06/28/2016 Bicycle Pedestrian Commission Regular Meeting Adopted 07/26/2016
MINUTES OF BICYCLE PEDESTRIAN COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, June 28, 2016
CALL TO ORDER:
6:06 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Eldon Chappell Chair, Leonardo Gonzalez Vice-Chair, Thomas Muniz – arrived at 6:15, Sean Reedy
Tony Marandos – Excused Absence
ALSO PRESENT:
Henry Servin, City Traffic Engineer
Donna Taft, Office Assistant
COMMISSION SECRETARY’S REPORT ON POSTING THE AGENDA:
The agenda for tonight’s Bicycle Pedestrian regular meeting was posted on Friday, June 24, 2016, at 2:20
p.m. in the window of the foyer close to the Council Chambers and online in keeping with provisions of the
California Brown Act.
PRESENTATIONS TO COMMISSION:
None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Approved: Minutes were moved for approval by Commissioner Leo Gonzalez and seconded by
Commissioner Chappell.
OLD BUSINESS:
A. Police Report Bike Rodeo Update: Sargent Stanford was absent. Staff Member Henry Servin provided an
update in his absence. The City of Gilroy did not receive eligibility for the OTS Grants for 2017.
A crosswalk sting was conducted on Howson Avenue the last two weekends.
The Police Department will conduct a Bike Rodeo the weekend of September 10 at the Senior Center
Parking Lot.
B. BPC Annual Report: Staff Member Henry Servin provided copies of last years report for the Commissioners
to review. Chair Chappell suggested spending time at the next BPC meeting to discuss this topic.
C. Luchessa Bridge Update Status: Staff Member Henry Servin spoke with Lauren Ledbetter at Valley
Transportation Authority. Earlier in the year, the VTA came to seek input on bicycle related grants with a
strong interest involving Luchessa Bridge over the Uvas Creek. She is listing it for several grants, including
state highway safety improvement program grants. The grants aren’t due to the state until October. Staff
Member Henry Servin has asked Ms. Ledbetter or another representative to join the BPC at a subsequent
meeting.
NEW BUSINESS:
A. High Speed Rail Update: There will be a public outreach meeting tonight, June 28, 2016, at Elliot School at
7pm. Chair Chappell motioned that the cities HSR consultant come to a future meeting to discuss the
bicycle/pedestrian connectivity related to the HSR. Commissioner Muniz seconded the motion. Motion
was passed.
B. OBAG Grants Endorsements Review: Two years ago Gilroy competed for and received a $1.034 million
grant to build the Ronan Channel Trail. OBAG grants have to have a pedestrian and/or bicycle orientation.
A request for a letter of endorsement was presented to Chair Chappell. The four grant applications are all
downtown streetscape improvement projects aimed at improved facilities for bikes and pedestrians. Specifically
the projects are:
1. Fourth Street between Eigleberry and Monterey (to receive enhancements similar to 6th street).
2. Fifth Street between Eigleberry and Monterey (to receive enhancements similar to 6th street).
3. Gourmet Alley between 4th and 6th: Restripe the alley as a class 1 bike lane, cars would still be permitted
(delivery trucks and cars using the parking lots), but it would be more clearly identified as a bike
facility. With this project the whole alley would get a face lift similar to Monterey Street.
4. Monterey Street between 1st and 8th. From 1st to 4th would involve an extensive streetscape conversion per
the downtown master plan, then 4th to 8th would involve a pavement slurry seal, fresh striping, and minor
repair work to the electrical outlets located at the trees.
The grants deadline is July 15, 2016. Motion to accept the OBAG grant and endorsements was made by
Commissioner Muniz and seconded by Commissioner Reedy. The motion passed.
C. Bicycle Map Update: Staff Member Henry Servin provided a preliminary Gilroy Bicycle map for
Commissioners to view and provide comments. Commissioner Gonzalez and Muniz both suggested
showing existing facilities and future proposed trails using different colors. The goal is to have an updated
map go to printing in the winter so that a 2017 map will be available to residents.
D. Workshop with Recreation Commission: Staff Member Henry Servin reached out to the Department Head
of Recreation and they are agreeable to a special joint session. The items on the agenda will be those
strictly of mutual interest to both commissions (ie: trails, trees, parks, etc). Staff Member Henry Servin will
make the offer that the BPC can attend one of Recreations meetings or they may come to the BPC meeting.
COMMISSIONER’S REPORTS:
A. Chair Chappell: None
B. Vice-Chair Gonzalez: Will present new findings on the sidewalks on Luchessa at next meeting relating to
the photos he shared at the last BPC meeting.
C. Commissioner Muniz: None
D. Commissioner Reedy: None
E. Commissioner Marandos: Excused absence
STAFF COMMENTS:
A. Grants Submitted: Through the endorsements of the BPC the three ATP grants were submitted on time.
(Lions Creek, Christopher High Trail and Southern Uvas Creek Trail).
B. Two contractor agreements were passed by City Council last month for stripping lanes and for signing. We
received permission to hire a signage contractor and signs will be assessed and replaced if faded or missing.
C. The City Clerk wishes to see the position filled to serve the VTA BPAC.
AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING:
Almaden Cycle Touring Club Presentation
Bicycle Map
BPC Annual Report
Garlic Festival/BikeTaxis
Monterey Apartments
ADJOURN: 7:23 p.m. to the July 26, 2016 meeting at 6pm.