Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission

City of Sunnyvale Meeting Minutes - Final Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission Thursday, December 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 6:34 p.m. via teleconference. ROLL CALL Present 6 - Chair Richard Mehlinger Vice Chair Leia Mehlman Commissioner John Cordes Commissioner Dan Hafeman Commissioner Timothy Oey Commissioner Scott Swail Absent 1 - Commissioner Arwen Davé Commissioner Davé's absence is excused. Nancy Smith, Council Liaison, Lillian Tsang, Principal Transportation Engineer/Planner and Ralph Garcia, Senior Transportation Engineer attended via teleconference. PRESENTATION A 20-1021 Fair Oaks Bike Lanes and Streetscape Project Phase 2 Lillian Tsang, Principal Transportation Engineer/Planner, introduced Raymond Qi, Civil Engineer, Department of Public Works and Michael Fisher, Principal Engineer at CSG Consultants. Raymond Qi and Michael Fisher presented on the Project Plans for the Fair Oaks Bike Lanes and Streetscape Project Phase 2. They highlighted the following: City of Sunnyvale Page 1 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final December 17, 2020 Commission - Project History - Project Overview - Incorporate Complete Street principles - Install bicycle facilities to connect Fair Oaks Avenue from E Arques Ave to Wolfe Road and from Ahwanee Ave to Fair Oaks Way - Safe and Efficient bicycle travel (ATP 2020) - Improve Connectivity to Employment Centers & Residential Areas - Existing Conditions - Phase 1 Project Overview - Bikeway Gaps on Fair Oaks - Existing on-street parking in Segment 1 (to remain) - No existing on-street parking in Segment 2 and Segment 3 - Class II Bike Lane and Class III Bike Route - Planned Improvements - Segment 1 Class III Bicycle Route - Segment 2 Class III Bicycle Route - Segment 3 Class II Bicycle Lane - Project Schedule Vice Chair Mehlman asked if this phase will reduce the posted speed limit on Fair Oaks Avenue to make it safer for cyclists? What is the plan to address the merge at the US 101 ramps with respect to the cyclists using that overcrossing? Mr. Fisher stated that this project does not propose to change any speed limits. Caltrans controls the interchanges and they didn't like taking away width from the vehicle lanes and they have design standards that they need to adhere to. Mr. Qi stated that they did explore implementing a highlighted lane for addressing bike merging on the overcrossing but there are limitations on the width of the bridge so they could not fit it in the project. Commissioner Oey asked about the following: - Does Caltran have a requirement not to narrow the lanes or is it just a preference? Mr. Fisher stated that Caltrans has different levels of mandatory and advisory requirements. - Does the project include any bike markings at intersections to trigger a green light at the signal? Mr. Fisher stated that City standards will be followed and having bike markings is a City standard. City of Sunnyvale Page 2 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final December 17, 2020 Commission - What is the proper position of the sharrow on the road? Mr. Fisher stated that the sharrow will be in the middle of the outside lane. - Is it an option to narrow the road to one lane each direction in the future on the bridge? Mr. Fisher stated that would take a lot of work to do. - Would this kind of project be presented to Caltrans District 4 BPAC? Mr. Fisher stated it would not. Commissioner Hafeman asked about the following: - Will there be a warning sign on the US 101 off-ramps to let drivers know a shared bike lane is coming up? Mr. Fisher stated that there will be signage and striping before the Caltrans right of way starts to let people know. It will not be on the off ramps. - Can there be an exit speed limit sign from Fair Oaks entering the 101 on ramp? Mr. Fisher stated that the project does not intend to address speed limits. Commissioner Cordes asked why isn't it appropriate to put a bike lane in segment 2 going northbound in at least one direction? Mr. Fisher stated they didn't want to put a bike lane in only one direction. It would have to be approved by Caltrans. Chair Mehlinger asked about the following: - How much money is expected to spend on this project? Mr. Qi stated this is a grant funded project and will get approximately $780,000 in grant funding and the City would provide a 21% local match which would be around $200,000. - Was this project evaluated against the Vision Zero Plan that was adopted in 2019? Mr. Fisher stated that the majority of the project falls within the Vision Zero Plan principles and the City Bike Plan and a lot of Complete Street principles were used in this project. - When did the design start on phase 2? Mr. Fisher stated the design on phase 2 started early 2020. - Why was it decided to not remove street parking in segment I? Mr. Fisher stated segment I received Council approval not to remove on-street parking in 2016. - Will Phase 2 get Council approval? Mr. Qi stated because Phase 2 is a continuation of Phase 1 it does not need Council approval since it was approved in Phase 1. We will bring this project to City Council for approval to award the contract for construction. Commissioner Oey asked about the following: - The segment 2 cross section does not match the cross section on the bridge. Was there a Q & A process? Mr. Fisher stated there is the cross section varies between City of Sunnyvale Page 3 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final December 17, 2020 Commission Ahwanee Avenue and Weddell Drive. The cross section as shown is closer to Ahwanee Avenue. Vice Chair Mehlman asked about the following: - Is there a plan to install a flashing beacon at the US 101 off/on ramps? Mr. Fisher stated the project will not include the installation of a flashing beacon. - Will there be a bike box or bike loop signals in the left lane going from Fair Oaks Avenue to Awhanee Avenue or Fair Oaks Avenue to Weddell Drive? Mr. Fisher stated loops are currently being installed in the City right of way but the purpose is not specifically to be replaced for bikes. Commissioner Cordes asked if there will be any signage to notify residents of the Borregas Bridge or the Fair Oaks Bridge on Awhanee Avenue in either direction? Mr. Fisher stated at this time it is not in the project. Ms. Tsang stated that there is a project to install infrared light detection system at the Fair Oaks Avenue/Ahwanee Avenue intersection. It will part of the Advanced Dilemma Zone phase 2 project. Chair Mehlinger opened for Public Comment. Ari Feinsmith, member of the public, commented and asked about the following: - Will the crosswalks be re-painted? Mr. Qi stated they will not. - Can the sidewalk on the US 101 overpass be improved? Mr. Fisher stated sidewalk improvement would not be in this project as it belongs to Caltrans. - Will there be any improvements at the intersection of Fair Oaks Avenue/Tasman Drive? Mr. Fisher stated there are few improvements planned for that intersection as part of this project. - Will there be green bike lanes and sharrows installed for better visibility? David Simons, member of the public, commented and asked about the following: - Caltrans Project Initiation Document (PID) - Separate as much pedestrian as possible from cyclist - One way separated ped/cylist lane - Active warning for automobiles on merging lanes Chair Mehlinger closed for Public Comment. Vice Chair Mehlman commented on the following: City of Sunnyvale Page 4 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final December 17, 2020 Commission - Thanked everyone for their work on the project - Concerned about not addressing vehicular speed on the route Commissioner Oey commented on the following: - Cross section on Awhanee to Weddell on the map does not exist - Current sharrows need to be consistent - Would like to see bike markings in every lane at the intersections - The road deserves dedicated bike lanes because of the volume and speed of traffic - Narrow lane width within Caltrans right-of-way Chair Mehlinger commented on the following: - Thanked staff for the presentation and all their hard work - Guiding principles of Vision Zero - Sharrows on Fair Oaks Avenue at the US 101 overpass and 101 are not safe - Should remove on street parking - Segments 1 & 2 should go back to the drawing board and incorporate the new standards from Vision Zero and the Active Transportation Plan - Need feedback from Caltrans District 4 - Signage on the off ramps indicating that drivers need to be alert for bicyclists/pedestrians - Signs should say "Bicycles may use full lane" - Likes converting 6 foot shoulder to a bike lane - Need signage re-directing pedestrians and cyclists to the San Miguel and Borregas Bridges - Urge staff to reconsider the project Commissioner Cordes commented on the following: - Segments 1 and 2 should not move forward - Should ask Council to reconsider removing on-street parking in Segment 1 - Do not approve funding until it is determined that other Vision Zero projects are more appropriate - Support adding signage to the existing bridges - Lacking wayfinding signs - Convince Caltrans to add in a bike lane at least for the northbound direction - Speed limit should be reduced if having sharrows Commissioner Hafeman commented on the following: - Agrees with the other Commissioners City of Sunnyvale Page 5 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final December 17, 2020 Commission - Segment 2 should be dropped - In favor of flashing signs - Sharrows don't work on high speed roadways - Proceed with segment 3, don't consider segment 2 and review the parking situation in Segment 1 Chair Mehlinger re-opened for Public Comment with unanimous consent. Diane Gleason, member of the public, commented on the following: - Waste of money to spend on painting the sharrows on Fair Oaks Avenue - Install wayfinding signs on Fair Oaks to direct bicyclists to the two bike/ped bridges Chair Mehlinger Closed for Public Comment. Mr. Qi thanked the BPAC for their input on the project. Mr. Fisher stated that the majority of the funding will go to Segment 3. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Chair Mehlinger opened for Public Comment. Dave Simons, member of the public, commented on the following: - VTA Bicycle Superhighway Project Chair Mehlinger closed for Public Comment. CONSENT CALENDAR 1A. 20-1014 Approve the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission Meeting Minutes of November 19, 2020. Approve the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission Meeting Minutes of November 19, 2020 as submitted. The motion carried the following vote: Yes 6 - Chair Mehlinger Vice Chair Mehlman Commissioner Cordes Commissioner Hafeman Commissioner Oey Commissioner Swail City of Sunnyvale Page 6 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final December 17, 2020 Commission No 0 Absent 1 - Commissioner Davé 1B. 20-1018 Approve the Special Joint Meeting with Mountain View Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission/Committee Meeting Minutes of December 2, 2020. Approve the Special Joint Meeting with Mountain View Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission/Committee Meeting Minutes of December 2, 2020 as amended. Chair Mehlinger moved and Commissioner Hafeman seconded to approve amended item 1.B. The amendment was made by Chair Mehlinger who stated he would like to add to his comment that read "Is there a possibility to have a two way bike path on the North side of Evelyn Avenue running from Castro to Murphy as part of these plans? The addition would be the following "Can the project be designed so as not to preclude the possibility of adding a two way bike lane or trail roughly connecting Murphy Street to Castro Street". The motion carried the following vote: Yes 6 - Chair Mehlinger Vice Chair Mehlman Commissioner Cordes Commissioner Hafeman Commissioner Oey Commissioner Swail No 0 Absent 1 - Commissioner Davé PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS 2 20-1019 Report and Discussion of Recent Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) Meeting Timothy Oey, VTA BPAC Representative, gave the meeting summary report regarding the following topics: City of Sunnyvale Page 7 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final December 17, 2020 Commission - Write up posted as a separate item that the BPAC can download - VTA intersections at Page Mill Road and Hanover Road - Expressway budget for bike improvements - Recap of vision and goals of the community outreach on the Central Bikeway Study - Routes/Maps - Bicycle Superhighway in Sunnyvale - Identified improvements needed in Sunnyvale - Connectivity into Moffett Park Chair Mehlinger opened for Public Comment. Dave Simons, member of the public, commented on the following: - VTA Bicycle Superhighway Project Chair Mehlinger closed for Public Comment. Commissioner Oey asked staff why the City did not want to include Homestead Road on the Superhighway map and why did Google ask to re-do the Sunnyvale Bicycle Master Plan? Ms. Tsang stated that VTA was considering Class I and Class IV facilities as part of the Bicycle Superhighway and Homestead Road would not be wide enough to accommodate those facilities. Ms. Tsang is not aware of Google asking a re-do of the Sunnyvale Master Plan. Commissioner Cordes commented on the timeline for the Superhighway. 3 20-1020 Review and Approve BPAC 2021 Master Work Plan Ralph Garcia, Senior Transportation Engineer, gave a staff report on the BPAC 2021 Master Work Plan and commented on the following: - Changes made from the November BPAC meeting Chair Mehlinger asked if the Climate Action Playbook progress update scheduled for both January and November was intentional. Mr. Garcia stated they are intentional. City of Sunnyvale Page 8 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final December 17, 2020 Commission Chair Mehlinger opened for Public Comment. Chair Mehlinger closed for Public Comment. Commissioner Cordes thanked staff for adding the list of streets on the annual slurry seal list with upgraded striping. Commissioner Hafeman asked if the El Camino Real Specific Plan could be moved to April since there is so many items on the March agenda. Mr. Garcia stated certain projects items cannot be moved due to Council specific dates. Chair Mehlinger asked if the Maude Avenue Bike Lanes - Post Study could be moved to February or April. Mr. Garcia stated it cannot due to timelines. MOTION: Commissioner Cordes moved and Vice Chair Mehlman seconded to move Maude Avenue Bike Lanes - Post Study agenda item from March to April 2021. Commissioner Cordes stated that there is a full agenda in March and a lighter agenda in April. Commissioner Oey would like to wait to make a decision on moving items around. Chair Mehlinger would vote against this because he would like to have staff maintain flexibility. The motion failed with the following vote: Yes 2 - Vice Chair Mehlman Commissioner Cordes No 4 - Chair Mehlinger Commissioner Hafeman Commissioner Oey Commissioner Swail Absent 1 - Commissioner Davé City of Sunnyvale Page 9 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final December 17, 2020 Commission MOTION: Chair Mehlinger moved and Commissioner Hafeman seconded the motion to have the following items listed as presentation only be handled as regular agenda items. - Climate Action Playbook Progress updates 1 & 2 - Annual reporting on collisions involving pedestrians and cyclists - Vision Zero progress update - Active Transportation progress update - Other items that may come up Chair Mehlinger stated it would be helpful for the BPAC to have substantial feedback on a presentation. Commissioner Hafeman agreed with Chair Mehlinger's comments and added that it would be a good way to document the discussion other than just through the minutes. Commissioner Cordes and Commissioner Oey support the motion. Mr. Garcia stated some of the presentations are in the early phases and are informational only which would not require any action. Yes 6 - Chair Mehlinger Vice Chair Mehlman Commissioner Cordes Commissioner Hafeman Commissioner Oey Commissioner Swail No 0 Absent 1 - Commissioner Davé MOTION: Commissioner Oey moved and Commissioner Cordes seconded to approve the 2021 Work Plan as amended. Commissioner Oey appreciates the 2021 Work Plan. City of Sunnyvale Page 10 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final December 17, 2020 Commission Commission Cordes thanked staff for the Work Plan and looks forward to a productive year. The motion carried the following vote: Yes 6 - Chair Mehlinger Vice Chair Mehlman Commissioner Cordes Commissioner Hafeman Commissioner Oey Commissioner Swail No 0 Absent 1 - Commissioner Davé STANDING ITEM: CONSIDERATION OF POTENTIAL STUDY ISSUES None. NON-AGENDA ITEMS & COMMENTS -Commissioner Comments Commissioner Hafeman commented on the following: - Appreciated the joint BPAC meeting with Mountain View BPAC Chair Mehlinger commented and asked about the following: - Appreciated the joint BPAC meeting with Mt.View BPAC - Asking Council about opening up the Fair Oaks Bike Lanes and Streetscape Project Phase 2 Ms. Tsang addressed the comments. Commissioner Cordes thanked staff for the Transportation webpage. Commissioner Oey commented on the following: - Bike to Work Day will be Friday, May 21, 2021 -Staff Comments Lillian Tsang, Principal Transportation Engineer/Planner commented on the following: City of Sunnyvale Page 11 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final December 17, 2020 Commission - Thanked the BPAC for attending the joint BPAC meeting on December 2,2020. You can visit the project webpage on the City’s website to view project materials, see upcoming public outreach events, and to subscribe to a contact list to receive project updates. Search “Bernardo Avenue Undercrossing” on the City’s website to find the project page. - Norma O’Connell who has served as the City’s Safe Routes to School Coordinator since 2016, has taken another role in the Department of Public Safety. The new Safe Routes to School Coordinator will be Maria Arellano. She was a Community Services Officer and she has been with the Department since 2018. - If you are requesting information from the City as part of your role as a BPAC commissioner, please correspond with the staff liaison first, which would be Ms. Tsang and Mr. Garcia. Please do not initiate correspondence with other City staff members if you are requesting information. - During the meeting, both Mr Garcia and Ms Tsang will be occupied with managing and hosting the meeting, we might not be able to capture all questions/items to be followed up. In future meetings once we have obtained the information, we would provide an update during staff comment. - How to add items onto the agenda - Transportation webpage is a work in progress - January 28, 2021- Council Strategic Planning Workshop - February 25, 2021- Study and Budget Issue Workshop for City Council INFORMATION ONLY REPORTS/ITEMS 20-1022 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission 2020 Annual Work Plan 20-1023 Active Items List - December 2020 20-1024 2016 Measure B Bicycle & Pedestrian Education and Encouragement Program FY20/21 Projects Lillian Tsang, Principal Transportation Engineer/Planner commented on the following: - Measure B Projects - Bank Amount Commissioner Cordes commented on the following: - Use funds for adult bicycle education courses - Funding for the schools and bike rodeos - Focus on kids walking/biking more then once or twice a year City of Sunnyvale Page 12 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final December 17, 2020 Commission Commissioner Oey commented on the following: - Bicycle education for all age levels - More funding for the middle schools bicycle education - Traffic Gardens Vice Chair Mehlman commented and asked about the following: - Helmets included with incentives - Bicycle education for adults and older children and non-English language residents - Wayfinding signage - Bicycle repair maintenance course - Merchant education/Business outreach Ms. Tsang addressed the comments. Commissioner Hafeman commented on the following: - Helmet issues Commissioner Swail commented on the following: - Liked the proposals that were made on the Safe Routes to School incentives Commissioner Cordes asked to see the plan for 2021 early in the process to have early input before it becomes the final plan. ADJOURNMENT Chair Mehlinger adjourned the meeting at 9:18 p.m. City of Sunnyvale Page 13