A meeting of the Sunnyvale Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) was held on March 18, 2004 in the West Conference Room, City Hall, 456 West Olive Avenue, Sunnyvale. Committee Chair Mayer called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
I. Discussion with Public Safety Staff
Captain Stivers answered questions on traffic regulations from BPAC members. In addition, members discussed possible DPS involvement in Bike to Work Day activities and a public service video. Mayer requested an update of the DPS usage of the Bicycling Street Smarts guides at next month’s meeting.
II. Approval of 1st Page of Meeting Minutes from January 15, 2004
Motion to approve the first page of the meeting minutes from January 15, 2004 as submitted.
Gregory/Granvold – Unanimous.
III. Approval of Meeting Minutes from February 19, 2004
Jackson requested the following correction to the minutes: in the second-to-last paragraph for General Business Item 8, Bike Lane Warning Signs for Paving Projects, Jackson had suggested that signage be installed that instructs vehicles to change lanes when passing a bicyclist when the width of the outside lane has been reduced to 14 feet.
Motion to approve the meeting minutes from February 19, 2004 with corrections.
Granvold/Gregory – Unanimous.
IV. Public Announcements
None.
V. Citizens to be Heard
Akos Szoboszlay, the Vice President of the Modern Transit Society, thanked staff for sending the letter regarding pedestrian signs on Central Expressway to the County Roads Department.
Witthaus noted that he will be meeting with County staff regarding this issue soon.
VI. General Business/Public Hearings
1. Bike Lane Warning Signs for Paving Projects (continued from last meeting)
Witthaus reviewed the item and discussed actions that have been taken in response to BPAC concerns. BPAC members stated that all of the signs required by the SOP for a bike lane closure should be used as a package. By using all of the signs, the confusion over whether bicycles may use the roadway when the bike lane is closed is lessened because of the required signs that read "Watch for Bicyclists" or other approved bike warning sign.
BPAC members were supportive of marking each roadway obstruction, suggesting the use of paint on and around the utility cover, flare replacements and tabs. Wolnik also suggested that signs be used in the construction zone warning of uneven surfaces. Gras recommended that any sawhorses in the travel lane area be marked by a light at night. Witthaus will discuss BPAC’s suggestions with Project Administration.
1.5. Mathilda Bridge Review
Witthaus presented two design concepts for the Mathilda Bridge project. One concept includes a two-foot median island at the north end of the bridge, and the other concept includes a four-foot median island at this end. Both concepts include a five-foot bicycle space along the bridge in both directions and an upgrade of the pedestrian walkway to ADA standards. Witthaus requested BPAC review and approval of a design concept.
BPAC preferred a wider median island in order to create a safer pedestrian refuge at the intersection of California and Mathilda. BPAC suggested that the island taper out as it reaches the intersection in order to decrease the cost associated with the wider median island. Members suggested that a staircase be provided for pedestrians who would prefer stairs over the longer ramp, and discussed pedestrian pathway opportunities along the west side of Mathilda at the north end. Members also requested appropriate signage along the bridge regarding bicyclists, safe connection for bicyclists at the exit ramp end, and some consideration of visibility of bicyclists as it relates to the curvature of the bridge.
Motion to approve the conceptual design for the Mathilda Bridge project with the following conditions:
- provide a four-foot center median island at the intersection of California Avenue and Mathilda Avenue for pedestrian refuge; a two-foot center median is acceptable for the remainder of the bridge;
- provide five feet of bicycle space along the bridge from California Avenue to the toe of the south side of the bridge;
- provide a tight radius onto Evelyn Avenue;
- provide pedestrian facilities according to ADA requirements for travel between California Avenue and Washington Avenue;
- consider visibility in relation to the bridge curvature;
- provide adequate warning for motorists to not impose on the right-of-way of bicyclists at exit ramps and along the bridge;
- consider the provision of a staircase in addition to the ramp.
Mayer/Granvold – Unanimous.
BPAC requested that this item be placed in the Information Only Item section of the BPAC April Agenda in order to provide opportunity for public comment.
2. Bike to Work Day Planning
BPAC discussed energizer station donations. Hobee’s has agreed to donate coffee cake; members will contact Safeway to request fruit (bananas, apples, oranges), water and napkins.
BPAC members requested that the hand-out materials include the SVBC newsletter, bike maps of the surrounding cities and the county and an old utility bill stuffer discussing bicycle safety. It was noted that the map outlining the bike tour of Sunnyvale Parks should be updated. Mayer requested that Bike to Work Day bumper stickers be placed on all City vehicles.
3. Health and Safety Fair
Volunteers for the bike rodeo were confirmed: Granvold will staff the table for the entire day; Gregory will staff from 1-3; Mayer will staff from 11-1. Set-up begins at 10:30 a.m. on May 22.
4. Utility Bill Stuffer Draft
BPAC made a number of corrections to the utility bill stuffer draft text. Staff will provide updated text to the Communications Department.
5. Coordination with Planning Commission for Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety/Access During Project Construction Phase
Staff presented the results of discussions with Planning staff regarding this item. Granvold suggested that a member of the Planning Commission be invited to a BPAC meeting to answer questions about the role of the Planning Commission. Mayer felt that it was important to meet with the Planning Commission, and believes that their schedule should allow a Joint Study Session this spring.
BPAC requested that a standard Condition of Approval be created that directs the applicant to adhere to the Standard Operating Procedures for Right Lane and Bike Lane Closures. BPAC also requested that a Joint Study Session be requested of the Planning Commission as soon as possible.
6. TDA Article 3 Grant Program
Staff presented the recommendation to apply for funds for the Mary Avenue Over-Crossing Project. BPAC members expressed concern over this recommendation because the Borregas Avenue Bridges project and the Bernardo Caltrain Under-Crossing project are higher priorities to the Committee. Higgins stated that the funding schedules for these two projects may prevent them from qualification for this grant program, and will discuss BPAC priorities with senior staff prior to submitting the application. BPAC approved staff’s recommendation with consideration of their priorities, and requested that they be notified when this item goes to Council.
7. Countywide Bike Plan Tier 2 Bicycle Project List
Higgins presented the four projects included in this application. Mayer asked staff how projects were chosen for this application, and Higgins responded that projects were chosen from the Bicycle Capital Improvement Plan, the Bicycle Opportunities Study and the list of existing projects on the Tier 2 and Tier 3 Bicycle Project List. Mayer requested that BPAC be provided with these lists prior to making a decision to support the applications.
Motion to continue this item to the April meeting with the following information provided in the BPAC packet: lists of other projects that could be considered for this application, estimates of costs/feasibility, and whether the projects are funded.
Mayer/Granvold – Unanimous.
VII. Non-Agenda Items and Comments
Staff presented an invitation to all BPAC members to a volunteer recognition event, Volunteers Complete the Picture, to be held on Tuesday, April 20 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Sunnyvale Senior Center.
Mayer requested an agenda item for an upcoming BPAC meeting on revising the language used for Encroachment Permits that references the SOP.
Jackson noted that the round metal covers for wiring/controls located in the bike lane at the intersection of Fremont and Wright Avenues have settled, creating uneven pavement in the bike lane.
Granvold thanked staff for the quick attention to the Maude/Mary Avenue intersection striping. Granvold also noted that the bicycle sensor is malfunctioning at the left-turn lane heading south on Cezanne at El Camino Real. Granvold also noted that the Mary/Washington construction appears to be complete within the roadway, but tall orange polls have been left in place in the bike lane for no apparent reason.
Gregory is helping to coordinate a spring time walk to school at the Cherry Chase School.
Mayer noted a sign he observed in Cupertino at Calabazas Creek where there is no shoulder: "Begin Narrow Lane – Yield to Bikes" (variation of "Begin Right-Turn Lane – Yield to Bikes").
VIII. City Manager Communication
None.
VIII. Information Only Items
Approved (with Exception of 1st Page) January 15, 2003 Meeting Minutes - Accepted as Submitted
BPAC Active Items Report - Accepted as Submitted
BPAC Email - Accepted as Submitted
Mayer requested that the BPAC Calendar item to discuss BPAC’s work scope for "Reconsideration of BPAC Functions and Responsibilities" for 2005 Study Issue submittal be moved to an earlier date in order to allow the current BPAC membership to review this item. Mayer clarified that the Committee will be reviewing the documentation that outlines its role and comparing it to the tasks that the Committee currently undertakes. Mayer requested that staff provide the RTC that formed the BPAC and the RTC that changed the name of the Committee from the earlier Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC) to its current name. Mayer requested that this item be discussed during the April or May BPAC meeting.
BPAC Calendar - Accepted With Changes.
Mayer requested that staff look into the time required to provide information in the monthly pedestrian and bicycle collision reports on which party was at fault.
Granvold requested that an overview of the SNAIL concerns regarding the Borregas Avenue Bridges project be provided in order to prepare responses. Higgins noted the staff report’s discussion of the CEQA public input process. BPAC members were supportive of public outreach separate from the CEQA process, including attempts to create support for the project from the bicycling/commuting community in Moffett Park through the Moffet Park Business and Transportation Association newsletter.
Higgins noted that the RTC relating to Item #11 will not proceed to Council, and that a preliminary engineering study for the Bernardo Avenue Caltrain Under-Crossing project will be conducted.
Higgins also noted that the memo to Mayor Howe regarding an off-street parking analysis along the Wolfe Road Bike Route has not yet been sent, and a copy will be provided at the April BPAC meeting. Jackson requested that staff provide the updated on-street parking analysis figures for this project, noting that Cogill had mentioned a second study that resulted in some changes.
IX. Adjournment
Motion to adjourn.
Gregory/Wolnik - Unanimous (Gras absent).
Meeting adjourned, 10:00 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
_______________
Tanya Higgins
Casual Professional