Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission

City of Sunnyvale Meeting Minutes - Final Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission Thursday, September 17, 2020 6:30 PM Telepresence Meeting: City Web Stream CALL TO ORDER Pursuant to Section 3 of Executive Order N-29-20, issued by Governor Newsom on March 17, 2020, the meeting was conducted telephonically. Chair Mehlinger called the meeting to order at 6:36 p.m. via teleconference. ROLL CALL Present 7 - Chair Richard Mehlinger Vice Chair Leia Mehlman Commissioner John Cordes Commissioner Arwen Davé Commissioner Dan Hafeman Commissioner Timothy Oey Commissioner Scott Swail Nancy Smith, Council Liaison, Lillian Tsang, Principal Transportation Engineer, and Ralph Garcia, Senior Transportation Engineer attended via teleconference. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Chair Mehlinger opened for Public Comment. Chair Mehlinger closed for Public Comment. CONSENT CALENDAR Commissioner Cordes moved and Commissioner Oey seconded to approve item 1.A. The motion carried the following vote: City of Sunnyvale Page 1 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final September 17, 2020 Commission Yes 7 - Chair Mehlinger Vice Chair Mehlman Commissioner Cordes Commissioner Davé Commissioner Hafeman Commissioner Oey Commissioner Swail No 0 1.A 20-0816 Approve the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission Meeting Minutes of August 20, 2020. Approve the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission Meeting Minutes of August 20, 2020 as submitted. PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS 2 20-0825 Report and Discussion of Recent Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) Meeting Chair Mehlinger announced that the Commission will hear Public Hearings/General Business agenda item #20-0825 after Public Hearings/General Business agenda item #20-0826. The item was moved by General Consent from the Commission. 3 20-0826 Recommend to City Council a Sunnyvale Representative to the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) Ralph Garcia, Senior Transportation Engineer, stated there needs to be a motion to recommend to City Council a Sunnyvale Representative to the Valley Transportation Authority Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. Mr. Garcia pointed out the following key points in the by-laws: - All members shall work/live in the Santa Clara County during their terms on the committee - VTA employees are not eligible as well as any staff members from the agency that they represent - Each member will keep the appropriate staff of their appointing member agency informed of key issues - 2 year term, expires on June 30 of even numbered years City of Sunnyvale Page 2 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final September 17, 2020 Commission Chair Mehlinger opened for Public Comment. Chair Mehlinger closed for Public Comment. Commissioner Cordes commented on the following: - Thanked Mr. Simons for his time spent as the VTA BPAC Representative - VTA BPAC Representatives are usually on their appointing City's BPAC - Would like to be considered as the Sunnyvale VTA BPAC Representative but cannot due to being a VTA BPAC Ex-officio Member appointed by the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition Chair Mehlinger called for a recess at 6:47 p.m. Chair Mehlinger reconvened the meeting at 6:52 p.m. Commissioner Oey asked about the time commitment being a VTA BPAC Representative. Commissioner Cordes addressed the question. Chair Mehlinger announced that the Commission will come back to Public Hearings/General Business agenda item #20-0826. The Commission will come back to Public Hearings/General Business agenda item #20-0826 by General Consent. 20-0825 Report and Discussion of Recent Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) Meeting Commissioner Cordes gave the meeting summary report regarding the following topics: - VTA Board of Director's approved Measure B Planning Grant criteria changes that the VTA BPAC had requested to make Communities of Concern a 15% factor instead of a 10% factor - VTA's 2021 Transit Service Plan - Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Grant and Automated Electric Vehicle (EV) Partnership Program has a $2.3 million grant to work on bus automation - Central Bikeway Study - Pavement Condition Index Study - Vision Zero Task Force - County is leading the nation in implementing touchless crosswalks - 3 pavement rehabilitation projects in the south County - Foothill rehabilitation project City of Sunnyvale Page 3 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final September 17, 2020 Commission - Request for Proposals for County Active Transportation Plan - Tamien and Blossom Hill Station Access Studies Dave Simons, VTA BPAC Representative, gave the meeting summary reports regarding the following topics: - Long term planning - Prioritization Mr. Simons asked the Commission if they are in favor of a written report to be added to the monthly agenda. Chair Mehlinger opened for Public Comment. Chair Mehlinger closed for Public Comment. Commissioner Oey commented on the following: - Is in favor of a written report added to the monthly agenda Commissioner Hafeman commented on the following: - Is in favor of having a written report added to the monthly agenda Chair Mehlinger commented on the following: - Suggest VTA BPAC representative prepares a written report to be added to the monthly agenda 20-0826 Recommend to City Council a Sunnyvale Representative to the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) Chair Mehlinger opened for Public Comment. Dave Simons, member of the public, commented on the following: - Recommendations on the selection of picking a new VTA BPAC Representative - Would consider doing another term Chair Mehlinger closed the Public Comment. Commissioner Oey stated he would be interested in being the VTA BPAC Representative. MOTION: Commissioner Cordes moved and Vice Chair Mehlman seconded to City of Sunnyvale Page 4 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final September 17, 2020 Commission appoint Commissioner Oey as the Sunnyvale Representative to the VTA BPAC. FRIENDLY AMENDMENT: Chair Mehlinger made a friendly amendment to recommend to City Council to appoint Commissioner Oey as the Sunnyvale Representative to the VTA BPAC. Commissioner Cordes accepts the friendly amendment. Commissioner Cordes commented on the following: - Thanked Commissioner Simons for all his hard work as the VTA BPAC Representative. - It is appropriate to have an existing BPAC Commissioner as the VTA BPAC Representative like other cities. - Commissioner Oey knows many people at VTA and is a BPAC Commissioner. Commissioner Oey is a hard worker and would do a great job representing the BPAC. Vice Chair Mehlman commented on the following: - Agreed with Commissioner Cordes' comments - Thanked Commissioner Simons for his many years of service - Commissioner Oey will provide concise and meaningful reports to the BPAC Commissioner Oey commented on the following: - Thanked the Commission for their recommendation - Thanked Commissioner Simons for his years of service Chair Mehlinger asked Commissioner Oey if he were to get appointed by the City Council as the VTA BPAC Representative, would he carry out this role as a long term position. Commissioner Oey stated that he would be in the position long term. Chair Mehlinger thanked Commissioner Simons for his many years of service. The amendment carried by the following vote: Yes 7 - Chair Mehlinger Vice Chair Mehlman Commissioner Cordes Commissioner Davé Commissioner Hafeman Commissioner Oey Commissioner Swail City of Sunnyvale Page 5 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final September 17, 2020 Commission No 0 STANDING ITEM: CONSIDERATION OF POTENTIAL STUDY ISSUES 4 20-0827 BPAC 2021 Study Issue Sponsorship (Scenerio 1) Lillian Tsang, Principal Transportation Engineer, asked the BPAC to review the list of Proposed Study Issues in order to determine to drop or sponsor the Proposed Study Issues. The 2 Study Issues are as follows: 1. Bike lanes on Hollenbeck Avenue between El Camino Real and Homestead Road. 2. Lightweight Active Transportation Plan Amendment Process. Ms. Tsang stated in order for BPAC to drop or sponsor these Study Issues, there needs to be a motion, a second and a majority vote. Once voted on, staff will write a draft Study Issue Paper which will be provided in the October BPAC agenda packet for BPAC to make comments on. Vice Chair Mehlman asked about street classification types. Ms. Tsang stated there is a map in the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Handbook that shows the classifications of the City's streets. Chair Mehlinger opened for Public Comment. Chair Mehlinger closed for Public Comment. MOTION: Chair Mehlinger moved and Commissioner Oey seconded to sponsor the Bike Lanes on Hollenbeck Avenue between El Camino Real and Homestead Road Study Issue. Chair Mehlinger commented on recognizing that Hollenbeck Avenue is a residential collector street. It is vastly an over parked street but there are ample space for parking, therefore, parking on one side of the street could be removed without impacting neighborhood demands. Commissioner Oey commented on how heavily Hollenbeck Avenue is used by bicyclists and would like this corridor to be safe for everyone. Commissioner Hafeman commented on how Hollenbeck Avenue is a good way to get to De Anza College. City of Sunnyvale Page 6 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final September 17, 2020 Commission Commissioner Davé asked about the northern most boundary of the stretch under discussion. Chair Mehlinger stated that the northern most boundary would be Danforth Drive. Commissioner Davé is concerned about removing too much parking that is needed on that corridor near the soccer field at Challenger School. Vice Chair Mehlman commented on how it is imperative to have a safe bike route on Hollenbeck Avenue. Commissioner Cordes commented how it is more important to take away parking on Hollenbeck Avenue to make a better transportation opportunity for bicyclist. Commissioner Cordes is in favor of the Study Issue. Chair Mehlinger commented on how Hollenbeck Avenue is a link to De Anza College and it connects a bicycle highway to the City of Sunnyvale and the City of Cupertino. The City should prioritize throughput over vehicle storage and daily use over occasional event usage. Commissioner Oey commented if there were more bike lanes, then more people would feel encouraged to bike rather than drive. Commissioner Oey stated that Hollenbeck Avenue is a key missing link in the bike network across the City of Sunnyvale. Commissioner Oey supports the Study Issue and is in favor of having great bicycle facilities along Hollenbeck Avenue to encourage more bicyclists along the corridor. Commissioner Hafeman stated that only one side of the street would have parking taken away. Commissioner Hafeman stated he will be supporting the motion. Commissioner Swail commented that he does not believe either side of Hollenbeck Avenue is wide enough to allow enough space for parking and to accommodate bike lanes and a safe passage for a bicycle and an automobile. Commissioner Swail is concerned that if only one side allows parking, does that encourage jay walking and does it put pedestrians at risk. Commissioner Swail is in support of the Study Issue. Commissioner Davé stated that the location of the bike lanes should be made with the consideration that there will be surges of parents coming at least 3 times a week from various organizations to park on Hollenbeck Avenue. Vice Chair Melhman reminded the Commission that there needs to be a safe route City of Sunnyvale Page 7 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final September 17, 2020 Commission for children to be able to commute to and from school. Vice Chair Melhman supports the Study Issue. The motion carried the following vote: Yes 7 - Chair Mehlinger Vice Chair Mehlman Commissioner Cordes Commissioner Davé Commissioner Hafeman Commissioner Oey Commissioner Swail No 0 MOTION: Chair Mehlinger moved and Commissioner Oey seconded to rename the Lightweight Active Transportation Plan Amendment Process to Community Driven Active Transportation Plan Amendment Process and sponsor this study issue. Chair Mehlinger stated there should be some type of ranking and prioritization process for proposed changes to the transportation network to be considered in bulk. Commissioner Oey agreed with Chair Mehlinger's comments. Commissioner Oey commented on the length of update cycle of the Active Transportation Plan (ATP) and how it should be shorter. This Study Issue is a good alternative to have a quicker cycle. It would allow potential projects to get on the list and be able to apply for grants. Commissioner Oey is in favor of having a faster way to get some elements of the ATP adjusted to take advantage of funding opportunities. Vice Chair Mehlman commented on how this would give the ATP an opportunity to be a living document rather than a plan that would not give any flexibility. Commissioner Swail is in favor of the motion. Commissioner Hafeman is in favor of the motion. Commissioner Hafeman feels this is too important of a document to lock it down for 10 years. The motion carried the following vote: City of Sunnyvale Page 8 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final September 17, 2020 Commission Yes 7 - Chair Mehlinger Vice Chair Mehlman Commissioner Cordes Commissioner Davé Commissioner Hafeman Commissioner Oey Commissioner Swail No 0 NON-AGENDA ITEMS & COMMENTS -Commissioner Comments Commissioner Oey commented on the following: - Bike to Wherever Day - Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition gift bags Commissioner Cordes commented on the following: - Bike to Wherever Day - Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition - Valley Water Great Sign Hunt - September 24 - Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition will have a webinar on polling data on transportation behaviors - October 1 - Virtual bicycle tour through the infrastructure of San Jose - October 19 - Overview of Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition new network priority tool Chair Mehlinger commented the following: - Master plan for benches throughout the City. Suggest to add to next year's workplan. - Presentation on street classification system Ms. Tsang addressed the comments. Commissioner Swail commented on the following: - Complete Street Project on Fremont Avenue in Los Altos -Staff Comments Lillian Tsang, Principal Transportation Engineer, commented on the following: - Roadway Safety Plan is going to City Council for adoption on September 29, 2020 - The Tasman Drive Temporary Installation pathway has opened. Additional signage has been added. City of Sunnyvale Page 9 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final September 17, 2020 Commission - There will be an online Mary Avenue Overcrossing public outreach meeting on September 24, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. - State of the City will be virtual on Saturday, September 19 at 10:00 a.m. More information can be found at https://sunnyvale.ca.gov/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?BlobID=27321 - Caltrans has reduced the posted speed limit on El Camino Real (SR-82) from 40 MPH to 35 MPH within the City of Sunnyvale City Limits. Commissioner Oey and Vice Chair Mehlman commented on the following: - Tasman Drive pathway Ms. Tsang addressed the comment. Commissioner Cordes commented on the following: - Caltrans lowering of speed limits Ms. Tsang and Mr. Garcia addressed the comment. Vice Chair Mehlman commented on the following: - DPS enforcing Caltrans lowering of speed limits Ms. Tsang addressed the comment. Commissioner Hafeman commented on the following: - Lowered speed limit on El Camino Real is a good thing INFORMATION ONLY REPORTS/ITEMS 20-0829 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission 2020 Annual Work Plan Chair Mehlinger commented on the following: - Presentation on Slow Streets Commissioner Cordes commented on the following: - Thanked staff for providing the BPAC with Annual Work Plan a month sooner Chair Mehlinger commented on the following: - Updating the Annual Work Plan City of Sunnyvale Page 10 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final September 17, 2020 Commission 20-0830 Active Items List - September 2020 Mr. Garcia commented on the following: - San Bruno Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee liked the City of Sunnyvale's Utility insert Commissioner Cordes commented on the following: - East and West Channel Project - Road Slurry Seal list Mr. Garcia and Ms. Tsang addressed the comments. Vice Chair Mehlman commented on the following: - ATP and Slurry Seal list Ms. Tsang addressed the comment. Commissioner Cordes commented on the following: - Study Issue on a citywide policy on how many benches are required in the City Ms. Tsang addressed the comment. ADJOURNMENT Chair Mehlinger adjourned the meeting at 8:46 p.m. City of Sunnyvale Page 11