HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-18-2010 BAC minutes
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MINUTES
Regular Meeting of the
SAN LUIS OBISPO BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Council Hearing Room, City Hall
990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo
March 18, 2010 Thursday 7 p.m.
MISSION:
The purpose of the Bicycle Advisory Committee is to provide oversight and policy
direction on matters related to bicycle transportation in San Luis Obispo and its
relationship to bicycling outside the City.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Glen Matteson (Chair), Matt Colonell, Cheryl Lenhardt, Kristina Seley, and Jim
Woolf.
Absent: Chris Black (Vice Chair), and Tim Gillham
Staff Members: Peggy Mandeville, Kevin Christian
RECOGNITION: BAC service recognition for Cheryl Lenhardt.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
John Ashbaugh, City Council Member, spoke in support of the Prefumo Creek Bridge
Project, and to express thanks to member’s who spoke on the subject at the recent City
Council meeting.
MINUTES: January 21, 2010
Motion made by CM Lenhardt, seconded by CM Woolf, to approve the minutes as
amended. Motion passed unanimously.
ACTION ITEMS:
Agenda Item #1: Railroad Safety Trail Alternate Alignments
Staff presented a summary of the staff report and potential alignment alternatives for the
trail between existing trail sections (Amtrak to California Blvd.). Key differences in the
alignment alternatives from the existing plan were:
• Creation of a Class 1 trail through French Hospital property, and a bridge crossing
the tracks at Penny Lane.
• Use of the Toro St. Bicycle Blvd. and existing Class II lanes in the Marsh/Johnson
area in lieu of a Class I facility.
• Inclusion of an elevated crossing of Monterey St. on Pepper St. from approx.
Higuera to Palm.
• Inclusion of a diagonal bridge crossing of the railroad tracks from Pepper to the east
side of the tracks at the California Highway Patrol property.
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• Inclusion of a raised two-way Class I facility along the west side of California Blvd. to
Hathway, that could potentially eliminate the existing southbound Class II lane if
there is not enough space to provide both facilities.
Public comment:
Gary Havas, resident, questioned the need to meet grant funding deadlines versus
creating an alternative project. CM Lenhardt and Staff noted that it was in the best
interest to meet the funding requirements.
John Ashbaugh, City Council Member, questioned the encroachment area allowed on
Union Pacific Railroad right-of-way. Staff provided information referencing pages 2 and
3 of the mapping. Staff noted that they would go out and look at the Housing Authority
property to confirm available area for a path connection.
Committee comment:
CM Lenhardt discussed the option of a trellis bridge structure with ramp, versus a built
up area wall including a ramp for the Monterey St. crossing. CM Lenhardt noted
concern for the adverse affects of opting for an open structure with access underneath.
Motion made by CM Lenhardt and seconded by CM Woolf to support the reallocation
of BTA grant funding in support of the Railroad Safety Trail realignment described as
follows:
From Marsh Street going north on Pepper St., using a bridge to cross Monterey St. from
Higuera St. to Palm St. Continue north on Pepper Street to Phillips St. where the Union
Pacific Railroad tracks would be crossed using a diagonal (to RR) bridge. The bridge
would cross to the east side of the tracks behind the California Highway Patrol property,
and then the path would meet California Blvd. The path continues along the west side of
CA Blvd. as a two-way (contra lane) facility, raised from the roadway and connects to
the existing path at Hathway Ave. Also as a provision, grade changes along this section
should be minimized as much as possible (consistent with the original design) and a
protected left turn (bicycles only) should be provided to allow north bound bicyclists on
California Blvd. access to the path. The motion passed with a vote of 5:0.
For the trail section between the Amtrak station and Marsh Street: Motion made by CM
Colonell and seconded by Vice Chair Seley to accept the staff recommendation to
support an interim on-street facility utilizing Santa Rosa, Islay, Toro and Johnson
Streets, continue negotiations with Union Pacific on the previously approved RRST
alignment, and encourage talks with French Hospital concerning a possible trail on their
property. The motion passed with a vote of 5:0.
Agenda Item # 2: Committee Member Items
• Circulation Element and Bike Plan Update Subcommittee Update - New Chair
CM Lenhardt requested CM Colonell assume the position as Chair of the
subcommittee with Vice Chair Seley and CM Woolf providing support. The
subcommittee appointments were supported unanimously.
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Agenda Item # 3: Staff Items
• City Budget Update
Suggestions:
CM Lenhardt proposed closing the public counter specific days each week during
this difficult budget period.
Gary Havas proposed speaking with the public to involve them in creating solutions
during difficult budget periods, and noted the recent collaboration between the Parks
and Recreation department, and fundraising via the Plus 3 network.
• Council Action
1. Orcutt Area Specific Plan
2. Prefumo Creek Bridge Project Appeal
John Ashbaugh, City Council Member, discussed a recent Council meeting where
the Orcutt Area Specific Plan was discussed, including the bike/pedestrian bridge
crossing the RR tracks at Industrial Way.
Staff informed the BAC that an appeal to the Architectural Review Commission
approval of the Prefumo Creek Bridge project, was heard and rejected by Council.
• Sidewalk Riding continued discussion
Staff provided research information finding that:
o Increased signage (sidewalk legends and posts), posters, and web site
information in Berkeley will not be continued and had not produced a significant
decrease in sidewalk riding. Berkeley City staff noted that “adequate” bicycling
facilities seemed to be the best answer.
o Both City of Davis and UC Davis staff noted that the presence of Bicycle Patrol
Officers (and threat of citation) was felt to be the best deterrent to sidewalk riding.
o Research by Barry Lewis showing the location of citations for sidewalk riding,
photos of offenders, and a flier listing “Bike Violations and Fees” found in use at
Cal Poly, was circulated.
The idea of increasing the fine for sidewalk riding was discussed. Vice Chair Seley
supports the provision of information to the public in place of increased police
involvement in enforcement.
Vice Chair Seley proposed the use of color in lane marking.
Barry Lewis suggested education outreach through advertising in the New Times
and notices at the Bike Valet.
• Broad Street Striping: Staff provided project details of the Cal Trans project.
• Legislation Update: Staff provided information on upcoming bill introductions.
• Staff provided updates on May Bike Month, and the Madonna Bike Trail project
progress.
ADJOURNMENT:
CM Lenhardt motioned, and seconded by CM Woolf, to adjourn. The motion passed
unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:15pm.
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