06/23/2015 Bicycle Pedestrian Commission Regular Meeting Adopted 07/28/2015 MINUTES OF BICYCLE PEDESTRIAN COMMISION REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, June 23, 2015
CALL TO ORDER
6:05 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Libby Lai (Chair), Leonardo Gonzalez, Tony Marandos,
Eldon Chappell (Vice-Chair): Excused
Thomas Muniz: Arrived at 6:18 p.m.
ALSO PRESENT
Henry Servin, City Transportation Engineer
Zinnia Menchaca-Navarro, Office Assistant
COMMISSION SECRETARY’S REPORT ON POSTING THE AGENDA
The agenda for tonight’s Bicycle Pedestrian regular meeting was posted on Friday,June 19,2015,at 4:35,in
the window of the foyer close to the Council Chambers and online by Susan Johnson keeping with
provisions of the California Brown Act.
PRESENTATIONS TO COMMISSION - None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Approved: Minutes were moved for approval by Commissioner Gonzalez, Second by Commissioner Marandos.
OLD BUSINESS
A)Complete Street Form: Staff person Henry Servin reviewed the existing bicycle, pedestrian and transit
accommodations/operations general check list. With the direction of Chair Lai, it was decided the report
would be divided and reviewed by Commissioner Muniz for the residential portion whereas Commissioner
Gonzalez will review the Commercial/Industrial portion for next upcoming meeting to see if the format will
work for future developments within the City of Gilroy.
Staff Person Henry Servin to send an electronic version to the Commissioners.
B)Grants in Process: Staff Person Henry Servin reported on the following: Gilroy received another $100k
grant for officer traffic safety training and allowing additional periodic speed enforcement and driver DUI’s
check points. The 7 Advance Transportation Planning (ATP) grants were submitted prior to the deadline. All
of the grants were for bicycle, pedestrian oriented projects including: Lions Creek extension across Santa
Teresa Blvd. by Christopher High School, a grant for the extension of Uvas Creek trail past the existing trail
near Christmas Hill Park and the Hecker Pass Specific Plan areas, and an extended bridge to Gilroy Gardens.
Also working on the southern end of Uvas trail go past the Luchessa roundabout towards Sports Park.
On the pedestrian side, there’s been a submittal of four grants to improve Gourmet Alley, from about 4th
street to 6th street to pave the alley with paver blocks, better lighting, and encouraging merchants
tosomeday have a “dining al fresco” setting; the 4th Street and 5th Street streetscape improvements
between Monterey and Eigleberry currently being used for nightly community events such as concerts, and
wine and art fairs with nicer pavement and lighting making it more inviting. Finally Railroad Alley, east side
of Monterey for improvement ofpedestrian usage. Staff person Henry Servin expects to hear about the ATP
grant sometime in September or October of this year.
An OBAGgrant on Eigleberry, for pavement and sidewalk repairs is currently underway.
C)VTA BPAC Report: David Almeida was absent. He was to report on the All Hands VTA meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Bike Trails Update: Commissioner Muniz presented an extensive exploration of the City of Gilroy trails
system, outlined a map noting opportunities along the creek areas for additional pedestrian and bike trails.
He would like the commissioners to recommend to the county of Santa Clara adoption of these suggestions.
This is a good basis for review and recommendation to the General Plan Committee and County Trails
Master Plan. Staff Person Henry Servin will provide a copy of the map at next month’s meeting.
A)First Street Visioning: Staff person Henry Servin provided a copy of the Main Street, California guide for
improving community and transportation vitality from Caltrans. The program is a strategic “multimodal
travel” providing planning, design, and operation impacting travelers, communities and the environment. In
collaboration with the City of Gilroy, Caltrans will build it up then relinquish to the City of Gilroy for future
maintenance.
Staff Person Henry Servin asked commissioners if they were interested in exploring the program for First
Street, which is currently in dire need due to its existing pavement condition. The discussion of creating of a
sub-committee was discussed. By fall, we would like to ensure we have a Caltrans individual assigned to us.
Commissioner Muniz motioned to move forward, it was second by Commissioner Marandos
Staff Person Henry Servin to provide update for the upcoming August meeting.
B)Envision Silicon Valley: Staff Person Henry Servin stated the cities and county of Santa Clara have expressed
a desire to have ballot measure November 2016, to pay for additional transportation improvements. This
will be a continuation of sales tax, if interested; he can present it to the Bicycle Pedestrian Committee. The
Silicon Valley Leadership group is sponsoring collective discussions on this topic. A Call of Projects will be
issued in the beginning of September. Looking to received public input if the Tax Measure is to move
forward. There is a desire for mass transit, highway improvement, etc.; one way is to have a continuation
of the sales tax.
Staff Person Henry Servin to send web links to the Bicycle Pedestrian Commissioners.
C)Bike Share Pilot Study: Chair Lai asked the Commissioners to explore the idea of having this pilot study
brought to the City of Gilroy. There are currently bike stations in the cities of San Jose (downtown and San
Jose State University), Mountain View and Palo Alto.
Staff Person Henry Servin will research grants for the Bike Share Pilot Study and bring back information at
the August meeting.
COMMISSIONER’S REPORTS
A.Chair Madam Lai: Would like Staff Person Henry Servin to send commissioners an email on new
crosswalks.
B.Vice-Chair Chappell: None
C.Commissioner Muniz: Asked if there are any plans to extend bike lanes on major streets. Henry Servin to
provide a list.
D.Commissioner Gonzalez: Stated no sidewalks on First Street east of Church Street. Staff Person Henry
Servin stated it’s on the list to get fixed.
E.Commissioner Marandos: For the Bike to Work day, he stated there weren’t a lot of participants due to
the rain. He also asked about investment in infrastructure with protected lanes to include bicycle boxes.
STAFF COMMENTS- Henry Servin, City Transportation Engineer:
AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING –
A.Mobility presented by Senior Planner, Stan Ketchum
B.Bike Trails Update: Commissioner Muniz / Staff Person Henry Servin
ADJOURN – 8:04 p.m. to the July 28, 2015 meeting at 6pm.