BPC 09-15-04
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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
BICYCLE PEDESTRIAN COMMISSION
September 15, 2004
The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Paulsen at 7:00 p.m.
ROLLCALL
Present:
Absent:
Staff:
Fu, Koski (arrived 7:16 p.m.), Paulsen, Walton
Greenstein
Glenn Goepfert, Assistant Director of Public Works
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Anne Ng spoke about a Saratoga Parks and Recreation meeting she attended on September 13, in
which the Union Pacific Railroad Trail was discussed.
Joe Walton and Anne Ng were invited to attend the September 14 Los Altos City Council
meeting. The Los Altos Public Works Department had proposed the cancellation ofa feasibility
study on the Stevens Creek Trail, but the Council overturned the recommendation after the
importance of the trail was explained.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
Asst. Director Goepfert distributed information from Chair Greenstein regarding Tiger Tracks,
the Montclair Safe Routes to School program and a memo from Kim Frey, Teen Commission
liaison, inviting members to attend one of their meetings and present an overview of the
commiSSIOn.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES - The August 18 meeting minutes were moved to the meeting of
October 20.
OLD BUSINESS
1. Mary Avenue Bicycle Footbridge and Mary Avenue Gateway Updates
Asst. Director Goepfert reported that he had attended a type selection meeting in
Sacramento, and although it has not been officially approved, Caltrans appeared to be
accepting of the bridge type. The project is moving ahead from the 35% design, the
environmental report has been completed, and he anticipates 65% design in late fall or
early winter. In response to a questions regarding lighting issues for the bridge, Asst.
Director Goepfert gave a brief overview of the types of lighting being considered. In
regard to TFCA funding, he stated that he has not yet been told whether any will be
awarded to this proj ect.
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2. Regnart Creek Trail Report to Council
Comm. Koski gave a status report to the City Council at their September 7 meeting. She
described recent activities and presented the Commission's view that a feasibility study
and task force is desirable when funding becomes available. The Council directed that
the Commission apply for a Water District grant in 2005 to fund the feasibility study. By
consensus, the Commission agreed to send a letter to those residents interested in the task
force to update them on the status of the trail.
3. Walk/Bike to School Day - October 6
Due to Chair Greenstein's absence, there was no action on this item.
4. Street Smarts Status
Asst. Director Goepfert reported that the marketing materials had been received from
Liquid Agency, Inc. A copy of the materials diskette has been distributed to the Public
Safety Commission and the Information Officer. A member of each commission and the
Senior Traffic Technician are attending a Street Smarts conclave on September 30 to see
what other agencies are doing and try to tie the regional program together. He hopes that
the program can be rolled out in October and that the City can put the information on
their website. The videotape can have unlimited showing for use as an instructional aid,
but providing other materials may be limited due to budgetary concerns.
5. BPC - PSC Monta Vista High traffic letter to schools follow up
This item was placed on the agenda to update the Commission on the status of the letter.
At their September 9 meeting, the Public Safety Commission voted to re-send the letter to
the schools along with additional information regarding the make-up and goal of the task
force.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Response to Deborah Yvonne Hill
Asst. Director Goepfert gave a brief review of the letter and a synopsis of this item at the
September 9 Public Safety Commission meeting. Comm. Koski stated that she was
unable to reach Ms. Hill by telephone and sent a letter informing Ms. Hill of Street
Smarts and inviting her to participate in the program. Ms. Hill responded and stated she
was very interested in being involved. Discussion followed regarding traffic calming
methods, the cost of installing traffic features, and neighborhood traffic planning to
encourage walkability and reduce traffic.
2. Stelling Crosswalk at Alves/Quinlan Center
Asst. Director Goepfert gave a recap of the proposal to install a crosswalk in this area.
Staff felt that the southern crossing at this intersection is preferable and would cost
approximately $8,000 with all amenities (including a wheelchair ramp, sidewalk, and
landscaping).
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FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Comm. Walton distributed a document he had prepared on the conflict between pedestrians and
cyclists on multi-use trails and asked that the commissioners review and comment on his
findings at the next meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:06 p.m.
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Carol Shepherd
Administrative Asst.
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