Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee

City of Mountain View Minutes Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee Wednesday, September 29, 2021 6:30 PM Video Conference with No Physical Meeting Location This meeting was conducted in accordance with State of California Executive Orders N-29-20 and N-08-21, dated March 17, 2020 and June 11, 2021, respectively. All members of the Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee (B/PAC) will participate in the meeting by video conference, with no physical meeting location. 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Adamic called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL Staff members present: Transportation Manager Ria Hutabarat Lo, Transportation Planner Aruna Bodduna, Principal Civil Engineer Robert Gonzales, Traffic Lieutenant Scott Nelson, and Transportation Planner Brandon Whyte. Present 5 - Committee Member Terry Barton, Committee Member James Kuszmaul, Committee Member Kalyanaraman Shankari, Vice Chair Valerie Fenwick, and Chair Lada Adamic 3. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC Nine members of the public were present. No public comments made. 4. MINUTES APPROVAL 4.1 Approve Meeting Minutes Approve the B/PAC meeting minutes for August 25, 2021. Yes: 5- Committee Member Barton, Committee Member Kuszmaul, Committee Member Shankari, Vice Chair Fenwick, and Chair Adamic 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. 6. NEW BUSINESS 6.1 Pedestrian and Bicycle Collision Data Nelson presented information on pedestrian and bicycle collision data for the first quarter of 2021. Data included one bike-motor vehicle crash and four pedestrian-motor vehicle collisions. By comparison, there were 12 bicycle-motor vehicle crashes and six pedestrian-motor vehicle collisions in the final quarter of 2020. City of Mountain View Page 1 Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Minutes September 29, 2021 Committee Public comments: Bruce England requested clarification on the primary collision factors (PCFs) to aid public information. He also suggested map overlays for different areas of the City. Jerry Steach asked about key takeaways from this data. Holger Isenberg noted that pedestrian violations of don’t walk signs or signals could result from pedestrians being confused by the white street lights placed near the walk signs. Committee comments: B/PAC members generally expressed appreciation for the report. Fenwick appreciated the data and suggested that near-miss data be provided next time.Fenwick also requested that near-miss data be accessible from the Ped/Bike and Police categories in AskMV. Shankari asked how the near-miss data would be used. Barton suggested that more details on collisions would help understand what occurred. 6.2 Castro Pedestrian Mall Feasibility Study - Concept Alternatives Bodduna provided a presentation on the Castro Pedestrian Mall Feasibility Study, including three concept alternatives and feedback from business and community engagement. Public comments: Bruce England noted that using Castro Street space with all the dining tables was cramped; he liked the proposed concepts but wanted to see more open space. He also stated that ramps for the Castro underpass of the Central Expressway, as shown, need to be wide enough for bicycles in two directions. He is concerned that the turning radius on those ramps might also be too tight for bicycles. England supported the inclusion of 200 and 300 blocks. He also asked if Alternative C removed more trees than B. Holger Isenberg noted that the radius on the bike ramps included with the Castro underpass of the Central expressway look too narrow; he is concerned you might have to walk your bike through the turn. He also asked why Evelyn should be kept open. Jerry Steach supported the continued closure of the 100-block to motor vehicles. Kevin Ma supported keeping the 100-block closed to vehicles. Committee comments: Fenwick supported the study and encouraged programming such as music and entertainment. She also urged the City to extend the study scope to the 200 and 300 blocks, including more permanent features, lights, fixtures, and plenty of bicycle parking. She preferred Option B since she would prefer not to see the station building removed. Fenwick raised the concept of closing Evelyn to motor vehicles due to concerns about pedestrian conflicts with buses but did not support buses only on Evelyn. City of Mountain View Page 2 Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Minutes September 29, 2021 Committee Kuszmaul supported keeping Castro closed to motor vehicles and added support for the concept of making the segment of Evelyn that remains open bus-only. He preferred Option B due to the lower cost for a similar result. Kuszmaul also supported extending the study to the 200 and 300 blocks. He expressed disappointment about the loss of car-free space on the 400-block. Kuszmaul thought Option C would require a more extensive analysis of bus access options and preferred a phased approach from Option B to C. Shankari commented that the current street closure is superior to the prior use of sidewalk cafés. She supported Option C in conjunction with the grade separation project or phasing of B to C as a long-term goal. She suggested that Blossom Lane be used as a green-street and that the reroute of traffic would be on Hope Street. Barton noted the shift in Castro from a 4-lane arterial to a better-proportioned street. He expressed hope that the City could shift further to a plaza at the 100 block but also the 200, 300, and perhaps the 400 block as well. Barton supported open ramps and curbs and a phased approach from Option B to C. He also did not want to preclude closing Evelyn as it crosses Castro. Adamic favored keeping the buses where they are and making Evelyn bus only in the study area. She preferred a format like the Pearl Street Mall and either option B or C. MOTIONS: 1. Extend study scope to include the 200 and 300 blocks of Castro Street. Fenwick / Shankari – 5/0/0 – passed 2. B/PAC supports moving forward expeditiously with Option B at a minimum, and strongly requests that Council consider Option C or something similar. Fenwick/Adamic – 5/0/0 – passed 3. B/PAC requests Council consider changes to reduce pedestrian/vehicle conflicts on the segment of Evelyn near Castro. Fenwick/Kuszmaul – 5/0/0 – passed Yes: 5- Committee Member Barton, Committee Member Kuszmaul, Committee Member Shankari, Vice Chair Fenwick, and Chair Adamic 6.3 Pavement Management Plan Gonzales provided a presentation on information on the Pavement Management Plan webpage. The majority (60%) of the streets are in good condition. Minor issues can be treated with crack seals and potholes. For slightly worse conditions, the most economical treatments (slurry/fog/cape) should occur before further degradation as cost disproportionately increase as the road deteriorates. For fair to poor streets, an overlay treatment is needed. Very degraded roads need costly reconstruction. He stated parking lots and alleyways would have a separate program. Public comments: City of Mountain View Page 3 Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Minutes September 29, 2021 Committee Holger Isenberg commented that black bitumen spreads over paint and other surfaces. Bruce England commented on a split in the pavement on S Whisman near Dana. He also asked whether gutter seams could be paved over to improve conditions for cyclists. Committee comments: Fenwick expressed appreciation for the program and budget. Kuszmaul appreciated the information and supported coordination to get bike and ped facilities delivered with the repaving program, including conversion of parking to bikeways. He stated it would be good to have explicit policies about including active transportation improvements in repaving. 6.4 2022 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Meeting Schedule Whyte provided information on the B/PAC schedule, indicating a normal schedule for 2022, with all meeting on the last Wednesday of the month. He indicated no meeting would be scheduled for May, July, or December per the B/PAC by-laws. Public comment Bruce England asked that special meetings be scheduled in preference to very long meetings. MOTION: Approve the 2022 B/PAC meeting schedule. Shankari/Fenwick – 5/0/0 – passed. Yes: 5- Committee Member Barton, Committee Member Kuszmaul, Committee Member Shankari, Vice Chair Fenwick, and Chair Adamic 6.5 B/PAC Fiscal Year 2021-22 Work Plan Whyte provided information on the Work Plan Public comment Bruce England suggested including information regarding community bike rides in Mountain View. 6.6 Santa Clara Valley Transportation Agency (VTA) Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) Update No update. The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Agency did not hold a BPAC meeting. 7. COMMITTEE/STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS 7.1 Staff Comments Whyte provided information on the Castro Pedestrian Mall Open House (9/7), Evelyn group ride (9/12), Farmers Market (9/16), Permanente Creek Trail ride (10/9), California Assembly Bill 361 regarding public meetings, and AskMV tickets City of Mountain View Page 4 Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Minutes September 29, 2021 Committee Lo provided an update on California Assembly Bill 122 (allowing cyclists to yield at stop signs rather than stop). The bill had been approved by the legislature but not yet signed by the Governor. Public Comment: Bruce England requested that California Assembly Bills 1238 (allowing pedestrians to cross away outside of a crosswalk) and 43 (revising the requirement to post the speed limit at the 85th percentile speed) be followed by staff. 7.2 Committee Comments Fenwick noted a software issue with the AskMV application. Shankari expressed appreciation for the Graham Middle School Safe Routes to School ride with parents and noted that the bike ordinance provided clarity in the conversation. 8. SET DATE AND TIME FOR NEXT MEETING: Next meeting October 27, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. 9. CALENDAR 10. ADJOURNMENT Adamic adjourned the meeting at 9:34 p.m. City of Mountain View Page 5