01/24/2017 Bicycle Pedestrian Commission Regular Meeting Adopted 02/28/2017
MINUTES OF BICYCLE PEDESTRIAN COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2017
CALL TO ORDER:
6:03 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Vice-Chair Leonardo Gonzalez, Tony Marandos – not present, Sean Reedy, Chad Reeder, Zachary Hilton
ALSO PRESENT:
Michael Fisher, Interim Transportation Engineer
Donna Taft, Recording Secretary
COMMISSION SECRETARY’S REPORT ON POSTING THE AGENDA:
The agenda for tonight’s Bicycle Pedestrian regular meeting was posted on Friday, January 20, 2017, at 3:05
p.m. in the City Hall announcement window near the Council Chambers and online in keeping with
provisions of the California Brown Act.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Approved: Minutes were moved for approval by Commissioner Reedy; it was seconded by
Commissioner Gonzales
PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS TO COMMISSION:
A member from the audience raised a few concerns. One is that the bicycle/pedestrian section of the
bridge near the Third Street Roundabout is clogged with mud and debris and needs to be cleaned. Staff
Person Michael Fisher will look into who is responsible for that clean up. Secondly, the southwest quadrant
bike off ramp poses a danger and feels it would be better if the whole section was a ramp. Lastly, more
signage to give cyclists direction would be favorable.
OLD BUSINESS:
A. Vacant Commission Seats: Vice Chair Gonzalez welcomed the two new Commissioners, Zachary Hilton and
Chad Reeder and gave a brief description of how the BPC meetings are conducted.
NEW BUSINESS:
A. Goals for 2017: The Commissioners had an open discussion about the goals for 2017 for the Bicycle
Pedestrian Commission.
1. Bike to Work Day – More effort to get the word out about this May event.
2. Follow up on grants – Especially for green bike lanes on Santa Teresa.
3. First Street – Ensure that bike lanes are incorporated when repaved.
4. Re-open talks with City Council to see if we can ask Caltrans to make First Street into a Main Street
project.
5. Presentation to City Council in November – Would like to incorporate a brief video highlighting projects
being worked on.
6. Fill open VTA Bicycle Seat – Possible candidate Curt Hentschke.
7. Work closer with local schools.
8. Gavilan College – Hold a subsequent meeting on campus.
9. Sidewalk Improvement – 80/20 Program.
10. BPC to invite Mayor Velasco, City Council and Gabe Gonzalez, City Administrator to subsequent
meetings.
11. Elect a BPC Chair and Vice Chair – To occur at February 28, 2017 meeting.
12. Proclamation of the City of Gilroy – Vice Chair Gonzalez suggested recognizing former Commissioner
Thomas Muniz.
13. Interim City Engineer/Staff member to pick up where Henry Servin left off.
14. BMX – Encourage and persuade Parks and Recreation to have a BMX track at Gilroy Sports Park.
15. First Fridays Event – Create more safe routes on streets and sidewalks downtown to walk and ride.
Obtain Measure B funds to follow the Downtown Specific Plan making Gourmet Alley a pedestrian
walkway.
16. Work closer with the Parks and Recreation Department. Promote more trails and trail running at
Christmas Hill Park. Promote a trail building day. Contact Parks and Recreation with questions and
attend a future meeting.
17. Updated Bike Master Plan to be incorporated in the General Plan update.
18. Work with any organization or group that does bicycle or pedestrian events in Gilroy.
19. Start green bicycle lanes in Gilroy.
20. Encourage the Gilroy Police Department to apply for grants related to bicycle and pedestrian activities.
B. City Traffic Engineer: Staff Person Michael Fisher agreed to meet with the BPC on specific issues. He can
assist the Commission by phone, email or by meeting in the field. Per the Commissioners request, Michael
will forward emails, comments or complaints that he receives to the Commissioners.
COMMISSIONER’S REPORTS:
A. Vice-Chair Gonzalez: He recently met with the Health Department and discussed developing a bicycle
diversion program similar to the program in the North County for persons that receive a traffic ticket while
riding. Cited cyclist would attend a class and the ticket will be removed. The program also provides
helmets or lights in the event that the bicycle was not equipped and they received a citation for that. Vice
Chair Gonzalez would like to ask the GPD Sergeant at a subsequent meeting for assistance in developing
such a program for South County. The Health Department recommended having Silicon Valley Bicycle
Coalition instruct the class.
B. Commissioner Reedy: None
C. Commissioner Marandos: Not present
D. Commissioner Reeder: None
E. Commissioner Hilton: None
STAFF COMMENTS:
None
AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING:
Valley Transportation Authority/Measure B
Elect Bicycle Pedestrian Commission Chair and Vice Chair Seats
Define Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 Trails
Parks and Recreation Report
Safe Routes to School
ADJOURN: 7:50p.m. to the February 28, 2017 meeting at 6pm.