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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-16-2017 BAC Minutes Minutes Bicycle Advisory Committee Council Hearing Room, City Hall, 990 Palm St, San Luis Obispo Thursday, March 16, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. MISSION: The purpose of the Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC) 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. Catherine Riedstra (Vice Chair) called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. ROLL CALL: Present: Paula Huddleston (Chair)(arrived at 6:07), Catherine Riedstra (Vice Chair), Lea Brooks, Ken Kienow, Jonathan Roberts, Howard Wiesenthal, and Jim Woolf Absent: None Staff: Active Transportation Manager Adam Fukushima, Recording Secretary Lareina Gamboa PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA: No comments were made. MINUTES: January 19, 2017 Action: A correction to Shannon Otto’s name was made, the correct spelling is Chenin Otto. CM Wiesenthal wanted to make sure that the balance of the minor bikeway improvements budget of $100,000 was used for Madonna Road and Los Osos Valley Road (LOVR) was reflected and noted in the Minutes. In addition, he wanted to note CM Brooks request for more green bike lanes once the new budget cycle begins. CM Wolf motioned to approve the Minutes with amendments. CM Roberts seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. ACTION ITEMS Agenda Item #1: Downtown Concept Plan Update Rebecca Gershow, Associate Planner for the Community Development Department, presented the Draft Downtown Concept Plan. The Concept Plan is to improve overall accessibility for pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit riders, with emphasis on pedestrians, and bicyclists, while providing adequate parking structures to accommodate motorists. CM Kienow wanted clarification on the buffered bike lanes that were discussed for the downtown portion of the plan. (ienow stressed the importance of a physical barrier for new and young riders. He preferred a barrier is to deter an automobile from hitting a cyclist. CM Wiesenthal preferred no physical bike barrier along Higuera. He sees potential hazards with this, such as a new rider hitting the barrier and overreacting to the correction in turn causing an accident. Also, the possibility of getting stuck when wanting to make a left hand turn. He is very happy about all the improvements planned and volunteered the BAC to help with placing any new bike racks and locked parking for bikes downtown. Wiesenthal is concerned about the Higuera and Chorro intersection, as there are a lot of busses and traffic, and suggests that once the Transit Center is moved, perhaps the bus routes can be moved off Chorro as well. He also, suggested this intersection become an “enhanced” intersection to be a little friendlier for cyclists and pedestrians. Time frames or limits for deliveries downtown was also suggested. Maybe designate deliveries to the morning, or to one side of the road, or corrals for them to stop at and unload. He has concern for Monterey Street turning into a Type B street, from Pepper to Santa Rosa, because there is too much traffic. A request that when additional benches are placed downtown, that they be placed perpendicular to the street. Wiesenthal would also like to see Toro Street and Broad as bike boulevards, and have them connect to downtown rather than seeing them dead end in the plan. He questioned if the new parking structures would have a time frame And, Weisenthal preferred if Higuera and Marsh streets were turned into Type D streets to increase pedestrian traffic (this would push all auto traffic through residential neighborhoods though). CM Woolf was favorable of the shared streets. He is concerned about the possibility of Morro becoming a bike boulevard because it is too steep past Palm. He suggested to perhaps veer the boulevard left on Monterey, then up Chorro. Woolf also suggested that if for any reason Pepper Street doesn't work out for a bike boulevard, Toro street can be a secondary option. CM Brooks suggested openings to possible buffered bike lanes on Higuera, as well as requesting creation of a design to be brought back to the BAC for review. She wants to push for a connection of Marsh and Higuera to Madonna with the HWY 101 overcrossing that will connect to that intersection. Brooks stressed the importance of the crossing being as close to Marsh Street as possible considering there is a creek walk planned, as well as the importance of connecting Laguna Lake and Madonna to downtown. Brooks is also for anything that will help calm traffic on Chorro street. She is concerned for door- ing that occurs from drivers exiting their cars without looking for cyclists. She also likes that Torro and Pepper streets are being identified as bike boulevards in the plan, especially since the Railroad Safety Trail will extend to Pepper Street. And, Brooks is also very happy about bike shares as she had the privilege to enjoy them recently in another city. She would like to see some clearly identified drop off spots for folks with mobility issues. She requested the feasibility study through BAC for the development of an eventual bridge to help connect an over crossing of Monterey street at Pepper street. CM Roberts is on board with having a separated or buffered bike lane on Higuera Street to help get new cyclists riding. He also inquired about eliminating vehicular parking spaces downtown. Public Comment Myron Amerine says the East/West Higuera and Marsh corridor meet standards, but bike lanes are in door-ing zones. A North/South corridor is needed for Morro and Chorro. He also said that directional signage for East/West traveling needs to be established for both locals and tourists to find their way. He’s glad Broad street is being acknowledged as a bike boulevard. And, Amerine also stressed the importance of having a continuous, no gap, set of bike facilities in the plan. Tim Jouet, resident, says a bike boulevard from Beach to Nipomo is a great idea as he bikes it every day. CM Riedstra motioned to take 10 minutes from the next agenda items to keep discussion going. CM Huddleston seconded. The motion passed. CM Kienow motioned to have some form of physical barrier to protect cyclists from cars. CM Roberts seconded the motion. Motioned passed with one abstention from CM Huddleston. Agenda Item #2: Consideration of Committee Expansion to Include Pedestrians Active Transportation Manager Adam Fukushima gave a presentation on the development of pedestrian planning in recent City policy and that the city will soon embark on the planning process for establishing the City’s first Pedestrian Plan as part of a larger Active Transportation Plan. Fukushima presented the benefits of expanding the mission of the BAC to include pedestrians as an active transportation committee. CM Brooks would like to see some models of the plans. She is concerned about adding more work for the committee. She suggested adding an ADA member of such a group and a joint subcommittee of the BAC and the MTC. CM Kienow had concerns for the mechanics of expanding the mission. There are only a couple of places where pedestrians and bicyclists coexists. He said since most of the infrastructure is not shared, pedestrians should have their own committee, and perhaps a subcommittee for both to come together. He stated there are no Class IV (shared lanes) established in the bicycle plans, even though they cost less. He is also concerned about doubling or even tripling their load. CM Riedstra was favorable of the idea. She said there are so many shared ideas and opportunities. There are walkers, and joggers like herself, and this would enable the discussion and opportunities for her to jog along her daughter bicycling. She thinks it should be a wider perspective of active people and not limit a person as a cyclists or a runner. Riedstra also thinks that though in the past the committee has secluded itself while simultaneously requesting to have shared facilities, this doesn't mean they shouldn’t move forward with this new mindset. Also, sharing dialogue would be beneficial and productive since the group is lacking the input and is left making assumptions and guesses on the other’s behalf. CM Woolf, though in the past has felt differently, he likes this idea if challenges can be overcome. He acknowledged the Railroad Safety Trail often has more walkers and runners than cyclists. He sees that elders and fitness individuals are not being included in these trails. He says that if everyone is included, trails can be improved, and well-rounded with better environments, and the committee can be more successful. CM Wiesenthal feels a plan is needed to help get people out of their cars more. He finds this can be just as complicated and intricate, with just as many issues as biking. Wiesenthal likes the system in Morro Bay by the Rock, where pedestrians are on one side and bikes on the other. In comparison to the Railroad Safety Trail, where it is cluttered and compact, everyone on the Morro Bay path coexists. CM Roberts is concerned about the mechanics of how we design and implement bicycle and pedestrian infrastructures of this city. He pointed out that the Railroad Safety Trail and the Class I lane by Laguna Middle School are the only two paths that overlap pedestrians and bicyclist. Because of this, he suggests separate committees and a joint subcommittee for certain projects if need be. CM Riedstra motioned to expand the current BAC to include pedestrians. CM Woolf seconded the motion as well as CM Huddleston. The motion did not pass due to a 3 to 4 outcome. (Weisenthal, Brooks, Kienow, and Roberts voted against the motion.) CM Wiesenthal motioned to investigate this in the future to see how it can be accomplished. CM Roberts seconded the motion. The motion passed. Public Comment Eric Meyer, resident, likes the idea of an Active Transportation committee. He feels if the committee limits itself to people who only share their same opinion then they will only get the one point of view. He also feels the arguing and disagreements among others will help create a stronger and powerful policy while helping create a balanced path. Myron Amerine, resident and bike advocate, suggested creating a separate pedestrian committee. David Figueroa, resident and BAC member, heavily supports that something is done to create a pedestrian plan to integrate with biking and transit. Whether it is expanding the BAC or creating a new group, or maybe even have every group meet quarterly. INFORMATION ITEMS Agenda Item #3: Update on Fiscal Year 2017-19 Budget Plan Process Adam Fukushima gave an update on the Fiscal Year 2017-19 budget planning process especially the results of the Budget Forum in January. He explained that the draft budget would be available to view after April 18. CM Brooks asked if the draft budget would be available before the city council budget meeting. Public Comment None. DISCUSSION ITEMS Agenda Item #4: Bicycle Riding on Sidewalk Adam Fukushima gave information on current city policy on bicycle riding on sidewalks and cited Municipal Code (Section) 10.72.100. CM Kienow has tried to bring this discussion up in the past in regards to the code being refined, removed, or limited to certain sections of town. He is concerned for minors getting to school, or anywhere, safely and allowing them to ride on the sidewalk if needed. There are many instances where he is riding with his kids and no pedestrians are found along certain stretches of the sidewalk, but he still risks a violation. He is also fine with a responsible adult riding on the sidewalk outside of downtown, but is also concerned for cyclists not slowing down at intersections, driveways, or for pedestrians. CM Brooks would like an officer to attend a meeting to inform the committee on when they actually cite tickets. At what point will there be a citation? And, does the traffic safety study include bicyclists hitting pedestrians on sidewalks? CM Roberts thinks the code should be removed. CM Riedstra likes the idea of allowing minors, outside the business district, to ride on sidewalks and thinks this is a great opportunity for a pedestrian joint committee. CM Huddleston is torn on the matter as she partly rides to work on the sidewalk because she does not like to cross in the middle of South Higuera street when automobile traffic is heaviest, but also does not like when pedestrians step off the sidewalk into the street to allow a cyclist to pass when the pedestrian has the right-of-way. CM Woolf is not in favor of revising the code. Public Comment Myron Amerine, resident and bike advocate, is in favor of the current ordinance, as it is uniform throughout the country. He begs the issue that we do not have sufficient and quality bike facilities so we do not have to ride on the sidewalk. Also, as a pedestrian he's dodging bikes all the time so he really wants to keep the ordinance. There was not a majority consensus to pursue a revision of the current ordinance. Agenda Item #5: Committee Items ● Adopt-a-Trails Subcommittee California Conservation Core Watershed Sewage program sponsored a Bob Jones bike trail workday, between Prado and LOVR, on March 25. It was a wonderful partnership for the city trails staff, Bike SLO county, and the friends of the Bob Jone’s Trail. A section of Bob Jone’s Trail was requested for adoption by a member of the SLO Bicycle Club but the group has not formally endorsed the idea Agenda Item #6: Project Updates Fukushima gave an update on several projects including:  Bishop’s Peak and Pacheco schools Safe Routes to school project including the latest public meeting where staff recommendations were presented.  Green bike lanes on Monterey and California are half done. The city is waiting on traffic control to do the inside of the intersection, which will happen at night and will be combined with the Santa Rosa and Olive Street bike lanes.  The Broad Street bike boulevard meeting was March 23.  Next ATP cycle is next year and Fukushima is participating with the State ATP Technical Advisory Committee  The Railroad Safety Trail extension is completed along Laurel Lane.  The bike bridge over Pepper Street is still in design. CM Brooks pointed out the confusion that occurs at the Railroad Safety Trail. She also informed everyone about a traffic safety awareness campaign she learned about at the League Bike Summit CM Wiesenthal requested to add a presentation of the condition of bike lanes curbs and gutters, to the next meeting’s agenda. ADJOURN CM Weisenthal motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 p.m. to the next regular meeting of May 18, 2017. CM Riedstra seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Lareina Gamboa Recording Secretary APPROVED BY THE BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE: 5/18/2017