04/25/2017 Bicycle Pedestrian Commission Regular Meeting Adopted 05/02/2017
MINUTES OF BICYCLE PEDESTRIAN COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2017
CALL TO ORDER:
6:03 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Leonardo Gonzalez Chair, Zachary Hilton Vice Chair, Tony Marandos, Sean Reedy, Chad Reeder
ALSO PRESENT:
Michael Fisher, Consultant – Transportation Engineer
Donna Taft, Office Assistant I
COMMISSION SECRETARY’S REPORT ON POSTING THE AGENDA:
The original agenda for the Bicycle Pedestrian regular meeting was posted on Thursday, April 13, 2017, at
3:20 p.m. and a revised agenda was posted on Wednesday, April 19, 2017 at 1:30 p.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:
A. Mayor Roland Velasco thanked Chairperson Gonzalez for the opportunity to speak to the Commission. He
spoke of the role of the Commissions and how they play an important part of raising awareness in
particular areas and how the citizens of Gilroy can benefit from their expertise. The Commissioners are
able to review plans and projects and can raise issues which the Mayor encourages and he appreciates their
feedback. Mayor Velasco then addressed questions the Commissioners raised about Highway 152/First
Street. He spoke about his recent meetings with legislators to secure funding for the repairs of it. He also
discussed sidewalk repairs and Caltrain ridership from Gilroy to San Jose. He suggested members join him
for Coffee with the Mayor in Council chambers for Q&A. He hopes to hold these meetings every other
month with the next taking place in May.
B. Gabe Gonzalez, City Administrator, spoke on where the City is with street funding as it pertains to the
Bicycle Pedestrian Commission with regards to Measure B and SB 1, the new state tax for local streets and
roads. He then answered questions the Commissioners raised about those bills. He also updated the
Commission about the recruitment of the City Engineer/Traffic Engineer position which will start in the next
couple of months. He recommended the Commission prioritize three items they would like to see
accomplished that he can take into consideration and can then present to Council for their determination.
C. Shawna Freels, City Clerk, distributed a printed Powerpoint presentation that the City Attorney’s office
presented on Monday, April 24. She discussed the priorities of the Brown Act, Gilroy’s Open Government
Ordinance (OGO) and Robert’s Rules of Order and explained proper procedure with regards to agenda,
meeting processes and email correspondence. The Commissioners asked various questions regarding email
correspondence between members and participating in other Board and Commission meetings. She then
offered to help the Commission craft a Proclamation if the desired language is forwarded to her.
Motion was made by Commissioner Marandos to move New Business, Item #1 – Bicycle Pedestrian
Commission Business Cards up the agenda for Shawna Freels, City Clerk, to address. It was seconded by
Vice Chairperson Hilton. Motion passed 5-0.
City Clerk Freels explained that currently the City does not issue business cards for any of the fifteen Boards
and Commissions. Commissioner Reeder mentioned that the Commission is looking for a simple, general
card that states when the Bicycle Pedestrian Commission meetings are held and to list the City’s website.
Shawna Freels stated that Gabe Gonzalez, City Administrator is amenable to the idea of a generic business
card and wanted Shawna to get more information from the Commission about the request. If the
Commission wishes to create cards, they would have to be purchased through the City. There was a
discussion of creating city-issued email accounts for all Boards and Commissions as recommended by the
Open Government Commission.
Motion was made by Chairperson Gonzalez to move Old Business, Item #1 – Valley Transportation
Authority Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee Candidate Update up the agenda for Shawna Freels, City
Clerk, to address. It was seconded by Vice Chairperson Hilton. Motion passed 5-0.
City Clerk Freels reported that the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Government & Audit Committee
has the recommendation for Carolyn Schimandle and her appointment is on their consent calendar for
Thursday, May 4. Carolyn will be seated on May 10, 2017.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Approved: Minutes were moved for approval with a correction under Commissioner Reports, Item D by
Commissioner Marandos and was seconded by Commissioner Reeder. Motion passed 5-0.
OLD BUSINESS:
A. Valley Transportation Authority Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee Candidate Update: See Public
Presentation to Commission, Item C above.
B. Gilroy Library Bike Fix-it Station: Lani Yoshimura, Gilroy Community Librarian, shared that the Public Health
Department paid for a Bike Fix-it Station to be installed by the City of Gilroy at the library in front of the
bike rack. The library will maintain the station and replace tools when necessary. She distributed a
handout picturing a Fix-it station and gave a brief description of the station to be installed. She would like
to have a station kick-off towards the end of the summer and hopes to work with the Police Department
and other departments to get people to use the station.
C. Bike to Work Day Update: Commissioner Tony Marandos shared that this event will take place on
Thursday, May 11, 2017 at the train station. A canopy has been secured through the Parks and Recreation
Department. Local merchants have contacted Commissioner Marandos to participate by donating water
bottles and other free swag items. Commissioner Sean Reedy will be joining Commissioner Marandos the
morning of the event. The Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition (SVBC) will be giving away 30 bags at the energy
station and are asking for $3.50 for each ($105.00 total). Vice Chairperson Hilton will get a formal request
to pass along to Michael Fisher, Consultant – Transportation Engineer, who will speak to Jimmy Forbis,
Finance Director, to see if funds are available.
Motion was made by Chairperson Gonzales to nominate former Commissioner Thomas Muniz to receive
the Proclamation for all of the hard work he did as a Commissioner for the Bicycle Pedestrian body. It was
seconded by Vice Chairperson Hilton. Motion passed 5-0.
D. Language Change to Bylaws, Section 7, #2 – Attendance: Chairperson Leo Gonzalez, Vice Chairperson
Zachery Hilton and Commissioners Tony Marandos, Sean Reedy and Chad Reeder discussed amending the
Bylaws, Section 7, #2 to add ‘Any member that misses six (6) regular meetings with in a twelve (12) month
period, their office will become vacant.’ The Commission will vote on the change and it will then go to City
Council. Commissioner Marandos requested that the Bylaws have a provision for excused absences.
Chairperson Gonzales recommended asking Shawna Freels, City Clerk, about the wording change as there
may be state requirements. He will phone her to discuss.
Motion was made by Chairperson Gonzalez to table the Bylaws wording change to the May 23, 2017
meeting. It was seconded by Commissioner Marandos. Motion passed 5-0.
E. Green Bike Lanes Update: Michael Fisher, Consultant – Transportation Engineer, shared that there is no
evidence of a grant that the Commissioners recall Henry Servin, former City Traffic Engineer, discussing at a
previous meeting in 2016 that would be used to put green test swatches on Santa Teresa Boulevard at the
approaches of an intersection. Michael shared that there are about five different materials that can be used
and that there is a commitment to maintaining those areas. Despite the lack of evidence of the above
mentioned grant, Michael is interested in hearing the Commissioners concerns about priority intersections
that would benefit from the use of green paint. Michael suggested the Commissioners put together a list
of intersections for him as he would like to do some stripping work before the fiscal year ends on June 30,
2017. Commissioner Marandos suggested delegating a subcommittee of two Commissioners that can put
together a list that list. Vice Chairperson Hilton and Commissioner Reeder volunteered to form the
subcommittee.
F. Route 152 Roundabout at Autumn Update: Michael Fisher, Consultant – Transportation Engineer shared
that on April 26, 2016, Rob Oneto, Principal with Ruggeri-Jensen-Azar, made a presentation to the
Commission and that there have been no other updates in the last year. Michael does not support the
crosswalks in the design and has removed them from the project. The design is nearing completion and the
City is implementing what was designed a year ago. Michael will speak to Rob about coming to a future
meeting so that the Commissioners can voice their concerns.
G. Strategic Plan Update: Motion was made by Vice Chairperson Hilton to view and discuss the updated
Strategic Plan. It was seconded by Chairperson Gonzalez. Motion passed 5-0.
Vice Chairperson Hilton would like to see the Strategic Plan discussed at every monthly meeting. Any
changes made to items on the Plan will be underlined and italicized as it will make it easier for people to
follow and will be easier to see the changes after it’s been posted.
Cal Silk Screen Printing designed a free logo for the cover of the Strategic Plan.
The Commissioners collectively put together a priority list with the top three items that Gabe Gonzalez, City
Administrator, requested. They are as follows:
1. BMX Track
2. Bike Racks
3. Gourmet Alley/Pedestrian Walkway
Vice Chairperson Hilton will put together a priority list of those three items which will be forwarded to
Michael Fisher, Consultant – Transportation Engineer, who will forward to Gabe Gonzalez.
NEW BUSINESS:
A. Bicycle Pedestrian Commission Business Cards: See Public Presentations to Commission, Item C above.
B. Downtown Bike Racks: Vice Chariperson Zachary Hilton, received bike rack quotes from Gilroy Sunrise
Rotary and DERO. Gilroy Sunrise Rotary is donating $3,000 for racks in the downtown area. The Arts
Commission suggested contacting the Public Art Committee as they have a vision of what the artwork
should look like all around the City of Gilroy. The Committee has added bike racks to their agenda. The
Committee asked Vice Chairperson Hilton to list three locations that could use racks. They are as follows:
1. Café 152 at Fourth and Eigleberry
2. Near OD’s
3. On the corner of Sixth and Monterey in front of Old City Hall
Vice Chairperson Hilton will attend the Public Arts Committee meeting on Wednesday, April 26, 2017.
C. Bicycle Pedestrian Commission Monthly Award: Vice Chairperson Zachary Hilton shared that he wants to
continue public outreach and feels this award is a way to get more people to the monthly meetings.
Forms will be distributed around town at various shops and he would like to see it on the City’s website.
Some minor changes will be made to the form. He can get bicycle and running related items to give the
recipients. Commissioner Reeder suggested that a picture of the recipient be taken and put on the Parks
and Recreation Facebook page. Forms will be mailed to City Hall, Attention: Bicycle Pedestrian
Commission.
D. Review of Transportation Development Act Article 3 (TDA) Funding Allocation Application: This topic was
not addressed as David Stubchaer, PE, Interim City Engineer, did not attend this meeting.
COMMISSIONER’S REPORTS:
A. Chairperson Leo Gonzalez: Email him with any agenda additions
B. Vice Chairperson Zachary Hilton: Encouraged walking and biking to the next First Fridays in downtown
Gilroy, May 8 - City Budget Session meeting, May - 22 the Operational Budget presented to City Council,
June 5 – Budget Approval, Attended April 10 Council Budget Special Meeting reviewing their 10 year
financial forecast and strategic plan, Removed on of the bicycle maps from the city website, Hecker Pass
doggy waste bags, May 5 – El Roble is having a bike festival, May 7 – Silicon Valley Bike Festival, May 10 –
Bike to School citywide, June 2 – Specialized Bicycle is hosting a Disrupt Forum in Morgan Hill
C. Commissioner Tony Marandos: Encouraged participating in Bike to Work Day and thanked Sean for signing
up to help
D. Commissioner Sean Reedy: Shifty may be attending Bike to Work Day in Gilroy, May 26 – Rod Kelley has a
Rods Trod and Carnival after their Walk-a-Thon event
E. Commissioner Chad Reeder: May 11 – Bike to Work Day
STAFF COMMENTS: None
AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING:
Update on Hecker Pass Roundabout
Bylaws – Attendance Change
Bike to Work Day Update
Green Bike Lanes
Bike Rack Update
Strategic Plan
Monthly Award
Annual Bicycle Pedestrian Commission Event
ADJOURN: 9:27 p.m. to the May 23, 2017 meeting at 6pm.