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BPC 01-21-04 CUPEIQ1NO THE REGULAR MINUTES OF THE BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN COMMISSION VVednesdayJanuary21,2004 City Council Chambers Cupertino City Hall 10300 Torre Avenue Cupertino, CA 95014 . MINUTES ATTENDANCE Mr. Joe VValton, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. Staff: Mr. Goepfert, Ms. Arrants Commissioners: Present: Mr. Joe VValton, Ms. Julia Fu, Mr. David Greenstein, vacant commissioner Citizen: Ms. Anne Ng, Albert Hoffman, Nelson Denis, Thomas Hugunin, Dorothy Stow, Bob Levy WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS- APPROVAL OF MINUTES - December 2003. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - Mr. Levy spoke regarding the end of the red light running program and how that would affect pedestrian traffic. In regard to Stevens and Regnart Creek trails he does not see any activity due to a lack of funding. Mrs. Ng's bike was stolen raising her awareness of bicycle racks throughout the city, which do not fit most bike !Tames, and Mrs. Ng suggests a policy to use better designed racks, such as the U or ribbon racks. Vice Chair discussed the VTA's request for a list of needed bike racks in the city and Quinlan Center and City Hall were not listed, Greenstein suggested contacting John Ciccarelli with VTA to add locations, Vice Chair Greenstein will contact VT A. Mr. Goepfert discussed appointing one of the Commissioners as secretary, due to the staff reorganization. OLD BUSINESS - 1. Regnart Creek Trail - a. Mr. Goepfert provided background infonnation to this potential project, followed by a video presentation. Mr. Goepfert discussed a memorandum on this item a recommendation !Tom staff to !Tame a recommendation to the City Council to include this in the city's capital improvement project as an unfunded project pending funding through grant sources. A general discussion followed by commissioners with public input. Mr. Hoffman was in favor of a potential trail and would be useful in order to avoid traffic, he also expressed concern for the cost of the trail. Mr. Denis is in not favor of a trail but a wall with lighting along similar to the one going !Tom Miller to Creekside Park would be reasonable. Mr. Hugunin discussed a similar path, years ago between E Estates Dr. and Blaney Ave. regarding issues of people hanging about, he is against the trail unless residential issues can be mitigated. Mrs. Stow did not get any notice of this meeting, until Regnart Creek was fenced, she had nothing but problems, her home was broken into, rock were thrown into her yard and pets were teased and sees this as an attractive nuisance. Mr. Levy, resigned Bicycle and Pedestrian Commissioner, said this trail is in the City General Plan which would provide an alternate walking route. Altough the City Council would like to see trails of this sort, funding is not available and problems such as those discussed is a concern. He is not in support of this project. A general discussion followed. Chair VV alton is in support of additional public meeting to gather infonnation !Tom residents, followed by a feasibility study. Commissioner Paulsen agreed that additional public meeting are needed as well as a meeting joint with the Public Safety Commission and Teen Commission, he to would like to see some sort of volunteer work along the trail. Commissioner Hua is in favor of developing trails and bicycle paths and this is a public process with input !Tom the public as well as children, possible alternative way to school. Vice Chair Greenstein noted all the concerns voiced tonight, and agreed with Commission Paulsen to include the Public Safety and Teen Commission and the trail must be designed right to be of benefit. Chair VValton would like to continue this item to February and do a joint public meeting in March or April. 2. Mary Avenue Footbridge- a. Mr. Goepfert provided a staff report and updated the Commission on the status of this project. City staff and consultant, Biggs Cardoza, met with Caltrans in Oakland regarding design options. Caltrans supported a cable supported structure. Next a meeting with the Caltrans in Sacramento is scheduled. 3. Cupertino Senior Center - Chair VValton, at a mayor's group spoke to a member ofthe new Senior Commission regarding concerns of seniors walking and parking in the Senior Center parking lot. 4. VValklBicycle to School- A general discussion followed with Commissioner Hua distributed a sampling of surveys to solicit feedback !Tom parents regarding school children walking and bicycling to and !Tom school. Vice Chair Greenstein suggested an action plan be developed. 5. Pedestrian crossing concerns at intersections - A general discussion followed with comments regarding the recent General Plan and the subject of citywide walkability. 6. Bicycle and Pedestrian Guidelines - Resident Levy submitted to staff suggestions and edits over a year ago with many still outstanding. A general discussion followed, with Commissioner Paulsen suggesting each commissioner look at or focus on a particular portion of these guidelines. NEW BUSINESS - 1. Stevens Creek Trail - Mrs. Ng addressed to request the commission support and endorse a multi- use trail. Commissioner Hua was in favor. Vice Chair is not in favor of a multiuse trail through out the trail. Greenstein sees this area of the corridor, at McClellan Ranch as an educational Center and should not be part of the trail, bicycles should be walked through this portion. Commissioner Paulsen would like to protect the creek by keeping the trail as far away !Tom it as possible. Mrs. Ng responded, indicating the trail would be along the hillside, away !Tom the creek. A general discussion followed. Chair VValton made a motion to support a concept of a multiuse trail !Tom McClellan Road to Stevens Creek Boulevard, with a design and alignment that would minimize the impact of the nature preserve element of Stevens Creek Trail through McClellan Ranch Park, second by Commissioner Hua. The vote was recorded as 3 in favor, 1 opposed. 2. Resignation of Commissioner Levy - This item was discussed earlier in the meeting by Mr. Levy in oral communications. Interviews are scheduled for March 15, 2004. ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business or public comment Chair VValton adjourned the meeting at 9:33p.m. The next Committee meeting will be on VVednesday, February 18, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. in Conference Room A Respectfully submitted, Dim, Arr_ ).w ~..æ