Merced Civic Center
678 W. 18th Street
Merced, CA 95340
CITY OF MERCED
Minutes
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory
Commission
4:00 PMTuesday, August 27, 2024
A. CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson KAYSER-GRANT called the meeting to order at 4:07 PM.
B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Chairperson KAYSER-GRANT led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
C. ROLL CALL
Clerk's Note: Ex-Officio Commissioners THOMAS, CHAMBERS, and SANDOVAL were present. Member MCCLELLAN was absent, excused.
Others Present: Principal Planner LAN, Interim City Engineer MADDOX, and Assistant City Clerk LEVESQUE
D. PUBLIC COMMENT
Chair KAYSER-GRANT introduced new Ex-Officio Commissioners CURTIS THOMAS, MYLIA CHAMBERS and OMAR SANDOVAL. Member CHAMBERS requested a moment of silence for a student named Oscar Xavier Rodriguez from Golden Valley High School who was struck and killed by a vehicle while riding his bike home from school. The Commission observed a moment of silence.
E. CONSENT CALENDAR
E.1 SUBJECT: Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission Minutes of December 12, 2023, February 27, 2024, and April 23, 2024.
ACTION
Approving and filing the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission Minutes of December 12, 2023, February 27, 2024, and April 23, 2024.
ATTACHMENTS
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission Minutes of December 12, 2023, February 27, 2024, and April 23, 2024.
A motion was made by Vice Chair Ewing, seconded by Member Meloy, and carried by the following vote to approve the Consent Calendar.
August 27, 2024Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory
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Minutes
Aye: Vice Chair Ewing, Member Meloy, Member Aldana, Member Thomas, Member Hsu, and Chair Kayser-Grant
6 -
No: 0
Absent: Member McClellan1 -
F. REPORTS
F.1 SUBJECT: Active Transportation Plan (ATP) Update
REPORT IN BRIEF
Update Commission on the adoption of the ATP. This does not require action by the Commission at this meeting.
Principal Planner LAN updated the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission on the adoption of Merced County Regional Active Transportation Plan by the City Council on June 3, 2024 and that the BPAC's concerns about the connections to and from the HSR station were expressed to the Council before adoption. Principal Planner LAN told the Commission that the final adopted Plan was sent to the HSR design team for reference and that they have been using the plan as a basis for their active transportation onsite and linkage design. Explained that the Engineering and Planning will try to work together to overlay the ATP with CIP projects and make our AT system a little safer a project at a time.
F.2 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 MADDOX gave an update of the projects related to Active Transportation and Rail. The Commission asked how projects get addressed and prioritized. City staff responded with the different ways that projects are prioritized and placed in queue and funded. Staff let the Commission know about the CMAQ Community Meeting to be held Tuesday, September 10, 2024, from 6:00-8:00 PM.
F.3 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
August 27, 2024Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory
Commission
Minutes
Act does not allow discussion or action by the legislative body under this section.
Assistant City Clerk LEVESQUE reminded the Commission that per the Brown Act Commissioner Comments are what the Commissioner has done as it relates to Active Transportation, Community Outreach or to represent the Board.
Chairperson KAYSER-GRANT discussed webinars by Vision Zero Network and California Bicycle Coalition that she was made aware of that the Commission could take part in.
F.4 SUBJECT: High-Speed Rail Design Update
REPORT IN BRIEF
Update Commission on High-Speed Rail design and the proposed surrounding infrastructure.
Principal Planner LAN reiterated that the HSR Station Design has considered the newly adopted Merced Active Transportation Plan. Staff discussed the potential Viaduct Class 1 greenway and links to the station from South and North Merced. Commissioners discussed concerns about the impact of being an end-of-the-line station on air quality and if there are mitigations adopted to address it.
G. BUSINESS
G.1 SUBJECT: Grant Opportunities
REPORT IN BRIEF
This item has been placed on the agenda for the Commission to inform staff of various grant opportunities pertaining to projects within the City’s Active Transportation Plan.
Principal Planner LAN updated the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission on the grant writing team and their grant writing support for the City as a whole.
G.2 SUBJECT: Bike Month Discussion
REPORT IN BRIEF
August 27, 2024Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory
Commission
Minutes
The Commission will discuss Bike Month, including future activities and plans.
DISCUSSION
This is a standing item on 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 discussed the Bike Month Events that happened in May, since the June meeting was missed. She said there would be more discussion closer to next May when it is again Bike Month.
G.3 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.
Ex-Officio Member CHAMBERS requested adding a map of where the City of Merced has its highest number of casualties and fatalities related to negative vehicle interactions with bicyclists and/or pedestrians. Principal Planner LAN suggested bringing an update of the Local Road Safety Plan to a future meeting that would provide such information. She offered to give other support if it was requested after the update.
Ex-Officio Member THOMAS requested an item on a future agenda to evaluate the use of speed tables at road crossings where there are schools.
Commissioner MELOY would like to add an item to discuss memorializing the 50th Anniversary of the Bear Creek Bike and Pedestrian Trail (Michael O'Sullivan Trail). An update on the restoration of the trail and it's restoration funding as well.
Ex-Officio Member THOMAS requested discussing improving bicycle parking in the City.
Principal Planner LAN suggested that she will bring HSR to a future meeting to discuss the Active Transportation elements of the Station design. She also suggested that the December meeting may be cancelled and that the Commission will need to elect a chair and vice-chair at the October meeting.
August 27, 2024Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory
Commission
Minutes
H. ADJOURNMENT
Clerk's Note: The meeting was adjourned at 5:47 PM.
A motion was made by Member Meloy, seconded by Vice Chair Ewing and carried by the following vote, to adjourn the meeting.
Aye: Vice Chair Ewing, Member Meloy, Member Aldana, Member Thomas, Member Hsu, and Chair Kayser-Grant
6 -
No: 0
Absent: Member McClellan1 -