONSIBLE AGENCIES WILL BE ABLE TO REVIEW IT AND COMMENT ON IT. AT THAT POINT, THE SCOPE IS SET, AND THEN THE STAFF WILL THEN DO AN ANALYSIS BASED ON THE SCOPE THAT IS PREPARED FOLLOWING THIS NOTICE OF PREPARATION.

SO THERE WILL BE A PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD THAT IS REQUIRED BY CEQA THAT WILL BE WITHIN THIS PERIOD.

AND THEN THERE'LL BE A DRAFT EIR COMMENTS WILL BE CONSIDERED.

THE BOARD WILL THEN HAVE A FINAL EIR TO CONSIDER.

SO THAT'S, YOU KNOW, DOWN THE LINE. SO WE'RE REALLY AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS PROCESS.

AND THIS IS YOU KNOW, I THINK A LITTLE BIT OF IT IS OVERWHELMING BECAUSE THIS IS A TON OF INFORMATION THAT YOU'RE GETTING THAT IS SOMETIMES, YOU KNOW, NOT UNTIL THE END WHEN YOU HAVE AN EXACT IDENTIFIED PROJECT, WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS, THIS AND THIS. WE'RE DOING A BROAD SWATH NOW TO REALLY UNDERSTAND ALL POTENTIAL IMPACTS.

SO WE DON'T KNOW IF THE TRAIL IS REALLY ONLY GOING TO BE 0.75 MILES LONG, WE CAN DECIDE THAT LATER.

SO RIGHT NOW THAT IT CROSSES THE TRAIL, CROSSES MIZZOU TRAIL TWICE.

AND IT EXPLAINS IN THE REPORT THAT THERE'S A MINIMUM NUMBER OF THINGS THAT ARE NEEDED FOR SAFETY WHEN IT APPROACHES MIZZOU TRAIL.

IT SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT YOU NEED TO USE A THREE ROLLERS FEATURE, BECAUSE EXPERIENCED BIKE RIDER KNOWS THAT TWO

[01:30:03]

SO THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN TWICE ON THIS TRAIL WHERE WE HAVE TO HAVE THREE ROLLERS PUT IN, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THE BICYCLISTS KNOW IS TO SLOW DOWN.

SO BUT WHAT IF WE DECIDE WE WANT THREE ROLLERS ELSEWHERE? LET'S SAY THAT ALL BICYCLISTS UNDERSTAND THE TRAIL'S COMING THREE ROLLERS.

WE SHOULD SLOW DOWN. AND MAYBE INSTEAD OF THE MINIMUM OF 15, WE'RE LIKE, YOU KNOW WHAT? WE WANT TO PUT IN A FEW MORE THREE ROLLERS IN HERE TO SLOW THIS DOWN BECAUSE STRAVA HAS SHOWN THE AVERAGE MILE PER HOUR IS 24MPH ON FLOW TRAILS. SO WHERE DO WE ACTUALLY GET TO THE POINT WHERE WE SIT DOWN AND SAY WE WANT MORE THREE ROLLERS OR NO, THREE ROLLERS, OR MAYBE WE DON'T WANT IT TO CROSS MIZZOU.

MAYBE WE WANT THE TRAIL TO BE SHORTER. MY EXPERIENCE AS A POLICYMAKER, MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBER WAS THAT ONCE IT GOES TO THE EIR, WE KNOW WHETHER WE'RE ASKING FOR 3000 HOUSES OR 173 HOUSES.

SO IN THIS CASE, IF AS WE DISCUSS THIS AND WE GET INTO THIS AND I CAN TALK TO MY FELLOW COUNCIL MEMBERS, WHAT DO WE REALLY WANT IT TO CROSS MIZZOU TWICE, OR IS THERE A WAY MAYBE NOT TO CROSS MIZZOU AT ALL? OR MAYBE WE CAN STOP IT SOONER? OR MAYBE WE NEED MORE THREE ROLLERS TO SLOW DOWN.

MAYBE WE DON'T WANT ANY TWO ROLLERS BECAUSE MAYBE WE DON'T WANT TO ENCOURAGE BIKING.

WHEN DOES THAT HAPPEN? IF IT'S STILL A I'M SORRY, MAYBE I SHOULD JUST STOP AND MOVE ON TO MY NEXT QUESTION BECAUSE I'M NOT GETTING THE ANSWER I WANT, AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHEN THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

DID YOU HAVE A QUESTION? I'M LIKE, I'M SORRY.

WHEN WILL WE DECIDE ON THE INVENTORY NUMBER? IF YOU CAN YOU PULL UP F0-1 FOR ME? SURE. AND I GUESS TO BE CLEAR, LIKE YOUR BOARD, LIKE I MENTIONED BEFORE, WHEN YOUR BOARD MAKES A MOTION, YOU CAN PROVIDE SOME DIRECTION ALONG WITH THAT MOTION IF THERE'S SOMETHING THAT YOUR BOARD AGREES ON IS YOU WANT THE PROJECT TO LOOK MORE ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.

BUT ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT THROUGH THIS PROCESS, THERE'LL BE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT LATER ON AS WELL.

IF IT'S ANY I DON'T KNOW IF THE CONSOLATION IS THE RIGHT WORD, BUT IF IT'S ANY REASSURANCE TO YOU.

I HAVE SEVERAL THINGS ON HERE. WHEN I COME TO THE COMMENT SECTION, I'M GOING TO SAY, I DON'T WANT THAT.

I DON'T WANT THIS, YOU KNOW, AND I'VE GOT IT WRITTEN DOWN HERE ALREADY RIGHT NOW.

UNLESS, OF COURSE, UNLESS HE, HE CONVINCES ME OTHERWISE OR SOMEBODY DOES.

BUT I MEAN, I'M KIND OF LEANING A CERTAIN WAY ABOUT THAT.

SO YOU CAN, YOU CAN MAKE THOSE COMMENTS. AND ALSO LET ME REMIND YOU THAT WE HAVE OVER 30 FOLKS THAT WANT TO SPEAK.

AND IF THEY EACH HAVE THREE MINUTES, THAT'S AN HOUR AND A HALF, I KNOW, BUT I'M JUST GIVING YOU THAT INFORMATION SO THAT YOU HAVE EVERYTHING TO GO ON.

YOU ARE THE ONE WHO ENCOURAGED ME TO KEEP GOING. SO FO-1. [APPLAUSE] I AM BUT I'M ALSO GIVING YOU SOME BACKGROUND AS TO WHAT WE'RE DEALING WITH HERE.

THAT'S ALL I'M DOING. BELIEVE ME, I KNOW. AND I WANT YOU TO CONTINUE.

SO LET'S LOOK AT F0-1 BRIEFLY. AND IT'S STILL A QUESTION.

FP-1 OR F0-1. OKAY. OKAY. THAT ONE. YEP.

SO AGAIN SIMILAR. MY QUESTION IS WHEN WE GO THROUGH AND WE START TO PICK AND IT BUILDS ON THE LAST ONE WHETHER WE WANT DOUBLE OR TRIPLE ROLLER AS A TABLETOP JUMP VERSUS A STEP UP TABLETOP AND ALL OF THAT.

MY QUESTION IS THE NUMBER OF THOSE HAS NOT YET BEEN DECIDED BECAUSE THE REPORT SAYS SPECIFICALLY IN THIS CONCEPTUAL DESIGN, THAT IT HAS TO HAVE A MINIMUM OF CERTAIN ONES, BUT EVEN MINIMUM, THAT HAS NOT BEEN DECIDED.

WE DON'T HAVE AN INVENTORY OF WHICH OF THESE ARE ON OUR TRAIL AND HOW MANY OF THEM? SO THIS IS A CONCEPTUAL DESIGN. SO THIS IS A RECOMMENDATION FOR WHAT COULD BE DONE IN THIS AREA.

AND THIS IS YOU KNOW, THEIR DESIGN. THEY RECOMMEND THESE THRESHOLDS OF MINIMUMS AND MAXIMUMS IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN PROVIDING AN EXPERIENCE THAT IS ATTRACTIVE ENOUGH TO TO DRAW RIDERS THERE, BUT ALSO, YOU KNOW, WITH WIGGLE ROOM FOR THE PARK DISTRICT AND THE BOARD TO DECIDE HOW AGGRESSIVE OR NOT WE WANT TO BE WITH THIS TRAIL. THERE'S ALSO LANGUAGE IN HERE THAT DISCUSSES YOU KNOW, IF THERE WAS SOMETHING THAT NO OBSTACLE WILL REQUIRE WHEELS TO LEAVE THE GROUND.

SO IF THERE WAS, YOU KNOW, MANY OF THE FEATURES THAT WE'VE LOOKED AT, INCLUDING AND THAT ARE INCLUDED IN A TRAIL LIKE CROCKET HILLS ARE FEATURES THAT EXPERIENCED RIDERS CAN APPROACH AND GET AIR, AND PEOPLE WITH LESS EXPERIENCE OR WHO ARE LESS COMFORTABLE CAN ROLL OR RIDE OVER THOSE

[01:35:04]

OR THERE WOULD BE RIGHT AROUND, YOU KNOW, OPTIONS WHERE YOU CAN BYPASS THAT FEATURE IF THERE WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS INTIMIDATING TO YOU, AND THE GRADE OF THE TRAIL HAS BEEN DESIGNED AT ABOUT A 5 TO 7% IN ORDER TO ACCOMMODATE AND CONTOURS THE HILLSIDE TO ACCOMMODATE THAT HILLSIDE HYDROLOGY.

AND THEN, OF COURSE, WE'LL HAVE TO STRATEGICALLY, YOU KNOW, IMPLEMENT AND DISCUSS DRAINAGE AND MATERIALS AROUND THE FEATURES TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO PROVIDE ADEQUATE TRAINING IN THOSE AREAS.

BUT THAT'S PART OF OUR SUSTAINABLE DESIGN APPROACH.

AND THE LAST THING I'LL SAY ABOUT THE DESIGN IS THAT AT THE END OF THESE, YOU MIGHT RECALL THAT I MENTIONED THERE WOULD BE FENCING AROUND KIND OF FOR MORE FEATURE INTENSE AREAS. AND TO GET IN AND OUT OF THOSE FENCED AREAS, YOU'LL HAVE A ROLLOVER GATE.

WE'VE GOT THESE INSTALLED IN BRIONES AND WE'VE GOT THEM INSTALLED IN CROCKETT.

AND THAT'S ANOTHER FEATURE THAT HELPS SLOW RIDERS AS THEY ENTER AN AREA THAT MAY INTERSECT WITH MIZZOU OR THAT IS, YOU KNOW, OPEN GRAZING LAND FORCES FOLKS TO SLOW DOWN, CHECK THEIR BRAKES AS THEY EXIT AND ENTER THOSE FEATURE MORE FEATURE HEAVY AREAS.

THANK YOU FOR THAT. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR PATIENCE.

I'LL SWITCH AWAY FROM HYDRO-GEO AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUST FOR A MINUTE AND I'LL MAKE THIS MY LAST COMMENT.

I DO WANT TO HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC, BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I AM REALLY INTERESTED IN IS USER DATA.

I KNOW WE DON'T KNOW WHETHER WE HAVE 10% BIKERS OR 40% BIKERS, BUT I THINK WE MOSTLY KNOW WE PROBABLY HAVE 80 TO 90% HIKERS IN THE AREA.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THIS INTENSIVE, CONCENTRATED AREA IT'S VERY CLEAR THE PLAN IS THIS TO BE A WORLD RENOWNED TRAIL.

THEY MENTIONED THE NICA MENTIONS THEY HAVE OVER 1000 RIDERS AND 30 STATES.

THEY'RE VERY EXCITED THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO HAVE REGIONALS HOSTED HERE IN THE AREA.

I CAN SEE THAT MIZZOU TRAIL TALKING TO THE TWO TEAMS I TALKED TO IS GOING TO BE THE UP ROUTE.

IT'S CLEAR AND I'VE BEEN TOLD BY STUDENTS THEY E-ASSIST ON THE WAY UP AND THEN THEY COME DOWN.

THEY E-ASSIST ON THE WAY UP. THEY COME DOWN. SO WE'RE CLOSING, LEONARD.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE BASICALLY THAT ROUTE. I'M INTERESTED IN THE NUMBER OF RIDERS.

SOME OF THE COMMENTS WE RECEIVED TALKED ABOUT HOW THEY HAVE SIX VEHICLES GOING OUT TO CROCKETT HILLS EVERY WEEK, AND THEY'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO STAYING LOCAL.

SO I'M JUST WONDERING WHAT STUDIES WE'VE DONE AND HOW MANY OF THESE.

AND WE GOT A PETITION FROM 2400 STUDENTS WHO WANT TO USE IT.

SO WHEN I'M LOOKING AT THIS SMALL CORRIDOR AND UP AND DOWN ZIPPING ESS, AND I WAS TOLD BY THE TWO STUDENTS I TALKED TO, THEY LIKE TO DO IT 2 OR 3 TIMES A DAY. SO THEY LIKE TO COME DOWN, GO UP, TRY IT AGAIN AND HONE THEIR SKILLS.

GO UP, TRY IT. SEE IF THEY CAN DO BETTER, INCREASE THEIR TIME.

INCREASE THEIR SPEED. THERE'S OVER 5000 REPORTS THAT ARE OVER 24MPH ON HAVEE TRAIL NOW.

SO I JUST MORE ON USER DATA SAFETY PLANNING AND EVACUATION.

IF ONE OF THESE KIDS HURTS THEMSELVES OUT THERE YOU KNOW, HOW ARE WE GOING TO DEAL WITH THIS INCREASE IN NUMBERS AND OVERALL? THAT'S A COMMENT. THAT'S NOT A QUESTION. SO WHAT DO WE HAVE ON THE DATA? THE NUMBERS AND EVERYONE'S TALKING TO ANOTHER LETTER SAID THAT THEY USUALLY TRAVEL TO MARIN, SANTA CRUZ AN NORTH BAY, SO THEY'RE EXCITED TO STAY LOCAL.

THE SIX VEHICLES ARE LOCAL, THE THOUSAND RIDERS IN 30 STATES, THE 2400 PETITIONERS.

WHAT HAVE WE ESTIMATED THE USERS ARE ON THIS TRAIL, WHAT'S THE DATA? SO YOUR QUESTION IS, DO WE HAVE AN ESTIMATE OF THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO WOULD USE THE TRAIL? I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE. ANTICIPATED FOR THIS, THIS NEW FEATURE THAT.

YEAH, THAT MIGHT BE PART OF WHAT WE ANALYZE. OKAY.

BUT I DON'T KNOW THAT WE HAVE THAT AT THIS POINT.

AND EMERGENCY EVACUATION PLANS, IF ONE OF THE KIDS HURTS THEMSELVES.

SOMEBODY IS INJURED. YEAH. THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE ALWAYS ARE LOOKING AT OPERATIONALLY.

OKAY. I DON'T HAVE ANY MORE QUESTIONS RIGHT NOW.

THANK YOU. YES. I WANT TO HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC.

I HAVE JUST A VERY QUICK QUESTION. SO THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF TALK ABOUT THE SPEEDS ON THE TRAILS.

AND OBVIOUSLY THAT'S AN IMPORTANT AREA TO CONSIDER, YOU KNOW, BUT MY UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THE TRAIL WAS DESIGNED, THAT IT WILL ACTUALLY BE SAFER AND SLOWER THAN THE DOWNHILL FIRE TRAILS THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE AND THAT THERE WOULD BE AN AVERAGE SPEED OF MORE LIKE 12MPH, MAYBE 15. BUT COULD STAFF WEIGH IN ON THAT? AND JUST DO YOU GUYS HAVE A SENSE FOR WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT? I BET EVEN LESS THAN 15. YEAH. I THINK PART OF HOW THESE TRAILS ARE DESIGNED IS THAT THEY'RE TECHNICALLY CHALLENGING.

AND SO YOU HAVE TO GO RELATIVELY SLOW TO NAVIGATE THEM.

[01:40:01]

THE RIDERS ARE ABLE TO GET A LOT MORE SPEED GOING DOWN A TRAIL LIKE LEONARD OR MIZZOU, WHERE IT'S, YOU KNOW, PRETTY OPEN LINE OF SIGHT AND WIDE OPEN, STEEP TRAIL.

THEY'RE ABLE TO BUILD UP A LOT MORE SPEED IN THAT KIND OF A SCENARIO THAN IN THIS KIND OF A SCENARIO.

ALL RIGHT. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? YES. DIRECTOR WAESPI.

YEAH. JUST BRIEFLY. THIS HAS BEEN VERY INTERESTING.

I DIDN'T REALIZE IT WAS GOING TO BE THIS SOPHISTICATED OR THE PLAN WAS WITH BUMPS AND BERMS, ETC.. CROCKETT HILLS WHAT'S IT LOOK LIKE COMPARED TO CROCKETT HILLS? IT IS MY OPINION CROCKETT HILLS WAS BERMS AND KIND OF NONE OF THIS BUILT ENVIRONMENT.

IS IT, AM I CORRECT IN THAT ASSUMPTION? YES. CROCKETT HILLS DOES NOT HAVE ANY, YOU KNOW, PREFABRICATED FEATURES OR ALL SOFT OR DIRT FEATURES.

CROCKETT HILLS DOES HAVE TABLETOPS. IT DOES HAVE SOME ROLLERS.

AND IT DOES HAVE BERM TURNS. WHEN IT WAS INITIALLY BUILT THEY WERE A LITTLE BIT BIGGER.

AND THEY OF COURSE, YOU KNOW, IN TIME THEY'VE GOTTEN A LITTLE BIT SMALLER. AND OUR STAFF HAS WORKED. AND WITH BICYCLE TRAILS COUNCIL OF THE EAST BAY TO PUT TOGETHER A PRETTY BEEF UP OUR MAINTENANCE ON THOSE TO KEEP THOSE FEATURES IN GOOD SHAPE.

BUT A LOT OF THESE FEATURES ARE INCLUDED IN SOMETHING LIKE CROCKETT HILLS.

I'D SAY THE DESIGN WAS MAYBE LESS INTENTIONAL IN THE FOCUS OF CREATING SEGMENTS AND CREATING A PROGRESSIVE DESIGN WHERE IT STARTS OFF EASIER AND INCREASES IN DIFFICULTY AS YOU GET DOWN, BUT ALL OF THESE FEATURES ARE INCLUDED IN THAT TRAIL, IN THOSE TRAIL SYSTEMS. THANK YOU. AND SO AND THEN ANOTHER QUESTION, JUST REALLY QUICKLY, OPERATIONALLY, HAS ANYBODY TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION WHAT IT'S GOING TO COST TO OPERATE THIS? I MEAN, YOU HAVE A BUILT ENVIRONMENT.

YOU HAVE I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO THIS RIGHT NOW, BUT YOU HAVE A LOT OF OPPOSITION TO THIS. IT'S DARK OUT THERE AT NIGHT.

WHAT HAPPENS IF A COUPLE OF BOARDS COME MISSING OFF OF SOME OF THESE CHALLENGES, QUOTE, CHALLENGES WE HAVE? I THINK THERE'S AN INCREDIBLE LIABILITY, AND I'M JUST I'M NOT OPPOSED TO IT.

I'M JUST SAYING, HOW ARE WE GOING TO HANDLE THAT? HOW ARE WE GOING TO DEAL WITH THAT? AND WITH, YOU KNOW, BUMPS THAT YOU I THINK YOU'VE MENTIONED, SUZANNE, THAT THEY'RE FLATTENING OUT AT CROCKETT HILLS.

HOW OFTEN DO WE NEED TO COME BACK AND REDO THIS? IS THERE ANY THOUGHT TO WHAT IT'S GOING TO COST TO RUN THIS PLACE? AND, YOU KNOW, IF WE CREATE THIS COOL CHALLENGE.

A BIG PART OF THE CHALLENGE IS FALLING ON YOUR FACE AND NOT DOING THAT.

SO IF YOU DO, WHAT'S OUR OBLIGATION? UNLESS IT'S KEPT TO AN INCREDIBLE STANDARD? ARE WE GOING TO REQUIRE, LIKE IN SOME CASES, SKATEBOARD PARKS AND CITIES TO WHERE NOT ONLY DO YOU HAVE TO PUT UP A SIGN EVERYWHERE SAYING YOU'VE GOT TO WEAR A HELMET, YOU'VE GOT TO WEAR ELBOW PADS, KNEE PADS, EVERYTHING ELSE THAT YOU IN FACT, I THINK SOME COURTS HAVE SUGGESTED THAT, OH, JUST YOUR SIGN DIDN'T WORK.

YOU NEED TO HAVE SOMEBODY OUT THERE STAFFING THAT TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE'S GOT ALL OF THAT EQUIPMENT ON.

SO I CAN ADDRESS THAT. AND LYNNE MAY WANT TO JUMP INTO, YOU KNOW, WITHOUT PROTECTION FROM LIABILITY, YOU KNOW, THERE WOULDN'T BE SKATE PARKS, PEOPLE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO CLIMB, GO ROCK CLIMBING OR GO HANG GLIDING OFF MISSION PEAK BECAUSE THEY'RE INHERENTLY CHALLENGING AND POTENTIALLY RISKY ACTIVITIES.

BUT THERE'S BROAD PROTECTIONS. AND IN FACT, WE LOSE THOSE PROTECTIONS WHEN YOU HAVE SOMEBODY MONITORING THEM.

SO THERE'S NOT A REQUIREMENT TO HAVE ANYBODY MONITORING.

AND IN FACT, THAT WOULD NOT BE SOMETHING I THINK, THAT WE WOULD RECOMMEND.

THERE ARE MANY JURISDICTIONS THAT OPERATE MOUNTAIN BIKE PARKS WITH MUCH MORE AGGRESSIVE FEATURES THAN WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING HERE.

IN FACT, IN MY PREVIOUS ROLE IN MARIN COUNTY, WE BUILT A MOUNTAIN BIKE PARK THAT HAD MUCH LARGER JUMPS AND WALL RIDES AND FEATURES THAN THAN WHAT'S HERE. AND IT IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ACTIVITY.

AND SOMETIMES PEOPLE DO GET INJURED. AND LIKE I MENTIONED, OPERATIONALLY, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE PLANNING FOR THOSE EVENTUALITIES.

WE ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE PLANNING FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS.

AND THAT'S WHY OPERATIONS HAS BEEN PART OF OUR WORK AND SORT OF PLANNING THIS EFFORT AND THINKING IT THROUGH.

AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO BE. AND ADDITIONALLY, WE APPRECIATE THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO'VE BEEN A PART OF THIS WHOSE VOLUNTEER EFFORTS WOULD ALSO BE A PART OF THE MAINTENANCE OF THESE FEATURES. SIMILARLY TO THE, I THINK, THE BMX PARK THAT'S OUT BY SHADOW CLIFFS THAT I THINK GETS A LOT OF VOLUNTEER MAINTENANCE FROM THE COMMUNITY OUT THERE.

THERE'S A DRIVEN GROUP OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO LOVE THESE FEATURES AND HELP TAKE CARE OF THEM.

SO IT WOULD BE HELPFUL IN MY DECISION MAKING IF THERE ARE OTHER FACILITIES LIKE THIS, IF WE HAVE A HISTORY OF INJURIES AND IF THERE IS ANY I'D

[01:45:08]

IT'S SIGNIFICANTLY MORE AGGRESSIVE THAN WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING HERE.

BUT WE DID GET INJURIES. AND BUT AGAIN, YOU KNOW, MUNICIPALITIES AGENCIES WOULD NOT BUILD THESE FEATURES IF THERE WASN'T A PROTECTION FROM LIABILITY.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. YEAH. ANYONE ELSE? I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. I'M WAITING UNTIL OUR COMMENT PERIOD TO MAKE A COMMENT. OKAY. ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU. I HAVE A QUESTION. ONE OF THEM HAS ALREADY BEEN ANSWERED ABOUT HOW DO YOU GET BIKES PAST A FENCE WHEN THERE'S A GATE THERE? AND I THINK I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THOSE ROUNDED THINGS.

RIGHT. YEAH. SO THAT'S GOOD. THAT ANSWERS THAT ONE.

THE OTHER ONE IS I KNOW THEY'RE FROM GOING TO TRAILS CONFERENCES AND STUFF.

I KIND OF PICK UP SOME INFORMATION, BUT I KNOW THERE'S A PRODUCT LIKE A, LIKE A SOIL BINDER THAT YOU THAT, YOU KNOW, IT LOOKS NATURAL. IT JUST KIND OF REDUCES EROSION.

AND WHEN YOU'VE JUST GOT A SOIL SURFACE. ARE WE PLANNING ON ARE WE HAVE WE ANTICIPATING SOMETHING LIKE THAT THAT WOULD SLOW DOWN THE RATE OF WHERE THAT GOES ON? BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, NOT ONLY IS THIS A FACILITY WHERE THE WEATHER IS FOCUSED ON A VERY SMALL AREA OF A BICYCLE TIRE, BUT IT'S GOING TO GET CONSTANT USE.

YEAH. I MEAN, I DON'T THINK WE'RE PROPOSING USING A BINDER AT THIS SPOT, ALTHOUGH HAPPY TO LOOK INTO IT.

THE FOLKS WHO HELP TO BUILD THESE KINDS OF FACILITIES ARE LIKE ARTISTS WITH THE DIRT WORK THAT THEY DO.

AND SO I KNOW THAT THEY'RE LOOKING AT MIXING THE DIRT, AND OF COURSE, LIKE SUZANNE MENTIONED, THE FEATURES CAN KIND OF MELLOW OVER TIME AS THEY GET SMALLER AND THEN THEY NEED TO GET YOU KNOW, MAINTAINED. BUT BUT YEAH, I THINK THAT'S WHERE WE HAVE TO CONSIDER IT.

BUT I DON'T THINK THAT'S, PART OF THE DESIGN AT THIS POINT. OKAY.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU FOR THAT. I THINK WE'VE GIVEN EVERYBODY A CHANCE.

IT'S GOTTEN TO THE POINT NOW. I WAS WAITING BECAUSE NORMALLY WE HAVE QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS.

SO I WILL.

LITTLE QUICK BREAK. SO 3:25 AND THEN WE WILL TAKE THE PUBLIC COMMENTS.

03:25. YOU CAN BE SEEN. YOU CAN BE HEARD. ALL RIGHT.

WE'RE BACK. AND WE ARE AT THIS POINT READY FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THIS ITEM.

AND SO WE'RE GOING TO START WITH THE FOLKS THAT ARE VIEWING REMOTELY.

YES. PRESIDENT MERCURIO. THERE ARE EIGHT PEOPLE IN THE ZOOM ROOM.

I'M GOING TO CALL EACH OF YOUR NAMES, AND I HOPEFULLY I ONLY HAVE TO SAY THIS ONE TIME THAT I AM GOING TO.

YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK WHEN YOU SEE MY.

I'M GOING TO GO OFF SCREEN ONCE YOU START SPEAKING AND THEN IN 30 SECONDS, YOU'LL SEE MY FACE AGAIN AND I'LL LET YOU KNOW THAT YOU NEED TO WRAP IT UP.

WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WANTING TO SPEAK TODAY, SO WE ARE GOING TO HOLD YOU TO THOSE THREE MINUTES.

I'M GOING TO START WITH, SUSAN, I'M JUST GOING TO SAY W BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO MESS UP YOUR NAME.

I'M GOING TO PROMOTE YOU TO PANELIST. WHEN YOU SEE THAT, ACCEPT THAT.

AND THEN WHEN YOU'RE READY, YOU CAN BEGIN TO SPEAK.

IF YOU ARE SPEAKING ON THIS ITEM. HI, MY NAME IS SUSAN WORLEY.

I ASSUME YOU CAN HEAR ME. YES, MA'AM. I WANT TO SAY, FIRST OF ALL, THAT I'M A HIKER AND A SENIOR CITIZEN, AND I'M ALL FOR BIKES AND BIKE RIDING, BUT THIS SOUNDS LIKE IT SPELLS DISASTER.

I THINK THE FACT THAT THERE'D BE BIKES SPEEDING DOWN THE HILL AND NOT NECESSARILY STAYING WHERE WE WANT THEM TO.

I WAS A TEACHER FOR 30 YEARS. I TAUGHT TEENAGERS, I LOVED THEM VERY MUCH, AND I LIKED MY JOB.

BUT THEY NEED PEOPLE NEED TO BE MONITORING WHAT'S GOING ON.

AND IT'S ONE THING FOR PEOPLE TO KNOW WHAT THE RULES ARE, BUT IT'S ANOTHER THING TO HAVE A SPACE THAT PEOPLE CAN GET OUT IN WHEN THEY'RE NOT BEING MONITORED. THE FIRST THING I SAW WAS GOING TO COST $275,000 TO $300,000.

AND NOW I'M HEARING 500. I MEAN, YEAH, $1000.

NOW I'M HEARING 500 TO $700,000. AND THERE'S ALL KINDS OF THINGS THAT YOU GUYS HAVE TALKED ABOUT BUILDING.

WHEN THERE WAS A QUESTION ASKED ABOUT ADDING SOMETHING TO THE SOIL MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS, THIS IS NOT THIS IS A NATURE AREA.

THIS IS WHERE ANIMALS AND PLANTS LIVE. AND WE WANT THE NATURE TO SURVIVE THERE.

AND ADDING SOMETHING TO THE SOIL IS LIKE, YOU KNOW, LET'S MAKE IT INTO DISNEYLAND WHILE WE'RE AT IT.

[01:50:03]

AND ALSO THE PUBLIC HAS NOT BEEN INFORMED ABOUT THIS.

I LIVE ABOUT A MILE AWAY. I HAD NOT HEARD ABOUT THIS UNTIL A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO, AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT WE MOVED TO THIS AREA TO BE CLOSE TO THE PARK, TO ENJOY THE PEACE AND QUIET AND THE BEAUTY THAT WILDCAT PARK HAS TO OFFER ALL OF US.

IT'S A SAFE PLACE TO TAKE A WALK, WHETHER ONE IS 9 OR 90 AND WITH BIKES RACING ALONG AND POSSIBLY NOT EVEN STAYING ON THE DESIGNATED BIKE TRAIL, I THINK THAT WE WOULD BE IN SOME KIND OF DANGER.

YOU KNOW, IT'S EVEN CROSSED MY MIND THAT SINCE THERE ARE SNAKES AND FROGS THERE AND IN THAT PARTICULAR AREA, YOU KNOW, WE GET TO SEE DEAD WILDLIFE. THAT'LL BE A LOT OF FUN.

YOU KNOW, GOOD EDUCATIONAL SITUATION FOR OUR KIDS.

I DON'T THINK MOUNTAIN BIKES BELONG THERE IN THE KIND OF NUMBERS THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.

AND BUILDING SOMETHING THAT SOUNDS MORE TO ME LIKE DISNEYLAND THAN JUST PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, OUT FOR A CASUAL STROLL. IS, YOU KNOW, COULD BE A DISASTER.

I CAN IMAGINE BEING SLAMMED INTO BY THESE BIKES.

I DON'T WANT TO SEE THAT HAPPEN. AND, YOU KNOW, THE LIABILITY ISSUE CAME UP, AND THEN THE YOUNG MAN WAS SAYING SOMETHING TO THE EFFECT THAT, YOU KNOW, THE LIABILITY WOULDN'T BE THE PARK'S ISSUE.

WELL, GOSH, YOU KNOW, LET'S I'D SAY LET'S NOT BUILD THIS.

PEOPLE CAN RIDE THEIR BIKES AND TAKE A HIKE, AND MAYBE SOME OTHER PLACE COULD BE BUILT THAT WOULD WORK FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE MUCH BETTER WHERE THEY WOULDN'T BE TAKING AWAY OUR NATURE AREA. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

YOU'RE WELCOME. THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS GOING TO BE ALEX M. I'M GOING TO PROMOTE YOU TO PANELIST.

PLEASE ACCEPT. AND THEN ONCE YOU GET IN, YOU CAN SPEAK.

THERE YOU GO. OKAY. ALEX? YES. HELLO? CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES. OKAY, OKAY.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH. SO GOOD AFTERNOON, BOARD MEMBERS.

MY NAME IS ALEX MASRI. I'M A RICHMOND RESIDENT AND PROPERTY OWNER.

I OFTEN WALK IN WILDCAT CANYON PARK, AND I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A FEW COMMENTS.

FIRST, IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE PROCESS FOR BUILDING THIS MOUNTAIN BIKE FLOW TRAIL MIGHT NOT QUITE COMPLY WITH CEQA.

I JUST LISTENED TO EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID ABOUT PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS.

BUT NONE OF THESE THE RESIDENTS I TALKED TO SO FAR KNEW ABOUT THIS PROJECT, AND I HAVEN'T SEEN ANNOUNCEMENT OR INFORMATION PUBLISHED ON THIS PROJECT IN THE RICHMOND COMMUNITY PER SE. THERE SHOULD BE A CLEAR AND TRANSPARENT PROCESS TO ENSURE THAT THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE, NOT JUST BIKERS OR BIKERS ADVOCATES, IS INFORMED OF THIS PROPOSAL.

ALSO, THE PROPOSAL ITSELF IS NOT VERY CLEAR OR DETAILED.

FOR INSTANCE THE PROJECT DESCRIPTION STATES THAT AND I QUOTE.

THIS TRAIL AIMS TO RELIEVE PRESSURE ON ALL THE TRAILS, END QUOTE.

BUT HOW WOULD THIS PRESSURE BE RELIEVED EXACTLY IS NOT CLEAR TO ME.

IS THERE A STURDY, WELL GROUNDED AS SUSTAINABLE IN THE LONG TERM MAINTENANCE PLAN TO KEEP THE TRAIL IN SUITABLE CONDITION? AND WHAT ABOUT LIABILITY? ALSO THIS PROJECT USES MIZZOU TRAIL, WHICH IS ONE OF THE TRAILS COMMONLY USED BY VISITORS FOR CROSSING THE PARK VERTICALLY. IF THE MOUNTAIN BIKE FLOW TRAIL IS BUILT, DOES THIS MEAN THAT OTHER USERS WILL NO LONGER BE ABLE TO USE, OR WILL BE GREATLY RESTRICTED FROM USING MIZZOU TRAIL? THIS PROJECT ALSO MEANS THAT THERE WILL BE A GREAT INCREASE IN BIKING TRAFFIC THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE PARK, ON ALL OTHER TRAILS. HOW IS THE PROJECT ADDRESSING THE PROJECT ADDRESSING SAFETY ISSUES IN THE ENTIRE PARK DUE TO THIS BIKE TRAFFIC INCREASE? AND HOW ABOUT PARKING? THERE IS NOT MUCH PARKING AVAILABLE AS IT IS NOW.

HOW WILL THE PARK ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF THE PARKING CAPACITY.

AND LET ME BRIEFLY MENTION DUST AND SOIL EROSION.

AS YOU KNOW, DUST INHALATION CAN CAUSE AND WORSEN RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES AND ALLERGIES NOT JUST IN HUMANS, BUT IN ANIMALS AS WELL. I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY ISSUE AND SPEEDING, HEALTH ISSUE, RESPECT FOR THE FLORA, FAUNA AND OTHER PARK USERS.

ON SHARED USE AREAS SUCH AS WILDCAT CANYON PARKS SPORT BIKERS ARE GENERALLY EXPECTED TO ADHERE TO A CODE OF CONDUCT THAT PRIORITIZES SAFETY, COURTESY, AND RESPECT FOR OTHER USERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT.

UNFORTUNATELY, IT IS MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE THAT THIS CODE OF CONDUCT IS NOT A HIGH PRIORITY FOR SPORT BIKERS.

HOW DOES THIS PROJECT ADDRESS BIKERS CODE OF CONDUCT TO ENSURE THAT WE WILL ALL BE SAFE AND CONTINUE TO ENJOY THE PARK WITHOUT WORRYING ABOUT OTHER USERS

[01:55:06]

THANK YOU MA'AM. THAT'S YOUR TIME. THANK YOU.

OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS NICK THOMPSON. I'M GOING TO PROMOTE YOU TO PANELISTS.

YOU MAY ACCEPT. UNMUTE YOURSELF. THANK YOU. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. DIRECTORS. MY NAME IS NICK THOMPSON.

I LIVE IN EAST RICHMOND HEIGHTS AND I ENJOY WALKING AND OCCASIONALLY BIKING IN WILDCAT CANYON.

AND I BELIEVE THAT THIS PROPOSAL WILL INCREASE BICYCLIST PEDESTRIAN CONFLICTS IN THE CANYON.

SO IT'S TRUE THAT THE PROPOSAL ONLY DEDICATES A SMALL AREA EXCLUSIVELY TO THE BIKES.

AND THE PRESENTATION WE JUST SAW FOCUSES ONLY ON THAT AREA.

BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THE CIRCULATION MAP AND THE POINT STRATEGIES DECK, THAT'S SHEET SP2, IT SHOWS THAT BOTH THE HIGH AND LOW TRAILS, ALL THE WAY FROM BELGUM TO HAVEE CANYON, ARE PART OF THE CIRCULATION DESIGN FOR THIS PROJECT.

SO JUST TO BE CLEAR, THIS IS ACTUALLY MOST OF THE TRAIL MILEAGE IN WILDCAT CANYON REGIONAL PARK THAT'S GETTING PULLED INTO THIS.

WE'VE ALSO HAD PEOPLE SAY THIS IS A SAFE AND SLOW TRAIL, BUT THE DESIGN PROPOSAL SPECIFICALLY MENTIONS RACING.

AGAIN, THAT'S FINE IN THE PROPOSAL AREA, BUT IT'S GOING TO SPILL OVER TO THE OTHER TRAILS.

MY EXPERIENCE IN WILDCAT CANYON IS THAT CURRENTLY, MOST TRAIL USERS ARE STROLLING IN SMALL GROUPS AND TALKING QUIETLY, SOMETIMES OFF LEASH DOGS. THIS DOES NOT MIX WELL WITH ADRENALINE SPORTS.

AND IT ALREADY HAPPENS, RIGHT? YOU'RE CHATTING WITH A FRIEND, AND SUDDENLY BEHIND YOU, SOMEBODY IS LIKE, ON YOUR LEFT. AND FIRST YOU JUMP OUT OF YOUR SKIN, AND THEN YOU HAVE A FEW SECONDS TO SCRAMBLE OUT OF THEIR WAY. HAVEE CANYON'S PARTICULARLY CONCERNING TO ME BECAUSE I'VE BECOME VERY CLOSE TO GETTING CREAMED ON THAT TRAIL BY A DOWNHILLER WHO WAS UNABLE TO STOP.

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL WOODED TRAIL, BUT I CAN NEVER COMPLETELY RELAX THERE NOW BECAUSE I HAVE TO LISTEN FOR OUT OF CONTROL BIKERS.

SO. SO WHILE WE'RE ON THIS TOPIC, I THINK HAVEE CANYON SHOULD BE CLOSED TO DOWNHILL BIKE TRAFFIC REGARDLESS OF THIS PROJECT.

AND, YOU KNOW, I KNOW THAT THERE'S A LOT OF KIDS IN THE ROOM. I THINK, YOU KNOW, I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT THE JERKS ARE USUALLY ADULTS. THE HIGH SCHOOLERS I HAVE FOUND TO BE MUCH MORE CONSIDERATE, BUT THE FACT IS THAT BUILDING A CYCLE RACING ATTRACTION IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CANYON WILL INCREASE TRAIL CONFLICTS AROUND IT, UNLESS SOME TRAILS ARE CLOSED TO MOUNTAIN BIKERS AS PART OF THE PROJECT.

PERSONALLY, I DON'T RIDE IN THE PARK MUCH BECAUSE I LIKE TO BIKE REASONABLY FAST, AND IT FEELS LIKE ONE OF THOSE PLACES WHERE IT'S JUST INCONSIDERATE TO BE IN A HURRY. YOU KNOW, YOU'RE CONSTANTLY SORT OF MAKING PEOPLE FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE TO GET OUT OF YOUR WAY. SO I'M CONCERNED THAT THIS PROJECT APPEARS TO BE A RECREATIONAL FACILITY FOR A FAIRLY SELECT GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT EXACTLY DISADVANTAGED, BUT THEY'RE ASKING FOR CLOSE TO $1 MILLION IF YOU INCLUDE THE CEQA IN THE CONSTRUCTION WORK. THERE'S CLOSE TO $1 MILLION OF PUBLIC PARKS FUNDING FOR A PROJECT WHERE NOBODY'S ACTUALLY EVEN ABLE TO SAY HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL USE IT.

AND NOW, AGAIN, I'M A BICYCLIST MYSELF, BUT I OPPOSED THIS PROJECT LOCATION AS A NEIGHBOR AND PARK USER, AND I STRONGLY OPPOSE IT AS A TAXPAYER. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER WILL BE WILLIAM YRAGUI.

I ALWAYS SAY YOUR NAME WRONG. ON TO THAT.

OKAY. SO ARE YOU GOING TO ACCEPT? AND THEN YOU.

THERE YOU GO. THEN YOU CAN SPEAK. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.

YOU'RE MUTED SIR. I AM NOW UNMUTED. YES I APOLOGIZE.

MY NAME IS WILLIAM YRAGUI I'M WITH MISSION PEAK CONSERVANCY AND SIERRA CLUB.

I'M NOT I'M SPEAKING FOR NEITHER. I'M SPEAKING FOR MYSELF.

YOU KNOW, IT'S AN INTERESTING PROCESS THAT YOU HAVE HERE. YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT EXPANDING A RECREATIONAL TRAIL IN A PARK.

BRIONES WAS JUST EXPANDED PILOT PROJECT COVERING ONE FIFTH OF THE PARK.

BEFORE THAT, IT WAS 2015. IT WAS CROCKETT. WHAT PARK IS NEXT AFTER WE DO THIS ONE? ARE YOU GOING TO? ARE YOU GOING TO GO DOWN TO GARIN OR.

I MEAN, ARE WE TALKING LAS TRAMPAS? MAYBE THE SNOW REGIONAL.

I MEAN, WHERE DOES IT END? THE NEED TO PROTECT HABITAT IS VERY CLEAR.

IT'S PART OF THE MISSION OF THE DISTRICT TO PROTECT OPEN SPACE.

I DON'T SEE HOW RECREATIONAL TRAILS OF THIS NATURE FIT IN THE ETHOS OF A PARK DISTRICT.

NOW, YOU KNOW, THE QUESTION ABOUT A LUPA LEGAL, LEGAL DEFINITION.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU USE TO ACTUALLY DESIGN AND MANAGE PARKLANDS.

THE QUESTION ABOUT LEGALITY, AGAIN, IN TERMS OF LIABILITY.

[02:00:04]

YOU'RE WALKING DOWN THAT PATH BECAUSE YOU'RE CREATING A SITUATION WHERE A FLOW TRAIL THAT HAS AN INHERENT BUILT STRUCTURE THAT IS DEFECTIVE, THAT CAUSES DAMAGE THAT YOU KNEW ABOUT AND DIDN'T RESOLVE, CREATES LIABILITY.

SO, YOU KNOW, BIKER COMING DOWNHILL, SLAMS INTO IT, DOES DAMAGE THAT DAMAGE THEN CAUSES A PERSON COMING DOWN AFTER THEM AFTER THEY REPORTED IT, BEFORE YOU FIXED IT. THAT IS LIABILITY.

IF YOU KNOW ABOUT IT AND YOU DON'T FIX IT, IT'S YOU'RE LIABLE.

SO HERE'S MY PROBLEM. WE KNOW THAT THE PARK DISTRICT HAS 73 PARKS AND 77 OFFICERS TO ENFORCE ACTIONS ACROSS THOSE PARKS.

WE ALSO KNOW THAT IN A FOUR YEAR PERIOD, THE DISTRICT GAVE OUT 120 TICKETS OUT OF 90 MILLION UNIQUE USES, 120 TICKETS FOR BIKE CITATIONS, BIKE CITATIONS FOR PEOPLE RIDING IN THE WRONG PLACE, GOING TOO FAST, ETC. THAT'S 0.0002% OF ALL USE. I DON'T TRUST THE PARK DISTRICT TO ACTUALLY DO ENFORCEMENT IN THESE PARKS. I DON'T BELIEVE THE POLICE OFFICERS ARE GOING TO GET OUT OF THEIR VEHICLES, GET ON A MOUNTAIN BIKE AND DO ENFORCEMENT. SO WHEN I HEAR ABOUT EXPANDED USE IN THE PARKS, MY CONCERN IS I'M A HIKER. I LIKE TO WALK SLOW.

I DO NOT WANT SOMEBODY COMING DOWN AT 70 YEARS OLD AND KNOCKING ME DOWN.

IT'S GOING TO HURT AND I'M NOT GOING TO GET UP VERY QUICKLY.

SO MY CONCERN IS THE PARK DISTRICT TAKING ON THE ETHOS OF A RECREATIONAL ORGANIZATION.

AND I THINK THAT IT REALLY DOESN'T FIT WELL WITH WHAT THE PARK DISTRICT NEEDS TO DO, WHICH IS.

OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MAXINE ANDREW. ACCEPT THAT.

UNMUTE AND YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. THERE YOU GO.

OKAY. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM.

CAN'T HEAR YOU, MA'AM. SEE? YOU'RE NOT ON MUTE.

I THINK SHE'S COMING. MAXINE ANDREW. OKAY.

THIS IS WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO. WE'RE GOING TO PUT YOU ON MUTE.

WE'RE GOING TO GET YOUR CAMERA SITUATION TOGETHER, AND THEN WE'LL COME RIGHT BACK TO YOU.

OKAY. COME BACK TO YOU AFTER THIS. THE NEXT PERSON IS SPEAKER IS JEN KOMAROMI.

YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES AFTER YOU GET INTO THE MEETING.

OKAY. UNMUTE YOURSELF AND YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.

OKAY. THANKS. HI, MY NAME IS JEN [INAUDIBLE] AND I AM A NEIGHBOR.

I LIVE 3/10 OF A MILE FROM THE CAPITOL HILL ENTRANCE OF WILDCAT CANYON.

AND I'M ALSO AN AVID MOUNTAIN BIKER AND A COACH WITH NICA FOR EL CERRITO HIGH AND WILDCAT COMPOSITE.

I AM ASKING FOR YOU TO PLEASE VOTE TO CONTINUE THIS PROGRAM.

I THINK THAT A LOT OF THE CONCERNS THAT PEOPLE HAVE SHOW THAT THEY DON'T FULLY UNDERSTAND WHAT A FLOW TRAIL IS.

IT IS NOT A RACING TRAIL. IT IS A DEDICATED AREA FOR US TO SAFELY TRAVEL SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE CONFLICTS WITH HIKERS. IN ADDITION, WE WOULD NOT BE GOING DOWN HAVEE CANYON ANYMORE.

WE WOULD BE GOING UP HAVEE CANYON, OR THE WAY WE WOULD DO IT IS PROBABLY, HONESTLY, FROM THE RIDGELINE NIMITZ.

TO GET OUT THERE, IT WOULD BE MOST LIKELY THE WAY THAT WE WOULD TRAVEL TO THAT PARK FROM MY HOUSE, I WOULD GO THE OTHER SIDE OF NIMITZ, BECAUSE I'M NEAR ALVARADO PARK ENTRANCE.

ANYWAY, I JUST HOPE THAT YOU WOULD PLEASE CONSIDER.

I THINK IT'S SAFER FOR HIKERS. I'M ALSO A HIKER, BUT BECAUSE OF I PREFER BIKING, I'M NOT A RACER AND THE KIDS ARE NOT RACERS,

[02:05:05]

THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION IN THIS MATTER.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER, MAXINE.

LET'S TRY THIS AGAIN. THERE WE GO. OH, WE ALMOST GOT IT.

THERE YOU GO. OKAY. UNMUTE. DON'T TOUCH IT AGAIN.

LET'S GO. THERE WE GO. THREE MINUTES. MISS MAXINE.

OKAY, I'M GONNA MOVE TO THE NEXT PERSON. I THINK YOU'RE HAVING SOME PROBLEMS. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO HANG UP AND COME BACK IN.

THAT MIGHT BE HELPFUL. YOU WON'T LOSE YOUR SPOT.

THE NEXT PERSON THAT IS GOING TO SPEAK IS MICHELLE.

I'M GOING TO PROMOTE YOU TO PANELIST. AND YOU CAN UNMUTE YOURSELF. AND NOW YOU CAN SPEAK.

THERE YOU GO. ALL RIGHT. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.

I'M MICHELLE RAPPAPORT, AND I'M A RESIDENT OF RICHMOND.

I LIVE ABOUT A MILE FROM WILDCAT CANYON. AND ALTHOUGH I WAS AT THE MEETING IN 2023 WHEN THE DISCUSSION OF THIS IDEA CAME UP, I DIDN'T HAVE ANY SENSE THAT ANY DECISION WAS MADE AT THAT TIME.

I'M VERY SURPRISED TO SEE THE DEVELOPMENT OF ALL THE MAPS AND ALL THE WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE BY THIS GROUP SINCE THEN, AND I HAVE NEVER. AND EVEN AT THE 2003 MEETING, I NEVER HAD A NOTICE FROM THE REGIONAL, THE EAST BAY REGIONAL PARKS BOARD THAT THERE WAS A MEETING.

I DON'T CHECK THE WEBSITE EVERY DAY, AND I WOULDN'T KNOW THAT A MEETING WAS BEING HELD AND THAT THESE CHANGES WERE BEING OFFERED TO THE PUBLIC. WE WE PAY PROPERTY TAXES. AND THE EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK IS CHARGED ON OUR PROPERTY TAXES. SO THE MONEY FOR THIS PROJECT IS COMING FROM MY, FROM ME.

SO I THINK BY HAVING WE SHOULD BE INFORMED. THE PUBLIC SHOULD KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THEIR AREA AND WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO PAY FOR.

NOW, I KNOW IT WON'T BE TILL 2027, SO THERE WILL BE TIME TO RAISE THAT MONEY.

AND I WILL, YOU KNOW, PROBABLY HAVE TO PAY IT BY A RAISE IN MY TAXES.

BUT I THINK THAT DEVELOPING 1.4 MILES OF INTENSIVE DOWNHILL COURSE FOR MOUNTAIN BIKES IN A DESIGNATED NATURAL PROTECTION AREA OF WILDCAT CANYON IS NOT A GOOD IDEA.

DOING SO VIOLATES THE LAND USE PLAN. AND THIS DOES NOT SEEM LIKE A GOOD PLACE FOR THIS KIND OF RECREATION. THE PUBLIC HAS NOT BEEN INFORMED.

SO I HOPE THAT THE REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT DOES NOT VOTE FOR THIS PLAN.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER WILL BE ISAIAH GONZALEZ. I'M GOING TO PROMOTE YOU TO PANELIST.

THERE YOU GO. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK.

SOUNDS GOOD. MY NAME IS ISAAC GONZALEZ. I LIVE LESS THAN A MILE AWAY FROM WILDCAT CANYON.

I'M AN AVID HIKER, TRAIL RUNNER, AND MOUNTAIN BIKER.

I COACHED WITH THE EL CERRITO HIGH SCHOOL MOUNTAIN BIKE TEAM.

WELL, JUST LAST NIGHT, I WAS AT WILDCAT CANYON ANALYZING WHO WAS UP THERE.

I SAW COWS, MANY COWS THAT WERE ROAMING AROUND AT THE BOTTOM OF LEONARD'S, MIDDLE OF MIZZOU,

[02:10:04]

AND THE REASON HE'S NOT OUT THERE RIDING WITH ME AT WILDCAT IS BECAUSE WE HAVE TO DRIVE 20 OR SO MINUTES TO JOAQUIN MILLER PARK, WHERE THERE'S ACTUALLY INTERESTING TRAILS TO RIDE.

I WOULD LOVE FOR A TRAIL LIKE THIS TO GET BUILT.

ALL THE RIDERS THAT I RIDE WITH ARE OFTEN TRYING TO HONE THEIR SKILLS IN AND BECOME BETTER RIDERS, HAVING A FLOW TRAIL THAT WE CAN RIDE ON REGULARLY TO PRACTICE THEIR TURNS, PRACTICE THEIR ABILITY TO PUMP UP AND DOWN TERRAIN WOULD BE HUGE. WE OFTEN HAVE TO RIDE THE SAME TRAILS EVERY TIME, AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE CONFLICTS WITH EXISTING TRAIL USERS, BECAUSE THERE'S NOT THAT MANY TRAILS TO RIDE.

IN OTHER PARKS THAT WE GO TO THERE'S NUMEROUS TRAILS TO RIDE THAT ARE EXCLUSIVE TO MOUNTAIN BIKES.

THE TRAILS THAT ARE GOING TO BE LESS FREQUENTED BY BIKERS BECAUSE OF THIS ARE GOING TO BE HEAVY.

MIZZOU, AND THEY'RE GOING TO CLOSE LEONARDS ALTOGETHER.

SO THEY'LL ACTUALLY BE WAY LESS BIKE TRAFFIC IN THERE.

ANOTHER THING THAT HASN'T BEEN POINTED OUT IS YOU HAVE TO RIDE QUITE A BIT A WAYS TO GET TO THESE PLACES.

IT'S NOT CLOSE. YOU CAN'T JUST DRIVE AND PARK REAL CLOSE AND GO THERE.

YOU HAVE TO WORK FOR IT. ALL THE RIDERS THAT WE HAVE ON OUR TEAM DON'T HAVE E-BIKES.

THEY HAVE TO PEDAL ALL THE WAY UP THE HILLS TO GET THERE.

SO THE IDEA THAT IT'S GOING TO INCREASE BIKER ACTIVITY ON SOME OF THE OTHER MULTI-USE TRAILS ARE ACTUALLY FALSE, IT'S GOING TO DECREASE THEM. AND TO HAVE A TRAIL THAT'S EXCLUSIVE TO US RIDERS IS GOING TO BE BIG TO OUR COMMUNITY BECAUSE WE CURRENTLY HAVE TO DRIVE, GET IN OUR CARS AND POLLUTE THE ENVIRONMENT TO GET TO WHERE WE'RE GOING.

I HOPE THIS HELPS MAKE SOME INTELLIGENT DECISIONS MOVING FORWARD.

AND THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE TIME TO SPEAK.

THANK YOU EVERYONE. BYE BYE. THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER WILL BE STEVE F. I'M GOING TO PROMOTE YOU TO PANELIST.

OKAY. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES, SIR. HEY MY NAME IS STEVE, AND I LIVE IN ALBANY.

AND I'D JUST LIKE TO EMPHASIZE THE NEED FOR MOUNTAIN BIKING TRAILS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

AND THAT I'M SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS PROPOSAL. I'D ALSO LIKE TO NOTE THAT I'M LIKE ALMOST 40 YEARS OLD.

SO THIS IS NOT JUST FOR KIDS. A REALLY WIDE RANGE OF PEOPLE WOULD BE EXCITED FOR THESE TRAILS.

WHEN I FIRST MOVED TO THE EAST BAY FIVE YEARS AGO I WAS FRANKLY ASTONISHED TO FIND OUT HOW LITTLE MOUNTAIN BIKING THERE IS IN THE HILLS ABOVE ME.

IT WAS HONESTLY STRANGE. HOW COULD A REGION WITH SO MANY WONDERFUL HILLS AND NARROW TRAILS EXCLUDE MOUNTAIN BIKES? EVERYWHERE ELSE I'VE LIVED OUTSIDE OF BERKELEY, MUNICIPALITIES MANAGED TO MAINTAIN A DIVERSE TRAIL NETWORKS WHERE BIKERS AND HIKERS COEXIST. IF YOU WANT TO LOOK FOR AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT THIS MIGHT LOOK LIKE, JUST LOOK ACROSS THE BAY AT MARIN.

THE CURRENT TRAILS OPEN TO BIKING FOR US ARE BASICALLY REPURPOSED FIRE ROADS.

THEY'RE FLAT, WIDE, POORLY BANKED, AND CROWDED WITH HIKERS.

THESE ARE NOT TRAILS YOU WOULD EVER CHOOSE TO MOUNTAIN BIKE ON.

SO I THINK FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T MOUNTAIN BIKE, LET ME EXPLAIN IT THIS WAY.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE TO US NOW, WHICH IS FIRE ROADS AND WHAT WE REALLY WANT, WHICH IS SINGLETRACK, IS LIKE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A MICROWAVED HOT POCKET AND PIZZA FROM CHEESE BOARD IN BERKELEY.

SO YES, THEY ARE TECHNICALLY BOTH FOOD. YES, I WOULD EAT A HOT POCKET IN EMERGENCY IF I ABSOLUTELY HAD TO BUT I WOULD NOT ENJOY IT AND I WOULD NOT SEEK IT OUT LIKE I DO PIZZA, CHEESE BOARD AFTER WORK ON A FRIDAY.

SO TO ME, I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT MOUNTAIN BIKING IMPROVES MY HEALTH.

IT HELPS ME CONNECT WITH NATURE, AND IT PROVIDES A SENSE OF WELL-BEING AND REFRESHMENT THAT I'VE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND IN OTHER ACTIVITIES.

I THINK A DEDICATED SINGLE TRACK SO NEAR ME SO NEAR TO WHERE I WOULD I LIVE, WOULD BE TOTALLY TRANSFORMATIVE TO MY QUALITY OF LIFE.

AND THE EAST BAY AND FOR MANY, MANY PEOPLE. SO I JUST LIKE TO SAY, PLEASE SHARE SOME CHEESE BOARD WITH US.

RATHER THAN HANDING US HOT POCKETS AND TELLING US TO BE HAPPY.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SIR.

[02:15:06]

I DID SAY I DIDN'T WANT TO. THERE SHE IS. OKAY.

MAXINE, I'M GOING TO PROMOTE YOU TO PANELISTS.

ACCEPT. CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW. YES! WE CAN. YAY! YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. THANK YOU. I DON'T KNOW HOW I CAN COMPETE WITH THE CHEESE BOARD AND HOT POCKETS, BUT I'LL TRY. SO I LIVE DIRECTLY. I'M A NEIGHBOR.

DIRECT NEIGHBOR TO THE CANYON, MY PROPERTY LINE AND IS MY FENCE.

AND ON THE OTHER SIDE IS WILDCAT CANYON. I WITNESSED DAILY ALL KINDS OF GOOD AND BAD USERS IN THE PARK.

I AM A SENIOR. I AM A HIKER. I HIKE WITH MY DOGS ON OFF LEASH, AND I'M ALSO AN EQUESTRIAN, AND I COME INTO CONTACT WITH EXCELLENT BIKERS WHO RING A LITTLE DING WHEN THEY'RE COMING UP BEHIND ME SO THAT I CAN GATHER MY DOGS OUT OF THE WAY.

I ALSO HAVE PEOPLE WHO COME UP BEHIND ME, RACING BEHIND WITH NO REGARD FOR THE SAFETY OF ANYONE, INCLUDING THEMSELVES, BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING VERY FAST ON EITHER FLAT SURFACES OR COMING UP AND DOWN THE HILLS TO THE ALVARADO PARKING LOT. I CAN TELL YOU THAT I AM NOT OPPOSED TO A DIVERSE GROUP OF PEOPLE HAVING FUN IN THE PARK.

BY ALL MEANS, HAVE YOUR FUN, RIDE YOUR MOUNTAIN BIKES, RIDE YOUR E-BIKES, HIKE, RUN ALL KINDS OF GOOD STUFF.

BUT WHEN OTHER PEOPLE'S RECKLESS ACTIVITY IMPACTS MY SAFETY, I'M GOING TO BE UPSET AND PROTECTIVE OF MY OWN ABILITIES. I AS A NEIGHBOR, I HAVE NOT BEEN INFORMED.

I WAS NOT KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT THIS. THIS HAS APPARENTLY BEEN ON THE TABLE FOR FOUR YEARS.

I DID NOT KNOW UNTIL THIS PAST SUNDAY, SO THAT DISTRESSES ME.

THERE HAS NOT BEEN COMMUNITY OUTREACH, AND I DON'T FOLLOW EAST BAY REGIONAL PARKS ON THE FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM OR WHATEVER. SO YOU'RE NOT REACHING ME, AND I'M A NEIGHBOR.

THERE HAS BEEN ABSOLUTELY NO DISCUSSION TO THE FACT THAT THIS AREA IS ON THE HAYWARD FAULT.

IT SUFFERS OR IT GETS HUGE AMOUNT OF RAIN, LANDSLIDES.

ONE LITERALLY RIGHT OUTSIDE OF MY HOUSE THAT HAS YET TO BE SEEN TO BE FULLY REPAIRED, AND THERE IS A PROPOSED 5 TO $700,000 CONSTRUCTION ZONE THERE, WITH NO REGARD TO THAT AS AN UNSTABLE LANDMASS.

AND THAT'S REALLY CONCERNING ME LIABILITY ISSUES.

I'LL TELL YOU, I'M NOT SO CONCERNED ABOUT A BICYCLIST TAKING ON THEIR RISK.

I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THEM COMING DOWN A HILL AFTER BEING ALL TESTOSTERONE AND HITTING ME.

AND YOU BETTER BELIEVE I'M GOING TO SUE THE PARK WHEN THAT HAPPENS. IF IT HAPPENS.

SO I AM OPPOSED TO THIS. AND MANY PEOPLE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD ARE SO THAT'S KIND OF MY TOP LEVEL CONCERNS RIGHT THERE.

AND I'M GOING TO BE VERY ACTIVELY FOLLOWING THIS.

THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER IS.

ERIN. I'M GOING TO PROMOTE YOU. EXCEPT UNMUTE AND YOU CAN SPEAK. YES. CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES.

THANK YOU FOR TAKING MY COMMENT. MY NAME IS ERIN DEEM.

HANG ON. LET ME TURN OFF THE VIDEO THING. I DON'T WANT TO TURN MY VIDEO ON.

MY NAME IS ERIN DEEM AND I LIVE IN BERKELEY, AND I KIND OF JUST WANT TO START TO SAY HOW SURPRISED I AM THAT WE'RE ACTUALLY TALKING ABOUT GOING TO THE NOP THIS SOON. MY UNDERSTANDING WAS THAT CEQA LAW REQUIRED THAT THERE BE A STABLE PROJECT DESIGN BEFORE ACTUALLY PROCEEDING TO THE EIR, AND BASED ON SOME OF THE REALLY EXCELLENT QUESTIONS THAT WERE ASKED BY THE BOARD MEMBERS TODAY, IT MAKES ME FEEL THAT THERE DEFINITELY IS NOT A STABLE PROJECT.

I REALLY WANT TO SPEAK ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT.

WE KNOW THAT BIRDS ARE IN SERIOUS DECLINE AND IN FACT, IN THE LAST 50 YEARS, ALMOST ONE THIRD OF ALL BIRDS ARE GONE FROM NORTH AMERICA, IN WHICH BIRDS HAVE SEEN THE BIGGEST LOSSES. GRASSLAND BIRDS ALMOST 50% DECLINE.

THAT'S ACTUALLY THE HIGHEST DECLINE OF ALL THE DIFFERENT SPECIES.

GRASSLAND BIRDS ARE IN TROUBLE. AND WHERE IS THIS FLOW TRAIL PROPOSED FOR THE GRASSLANDS? WE KNOW THAT SENSITIVE SPECIES COULD BE HARMED, INCLUDING GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS, WHICH ARE A SPECIES OF SPECIAL CONCERN.

[02:20:01]

SO THE THING IS, EVEN IF THE BIKES DESCENDING AT HIGH SPEED DON'T STRIKE A BIRD, WHAT HAPPENS IS IT SCARES THEM AWAY.

IT INTERFERES WITH THEIR FEEDING, THEIR NESTING AND MORE.

AND IT PUTS EVEN MORE PRESSURE ON BIRDS AND OTHER WILDLIFE THAT ARE HONESTLY BARELY HANGING ON.

AND WE'RE HAVING TO WATCH AT OUR NATIONAL LEVEL AS OUR NATURAL SPACES ARE BEING AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL THAT OUR NATURAL SPACES ARE JUST BEING HARMED AND ERODED AND THE PROTECTIONS ARE BEING ERODED. I MEAN, I HONESTLY, I DON'T, I DON'T UNDERSTAND.

DO MOUNTAIN BIKERS RECOGNIZE THAT THEY'RE ACTUALLY CONTRIBUTING TO THIS STRESS, THIS KIND OF DEATH BY A THOUSAND CUTS ONTO THE NATURAL WORLD? AND I DON'T KNOW, I DON'T REALLY THINK PEOPLE WANT TO DO THAT.

I APPRECIATED SEEING THE CONCEPTUAL DESIGN. IT MADE ME VERY SAD, ACTUALLY.

IT LOOKED LIKE THESE UGLY SCARS ALL AROUND THE HILLSIDE, WHICH IF YOU'RE A HIKER AND YOU LOOK ACROSS, THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO SEE INSTEAD OF GRASS.

IT KIND OF FEELS LIKE A LITTLE, A LITTLE HIGHWAY.

AND I REALLY FEEL LIKE THE ROLE OF THE PARK IS PRIMARILY TO PROTECT HABITAT AND PROVIDE A PLACE WHERE WE CAN GO TO DECOMPRESS AND SLOW DOWN.

LIFE IS JUST TOO FAST. I WAS SAD TO HEAR THAT THE EBPRD USE DEVELOPMENT PLAN IS BEING IGNORED. I RECOGNIZE THAT IT'S OLDER, BUT STILL, THAT WAS A REALLY IMPORTANT VALUE TO NOT ADD THIS HIGH INTENSITY RECREATIONAL USE IN NATURAL AREAS. AND THAT IS WHAT THE WILDCAT CANYON IS.

IT IS A NATURAL AREA, SO THERE ARE TOO MANY UNKNOWNS.

I'M CONCERNED THERE WILL BE THOUSANDS OF NEW BIKERS ATTRACTED TO THIS, AND WE NEED TO LEARN MORE BEFORE YOU MOVE AHEAD.

SO I URGE YOU TO NOT AUTHORIZE THE NOP AT THIS MEETING AND GATHER MORE INFORMATION.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. OUR NEXT SPEAKER WILL BE.

ROYER RAMIREZ RUIZ. GOING TO PROMOTE YOU TO PANELIST ACCEPT THEN UNMUTE. AND YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. HELLO.

CAN YOU GUYS HEAR ME? I SPEAK A LITTLE BIT LOUDER OR GET CLOSER TO YOUR MICROPHONE.

HI. CAN YOU GUYS HEAR ME? YEAH. OKAY. SO LET ME JUST PULL UP MY LETTER.

SO I JUST WANTED TO SO. YEAH. HI, EVERYONE. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.

MY NAME IS ROYER RAMIREZ RUIZ. I'M A PROPERTY OWNER IN HANSFORD HEIGHTS.

I LIVE JUST TWO BLOCKS FROM THE PARK, AND I ALSO SERVE AS A COUNCILMEMBER ON THE EAST RICHMOND HEIGHTS MUNICIPAL ADVISORY COUNCIL.

I'M ALSO A BIG SUPPORTER OF THIS PROJECT AND EVERYTHING IT REPRESENTS.

I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT I'M NOT JUST SPEAKING FOR MYSELF.

I'M SPEAKING FOR MY GENERATION, WHICH HAS REPEATEDLY SEEN DECISIONS MADE BY OLDER GENERATIONS THAT LIMIT OUR ACCESS, OUR OPPORTUNITIES, AND OUR VOICE IN SHAPING THE COMMUNITIES WE LIVE IN.

THIS TRAIL IS A SMALL EXAMPLE OF THAT BIGGER PATTERN, AND QUITE FRANKLY, WE'RE TIRED OF IT.

I GREW UP MOUNTAIN BIKING. IT TAUGHT ME CONFIDENCE, RESPONSIBILITY, AND IT GAVE ME A DEEP CONNECTION TO THE OUTDOORS, SOMETHING I WANT TO PASS ON TO THE NEXT GENERATION.

THIS TRAIL IS MORE THAN JUST RECREATION. IT'S ABOUT ACCESS, EQUITY AND MAKING SURE OUR PARKS REFLECT THE NEEDS OF THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY AND NOT JUST THOSE WHO'VE BEEN HERE THE LONGEST OR SPEAK THE LOUDEST.

WHEN I SAW THE PUBLIC NOTICE FOR THIS TRAIL OVER A YEAR AGO, I WAS GENUINELY EXCITED.

SO I WAS DISAPPOINTED TO SEE TODAY'S CONVERSATION GET DERAILED.

WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, SHAME ON BOARD MEMBER LYNDA FOR HIJACKING THIS MEETING.

THAT'S NOT WHAT LEADERSHIP LOOKS LIKE. A LACK OF PREPARATION SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO STALL A PROJECT THAT'S BEEN PUBLICLY NOTICED, PROPERLY REVIEWED, AND WIDELY SUPPORTED. I WANT TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE MISCONCEPTIONS THAT CAME UP, ESPECIALLY AROUND MOUNTAIN BIKING. THIS IS NOT SOME EXTREME DOWNHILL COURSE.

IT'S A PROFESSIONALLY DESIGNED, SUSTAINABLE TRAIL THAT WELCOMES RIDERS OF ALL AGES, FROM KIDS AND TEENS TO PARENTS AND SENIORS.

IT PROMOTES HEALTH, MENTAL WELLNESS AND GETS PEOPLE OFF SCREENS AND INTO NATURE.

AND LET'S TALK ABOUT THE BERMS. THEY'RE NOT A PROBLEM.

THEY'RE PART OF THE SOLUTION. BERMS HELP CONTROL SPEED, REDUCE EROSION, AND KEEP RIDERS ON DESIGNATED PATHS.

REMOVING OR RESISTING THEM SHOWS A FUNDAMENTAL MISUNDERSTANDING OF MODERN TRAIL DESIGN.

TO THOSE COMPLAINING ABOUT INCREASED USAGE OR PARKING, THAT'S PART OF LIVING NEXT TO A REGIONAL PARK.

YOU ENJOY THE BENEFIT OF OPEN SPACE, AND WITH THAT COMES THE RESPONSIBILITY TO SHARE IT.

LIVING NEXT TO A PUBLIC RESOURCE LIKE THIS PARK MEANS YOU ALSO HAVE A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE IT REMAINS ACCESSIBLE AND WELCOMING TO OTHERS.

INCREASE THE USE IN GOOD THINGS. IT MEANS MORE PEOPLE ARE CONNECTING WITH THE LAND FORMING MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS WITH NATURE.

JUST LIKE I DID GROWING UP. AND FINALLY TO THE BOARD, I STRONGLY RECOMMEND IMPLEMENTING TIME LIMITS ON OTHER BOARD MEMBERS MOVING FORWARD.

[02:25:08]

LET'S ENSURE OUR MEETINGS ARE DEMOCRATIC, BALANCED, AND GROUNDED IN FACTS AND NOT PERSONAL FRUSTRATIONS.

LET'S MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS TRAIL. THE COMMUNITY IS READY.

MY GENERATION IS READY AND WE DESERVE TO BE HEARD.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS ELEANOR BLAKE.

PROMOTING YOU TO PANELIST. YOU CAN UNMUTE AND SPEAK.

YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES ON YOUR COMMENT. OKAY.

THERE YOU GO. HI. I CAN'T SEE THAT I'M BEING SEEN, BUT I ASSUME I AM.

IS THAT RIGHT? WELL, YOU'RE BEING HEARD, SO THAT'S SUFFICIENT.

HI, MY NAME IS ELEANOR BLAKE. I LIVE ABOUT A QUARTER MILE FROM THE ALVARADO PARK.

AND I ALSO ONLY RECENTLY LEARNED OF THIS PROJECT.

AND ALTHOUGH OUR [INAUDIBLE] MEMBER, MR. [INAUDIBLE], JUST SPOKE IN FAVOR OF THE [INAUDIBLE] ITSELF, I'M PRETTY SURE, SINCE I ALMOST ALWAYS GO TO THOSE MEETINGS.

WAS NOT. DID NOT GET A PRESENTATION FROM THE PARK DISTRICT ABOUT THIS, WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN A GOOD WAY TO PUBLICIZE IT IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. I HIKE IN THAT PARK WEEKLY. I WOULD LIKE TO HIKE IN AND SOMETIMES DO MORE THAN WEEKLY.

AND THE WILDCAT CREEK PATH IS TWO MILES FROM THE PARKING LOT TO THE TRAILHEAD WHERE THE NEW MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL WILL BE.

AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THOSE TWO MILES WHICH HAVE PEOPLE LIKE ME WALKING ON THEM.

JOGGERS, PEOPLE WITH DOGS, PEOPLE WITH BABY STROLLERS, PEOPLE WITH WALKERS BECAUSE IT'S A PRETTY WIDE PATH.

ABOUT HALF THE BIKERS IN THERE ARE MANY NOW WHO GO ALONG THAT TRAIL WILL RING A BELL OR CALL OUT, BUT ABOUT HALF OF THEM DO NOT. AND I WAS STRUCK DURING THE EARLIER PRESENTATIONS IN THIS MEETING TO HEAR ABOUT THE NATIONAL INTEREST IN THIS TRAIL AND THE THOUGHT OF THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO MIGHT BE COMING TO BIKE DOWN [INAUDIBLE]. IT CONCERNED ME BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO GET TO THAT TRAIL, AND I DON'T SEE ANYTHING IN THE MATERIALS ABOUT HOW THEY'RE GOING TO GET TO OR FROM THAT TRAIL TWO MILES ON THE MAIN TRAIL FROM ALVARADO AND A MILE FROM ONE OF THE OTHER TRAILS THERE, ARE ALL THE TRAILS THAT LEAD TO THE MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL HAVE HIKERS AND JOGGERS AND DOG WALKERS AND BABY STROLLER WALKERS ON THEM.

I BELIEVE THAT THE ITEM ON THE AGENDA TODAY SHOULD BE POSTPONED FOR A VOTE, UNTIL THERE HAS BEEN MORE OUTREACH AND FEEDBACK FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND SOME OTHER PEOPLE WHO USE THIS PARK ON A REGULAR BASIS.

I REALLY APPRECIATE THE INCREASING INTEREST IN MOUNTAIN BIKING, ESPECIALLY BY KIDS, BUT I JUST DON'T SEE HOW THIS PARTICULAR LOCATION IS THE RIGHT ONE FOR THEM. THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING THE POSTPONEMENT OF THIS VOTE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NEXT SPEAKER IS [INAUDIBLE].

I'M GOING TO PROMOTE YOU.

OKAY. YOU CAN UNMUTE. AND YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK.

HI. I GUESS YOU CAN HEAR ME. I WANTED TO SAY THAT THE LAND USE PLAN THAT WAS ORIGINALLY WRITTEN UP FOR WILDCAT CANYON WAS WRITTEN 50 YEARS AGO. AND IN THOSE DAYS, LIFE WAS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.

IT WAS QUIET, MORE SERENE. NOT SO MUCH TRAFFIC, FEWER PEOPLE COMING TO LIVE IN THE BAY AREA.

SO 50 YEARS LATER, IT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE THAT THE LAND USE PLAN SAID THAT THE CANYON WILL BE FREE FROM

[02:30:08]

I THINK IT'S WONDERFUL. BUT WE LIVE IN A VERY INTENSE AREA HERE IN THE BAY AREA.

AND HAVING THE REGIONAL PARKS AS A NATURE PRESERVE, I THINK IS FANTASTIC FOR THE WILDLIFE, THE ANIMALS, PLANTS THAT LIVE HERE AS WELL AS PEOPLE.

AND UNLESS YOU'VE DONE IT, HIKING IN NATURE, FEELING THE STILLNESS, THE PEACE, THE QUIET WITHIN, IT REALLY HELPS WHEN WE LIVE IN THIS WORLD OF MAYHEM THAT WE'RE GOING THROUGH.

AND I THINK THAT THE MOUNTAIN BIKES CAN STILL COME, BUT TO HAVE A MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL LIKE IT'S BEEN DESCRIBED, I THINK WILL CREATE TOO MUCH MAYHEM IN THE PARK FOR THE REASONS A LOT OF PEOPLE MENTIONED, THEY'LL BE HIKING AND SUDDENLY THERE'S A BIKE COMING DOWN THE WAY.

WE'RE HERE TO EXPERIENCE NATURE AND TO PRESERVE NATURE AND TO BECOME ONE WITH THE PEACE WITHIN OURSELVES. SO I ENCOURAGE THE IDEA OF A, IT'S LIKE A BIKE GYMNASIUM, BE CREATED SOMEWHERE ELSE. I HAVE NOTHING AGAINST THAT.

I JUST DON'T THINK IT'S PERFECT FOR A NATURE PRESERVE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. MA'AM. OUR NEXT PUBLIC COMMENTER IS. COMING DOWN TO THE WIRE. IS [INAUDIBLE].

PROMOTING YOU TO PANELIST. YOU HAVE. THERE YOU GO.

YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND THANK YOU, BOARD.

MY NAME IS [INAUDIBLE]. I'M A RESIDENT AND I'M ALSO A MUNICIPAL ADVISORY COUNCILPERSON.

I REPRESENT RESIDENTS OF EAST RICHMOND HEIGHTS AND HAZARD HEIGHTS.

AND WE NEIGHBOR THE BORDER OF WILDCAT CANYON.

MY PROPERTY IS ACTUALLY RIGHT NEXT TO ALVARADO PARK.

SO I AM SPEAKING FOR MYSELF AND MY THREE DOGS WHO VISIT THE PARK MOST DAYS.

BUT I WILL REFER TO THE [INAUDIBLE] THROUGHOUT THIS LITTLE TALK.

LIKE OTHERS, I ONLY RECENTLY FOUND OUT ABOUT THE PROPOSED BIKE TRAIL.

OUR [INAUDIBLE] WAS NOT INFORMED. WAS THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS INFORMED? I DON'T BELIEVE THEY WERE. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PROCESS.

IT GIVES THE ILLUSION OF INCLUSION WHEN KEY STAKEHOLDERS WERE LEFT OUT FROM THE BEGINNING.

THAT'S NOT A PUBLIC PROCESS. WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN DONE? WELL, YOU COULD HAVE PUT INFORMATION IN PEOPLE'S MAILBOXES.

THAT'S HOW WE FIND OUT WHEN NEIGHBORS ARE DOING CONSTRUCTION FOR USER INPUT AND NEIGHBORHOOD INPUT.

THE PRESENTER TOLD US THAT OVER 200 PEOPLE SHOWED UP TO THE PRIOR MEETING.

BUT WHO WERE THEY? LOCAL RESIDENTS, FAMILIES, DOG WALKERS, SENIORS? OR, AS THE PRESENTER ACKNOWLEDGED, MOSTLY END USERS.

PEOPLE WHO ALREADY RIDE MOUNTAIN BIKES. BECAUSE THAT'S WHO I'VE SEEN SUPPORTING THIS INITIATIVE THE PAST 24 HOURS ONLINE.

MOSTLY IT'S DUE TO RIDE BIKES. THAT IS NOT COMMUNITY DIVERSITY.

THAT'S A NICHE USER GROUP AND BELIEVE ME, I GET IT.

PEOPLE HAVE A HOBBY AND THEY WANT IT TO BE CONVENIENT AND THEY WANT INSTANT GRATIFICATION.

ADMITTEDLY, SOME OF MY SKEPTICISM ABOUT THIS PROJECT CONCERNS CO-EXISTING HARMONIOUSLY IN THE PARK AND THE BEHAVIOR OF MANY CURRENT BIKERS THERE.

THEY SPEED DOWN NARROW TRAILS, AS OTHERS HAVE SAID, COME UP BEHIND WALKERS AND DOGS AND EXPECT US TO GET OUT OF THEIR WAY.

WITH THE MAP THAT I'VE SEEN, IT LOOKS LIKE THEY'LL NEED TO GET INTO THE PARK.

AND THIS INVITES CONTINUED DISRESPECT TO THE PEOPLE AND ANIMALS.

WITH THIS PROJECT, NOW THERE'S GOING TO EVEN BE MORE OF THEM.

THIS SENSE OF ENTITLEMENT SHOULD NOT BE REWARDED WITH MORE ACCESS AND INFRASTRUCTURE.

FURTHER, WHAT ACCOUNTABILITY IS THERE BETWEEN THEM AND THE PARK USERS? APPARENTLY, OTHER PARKS IN THE AREA HAVE HAD EQUAL PROBLEMS BETWEEN THE BIKERS AND HIKERS AND DOG WALKERS.

WE'VE HEARD THAT FROM SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO SPOKE PRIOR.

THIS PRESENTATION ALSO INDICATES THAT END USERS WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE UPKEEP.

WHO'S ENFORCING THAT AND WHERE'S THE ACCOUNTABILITY AND HONOR SYSTEM? AND IF THEY DON'T, WHO PAYS FOR IT? HAVING REGIONAL GATHERINGS AND A WORLD CLASS TRAIL CERTAINLY SOUNDS LIKE A LOT OF FUN.

AND I DON'T DENY THE BENEFITS OF MOUNTAIN HIKING, BUT YOU'VE GOTTEN CONFIRMED BIAS UP TO THIS POINT BECAUSE WE JUST DIDN'T KNOW.

[02:35:07]

THIS PROJECT PUSHES HIGH SPEED HUMAN ACTIVITY ON AN ACTIVE WILDLIFE CORRIDOR.

IT CUTS OFF EAST TO WEST COYOTES, DEER, OWLS, BOBCATS.

NONE OF THEM ARE HERE TO SPEAK TODAY, BUT THEY WILL ALL BE IMPACTED.

AND WE NEED TO PROTECT THE NATURE, NOT JUST TALK ABOUT IT.

WE NEED TO ACT ACCORDINGLY. THAT'S YOUR TIME, MA'AM.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS [INAUDIBLE].

OKAY. YOU CAN UNMUTE AND YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES. ALL RIGHT.

GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE. MY NAME IS [INAUDIBLE].

I'M A RESIDENT OF WALNUT CREEK. I'M ALSO A MEMBER OF THE CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY.

ALTHOUGH I WANT TO MAKE CLEAR I'M SPEAKING TODAY AS AN INDIVIDUAL.

I'M ALSO SPEAKING AS SOMEONE WHO ENJOYS THE REGIONAL PARKS AS A HIKER.

I WANT TO EXPRESS MY VERY NEGATIVE OPINION ABOUT THE PROPOSED DOWNHILL MOUNTAIN BIKING TRAIL IN WILDCAT CANYON, AS WELL AS THE PROCESS THAT HAS BEEN USED BY THE PARK DISTRICT IN GETTING TO THIS POINT.

WE'VE HEARD A LOT OF DISCUSSION TODAY ABOUT THE DESIGNATION OF THE TRAIL LOCATION IN A DESIGNATED NATURAL AREA. I BELIEVE IT'S SIMPLY WRONG TO PLACE A HIGH INTENSITY MOUNTAIN BIKING TRAIL IN A NATURAL AREA OF ANY PARK, NOT JUST THIS ONE, IN THAT THE NATURAL AREA DESIGNATION WAS GIVEN TO THIS AREA TO FIRST AND FOREMOST REFLECT ITS NATURAL BEAUTY, ITS BIOLOGIC DIVERSITY, AND TO MAINTAIN THOSE ATTRIBUTES BY THE DESIGNATION.

AS OTHER SPEAKERS HAVE INDICATED, IT'S A PLACE ENJOYED BY ANIMALS AS WELL AS BY HUMANS, FOR ITS SOLITUDE AND FOR ITS QUIET.

ALL OF WHICH WILL BE LOST IF THE TRAIL IS BUILT.

WE'VE ALSO HEARD A LOT OF COMMENTS ABOUT SPEAKING TO THE FACT THAT TO BUILD SUCH A HIGH INTENSITY TRAIL IN WILDCAT CANYON VIOLATES THE LAND USE PLAN, THAT LAND USE PLAN MAY BE OLD, BUT IT'S STILL IN EXISTENCE.

AND WE'VE ALSO HEARD A PREVIOUS SPEAKER QUOTE FROM THAT PLAN.

AND I'M GOING TO REPEAT THAT QUOTE. AND THAT IS, NATURAL AREAS, QUOTE UNQUOTE, WILL BE FREE FROM INTENSIVE RECREATION ACTIVITIES AND DEVOID OF ANY DEVELOPMENT EXCEPT TRAILS FOR HIKING, EQUESTRIAN, AND SERVICE USE.

AND CLEARLY THE PROPOSED TRAIL IS NONE OF THOSE THINGS.

I ALSO WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR AGAIN, AS MANY OTHER COMMENTERS HAVE OBSERVED, THAT THE GENERAL PUBLIC HAS NOT BEEN ADEQUATELY INFORMED ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRAIL, AND WE HAVE THEREFORE BEEN UNABLE TO PROVIDE COMMENTS ABOUT THE TRAILS LOCATION, BUDGETED FUNDING, CONSTRUCTION DETAILS, OR IMPACTS ON OTHER PARK TRAILS AND PARK USERS.

I THINK THAT THE REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT CAN CERTAINLY DO BETTER THAN THIS.

AND SO IN ADDITION TO OPPOSING THE NEXT STEP IN THE PROCESS, WHICH IS APPARENTLY THE ISSUANCE OF A NOTICE OF PREPARATION OF AN EIR FOR THE PROPOSED TRAIL, INSTEAD, I SUGGEST THAT THE PARK DISTRICT NEEDS TO DEVELOP A PROCESS FOR THIS TYPE OF PROJECT THAT IS OPEN, INCLUSIVE, AND BEGINS BY IDENTIFYING AND FOLLOWING SPECIFIC CRITERIA, WERE THOSE CRITERIA INCLUDE FOLLOWING YOUR OWN LAND USE PLANS AND ULTIMATELY SITING A TRAIL SUCH AS THIS SOMEWHERE OTHER THAN IN A NATURAL AREA.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER IS NORMA WALLACE.

YOU CAN UNMUTE. THANK YOU AND SPEAK. THERE WE GO.

OKAY. SOUND CHECK THERE. THANK YOU. YOU'RE THERE.

DOLORES [INAUDIBLE]. VERONA [INAUDIBLE], CHOCHENYO NATIVE AMERICAN.

GENERATIONS FOR THEIR ACTIONS, BY BEING STEWARDS OF THEIR ENVIRONMENT, NOT BY POSSESSING,

[02:40:07]

I EXPERIENCE JOY WHEN I WALK THESE TRAILS OF WILDCAT CANYON, KNOWING THE ORIGINAL PEOPLE, MY GREAT GREATS TROD THEM QUIETLY, RESPECTFULLY, FOLLOWING THE MANY CRISSCROSSING TRAILS OF [INAUDIBLE].

IGNORING THE DISTRICT APPROVED LAND USE PLAN DISENFRANCHISES COMMUNITY MEMBERS BY IGNORING YOUR OWN MUTUALLY DEVELOPED COMMUNITY COMMITMENTS.

THIS PROJECT IS A SPECIFIC BETRAYAL OF YOUR OWN LAND USE PLAN.

EVEN CONSIDERING THIS PROJECT REDUCES TRUST IN THE CURRENT SOLICITATION OF PUBLIC INPUT TO THE FUTURE LAND USE PLAN.

THIS AREA OF WILDCAT CANYON IS DESIGNATED A PROTECTED NATURAL AREA TO BE, QUOTE, FREE FROM INTENSIVE RECREATIONAL ACTIVITY.

AND A FEW THINGS I'VE HEARD TODAY, THANK YOU, MICHELLE AND [INAUDIBLE].

I'M CONFUSED. WE HAVE LEARNED THIS IS A MOUNTAIN BIKE PARK PROPOSAL.

IT WILL BE BUILT ON THE HAYWARD FAULT. THAT YOU CHECKED WITH GRAZING GROUPS ABOUT IT, BUT NOT WITH HIKING GROUPS AUDUBON, SIERRA CLUB, NATIONAL PLANT SOCIETY. BUT NATIONALLY, BIKERS KNOW ABOUT IT ALREADY.

YOU'RE AVOIDING HIGH QUALITY STANDS OF WILD RIDE.

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER STANDS? LIZARDS, WHEN I GO OUT HIKING, THEY CRAVE THE OPEN CLEARED SPACES WHERE THEY CAN SUN THEMSELVES.

I CAN SEE THIS MOUNTAIN BIKE SLALOM COURSE BECOMING A GRAVEYARD FOR LIZARDS.

SQUISHED. SO. STEVE SAID THAT STAFFORD LAKE, THAT THE BIKE PARK IN MARIN IS GREAT. IT'S. IT'S ON STAFFORD LAKE, WHICH IS FLAT.

LIKE GOLDEN GATE FIELDS. THERE IS A THOUGHT CREATED BY NATURAL FORCES, THE HAYWARD FAULT, EROSION AND OTHER THINGS. IF GUTTING THIS ORIGINAL HILLSIDE AND BUILDING BERMS DOES NOT QUALIFY AS DIRECT OPPOSITE OF THIS LEGALLY STATED INTENT, I DON'T KNOW WHAT DOES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

THANK YOU.

ANDREW, WE'RE PROMOTING YOU TO PANELIST. YOU'RE ABLE TO SPEAK NOW, YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.

OH. GREETINGS. YOU CAN HEAR ME OKAY NOW? CAN SOMEBODY VALIDATE THAT YOU CAN HEAR ME? YES, I CAN HEAR YOU. THANK YOU. OKAY.

THANK YOU. MY NAME IS [INAUDIBLE], AND I'M A 20 YEAR MEMBER OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE HORSEMAN'S ASSOCIATION, WHICH DATES BACK TO 1942. I'M A FORMER REGION 5 TRAIL TRIALS CHAIR, WHICH COVERS ALAMEDA COUNTY AND CONTRA COSTA COUNTY. AND I'M A FORMER VICE PRESIDENT OF THE CENTRAL AREA OF CALIFORNIA, REPRESENTING 23 COUNTIES OF THE STATE.

I WANT TO DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO A LETTER THAT WAS SUBMITTED TO THE BOARD BY THE CALIFORNIA STATE HORSEMAN'S ASSOCIATION.

I KNOW THAT THIS PARTICULAR LETTER WAS VETTED BY THE ENTIRE SATE BOARD, THE OFFICERS OF THE CORP OF THE NONPROFIT, AND REPRESENTS A LOT MORE PEOPLE THAN THE PRESIDENT OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE HORSEMAN'S ASSOCIATION.

TO READ A PORTION OF THIS LETTER, WHICH IS IN REGARD TO THE PROPOSAL TO CONSTRUCT A TECHNICAL FACILITY FOR BIKES IN WILD CANYON, WILDCAT CANYON REGIONAL PARK. THE CALIFORNIA STATE HORSEMAN'S ASSOCIATION OPPOSES THE PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF A TECHNICAL TRAIL FOR DOWNHILL BIKE RIDING, JUMPING, AND OTHER ERRATIC MANEUVERS IN THIS LOCATION.

THIS TYPE OF BIKE RIDING IS UNNERVING FOR HIKERS, AND IT ALSO SCARES THE HORSES.

STATE WIDE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC LAND AGENCIES RECOGNIZE EQUESTRIAN TRAIL RIDING AS AN APPROVED PUBLIC OPEN SPACE RECREATIONAL ACTIVITY. CALIFORNIA IS HOME TO THE LARGEST NUMBER OF HORSE OWNERS IN THE NATION.

THE CALIFORNIA HORSE INDUSTRY CONTRIBUTES $11.6 BILLION, WITH A B TO THE STATE'S ECONOMY ANNUALLY.

[02:45:05]

THE PROPOSED LOCATION OF A MOUNTAIN BIKE FLOW TRAIL BETWEEN THE EXISTING MIZZOU AND [INAUDIBLE] TRAILS WOULD INTRODUCE LOUD COMMOTION INTO WHAT HAS BEEN PROMOTED BY THE DISTRICT AS A QUIET NATURAL AREA.

THE PROPOSED TRAIL IS DESIGNED FOR THRILL RIDING.

CYCLISTS WILL PRESUMABLY WHOOPING AND HOLLERING AS THEY SPEED DOWNHILL TOWARD WILD CREEK TRAIL.

THE FLOW TRAIL WOULD BE AN ATTRACTIVE NUISANCE.

HUNDREDS OF ADDITIONAL MOUNTAIN BIKE AND E-BIKERS WOULD LIKELY CONGEST THE NEARBY TRAILS, CREATING UNPLEASANT CONDITIONS FOR HIKERS AND EQUESTRIANS. I SIMPLY WANTED TO DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS LETTER THAT REPRESENTS THE CALIFORNIA STATE HORSEMAN'S ASSOCIATION, AND THOUGH I DON'T SPEAK FOR THAT ORGANIZATION, I SPEAK AS A MEMBER OF 20 YEARS OF THAT ORGANIZATION.

I ENCOURAGE YOU TO READ EVERY WORD OF IT AND TO CONSIDER IT.

THANK YOU. TIME IS UP TO ANDREW. THANK YOU. AND ATTENTION.

MARK ROTTERDAM. WE´RE PROMOTING YOU. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.

HEY, HOW YOU DOING? MARK ROTTERDAM I´M HERE FROM EL CERRITO, 21 YEAR RESIDENT, NORTH EL CERRITO.

I'M ALSO THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD FOR THE EL CERRITO HIGH SCHOOL MOUNTAIN BIKING TEAM.

MY SON IS ON THE TEAM. I'VE BEEN A COACH ALSO FOR THE JUNIOR MOUNTAIN BIKING TEAM IN THE AREA.

I'M ALSO A RETIRED PARK RANGER. SO A LOT OF WHAT'S BEEN TALKED ABOUT, I UNDERSTAND WHERE PEOPLE ARE COMING FROM.

I RIDE MY BIKE IN THE PARK. I HIKE IN THE PARK WITH MY DOG.

I THINK WHAT WE'RE LOSING SIGHT OF HERE, IS THE YOUTH.

HAVING BEEN INVOLVED WITH THE YOUTH AND MOUNTAIN BIKING, I THINK IT'S SO IMPORTANT, AND I'M HERE TO MAKE THAT MESSAGE VERY CLEAR. BECAUSE THE SPEAKERS SO FAR HAVEN'T BEEN REPRESENTING THE YOUTH.

THE YOUTH, OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY YOUTH, VERY CONCERNED FOR OUR YOUTH SINCE THE PANDEMIC AND FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO GET OUT ON A BIKE AND EXPLORE THE TRAILS.

OUR TEAM, EVERY TEAM ACROSS THE NATION THAT'S INVOLVED WITH THE NATIONAL INTERSCHOLASTIC CYCLING ASSOCIATION.

THEY ALLOW ALL BIKERS FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO BE PART OF THIS.

WHETHER OR NOT YOU HAVE A DISABILITY, IF YOU BARELY KNOW HOW TO RIDE A BIKE.

COME ON, LET'S GO. WE'LL TAKE YOU OUT AND SHOW YOU PLACES YOU'VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE.

AND WE TEACH RESPECT. WE COACHES TEACH RESPECT SO THAT, YOU KNOW, WE'RE RESPECTING THE PUBLIC.

AND TO HAVE A FLOW TRAIL LIKE THIS IS GOING TO REALLY OPEN UP THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THESE HIGH SCHOOLERS TO EXPERIENCE WHAT THEY'VE NEVER EXPERIENCED BEFORE IN THEIR BACKYARD.

IT'S EXPLODING IN POPULARITY. MOUNTAIN BIKING IS EXPLODING IN POPULARITY, AND ESPECIALLY IN THE YOUTH ALL ACROSS THE NATION.

I BELIEVE THERE'S 28 STATES NOW THAT HAVE A [INAUDIBLE] HIGH SCHOOL TEAM, AND IT STARTED A COUPLE DECADES AGO, AND NOW IT'S HUGE ACROSS THE COUNTRY. IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO FOCUS ON THE YOUTH HERE.

THIS ALSO WILL ALLOW THERE TO BE LESS CONFLICT WHEN WE HAVE OUR COACHES TAKE RIDERS OUT AND PULL THEM TOWARDS A PLACE THAT DOESN'T GET AS MUCH VISITATION.

LET'S FACE THE FACT. MOUNTAIN BIKING IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE.

IT'S ONLY GOING TO CONTINUE TO INCREASE IN POPULARITY AND SO WE ALL NEED TO GET ALONG.

THE HIKERS NEED TO GET ALONG WITH THE BIKERS. THE BIKERS NEED TO GO. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. YOUR TIME IS UP.

THANK YOU. MATTHEW [INAUDIBLE]. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.

[02:50:09]

I'M ACTUALLY HERE AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE BAY CHAPTER OF THE SIERRA CLUB.

I THINK FOLKS MAY OR MAY NOT KNOW THAT EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE SFA CHAPTER UPDATED ITS POLICY FOR OFF ROAD USE OF BICYCLES ON PUBLIC LANDS.

THAT POLICY NOW IS ALIGNED WITH THE NATIONAL SIERRA CLUB, AND THE SIERRA CLUB SUPPORTS RESPONSIBLE OFF ROAD BIKING IN REGIONAL PARKLANDS, AND WE ENCOURAGE EAST BAY PARKS TO CONTINUE TO OPEN ADDITIONAL TRAILS TO BIKES, PROVIDED THAT THE DISTRICT ANALYZES, REVIEWS AND IMPLEMENTS THESE TRAILS IN A MANNER CONSISTENT BOTH WITH EAST BAY PARKS POLICY AS WELL AS SIERRA CLUB POLICY.

FOR THOSE CONCERNED ABOUT POTENTIAL USER CONFLICTS, I REALLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO READ THESE DOCUMENTS.

THE CONCEPTUAL TRAIL CORRIDOR AVOIDS OR MINIMIZES IMPACT OF SENSITIVE PLANTS AND ANIMAL COMMUNITIES AND IN FACT REDUCES THE LIKELIHOOD OF USER CONFLICT FROM CURRENT LEVELS SIGNIFICANTLY. FINALLY, IN JUST A COMMENT, IN MY PERSONAL CAPACITY, I'D REALLY LIKE TO ECHO SOME OF THE THOUGHTS THAT [INAUDIBLE] GONZALEZ SHARED EARLIER. THE NORM, REALLY, IN THE REST OF THE COUNTRY IS FOR EQUITABLE ACCESS, WITH USERS SPREAD OUT AND RESULTING LOW USER CONFLICTS.

THIS IS TRUE CLOSE TO [INAUDIBLE] AND [INAUDIBLE] MILLER.

FOR PEOPLE THAT GO TO MARIN OR THE PENINSULA, SIERRA FOOTHILLS, THE TAHOE AREA, REALLY FROM COAST TO COAST IN THIS COUNTRY.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR HERE IS THE FURTHER ASSESSMENT OF THE WILDCAT BIKE TRAIL PROJECT.

AND THE SIERRA CLUB STRONGLY SUPPORTS THIS. THANK YOU SO MUCH TO ALL OF YOU.

THANK YOU, MATTHEW. [INAUDIBLE], YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.

HI. THANK YOU. MY NAME IS [INAUDIBLE], AND I'M A RESIDENT OF RICHMOND.

THE POINT OF A PUBLIC PARK SYSTEM IS TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY THAT SURROUNDS IT.

AND WHILE I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE'S A FACTION IN THE COMMUNITY THAT WANTS TO KEEP THE PARK TO THEMSELVES FOR THEIR STROLLS THROUGH THE HILL, THE REALITY IS THAT THE RECREATIONAL INTEREST OF OUR COMMUNITY IS CHANGING AND NOT EVOLVING WITH THE COMMUNITY IT SERVES CREATES AN INEQUITABLE PARK SYSTEM THAT DOESN'T REPRESENT THE DIVERSITY OF INTEREST IN OUR COMMUNITY.

IT'S WORTH NOTING THAT THE PARK ALREADY ACCOMMODATES HIKERS, HORSES, CATTLE GRAZING, AND A SPRAWLING GOLF COURSE.

BECAUSE THIS PARK IS INTENDED FOR PUBLIC ENJOYMENT, MOUNTAIN BIKING REPRESENTS A GROWING, ENGAGED AND RESPONSIBLE USER GROUP THAT DESERVES SAFE, APPROPRIATE ACCESS TO THE PARKS WE LOVE AND NOT TO BE JUDGED BY A FEW RUDE CYCLISTS ANY MORE THAN I JUDGE RUDE DOG OWNERS AS A WHOLE, BASED ON A FEW THAT DON'T CLEAN UP AFTER THEIR DOGS OR MAINTAIN LEASH CONTROL WHEN REQUIRED. BASICALLY, WHAT I'M HEARING MOST IS, I DON'T LIKE MOUNTAIN BIKERS, SO I DON'T WANT THEM IN MY PARKS.

BUT THE FACT IS, WE'RE ALREADY IN THE PARKS AND THAT ISN'T CHANGING.

A POINT MANY AGAINST THIS PROJECT ARE MISSING IS THAT MOUNTAIN BIKING IS A POWERFUL ENTRY POINT INTO A LIFELONG LOVE FOR THE OUTDOORS.

FOR MANY KIDS, WHO ARE THE NEXT GENERATION WE HOPE WILL PROTECT OUR PARKS FOR THE YEARS TO COME.

FOR MANY OF THEM, THE PASSION FOR BIKING HAS ACTUALLY LED TO A DEEPER APPRECIATION AND RESPECT FOR THE PARKS, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT A PARKS DEPARTMENT SHOULD BE SEEKING OUT.

IN A TIME WHEN IT'S INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO PULL KIDS AWAY FROM SCREENS AND FRANKLY, ADULTS TOO, WE'VE SEEN FIRSTHAND HOW MOUNTAIN BIKING BUILDS GRIT, DETERMINATION, FITNESS, COMMUNITY, AND A LOVE OF THE OUTDOORS.

IT SEEMS IRRESPONSIBLE NOT TO SUPPORT INFRASTRUCTURE THAT GETS YOUTH EXCITED TO BE OUTSIDE, MOVING AND INVESTING EMOTIONALLY IN OUR SHARED NATURAL SPACES.

ACCESS TO SAFE, BIKE SPECIFIC TRAILS IS AS MUCH A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE AS IT IS A RECREATION ONE.

I AGREE WITH THE SPEAKER SOMETIME BACK. THAT SAID, WE NEED TO LEARN MORE TO MOVE AHEAD, WHICH IS EXACTLY WHY YOU SHOULD VOTE YES TO MOVE TO THE NEXT STAGE. BECAUSE GETTING IN EIR WILL DO EXACTLY THAT.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. [INAUDIBLE].

EXCUSE ME. CAN I JUST ASK ONE QUESTION? WOULD IT BE OKAY TO LIKE.

HI. CAN YOU HEAR ME? HOLD ON JUST ONE MOMENT, MAXINE.

THANK YOU. LET US KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE ONLINE.

[02:55:03]

DO WE. IT'S A GOOD QUESTION THAT HAS BEEN ASKED, AND I WAS WONDERING THE SAME THING.

HOW MANY ARE LEFT ONLINE? WE HAVE TWO. TWO MORE.

OKAY. THERE YOU GO, [INAUDIBLE]. OR.

YOU'LL GET A TURN TO TALK.

GO AHEAD. MAXINE. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. I'VE BEEN LISTENING TO ALL THE PEOPLE SPEAKING AND ALL OF THEIR COMMENTARY, AND I RESPECT ALL OF THEM.

I THINK THE ONE PIECE THAT'S MISSING HERE IS THAT THERE'S THE PROPOSED BIKE PARK IN KIND OF THE MIDDLE OF THE PARK, BUT NO ONE'S REALLY ADDRESSING CRITICALLY HOW PEOPLE ARE GETTING THERE AND THEN BACK OUT OF THE PARK.

THEY JUST DON'T TELEPORT INTO THE MIDDLE OF THIS BIKE PARK.

THEY NEED TO GET THERE, FROM WHEREVER THEY GO.

SOME PEOPLE MENTIONED THAT THEY WOULD COME IN FROM TILDEN AND GO OVER NIMITZ, OR THEY WOULD COME IN OFF THE TOP OF LIKE THE HABSBURG AREA. I MEAN, THERE'S REALLY THREE AREAS. THEY EITHER COME IN FROM THE ALVARADO PARK PARKING LOT.

THEY MAKE THEY MIGHT DRIVE THERE AND PARK, AND THEN THEY RIDE UP WILDCAT TRAIL TO MIZZOU, OR THEY COME IN OFF TILDEN, OR THEY'RE COMING IN OFF RIFLE RANGE. PEOPLE PARK OR THEY'RE BIKING IN.

REGARDLESS, THAT IS A POTENTIALLY AND ACTUALLY UNIDENTIFIED LARGE IMPACT ON THE EXISTING STRUCTURES, THE PARKING LOTS, THE ROADS, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE COMING IN.

AND THEN COUPLED WITH THE ESTIMATED LOCAL, REGIONAL, NATIONAL INTEREST IN THIS AS A BIKE PARK.

THAT'S KIND OF A STAGGERING INCREASE IN REGULAR DAILY, WEEKEND, MONTHLY, ANNUAL USAGE IN THE PARK.

I DON'T THINK THAT THAT'S BEING ADEQUATELY ADDRESSED.

AND WHEN WE'RE TALKING STRICTLY ABOUT WILDCAT CANYON TRAIL, THAT IS SOMETIMES A SINGLE PATH TRAIL, IT OPENS BIG AND WIDE. NEXT DOWN TO SMALL TRAIL OPENS BACK UP AGAIN.

I THINK THOSE OF US WHO ARE HIKERS, PARTICULARLY WITH DOGS, WE COME UP AGAINST THAT EXPERIENCE ON A DAILY BASIS.

IT'S NOT SAFE. AND SOME CYCLISTS ARE AGAIN VERY RESPECTFUL.

SOME AREN'T. YOU STATISTICALLY INCREASE THAT, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE INCREASED CONFLICT.

IT'S JUST MATH. SO YOU KNOW THAT NO ONE IS STOPPING YOUTH FROM COMING INTO THE PARK.

ENJOYING THE TRAILS. BIKING. HIKING. RUNNING.

SO I JUST WANT TO NEUTRALIZE THIS NARRATIVE THAT SOMEHOW THIS BIKE PATH, OR TO NOT HAVE THE BIKE PARK, DISENFRANCHIZES OR KEEPS YOUTH FROM ENJOYING THE PARK.

THEY HAVE ALL THE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO ENJOY THE PARK.

THANK YOU, [INAUDIBLE], YOUR TIME IS UP.

MICHAEL, YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

MY NAME IS MICHAEL MEJIA. I LIVE 300 YARDS FROM ALVARADO PARK.

THE MOST REFRESHING THING I'VE HEARD TODAY WAS FROM THE YOUNG MAN FROM HAZARD HEIGHTS, WHO SAID, IN ESSENCE, I'M SICK OF HEARING THESE BOOMERS.

I JUST WAS ON THE GROUND LAUGHING BECAUSE I REALLY APPRECIATED THAT.

I'VE BEEN LISTENING TO THIS DIATRIBE FOR 25 YEARS.

IT'S THE SAME STUFF OVER AND OVER. AND THEN WE JUST HEARD THE GUY FROM THE EQUESTRIANS, SAME ARGUMENTS.

AND IT COMES DOWN TO WE DON'T WANT BIKES ON OUR TRAILS.

HE DIDN'T SAY IT LIKE THAT, BUT THAT IS THE MESSAGE THAT HE'S BEING DELIVERED.

AND I THINK IT'S A DAMN SHAME. I'VE BEEN RIDING IN THAT PARK SINCE 1989.

IT KEEPS ME SANE. I ENJOY THE OPEN SPACES. I ENJOY THE CALM.

I ENJOY THE EFFORT, THE CLIMBING, THE SWEATING, THE SWOOPING, THE WHOLE THING.

[03:00:06]

BECAUSE I CAN TRADE STUPID HIKER AND STUPID EQUESTRIAN STORIES WITH YOU GUYS ALL DAY, AND I WILL NOT ALLOW IT ANYMORE.

I'M TIRED OF HEARING ABOUT IT. WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, I THINK AT THIS POINT, A LOT OF THE CONCERNS THAT I'M HEARING WILL BE ANSWERED BY AN EIR, BECAUSE WHEN YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THAT RIDGE RIGHT NEXT TO YOU, THAT'S A BALD RIDGE THAT HAS BEEN GRAZED FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS.

I DON'T WANT TO HEAR THAT YOU'RE WORRIED ABOUT SQUIRRELS.

THAT PLACE HAS BEEN USED FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS.

THIS IS A VERY NEUTRAL PLACE. IT IS ISOLATED.

HIKERS WILL NOT BE AFFECTED BY THAT TRAIL. THEY WILL HAVE THEIR OWN TRAIL THAT WE WON'T BE ABLE TO GET ON.

I FULLY ENDORSE THE MOVING FORWARD IN THE EIR, BUT WILL ALSO LIKE TO SUGGEST THAT THIS IS ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO SHAPE THE MOUNTAIN BIKING CULTURE. BACK IN 1989, THERE WERE NO BELLS FOR WARNING PEOPLE.

NOW THERE ARE BELLS. THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF BEHAVIORS THAT HAVE SHAPED AND ONE OF THEM IS THE [INAUDIBLE] NORCAL HIGH SCHOOL MOUNTAIN BIKING LEAGUES.

THEY ARE SHAPING BEHAVIOR. THEY ARE MAKING THE RIDERS OF TOMORROW.

AND WHEN WE TAKE THEM OUT ON THEIR RIDES AND WE COACH THEM, WE READ THEM THE RIOT ACT ABOUT BEING WELL MANNERED AND BEING STEWARDS OF OUR SPORT.

SO THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO HELP THAT WORK CONTINUE ON.

WELL, THANK YOU ALL AND THANK THE REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT FOR ALL OF THEIR HARD WORK.

THANK YOU MICHAEL. NOW TO THOSE WHO ARE HERE.

OKAY, OKAY. PLEASE PAUSE. PLEASE PAUSE. SO I'M REALIZING NOW THAT IT'S AN HOUR AND 15 MINUTES SINCE WE CAME BACK.

SO I THINK WE SHOULD TAKE FIVE MINUTES NOW. IT'S, YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST A LITTLE BIT TOO LONG, I UNDERSTAND. FIVE MINUTES. ALL RIGHT. WE'RE BACK ON THE AIR NOW, AND WE'RE READY FOR THE FOLKS IN THE ROOM TO MAKE YOUR COMMENTS. REMEMBER, YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.

AND IF I'LL MAKE A SUGGESTION, IF YOU REPRESENT A GROUP, YOU MIGHT CONSIDER SPEAKING FOR THE GROUP AND THEN ASKING THE GROUP THAT'S HERE TO RAISE THEIR HANDS SO WE CAN VISUALLY SEE HOW MANY YOU'RE REPRESENTING. THAT'S JUST A SUGGESTION.

IT'LL HELP IT TO MOVE ALONG A LITTLE FASTER AT THIS.

FOR US IS A LATE HOUR. ALL RIGHT, SO YOU HAVE A QUEUE THERE.

LET'S GET GOING. I DO. [INAUDIBLE] AND [INAUDIBLE], THEY'RE GOING TO TEAM.

TEAM UP FOR THREE? [INAUDIBLE].

MICROPHONE. I HAVE BIKED TO SCHOOL PROBABLY EVER SINCE KINDERGARTEN, AND I ALWAYS HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT CARS AND BUSSES.

I KNOW MANY PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN HIT BY CARS OR CAR DOORS.

SO I HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL WHILE BIKING ON ROADS.

I THINK IT WOULD BE REALLY NICE TO HAVE A FLOW TRAIL, BECAUSE WE COULD GET AWAY FROM CARS AND LEARN MORE ABOUT BIKING.

HI, MY NAME IS [INAUDIBLE] AND I HAVE BEEN BIKING FOR MY WHOLE LIFE, BUT I JUST STARTED MOUNTAIN BIKING LAST YEAR.

IT IS ALWAYS HARD TO HAVE TO BIKE WITH ALL OF THE CARS IN THE TRAFFIC, BUT I REALLY ENJOY MOUNTAIN BIKING BECAUSE YOU CAN GO OUT HOWEVER FAST, DOWNHILL OR HOWEVER SLOW YOU WANT, AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO STOP AND WAIT.

I ALSO REALLY ENJOY BIKING WITH MY FRIENDS. THEN WE HAVE BRANDON AND AUDREY.

HI, MY NAME IS BRANDON YOUNG. I LIVED IN RICHMOND MY WHOLE LIFE AND I AM GOING INTO MIDDLE SCHOOL.

LAST YEAR I JOINED THE WILDCAT MOUNTAIN BIKING TEAM AND I REALLY ENJOYED IT AND WILL RIDE WITH THE TEAM AGAIN THIS YEAR.

WHEN I STARTED, I WAS NOT THAT GOOD AT RIDING AND HAD LOTS OF DOUBTS AND WANTED TO STOP, BUT I KEPT WORKING ON IT AND LOVE IT NOW.

MOUNTAIN BIKING HAS GIVEN ME CONFIDENCE IN MYSELF AND TAUGHT ME THAT I CAN DO HARD THINGS.

IT ALSO HAS BROUGHT MY FAMILY CLOSER BECAUSE WE HAVE AN ACTIVITY THAT EVERYONE ENJOYS DOING.

THIS FLOW TRAIL WILL HELP US AND CONTINUE TO DO THINGS AS A FAMILY, BECAUSE WE COULD RIDE UP TO THE TRAIL FROM OUR HOUSE INSTEAD OF DRIVING 1 OR 2 HOURS TO OTHER BIKE TRAILS. ALSO WITH THE SLOW TRAIL, WE WILL HAVE LESS HAVE A LESS RISK OF GETTING HIT BY CARS.

I HOPE YOU WILL APPROVE THIS FLOW TRAIL, BECAUSE IT WILL GIVE US A TRAIL CLOSE TO OUR HOME TO RIDE.

[03:05:03]

I LOVE BIKING AND MY ENTIRE FAMILY DOES IT, SO IT'S SOMETHING THAT I REALLY LIKE, AND I HOPE THERE CAN BE A FLOW TRAIL CLOSE TO US.

JANET [INAUDIBLE].

MY NAME IS JANET [INAUDIBLE]. I LIVE IN EL SOBRANTE, AND I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY FOR ENTERTAINING THIS PROCESS.

I AM ASKING YOU TO VOTE NO AT THIS TIME TO FUNDING THE PROPOSED EIR FOR THIS BIKE TRAIL IN THE HEART OF WILDCAT CANYON NATURAL AREA.

AND PLEASE CONTINUE TO PROTECT THE AREA'S ABILITY TO SUPPORT WILDLIFE.

NATURE NEEDS UNDISTURBED, DEDICATED SPACE AND A STABLE ENVIRONMENT TO RECREATE ITSELF EVERY YEAR.

THERE'S PLENTY OF EVIDENCE THAT WE HAVE NOT LEFT ENOUGH OF THESE SPACES FOR WILDLIFE.

BIRD POPULATIONS ARE DECLINING AND INSECTS DECLINING, ALONG WITH OTHER SPECIES THAT DEPEND ON THEM.

AND THIS IS DUE IN PART TO HABITAT LOSS. AS OUR POPULATION INCREASES, THERE WILL BE MORE PRESSURE TO USE THE REMAINING NATURAL AREAS IN WAYS THAT DON'T SUPPORT WILDLIFE. NEW ROADS AND HIGH SPEED VEHICLES IN THE MIDDLE OF A NATURAL AREA WILL RESULT IN ANIMAL MORTALITY AND DISTURBED ECOSYSTEMS. WE CAN MAKE MORE BICYCLES, WE CAN MAKE MORE PEOPLE.

BUT IT'S CHALLENGING TO FIND MORE LAND TO SET ASIDE FOR NATURE.

AND WE CAN'T EASILY RETURN SPACES TO THEIR NATURAL STATES ONCE THEY'RE DISTURBED.

MAJOR CHANGES LIKE THESE ARE SUPPOSED TO GO THROUGH A TRANSPARENT PUBLIC PROCESS.

SORRY. I'M SHAKING. AND IN ORDER TO AMEND THE GUIDING PLAN FOR A PARK FOR THESE REASONS, PLEASE VOTE NO ON FUNDING FOR THE EIR FOR THIS PROPOSED BIKE TRAIL. I'D LIKE TO EMPHASIZE A PREVIOUS PERSON'S COMMENT.

WE NEED A STABLE PROJECT DESIGN BEFORE PROCEEDING TO AN EIR.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. TIM [INAUDIBLE].

THANK YOU SO MUCH. I'M A RESIDENT OF WARD 2. I AM A RESTORATION ECOLOGIST WITH DECADES OF EXPERIENCE IN STEWARDING URBAN LANDSCAPES AND ALSO WILD LANDSCAPES. IS THIS GOING TO.

YOU'RE GOING TO FIX THAT? OKAY, GREAT. I'D LIKE TO PERSONALLY THANK MY REPRESENTATIVE DIRECTOR DESCHAMBAULT FOR HER QUESTIONS THAT WERE INVITED, AND ALSO SOME OF THE RIDICULE THAT SHE HAD TO PUT UP WITH.

THIS PROJECT, AS DESCRIBED TODAY, IS A CLASSIC CASE OF TEXTBOOK INCREMENTAL PLANNING. IT'S NOT HOLISTIC PLANNING. IT'S INCREMENTALISM.

IT'S PIECEMEAL PLANNING. AND IT'S ALSO A TEXTBOOK OF HABITAT FRAGMENTATION, CUTTING A PARK BASICALLY IN HALF.

I URGE THE DIRECTORS TO VOTE NO ON THIS PROJECT.

AND LET'S TURN OUR ATTENTION TO WORKING TOGETHER ON FINDING A PARCEL OF LAND THAT'S NOT SO SENSITIVE.

AND LET'S BUILD A WORLD CLASS MOUNTAIN BIKING FACILITY.

LET'S NOT BE CARVING UP OUR EXISTING PARKS AND OUR EXISTING NATURE AREAS.

LET'S HAVE MORE IMAGINATION AND MORE RESOURCES AND LET'S BUILD THESE PEOPLE A PARK THAT THEY CAN USE.

MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE IS MOSTLY WITH JOAQUIN MILLER PARK, AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT THAT PARK HAS BEEN ABSOLUTELY DEVASTATED BY MOUNTAIN BIKING, BY OFF TRAIL HIKING, BY SUMMER CAMPS THAT ARE UNREGULATED.

AND THE MOUNTAIN BIKING COMMUNITY THAT I'M EXPOSED TO THERE, IS NOT THESE NICE YOUNG PEOPLE THAT JUST SPOKE.

THESE ARE ALMOST PARAMILITARY TYPE PEOPLE. AND IF YOU LOOK AT THE SOCIAL MEDIA THAT IS ONLINE, IT'S REPLETE WITH PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT POACHING TRAILS, ABOUT NIGHT RIDING, ABOUT RUNNING DOWN HIKERS, ABOUT CONFLICTS WITH DOG WALKERS. AND IT'S A VERY HOSTILE COMMUNITY ONLINE.

AND I KNOW THAT DOESN'T NECESSARILY REPRESENT THE ENTIRE MOUNTAIN BIKING COMMUNITY, BUT THAT IS THE MOUNTAIN BIKING COMMUNITY I SEE.

AND THERE IS A NETWORK OF DESIGNATED TRAILS IN JOAQUIN MILLER PARK.

THERE'S A NETWORK OF ILLEGAL TRAILS THAT IS JUST AS LARGE.

[03:10:04]

AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO A PARTNERSHIP WHERE WE ACTUALLY MAKE THAT PARK SAFER.

YOUR STAFF HAS ALREADY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE'S ILLEGAL TRAILS IN WILDCAT CANYON.

WHAT MAKES YOU THINK INVITING THOUSANDS OF MORE PEOPLE INTO THAT PARK RIDING DAY AND NIGHT ISN'T GOING TO CAUSE A SIMILAR PROBLEM? SO I URGE YOU TO VOTE NO ON THIS PROPOSITION AND TO PROTECT WILDCAT CANYON IN THE FUTURE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. [INAUDIBLE].

SORRY.

I'M AN AVID HIKER AND JOGGER AND HAVE EITHER RAN OR HIKED MOST OF THE LOCAL BAY AREA TRAILS.

I'M ALSO A PROPERTY OWNER AND I PAY TAXES AS WELL, AND I AM MORE THAN WILLING TO HAVE MY TAX DOLLARS FUND THIS PROJECT.

WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, I NEVER LEARNED HOW TO RIDE A BIKE BECAUSE THERE WASN'T A SAFE PLACE TO LEARN HOW TO DO SO.

THE STREETS WERE FULL OF CARS, AND TRAILS WERE HARD TO GET TO BECAUSE THEY WERE IN MORE AFFLUENT COMMUNITIES.

I'M GLAD, AS A PARENT, THAT MY CHILDREN ALL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN HOW TO RIDE A BIKE AND TRY NEW THINGS.

LAST YEAR, MY SON STARTED RIDING WITH THE WILDCAT COMPOSITE TEAM, AND I'VE SEEN HOW MUCH GOOD BIKING HAS DONE FOR HIM.

NOT ONLY IS HE PHYSICALLY STRONGER, BUT HIS SELF-CONFIDENCE, MATURITY, AND SOCIAL INTERACTIONS WITH HIS PEERS HAVE IMPROVED.

I'VE ALSO NOTICED THAT HIS ANXIETY LEVEL HAS DECREASED AND HIS OVERALL MENTAL HEALTH HAS GONE BETTER.

AND ON THE DAYS THAT HE HAS LONG RIDES WITH THE TEAM, HE'S SO PROUD OF HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND NOW UNDERSTANDS THAT HE CAN DO HARD THINGS.

BIKING HAS ALSO GIVEN HIM AN OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY BY WORKING ON THE TRAILS AND HELPING CLEAN UP HIKING AND BIKING ROADS.

THIS ENTHUSIASM HAS RUBBED OFF ON THE WHOLE FAMILY, AND HIS YOUNGER SISTER NOW WANTS TO RIDE AND BE LIKE HER BIG BROTHER.

UNFORTUNATELY, IN RICHMOND, THERE'S NOT A REAL PLACE THAT IS DESIGNED FOR RIDING SAFELY WITH HER.

THE BIKE LANES ARE DANGEROUS, AND THE ONLY BIKE FRIENDLY PLACE WE FOUND IS AT THE BAY TRAIL AND AT MARINA WAY.

HOWEVER, THAT IS A MULTI-USE TRAIL AND CAN BE DANGEROUS WHEN IT GETS CROWDED.

AS A RESULT, IF AND WHEN WE WANT TO RIDE AS A FAMILY, WE OFTEN HAVE TO GET IN OUR CAR AND TRAVEL QUITE A WAYS.

I LIVE LESS THAN A MILE FROM ALVARADO PARK AND THE PROPOSED WILDCAT FLOW TRAIL, AND WOULD BE A 5 TO 10 MINUTE BIKE RIDE FROM OUR HOUSE IN RICHMOND. THIS FLOW TRAIL WOULD PROVIDE A SPACE FOR KIDS AND FAMILIES FROM A HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY TO HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO RIDE THAT'S CLOSE TO HOME.

AS HUMANS, WE ALL WANT TO BE HEARD, AND WE WANT OUR NEEDS TO BE IMPORTANT TO OTHERS.

UNFORTUNATELY, FOR RICHMOND RESIDENTS, WE ARE OFTEN BEING IGNORED BECAUSE GOVERNMENT TENDS TO CATER TO A MORE AFFLUENT AND VOCAL GROUP WHOSE AGENDA OFTEN DOES NOT MEET THE COMMUNITY. WE SEE THAT AS WE LOOK AROUND THE ROOM AND SEE THE OPPOSITION AGAINST THE FLOW TRAIL.

IT UNDERLINES MY POINT THAT A FEW AFFLUENT OR VOCAL GROUP MAKE A DECISION FOR AN UNDERSERVED AND OFTEN UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.

THE APPROVAL OF THE WILDCAT FLOW TRAIL WOULD SHOW US, THE RESIDENTS OF RICHMOND, THAT OUR VOICES MATTER AS WELL.

IT WOULD BEGIN TO FOSTER A FEELING OF INCLUSIVITY AND LET OUR COMMUNITY KNOW THAT WE DESERVE GOOD THINGS AS WELL.

I URGE THE BOARD TO PASS THIS PROPOSAL FOR THE FLOW TRAIL.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. JUDITH SMITH. JUDITH SMITH.

THANK YOU. THERE YOU GO. VERY GOOD. HELLO. MY NAME IS JUDITH SMITH.

I'M A NEW MEMBER OF THE EAST BAY PARKS PUBLIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE, AND I WANT TO START JUST BY THANKING THE BOARD AND THE STAFF, BECAUSE WE'RE REALLY LUCKY TO HAVE SUCH AN EXTENSIVE PARK SYSTEM.

I AM OPPOSED TO THIS PROJECT. I FEEL THERE'S BEEN VERY LITTLE TRANSPARENCY ABOUT IT.

I'M NEW ON THE PAC, BUT THERE'S BEEN NO MENTION OF THIS AT THE PAST TWO MEETINGS THAT WE HAVE HAD.

AND THIS IS A CONTROVERSIAL PROJECT, OBVIOUSLY.

I FEEL LIKE THE $1 MILLION DONATION IS REALLY SUSPECT, AND I THINK IT BRINGS A LOT OF QUESTIONS TO PEOPLE WHO LEARN ABOUT IT.

THE PROJECT TIMELINE AND THE PRESENTATION SHOWED NO PUBLIC COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROCESS OR MENTION EXCEPT FOR THE MOUNTAIN BIKE COMMUNITY.

THIS IS A TIME OF FEDERAL ASSAULT ON BIODIVERSITY AND PUBLIC LAND.

LOCAL AGENCIES, INCLUDING EAST BAY PARKS, NEED TO STEP UP AND PRIORITIZE CONSERVATION OVER DESTRUCTION FOR HIGH INTENSITY HUMAN

[03:15:10]

WHEN I WAS TALKING TO MY FRIENDS AND OTHER PEOPLE ABOUT THIS PROJECT, NO ONE HAD HEARD ABOUT IT.

SO HOW IS IT THAT MOUNTAIN BIKERS NATIONALLY KNOW ABOUT IT, BUT NEIGHBORS AND PARK USERS HAVE NOT HEARD ABOUT IT IN THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS THAT IT'S BEEN ON THE TABLE, APPARENTLY. THIS NEEDS TO GO BACK IN FRONT OF THE PUBLIC WITH INTENTIONAL, EXTENSIVE OUTREACH TO GET WIDE, DIVERSE ENGAGEMENT ON WHETHER THIS PROJECT SHOULD GO FORWARD AT ALL.

THANK YOU. BARBARA [INAUDIBLE].

BYE KIDS, THANKS FOR COMING. MY NAME IS BARBARA [INAUDIBLE].

I AM A BOARD MEMBER OF THE EAST BAY CHAPTER OF THE CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY.

A RESIDENT OF ORINDA, A PARK USER, A PLANT ECOLOGIST, AND RECIPIENT OF THE ORINDA ASSOCIATION'S 2020 WILLIAM PENN ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE. I JUST THOUGHT I'D MENTION THAT NAME.

ONE OF THE MOST ASTONISHING THINGS THAT I SAW TODAY WAS THE RENDERING OF THE TRAIL.

BECAUSE I KNOW THAT WHEN PEOPLE ARE USING A DIFFICULT TRAIL LIKE THAT, THEY'RE GOING TO BE PEOPLE FALLING OFF THE TRAIL.

THERE ARE GOING TO BE PEOPLE TAKING SHORTCUTS. SOMEBODY DOESN'T WANT TO GO AROUND THOSE BOULDERS AND THEY DON'T WANT TO GO THROUGH THEM.

THEY WANT TO GO AROUND THEM. SO THAT RENDERING VASTLY UNDER REPRESENTS THE AMOUNT OF DISTURBANCE THAT WOULD TAKE PLACE.

SO REALLY, ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SAY IS CAN WE FIND A PLACE TO PUT THIS THAT'S ALREADY DESTROYED? AND THAT GETS TO THE OTHER PART OF MY COMMENTS, WHICH IS PROCESS.

AS REGIONAL PARK BOARD MEMBERS, YOU'RE CHARGED WITH ACTING ACCORDING TO THE DISTRICT'S VALUES STATED ON THE DISTRICT'S WEBSITE.

AND I'M CONCERNED THAT THE PROCESS YOU'RE ENGAGED IN, THAT OF SITING A HIGH SPEED MOUNTAIN BIKE FLOW TRAIL IN AN UNDEVELOPED PART OF WILDCAT CANYON, IS INCONSISTENT WITH THE DISTRICT'S VALUES AND POLICIES.

THE LAND USE PLAN IS OLD. IN FACT, I HAD A HARD TIME FINDING IT.

IT'S 40 YEARS OLD, BUT THAT'S A SEPARATE PROBLEM.

THAT MEANS THAT LAND USE PLANS NEED TO BE UPDATED, BUT THAT'S THE PLACE WHERE THE PUBLIC GETS TO HAVE SOME INPUT ON THE BROADER TOPIC OF WHAT IS APPROPRIATE LAND USE. AND AS IT STANDS NOW, THIS FLOW TRAIL IS IN AN AREA THAT'S DESIGNATED AS A NATURAL AREA.

SECOND, WE JUST AREN'T SEEING A PROCESS FOR WEIGHING THE IMPACTS OF THIS HIGH SPEED, EXCLUSIVE BIKE ROUTE THROUGH THE NATURAL AREA AND THE KIND OF EFFECTS IT HAS ON OTHER PARK USERS. THIRD, THE STAFF HAS DISCUSSED THE FLOW TRAIL EXTENSIVELY WITH THE MOUNTAIN BIKE COMMUNITY, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC HAS NOT BEEN ADEQUATELY NOTIFIED OR HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE INPUT, DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE VAST MAJORITY OF PARK USERS ARE HIKERS, NOT MOUNTAIN BIKERS.

IS THIS REALLY THE WAY TO RESPECT THE MORE THAN 80% OF PARK USERS WHO WILL SEE WILDCAT DEGRADED BY THIS HIGH IMPACT TRAIL? YOUR VISION SAYS THAT YOUR RELATIONSHIPS ARE A CORE VALUE.

WE ARE DEEPLY CONCERNED THAT THE PROCESS SO FAR DOES NOT HONOR THE TRUST THAT WE HAVE PLACED IN YOU.

YOUR STATEMENT ALSO PROMISES RESPONSIVENESS, OPEN, HONEST AND RELIABLE COMMUNICATION.

AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE TO ENCOURAGE THIS WITH US, YOUR PUBLIC.

IT APPEARS TO ME THAT THIS WHOLE PROCESS HAS REALLY GOTTEN WAY, WAY AHEAD OF ITSELF AND THAT OPEN, TRANSPARENT, TRUSTING AND RESPONSIVE VALUES THAT YOU'RE ENTRUSTED TO UPHOLD.

I URGE YOU ALL TO TAKE A BIG STEP BACK, REVISIT YOUR CORE VALUES, AND REVISE YOUR PROCESS.

THANK YOU. BARBARA. ELIZABETH HUDSON.

THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.

I'M ELIZABETH HUDSON. I AM AN EQUESTRIAN. I AM ALSO A VOLUNTEER MOUNTED PATROL FOR EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK,

[03:20:02]

THE BENEFITS OF MOUNTAIN BIKING, THE REASONS THAT THIS IS A BAD PLACE TO PUT IT.

AND MY COMMENTS ARE GOING TO BE MORE GEARED TOWARD THE EQUESTRIAN USE.

BECAUSE THERE ARE NOT A LOT OF US HERE TO SPEAK.

SO FIRST OF ALL, TO BECOME A VOLUNTEER MOUNTED PATROL, YOUR HORSE HAS TO BE PRETTY BOMB PROOF.

THEY SHOOT GUNS, THEY WAVE FLAGS, TARPS, MAKE YOU DO ALL SORTS OF THINGS THAT YOU WOULD NEVER SEE ON THE TRAIL.

THE IDEA IS YOUR HORSE IS A SOLID HORSE. THE ONLY TIME I HAVE COME OFF IN THE LAST TEN YEARS, AND IT'S BEEN 3 OR 4 TIMES, HAS BEEN WHEN A BIKE HAS APPEARED ON THE TRAIL.

I NO LONGER RIDE THAT HORSE BY MYSELF. I WILL GO OUT WITH OTHER HORSES BECAUSE THEN IF I COME OFF AND GET HURT, SOMEBODY CAN CALL AND GET SOME HELP. BUT THE REALITY IS I DON'T HAVE A FLIGHTY HORSE.

BUT THE BIKES THAT COME OVER FAST, THAT COME UP BEHIND THAT POP OUT OF UNSEEN, YOU KNOW, UNFORESEEN CURVES.

THEY ARE A DANGER. AS A CHILD, I USED TO RIDE IN REDWOOD REGIONAL PARK IN [INAUDIBLE]. I WAS 11 YEARS OLD. I WENT OUT BY MYSELF.

NOBODY THOUGHT ANYTHING OF IT. I NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS. I DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE LETTING MY GRANDCHILDREN HAVE THAT SAME EXPERIENCE.

SO THAT'S THE SAFETY ISSUE. AS FAR AS ENFORCEMENT, THE BRIONES PROJECT DID NOT RESULT IN BIKE FREE DAYS FOR EQUESTRIANS. EVERY TIME I'VE RIDDEN IN BRIONES, THERE HAVE BEEN BIKES ON THE TRAILS ON THE BIKE FREE DAY.

SO THERE WAS THE ABILITY TO REINFORCE THE, YOU KNOW, THE RESOURCES IT TAKES, THE WILL IT TAKES TO DO ENFORCEMENT.

AS FAR AS ACCESS, WHEN YOU MAKE IT UNSAFE FOR EQUESTRIANS, THIS IS HOW YOU GET RID OF US.

ONE TRAIL AT A TIME, ONE AREA AT A TIME. REDWOOD REGIONAL PARK IS NOT THE PARK I RODE IN AS A SMALL CHILD.

NOW, WHEN I GO, IT'S NOT A RELAXING EXPERIENCE ANYMORE.

I AM CONSTANTLY LOOKING OUT FOR THOSE BIKES SPEEDING AROUND THE TRAILS.

AND YES, YOU WILL REDUCE CONFLICTS IF YOU GET RID OF ONE OF THE GROUPS.

SO ON A BIT OF A HUMOROUS SCALE, IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN ACCOMMODATING HIGH SPEED ADRENALINE SPORTS, I'D LIKE TO PROPOSE THAT WE START TALKING ABOUT AN EVENTING AREA WHERE WE ADD JUMPS AND MOATS FOR HORSE EVENTING, BUT THAT'S KIND OF SAID IN HUMOR. PLEASE TAKE THE EQUESTRIAN POINT OF VIEW SERIOUSLY, THIS IS NOT AN APPROPRIATE PLACE FOR THE TRAIL.

THANK YOU. NORMAN LA FORCE.

GOOD AFTERNOON, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. NORMAN LA FORCE.

I SPEAK AS PRESIDENT OF SPRAWLDEF TODAY. WHAT YOU'RE DOING HERE TODAY IS YOU'RE PUTTING THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE.

YOU DON'T REALLY HAVE ENOUGH INFORMATION OR A BASIS FOR GOING FORWARD WITH A NOTICE OF PREPARATION OF A EIR.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO IS DO WHAT YOU SHOULD DO UNDER YOUR MASTER PLAN, WHICH IS YOU DO A LAND USE PLAN AMENDMENT FOR THIS PROJECT AND FOLLOW THAT.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE HEARD THAT LAND USE PLANS AND LAND USE PLAN AMENDMENTS, THEY'RE JUST SORT OF VISION THINGS.

AND THAT CAME FROM THE STAFF. I HAVE NEVER HEARD IN MY 40 SOME ODD YEARS OF BEING INVOLVED WITH THE PARK DISTRICT, THAT THIS BOARD OR ANY OTHER PRIOR BOARD HAS AGENDIZED THE ISSUE OF WHAT IS A LAND USE PLAN OR LUPA AND OR A LUPA AND SAID, OH, THEY'RE JUST VISION DOCUMENTS. THEY DON'T REALLY MEAN ANYTHING.

WE CAN DO ANYTHING WE WANT BECAUSE THEY'RE JUST A VISION.

IF YOU'RE GOING TO TAKE THAT POSITION, THEN IT NEEDS TO BE AGENDIZED BY THIS BOARD WHERE YOU STATE, WE DO NOT SEE ANY LEGAL FORCE IN EFFECT OF A LAND USE PLAN OR A LUPA.

AND THAT WOULD BE RATHER SURPRISING FOR THIS PARK, BECAUSE IT HAD TWO LUPAS, ONE IN 1991 AND ONE IN 1995.

THERE WAS NO STATEMENT THAT THOSE ARE SIMPLY VISION THINGS THAT DON'T REALLY MATTER.

SO YOU NEED TO GO BACK TO THE REAL PROCESS HERE AND YOU NEED TO BE TRANSPARENT.

THIS PROCESS HAS NEVER BEEN TRANSPARENT IN PUBLIC IN THE WAY IT SHOULD BE.

DO YOU KNOW THAT I ONLY LEARNED ABOUT THIS ON JULY 15TH, THIS MEETING? I HAVE THE BLOG FROM THE MOUNTAIN BIKERS THAT WAS DATED JULY 7TH, WHERE THEY SAY, HEY EVERYBODY,

[03:25:08]

BETTER SHOW UP. JULY 7TH, OKAY? IN THE POINT STRATEGIES DOCUMENT, IT STATES THAT THEY HAD A KEY STAKEHOLDERS GOING OUT TO LOOK AT THE PROPOSED PARK, THAT NEVER INVOLVED ANYBODY FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNITY.

SO THERE'S JUST A LOT OF ISSUES. AND FINALLY, WITH REGARD TO THE DONATION, YES, IT'S NICE TO GET $1 MILLION DONATION.

BUT FROM THE PUBLIC RECORDS ACT REQUEST THAT I GOT, THAT DONATION HAS STRINGS.

ONE OF ALL THOSE STRINGS ARE YOU HAVE TO APPROVE THE PROJECT, AGREE WITH ALL THE PERMITS, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, YOU HAVE TO APPROVE THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT, REGARDLESS, REGARDLESS OF WHAT IT SAYS.

IT COULD SAY THAT THIS IS A PROJECT THAT SHOULD NOT BE APPROVED.

AND YOU KNOW, ALL OF YOU KNOW THAT IF YOU DON'T APPROVE IT, THEN YOU DON'T GET THE MONEY.

THAT HAS TAINTED THIS WHOLE PROCESS FROM THE FIRST DATE THAT THAT DONATION WAS MADE WITH THOSE CONDITIONS, I CAN'T SEE HOW YOU CAN GO FORWARD IN THE WAY YOU'RE DOING NOW WITHOUT DEALING WITH THESE ISSUES.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. JOHN [INAUDIBLE]. GOOD AFTERNOON, BOARD.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. YOU'VE HEARD A LOT OF TALK HERE, A LOT OF OPINIONS ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

I HAVE NO DISRESPECT FOR THE BIKERS. I'M HERE TO GIVE VOICE TO MY EMAILED COMMENTS ABOUT THE PROPOSED MOUNTAIN BIKING RACE COURSE, AS WE CALL IT, A FLOW PATH. I'M A HIKER AND A BIKER.

I DO APPRECIATE THE THRILL OF THIS. I APPRECIATE THE IDEA THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY ATTENTION THEN, BECAUSE YOU'RE ON THE TRAIL. OR YOU CAN FLY DOWN THE HILL, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE GOING TO MAKE A LOT OF EFFORT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM THAT IT SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF BIKERS JUST DON'T FOLLOW THE RULES.

IF THEY FOLLOW THE RULES, WE COULD COEXIST. ON THE PAST, I'VE HAD MANY CASES WHERE I'VE BEEN SCARED, BUT I'VE HAD MANY CASES WHERE IT'S BEEN NO PROBLEM.

BUT I NEVER THOUGHT THE SOLUTION WOULD BE TO MAKE A [INAUDIBLE] PATH TO ACHIEVE THAT SAFETY GOAL. BUT MORE THAN THAT, I THINK WE SHOULD REMEMBER THIS IS A PART AND WHAT NORMAN SAID AND THE QUESTIONS HERE.

THE QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD WERE COMPLETELY APPROPRIATE.

MAKING THIS INTO A BATTLE BETWEEN OLD PEOPLE AND THE YOUTH IS FOOLISH AND NONPRODUCTIVE.

I JUST DON'T THINK THAT THE PLACE FOR THIS KIND OF THING IS WHERE IT'S BEEN PROPOSED TO BE PUT.

I MIGHT SUGGEST THAT AREA NEAR THE BIKER'S CLUB, DOWN NEAR KELLER BEACH, DOWN THERE, DOWN IN THAT PART OF THE PARK SERVICE DOWN THERE.

YOU GUYS KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. WHERE THERE WAS A QUARRY AND THERE USED TO BE A PROBLEM WITH MOTORCYCLISTS.

MOUNTAIN BIKERS IN THOSE DAYS WERE LITTLE MOTORCYCLES.

THERE USED TO BE A PROBLEM IN WILDCAT CANYON, WHERE I LIVED, THAT THE PARK SERVICE WOULD FLY AROUND THE HELICOPTER AND TELL THE BIKERS TO GET OUT OF THERE. SO NOW BIKING SEEMS TO BE MORE OKAY, BUT I JUST DON'T THINK THAT'S THE PLACE.

NO DISRESPECT TO THE BIKERS, I DIG IT, I DIG THE EXCITEMENT, BUT IT'S NOT THE RIGHT PLACE FOR IT.

AND FURTHERMORE, AS PEOPLE HAVE SAID, WHERE'S THE TRANSPARENCY? WHY DO THEY ALL KNOW ABOUT IT? AND THE NEIGHBORS BARELY HEAR OF IT UNTIL LAST MINUTE.

AND LASTLY, AS MY TIME IS RUNNING DOWN, I THINK THE STAFF IS BIASED.

THERE'S CLEAR EVIDENCE HERE. THE DECISION IS MORE OR LESS GONE DOWN ONE CERTAIN PATH.

FAR TOO FAR IN MY OPINION AT THIS POINT. AND I DIRECT THAT TO YOU PERSONALLY.

I THINK IT'S GONE TOO FAR. I DON'T KNOW HOW IT GOT THIS FAR, FRANKLY, WITHOUT MORE PUBLIC INPUT, OKAY? BUT I DEFINITELY SEE A DISTINCT BIAS IN FAVOR OF THE PARK ON THE PART OF THE STAFF.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. JOHN CALLOWAY.

HI, I'M JOHN CALLOWAY. I'M A BERKELEY RESIDENT.

FIRST, THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR SERVICE. I DEFINITELY AM A USER OF EAST BAY REGIONAL PARKS, IN PARTICULAR WILDCAT AND TILDEN. I'M AN AVID BIRDER, A NATIVE PLANT ENTHUSIAST.

I'M ALSO AN ECOLOGIST. I'VE WORKED ON RESTORATION ISSUES AROUND THE BAY FOR 25 YEARS, SO I'VE BEEN INVOLVED WITH CONSERVATION ISSUES FOR A LONG, LONG TIME. I'M ALSO A BIKER AND I BIKE IN TILDEN AND WILDCAT, SO I DEFINITELY SEE THE LARGE NUMBER OF GROUPS OF SCHOOL KIDS AND EVERYONE USING THOSE AREAS. AND I'M VERY MUCH AWARE OF THE NEED FOR THEIR BIKE TRAILS.

[03:30:03]

AS PROPOSED, IT WILL IMPACT A NUMBER OF GRASSLAND BIRD SPECIES.

I'M THE CHAIR OF THE EAST BAY CONSERVATION COMMITTEE FOR THE GOLDEN GATE BIRD ALLIANCE AND THE EAST BAY CONSERVATION COMMITTEE.

OVER THE LAST YEAR, WE'VE BEEN DEVELOPING A DOCUMENT TO IDENTIFY BIRD SPECIES OF CONCERN FOR ALAMEDA AND CONTRA COSTA COUNTY.

IT'S NOT DONE YET. WHEN IT'S AVAILABLE, WE'LL DEFINITELY SHARE IT WITH YOU AND YOUR STAFF.

BUT ONE OF THE LESSONS FROM THAT DOCUMENT THAT WAS HIGHLIGHTED EARLIER BY ONE OF THE ONLINE COMMENTERS IS THE DECLINE IN GRASSLAND BIRD SPECIES.

AND THIS PROPOSED PROJECT WILL IMPACT GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS THAT ARE A STATE SPECIES OF CONCERN AND THAT HAVE BEEN DOCUMENTED TO NEST AROUND THAT AREA, AS WELL AS SAVANNA SPARROWS THAT ARE ANOTHER STATE LISTED SPECIES OF CONCERN, AND WESTERN MEADOWLARK.

SO I THINK, YOU KNOW, THERE'S SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS TO THE ECOSYSTEM, SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS TO THOSE SPECIES.

I ALSO WOULD REITERATE THAT WHAT YOU'VE HEARD BEFORE ABOUT THE CUMULATIVE IMPACTS OF THIS PROJECT.

IT'S NOT JUST THE IMPACTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE TRAIL, BUT THE IMPACT OF EVERYONE GETTING TO THAT TRAIL.

AND I THINK IT'S REALLY SOMEWHAT DISINGENUOUS FOR THE BIKING COMMUNITY TO HIGHLIGHT, TO SAY THAT THERE WON'T THEY'LL BE REDUCED IMPACTS ON ADJACENT TRAILS, BUT THERE ALSO WILL BE A DRAMATIC INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF USERS.

I DON'T SEE HOW THOSE TWO THINGS CAN HAPPEN AT THE SAME TIME.

THERE WILL BE MUCH GREATER IMPACTS ON THE ADJACENT TRAILS.

AND THEN LAST, THE ISSUE OF OUTREACH HAS COME UP OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

AND I THINK IT IS CLEAR THAT THE OUTREACH HAS REALLY BEEN BIASED AND THAT THIS REALLY HASN'T BEEN A PUBLICLY OPEN PROCESS, AND THAT MOST OF US IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNITY HEARD ABOUT THIS IN THE LAST WEEK OR TWO.

AND I THINK IT'S AMAZING HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TURNED OUT TO SPEAK OUT IN FAVOR OF THE ENVIRONMENT.

AND EVEN MORE THAN IN THE BIKING COMMUNITY, EVEN THOUGH IT'S BEEN VERY WIDELY PUBLICIZED IN THAT COMMUNITY.

SO I THINK YOU REALLY NEED TO LISTEN TO THE PUBLIC ON THIS AND I URGE YOU TO RESTART THE PROCESS, AND HAS BEEN HIGHLIGHTED, THINK ABOUT WHERE THERE ARE BETTER OPPORTUNITIES TO PUT IN A TRAIL LIKE THIS.

THANK YOU. [INAUDIBLE].

OKAY. HI. MY NAME IS [INAUDIBLE], AND I LIVE IN WALNUT CREEK.

AND THIS IS A REVISION OF MY STATEMENT THAT'S IN THE BOARD PACKET.

THERE IS NO PUBLIC PROCESS BETWEEN 2020 AND 2023 TO GATHER INPUT FROM ALAMEDA AND CONTRA COSTA COUNTY CITIZENS TO PLAN THE BIKE TRAIL, EXCEPT FOR CYCLING GROUPS. AND THIS IS ACCORDING TO YOUR TIMELINE IN YOUR AGENDA PACKET.

YOU MET WITH CYCLING ADVOCATES FOR THREE YEARS.

BOARD MEMBERS, YOU PLANNED A PUBLIC BOARD MEETING IN APRIL 2023 ON THE BIKE FLOW TRAIL WITH BIKE GROUPS.

MOST OF THE PUBLIC WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS MEETING.

I WAS NOT AWARE. MOSTLY BIKERS ATTENDED. YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE OPPOSED TO A HIGH INTENSITY BIKING FLOW TRAIL IN THE MIDDLE OF WILDCAT CANYONS NATURAL AREA.

PLEASE VOTE NO TODAY TO ADVANCE THIS PROJECT UNTIL THERE'S FURTHER PUBLIC DISCOURSE.

I'D LIKE YOU TO CHANGE YOUR TRAIL PLANNING PROCESS TO INCLUDE ALL THE RESIDENTS OF ALAMEDA AND CONTRA COSTA COUNTIES, WHO WISH TO BE PART OF THE PROCESS. HOW WILL YOU KEEP THE PUBLIC INFORMED? WILL IT ONLY BE ON BOARD AGENDAS? IN MY WRITTEN STATEMENT, I ASKED YOU TO DISCUSS THE BUDGET FOR THE BIKE FLOW TRAIL AT A PUBLIC MEETING.

I SAID, I'M CONCERNED THAT THE BOARD PACKET UNDERESTIMATES THE COST OF THE FLOW TRAIL.

THAT COULD BE UP TO $1 DOLLARS. ONLY TODAY YOU SAID THAT THE COST COULD BE BETWEEN 500 AND $700,000, ACCORDING TO POINT STRATEGIES. AND THIS IS IN 2024 DOLLARS.

SO THE COST IS GOING TO BE MUCH HIGHER FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TRAIL.

WILL THE BUDGET INCLUDE MONEY TO RESTORE AND REPAIR THE ERODED AND DANGEROUS HIKER ONLY TRAILS IN WILDCAT AND TILDEN, WHICH INCLUDE THE LUPINE AND HAVEY CANYON TRAILS? WILL IT INCLUDE MONEY FOR TRAIL RESTORATION AND SIGNAGE TO NOTIFY BIKERS WHEN LEONARD'S TRAIL IS CLOSED TO BIKES UPON THE OPENING OF THE FLOW TRAIL? I'M SORRY. WE NEED MORE MONEY TO MAINTAIN AND RESTORE TRAILS FOR EVERYONE, INCLUDING HIKERS, DOG WALKERS, JOGGERS, HORSEBACK RIDERS, AND BIKERS IN ALL OF THE REGIONAL PARKS.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

[03:35:05]

THANK YOU. SCOTT [INAUDIBLE].

HELLO. I'M SCOTT [INAUDIBLE], ADVOCACY DIRECTOR FOR BICYCLE TRAILS COUNCIL OF THE EAST BAY.

I'M COMMENTING ON BEHALF OF THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE BICYCLE TRAILS COUNCIL, AND THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENTS TODAY.

I APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK THAT STAFF PUT IN AND THE SUPPORT OF THE BOARD ON THIS PROJECT THUS FAR, AND AT THIS MEETING. WE ASK THAT YOU AUTHORIZE A NOTICE OF PREPARATION OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FOR THE WILDCAT BIKE TRAIL PROJECT AND SUPPORT STAFF TO CONTINUE WORK ON THIS PROJECT. THE STAFF REPORT NOTES THE SUBSTANTIAL WORK ALREADY DONE, INCLUDING THE BIOLOGICAL SURVEYS AND INVOLVEMENT BY MULTIPLE DISCIPLINES INCLUDING STEWARDSHIP, GRAZING AND THE TRAILS PROGRAM. THE DRAFT INITIAL STUDY DOCUMENT NOTES AREAS FOR FURTHER STUDY AND REFLECTS THE COMMENTS AND CONCERNS OF A BROAD RANGE OF STAKEHOLDERS.

THE AREAS FOR FURTHER STUDY ARE NOT CERTAIN IMPACT, BUT ARE PART OF A SOLID PROJECT PROCESS AND DUE DILIGENCE.

WE EXPECT A CONTINUED MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO PROVIDE THOROUGH CONSIDERATION AND MANAGEMENT OF ISSUES RELEVANT TO THE VARIOUS STAKEHOLDERS, AND PROVIDE AN ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY BALANCE OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION.

CONSTITUENT SUPPORT FOR THIS PROJECT REMAINS HIGH, AS EVIDENCED BY THE WILDCAT FLOW TRAIL, PETITION GROWTH AND PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS ITEM.

THE PUBLIC'S DESIRE FOR MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS REMAINS SIGNIFICANT IN PARK SURVEYS.

ENVIRONMENTALLY EVALUATED TRAILS ARE CRITICAL TO MANAGING THE PARK DISTRICT MANDATE TO BALANCE RECREATION AND CONSERVATION.

ADDITIONAL LEGAL ACCESS IS NEEDED AROUND THE DISTRICT AND HAS BEEN SHOWN TO HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON REDUCING NON SYSTEM TRAIL ACTIVITY AND UNAUTHORIZED TRAIL RIDING BOTH AT CROCKETT HILLS AND BRIONES. THE PROJECT SERVES A PARTICULARLY STRONG YOUTH POPULATION WHO ARE STEWARDS OF THE FUTURE.

IT ALSO IMPROVES TRAIL ACCESSIBILITY FOR UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES NEARBY.

THE REVIEW TODAY CONFIRMS THE CONCLUSION THAT FURTHER PROJECT WORK IS WARRANTED AND PROVIDES AN EXTREMELY TRANSPARENT PROCESS.

ISSUES RAISED BY STAKEHOLDERS HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED BY STAFF IN PREVIOUS BOARD MEETINGS, AND ARE REFLECTED IN THE DRAFT INITIAL STUDY.

FUNDING HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY APPROVED. WE ASK AGAIN FOR YOUR APPROVAL OF THIS ITEM.

I'D LIKE TO COMMENT A LITTLE BIT ON THE MOUNTAIN BIKE COMMUNITY BEING INFORMED ABOUT THIS.

PART OF IT IS THAT WE OUTREACH TO STAFF AND WE MAINTAIN COMMUNICATION.

THE DISTRICT IS CHALLENGED TO REACH EVERY SINGLE STAKEHOLDER THERE MIGHT BE OUT THERE, AND IT'S NOT THEIR PRACTICE TO NECESSARILY NOTIFY FENCE LINE NEIGHBORS ABOUT EVERYTHING.

SO IT IS QUITE A CHALLENGE TO COMMUNICATE TO THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

MOUNTAIN BIKERS, OUR COMMUNITY, HAS TRIED TO STAY ENGAGED ON THIS, AND THAT MAY BE WHY WE ARE PERHAPS A LITTLE MORE AWARE.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENTS AND YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT ON THESE ITEMS. BICYCLE TRAILS COUNCIL EAST BAY REMAINS OPEN TO DISCUSSING HOW WE MAY BETTER SUPPORT EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. MARTHA MARTIN. MARTHA MARTIN? SANDY [INAUDIBLE]. SHE LEFT? OKAY. HELEN BURKE? GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE. MY NAME IS AMELIA MARSHALL, REPRESENTING CALIFORNIA STATE HORSEMAN'S ASSOCIATION.

WE STAND WITH THE OTHER INVESTED COMMUNITY PARTNERS IN OPPOSING THE PROPOSED TECHNICAL BIKE TRAIL AND FACILITIES IN WILDCAT CANYON. THIS IS THE WRONG PLACE FOR THIS TYPE OF INTENSIVE RECREATION.

SINCE THE 1970S, PARK DISTRICT POLICY HAS DELIBERATELY DISCOURAGED EQUESTRIAN USE OF WILDCAT CANYON.

I HAVE WRITTEN A DETAILED HISTORY ON THIS, IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED IN KNOWING HOW IT PLAYED OUT.

IT IS RARE TO SEE A HORSE IN WILDCAT CANYON THESE DAYS.

THIS EXCLUSION OF HORSES WAS DONE ON THE GROUNDS THAT WILDCAT CANYON WAS SUPPOSED TO BE KEPT AS A NATURE AREA.

[03:40:03]

ACCESS TO PLEASANTON RIDGE, PAVING THE ALAMEDA CREEK TRAIL, PERHAPS CREATING A HISTORY MUSEUM, OTHER PRIORITIES THAT COULD BE CONSIDERED. WHEN OUR FRIENDS FROM THE MOUNTAIN BIKE COMMUNITY STARTED MEETING WITH THE DISTRICT STAFF PRIVATELY AROUND 2020, DURING THE TIME OF THE TRAIL USER WORKING GROUP.

THE DATA FROM THE BRIONES TRAIL'S PILOT, HAD NOT YET BEEN ACQUIRED AND ANALYZED.

FROM THAT DATA, WE KNOW THAT THERE IS A SUPERMAJORITY OF HIKERS.

I THINK IT'S LIKE 90% HIKERS ON THE BRIONES TEST TRAILS, WITH CYCLISTS BEING IN THE SINGLE DIGITS.

YOU CAN EXTRAPOLATE THAT IN WILDCAT CANYON, NOT TOO FAR AWAY, THERE'S ALSO A SUPERMAJORITY OF HIKERS, AND A MAJORITY OF THOSE HIKERS ARE NOT THRILLED BY BEING BLOWN OFF THE TRAILS BY YOUR PARAMILITARY STYLE AGGRESSIVE MOUNTAIN BIKERS.

NOT THE LOVELY YOUNG FOLKS WHO SPOKE HERE EARLIER.

IT WOULD BE. LET'S SEE. BRINGS ME TO THE SECOND QUESTION.

WHAT WILL BE THE TIPPING POINT FOR THE VOTERS? IF THE MAJORITY OF TRAIL USERS ARE HIKERS, AND IF HIKERS CAN NO LONGER HAVE A PEACEFUL HIKING EXPERIENCE BECAUSE OF THE OVERUSE OF TRAILS BY A LOT OF BIKES AND E-BIKES.

WHEN ARE THE VOTERS GOING TO SAY, OKAY, I'M NOT VOTING FOR ANOTHER PARCEL TAX BECAUSE THE DISTRICT HAS BEEN NEGLIGENT IN ALLOWING THE BIKES TO EFFECT A WHOLESALE TAKEOVER OF THE TRAILS? SO I'LL JUST LEAVE YOU WITH THOSE THOUGHTS.

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO FOR PARKS. AND THANK YOU TO DIRECTOR DESCHAMBAULT FOR HER LEADERSHIP.

THANK YOU. JOHN HANSON. JIM? JIM. JIM. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, JIM. GOOD EVENING, JIM HANSON.

RICHMOND RESIDENT, BOARD MEMBER FREE SPEECH CHAPTER, CALIFORNIA PLANT SOCIETY, A HIKER AND A CYCLIST.

I'M GOING TO BASICALLY NOT REPEAT A LOT OF REALLY INSIGHTFUL COMMENTS BY A NUMBER OF. WELL, EVERYBODY THAT'S BEEN HERE TONIGHT AND ONLINE, BUT I JUST WANT TO JUST POINT TO A COUPLE OF THINGS.

ABOUT THE PURPOSE OF PLANS, THIS ONE IN WILDCAT CANYON IS BEAUTIFUL FOR ITS SIMPLICITY.

AND I THINK IT ADHERES TO THIS DAY. THE HIGHER INTENSITY RECREATION AREAS IN THIS CASE ARE IN THE NORTH END OF THE PARK NEAR ALVARADO. AND WHERE THE NATURAL AREA IS, IT JUST BASICALLY SAYS IT'S TO BE RESPECTED FOR LOW IMPACT ACTIVITY, CARE AND RESPECT FOR BOTH ITS NATURAL BEAUTY AND ITS NATURAL LIFE.

THERE'S A PLACE FOR BOTH, EVEN IN WILDCAT. AND I REALLY THINK THAT WHAT WE'RE HEARING TODAY IS THAT, BOY, I'M HEARING WE WANT A SOLUTION. I'M HEARING THAT FROM REALLY EVERYBODY.

IT'S NOT THIS OR THAT, BUT IT'S REALLY WHERE AND IT'S REALLY HOW WE GET THERE.

I THINK A STEP WAS SKIPPED. AND THAT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED.

WE AND ALL OF US HERE IN ONLINE NEED TO REACH OUT TO THE CONSTITUENCIES CONCERNED, CONSTITUENCIES, INCLUDING THOSE AROUND WILDCAT, SO THAT EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS EXACTLY WHAT'S PROPOSED.

AND THE OTHER ONE IS THAT WE ARE STARTING TO TALK ABOUT ALTERNATIVES.

THERE'S BEEN ONE TRAIN DOWN THE TRACK. AND WHERE WAS THE POINT WHERE ALL THAT PUBLIC WAS ENGAGED? BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF CONCERNS. THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE INTERESTED REALLY, IN FINDING A SOLUTION.

BUT WE NEED GOOD ALTERNATIVES. ON BEHALF OF CMPS, WE DO NOT SUPPORT PUTTING THE TRAIL FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS THAT HAVE BEEN CITED HERE IN THE MIDDLE OF WILDCAT REGIONAL PARK'S NATURAL AREA.

IT'S NOT JUST A NAME, IT IS AN AMAZING PLACE, BUT WE ARE LOOKING FOR A SOLUTION.

[03:45:02]

TO START TO REACH OUT WITH PEOPLE IN THAT AREA BECAUSE YOU'RE HEARING THERE'S A BIG INTEREST IN THE HILLS AND I'M SURE THERE'S OTHER PLACES TO FIND LOCATIONS. MAYBE IT'S A SHORTER RUN, MAYBE IT'S BROKEN UP A LITTLE BIT, MAYBE THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT OPTIONS.

AND SO WE'RE ASKING THAT YOU DO THAT TONIGHT AND, CAN´T SAY MORE.

I'LL LEAVE IT AT THAT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU.

[INAUDIBLE] HUNT. I THINK I'M GOING TO VANISH BEHIND THIS.

I WISH MY MOTHER HAD KNOWN. I'M [INAUDIBLE] HUNT.

I LIVE IN WALNUT CREEK. I BELONG TO CNPS. I BELONG TO THE WALNUT CREEK OPEN SPACE FOUNDATION.

AND I BELONG TO SEVERAL OTHER ORGANIZATIONS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL NATURE.

WHEN WE MOVED TO WALNUT CREEK, ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS WE FOUND OUT ABOUT WAS OUR FAMOUS REGIONAL PARK SYSTEM.

IT WAS GREAT. IT HAD A NATIONAL REPUTATION, AND IT DESERVED ONE.

I FRANKLY DON'T THINK WE'RE LIVING UP TO IT NOW.

LIKE, MORE RECENT SPEAKERS HAVE SAID. I THINK IF ANYTHING HAS COME OUT OF TODAY, IT IS THAT WE NEED A NEW APPROACH, A NEW WAY OF DOING THINGS. I'M LOOKING FOR MY PLACE HERE, SORRY.

THERE NEEDS TO BE A FAIRNESS IN PROVIDING FOR DIFFERENT GROUPS.

WE NEED A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF ASSURANCE THAT WE CAN GO TO A PLACE AND DO OUR ACTIVITY, WHATEVER IT IS THAT WE WANT TO DO.

WE WANT, YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT IT WOULD MAKE A LOT OF SENSE TO HAVE FACILITIES THAT ARE RESERVED FOR HIKERS, THAT ARE RESERVED FOR BIKERS, THAT ARE RESERVED FOR RIDERS IF THEY NEED THEM.

BUT I THINK THE RIDERS, THE HORSEBACK RIDERS CAN PROBABLY GET ALONG WITH THE HIKERS.

BUT IT ALL NEEDS TO BE TALKED OUT. AND I THINK THAT'S WHERE WE ARE TODAY.

I CAN SEE CONCENTRATING MORE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN CERTAIN PLACES, IN CERTAIN PARKS, WHERE THERE ARE NOT SO MANY NATURAL VALUES, WHICH IS WHY WE BOUGHT MOST OF THE LAND THAT WE HAVE.

AND YOU KNOW, I THINK IF PEOPLE ARE SEPARATED INTO THEIR GROUPS, IF THEY HAVE PLACES WHERE THEY CAN GO, WHERE THEY FEEL IT'S SAFE TO PURSUE THEIR ACTIVITY, THAT'S WHERE THE SOLUTION LIES.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE DETAILS ARE. I THINK WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT IT AT MORE LENGTH, BUT THIS IS WHAT WE NEED.

WHAT I WOULD SUGGEST IS THAT THE PARK DISTRICT DOES HAVE LAND WHICH ISN'T VALUABLE FOR ECOLOGICAL PURPOSES, REALLY, BUT IT IS GOOD FOR BICYCLES, FOR FLOW TRAILS, BECAUSE IT'S TOPOGRAPHICALLY RIGHT.

IT DOESN'T NEED TO HAVE RARE BUSHES ON IT, BUT IT NEEDS TO HAVE IS DOWNHILL, SOME ROCKS, SOME OTHER STUFF, PERHAPS THAT PEOPLE ADD TO IT. BUT IT ALLOWS PEOPLE A BUNCH OF SPEED AND.

OKAY, ENOUGH. THANK YOU. [INAUDIBLE]. GONE. GONE?.

BARB SMITH? I DON'T NEED THAT. OKAY. GOOD EVENING NOW. THIS HAS BEEN A LONG DAY. I'M SORRY. I'M GLENN PHILLIPS.

I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE GOLDEN GATE BIRD ALLIANCE FOUNDED IN 1917.

WE ARE DEDICATED WITH OUR OVER 7000 MEMBERS TO PROTECTING BIRDS AND THEIR HABITAT.

YOU'VE HEARD FROM OTHERS THAT THE POTENTIAL VALUE OF THIS PARTICULAR LOCATION FOR BIRDS.

AND I WANTED TO SORT OF REACT TO THE SORT OF IMPRESSION THAT ONLY OLD WHITE PEOPLE CARE ABOUT THIS SPACE.

THIS WILDCAT CANYON PARK IS A PARK THAT WE WORK WITH A LOT.

[03:50:03]

EVERY YEAR, WE BRING MORE STUDENTS THAN THERE ARE MEMBERS OF THE BIKING CLUBS, SO THERE'S A PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE OF ALL STRIPES TO LEARN AND TO LOVE THIS PLACE.

IT IS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE. IN ALL HONESTY, IT IS A SHAME THAT WE ARE BROUGHT HERE TODAY IN THIS ADVERSARY ROLE WITH MOUNTAIN BIKERS BECAUSE WE ALL SHARE THE SAME GOAL, THAT BEING OUTDOORS IS A REALLY CRITICALLY IMPORTANT PART FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.

THIS COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF OUR LONG STANDING REQUEST FOR A MASTER PLAN FOR TRAILS HAD BEEN IMPLEMENTED BEFORE WORK CITING ANY TRAILS BEGAN. IF WE HAD DONE THIS YEARS AGO, THEN WE COULD ALL HAVE SOME SENSE OF THESE ARE THE BEST PLACES FOR US TO PUT THESE TRAILS AND WE PROBABLY COULD SAVE US ALL A LOT OF HEADACHE.

I KNOW THAT'S NOT AN EASY PROCESS, BUT I AM URGING YOU TO CONSIDER PUTTING THE CREATION OF A MASTER PLAN FOR TRAILS AHEAD OF THE NOTICE OF PREPARATION FOR AN EIR. AS YOU MOVE FORWARD, IT'S CRITICAL THAT THE PROJECT STUDY AREA INCLUDE THE ENTIRE AREA THAT IS IMPACTED, NOT JUST THE HUNDRED YARDS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE TRAIL, BUT THE ENTIRE REGION, HAVEY CANYON TRAIL WILL BE IMPACTED.

THESE ARE CRITICAL PLACES FOR BIRDS, AND WE REALLY NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE FULL IMPACT AND NOT LOOK AT IT, JUST THE TINIEST SLIVER. SO I URGE YOU TO HOLD SO THAT WE CAN HAVE A TIME TO DO THIS PROPERLY SO THAT WE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT THE APPROPRIATE ALTERNATIVES ARE.

AND MAYBE WE'LL END UP WITH THE TRAIL HERE, BUT LET'S DO IT IN A WAY THAT'S THOUGHTFUL AND NOT RUSHED.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. [INAUDIBLE] COOPER.

WELL THANK YOU. IT'S BEEN QUITE A SESSION TODAY, AND I'LL KEEP MY.

I PROMISE TO KEEP MY COMMENTS LESS THAN THREE MINUTES.

I'M THE HEAD COACH OF THE WILDCAT COMPOSITE TEAM.

YOU'VE SEEN A NUMBER OF MY KIDS HERE TODAY. I STARTED THE CLUB ABOUT 14 YEARS AGO BECAUSE I HAD A DAUGHTER WHO WANTED TO GET OUTSIDE, GET OFF HER SCREEN, AND IT WAS QUITE SUCCESSFUL.

WE'VE SINCE HAD ABOUT 500 KIDS GO THROUGH OUR PROGRAM.

AND I'D WAGER THAT THOSE 500 REALLY LOVED THIS PARK AND ARE GOING TO BE FUTURE VOTERS THAT THAT APPROVE LOTS OF MONEY FOR THE PARK IN THE FUTURE. THEY DO, SINCERELY IT'S A WONDERFUL WAY TO GET THE KIDS OUT THERE.

AND THEY'VE REALLY ENJOYED IT. WE COULD HAVE BROUGHT UP A THOUSAND PEOPLE TODAY AND WE COULD HAVE TAKEN US TO MIDNIGHT.

WE CHOSE NOT TO DO THAT ON PURPOSE. WE APPRECIATE THE TIME YOU SPENT.

WE KNOW YOU'RE VOLUNTEERING YOUR TIME AND WE RESPECT THAT.

SO WE CHOSE A DIFFERENT PATH. WE BROUGHT A FEW OF THE KIDS SO THAT YOU COULD SEE WHAT THEY'RE REALLY LIKE, HOW MUCH THEY ENJOY THIS PARK. A FEW COMMENTS FROM PEOPLE LIKE ME AS WELL.

INSTEAD, WE'VE CHOSEN TO. I SENT YOU AN EMAIL LAST WEEK, WHICH INCLUDES ENDORSEMENTS FROM SEVEN MAJOR BIKING GROUPS IN THE AREA.

IT ALSO INCLUDES FOUR OF THOSE, SEVEN ARE FROM THE HEAD COACHES OF THE LOCAL [INAUDIBLE] TEAMS, ALL SUPPORTING THE PROJECT AND AGREEING TO PROVIDE MAINTENANCE WORK ON THE PROJECT IN THE LONG TERM TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE CONCERNS THAT HAVE BEEN RAISED HERE. ALSO, I'VE SENT YOU A PETITION WHICH HAS BEEN SIGNED BY ALMOST 2400 PEOPLE SUPPORTING THIS, SHOWING A VERY WIDE, WIDE RANGING SUPPORT FOR.

EXCUSE ME, FOR THE TRAIL. ROUGHLY ABOUT 15% TO 20% OF THOSE PEOPLE ARE DECLARED HIKERS AND RUNNERS.

SO THERE IS MORE THAN JUST BIKERS WHO ARE ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT THIS TRAIL.

PART OF THE REASON THEY'RE ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT IT IS BECAUSE IT GETS THESE BIKERS THAT YOU HAVE HEARD SO MANY BAD THINGS ABOUT, GIVES THEM THEIR OWN SPACE, GETS THEM AWAY, MAKES IT SAFER FOR BOTH BIKES AND TRAILS.

I WANTED TO MAKE A COUPLE OF COMMENTS ON A FEW OF THE COMMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE.

IT WAS STATED THAT THIS WOULD BE A RACING VENUE.

[03:55:03]

IN FACT, IF YOU DO THE CALCULATIONS, YOU CAN COMPARE THE FLOW TRAIL SPEEDS IN A NEARBY TRAIL OVER IN MARIN, THEY´RE 11.5 MPH AVERAGE, NOT 24MPH. I DON'T KNOW WHERE THAT NUMBER CAME FROM.

SO, AND IF YOU. OKAY. SORRY, I BROKE MY WORD.

THANK YOU. WE HAVE THREE ONLINE IN THE SAME ROOM.

YEAH. LET'S GO AHEAD AND GRAB THOSE. OKAY. [INAUDIBLE], WE ARE PROMOTING YOU.

[INAUDIBLE]. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. WE CAN'T HEAR YOU. NO, WE CAN'T HEAR YOU NOW. NO. I'M SORRY. WE CAN'T HEAR YOU. NOPE.

DO YOU WANNA DO IT WITHOUT EARBUDS? YEAH.

OKAY. WE CAN HEAR YOU NOW. OOPS.

YOU READY? YEAH. SORRY ABOUT THAT. CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? YES. THANK YOU. OKAY. HELLO, EVERYONE. MY NAME IS [INAUDIBLE] AND I'M A 14 YEAR OLD BACKPACKER AND MOUNTAIN BIKER, AS WELL AS A NEWLY TRAINED WHITEWATER RAFTING GUIDE WITH THE SIERRA CLUB'S INSPIRING CONNECTIONS OUTDOOR PROGRAM.

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE WILDCAT FLOW TRAIL BECOME A REALITY.

SO I'M GOING TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT HOW MUCH A FLOW TRAIL WOULD MEAN TO STUDENT RIDERS WITHIN THE EAST BAY, AND FURTHER. I'LL BEGIN ON A PERSONAL NOTE, AND I'LL TELL YOU HOW MUCH I LOVE MOUNTAIN BIKING AND THE OUTDOORS IN GENERAL.

I'VE BEEN BACKPACKING SINCE I WAS FOUR YEARS OLD, WHICH GAVE ME AN APPRECIATION OF THE OUTDOORS FROM A VERY YOUNG AGE. BUT WHEN I WAS IN SIXTH GRADE, I JOINED OUR LOCAL MOUNTAIN BIKE TEAM AND IT CHANGED MY LIFE.

AT FIRST IT WAS GRUELING, BUT THROUGH EXCELLENT COACHING AND HARD WORK ON MY OWN PART, I BECAME THE RIDER THAT I AM TODAY.

WHEN I'M ON MY BIKE, I FEEL STRONG AND IN CONTROL AS WELL AS RELAXED AND MORE CHEERFUL.

NOT ONLY IS THIS BECAUSE I ENJOY MOUNTAIN BIKING, IT'S A CHEMICAL REACTION TO ENDORPHINS THAT I GET FROM PHYSICALLY PUSHING MYSELF.

THE TRUTH IS THAT RECENTLY, YOUNG PEOPLE ARE SPENDING MORE AND MORE TIMES ON SCREENS AND LESS AND LESS TIME DOING MEANINGFUL ACTIVITIES, WHICH MAKES THEIR LIVES ULTIMATELY PRETTY UNHAPPY.

BUT BIKING IS AN ANTIDOTE TO THAT. AROUND 200 YOUTH IN OUR AREA FIND A WAY TO BREAK UP MUNDANE DAILY LIFE MULTIPLE TIMES A WEEK BY MOUNTAIN BIKING.

OUR TEAMS TAKE STUDENTS FROM AS YOUNG AS THIRD GRADE ALL THE WAY TO THE 12TH GRADE, AND TO PARK SO THEY CAN APPRECIATE THE BEAUTY OF THEM AND GET AWAY FROM THEIR PHONES.

THIS BRINGS ME AWAY FROM MY MOUNTAIN BIKING IS SO INCREDIBLE TO HOW A FLOW TRAIL WOULD SPECIFICALLY HELP US.

FLOW TRAILS ARE ARGUABLY THE MOST FUN TRAILS FOR BEGINNERS BECAUSE THEY DON'T REQUIRE HIGH SPEEDS AND THEY'RE SMOOTH, WHICH HELPS ELIMINATE RISK OF INJURY OR CRASHES.

THAT BEING SAID, THEY STILL OFFER FUN CHALLENGES TO MORE ADVANCED RIDERS, MAKING THEM PERFECT FOR ALL LEVELS.

IF OUR STUDENTS ARE ABLE TO PRACTICE ON BERMS, THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO GET A LOT BETTER AT CORNERING AND THIS WOULD HELP THEIR TECHNIQUE AND SPEED CONTROL WHILE GOING ON MULTI-USER TRAILS.

IN ADDITION, HAVING FUN SECTIONS ON A LEGAL TRAIL WOULD DISCOURAGE STUDENTS FROM ATTEMPTING TO BUILD ILLEGAL ONES.

FINALLY, THE FLOW TRAIL WOULD WORK AS A BIKING MAGNET, MEANING IT WOULD PULL A LARGE NUMBER OF BIKERS OFF A MULTI-USE TRAILS.

SPECIFICALLY, IT WOULD TAKE MOUNTAIN BIKERS OFF OF MULTI-USE TRAILS WHILE GOING DOWNHILL, AND THE MAJORITY OF MOUNTAIN BIKER CONFLICTS HAPPEN WHILE BIKERS ARE GOING ON THEIR DESCENTS SINCE SPEEDS ARE FASTER. IN CONCLUSION, MOUNTAIN BIKING HAS MADE ME AND MY PEERS INTO MORE CONFIDENT AND CONTENT PEOPLE, AND HAVING A WILDCAT FLOW TRAIL WOULD GIVE MOUNTAIN BIKERS CHALLENGES AND WOULD PULL THEM OFF THE SURROUNDING TRAILS IN OUR AREA.

SO I'M HERE TO SAY, ON BEHALF OF ALL MY TEAMMATES AND OTHER YOUTH IN OUR AREA, HAVING A FLOW TRAIL AND TILDEN WOULD MEAN THE WORLD TO US.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. HARPER? DO YOU WANT TO TURN ON YOUR MIC OR TURN OFF YOUR MIC? YEAH. HI, CAN YOU GUYS HEAR ME? YES. THANK YOU. GO AHEAD. HI. MY NAME IS HARPER FALLON.

I'M 15 YEARS OLD, AND I'M GOING INTO SOPHOMORE YEAR AT BERKELEY HIGH SCHOOL.

I ALSO HAVE LIVED IN BERKELEY ALL MY LIFE, AND MY BACK YARD IS ACTUALLY ABOUT TEN FEET AWAY FROM TILDEN PARK.

SO SAFE TO SAY I USE THE PARK A LOT. I WANT TO START BY JUST THANKING EVERYBODY HERE FOR NOT ONLY LISTENING TO ME AND LOTS OF OTHERS, BUT ALSO JUST FOR EVEN CONSIDERING BUILDING A FLOW TRAIL AT ALL.

AS A BIKER, IT FEELS LIKE SO OFTEN THERE'S NO HOPE FOR NEW TRAILS OR NEW OPPORTUNITIES.

BUT EVEN JUST THE FACT THAT YOU GUYS ARE CONSIDERING BUILDING THIS TRAIL MEANS SO MUCH TO ME AND MANY OTHER BIKERS.

SO MY MAIN POINT TODAY IS TO ADDRESS THE ACCUSATION THAT THIS IS A DOWNHILL SPEED TRAIL.

[04:00:08]

THAT´S ABOUT AS FAR FROM WHAT THE WILDCAT FLOW TRAIL IS AS YOU COULD BE.

SO LET'S LOOK AT THE FACTS. SO THERE'S TWO MAIN ASPECTS THAT DICTATE HOW FAST A BIKE CAN GO ON A TRAIL.

AND IT'S THE NUMBER OF TURNS AND HOW STEEP THE TRAIL IS.

AND THE WILDCAT FLOW TRAIL WOULD HAVE LOTS OF TURNS AND IT WOULD BE A SUPER GRADUAL SLOPE.

SO IT'S SAFE TO SAY A BIKER COULD NOT GO VERY FAST ON IT AT ALL.

OBVIOUSLY, SINCE THE TRAIL HASN'T BEEN BUILT YET, WE CAN'T GET ANY REAL DATA.

BUT LIKE [INAUDIBLE] SAID, WE CAN USE THE INDOOR FLOW TRAIL IN FAIRFAX AS A GREAT ANALOG.

IT'S A REALLY GOOD ANALOG BECAUSE THE AVERAGE DEGREE INCLINE FOR INDOOR IS SEVEN DEGREES, WHICH IS PRETTY CLOSE TO THE 5 TO 7 DEGREE INCLINE LANE BY THE EAST REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT FOR WILDCAT FLOW TRAIL.

IF ANYTHING, MAKING AN ESTIMATE BASED ON INDOOR WOULD BE HIGH BECAUSE IT'S AS MUCH AS 30% MILDER THAN INDOOR IN SOME PLACES.

IN ANALYSIS ON [INAUDIBLE] THAT WE DID, SPEEDS FOR INDOOR SHOWED SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 12 AND 11MPH, WHICH IS ACTUALLY 40% LOWER THAN THE [INAUDIBLE] FIRE ROAD, WHICH SHOWS THAT A FLOW TRAIL IS NOT A HIGH SPEED TRAIL.

IF BIKERS REALLY WANTED TO GO FAST, THEY WOULD JUST WANT TO RIDE ON THE FIRE ROADS AND THEY WOULDN'T EVEN ASK FOR A FLOW TRAIL AT ALL.

BUT THAT'S NOT THE CASE. IN SHORT, LABELING THE WILDCAT FLOW TRAIL AS A DOWNHILL SPEED TRAIL IS JUST NOT CORRECT.

BIKERS ENJOY FLOW TRAILS FOR THE SMOOTH, FLOW LIKE MOTION AND NOT FOR THE FAST DOWNHILL EXPERIENCE.

BIKERS WANT A FLOW TRAIL AND THEY DON'T WANT HIGH SPEED FIRE ROADS.

THANK YOU, HARPER. THAT'S WHY YOU SHOULD BUILD THE WILDCAT FLOW TRAIL.

THANK YOU.

[INAUDIBLE]. TURN ON YOUR MIC. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.

GREAT. LET ME TURN ON THE VIDEO. OKAY. SO, CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES, I CAN. FABULOUS. MY NAME IS [INAUDIBLE].

I'M A RICHMOND RESIDENT, AND I HAPPENED TO BE THE NEW PRESIDENT OF AN ORGANIZATION CALLED FRIENDS FOR WILDCAT PARK.

AND I´D LIKE TO SAY THAT FROM ALL OF THE TESTIMONY I HAVE HEARD THAT IT DOES SEEM TO BE A FABULOUS IDEA FOR THE EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT TO EXPAND ITS RECREATIONAL OFFERINGS TO INCLUDE FLOW TRAILS.

BUT AS I WENT THROUGH THE DOCUMENTATION FOR THE PROPOSAL, I WAS REALLY TAKEN ABACK BY THE AMOUNT OF WORK AND FUNDS THAT MUST HAVE GONE INTO THE DETAILED PLANS THAT SEEM TO HAVE BEEN PROPOSED BY THE BY THE DONOR. AND I'M REALLY VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR LOCATION FOR THE FLOW TRAIL. BECAUSE WHEN HABITAT IS GONE, IT'S GONE FOREVER.

AND I THINK THAT WE REALLY NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAT EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT HAS A TREMENDOUS RESPONSIBILITY TO SAFEGUARD BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS. AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE RESEARCH CARRIED OUT THAT LOOKS AT A WHOLE ARRAY OF LOCATIONS FOR A FLOW TRAIL.

AND RATHER THAN RELYING ON SORT OF CONFRONTED TACTICS IF THERE COULD BE SCIENTIFIC SURVEYS OF USERS OF WILDCAT CANYON PARK, THAT WOULD BE, I THINK, A MUCH MORE USEFUL WAY FOR PEOPLE TO IDENTIFY WHICH PARK AREAS WOULD BE THE BEST FOR A FLOW TRAIL. SO I'LL JUST STOP THERE.

AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR PUTTING ALL THE WORK AND ENERGY INTO LOOKING AT THIS MATTER.

[04:05:06]

YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. OKAY, SO CAN YOU HEAR ME? I CAN. OKAY, GREAT. THANK YOU. YEAH, SO FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU, EVERYONE, FOR YOUR TIME.

AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR STAFF, FOR ALL YOUR WORK PUTTING THIS TOGETHER.

MANY OF THE SUPPORTERS OF THIS PROJECT ARE TRYING TO BE RESPECTFUL OF THE BOARD'S TIME BY NOT RAISING OUR HANDS TO REITERATE THE SAME POINTS.

BUT SINCE ANOTHER SPEAKER MISREPRESENTED OUR RESPECT AS LACK OF SUPPORT, I MUST SPEAK UP.

SO THIS PROJECT REPRESENTS A MEANINGFUL STEP TOWARDS EQUITABLE ACCESS TO OUR NATURAL SPACES BY CREATING A DESIGNATED BIKE TRAIL. WE CAN BETTER ACCOMMODATE THE DIVERSE WAYS PEOPLE ENJOY THE OUTDOORS, PROMOTING SAFER, MORE HARMONIOUS USE OF SHARED LENGTH.

INCREASING ACCESS HELPS REDUCE USER CONFLICTS BY OFFERING MORE CHOICES AND CLEARER SEPARATION BETWEEN ACTIVITIES.

THE TRAIL WOULD ALSO PROVIDE A SAFE SPACE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO RIDE.

AS A PARENT OF A 15 YEAR OLD, THE THOUGHT OF MY CHILD NAVIGATING BUSY STREETS ALONGSIDE CARS IS DEEPLY CONCERNING.

YET EVEN IN OUR REGIONAL PARKS, HE OFTEN ENCOUNTERS AN UNWELCOME ATMOSPHERE SIMPLY BECAUSE HE'S ON A BIKE. WE CAN AND MUST DO BETTER FOR OUR YOUTH INSTEAD OF FORCING THEM TO CHOOSE BETWEEN TRAFFIC DANGERS AND FEELING OUT OF PLACE IN NATURE.

EXPANDING ACCESS TO TRAILS LIKE THIS GIVES KIDS A CHANCE TO DEVELOP A CONNECTION TO THE OUTDOORS IN A WAY THAT IS SAFE, INCLUSIVE, AND JOYFUL. I URGE YOU TO SUPPORT THIS PROJECT AND INVEST IN A FUTURE WHERE ALL MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY THE NEXT GENERATION, CAN EXPLORE AND ENJOY NATURE WITHOUT FEAR OR EXCLUSION.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU. MAXINE? ANDREW? YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. YOU WANT TO TURN YOUR MIC ON? DID SHE SPEAK AT PUBLIC AGENDA NOT NEW COMMENTS? YES, THANK YOU. HAVE YOU ALREADY SPOKEN ON THE WILDCAT PORTION? I HAVE, I JUST RAISED MY HAND, I THOUGHT THAT.

THEN YOU'VE DONE YOUR DUE DILIGENCE, SO THANK YOU.

OKAY. WE'RE DONE. NO MORE PUBLIC COMMENT. ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE SOME ADDITIONAL COMMENTS FROM STAFF NOW, I THINK, TO KIND OF TIE THIS TOGETHER A LITTLE BIT, MAYBE. YEAH. AND I'LL BE BRIEF HERE, AND THEN I THINK MAX MIGHT HAVE A COUPLE MORE THINGS AND CERTAINLY HAND IT OVER TO THE BOARD.

I KNOW IT'S A LATE HOUR. BUT THE PUBLIC COMMENTS DID RAISE A FEW THINGS THAT I DO WANT TO GO AHEAD AND GO BACK ON RECORD, AND REITERATE FOR BOTH ANYBODY HERE IN THE ROOM, BUT ALSO ANYBODY THAT'S GOING TO WATCH THIS LATER.

AGAIN, THIS IS PART OF OUR PROCESS. STAFF ANTICIPATES A REALLY ROBUST, CONTINUED COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROCESS AS WE GO THROUGH THIS ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW. AND IT WILL BE FULLY TRANSPARENT AND INCLUDING THE APPROVAL AT THE END OF THE DAY BY THIS BOARD.

SO THIS IS NOT THE FINAL APPROVAL. THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TRAIL, PROPOSED TRAIL, WOULD NOT CREATE A NEW USE WITHIN THE PARK.

THAT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE. THAT BIKE BICYCLING IS ALREADY AN ESTABLISHED USE WITHIN THE PARK AND IDENTIFIED WITHIN THE EXISTING LAND USE PLAN.

ONE OF THE POTENTIAL STRATEGIES DISCUSSED BY THE TRAIL USER WORKING GROUP, WHICH I KNOW MANY OF YOU ARE VERY FAMILIAR WITH AND OTHERS, IS TO ADDRESS POTENTIAL TRAIL CONFLICTS BY SEPARATING PARK USERS WHERE WE CAN´T.

THE PROPOSED TRAIL WOULD LARGELY PARALLEL AN EXISTING TRAIL WHICH YOU SAW IN THE MAP, THE [INAUDIBLE] TRAIL,

[04:10:07]

THREE MORE QUICK THINGS. NUMBER ONE, JUST TO DOUBLE DOWN ON WHAT MAX SAID EARLIER THIS MORNING, THIS AFTERNOON. WE WE DO NOT ALLOW POTENTIAL FUNDING SOURCES TO DRIVE OUR STAFF WORK.

SO THERE HAVE BEEN SOME COMMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN ALLUDING TO THAT.

AND I NEED TO SAY THAT ON THE RECORD THAT THAT IS NOT HOW WE APPROACH THIS JUST BECAUSE THERE WAS A PLEDGE BY A COMMUNITY MEMBER.

SECONDLY, WE ALL ARE PART OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNITY HERE AT THE STAFF.

WHICH IS WHY WE'VE BROUGHT THIS PROPOSAL FORWARD, WHICH IS AN EFFORT TO ACTUALLY MINIMIZE SOME OF THOSE IMPACTS.

AND LASTLY, WE ARE PROFESSIONALS HERE IN THE PARK DISTRICT.

WE HAVE 1100 INCREDIBLE STAFF THAT ARE HERE. THEY DO TECHNICAL ANALYZES.

THEY LOOK AT DIFFERENT TRADE OFFS. AND ULTIMATELY OUR JOB IS TO PROVIDE IN A NEUTRAL TECHNICAL WAY RECOMMENDATIONS TO THIS BOARD, WHO AT THE END OF THE DAY, GETS TO MAKE THE POLICY DECISION ON HOW TO MOVE FORWARD ON THINGS.

SO AN IMPLICATION WAS MADE THROUGHOUT SOME OF THESE COMMENTS THAT WE ARE SOMEHOW BIASED AT THE STAFF LEVEL IN BRINGING THIS FORWARD.

WELL, WE'RE BIASED TOWARDS LOOKING AT LISTENING TO ALL USERS AND PROVIDING OUR TECHNICAL ANALYSIS AND USING THAT TO PUT RECOMMENDATIONS IN FRONT OF THIS BOARD.

SO WITH THAT, I JUST WANTED TO PUT THOSE THINGS ON THE RECORD.

AND I THINK, MAX, YOU MIGHT HAVE A COUPLE MORE THAT YOU WANTED TO RESPOND TO.

YEAH. I'LL JUST ADD IN TO REITERATE, THIS IS NOT A REQUIRED STEP.

WE'RE NOT ASKING FOR FUNDING OR APPROVAL OF THE PROJECT.

WE CREATED THIS STEP TO ADD TRANSPARENCY TO THIS PROCESS, TO PROVIDE FOR THE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT THAT I THINK YOU'VE HEARD TODAY, AND FOR YOUR BOARD TO ASK QUESTIONS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION TO STAFF.

THE NEXT STEP, IF YOUR BOARD WAS TO DIRECT STAFF TO MOVE FORWARD WOULD BE DRAFTING THE NOTICE OF PREPARATION, GOING THROUGH THE SCOPING PROCESS, DEVELOPING THE DRAFT EIR, AT WHICH POINT THERE WOULD BE A 45 DAY COMMENT PERIOD FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS. THERE WOULD BE A PUBLIC MEETING AS A PART OF THAT PROCESS.

THEN STAFF WOULD RESPOND TO ALL THE COMMENTS THAT WE RECEIVED.

WE PROVIDE ALL THE COMMENTERS WITH OUR RESPONSES TO COMMENTS.

WE WOULD COME BACK TO YOUR BOARD WITH THE FINAL EIR, THE COMMENTS, THE RESPONSE TO COMMENTS, AND THEN THAT'S WHEN THE PROJECT WOULD POTENTIALLY BE APPROVED BY YOUR BOARD.

SO I JUST WANTED TO DESCRIBE THAT PROCESS TO ALL OF YOU.

LASTLY, THE JUST TO REMIND YOUR BOARD OF THE GOALS OF THIS PROJECT FOR OUR TEAM. IT'S KIND OF RELAXING.

THE STARTING UP AGAIN. SO REDUCING AND AVOIDING IMPACTS TO THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, PROVIDING ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR MOUNTAIN BIKING.

OKAY. I JUST WANT TO HEAR YOU. SURE. PLEASE. THANK YOU.

SORRY. SO AGAIN, YOU KNOW, WE KNOW THAT OUR TRAIL SYSTEM HAS A LOT OF IMPACTS AS IT IS RIGHT NOW.

PART OF THIS PROJECT IS REDUCING AND AVOIDING IMPACTS TO THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR MOUNTAIN BIKING FOR ALL SKILL LEVELS, AND ESPECIALLY ACCESSIBLE FOR FOLKS WITHOUT DRIVING.

UTILIZING SUSTAINABLE DESIGN TO MINIMIZE IMPACTS TO OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE.

AND TO RESTORE BOOTLEG TRAILS AND ALLEVIATE CONGESTION AND REDUCE CONFLICTS.

SO I THINK, YOU KNOW, WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING AT STAFF FOR WIN WIN SOLUTIONS TO ISSUES IN OUR PARKS WERE DRIVEN BY THE POLICY OF YOUR BOARD. THE 2013 MASTER PLAN DIRECTED STAFF TO LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO PROVIDE FOR MORE MOUNTAIN BIKING OPPORTUNITIES IN SUSTAINABLE

[04:15:10]

I THINK THAT'S THAT'S WHAT I GOT HERE. BUT I'M HAPPY TO PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION, IF HELPFUL.

YEAH. WE CAN. ANY QUICK QUESTIONS OR SOMETHING TO CLARIFY? YEAH.

AND EVALUATED THEM AND LANDED ON THIS ALIGNMENT AFTER LOOKING AT THOSE ALTERNATIVE PROPOSALS.

CORRECT. I DON'T KNOW THAT I PERSONALLY DID, BUT I THINK OUR TEAM.

OUR TEAM DID. YES, IT WAS BEFORE MY TIME. BUT BUT YEAH, I MEAN I THINK YES.

LIKE THERE ARE MANY IDEAS AND I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS SPECIFIC TO THIS PROPOSAL IS FINDING A PLACE WHERE ESPECIALLY THE YOUNG PEOPLE COULD RIDE FROM THEIR SCHOOLS TO THE PARK, BUT ALSO HAD AS MINIMAL AS POSSIBLE IMPACTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT.

VIABLE ALTERNATIVES IN WILDCAT. YEAH. AND THEREFORE, WE WERE VERY INSISTENT THAT STAFF WILL GET THEM AND LOOK AT THEM CAREFULLY AND REPORT BACK. AND MY MEMORY IS THAT ONE OF THESE SIX, WELL, ONE OF THE PUBLIC MEETINGS WHERE THIS WAS ON THE AGENDA, YOU FOLKS GAVE US SOME FEEDBACK. I THINK IT WAS BRIAN HOLT WAS THERE, AND WE WERE ASKING ABOUT YOUR EVALUATION OF THE ALTERNATIVE SITES THAT WERE PRESENTED FOR WILDCAT, AND THEY WERE NOT FAVORED.

SO I JUST IT WAS IMPORTANT TO US THAT YOU AT LEAST ADDRESSED THOSE.

AND FRANKLY, THIS WAS 3 OR 4 YEARS AGO. YEAH.

I GUESS THE OTHER THING I'D SAY IS THAT WE HAVE AN I HAVE AN OPEN DOOR POLICY.

OUR TEAM HAS AN OPEN DOOR POLICY. I THINK, YOU KNOW, IT'S A GOAL FOR ME AND OUR TEAM TO BE ACCESSIBLE TO THE COMMUNITY.

AND SO WHEN FOLKS REACH OUT TO US, WE'RE RESPONSIVE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION.

PEOPLE DO AROUND A LOT OF DIFFERENT PROJECTS IN ALL OF OUR PRESERVES.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, I'M HAPPY TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO FOLKS.

AND, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, LOOK FORWARD TO CONNECTING THROUGH THIS PROCESS.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. YEAH. SO WE'RE IN THE COMMENT PERIOD NOW.

SO COMMENT AWAY. ALL RIGHT. WELL, FIRST OF ALL, JUST TO JUMP IN ON THE DIFFERENT PROPOSALS BECAUSE BECAUSE COLIN IS RIGHT THAT WE DID, THAT OTHER PROPOSALS WERE EXPLORED. AND IN FACT, I THINK THE ORIGINAL PROPOSAL HAD THE TRAIL GOING CLOSER TO THE LEONARD'S TRAIL. AND THEN THE STAFF IN THEIR REVIEW FOUND THAT THAT THAT WOULD THERE WERE NATURAL RESOURCES THERE THAT WOULD BE IMPACTED AND SO THEN THEY STARTED, YOU KNOW, LOOKING SOMEWHERE ELSE WITH THE MIZZU TRAIL, YOU KNOW, ALONGSIDE THE MIZZU TRAIL, WHICH ALREADY HAD BEEN HEAVILY GRAZED AND ALSO THAT YOU KNOW THAT WELL AND THROUGH THE ANALYSIS, YOU KNOW, THERE WERE, THERE WERE REALLY NO IMPACTS ON SENSITIVE AREAS, EITHER PLANT OR HABITAT OR ANYTHING ELSE. NOW, THAT BEING SAID, YOU KNOW, I HAVE HEARD AND LISTENED CAREFULLY AND READ THE COMMENTS OF EVERYBODY. AND, YOU KNOW, THIS IS HARD. THIS IS REALLY HARD BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, I HEAR YOU GUYS TALKING ABOUT THIS NATURAL SPACE.

AND THEN, YOU KNOW, OF COURSE I HEAR THE YOUNG PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT REALLY NEEDING A PLACE TO GO AND DO THEIR, THEIR BICYCLING AND BE OUT IN THE OUTDOORS AND ENJOYING THE OUTDOORS.

AND I HEAR MANY OF YOU SAYING, WELL, LET'S FIND ANOTHER PLACE, BUT IT'S REALLY NOT THAT EASY.

AND STAFF HAS LOOKED AND, AND HAS EXPLORED SOME OF THE ALTERNATIVES THAT HAVE COME UP.

AND, YOU KNOW, I THINK, HONESTLY, THAT THE STAFF HAS DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB OF TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW CAN WE HOW CAN WE BUILD A TRAIL WITH AS MINIMAL IMPACTS AS POSSIBLE AND PROVIDE THE YOUTH WITH AN OPPORTUNITY THAT THEY DESERVE TO HAVE IN OUR PARKS, ENJOYING BICYCLING IN OUR PARKS. AND YOU KNOW, ANOTHER THING THAT I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY, PEOPLE HAVE MADE A NUMBER OF COMMENTS ABOUT ABOUT BICYCLISTS AND MOUNTAIN BICYCLISTS IN PARTICULAR.

AND I YOU KNOW, I AM PRIMARILY A HIKER. I HIKE ALMOST EVERY DAY IN THE PARKS THESE DAYS.

[04:20:04]

OF COURSE, NOT ALL OF THEM ARE POLITE. NOT EVERYONE FROM OTHER GROUPS ARE POLITE EITHER.

BUT THESE YOUNG PEOPLE, I AM ALWAYS SO IMPRESSED.

THEY WAVE, THEY SAY HELLO, THEY RING THE BELL, THEY DO EVERYTHING RIGHT.

AND PART OF THAT IS BECAUSE OF THEIR COACHES AND THAT ETHIC THAT THEY'RE TEACHING THESE YOUNG PEOPLE.

SO I YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT'S THAT'S IMPORTANT TO CONSIDER BECAUSE THOSE ARE THE KIND OF BICYCLISTS WE WANT PEOPLE TO LEARN HOW TO ENGAGE IN THE PARKS PRODUCTIVELY AND GET ALONG WITH OTHER USERS. YOU KNOW, I ALSO APPRECIATE AND HEAR THE COMMENTS ABOUT PEOPLE SAYING, WELL, YOU KNOW, I DON'T WANT TO BE RUN DOWN BY A BICYCLIST AND I DON'T I WANT TO BE OUT THERE AND BE MORE PEACEFUL.

BUT BUT AND I DO TOO. BUT IN FACT, YOU KNOW, THIS, THIS PROVIDES A BIKE ONLY TRAIL.

SO AS OTHERS HAVE SAID, IT SEPARATES OUT THE BIKERS FROM THE WALKERS.

AND IT DESIGNATES THE LENNARD TRAIL AS A AS A HORSE AND HIKER ONLY.

SO IN THAT SENSE, IT DOES PROVIDE THAT SEPARATION.

IT BEGINS PROVIDING THAT SEPARATION THAT PEOPLE ARE ASKING FOR.

AND I THINK THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TOO. SO I THINK LET'S JUST SEE IF THERE WAS ANYTHING ELSE.

SO ANYWAY, I THINK, YOU KNOW, I THINK THIS IS HARD.

I THINK THERE IS NO PERFECT PLACE, BUT I THINK THIS IS A GOOD PLACE AND IT MEETS OUR CRITERIA.

AND WE NOW HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY WHERE WE CAN GO DEEPER.

AND THAT'S THE THING TOO, THAT WITH AN EIR, THE EIR WILL ALLOW US TO REALLY FURTHER ASSESS THE POTENTIAL IMPACTS, BRING IN MORE COMMENTS FROM THE STAKEHOLDERS AND IN MORE DETAILS.

AND HAVE OPEN MEETINGS AND PUBLIC COMMENTS AND STAFF RESPONDING TO THOSE COMMENTS AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

SO I DO THINK THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD.

THIS REALLY IS THE BEGINNING AND NOT THE END.

AND SO AND IF WE FIND THAT, YOU KNOW, AT THE END OF THIS PROCESS, THIS IS NOT THE PLACE AND WE STUFF IS UNCOVERED.

WELL, IT MAY BE PARTIALLY THE PLACE OR WHATEVER, BUT WE WILL LEARN THROUGH THIS PROCESS TO FIGURE OUT WHAT, YOU KNOW, WHETHER STAFF'S INITIAL ASSESSMENT IS CORRECT OR NOT.

AND THEN WE CAN MOVE FORWARD FROM THERE. AND SO I DO SUPPORT AUTHORIZING THE ISSUE, AUTHORIZATION TO ISSUE THE NOTICE OF PREPARATION FOR AN EIR. AND YEAH, I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING MY FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS COMMENTS AS WELL.

AND THANK YOU AGAIN, EVERYONE, FOR BEING HERE, BECAUSE THIS HAS BEEN A LONG AFTERNOON.

AND, YOU KNOW, I REALLY APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT EVERYONE HERE HAS HAD TO SAY.

AND DIRECTOR ECHOLS, YOU PUT IT SO ELOQUENTLY JUST AS FAR AS.

OH, I THOUGHT I WAS ON ON. YES. AS FAR AS LET ME GET A LITTLE BIT CLOSER AS FAR AS I FEEL LIKE YOU REALLY EXPRESSED IT VERY ELOQUENTLY.

AS SOMEONE WHO ACTUALLY SAT ON THE TRAIL USER WORKING GROUP, WE HAVE A LOT OF DIFFERENT USERS WITHIN THE PARK, AND WE HAVE AS FAR AS REAL ISSUES OF CONFLICT, BUT WE ALSO HAVE REAL ISSUES OF OPPORTUNITIES TO MOVE FORWARD AS A DISTRICT AND PROVIDE NEW SOLUTIONS. SO ONE OF THE SOLUTIONS THAT WAS PROPOSED DURING THAT TIME PERIOD WAS HAVING BIKE ONLY TRAILS, WHERE WE COULD SEPARATE DIFFERENT BIKE GROUPS FROM AS FAR AS OUR HIKERS AND OUR HORSE AND OUR HORSEMANSHIP USERS.

AND AS FAR AS WITH THIS WHOLE PROCESS, WHEN YOU START GETTING AS SOMEONE WHO'S PROFESSION IS COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AND WHO ACTUALLY HELPS WITH CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS AND DOING OUTREACH DURING EIR PROCESSES THIS ONCE YOU PUT OUT THAT NOTICE AND IT HITS A WHOLE DIFFERENT LEVEL OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

SO ALL OF THOSE DIFFERENT NEIGHBORS SENDING THOSE DIFFERENT ANNOUNCEMENTS AND HAVING THAT REAL CONVERSATION HAVING DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES, IDENTIFYING DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS ON AS A PARK AND COMMENT AND PUTTING THAT IN PUBLIC RECORD.

AND I THINK AS FAR AS IT'S A REALLY IMPORTANT PROCESS, BUT THIS DESIGN THAT'S HERE, IT'S NOT FINAL AT ALL, BECAUSE WHEN YOU GO THROUGH THAT ENVIRONMENTAL PROCESS, AS OUR DIRECTOR SAID, YOU MIGHT FIND A LOT OF THINGS LIKE THIS TRAIL MAY WORK, IT MIGHT NOT. AND IT'S REDESIGNED, AND YOU HAVE, YOU KNOW, A 30% DESIGN, LIKE YOU HAVE DIFFERENT PERCENTAGES WHERE WE LOOK AT

[04:25:06]

SO I THINK THERE'S AS FAR AS SOME OF THE COMMENTS THAT I'VE HEARD TODAY, I FEEL LIKE THEY'RE DIFFICULT TO RESPOND TO UNTIL YOU DO THAT DEEPER REVIEW AND WE HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT DEEPER REVIEW AND ANSWER THOSE DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTIONS.

BUT THEN ALSO I JUST COMMEND OUR STAFF FOR BEING RESPONSIVE.

WE HAVE A FIRST CLASS TRAIL AND STEWARDSHIP TEAM.

AND AS FAR AS ANYONE WHO FEELS THEY'VE BEEN LEFT OUT OF THE PROCESS OR NOT ENGAGED, LET'S MAKE SURE WE HAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESSES, HOW YOU WANT US TO COMMUNICATE, AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE ON ALL FUTURE EMAILS.

AND DEFINITELY GREAT THAT EVERYONE CAME TODAY TO SHOW THEIR ENGAGEMENT.

AND YES, IN ANY PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PROCESS, WE CAN ALWAYS DO BETTER.

THERE'S ALWAYS A GREATER LEVEL THAT WE CAN DO AS A PARK DISTRICT, AS AN ORGANIZATION.

AND WE WILL BE STRIVING TO DO THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF OUTREACH IN THIS PROCESS.

AND IF THERE'S DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS RIGHT NOW THAT YOU THINK SHOULD BE IN THE ROOM.

DEFINITELY LEAVE THAT LIST WITH US TODAY. AND OR, YOU KNOW, FOLLOW UP WITH US.

BUT IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO DO THE ANALYSIS.

AND AS FAR AS TO BASE ANY FUTURE DECISION ON THAT DATA.

BUT WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN TO THAT POINT. AND THAT REAL POINT HAPPENS AFTER YOU HAVE THAT DATA FROM A REVIEW, A ROBUST ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PROCESS.

SO I AM TEMPTED TO JUST SAY DITTO AND THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF A PROCESS AND THERE'S GOING TO BE A DEEP DEEPER STUDY LAUNCHED WITH THE NLP, THAN WE'VE CONDUCTED HERE TO FOUR AND JUST LEAVE IT AT THAT. BUT I'VE ALREADY MISSED THE NIGHT OUT WITH OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT OVER AT LAKE CHABOT.

SO I'M SORRY FOLKS, I'M GOING TO, I'M GOING TO KEEP GOING AND I APOLOGIZE TO MY BOARD AND I'M GOING TO KEEP GOING WITH, THIS IS THE SIXTH PUBLIC MEETING WE HAVE HAD WERE IN THIS HAS BEEN ON A TOPIC THAT HAS BEEN AGENDA.

SO FOUR OF THEM WERE BOARD MEETINGS. ONE OF THEM WAS THE COMMUNITY MEETING IN APRIL OF 2023.

AND THEREFORE, FORGIVE ME FOR BEING A LITTLE IMPATIENT WITH THE SUGGESTION THAT WE'RE JUST GETTING AT THIS.

SO WITH SIX PUBLIC MEETINGS. SO YOU TALK TO ME, I JUST HAVE TO SAY ONLY TWO BOARD MEMBERS WERE AT THAT APRIL 25TH MEETING.

ABSOLUTELY. THERE WERE TWO MEMBERS, THAT WASN'T A BOARD.

AT WHAT MEETING? THE APRIL 25TH MEETING. TWO.

OH THE COMMUNITY MEETING WITH 200 PEOPLE ON ZOOM.

ACTUALLY, YOU KNOW MORE. I WAS THERE. AND I HAVE THEREFORE, BECAUSE THE PARK DISTRICT HAS PUBLICLY PURSUED THIS ISSUE FOR FOUR YEARS, I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY AS A BOARD MEMBER TO BE DEEPLY IMMERSED IN IT, AT LEAST SINCE 2023. I READ LAST NIGHT A LONG LETTER NORMAN WROTE TO US IN 2023, WHEN HE WAS THEN REPRESENTING THE SIERRA CLUB.

I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND THAT MEETING.

I HAD MEETINGS AT THE SAME TIME WITH NORMAN REPRESENTING THE SIERRA CLUB, WITH JIM REPRESENTING NATIVE PLANTS IN 2023, WITH GLENN REPRESENTING AUDUBON AT THE TIME. AND I THINK I PROBABLY, OVER DOZENS OF OCCASIONS CHATTED WITH AMELIA ABOUT IT. IN OTHER WORDS, THERE HAS BEEN DEEP IMMERSION BY BOTH ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS AND BOARD MEMBERS IN THIS ISSUE FOR YEARS. SO IT'S BEING LAUNCHED HERE INTO A DEEPER STUDY WITH MORE AND MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC INPUT.

AND I'M KIND OF SCARED AT WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AT OUR WHEN WE DO GIVE APPROVAL TO THIS OR DISAPPROVAL TO THIS PROJECT, BECAUSE WE MIGHT HAVE YOUR 2000 PEOPLE AT THAT MEETING AT THAT POINT.

[04:30:07]

I LEARNED I WAS REMINDED ABOUT IT A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO FROM AMELIA.

YOU AND I HAVE NEVER, EVER HEARD ABOUT THIS DONATION THING BEING PART OF THESE DELIBERATIONS UNTIL NORMAN AND AMELIA HAVE RAISED IT, YOU KNOW, SO THIS HAS NOT BEEN PART OF OUR DELIBERATIONS.

HOWEVER, HAVING SAID THAT, I WELCOME IT, I THINK WE NEED DONATIONS FOR PROJECTS LIKE THIS.

WE'RE CERTAINLY LOOKING TO A LOT OF INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP PHILANTHROPY FOR THE NEW NATURE CENTER AT TILDEN PARK.

WE HAD A MAJOR DONOR DONATE TO THE NEW ROBERTS POOL IF WE ENDED UP BUILDING IT.

AND WE DID, AND HIS FAMILY CAN USE IT. AND I DON'T THINK THERE WAS ANY CONDITION THAT WE SET ASIDE A LANE OF THE SWIMMING POOL FOR THAT FAMILY BECAUSE THEY DONATED TO THAT FUND. THERE'S EXAMPLES AFTER EXAMPLES I WOULD LIKE TO DONATE TO A TRAIL I HAVE IN MIND.

OUT AT POINT MELODY, IF IT'S BUILT, I HOPE TO BE ABLE TO USE IT.

ALL RIGHT, SO THAT ALL ASIDE. I PERSONALLY LOOK AT THIS ISSUE FROM THE APPROACH SUGGESTED BY THE SIERRA CLUB TONIGHT, AND I'M VERY AT HOME WITH TAKING SIDES WITH THE SIERRA CLUB TONIGHT AND SUGGESTING THAT, YES, WE SHOULD GO AHEAD AND STUDY THIS DEEPER.

WE SHOULD TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE SPECIFIC DATA SUGGESTED THAT WE'RE LACKING, SO THAT IN THAT PROCESS WE LOOK AT WHAT WE'VE HEARD TONIGHT IS MISSING FROM THAT STUDY.

AND I'M HAPPY THAT THE SIERRA CLUB PURSUED THAT.

I'M ALSO WANT TO BE IN LINE, IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE LETTER WE GOT FROM NORMAN THREE YEARS AGO, REPRESENTING THE SIERRA CLUB POSITION THREE YEARS AGO ON THIS.

AND THAT WAS THAT. YES. MAYBE IT'S TIME OR NOT.

MAYBE IT WAS TIME TO LOOK AT THE POSSIBILITY OF BIKE ONLY TRAILS.

AND YOU YOU KNOW, THIS WAS A BREAKTHROUGH FOR US TO HEAR FROM THE SIERRA CLUB BECAUSE BIKE, YOU KNOW, AND THE PARK DISTRICT BECAUSE WE'RE ALWAYS TRAILS ARE FOR EVERYONE.

AND THE CONCEPT OF SETTING ASIDE BIKE ONLY TRAILS FOR THE PURPOSE OF LESSENING CONFLICT WAS KIND OF NEW AND CONTROVERSIAL. AND THAT LETTER IN 2023 FROM THE SIERRA CLUB FROM NORMAN I'VE QUOTED MANY ON MANY OCCASIONS NOW BECAUSE IT SUGGESTED THAT WE DO LOOK AT BIKE ONLY TRAILS, WITH THE CAVEAT THAT I AGREE WITH THAT.

WE INVOLVE ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS, THAT WE DO NOT SUBJECT OURSELVES TO THE ACCUSATION THAT WE HAVEN'T INVOLVED ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS IN IT. I APPRECIATED THAT SUGGESTION FROM NORMAN IN 2023.

THAT'S THE WAY TO DO IT. IT'S THE WAY TO DO IT IN MASTER PLANNING, AS WE NOW LAUNCH THE SECOND CENTURY PLAN.

AND I'M STILL NOT SURE WHETHER WE'RE GOING TO DO A SEPARATE TRAIL MASTER PLAN OR IT'S GOING TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THAT.

BRIAN HOLT HASN'T REALLY COALESCED AROUND ONE OF THOSE, BUT WE'RE GOING TO DO TRAIL MASTER PLANNING, AND IT'S GOING TO APPLY TO THE POTENTIAL BIKE ONLY TRAILS AT PLEASANTON RIDGE, AT DEL VALLE, AT CONTRA LOMA, AND OTHER PLACES WHERE WE'RE LOOKING AT THE PROLIFERATION OF ILLEGAL TRAILS AND THE NEED TO FINALLY DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT, LIKE WE'RE STARTING TO DO AT BRIAN'S. AND I WANT TO SUGGEST TO THE ONSLAUGHT, YOU KNOW, THE HOW IT IS DIFFICULT TO RESPOND TO A LOT OF THE OPPOSITION HERE TO TONIGHT TO SIMPLY GOING AHEAD WITH A STUDY.

BUT I WOULD SUGGEST THIS BECAUSE IT'S HOW I APPROACH THESE ISSUES, AND IT'S HOW I'VE ALWAYS APPROACHED THESE ISSUES FOR THE PAST 21 YEARS, WHETHER IT BE AS A MEMBER OF THE PACK FOR 13 YEARS OR 8 YEARS AS A MEMBER OF THIS BOARD.

I GO OUT AND I DO THE TRAILS. I WENT OUT LONG AGO AND WALKED THIS PROPOSED TRAIL.

I WENT OUT WHEN THE ALTERNATIVE COMING DOWN TOWARD ALVARADO WAS PROPOSED.

I WENT OUT AND LOOKED THAT OVER, AND I LOOKED OVER SOME OTHER THE OTHER ALIGNMENT THAT WAS A BIT EAST TO THERE.

SO I DO THAT, AND THAT INFORMS ME. I'M ALSO INFORMED BY SPENDING YEARS, LITERALLY YEARS STUDYING THE

[04:35:02]

AND MY CONCLUSION AT CROCKETT HILLS AND FROM WHAT I CONSIDER THE SUCCESS OF THE BRIONES PILOT PROJECT IS THAT WE CAN LESSEN THE VOLUME OF ILLEGAL TRAILS BY DESIGNATING SOME BIKE ONLY TRAILS THAT'S SUCCEEDED AT BRIONES WITHIN THAT LIMITED CONTEXT OF THE BRIONES PILOT PROJECT.

IF YOU STUDY SINCE 2014 AT CROCKETT HILLS, THERE ARE NOT ILLEGAL TRAILS THERE.

THEY'RE NOT BEING MADE, THEY'RE NOT BEING REPEATED.

THERE'S A PROBLEM THAT I WILL ACKNOWLEDGE THAT AMELIA HAS EXPLAINED TO ME AND BROUGHT LIGHT TO THAT I AGREE, IS AN ISSUE AT CROCKETT HILLS WITH EQUESTRIANS, BUT IT HAS LESSENED HIKER CONFLICT AND BIKER CONFLICT BECAUSE THEY COME THROUGH.

THEY GO TO THOSE BIKE ONLY TRIPS. THEY'RE NOT BIKE ONLY TRAILS, BUT YOU KNOW, WE ALL KNOW THEY ARE AND AT BRIONES, IT'S WORKING OUT THERE. I PLANT MYSELF AT THE BOTTOM OF HANK AND FRANK.

AND WHEN EQUESTRIANS COME BY, I GET MY LITTLE UNIFORM WITH ALL THE NAMETAG AND STUFF.

AND I ASK THE EQUESTRIANS, HOW IS THIS WORKING? WHAT WE'VE DONE WITH HANK AND FRANK, THE DIVERSION AND THE BIKES AREN'T COMING OUT THERE.

AND I'VE GOTTEN SINCE THE PILOT PROJECT AND IT'S IMPLEMENTED.

I GENERALLY GET POSITIVE FEEDBACK FROM THE EQUESTRIANS THAT I ADDRESSED THAT WAY, LOOKING UP AT THEM AND SAYING, HI, I'M WITH THE PARK DISTRICT. YOU KNOW, IF THAT'S A PERFECT SPOT TO LAND AND GET SOME FEEDBACK.

SO ALL I'M SUGGESTING IS WE CAN DISAGREE ABOUT THAT.

BUT THAT'S HOW I INFORM MYSELF. AND I'LL CLOSE WITH, YOU KNOW, SOMETHING I'VE HEARD FOR LIKE 6 OR 7 YEARS, WELL, EIGHT YEARS BECAUSE THAT'S HOW LONG I'VE BEEN ON THE BOARD.

WE HAVE 126,000 ACRES OF LAND. NOW WE HAVE 73 PARKS AND WE HAVE 13 ACRES, 1300 MILES OF TRAILS IN THIS PARK SYSTEM. WE HAVE. I'M GOING TO COUNT THEM.

BRIONES, CROCKETT HILLS. WE HAVE MAYBE FIVE DESIGNATED BIKE TRAILS FOR BIKES ONLY.

AND IN THESE 1300 MILES OF TRAILS IN THESE 73 PARKS, THIS WOULD BE THE THIRD OF THE 73 IN WHICH WE HAVE A BIKE ONLY DESIGNATED TRAIL. AND OF THE 126,000 ACRES WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, DO SOME QUICK MATH. THIS WOULD ADD 0.0000. A BUNCH OF ZEROS.

IT'S NEGLIGIBLE IN TERMS OF THE INPUT. AND SO WHAT I'M SUGGESTING IS THAT THAT LACK OF OF PRODUCTION FOR BIKE TRAILS IN THIS VAST SYSTEM WE HAVE AND OVERSEE IN THESE TWO COUNTIES, IT'S IT'S THIS.

AND THAT'S WRONG GIVEN THE DEMAND TODAY, IT'S WRONG.

I AGREE, WE CAN DISAGREE ON WHERE THE BIKE TRAILS GO.

I LIKED NORMAN'S SUGGESTION BACK IN 2023, ABOUT A PROCESS BY WHICH WE FIND PLACES WHERE IT'S APPROPRIATE TO DO THIS.

BUT THE FACT REMAINS THE RESPONSIVENESS WE'VE HAD TO THAT DEMAND IS THIS IT'S VERY LITTLE.

AND THAT'S THE CONTEXT THAT WE DISCUSS THIS ISSUE TONIGHT.

THANKS. ALL RIGHT. WHO WANTS TO GO NEXT? YOU ARE OKAY.

GOOD. GO AHEAD. ALL RIGHT. SO I WANT TO GO BACK TO 2023 WHEN WE INITIALLY VOTED, WHAT IS THIS? RESOLUTION NUMBER 2023-12-280, WHERE WE APPROVE THE APPROPRIATION OF $300,000 TOWARD THIS PROJECT.

AND I JUST WANT TO SHARE SOME OF MY THOUGHTS FROM 2023 COMPARED TO TODAY.

IN 2023, YOU KNOW, I HAVE A YOUNG NEIGHBOR WHO'S NOW 17 AT THE TIME, A LITTLE BIT YOUNGER, WHO LOVES MOUNTAIN BIKING, AND IT'S THROUGH HER EYES THAT I REALLY SEE THIS GROWING AND INCREASING POPULARITY AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE IN REGARDS TO BEING OUT IN NATURE ON MOUNTAIN BIKES AND THE IMPORTANCE OF US CONSIDERING THIS WITHIN THE EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT. I ALSO KNOW SHORTLY BEFORE THAT TIME, HAVING A CONVERSATION WITH MR. SCOTT BARTLEBAUGH ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO ALSO BE ABLE TO LEAVE YOU KNOW, FROM YOUR HOME AND BE ABLE TO BIKE TO THE LOCAL PARK AND BE ABLE TO ENJOY MOUNTAIN BIKING NEAR YOUR HOME AND THAT THAT'S, YOU KNOW,

[04:40:03]

AND, YOU KNOW, THAT SAME YOUNG NEIGHBOR WHO'S 17 YEAR OLD, 17 YEARS OLD TODAY, LAST SUMMER, 2024, YOU KNOW, SHE SHE REALLY WANTED TO START MOUNTAIN BIKING ON THE PLEASANTON RIDGE.

BUT HER MOTHER, WHO'S ONE OF MY CLOSEST FRIENDS, DID NOT YET FEEL COMFORTABLE ALLOWING HER THEN 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER TO TO BIKE ON PLEASANTON RIDGE. AND I SUGGESTED THEY TRY BRIONES.

AND SO THEY DROVE TO BRIONES. AND I'M GOING TO TRY TO BE QUICK IN THE STORY COMING HOME.

YOU KNOW, THE MOTHER IS NOT A MOUNTAIN BIKER. SHE DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO PROPERLY MOUNT THE MOUNTAIN BIKE ON HER CAR, AND IT DID FALL OFF THE CAR ON 680. AND IT WAS A VERY PANICKED SITUATION FOR THE MOTHER.

AND I'M VERY SENSITIVE TO THAT ASPECT OF THIS SITUATION.

AND SO IN GENERAL, YOU KNOW, I DO STAND BEHIND MY 2023 VOTE IN REGARDS TO THINKING ABOUT THE GROWING POPULARITY, PARTICULARLY AMONG THE YOUNG PEOPLE. AND, YOU KNOW, THE NEED FOR YOU KNOW, FOR ADDRESSING THIS COMMUNITY.

THAT SAID, I ALSO DO WANT TO SHARE A COMMENT THAT I RECEIVED, A FORWARD OF FROM YESTERDAY, AND I ACTUALLY CAN'T FIND IT IN OUR COMPILATION OF PUBLIC COMMENTS THAT WE RECEIVED.

AND I KNOW WE RECEIVED SO MANY. SO I THINK THAT MAYBE AFTER TODAY, WE WILL PROBABLY WANT TO REVIEW ALL THE PUBLIC COMMENTS THAT CAME INTO PUBLIC COMMENT AT EAST BAY PARKS OR YOU KNOW, BACK IN 2024, I DID GO THROUGH THE CALIFORNIA NATURALIST PROGRAM TO BECOME A CERTIFIED CALIFORNIA NATURALIST, AND ONE OF MY CLASSMATES, DOCTOR LAURA DEAMER, WHO IS A PART OF THE CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY.

SHE SHE DID SEND A COMMENT TO YOU KNOW, GIVE ME A HEADS UP THAT SHE HAD SUBMITTED THIS COMMENT AND ONE REASON SHE'S NOT ABLE TO JOIN US TODAY. I DO WANT TO SHARE REAL QUICK IS SHE IS A PHD BIOLOGIST YOU KNOW, EMPLOYED AT A VERY EXCITING GENOMICS COMPANY HEADQUARTERED IN ALAMEDA COUNTY, THAT IPOD IN 2019.

SO SHE HAS A VERY BUSY PROFESSIONAL CAREER. AND THAT'S ONE REASON SHE'S NOT HERE TODAY AND SUBMITTED THIS PUBLIC COMMENT.

AND I WANTED TO READ THE ENTIRE COMMENT, BUT I'M NOT GOING TO RIGHT NOW.

I WILL TRY TO SUMMARIZE IT, BUT ULTIMATELY SHE DOES REFERENCE THE LAND USE PLAN FROM 1985 AND HIGHLIGHTS HOW THE LAND USE PLAN DOES SAY TO ALLOW ONLY ACTIVITIES WHICH ARE COMPATIBLE WITH THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES.

SHE DOES EXPRESS CONCERN FOR HABITAT AND FOR WILDLIFE.

AND I THINK THAT YOU KNOW, THIS DOES GIVE ME SOME PAUSE TO THINKING ABOUT THE DECISION TODAY.

AND, YOU KNOW, I THINK ABOUT THIS, YOU KNOW, CONSTRUCTION TIMELINE OF 2027.

AND I WONDER IF THE TIMING TODAY MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT ON THE EARLY SIDE FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS THAT I HEARD TODAY IN THE COMMENTS.

AND PART OF MY CONCERNS ARE, YOU KNOW, ONE, COMPILING ALL THE PUBLIC COMMENT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE SEEING EACH OF THOSE COMMENTS AND BEING ABLE TO HAVE TIME TO REFLECT AND REVIEW. AND I KNOW MANY OF THEM ARRIVED LATER IN THE DAY YESTERDAY SO THAT THAT THAT WAS A CHALLENGE.

YOU KNOW, I DO HAVE SOME CONCERNS ABOUT LAND USE PLANS, HOW WE VIEW THEM AS A BOARD, HOW WE VIEW THEM AS AN ORGANIZATION, IN PARTICULAR WITH THIS WILDCAT CANYON LAND USE PLAN FROM 1985 AND THEN SO WITH THE 1985 PLAN, I COULDN'T FIND A FULL COPY ONLINE. AND IN FACT, THIS PARTIAL COPY THAT WE RECEIVED ON BEHALF OF SPRAWLDEF, IT'S ACTUALLY REALLY THE ONLY COPY I COULD FIND IN PREPARATION FOR TODAY.

AND YES, I KNOW I COULD HAVE ASKED STAFF FOR THIS COPY SO, AND I THINK ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC CAN ASK FOR A COPY, BUT I DO THINK IT MIGHT BE IMPORTANT TO HAVE THIS ONLINE.

I DID SEE IN 1991 ON THIS CALIFORNIA CEQA DATABASE, THE AMENDMENT TO THE LAND USE PLAN FOR WILD CANYON IS UPLOADED, I BELIEVE I NEED TO DIG A LITTLE BIT DEEPER, BUT THAT THAT MAY BE AVAILABLE ON THAT CALIFORNIA CEQA DATABASE.

BUT I DO THINK THERE IS THIS QUESTION ABOUT THE LAND USE PLAN.

I ALSO APPRECIATED THE COMMENTS ABOUT OUR PRIORITIES AND PROJECTS.

YOU KNOW, I KNOW WE'RE GOING TO BE COMING UP ON A SESSION, MOST LIKELY IN SEPTEMBER ABOUT OUR CAPITAL PROJECTS PRIORITIZATION.

AND I DO THINK WE HAVE SOME WORK TO DO ON THIS FRONT.

AND, YOU KNOW, I DO LOOK AT THIS AMOUNT OF THE CEQA CONTRACT OF, YOU KNOW, $92,000.

AND I JUST THINK ABOUT WITH THE 2024 BUDGET, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE ITEMS THAT I REALLY WAS TRYING TO ADVOCATE FOR, BUT DIDN'T MAKE IT INTO OUR BUDGET THIS YEAR, WAS AN ALLOCATION OF $50,000 TO STUDY A TRAIL CONNECTION IN EASTERN ALAMEDA COUNTY, AND THAT'S NOT PART OF OUR 2024 BUDGET. SO, YOU KNOW, THESE TRADE OFFS THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE IN REGARDS TO OUR BUDGET ARE IMPORTANT.

AND, YOU KNOW, THESE DOLLARS ARE ALSO IMPORTANT.

I ALSO REALLY APPRECIATE THE COMMENT ABOUT THE TRAILS MASTER PLAN. THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I WISH WE WERE WORKING ON AND MAYBE HAD BEEN A PART OF THE SECOND CENTURY DISTRICT PLAN.

[04:45:10]

YOU KNOW, WE DON'T HAVE A GREAT YOU KNOW, CONTACT DATABASE HERE AT EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT.

AND I'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS BEFORE. AND IN TERMS OF OUR EMAILS, YOU KNOW, WE SEND ONE GENERAL EMAIL NEWSLETTER.

WE DON'T SEGMENT OUR NEWSLETTER PROGRAM EITHER BASED ON GEOGRAPHY OR INTERESTS.

SO, FOR EXAMPLE, THESE BOARD MEETINGS, WE CERTAINLY HAVE FOLKS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN OUR BOARD MEETINGS AND WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE NOTIFICATION ABOUT THE BOARD MEETINGS AND WE DON'T HAVE AN EMAIL OUTREACH PROGRAM IN REGARDS TO THAT, WHICH I WOULD LIKE TO SEE.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, ALL THESE THINGS TOGETHER MAKE ME THINK THAT WE'RE NOT QUITE YET READY FOR THE EIR.

HOWEVER, I DO ALSO RECOGNIZE THE ER MAY HELP US IN SOME OF THESE AREAS.

I WOULD PREFER, THOUGH, THAT WE WORK ON SOME OF THESE THINGS AND THINK ABOUT OUR OUTREACH BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH THE EIR.

OKAY. WANT TO GO? SURE. OKAY. YEAH. DENNIS CAN DO IT.

I JUST, YOU KNOW, LIKE EVERYONE ELSE HAS SAID.

AND THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE. YOU'RE PASSIONATE ON BOTH SIDES, ON EVERY SIDE.

AND WE COME DOWN TO THE QUANDARY WE'RE ALWAYS IN AS THIS BOARD AND OUR WHOM OUR FOREFATHERS FATHERS AND NOT FOREMOTHERS, BUT THE PEOPLE THAT FOUNDED THIS DISTRICT. WHY THE HECK DID THEY SAY WE'RE GOING TO BALANCE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AND ALL OF THE NATURAL WORLD AND PROTECT WILDLIFE AND PLANT SPECIES, AND THEN BALANCE IT WITH RECREATIONAL NEEDS? AND THAT THAT MIGHT HAVE WORKED REALLY WELL IN GRAND STAIRCASE-ESCALANTE.

BUT WE'VE GOT, YOU KNOW, 2 MILLION PEOPLE THAT LOVE US, AND THEY LIVE RIGHT NEXT TO PARKS.

THAT'S OUR QUANDARY. SO WE DEAL WITH THIS ALL THE TIME.

HOW DO WE BALANCE THIS? AND I DON'T KNOW. WE STUDY.

WE LISTEN TO PEOPLE. I, THE TRANSPARENCY ISSUE I, WE CAN ALWAYS DO BETTER BUT I THINK WE'VE BEEN AS TRANSPARENT AS WE CAN.

I THINK IT GETS OUT THERE SOME PEOPLE HERE BEFORE OTHERS DO. BUT LIKE SCOTT SAID, SOME PEOPLE ARE MORE PASSIONATE AND SPEND MORE TIME LOOKING INTO THESE THINGS.

I JUST, I THINK THAT I THINK AN EIR WILL GIVE US MORE INFORMATION.

I THINK THAT I'VE BEEN IN THE PARK DISTRICT FOR 50 YEARS.

THERE ARE DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES THAT COME AND GO THAT HAVE THAT SAY, THIS IS A GREAT RESOURCE.

WE WANT TO PARTICIPATE. I THINK THE YOUNG PEOPLE THAT WERE HERE TODAY WERE VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

I PERSONALLY DON'T THINK THEY'RE THE FOLKS THAT THE OTHER FOLKS WERE TALKING ABOUT WHO COME I SEE, THE FOLKS THAT I SEE RACING BY ME ON BIKES AND NOT BEING COURTEOUS.

I DON'T THINK THOSE ARE THE FOLKS WE'RE GOING TO BE CREATING HERE.

SO WE HAVE TO SHARE. I KNOW THAT'S HARD. AND WE HAVE TO DO OUR DUE DILIGENCE AND STUDY THINGS, WHICH I THINK WE'VE BEEN DOING. I WILL SUPPORT THE EIR SIMPLY BECAUSE I WANT MORE INFORMATION.

PERSONALLY, IT'LL BE AN EMOTIONAL ISSUE ON BOTH SIDES.

WE'LL TRY TO COME AWAY WITH IT AND DO WHAT'S BEST FOR EVERYONE, WHICH OBVIOUSLY DOESN'T PLEASE EVERYONE.

BUT THERE ARE SOME OPERATIONAL ISSUES I REALLY HOPE WE ADDRESS AND THAT WON'T BE ADDRESSED IN THE EIR, BUT I HOPE AS A STAFF WE ADDRESS, HOW ARE WE GOING TO OPERATE WHAT IS ESSENTIALLY A BIKE PARK? AND HOW ARE WE GOING TO DEAL WITH ENFORCEMENT? I KNOW WE'RE REALLY TIMID ABOUT ENFORCEMENT, AND I DON'T GET IT BECAUSE I DON'T THINK WE'RE GOING TO BE POPPING YOUNG KIDS ON BIKES.

THEY'VE GOT GOOD MENTORS. I THINK THEY ARE THE PEOPLE THAT AND I, EVERY PERSON THAT SIT IN HERE HAS EXPERIENCED, I'VE EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING AND IN SOME CASES FEAR, BECAUSE SOMETIMES I CAN'T GET OUT OF THE WAY.

SO WE NEED TO ADDRESS THE FOLKS THAT ARE SOILING THIS THING FOR EVERYONE ELSE.

AND I HOPE WE CAN DO THAT. THAT WON'T BE INCLUDED IN THE EIR BUT LET'S KEEP STUDYING, LET'S KEEP WORKING TOWARDS THIS.

YOU KNOW I ONCE AGAIN, I'M FOR THIS. I AND I'LL REITERATE WHAT COLIN SAID.

I NEVER HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT A DONATION THAT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH OUR DELIBERATIONS HERE.

SO. I HOPE WE GO FORWARD WITH THIS AND WE'RE SUCCESSFUL, AND EVERYBODY HAS SOME DEGREE OF SATISFACTION.

[04:50:06]

JUST GO. GO OUT. GO ASK ONE OF THE STAFF. THAT'S HOW WE DO IT.

GO AHEAD. GO AHEAD. LYNDA. GO AHEAD. I THINK OVERALL, ONE OF THE EARLIER COMMENTS TONIGHT THAT I REALLY APPRECIATED.

SO I GAVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO HER. YEAH.

TRY TO KEEP YOUR VOICE DOWN. ALL RIGHT. THAT MIGHT HELP.

THERE. ALL RIGHT. I'M SORRY. GO AHEAD. ONE OF THE COMMENTS SAY THAT REALLY STRUCK ME WAS THAT RELATIONSHIPS ARE ONE OF OUR CORE VALUES IN THE PARK.

AND WHEN I RAN FOR THIS OFFICE AND WHEN I REALLY LOOKED AT THIS, THIS IS MY LIFE WORK.

AND I COULD BE DOING A LOT OF THINGS WITH MY VOLUNTEER TIME.

BUT DRIVING POLICY AND WORKING ON POLICY IS SOMETHING THAT'S SO IMPORTANT, BUT I REALLY THINK IT'S THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT I VALUE, AND ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS THAT WERE ASKED EARLIER ARE NOT TO BE ASSUMED THAT I DON'T SUPPORT ALL USERS, BUT REALLY, THE COMMENT THAT WAS MADE MULTIPLE TIMES IS THE NEED FOR A STABLE PROJECT DESIGN IN ORDER TO GO FORWARD.

I'M NO STRANGER FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEADER ON THE PROCESS, BUT REALLY, AT MY GREATEST HEART OR SOUL OF ALL OF THIS IS THE FEAR, THE CONCERN, THE LOVE FOR NATURE. AND YOU KNOW WE ARE IN TROUBLE AND CONFUSING TIME NOT UNLIKE THEY WERE IN THE 1930S WHEN WE FORMED THIS PARK DISTRICT, AND PEOPLE TURNED OUT AND DECIDED WE NEED THESE PLACES TO HEAL, TO GROW.

AND SO A LOT OF MY CONCERN IS IN THIS CHAOTIC WORLD, AND WE ARE BLESSED TO HAVE THIS PRESERVE, IS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE SAVE PLACES LIKE WILDCAT.

IT'S A QUIET, HEALTHY, HEALING GETAWAY. WHEN I WAS SWORN IN, I HAD MADE THE COMMENT ABOUT, YOU KNOW, IN THE END, WE'RE ONLY GOING TO CONSERVE WHAT WE LOVE.

WE'RE ONLY GOING TO LOVE WHAT WE UNDERSTAND, AND WE'RE ONLY GOING TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WE ARE TAUGHT.

SO THROUGH THIS PROCESS, I REALLY ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS EDUCATOR, POLICYMAKER IS HOW HOW ARE WE DOING TO GO FORWARD TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE QUIET, HEALTHY, HEALING PLACES ARE PRESERVED FOR THE NEXT SEVEN AND GENERATIONS, AND I'M NOT A SUPPORTER OR DIS SUPPORTER OF BIKES.

I AM A SUPPORTER OF ALL USERS. I THINK THE QUESTION IS SOLUTIONS AND WHERE DO WE PUT THEM? PARTICULARLY WE'VE GOT THESE RHENA HOUSING NUMBERS, WE'RE IN A GROWING AREA, WE'VE GOT TENS OF THOUSANDS OF NEW PEOPLE COMING.

I JUST FEEL THAT WE DON'T HAVE A STABLE, DEVELOPED PLAN.

WE DON'T FULLY UNDERSTAND THE USERS NOW. AND IN THE PROJECTION.

I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE CORRIDORS AND THE STUDY AREAS.

BUT I DO THINK THERE'S NO DOUBT THAT WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE ALL OF OUR USERS HAPPY.

ONE OF THE THINGS I WAS KIND OF EVEN THOUGH I SERVED ON THE PAC FOR SO LONG, I THINK GOING TO THE CALIFORNIA REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT AND THEN GOING TO THE CRPDS, THE PARK, OH MY GOD, CARPD, I DIDN'T QUITE GET IT, HONESTLY, THAT WHERE WE REALLY DO STRADDLE A VERY INTERESTING, DIFFICULT STRUGGLE.

WE'RE NOT JUST SAVED MOUNT DIABLO AND PRESERVING LAND, AND WE'RE NOT JUST A PARK SERVICES DISTRICT THAT PROVIDES SERVICES.

WE'RE STRADDLING BOTH OF THEM. AND IN OUR MISSION, IT'S PRETTY CLEAR THAT WE'VE GOT TO FIND WAYS FOR BOTH OF THEM TO OCCUR.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE. AND UNDERNEATH IT IN OUR MISSION, IT'S CLEAR THAT WE MUST DO THAT WITH A ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS.

SO TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS, WHETHER PEOPLE AGREE OR DON'T AGREE, I DO SEE THAT TODAY'S TURNOUT SHOWS THAT WE COULD HAVE DONE A BETTER JOB OF PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT, AND I DON'T THINK WE NECESSARILY NEED A NEW LIST.

WE HAVE THE TRAIL USERS GROUP. WE HAVE THE ENVIRONMENTAL STAKEHOLDERS.

THESE GROUPS ARE ENGAGED IN CALLING AND TALKING STAFF REGULARLY.

SO I JUST I'M SAD THAT IT GOT TO THIS POINT THAT WE'RE AT.

I'M SAD THAT IT'S KIND OF AT A CROSSROADS OF A YES OR NO.

YOU KNOW, I COUNT THE VOTES. 50 PEOPLE COMMENTED TODAY, 16 SAID YES AND 29 SAID NO.

AND I CAUGHT MYSELF LIKE, WHY ARE YOU DOING THAT? THIS ISN'T A YES OR NO DECISION. BUT CLEARLY ALL EVERYONE THAT SAID NO DIDN'T SAY A CLEAR NO.

IT WAS A WE NEED MORE TIME. WE WANT A STABLE DESIGN.

WE WANT TO UNDERSTAND THIS. EVERYONE ASKED QUESTIONS.

I DIDN'T HEAR ANYBODY SAYING, WE DON'T NEED SEPARATE AREAS FOR BICYCLISTS.

WE DON'T WANT BICYCLISTS IN OUR PARKS. SO I THINK YOU KNOW, I'M JUST KIND OF REFOCUSING MYSELF ON THAT.

[04:55:04]

BUT YOU DO. IN THE END, I THINK WITH MORE TIME AND I WOULD HOPE, IT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE I HAVE THE VOTES ON THE COUNCIL THAT I MEAN, ON THE, ON THE BOARD UP HERE TODAY THAT WE'D HAVE A LITTLE MORE TIME TO REVIEW THIS AND TRY TO LOOK AT A WAY TO THIS TO BE MORE OF A WIN WIN AND AN OUTCOME EVEN TO THE POINT THE TRAIL USERS GROUP. HONESTLY, I CAN'T BELIEVE WE DIDN'T HIRE A PROFESSIONAL MEDIATOR TO INTERVENE AND COME OUT WITH SOME MEASURABLE OUTCOMES.

I CAN'T BELIEVE WE JUST DROPPED THE ENVIRONMENTAL STAKEHOLDERS MEETINGS.

THERE'S WAYS FOR US TO BE BETTER AS A TEAM. WE ALL WANT THE SAME THING.

I WANT TO KEEP BUYING LANDS. I WANT TO KEEP DESIGNING PRESERVES.

I WANT OUR MASTER PLAN TO HELP DESIGN WHERE OUR BIKES AND WHERE OUR PRESERVES.

HOW THE HECK DO WE DO THIS WEIRD POSITION? WE FOUND OURSELVES STRADDLING BOTH RECREATION AND LAND USE.

WE'RE NOT ONE OR THE OTHER. THIS IS NOT EASY WHAT WE'RE DOING, BUT HOW CAN WE DO THAT? AND I THINK THE BIGGEST THING RIGHT NOW THAT I'M WORRIED ABOUT OVERALL, IF WE DON'T GIVE OURSELVES A LITTLE MORE TIME, SOME OF THE DIFFERENT ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN COMING UP IN MY SHORT TIME ON HERE IS THE PUBLIC TRUST.

DO PEOPLE REALLY FEEL THAT THEY'RE ENGAGED, WHETHER WE THINK THEY ARE OR NOT, WHETHER WE CAN ARGUE.

IF IT WAS A BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING OR NOT.

DO WE HAVE THE TRUST OF THE PEOPLE THAT WE HAVE THEIR EAR? DO THEY REALLY FEEL THAT THEY'RE THERE, READY TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT US? BECAUSE I'M HEARING A LOT OF PEOPLE SAYING THAT THEY'RE THERE SEEMS TO BE TROUBLE AFLOAT.

OR MAYBE WHERE IS THIS PARK DISTRICT GOING? AND WE'VE GOT TO GO BACK OUT TO THE VOTERS.

AND THESE ARE THE VOTERS PARKS. AND I DO NOT WANT TO FIND THAT WE'RE STRUGGLING TO PASS A BALLOT MEASURE TO KEEP THIS FABULOUS JEWEL.

I LIVE HERE, LITERALLY. I LIVE WHERE I LIVE AND IN THE BAY AREA BECAUSE OF THE EAST BAY PARK DISTRICT.

THIS IS LIKE MY DREAM TO BE UP HERE, TO BE THE DECISION MAKER, TO BE AT THIS TABLE, TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION.

AND I REALLY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'VE HAD ENOUGH TIME TO BUILD THE TRUST TO ALLOW THE PUBLIC, PERCEIVED OR NOT. WE HEARD MANY TIMES FROM, YOU KNOW, THREE DOZEN PEOPLE THAT THEY WOULD HAVE LIKED TO BE MORE INVOLVED ALONG THE WAY.

MORE THREATS, MORE OPPORTUNITY. SO I'M WORRIED ABOUT THAT.

I'M WORRIED ABOUT THE RISK OF OF LOSING OUR VOTER SUPPORT.

I'M A LITTLE WORRIED. THERE WAS SOME COMMENTS ABOUT RISK OF LAWSUITS.

I'M A LITTLE WORRIED ABOUT SAFETY RISK. BUT REALLY OVERALL, THE BIGGEST RISK IS MAKING SURE WE, OUR VOTERS LOVE US, CONTINUE TO LOVE US, VOTE FOR US, SUPPORT US, AND WE HAVE A CHANCE TO DO THAT WITH THIS.

AND WE HAVE A CHANCE TO DO THAT, IF NOT TONIGHT IN THE MASTER PLAN, IN THE MASTER PLAN OF TRAILS TO BE MORE TRANSPARENT, MORE OPEN, TO REALLY DEVELOP A PROCESS THAT HELPS US COME TO A IT'S IT'S NOT THAT HARD.

IT'S I MEAN, IT'S WORK, BUT TO GET TO A WIN WIN SO THAT WE CAN SUPPORT ALL USERS, INCLUDING BIKES.

AND I HOPE PEOPLE ARE NOT PORTRAYING ME AS AN ANTI BIKER.

I THINK I'M JUST MAYBE CONCERNED ABOUT THE PROCESS AND NEEDING MORE TIME TO COME UP WITH A SOLUTION AND BUILDING TRUST FOR OUR VOTERS.

SO I DON'T KNOW IF I HAVE THE SUPPORT TO MAKE ANY OTHER ADJUSTMENTS TONIGHT ON MAKING IT SHORTER OR LONGER, SAFER, OR THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK THAT WE MAY BE LOOK AT THIS ONE MORE TIME OR HAVE A CHARRETTE BEFORE WE DO THE NOP FOR AN EIR.

BUT THAT'S WHERE I STAND. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU.

AND I THINK WE HAVE ONE OTHER OVER HERE REAL QUICK.

YES. FOR THE TRAIL USER WORKING GROUP YOU MISCHARACTERIZED AS FAR AS WE DID HAVE A CONSULTANT THAT WAS WORKING WITH STAFF WHO WAS MEETING AT THE PROCESS. AND WE DID FINALIZE IN A REPORT. AND AS FAR AS IN THAT FINAL REPORT, WE FOUND AS FAR AS IT WAS HARDER TO COME ON CONCLUSIONS ON CERTAIN TOPICS. SO IT WAS A ROBUST PROCESS.

AND AS FAR AS WHEN WE SPEAK ABOUT THOSE GROUPS AS BEING SO DIVERSE GROUPS.

YES, THEY WERE DIVERSE USER GROUPS, BUT AS FAR AS BEING A PROCESS WHERE AS FAR IT WAS RACIALLY DIVERSE OR UNDERSERVED OR ECONOMICALLY WE CAN'T ALWAYS JUST GO BACK TO THE GROUPS AND WE HAVE TO LOOK FURTHER.

SO AS FAR AS SOMEONE WHO WAS INVOLVED IN THAT PROCESS, I JUST FELT LIKE YOUR STATEMENT MISCHARACTERIZED IT.

AND THEN TWO, AS FAR AS THERE ARE ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS THAT MAX AND HIS STAFF CONTINUE TO WORK WITH,

[05:00:04]

AND AS FAR AS PUBLIC TRUST, I FEEL THAT AS FAR AS WHAT SOME OF THE COMMENTS THAT I HEAR FROM THIS BOARD, THAT AT SOME TIMES IT SEEMS LIKE WE'RE SOWING A SEED OF MISTRUST.

SO I THINK WE HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL WITH THOSE STATEMENTS.

AND THEN JUST AS FAR AS WITH THE DIFFERENT BOARD PROCESSES JUST WORK TO GET ALL THE FACTS TO CHARACTERIZE THOSE PROCESSES CORRECTLY.

ALL RIGHT. EXCUSE ME. WELL, WHAT I SAW HERE TODAY I'M NOT SURE WHAT I WAS EXPECTING, BUT WHAT I SAW WAS A VERY LARGE, ENTHUSIASTIC GROUP OF NEARLY 50 SPEAKERS.

AND THAT WAS REALLY GREAT. YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN ON FOR THREE AND A HALF YEARS.

I'VE. I'VE NEVER SEEN A GROUP THIS BIG ON ANY SINGLE.

AND THAT'S INCLUDING THE STABLES AND STUFF THAT WE DID.

REMEMBER THOSE HOW HOW BIG THOSE GROUPS WERE THAT WERE NOT AS BIG AS THIS.

SO JUST JUST JUST TO KIND OF FRAME IT. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT.

IT'S KIND OF THE FUTURE FOR THE DISTRICT. BUT THERE'S THERE'S SOME THINGS THAT I WANT TO HIT ON AGAIN.

I KNOW, ESPECIALLY THE FIRST FEW SPEAKERS HERE ON THE BOARD ESPECIALLY ELIZABETH, YOU KNOW, REALLY, REALLY GOT TO THE MEAT OF IT AND FRAMED IT.

AND I FELT PRETTY GOOD THAT WE WERE HEADED IN THE IN WHAT I THOUGHT SHOULD BE THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

WE'VE GOT ALL THE GREAT THING IS WE'VE GOT A LOT OF PEOPLE ENGAGED IN THE PUBLIC PROCESS.

AND, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT REACHING OUT, I MEAN, YOU KNOW, THE MINIMUM THING WE'VE GOT NOW IS WE'VE GOT ALL THESE EMAILS FROM PEOPLE WHO WROTE US LETTERS. WE'VE GOT THOSE, AND WE CAN USE THOSE TO GET BACK TO YOU AND KEEP YOU INFORMED OF THE PROCESS.

AND THE ONE THING I ASK OF YOU IS FIND FIVE MORE PEOPLE OR TEN TO ALSO THAT YOU AGREE WITH, AND ASK THEM TO WEIGH IN. AND WE CAN BUILD MORE OF A SENSE OF OUTREACH EVEN THAN WE HAVE NOW, BUT WE'VE ALREADY INVOLVED. WELL, AND THEN THERE'S ALL THOSE.

THERE'S ALL THOSE SIGNATURES THAT WE GOT ON THOSE PETITIONS.

THAT'S A LOT TOO. I HOPE THAT THE KIND OF CLOSING REMARKS THAT MAX AND SABRINA MADE THAT, THAT FOLKS WERE, WERE DIALED INTO THOSE BECAUSE I THINK THEY COULD SERVE TO KIND OF DEFUZE SOME OF THE MISCONCEPTIONS THAT FOLKS HAVE.

AND ONE OF THEM THAT I WANT TO TOUCH ON IS THE IF THIS TRAIL WAS CONSTRUCTED, IT ACTUALLY REMOVES CONFLICT FROM THE EXISTING TRAILS AND PUTS IT ALL ON A TRAIL THAT ONLY BICYCLISTS WILL BE ON.

SO THE WHOLE IDEA OF, I DON'T WANT TO GET RUN OVER BY A BICYCLE, THAT'S NOT WHAT THIS IS ABOUT.

THIS IS A THESE ARE, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO WALK ON THOSE THINGS.

AND SO IT ACTUALLY INCREASES SAFETY. AND SO THAT'S ONE THING I THINK WE NEED TO KEEP HITTING ON THAT.

I REALLY AS FAR AS WHERE THIS TRAIL IS BUILT THERE'S BEEN SOME TALK ABOUT PUTTING THEM IN OTHER PLACES, PUTTING THESE TRAILS IN OTHER PLACES. AND THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'VE BEEN WORKING ON SINCE I'VE BEEN ON THIS BOARD TRYING TO FIND OTHER LOCATIONS. AND AGAIN, IT'S NOT AN EASY THING.

THERE'S THERE'S OTHER PROPERTIES THAT WE HAVE, BUT IN SOME CASES THERE ARE RESTRICTIONS ON THEM FROM THE GET GO.

LIKE, IF IT'S HABITAT CONSERVANCY LAND, WE'RE NOT GOING TO GO DO IT THERE.

BUT THERE ARE, YOU KNOW, AND WHEN I GO OUT IN THE PARKS AND I'M WALKING AROUND AND I'M LOOKING, I'M ACTUALLY LOOKING TO SEE WHERE WE COULD PUT THESE THINGS.

AND THERE MAY BE SOME THINGS WE COULD DO. THE OTHER THING IS, MANY OF THE FOLKS HERE REPRESENT VOLUNTEER GROUPS.

YOU REPRESENT GROUPS THAT GET OUT THERE AND HELP US.

YOU KNOW, AND THE BICYCLES, NATIVE PLANTS, THE SIERRA CLUB ALL THOSE FOLKS, YOUR VOLUNTEERS, AND YOU'RE HELPING US. SO KEEP DOING THAT. BUT I ALSO JUST WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT PEOPLE WERE CONCERNED ABOUT, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE GOING TO BUILD THIS $750,000 TRAIL OR WHATEVER, AND THEN WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AFTER THAT? THE MOUNTAIN BIKING COMMUNITY HAS DEMONSTRATED THAT THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO TURN OUT VOLUNTEERS.

AND SO THEY'VE ALREADY PROVEN THAT IN BRIONES.

AND SO I'M CERTAINLY IF I WAS TO SAY YES TO THIS, IT WOULD BE ON THAT ASSUMPTION, AND I'D PROBABLY HAVE TO HAVE A TALK WITH SOME OF

[05:05:09]

THAT'S REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT. THE OTHER THING THAT'S IMPORTANT FROM THAT COMMUNITY, FROM THE MOUNTAIN BIKERS IS PEER TO PEER.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S REALLY THE ENFORCEMENT IS THE WORD. I GUESS YOU COULD SAY ENFORCEMENT, BUT.

BUT PRESSURE IS A BETTER WORD. YEAH. PEER TO PEER PRESSURE.

YOU NEED TO BE OUT THERE AND SAYING, DUDE, THAT'S WRONG.

YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING OR YOU KNOW, YOU NEED TO DO IT THIS WAY OR SOMETHING.

AND IT'S A BICYCLIST TO A BICYCLIST, YOU KNOW.

BUT, YOU KNOW, I KNOW THERE'S THERE'S CONCERN ABOUT THE POLICE BEING ABLE TO DO ANYTHING.

I FEEL LIKE THE CULTURE IS CHANGING WITH THAT, TOO.

I THINK WE HAVE THE ABILITY AND WE HAVE THE MAN, THE FORCE.

IT'S FULLY STAFFED NOW, I BELIEVE, THAT WE COULD START DOING SOME KIND OF EDUCATION AND WHATEVER WITH THEM TO GET THE POINT ACROSS THAT SOMEBODY'S WATCHING, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE NOT JUST OUT HERE.

ALSO, IF THIS PROJECT WAS TO BE DONE, MANY OF THE BOOTLEG TRAILS WOULD BE WHAT WE CALL RESTORED.

THAT MEANS ERASED, YOU KNOW? SO I LIKE THAT ASPECT OF IT.

THOSE I FIND WHEN I'M, WHEN I'M OUT HIKING OR RIDING OR WHATEVER, I FIND THEM JUST, I DON'T LIKE THEM.

BUT THEY ALSO CONFUSE ME BECAUSE SOMETIMES I'M NOT SURE WHERE TO GO.

YOU KNOW? SO THAT'S THAT'S REALLY GOOD. THE EIR PROCESS, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SAYING, YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW, HEY, DON'T DO THIS. WE WEREN'T INVOLVED, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH.

WELL, THIS IS THE PROCESS FOR YOU TO GET INVOLVED IN.

LIKE I JUST SAID, WE'RE GOING TO BE CONTACTING FOLKS ABOUT THE PROCESS.

SO THE EIR PROCESS IS A WAY TO WEIGH IN. AND PLEASE DO PLEASE LET US KNOW WHAT YOU FEEL.

PLEASE LET US KNOW. WAYS THAT WE CAN DO THIS.

BECAUSE WHAT IT WHAT WHAT IT DOES IS IT IT IDENTIFIES THE PROCESS.

IT IDENTIFIES ISSUES THAT COME UP THAT NEED TO BE MITIGATED.

AND IN MANY, MANY CASES USUALLY IS THE CASE THAT CAN BE MITIGATED IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.

IT'S LIKE I SAY, SOMETIMES IT'S NOT WHAT YOU DO, IT'S HOW YOU DO IT, YOU KNOW? SO WE I FEEL LIKE THERE'S A WAY THAT WE CAN DO IT.

I THINK I GOT THE MESSAGE THAT THERE'S NO INTENTION HERE OF HAVING SOME KIND OF ORGANIZED RACES OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

THAT WAS A RED FLAG FOR ME. THAT WOULD BE A NO GO, I DIDN'T WANT THAT TO HAPPEN. OKAY.

I'M NOT IN. I'M THINKING THERE'S A LOT, A LOT OF ASPECTS TO THIS.

AND ONE PARTICULAR ONE IS, SO I SAT ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION IN CONCORD FOR 11 YEARS.

SO I WAS EXPOSED TO A LOT OF DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN THE CITY WHERE IT WAS SOMETHING NEW COMING INTO TOWN.

RIGHT. AND SO IT WAS THE FEAR OF CHANGE. AND I THINK THAT'S IN HERE, THAT'S IN HERE.

IT'S A CHANGE THAT WE'RE DOING. OKAY. AND SO WE ALL KIND OF HAVE TO KEEP THAT IN, IN OUR MINDS.

LET'S SEE. I THINK THAT'S PRETTY MUCH THE MAIN THING THAT I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT.

AND I'LL STOP THERE. AND I'LL LOOK FOR A MOTION HERE.

ARE YOU MAKING A MOTION? YEAH. WELL, I SAW ELIZABETH FIRST.

YEAH. ELIZABETH. YEAH. I'D LIKE TO MOVE TO AUTHORIZE, TO ISSUE, THE AUTHORIZATION TO ISSUE THE NOTICE OF PREPARATION.

OKAY. AND WE HAVE A SECOND FROM. I'M NOT SECONDING THAT.

I ACTUALLY WOULD LIKE TO MAKE ANOTHER MOTION.

BEFORE THAT ONE SECOND, I'D LIKE TO MAKE ANOTHER MOTION THAT WE POSTPONE THE VOTE ON THIS OR POSTPONE THE AUTHORIZATION ON THIS UNTIL WE HAVE OUR CAPITAL PRIORITIES WORKSHOP, UNTIL WE REVIEW LAND USE PLANS UNTIL.

SO THAT'S TWO THINGS. UNTIL WE HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT OPERATIONS AND ENFORCEMENT, AND WE HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW WE'RE MANAGING OUR EMAIL DATABASE AND HOW WE'RE, YOU KNOW, REACHING OUT AND, YOU KNOW, ENGAGING THE PUBLIC IN OUR PUBLIC MEETING PROCESS.

SO A LITTLE GUIDANCE ON HOW WE HANDLE AND WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

WE HAVE ONE. WE HAD A MOTION AND A SECOND. AND THEN YOU HAVE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION WHICH HAS NOT BEEN SECONDED.

[05:10:03]

IS THERE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND THE MODIFIED MOTION.

AND NOW YOU CAN TAKE A VOTE ON THAT. OKAY. FIRST, IT'S NOT A MODIFIED MOTION.

IT'S A SUBSTITUTE. IT'S A OKAY. ANOTHER ONE. OKAY.

VOTE ON THAT. SO? SO WE'LL VOTE ON THE FIRST MOTION.

ALL IN OKAY. WE'RE VOTING ON THE AUTHORIZING, THE DISTRICT TO.

WE'RE VOTING. WE HAVE TO VOTE ON THE SUBSTITUTE OF THE PURSE.

OH. OH. I'M SORRY. OKAY, RESTATE THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION, PLEASE.

YES. THAT WE POSTPONE THIS AUTHORIZATION OF THE EIR UNTIL WE, I MAY HAVE THE ORDER DIFFERENT THAN WHAT I SAID BEFORE.

UNTIL WE REVIEW LAND USE PLANS, HAVE OUR CAPITAL PRIORITIES WORKSHOP THAT I BELIEVE IS SCHEDULED IN SEPTEMBER.

WE HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT OPERATIONS AND ENFORCEMENT.

AND THE FOURTH ONE IS THAT WE ALSO HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW WE'RE MANAGING EMAILS AND OUR CONTACT DATABASE, AND HOW WE'RE REACHING OUT TO THE COMMUNITY IN REGARDS TO OUR PUBLIC MEETINGS AND OUR PUBLIC PROCESSES.

ALL RIGHT. SO ALL IN FAVOR OF THAT MOTION. SAY I, AYE, AYE.

ALL OPPOSED. NO NO NO NO. OKAY. SO IT DOES NOT CARRY NOW.

NOW WE GO TO THE MOTION THAT DIRECTOR ECHOLS MADE.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY. I HAVE A NO ONE SECOND. AND COLIN SECOND [INAUDIBLE] MOTION AND A SECOND.

YEAH. WHAT'S A SECOND? YEAH, JUST TO KEEP US IN ORDER.

YEAH. OKAY. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. AYE AYE AYE.

OPPOSED? I OPPOSE. OKAY. SO IT CARRIES. ALL RIGHT.

SO THANK YOU TO, AGAIN THANKS. THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR FOR COMING TODAY AND TO STAFF.

I'M GOING TO. AS PEOPLE EXIT, IF YOU COULD PLEASE LEAVE OUT THROUGH THE SIDE ENTRANCES, IT SEEMS THE FRONT ENTRANCE HAS BEEN CLOSED.

RECEPTION IS CLOSED. SO I'M GOING TO PROPOSE THAT WE POSTPONE OR TABLE THE REPORT OUT OF WHAT ALL WE'VE BEEN DOING UNTIL NEXT TIME, BECAUSE THAT WOULD ADD ANOTHER HALF HOUR TO THE MEETING.

YEAH. SO IS THAT IS THAT JUST BY CONSENSUS? DOES THAT SOUND LIKE A THING THAT WE THAT WE SHOULD DO? SORRY. YOU DID. YEAH. SO I, I THINK I THINK I GOT CONSENSUS ON THAT.

WE CAN JUST DO THIS NEXT TIME. ALL RIGHT. BECAUSE IT IS 7:00.

AND SO WE'RE, THE GENERAL MANAGER HAVE COMMENTS? CLOSED SESSION? NO. OKAY. ENJOY NATIONAL NIGHT OUT FROM.

YEAH. FROM ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM CLOSED SESSION.

THERE ARE NONE. THANK YOU. PROPOSED FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS. POSTPONE. OKAY. BOARD REPORTS. WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT NEXT TIME.

AND ADJOURNMENT IS NEXT. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.