From Idea to Infrastructure: The Power of Local Commissions
Before I was elected to the East Palo Alto City Council, my journey in local government began on the Public Works & Transportation Commission (PWTC). For those unfamiliar with the acronym, the PWTC is an advisory board that meets monthly to review proposals regarding our roads, parks, sidewalks, and general infrastructure.
It is a vital gear in the government machine; almost every public works project the Council eventually approves must first pass through the Commission. Recently, I’ve had the immense satisfaction of seeing several projects I worked on during my time there finally cross the finish line. There is something uniquely rewarding about seeing "government process" turn into actual concrete and asphalt.
Making Our Streets Safer: The Pulgas Roundabouts
If you’ve driven down Pulgas Avenue lately, you’ve likely noticed the new roundabouts at Beech and Runnymede Streets. As a Runnymede resident, I saw firsthand the traffic challenges created by the proximity to Aspire School. I initially approached city staff to ask for better traffic control—perhaps a stoplight or a roundabout—to make that intersection safer for our students and neighbors.
Our Public Works Director, Humza Javed, provided a dose of "fiscal reality": a single set of traffic lights can cost upwards of $1 million. Roundabouts, however, offered a more economical and efficient alternative.
The Public Works team, led by Batool Zaro, successfully secured a Safe Routes to School Grant to pilot temporary traffic circles. Once the pilot proved the concept worked, they chased down regional funding for the permanent installations we see today. It’s a perfect example of how a resident’s observation, paired with a smart engineering team, can solve a neighborhood problem.
The finished Roundabout on Runnymede
The Rutgers Gate: A Five-Year Fight for Access
I also recently attended the ribbon-cutting for the Rutgers Gate access to the Bay Trail. This project was a lesson in persistence.
Years ago, Meta funded a Class I bike trail through the Ravenswood Preserve, allowing employees to bike safely to work. However, during the approval process, a few vocal residents expressed fears about crime and homelessness. In response, planners decided to keep the trail locked off from the community—effectively cutting off thousands of residents from a public asset to satisfy a few loud voices.
I was alerted to this by then-local resident and civil engineer Vignesh Swaminathan (better known to his 1.5 million TikTok followers as @MrBarricade). He issued a direct challenge to me: “You’re on the Public Works Commission—do something about it!”
It took five years of Public Works staff navigating a bureaucratic maze involving Menlo Park, East Palo Alto, the SFPUC, and Midpen Planning to open one simple gate. But seeing a mother with a stroller finally able to access the preserve without walking a mile to Cooley Landing made every meeting worth it. Even better? Kids in "the Ville" can now bike to Aspire School along the Bay, staying off city streets and starting their day with a view of the water.
Influence Over Power
While I’m proud of my role in these projects, I wasn't alone. I’ve watched fellow commissioners like Deborah Lewis-Virges, Uhila Makoni, Christopher Kao, and Isabel Lopez lead the charge on everything from speed hump policies, parking policies, and transitioning the EPA Sanitary District to a city run division.
Our engineering team is often under-resourced and balancing a mountain of priorities. They can’t be everywhere at once. That is where the Commission comes in—we serve as the eyes and ears of the community, providing the direct feedback necessary to move smart projects to the top of the pile.
Commissioners may not have "power" in the legislative sense, but they have incredible influence. If you want to see your city move forward, I encourage you to apply for a commission. Whether it’s Public Works, Planning, or Senior Advisory we need smart, engaged residents to help us build a better East Palo Alto. Change starts with showing up to that first monthly meeting.