Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission

City of Sunnyvale Meeting Minutes - Final Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission Thursday, May 20, 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 6:33 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 Nabilah Deen, Transportation Engineer attended via teleconference. Council Liaison Melton (absent). ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Chair Mehlinger opened for Public Comment. Chair Mehlinger closed for Public Comment. CONSENT CALENDAR Chair Mehlinger opened for Public Comment. Chair Mehlinger closed for Public Comment. City of Sunnyvale Page 1 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final May 20, 2021 Commission 1.A 21-0527 Approve the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission Meeting Minutes of April 15, 2021. Approve the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission Meeting Minutes of April 15, 2021 as submitted. Commissioner Hafeman moved and Vice Chair Mehlman 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 No 0 PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS 2 21-0584 Review Fiscal Year 21/22 Recommended Budget Lillian Tsang, Principal Transportation Engineer, made the following comments about the FY 2021/22 Recommended Budget: - Fiscal year 21/22 Recommended Budget was delivered to City Council on Monday, May 10. The budget workshop was held on May 20 - Annual City Council Public Hearing on the budget will be held on Tuesday, June 8 - Budget adoption scheduled to be on Tuesday, June 15 - Volume one of the Recommended Budget contains the operating budget and Volume two of the Recommended Budget contains the Capital Improvement projects for the City - Transportation and traffic related projects start on page 61-165 Chair Mehlinger opened for Public Comment. Chair Mehlinger closed for Public Comment. Commissioner Oey asked if staff could put together an analysis on what is spent on City of Sunnyvale Page 2 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final May 20, 2021 Commission Bicycle improvements, Pedestrian improvements and other roadway improvements. Dennis Ng, Transportation and Traffic Manager stated that could be something staff can work on next fiscal year. Commissioner Cordes asked about page 73 Project 900141- Future Traffic Calming Projects with a listed budget for FY 21/22, however, the project detail sheet on page 160 shows it is unfunded. Ms. Tsang stated that on the top of page 73 it shows unfunded. Commissioner Hafeman commented and asked about the following: - City Manager's summary did not mention bicycle improvements or the ATP - Would like a breakdown of dollar amount spent on bicycle and pedestrian projects - The estimated budget for Mary Avenue Overcrossing is $200 million. Is that for the 4 lane option? - Future years don't show a budget amount. Was everything bundled into 2021? Ms. Tsang stated the amount seen could be allocated into 1 year but could be multi-year projects which would be rolled over to the years that follow until the project is completed. - What does unfunded mean for a project? - Is the Homestead Road study completed and ready to implement? Ms. Tsang addressed his questions. Commissioner Cordes commented and asked about the following: - Project 833010 on page 116 - Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Improvements. Is this a funding source for everything in the ATP and will there be only 1 year of funding for this program? Ms. Tsang stated there is funding for this fiscal year but will need to find grant opportunities for future funding. Most of the $400,000 will be used as a matching fund for the grants. - How is it decided what percentage of the TIF funds are allocated toward biking projects? Ms. Tsang stated that in the TIF study that was conducted back in 2007 there is a breakdown on the amount of TIF anticipated to collect and what portion of it will go to bike and pedestrian improvements and individual projects. Vice Chair Mehlman commented and asked about the following: - Page 119, project 833790. What is the project cost breakdown? Ms. Tsang stated these are grants that were received to upgrade and install new Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons(RRFB) in the City. The budget also includes annual operating costs. City of Sunnyvale Page 3 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final May 20, 2021 Commission - Pavement standards - Unfunded projects page/adding a header under status of projects Chair Mehlinger commented on the following: - Infrastructure breakdown would be helpful for next FY Commissioner Oey asked and commented on the following: - On page 118 - Is a bicycle pavement standard included in the study? Ms. Tsang stated she will have to check with the project manager to see if that is included as part of this project. - What is the current situation on Bicycle Detection Systems? Mr. Ng stated the it is a constant evolving technology that we are going through so the City is always looking at new technology. - Page 120 - Pedestrian Bicycle Improvements - Is there a pedestrian scramble being considered at that intersection? Mr. Ng stated it is part of the project. - Page 150 - Bicycle and Pedestrian Education Encouragement Program - What are the education program plans for the City and how much the Traffic and Transportation Division is involved versus how much Public Safety is involved and how much input can BPAC have in guiding where the program is headed? Ms. Tsang stated they are coordinating with Public Safety and allocating some of the funding to them. Commissioner Cordes moved and Commissioner Oey seconded to recommend to City Council to include at least $5 million per year in funding for the next 10 years for implementing improvements as identified in the ATP and Vision Zero Plan, in order to achieve the goals we have set for reducing traffic fatalities. Commissioner Cordes commented on the following: - Need to send a consistent clear message to City Council that current funding levels are not acceptable Commissioner Oey commented on the following: - Agreed with Commissioner's Cordes comments - Need to prioritize money to complete ATP improvements and Vision Zero Vice Chair Mehlman commented on the following: - Implementation of the ATP and Vision Zero Plan is crucial to achieving our Climate Action Plan City of Sunnyvale Page 4 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final May 20, 2021 Commission Commissioner Hafeman commented on the following: - Supports the motion - A lot more needs to be done on other modes of transportation Chair Mehlinger commented on the following: - Supports the motion - Serious challenge with coming up with $5 million a year due to budget constraints - Study issue on shift of funding Commissioner Oey commented on the following: - Shift funding from vehicles to bicycles and pedestrian 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 moved and Commissioner Davé seconded to have a rough breakdown of funding for transportation projects, broken down by the categories of pedestrian, bicycle and motor vehicle for the FY 22/23 budget and all budgets going forward. Chair Mehlinger commented on the following: - The breakdown will be very helpful to the BPAC and to the City Council in understanding just how and where we are spending our transportation dollars Commissioner Davé commented on the following: - Agreed with Chair Mehlinger Commissioner Cordes commented on the following: - All City budget formats are basically the same City of Sunnyvale Page 5 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final May 20, 2021 Commission - Identify recurring expenses Commissioner Oey commented on the following: - Supports the motion - High level, easy way for BPAC to take a perspective on where we are at Commissioner Hafeman commented on the following: - Need to breakdown money spent on implementing improvements in the ATP - Money spent for ATP should be in the next City Manager's summary FRIENDLY AMENDMENT: Chair Mehlinger amends his motion to define bicycle and pedestrian projects as those called out in either the Active Transportation Plan, Roadway Safety Plan or the Vision Zero Plan. Commissioner Davé accepts the friendly amendment. Commissioner Davé asked if other cities had a breakdown of their bicycle and pedestrian spending. Commissioner Cordes stated it varies with each city. The amendment carried the following vote: Yes 7 - Chair Mehlinger Vice Chair Mehlman Commissioner Cordes Commissioner Davé Commissioner Hafeman Commissioner Oey Commissioner Swail No 0 3 21-0585 Report and Discussion of Recent Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) Meeting Commissioner Oey, VTA BPAC Sunnyvale Representative, gave the meeting summary report regarding the following topics: - Recommendation to the VTA Board of Directors to approve the recommended project list for 2016 Measure B Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning Study Competitive Grant Program - Attachments included showing the five winners City of Sunnyvale Page 6 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final May 20, 2021 Commission - Recommendation to the VTA Board of Directors to adopt the Bicycle Superhighway Implementation Plan - Review of the Complete Streets Checklist for the projects submitted for the Quick Strike Program Chair Mehlinger opened for Public Comment. Chair Mehlinger closed for Public Comment. STANDING ITEM: CONSIDERATION OF POTENTIAL STUDY ISSUES 4 21-0596 Roll In or Fully Enclosed Bike Parking Ordinance (Potential Study Issue) Commissioner Oey commented on the following: - City should encourage "Roll in" behavior because it is very doeable in a lot of different businesses - Related to a prior study issue regarding how we handle micromobility parking and charging - Ideal to have bike lockers with charging stations - Other cities have adopted ordinances in this direction Ms. Tsang commented on the following: - City of Sunnyvale requires bike storage and parking outside retail and commercial space - City of Sunnyvale does not regulate the use of interior retail commercial or office space - Secure parking is required on most office developments for employees Vice Chair Mehlman commented on the following: - Bring a bicycle into a building if the building can accommodate - Parking a bike inside a building would bring separate issues - Take out the word "Parking" in the Study Issue Chair Mehlinger stated 4 options pertaining to the Potential Study Issue for BPAC to consider: 1. Accept the study as written 2. Propose minor modifications to the scope of the study issue that could be adoptive at the meeting 3. Ask Commissioner Oey to make changes and bring back a future time City of Sunnyvale Page 7 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final May 20, 2021 Commission 4. Do not accept the Potential Study Issue Commissioner Hafeman commented on the following: - Need ordinances to require businesses to provide safe parking for bicycles - Study Issue should include a study of a more stringent bicycle parking requirement on businesses Chair Mehlinger commented on the following: - Study Issue needs more refinement - Suggests to have Commissioner Oey and 2 other Commissioners to refine it and make it more clear on what the Study Issue is really asking Commissioner Oey commented on the following: - Staff should develop an ordinance based on the objective as listed Chair Cordes commented on the following: - Be able to bring your bike in while you shop Commissioner Oey moved and Commissioner Cordes seconded to approve the Roll In or Fully Enclosed Bike Parking Ordinance as a Proposed Study Issue. Commissioner Oey commented on the following: - Recognizes there are challenges on how to capture this - Hoping to make it easier for other people to recognize there are alternatives for them - Secured bike parking outside a business or roll it inside to keep it securely with them Commissioner Mehlinger and Commissioner Cordes both support the motion. The motion carried the following vote: Yes 6 - Chair Mehlinger Commissioner Cordes Commissioner Davé Commissioner Hafeman Commissioner Oey Commissioner Swail City of Sunnyvale Page 8 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final May 20, 2021 Commission No 0 Abstain 1 - Vice Chair Mehlman 5 21-0589 BPAC 2022 Proposed Study Issues Chair Mehlinger asked if staff could include the deferred study issues on the list of study issues in the packet currently under this item. Ms. Tsang stated it is included in the Info Only section. Chair Mehlinger opened for Public Comment. Chair Mehlinger closed for Public Comment. Ms. Tsang stated that Commissioner Oey submitted another study issue paper that will be included in next month's agenda. NON-AGENDA ITEMS & COMMENTS -Commissioner Comments Commissioner Oey commented on the following: - Bike to Wherever Day is here, need to pledge then you will receive a ticket to collect a bag - Bikesiliconvalley.org/btwd - Bike to cookie day was well received - May 21 - receive a bag for riding your bike to an energized station after you pledge Commissioner Cordes commented on the following: - June 3 at 12:00 p.m. - Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition is hosting a free virtual bicycle ride of the Bicycle Superhighway that VTA plans to develop in the 2018 Bicycle Master Plan - May 25 from 6-7 p.m - Bicycle Coalition is sponsoring a free virtual bicycle 101 class at www.bikesiliconvalley.org/events Chair Mehlinger asked and commented on the following: - When will the BPAC return to Council Chambers? Mr. Ng stated staff has started discussions but there isn't an exact date that has been identified yet. Chair Mehlinger introduced Diana Crumedy who is the new Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition Santa Clara County Advocate taking the place of John Cordes. Diana City of Sunnyvale Page 9 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final May 20, 2021 Commission gave some background about herself. Chair Mehlinger asked if the City Clerk can give unique file names on the agendas? Ms. Tsang stated they will check with the City Clerk. Chair Mehlinger asked if there are any steps taken to make Borregas safer? Mr. Ng stated when the investigation is over, steps can be taken for improvements. -Staff Comments Lillian Tsang, Principal Transportation Engineer, commented on the following: - Bicycle improvements on Willow Avenue as part of the Lawrence Station Area Sidewalk and Bicycle Facility Project - May 27 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. - hosting an online public outreach meeting at youtube.com/sunnyvalemeetings Dennis Ng, Transportation and Traffic Manager, commented on the following: - City Council voted to fund two Study Issues - Pedestrian and Bicycle Facility Installation on Tasman Drive - Complete Missing Gaps of Sidewalk on Poplar Avenue - Next year both Study Issues will be worked on Commissioner Cordes and Chair Mehlinger requested to have a VTA presentation on the Tasman Complete Streets Study added to a future BPAC agenda. INFORMATION ONLY REPORTS/ITEMS 21-0586 BPAC 2021 Annual Work Plan 21-0587 Active Items List May 2021 21-0588 2021 Deferred Study Issues ADJOURNMENT Chair Mehlinger adjourned the meeting at 8:34 p.m. City of Sunnyvale Page 10