From: Pete Gang
To: City Council Public Comments
Subject: [EXTERNAL] February 23, 2022 City Council meeting -- Agenda Item #3 -- Public Comment on Goal Setting Date: Sunday, February 20, 2022 4:32:05 PM
Dear Mayor Rogers and Councilmembers,
In furtherance of its goal of net zero emissions by 2030, the City of Santa Rosa needs to immediately begin realizing its goal of creating and maintaining, “… a complete and convenient bicycle and pedestrian network,” as stated in its Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Update 2018.
A similar goal is echoed in the following County and State documents:
SCTA Countywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan (May 2008, updated 2014) Caltrans: Toward An Active California – State Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan (May 2017)Caltrans: Smart Mobility 2010 -- A Call to Action for the New Decade (February 2010), and
Caltrans California Transportation Plan 2040 – Integrating California’s Transportation Future (June 2016)
We need to make biking and walking easy and safe for people of all ages and abilities, not just for the “strong and fearless” cyclists who represent fewer than 3% of the population.
According to the City of Santa Rosa’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Update 2018, “Research indicates that the majority of people in the United States (56- 73%) would bicycle if dedicated bicycle facilities were provided. However, only a small percentage of Americans (1-3%) are willing to ride if no facilities are provided.” [p.62]
The time has come to provide a complete and integrated network of safe, protected bike lanes throughout the City so that a majority of people in Santa Rosa feel safe leaving their cars at home.
Thank you for your commitment to a cleaner, healthier, carbon-free Santa Rosa! Pete Gang
Santa Rosa
From: Jenny Bard
To: City Council Public Comments
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Priorities for city goal setting
Date: Sunday, February 20, 2022 5:51:59 PM
Dear Mayor Rogers and Councilmembers,
Thank you for the opportunity to provide input as the city considers its budget goals for the upcoming year. I urge you to increase investments in planning for safe and comfortable bicycle infrastructure throughout the city as a priority for this year.
The city is currently updating its General Plan and a rapid installation of a low-stress, citywide bicycle network would help meet the city's stated goals to improve neighborhood quality and connectivity, improve public health for all, create more equitable access to community amenities and services, and reinforce environmental stewardship, among other goals (Santa Rosa Forward
). Furthermore, focusing on increasing bicycle mode share is the quickest way to reduce greenhouse gases from transportation and help meet the city's climate goals of carbon neutrality by 2030 (Climate Emergency Resolution
).
The city's current bicycle and pedestrian master plan calls for only three miles of protected bicycle lanes, which is inadequate to address the number one reason why people do not ride bicycles in Santa Rosa - they do not feel safe doing so. (Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition Advocacy Manifesto )
I urge you to consider funding for a rapid installation of a low-stress, citywide bicycle network. As part of this, I urge you to fund an update to the city's bicycle and pedestrian master plan as part of the General Plan update process to prioritize these projects connecting all seven districts of the city.
Thank you so much for your time.
Jenny Bard
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
District Three
From: [email protected]
To: City Council Public Comments
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Southeast Greenway and SR City Goals Date: Monday, February 21, 2022 10:10:20 AM
As a member of the Southeast Greenway Campaign I would like to thank you for the ongoing support you have given the Southeast Greenway Project as we have achieved important milestones, including the approval of a General Plan Amendment, EIR and Rezoning Plan for the property in July 2019.
This year I am writing to request your support in reaching another major milestone - completing the acquisition of the 57 - acre Southeast Greenway property from Caltrans!
The Sonoma Land Trust and Southeast Greenway Campaign have agreed to secure funding for the pre-acquisition costs, appraisal, and purchase price of the 47 acres zoned as parkland. To move forward, the City Council must work with City staff to develop a plan for funding the acquisition of the 10 acres of Greenway property zoned for housing and mixed use.
Let’s bring the City’s goal of “Planning and Implementing the Southeast Greenway” to the forefront in FY 22-23!
Thank you.
--
Vincent Hoagland
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
From: Cris Eggers
To: City Council Public Comments
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Agenda Item #3 -- Public Comment on Goal Setting Date: Monday, February 21, 2022 12:05:45 PM
Dear Mayor Rogers and Councilmembers,
While setting the goals for the coming year, I urge you to prioritize the rapid installation of a low-stress, citywide bicycle network.
This is important to not just me, but the entire community. With the climate crisis upon us, we need to do everything in our power to make non-automobile i.e. non-carbon producing transportation viable for everyone from child to senior citizen.
Sixty to seventy percent of people surveyed by a variety of methods about their cycling habits are categorized as "Interested but concerned." That is they want to bike to more destinations, but they don't, because they don't feel safe sharing the roads with automobile traffic. An increase in safety leads to an increase in people using cycling for everyday transportation and a decrease in carbon-producing transportation.
Santa Rosa ranks 25 (out of 100) in the Bike Network Analysis https://bna.peopleforbikes.org/#/
. This means that while there may be bike lanes in
Santa Rosa, many are in high-stress areas such as busy roads with high speeds, or areas that force cyclists to navigate intersections that are unsafe. It also means that the existing cycling infrastructure does not connect routes and is piecemeal, creating islands of areas where people who wish to bike to their destinations cannot without incurring the risk of life and limb.
I strongly urge the City Council to see transportation goals and budgets that support the rapid implementation of a low-stress bike network.
Thank you,
Cris Eggers, District 4
From: Renee Riggs
To: City Council Public Comments
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Complete acquisition of the Southeast Greenway Date: Monday, February 21, 2022 12:23:26 PM
February 21, 2022
Dear Mayor Rogers and City Council Members,
I would like to thank you for the ongoing support you have given the Southeast Greenway Project as we have achieved important milestones, including the approval of a General Plan Amendment, EIR and Rezoning Plan for the property in July 2019.
This year I am writing to
request your support in reaching another major milestone - completing the acquisition of the 57 - acre Southeast Greenway property from Caltrans! To achieve this goal, the City and other Greenway Partners will need to:
·
Finalize appraisal mapping for the property
· Arrange for property appraisals by professionals who are approved by Caltrans · Negotiate and complete a Purchase and Sale Agreement (PSA) This will require considerable staff time from a variety of City departments, including, but not limited to, the City Attorney, Real Estate Services, and Transportation and Public Works.
The Sonoma Land Trust and Southeast Greenway Campaign have agreed to secure funding for the pre-acquisition costs, appraisal, and purchase price of the 47 acres zoned as parkland. To move forward, City Council must work with City staff to develop a plan for funding the acquisition of the 10 acres of Greenway property zoned for housing and mixed use.
Acquisition of the 57-acre Southeast Greenway property will help the City of Santa Rosa fulfill its mission - “to provide high quality public services and cultivate a vibrant, resilient and livable city”.
Additionally, it will address several important City goals, including · Housing and affordable housing
· Economic resilience
· Climate change
When developed, the citizens of Santa Rosa will enjoy easy access to an urban open space for walking, biking, gardening, recreation, and spending time in a beautiful outdoor setting.
Let’s bring the City’s goal of “Planning and Implementing the Southeast Greenway” to the forefront in FY 22-23!
Thank you.
Renee Riggs
Santa Rosa CA 95403
From: [email protected]
To: City Council Public Comments
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Public comment on Agenda Item #3 -- Public Comment on Goal Setting Date: Monday, February 21, 2022 3:34:16 PM
Dear Mayor Rogers and Councilmembers,
I am writing to offer input on the City of Santa Rosa's goals this year. I would like to see the rapid installation of a low-stress, citywide bicycle network be prioritized, along with other initiatives to make Santa Rosa safer
and more pleasant for multiple modes of transportation
outside of individual cars. I live in District 4 and work at Sonoma State University, and it is virtually impossible to get from my home to work through Santa Rosa without driving. I do not feel safe bicycling on the roads, and there are no feasible public transportation options. A twenty-five minute car ride takes two hours or more on public transportation, and often there are long gaps that have to be filled in with non-public transport options like an Uber.
Prioritizing a low-stress bike network has many benefits, including helping the city meet its greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals, reducing traffic injuries and deaths, and making SR a more pleasant place to live, work and play.
Thank you for considering my input!
Sincerely,
Allison Ford
District 4, 95409
Allison Ford, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Sociology
Sonoma State University
[email protected]
Pronouns: she/her/hers
February 21, 2022
Dear Mayor Rogers and City Council Members,
We would like to thank you for the ongoing support you have given the Southeast Greenway Project as we have worked together to accomplish important milestones, including the approval of a General Plan Amendment, EIR and Rezoning Plan for the property in July 2019.
This year we are writing to request your support in reaching another major milestone - completing the acquisition of the 57 - acre Southeast Greenway property from Caltrans!
To achieve this goal, the City of Santa Rosa and other Greenway Partners will need to:
• Finalize appraisal mapping for the property
• Arrange for property appraisals by professionals who are approved by Caltrans • Negotiate and complete a Purchase and Sale Agreement (PSA)
This will require considerable staff time from a variety of City departments, including, but not limited to, the City Attorney, Real Estate Services, and Transportation and Public Works.
The Sonoma Land Trust and Southeast Greenway Campaign have agreed to secure funding for the pre-acquisition costs, appraisal, and purchase price of the 47 acres zoned as parkland. To move forward, City Council must work with City staff to develop a plan for funding the acquisition of the 10 acres of Greenway property zoned for housing and mixed use.
Acquisition of the 57-acre Southeast Greenway property will help the City of Santa Rosa fulfill its mission - “to provide high quality public services and cultivate a vibrant, resilient and livable city”. Additionally, it will address several important City goals, including:
• Housing and affordable housing
• Economic resilience
• Climate change
When developed, the citizens of Santa Rosa will enjoy easy access to an urban open space for walking, biking, gardening, recreation, and spending time in a beautiful outdoor setting.
Let’s bring the City’s goal of “Planning and Implementing the Southeast Greenway” to fruition and acquire this important land in FY 22-23!
Sincerely,
Linda and Alan Proulx
Santa Rosa, CA 95405
From: Wendy Krupnick
To: City Council Public Comments
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Prioritize acquisition of SE Greenway Date: Tuesday, February 22, 2022 8:20:42 AM
Dear Santa Rosa Mayor Rogers and City Council members,
I am writing to support comments submitted by members of the SE Greenway Campaign committee. Many years of hard work by many people, including substantial investments by your City, have gone into bringing this process as far as it has gotten. These investments must be protected by continuing efforts to complete acquisition and realize the potential of this gem.
The City has many programs and projects competing for attention and resources but the Greenway uniquely has potential to solve and serve multiple priorities at once, including climate mitigation, increasing equitable recreational services, increasing habitat and natural resource protection, and providing affordable housing.
I ask that you move forward with a plan for funding the 10 acres designated for housing and mixed use.
Thank you for considering these comments.
Wendy Krupnick
From: Jenny Downing
To: City Council Public Comments
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Complete acquisition of the Southeast Greenway Date: Tuesday, February 22, 2022 2:13:01 PM
February 22, 2022
Dear Mayor Rogers and City Council Members,
I would like to thank you for the ongoing support you have given the Southeast Greenway Project (SEG) as we have achieved important milestones, including the approval of a General Plan Amendment, EIR and Rezoning Plan for the property in July 2019.
This is a letter to request your continuing support primarily for the acquisition of the 57-acre SEG property from Caltrans. And I am urging you to do your part, along with other Greenway Partners, to accomplish the following:
Finalize appraisal mapping for the property
Arrange for property appraisals by professionals who are approved by Caltrans Negotiate and complete a Purchase and Sale Agreement (PSA) I certainly recognize that this will require considerable staff time from a variety of City departments, including, but not limited to, the City Attorney, Real Estate Services, and Transportation and Public Works.
The Sonoma Land Trust and Southeast Greenway Campaign have agreed to secure funding for the pre-acquisition costs, appraisal, and purchase price of the 47 acres zoned as parkland. To move forward, City Council must work with City staff to develop a plan for funding the acquisition of the 10 acres of Greenway property zoned for housing and mixed use.
Here are some of the benefits
The City of Santa Rosa fulfill its mission - “to provide high quality public services and cultivate a vibrant, resilient and livable city;” and this also includes.
Provide housing including affordable housing;
Improving economic resiliency; and
Ameliorating Climate change
When developed, not only will the citizens of Santa Rosa enjoy easy access to an urban open space for walking, biking, gardening, recreation, and spending time in a beautiful outdoor setting, it will also provide a beautiful bike and pedestrian path for attracting visitors.
Let’s bring the City’s goal of “Planning and Implementing the Southeast Greenway” to the forefront in FY 22-23!
Thank you.
Jenny Downing
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
From: JAMES MCADLER
To: City Council Public Comments
Subject: [EXTERNAL] FY 2022-23 City Budget Request
Date: Tuesday, February 22, 2022 5:33:54 PM
Dear Mayor Rogers and Members of City Council,
Thank you for your ongoing support of the Southeast Greenway Project. In view of the City Council’s approval of a General Plan Amendment, EIR and Rezoning Plan for the property in July 2019, we respectfully request your support to complete the acquisition of the 57-acre Southeast Greenway property in FY 2022-23.
In order to achieve this goal, City staff time is needed to work with Caltrans to appraise the property and to complete its transfer to the City. The Sonoma Land Trust and the Southeast Greenway Campaign will secure funding for pre-acquisition costs, the appraisal, and the purchase of the 47 acres zoned as parkland, but we ask the City Council to work with City staff to develop a plan for funding the acquisition of the 10 acres of Greenway property zoned for housing and mixed use.
Acquisition of the 57-acre Southeast Greenway property will help to address several of the City of Santa Rosa’s goals including housing and affordable housing, economic resilience, and climate change.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sandy and Jim McAdler
Santa Rosa, California 95405
From: Justin Borton
To: City Council Public Comments
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Agenda Item #3 - rapid installation of a low-stress, citywide bicycle network.
Date: Wednesday, February 23, 2022 9:26:04 AM
Dear Councilmembers,
In the past years, equity, safety, and climate resilience have all been top goals of the city, and they should continue to be so. One relatively inexpensive and forward-looking way to make progress towards all three of these commitments is by significantly improving bicycle connectivity throughout Santa Rosa. As you determine budget priorities this year, we hope you will invest staff time and infrastructure dollars in accelerating implementation of the Bike/Ped plan, and going beyond that to create a genuinely low-stress bicycle network connecting all seven districts of the city.
Thank you,
Justin Borton
95401
From: Michelle Klimek
To: City Council Public Comments
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Consider making Montgomery Dr. and Sonoma Ave. one-way streets Date: Wednesday, February 23, 2022 1:15:40 PM
The implementation of a one-way on both Sonoma Ave. and Montgomery Dr. would allow for a full bicycle lane on both streets.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Michelle Klimek
Santa Rosa