When: May 5th 2022 from 11:30A-1:30P
Where: Callippe Golf Course Club House - 8500 Club House Drive, Pleasanton, CA 94566

Bill O’Hair will present on the current status of the Valley Link Rail Project. The Tri-Valley – San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority (TVSJVRRA) issued the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) under the CEQA process for the Valley Link Rail Project in April 2021, for a 42-mile, 7 station commuter rail system from BART Dublin/Pleasanton Station in Alameda County to North Lathrop in San Joaquin County based on its 15% design. The FEIR preferred alternative identified stations at Dublin/Pleasanton, Isabel, Southfront, Mountain House, Downtown Tracy, River Islands and North Lathrop on the above alignment.  The FEIR did not select a rail vehicle, but identified several alternatives for subsequent review. In anticipation of seeking federal funding, the Valley Link Rail Project will be advancing the railroad design to 30% for an Initial Operating Segment (IOS) under the NEPA/ Supplemental CEQA process and will be looking at an alternative alignment to a Mountain House I-205 Station and the selection of a sustainable vehicle. As part of the sustainability goals of the TVSJVRRA Board of Directors, the project will be considering a hydrogen powered rail vehicle and also the construction and operation of hydrogen production facility at the project’s Tracy Operations and Maintenance Facility site to produce green hydrogen from renewable resources to power the rail vehicles as part of the NEPA process for the IOS.  The current project schedule is for completion of the NEPA process for the IOS in 2025, final design completion is 2025, and construction from 2025 to 2027. 

​When: February Meeting Thursday, February 3, 2022 at 11:30AM PST
Location: Virtual Zoom Meeting (Please Register to receive Zoom link)
​
Presentation
​The Subdivision Map Act is a state law that is implemented and enforced by cities and counties as the primary mechanism by which they regulate and control the subdivision of real property in California. The goals of the Map Act are to (i) encourage orderly community development for the benefit of adjacent landowners, prospective purchasers, and the public, (ii) control and regulate the design and construction of improvements, (iii) ensure that the areas dedicated for public purposes will be properly improved by the subdivider so that such areas do not become an undue burden on the taxpayer, and (iv) protect the public from fraud.  Matthew Gray will present significant land use legislation and case law to explain how cities and counties will be affected by recent updates to the Subdivision Map Act.
 
Presenter
Matthew Gray focuses his practice on land use entitlement processing, environmental compliance, and real estate transactions. He represents a range of local agencies, real estate developers and landowners in all stages of the land use entitlement and development process. He assists clients in negotiating and securing approval of development agreements, general plan amendments, specific plans, zoning, subdivision approvals, and annexation of property into cities and special districts; regularly appears before planning commissions and city councils; and advises clients on compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act and other federal and state regulatory programs during the development process. Matt also has experience negotiating affordable housing agreements, complex mitigation fee agreements and conservation easements; forming land-based financing mechanisms, including Mello-Roos Districts; securing cancellation or termination of Williamson Act contracts on agricultural lands; advising clients on issues relating to water supply; and using the initiative and referendum process in the land use planning context. Matt negotiates purchase and sale agreements; site development agreements; CC&R's and easement agreements; and related transactional documents in connection with mixed-use, commercial, and residential development projects.

Presentation: Innovate 680 Program - Contra Costa Transportation Authority

SYNOPSIS: This presentation will provide an overview of the Innovate 680 Program, which is a performance based, comprehensive corridor approach to meet goals of mode shift, reduced emissions, increase person throughput and safety for integrated, seamless travel for all users. The program aims to implement a suite of projects that, when operating together, will address corridor-wide congestion, travel delays and operational challenges. 
 
BIO:
Stephanie Hu, P.E. Director of Projects at Contra Costa Transportation Authority. As the Director, Projects for the Contra Costa Transportation Authority, Stephanie is responsible for delivery of Authority-led projects, as well as implementation of the Authority’s Measure J Expenditure Plan including local agency projects and programs. She also provides a variety of programming, project monitoring and assistance to local jurisdictions for Measure J, State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and local assistance projects. Prior to working for the Authority, Stephanie worked in the private sector for 12 years after graduating from UC Berkeley. 

The Alameda County Water District’s Rubber Dam #3 (RD3) Fishway Project was completed in May 2019 and featured the construction of a new fishway around an existing inflatable rubber dam in Alameda Creek to re-establish safe passage for federally listed Central California Coast Steelhead trout and Chinook salmon in the Alameda Creek watershed. The project also included improvements to the existing dam foundation and replacement of the aging dam fabric. The project is one of two major fish ladders to be constructed by ACWD as part of a comprehensive program to restore this historic migratory corridor which has been obstructed since the 1950s. The steel-reinforced concrete fish ladder is an impressive 25 feet deep structure that allows threatened steelhead trout to migrate up and down Alameda Creek through a series of 15 stepped pools.  The ladder is controlled by five gates to keep flow within the ideal for fish migration.  As part of the project, the rubber dam fabric was replaced, and the base of the dam was modified to include a plunge pool to minimize injury should any stray juvenile fish overtop the inflated dam. 
While the project serves as a great restoration opportunity providing significant impact on the ability of the fish to migrate back and forth and re-establish threatened aquatic life, it also allows the continued management of water resources in the Alameda Creek that serves as a major water source for the local area, providing 40% of the water supply for over 357,000 people and numerous businesses in Fremont, Newark and Union City. As one of the founding members of the Alameda Creek Fisheries Restoration Workgroup, the District has collaborated with multiple stakeholders since 1999 on efforts to benefit Central California Coast Steelhead. The Workgroup includes members from advocacy, water management, consulting, environmental, government and educational groups with interests in the Alameda Creek watershed and steelhead trout restoration. It is a testament that careful planning and meaningful partnerships can result in real advancements for the environment while protecting our area’s water supplies for years to come.
 
Speakers:

• Shane O’Nesky - Mr. O’Nesky was the Project Manager for Alameda County Water District on the Rubber Dam 3 Fishway project.  He has served as a Project Manager for the past 20 years.  In addition to working on other fish passage and fish screen projects for ACWD, he has managed projects to install production well equipment, expand desalination plants, upgrade PLC stations, and implement the clean energy program.  He has a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from UC Davis, and holds a Professional Engineering license in Mechanical Engineering.
• Dave Latona – Mr. Latona was the Construction Manager for the Alameda County Water District Rubber Dam 3 Fishway project. Dave has over 18years experience in construction management having managed large scale water projections consisting of ecological habit restoration, environmental remediation, conveyance and treatment facilities. 

Presentation Description:
As part of the City of Mountain View’s initiative to increase the accessibility and reliability of its water system, the Water Main Crossing US 101 from San Rafael Avenue to Macon Avenue Project was constructed to provide redundancy to one of the three aging utility pipelines that provide service to the City’s North Bayshore area. Located under a six-lane California state highway with high traffic volumes, the water main project included 570 linear feet of 12-inch fusible PVC (FPVC) pipe installed via jack and bore, and 470 linear feet of 12-inch FPVC pipe installed via open trench methods. The project team’s approach was to identify and anticipate potential project challenges early and conduct preliminary site exploration to evaluate project conditions, to uncover risks, and to find solutions which enabled the team to keep the project on schedule and budget.
 
Marina Chekmareva, PE, QSP/QSD
Ms. Chekmareva is a Senior Construction Manager at Tanner Pacific, Inc. and has over 10 years of experience providing construction management, engineering, and inspection services for capital improvement projects throughout the Bay Area. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of California at Davis. Marina is a California Registered Civil Engineer, a Qualified SWPPP Developer and Practitioner, and has attended the Caltrans Resident Engineer Academy. She has recently completed pipeline, pump station, and storage tank projects for the City of Mountain View, the Sewer Authority Mid-Coastside, and the City of Belmont.

Lisa Vance, PE
Ms. Vance is a Construction Manager at Tanner Pacific, Inc. and has worked in the engineering profession with an emphasis in water resources since 2015. She holds a Master of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering from California Polytechnic State University. Lisa is a California Registered Civil Engineer, an Envision Sustainability Professional, and an active member of the Women in Construction Operations (WiOPS) organization. She has recently completed water and wastewater pipeline projects for the City of Mountain View, Silicon Valley Clean Water, and the Union Sanitary District.

​Lessons Learned from the Stream Maintenance Program 2017 Storm Damage & FEMA Public Assistance Program
 
Presenter: Pamela Lung, P.E., CFM, Senior Civil Engineer, City of Livermore
The City of Livermore completed their development of the City Stream Maintenance Program (SMP) in 2016 and received permits for the program from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Regional Water Quality Control Board in 2016 and from the U.S Army Corps in consultation with the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service in 2017 just in time to repair damage from the 2017 storms. The city applied to CalOES and FEMA for public disaster assistance funding and received authorization concurrently with the debris removal, emergency protective measures and permanent repair work for the 20 sites damaged by the 2017 storms. The City initially submitted 14 maintenance projects and later added 20 storm repair projects to the 2017 Notification. All of this work including $1.1 million in storm repair work was completed in 2017. Learn how the City and assisting agencies have learned many lessons while successfully implementing the trail repair and maintenance projects. 

About the Presenter:
Pamela Lung is a Senior Civil Engineer and Floodplain Manager for the City of Livermore. She has worked for the City of Livermore for over 20 years and has over 30 years of public agency experience in engineering design, hydraulic analysis, land development, flood control, water quality and environmental permitting. At the City of Livermore Pam manages capital and development project design and review and serves as the City’s Floodplain Manager and FEMA CRS coordinator. She helped form and implements the Living Arroyos Program and Adopt a Creek Spot Program and serves as a City liaison to the Alameda County Clean Water Program and Bay Area Flood Protection Agency Association.  More recently Pam led the City’s effort to develop and implement the City’s Stream Maintenance Program. She also applied for and received FEMA public assistance and hazard mitigation grant funding to repair over $5 million of damages to the City’s public infrastructure resulting from the 2017 storms.  Pam holds an undergraduate and graduate degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering and Water Resources and is licensed in California as a Civil Engineer. She is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Floodplain Management Association and American State Floodplain Managers Association and is certified as a Floodplain Manager and a Qualified SWPPP Practitioner and Designer (QSO/QSD). Pam enjoys running and hiking with her husband, her son and his fiancé and looks forward to devoting more time to her family, church and travelling in the near future.

Virtual Zoom Presentation Thursday, January 7, 2020 at 11:30AM PST
Presentation
​The Subdivision Map Act is a state law that is implemented and enforced by cities and counties as the primary mechanism by which they regulate and control the subdivision of real property in California. The goals of the Map Act are to (i) encourage orderly community development for the benefit of adjacent landowners, prospective purchasers, and the public, (ii) control and regulate the design and construction of improvements, (iii) ensure that the areas dedicated for public purposes will be properly improved by the subdivider so that such areas do not become an undue burden on the taxpayer, and (iv) protect the public from fraud.  Matthew Gray will present significant land use legislation and case law to explain how cities and counties will be affected by recent updates to the Subdivision Map Act.
 
Presenter
Matthew Gray focuses his practice on land use entitlement processing, environmental compliance, and real estate transactions. He represents a range of local agencies, real estate developers and landowners in all stages of the land use entitlement and development process. He assists clients in negotiating and securing approval of development agreements, general plan amendments, specific plans, zoning, subdivision approvals, and annexation of property into cities and special districts; regularly appears before planning commissions and city councils; and advises clients on compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act and other federal and state regulatory programs during the development process. Matt also has experience negotiating affordable housing agreements, complex mitigation fee agreements and conservation easements; forming land-based financing mechanisms, including Mello-Roos Districts; securing cancellation or termination of Williamson Act contracts on agricultural lands; advising clients on issues relating to water supply; and using the initiative and referendum process in the land use planning context. Matt negotiates purchase and sale agreements; site development agreements; CC&R's and easement agreements; and related transactional documents in connection with mixed-use, commercial, and residential development projects.

Dress Code:

• Wear your favorite ugly sweater and your best decorated mask!
  

Details:

• Bring your favorite beverage and a festive virtual background.
• We will mix, mingle, and laugh in random breakout rooms.
• Group games to follow including scavenger hunts, trivia, and event prizes.
• Meetings and break out rooms with professional and ice-breaking questions.

Games and Prizes:

• First 5 attendees will be entered into a raffle to win a $50 Amazon gift card!
• Win grand prizes including:
  • Amazon Gift Cards
  • Best Ugly Sweater Prize
  • Best Decorated Mask
  • Best festive virtual background prize

SBEC is accepting Donations through Eventbrite for prizes. Sponsors will be recognized during giveaways.

Please complete register through Eventbrite so we have your correct mailing address as well as email so we can send prizes and gift cards to the registered winners. Register through Eventbrite below:
​

​Virtual Zoom Presentation Thursday, November 5, 2020 at 11:30AM PST
Presentation:
Smart Mobility with Smart Partnerships: How the West is leading the way in advancing automation. This presentation will discuss how Minnesota and California are leading their respective regions – and the country – in finding innovative solutions to age-old problems. By leveraging connected vehicle, autonomous vehicle and related technologies Minnesota’s Department of Transportation and the Contra Costa Transportation Authority are advancing safety through data sharing, collaboration, testing and other innovations. 

Presenter (LEFT):
Randell H. Iwasaki, P.E., Executive Director Contra Costa Transportation AuthorityRandy Iwasaki was appointed by the CCTA Board on April 16, 2010. In his role as Executive Director, he administers the one-half percent sales tax program. The Authority is also the Congestion Management Agency, so he makes recommendations on how state and federal funds will be used in Contra Costa. He created GoMentum Station the largest secure autonomous/connected vehicle proving grounds in the US. He continues to work with Silicon Valley companies to provide innovative solutions to congestion relief.Randy serves on a number of national transportation panels and committees. He is the past Chairman of ITS America. He was appointed to the National Freight Advisory Committee and served as the Chair of the Committee.Most recently in 2019, WTS International honored Randy by giving him the Ray LaHood award. The award was created to recognize the men that have been key to WTS International's efforts to attract, retain and advance women in transportation. Eno Transportation and Shared Mobility Strategies identified Randy as one of the top 10 public sector transportation innovators. In 2013, he was inducted into the ITS America Hall of Fame in recognition of his ability to deliver innovative ITS solutions for the transportation system in California. in 2009, he was named to Government Technology's list of 25 "Doers, Dreamers and Drivers." This annual award is given "to recognize the hardest working and most innovative individuals in the public sector" and in 2008 was the recipient of the Thomas H. McDonald Memorial Award, which is considered the highest award presented by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials for "rendering continuous outstanding service over an extended period of time or have made some exceptional contribution to the art an science of highway engineering."
Randy earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, where he currently serves on the School of Engineering's Industrial Advisory Board. In 2017, he received the Sandra Gardebring Ogren Leadership Award as one of the honored alumni from Cal Poly. He also earned a Master's of Science Degree in Engineering from California State University, Fresno.
Presenter (RIGHT):
Kristin R. White. J.D., Executive Director Minnesota Connected and Automated Vehicle ProgramKristin White is Executive Director of Minnesota's Connected and Automated Vehicle (CAV) Office, one of the nation’s leading tech startups and incubators within state government. Her program harnesses innovative technologies to advance transportation safety, equity, mobility, health and sustainability. Kristin is a lawyer and policy strategist who oversees a multidisciplinary team to innovate policy, strategy, research, testing and deployment of emerging transportation technologies. Over her 20-year career, Kristin has been involved in policy and innovation at the international, national, state and local levels. She began her career as a Fulbright Fellow with the U.S. State Department in Japan. After obtaining her law degree and her certificate in global arbitration, she represented Fortune 500 companies as a global patent lawyer, arguing in front of the London Court of International Arbitration. She’s represented the City of Minneapolis and Minnesota DOT in various legal matters before leading the State of Minnesota’s CAV Innovation Alliance and CAV-X program. Kristin graduated from St. Olaf College with a B.A. in Political Science and Asian Studies and received her law degree from Hamline University School of Law.
Currently, Kristin co-chairs the Joint National Strategy for Transportation Automation, the AASHTO AV Community of Practice, and the MAASTO CAV Committee. Kristin’s work in developing innovative public-private partnerships has been awarded with a Governor’s Innovation Award nomination, and America’s Transportation Award nomination, the National Cronin Award for Innovation the AASHTO Transportation Innovation Award.