BPC 01-20-2021
MINUTES
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
BICYCLE PEDESTRIAN COMMISSION
January 20, 2021
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Gerhard Eschelbeck, Muni Madhdhipatla, Erik Lindskog, Ilango Ganga
Absent: None
Staff: David Stillman, Staff Liaison
Others Present: Marlon Aumentado, Assistant Engineer; Pranav Bollineni
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. December 16, 2020 Minutes
Commissioner Madhdhipatla motioned to approve, Commissioner Lindskog seconded
the motion. Motion passed 4-0.
POSTPONEMENTS
Chair Eschelbeck motioned to postpone Item #5, Election of Bicycle Pedestrian
Commission Chair and Vice Chair for 2021. Commissioner Madhdhipatla seconded the
motion. Motion passed 4-0.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Byron Rovegno supports recommending funding for engineering design for the
Carmen Road Bridge in the next Capital Improvement Project (CIP) budget cycle.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
Byron Rovegno emailed the Commission regarding Item #3, (attachment included with
these minutes.)
OLD BUSINESS
2. Bollinger Road Corridor Safety Study Update (Aumentado)
Marlon Aumentado, Assistant Engineer provided an update on the study. The study is
a joint effort with the City of San Jose, involving Kimley-Horn as the consultant who is
assisting with the project. Mr. Aumentado informed the Commission that data
collection efforts are underway. The next step is outreach, which will be electronic. Mr.
Aumentado displayed the draft website, which is to go live later this month or early
next month. The website will enable public participation through an interactive
feedback map, and a Corridor Safety Survey. The website will be advertised through
Nextdoor (a social media site), other social media sources, and newsletters. San Jose will
be doing similar outreach for their residents. Neighborhood meetings will happen
online in an open house format.
In response to inquiries from Commissioner Madhdhipatla, Mr. Aumentado explained
that this project will be the first amongst city staff to use the Pinpoint website; anybody
who uses the corridor may provide comments, and the City of San Jose will be
responsible for outreach within their city.
Mr. Aumentado clarified that the study will consider five years of accident data.
Commissioner Ganga inquired about San Jose’s contribution to the study and future
improvements. Mr. Aumentado responded that he was unsure about future funding
contributions from San Jose, but the current effort is collaborative.
Larry Dean recommends that San Jose help survey residents of Campbell or the west
San Jose area since Bollinger has the potential to be a strong east-west bikeway for
commuters.
Commissioner Madhdhipatla suggested performing outreach early in the project.
Chair Eschelbeck inquired about the timeline for implementation. Mr. Stillman
responded that large improvements would need to be prioritized for inclusion in a
future Capital Improvement Project (CIP), and cost-sharing discussions would need to
occur with the City of San Jose. It is too early to determine when funding would need
to be requested because improvement projects have not yet been identified by the
study.
Commissioner Ganga confirmed the importance of community input, especially
residents that reside along the corridor, including regular users. Commissioner Ganga
suggested door hangars, mailers, and mailing lists be used for ongoing communication
with the community. Commissioner Ganga also suggested considering using
technology as means of achieving solutions.
No Commission action was requested or taken.
3. Suggestions for FY 2021-2022 City Work Program Inclusion (Stillman)
David Stillman, Transportation Manager explained that staff is looking for up to five
suggested items for inclusion in the 2021-2022 Work Program. Items will be forwarded
to the Public Works Director in January 2021. Ultimately the Public Works Director will
decide which items are recommended to City Council for inclusion, although the City
Council will receive the entire list from the Commissions for their information.
Mr. Stillman explained that the Work Program is not the appropriate place with which
to propose Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects. Individual Commissioners
may discuss their preferences for CIP projects directly with the Public Works Director
or City Council for consideration of inclusion in the CIP program.
Commissioner Ganga inquired as to how the Commission, as a whole, could show
support for CIP projects. Mr. Stillman responded that the Commission’s project
priorities should be reflected within master plans that are reviewed or developed by the
Commission; he would look further into the issue.
Larry Dean spoke to encourage the Commission to consider items from a list that Byron
Rovegno provided in his written communication regarding the Work Plan.
Matt Widmann suggested that the Commission consider identifying locations for
pedestrian cut-throughs at the ends of cul-de-sacs as an item to include in the Work
Plan.
A discussion followed, focusing primarily on items provided in Mr. Rovegno’s written
communication. Particular attention was placed on Vision Zero, implementation of a 15
Mile Per Hour (mph) speed limit around schools, and the need to collect data as
support for safety policy recommendations.
Mr. Stillman noted that Work Plan projects should have timelines such that they can be
completed within a certain Fiscal Year (FY).
Commissioner Ganga suggested that, with respect to Vision Zero, it is important to
develop a policy and action plan called Phase 1, and other projects would ultimately be
developed from that plan.
Mr. Stillman provided clarification that a Work Plan item to address safety around
schools should be distinguished from the City’s existing School Walk Audit program.
Commissioner Ganga moved to include the following projects for inclusion in the
FY2021-22 Work Plan:
• Develop Vision Zero Policy and action plan;
• Study and propose policy to improve traffic safety around schools;
• Review building codes and propose changes to address bicycle-related matters;
• Recommend to proceed with the next phase of the Carmen Road Bridge; and
• Recommend to proceed with next phase of Stevens Creek Boulevard Class IV to
Foothill Boulevard project.
Commissioner Madhdhipatla seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.
4. Future Agenda Items (Eschelbeck)
Emails from Councilmember Chao dated January 20, 2021
Commission participation in Safe Routes to School Program
Carmen Road Bridge
Stevens Creek Blvd Class IV
NEW BUSINESS
5. Election of Bicycle Pedestrian Commission Chair and Vice Chair for 2021
(Stillman)
This item is postponed.
6. Cupertino Crash Data Analysis (Ganga)
Pranav Bollineni gave a presentation on Cupertino Traffic Collision Data Analysis. The
presentation is included in these minutes.
Commissioner Lindskog requested that the data be provided on, not only when
bicyclists and pedestrians are at fault, but also when the vehicles involved are at fault.
Commissioner Madhdhipatla observed that the data shows many accidents along De
Anza Boulevard, Stevens Creek Boulevard, Homestead Road, and Stelling Road, which
may not support the investment to improve other streets like McClellan Road.
All Commissioners agreed that, in addition to all traffic collisions, which include vehicle
to vehicle accidents, the study should focus on, and provide complete data on bicycle
and pedestrian collisions, as there is more interest in understanding bicycle and
pedestrian collisions.
Chair Eschelbeck inquired if the high accident locations are were such because there
was more general activity, or if there was a condition at the location which lead to the
high number of accidents.
Commissioner Lindskog inquired if it was possible to collect data about the type of
vehicles involved in the bike and pedestrian collisions, to understand if larger vehicles
like Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV) were more likely to be involved in collisions.
Chair Eschelbeck asked if there was data on seasonality. The reason was to understand
if collisions were more likely during winter days, when daylight was poor, during busy
school sessions, or was it other seasonal conditions. Mr. Bollineni responded that there
is information on date and time of the accident.
Seema Lindskog shared a link and noted a study that found that only about 10% of
accidents are reported to the police.
STAFF AND COMMISSION REPORTS
7. Staff Report (Stillman)
David Stillman, Transportation Manager reported that Phase 1 of the Stevens Creek
Boulevard Class IV Bikeway project is substantially complete, with work remaining to
program the traffic signal controllers to accommodate the protected vehicle right turn
and bike phases. This work should be complete within the next couple weeks.
Mr. Stillman reported that the contract with Redwood Construction for the Regnart
Creek Trail is expected to be executed this week, and discussions are underway to
contract with a construction management firm and an environmental firm for project
support. Construction is expected to start within the next few weeks. Mr. Stillman
reported that no bids were received for the Fencing Project, so staff will be initiating
discussions with fencing contractors soon.
Mr. Stillman reported that the Commissioners Handbook was approved by City
Council the previous evening.
Commissioner Ganga inquired as to next steps for Regnart Creek Trail privacy fencing,
De Anza Boulevard/McClellan Road signal timing for bicyclists, and the status of the
Bike Boulevard Project. Mr. Stillman reported that because no bids were received for
the Fencing Project, staff has the ability to initiate discussions directly with fencing
contractors; this effort will proceed once construction begins on the trail. Mr. Stillman
also reported that he would look into the signal timing at De Anza
Boulevard/McClellan Road, and that work is proceeding on Phase 2 of the Bike
Boulevard Project but Phase 3 has been on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr.
Stillman anticipates that Phase 2 work will be complete within the next couple months,
and Phase 3 should resume by Summer 2021.
Commissioner Madhdhipatla inquired about the status of the bollard replacements at
the entrance to the Don Burnett Bridge. Mr. Stillman reported that the work should be
in progress, but he would check on the status.
8. VTA BPAC Report (Lindskog)
Commissioner Lindskog gave a presentation summarizing the most recent Valley
Transportation Authority (VTA) Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC)
meeting. The presentation is included in these minutes.
Commissioner Ganga commented that there was a statewide study that showed that
85% of people who commute by bike will do so if their commute is less than three miles,
and pedestrians will walk if their commute is less than one mile.
9. Report on Subcommittee Assignments and General Comments
Commissioner Madhdhipatla reported on the Mayor’s meeting.
Chair Gerhard noted that starting in February 2021, the Mayor’s meetings are moving
to the second Wednesday of each month at 5 p.m.
FUTURE AGENDA SETTING
None
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 10:02 p.m.
SUBMITTED BY:
____________________________
David Stillman, Staff Liaison