02/28/2017 Bicycle Pedestrian Commission Regular Meeting Adopted 03/28/2017
MINUTES OF BICYCLE PEDESTRIAN COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2017
CALL TO ORDER:
6:04 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Leonardo Gonzalez Chair, Sean Reedy Vice Chair, Tony Marandos - absent, Chad Reeder, Zachary Hilton
ALSO PRESENT:
Michael Fisher, consultant – On-Call Transportation Engineer - departed at 7:15
Donna Taft, Office Assistant I
COMMISSION SECRETARY’S REPORT ON POSTING THE AGENDA:
The agenda for tonight’s Bicycle Pedestrian regular meeting was posted on Friday, February 24, 2017, at
10:02 a.m. in the City Hall announcement window near the Council Chambers and online in keeping with
provisions of the California Brown Act.
PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS TO COMMISSION:
Keith Harrison spoke of the benefits of BMX riding/racing for children and revealed the trophy his five year
old recently won.
The owner of Shifty Cycles and Mobile Services spoke of supporting Safe Routes to School and has donated
several bicycles to disadvantaged youth in town for participating in the Safe Routes to School programs . A
free bicycle will be raffled off at the end of the school year for the Bike & Roll program at El Roble
Elementary.
Theresa Perez spoke of bike safety education, speaking to parents at Rod Kelley and advocating a parent
meeting as the school currently does not participate in Safe Routes to School.
Sue Lowry also commented about Safe Routes to School.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Approved: Minutes were moved for approval by Commissioner Reedy and seconded by
Commissioner Reeder.
OLD BUSINESS:
A. Definitions of Class I, Class II and Class III Lanes: It was agreed by all commissioners to table this item to the
March 28th meeting.
B. Report of Parks and Recreation: Commissioner Hilton shared that he contacted the Parks and Recreation
Department and is working with them regarding a BMX park. Chair Julia Garcia will attend the Bicycle
Pedestrian Commission March meeting.
NEW BUSINESS:
A. Santa Clara County Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Presentation/Measure B: Lauren Ledbetter,
Senior Transportation Planner with VTA provided a slide presentation on their Bicycle and Pedestrian
Program.
The VTA is responsible for countywide transportation planning, developing best practice design guidelines,
advising on grant programs, staffing of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC), provides
input on VTA capital projects, offers education opportunities for Member Agencies and VTA staff and works
with VTA Transit Operation to provide for bicycles on transit.
They currently have three efforts underway. The Pedestrian Access to Transit Plan will focus on walking
access to bus stops and train stations in Santa Clara County. 71% of customers walk to VTA transit stops
and pedestrian access to transit is a regional-scale issue. VTA conducts virtual field reviews and walk audits
to consider the factors of connectivity, safety, quality, ADA accessibility and activity. A public survey was
conducted with comment cards and 400 responses were received. The next step of the Pedestrian Plan will
be to present a final plan to VTA Committees in April 2017 with the VTA Board of Directors considering for
adoption in August 2017.
The Santa Clara Countywide Bicycle Plan’s goal is to make it easier and safer for people to bike when
traveling from one city to the next in Santa Clara County. The plan identifies and prioritizes Cross County
Bikeway Corridors that will provide continuous, complete bike connections across the county. The plan
also identifies locations where new and improved bike connections are needed across freeways, rail lines
and creeks (Across Barrier Connections). The plan was most recently updated in 2008 and inventoried 300
Across Barrier Connections. Three public meetings were held on March 29, 30 and 31, 2016, where a total
of 90 community members attended. 800 comments were received on the VTA online mapping tool. The
next steps of the plan include prioritizing Cross County Bikeway Corridors and Across Barrier Connections
with results going to the VTA committees in the spring/summer of 2017. A draft of the Plan m ay be
available in the fall of 2017 with adoption of the Plan in the winter of 2017.
Santa Clara County voters approved 2016 Measure B, a 30 year, half-cent countywide sales tax to enhance
transit highway, expressways and active transportation (bicycles, pedestrians and complete streets).
Measure B is anticipated to generate $6.3 billion dollars in 2017. $250 million will go towards bicycle-
pedestrian projects of countywide significance. 15% goes to educational improvement. VTA staff is
currently working with Committees to develop a funding plan and grant program guidelines. VTA Board of
Directors must approve the plan.
B. Safe Routes to School Program: Alisa Arce with the County of Santa Clara Public Health Department
provided a presentation on Safe Routes to School which is a nationwide program that promotes walking
and bicycling to school in a safe and healthy environment through safety education and encouragement
activities with the support of law enforcement, traffic engineering, healthcare, bicycle and pedestrian
advocates, school administration, parents and students. Ms. Arce spoke of the Program’s 5 E’s which
include: Encouragement, Education, Engineering, Enforcement and Evaluation. School events in May
include Bike to School Day/Month and Bike Rack Decorating Contest. October events include the
International Walk and Roll to School Day and Kick-Off Assembly. The Funding for Safe Routes to School in
Santa Clara County is made possible by grants from Caltrans, Valley Transportation Authority
(VTA)/Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) VERBS Program (Vehicle Emissions Reductions
Based at Schools), and the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), through the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA). Safe Routes to School has funding through their grant through 2019 and
will begin to include both Christopher High and Gilroy High School.
C. Elect Bicycle Pedestrian Commission Chairperson for 2017: On motion duly made, seconded and unanimously
approved, Commissioner Leonardo Gonzalez was elected Chairperson for the Bicycle Pedestrian Commission.
D. Elect Bicycle Pedestrian Commission Vice Chairperson for 2017: On motion duly made, seconded and
unanimously approved, Commissioner Zachary Hilton was elected Vice Chairperson for the Bicycle Pedestrian
Commission.
E. Bicycle Pedestrian Commission Public Invite: Commissioner Hilton shared a statement he prepared to use
as a means of communicating with the public to increase attendance at monthly Bicycle Pedestrian
meetings and other bicycle/pedestrian events. An inquiry will be made with the City of Gilroy Public
Information Office about using other social media sites as a means for communication.
COMMISSIONER’S REPORTS:
A. Chair Gonzalez: Traffic Safe Communities Network
B. Vice Chair Hilton: Bicycle supports/racks, Pedestrian walkway at Gourmet Alley; First Fridays Downtown
Gilroy; Parents Night Out at Wheeler Auditorium; Budget Session Meetings March 13 and 27, April 10 and
24 and May 8 and 22, 2017; Adopt-A-Spot sign; Bicycle Pedestrian Commission Strategic Plan; Short curb at
Third Street Roundabout was changed to a larger ramp; Repair request was turned into the County for
debris cleanup on the Santa Teresa Bridge/pedestrian sidewalk.
C. Commissioner Marandos: Not present
D. Commissioner Reedy: None
E. Commissioner Reeder: Luchessa Bridge debris and Santa Teresa Bridge; Bush trimming needed on the
shoulder of 152 west of Gilroy; Wisconsin Conference
STAFF COMMENTS:
None
AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING:
Defining Class I, Class II and Class III Lanes
Garlic City BMX Presentation
Gilroy Police Department
Long Term Goals and Additional Goals
Valley Transportation Authority Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee Seat – Carolyn Schimandle
ADJOURN: 8:45 p.m. to the March 28, 2017 meeting at 6pm.