CITY OF MERCED Merced Civic Center
678W. 18th Street
Merced, CA 95340
Minutes
MERCED
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory
Commission
Tuesday, October 25, 2022 4:00 PM
A. CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson KAYSER-GRANT called the meeting to order at 4:02 PM.
B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Ex-Officio Commissioner ABONG led the Commission in the Pledge of Allegiance.
C. ROLL CALL
CLERK'S NOTE: Ex-Officio Commissioners ABONG, CHAVEZ,
MORRIS, and BUHL were present.
Others Present: Principal Planner HREN, City Engineer BELTRAN, Administrative Assistant I ABARCA, Development Services Technician I GREEN
Present: 5 - Chairperson Lisa Kayser-Grant, Vice Chair Dwight Ewing, Member Michael Meloy Member Anthony Aldana, and Member Peggy Hsi
Excused: 2 - Member Jagdishkumar Modi, and Member Ashwin Thomas
Absent:
D. PUBLIC COMMENT
Member ALDANA and Ex-Officio Commissioner MORRIS introduced themselves to the Commission as new members. Mr. HREN noted that for the first time in over a year, the Commission is fully staffed by both voting members and ex-officio members and thanked all Commissioners for their participation.
E. CONSENT CALENDAR
All items from the Consent Calendar were pulled for separate consideration.
SUBJECT: Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission Minutes of August 23, 2022
ACTION
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Approving and filing the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission Minutes of August 23, 2022
Chairperson KAYSER-GRANT pulled the minutes for separate consideration. The minutes as presented incorrectly refer to member HSU as chairperson, which should be changed to member.
A motion was made by Vice Chair EWING and seconded by Member HSU that the minutes of August 23, 2022 be approved as amended. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 5 - Chairperson Kayser-Grant, Vice Chair Ewing, Member Meloy, Member Aldana, and Member Hsu
No: 0
Excused: 2- Member Modi, and Member Thomas
Absent: 0
G. REPORTS
SUBJECT: Engineering Report
REPORT IN BRIEF
Staff will provide informational items to the Commission regarding Engineering, current projects, or other items not requiring action by the Commission at this meeting.
City Engineer BELTRAN introduced himself and the subjects his department reports on to the Commission. He discussed various projects, including new striping on B Street, a striping project on G Street that is upcoming from Childs Avenue to 13th Street, the completion of the dog park improvements, and a project on Yosemite Avenue from Mansionette Drive to Parsons Avenue. Mr. BELTRAN also noted that the City Standards are nearing finalization and that he would be sending the final version for review and comment once they were finished. The Standards are scheduled to go before City Council in the first quarter of 2023.
The Commission discussed Mr. BELTRAN's report, as well as a $6 million award recently made for Bear Creek from McKee Road to 16th Street, road construction policies, and alternative sign placement options.
Chairperson KAYSER-GRANT provided comments and recommendations regarding the City Standards.
Principal Planner HREN noted that future Subscribe Merced notifications regarding roadway impacts will also include language that bicycle lanes nay be impacted
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SUBJECT: Downtown One-Way Pilot Project
REPORT IN BRIEF
Staff will provide informational items to the Commission regarding the Downtown One-Way Pilot Project.
Mr. BELTRAN reported that this project is still in design. The Engineering department has not yet received plans from the consultant. Surveying is ongoing in-house, and Mr. BELTRAN plans to bring striping plans to the Commission as the project moves forward. At a recent City Council meeting, the Council directed that the one-way direction be reversed and that there should not be a pedestrian scramble. At full implementation the one-way section would run from Martin Luther King, Jr. Way to O Street and would go from four lanes down to two in order to help slow traffic. Mr.
BELTRAN noted that the pilot program added 29 parking stalls, and the full implementation is projected to add a total of 96 parking stalls.
The Commission discussed bike lane location and orientation, whether the lanes could go in the opposite direction to the vehicular traffic, and the implementation of the full extent of the project.
Chairperson KAYSER-GRANT asked about the best way to provide the City with input regarding this project. Mr. HREN encouraged the Commissioners to reach out directly to the Council Member for the District they represent or the Mayor in the case of At-Large Commissioners.
SUBJECT: Commissioner Comments
REPORT IN BRIEF
Provides Commissioners an opportunity to make a brief announcement on any activities they have attended on behalf of the City and/or on future community events/activities that relate to active transportation. The Brown Act does not allow discussion or action by the legislative body under this section.
Member HSU attended a City Council meeting and made comments regarding alleyways in South Merced and their potential uses as pedestrian and bicycle greenways. The Council also discussed the creation of a South Merced focused subcommittee that would be created to discuss these topics. Member HSU also attended a California Air Resources Board work group meeting regarding $10 million to be spent on electric bicycles in 2023.
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Member MELOY described the Caltrans Cultural Resource Studies Office's study on the all year Yosemite Highway, which is nearing completion.
Member EWING mentioned the Christmas Ride and recommended anyone interested go to the Merced Bicycle Coalition website.
H. BUSINESS
SUBJECT: Innovate2Grow Presentation
REPORT IN BRIEF
Ex-Officio Commissioner Buhl will provide a presentation on Innovate2Grow, a UC Merced Program.
DISCUSSION
Ex-Officio Commissioner Buhl has requested to provide a presentation on a UC Merced program called Innovate2Grow. She proposes that the City sponsor a project in this program related to using sensors to collect road user data. She has provided a reference document that is attached.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Innovate2Grow Handout
Ex-Officio Commissioner BUHL presented the project idea. The Commission discussed the potential project.
A motion was made by Vice Chair EWING and seconded by Member HSU that this Business Item be forwarded to staff for consideration by the appropriate personnel. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
SUBJECT: Bike Month Discussion
REPORT IN BRIEF
The Commission will discuss Bike Month, including future activities and plans.
DISCUSSION
At the August 23, 2022 meeting of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission, it was requested that a standing item be added to the agenda for the Commission to discuss Bike Month, including future mprovements or changes. The Commission should also discuss any activities, outreach, or education pertaining to Bike Month that it deems CITY OF MERCED Page 4 Printed on 12/9/2022
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appropriate.
The Commission discussed Bike Month. Mr. HREN agreed to send the Chairperson contact information for Senior Management Analyst Flachman and Director of Parks and Community Services Jensen for future outreach efforts. The Commission discussed a system map, additional education efforts, and connections to other events, such as Foster Care Month.
SUBJECT: Rescheduling the BPAC meeting of December 27, 2022
REPORT IN BRIEF
The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission meeting of December 27,2022 should be rescheduled.
RECOMMENDATION
Make a motion to reschedule the December 27, 2022 meeting of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission to December 13, 2022 at 4:00 PM
A motion was made by Vice Chair EWING and seconded by Member MELOY that the BPAC meeting of December 27, 2022 be rescheduled to December 13, 2022.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 5- Maiberson Kayser-Grant, Vice Chair Ewing, Member Meloy, Member Aldana, and No: 0
Excused: 2 - Member Modi, and Member Thomas
Absent:
SUBJECT: Request to Add Item to Future Agenda
REPORT IN BRIEF
Provides Commissioners an opportunity to request that an item be placed on a future Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission agenda for initial consideration.
Mr. HREN reported on previously requested items for future agendas. Bike Lane issues are now a report type in Merced Connect. Mr. HREN will provide Commissioners with a copy of the most recent Speed Study via email.
I. ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Vice Chair EWING, seconded by Member HSU, that this meeting be adjourned. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
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Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory
Minutes October 25, 2022
Commission
BY: APPROVED:
mitor I Rayer- Shant
S. Kapa- Saut
MICHAEL HREN, SECRETARY LISA KAYSER-GRANT, CHAIRPERSON
BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY
COMMISSION COMMISSION
CITY OF MERCED