City of Sunnyvale
Excerpt Meeting Minutes - Draft
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory
Commission
6:30 PM Online and Council Chambers, City Hall,
456 W. Olive Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Thursday, May 15, 2025
6:30 P.M. BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Beagle called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Chair Bryce Beagle
Vice Chair Arwen Davé
Commissioner Alex Bonne
Commissioner Geeta Gollakota
Commissioner Dan Hafeman
Commissioner Leia Mehlman
Commissioner Jonathan Wilson
Present 7 -
Commissioner Gollakota arrived at 6:35 p.m.
Council Liaison Le (present)
PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS
3 25-0223 Recommend to City Council a Project for the Application of Transportation Development Act Article 3 Funding for Fiscal Year 2025/26
Chair Beagle called for a recess at 9:55 p.m. Chair Beagle reconvened the meeting at 10:03 p.m.
Ms. Tsang gave a report. Highlighting the following:
- TDA Article 3 Funding for FY 2025/26
- Project Proposals:
- Install sidewalk on Poplar Avenue
Attachment 10
May 15, 2025Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory
Commission
Meeting Minutes - Draft
- Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB) & Curb Extensions - Evelyn Avenue Multi-use Path
- Implement Crossing improvements at the intersection of Gail Avenue & Iris Avenue
- Convert remaining part-time bike lanes on Homestead Road into full-time bike lanes
- Recommendation to City Council
Commissioner Hafeman asked about the following:
- Inquired about the rapid flashing beacons, specifically the one at Washington Avenue and Sunset Avenue.
- Questioned whether the available $211,000 would be sufficient to purchase and install the beacon if the curb extension were not implemented. - Emphasized the urgency of addressing safety concerns at the crosswalk, describing it as both dangerous and heavily used.
Ms. Tsang responded.
Commissioner Wilson asked about the following:
- Expressed confusion about the connection between the Evelyn Avenue multi-use trail and intercity transportation.
- Noted that the study area is only about a mile and a half long. - Referenced a bullet point in support of funding for the Evelyn Avenue multi-use trail that suggested it would benefit VTA or another organization involved in intercity commuting.
- Sought clarification on how the trail contributes to broader regional transportation. - Confirmed that the Evelyn Avenue corridor is already a major thoroughfare for intercity commuting.
- Acknowledged that Mountain View is expected to extend the pathway further once Sunnyvale completes its portion.
Ms. Tsang and Ms. Obeso responded.
Chair Beagle asked about the following:
- Asked about the components of the Evelyn Trail project, specifically whether it includes a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) at Evelyn Avenue and Pastoria Avenue .
- Inquired about the meaning of "vertical separation" in the context of ADA requirements, confirming that it refers to an increased curb height rather than an
Attachment 10
May 15, 2025Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory
Commission
Meeting Minutes - Draft
additional offset.
- Asked whether the City has a plan to secure alternative funding if Transportation Development Act (TDA) funding does not come through, or if the Evelyn Avenue Trail project would proceed without the planned improvements. - Questioned why staff recommended not using TDA funds for the Homestead Road Project (Project 5) and whether the alternative funding source would impact its implementation timeline. Expressed concern about potential delays, emphasizing the need for prompt completion.
- Asked whether the bulb-out project (Project 4) could be done separately without stormwater improvements, acknowledging that bundling the two was done because they are in the same location.
- Confirmed that funding is allocated specifically for the bulb-outs, while stormwater improvements were included as an additional efficiency measure.
Ms. Tsang and Ms. Obeso responded.
Vice Chair Davé asked about the following:
- Asked for confirmation that Gail and Iris Avenues are near Braly Elementary School.
- Asked for confirmation that the Poplar Avenue sidewalks are near Peterson Middle School.
- Noted that both locations would contribute to safer routes for students traveling to school.
Ms. Tsang responded.
Public Comment opened at 10:21 p.m.
No speakers.
Public Comment closed at 10:21 p.m.
Commissioner Mehlman commented on the following:
- Recommended approving the funding.
- Supported moving forward with the Evelyn Avenue Trail project, stating it is the best use of available funding.
- Noted that other projects have designated funding sources and schedules, believing that approving this funding will not hinder any of them.
Attachment 10
May 15, 2025Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory
Commission
Meeting Minutes - Draft
Chair Beagle commented on the following:
- Expressed full agreement on using the available funding, stating that the Evelyn Avenue Trail is the best option on the current list.
- Noted that funds have been banked for a long time, allowing for investment in a large project, but emphasized a preference for allocating future funding toward smaller projects.
- Acknowledged challenges with economies of scale, mentioning that smaller projects are harder to secure consultants for.
- Recalled that funds were banked for three years for Poplar Avenue but ultimately not used for that project, suggesting that other projects could have been pursued in the meantime.
- Advocated for allocating $600,000 to the Evelyn Trail. - Recognized that $211,000 remains and expressed a desire to find a project for those funds rather than continuing to bank them.
- Acknowledged that many projects are expensive and that the Homestead signage project is the only one small enough to utilize the remaining funds. - Concluded that the situation effectively forces a choice to fund the Evelyn Avenue Trail while banking the rest, but stated a preference to avoid banking funds in the future.
Vice Chair Davé commented on the following:
- Asked whether there is an alternate source of funding for the Gail and Iris Avenue sidewalk extensions.
- Sought input from fellow commissioners regarding their reasoning for prioritizing the Evelyn Avenue Trail project over sidewalk improvements near schools.
Ms. Tsang and Chair Beagle responded.
Commissioner Gollakota commented on the following:
- Agreed with Vice Chair Davé, expressing a strong preference for prioritizing the Iris and Gail Avenue sidewalk extensions.
- Emphasized that Braly Park, located next to Braly Elementary School, is highly popular among children due to its playground equipment and overall appeal. - Noted that many families frequently walk or bike from Iris Avenue to the park, and personal experience includes biking there with family members. - Highlighted concerns about the limited parking availability near Braly Park, as well as its popularity for school events, including end-of-year picnics. - Expressed the importance of increasing safety for children walking and biking around the area.
Attachment 10
May 15, 2025Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory
Commission
Meeting Minutes - Draft
- Mentioned frequent visits to Washington Park, describing it as a well-loved destination for children, especially after recent renovations that introduced sensory play elements.
- Stressed that many children in the community live in apartments and have limited outdoor space, making safe access to parks even more important. - Supported sidewalk improvements on Poplar Avenue near Peterson Middle School, noting the lack of existing sidewalks and the need for safer routes for students.
- Acknowledged that funding limitations may require banking funds for certain projects but preferred to see the available funding used for Iris and Gail Avenue sidewalk extensions if possible.
Commissioner Mehlman commented on the following:
- Asked for clarification on the cost breakdown, which includes a high-visibility crosswalk, curb extension, and separate stormwater infrastructure funding. - Questioned whether allocating $675,000 to the project would fully fund construction or only cover the design phase.
- Sought details on the construction costs apart from design. - Asked whether Council has reviewed funding for this project. - Confirmed that the design phase is underway but sought clarification on whether the requested $600,000 is for actual construction.
- Expressed confusion about the design phase being in progress while still needing construction funding, questioning whether this should have been accounted for earlier.
- Inquired about the percentage of the project currently completed and whether any ground has been broken.
- Questioned what the immediate effects would be if funding is not recommended by the commission or approved by Council, including potential project delays. - Raised concerns about the time limits on funding sources, specifically regarding the Evelyn Avenue project and TDA funding, asking whether state funding would expire or if the project would reach an impasse without additional resources. - Confirmed that the design for Iris Avenue is completed but questioned whether the recommended funding would cover all project elements.
- Reminded commissioners that their decision is only a recommendation to Council, which has the final say on funding allocations.
- Asked how long implementation would take if Council approves funding, clarifying whether it would take three years before construction begins or before completion. - Stressed the importance of considering all pros and cons of their decision, recognizing that Council may or may not follow their recommendation.
Attachment 10
May 15, 2025Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory
Commission
Meeting Minutes - Draft
Ms. Tsang and Ms. Obeso responded.
Commissioner Wilson commented on the following:
- Expressed a preference for using the TDA fund to enhance the Evelyn Avenue Trail rather than initiating a slightly improved ATP-compliant school crossing. - Suggested that the TDA fund would be better spent ensuring the high-quality completion of the Evelyn Avenue multi-use path.
- Recommended prioritizing the Evelyn Avenue project while noting that safety improvements for the school crossing would likely be addressed through other funding sources.
Chair Beagle commented on the following:
- Asked staff whether the Evelyn Trail and the Gail/Iris projects would have different impacts on workload, considering that the Department of Public Works has expressed concerns about capacity in recent discussions. - Inquired whether taking on both projects would burden staff to the point of affecting timelines for other ongoing initiatives.
- Expressed equal support for both projects and stated willingness to recommend either to the City Council.
- Reaffirmed enthusiasm for bulb-outs, emphasizing that any project incorporating them is a positive development.
- Recognized the Evelyn Avenue Trail as a major project that would significantly benefit bicyclists, describing current road conditions as poor and in need of improvement.
- Concluded that either project would be a good choice and expressed confidence in whatever recommendation is ultimately made, as long as it is one of the two options under discussion.
Ms. Obeso responded.
Commissioner Bonne moved and Commissioner Hafeman seconded the motion to accept staff recommendation Alterative 1.
The motion carried with the following vote:
Attachment 10
May 15, 2025Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory
Commission
Meeting Minutes - Draft
Yes Chair Beagle
Commissioner Bonne
Commissioner Gollakota
Commissioner Hafeman
Commissioner Mehlman
Commissioner Wilson
6 -
No 0
Abstain Vice Chair Davé1 -
Attachment 10