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01/22/2013 Bicycle Pedestrian Commission Regular Meeting Adopted 02/26/2013City of Gilroy Minutes Bicycle Pedestrian Commission Meeting 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 22, 2013 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by the Chair, Tony Marandos at 6:02 p.m. ROLL CALL Eldon Chappell, Libby Lai, Vice Chair, Conrad Lather, Tony Marandos, Chair, ALSO PRESENT Henry Servin, City Transportation Engineer Theresa Hernandez, Recording Secretary Lee Butler, City of Gilroy Development Center Manager Teresa Mack, Senior Engineer COMMISSION SECRETARY’S REPORT ON POSTING THE AGENDA The agenda for the Tuesday, January 22, 2013, regular meeting was posted on Thursday, January 17, 2013 at 3:55 p.m. in the window of the foyer by the Council Chambers in City Hall by Theresa Hernandez. PRESENTATIONS TO COMMISSION A. 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. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Vice-Chair, Libby Lai made a motion to approve the minutes of the October 23, 2012 and the November 27, 2012 BPC Regular Meeting as written. (minutes attached) The motion was seconded by Eldon Chappell and hearing no objections it was so ordered. INTRODUCTIONS Henry asked each of the Commissioners to give a brief introduction for the benefit of the group. Eldon was born and raised in Gilroy and is recently retired. He is interested in sports and he has grandchildren that love to ride bikes and decided to become involved with the Commission. Libby is a retired teacher and become involved with the Bicycle Pedestrian Commission last year and become involved because she is concerned with the safety of pedestrians and Libby is interested in seeing Gilroy become a more walkable city. BPC Meeting Minutes January 22, 2013 Page 2 INTRODUCTIONS Cont’d Tony has been on the Commission for 2 years, with an interest in cycling and bicycling safety. Henry Servin comes to the City of Gilroy from the City of San Jose and he is a licensed Traffic Engineer and has about 22 years of experience in the field of tr ansportation engineering. Members of the Public (taken out of order) Rebecca Scheel, representative from the Parks and Recreation Commission. Rebecca reported finding several metal pieces she found on the street that she believes are being left by the street sweeper. Rebecca brought the metal pieces with her to show to the Commission. Henry told the Commission that he would look into this and determine what can be done to remedy this situation. Rebecca also reported to Henry that there is a gap be tween the asphalt and the cement gutter that could be dangerous to bicyclists. Henry told the Commission that he would go out to Santa Teresa Blvd. to take a look at this gap and determine what can be done to repair the gap. OLD BUSINESS Walkable Cities Chapter 6 – Libby http://www.bikewalk.org/pdfs/ncbwpubwalkablecomm.pdf Libby asked staff to forward the link to the whole walkable cities document to all Commissioners so that they will be able to go back and read any part of the document. Libby would like to see the BPC use parts of the W alkable Cities document to work towards making the City of Gilroy a more walkable city. Libby would like to see the Commission put together a plan to present to City Council. Libby would like to see the Commission use the walkable cities document to come up with a mission statement similar to paragraph on page 88, which states, “The plan should include a clear statement of policy regarding pedestrian needs and objectives. It should make clear the desire of the community to ensure that people have the option of walking to many of their destinations. It should state that children should be able to walk to their schools and to nearby parks. It should declare that a walkable community is essential to having a healthy community.” Libby asked the Commissioners to please read thru the document so that at the next meeting the Commission can begin working on a mission statement based on the Walkable City document. Libby would like the Commission to vote on the “mission” statement and then forward it to other departments, such as the Planning Department and/or the Planning Commission. Henry reminded the Commission that the process to review the City’s General Plan will begin soon. The Commissioners all agreed that they want to be included in the review process. BIKE TRAINING PRESENTATION Tabled until next meeting BPC Meeting Minutes January 22, 2013 Page 3 CHAIR’S REPORT Nothing to report NEW BUSINESS Election of Chair and Vice-Chair Henry suggested that the sitting Vice-Chair move up into the position of Chair. The Commission agreed that this was a good idea. Tony accepted and nominated Libby Lai for the office of Vice- Chair. Since there was no one running in opposition the election of Tony as Chair and Libby as Vice - Chair was approved unanimously. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES REVIEW – CHAIR Tabled until next regular meeting REFERRALS FROM PLANNING COMMISSION/STREET FURNITURE ORDINANCE Presentation by Lee Butler – Development Center Manager for the City of Gilroy Lee is presenting to the Commission Zoning Text Amendment Z 12-05 (12100063) and New “Policy for Placement of Street Furniture/Objects in the Public Right of Way” Staff is looking for questions and recommendations from the Commission about this Zoning Amendment before it is taken to City Council at the January 28, 2013 meeting. Eldon expressed concern about car bumpers “overhanging” the sidewalk next people who could be dining at these outdoor areas. Lee explained to the Commission that this new amendment and policy allows restaurant s to expand the eating area of the restaurant into the outside area. The amendment would allow for parking spaces outside the restaurants to be used for placement of furniture and businesses will be able to use planter boxes as barriers to surround the dini ng area. Libby asked about requirements for the type of planter boxes that will be used. Lee explained that there is not a requirement that the same type of planter box be used by all businesses and also wrought iron railings will be allowed to be used to designate the dining area. The pilot program considers the downtown area to include the area from First St., South on Monterey to Luchessa. Lee explained to the Commission that he did look at other cities to see what policies are already in place. Lee looked at Portland, Mt. View, Morgan Hill and Livermore. BPC Meeting Minutes January 22, 2013 Page 4 There will be an approval process in order to get a permit to allow the placement of furniture on sidewalks or in parking spaces. Libby would like to see bicycle racks be incorporated into the plans for these outdoor eating areas. Tony would like to see bike racks recommended as part of the planning of the outdoor dining areas. REFERRALS FROM PLANNING COMMISSION/STREET FURNITURE ORDINANCE Cont’d Eldon asked Lee about smoking in these dining areas. Lee stated that he will look into this question but he thought it probably would be the same for the inside of the restaurant. Libby made a motion to ask staff to move forward with the amendment including the Commission’s recommendations before taking it to City Council. Eldon seconded the motion and seeing no objections it was so ordered. BPC PLANNING CALENDAR No Action Taken CORRESPONDENCE None COMMISSIONER’S REPORTS VTA-BPAC – A new representative must be selected. Henry will find out what the requirements are to sit on this board and Henry will bring those back to the Commission at the next regular meeting. COMMISSIONER ANOUNCEMENTS Tony, Chair – wanted to let Henry know that Santa Teresa Blvd. from Day Rd. to 1st St. needs sweeping Tony reported to the Commission that he is going to inquire about the BPC taking on the Bike Parking Area of the Garlic Festival. The Commission was in agreement and Tony will report back to the Commission at the next regular meeting. Tony also reported a comment he received from a jogger regarding Miller from Silva’s Crossing to Santa Teresa Blvd. The trees along this section of Miller need to be pruned back away from the roadway. Henry will find out whom to report this to and he will make the report. Libby, Vice- Chair - None Conrad – Absent BPC Meeting Minutes January 22, 2013 Page 5 Eldon - Asked Henry to take a look at the area of El Cerrito and W ren Ave. regarding streets that park along the street and make it difficult to see oncoming traffic. Eldon also asked Henry to look at the intersection of Wren Ave. and Welburn. Libby stated that there is a tree there blocking the stop sign. Eldon also told Henry that he would be happy to meet him out at that site to show him the areas that need attention. STAFF COMMENTS None AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING – Tuesday, February 26, 2013, 6 p.m. Walkable Cities - http://www.bikewalk.org/pdfs/ncbwpubwalkablecomm.pdf Bike to work day Terra Bella Bike Ride Update on the 6th St. bicyclist signage improvements Adjournment to the regular meeting of Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. Adjournment: 7:55 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Theresa Hernandez Recording Secretary