1 Bicycle Pedestrian Commission
Special Meeting
February 23, 2023
FINAL MINUTES
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
BICYCLE PEDESTRIAN COMMISSION
February 23, 2023
Final Minutes
The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Ilango Ganga, Grace John, Hervé Marcy, Joel Wolf (VC), John Zhao (C)
Absent: None
Staff: David Stillman, Staff Liaison
Others Present: Evelyn Moran, Project Manager; Ayano Hattori, Project Manager; Susan Michael, Capital Improvement Programs Manager; Michael Freitag, Gates and Associates; Dana Falk, Gates and Associates; Casey Case, Gates and Associates; Rebecca Flanegan, Gates and Associates
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. January 18, 2023 Bicycle Pedestrian Commission Minutes Commissioner Marcy joined the meeting at 7:04 p.m.
MOTION: Chair Ganga moved, seconded by Commissioner Wolf to approve the minutes as presented.
MOTION PASSED: 5‐0
POSTPONEMENTS
No Postponements
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Jennifer Shearin, public speaker commented on a Motion in the minutes for January saying the Bicycle Pedestrian Commission needed to state 30 or 35 feet, one or the other. The “Future Agenda Items” was too long.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None
OLD BUSINESS
Attachment D
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2. Future Agenda Items (Ganga)
Carmen Road Bridge
Education on How to Use Two‐Stage Left Turn Boxes
Path between Lincoln Elementary and Monta Vista High School The Impact of Semi‐Rural Designation on Bike and Ped Projects/Priorities Reassess the Intersection at Bubb Road/McClellan Road
Stevens Creek Boulevard, Phases 1‐3
Vision Zero (Workplan Item)
Lead Pedestrian Walk Interval (LPI) (start the pedestrian green before vehicles) Lawson Middle School Bike Path
Input from Seniors on the Bicycle Pedestrian Improvements Bollinger Road Safety Corridor Project
AB 43 – Summary and how Commission can support implementation (to what extent we can reduce speed limits)
Bicycle Licensing (to prevent bike theft)
Bicycle Facilities (Workplan Item)
Land Donation from Richard Lowenthal (Carter)
Review Progress toward BPC Objectives (Six months to annually) BPC Input at the VTA BPAC Meeting Regarding Adult Bicycle Education (Lindskog/Ganga) League of American Bicyclists Application – Due 2/2023
Review Bicycle/Pedestrian Improvements and Provide Input from the Public Pedestrian Safety around Shopping Centers
Update from Safe Routes to School (SR2S)
Examine Pedestrian Walkways for Safety
Nomination of a City Representative of the VTA BPAC (Feb) Pedestrian Focused Area in Cupertino related to the VTA Plan for Pedestrian Safety Petition to have a 3‐way stop sign on Calle de Barcelona and Finch Avenue (2/23/23 Written Communication)
Jennifer Shearin, public speaker commented on an email regarding a petition to have a three‐ way stop sign installed at the intersection at Calle de Barcelona and Finch Avenue. She wanted this added to the list of Future Agenda Items.
Commissioner Zhao noted the Future Agenda item at the end of the meeting and suggested discussing this at the end of the meeting. Commissioner Ganga said going forward, “Future Agenda Item” should be taken off as an agenda item at the end of the Agenda. David Stillman, Transportation Manager said he would investigate that.
NEW BUSINESS
3. Election of the Bicycle Pedestrian Commission Chair and Vice Chair for 2023 3 Bicycle Pedestrian Commission
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NOMINATION: Commissioner Wolf, seconded by Commissioner Marcy nominated Commissioner Zhao as Chair of the Bicycle Pedestrian Commission for 2023.
NOMINATION FOR COMMISSIONER ZHAO AS CHAIR FOR THE BICYCLE PEDESTRIAN COMMISSION FOR 2023 PASSED: 4‐0 Ganga Abstain NOMINATION: Commissioner Marcy, seconded by Chair Zhao nominated Commissioner Wolf as Vice Chair of the Bicycle Pedestrian Commission for 2023.
NOMINATION FOR COMMISSIONER WOLF AS VICE CHAIR FOR THE BICYCLE PEDESTRIAN COMMISSION FOR 2023 PASSED: 4‐0 Ganga Abstain
4. Consider the Memorial Park Specific Plan Update on the Development of the Conceptual Design and Community Input (Hattori)
Ayano Hattori, Project Manager introduced the Memorial Park Specific Plan Update on the Development of the Conceptual Design and Community Input. Michael Freitag, Gates, and Associates gave a presentation on the Memorial Park Specific Plan.
Vice Chair Wolf commented on the parking and thought it was good to encourage people to walk or bike to the park; he wondered where the bike rack design was and where they would be located. Ms. Hattori responded that things were not at that stage of planning yet but there was a plan for bike racks in the future. Vice Chair Wolf suggested an artistic design to the bike rack.
Commissioner Marcy inquired about what the improved entry would look like. Mr. Freitag answered that the improved entry plans were not solidified yet. He did foresee providing clear and concise direction for all users or identifying certain entry points for all accessibilities at this stage of planning. Commissioner Ganga wanted to know a rough estimate on cost. Ms. Hattori said that will be addressed later.
Vice Chair Wolf did not see plans for a dog‐off‐leash area. Ms. Hattori did not believe that was part of the plan but offered the ‘open comment area’ of the survey to recommend that. She added final decisions were a balance of what the public wanted.
Chair Zhao inquired of the relationship between parking and where the bicycle and multi‐use parkways were. Mr. Freitag responded that the current connections were what was proposed on the system‐wide Bike Master Plan. Chair Zhao was concerned about bicyclists navigating through parking lots. Mr. Freitag explained that the intent of the bike route was to connect from Anton Way to Mary Avenue. As program usage was evaluated, he did not recommend having bike routes end in parking lots.
Commissioner Marcy asked about what would be needed for the bike garden to be implemented in a different setting if it ended up not being part of the Specific Plan. Ms. Hattori 4 Bicycle Pedestrian Commission
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explained that the intent was to grasp what the public wanted to see overall; there could end up being a mix‐and‐match between all the options.
Jean Bedord, public speaker pointed out the importance of the bus line on Stevens Creek Boulevard and felt noisy events needed to be placed near there. Also, the Bicycle Pedestrian Commission (Commission) needed to encourage people to use the bus to get to the access points. She mentioned those coming from the Senior Center.
Nori, public speaker felt Memorial Park did not need an identified focus, it could have a blended focus to meet many people’s interests.
Commissioner Ganga wondered if action was required. Ms. Hattori was looking for feedback on the general direction and for the Commission to accept the update. Susan Michael, Capital Improvement Programs Manager said staff was making note of the feedback, so no formal action was needed.
Vice Chair Wolf liked the idea of a mix of the three ideas: nature, community, and amphitheater. He wanted the ballpark removed from the nature design. Commissioner Marcy thought what mattered was accessibility for bikers and walkers.
Commissioner Ganga liked the nature concept, incorporating the other aspects was good, making the park useful for children and seniors was good. It was nice to keep the amphitheater in the same location because the cost to move it was a lot. Regarding the ballpark, it was not needed because there were others in other locations.
Commissioner Marcy wanted to know if there were studies done on improved entry and reduced pressure on parking, that way the parking area could be repurposed.
Chair Zhao understood the current amphitheater was not Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant and it was important to have an amphitheater that was accessible to everyone.
He wondered if it was possible to expand the amphitheater and still have access for truck loading. The ballpark was underutilized, he proposed people using other fields in Wilson Park.
Regarding bike networks, he mentioned conflict with bike paths and the west parking lots. The Mary Avenue access point was sounding more significant, and he wondered if the west parking lot could be changed in the scope.
Vice Chair Wolf remarked on the challenges for kids getting to and from the park safely, especially if they were biking from across town. He mentioned Stelling and Stevens Creek.
Commissioner Ganga spoke regarding easy access to the park for bicyclists and mentioned there was a plan for a separated Class 4 bike lane on Stevens Creek Boulevard. He cited the example of the buffered bike lane on Mary Avenue and said people could use the Don Burnett Bridge and then the buffered bike lane on Mary Avenue.
NO ACTION TAKEN
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5. I‐280 Trail Renaming Survey (Moran)
Evelyn Moran, Project Manager gave a presentation on the Renaming of the I‐280 Trail.
Commissioner Marcy asked about implementation and the meaning, such as the word “Innu.” Ms. Moran answered that the word meanings were going to be made clear. She remarked that signage would have the trail name, the description, the tribal name, and the heritage behind that.
Jennifer Shearin, public speaker was disappointed that she had to choose a name from a set number of options. There was a four‐person difference between option one and two. She preferred both options move forward.
MOTION: Vice Chair Wolf moved, seconded by Commissioner Ganga to recommend to the City Council to receive the survey results and approve the recommended selection of Tamien Innu for the renaming of the I‐280 Trail.
MOTION PASSED: 5‐0
Chair Zhao discussed the background of Junipero Serra and why the trail was being renamed.
He fully supported the renaming of Tamien Innu as an indigenous name. Commissioner Ganga agreed. Commissioner John supported the renaming. Vice Chair Wolf felt the name was appropriate. Commissioner Marcy felt it was good to choose the name supported by most residents.
6. Update on the Bicycle Pedestrian Focused Capital Improvement Program Projects and Staff Proposal for Fiscal Year 2024‐25 Five‐year Capital Improvement Program Projects (Michael)
Susan Michael, Capital Improvement Programs Manager gave a presentation on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024/25 five‐year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects.
Commissioner Marcy understood there was an opportunity for a bike/ped underpass under the McClellan Bridge and Stevens Creek Boulevard Bridge. He wondered if this needed to be added to the list of projects as they were not classified as bicycle and pedestrian projects in the presentation. Ms. Michael answered that those bridges came to CIP as repairs. There were bike/ped aspects to those projects but the main work being done was repair. She promised to come back and give an update to the Bicycle Pedestrian Commission (Commission).
Commissioner Ganga asked about the pedestrian improvements from Orange Avenue to De Anza Boulevard, and on Stelling Road from Stevens Creek Boulevard to McClellan Road. The Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) deemed this a pedestrian improvement area and it made sense for the City of Cupertino complete their work. Additionally, he wondered if surrounding cities were sharing in the project cost. David Stillman, Transportation Manager, clarified that the VTA’s plan was not designated for VTA to contribute funds for capital projects, it was more of a blueprint that the VTA used as part of partnership with other 6 Bicycle Pedestrian Commission
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jurisdictions to identify needs for pedestrian/transit connectivity throughout the region. The VTA and the City took care of many of the projects identified in that plan. He offered to explain and update the Commission in the future. Commissioner Ganga wanted to know exactly where the San Thomas Aquino/Saratoga Creek Trail Extension was located. Ms. Michael replied that staff was developing the design of that parcel, which was ending. That parcel has a bike/ped trail through the park, which was a done deal. The questions from the Joint Commission were how the trail could be continued beyond the property line. Staff wanted to have a separate feasibility study to see what that would entail.
Vice Chair Wolf asked about funding for design and construction of the Carmen Road Bridge.
He understood the land was acquired for the bridge and he wondered why the project was pushed out. Ms. Michael relayed that community feedback was heard, the City has the property, the right‐of‐way was in the City’s favor but there was not enough staff to start this project. Vice Chair Wolf wondered if the Lawson Middle School Bike Lane project was under $50‐60,000. Mr. Stillman said this was currently a Workplan item; once there was a feasibility study and a recommended design it could be recommended to CIP for the upcoming FY.
Erik Lindskog, public speaker did not want the Carmen Road Bridge delayed any more than was needed. He suggested getting funding from other sources.
Jennifer Shearin, public speaker noted there were not a lot of bike/ped items on the list. The feasibility study for Lawson Middle School was completed in 2019. She spoke further regarding the McClellan Road Bridge.
Vice Chair Wolf repeated his thoughts about the Carmen Road Bridge; he wanted to see that project moved up.
Commissioner Ganga commented on the existing priorities and completing those first. He cited the Stevens Creek Boulevard project and the Bollinger Road project. He noted that Commissioners in the past asked to move the Carmen Road Bridge up in priority.
Chair Zhao inquired how the Stevens Creek Boulevard project linked up with the Stevens Creek Corridor Vision Study. He was concerned about bike lanes previously installed that would need to be torn up later. Mr. Stillman explained that the Corridor Study was going to work around and integrate the elements that were important and critical to each city participating.
Understanding that the bike lanes were important, there was no intent to uproot those. Chair Zhao asked about getting some projects started on design, even if it was at a slower pace, in order to push some items up. Ms. Michael reiterated that it came down to staffing. Chair Zhao asked how increased staff impacted prioritization of projects. Ms. Michael said the Commission was welcome to give as general or specific feedback as possible. Chad Mosley, Interim Director of Public Works relayed that if there was more staff more projects could be pushed out. There were also budget restrictions, a tax audit, and some large expenditures, such as the City Hall project. Staff was doing their best with what they had. Lastly, Chair Zhao did not agree to 7 Bicycle Pedestrian Commission
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taking the Saratoga Creek Trail off the Work Plan; it should remain in the CIP proposed projects.
Commissioner Marcy noticed that most projects were projected to be complete in 2027 and he was not comfortable with that plan. He wanted to know if this could stand to a vote. Chair Zhao said something could be put on the record. Mr. Mosley recalled there was mention of the Stevens Creek Boulevard projects, Phases 2A, 2B and 3; Phase 2A was going to bid very shortly.
That took the bike lane from Wolfe Road to De Anza Boulevard. Concurrently, staff was working on Phase 2B which went from De Anza Boulevard to Highway 85. Phase 3 went beyond De Anza College.
Chair Zhao asked about the scaling of the expenditures as there was a jump from $1.3 million to $18 million in FY 2026‐27. Ms. Michael responded that this list included just the new projects, not the existing projects. She added that the City Hall project was going to be added this year.
Mr. Mosley exclaimed that staff was asking for $1.3 million this year but had some $40 million in existing projects. Half of the $18 million went toward the McClellan Road Bridge, which staff was looking to get grant funds for.
Vice Chair Wolf echoed Commissioner Marcy, the bike/ped projects were pushed out and not given priority. He wanted to see Carmen Road Bridge and the Bollinger Road project pushed up.
MOTION: Vice Chair Wolf moved, seconded by Commissioner Marcy to recommend to the City Council to:
1. Have the timeline for the Carmen Road Bridge project be moved up to Fiscal Year 2023/2024 and to not deprioritize any Bicycle Pedestrian Commission projects that are currently in progress; and
2. Consider adding staffing to accommodate this additional work.
MOTION PASSED: 4‐0, John Abstain
MOTION: Vice Chair Wolf moved, seconded by Commissioner Marcy to recommend to the City Council to:
1. Ensure design options for McClellan Road Bridge Reconstruction Project prioritize improved bicycle pedestrian access for Fiscal Year 2024/2025.
MOTION PASSED: 4‐0, John Abstain
Commissioner John left the meeting at 9:45 p.m.
STAFF AND COMMISSION REPORTS
7. Staff Update and Commissioner Activity Report (All)
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David Stillman, Transportation Manager said the opening of the Regnart Creek Trail Ribbon Cutting event was planned for March 18 at Wilson Park. The second Lawson Bikeway Community Meeting was scheduled for March 16 via video teleconference. Lastly, tonight’s Bicycle Pedestrian Commission meeting was the final virtual meeting; in‐person meetings were to resume March 15 in C
onference Room C at City Hall.
Erik Lindskog gave a presentation on the VTA BPAC meeting update.
Commissioner Ganga reported on the Mayor’s Meeting and the Safe Routes to School (SR2S) meeting for February. Commissioner Marcy was scheduled to attend the SR2S and Mayor’s meeting in March.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m.
SUBMITTED BY:
____________________________
David Stillman, Staff Liaison
Note: Any attachments can be found on the Cupertino Website https://www.cupertino.org/our‐city/agendas‐minutes