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BPC 07-18-07 \. . CU~INO MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BICYCLE PEDESTRIAN COMMISSION July 18th, 2007 The meeting was called to order at 7:08 p. m. ROLLCALL Present: Commissioners Geoffrey Paulsen, Joe Walton, Jim Wiant and Donald Armstrong May Koski David Stillman, Senior Civil Engineer Absent: Staff: ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Anne Ng requested that signs be placed at either end of the Bollinger Bridge construction site to identify the bicycle/pedestrian route that would otherwise go unnoticed. Anne also reported that she and Leslie Fowler had attended last night's (7/13) City Council meeting to encourage that the existing footbridge over Stevens Creek in McClellan Ranch Park .either be preserved as a Safe Route to School, or replaced in conjunction with the planned renovation of the Park. Additionally, Anne reported that she and other Stevens Creek Trail advocates had met with Hanson Cement's Community Relations Director John Giovanola to discuss, among other things, a grade level trail crossing of the Union Pacific RR tracks, to which Mr. Giovanola suggested that consideration be given to footbridge over the tracks at a location where the train passes beneath the level of the land. In response to a discussion of trail development along and across the UPRR tracks, Paulson proposed that an ad hoc committee be formed to consider and promote urban trail development, consistent with the general plan. Both Ng and Walton volunteered to serve with Paulson in this effort. Ng also requested information on the width of the bike lane on Stelling as it nears Homestead Road, and questioned whether the current lanes met the five-foot bike lane standard. Advisor Stillman indicated that he believed they did, but would double check. As a follow-up to last night's City Council meeting, Leslie Fowler reported that she had had a discussion with Aaron Grossman from the Friends of Stevens Creek Trail regarding the continuation of the Trail through Cupertino. Leslie suggested that at some near future date the Commission invite Trail representatives to an agenized discussion of their plans for existing and future trail development. In other oral communications matters, Wiant reported that Mayor Wang had asked for the cooperation of cyclists to observe all stop signs, but particularly those on Stelling Rd. between Rainbow and McClellan. He also reported that ten traffic speed indicators were scheduled for installation at locations where traffic calming issues had arisen. Advisor Stillman showed a new type of bike route indicator made of thermo plastic, which is scheduled to be installed along the City's bike routes. The indicator provides a bike route legend that can be secured to the pavement through the application of heat, and has a non-skid surface. Stillman also reported that he would inquire as to the purpose of the recently installed right-hand only exit from the De Anza College campus onto McClellan Road. . APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. May 16h The commission approved the May 16th, 2007 minutes as submitted. VOTE 4-0. OLD BUSINESS 2. Bicycle Transportation Plan Update Walton distributed copies of an updated Executive Summary of Cupertino's Bicycle Transportatio~ Plan, and will send a soft copy to Stillman for the update files. He also noted that an updated version of the VT A Bicycle Technical Guidelines was being prepared by Michelle DeRobertis, which can serve as an addendum to the revised Plan. Commissioner Armstrong volunteered his help in updating Cupertino's present Bike Plan by documenting the status and/or accomplishment of its various objectives. To do this he requested copies of both the Bicycle Transportation Plan and Cupertino's Pedestrian Guidelines, along with a copy of the VTA's Technical Guidelines. Stillman advised that he will send Armstrong copies of these documents. Stillman also advised that he had compiled a list of infrastructure improvements (objectives) as called for by the Bicycle Plan, and the completion status of each objective. The list of objectives would also include proposed City funding or funding sources for school related bicycle and pedestrian safety training, and the sufficiency and access to on-campus bicycle parking. Paulsen suggested that there be a review of zoning ordinances and construction standards, such that elements of both the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plans could be incorporated in future housing, office and retail developments. Stillman advised that the Planning Department routinely looks for opportunities to encourage walking, cycling and bicycle parking before a developer's plan is submitted to the Planning Commission and/or City Council for final approval. 3. Mary Avenue Bicycle Footbridge Update Advisor Stillman indicated that work was proceeding in-house to find ways to reduce construction and material costs for the Footbridge, and to identify sources of additional funding to meet revised cost estimates for completion of the bridge. Public Works will present their recommendations to City Council on August 21 st in anticipation of re- bidding the project later this year. . 4. Bicycle Friendly Community Status Wiant reported that he had completed Part 1 of the League of American Bicyclists application for Cupertino's recognition as a Bicycle Friendly City, which he planned to email to the League for review. Part 1 requests general information about Cupertino and its topography, weather, demographics and bicycling environment. He noted that should LAB accept Part 1, the next phase (part 2) of the application process would involve the submission of data regarding Cupertino's implementation of the 5E's, Le. Education, Encouragement, Evaluation & Planning, Enforcement and Engineering. This portion of the application provides a more in-depth view of the City's commitment to providing bicycle worthy accommodations, and is the real measuring stick for accreditation as a Bicycle Friendly City. Paulsen noted that the County's Health and Safety Network had just received a $400,000 grant, some of which might be available for education and encouragement of students to walk and/or bike to school. Leslie Fowler noted the best time to reach parents is at the beginning of each new school year. Safe Routes to School maps and supporting information could be discussed and distributed to parents at Back to School Night. Wiant requested information on an Old Business question regarding Bob Gorman's complaint concerning bike lane stripping on Foothill as the roadway widens before it intersects Stevens Creek. Gorman was concerned that the bike lane on this part of the road becomes very narrow. Advisor Stillman said that he observed approaches to the intersection, and they all looked fine to him. He didn't see any places where there was confusion, or where there wasn't a clear bike lane on the far side of the street. Anne Ng raised the question as to why the dashed bike lane stripping narrowed in width, and whether there should be any stripping at all. Note: Refer to VTA Bicycle Technical Guidelines - Bike Lanes at Right-Turn Lanes- Illustration lOA 5. BPC Participation in Public Safety Fair Wiant announced that this year's Public Safety Fair will be staged on the soccer field and adjacent facilities next to the City Hall beginning at 10:00 AM on Saturday, August 25th. As the BPC's representative to the Public Safety Committee, he encouraged that all available Commission members assist with Bicycle related activities, which will include a Bike Rodeo conducted by the Optimist Club, Bike Inspection and Adjustments by the Evolution Bike Shop, and Helmet Fitting and Information Desk staffed by Commission members on behalf of the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition. Anne Ng, Don Armstrong and Joe Walton indicated that they would be there to lend a hand. Wiant also noted the bicycle helmets will be raftled off at the Fair. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Wiant proposed that the Commission agenized discussion for the next meeting dealing with the "Commission's Bimonthly Meeting Schedule". He stated that the Public Safety Commission meets monthly, posts its own agenda and takes its own minutes in the absence of staff assistance. . Paulsen suggested that consideration be give to a Q&A sheet that could be posted on the Commission's webpage. Paulson also proposed that the next agenda include an update regarding the "Status of VTA's Bicycle TeChnical Guidelines", and Walton agreed to gather the information. Walton proposed that "Status of Bicycle Transportation Plan Update" be added to the list of Old Business items. It was also agreed to retain the current list of Old Business items on the agenda for the next meeting, with the exception of the "BPC Participation in Public Safety Fair". ANNOUNCEMENTS Paulsen advised that he is scheduled to have major surgery at Stanford Hospital, and anticipates that he will not be available to attend to Commission matters for some six weeks. He also reported that his County office would be issuing an RFP for the funding of programs to promote physical exercise and prevent obesity. Grants ranging from $20 to $60 thousand are available for this purpose. He encouraged the Commissioners to let anyone who might be interested in submitting a proposal to check the County's website for the RFP. ADJOURNMENT Wiant called for a motion to adjourn, which was unanimously approved, and the meeting was concluded at 8:49 PM. SUBMITTED BY: ?J-:'- W~ . . Wiant