CONGREGATION BETH EL TRAFFIC, DROP-OFF/ PICK-UP, AND PARKING MANAGEMENT PLAN AND PROCEDURES

March 28, 2005 Draft

I. Purpose and Objectives

The purpose and objectives of this Plan are to

• 1. Maximize pedestrian and vehicle safety,

  2. Minimize vehicle congestion, queuing, and parking on public streets by vehicles associated with the day school and summer camp programs,

  3. Minimize adverse impacts on the availability of parking spaces on public streets in the neighborhood, and

  4. Promote respectful parking practices by Beth El members and guests.

A central feature of the design for the new Beth El synagogue is a driveway and parking lot. Beth El is committed to effectively using these features in order to minimize traffic and parking impacts on our neighbors.

II. Plan to Minimize Vehicle Congestion, Queuing, and Street Parking Associated with the Schools and the Summer Camp Programs

A. Traffic and Parking Rules

The Congregation has prepared a detailed set of Traffic and Parking Rules, including Drop Off/Pick Up procedures for the Nursery School, Religious School, Midrasha (Hebrew High School), and Camp Kee Tov designed to minimize vehicle congestion, queuing and street parking. A copy of the Traffic and Parking Rules is attached as Exhibit A, and incorporated by reference herein.

Camp Kee Tov generally uses up to six buses. If required, a seventh bus may be parked on Spruce Street adjacent to the building. No more than seven buses are to be utilized by the Camp at one time. If more than seven buses are required at one time, the meeting point for the extra bus shall be moved off-site or changed to a time when the other buses are not on-site. To the extent reasonably possible, all buses utilized by Camp Kee Tov will be CNG powered or "clean diesel" buses. The agreement with the bus provider will specify that engines will not idle for more than five minutes.

B. Annual Agreement with Parents

Each year the Congregation will provide a copy of the Traffic and Parking Rules to each person or family wishing to enroll a child(ren) in the Nursery School, Religious School, Midrasha, and/or Camp Kee Tov. A copy of the current version of proposed cover letter is attached as Exhibit B. A letter in substantially the same form as the current version will be used. The parents will be required to agree in writing to adhere to the Traffic and Parking Rules as a prerequisite to participate in the programs. A copy of the current version of the proposed Acknowledgement/Agreement the parents will be required to sign is attached as Exhibit C. An Acknowledgement/Agreement in substantially the same form as the current draft will be used. Parents will be advised that failure to comply with the Traffic and Parking Rules may lead to suspension of their children's participation in the subject program.

C. Monitoring

Beth El will monitor compliance with this Plan. Monitors will endeavor to smooth traffic and student/camper flows. Specifically with respect to Camp Kee Tov, at least one staff member will be assigned to Oxford Street during congested periods to help prevent Camp-oriented traffic from causing street congestion. If Camp drop-off and pick-up cause street congestion, arrival and departure times will be staggered to alleviate the problem, and before or after camp care will be provided without fee during the staggered schedule.

D. Carpooling

Beth El will actively encourage carpooling. Beth El will emphasize its Traffic and Parking Rules and will periodically mention it in communications sent to parents and members, such as notices in the monthly Beth El Builder and weekly emails. The frequency and emphasis given to carpooling will vary in the discretion of Beth El's Executive Director but a reminder urging members to carpool will be sent at least once a quarter.

E. Staggering of Religious School Pick-up Times

Weekday afternoon religious school pick-up times will be staggered, with grades K-3 released at 5:45 pm and higher grades at 6:00 pm. Childcare will be provided for younger children who are in car pools with older children who are released later.

F. Space for Visitor Parking During Weekdays

Spaces 16-21 will generally be available for visitors during the week while Nursery School is in session with the exception that no parking is allowed Monday - Thursday from 3:45 to 6:15 so that the spaces are available for Religious School drop-off and pick-up.

G. Staff Parking

Parking spaces 1-4 (access from Spruce Street) are reserved for the Rabbi, Cantor, Religious School Director, and Executive Director. During July, the Camp Director and Administrator may also use these spaces. Other staff, including teaching staff, should use parking spaces 5-15 (north side of driveway closest to Spruce Street) if they are available, with the exception that teaching staff may use spaces 22-31 (west of the school wing). Spaces 22-31 will be available for use by nursery school parents or other visitors whenever teaching staff is not using them. All Camp Kee Tov staff that do not require use of their cars during the day will be encouraged to bike, walk, carpool, or be dropped off on site.

III. Event Traffic and Parking

A. Overall Efforts to Minimize Driving and Inappropriate Behavior

Beth El's monthly Beth El Builder (newsletter) and weekly e-mail notices will periodically provide information on parking and traffic issues, including urging members to carpool, walk or use AC transit. Beth El will also periodically remind members not to (1) double park, (2) park in a red zone, (3) block a neighbor's driveways, even "just for a minute or two", or (4) make U-turns.

B. Impact Thresholds

For events expected to have more than 150 people in attendance, parking management techniques will be followed as detailed in Section C below. Events do not include religious services.

C. Event Sizes and Parking Procedures

1. Events Anticipated To Have More than 150 People

For an event anticipated to have attendance of more than 150 people, the invitations/notices about such events shall warn people of parking shortages, emphasize neighborhood courtesy, and encourage attendees to walk, carpool, or be dropped off on site.

2. Events Anticipated To Have More than 200 People

For an event anticipated to have attendance of more than 200 people, Beth El will encourage congregants to park at either St. Mary Magdalene Church on Berryman Street or the parking lot for First American Title and Gordon Commercial Real Estate on Rose by Henry Street (the Title Company lot) to the extent that St. Mary Magdalene Church or the Title Company lot is made available to Beth El. A copy of a letter from the St. Mary Magdalene Church to Congregation Beth El setting forth the conditions under which Beth El may use the St. Mary Magdalene Church for off site parking is attached as Exhibit D. Beth El has also received permission to use the Title Company lot on weekends. If the St. Mary Magdalene Church is not available, the Title Company parking lot is not available or if Beth El believes more spaces are needed, Beth El will check with the Jewish Community Center on Walnut Street to determine whether it would be available for offsite parking. When such parking can be made available, event invitations/notifications shall indicate the availability of such parking, provide directions and urge people to utilize those sites for parking.

D. Community Liaison, Monitoring, and Reporting Procedures

Beth El will quarterly email a list of upcoming events that are anticipated to have more than 150 people and of large Religious Services to any neighbors who notify the Congregation's Executive Director that they want to receive such an announcement. Beth El proposes to continue present community liaison activities, and suggests that modifications to the traffic and parking policies will be considered based on mutual observation and monitoring of traffic and parking impacts. Beth El will coordinate event schedules with the Live Oak Fair, the Himalayan Fair, and the Berkeley Art Center to endeavor to avoid scheduling events that compete for street parking during the peak hours of those events.

During calendar years 2006-2008, Beth El will schedule semi-annual neighborhood meetings to report on compliance and to hear comments from neighbors regarding the operation and impact of the parking and traffic procedures. Thereafter, Beth El will schedule an annual or semi-annual neighborhood meeting, as needed or reasonably requested by neighbors, for the same purpose.

E. Resolution of Grievances

If a neighbor or neighbors has/have a concern or complaint related to traffic or parking, the neighbor shall first notify the Congregation's Executive Director. If the Executive Director is unable to satisfactorily resolve the issue, the Neighborhood Committee established pursuant to the settlement between the Live Oak/Codornices Creek Neighborhood Association, Beth El and other individuals will, if requested, seek to mediate the dispute. If the Neighborhood Committee is unable to satisfactorily mediate the dispute, both Beth El and neighbors agree that the City Traffic Engineer or his/her representative will be consulted jointly by the neighbors and Beth El.

IV Parking for Religious Services

When it sends tickets to congregants for the High Holy Days, Beth El will include reminders about parking shortages, will emphasize neighborhood courtesy, and will encourage attendees to walk, carpool, take public transit or be dropped off. Beth El will also mention those matters during the announcements of upcoming events in the weeks prior to the High Holy Days.

For other religious services anticipated to have attendance of more than 150 people, any invitations or notices mailed by Beth El about such events shall warn people of parking shortages, emphasize neighborhood courtesy, and encourage attendees to walk, carpool, or be dropped off on site.

Exhibit A

Congregation Beth El Traffic and Parking Rules

These Traffic and Parking Rules are designed to

1. Maximize pedestrian and vehicle safety,

2. Minimize vehicle congestion, queuing, and parking on public streets by vehicles associated with the day school and summer camp programs,

3. Minimize adverse impacts on the availability of parking spaces on public streets in the neighborhood, and

4. Promote respectful parking practices by Beth El members and guests.

Rules Applicable To All School Programs, Camp Kee Tov, and to All Members

• • On-site parking is available at Beth El. The entrance is at 1301 Oxford Street (between Rose and Eunice Streets). The driveway is one-way and all visitors must exit ( right turn only ) onto Spruce Street.

  • Car pools are strongly encouraged for all programs.

  • Do not double park or block the travel lanes, either on the street or in the driveway. If your child or other person you are picking up is not waiting for you, please park in a legal space on our property or on the street.

• Do Not:

  • Double park

  • Park in a red zone

  • Block a neighbor's driveway, even "just for a minute or two"

  • Make U-turns

  • Drop-off or pick-up children while traveling southbound on Oxford Street or northbound on Spruce Street, because for the safety of your children and for the convenience of neighbors we do not want children to be crossing Oxford Street or Spruce Street in the middle of the block.

Enforcement Policy

(Applicable to All Parents)

First Infraction: Parent will receive a written warning and a second copy of these Congregation Beth El Traffic and Parking Rules, along with an Acknowledgement form that must be signed and returned to the Beth El office within two weeks. A failure to sign and return the acknowledgment form with two weeks plus a reasonable grace period, may, in the discretion of the Executive Director, be considered a second infraction.

Second Infraction: Parent will receive a $25 fine that must be paid within two weeks to continue enrollment.

Third Infraction: Parent will receive $25 fine for additional infraction that must be paid within two weeks to continue enrollment. In addition, after third infraction within one year, family members will be denied membership priority and rates for Kee Tov enrollment (if applicable).

Additional Infraction: Parent will receive a $25 fine for each additional infraction and child(ren) may be suspended in the discretion of the Executive Director. The refusal to pay any $25 parking fine may, in the discretion of the Executive Director, be considered an additional infraction.

Specific Rules for Nursery School

Children must be dropped off and picked up in their classrooms. This means that parents or babysitters must legally park and escort their children into the classroom. Parking spaces 22-31 between the nursery school classrooms and Oxford Street are the recommended spaces for drop-off and pick-up of nursery school children. If you expect to stay longer than five minutes, please park elsewhere leaving these spaces for short-term usage.

Specific Rules for Religious School

Please drop-off children in the Beth El driveway. For pick-up, children will be waiting under teacher supervision for pick-up in the Beth El driveway. Whenever possible, please pull to the right to stop so that others can pass. An alternate pick-up location will be southbound on Spruce Street, adjacent to the building. Spruce Street pick-up is to be used for 5 th to 7 th grade students only and will not have teacher supervision. Spaces 16 to 21 (north of the school wing) are reserved for drop-off and pick-up of Religious School children between 3:45 to 6:15 pm Monday - Thursday. If you expect to stay longer than five minutes, please park elsewhere leaving these spaces for short-term usage.

Specific Rules for Midrasha

Please drop-off students in the Beth El driveway. For pick-up, students should wait for pick-up in the Beth El driveway. Whenever possible, please pull to the right to stop so that others can pass. An alternate pick-up location will be southbound on Spruce Street, adjacent to the building. Students that drive to Midrasha will be encouraged to carpool, and should park in the parking lot to the extent that spaces are available.

Specific Rules for Camp Kee Tov

The Congregation will continue to encourage the use off-site bus meeting locations as they are at present. The 2004 rules and procedures for bus usage and pick-up/drop-off are attached as Attachment 1.

During camp sessions, buses will be parked in front of spaces 7-12 and 16-21 from 8:30 to 10 am and 2 to 3:30 pm, so no parking will be allowed in these spaces at those times. Six buses will be accommodated on-site as follows:

• one parked in spaces 16-21

• two parked along the left side of the driveway across from these spaces

• one parked on the right curb across from the entrance to the Gallery

• two parked on the left side of the driveway in front of spaces 7-12

A open traffic lane is to be provided through the Beth El driveway at all times during drop-off and pick-up periods, and Camp staff will assist with the movement of children in and out of cars.

EXHBIT B

FORM LETTER TO BE SENT TO PARENTS OF CHILDREN IN THE NURSERY SCHOOL, THE RELIGIOUS SCHOOL, CAMP KEE TOV AND MIDRASHA

Dear Parents:

Unlike many suburban communities, Berkeley schools and institutions such as Beth El exist in residential areas adjacent to houses, but do not provide large parking lots for visitors. This makes it important that we work to ensure the safety of our children and to minimize vehicle congestion, queuing, and parking on public streets by vehicles associated with our activities. It is also imperative that Beth El families and guests be respectful of our neighbors and avoid any interference with our neighbors' ability to access their driveways and to use the street at all times.

Enclosed is an updated set of the Congregation Beth El Traffic and Parking Rules describing the procedures that all drivers to Beth El - parents, staff, babysitters, etc. must follow. This material includes:

• The Do's and Don'ts of vehicular traffic and parking around the Beth El facility.

• Guidelines for student drop off and pick up zones for religious and nursery school, Midrasha, and Camp Kee Tov programs.

Please sign and return the Parent/Driver Acknowledgment and Agreement. Beth El's receipt of a Parent/Driver Acknowledgement and Agreement is a prerequisite to your child's participation and enrollment. This form constitutes a contract between you and Congregation Beth El under which you agree to follow the enclosed Traffic and Parking Rules. Please note that the failure to comply with the Traffic and Parking Rules may lead to fines and/or the suspension of participating students or campers.

Thank you very much for your cooperation. We are working hard to improve our traffic patterns to ensure the safety of our children and be good neighbors.

Sincerely,

Michael Liepman

Executive Director

EXHIBIT C

PARENT/DRIVER ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND AGREEMENT

(Registration is not complete until this form is returned to Beth El)

I/we am/are the parent(s) of ___________________________________________ enrolled in or applying for enrollment in Beth El Nursery School/Religious School/Camp Kee Tov/Midrasha. I have read and understand this Agreement and the Congregation Beth El Traffic and Parking Rules and agree to abide by the Congregation Beth El Traffic and Parking Rules. Any designated driver of my/our children will also be given a copy of the Congregation Beth El Traffic and Parking Rules. I/we acknowledge that if any driver of our children or any employee violates the Congregation Beth El Traffic and Parking Rules, I/we shall be subject to the enforcement terms stated in the Congregation Beth El Traffic and Parking Rules.

I/we promise to work with Congregation Beth El to reduce peak period automobile traffic by actively participating in car pool programs and/or encouraging my/our child(ren) to walk or use school district, Camp Kee Tov or public buses where appropriate.

NAME ______________________ NAME______________________

Address ____________________ Address______________________

City/Zip _____________________ City/Zip_____________________

Phone (home) ________________ Phone(home)_________________

Phone (work) ________________ Phone (work) _________________

Phone (cell) __________________ Phone (cell) __________________

Signature ___________________ Signature _________________

Date ____________________ Date _______________

Please list all drivers for your household (including babysitters) who will travel to and from Beth El and information for each of their vehicle(s):

Driver name Make & Model of Vehicle License Plate

_______________ _____________________ _______________

_______________ _____________________ _______________

_______________ _____________________ _______________

EXHIBIT D

Letter from St. Mary Magdalene Church to Congregation Beth El

TO BE ATTACHED

ATTACHMENT 1

TO CONGREGATION BETH EL PARKING AND TRAFFIC RULES

2004 KEE TOV BUS AND PICK-UP/DROP-OFF PROCEDURES

IV. FEEDER BUS PROCEDURES

Camp Kee Tov provides bus service for campers via the Berkeley Unified School District bus system. Yellow BUSD buses and BUSD drivers will pick up and drop off Kee Tov campers each day at our three locations:

Bus 1 - The intersection of Spruce and Grizzly Peak streets in the Berkeley hills.

Bus 2 - The corner of The Alameda & Hopkins streets in North Berkeley (North Berkeley Public Library)

Bus 3 - Anthony Chabot Elementary School in Oakland near highways 13 and 24.

Your child needs to be at camp by 9:00 a.m. All children must be picked up by 3:00 p.m. unless they are attending After Care. Families who live near the Chabot School, Spruce & Grizzly, and Alameda & Hopkins bus stops are strongly encouraged to use the complimentary bus system to reduce the congestion at the synagogue.

As the bus service is free of charge, all parents whose campers ride the bus must volunteer to assist supervising the bus stop at least twice during the camp session unless a regular bus stop supervisor is hired. If you are interested in earning extra money this summer please call the office to learn about being a bus supervisor.

Children should be brought to the loading area for each bus stop no later than 8:40 am (8:30am for Chabot). Busses will arrive by 8:45 am (8:35 for Chabot) and leave soon after. As the busses must arrive at the congregation by 9:00 am , they cannot wait for tardy children. Children who miss the busses should be brought to the congregation. Each afternoon, the busses will return and drop off campers between 3:15-3:30 pm (3:45 Chabot) Any child not picked up by 3:35 pm (3:45 Chabot) will be brought back to the Kee Tov office at Temple Beth El by the bus stop supervisor. The parents are then responsible to pick their child (children) up from Beth El and will be subject to the after-care charge for that day ($15.00).

Though these bus services are free, campers will only be allowed to ride them in the afternoon if the office has been notified. If you have alternate plans on a specific day, call the Kee Tov Bus Hotline at 464-4664 by 2:00pm on the day of the change to inform us of the change in your afternoon plans INCLUDING PICKUP AND AFTERCARE PLANS. Please see Section 1 for more information on the Kee Tov Bus Hotline.

Frequent Rider Program: The Kee Tov bus system is good for the environment, reduces traffic and pollution, and is really fun! As further incentive to ride the bus, we are continuing the Frequent Rider Program. Children who ride the bus regularly will be awarded a special Kee Tov item which is not for sale. Please note that the card and signature system is gone this year in favor of the honor system.

V. PICK UP and DROP OFF PROCEDURES at TEMPLE

Please drop your child off at the congregation between 8:45-9:00 a.m. (no earlier) each morning. Late campers may miss their group! Pick up is at 3:00 p.m. Any child who has not been picked up by 3:15 p.m. will be checked into after-care and charged the $15 fee for that day. During the morning drop off and afternoon pick up periods, Arch and Vine Streets will be one-way. Traffic on Arch Street will go south (towards the campus) and traffic on Vine Street will go east (up the hill). DO NOT TRY TO DRIVE THE OTHER DIRECTION! This means that children will be dropped off and picked up on the opposite side of the street from the Congregation. Our staff will meet children at their cars and assist them in crossing safely. This procedure is necessary because the school busses must park on the sides of the street

adjacent to the congregation - do not endanger lives . We would like to reiterate that you should consider using one of the feeder busses as you cannot otherwise participate in the Frequent Rider Program. Also, the feeder busses cut down on pollution and relieve the temple neighborhood of congestion.

The street area by the congregation can be dangerous if you are not cautious. More than 400 children are being transported. Please drive slowly . In addition, please respect the neighborhood: DO NOT BLOCK NEIGHBORS' OR SYNAGOGUE DRIVEWAYS AND DO NOT DOUBLE PARK !! If a vehicle is parked in an improper location, it will be towed at the owner's expense.