11/28/2017 Bicycle Pedestrian Commission Regular Meeting Adopted 02/27/2018
MINUTES OF BICYCLE PEDESTRIAN COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2017
1. CALL TO ORDER
6:03 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL
Zachary Hilton Chairperson, Chad Reeder Vice Chairperson, Tony Marandos, Leonardo Gonzalez,
Sean Reedy – arrived at 6:04
ALSO PRESENT
Gary Heap – City Engineer/Transportation Engineer
Donna Taft, Office Assistant I
4. COMMISSION SECRETARY’S REPORT ON POSTING THE AGENDA
The agenda for the Bicycle Pedestrian regular meeting was posted on Wednesday, November 22, 2017, at
12:51 p.m. in the City Hall announcement window near the Council Chambers and online in keeping with
provisions of the California Brown Act.
5. CEREMONIAL ITEMS
Chairperson Hilton presented an award to Michelle Wexler of Santa Clara County Public Health Department
for her role in organizing the ‘Let’s All Go To The Park’ events at Gilroy parks for the past several years
which promotes exercise and a healthy lifestyle to all ages.
Commissioner Tony Marandos was thanked and recognized for his seven years of volunteer service to the
Bicycle Pedestrian Commission. Marandos’ term expires on December 31, 2017.
6. PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS TO COMMISSION
A. PUBLIC COMMENT BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA BUT WITHIN THE
SUJECT MATTER JURISDICTION OF THE BICYCLE PEDESTRIAN COMMISSION: None
B. South Valley Running Club (SVRC): Manuel Hero, President of SVRC, was unable to attend. This item
will be moved to a subsequent meeting.
C. Valley Transportation Authority Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee (VTABPAC): Carolyn Schimandle
gave a report of some highlights from her VTABPAC meeting on November 8, 2017.
She stated that the committee reviewed the status of Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA) funded
project in Santa Clara County. Lauren Ledbetter of Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority stated
that Gilroy used to be active in seeking TFCA funding but that dropped off with city staff changes.
Ledbetter suggested that Gilroy Bicycle Pedestrian Commission look at the TFCA program and make
recommendations to city staff on how it can be utilized again.
Schimandle provided a Measure B update. She said that Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) staff
would be leading the Education and Encouragement Assessment. Municipalities will provide VTA with
data.
Discussion followed.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approved: Minutes were moved for approval by Commissioner Tony Marandos, it was seconded by
Vice Chairperson Chad Reeder. Motion passed 4-0 as Commissioner Gonzalez was not present at the last
meeting.
7. OLD BUSINESS
A. Strategic Plan Update – Downtown Bicycle Racks Project Presentation (December 4th City Council
Agenda) and Grants:
Chairperson Hilton shared that one addition in the Action Plan is the update from December 4th
regarding the downtown bicycle racks project which will be presented to City Council. Girum Awoke,
Public Works Director, will be handling all of the installation. Kristi Abrams, Community Development
Director, will do some funding research as funding from Sunrise Rotary is not available. She will look
into funding four racks. Ten locations have been selected by Planning. Hilton believes that they can get
funding for all ten racks by next year. Hilton will put together a short PowerPoint presentation to sum
up what’s been done with the project and obtain feedback from City Council. Discussion followed.
He also shared that the Caltrans Active Transportation Program (ATP) has been added under Grants.
The purpose of the ATP is to encourage increased use of active modes of transportation. The call for
projects is in March of 2018.
Hilton also shared information about two other grants that he found. One is on the VTA website called
VERBS. It is a Climate Initiative Safe Routes To School program that focuses on reducing greenhouse
gases by promoting walking, bike riding, transit and carpooling to school. Another program is called
LimeBike which aims to provide a sustainable solution to the first and last mile transportation problem
by helping people move around their cities in an affordable and convenient way while eliminating their
carbon footprint. Hilton has contacted both and shared with them how interested the Commissioners
are and that they are always welcome to come and talk to the Commission.
Commissioner Reeder added that the Commissions number one goal should be to promote and look at
projects to promote a free range concept for local people to be able to walk or ride anywhere. He also
added that the intersection of Orchard and Tenth Street is terribly unsafe and would like to see what it
would take to make it a signalized intersection for pedestrians.
Commissioner Gonzalez suggested asking Gilroy Police Department to come to a subsequent meeting
to share information about this intersection and incidents that have occurred there.
Discussion followed.
B. General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) Update: Vice Chairperson Reeder shared an update from the
October 26th meeting. At this time they are trying to direct the consultant to study different
areas/options and will narrow it down to two and the GPAC will then vote in February. There will be
more information to pass along once the consultants start presenting.
C. Bicycle Pedestrian Commission Monthly Award Nomination: Chairperson Hilton shared that he did not
nominate anyone as the Commission might decide not to have a meeting in December. He reached out
to Thi Ngo with Santa Clara County Public Health Department and asked her to share with all the Safe
Routes to School parent coordinators that the Commission is looking for people that stand out and wish
to recognize them.
D. Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Growth and Sustainability: Commissioner Reedy shared an article relating
to Measure B from the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition pointing out that agencies supporting schools in
the county are wanting to see that there is data supporting the education and encouragement sub-
program of the bicycle and pedestrian category and if what they’re doing is effective. Valley
Transportation Authority is working with the Public Health Department to give the Commission data to
be collected and we are waiting on that information. Discussion followed.
Last month Alisa Arce, with Santa Clara County Public Health Department, gave a detailed presentation
of what’s been happening through the Department to support us and through other agencies and
what’s been working in Gilroy. Reedy discussed the details of what has been happening in Sunnyvale
and what they see to be working for them and other places and what we may want to have happen in
Gilroy to assure that SRTS stays sustainable.
Reedy was invited to attend the Sunnyvale SRTS Collaborate Meeting and spoke about topics that were
covered. He shared that the Commission together with the police department, city and school district
need for SRTS to grow and keep sustained. Sunnyvale has three school districts within its borders and
has broad representation. Arce suggested that Gilroy’s Bicycle Pedestrian Commission get a
stakeholder group together at one of our meetings so that everyone can be involved and make
decisions about what is going to be done to keep SRTS sustainable. Another suggestion was to have a
permanent Coordinator. Hilton suggested holding such a meeting one hour before a Bicycle Pedestrian
Commission meeting to get facilitation started. Reedy shared that Sunnyvale is working on data
collection and mapping to support grant applications and he shared a packet that listed several places
the City was looking at getting grants from.
Reedy also talked about having a police officer or Lead Certified Instructor (LCI) at bike rodeos. There
will be some upcoming training taking place and the Commission has been asked to spread the word
that this training will be available next year. More information on the classes is forthcoming.
Discussion followed.
8. NEW BUSINESS
None
9. CORRESPONDENCE
Chairperson Hilton drafted a thank you letter to Reid Lerner Architects for the contribution of creating
bicycle parking maps for current Historic Downtown and planned Historic Downtown.
Hilton spoke of Caltrans Bicycle Plan webinar on November 30 from 1:00-3:00pm. Details are on their
website. Hilton is planning to promote what is in the right of way and also to mention the restriping of First
Street and how it is not currently bicycle friendly.
Hilton described Cyclo-cross and shared that on Saturday, January 6, 2018 there will be a Cyclo-cross event
at Lion Oaks Ranch located at 5255 Hecker Pass Highway in Gilroy. It will offer a traditional course that
loops through the ranch with pavement flagstone walkway, grass, dirt and sand as obstacles. This is a free
event to fans. There will also be a free kids ride at noon. Event coordinators have asked the Commission to
help spread the word about the event.
10. COMMISSIONER’S REPORTS
A. Chairperson Zachary Hilton: Suggested that the new Commissioner that comes on board research data
on how many Class I and Class II miles are currently in Gilroy and how many are going to be added; He
introduced himself to the Youth Commission. He suggested to them that if they ever need help or
resources to reach out to the Commission. On November 13th City Council had a traffic study calming
session and they also approved the Upper Welburn stripping plan. The Bicycle Pedestrian Commission
(BPC) will be involved in the traffic calming policy. The First Street stripping plan will be added to the
BPC website and Girum Awoke, Public Works Director, sent the same plan to Caltrans; He shared that
Councilmember Tucker inquired about research on the sidewalk gaps in the City of Gilroy; The new Fix-
it station at the Library has had some vandalism; He will go in front of Council on December 4 to discuss
bike racks and they will be approving the bid for the West Branch Llagas Creek Class I trail; He asked
Gary Heap, City Engineer/Transportation Engineer, for any information he can share on Bike Share or
Complete Streets; Holiday Parade is on December 2 at 2:30 in downtown Gilroy; He spoke to a resident,
who works for the City of San Jose, and he coordinated their Open Streets. He wants to work with the
Commission and the City to create something similar in Gilroy; Applications are due December 5 for
seats on boards, commissions and committees. Interviews will be held on December 11, 2017.
B. Vice Chairperson Chad Reeder: He met with Dr. Sanchez of Gilroy High School and plans to meet with
Principal Calero of Christopher High School. He also sent an email to Dr. Rose from Gavilan College and
would like to get feedback about intersections near the schools and make them aware that the
Commission is here to support them; He made a request for before and after photos of Luchessa Bridge
before stripping and addition of the delineators.
C. Commissioner Tony Marandos: Spoke of the importance of finding a cost effective way of educating
both drivers and bicyclists of following the rules of the road; Since this is Marandos’ last Commission
meeting he distributed parting gifts of illuminated bicycle lights. Thank you Tony for your service to this
Commission!
D. Commissioner Leo Gonzalez: He requested that Carolyn Schimandle address Valley Transportation
Authority about the yellow “Safe Place For Kids” signs on buses and suggests that the drivers of those
buses have the same credentials as a school bus driver.
E. Commissioner Sean Reedy: No report
11. STAFF COMMENTS
Gary Heap, City Engineer/Transportation Engineer, thanked the commissioners for welcoming him and he
looks forward to working with the Commission to make Gilroy a better place to bike and walk.
12. AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
All Commissioners agreed to hold the next regular Bicycle Pedestrian Commission meeting on January 23,
2018.
ADJOURN: 7:51 p.m. to the January 23, 2018 meeting at 6pm.