Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission

City of Sunnyvale Meeting Minutes - Final Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission Thursday, February 16, 2023 6:30 PM Telepresence Meeting: City Web Stream CALL TO ORDER Pursuant to Government Code Subdivision 54953(e), the meeting was conducted telephonically; pursuant to state law, the City Council made the necessary findings by adopting Resolution No. 1089-21, reaffirmed on February 7, 2023. Chair Mehlman called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. via teleconference. ROLL CALL Present 4 - Chair Leia Mehlman Commissioner Alex Bonne Commissioner Dan Hafeman Commissioner Timothy Oey Absent 2 - Vice Chair Bryce Beagle Commissioner Arwen Davé Dennis Ng, Transportation and Traffic Manager, Lillian Tsang, Principal Transportation Engineer, Angela Obeso, Principal Transportation Engineer, Thinh Le, Transportation Engineer and Angela Wong, Transportation Engineer attended via teleconference. Commisisoner Beagle (excused absence) Commissioner Davé attended via teleconference at 6:50 p.m. Council Liaison Cisneros (absent) PRESENTATION A 23-0338 Climate Action Playbook Progress Update 2022 Madeline Khair, City of Sunnyvale Environmental Programs Manager, provided an update on the City's progress toward implementing the Moves and Actions included City of Sunnyvale Page 1 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final February 16, 2023 Commission in the Climate Action Playbook. Highlighting the following: - CAP Implementation Progress Updates - Greenhouse Gas Reduction Progress - FY 21/22 Annual Update - Key Accomplishments - Strategy 1 - Achieving clean energy - Strategy 2 - De-Carbonizing buildings - Strategy 3 - De-Carbonizing transportation - Strategy 4 - Sustainably managing resources - Strategy 5 - Engaging and empowering community members - CAP Metric #2 - Percent of kWh from local solar - CAP Metric #8 - Percentage of Zero Emissions Vehicles Registered in Sunnyvale - Current status of moves implemented - Focus for FY 22/23 - Game Plan Development Commissioner Oey commented about the following: - Thanked staff for a wonderful presentation - The ATP will not impact the climate plan at the rate it is currently going - Next game plan should focus on getting people to use electric bikes or regular bikes Commissioner Bonne commented and asked about the following: - Why is there a 2 year lag on the data source? - What are the sources of the data? - Greenhouse gas reduction plot - does the slope of the reduction meet the target by 2045? - What is the City's government fraction of the total Sunnyvale business, commercial government, energy, electricity use? - What does the water heater program do? - How close is transit to diverse housing? - Food scrap improvements - What are the products that are a result of the program and what percentage of the waste stream is food scraps? Estimate of how much of that food scrap potential waste stream are we missing? Ms. Khair addressed the questions. Commissioner Hafemen commented and asked about the following: - Are the new high density housing and office buildings being built in downtown all City of Sunnyvale Page 2 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final February 16, 2023 Commission electric? - In the transportation area use some kind of ratio on trips, using alternate transportation versus automobile Ms. Khair addressed the question. Chair Mehlman commented and asked about the following: - Can there be an addendum sent to our liaison that would list the items which are on hold or deferred? - Having an ATP does not necessarily mean we have been successful at implementing the ATP - Needs to have a stage 2 metric involved with the ATP - what percentage of the ATP has been completed - ATP should be yellow as opposed to green - Will the City be implementing new plans for new construction where the percentage of parking spaces will be electrified? Ms. Khair addressed the questions. Commissioner Oey commented on the following: - Land Use planning - Village Center Master Plan Public Comment opened at 7:25 p.m. Betsy, member of the public commented and asked about the following: - Thanked City staff for their work - In favor of electric cars - Electric cars do not reduce congestion or the amount of space the City dedicates to driving and parking - Electric cars do not reduce vehicle miles traveled - Electric cars do not improve traffic safety - Electric cars do not reduce the bulk of costs of car ownership - How and when is City staff working on getting people out of their cars? How are you measuring the results? - Are there plans to include electric bicycles in your electric vehicle information sessions and test drive days? - Is the green stormwater infrastructure about trash capture, groundwater recharger or something else? City of Sunnyvale Page 3 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final February 16, 2023 Commission - Need to look at opportunities to add green space and trees Nick, member of the public commented on the following: - Parking lot space and allocation - The City needs bike parking - Are there any thoughts to require property owners that have large surface parking lots to have a percentage of parking spaces converted to bike rack parking? - Heat pump water heaters - advantage is that it uses electricity to heat water and disadvantage is that it is loud - Would like to see more statistics on how the Climate Action Playbook is affecting getting people out of their cars Public Comment closed at 7:30 p.m. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Public Comment opened at 7:31 p.m. No speakers. Public Comment closed at 7:31 p.m. CONSENT CALENDAR 1.A 23-0345 Approve the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission Meeting Minutes of January 19, 2023. Approve the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission Meeting Minutes of January 19, 2023 as amended. Commissioner Hafeman moved and Commissioner Oey seconded to approve amended item 1.A. The amendment was made by Commissioner Hafeman who stated on page 2 that his vote to approve the November minutes should say "abstain" instead of "yes" for approving agenda item 1.A. Also, the amendment was made by Commissioner Hafeman who stated on page 9 that a motion to defer a study issue shows "carried with the following vote" should say "failed with the following vote". The amendment carried with the following vote: City of Sunnyvale Page 4 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final February 16, 2023 Commission Yes 5 - Chair Mehlman Commissioner Bonne Commissioner Davé Commissioner Hafeman Commissioner Oey No 0 Absent 1 - Vice Chair Beagle PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS 2 23-0028 Recommend to City Council to Confirm the Preferred Alignment of the Stevens Creek Trail from Remington Drive to Fremont Avenue Segment Consisting of an Off-street Trail Along the Creek with Two Connections at Fremont Avenue on Both Sides of SR85 with the Adjustments Due to Changes in Creek Conditions Alternative 1. Recommend to City Council to Confirm of the Preferred Alignment of the Stevens Creek Trail for the Remington Drive to Fremont Avenue Segment Consisting of an Off-street Trail Along the Creek with Two Connections at Fremont Avenue on Both Sides of SR85 with the Adjustments Due to Changes in Creek Conditions. Angela Obeso, Principal Transportation Engineer and Shawn O'Keefe, Consultant Project Manager, gave a presentation on the Stevens Creek Trail Extension Project, Remington Drive to Fremont Avenue. Highlighting the following: - Purpose of Outreach - Currently proposed changes from the alignment that was approved by City Council in 2016 - Project history - Phase I (Current), Phase II (Future) and Phase III (Future) - Current project funding - Construction funding - Alignment Evaluation - 2016 Council Approved Alignment - Currently Proposed Alignment - Alignment Comparison - Alignment Evaluation - Goals City of Sunnyvale Page 5 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final February 16, 2023 Commission - Segments 1-3 - Community Meeting - January 18, 2023 - Community feedback - Next steps - Community Meeting, BPAC Meeting, City Council Meeting, Environmental and Final Design - Staff Recommendation - Recommend to City Council to Confirm of the Preferred Alignment of the Stevens Creek Trail for the Remington Drive to Fremont Avenue Segment Consisting of an Off-street Trail Along the Creek with Two Connections at Fremont Avenue on Both Sides of SR85 with the Adjustments Due to Changes in Creek Conditions. Chair Mehlman commented and asked about the following: - Would like to see the route alignment overlay on an actual aerial map - Concerned with the south side of Fremont Avenue connection (slide 9) about erosion of the creek side with higher water flows affecting the accessibility of the Creek Trail - Would the project have some sort of method to mitigate the erosive effects of continued high water flows in the basin without having too much environmental impact? - Purpose of red segment - Segment 2? - In Segment 2(SR 85 Underpass) where it separates, is there any street access along that side until it gets to Fremont Avenue? Ms. Obeso, Mr. O'Keefe and Mr. Ng addressed the questions. Commissioner Oey asked about the following: - What is the approximate cost of the yellow segments versus segment 3? - Would you have to reconstruct the red portion for the bridge to span over Fremont Avenue? - Yellow segment 2 landing next to the off-ramp from SR 85 southbound - Can it use up some road space and implement a two-way trail so people can get to and from Belleville Way right along Fremont Avenue? - Red Segment 3 - How safe is it for cyclist to get to the yellow segment coming from the west? Ms. Obeso and Mr. O'Keefe addressed the questions. Commissioner Bonne asked about the following: - Are bicycle only lights being considered at the end of Fremont Avenue? City of Sunnyvale Page 6 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final February 16, 2023 Commission - In regards to the west side where the Stanford parking lot is, are there other options to utilize the area in or on the parking lot to avoid the yellow segment running along the SR 85 off-ramp? - In a typical year, how many days would you expect the SR 85 underpass to be unusable due to high water in the creek? Will you include such an analysis in your environmental study? - Are you keeping in mind what options would be more suitable for the future connection south of Fremont Avenue? Ms. Obeso and Mr. O'Keefe addressed the questions. Commissioner Hafeman asked about the following: - Has Stanford been contacted? - Turn the parking into parallel parking - On segment 3 coming out to Fremont Avenue can there be a bike extension or a path extension for bikes going both ways plus pedestrians to get you over to Bernardo Avenue? Ms. Obeso, Mr. O'Keefe and Mr. Ng addressed the questions. Commissioner Davé asked about the following: - Loves the Stevens Creek Trail - When rivers tend to bow don't they become more extreme as they age in terms of the zigging and zagging? Ms. Obeso and Mr. O'Keefe addressed the questions. Commissioner Bonne asked about the following: - Regarding the first bridge on the north end of the red segment and the creeks continue meandering, what provisions do you have to prevent the undermining of that first bridge in the next 20 years? - How can the Stanford parking lot be outside the scope of your mandate? Ms. Obeso and Mr. O'Keefe addressed the questions. Chair Mehlman asked about the following: - Will Valley Water also have to approve the design concepts for infrastructure? Ms. Obeso and Mr. O'Keefe addressed the question. City of Sunnyvale Page 7 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final February 16, 2023 Commission Public Comment opened at 8:44 p.m. Betsy, member of the public, commented on the following: - Recommends avoiding segments that are going to be narrow or dark or secluded - Avoid building sharp curves and avoid building in bad visibility - Provide wayfinding in advance of building both yellow and red segments - Trail flooding sometimes has to do with maintenance Jim Meyerson, member of the public, commented on the following: - Letter written by Friends of Stevens Creek and Bike Sunnyvale following the June 18 community outreach - Mark Thomas team and the related people there should look at alternatives on all four corners essentially of the interchange of SR 85 and Fremont Avenue - Concerned where the red trail segment 3 terminates at Fremont Avenue, on the east side of highway 85. There is a lot of traffic there which makes it a public safety issue - Staff should have conversations with Stanford regarding the Stanford parking lot Garth Williams, member of the public, commented on the following: - Doesn't recall any discussion at the 2016 City Council meeting of the landings that Fremont Avenue had to be on the north side of Fremont Avenue - Better landing on south side of Fremont Avenue to relieve stress of that intersection - Would like to see a low stress crossing on Fremont Avenue with the overcrossing in the current project then it will be able to accommodate either the trail going down Bernardo Avenue or the end of the trail Jonathan Blum, member of the public, commented on the following: - Landing in the red segment 3 is a problem - Short section between Bernardo and the on-ramp - Go over Fremont Avenue to the other side would be more appropriate - Segment 2 (yellow section) would be up to Stanford if something could be done - Will there be some sort of structure that would enable the trail to climb up the bank rather than with the way it is depicted in the diagram? Public Comment closed at 8:53 p.m. Commissioner Oey commented on the following: City of Sunnyvale Page 8 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final February 16, 2023 Commission - There are some challenges and environmental issues to work through but is in favor of the alignment piece all the way down to Fremont Avenue - Biggest concern is making sure that the connection on Fremont Avenue works for cyclists in all directions - In favor of abandoning the northeast corner - The end of the trail is fine where it ends and doesn't go further down Bernardo Avenue - In favor of having a flyover onto the southeast side versus the northeast side - Connecting the Belleville Way crossover is better - Would like to see Belleville Way for the yellow segments and flying over the problematic section on the northeast corner and landing on the southeast corner Commissioner Hafeman commented on the following: - Red Segment 3 needs to have more work done - Need to determine if the segment is feasible at all - Segment 3 needs to have a stoplight where people can cross the street to be useful MOTION: Commissioner Hafeman moved and Commissioner Oey seconded to Recommend to City Council to Confirm of the Preferred Alignment of the Stevens Creek Trail for the Remington Drive to Fremont Avenue Segment Consisting of an Off-street Trail Along the Creek with Two Connections at Fremont Avenue on Both Sides of SR85 with the Adjustments Due to Changes in Creek Conditions. Also, in order to qualify Segment 3 as a project there needs to be clear and safe access from the southbound side of Fremont Avenue as well as the northbound side to the proposed trail segments. FRIENDLY AMENDMENT: Commissioner Oey would like to state that Segment 3 must end at the southeast corner of Fremont Avenue. Commissioner Hafeman accepts the friendly amendment. Commissioner Oey stated he likes this motion because it is the simplest long-term solution and fully supports it. The motion carried with the following vote: City of Sunnyvale Page 9 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final February 16, 2023 Commission Yes 5 - Chair Mehlman Commissioner Bonne Commissioner Davé Commissioner Hafeman Commissioner Oey No 0 Absent 1 - Vice Chair Beagle 3 23-0335 Discussion on Design Concepts for 2023 Utility Bill Insert Chair Mehlman called for a recess at 9:12 p.m. Chair Mehlman reconvened the meeting at 9:22 p.m. Lillian Tsang, Principal Transportation Engineer, discussed the 2023 Utility Bill Inserts. Commissioner Oey commented on the following: - One side of the insert to talk about the three foot clearance and if there is space to shift a whole lane over away from the bicyclist so that you don't pass them closely - Same side of the insert to state that pedestrians have the freedom to cross a street anywhere as long as it is safe and they won't get ticketed - Educate residents on the law changes for vehicles and pedestrians - Ok to re-use past inserts since they still apply Chair Mehlman commented on the following: - Don't want pedestrians to think they have the right of way because they can jaywalk now without being ticketed and only when it's safe - Would like a pool noodle rides with three-foot pool noodles attached to the backs of bikes to say "use your noodles to stay three feet away" as the motto Commissioner Hafeman commented on the following: - Agrees with Commissioner Oey about the three foot distance and the new law about changing lanes on a multi-lane road - Educate public on how a car can make a right turn at a protected bike lane Chair Mehlman commented on the following: - Have a QR code for a future insert where the public can see a video on how to make a right turn on a protected bike lane City of Sunnyvale Page 10 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final February 16, 2023 Commission Commissioner Davé commented on the following: - Put the web address instead of a QR code since it takes up less space Commissioner Bonne commented on the following: - Inform the public on other opportunities to learn about safe bicycle use on City streets by listing them as websites or QR codes for bicyclists and drivers Chair Mehlman commented on the following: - Encourage the public to attend BPAC meetings - Traffic safety in the concept of cyclists and pedestrians not motor vehicles Public Comment opened at 9:37 p.m. No speakers. Public Comment closed at 9:37 p.m. Commissioner Oey commented on the following: - Likes the pool noodle idea, keep it simple and big about three feet long - Avoid fine print 4 23-0336 Discussion on Projects for Transportation Development Act (TDA) Article 3 Application Lillian Tsang, Principal Transportation Engineer, discussed the Transportation Development Act (TDA) Article 3 Grant Application. Ms. Tsang stated TDA funding comes from sales tax revenue designated for bicycle and pedestrian projects. The amount is unknown at this point and staff should know what the amount is in March. Ms. Tsang stated they will need to let VTA know by April if they intend to bank the funding or use the funding for a specific project. FY 20/21 budget was used to implement improvements at Fremont Avenue, Manet Avenue and Bobwhite Avenue which is currently under construction. FY 21/22 funding is being used to implement bike and pedestrian pathway spot improvements at three of the bike and pedestrian pathways and also conduct a couple of studies. Last year the funding of $210,000 was banked for future use. Looking at roughly $130,000 to implement wider gate at Crawford Drive location leading to Las Palmas Park. Chair Mehlman commented and asked about the following: - Would like to see a picture of intersection to remind the BPAC on what is going on - There wasn't sufficient cyclists and pedestrians counts at this intersection (Helena/Kennewick) for changing direction of the STOP sign? What if it was made into a 4-way stop? City of Sunnyvale Page 11 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final February 16, 2023 Commission - Deficiency in the design on the pathway that crosses over Mathilda Avenue to NASA Bayshore Frontage Road. Signal flashes before you can finish crossing all the way. Ms. Tsang and Mr. Ng addressed the questions. Commissioner Oey commented and asked about the following: - Can staff install a video sensor at Mathilda/Bayshore Frontage Road? - A million dollar upgrade at the Kennewick/Helena intersection seems excessive since it is not that dangerous - Approves of the Crawford Drive improvement - Can TDA funds be used for fixing the 352 bike route to straighten it out so that it goes up and down Hollenbeck Avenue only? Also the bike route on Borregas Avenue and Sunnyvale-Saratoga Road and Sunnyvale Avenue needs to be straightened out - Was there a longer list of other projects? - The passageway at Cheyenne Drive is awkward for cyclists because it curves. Can a curb cut be added? Mr. Ng and Ms. Tsang addressed the questions. Commissioner Hafeman commented on the following: - Reducing the pork chop islands on El Camino Real at Murphy Avenue and at Frances Street on the north side would qualify for TDA funding Commissioner Bonne commented on the following: - Two intrusions into the bike lane on the north side of El Camino that force bicyclists south into the car lane Chair Mehlman commented on the following: - Morse Avenue to Weddell Avenue needs to be repaved ASAP but on Slurry Seal list for 2025 Commissioner Bonne commented on the following: - Find a way to both increase enforcement and lower the existing speed limits on Hollenbeck Avenue - Impose traffic calming measures along Pastoria Avenue - Lower the speed limit on Hollenbeck Avenue from 30 to 25 mph City of Sunnyvale Page 12 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final February 16, 2023 Commission Commissioner Davé commented on the following: - Pork Chop island on Mathilda Avenue and Maude Avenue on the northwest corner should be shaved back Commissioner Oey commented on the following: - Getting onto the bridge off of Borregas/Weddell needs a curb cut and stop sign for bicyclists entering the intersection Chair Mehlman commented on the following: - No bicycle facilities at Wiser Park Commissioner Oey commented on the following: - Orange and Pear parking garages have big bike link lockers in a bad spot. They need to be moved where cyclists can find them and turn them on Commissioner Bonne suggested have the bicycle parking at the new City Hall should be doubled and covered Public Comment opened at 9:46 p.m. No speakers. Public Comment closed at 9:46 p.m. 23-0337 Report and Discussion of Recent Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) Meeting Commissioner Bonne, VTA BPAC Sunnyvale Representative, gave the meeting summary report for February regarding the following topics: - BART Phase II extension project funded with $375 million from the state. Qualifies for $4 billion from the federal contribution. May alter tunnel design from stacked tracks to side-by-side - Community Design & Transportation Manual Update to be presented in March. Input due to Lola.torney@vta.org before March 7 - VTA BPAC requests 3 members to volunteer to help score applications for Measure B Grants. They expect around eight applications. If interested or have questions email 2016MeasureB@vta.org - Climate Action & Adaptation Plan (CAAP) update. VTA awarded grant by CalTrans. - Quantify transportation sector Greenhouse Gas Emissions, both public & private City of Sunnyvale Page 13 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final February 16, 2023 Commission - Prediction to 2050: CO2/yr declining from 4000 MT/yr to 1000 MT/yr. VMT increase from 14 Gmi to 16 Gmi. - VTA Bike & Ped overview of VTA staff activities. Primarily in Planning & Policy and Programming & Project Delivery then Support Bike & Pedestrian access to transit and Community Education & Encouragement - Priorities for 2023:Unchanged from last year which are the Countywide Bike & Pedestrian Safety Campaign, support engineering of Bascom Complete Streets, Homestead Safe Route to School, replacement of 100% of VTA bike lockers and collaborate with grants team to fund Homestead Bike Lane & Central Bikeway projects - Better Bus Stops Program: - Replace old installations with new benches, shelters, lights, trash cans and signs - Over 3,200 stops in the whole system. Completed 80 with 400 shelters left to go. 500 concrete trash cans will be replaced with paint and steel Public Comment opened at 9:54 p.m. No speakers. Public Comment closed at 9:54 p.m. STANDING ITEM: CONSIDERATION OF POTENTIAL STUDY ISSUES None. NON-AGENDA ITEMS & COMMENTS -Commissioner Comments Commissioner Oey commented and asked about the following: - Bike detection pavement marking painted on Wright Avenue and South Fremont Avenue that triggers the light. They have been scrubbed off. What happened to them? - Why are the bike lockers turned off in the parking garage at Target? - Plaza Del Sol parking garage would be a great place to teach safe bicycling. Can that be used for TDA funding? Commissioner Hafeman commented on the following: - Fair Oaks Park - when crowded no parking at the park or 1/2 mile radius from the park - Need to make an effort so that there is a safe route to Fair Oaks Park City of Sunnyvale Page 14 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final February 16, 2023 Commission Commissioner Bonne asked about the following: - How do residents get traffic calming measures installed? - Would like a crosswalk or traffic calming measure at the intersection of Yukon/Cascade where cars go through when trying to bypass the light at Sunnyvale-Saratoga Road and Fremont Avenue Ms. Tsang and Mr. Ng addressed the questions. -Staff Comments Ms. Tsang commented on the following: - City Council held the Study Issue and Budget Proposal Workshop on February 16. Results as follows: - DPW 23-06 - Evaluate Range of Options for Shuttle Services and Alternative Transportation Options for Fremont and Homestead High School Students who Live in North Sunnyvale was ranked number one - DPW 21-01 - Bike Lanes on Hollenbeck Avenue between El Camino Real and Homestead Road was ranked number 3 - DPW 23-08 - Define Metrics that the City Will Use to Evaluate the City's Progress on Bicycle and Pedestrian Infrastructure for Future Report was ranked number 5 - DPW 23-05 - Vision Zero Redesign was deferred by City Council - DPW 23-02 - Develop a Safe Routes to Park Master Plan was dropped by City Council - FIN 22-01 - Explore a General Election Ballot Measure to Fund Bicycle and Pedestrian Infrastructure Projects was dropped by City Council - Staff will propose the budget to implement the different study issues in the May budget workshop. At that point City Council will make a decision on where to draw the line in terms of funding opportunities for these study issues - New lighted crosswalk has been installed on the west leg of the intersection of California/Pajaro. It is currently operational - Buffer bike lane has been installed on Maude Avenue between the West City limits and approaching Mathilda Avenue - Two stage bike boxes have been installed at the intersections of Mary/Maude, Pastoria/Maude and Maude/Macara - Construction for the Sunnyvale Safe Routes to School Project will be starting soon. The project will include installing a bike lane on Sunnvale Avenue between Hendy and Maude as well as doing intersection improvements at Maude/Mathilda and Maude/Borregas which includes removing the pork chop islands at those locations City of Sunnyvale Page 15 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final February 16, 2023 Commission - An email was sent out to the BPAC regarding seating arrangements for future in-person meetings to be held at the City Council Chamber Thinh Le gave an update on the temporary traffic control for the Moffett Park Multi-Use Trail Project. INFORMATION ONLY REPORTS/ITEMS 23-0339 BPAC 2023 Annual Work Plan 23-0340 Active Items List January 2023 23-0341 2023 Deferred Study Issues ADJOURNMENT Chair Mehlman adjourned the meeting at 10:35 p.m. City of Sunnyvale Page 16