CITY OF MERCED
BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMISSION
M I N U T E S
Via Teleconference
TUESDAY
October 27, 2020
Chairperson FRIEDMAN called the meeting of the Bicycle Advisory Commission to order at 4:07 PM.
(C) ROLL CALL
Present: Greg Friedman (Chairperson)
Lisa Kayser-Grant
Ann Thurston
Tom Hothem (Vice-Chairperson, Arrived 4:08 PM)
Dwight Ewing
Mitch Vanagten (Ex-Officio)
Absent: Five Vacancies: (Two Voting, Three Ex-Officio)
Staff Present: Michael Beltran, City Engineer
Phaedra Norton, City Attorney
Michael Hren, Principal Planner
(D) PUBLIC COMMENT
Principal Planner HREN read a letter into the record from citizen Carol Kellogg regarding safety and signage on multi-use paths.
Public comment was closed at 4:09 PM.
(E) CONSENT CALENDAR
E.1 MINUTES OF JUNE 23, 2020
M/S FRIEDMAN/THURSTON, AND DULY CARRIED BY THE FO LLOWING VOTE (2 VACANCIES), TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
AYES: COMMISSIONERS EWING, KAYSER -GRANT, HOTHEM,
THURSTON, CHAIRPERSON FRIEDMAN
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission Minutes
October 27, 2020
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE (2 VACANCIES)
ABSTAIN: NONE
BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMISSION REQUESTS,
INFORMATION ITEMS, AND SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
(F) REPORTS
Mr. HREN reported that the Merced Bicycle Coalition had provided copy and an image for the City to distribute in its newsletter regarding safety on paths, per the request of the Commission from a previous meeting.
Mr. HREN also reported that the vacancies on the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission had yet to be filled, due to a lack of enough applicants to be considered at a City Council meeting for appointment.
(G) BUSINESS
G.1 Brown Act Training Presented by City Attorney’s Office City Attorney NORTON gave a presentation on the Brown Act to the Commission.
G.2 Review of Staff Recommendations for updates to Active Transportation and Safe - Routes to School Plan (ATP) Appendix D: Pedestrian Prioritized Projects Table Mr. HREN introduced the item, explaining that the bicycle projects table would be heard at a future meeting. Mr. HREN read a public comment into the record from Commissioner KAYSER-GRANT, who forwarded a letter from resident URSULA STOCK that had been sent to the Merced Bicycle Coalition. The letter discussed loops for trails in Merced , wayfinding, and conservation efforts.
The Commission discussed Ms. Stock’s letter, signage, and public awareness as it relates to active transportation. The Commission discussed apps that could potentially aid in those efforts, including potential future partnerships with UC Merced. The Commission discussed the proposed changes, and asked s taff about mid-block crossings. City Engineer BELTRAN explained that these crossings give a false sense of security and that the City has been subject to lawsuits due to them . With no further questions, Mr. HREN indicated that staff will move forward with the process to bring the bi cycle table updates to the next meeting.