1 From: Diane Solomon
Sent: Monday, August 12, 2024 8:06 AM
To: TEPublicComment
Cc: Smith, Ryan; Laveroni, Kyle
Subject: Public Comment For August 12 T&E Committee From BPAC Dear City of San José Transportation and Environment Committee, I] Public Comment for Climate Advisory Commission Annual Report and Work Plan.
My name is Diane Solomon, I’m here on behalf of your Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC).
Our mission is to help you improve bicyclist and pedestrian safety within our City, based upon our experience.
First, we respectfully request that going forward the City’s Plan includes the fully funding and capital budgeting of Better Bike Plan 2025 and the Vision Zero Program.
Last year traffic fatalities exceeded homicides. This year will likely be no different.
Second, thank you for using the Vehicle Miles Traveled [VMT] metric. You can do more for our City! Please seek to decrease VMT. You can do this and do it quicker if you prioritize building out the bicycle network and making this network’s funding a priority.
Third, your BPAC is your advisory committee. Please let your BPAC help you and our City integrate our City’s bicycle and pedestrian needs with our City’s goals for Vehicle Miles Traveled and Land Use. We have ideas. Please use us.
Thank you…
2. Airport Commission Annual Report and Work Plan:
My name is Diane Solomon, I’m here on behalf of your Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC).
There is no way to safely walk or ride a bicycle to or from our airport.
Please work to enable pedestrians and bicyclists to safely transport themselves to our airport.
Thank you…
3. City Infrastructure Strategy Quarterly Status Report:
My name is Diane Solomon, I’m here on behalf of your Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC). [External Email]
2 First, please improve the 311 app: First It takes too long to report urgent yet non emergency issues—callers are place on hold endlessly.
Second: 311's purpose is to enable user friendly and correct contact with other city departments but there are disconnects between 311 and the departments that they serve:
Ex. Using 311, I booked a hazardous waste drop off for two weeks ahead, but Green Team system automatically assigns drop-offs for one week ahead. I had to contact green team to re-book for two weeks.
Green Team agreed there is a disconnect between green team and what 311 allows to book. Example: 2: Dead cat on a very visible sidewalk on a willow Street route school children and adults walk regardless of numerous calls to 311 by many individuals for one week.
Meeting’s Last Item--- General Public Comment:
My name is Diane Solomon, I am here on behalf of your Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee:
1] Many of our members and the Community members who attend our meetings recount the danger and injuries they have experienced when bicycle lanes are blocked with yard debris, garbage cans, and other hazards.
The BPAC's meetings with the Street Sweeping Team and Integrated Waste, did not yield more specific and certain help with this matter. Can you help the BPAC with this matter by: Taking this up as a T&E initiative or by putting Ryan Smith, our BPAC's City Staffer, in contact with someone who can specifically help with this issue?
2] Although we know that our City has limited financial resources and DOT staffers work mightily to obtain grant funding, we again urge you to prioritize the funding of the following programs:
Better Bike Plan 2025
Vision Zero
The Speed cameras Project - We look forward to attending the community meetings you will have on this and the King Road Complete Streets Program
3] Please designate King Road as a "Grand Boulevard". It should be treated as an equal among San José's other Grand Boulevards. When the King Road Complete Streets Program has been put in place, it will be even grander ;-)
4] Thank you for using the Vehicle Miles Traveled [VMT] metric. You can do more for our City! Please seek to decrease VMT. Again, you can do this and do it quicker if you prioritize building out the bicycle network.
Thank you..
With my best regards,
Diane Solomon,
City of San José Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee 3 cc: Ryan Smith, City of San José, Department of Transportation, Active Transportation Manager Kyle Laveroni, City of San José, District 9, Deputy Chief Of Staff
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