Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission

City of Sunnyvale Meeting Minutes - Final Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission Thursday, June 20, 2024 6:30 PM Online and Bay Conference Room, City Hall, 456 W. Olive Ave. Sunnyvale, CA 94086 CALL TO ORDER Chair Oey called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m. SALUTE TO THE FLAG Chair Oey led the salute to the flag. ROLL CALL Present 7 - Chair Timothy Oey Vice Chair Bryce Beagle Commissioner Alex Bonne Commissioner Arwen Davé Commissioner Dan Hafeman Commissioner Sharlene Liu Commissioner Leia Mehlman Council Liaison Sell (present) PRESENTATION A 24-0753 Recognition of Service Council member Sell thanked Chair Oey and Commissioner Liu for their service and presented them with certificates. B 24-0754 Mathilda Avenue Bike Lane Study Thinh Le, Transportation Engineer, and Nikita Petrov, consultant from Kimley-Horn, gave a presentation on the Mathilda Avenue Bike Lane Study. Highlighting the following: - Project Limits - Southbound Mathilda Avenue between SB US 101 Off-Ramp and City of Sunnyvale Page 1 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final June 20, 2024 Commission Maude Avenue - Existing Geometric Conditions - Project Background: - Sunnyvale Active Transportation Plan - Valley Transportation Plan 2040 - Sunnyvale Vision Zero Plan - Sunnyvale Roadway Safety Plan - Peery Park Specific Plan - Project Timeline - Next Steps: - Develop conceptual design and prepare cost estimate - Receive community input on proposed improvements - August 1, community meeting at City Hall and on Zoom - Return to BPAC in fall to make a recommendation to Council - Project Webpage and Contact - Go to: sunnyvale.ca.gov and search for "Transportation Projects" Commissioner Mehlman asked about the following: - Is the primary focus of this study going to be just a vehicle lane reduction analysis? - Does Caltrans need to provide input? - Is there going to be any lane removal analysis? - Will there be a speed survey? - As part of this analysis will there be alternatives provided other than vehicle lane reduction if the vehicle lane reduction cannot be performed for whatever reason? - In regards to the Ahwanee Avenue/US 101 area, does Caltrans have veto power over implementation? - How does a cyclist access the bike lane going southbound on Mathilda Avenue starting from SR 237? - Will the study include Evelyn Avenue exit on Mathilda Avenue going southbound? Mr. Petrov and Ms. Tsang addressed the questions. Commissioner Davé asked about the following: - Slide #2 - Are those the current traffic signal lights? - Will you be looking at making the intersections safer to travel through by bike as well as the feasibility of adding the lane? Mr. Petrov addressed the questions. City of Sunnyvale Page 2 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final June 20, 2024 Commission Commissioner Bonne asked about the following: - How will this study encourage new bicyclists or beginner bicyclists to ride along the north or south of this study section? - Why is it that we are adhering to a pre-existing traffic flow requirement? Shouldn't bicyclist be considered first? - Is there anything in the constraints within the study that would prohibit you from recommending a design that would reduce or impede traffic flow by up to 30% or 40%? Ms. Tsang and Mr. Petrov addressed the questions. Commissioner Hafeman asked about the following: - Why is there only one side of Mathilda Avenue with a bike lane? What is the history behind it? Ms. Tsang addressed the question. Vice Chair Beagle asked about the following: - Is there a requirement to maintain the current service level with any changes that are made? - Would fewer vehicles and less traffic improve the service level? - Is the study to make sure that there is a bike lane change and the levels of service E will be maintained? - Will the section south of Del Rey Avenue be widened to a buffered bike lane? - Will this study only focus on adding or not adding a bike lane? Mr. Petrov and Ms. Tsang addressed the questions. Commissioner Liu asked about the following: - Are you going to be considering intersection safety when adding/removing a car lane? - Is there a way to also look for level of service for bikes? Mr. Petrov addressed the questions. Chair Oey asked about the following: - If you add a bike lane can you extend to raising the bike lane to the same level of the sidewalk? - Can you consider changing existing lane widths to make them narrower? City of Sunnyvale Page 3 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final June 20, 2024 Commission - Are the lights currently on Mathilda Avenue well coordinated to run smoothly as far as flow, control and timing? - Are the lights on a fixed timing? Mr. Petrov and Mr. Le addressed the questions. Commissioner Mehlman asked about the following: - Will left turns be addressed in the design phase for cyclists? Mr. Petrov addressed the question. Commissioner Davé asked about the following: - When you're rating the intersection or stretch or delay are you including the delay of cyclists? Mr. Petrov addressed the question. Vice Chair Beagle asked about the following: - Why do changes for the efficiency of the vehicles have to be deferred to the design phase instead of doing it now? - Has there been measurements of traffic? Ms. Tsang and Mr. Petrov addressed the questions. Commissioner Hafeman asked about the following: - Is there any requirement that the level of service be better going southbound than going northbound? Ms. Tsang addressed the question. Commissioner Mehlman asked about the following: - At what point does the BPAC have input into the final design once the conceptual design is presented? Ms. Tsang addressed the question. Public comment opened at 7:29 p.m. No speakers. Public comment closed at 7:29 p.m. City of Sunnyvale Page 4 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final June 20, 2024 Commission Commissioner Mehlman commented on the following: - Concerned that motor vehicle traffic is first priority and can't go below an E service level - Concerned that the BPAC gets to see the conceptual design and zero input or feedback on the actual design - Concerned with getting a painted bike lane but has lacking real functionality for the people it is intended to serve Commissioner Hafeman commented on the following: - Excited about the bike lane that will complete the Mathilda Avenue bike network - Northbound is just as important as southbound in regards to traffic flows Commissioner Liu commented on the following: - Strongly suggests considering protected intersections at San Aleso Avenue, Maude Avenue, Ahwanee Avenue/Almanor Avenue - Recommends Class IV bike lanes - Need to design for first time and beginner cyclists not just for the expert rider Commissioner Bonne commented on the following: - Strongly suggests to emerge from the car centric design and one into a more active transportation centric design philosophy - Urges to air on the side of the bicyclist, especially the non expert bicyclist who fears no traffic level Commissioner Davé asked about the following: - The extra lane may have to do with SR 237 dumping off onto Mathilda Avenue and most of that traffic being southbound once it enters Mathilda Avenue Vice Chair Beagle commented on the following: - Happy that the study is getting started due to big hole in the network - Described City Policy LT-3.6 and reminded staff to please keep the city policy in mind and defer to the bicyclists and the pedestrians over the automobiles - When traffic is bad people will drive somewhere else - Priority should be on the city policy not from complying with the State law - Agrees with Commissioner Mehlman that the BPAC should be able to provide feedback on the design Chair Oey commented on the following: City of Sunnyvale Page 5 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final June 20, 2024 Commission - Change can happen if streets are designed to gear towards bicyclists/pedestrians - Happy that the study is happening - Would like to have the opportunity to provide feedback in the mid design stage Council Liaison Sell commented on the following: - Staff and City Council heard what the BPAC has to say and will take everything into consideration but with no promises - Thanked the BPAC for their comments and thanked the consultant for their study C 24-0755 Assembly Bill No. 413 Thinh Le, Transportation Engineer, gave a presentation on Assembly Bill 413. Highlighting the following: - What is Assembly Bill 413: - Assembly Bill 413 (AB 413) amends California Vehicle Code (CVC) Section 22500 - Governor Newsom approved AB 413 on October 10,2023 - AB 413 - Prohibits the stopping, standing, or parking of a vehicle within 20 feet of the vehicle approach side of any unmarked or marked crosswalk or 15 feet of any crosswalk where a curb extension is present - Provides clear sightline between driver and pedestrian - Improves visibility and safety at marked and unmarked crosswalks - Enforcement date - January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024: - Issue warnings for violations, if the area is not marked using paint or sign - Citations will be issued for marked areas - Enforcement date - Starting on January 1, 2025: - Issue citations for violations even if they are not marked using paint or sign - Next steps - Budget Proposal 2024-06: Curb Painting Program: - January 23, 2024 - Council sponsored a budget proposal to establish a citywide curb painting program - February 15, 2024 - At the Study Issues/Budget Proposals Workshop, Council referred the Budget Proposal to the Recommended Budget - June 18, 2024 - Council approved funding for Budget Proposal 2024-06 as part of the FY 2024/25 Budget Adoption - Purpose of Curb Painting Program - Educate/Inform Sunnyvale Residents on AB 413 - Curb Painting Program Implementation: - Prioritize locations - High pedestrian traffic locations City of Sunnyvale Page 6 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final June 20, 2024 Commission - Locations identified in the adopted plans - Citizen requests - Implement once a designated staff is onboard - Examples of red curb painting location per AB 413 Commissioner Mehlman asked about the following: - Will the HAWK crossings and mid block crossings be treated in the same manner? - Will there be signage added or just the red paint? - Is there an enforcement action after the warning period? Mr. Le and Ms. Tsang addressed the questions. Commissioner Bonne asked about the following: - In addition to painting the red curbs at the T intersections, are you going to add no parking signs along the bike lanes, using the picture on Slide 12 as reference? Ms. Tsang addressed the question. Vice Chair Beagle asked about the following: - Slide 11 - Will there be other priorities for red paint? - When will the new staff member be hired to implement the Curb Painting Program? - Slide 12 - Are both sides of the intersection going to be painted? - Clarification on what is the difference between marked and unmarked crosswalks? - How do you measure distance from the crosswalk for intersections with atypical geometries? - Will DPS enforce reactively? - When would the 2025 utility bill insert be ready? - Does the City know how many intersections need to be painted or have signage? Ms. Tsang addressed the questions. Commissioner Liu asked about the following: - Why isn't there any red paint at the crosswalks? Ms. Tsang addressed the question. Commissioner Hafeman asked about the following: - Where is the funding coming from? City of Sunnyvale Page 7 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final June 20, 2024 Commission Ms. Tsang addressed the question. Chair Oey asked about the following: - Could the Horizon newsletter include AB 413 in it? Ms. Tsang addressed the question. Commissioner Mehlman asked about the following: - Would the curb repaint be part of the slurry seal process? Ms. Tsang addressed the question. Public Comment opened at 8:14 p.m. Geeta Gollakota, member of the public, commented on the following: - How the priority is going to work around the schools - Cars park at the five spots where there is an inlet into Ellis Elementary School - Severe problems for pedestrians crossing from all sides to reach the school - Curbs are not painted so cars park very close to the curve which makes it very difficult for the pedestrians to see cars that are coming - Recommends prioritizing the intersections near the schools Kevin Jackson, member of the public, commented on the following: - Should include entries to off-street paths - Off-street paths are wonderful throughout the City that provide wonderful access to schools and parks - Unmarked crosswalks law does not apply to off-street paths because it is not a street in the intersection for the path. They should have painted crosswalks - Experienced parked cars at the paths which block visibility and block the paths - Recommends adding curb cuts to all the paths transitioning to the street Public Comment closed at 8:20 p.m. Vice Chair Beagle asked and commented on the following: - Utica/Tilton - Does that count as a mid-block crosswalk? - Excited for the law and requests that staff enforce it to the fullest extent of the law - This law will make parking less convienent Ms. Tsang addressed the question. City of Sunnyvale Page 8 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final June 20, 2024 Commission Commissioner Mehlman commented on the following: - Encourages a "Red Curb Enforcement Day" - Would like a report from DPS on the number of calls they receive from the non-emergency number regarding parking violations/stopping violations and how many are investigated and resolved - DPS needs to enforce the law Commissioner Liu commented on the following: - Paint the whole section red - Suggest measuring 20 feet where the road starts to curve where there is no marked crosswalk and no parking signs - Would like to include the multi-use paths in the red curb painting or have "no parking" signs Chair Oey commented on the following: - Looking forward to this being enforced. Important to pedestrians - Residents need more education about unmarked crosswalks - Recommends putting something in the Horizon newsletter about the Red Curb Program Vice Chair Beagle commented on the following: - Recommends starting the community outreach before January 1, 2025 - Provide information on the new law at the bicycle valet at the Farmers Market - Don't wait until October to put information in the utility bill, needs to be done sooner Commissioner Hafeman commented on the following: - Nextdoor, Sunnyvale Sun or the Mercury News would be a good community outreach platforms to use Commissioner Davé commented on the following: - Suggest putting up a sign at the Library to advertise the new law ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Public Comment opened at 8:33 p.m. Kevin Jackson, member of the public, commented on the following: - Concerned with the Homestead Road Full-Time Bike Lanes project delayed City of Sunnyvale Page 9 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final June 20, 2024 Commission completion time - Signage should be replaced as soon as possible on Homestead Road for safety reasons - Suggest sending updated advice to City Council to revisit their previous decision to not change the signage at this time - 2023 staff report - total cost involving removing and installing poles and signs and refreshing the Homestead Bike Lane markings = $142,000 Public Comment closed at 8:41 p.m. CONSENT CALENDAR Public Comment opened at 8:41 p.m. No speakers. Public Comment closed at 8:42 p.m. 1.A 24-0704 Approve the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission Meeting Minutes of May 16, 2024. Approve the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission Meeting Minutes of May 16, 2024 as submitted. Commissioner Mehlman moved and Commissioner Hafeman seconded the motion to approve item 1.A. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes 5 - Chair Oey Vice Chair Beagle Commissioner Bonne Commissioner Hafeman Commissioner Mehlman No 1 - Commissioner Liu Abstain 1 - Commissioner Davé PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS Chair Oey called for a recess at 8:44 p.m. Chair Oey reconvened the meeting at 8:54 p.m. STANDING ITEM: CONSIDERATION OF POTENTIAL STUDY ISSUES None. City of Sunnyvale Page 10 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final June 20, 2024 Commission NON-AGENDA ITEMS & COMMENTS -Commissioner Comments Commissioner Davé commented on the following: - Has seen a lot more people riding bikes - Good job BPAC - Beautiful bike lane alongside West Moffett Park Drive that people are not using because there isn't a safe way to get to it Commissioner Hafeman commented on the following: - City Council decided to bank the funds for the Poplar Avenue Sidewalk Project but pull funds from other areas so the construction could start in the summer of 2025 and finish in fall 2025 - The City needs to communicate with the public on the Homestead Full Time Bike Lanes - Why enforcement rules are different for full time bike lanes as opposed to part time bike lanes - Can't enforce the law due to signage not in the right places Council Liaison Sell commented on the following: - Extra funding from other TDA funding helped close funding gap for Poplar Avenue Sidewalk project - It was heard from the BPAC that Homestead Full Time Bike Lane Project is a top priority and the City Council is taking that into consideration - City Council appreciates the BPAC's input and their thoughtful consideration of the TDA funds Commissioner Liu commented on the following: - Staff's reason for not changing the signs on Homestead Road is illogical - Signage on the part time bike lanes is enforceable so the full time bike lanes "No parking" should be enforceable as well - Submitted a budget proposal of $630,000 for design and implementation for the Homestead Full Time Bike Lanes Project. Hopes the BPAC will support it - Submitted a study issue proposal as a BPAC commissioner on Class IV Bike Lanes and the cleaning of them - There currently is not a process to clean the Class IV Bike Lanes - Budget was approved by the City Council for a new hire for an Active Transportation Planner - Would it make sense for the BPAC to rate the candidates for the Active City of Sunnyvale Page 11 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final June 20, 2024 Commission Transportation Planner Chair Oey commented on the following: - Thanked fellow commissioners for his time on the BPAC - Thanked Commissioner Liu on accomplishing quite a bit in a very short tenure on the commission - Little changes can make a huge impact - Alot of comments on Nextdoor on the white bollards. Would be helpful to have information about them on the Transportation website - Recommends to put updates on the Transportation website for upcoming projects and why they are being done - August at Columbia Middle School - City of Sunnyvale is having Middle School Bicycle Skills Classes - free for Sunnyvale residents Commissioner Mehlman commented on the following: - Cleaning the white bollards on Sandia Avenue Council Liaison Sell commented on the following: - City Council approved hiring a Web Communication Specialists which will help with more communication within the City - There will be a new City Council Liaison for BPAC starting in July 2024 - Thanked the BPAC for caring so much about the safety of the community and encouraging walking and biking to help the environment - Thanked staff for their patience and hard work -Staff Comments None. INFORMATION ONLY REPORTS/ITEMS 24-0756 BPAC 2024 Annual Work Plan 24-0757 Active Items List June 2024 Commissioner Liu asked if there is an estimate by staff on when the Class IIIB topic on the list will come up? Ms. Tsang stated there is no estimate. 24-0758 2024 Deferred Study Issues 24-0759 2024 Utility Bill Stuffer Update City of Sunnyvale Page 12 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final June 20, 2024 Commission 24-0760 Annual Slurry Seal List 2024 Chair Oey commented on the following: - Very informative list. Highlighted all the changes. Much better than the past lists - Appreciates the detail on the striping improvements - Enforcement is going to be a challenge on the double yellow centered strips - During the Slurry Seals will the bicycle markings at traffic lights be repainted? Commissioner Mehlman asked why hasn't Morse Avenue from Persian Drive to Weddell Drive been repaved and why hasn't the crosswalk and bike lanes been repainted since it was on the 2024 Slurry Seal list? Chair Oey asked and commented on the following: - Thanked staff for having the map on where the Slurry Seal will be worked on - Why would a crosswalk be removed on Dunford Way and Quail Avenue? Ms. Tsang addressed the questions. ADJOURNMENT Chair Oey adjourned the meeting at 9:24 p.m. City of Sunnyvale Page 13