Merced Civic Center
678 W. 18th Street
Merced, CA 95340
CITY OF MERCED
Minutes
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory
Commission
4:00 PMTuesday, December 13, 2022
A. CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson KAYSER-GRANT called the meeting to order at 4:06 PM.
B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Member HSU led the Commission in the Pledge of Allegiance.
C. ROLL CALL
CLERK'S NOTE: Ex-Officio Commissioners BUHL and MORRIS were present. Ex-Officio Commissioner ABONG arrived at 4:18 PM.
Commissioner CHAVEZ arrived at 4:25 PM. The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission has two vacancies at this time.
Others Present: Principal Planner HREN, City Engineer BELTRAN Chairperson Lisa Kayser-Grant, Vice Chair Dwight Ewing, Member Michael Meloy, Member Anthony Aldana, Member Ashwin Thomas, and Member Peggy Hsu
Present: 6 -
Absent: 0
D. PUBLIC COMMENT
Member THOMAS introduced himself. Principal Planner HREN noted that Member MODI is resigned as Commissioner due to moving out of the area. Mr. HREN and Chairperson KAYSER-GRANT wished Mr. MODI well and thanked him for his service on the Commission.
E. CONSENT CALENDAR
E.1. SUBJECT: Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission Minutes of October 25, 2022
ACTION
Approving and filing the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission Minutes of October 25, 2022
A motion was made by Vice Chair EWING, seconded by Member ALDANA, that the minutes of October 25, 2022 be adopted. The motion carried by the following vote:
December 13, 2022Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory
Commission
Minutes
Aye: Chairperson Kayser-Grant, Vice Chair Ewing, Member Meloy, Member Aldana, Member Thomas, and Member Hsu
6 -
No: 0
Absent: 0
F. REPORTS
F.1. 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 welcomed Commissioner THOMAS to the Commission. He discussed the status of the proposed updates to the City Standards, which are in internal review. Mr. BELTRAN hoped that the approximately 250-page document would be available to the public, including the Commission, for comment in mid-to-late December. The Standards include an expanded bike path width to 10 feet.
Mr. BELTRAN noted that there is an issue with the thermoplastic used for delineating bike lanes; it is coming up off the pavement, and it will need to wait until it gets warmer before being fixed. He added that G Street from Childs Avenue to 13th Street will have its striping implemented soon. The transit hub on the north side of the city has been delayed by rain but is coming along, and is hoped to be completed by January. The Motel Drive multi-use path and other sidewalk projects will start after the holidays and are 80-day projects.
The Commission discussed construction signs being placed in bike lanes.
Commissioner BUHL noted that placing such signs in the bike lanes makes cyclists swerve into the automobile lanes which can be dangerous.
She suggested moving the signs into the grass. Mr. BELTRAN explained that it is not possible to move signs out of the bike lanes in all cases because of tree and other obstruction issues. The signs are required to be a certain distance ahead of the construction and cannot be obstructed.
Closing an additional automobile lane would not fix the issue, as it would require an additional sign further down the roadway. He noted that the bike lanes being impacted has been added to the notices on Subscribe Merced. Chairperson KAYSER-GRANT suggested a mast arm or other implementation for signs to be affixed outside the bike lane and still hang in a visible location. Mr. BELTRAN said he would check the MUTCD on whether such an option was permissible.
December 13, 2022Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory
Commission
Minutes
F.2. SUBJECT: Yosemite Avenue Signing and Striping Plan
REPORT IN BRIEF
Engineering staff has provided signing and striping plans for the Yosemite Avenue Road Reconstruction project from Mansionette Drive to Parsons Avenue. The Commission should discuss the plans and provide input to staff.
Attachments:
1. Signing and Striping Plan Detail
Mr. BELTRAN introduced the project. He explained that, because the City is working within an existing street, the bike lane is 3.5 feet in some places for this project. There is also a median being put in to protect all users, including pedestrians.
The Commission discussed the project. Mr. BELTRAN explained that the project was initiated because the road was in disrepair and in too poor condition for a grind and overlay. Member MELOY asked if the speed limit would change. Mr. BELTRAN answered that it would not as a direct result of this project. Mr. BELTRAN discussed speed surveys and the City's potential need for them in the future. Mr. HREN added that Planning staff would provide the existing speed study to the Commission. Member HSU suggested that the City look into Assembly Bill 43, which may allow some local authority to lower speed limits. Mr. BELTRAN noted that he had recently lowered some speed limits including on Donna Drive by 5 MPH, and discussed speed limits and behavioral changes.
Chairperson KAYSER-GRANT suggested that the City reduce the speed limits in the project's location. Mr. BELTRAN indicated that a request for such a lowering should be directed to the Traffic Committee. Chairperson KAYSER-GRANT noted her appreciation for the use of green paint and the alignment of the bike lanes as they approach the intersection. The Commission discussed landscaping, drainage, and the California Green Code. The Commission discussed widths of bike lanes, gutter pans, and geometry of the median.
F.3. SUBJECT: Office of Traffic Safety Grant
REPORT IN BRIEF
Staff will provide a report and answer questions regarding the Office of
December 13, 2022Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory
Commission
Minutes
Traffic Safety Grant in the amount of $40,000 that was accepted at the November 21, 2022, City Council meeting.
Attachments:
1. Administrative Report #22-745
This item was not heard due to the absence of a staff member from the Police Department to present. Planning staff will work to reschedule this item on a future meeting.
F.4. 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.
Ex-Officio Member BUHL noted that she had withdrawn her request for the City to sponsor an Innovate2Grow project.
Vice Chairperson EWING noted an upcoming ride on Saturday December 17th at 5:30. Participants will meet at Bob Hart Square for the free ride, and free lights for bicycles will be available.
G. BUSINESS
G.1. 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 improvements or changes. The Commission should also discuss any activities, outreach, or education pertaining to Bike Month that it deems appropriate.
December 13, 2022Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory
Commission
Minutes
Mr. HREN noted that a draft proclamation would be provided to the Commission closer to May. Chairperson KAYSER-GRANT announced that the Mayor's Bike Ride would take place on Saturday, May 20th with Mayor SERRATO. Participants should arrive at 8:30 AM and the ride will begin at approximately 9:00 AM.
G.2. 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.
Member HSU asked about discussion about Assembly Bill 43 coming to a future agenda. Mr. HREN indicated that she should send materials to staff so that legal analysis could take place prior to adding the item to an agenda.
H. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 5:19 PM.
A motion was made by Vice-Chairperson EWING and seconded by Member Aldana to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Chairperson Kayser-Grant, Vice Chair Ewing, Member Meloy, Member Aldana, Member Thomas, and Member Hsu
6 -
No: 0
Absent: 0