Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission

City of Sunnyvale Meeting Minutes - Final Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission Thursday, October 21, 2021 6:30 PM Telepresence Meeting: City Web Stream CALL TO ORDER Pursuant to Section 3 of Executive Order N-29-20 (March 17, 2020) and Section 42 of Executive Order N-08-21 (June 11, 2021) issued by Governor Newsom, the meeting was conducted telephonically. Chair Mehlinger clarified the teleconference provisions after the recess at 8:10 p.m., before agenda item 21-0997. Chair Mehlinger called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. via teleconference. ROLL CALL Present 7 - Chair Richard Mehlinger Vice Chair Leia Mehlman Commissioner Alex Bonne Commissioner Arwen Davé Commissioner Dan Hafeman Commissioner Timothy Oey Commissioner Mihir Paradkar Dennis Ng, Transportation and Traffic Manager, Lillian Tsang, Principal Transportation Engineer and Nabilah Deen, Transportation Engineer attended via teleconference. Council Liaison Klein (present). PRESENTATION A 21-0995 Sunnyvale Safe Routes to School Coordinator Updates Maria Arellano, Sunnyvale Safe Routes to School Coordinator, provided an update on the Safe Routes to School efforts at public schools serving Sunnyvale students. City of Sunnyvale Page 1 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final October 21, 2021 Commission Highlighting the following: - Helmet distribution event held on August 7, 2021. Handed out over 170 helmets for free - Resuming Bike Rodeos - Future Bike and Pedestrian Safety instructions for middle school students - Partnering with Wheel Kids/Bike Workshops - Future distribution of free helmets - Travel tally's for elementary and middle schools in the Santa Clara Unified School District, Sunnyvale School District and Cupertino Unified School District - Hiring of more Crossing Guards Commissoner Oey asked about the following: - Middle School instruction - Promoting bicycle safety during the month of May Commissioner Bonne asked about the following: - Travel tally's time frame - Format and frequency of educational workshops for students Chair Mehlinger opened for Public Comment. Chair Mehlinger closed for Public Comment. Chair Mehlinger commented and asked about the following: - Traffic Garden Program - Travel tally flexibility due to weather - Count of students who are doing remote only Ms. Arellano addressed the questions. Commissioner Hafeman commented on the following: - Liked that the student instruction for bicycle safety will be taught from the driver's, bicyclist's and pedestrian's perspectives Commissioner Oey commented on the following: - Wheel Kids Workshop - Traffic Garden - Bike Rodeos City of Sunnyvale Page 2 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final October 21, 2021 Commission Vice Chair Mehlman commented on the following: - Location for a Traffic Garden Ms. Arellano stated BPAC can send her emails to provide input related to SRTS. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Chair Mehlinger opened for Public Comment. Chair Mehlinger closed for Public Comment. CONSENT CALENDAR 1.A 21-1001 Approve the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission Meeting Minutes of September 16, 2021. Chair Mehlinger opened for Public Comment Chair Mehlinger closed for Public Comment Approve the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission Meeting Minutes of September 16, 2021 as submitted. Commissioner Oey moved and Commissioner Hafeman seconded to approve item 1.A. The motion carried the following vote: Yes 7 - Chair Mehlinger Vice Chair Mehlman Commissioner Bonne Commissioner Davé Commissioner Hafeman Commissioner Oey Commissioner Paradkar No 0 PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS 2 21-0918 Java Drive Road Diet and Bike Lanes Recommendation to City Council City of Sunnyvale Page 3 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final October 21, 2021 Commission Alternative 1: Recommend to City Council to approve the Java Drive Road Diet removal of one mixed flow lane in each direction between Mathilda and Crossman avenues and select option 1, Class II-B buffered bike lanes for final design and construction. Angelo Obeso, Principal Transportation Engineer gave a presentation on the Java Drive Road Diet and Bike Lanes Recommendation to City Council. Highlighting the following: - Background - Project location - Increase bicycle connectivity - Add buffered bicycle lanes - Add bicycle detection at intersections - Existing Typical Cross Section - Proposed Typical Cross Section - Examples of Buffered Bike Lanes - Examples of Class IV Separated Bikeways - Traffic Analysis - Public Outreach - Feedback received to date - Next steps: Project Option Selection, Environmental Clearance, Final Design, Construction Commissioner Mehlman asked about the following: What was the assessment of reduction of the speed limit on the section of the road? Ms. Obeso stated after the project is constructed, it will be placed on the future speed survey location list. Is there a possibility to have a physical barrier? Ms. Obeso stated because of the frequency of driveways and location of bus stops it was decided to go with paint striping. Commissioner Oey asked about the following: Will the bicycle detection be on the left turn and the straight through lane versus the bike lane? Ms. Obeso stated they will consider that for the design phase. Will the signal detection be in pavement loops detectors or will it be video? Dennis Ng, Traffic and Transportation Manager stated that the evaluation has not been City of Sunnyvale Page 4 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final October 21, 2021 Commission completed yet. What are the right turn treatments thoughts for vehicles? Ms. Obeso stated that the details will be looked into when the design portion is being worked on. Will it be considered to narrow the lane from 13 feet to 11 feet to slow traffic? Ms. Obeso stated that will be a design consideration. Are there sidewalks on both sides of the street? Ms. Obeso stated that on the northern side of Java Drive there is a continuous sidewalk of the entire length of the segment, however on the southern side there is sidewalk on most of the segment with a short gap. Ms. Obeso stated they are aware of the gap and will be looking into it. Do you plan on having models that take into account mode shift? Ms. Obeso stated she does not know if it being developed. Commissioner Bonne asked about the following: Would you consider an intermittent obstacle to give bicyclists security? Ms. Obeso stated the proposed project is to convert the pavement into a striped buffer and a striped bike lane. There have been internal talks about adding barriers but there are concerns about operation and maintenance. What is the reason for the anticipated increase in traffic in 2035? Ms. Obeso stated it's based on the anticipated land use growth from Sunnyvale General Plan and the rest of the region. Chair Mehlinger asked about the following: Is Lockheed Martin Way owned by Lockheed or the City of Sunnyvale? Ms. Obeso stated Lockheed Martin Way is a private street. Is there a plan for left turns for bicyclists at the intersections? Ms. Obeso stated they are looking into different intersection treatments. It will be discussed in the design phase. What is the width of the City street sweeper? Mr. Ng stated the width of the City street sweeper is approximately 9 1/2 feet wide. Would the bike lanes be able to be cleaned by the City street sweeper if the green City of Sunnyvale Page 5 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final October 21, 2021 Commission plastic bollards or orange flex sticks were installed? Mr. Ng stated that they are going to use paint and look into barriers later on. Will there be signs saying "No stopping at anytime" rather than "No parking at anytime"? Ms. Obeso stated as they go into the design phase they will be looking into signage. Commissioner Bonne asked about the following: Are there current vehicle and bicycle counts on Java Drive? If so, what is your projection 5-10 years from now? Ms. Obeso stated they have counts that were included in the traffic analysis. They only projected out to 2035 so they do not have 5 year estimates. What is the cost of sweeping streets in cost per mile and what is the narrowest sweeper width? Mr. Ng stated he does not have the cost per mile and the City is researching how to acquire smaller and narrower street sweepers but there are capacity issues with a smaller street sweeper. Chair Mehlinger opened for Public Comment. Chair Mehlinger closed for Public Comment. Commissioner Oey commented on the following: - Appreciates the wider space - In favor of making lanes narrower Commissioner Hafeman commented on the following: - In favor of the wider buffered bike lane instead of the class IV - Supports the proposal as is with one exception of reducing the travel lane to 11 feet for speed control Commissioner Davé commented on the following: - In favor of the proposal and likes the wider buffered bike lane Commissioner Oey moved and Vice Chair Mehlman seconded Alternative 1: Recommend to City Council to approve the Java Drive Road Diet removal of one mixed flow lane in each direction between Mathilda and Crossman avenues and select option 1, Class II-B buffered bike lanes for final design and construction. City of Sunnyvale Page 6 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final October 21, 2021 Commission Commissioner Oey commented on the following: - Great design for this location and fully supports staff's excellent work for putting it together Vice Chair Mehlman commented on the following: - Evaluating the 11 feet wide lane at a later time - Thanked staff for a very well thought out project Chair Mehlinger supports the motion due to excellent work from staff. Appreciates that the project could be converted to a Class IV facility at a later time. The motion carried the following vote: Yes 7 - Chair Mehlinger Vice Chair Mehlman Commissioner Bonne Commissioner Davé Commissioner Hafeman Commissioner Oey Commissioner Paradkar No 0 3 21-0996 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: - Bicycle Superhighway Implementation Plan was published in September - VTA Bike Map is being re-published with minor updates. Next major revision of the map is scheduled to be published in 2024 - Oct. 26-28 the California Active Transportation Resource Center (sponsored by Caltrans) will have a free symposium from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each day. Registration and information at https://caatpresources.org/1524 - In process of nominating Chair and Vice Chair for 2022 for the Advisory Committee Leadership - Update on Countywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Education/Encouragement Efforts - Bicycle Parking Chapter in the Bicycle Technical Guidelines is being updated - Wayfinding subcommittee has been formed to research and recommend wayfinding standards City of Sunnyvale Page 7 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final October 21, 2021 Commission Commissioner Bonne asked what kind of facilities are suitable for roll in? Commissioner Oey stated it is great for retail but can also be used for regular businesses. Chair Mehlinger opened for Public Comment. Chair Mehlinger closed for Public Comment. Chair Mehlinger called for a recess at 8:00 p.m. Chair Mehlinger reconvened the meeting at 8:10 p.m. The teleconference provisions were corrected and clarified. Pursuant to Government Code Subdivision 54953 (e), the meeting was conducted telephonically. Pursuant to state law, the City Council is scheduled to make the necessary finding on October 26, 2021. STANDING ITEM: CONSIDERATION OF POTENTIAL STUDY ISSUES 4 21-0997 BPAC 2022 Sponsored Study Issues(for Scenario 1) Chair Mehlinger opened for Public Comment. Chair Mehlinger closed for Public Comment. Commissioner Oey asked about the following: - High cost for the "Simplify Sidewalk Riding Ordinance" study issue Commissioner Hafeman suggested using bond issues in addition to taxes for raising funds for the Study Issue "Bicycle and Pedestrian Infrastructure Bond Measure". Vice Chair Mehlman commented on the following: - Concerned that the funding will be replaced with what the City already has for funding Chair Mehlinger commented and asked about the following: - If the "Simplify Sidewalk Riding Ordinance" study issue could be done at a lower cost - Emphasize the fire safety aspect on the "Parking Standards for Personal Electric Vehicles" study issue City of Sunnyvale Page 8 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final October 21, 2021 Commission Ms. Tsang addressed the questions. NON-AGENDA ITEMS & COMMENTS -Commissioner Comments Commissioner Oey commented and asked about the following: - How did a 9 1/2 feet wide lane get approved on Sunnyvale Avenue by Whole Foods Markets - East/West Channel on track Chair Mehlinger asked about the following: - Sunnyvale Avenue median reconfiguration - Add City Council contract award date for the "Enhanced Crosswalk on California Avenue at Pajaro Avenue" from the Active Items List Vice Chair Mehlman commented on the following: - Great job repaving the Green Belt Commissioner Davé commented on the following: - Forwarding contact at NASA to the Climate Action Playbook staff Mr. Ng addressed the questions. -Staff Comments Nabilah Deen, Transportation Engineer, commented on the following: - On Sept. 28, 2021 City Council approved removal of on-street parking on Sunnyvale Avenue for the installation of Class IIB Buffered Bicycle Lanes. The design contract was awarded recently, and we are moving forward with this project for the design phase. - The City recently issued a Notice of Preparation for the Mary Avenue Overcrossing EIR on October 8, and the public comment period will be open until November 8. - Staff is preparing a grant application to be submitted this month for the study issue to Improve Bicycle and Pedestrian Access at Sunnyvale Caltrain Station. The award of grant will be announced in Spring 2022. - Staff will be working at the intersection of Homestead Road and Mary Avenue next week for the activation of a Pedestrian Scramble. The Pedestrian Scramble will be City of Sunnyvale Page 9 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final October 21, 2021 Commission activated and operational by Wednesday, October 27th. Commissioner Oey asked and commented about the following: - Pedestrian Scramble re-striping Commissioner Bonne asked about the following: - Diagonal crosswalks at the Pedestrian Scramble - Signage for turning right during pedestrian scramble phase - Increased enforcement for no right on red when first installed Commissioner Hafeman asked about the following: - Pedestrian Scramble activation Vice Chair Mehlman asked about the following: - Consideration of a public ceremony for the activation of the Pedestrian Scramble Chair Mehlinger asked about the following: - Time of day when the Pedestrian Scramble will operate - Pedestrian Scramble at Fremont High School - Email the BPAC the notice of preparation on the Mary Overpass EIR Mr. Ng addressed the questions. INFORMATION ONLY REPORTS/ITEMS 21-0998 BPAC 2021 Annual Work Plan 21-0999 Active Items List October 2021 Commissioner Hafeman asked when the Homestead Road Bike Lanes Project will start in 2022 and has a contractor been picked? Ms. Deen stated once the consultant has been finalized an updated schedule will be released. 21-1000 2021 Deferred Study Issues ADJOURNMENT Chair Mehlinger adjourned the meeting at 8:51 p.m. City of Sunnyvale Page 10