MINUTES

SUNNYVALE bICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE  

The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee met in regular session in the West Conference Room, City Hall, 456 West Olive Avenue, Sunnyvale, at 6:30 p.m. on October 21, 2004 with Committee Chair Mayer presiding.  

ROLL CALL

Members Present:             Thomas Mayer

                                    Kevin Jackson

                                    Ralph Durham

                                    Gerald Gras

Cindy Cotton

Virginia Runion

Members Absent:   None

Staff Present:          Dieckmann Cogill, Transportation Planner

                                    Captain Mark Stivers, Public Safety

Visitors:                    Rand Blakewood

                                    Larry Klein, Planning Commission

                                    David Simons, VTA BPAC

SCHEDULED PRESENTATION

Discussion with DPS

Public Safety Captain Mark Stivers described Public Safety activities relating to bicycle citation history in Sunnyvale over the past 4 years. He stated that there has been a steady increase in the number of citations issued, from 84 issued in 2000 to 117 issued to date in 2004. He stated that the majority of the citations are for helmet violations for children under 13 years old. Stivers also stated that the Department is working to create a voucher program to issue a helmet to children cited for not wearing a helmet and who say that cost is the reason for the lack of helmet. Helmets have already been donated to the City for distribution. In addition PSOA has donated $500 towards the purchase of additional helmets.

Mayer reminded Captain Stivers that it is no longer illegal to bicycle on the sidewalk if it the cyclists deems that the roadway is unsafe.

Granvold suggested information on crime rates in the vicinity of trails for a future PS presentation.

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Simons delivered an update regarding the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee.

Cogill stated that she will include a VTA Bicycle Expenditure Program Tier 1 and Tier 2 project update in the future.

CONSENT CALENDAR

Gras moved, and Durham seconded, approval of the Consent Calendar. The motion carried unanimously.

1.A. Approval of Draft Minutes from September 16, 2004

1.B. Approval of Agenda

1.C Approval of 2004 Calendar

CITIZENS TO BE HEARD

None

PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS

2. Pedestrian Safety and Opportunities Study – Approval of Work Plan

Cogill delivered the staff report and requested BPAC approval. 

Mayer stated that as part of he would like a list of projects that would make all arterial and collector streets ADA compliant

Public Comment

Granvold recommended to the committee that the scope should be expanded to include the full range of consideration for ADA compliance.

Gras moved, and Durham seconded, motion to approve the Pedestrian Safety and Opportunities Study Work Plan with the additional requirement that all arterial and collector streets be surveyed to identify any barriers to wheelchair travel.

3. Study and Budget Issue Development

Cogill presented the staff report and asked that BPAC to rank the Study Issue items recommended at the September meeting.

The BPAC voted to not to rank the following issues and recommend that Council drop the item –

• Creation of a City Policy regarding the Use of the Word “Collision” instead of “Accident”
• Bad Driver Hotline
• Department of Public Safety Education
• BPAC Review of Major Sidewalk Closures
• Bicycle Facility Requirement in New Development
• Recreational Road Closure
•  

The Committee voted to fold the Review of BPAC Functions and Responsibilities into the Scope of the Bicycle Plan Sub Element Update.

The Committee ranked the remaining study issues items as follows:

1. Policy for the Allocation of Street Space
2. Update Corner Vision Triangle Ordinance
3. Bicycle Map Revision
4. Plan Line Study for Increased Bike Space
5. Bicycle Plan Sub-Element Update
6. Design Standards for Bike Lanes Adjacent to On-Street Parking

NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND COMMENTS

·        BPAC ORAL COMMENTS

Cotton requested that the City post a sign indicating that Innovation Way is a dead end. There are trucks turning in by mistake and having trouble getting out.

Jackson would like the committee to brainstorm ways to get public support for VTA BEP Tier 1 and Tier 2 projects. Cogill stated that she would put the item on a BPAC agenda for discussion. He also requested that more work be done to educate the public regarding the Wolfe Road Bike Route project. Lastly he asked for copies of the Bicycle maps created to tour Sunnyvale parks and historic sites.

Mayer requested that a letter be written to the JPB board regarding the maintenance agreement for the bike lockers at the Sunnyvale Caltrain station

·       STAFF ORAL COMMENTS

None

INFORMATION ONLY ITEMS

INFORMATION ONLY ITEMS

No Comments

 ADJOURNMENT

Gras moved, and Mayer seconded, to adjourn the meeting. The Motion carried unanimously.