Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission

City of Sunnyvale Meeting Minutes - Final Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission Thursday, April 15, 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. Vice Chair Mehlman called the meeting to order at 6:32 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 Dennis Ng, Transportation and Traffic Manager, Lillian Tsang, Principal Transportation Engineer and Ralph Garcia, Senior Transportation Engineer attended via teleconference. Chair Mehlinger requested Vice Chair Mehlman to serve as Chair for the remainder of the meeting. Council Liaison Melton (absent). PRESENTATION A 21-0508 Annual reporting on collisions involving pedestrians and cyclists Lieutenant Dzanh Le gave the annual presentation on collisions involving pedestrians and cyclists. Lt. Le showed and explained slides on the following: City of Sunnyvale Page 1 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final April 15, 2021 Commission - 5 year Pedestrian and Bicycle Injury Collisions - Pedestrian and Bicycle Injury Collisions 2021 - 2020 Major Collisions - Common Violations - The Three E's - Engineering, Education and Enforcement Chair Mehlinger asked about the following: - Fatalities in 2020 - Charges filed - Numbers for Jay walking citations and moving violations to cyclists - Speeding increases in the last year Lt. Le addressed the questions. Commissioner Oey asked about the following: - Thanked staff for sending presentations in advance - The three E's and where they could be improved on the major collisions slide - More detail in the slides by adding explanations for the collisions and improvements to achieve Vision Zero goals - Following up on enforcement issues - Reports on bad motorists behavior from citizens or video - 5 year Pedestrian and Bicycle Injury Collisions slide and how much real traffic is on the road now Lt. Le and Ms. Tsang addressed the questions. Commissioner Cordes asked about the following: - Enforcement operations and how many tickets were issued - Data on sending letters or visiting citizens who have been reported as bad drivers Commissioners Davé asked about the following: - Improper turning due to the driver Commissioner Hafeman asked about the following: - Meaning of RW and Auto RW violation - Meaning of signs and signals under common violations for bicycles Commissioner Swail asked about the following: City of Sunnyvale Page 2 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final April 15, 2021 Commission - Are totals for both fatalities and injuries on slide 2 Vice Chair Mehlman asked about the following: - 2019 pedestrian fatalities - Inter relationships between safety and traffic volumes Chair Mehlinger commented and asked about the following: - Thanked staff for the csv files - Downward turn in fatal collisions over the years - Data on enforcement actions and how many resulted in use of force - In the future to include total number of stops broken down by driver, cyclist and pedestrian as well as the total number of use of force that resulted from those stops Lt. Le addressed the questions. Commissioner Oey commented on the following: - Break down by age group Vice Chair Mehlman asked if there could be some kind of multi-lingual education program on paying attention when backing out of a driveway to know where your kids/pets are. Lt. Le stated that would fall into their bicycle and pedestrian safety program and they will include in future outreach brochures. Commissioner Hafeman asked why lights on bicycles aren't included in the data for collisions. Lt. Le stated that it is not one of the factors being tabulated as part of the collision data collection. Vice Chair opened for Public Comment. Vice Chair closed for Public Comment. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Vice Chair Mehlman opened for Public Comment. Vice Chair Mehlman closed for Public Comment. Vice Chair Mehlman announced the following openings for Boards and Commissions: - Arts Commission (2) City of Sunnyvale Page 3 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final April 15, 2021 Commission - Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission (3) - Boards of Building Codes Appeals (2) - Boards of Library Trustees (2) - Heritage Preservation Commission (1) - Housing and Human Services Commission (4) - Parks and Recreation Commission (2) - Personnel Board (1) - Planning Commission (1) - Sustainability Commission (2) Applications are due by 5:00 p.m on Friday, April 30 in order to be scheduled for an interview with City Council on May 10 and May 11. General eligibility requirements include: - Sunnyvale residency - Voter registration For more information visit sunnyvale.ca.gov and search Board and Commissions or call the office of the City Clerk at 408-730-7483 to request an application. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis and applications received after the deadline will be considered for future openings. CONSENT CALENDAR 1A. 21-0489 Approve the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission Meeting Minutes of March 18, 2021. Approve the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission Meeting Minutes of March 18, 2021 as submitted. Commissioner Cordes moved and Chair Mehlinger seconded to approve item 1.A. The motion carried the following vote: Yes 7 - Chair Mehlinger Vice Chair Mehlman Commissioner Cordes Commissioner Davé Commissioner Hafeman Commissioner Oey Commissioner Swail City of Sunnyvale Page 4 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final April 15, 2021 Commission No 0 PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS 2 21-0200 Recommend to City Council to Accept the findings of a Post-Construction Report and to Retain the Existing Configuration of the Maude Avenue Class II Bike Lanes between Borregas Avenue and Fair Oaks Avenue Lillian Tsang, Principal Transportation Engineer, discussed the Maude Avenue Post-Construction Parking Study. The following topics were discussed: - Project Limits - Maude Avenue between Borregas Avenue and Fair Oaks - Background of Maude Avenue Bikeways and Streetscapes Project - On-Street Parking Study Area - Pre and Post-Construction Parking Study: 11:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. - Pre and Post-Construction Parking Study Results Ms. Tsang has asked the BPAC to make a recommendation to City Council with two Alternatives to consider. They are as follows: Alternative 1: Recommend to City Council to Accept the findings of a Post-Construction Report and to retain the existing configuration of the Maude Avenue Class II Bike Lanes between Borregas Avenue and Fair Oaks Avenue. Alternative 2: Recommend to City Council to Not Accept the findings of a Post-Construction Report on the Maude Avenue Class II Bike Lanes between Borregas Avenue and Fair Oaks Avenue and provide alternate direction to staff. Staff Recommends: Alternative 1: Recommend to City Council to Accept the findings of a Post-Construction Report and to retain the existing configuration of the Maude Avenue Class II Bike Lanes between Borregas Avenue and Fair Oaks Avenue. Vice Chair Mehlman commented on the following: - Concerned of the accuracy of the samples during Covid 19 and the impact of nearby neighborhoods taken during this time - Recommends a third sampling Dennis Ng, Transportation and Traffic Manager, stated the study that staff City of Sunnyvale Page 5 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final April 15, 2021 Commission conducted was a very conservative study where the majority of residents were home. The study was done late at night during the week so the study would reflect the highest on-street parking usage in a residential neighborhood. Commissioner Cordes asked why was a big chunk of the history of the project left out of the presentation where buffered bike lanes were proposed but are now gone. Ms. Tsang stated the construction bid was over the budgeted amount, therefore the design had to be reconfigured. The buffered bike lane can be implemented when Maude Avenue is scheduled for slurry sealed in the future. Commissioner Cordes asked when the slurry seal will begin. Ms. Tsang stated it will be in the next Fiscal Year. Commissioner Davé asked parking for the on-site daycare at the Bishop Elementary School. Ms. Tsang stated that there has been a site modification at Bishop Elementary School to improve the circulation for the location. Chair Mehlinger asked if the City has received an official communication from SNAIL Neighborhood Association expressing any preference on an Alternative since the conversation with them back in March. Ms. Tsang stated she has not received any communication from the SNAIL Neighborhood Association. Commissioner Hafeman asked if vacancy data has been looked into at the multi-family residential units on Maude Avenue to see if it is a factor and whether it would be possible to do so before going to City Council. Ms. Tsang stated they did not look into the vacancy data. Vice Chair Mehlman opened for Public Comment. Vice Chair Mehlman closed for Public Comment. Commissioner Cordes moved and Chair Mehlinger seconded to vote yes for Alternative 1: Recommend to City Council to Accept the findings of a Post-Construction Report and to retain the existing configuration of the Maude Avenue Class II Bike Lanes between Borregas Avenue and Fair Oaks Avenue with a recommendation to go to Council to implement the buffered bike lanes at the next slurry seal opportunity on Maude Avenue. Chair Mehlinger seconds the motion. City of Sunnyvale Page 6 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final April 15, 2021 Commission Commissioner Hafeman supports the motion because it is a very important bicycle facility. FRIENDLY AMENDMENT: Commissioner Hafeman recommends to add a second recommendation that City staff attempt to get vacancy data for the multi-family residential units along Maude Avenue before the Council vote in May. Commissioner Cordes and Chair Mehlinger accepts the amendment. Commissioner Oey supports the motion. The bike lane on Maude is a very important bike lane connector. Looks forward to it becoming a buffered bike lane. Chair Cordes commented on how Maude Avenue is much more pleasant now that there is no more on-street parking. There is no need for so much on-street parking. Chair Mehlinger agreed with Chair Cordes's comments, and what is currently in place is a very ergonomic solution. 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 3 21-0399 Recommend to City Council a Project for the application of Transportation Development Act (TDA) Article 3 Funding for Fiscal Year 2021/22 Ralph Garcia, Senior Transportation Engineer, discussed the Transportation Development Act (TDA) Article 3 Funding for FY 21/22. The following topics were discussed. Program Details and Requirements - Proposed projects shall be in compliance with MTC resolution No. 4108 - For FY 2021/22, Sunnyvale's share is anticipated at $156,554 - City may bank the funds to reserve the money for future use City of Sunnyvale Page 7 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final April 15, 2021 Commission Project 1: Helena Drive and Kennewick Drive Class IIIB and Intersection Improvements - Class IIIB improvements on Helena Drive - Class IIIB improvements on Kennewick Drive - Pedestrian improvements at the intersection of Helena Drive and Kennewick Drive - Approximate cost: $150,000 Project 2: El Camino Real and Cezanne Drive Intersection Improvements - Install north-south left-turn phasing - Install smaller radius corners, directional curb ramps, and striping improvements - Approximate cost: $575,000 Project 3: Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (HAWK) Installation near Fremont High School - Install HAWK on west leg of Fremont Avenue and Sydney Drive - Remove existing in-roadway lights and beacon - Approximate cost: $590,000 Project 4: Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (HAWK) Installation near Vargas Elementary School - Install HAWK on south leg of Mary Avenue and Carson Drive - Approximate cost $590,000 Project 5: Las Palmas Park Access from Crawford Drive - Widen 31-inch fence opening at Crawford Drive and Spinosa Drive to accommodate wide bicycles - Approximate cost: $180,000 - $200,000 Project 6: Pedestrian/Bicycle Pathway Spot Improvements - Columbia Park access from Alturas Avenue - Pathway between Evelyn/Reed and Cassia Way - Pathway between Bluebonnet Drive and Reed Avenue - Approximate cost: $105,000 Alternatives are as follows: 1. Recommend to City Council to use the TDA Article 3 grant fund for Project No. 1 - Helena Drive and Kennewick Drive Class IIIB and Intersection Improvements. 2. Recommend to City Council to use the TDA Article 3 grant fund for Project No. 6 - Pedestrian/Bicycle Pathway Spot Improvements. 3. Recommend to City Council to bank the TDA Article 3 grand fund for FY 2021/22 for future consideration to use for Projects No. 2, 3, 4, or 5. 4. Recommend to City Council to use the TDA Article 3 grant fund for a project not listed. Staff Recommendation: City of Sunnyvale Page 8 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final April 15, 2021 Commission Alternative 1: Recommend to City Council to use the TDA Article 3 grant fund for Project No. 1 - Helena Drive and Kennewick Drive Class IIIB and Intersection Improvements. Staff recommends this alternative for the following reasons: - Helena Drive provides direct access for students going to/from Cupertino Middle School (CMS) - Kennewick Drive provides direct access for students going to/from Homestead High School - Kennewick Drive is uncontrolled at Helena Drive - Improvement requests from parents of CMS students Vice Chair Mehlman asked what the proposed changes on Helena/Kennewick would be visually. Mr. Garcia addressed the question. Commissioner Oey asked about the following: - Description of the IIIB improvements on Helena/Kennewick. Mr. Garcia stated there would be shoulder striping and a center line stripe improvement to narrow the lane. Also, sharrows and improved signage. - Las Palmas/Crawford Drive and if one fence post could be moved. Mr. Garcia stated the City Arborist would have to take a look at that. - Pedestrian/Bicycle Spot Improvements - get rid of chicanes fences. Widen fence opening to Columbia Park. Mr. Garcia stated the consultants would need to look further into it. - Any other sources of funds besides TDA Funding for easy and less expensive changes. Mr. Garcia stated there are other grant options available. Chair Mehlinger asked about the following: - City Arborists doing an evaluation of the entrance to Las Palmas Park. Mr. Garcia stated staff will ask the City Arborists if they can do an evaluation of the entrance. - Purchase a bike lane sized street sweeper with TDA Article 3 funding. Mr. Ng stated the purchase of a street sweeper would fall under the TDA funding however the staffing needs required to operate the street sweeper would not. Commissioner Swail asked if the main objective is to match the funding with the cost of the project. Mr. Garcia stated the BPAC could recommend to bank the funds or choose projects that meet the funding. Commissioner Swail is in favor of the staff recommendation Alternative 1. However, City of Sunnyvale Page 9 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final April 15, 2021 Commission recommends a HAWK Beacon at the Sydney intersection. Commissioner Hafeman asked about the following: - 4 way stop sign on Helena/Kennewick. Mr. Garcia stated there is no guarantee a 4 way stop sign will be required based on a stop sign warrant analysis. Chair Mehlinger asked what it would cost to do the warrant study on Kennewick Drive. Mr. Ng stated it would cost approximately $500. Vice Chair Mehlman asked when HAWK crossings are installed are there plans to have raised pedestrian crossings. Mr. Garcia stated raised pedestrian crossings are used as a traffic calming device so they have to be used where it is not a fire truck route or emergency vehicle route. It is a possibility for certain locations but not on Mary Avenue nor Fremont Avenue. Vice Chair Mehlman opened for Public Comment. Vice Chair Mehlman closed for Public Comment. Mr. Garcia has asked the BPAC to make a recommendation to City Council with four Alternatives to consider. Staff recommendation is as follows: Alternative 1: Recommend to City Council to use the TDA Article 3 grant fund for FY 2021/22, guaranteed amount of $156,554, for Project No. 1 - Helena Drive and Kennewick Drive Class IIIB and Intersection Improvements. Chair Mehlinger moved and Commissioner Oey seconded to vote yes for Alternative 2: Recommend to City Council to use the TDA Article 3 grant fund for Project No. 6-Pedestrian/Bicycle Pathway Spot Improvements with the following modifications: 1. Recommend the replacement of the chicanes with a bollard 2. Provide a Stop Warrant Study for project 1 3. City Arborist to provide a preliminary estimate on work required for project 5, and to implement Project 5 if and only if funds allow. 4. Recommend projects 1 and 5 for future BPAC's for TDA funding in the future Chair Mehlinger commented on the following: - Need more certainty around projects 1 & 5 - Choosing Project 6 would then be able to bank approximately $50,000 City of Sunnyvale Page 10 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final April 15, 2021 Commission - Thanked staff for an excellent presentation Commissioner Oey is in favor of this motion because it accomplishes a lot with very little money. FRIENDLY AMENDMENTS: Commissioner Oey recommends removal of the chicanes and have Project 5 move forward if and only if remaining funds allow. Chair Mehlinger accepts the friendly amendment. FRIENDLY AMENDMENT: Commissioner Cordes recommends to add "if funds allow". Chair Mehlinger accepts the friendly amendment. Dennis Ng suggested to the BPAC to narrow down to a project and don't put in "if" as he is worried funds could be lost. FRIENDLY AMENDMENT: Chair Mehlinger recommends to remove the conditional Project 5. Commissioner Oey accepts the friendly amendment. Commissioner Cordes commented on the following: - Thanked staff for an excellent TDA presentation - Supports the motion with the amendments Commissioner Hafeman asked if BPAC votes for Project 5 can they bank the extra funds or do they lose it. Mr. Ng stated that they can designate a project and tell VTA and MTC how much the City needs and bank the remaining. Commissioner Hafeman commented on the following: - Thanked staff for the excellent presentation - Getting the slides out ahead of time to read through them Vice Chair Mehlman commented on the following: - Thanked staff for a detailed presentation - Supports the motion because something could be done sooner than later and bank the rest Chair Mehlinger moved and Commissioner Oey seconded to vote yes for Alternative 2: Recommend to City Council to use the TDA Article 3 grant fund for Project No. 6-Pedestrian/Bicycle Pathway Spot Improvements with the following modifications: 1. Recommend the replacement of the chicanes City of Sunnyvale Page 11 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final April 15, 2021 Commission 2. Provide a Stop Warrant Study for project 1 3. Have the City Arborist provide a preliminary estimate on work required for project 5 4. Recommend projects 1 and 5 to future BPAC's for TDA funding in the future 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 4 21-0509 Report and Discussion of Recent Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) Meeting Vice Chair Mehlman called for a recess at 8:51 p.m. Vice Chair Mehlman reconvened the meeting at 9:00 p.m. Commissioner Oey, VTA BPAC Sunnyvale Representative, gave the meeting summary report regarding the following topics: - Meeting was cancelled - List of projects submitted for the Quick Strike Program STANDING ITEM: CONSIDERATION OF POTENTIAL STUDY ISSUES 5 21-0510 Parking Standards for Personal Electric Vehicles (Potential Study Issue) Lillian Tsang, Principal Transportation Engineer, stated that Chair Mehlinger submitted the Study Issue Paper which would be placed on the Potential Study Issue List if voted on and then it would be considered for sponsorship in September 2021. Chair Mehlinger discussed the Study Issue Paper with the following key points: - Personal electric vehicles (PEVs) and why they are useful City of Sunnyvale Page 12 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final April 15, 2021 Commission - Becoming more popular - Need a place to charge - Fire hazards - Identify parking standards for PEVs at commercial and multi family developments - Including fire safety standards Vice Chair Mehlman commented on the following: - Difficult to find charging stations Commissioner Oey asked if theft was a major issue with the electric mobility devices. Chair Mehlinger stated that scooters and skateboards are very hard to lock up and very easy to carry away but doesn't have any data on theft. Commissioner Cordes asked if staff will have separate recommendation for e-skateboards and scooters. Chair Mehlinger stated new apartments are providing a secure bike rooms. The details would be for staff to work out if this Study Issue is prioritized. Commissioner Cordes agrees with staff's concerns regarding parking standards. Vice Chair opened for Public Comment. Vice Chair closed for Public Comment. Commissioner Oey will be supporting the Study Issue because there is a need for secure parking and bike lockers are great that serves both bikes and mobility devices. Chair Mehlinger moved and Commissioner Oey seconded to approve the Parking Standards for Personal Electric Vehicles as a Potential Study Issue. Chair Mehlinger stated he recognizes the concerns that it is rapidly evolving and every electric device will need some sort of charger and there will be a need for security and fire safety standards and should be kept broad. The motion carried the following vote: City of Sunnyvale Page 13 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final April 15, 2021 Commission Yes 7 - Chair Mehlinger Vice Chair Mehlman Commissioner Cordes Commissioner Davé Commissioner Hafeman Commissioner Oey Commissioner Swail No 0 6 21-0511 BPAC 2022 Proposed Study Issues Lillian Tsang, Principal Transportation Engineer, stated this is a Study Issue that was placed on the proposed Study Issue List and will come back to it in September when they go through the sponsorship process. Chair Mehlinger asked if the deferred Study Issues could be added to the list. Ms. Tsang stated she would discuss with the City Manager's office on how to include it. NON-AGENDA ITEMS & COMMENTS -Commissioner Comments Commissioner Cordes commented on the following: - Sunnyvale SVBC Team renamed to Bike Sunnyvale, website called bikesunnyvale.org and Facebook page - April 16, 10am-3pm - Free bicycle tune up repair clinic - April 20 - City Council meeting - voting to identify a Proposed Option for the Mary Avenue Overcrossing EIR Commissioner Oey commented on the following: - Bike to Wherever Day 2021, bikesiliconvalley.org/btwd - Sign up to run an energizer station Vice Chair Mehlman commented on the following: - Thanked staff for all their hard work with the BPAC meetings Chair Mehlinger commented on the following: - Thank staff for all their hard work and thanked Chair Mehlman for acting as Chair for the meeting -Staff Comments City of Sunnyvale Page 14 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final April 15, 2021 Commission Dennis Ng, Transportation and Traffic Manager, announced Ralph Garcia will be leaving the City of Sunnyvale to work for the City of Santa Clara. Lillian Tsang, Principal Transportation Engineer, commented on the following: - VTA representative will be presenting the Tasman Drive Complete Streets Corridor Study to City Council on April 20, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. - Application for the East Channel Trail Study has been submitted to the VTA Measure B Planning Grant. Chair Mehlinger asked for the April 20 meeting be agenized for the BPAC meeting so there is no Brown Act violation. Ms. Tsang stated it is a public meeting so anyone could attend and it is a Study Session. INFORMATION ONLY REPORTS/ITEMS 21-0512 BPAC 2021 Annual Work Plan 21-0513 Active Items List April 2021 21-0514 Annual Slurry Seal List 2021 Commissioner Oey thanked staff for the map and the striping improvement list. ADJOURNMENT Vice Chair Mehlman adjourned the meeting at 9:33 p.m. City of Sunnyvale Page 15