CITY OF MERCED
BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMISSION
M I N U T E S
Via Teleconference
TUESDAY
December 15, 2020
Chairperson FRIEDMAN called the meeting of the Bicycle Advisory Commission to order at 4:02 PM.
(C) ROLL CALL
Present: Greg Friedman (Chairperson)
Lisa Kayser-Grant
Ann Thurston
Tom Hothem (Vice-Chairperson, Arrived 4:08 PM)
Dwight Ewing
Absent: Mitch Vanagten (Ex-Officio, Excused)
Five Vacancies: (Two Voting, Three Ex-Officio)
Staff Present:
Michael Hren, Principal Planner
(D) PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
Public comment was closed at 4:04 PM.
(E) CONSENT CALENDAR
E.1 MINUTES OF OCTOBER 27, 2020
M/S HOTHEM/EWING, AND DULY CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE (2 VACANCIES), TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
AYES: COMMISSIONERS EWING, KAYSER -GRANT, HOTHEM,
THURSTON, CHAIRPERSON FRIEDMAN
NOES: NONE
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission Minutes
December 15, 2020
ABSENT: NONE (2 VACANCIES)
ABSTAIN: NONE
BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMISSION REQUESTS,
INFORMATION ITEMS, AND SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
(F) BUSINESS
F.1 Review of Staff Recommendations for updates to Active Transportation and Safe Routes to School Plan (ATP) Appendix C Bicycle Prioritized Projects Table and Appendix D Pedestrian Prioritized Projects Table
Principal Planner HREN introduced the item and briefly reviewed the updates that Planning and Engineering staff were making. The Commission discussed the proposed updates. Commissioner KAYSER-GRANT proposed a number of updates for the next full update of the Active Transpor tation and Safe -Routes to School Plan, including the prioritization of connectivity, a fuller unde rstanding of the proposed Class III Boulevard concept, and better communicating the City ’s definition and implementation of Class I bicycle paths.
M/S HOTHEM/EWING, AND DULY CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE (2
VACANCIES), TO RECOMMEND THAT CITY COUNCIL APPROVE THE
UPDATES TO APPENDICES C AND D OF THE ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION AND SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PLAN AS PROPOSED BY STAFF.
AYES: COMMISSIONERS EWING, KAYSER -GRANT, HOTHEM,
THURSTON, CHAIRPERSON FRIEDMAN
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE (2 VACANCIES)
ABSTAIN: NONE
F.2 Traffic Committee Request #20-016- Request for Speed Control Implementation on El Portal Drive between Parsons Avenue and McKee Drive
Mr. HREN introduced the item, which was brought to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission at the request of the Traffic Committee . A citizen request for speed control created a conversation about the potential opportunity for a bicycle lane on El Portal Drive that utilizes parked cars as a buffer, potentially improving cyclist experience and reducing speeds by narrowing a uniquely wide roadway.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission Minutes
December 15, 2020
The Commission discussed the idea for the utilization of parked cars as a buffer for a bicycle lane in this area . The Commission directed staff that the idea as presented was not endorsed, due to a number of concerns with the proposal. These ranged from the continuity of the bicycle infrastr ucture in the area, to the severity of collis ions when cyclists are screen by pa rked cars , to the unintended consequences and appr opriateness of the proposed solution.
Some members of the Com mission expressed an interest in exploring similar ideas for future issues, while others expressed concern that bicyc lists’ interests be the primary motivation behind addition of infrastructure rather than using bicycle lanes as a solution to other modes’ existing issues. Ultimately, the Commission expressed gratitude to the Traffic Committee for bringing the matter to their attention, despite not being able to endorse the proposed implementation.
F.3 R Street Ride
Commissioner HOTHEM discussed having a group ride on the reconstructed R Street once it opened to celebrate the improvement of this dilapidated infrastructure.
F.4 Request to Add Item to Future Agenda
None.
(G) REPORTS
G.1 Information Items
Mr. HREN updated the Commission on the status of digital meetings and a presentation by the Merced County Department of Public Health proposed for the February meeting of the Commission
G.2 Commissioner Comments
The Commissioners discussed the safety of group rides such as the Mayor ’s Ride considering the complications of COVID-19.
(H) ADJOURNMENT
M/S KAYSER-GRANT/EWING, AND DULY CARRIED BY THE FO LLOWING VOTE (2 VACANCIES), CHAIRPERSON FRIEDMAN ADJOURNED THE MEETING AT 5:41 P.M.