Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission

City of Sunnyvale Meeting Minutes - Final Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission Thursday, January 21, 2021 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 6:30 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 Russ Melton, Council Liaison, Dennis Ng, Transportation and Traffic Manager, Lillian Tsang, Principal Transportation Engineer and Ralph Garcia, Senior Transportation Engineer attended via teleconference. PRESENTATION A 21-0210 Climate Action Playbook Progress Update Ralph Garcia introduced Nupur Hiremath, Environmental Programs Manager, Department of Environmental Services and Madeline Willett, Environmental Engineering Coordinator, Department of Environmental Services. Nupur Hiremath and Madeline Willett presented on the Climate Action Playbook Progress. They highlighted the following: - 2019 Communitywide Greenhouse Gas Emissions City of Sunnyvale Page 1 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final January 21, 2021 Commission - Recap of total emissions by year and sector - Playbook Progress Update - Progress Updates for Scheduled Moves Key Accomplishments - Pandemic Staffing & Funding Impacts - Climate Action Scoreboard and Landing Page Vice Chair Mehlman asked why were the natural gas prices increased. Ms. Willett stated between 2018-2019 residents/commercial heaters were turned on more often which would account for the price increases. Commissioner Davé asked if the data that was given was based on projections of the number of people and square footage building rather than direct measurements of the emissions and which ones are they? Ms. Willett stated the energy sector is actual consumption based on electricity and natural gas used and transportation emissions are based on a model which is a projection based on population and land use. Off -road emissions come from a model from the County. Commissioner Cordes asked about the following: - What is the future plan for the Bike Share Pilot and why isn't there discussion with the County through VTA? Ms. Tsang stated that the company who participated in the Bike Share Program has pulled from the market. No other companies have expressed interest in operating a Bike Share Program in Sunnyvale. Ms. Tsang stated VTA is not leading in any effort to deploy any Bike Share Programs. - Are they on track to hit the 2030 targets. Ms. Hiremath stated they are half way there to hit the 2030 target so they have 9 years and 28% to go. They are 90% confident they will hit there target by 2030. Commissioner Oey asked about the following: - What factors went into the Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) model? Ms. Hiremath stated that the VMT comes from the land use and transportation element of the City's general plan. - Will there be a system in place where measurements of VMT will actually occur rather than a model? Ms. Hiremath stated that the Traffic and Transportation staff are working on a better predictor for VMT. Ms. Willett stated Google has a pilot program with real time data for transportation to predict VMT. - Why were commercial natural gas increasing? Ms. Willett stated there has been a large increase in square footage for commercial space. - Is the burning of fuel the only factor in EV's? Ms. Willett stated it is only the gas that is replaced. City of Sunnyvale Page 2 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final January 21, 2021 Commission - Is there any type of rebate program in the Climate Action Playbook for HVAC systems by making them heat pump based? Ms. Hiremath stated it does include space heating. - Are you prioritizing by which thing would make the biggest impact in the plan to reach the 2030 target? Ms. Hiremath stated they look for the most meaningful action the City could take to shrink the large wedge of 50% in transportation. Commissioner Hafeman asked about the following: - Is there data that has been tracked on heat pump water heaters and heat pump house heating and is the data available to the public? Ms. Hiremath stated that Silicon Valley Clean Energy is tracking how many homes have leveraged their program for replacing their water heater with a heat pump water heater. Ms. Hiremath stated the data is available on the SVCE website. - Is the data from private companies being leveraged for VMT? Ms. Hiremath stated they are not leveraging data from private companies in Sunnyvale. Ms. Hiremath stated the Travel Demand Model (TDM) program may be using this data. Dennis Ng, Transportation and Traffic Manager, stated that the TDM program is in coordination with Apple, Moffett Park Business Group and Google to get corporate rider ship data. Chair Mehlinger asked about the following: - What is VMT per resident and employee in the City? Ms. Willett stated between 2017-2019 population has increased but the VMT per capita has remained largely the same. - Is Sunnyvale looking into Electric Micro Mobility Devices? Ms. Tsang stated the City is currently not looking into these devices. - If you were to take out non electricity carbon levels from 1990 and compared them to non electricity carbon levels today where would we be? Ms. Hiremath stated the 1990 levels are approximation because they didn't have someone building Sunnyvale's Greenhouse Gas and Majority in 1990. Chair Mehlinger asked to compare 2008 with today instead. Ms. Hiremath stated she will look into it. - Has there been any discussion on a ban on 2-stroke motors? Ms. Hiremath stated off-road emissions are 7% of their inventory. The City's Community Development has been working on an update to the City's General Plan on chapters on air quality and noise. - Has there been consideration of expanding the Bicycle Parking Retrofits Program or additional programs to promote the construction of bicycle parking for commercial parking spaces and is there any consideration to expand it? Ms. Tsang stated the program is already launched, and it is on the City's website. City of Sunnyvale Page 3 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final January 21, 2021 Commission Commissioner Oey asked if there is away to measure how many residents and businesses have no natural gas going to them? Ms. Willett stated Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) is working on it. Chair Mehlinger opened for public comment. Dave Simons, member of the public, commented and asked about the following: - Urban Forest issue - Conflict with trees and solar panels put on homes - Tree selection within the City - Recommends in addition to the Climate Action Plan to have an Urban Forest Plan Chair Mehlinger closed for public comment. Commissioner Oey commented on the following: - Google data on measuring people moving about - Dashboard that shows "complete" for implementing the Active Transportation Plan Commissioner Davé commented on the following: - Getting information on samples of emissions from other sources Commissioner Cordes commented on the following: - E-bike rebates - Reducing VMT by having people work from home in the Climate Action Playbook - Multi Modal Plan - Mode shift goals - Traffic enforcement Chair Mehlinger asked if the City has discussed with the State to legalize automated speed enforcement camera? Mr. Ng stated there is currently is no movement at the state legislation level for doing that. Commissioner Hafeman commented on the following: - Measuring transit usage and active mode usage - Thanked staff for the wonderful presentation and website/dashboard Commissioner Swail commented on the following: - Greenhouse gas reductions City of Sunnyvale Page 4 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final January 21, 2021 Commission Commissioner Oey commented on the following: - Thanked staff for the excellent presentation - Automated speed enforcement Chair Mehlinger called for a recess at 7:55 p.m. Chair Mehlinger reconvened the meeting at 8:10 p.m. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Chair Mehlinger opened for Public Comment. Chair Mehlinger closed for Public Comment. CONSENT CALENDAR 1A. 21-0209 Approve the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission Meeting Minutes of December 17, 2020. Approve the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission Meeting Minutes of December 17, 2020 as amended. Commissioner Oey moved and Commissioner Hafeman seconded to approve amended item 1.A. The amendment was made by Chair Mehlinger who stated on the bottom of page 4 that says "Vice Chair Mehlinger commented on the following - thanked everyone for their work on the project" should say "Vice Chair Mehlman commented on the following - thanked everyone for their work on the project". 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 PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS City of Sunnyvale Page 5 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final January 21, 2021 Commission 2 21-0211 Ranking of 2021 Study Issues Lillian Tsang, Principal Transportation Engineer, discussed each Study Issue and provided Staff's recommendations. The Commissioners then discussed each Study Issue. 1. CDD 19-07 - Develop Citywide Guidelines or Criteria for Allowing Reduced Parking for Development Projects and for Future Conversions of Parking to Other Uses • Staff recommendation: Defer 2. DPW 20-05 - Evelyn Avenue Multi-Use Trail and Bikeway Study • Staff recommendation: Drop 3. DPW 21-01 - Bike Lanes on Hollenbeck Avenue between El Camino Real and Homestead Road • Staff recommendation: Drop 4. DPW 21-02 - Community Driven Active Transportation Plan Amendment Process • Staff recommendation: Drop 5. DPW 21-03 - Pedestrian and Bicycle Facility Installation on Tasman Drive from Fair Oaks Avenue to Lawrence Expressway • Staff recommendation: Drop Chair Mehlinger opened for Public Comment. Dave Simons, member of the public, commented on the following: - Rules of the Study Issue process Chair Mehlinger closed for Public Comment. Commissioner Cordes moved and Commissioner Oey seconded the motion to drop CDD 19-07. The motion failed by the following vote: City of Sunnyvale Page 6 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final January 21, 2021 Commission Yes 1 - Commissioner Cordes No 6 - Chair Mehlinger Vice Chair Mehlman Commissioner Davé Commissioner Hafeman Commissioner Oey Commissioner Swail Commissioner Cordes thought the study is interesting but it is not high on the priority. Given staff's current workload, he would recommend to drop it. Commissioner Hafeman and Chair Mehlinger commented on why this study issue should not be dropped and why it should be deferred instead. Commissioner Oey moved and Commissioner Hafeman seconded to defer CDD 19-07. 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 Commissioner Oey agreed with Staff's recommendation on deferring this study issue. Chair Mehlinger moved and Commissioner Oey seconded the motion to defer DPW 21-01. The motion carried the following vote: City of Sunnyvale Page 7 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final January 21, 2021 Commission Yes 7 - Chair Mehlinger Vice Chair Mehlman Commissioner Cordes Commissioner Davé Commissioner Hafeman Commissioner Oey Commissioner Swail No 0 Chair Mehlinger believed having bicycle facility on Hollenbeck Avenue is an excellent idea. However, there are other more important bicycle recommendations in the Active Transportation Plan (ATP) such as Sunnyvale-Saratoga Road, Evelyn Avenue, and Tasman Drive. Improvements on Hollenbeck is valuable but not as critical as the other locations; therefore, he recommended to defer it. Commissioner Oey and Commissioner Hafeman agreed with Chair Mehlinger's reasonings. Chair Mehlinger moved and Vice Chair Mehlman seconded to defer DPW 21-02. 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 Chair Mehlinger would like to see how the proposed improvements in the ATP would be implemented and revisit this study issue in a year. Chair Mehlinger opened for Public Comment. City of Sunnyvale Page 8 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final January 21, 2021 Commission Dave Simons, member of the public commented on the following: - Getting bike projects done during Covid-19 Ari Feinsmith, member of the public commented on the following: - Support for the Tasman Study Issue and sending it City Council Chair Mehlinger closed for Public Comment. Commissioner Cordes moved and Commissioner Oey seconded to defer DPW 21-03. Commissioner Cordes indicated that BPAC should convince Staff to propose improvements on Tasman Drive; Commissioner Oey would want more time to gather more community support. Vice Chair Mehlman also suggested to defer this study issue for a year. Commissioner Davé explained why DPW 21-03 should not be deferred. Commissioner Hafeman and Commissioner Swail agreed this is an important corridor to implement bicycle and pedestrian improvements. Chair Mehlinger explained why he thinks this is an important study issue. Commissioner Oey and Vice Chair Mehlman indicated that they have been persuaded to not defer this study issue. Commissioner Cordes moved and Commissioner Oey seconded to withdraw the motion to defer DPW 21-03. Commissioners ranked the Study Issues as follows: 1. DPW 21-03: Pedestrian and Bicycle Facility Installation on Tasman Drive from Fair Oaks Avenue to Lawrence Expressway 2. DPW 20-05: Evelyn Avenue Multi-Use Trail and Bikeway Study Commissioner Cordes moved and Commissioner Oey seconded the motion to accept the overall Study Issue Rankings. The motion carried by the following vote: City of Sunnyvale Page 9 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final January 21, 2021 Commission Yes 7 - Chair Mehlinger Vice Chair Mehlman Commissioner Cordes Commissioner Davé Commissioner Hafeman Commissioner Oey Commissioner Swail No 0 Commissioner Oey indicated that he is very happy DPW 21-03 is ranked number one, and hoped City Council will support BPAC's ranking. Chair Mehlinger asked if he could get approval from the BPAC to send a letter to City Council arguing for the 1 current 1,2 ranking. Mr. Garcia stated that the Chair can send letters on behalf of the BPAC. Chair Mehlinger asked if the Study Issue process can be discussed in future BPAC meeting. Mr. Garcia stated he would have to check with the Office of the City Manager. 3 21-0214 Report and Discussion of Recent Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) Meeting Timothy Oey, VTA BPAC Sunnyvale Representative, gave the meeting summary report regarding the following topics: - Write up posted as a separate item that the BPAC can download - Vice Mayor Glenn Hendricks is the current VTA Board Chair - Caltrans District 4 has released a Draft Bay Area Pedestrian Plan - Survey for Caltrans District 4 for Bike Highway Study - Quick build education encouragement program - Signal timing & clean air - New Chair and Vice Chair for the VTA BPAC - Silicon Valley Bike Coalition presentation about the survey on Silicon Valley cycling Commissioner Hafeman thanked Commissioner Oey on his report. City of Sunnyvale Page 10 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final January 21, 2021 Commission STANDING ITEM: CONSIDERATION OF POTENTIAL STUDY ISSUES None. NON-AGENDA ITEMS & COMMENTS -Commissioner Comments Commissioner Hafeman commented on the following: - Fair Oaks Bike Lanes and Streetscape Project Phase 2 - pedestrian crossing warnings at freeway on-ramps/exits needed - Check out El Camino Real/SR 85 Commissioner Cordes commented on the following: - Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition monthly educational seminar, link will be sent to the BPAC Vice Chair Mehlman commented on the following: - Public workshop on the Moffett Park Specific Plan will be on February 1, 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Chair Mehlinger commented on the following: - Improve Bicycle and Pedestrian Access at Sunnyvale Caltrain Station Study Issue -Staff Comments Lillian Tsang, Principal Transportation Engineer commented on the following: - January 28, 2021 - Council Strategic Planning Workshop - February 1, 2021 - Moffett Park Specific Plan Workshop - February 2, 2021 - Mary Avenue Overcrossing City Council Study Session - 2021 Master Work Plan will be brought to City Council for approval at the February 2 City Council meeting. - February 25, 2021 - Study and Budget Issue Workshop for City Council - Transportation and Traffic Safety website has been launched, will be updated periodically - Bike Rack Installation Pilot Program has been launched - Applying for a Caltrans Sustainable Communities Grant - Discussion of the Transportation Development Act -, Article 3 Funding Recommendations at the February and March BPAC meetings - Discussion of Utility bill concept design at the February and March BPAC meetings City of Sunnyvale Page 11 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final January 21, 2021 Commission Commissioner Oey asked about the following: - List of new projects under consideration, specifically Crawford/Las Palmas Commissioner Cordes asked about the following: - Full page for Utility bill insert INFORMATION ONLY REPORTS/ITEMS 21-0215 BPAC 2021 Annual Work Plan (Draft) 21-0216 Active Items List - January 2021 ADJOURNMENT Chair Mehlinger adjourned the meeting at 10:06 p.m. City of Sunnyvale Page 12