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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/31/1993, 2 - LONG-TERM STATUS OF THE BICYCLE COMMITTEE IIIII�I�IIIVII�II�II�,IIIIIN MEETING DATE: II`��II C� � San U�S �B�Sp� -' August 31, 1993 COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT STEM NUMBER: FROM: Michael McCluskey, Public Works Directa - PREPARED BY: Terry Sanville, Principal Transportation Planner" SUBJECT: Long-Term Status of the Bicycle Committee CAO RECOMMENDATION: Disband the Bicycle Committee and reaffirm Public Works Department responsibility for implementing the Bicycle Transportation Plan. (See Alternate Bicycle Committee I. BACKGROUND recommendation below.) When the City Council created the Bicycle Committee (BC) in August, 1991, it charged the committee with five tasks: • Survey existing bicycle conditions in San Luis Obispo. (Survey information prepared by the BC was presented to the City Council in May, 1992). • Provide recommendations to the City Council for implementing short-range bicycle projects using existing earmarked budget revenues. (BC recommendations were presented to and acted on by the Council in May, 1992.) • Prepare revisions to the 1985 Bicycle Facilities Plan. (BC recommendations were presented to the Council for its consideration on August 31, 1993.) • Identify promotional and educational programs. (Section VI of the BC-recommended Bicycle Plan includes promotional and educational programs.) • Evaluate the need for a permanent Bicycle Committee. (This task is addressed by this agenda report.) H. BICYCLE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION I At its March 29, 1993 meeting, the Bicycle Committee recommended that the Committee should be retained in its current form. The Committee would provide a pubic forum for bicycle program implementation. Meetings would be convened on an "as needed basis. " (Reference attached Bicycle Committee Minutes for March 29, 1993.) III. EVALUATION 1. Alternatives. At the Committee's March 29 meeting, Staff presented five alternatives, summarized below. The Committee's discussion of alternatives is reflected in the attached minutes. Staff evaluation of each alternative is presented below. ii��hll�llllll ' Illl�l111 IIIIIIIII�IIIIIII city of san gats osispo COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT A. Department Implementation: disband the Bicycle Committee after the Bicycle Transportation Plan is adopted. Bicycle projects and programs would be implemented by the Public Works Department. (Note: the Bicycle Committee is scheduled to be disbanded on August 31, 1993.) Evaluation: The Public Works Department has identified implementation of the Bicycle Transportation Plan as a high priority work item. High priority projects and programs identified in the Plan would be completed within the 1993-1995 Financial Planning Period. Project and program implementation can be most efficiently accomplished without Committee oversight. The direction provided by the City Council in its action on the Bicycle Plan should be sufficient to direct plan implementation of high-priority projects by the Transportation Section of the Public Works Department. High priority projects mostly involve Class II on-street bike lanes which are well defined and are relatively easy to install. Additional direction is needed only on more complex projects such as Class I separated bicycle paths. This direction can be effectively provided by the City Council without the need of advisory committee oversight. With limited staff, the Transportation Section can better focus on project and program implementation and avoid the time demands and costs of staffing an advisory committee. (It should be noted that the Transportation Manager and Bicycle Coordinator positions have been eliminated via budgetary cuts from the Transportation Section.) B. Bicycle Needs Committee: establish a committee that meets once a year to review progress in program implementation and identify new projects to be evaluated for inclusion in the Bicycle Transportation Plan. This strategy would be similar to the "unmet needs" strategy that is used for public transit services. Evaluation: As implementation of the Bicycle Transportation Plan proceeds, there may be a need to identify new ideas for policies, projects or programs that foster bicycling. A "Bicycle Needs" Committee could provide the forum for the presentation and discussion of these new ideas. If established, it would hold one or two meetings in the late fall or early winter of each year and invite public input. The meetings would be timed to provide input into the City's budget cycle. The impacts on staffing and Bicycle Plan implementation of this type of Committee should be minimal if it is limited to one or two meetings a year. There is always a need to solicit new ideas. However, it should be noted that the same function could be done by Transportation Section Staff, and it could be combined with sessions scheduled each year by the City's Mass Transit Committee (MTC) to consider local transit needs. a-� ��H�����►INIIaIp �N�N city Of San rays OBISp0 - mom COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT C. Transportation Committee: create a new committee that combines motor vehicle, transit, bicycle, ride sharing and pedestrian interests. The Committee would be on call to assist departments in identifying capital program requests and to resolve transportation policy issues. Specific project implementation and design would be the responsibility of City departments. Evaluation: This Committee would primarily be a policy board to address policy issues at the "Circulation Element" level of specificity and advise the Council on appropriate changes in City transportation policy. The Committee would also provide input into the City's capital budget process every two years. It would not be involved in program oversight or project design or management. If such a broad committee is created, both the Bicycle Committee and the MTC would be disbanded with program administration the responsibility of the Transportation Section Staff. Committee actions on transportation policy issues could overlap with the traditional role of the Planning Commission to maintain the Circulation Element. If the Committee reported to the Planning Commission, it would represent an additional layer of policy analysis and would complicate policy development. If the Committee reported directly to the City Council, the Planning Commission's role in the area of transportation would need to be altered. In the proposed form, impacts on staffing and on Transit Plan or Bike Plan implementation would be minimal. However, long-term impacts on staffing could become significant as the roles of the new Committee evolve over time. D. Retain the Bicycle Committee but Change its Membership: a permanent bicycle committee would be created to provide a public forum for bicycle program implementation. Meetings would be convened on an "as needed" basis. The membership would be changed to include only public members appointed by the City Council. Evaluation: It is assumed that this type of Committee would want to review all final plans for bicycle projects or programs prior to their implementation and hold regular meeting to discuss implementation strategies. Impacts on limited staff resources would be significant. Having a Committee direct implementation will slow the process down, especially if new committee membership wants to "revisit" issues raised by the ad hoc Committee during adoption of the Bicycle Plan. Establishing an "all public member" Committee will provide the Council with greater control of membership and presumably on Committee philosophy and direction . However, it will require greater staff support compared with a Committee that includes City staff involved in transportation. (Note: the City's ad hoc Bicycle Committee was a-3 i71N�11�IIII�IIIIIIIIIIIIIIUIII city of san L"is oBispo Gii% COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT patterned after a Committee established in Eugene, Oregon that has been functioning for over a decade.) The Staff notes that the BIA has requested representation on the Bicycle Committee and feels that business interests should be included (reference attached letters). BIA interest in the bicycle program surfaced when the Bicycle Committee began discussing bike lane proposals that would remove curb parking. I E. Retain the Bicycle Committee in its Current Form: same as "D" except that a portion of the Committee's membership would be employees from City departments. Evaluation: The evaluation of this alternative is the same as "D" above except that Staff support requirements may be reduced somewhat. In either form (D or E), staffing of a Committee that meets regularly will be significant and detract from program implementation efforts. IV. RECOMMENDATIONS The City Council should disband the Bicycle Committee and reaffirm Public Works Department responsibility for implementing the Bicycle Transportation Plan. If the Council feels that maintaining a committee is appropriate, staff recommends that: 1. The existing committee be maintained (with its current structure and membership) for one year (until August 31, 1993). 2. The Committee meet quarterly to keep abreast of implementation activities, provide support and insure a strong start to the bike plan. ATTACffiVIENTS Bicycle Committee Minutes: March 29, 1993 Letters from Lynn Block, BIA a- MINUTES SAN LUIS OBISPO BICYCLE COMMITTEE Regular Meeting of March 29, 1993 ROLL CALL: Present: Craig Anderson, Ron Brown, Wes Conner, Jim Lopes, Richard Marshall, Dave Pierce, Terry Sanville, Gary Sims, Wayne Williams Absent: Linda Fitzgerald PUBLIC COMMENTS: There were no public comments. ACTION ITEM: 1. Committee considered approval of a bicycle lane/boulevard project proposed for North Chorro/Broad corridor from Lincoln Street to Foothill Blvd. for inclusion in the draft version of the City's Bicycle Transportation Plan. Craig Anderson reviewed the staff report with the recommendation that the Committee approve 1) a bicycle boulevard project on Broad and 2) a bicycle lane on Chorro. Chair Richard Marshall opened the public comment period. Pat Veesart spoke in support of Option 1 and 2. He felt bike lanes are needed on Chorro and would like to see a bike boulevard on Broad. Elizabeth Young spoke in support of a bike boulevard Qmthia Bosch spoke in support of bike lanes and a bike boulevard. Louis Cheetah stated he was opposed to bike lanes when it involved taking away parking from residents thereby reducing property values. Eleanor T spoke in opposition to the bike lanes. She stated that she lives on Chorro and was concerned with property values being reduced due to installing bike lanes and removing resident parking. Chair Richard Marshall closed the public comment period. a-s Bicycle Committee Meeting Page 2 Monday, March 29, 1993 - 5:30 PM Te= Sanville spoke in support of bike lanes on Chorro (with interim stop signs between Lincoln and Murray). He was not supportive of encouraging biking on Broad due to the Circulation Element indicating traffic from Broad will eventually be diverted over to Chorro. Wayne Williams spoke in support of a bike boulevard on Broad between Highway 101 and Monterey. He recognized the hardships this could bring to residents and was concerned about the traffic from driveways onto the street. He did not support bike lanes on Chorro. Jim Lopes spoke in support of Options 1 and 2. He felt Chorro is the more preferable route but felt the bike boulevard (with good signage) would be favorable also. Gary Sims spoke in support of a bike boulevard on Broad Street. He felt the Committee should look more to what will come in the future. Dave Pierce spoke in support of the Broad Street proposal and did not see a need for Option 2. Wes Conner agreed with Gary Sims and felt the Committee should consider a possible route going under the freeway. He was concerned with the loss of parking spaces but supported both options. Dave Pierce suggested considering bike route down Montalban over the creek under the freeway up to Casa. Ron Brown expressed concern for the removal of parking spaces to accommodate the bike lanes. Moved by Jim Logesand seconded by Craig Anderson to adopt (to the Bicycle Draft Plan) the Broad Street proposal as first priority with replacing stop signs with other options; Chorro Street proposal as second priority with staff to look at traffic removal; and directed staff to consider a bike lane for the underpass of Highway 101 connecting to Peach; motion carried (8-1-1, Commissioner Sanville voting no and Commissioner Fitzgerald absent). Committee discussed signage for bike boulevard, rerouting of traffic and removal of speed bumps. Terry Sanville indicated the Draft Plan will go through the Environmental Impact Review process and would be looked at by the traffic division. Bicycle Committee Meeting Page 3 Monday, March 29, 1993 - 5:30 PM 2. Committee considered approval of a bicycle lane project proposed for Johnson Avenue between Marsh and Buchon Streets for inclusion in the draft version of the City's Bicycle Transportation Plan. Terry Sanville stepped down due to a possible conflict of interest. Craig Anderson reviewed the staff report with the recommendation that a bike lane be established on the east side of Johnson. He presented illustrations of proposed lanes, removal of parking spaces and circulation impacts. The proposed project for Johnson between Ella and Bishop would be implemented within one year. Chair Richard Marshall opened the public comment period. Stan Payne spoke in opposition to the project. He felt it was unsafe to ride bikes on the proposed portion of Johnson and stated there have been many accidents. He was concerned with the loss of parking and exiting driveways. Pat Veesart agreed with Mr. Payne's comments and felt that the Committee should reach farther for a safer and more continuous route. Michael Kripe spoke in support of the bike lanes and requested alternatives be considered for loss of parking. Bruce Collier stated he felt the project needed to address the safety issues before implementing bike lanes. He supported the bike lanes up to California to assist the High School students but did not support the underpass. Sheldon Smith spoke in support of the project. He felt the bike lanes would make the route much safer for bikers. Qmthia Bosch spoke in support of wider bike lanes on Johnson and the need to make streets safer for bikers. Tey Sanville spoke in support of the bike lanes and felt it would enhance safety factors. He indicated traffic would be increasing from the new shopping center. He liked the ideas of taking out pockets at Pismo and considering Marsh as a two-way street passed Santa Rosa. Chair Richard Marshall closed the public comment period. Upon question, Craig Anderson indicated the seam between the concrete and asphalt will be fixed as part of the project. d� Bicycle Committee Meeting Page 4 Monday, March 29, 1993 - 5:30 PM Jim Lopes felt parking should be removed from both sides of Johnson to allow more space for bikes and encouraged residents to seek ways of obtaining parking on their property. Wes Conner agreed with Jim Lopes' comments and felt the turning pockets was an issue that needed to be addressed. He expressed appreciation for the details given on this item and felt that now is the time to provide safety for bikers before it gets worse. Ggy Sims was concerned about the west bound traffic and supported implementing the plan west of Pismo. Wayne Williams agreed that the underpass was too dangerous for bikers. He gave several examples of bike trips through the underpass and felt that implementing a bike route would encourage bikers. The recommended the underpass traffic be addressed prior to approving a bike route. Chair Richard Marshall spoke in opposition to the project and parking removal of residential parking. He did not feel this portion of Johnson was an appropriate place of bike lanes. Dave Pierce agreed with Chair Marshall's comments and felt the Committee should consider widening the street. Wes Conner discussed Highway I through Oregon wherein bike routes include bikers hitting a button which would trigger a light signaling the bikers approach to oncoming traffic. Moved by Wes Conner, and seconded by Jim Lopes to 1) adopt staff recommendation with inclusion into Draft Plan; 2) request Engineers to investigate the possibility of signals to make route safer for bicyclists; and 3) form parking districts; motion failed (4-4-2, Dave Pierce, Gary Sims, Wayne Williams and Chair Richard Marshall voting no; Linda Fitzgerald absent). GaU Sims felt it was not practical to make this route safer and felt it was the Committee's responsibility to come up with a safer road. Craig Anderson urged the Committee to consider the current bike traffic on Johnson and make it safer for those bikers. Chair Richard Marshall and Dave Pierce indicated they did not feel this route could not be made safe enough. Jim Lopes stated that he felt the people will stay on this route rather than divert over. a� Bicycle Committee Meeting Page 5 Monday, March 29, 1993 - 5:30 PM Dave Pierce recommended staff investigate alternatives further and bring back a stronger report including 6 foot bike lanes, 11-12 foot travel lanes, parking allowances, possible traffic control devices and widening of the street. He felt that the street, if approved to be made safer, should be done the right way even if it cost more money. Moved by Jim Lopes and seconded by Wes Conner to remove parking from both sides of the street, direct staff to pursue the recommendation for parking districts for those effected residents, and approve bike lane for Johnson as recommended; motion failed (3-5-2, Commissioners Brown, Marshall, Pierce, Sims and Williams voting no; Commissioner Fitzgerald absent). Terry Sanville returned to the dias. 3. Committee considered the long-term status of Bicycle Committee and its membership. Te= Sanville reviewed the staff report which included five options to consider for recommending the status of the Bicycle Committee. He indicated the BIA supported Option 3 which combines the Mass Transportation and Bicycle Committees. Staff was supportive of Options 1, 2, and 3. He stated the Bike Plan would allow implementation to go forth with redefining by effected departments. Jim LoRes felt that the options given in the staff report did not clarify goals the Committee can accomplish. He spoke in support of maintaining the Committee as is. He indicated the Committee could work closer with Cal Poly to make linkages with the City and school facilities. Wes Conner agree with Jim's comments. Dave Pierce suggested that staff members could become members to several transportation committees, making a linkage between the committees. i i GaU Sims expressed concern with combining with Mass Transportation. He felt their budgets are much higher and Bicycle projects would disappear. He recommended reporting directly to Council and meeting once a month. Wes Conner felt it was important that the Bicycle Committee watch and follow through the Bike Plan being developed and make recommended changes if necessary. Ron Brown spoke in support of maintaining the Committee as is. a� Bicycle Committee Meeting Page 6 Monday, March 29, 1993 - 5:30 PM Jim Lopes was interested in the functions of Bike Committees is Eugene and Boulder. Pat Vee- art, San Luis Obispo, strongly recommended Option 4 or 5 and retaining the Committee to meet once a month. He felt the Bike Plan will be an ongoing plan and needs to be followed. He also spoke in support of maintaining the Bicycle Coordinator position to stay on top of the many bicycle issues. Qithia Bosch stated that she would be attending a conference of Bike Committees from various cities and how they handle bicycle issues. The conference will be held in Oakland and invited anyone to attend. Craig Anderson indicated he would feel more comfortable if staff were not members. Moved by Ron Brown and seconded by Jim Lopes to oversee the Bike Plan and maintain the Committee as is including staff members; motion carried (7-2-1, Commissioners Anderson and Sanville voting no, Commissioner Fitzgerald absent). INFORMATION ITEM 4. Schedule and timeline for Bicycle Transportation Plan adoption. Committee discussed developing a Class I on Broad Street between Industrial and Tank Farm Road due to new development in that area. Committee deferred further discussion to June 28, 1993. 9:00 PM Chair Richard Marshall adjourned the meeting. Respectfully submitted, Carolyn Munshaur Recording Secretary a- ib Nr u - ' � � TO: Richard Marshall, Chair City of San Luis Obispo Bike Committee FROM: Lynn Block, Administrator DATE: March 29, 1993 RE: Long Term Status of Bike Committee The Business Improvement Association Board of Directors would like to express our sincere appreciation at being informed as to the Bike Committee' s review of it's membership and future. After reviewing the staff report, the BIA would like to express its support for the third alternative, formation of an all inclusive Transportation Committee. The BIA feels that the Transportation Committee would offer the greatest service to the citizens of San Luis Obispo in developing a comprehensive alternative transportation system. Incorporating the Bike Transportation Plan into the Circulation Element and Mass Transit plan offers employers, employees and residents a well thought out transportation plan for all vehicles. Your consideration of our recommendation is greatly appreciated. Please feel free to contact me at 541-0286 should you have any questions. I i s P.O.Bar 1402•San Lair Obirpo•G4•93406.805/541-0286 �_ MEETING AGENDA • r`�E 3-IL 9? ITEM # CITY CLERK C_ /w�, ✓.� ._d—Y--& ,-s SAN LUIS OBISPO,CA TO: Mayor Pinard Council members Rappa, Roalman, Romero, and Settle FROM: Lynn Bloc, Administrator DATE: March 16, 1993 RE: Bike Committee Appointments The Business Improvement Association Board of Directors would like to request that the City Council consider appointing a business representative to the Bike Committee for the extension period (to August 31, 1993 ) . The desire to become pro-active in bringing the City Bike Transportation Plan to fruition is a priority for the BIA. We feel that only through membership on this committee can the business community assist in this process. Attached are copies of the correspondence that the BIA has had with the City staff and City Council. These communications detail our on-going concern with the membership of the Bike Committee. To date, we have only been told that the re-appointment period of the Bike Committee terms would be the appropriate time to submit our request for a business representative. We would appreciate City Council input on our request. Secondly, we would also request that the voting privileges of all City staff be re-considered due to the potential conflict of interest. To our understanding, the supervisor of the Bike Coordinator (Terry Sanville) is a voting member of the committee. We do not feel that City staff assigned to implement bike programs should be voting on the issues. Your consideration of these concerns is greatly appreciated. Please feel free to contact me at 541-0286 or Dick Cleeves, Vice President, at 543-1141, should you have any questions. :Urti:.TO: ❑ .es Action ❑ FYI u �1 ❑ CDD DIP, ,_.,//CAO ❑ FIN.DIP, �I�CAO ❑ F[RE CY.IEF' IQ A-1 T0r%N- Y Rr Rv DR LLQfT'QEW/GRIC-. ❑ MULICECM ❑ mcmT.T1S__I C J P.EC DIP, O❑ unt DIr.. Y P.O.Bar 1402•San lacer Obispo•C9.95406.805/541-0286 `00\ _ MEFTING . AGENDA TO: Mayor Pinard Councilmemb�elrs Rappa, Roalman, Romero, and Settle FROM: Lynn Blocks; Administrator E C E W E o DATE: January 7 , 1993 MAR 1 6 1993 CITY CLERK RE: Bike Committee SAN LUIS OBISPO,CA The BIA Board of Directors wouldlike to request that the City Council evaluate the. membership of the Bike Committee. The need for a representative of the business community has become .obvious to the BIA due to the nature of the Bike Committee' s implementation of the Bike Transportation Plan. The BIA has made several attempts to meet with the Craig Anderson, Bike Coordinator, and Terry Sanville, Planner, to develop a plan for bike lanes that was acceptable to both parties. However, these meetings have not resulted in any solutions to the placement of bike lanes downtown. The BIA has been in communication with the City Administration regarding the concern of the Bike Committee membership. We are now requesting that the City Council appoint a business representative. Part of the rationale for this appointment stems from the difficulty the business community has in responding to the Bike Committee in a timely fashion. Staff reports for committee meetings scheduled on Mondays are usually received on the Friday before the meeting. The BIA Board meets on a monthly basis and can not respond to agenda items effecting the downtown prior to the Bike Committee meeting. Therefore, we feel that a business representative would serve as the communication link. Finally, we are concerned about the notification process for the proposed bike lanes before the committee. To our knowledge, no resident or business which will be the placement of bike lanes has been notified th Dethacdon ❑ Ffl usually City process (posting and mailing notice )0'Camw ❑ CDDDIR E' CAO ❑ FW.MR. We are concerned that the Bike Committee may be VEY ftco �C:�important decisions with out the input of all of / c. ❑ IlX parties. ❑ MC'dT.MUM [J R.c DIP. t cr-E4,0 U-nIDa. P.O.Bas 1402•San Lids Obi"•CA•93406.805/541-0256 a [3 We would appreciated your immediate consideration of this situation since the committee is dealing with important issues and is scheduled to sunset this Spring. a�� _ ON � � ISS�' ( , ALWALW TO: John Dunn, CAO FROM: Lynn Bloc, Administrator DATE: November 12, 1992 RE: BIKE COMMITTEE As stated at the Business Improvement Association Board of Directors Meeting on November 10, 1992, the City Bike Committee continues to be a concern to the downtown. The primary concerns with this committee include: 1. Committee membership. The lack of a diverse representation of the City population including business representatives makes this committee an advocacy group rather than an advisory body. The BIA would ask that the status of this committee be reviewed and a business appointment made to allow for fair representation. 2. Committee procedures. The lack of notification to parties to be impacted by decisions made by the Bike Committee is a concern. The BIA and Chamber of Commerce have taken an active role in notifying members of our associations to be impacted by bike lanes, yet, the Bike Committee has failed to seek input from these citizens. The BIA is concerned that the Bike Committee is not following the City' s accepted practice of posting and mailing notices to residents and businesses to be impacted by the proposed bike lanes. 3 . Committee votes. The allowance of City staff to vote on matters that pertain to the committee seems to be a conflict of interest. The BIA would like clarification on the rational for allowing the staff and administration to the Bike Committee to vote. 4 . Communication of agenda items. The staff reports for the committee meeting are received two days prior to the meeting. This does not allow sufficient time to notify the businesses who might be interested in attending or to present the information to the BIA Committee. P.O.aw 1402•Son Lu&0hpo•69.9;406.8051541-0286 A— The BIA is interested in becoming an active partner in the development of the City Bike Transportation Plan. However, to become more participative in the process, we would ask that the concerns be clarified and a business representative be appointed to the Bike Committee.