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BPC 12-15-04 CUPEIQ1NO MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BICYCLE PEDESTRIAN COMMISSION December 15, 2004 The meeting was called to order by Chair Greenstein at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Staff: Greenstein, Koski, Paulsen, Walton Fu Glenn Goepfert, Assistant Director of Public Works ORAL COMMUNICATIONS In response to a question of when the Commission would attend a General Plan hearing, Asst. Director Goepfert answered that the tentative date is February 22,2005. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS Asst. Director Goepfert stated that he received a letter trom locations where she feels there are serious traffic problems. Department of these locations and ask for spot enforcement. Deborah Hill glVlng specific He will inform the Sheriffs APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. November 17, 2004 Comm. Greenstein made one correction to the second sentence under Item 2 of New Business, Cupertino Pedestrian and Bicycle Plans - Priorities. The sentence was changed to read, "Chair Greenstein expressed a feeling that overall goals should be a priority and there was general agreement." The minutes were approved unanimously. OLD BUSINESS 2. Mary Avenue Bicycle Footbridge and Mary Avenue Gateway Updates Asst. Director Goepfert informed the Commission that the City received a Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA) grant of $100,000 for the Mary Avenue Gateway. On January 4, there will be an item on the City Council agenda to authorize the City Manager to sign the funding agreement. This will allow the City to finish the design and go to bid in the spring of 2005. -1- Public Works staff in is the process to selecting an expert to validate the construction estimate from the 35% design plans for the Mary Avenue Bicycle Footbridge. Upon receiving the validation, the City will apply for additional funding from VT A. The current schedule calls for going to bid in December 2005, and completing construction in about one year. On January 18, staff will go to the City Council with a status report and a recommendation that public meetings be held to update the neighborhood. Discussion followed regarding how and when to get information about the project out to the public, including putting information on a web site and installing a sign at the project site. Asst. Director Goepfert reviewed the Commission's plans regarding the bridge project after the January 18th Council meeting: · Put pertinent information and a listing of frequently asked questions on the City of Cupertino website. · Place an announcement on the website that the February 16th Bicycle Pedestrian Commission meeting will be the first public meeting about the project. · Resurrect the mailing list to notify neighbors and interested parties about the project. 3. Street Smarts Status Comm. Greenstein reported that he attended the Public Safety Commission meeting on December 9. The main item discussed was the tri-school area and letters that had gone to the schools trying to elicit an response and participation. After listening to their discussion, it appears to be that reaching out to the public through venues such as the PT A and the students appears to be the best method for getting information out. The Assistant Principal from Monta Vista reported that clubs at the high school level are looking for activities to meet their community service requirements. Street Smarts would be a great tool for them in trying to figure out how to create a safer environment around the schools. Comm. Greenstein stated that he informed the Public Safety Commission that the most to be hoped for would be to convert more people to find alternate ways to get to the schools, but they would not completely reduce the traffic jams. Comm. Greenstein has been in contact with Stevens Creek and Regnart Elementary schools. He informed the Commission that Stevens Creek Elementary would host a Street Smarts presentation on February 10 and hold a walk-to-school event on March 7. At Regnart School, the parents appeared very interested in the program, but the principal was concerned about liability. Comm. Paulsen suggested approaching the risk manager at the school district to write a letter regarding any risk to the school. Comm. Koski stated that providing information about careful ways to walk to school might help to allay those concerns. In response to a question about the next step, Comm. Greenstein stated that continually going to the schools to encourage participation might have the desired result. Comm. Walton inquired about the Safe Routes to School funding for Hyde, Cupertino High and Sedgwick schools. Asst. Director Goepfert stated a section of sidewalk was extended, a drop-off point was worked on, and pavement markings were put in around Cupertino High School. The second phase will consist of work around Hyde and Sedgwick. -2- Comm. Koski asked about money for Street Smarts. Asst. Director Goepfert responded that there is only $2,500 available, and he feels that a banner may be the best way to reach the largest number of people. It was suggested that the Street Smarts logo be used in conjunction with another event's banner, such as the one used for Bike-To-Work Day. Comm. Walton suggested sending materials bye-mail and inquired about any restrictions for distribution. Other than broadcasting the video or changing the basic material, Asst. Director Goepfert was unaware of prohibitions. Comm. Greenstein stated he would like to invite Capt. John Hirokwawa trom the Santa Clara County Sheriffs Department to attend a Commission meeting to discuss this program and school traffic pedestrian safety. Comm. Koski stated she would continue to write articles for the Cupertino Scene. At the time of Capt. Hirokawa's attendance, she also would like to have a joint meeting with the Public Safety Commission. At 7:00 p.m., on February 10, Linda Crabill will have a Street Smarts presentation to the PTO at Stevens Creek Elementary School. Comm. Greenstein will use that as a training opportunity and learn how to make future presentations. 4. Cupertino Pedestrian and Bicycle Plans - Priorities At the last meeting, the Commission agreed to look at higher goals and priorities for the next year. Comm. Greenstein referred to materials in the packet that listed goals at the beginning of 2003 and that the Commission has pretty much stuck to these goals. He reviewed the new goals that were briefly stated at the November 17 meeting and outlined how each of the major goals ties in with the bicycle and pedestrian transportation plans. He stated that he believed the top priorities are: 1) Mary Avenue Bicycle Footbridge 2) Safe Routes to Schools-Collins and Portal School 3) Major street crossings (Mary Avenue Gateway and Alves Drive/Stelling/Quinlan Center, etc.) 4) Safe Routes around the Tri-School area. By consensus, it was agreed that Comm. Greenstein and Paulsen would integrate the 2003 listing along with last month's list and present it to the Commission at the January 1 9th meeting. NEW BUSINESS: 5. Process for Holding Public Meetings on Priority Projects It was generally agreed that it was too soon to talk about the process and that this and the following item should be discussed after the list of priority projects has been completed. 6. 2005 Commission Goals Presentation to Council -3- 7. General Plan Public Meetings - Circulation Element Comm. Greenstein stated that because the Commission deals with trails, there is an overlap with the Land Use and Circulation Elements of the General Plan. He asked ifthe Commission is only to respond to the Circulation Element. Asst. Director Goepfert responded that this is what was conceived of by the City Planner, but if there is an interest in the Land Use Element, he will get a mark-up of this element, which will be discussed at the February 8 Planning Commission meeting. Comm. Greenstein felt this might only be items such as bike racks or access for pedestrians and bicycles, to encourage consideration of such amenities when development occurs. While Comm. Paulsen felt the Housing and Land Use elements are supportive of the Commission's vision of walkable, pedestrian-friendly communities, he also wanted to take a closer look at them. Both he and Comm. Greenstein expressed a desire to give a brief statement of support for those elements that promote pedestrian and bicycle usage. It was suggested that an item be placed on the next agenda to discuss a letter to be sent to City Council supporting the elements that encourage walkability and bikability. Discussion followed regarding the circulation element of the General Plan. The Commissioners agreed to read through the plan and come back to their next meeting with ideas for the General Plan. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Future items include: · Letter to City Council supporting the elements of the General Plan that encourage walkability and bikability. · Ideas on the Circulation Element of the General Plan. · Extending an invitation to John Hirokawa to discuss crosswalk enforcement and Street Smarts. No meeting date has been determined for this item. · Comm. Greenstein and Paulsen will present a report on the Cupertino Pedestrian and Bicycle Plans Priorities (current agenda item no. 4). · Current agenda items 5 and 6 will be continued at the January 19th meeting. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m. ~,~~ Carol Shepherd Administrative Assistant -4-