BPC 06-19-2019 MINUTES
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
BICYCLE PEDESTRIAN COMMISSION
June 19, 2019
CUPERTINO
The meeting was called to order at 6:55 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Gerhard Eschelbeck, Erik Lindskog, Pete Heller, and Muni Madhdhipatla.
Staff: David Stillman (Senior Civil Engineer)
Others Present: Sue Ranney, Kathy R. Chole, Julia Miyakawa, Gary Wong, J.R. Fruen,
Ilango Ganga and Dinyar Dastoor.
1) APPROVAL OF MINUTES
• The minutes for the April 17, 2019 meeting was approved.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Ilango Ganga objected to the approval of the motion in the April 17, 2019 meeting
regarding alternatives to the Regnart Creek Trail, claiming a conflict of interest on
Commissioner Erik Lindskog's part as he lives within 500 feet of the trail.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 7.07 p.m.
SUBMITTED BY:
Erik Lindskog, Commissioner
MINUTES
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
BICYCLE PEDESTRIAN COMMISSION
June 19, 2019
CUPERTINO
The meeting was called to order at 7:08 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Gerhard Eschelbeck, Erik Lindskog, Pete Heller, and Muni Madhdhipatla.
Staff: David Stillman (Senior Civil Engineer)
Others Present: Sue Ranney, Kathy R. Chole, Julia Miyakawa, Gary Wong, J.R. Fruen,
Ilango Ganga and Dinyar Dastoor.
1) APPROVAL OF MINUTES
• No minutes to approve here. (The April 17 minutes was approved in the Special
meeting preceding this meeting on June 19 6:55 PM.)
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
David Stillman reminded the meeting attendants about the conflict of interest rules we
operate under.
Ilango Ganga claimed that Commissioner Lindskog' wife, Seema Lindskog, has stated
that the properties around the trail would increase in value by 20%. Ilango Ganga also
claimed that this is what the Lindskog family in general believes and that therefore
Commissioner Lindskog should recuse himself on matters regarding the Regnart Creek
Trail.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
No written communications.
OLD BUSINESS
2) Regnart Creek Trail (Stillman)
Commissioner Lindskog made the following statement:
Before we begin, I'd like to disclose that I live on the eastern side of Farallone Drive, at 10390
Farallone Drive, within 500 feet of the proposed Regnart Creek Trail (RCT)path and certain of
its alternatives. The FPPC has provided Advice Letter A-19-109 to Mayor Steven Scharf, whose
neighboring property is similarly situated. That letter concludes that none of the proposed
Regnart Creek Trail paths would create a financial conflict of interest preventing the mayor from
discussing or voting on the RCT by clear and convincing evidence. After consultation with my
attorney and the city attorney, I have concluded that the RCT will similarly not impact my
property, and the city attorney has reached the same conclusion. I have further concluded that the
Bicycle Pedestrian Commission is not a decision making body within the meaning of 2 CCR
section 18700(c), and that if it were, no unique impact would inure to me from the RCT that
would be distinguishable from the public generally. On the basis of the foregoing, I will fulfill
my obligation to participate in tonight's discussion.
See attached FPPC Advice Letter A-19-109 to Mayor Steven Scharf.
David Stillman presented on the 65%design of the Regnart Creek Trail. See attached
presentation titled `Regnart Creek Trail Design Update', dated June 19 2019.
Some comments during the presentation:
David Stillman:
Addressing privacy concerns, Valley Water access, trail user safety and adherence to standards.
Staff has met with residents that wanted to meet:
No consensus on fencing among residents met with.
130K for wooden fencing($50/If), 1.3 M for concrete block wall($500/lf)
No permanent structures allowed by Valley Water. Planters OK.
Questions from the public:
What about funds for fence maintenance?
What about home owner liability?
David Stillman:
Discussing with residents on Lozano and De Palma lane residents.
No permanent structures allowed, removable planters ok
Commissioner Eschelbeck: Can we sink the trail? David Stillman: Too expensive and Valley
Water may not approve. Need to consider environmental impact.
Commissioner Lindskog: Are gates for the residents allowed? David Stillman: Not discussed.
Valley Water need to close trail for maintenance. Commissioner Lindskog: Would hope we can
allow gates for the residents.
David Stillman: Showed picture of planters screening properties. Separation between trail and
driveway. No permanent barrier allowed.
Shared space for cars and bikes, special paving to mark.
Commissioner Lindskog: Can one have vines on the fences? David Stillman: Maybe. Should be
OK with the city.
Ilango Ganga: Width? David Stillman: Fire access needed.
David Stillman: Valley Water need 12' access width everywhere which will be provided.
David Stillman:
Railing along entire trail that can be removed. Ongoing cost to of 20K per year for removal etc.
User safety: 8'w/2' shoulders. Railing at top of bank provided.
No erosion anticipated due to the removal of the fence railing.
Gary Wong: Metal will expand and contract below ground. Has soil study been done? David
Stillman: Yes.
Ilango Ganga: Ongoing erosion may cause bank repairs. City will have to pay that cost. Will it
be stable? David Stillman: Yes.
Julia Miyakawa: What about earthquakes? David Stillman: If the earth shakes that hard then we
will have no City Hall.
David Stillman:
Street crossings: Raised crosswalks at some of the crossings, chicanes for bikes.
Commissioner Madhdhipatla: When will gates be closed? David Stillman: During maintenance.
I
Commissioner Eschelbeck: Gates closed at night?David Stillman: Not proposing as is
expensive.
Commissioner Eschelbeck: When will the trail be closed at night? David Stillman: From dusk to
dawn.
David Stillman on security: If problems that cannot be solved with the Sheriffs arise, then we
may need to close the gates at night.
David Stillman on user safety: If problems arise,then we may need to do additional treatment
solutions.
East Estates Drive crossing: Raised crosswalk.
Commissioner Lindskog pointed out that similar trails, e.g. like the San Tomas Aquino Creek
Trail, does not have fences between the trail and the creek all the way so we may not need such
fencing all the way.
Dinyar Dastoor: There are no very steep drop-offs along San Tomas Aquino Creek Trail
Commissioners Heller and Lindskog: No there are! Dinyar Dastoor: Asked for pictures.
Sue Ranney: Can we have a higher fence? David Stillman: Would be 3.5 feet high.
Commissioner Madhdhipatla: What about bridging the gap straight across the ramp with a
bridge that is removable?
Illango Ganga: Would block ramp.
Sue Ranney: I live by the ramp. Will the city allocate funds for erosion control.
David Stillman: Eastern baseball diamond. Can't keep full trail width there. Looking at options
for keep the regulation ball field.
Alternatives: Fill in ramp.New ramp on other side. Quite expensive. $250K additional. Or,move
bridge to different location. Tree in the way though. Also $250K. Or, move ball field. $1 OOK.
Ilango Ganga: How would kids be notified about trail closures? David Stillman: Via the schools,
on the trail, etc. Kathy R. Chole and Commissioner Madhdhipatla: Kids would need to find a
different way.
Alternatives to the trail routing:
Alt 4: Class II or III on Pacifica, Class III on La Mar.
David Stillman: Less cost but have not done a full design.
Alt 5: Rodrigues,Wilson Park,Vicksburg. Class III on Parkside lane.