Merced Civic Center
678 W. 18th Street
Merced, CA 95340
CITY OF MERCED
Minutes
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory
Commission
4:00 PMTuesday, August 22, 2023
A. CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson KAYSER-GRANT called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m.
B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
C. ROLL CALL
CLERK'S NOTE: Ex-Officio Commissioner MORRIS was present.
Ex-Officio Commissioner ABONG was absent excused. Ex-Officio Commissioner BUHL arrived during the discussion of Item F.3.
Chairperson KAYSER-GRANT left the meeting during the discussion of Item F.3. The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission has one vacancy at this time.
Others Present: Associate Planner MENDOZA-GONZALEZ, and Interim City Engineer WEGLEY
Vice Chair Dwight Ewing, Member Michael Meloy, Member Anthony Aldana, Member Ashwin Thomas, Member Peggy Hsu, and Chair Lisa Kayser-Grant
Present: 6 -
Absent: 0
D. PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no public comments.
E. CONSENT CALENDAR
E.1 SUBJECT: Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission Minutes of June 27, 2023
ACTION
Approving and filing the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission Minutes of June 27, 2023
This item was pulled from the Consent Calendar for discussion.
Commissioner HSU noted that the title and introduction for Items F.2 and F.3 were the same. The title and introduction for F.3 should be updated to
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Commission
Minutes
be about Merced County Association of Governments' presentation on their Regional Active Transportation Plan.
A motion was made by Vice Chair Ewing, seconded by Member Aldana, that the minutes of June 27, 2023, be approved as amended. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Vice Chair Ewing, Member Meloy, Member Aldana, Member Thomas, Member Hsu, and Chair Kayser-Grant
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.
Interim City Engineer WEGLEY provided a presentation about the City's current engineering project list. He discussed the process for projects being added onto this list. Interim City Engineer WEGLEY categorized projects by funding mechanism such as funding from Measure "C", Measure "V", and grants.
F.2 SUBJECT: Status of City of Merced Active Transportation Plan
REPORT IN BRIEF
Staff will provide a report and answer questions regarding the status of the City’s Active Transportation Plan.
Associate Planner MENDOZA-GONZALEZ provided a presentation regarding the status of the City's Active Transportation Plan. Associate Planner MENDOZA-GONZALEZ noted that this plan needs to be updated to the Planning Division's website. The Planning Division currently has the older version of this plan, which is titled City of Merced Bicycle Transportation Plan (adopted in 2013). Staff is in the process of updating the Planning Division's webpage to include the City's Active Transportation Plan, which was adopted in 2019. Staff noted that these long-range plans are generally updated every 10 to 15 years depending on funding/grant availability, and staffing levels. MCAG is currently working on a County-wide Active Transportation Plan which will give the BPAC an opportunity to be involved in the planning of bicycle and pedestrian facilities
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Commission
Minutes
within Merced and other parts of the County.
The commission had questions about how public improvement projects are selected.
Interim City Engineer WEGLEY noted that the City's General Plan Circulation Element and the Active Transportation Plan are the drivers for the projects selected. These projects are added to the City's capital improvement project list annually.
F.3 SUBJECT: Process for Installation of Bicycle Racks
REPORT IN BRIEF
Staff will provide a report and answer questions regarding the process for installing bicycle racks for private and public projects.
Clerk's Note: Per the Commission's request, Item F.3 was moved ahead of Item F.2. Chairperson KAYSER-GRANT left the meeting prior to the conclusion of this item, at that time Vice Chairperson EWING facilitated the remainder of the meeting.
The commission had questions regarding the difference between public and private projects, along with questions regarding the review of bicycle facility proposals.
Interim City Engineer WEGLEY provided information regarding public projects and their Engineering Standards.
Associate Planner MENDOZA-GONZALEZ provided information regarding private projects and the entitlement process along with the review process for bicycle facility proposals.
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.
The commission did not have any comments.
G. BUSINESS
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Minutes
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.
Vice Chair EWING noted that the Merced Bicycle Coalition is planning to host a holiday night ride this winter, with the date to be determined.
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.
The commission noted that they would like to add an item to the next meeting to present funding opportunities for projects that may be in the City's Active Transportation Plan.
H. ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Member Meloy, seconded by Member Aldana, to adjourn to adjourn the regular meeting. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 5 -
Vice Chair Ewing, Member Meloy, Member Aldana, Member Thomas, and Member Hsu
No: 0
Absent: 1 - Chair Kayser-Grant