City of Sunnyvale
Meeting Minutes - Draft
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory
Commission
6:30 PM Telepresence Meeting: City Web StreamThursday, September 15, 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 August 30, 2022.
Chair Mehlman called the meeting to order at 6:36 p.m. via teleconference.
ROLL CALL
Chair Leia Mehlman
Vice Chair Bryce Beagle
Commissioner Alex Bonne
Commissioner Dan Hafeman
Commissioner Richard Mehlinger
Present 5 -
Commissioner Arwen Davé
Commissioner Timothy Oey
Absent 2 -
Dennis Ng, Principal Transportation and Traffic Manager, Lillian Tsang, Principal Transportation Engineer and Thinh Le, Transportation Engineer attended via teleconference.
Commissioner Davé (excused absence)
Commissioner Oey (excused absence)
Council Liaison Din (absent)
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Public Comment opened at 6:40 p.m.
Ramesh, member of the public commented on the following:
- Converting parking spots to 24 hour bike lanes on Homestead Road - Concerned that residents wouldn't have places to park if converted
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- Requests that the commission find alternatives for bike lanes on Homestead Road Public Comment closed at 6:43 p.m.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Public Comment opened at 6:45 p.m.
No speakers.
Public Comment closed at 6:45 p.m.
1.A 22-0909
Approve the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission Meeting
Minutes of August 18, 2022.
Approve the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission Meeting Minutes of August 18, 2022 as submitted.
Commissioner Mehlinger moved and Commissioner Hafeman seconded the motion to approve item 1.A.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Yes Chair Mehlman
Vice Chair Beagle
Commissioner Bonne
Commissioner Hafeman
Commissioner Mehlinger
5 -
No 0
Absent Commissioner Davé
Commissioner Oey
2 -
PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS
2 22-0932 Report and Discussion of Recent Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Bicycle and Pedestrian
Advisory Committee (BPAC) Meeting.
Commissioner Bonne, VTA BPAC Sunnyvale Representative, gave the meeting summary report regarding the following topics:
- OBAG priority list
•Grant request available funds 180 million
•Majority of applications were for Complete Streets and Safe Routes to School
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- Review of Bicycle and Pedestrian and Studies Competitive Bike Program •Top 4 weighing factors - Community engagement, gap closure of routes, connections to schools, transits and employment centers and safety •Equity priority communities
- VTA long range transportation plan -emphasis on equity, safety, climate change and greenhouse gas reduction targets
- Update on circulation and mobility elements on the goals and policies - Sergeant Ranch Quarry may be opening in Gilroy which will cause a heavy increase in truck and light duty car traffic
- BPAC Work Plan update
- Requests to send announcement in writing
- Comments to Sunnyvale regarding Homestead Bike Lane project Commissioner Mehlinger commented on the following:
- Sergeant Ranch is located on a Native American sacred site known as Juristac to the local Amah Mutsun Ahlone Tribal Band. Discussion around the quarry is a very serious and important discussion given the ecological and cultural traffic impacts, etc.
Vice Chair Beagle asked for clarification regarding the VTA update on light duty vehicles and bus travel.
Commissioner Hafeman asked about the following:
- Circulation and mobility element
Commissioner Bonne addressed the questions.
Public Comment opened at 6:57 p.m.
No speakers.
Public Comment closed at 6:57 p.m.
STANDING ITEM: CONSIDERATION OF POTENTIAL STUDY ISSUES
3 22-0927 Develop a Safe Routes to Parks Master Plan (Potential Study Issue)
Lillian Tsang, Principal Transportation Engineer, stated that Commissioner Mehlinger has submitted a Study Issue Form for Safe Routes to Parks Master Plan.
The BPAC can discuss, review and vote to decide whether the Study Issue idea should be added to the list of proposed Study Issues. It would require a motion,
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second and a majority vote.
Commissioner Mehlinger commented on the following:
- Study Issue was inspired by an incident on Fair Oaks Avenue by the park where there were 4 pedestrians jaywalking across the street to get to the park. There is a substantial gap between the pedestrian crossings to access the park - Sunnyvale has spent a lot of money investing in their parks so it is important for these parks to be accessible to the residents
- Kids should be able to walk and bike to parks safely and easily on their own - National Safe Routes to Park Program
- Coincides with the Safe Routes to School Program
Chair Mehlman commented on the following:
- Only two signalized intersections on Fair Oaks Avenue to the park at Fair Oaks/Wolfe Road and Fair Oaks Avenue/Maude Avenue
- One signalized intersection farther down the road at Fair Oaks Avenue/Duane Avenue
- No bicycle parking at the park
- Agrees the Study Issue is worthy of a study
- Should study access to the parks not just by vehicles but by bicyclists and pedestrians as well and make it as convenient as possible Commissioner Hafeman commented on the following:
- Agrees the Study Issue is important
- The City should have a goal for every resident in the City to have access to a park by bicycling and walking. If they have to get on an arterial or collector street then there should be a bike lane or a Class IIIB
- Not one bike lane connects to Washington Park
Vice Chair Beagle commented on the following:
- Supports the Study Issue
- Closest bus stop to the new park requires walking a long way to get to the park, not a convenient walkway for pedestrians
Chair Mehlman commented on the following:
- Adaptive ability devices are a critical part of pedestrian infrastructure - Making park access as friendly as possible for those who have adaptive devices should be a primary consideration
- Other than the two signals at Fair Oaks Park there are no other curb cuts for
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adaptive devices to access the sidewalk to the park
- Should be more curb cuts within the parking lot
- Supports the Study Issue
Public Comment opened at 7:08 p.m.
No speakers.
Public Comment closed at 7:08 p.m.
MOTION: Commissioner Mehlinger moved and Vice Chair Beagle seconded the motion to have the Study Issue for Safe Routes to Parks Master Plan idea added to the list of proposed Study Issues.
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes Chair Mehlman
Vice Chair Beagle
Commissioner Bonne
Commissioner Hafeman
Commissioner Mehlinger
5 -
No 0
Absent Commissioner Davé
Commissioner Oey
2 -
4 22-0928
BPAC 2023 Study Issue Sponsorship (Scenario 1)
Lillian Tsang, Principal Transportation Engineer, explained the Study Issue process.
Highlighting the following:
- Designed to assist City Council with setting priorities for the upcoming calendar year
- Board and Commission members have 2 roles in the process:
• Advise Council regarding identification of policy issues to study • Advise Council on those issues Council has decided to study - BPAC has proposed two potential Study Issues to review which need to be officially voted on for sponsorship
- Sponsorship means Study Issue is approved for ranking with a majority vote of the Board and Commission
- BPAC can vote to drop or sponsor these two Study Issues, there needs to be a motion, a second and a majority vote. For Study Issues that are voted on to be
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sponsored, staff will write a draft Study Issue Paper including the fiscal impact which will be provided in the October BPAC agenda packet for BPAC to make comments on
- Submit to City Manager first week of December
- Sponsor Study Issues as well as any deferred Study Issues that were under the BPAC's purview will be brought back to the BPAC for ranking in January 2023 The two Study Issues that are to be considered are as follows:
1. Develop Bicycle Wayfinding Signage Plan
2. Develop a Safe Routes to Parks Master Plan
Public Comment opened at 7:14 p.m.
No speakers.
Public Comment closed at 7:14 p.m.
Chair Mehlman asked City staff to explain what is the value of the action with respect to the BPAC? Ms. Tsang stated that in September/October it is the BPAC's opportunity to re access the various proposed Study Issues that were brought up by the BPAC throughout the calendar year and decide whether BPAC would like to sponsor this year.
Commissioner Mehlinger clarified the Study Issue Sponsorship process.
Chair Mehlman commented on the following:
- In favor of sponsoring both proposed Study Issues
- Wayfinding signage plan has been put off for years
- Safe Routes to Parks Master Plan is a critical Study Issue MOTION: Commissioner Mehlinger moved and Commissioner Hafeman seconded the motion to sponsor proposed Study Issue to Develop Bicycle Wayfinding Signage Plan and proposed Study Issue to Develop a Safe Routes to Parks Master Plan.
The motion carried by the following vote:
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Yes Chair Mehlman
Vice Chair Beagle
Commissioner Bonne
Commissioner Hafeman
Commissioner Mehlinger
5 -
No 0
Absent Commissioner Davé
Commissioner Oey
2 -
Ms. Tsang stated staff will prepare the two draft Study Issue papers that were just voted on to be sponsored to the BPAC at the October meeting. Since there was no other Study Issue form submitted before September 13, there will not be a scenario 2 sponsorship in October.
NON-AGENDA ITEMS & COMMENTS
-Commissioner Comments
Chair Mehlman commented on the following:
- Silicon Valley Bike Coalition second annual fundraising Bike to the Future Event is on Sunday, September 18 in conjunction with Viva Calle San Jose. Register at https://www.eventbrite.com. More information at bikesiliconvalley.org website or on Facebook under Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition
- Viva Calle San Jose is on Sunday, September 18 from 10-3 at Kelley Park. More information at www.vivacallesj.org
- San Jose Bike Party monthly ride called The Medieval Ride on Friday, September 16 at 2400 Moorpark Avenue at 7:30 p.m. More information on Facebook under San Jose Bike Party Events page
- City of Sunnyvale State of the City Address on Saturday, September 17 from 9-11:30 a.m. at the Heritage Park Museum
- Mobility Policy City Council Study Session is on September 20,2022 -Staff Comments
Ms. Tsang commented on the following:
- Homestead Road Bike Lane Study second online community meeting on Thursday, October 6 from 6 - 7:30 p.m. More information on City website search for transportation projects
- Caltrain Grade Separation Project at Mary Avenue was brought to City Council last
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month for consideration and the City Council has selected the Jughandle option.
City Council will consider the Sunnyvale location at the September 27 City Council meeting
- September 27 - City staff will bring a Micromobility Shared Pilot Program to City Council for consideration. If approved will launch in October Chair Mehlman commented on the following:
- City webpage should be made easier for public to navigate
INFORMATION ONLY REPORTS/ITEMS
22-0929 BPAC 2022 Annual Work Plan
22-0930 Active Items List September 2022
Commissioner Mehlinger asked for an update on the California Ave/Pajaro Ave Crosswalk improvement project?
Thinh Le, Transportation Engineer stated the project will be completed by the end of this year.
22-0931 2022 Deferred Study Issues
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Mehlman adjourned the meeting at 7:39 p.m.
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