03/26/2013 Bicycle Pedestrian Commission Regular Meeting Adopted 04/23/2013
CITY OF GILROY
BICYCLE PEDESTRIAN COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
6:00 p.m.
City of Gilroy Council Chambers
City Hall
7351 Rosanna Street
Gilroy, CA 95020
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE GILROY OPEN GOVERNMENT ORDINANCE.
Government's duty is to serve the public, reaching its decisions in full view of the public. Commissions,
boards, task forces, councils and other agencies of the City exist to conduct the people's business. This
ordinance assures that deliberations are co nducted before the people and that City operations are open to
the people's review.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE OPEN GOVERNMENT ORDINANCE, TO RECEIVE A
FREE COPY OF THE ORDINANCE OR TO REPORT A VIOLATION OF THE ORDINANCE, CONTACT THE OPEN
GOVERNMENT COMMISSION STAFF AT
(408) 846-0204/shawna.freels@cityofgilroy.org.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this
meeting, please contact the Recreation Department at (408)846-0460. Notification 48 hours prior to the
meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting.
(28CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA Title II)
CALL TO ORDER -- 6:02
ROLL CALL
Eldon Chappell, Libby Lai, Vice-Chair, Conrad Lather, Tony Marandos, Chair, Thomas Muniz
ALSO PRESENT:
Henry Servin, City Transportation Engineer
Theresa Hernandez, Recording Secretary
COMMISSION SECRETARY’S REPORT ON POSTING THE AGENDA
The Agenda for the Tuesday, March 26, 2013, regular meeting was posted on Tuesday, March 22, 2013 at
10:15 a.m. in the window of the foyer by the Council Chambers in City Hall by Theresa Hernandez.
PRESENTATIONS TO COMMISSION
PUBLIC COMMENT BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA, BUT WITHIN THE SUBJECT MATTER
JURISDICTION OF THE BICYCLE PEDESTRIAN COMMISSION Please limit your comments to 3 minutes
(This portion of the meeting is reserved for persons desiring to address the commission on matters not on the agenda.
The law does not permit Commission action or extended discussion of any item not on the agenda except under special
circumstances. If Commission action is requested, the Commission may place the matter on a future agenda.)
PUBLIC PRESENT
None present
BPC Meeting Minutes
March 26, 2013
Page 2
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes of Tuesday, February 26, 2013 Regular Meeting (Minutes attached) Libby made a Motion to approve
the minutes of the Tuesday, February 26, 2013 of the BPC regular meeting as written. The motion was
seconded by Conrad and hearing no objections it was so ordered. Thomas abstained from voting.
OLD BUSINESS
WALKABLE CITIES – RESOLUTION/PROCLAMATION – Update - Libby
http://www.bikewalk.org/pdfs/ncbwpubwalkablecomm.pdf
Nothing new to report.
Libby asked Henry for the status on the Mission statement.
Henry replied that staff is working on putting together a proclamation that would list Gilroy as one of the cities
that is seeking the walkable status. The application is fairly straight forward requiring some deliberation. The
Commission can complete the application and then forward it as a recommendation to City Council for
consideration. If the council agrees then the application will be submitted to the Walkable Cities organization.
To clarify Libby asked that the Commission go forward and complete the application and submit it to the City
Council as a recommendation. Henry explained that there are different levels of Walkable City status and that
the Commission would have to decide the level they would like to achieve.
Tony would like an action item for next meeting: to review the different levels of the application and
determine what level the Commission would like to achieve.
Thomas wants to be sure that Parks and Recreation Commission is included in the process.
Libby made a motion to have Henry put together a packet for the Commission to review in order to move
forward with the application for walkable city status. Tony seconded the motion
BPC GOALS AND OBJECTIVES - REVIEW - HENRY
Interaction of the Commission with the General Plan Process.
GPAC – General Plan Advisory Committee - participation
Include goals concerning promoting good health by walking and biking.
Bicycle Friendly City
Walkable City
List of activities to encourage the public’s participation in biking and walking.
Reduction in air pollution
Ongoing participation in regional and national activities, such as Bike Month and Bike to Work Day
BPC Meeting Minutes
March 26, 2013
Page 3
Libby asked about goals and objectives that former Chair Scott Francks presented to the Council during his
term as Chair of the BPC. Libby would like to review these goals as they were presented to City Council last
December.
Libby read into the record some of the objectives that were previously presented to City Council.
Henry will take this under advisement and bring a report back to the Commission at the April Meeting.
Henry asked staff to send him a copy of the Commission’s 2012 presentation to City Council.
Eldon referred the Commission back to the walkable city document that Libby brought to the commission. He
reported that much of what the Commission is looking for is included in this document.
Thomas reminded the Commission that the goals should be attainable. Even if some of the goals may take a
year or more to complete. Thomas gave the bike map as an example.
For next month’s meeting Tony suggested that maybe the Commission should focus on at least the top three
(3) goals that the Commission can achieve.
Thomas suggested maybe three goals that the Commission has been working on or perhaps come up with
three (3) new ones.
Eldon stated that there is no reason not to have several goals to choose from. Perhaps some short term goals
and others that might take a little longer to achieve.
BICYCLE FRIENDLY CITY AWARD APPLICATION- HENRY
Henry reported that there is an organization called The Bike League of America that currently has a listing of
Bicycle Friendly Cities in the United State. The Bike League works with cities to help the City attain the Bicycle
Friendly City status. They also have different categories of cities. Henry will follow up and report back next
month.
BIKE TO WORK DAY – MAY 9, 2013 – ENERGIZER STATION – CONRAD & TONY
Conrad stated that last year there were 12 “goody” bags to give away. Tony would like to see at least 30 bags.
Conrad stated that he was not sure but there might be a charge of at least $3. Per bag. Conrad will make
contact and see what he can get without charge. Conrad went to Safeway to ask for donation s and he was
reminded that he needs to bring a letter from the City before he can ask for donations. Henry will work with
Theresa to get the donation letter for Conrad. One letter for Safeway and one for the Pearl Izumi store and
the Sunshine bike store. Tony will work with Theresa to get the “canopy” from the Recreation Dept. and
Theresa will work with Conrad on the signs for the energizer station. Conrad wants to have “bins” available
for trash and recycling.
Tony will bring the table and chairs and he will pick up the canopy from the Recreation Dept. the night before,
May 8, 2013.
Tony asked Henry to check to see if there are any funds left from the Bicycle Coalition donation? Henry will
check.
BPC Meeting Minutes
March 26, 2013
Page 4
NEW BUSINESS
GARLIC FESTIVAL – BIKE PARKING - TONY
Tony said that his request for the Commission to participate in this event was given to the appropriate
committee member and he has not heard back from the Garlic Festival Office. Tony will report back to the
Commission as soon as he gets any reply from the Garlic Festival. Thomas encouraged the Commissioners to
volunteer.
OPEN GOVERNMENT ORDINANCE/TRAINING – Theresa
Staff gave a brief explanation of the ordinance and its requirements.
Eldon shared that it is kind of hard to hear questions on the video.
“SHARROWS” – PAINTED SHARROWS – TONY
3rd St and 6th St are bicycle friendly streets and currently have the “sharrows” painted on the pavement.
The “sharrows” were first installed with a water-based paint. They have been refreshed 3 times and will soon
be replaced with thermal plastic. The “sharrows” in thermal plastic will last at least 7 years.
Tony would like to see a bicycle safety campaign to encourage the citizens to follow the vehicle laws. Tony
stated that the commission has not had much success with having a bicycle safety class and perhaps a city
wide publicity campaign to encourage bicycle safety might be more successful.
Henry told the Commission that there is a short video on the city’s website that explains about “sharrows” and
bicycles on the road. Thomas asked where else the video is available. Henry said that for no w it is only
available on the city’s website.
Thomas would like to see an article and maybe the video on the Dispatch’s web page on bicycle safety and
explaining the sharrows.
Libby would like it sent to the Dispatch and the Patch and perhaps CMAP. Staff suggested the video might be
appropriate on the Recreation Face book page.
FIRST STREET/LEAVESLEY RD. – CLEAN & STRIPE - TONY
Tony would like to see re-painting on First St. and Leavesley Rd.
Libby would like to see some work done at 1 st St. and Miller. Libby shared that she observed a man in a wheel
chair having a very difficult time negotiating crossing Miller at 1 st St.
Henry stated that he is looking forward to be able to do some refurbishing of the stripes and lines on the
street on first and Leavesley.
Henry stated that the ADA ramps that are being installed around the city have been funded by grant monies.
CORRESPONDENCE
None
BPC Meeting Minutes
March 26, 2013
Page 5
COMMISSIONER’S REPORTS
VTA-BPAC MEETING – THOMAS MUNIZ
Thomas has been attending the BPAC for the last 5 years. Thomas would like to see one of the other
Commissioners appointed to this position to be the representative from the City of Gilroy to these meetings.
Thomas attended the last three (3) meetings even though he was not officially the rep. from the BPC, he did
not want the City to lose any momentum with the BPAC group.
January –
regional county level information- bicycle regional plan – Gilroy is well represented in that plan.
Reviewed transportation plan 2040 –
Cal train – double tracking
Express lanes from Cochrane to Masten
Buena Vista/101 interchange improvements
Extension of Buena Vista to Santa Teresa
10th Street bridge project -10th St. to Santa Teresa Project over Uvas Creek
Signal upgrades
February –
Bicycle expenditure plan
Gilroy is a community of concern – this gives Gilroy additional status for projects
March –
New Ronan Chanel and Lions Creek trail – Ronan is 25% complete
TFCA-transportation funds for clean air
BEP project status – Gilroy well represented
Ronan channel
Lions creek channel
The Meetings are held the 2nd Wednesday of each month at the VTA Headquarters in Santa Clara – 111 N. First
St. 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The representative is re-imbursement for mileage.
Thomas would like to see one other person take this position since he has done this for the last 5 years.
Thomas is asking that another Commissioner be appointed for this position. Eldon made a motion for the
Commission chair to appoint another commissioner to the VTA BPAC Meetings. Thomas is willing to continue
attending as the representative from the BPC, until such time that another Commissioner expresses an
interest.
COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Conrad asked who is responsible for publicity for Bike to Work Day an d for taking the proclamation to the City
Council?
Conrad stated that he still wants to see some ADA sidewalk improvement on Welburn and Wayland Lane area.
Conrad would like to sharrows on Welburn.
BPC Meeting Minutes
March 26, 2013
Page 6
Henry will take the proclamation to the council to declare that May is Bike Month. Tony directed staff to
follow thru with this request.
Henry told the BPC that Welburn from Monterey to Santa Teresa will be striped and sharrows will be put on
Welburn as part of a grant fund project.
Henry stated that the City just does not have the funding to provide streets maintenance on any kind of
regular basis.
Tony-no announcement
Libby attended the VTA Open House Event at the train depot in downtown Gilroy. Libby thought it was a very
nice and successful event.
Libby asked Henry for an update on grant applications that had been submitted. Henry will report back at the
next meeting.
Henry – Unfortunately the Uvas trail South to the Sports Complex/Gavilan and North to Gilroy Gardens did not
receive the grant funding.
Eldon – reported that when he picked up Conrad to attend the meeting, he noticed that there are palm trees
blocking vision of oncoming traffic and it is very dangerous at La Alondra and Wren.
Thomas – public meeting on widening of 101 at 10th St. to be held at the Gilroy Library on Thursday.
Staff will forward the invitation/flyer to Commissioners.
Thomas stated that he is interested in participating in the General Plan Review.
STAFF COMMENTS
BPC PLANNING CALENDAR
Make note of the change in the location of the April BPC Meeting.
Tony has a conflict and may not be able to attend the April meeting.
BPC Meeting Minutes
March 26, 2013
Page 7
AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
Development projects for review? To keep the BPC aware – Thomas
Banner policy – Henry
Statistic database? – Thomas
Paving/striping/maintenance plan of the City of Gilroy – an explanation of the process-Thomas
Bike to work day
Bike month/banner/Proclamation
Walkable cities – report - Henry
2013 goals and objectives – discussion – Libby
Reply from Cal Trans on 1st St/Leavesley – follow up - Tony
Comprehensive plan for 1st St. – Conrad
General Plan Update – Henry
Eldon – Palm tree problem - Henry
Update on the General Plan review/attendance by Commissioners - Libby
Henry stated that Recology was given a warning on the amount of debris the garbage trucks are leaving on the
street. Henry will update the Commission as soon as hears anything back from Recology.
7:57 p.m. adjournment
ADJOURNMENT TO THE REGULAR MEETING OF Tuesday, April 23, 2013 AT 6:00 PM
PLEASE MAKE A NOTE OF THE LOCATION: ENGINEERING CONFERENCE ROOM INSIDE CITY HALL.
Respectfully Submitted,
Theresa Hernandez
Recording Secretary