City of Sunnyvale
Meeting Minutes - Draft
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory
Commission
6:30 PM Online and Bay Conference Room
(Room 145), City Hall,
456 W. Olive Ave.,
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Thursday, April 20, 2023
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Mehlman called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m.
SALUTE TO THE FLAG
Chair Mehlman led the salute to the flag.
ROLL CALL
Chair Leia Mehlman
Vice Chair Bryce Beagle
Commissioner Alex Bonne
Commissioner Arwen Davé
Commissioner Dan Hafeman
Commissioner Sharlene Liu
Commissioner Timothy Oey
Present 7 -
Sharlene Liu, new member of the BPAC introduced herself.
Council Liaison Cisneros (virtually present)
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Public Comment opened at 6:37 p.m.
No speakers.
Public Comment closed at 6:39 p.m.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Public Comment opened at 6:39 p.m.
No speakers.
Public Comment closed at 6:40 p.m.
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April 20, 2023Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory
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Meeting Minutes - Draft
1.A 23-0509 Approve the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission Meeting Minutes of March 16, 2023.
Approve the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission Meeting Minutes of March 16, 2023 as submitted.
Commissioner Hafeman moved and Commissioner Oey seconded the motion to approve item 1.A.
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes Chair Mehlman
Vice Chair Beagle
Commissioner Bonne
Commissioner Davé
Commissioner Hafeman
Commissioner Oey
6 -
No 0
Abstain Commissioner Liu1 -
PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS
2 23-0531 Discussion of TDA Funding
Angela Wong, Transportation Engineer, gave a presentation on the Transportation Development Act (TDA) Article 3 Funding for FY 2023/24. Highlighting the following:
- Background of TDA Funding
- What the funding can be used for:
- Design & construction of a bicycle/pedestrian capital or quick build project - Secured bicycle parking facilities in high use activity areas - Restriping Class II bicycle lanes
- Approximately $140,000/year of TDA funding - based on sales tax - Current amount of TDA funds are $336,620 (combination of last year's banked funds and this year's funds)
- Proposed Projects
- #1 - Widen fence opening at Crawford Drive near Las Palmas Park - approximate cost $130,000
- #2 - Class IIIB Bicycle Boulevard on Helena Drive - approximate cost $1,000,000 - #3 - Crossing North Leg at Mathilda Avenue and Moffett Park Drive - not a refuge
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area, so pedestrian signal will not be installed
- #4 - Straighten Bike Route 352 - not eligible for TDA funding - #5 - Install pedestrian hybrid beacon (HAWK) on Mary Avenue and Carson Drive - would need to bank funds from multiple years which might exceed the time limit for banking it
- #6 - Install ramp on both ends of the pathway at Cheyenne Drive between Valcartier Drive and Yukon Drive - this project would not fit the TDA fundings - #7 - Reduce pork chop islands on Westbound El Camino Real at both Murphy Avenue and Francis Street - approximate cost $60,000
- #8 - Repave Morse Avenue from Persian Drive to Weddell Drive - not eligible for TDA funding
- #9 - Implement Class III Bicycle Route on Pastoria Avenue - staff recommends - #10 - Reduce pork chop island at Northwest corner at Mathilda Avenue and Maude Avenue - not recommended by staff due to a project already working on removing all 4 pork chop islands
- #11 - Install curb ramp at the Southeast corner of Borregas Avenue and Weddell Drive - not recommended for TDA funding as more design elements need to be evaluated
- #12 - Bicycle Parking at Wiser Park - not eligible for TDA funding - #13 - Class I Bicycle Parking at Orange and Pear Garages not working - property management has been contacted to make bike lockers accessible - #14 - Provide additional bicycle parking at the new City Hall - Class II, 24 spaces are planned or under construction for public use
- #15 - Class I Bicycle Parking at Target Not Working - Staff is in contact with Target to make bike lockers accessible
- #16 - Implement crossing improvements at the intersection of Gale Avenue and Iris Avenue - staff recommends this project as it is working towards the ATP (Active Transportation Plan) - approximate cost $215,000
- #17 - Install Class III/IIIB Bicycle Facilities where striping improvements have already been implemented - approximate cost $166,000
- #18 - Install sidewalk on Poplar Avenue near Peterson Middle School - design cost approximate $160,000, implementation and construction approximate cost $895,000 - Objective is to discuss with the BPAC the proposed 18 projects no motion needed - BPAC will make a recommendation for a project at the May BPAC meeting Commissioner Oey asked about the following for slide #1:
- What the treatment is going to be besides just moving a post - Will it be paved or stay as dirt?
- Will there be markings to notify drivers that someone could be crossing?
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Ms. Tsang addressed the questions.
Vice Chair Beagle asked about the following for slide #1:
- Total cost of all the staff's recommended projects
- How does the funding work?
- What is the expiration date for the funds?
- Is it feasible to not flatten the surface and make it wider to save money? Mr. Ng and Ms. Tsang addressed the questions.
Commissioner Hafeman asked about the following for slide #1:
- Design the project as a two stage project. Wait to have the second stage at a later date to save money
- A quote for moving just the post
Mr. Ng addressed the questions.
Commissioner Liu asked about the following for slide #1:
- TDA prioritization of projects now and then again in 4-5 years - A crosswalk at Crawford that has a speed bump like Stella Court that has a crosswalk and a speed bump
Mr. Ng and Ms. Tsang addressed the questions.
Chair Mehlman asked about the following for slide #1:
- Add signage to vehicles to say "bicyclists may be entering roadway" Mr. Ng addressed the question.
Commissioner Bonne asked about the following for slide #1:
- The City using Decomposed Granite (DG) instead of asphalt Mr. Ng addressed the question.
Commissioner Oey asked about the following for slide #1:
- What's the width of the opening?
- Will there be bollards?
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Mr. Ng addressed the questions.
Commission Liu asked about the following for slide #2:
- ADA directional curb ramps
Mr. Ng addressed the questions.
Chair Mehlman asked about the following for slide #2:
- Average amount of TDA funding available each year
- Issuing this proposal as a study issue, get it funded from somewhere else other than TDA funding
- Do streets automatically have striping upgrades to accommodate bicyclists as part of the normal City maintenance?
Mr. Ng and Ms. Tsang addressed the questions.
Chair Mehlman asked about the following for slide #3:
- Why is it designed this way if it is not a refuge area? Mr. Ng addressed the question.
Vice Chair Beagle asked about the following for slide #3:
- Is this an intersection where there is always a crossing cycle? Mr. Ng addressed the question.
Commissioner Oey asked about the following for slide #3:
- Are there any other designs for a button other than having a post there? Mr. Ng addressed the questions.
Chair Mehlman asked about the following for slide #3:
- Can the timing be changed at the intersection so that it cycles through every single time?
Mr. Ng addressed the question.
Vice Chair Beagle asked about the following for slide #4:
- Lowering the speed limit by 5 miles per hour
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- If Study Issue DPW 21-01 were to be implemented would that have an affect on the speed limit?
Mr. Ng addressed the question.
Commissioner Oey asked about the following for slide #4:
- When Study Issue DPW 21-01 is done and if Hollenbeck Avenue becomes a Class II facility then it would be eligible for TDA funding?
Mr. Ng addressed the question.
Commissioner Davé asked about the following for slide #5:
- Is Vargas Elementary School the reason for installing the HAWK beacon? Ms. Tsang addressed the question.
Commissioner Oey asked about the following for slide #5:
- Other funding options other than TDA
Mr. Ng addressed the question.
Chair Mehlman asked about the following for slide #5:
- Will the City actively seek funding from within the City funds to address the issue at the intersection, since it's been identified in the ATP? Mr. Ng addressed the question.
Commissioner Oey asked about the following for slide #6:
- A ramp just for bicyclists and not for pedestrians
Mr. Ng addressed the question.
Commissioner Liu asked about the following for slide #6:
- Clarification on why there can't be a ramp that comes directly out of the passageway onto Yukon
Mr. Ng addressed the question.
Commissioner Oey asked about the following for slide #6:
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- What do you do about driveways?
Mr. Ng addressed the question.
Vice Chair Beagle asked about the following for slide #7:
- Removing the entire pork chop and use Quick-Build instead - Cost of adding a bulb-out
- Where does the State's ownership end and the City's ownership begin? - Instead of using a pork chop island, can we block the intersection at El Camino Real/Francis Street and move the traffic diverter south to have traffic come from the north to access the properties
Mr. Ng and Ms. Tsang addressed the questions.
Commissioner Hafeman asked about the following for slide #7:
- Is City staff confident that Caltrans will approve the project? - Is City staff confident that the estimate is accurate? Mr. Ng addressed the questions.
Commissioner Oey asked about the following for slide #7:
- Are there any projects in the ATP that would accomplish this as part of those projects?
Mr. Ng and Ms. Tsang addressed the question.
Chair Mehlman asked about the following for slide #9:
- Are miles calculated in both directions to get total mileage? Mr. Ng and Ms. Tsang addressed the question.
Commissioner Oey asked about the following for slide #9:
- Is it a requirement to have double yellow center line in order to have sharrows? Mr. Ng addressed the question.
Commissioner Liu asked about the following for slide #9:
- Another option to complete the project so it is less stressful for the bicyclists
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Mr. Ng addressed the question.
Commissioner Bonne asked about the following for slide #9:
- Installing speed bumps or signs inside the double yellow lines reminding vehicles that the speed limit is 25 mph
Mr. Ng and Ms. Tsang addressed the question.
Chair Mehlman called for a recess at 8:13 p.m. Chair Mehlman reconvened the meeting at 8:22 p.m.
Commissioner Davé asked about the following for slide #10:
- Timeframe for when the project will be completed
Mr. Ng addressed the question.
Commissioner Oey asked about the following for slide #11:
- What is a curb ramp?
Mr. Ng addressed the question.
Chair Mehlman asked about the following for slide #11:
- Part of the issue is that there is a crosswalk and sidewalk only on one side of the intersection
Mr. Ng addressed the question.
Chair Mehlman asked about the following for slide #12:
- Temporary bicycle parking is not eligible for TDA funding but secured bicycle parking is eligible for TDA funding
- Is the City looking at installing bicycle parking in the park? Mr. Ng addressed the questions.
Chair Mehlman asked about the following for slide #13:
- When was contact made with the property management and what was the result of that conversation?
Ms. Tsang addressed the question.
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Meeting Minutes - Draft
Commissioner Oey asked about the following for slide #13:
- Is a key required to access the bike lockers?
Mr. Ng and Ms. Tsang addressed the question.
Vice Chair Beagle asked about the following for slide #13:
- Is there a requirement for Class I bike lockers to be free? - Is there a requirement for the secure aspect of the secure lockers? Mr. Ng addressed the questions.
Chair Mehlman asked about the following for slide #13:
- How is bicycle parking access enforced?
Mr. Ng addressed the question.
Commissioner Oey asked about the following for slide #13:
- Are Pear, Orange and Target parking structures eligible for TDA funding? Mr. Ng addressed the question.
Commissioner Liu asked about the following for slide #14:
- Making future bike parking around the new City Hall to be artsy bike parking - Would artsy bike parking require a study issue proposal? Mr. Ng addressed the questions.
Chair Mehlman asked about the following for slide #14:
- Has the purchase been made for the Class II bike parking? Mr. Ng addressed the question.
Commissioner Oey asked about the following for slide #14:
- Is there any Class I parking available to visitors of City Hall? Mr. Ng addressed the question.
Commissioner Bonne asked about the following for slide #14:
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- Covered spaces for the outside bicycle parking
- Ratio of bike parking spots to car parking spots
Mr. Ng addressed the questions.
Chair Mehlman asked about the following for slide #14:
- Bike parking that is not already part of the project would have to go through additional funding
Mr. Ng addressed the question.
Chair Mehlman asked about the following for slide #16:
- Has this been partially funded?
Ms. Tsang addressed the question.
Vice Chair Beagle asked about the following for slide #16:
- How is the bulb-out chosen?
- Is this budget used just for the pedestrian improvements? Mr. Ng addressed the questions.
Commissioner Liu asked about the following for slide #16:
- Considerations for curb extensions for the other three corners - Is it common for curb extensions to be near school zones? Mr. Ng and Ms. Tsang addressed the questions.
Commissioner Oey asked about the following for slide #16:
- Bundling all the Safe Routes to School funds to make a big Federal Grant Mr. Ng addressed the question.
Vice Chair Beagle asked about the following for slide #17:
- How the 9.2 miles was calculated
Ms. Tsang addressed the question.
Chair Mehlman asked about the following for slide #18:
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- Funding the design portion and banking the rest for another TDA project Ms. Tsang addressed the question.
Commissioner Liu asked about the following for slide #18:
- Add more sidewalks as part of this project
Ms. Tsang addressed the question.
Commissioner Oey asked about the following for slide #18:
- Using roadway for the sidewalk or an easement
Ms. Tsang and Mr. Ng addressed the question.
Public Comment opened at 9:07 p.m.
No speakers.
Public Comment closed at 9:07 p.m.
Commissioner Oey commented on the following:
- First priority is to widen fence opening next to Crawford to be able to bike all the way to Downtown Sunnyvale and not have to use Sunnyvale-Saratoga Road - Would like the implementation of the Carson crossing
- Likes the Pastoria Avenue idea of lowering the speed limit which is a high priority - There is value in getting the Gail Avenue/Iris Avenue and Poplar Avenue/Bryant Way projects done
Commissioner Davé commented on the following:
- Six of the projects make a difference between life and death and of those 2-3 are within this year's budget
- Priority is to take care of the 2-3 projects that are within this year's budget - Projects near the schools should be a priority
Vice Chair Beagle commented on the following:
- Happy to see both pedestrian and bicycle concerns
- Not in favor of using the budget for sharrows because they give a false security without offering any safety improvements
- In favor of using the budget for traffic calming measures Commissioner Liu commented and asked about the following:
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- It is better to put a ramp at the passageway at Yukon/Cheyenne - In favor of putting a ramp at Borregas/Weddell
3 23-0530 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 for April regarding the following topics:
1. Overview of Bike Superhighway Network Project
- Characteristics: long-distance, low-stress, dedicated, accessible, efficient and attractive
- Vision of 17 "Highways" across Santa Clara County
- 2018 public feedback was: need higher quality E-W connectors - 30% of respondents are NEW bicyclists, and indicated intent to utilize if built.
Typical response is 4%. 47% indicated they would use for commute to work/school - The #1 design feature according to public feedback is "separated from traffic" - On El Camino Real: 7' wide, raised, one-way with raised crossings for pedestrians. If two way bikeway, width 12-14 ft
- Cost would be $213 million. $28 million from applied Federal RAISE Grant
2. VTP 2050 Long-range plan update
- Goals: faster, more-frequent bus and light rail routes, more appealing to users by upgrading seats and installing WIFI on buses and VTA
3. Countywide Trails Master Plan
- Adopted in 1995 by the County Supervisor Board
- Conceptual Routes, not specific plans
- 13 off-street trails proposed
- Feedback to Draft Map by April 30 at http://arcg.is/jfa8a - Contact Rebecca Coates-Maldoon, Countywide Trails Program Manager at [email protected]
4. BPAC VTA May Meeting Agenda - Visionary Transit Network and additional information on Measure B
Commissioner Oey commented on the following:
- Thanked Commissioner Bonne for serving on the VTA BPAC - Likes the raised crossing across streets
Chair Mehlman commented on the following:
- Would like to see all pedestrian crossings above grade for every single
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intersection
Vice Chair Beagle commented on the following:
- Likes the continuous sidewalks that signals to vehicles they are entering a pedestrian space and would like the City to keep them in mind for future projects Commissioner Hafeman commented on the following:
- Hopes they are wide enough so you can safely pass another bicycle STANDING ITEM: CONSIDERATION OF POTENTIAL STUDY ISSUES
NON-AGENDA ITEMS & COMMENTS
-Commissioner Comments
Commissioner Oey commented on the following:
- May is Bike Month and we have Bike to Wherever Day will be on May 18-20 - Encourages Commissioners to pledge to ride and become Bike Ambassadors - Sign up for bike classes at bikesiliconvalley.org/ed
- Sunday, April 23 - Viva Calle San Jose
Commissioner Hafeman commented on the following:
- Safety issue at northbound Mathilda Avenue and US 101 where the bike lane ends. Needs to have striping and warning signs to warn motorists who are making the exit off of Mathilda Avenue
Commissioner Liu commented on the following:
- Submitted information to California State Assembly Evan Low's office on having a separate section in the DMV Driver's Handbook for the rights of bikes and pedestrians
- Encourages the City to hire a Grant writer
-Staff Comments
Angela Wong commented on the following:
- There is one vacancy in the BPAC and the application process is open now - If your term is ending, now is the time to re-apply
- Deadline to apply is Thursday, April 27 at 4 p.m. - more information can be found at www.sunnyvale.ca.gov
- Three projects from the County of Santa Clara that are asking for public input:
- Countywide Trails Master Plan Map Update - last day to provide feedback is April 30 at www.sccgov.org
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- County Active Transportation Plan Update - last day to provide feedback is May 30 at activesantaclaracounty.org
- Local Roadway Safety Plan - last day to provide feedback is May 31 - Moffett Park Specific Plan will be brought to City Council for adoption on Tuesday, May 16
- Bike to Work Day will be on May 18 from 7 to 10 a.m.
- Staff will host an energizer station at Plaza del Sol - May 18 - Budget Workshop at 8:30 a.m. in person at City Hall or on Zoom - Study Issue DPW 21-04(Poplar Avenue Sidewalk) will be presented to City Council on May 23
INFORMATION ONLY REPORTS/ITEMS
23-0527 BPAC 2023 Annual Work Plan
23-0528 Active Items List April 2023
23-0529 2023 Deferred Study Issues
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Mehlman adjourned the meeting at 9:46 p.m.
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