Sunnyvale

On March 17, staff submitted the following four applications for funds from the Tier 2 Bicycle Project List administered by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA):

Sunnyvale Train Station North Side Access;

Sunnyvale East Drainage Trail (Hetch-Hetchy Bike Path to Tasman);

Borregas Avenue Bicycle Lane;

Duane Avenue Bicycle Lane (Fair Oaks to Lawrence).

Subsequent to the application submittals, staff was informed that the Evelyn Avenue Bicycle Lanes project, which would create bicycle lanes along Evelyn Avenue from Sunnyvale to Reed Avenues, did not obtain funding through the Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA) Program Manager Funds as was expected due to a reduction in the amount of available funds for this program. Therefore, on March 23, staff also submitted the Evelyn Avenue Bicycle Lanes project as a candidate to be listed on the VTA Tier 2 Bicycle Project List.

At its March meeting, BPAC requested that this item be continued, and that staff provide additional information regarding what other projects could be considered for the application, estimates of cost and feasibility of those projects, and information concerning whether the projects are funded. Staff considered existing funding programs and City plans to identify potential projects to include in this application, including the existing Tier 2 list, the existing Tier 3 list, and the ranking results list in the Sunnyvale Long-Range Bicycle Capital Improvement Program Study (Bike CIP). Copies of these lists are provided in Attachment 2, and the Call for Projects for the Tier 2 Bicycle Project List in the Countywide Bike Plan is provided in Attachment 3.

Existing Tier 2 List

Only one Sunnyvale project is currently on the Tier 2 list: Sunnyvale Train Station North Side Access. Staff submitted an application for this project in order to maintain its status on the Tier 2 list.

Existing Tier 3 List

The existing Sunnyvale Tier 3 projects are presented as citywide programs, but are effectively the entire Bike CIP. Staff submitted an application for the Sunnyvale East Drainage Trail from Hetch-Hetchy to Tasman project because it is recommended in the draft Pedestrian Circulation Plan for Futures Area 7, which was recently reviewed by the BPAC.

Bike CIP Ranking Results List

The following projects are ranked higher than the projects submitted for the Tier 2 List:

El Camino Real

This project will require significant cooperation from Caltrans, who has indicated resistance to parking removal for bike lanes. Therefore, project feasibility is low. Staff is working in house to implement bike facilities on El Camino Real.

Mathilda: US 101-Maude

Project cost is estimated at several million dollars. This project is not feasible without major roadway widening.

Mathilda: Caribbean – US 101

Project cost is estimated at $82,513. This project is funded and will be constructed this summer.

Wolfe: Old San Francisco – Maria

Project cost is estimated at $43,700. This project is funded and will be constructed this summer.

Mary: Fremont – El Camino

Project cost is estimated at $103,000. This project is funded through the Transportation Strategic Program.

Evelyn: Sunnyvale – Reed

This project was included in the Tier 2 List applications. Project cost is estimated at $359,000.

Fair Oaks: Crossman – US 101

Bike shoulders were constructed in 2003.

Sunnyvale/Saratoga: El Camino – Mathilda

This project was constructed in 2002.

Evelyn: Bernardo – Charles

Project cost is estimated at $63,135. This project is funded and will be constructed this summer.

Evelyn: Charles – Sunnyvale

Project cost is estimated at $21,850. This project is funded and will be constructed this summer.

Duane: Fair Oaks – Lawrence

This project was included in the Tier 2 List applications. Project cost is estimated at $97,300.

Borregas

This project was included in the Tier 2 List applications. Project cost is estimated at $154,600. Although it is ranked lower than many projects on the ranking list from the Bike CIP, its priority was raised due to the pending Borregas Avenue Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridges Project, currently a Tier 1 List project.

Staff limited the number of applications based on the availability of funds as indicated by VTA staff, as well as an explicit request from the VTA to limit requests for funding to reasonable levels.

VTA staff has drafted a recommendation for the VTA BPAC regarding the Tier 2 Project List of the Countywide Bicycle Plan (see Attachment 4). VTA staff recommend that the Sunnyvale Train Station North Side Access project be included in the VTP 2030 Pedestrian/Livable Communities Program; the Duane and Borregas Avenues Bicycle Lane projects be included on the Tier 3 list; either the Sunnyvale East Drainage Trail or the Evelyn Avenue Bicycle Lanes project be included on the Tier 2 list. Staff seeks BPAC input on the project priorities and VTA staff recommendation.

2. Discuss work scope for "Reconsideration of BPAC Functions and Responsibilities" for 2005 Study Issue submittal

At its December 2003 meeting, BPAC requested that the Committee amend its Functions and Responsibilities section of the resolution that formed the Committee. As the first step in preparing a 2005 Study Issue submittal on this issue to the City Council, BPAC will discuss the work scope. Provided in Attachment 5 are the following documents: Report to Council on the Formation of Sunnyvale’s Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC); Report to Council on the Approval of Bicycle Advisory Committee By-Laws; Report to Council on a Resolution for the Bicycle Advisory Committee Designation Change. Staff recommends that BPAC members review these documents and discuss a work scope for this study issue.

3. VTA Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Representative

The term of Sunnyvale’s current representative to the VTA’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, David Simons, will expire on June 30, 2004. VTA has contacted staff and requested that the City appoint or reappoint its representative to the VTA BPAC for the new 2-year term beginning on July 1, 2004. The appointee must be a member of the Sunnyvale BPAC, live and/or work in Santa Clara County, and may not be a City staff person. Provided in Attachment 6 is the letter from the VTA requesting representative appointment or reappointment, the by-laws for the VTA BPAC, and the Report to Council from July 16, 2002 which recommended the appointment of David Simons to the VTA BPAC. Staff recommends that the BPAC nominate a member for the City Council to appoint to the VTA BPAC.

4. Bike to Work Day Planning

Staff has begun to coordinate with the Communications Division for Bike to Work Day promotion. In addition, staff is continuing to collaborate with the Moffett Park Business and Transportation Association on the energizer stations and lunch-time bike ride. The discussions with Trader Joe’s that were occurring at the regional level for Bike to Work Day sponsorship have ended due to a change in ownership.

Staff requests that BPAC report on the success thus far in obtaining donations for the energizer stations. In addition, staff requests that BPAC members volunteer for staffing assignments at the three energizer stations that we are hosting: Sunnyvale Caltrain Station, Mary/Maude, and Wolfe/El Camino Real. The hours of operation will occur between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 20.

Information Only Items

1. Approved February 19, 2004 Meeting Minutes

Attached (Attachment 7).

2. BPAC Active Items Report

Attached (Attachment 8).

3. BPAC Email

Attached (Attachment 9).

4. 2004 BPAC Calendar

Attached (Attachment 10).

5. Collision Reports Involving Pedestrians

There were two collisions involving pedestrians reported during the period between March 10 and April 7, 2004 (see Attachment 11). Staff was unable to access the accident report for the collision on Washington Avenue that occurred on 3/12/04 in order to determine the party at fault. The collision on Gary Avenue at Wolfe Road that occurred on 3/23/04 was caused by the driver of the vehicle.

6. Collision Reports Involving Bicycles

There were three collisions involving bicycles reported during the period between March 10 and April 7, 2004 (see Attachment 12). All three collisions were caused by the drivers of the vehicles.

7. 2004 Curb Ramp Installation List

Attached (Attachment 13).

8. SNAIL Involvement in Borregas Avenue Bridges Project

At the March BPAC meeting, the Committee expressed interest in understanding the concerns of the Sunnyvale Neighbors of Arbor, Including LaLinda (SNAIL) Neighborhood Association regarding the Borregas Avenue Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridges project. During their January meeting, SNAIL met with Mayor Howe, and expressed their concerns regarding increased traffic in the neighborhood and the cost to the taxpayers associated with the project. Although there were no official notes taken by City staff, the Sunnyvale Sun covered the meeting, mentioning the neighborhood concerns regarding Borregas Avenue Bridges project (see Attachment 14).

The Borregas Avenue Bridges project will undergo environmental review subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Staff is currently working to solidify the funding program for the project, and anticipates the environmental review to take place over the next year. Through the public outreach component of the environmental review process, SNAIL members will be provided with opportunity to comment on their concerns and participate in the project review.

9. Right-Turn Study Update

Staff is working with the Public Works Sign Shop to develop new signs for the pilot right turn study. In addition, staff is preparing to order the bike lane legend stencils to be used at the three locations. Staff anticipates the installation of the warning signs and stencils this summer, and will notify BPAC at the time of installation.

10. Wolfe Road Parking Study

Attached (Attachment 15).

11. Mathilda Bridge Review

At the March BPAC meeting, the Committee discussed an urgency agenda item, the Mathilda Bridge Review. Staff 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.

BPAC approved the conceptual design for the 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.

BPAC also requested that this item be included as an information-only item in the April staff report in order to provide opportunity for public input.

12. Theft of Warning Signs from Construction Zones

Public Works Project Administration staff has notified staff of a problem concerning the theft of warning signs in construction zones. The signs have been disappearing from the work zones overnight; this was a problem for the construction zone along Sunnyvale-Saratoga Road. Project Administration directs the contractor to replace the warning signs after every theft.

13. Memo to Mayor Howe Regarding Off-Street Parking Analysis Along the Wolfe Road Bike Route

Attached (Attachment 16).

14. Friends of Stevens Creek Trail Annual Report for 2003

Attached (Attachment 17).