City of Sunnyvale
Excerpt 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, May 18, 2023
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Mehlman called the meeting to order at 6:45 p.m.
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 -
CONSENT CALENDAR
Public Comment opened at 6:53 p.m.
No speakers.
Public Comment closed at 6:55 p.m.
3 23-0429
Recommend to City Council a Project for the Application of Transportation Development Act (TDA) Article 3 Funding for Fiscal Year 2023/24
Chair Mehlman called for a recess at 9:47 p.m. Chair Mehlman reconvened the meeting at 10:00 p.m.
Alternative 1: Recommend to City Council to use $160,000 of FY 2023/24 TDA Article 3 grant fund for the design phase of Project No. 6, and bank the remainder of the funding for the construction phase of Project No. 6.
Project Nos.1 and 2 are proposed by the BPAC to provide more convenient and safer access for bicyclists; however, they were not identified in the ATP as one of the recommended improvements. Project Nos. 3, 4, 5 and 6 are all recommended
Attachment 6
May 18, 2023Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory
Commission
Meeting Minutes - Draft
improvements identified in the ATP as bicycle or SRTS improvements. However, City Council further prioritized Project No. 6 as an important study by ranking Study Issue DPW 21-04 number 2 for the Department of Public Works at its 2021 Study Issues Workshop to conduct a Poplar Avenue Sidewalk Study. The sidewalk closure on the east side of Poplar Avenue would provide a critical pedestrian and bicycle linkage for students accessing Peterson Middle School. Although new sidewalk improvements along Bryant Way were not part of the scope of the study issue, based on discussions and input from SCUSD and Peterson Middle School staff, City staff learned that the sidewalk gap on Bryant Way is essential for students attending Peterson Middle School to walk and bike to school. The results of the study will be presented to City Council in May 2023 to select an alternative to move forward with for the design and construction phase. Once implemented, the sidewalk gap closure will provide improved, connected, safe and convenient walking and biking access to students to and from Peterson Middle School.
Lillian Tsang, Principal Transportation Engineer gave a presentation on a Project for the Application of Transportation Development Act (TDA) Article 3 Funding for Fiscal Year 2023/24. Highlighting the following:
- What the funding can be used for:
- Design and construction
- How much TDA funding do we get:
- About $140,000/year - based on sales tax
- How much TDA funding do we have now:
- $336,620 (combination of last year's banked funds and this year's funds) - There are six proposed projects to consider:
1. Widen fence opening at Crawford Drive near Las Palmas
2. Reduce Pork Chop Islands on Westbound El Camino Real at Murphy Avenue and at Frances Street
3. Implement Class III Bicycle Route on Pastoria Avenue
4. Implementing Crossing Improvements at the Intersection at Gail Avenue and Iris Avenue
5. Install Class IIIB Bicycle Facilities where Striping Improvements have already been implemented
6. Install Sidewalk on Poplar Avenue
- Recommendation to City Council by the BPAC:
- Alternative 1: Recommend to City Council to use $160,000 of FY2023/24 TDA Article 3 grant fund for the design for Project No.6, and bank the remainder of the funding for the construction phase of Project No.6
Attachment 6
May 18, 2023Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory
Commission
Meeting Minutes - Draft
- Alternative 2: Recommend to City Council to use the TDA Article 3 grant fund for FY 2023/24 for a project listed or a combination of projects listed - Alternative 3: Recommend to City Council to use the TDA Article 3 grant fund for a project not listed
- Staff recommendation - Alternative 1
- Justification
Chair Mehlman asked about the following:
- Class III bicycle route on Pastoria Avenue - Would the double yellow line prevent people from making left turns out of the Library?
Mr. Ng addressed the question.
Commissioner Oey asked about the following:
- Project 5 - segments that are scattered all over the place and not connected. Is it an option to do a continuous corridor?
Ms. Tsang addressed the question.
Commissioner Liu asked about the following:
- Is project 6 to install sidewalk on Popular Avenue?
- How would choosing this project affect the City Council meeting on May 23? Ms. Tsang and Mr. Ng addressed the questions.
Vice Chair Beagle asked about the following:
- Project 4 - Are the GSI funds able to fully cover the bulb out? - Is the TDA funding entirely used for the crosswalk striping? - Is there a breakdown of what percentage of that $250,000 is for bulb outs versus striping of the crosswalk?
Ms. Tsang and Mr. Ng addressed the questions.
Commissioner Bonne asked about the following:
- Is it imperative that the TDA funds be allocated entirely to some of the design and construction?
Mr. Ng and Ms. Tsang addressed the question.
Attachment 6
May 18, 2023Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory
Commission
Meeting Minutes - Draft
Commissioner Liu asked about the following:
- Why didn't the BPAC get the full list of projects at this meeting and instead only got 6 projects to look at?
Ms. Tsang addressed the question.
Public Comment opened at 10:11 p.m.
No speakers.
Public Comment closed at 10:11 p.m.
Vice Chair Beagle commented on the following:
- Does not support spending funds on signs and paint
- Funds should be used for infrastructure changes
- Does not support projects 3 and 5
- Priorities are projects 6,4,2 and 1
- Project 6 - likes the addition of sidewalks and narrowing the roadway - Project 4 - likes the bulb out but doesn't like the money spent on repainting the crosswalk
- Project 2 - small impact but it is cheap
- Project 1 - not worth spending $130,000
Commissioner Oey commented on the following:
- In favor of sidewalks on Popular Avenue
- In favor of project 1 to widen the fence since it is on the bike route Commissioner Liu commented on the following:
- Project 1 - would like a quick build, widen it and then later on when there is more funding, put in pavement
Commissioner Hafeman commented on the following:
- Paint and pork chops fall into the quick build category MOTION: Commissioner Hafeman moved and Commissioner Bonne seconded to recommend Alternative 2 with Project 2, pork chop removal which is $60,000.
Second, Project 3, Pastoria Avenue Class IIIB Bike Lane and the rest of the money goes to Project 6, sidewalk design in an initial implementation.
Commissioner Hafeman commented on the following:
- Project 2 - pork chops sticking out on El Camino Real are dangerous and
Attachment 6
May 18, 2023Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory
Commission
Meeting Minutes - Draft
inexpensive
- Project 3 - the only bicycle connection to Washington Park and the Swim Center - Project 6 - good project and should be funded
Vice Chair Beagle commented on the following:
- Not opposed of the motion but doesn't think spending $30,000 on Pastoria Avenue is worth it
- Does not support the motion
Commissioner Oey commented on the following:
- Does not support Project 2 because there is not much bike traffic at that location - Does not support the motion
- In favor of Project 6
FRIENDLY AMENDMENT: Vice Chair Beagle would like to remove Project 3 from the motion. Commissioner Hafeman rejects the friendly amendment.
AMENDMENT: Commissioner Liu moved and there was no second to remove Projects 2 & 3 and add Project 4. The amendment is voided.
AMENDMENT: Vice Chair Beagle moved and there was no second to remove Project 3. The amendment is voided.
Commissioner Davé commented on the following:
- Supports Alternative 2 and based project selection on if they can be done rapidly, are they involved in safety over convenience and are they near a school - Supports Projects 2, 3, and 4 which fit within the budget, can be done rapidly and they immediately improve the lives of school children and other people commuting FRIENDLY AMENDMENT: Commissioner Davé would like Alternative 2 with Projects 2, 3, and 4 because there is funding for them, there are near schools and quick to implement. Commissioner Hafeman rejects the friendly amendment.
Commissioner Oey commented on the following:
- In favor of staff's recommendation of just having Project 6 so that funds could be banked to make sure the sidewalks are finished off completely AMENDMENT: Commissioner Oey moved and Chair Mehlman seconded to recommend Project No. 6 and remove Projects 2 and 3 from the motion.
Attachment 6
May 18, 2023Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory
Commission
Meeting Minutes - Draft
Commissioner Oey commented on the following:
- Strongly in favor of staff's recommendation which makes the sidewalks implemented quickly which are very much needed for that school Vice Chair Mehlman commented on the following:
- Agrees with Commissioner Oey's comments
- Sidewalks are high priority for the welfare and safety of the students even though it is costly
Commissioner Oey moved and Chair Mehlman seconded the motion to recommend Project No. 6 and remove Projects 2 and 3 from the motion.
The amendment failed by the following vote:
Yes Chair Mehlman
Commissioner Oey
2 -
No Vice Chair Beagle
Commissioner Bonne
Commissioner Davé
Commissioner Hafeman
Commissioner Liu
5 -
MOTION: Commissioner Hafeman moved and Commissioner Bonne seconded to recommend Alternative 2 with Project 2, pork chop removal which is $60,000.
Second, Project 3, Pastoria Avenue Class IIIB Bike Lane and the rest of the money goes to Project 6, sidewalk design in an initial implementation.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Yes Vice Chair Beagle
Commissioner Bonne
Commissioner Davé
Commissioner Hafeman
Commissioner Liu
5 -
No Chair Mehlman
Commissioner Oey
2 -
Attachment 6