Merced Civic Center
678 W. 18th Street
Merced, CA 95340
CITY OF MERCED
Minutes
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory
Commission
4:00 PMTuesday, June 27, 2023
A. CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson KAYSER-GRANT called the meeting to order at 4:04 p.m.
B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Member EWING led the Commission in the Pledge of Allegiance.
C. ROLL CALL
CLERK'S NOTE: Ex-Officio Commissioner Members BUHL and ABONG were present. Ex-Officio Commissioner MORRIS was absent excused. The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission has two vacancies at this time.
Others Present: Associate Planner MENDOZA-GONZALEZ, Director of Development Services McBRIDE, and Interim City Engineer WEGLEY.
Chairperson Lisa Kayser-Grant, Vice Chair Dwight Ewing, Member Michael Meloy, Member Anthony Aldana, and Member Ashwin Thomas
Present: 5 -
Member Peggy HsuAbsent: 1 -
D. PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no public comments.
E. CONSENT CALENDAR
E.1 SUBJECT: Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission Minutes of April 25, 2023
ACTION
Approving and filing the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission Minutes of April 25, 2023
A motion was made by Vice Chair Ewing, and seconded by Commissioner Meloy, that the minutes of April 25, 2023 be approved. The motion was carried by the following vote:
Aye: Chairperson Kayser-Grant, Vice Chair Ewing, Member Meloy, Member Aldana, and Member Thomas
5 -
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No: 0
Absent: Member Hsu1 -
F. REPORTS
F.1 SUBJECT: Engineering Report
REPORT IN BRIEF
Introduce new Interim City Engineer Mike Wegley to the BPAC. In 2008 Mr.
Wegley worked as the City Engineer for the City of Merced. Between 2012 and 2015 Mr. Wegley worked as the Public Works Director for the City of Merced Water Resources Division upon retirement from the City. Mr.
Wegley is returning to the City of Merced as Interim City Engineer in a limited capacity with reduced working hours.
Interim City Engineer WEGLEY introduced himself and mentioned his experience being a former City Engineer and Public Works Director for the City of Merced.
Commissioner BUHL asked if there are any projects planned for this year.
Interim City Engineer WEGLEY noted that there are some Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement projects, and he can provide updates on those specific projects and other capital improvement projects at a future meeting.
Commissioner MELOY asked if the City’s bicycle master plan is aligned with the City’s Climate Action Plan or Engineering Standards.
Interim City Engineer WEGLEY noted that the City is currently working on City Engineering Standards with no specific expected completion date.
Commissioner MELOY asked if traffic signals have the technology to detect bicyclists.
Interim City Engineer WEGLEY noted that newer traffic signals contain loop detection for bicyclists.
Chairperson KAYSER-GRANT asked if there has been Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds to repair bike lanes damaged earlier this year.
Interim City Engineer WEGLEY noted that he is still reviewing FEMA
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claims, but is aware of funding for stream restoration along Bear Creek.
F.2 SUBJECT: Merced Connections SS4A Grant Application
REPORT IN BRIEF
Report to be provided by UC Merced (or their consultant Fehr Peers) regarding Merced Campus Connections SS4A Grant Application for a regional transportation project that would provide a temporary bicycle lane along segments of Bellevue Road between G Street and Lake Road. The goal of this proposal is to improved bicycle connectivity between Merced College and UC Merced. UC Merced is the lead agency and applicant for the grant, but this is a multi-jurisdiction effort that includes collaboration between UC Merced, Merced County, City of Merced, and Merced County Association of Governments.
A report was provided by MARGARET SAUNDERS (with UC Merced) regarding the Merced Campus Connections SS4A Grant Application for a regional transportation project that would provide a temporary bicycle lane along segments of Bellevue Road between G Street and Lake Road. The goal of this proposal is to improve bicycle connectivity between Merced College and UC Merced and improve bike safety with a separated bicycle path and other safety improvements. UC Merced is the lead agency and applicant for the grant, but this is a multi-jurisdiction effort that includes collaboration between UC Merced, Merced County, City of Merced, and Merced County Association of Governments. If UC Merced is able to secure the grant, they would like to work with the BPAC for their recommendations throughout the planning stages of this project. UC Merced is applying for this pilot and demonstration grant that could qualify for additional funds. The temporary bicycle lane(s) would remain intact until the time that Bellevue Road is widened. This temporary lane(s) would improve the safety of cyclist more immediately until permanent bicycle lanes are installed.
MS. SAUNDERS took questions from the Commission.
F.3 SUBJECT: Merced Connections SS4A Grant Application
REPORT IN BRIEF
Report to be provided by UC Merced (or their consultant Fehr Peers)
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regarding Merced Campus Connections SS4A Grant Application for a regional transportation project that would provide a temporary bicycle lane along segments of Bellevue Road between G Street and Lake Road. The goal of this proposal is to improved bicycle connectivity between Merced College and UC Merced. UC Merced is the lead agency and applicant for the grant, but this is a multi-jurisdiction effort that includes collaboration between UC Merced, Merced County, City of Merced, and Merced County Association of Governments.
NATALIA AUSTIN from Merced County Association of Governments and KERI McNICKLE (consultant) from Fehr & Peers provided a presentation regarding developing their Regional Active Transportation Plan which covers incorporated and unincorporated communities throughout Merced County. They noted the goals of this plan are to improve safety for alternative modes of transportation, increase access to public transportation, improve air quality, develop active transportation networks that consider equity and inclusion, and make Merced County more competitive in applying for grants. Measure V requires 20% allocation of funds for alternative mode transportation projects, and this regional plan would help guide the allocation of these funds. They also provided collision data throughout the County and discussed different classifications of bicycle lanes, along with the feedback that they received from the community throughout various workshops and online surveys.
MS. AUSTIN and MS. McNICKLE took questions from the Commission.
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.
Chairperson KAYSER-GRANT noted that bike month was recently held in
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May. There were several events throughout the community including the Ride with the Mayor event in early June. This event was well attended and included registration at Bob Hart Square and a bike ride throughout Central Merced. Chairperson KAYSER-GRANT noted that in the future, there may be some consideration for doing district based bike rides throughout the community in addition to the Ride with the Mayor.
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.
Commissioner MELOY noted that he would like staff to consider updating the City’s bicycle master plan. He noted that the plan is approximately 10 years old and may be outdated.
Associate Planner MENDOZA-GONZALEZ noted that this plan was updated recently around 2019 through the adoption of the City’s Active Transportation Plan. The process for adopting this plan included collaboration with the BPAC, various neighborhoods, and agency stakeholders. This newer plan includes updated collision data, priority projects, and newer bike lane classifications. Associate Planner MENDOZA-GONZALEZ noted that he will circulate the latest Active Transportation Plan to the Commission.
Commissioner MELOY noted that even at 5 years old the Active Transportation Plan may be outdated and requested reviewing the plan at the next BPAC Meeting.
Chairperson KAYSER-GRANT inquired about the review process for installation of bicycle facilities and the revocation of bicycle facilities installed incorrectly. Chairperson KAYSER-GRANT provided a visual example of a bicycle rack that was not placed in an ideal location or orientiation. Chairperson KAYSER-GRANT requested a future agenda item discussing the review process for the installation of such facilities. The commission in general asked if it would be possible for them to review the installation of bicycle facilities during the development review process to make recommendations on bicycle facilities.
Associate Planner MENDOZA-GONZALEZ noted that there are set requirements and standards for the installation of bicycle facilities found
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within the City’s Zoning Ordinance. Staff will schedule this topic for further discussion on the next agenda to explain the City’s review process and authorities for bicycle facilities.
H. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 5:24 p.m.
A motion was made by Vice Chair Ewing , seconded by Commissioner Meloy, to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Aye: Chairperson Kayser-Grant, Vice Chair Ewing, Member Meloy, Member Aldana, and Member Thomas
5 -
No: 0
Absent: Member Hsu1 -