City of Sunnyvale
Meeting Minutes - Draft
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory
Commission
6:30 PM Telepresence Meeting: City Web StreamThursday, February 17, 2022
CALL TO ORDER
Pursuant to Government Code Subdivision 54953(e), the meeting was conducted telephonically; pursuant to state law, the City Council made the necessary findings by adopting Resolution No. 1089-21, reaffirmed on February 22, 2022.
Chair Mehlinger called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. via teleconference.
ROLL CALL
Chair Richard Mehlinger
Commissioner Alex Bonne
Commissioner Arwen Davé
Commissioner Dan Hafeman
Commissioner Timothy Oey
Commissioner Mihir Paradkar
Present 6 -
Vice Chair Leia MehlmanAbsent 1 -
Dennis Ng, Transportation and Traffic Manager, Lillian Tsang, Principal Transportation Engineer and Thinh Le, Transportation Engineer attended via teleconference.
Vice Chair Mehlman absence is excused.
Council Liaison Spitaleri (present)
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Public Comment opened at 6:38 p.m.
No speakers.
Public Comment closed at 6:38 p.m.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1.A 22-0301 Approve the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission Meeting
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Minutes of January 20, 2022.
Approve the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission Meeting Minutes of January 20, 2022 as amended.
Chair Mehlinger moved and Commissioner Hafeman seconded to approve amended item 1.A.
The amendment was made by Commissioner Hafeman who stated on page 12 that says "Bike lanes on Hollenbeck were a good idea" should say "Bike lanes on Hollenbeck Avenue provide a bike access to the Washington Community Swim Center and to the Sunnyvale Public Library from the south part of the city.
Commissioner Oey stated on page 8 that there is a typo where he stated "Would like to see the study issue cleaned up and better articulated to easily understand what everyone wants to achieve and proving the sidewalk riding ordinance" should say "Would like to see the study issue cleaned up and better articulated to easily understand what everyone wants to achieve and improving the sidewalk riding ordinance".
The amendment carried with the following vote:
Yes Chair Mehlinger
Commissioner Bonne
Commissioner Davé
Commissioner Hafeman
Commissioner Oey
Commissioner Paradkar
6 -
No 0
Absent Vice Chair Mehlman1 -
PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS
Public Comment opened at 6:41 p.m.
No speakers.
Public Comment closed at 6:41 p.m.
2 22-0307
Discussion on Design Concepts for 2022 Utility Bill Insert Lillian Tsang, Lillian Tsang, Principal Transportation Engineer, discussed the 2022 Utility Bill Inserts.
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Meeting Minutes - Draft
Public Comment opened at 6:43 p.m.
No speakers.
Public Comment closed at 6:43 p.m.
Commissioner Oey commented on the following:
- Likes "Walk or Bike Instead of Driving"
- Recommended having the Sunnyvale Prohibition Against Harassment of Bicyclists on one side
Commissioner Hafeman commented on the following:
- Educate public on what the rules are on city streets
Commissioner Davé commented on the following:
- Agreed with Commissioner Hafeman on educating the public - Recommended to add "Right of way near driveways"
Chair Mehlinger commented on the following:
- Recommended including an interactive component such as a survey through a QR code
Commissioner Oey agreed with Chair Mehlinger on having a measurement on how many of the residents read the inserts.
Ms. Tsang stated the idea would need to be discussed with the City's Communication and Finance Departments.
Commissioner Davé commented on the following:
- Recommended using wording such as "You can help pedestrians by lifting a finger to turn on your turn signal"
Commissioner Bonne commented on the following:
- Recommended reminding residents on useful laws pertaining to bicycles and pedestrians
- Clarify laws stating when cars may turn into a crosswalk which is occupied by a pedestrian
- Print the bike routes in Sunnyvale
Ms. Tsang stated the size of the utility bill insert would be too small to have the map readable. However, there could be a link to the map on the insert.
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Meeting Minutes - Draft
Chair Mehlinger asked if the map in the ATP(Active Transportation Plan) which shows the map of all the existing and all of the plan bike routes could be pulled out and put on a separate file on the Transportation page on the City website and point out that this is the future bike map for the City.
Ms. Tsang stated she will need to discuss with the Communication team.
Commissioner Oey agreed with Chair Mehlinger and stated to have the bike map pulled out as PDF file. Commissioner Oey also agreed with Commissioner Davé's commented on educating the public on using turn signals. Also, educate pedestrians and drivers with a picture illustrating it.
Ms. Tsang asked the Commissioners to narrow down to two recommendations for the utility bill insert.
MOTION: Chair Mehlinger moved and Commissioner Oey seconded to have the front of the utility bill insert the same picture as last year with the happy bicyclists on Murphy Avenue and on the back side have City staff examine adding an interactive element such as a survey and one of these three:
1. Parking rules
2. Turn signals and crosswalks
3. Maps
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes Chair Mehlinger
Commissioner Bonne
Commissioner Davé
Commissioner Hafeman
Commissioner Oey
Commissioner Paradkar
6 -
No 0
Absent Vice Chair Mehlman1 -
3 22-0308
Discussion on Projects for Transportation Development Act (TDA) Article 3 Application
Lillian Tsang, Principal Transportation Engineer, discussed the Transportation Development Act (TDA) Article 3 Grant Application. Ms. Tsang stated TDA funding
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Meeting Minutes - Draft
comes from sales tax revenue designated for bicycle and pedestrian projects. It is anticipated that the amount will be similar to last year's funding, at approximately $156,554.
Chair Mehlinger asked if there is a report on how last year's TDA funding was dispersed. Ms. Tsang stated the funds have not been dispersed yet. City Council will appropriate the funding in April.
Commissioner Oey asked about the following:
- List of projects implemented or will be implemented using previous years' TDA funding
- Maintaining an ongoing list of items
Ms. Tsang addressed the questions.
Chair Mehlinger listed projects that were recommended from the March 2021 BPAC meeting that were for future consideration.
1. Helena Drive and Kenewick Drive Class IIIB intersection improvements
2. Las Palmas Park access
Public Comment opened at 7:13 p.m.
Ms. Ledbetter, member of the public, asked if staff considered using the TDA funding as match funding for one of the Grants. Ms. Tsang stated staff would like to recommend to bank the funding for a couple of years to save for a bigger project.
Public Comment closed at 7:15 p.m.
Chair Mehlinger asked about the following:
- Anything in the ATP about improving bicycle wayfinding signage - TDA funding for Study Issue "Improving Bicycle and Pedestrian Access to Sunnyvale Caltrain Station"
- Adding a bicycle ramp at Angel Avenue
Ms. Tsang addressed the questions.
Commissioner Hafeman asked about the following:
- Re-striping near storm drain on Mary Avenue north of train tracks going in both directions
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Mr. Ng addressed the question.
Commissioner Bonne asked about the following:
- Shaving down the triangular island at W. El Camino Real/Murphy Avenue and W.
El Camino Real/S. Frances Street
Mr. Ng addressed the question.
Commissioner Davé asked about the following:
- Island at Maude Ave./Mathilda Ave.
Mr. Ng addressed the question.
Commissioner Oey asked about the following:
- Making all of El Camino Real bikeable
Ms. Tsang addressed the question.
Chair Mehlinger asked about the following:
- TDA funding for improving safety on Awhanee Avenue and SNAIL neighborhood - TDA funding for improving safety at Fair Oaks Ave./Awhanee Avenue Mr. Ng addressed the question.
Chair Mehlinger stated the two items the BPAC would like to see used with TDA funding are as follows:
- Banking the funds
- Reducing the triangle at W. El Camino Real/Murphy Avenue and W. El Camino Real/S. Frances Street
4 22-0309
Report and Discussion of Recent Santa Clara Valley
Transportation Authority (VTA) Bicycle and Pedestrian
Advisory Committee (BPAC) Meeting
Commissioner Oey, VTA BPAC Sunnyvale Representative, gave the meeting summary report regarding the following topics:
- Carolyn Gonot, the new VTA General Manager, attended the VTA BPAC meeting and spoke about her first 9 months, the challenges, and her priorities
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Meeting Minutes - Draft
- VTA will continue to offer monthly webinars from the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals to VTA staff, city staff, and VTA BPAC members. February Webinar is being held on Wednesday, February 16 from noon to 1 pm. Title “Accommodating Active Transportation Through Work Zones” - VTA BPAC approved the Bicycle Parking Technical Guidelines - Update on development of the County Active Transportation Plan from County Roads and Airports Staff. Go to https://activessantaclaracounty.org/ to add input Public Comment opened at 7:51 p.m.
No speakers.
Public Comment closed at 7:51 p.m.
STANDING ITEM: CONSIDERATION OF POTENTIAL STUDY ISSUES
Chair Mehlinger reported on the results of the Study Issue Hearing by City Council held on February 17, 2022:
- DPW-21-01 - Bike Lanes on Hollenbeck Avenue between El Camino Real and Homestead Study Issue was deferred. Will be brought back for consideration in 2023
- CDD-19-07 - Develop Citywide Guidelines or Criteria for Allowing Reduced Parking for Development Projects and for Future Conversions of Parking to Other Uses was adopted in reduced form
NON-AGENDA ITEMS & COMMENTS
-Commissioner Comments
Commissioner Davé asked if she wants to put forward a study issue, could it only be brought up once during the subsequence year?
Ms. Tsang addressed the question.
- Commissioner Paradkar stated he will no longer serve on the Sunnyvale BPAC -Staff Comments
Lillian Tsang, Principal Transportation Engineer commented on the following:
- Ranked #2 from the Study Issue and Budget Proposal Workshop - Re-evaluate Traffic Calming Program and Policy including the Thresholds to Begin a Project and Types of Measures Available
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- Ranked #3 from the Study Issue and Budget Proposal Workshop - Evaluate a Range of Options for On Demand Shuttle Service Including Technology Options, Availability of Electric Shuttles, and Potential Funding Sources - Study Issues ranking are available on the City of Sunnyvale website https://sunnyvale.ca.gov/
- City Council will have a budget workshop in May to determine funding for ranked study issues
INFORMATION ONLY REPORTS/ITEMS
22-0310 BPAC 2022 Annual Work Plan
22-0311 Active Items List February 2022
22-0312 2022 Deferred Study Issues
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Mehlinger adjourned the meeting at 8:04 p.m.
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