FAIRFAX TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
STAFF REPORT
AGENDA ITEM #3
MEETING DATE August 6, 2025
PREPARED FOR Mayor and Town Council
PREPARED BY Bryn McKillop, Associate Planner
Jeffrey Beiswenger, Planning & Building Services Director SUBJECT Rescind Resolution 25-15 and Adopt a replacement Resolution Forming the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee with Expanded Membership; and Consider Appointments.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommend Town Council Rescind Resolution 25-15 and Adopt a replacement Resolution Forming the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee with Expanded Membership; and Consider Appointments.
BACKGROUND
As stated in Resolution 25-15 adopted on May 21, 2025, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) has been formed to assist in the development of the Town’s update to its Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. Following Town Council discussion at the June 4, 2025 council meeting, staff were directed to consider expanding the committee membership to include additional members and alternates. The proposed resolution is attached.
The Town has received grant funds through the Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) which will be used to hire a qualified consultant to help with the preparation of the Master Plan by working with the BPAC and Town Staff. Through the BPAC, the Town will provide a public forum for resident input on bicycle and pedestrian issues, while providing guidance to elected officials and staff on the Master Plan’s content. All BPAC meetings will be noticed, open, and public and in compliance with the Brown Act, Gov.
Code Section 54950 et seq.
DISCUSSION
Under the proposed resolution the BPAC membership will consist of five members with two non-voting alternates, to be appointed by the Town Council. To qualify, as stated in the approval resolution, applicants must reside in the Town’s jurisdictional boundaries.
Upon review of the 11 eligible applications, staff advise the Council to select five candidates to serve on the committee. Choosing five members rather than a larger number allows for quicker decision-making, clearer communication, and a higher level of engagement amongst all members. The Resolution forming the BPAC allows the Council to select up to seven members. 2 Town staff identified a group of individuals with relevant expertise and experience, while also considering the benefits of selecting varied perspectives and interests. From the applicant pool, the Town selected parents, age-friendly residents, pedestrian advocates, cycling enthusiasts, and those who utilize emerging technologies (e-bikes, for example) to serve on the BPAC. The staff’s BPAC selections are as follows in alphabetical order:
Applicant Recommendation Reasoning
Erick Betancourt Erick volunteers locally with Safe Routes to School and emphasized improving the Town’s bicycling culture as his vision for Fairfax. Erick will bring experience with a local organization, youth, and bicycling planning to the committee discussions.
Ian Walton Ian can provide a perspective on using a cargo bike in Town and being a newer resident. He also shared in his application a desire to plan for all modes and for safety.
Liz Gottlieb Liz brings multiple perspectives to the table such as mother, teacher, cyclist, runner, and experience serving on another Fairfax Committee. Her desire to center accessibility, safety, and equity will be an asset on the BPAC.
Marc Vendetti Marc is a long-term resident of Fairfax and a co-founder of the Bicycle Museum in Town. It will be useful to include a member of a local bicycling organization on the BPAC. He emphasized infrastructure improvements as his vision for the Town.
Virginia BaloghRosenthalVirginia will provide a perspective that emphasizes Fairfax becoming a better place for pedestrians. Her experience with mediation training and other walking and biking advocacy groups will be an asset to the BPAC.
Staff recommends that the Council deliberate and consider appointments based on interviews conducted during the June 4, 2025 Town Council meeting. In addition to the five Fairfax residents listed above, staff recommends the selection of two alternates and requests that these individuals are identified as “alternative 1” and “alternate 2”. Alternates would be encouraged to attend and participate in all meetings, but would be consider non-voting members when the full “core”’ membership was present. In the case where a single core BPAC member is absent, then “alternate 1” would be able fill in as a voting member. In the case of two missing voting members, or if “alternative 1” was not available, the “alternate 2” would be become a voting member for the meeting.
To represent the youth perspective, Staff will be reaching out to schools and other local organizations seeking a non-voting BPAC youth member. The youth member is not eligible to serve as an alternate. At the first BPAC meeting, the youth member will be invited to an interview with the BPAC.
How the Town’s BPAC will integrate with other community engagement efforts is outlined in the Draft Community Engagement Plan. At the initial BPAC meeting, the committee will review the plan and give their comments. See Attachment B.
3 At the Town Council meeting held on June 4, 2025, staff provided each town council member with a scorecard to assist in making notes during candidate interviews. See Attachment D. All of the applications are provided as Attachment C (redacted to protect privacy).
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
ATTACHMENTS
A. Resolution Forming the BPAC with Expanded Membership B. Draft Community Engagement Plan
C. BPAC Applications (Redacted)
D. BPAC Candidate Score Card
RESOLUTION NO. 25-_
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF FAIRFAX RESCINDING AND REPLACING RESOLUTION 25-15 TO ESTABLISHING A TEMPORARY
BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE (BPAC) WITH ADDITIONAL
MEMBERS
WHEREAS, the primary purpose of the BPAC will be to assist in the development of the Town’s update Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Town has received grant funds through the Transportation Authority of Marin (“TAM”) which will be used to hire a qualified consultant to help with the preparation of the Bicycle and Pedestrian plan by working with the BPAC and Town Staff; and WHEREAS, the Town of Fairfax has General Plan policies to encourage bicycling for both commuting and recreational purposes, and to encourage pedestrian activity; and WHEREAS, the Town desires to provide a public forum and for resident input on bicycle and pedestrian issues and provide advisory guidance to elected officials and staff toward the preparation of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan; and WHEREAS, Resolution 25-15, adopted on May 21, 2025 established a BPAC with five members which has been determined to be an insufficient membership to represent the broad range of viewpoints on pedestrian and bicycle issues in Fairfax, and the Council now seeks to increase the membership and include alternates; and
WHEREAS, the establishment of the BPAC is not a “project” pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines section 15378; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Council of the Town of Fairfax does hereby establish the Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee (BPAC), as follows:
1. The primary duty of the BPAC will be to work with the consultant and Town Staff to help update the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan.
2. Members of the Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee (BPAC) be residents of Town of Fairfax and reside within the Town limits of Fairfax.
3. The BPAC membership shall consist of five (5) voting members; two (2) non-voting alternate members; and one (1) non-voting youth member, to be appointed by the Town Council, who shall serve without compensation. The BPAC may include members from other Town commissions and committees.
4. The alternative BPAC members may attend and participate at all meetings, and may serve as substitutes for voting members when absent. In the case of absent voting members, alternatives may satisfy quorum requirements. Alternates should be identified by the Town Council as “alternate 1” and “alternate 2”. Alternate 1 would serve as a voting member in the case a single absence. Alternate 2 would serve as a voting member if alternate 1 is not available or if two members of the BPAC are absent and both alternates are needed to serve as voting members.
5. All BPAC meetings shall be noticed, open, and public and in compliance with the Brown Act, Gov. Code Section 54950 et seq.
6. In serving in its advisory role, the BPAC shall act by majority vote. Information requested of staff should derive from the BPAC as a whole rather than individual members.
7. The BPAC will be automatically dissolved upon adoption of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Masterplan by the Town Council.
8. A Town staff member may be assigned as a staff liaison to the BPAC by the Town Manager.
The foregoing Resolution was duly passed and adopted at a meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Fairfax held in said Town on the 6th day of August 2025, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
_____________________________
Lisel Blash, Mayor
Attest:
________________________
Christine Foster, Deputy Town Clerk
Attachment B 1
Attachment B
Draft Community Engagement Plan (CEP) | August 06, 2025 Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Update
The purpose of the Community Engagement Plan (CEP) for the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Update is to ensure:
• Residents are engaged early and often about the planning process • Target audiences are reached in Town (adults over 65, youth, residents with disabilities, the business community, and other groups)
• Trust is built between the Town and the community
• Community members have meaningful opportunities to participate in decision-making processes
• Specific needs, concerns, and aspirations of the community are reflected in decisionmaking processes Communication Plan
Residents will be reached through:
• The Town newsletter
• A project specific webpage
• A project specific email address
• Social media
Engagement Strategies
• Committee Meetings open to the public
• Pop up events (3) at Town events where the public frequents • Public workshops (2)
• Surveys (2)
Descriptions of Engagement Events
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) Events | July 2025 – June 2026 The Town formed a BPAC to provide guidance in the preparation of the update to the BPMP. The meetings will include a presentation on the plan’s progress and an opportunity to provide feedback.
The BPAC will be asked to participate in facilitating other community engagement events, such as a community walk audit and pop-up events during Town events (this schedule is tentative and could shift if the formulation of the BPAC or the selection of a project consultant is delayed).
Phase 1: Discovery
• #1. Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board Meeting, September 2025. In this meeting, the BPAC will review and provide comments on the draft Community Engagement Plan Attachment B 2
(CEP). The CEP is the document that will guide the BPMP update’s community engagement to ensure an equitable and fruitful engagement process that leads to a community-driven plan.
• #2. Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board meeting, October 2025. In this meeting, the BPAC will review and discuss the final consultant Scope of Work and the "working draft" vision and goals for the BPMP.
• Community Walk Audit, October 2025. Staff and the BPAC will organize a guided walk throughout the Town to assess the safety and usability of existing routes while identifying areas for improvement.
• #3. Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board meeting, February 2026. At this meeting, the BPAC will receive an update on Phase 1 of community engagement and review the consultant's methodology for creating the draft list of recommended projects and programs. Staff will invite staff from the County to present on coordinating their Countywide Transportation Plan with our local plan.
Phase 2: Recommendation
• #4. Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board, Thursday, April 2026. At this meeting, the BPAC will review a list of the draft recommended projects and programs and offer feedback to staff and consultants.
• #5. Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board, June 2026. At this meeting, the BPAC will review the draft project prioritization for the BPMP update. • #6. Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board, July 2026. At this meeting, the BPAC will review the final draft of the BPMP update and forward to the Town Council for adoption.
Public Workshops | November 2025, April 2026
A public workshop is a community meeting where residents, local agencies, and other stakeholders gather to discuss and provide input on a project. The primary objectives are to gather public input, develop and refine a plan, and build community support for the proposed options. Activities at a public workshop could include presentations, mapping exercises, surveys and questionnaires, small group discussions, and Q&A sessions.
Public Workshop #1: Discovery Phase | November 2025
Staff will present findings from the existing conditions analysis followed by a question-and-answer discussion. After the presentation and discussion, workshop attendees will have the opportunity to provide direct feedback with sticky notes and color-coded dots on large boards representing different areas of the town. Participants will be encouraged to identify locations on the printed maps of the city to outline:
•Green dots – destinations where community members would like to go (On the Map: “Place green dots on places you would like to go by bike, on foot, or by transit if it were safer or more convenient.”)
•Yellow dots – destinations where community members go to (On the Map: “Place yellow dots on the places you travel to most often in the Town of Fairfax.”) Attachment B 3
•Red dots – Areas that are challenging for walking, biking and rolling. (On the Map: “Place red dots on areas where it is challenging to bike, walk, or roll.") Public Workshop #2: Recommendation Phase | April 2026
Staff will present the recommended projects followed by a question-and-answer discussion. After the presentation and discussion, the public will be invited to participate in station activities specific to the recommendations.
Pop-up Engagement Events | August 2025 – December 2025
Short-term events in frequented locations in Town or at existing community events offer staff the opportunity to intercept residents. The initial pop-up event will distribute information about upcoming engagement events and inform the public about the BPMP update process. Later pop-up events will ask more specific questions and potentially survey residents. • Pop Up Event #1 | August 27 (Farmer’s Market)
• Pop Up Event #2 | September 26 (Fairfax Art Walk)
• Pop Up Event #3 | December 14 (Fairfax Craft Faire)
Stakeholder Meetings | November 2025, May 2025
A stakeholder meeting is a gathering of community members with a specific interest in the development of the BPMP such as age-friendly advocates, school and youth advocates, and business community interests. The Town will reach out to stakeholders to meet once during the discovery phase to focus on their specific needs and again during the recommendation phase to gather their input on the proposed draft plan.
Discovery Phase
• Stakeholder Meeting with Community-based Organizations and Advocates, November 2025 Recommendation Phase
• Stakeholder Meeting with Community-based Organizations and Advocates, May 2025 Virtual/Online Engagement | June 2025 – June 2026
To reach those with limited time to attend meetings or who may be difficult to reach for other reasons, staff will provide opportunities to engage online. Virtual engagement will also facilitate frequent communication regarding upcoming in-person events and the chance to take an online survey.
• Project webpage, August 2025
• Project specific email, August 2025
• Maptionnaire – example https://app.maptionnaire.com/q/4gw3r3z87f74, TBD • Social media and newsletter
Attachment B 4
Timeline of Engagement Events by Month
2025
Discovery Phase
July
• Project website launch
• Email distribution list launch
August
• Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) formed | July 16 • Draft Community Engagement Plan (CEP) delivered to Town Council | July 16 September
• BPAC Meeting #1 | September 17
• Pop Up Event #1 | September 26 (Fairfax Art Walk)
October
• Launch survey
• Public Workshop #1| October 15
• Community Walk Audit with BPAC | October 22
November
• Three Stakeholder Meetings | TBD
December
• Pop Up Event #3 | December 14 (Fairfax Craft Faire)
2026
January
• BPAC Meeting #2 | January 21
February
• No meetings this month
Recommendation Phase
March
• BPAC Meeting #3 | February 18
April
• Public Workshop #2 | TBD
• BPAC Meeting #4 | April 15
May
• Three Stakeholder Meetings | TBD
June
• BPAC Meeting #5 | June 17
July
• BPAC Meeting #6 | TBD
ATTACHMENT C
BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ACTION COMMITTEE APPLICATIONS
BPAC Interview Notes Add a check when a candiate mentions one of the following to help remind you of their interests and concerns Infrastructure improvements
Pedestrian concerns
Cyclist concerns
Safety Equity Youth/Par
ent
Changes to culture
Age-friendly E-bikes Good
communication skills
Policy evaluation and/or Town committee experience
Andrew HobbsCharles BarbiereEmily McFarlandErick BetancourtIan WaltonJeffrey GuildJoey SheppKyle JamisonLiz GottliebMarc VendettiVirginia BaloghRosenthal $77$&+0(17D