City Council
Carmen Montano, Mayor
Evelyn Chua, Vice Mayor
Anthony Phan, Councilmember
Hon Lien, Councilmember
Garry Barbadillo, Councilmember
1. Call to Order /Roll Call / Pledge of Allegiance
2. Approval of Agenda: August 23 rd, 2023
a. Mayor Montano motioned approval. Mayor Montano and Vice Mayor Chua both voted yes.
3. Approval of Minutes: June 19 th, 2023
a. Mayor Montano motioned approval. Mayor Montano and Vice Mayor Chua both voted yes.
4. Public Forum
Members of the audience are invited to address the Subcommittee on any subject not on the agenda. Speakers must state their name and address for the record, and limit their remarks to under three minutes. As an unagendized item, no response is required of City staff or the Subcommittee; however, the Subcommittee may agendize the item for a future meeting.
No speakers during public forum.
5. Business Items (Review and Discuss Transportation Related Topics) a. Montague Expressway Pedestrian Overcrossing at Penitencia Creek (Project No. 2018) and South Milpitas Boulevard Vehicle Bridge at Penitencia Creek (Project No. 2016) Update
Michael Silveira, CIP Manager, provided a status update on (2) projects: Montague Expressway Pedestrian Overcrossing at Penitencia Creek (POC) and South Milpitas Boulevard Vehicle Bridge (VOC) at Penitencia Creek. Noted that discussion would be geared towards art enhancement and project status. Both projects are CIP funded and would start in a few years. These projects are part of the Metro circulation plan to provide connections between residential areas, BART station, Light Rail and Great Mall.
Silveira began with a review of the design elements of the POC. The architectural enhancements for the POC are based upon the theme “Marshland of the Bay”. Staff presented the project on April 15, 2021, 90% completion of design is anticipated in Members of Subcommittee
Carmen Montano, Member
Evelyn Chua, Member
City Council Transportation Subcommittee
Committee Conference Room
455 East Calaveras Blvd.
Milpitas, CA 95035
Wednesday, August 23rd, 2023
4:30 PM
October 2023, permit phase to begin in November 2023 and completion of design and architectural prototypes which is anticipated in Fall 2024. Project budget is $25M of which $10M is funded by TASP impact fees. The remaining $15 is unfunded. City will explore opportunities for grant funding and/or State or Federal earmarks. Construction is anticipated in 2026 pending funding and permitting.
Silveira reviewed the VOC project next. The bridge is designed for pedestrian, bicyclists, and emergency vehicle crossing. It can accommodate traffic and bike lanes in each direction for passenger vehicles in the future. The project theme is Milpitas’ Rolling Hills. It was also reviewed on October 15, 2021 and received feedback that the ridgeline should resemble the natural color of hills. Staff to incorporate these changes as the design progresses. The design and permitting phase and architectural enhancements are anticipated to resume in Fall 2023 and be completed by the end of 2024. The construction is anticipated in summer 2025 pending development and lead time of materials. The estimated budget is $6M which is funded by TASP Impact fees.
The project received earmarked $3M in Federal Community Project Funding as part of the federal appropriations package signed by the President on March 11, 2022. The recommendation is to receive both the POC and VOC presentations and provide feedback to staff.
No member of the public requested to speak on this item.
Mayor Montano asked about slide 3 regarding the project’s exact location. Mayor asked if there were any future plans for an overpass bridge on Capitol near The Crossings. How about any trails?
Mayor Montano also asked about slide 12. Specifically, if VTA and/or Valley Water’s would provide contribution(s) to the bridge.
Vice Mayor Chua asked about the architecture and design of both projects. She asked the designer if they have done this before on other projects. She inquired further regarding the tines which she later said that she liked.
Mayor Montano asked if the design would have a 3D effect which the designer confirmed. She likened it to an art piece (located on Capitol) of a woman reading a book.
Vice Mayor Chua inquired further regarding funding for the POC and VOC.
Specifically, what the total budget would be and project timelines.
Mayor Montano asked about what safeguards can be used against graffiti. Designer spoke about “graffiti release”.
Mayor Montano liked the incorporation of the theme of a marsh into the project.
Mayor Montano and Vice Mayor Chua affirmed their support of the project. b. Bicycle Lane Enhancement Project
Nolen Ugalde, Acting Associate Civil Engineer, noted that the City Council adopted the Trail, Pedestrian, and Bicycle Master Plan update in May 2022. In September 2022, the City was allocated $1M via AB179 as part of Caltrans 2022 Priority Legislative Budget Program earmarked for “Milpitas Bike Lanes Facilities Enhancement”. Project goals are to install new and improved existing bicycle facilities in the City to provide safer bicycle routes and promote alternative methods of transportation to reduce green house gas emissions. Key parameters in selecting bike routes were to align with the vision and goals set by the City’s Trail, Pedestrian, and Bicycle Master Plan by a) supporting connectivity and access to destinations such as Milpitas schools, Great Mall, Milpitas Library, and BART, b) improve safety for bicyclists and c) increasing access to recreational opportunities.
Reviewed map of existing bike facilities within the city. Discussed the different classes (ie. Class 1, II, IIB, III and IV). Mayor Montano asked to see a bumper used in a Class IV facility. Ugalde discussed the planned project limits which were based upon both need and feasibility. He first reviewed the existing conditions/bicycle facilities and then the proposed improvements for each applicable segment of the city. Mayor Montano asked if the bumpers would include the green backed thermo as well (NOLEN – Pls. revise description as needed). Mayor Montano noted that there is some new mixed used housing with businesses that have store fronts. She asked about how the new bike lanes would impact them. Staff confirmed that no on-street parking would be taken away. Ugalde reviewed the project schedule and noted that Execution of the Fund Transfer Agreement is particularly important.
Deputy City Manager Matt Cano, noted that the above is being done in collaboration with Public Information Officer, Charmaine Angelo and her team. Mayor Montano asked if there are any VTA grants for this project. Vice Mayor asked about the amount of the 2016 Measure B Bicycle and Pedestrian Education and Encouragement Grant.
Mayor Montano encouraged staff to continue to pursue possible VTA grants. Vice Mayor Chua liked the targeted areas because it touches the schools, main street, etc.
Mayor Montano asked if coordination was being done between PW, Engineering, etc. so that new roads are not dug up. Vice Mayor Chua asked if the bike improvement project could be completed sooner by completing one segment before the others. Vice Mayor Chua suggested for a slide (at the applicable Council meeting) which shows a shorter timeline.
Mayor Montano and Vice Mayor Chua affirmed their support of the project.
6. Other Topics
Mayor Montano inquired about the following: a) adding a flashing light or something similar in the pedestrian crosswalks at Weller, b) checking the speed sign at Arizona and Coehlo which doesn’t appear to work c) fencing along Calaveras Blvd. to prevent jaywalking on the UPRR overpass, and d) new signage to slow down speeding on Piedmont Road, and e) need to review intersection for strip mall located opposite the former Big Lots site on Serra Road and Abel St. which has a lot of accidents. She wil send pictures to Deputy City Manager Cano.
Vice Mayor Chua to also send her pictures to Deputy City Manager Cano.
7. Next Proposed Meeting Date: Wednesday, October 11 th, 2023 Next meeting date approved.
8. Adjournment
Meeting adjourned.
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Government’s duty is to serve the public, reaching its decisions in full view of the public. Commissions and City agencies exist to conduct the people’s business. This ordinance assures that deliberations are conducted before the people and the City operations are open to the people’s review.
Materials related to an item on this agenda submitted to the subcommittee after initial distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection on the City website. The subcommittee agendas and related materials can be viewed online at: http://www.milpitas.gov/our-government/committees-and-others/city-council- transportation-subcommittee/ (select meeting date).
For more information on your rights under the Open Government Ordinance or to report a violation of the ordinance, contact the City Attorney’s office at Milpitas City Hall, 455 E. Calaveras Blvd., Milpitas, CA 95035 e-mail: [email protected] / Phone: 408-586-3041 The Open Government Ordinance is codified in the Milpitas Municipal Code as Title I Chapter 310 and is available online at the City’s website www.milpitas.gov by selecting from Online Services the link to Milpitas Municipal Code link.