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The Regular Meeting of the Valley Transportation Authority’s (VTA) Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) was called to order at 6:04 p.m. by Chairperson Simmons in Room B-104, VTA, 3331 North First Street, San Jose, California.

ROLL CALL

Members Present

Members Absent

Steven Aufdermauer
William F. (Bill) Manry
Bart Thielges

A quorum was present.

James Clark, Concerned Citizen, noted that on December 4, 2002, he was involved in a bicycle accident in an unmarked construction zone under VTA contract for the widening of I-880 with Caltrans.  Caltrans forwarded the claim for damages of approximately $850 to VTA and the claim was denied.  He expressed concern regarding hazardous conditions in the bicycle lanes at the VTA construction site.  He noted this is an ongoing issue because the roads have been closed and Highway Law Section 888 states that you cannot close a road without providing a reasonable alternative.  Mr. Clark inquired if there is away to address the problem for cyclists at this bicycle route and if there were any alternatives other than taking VTA to small claims court to have the matter investigated.

M/S/C (Stallman/Riffle) on a vote of 12 ayes to 0 nays to 1 abstention to approve the Minutes of March 12, 2003, as amended to reflect on Page 3 of 4, Paragraph 8, the addition of the language San Francisco Public Utilities Commission.  Chairperson Simons abstained.

There was not report from staff.

Chairperson Simons requested that discussion with County Roads and Airport staff regarding the placement of a pedestrian crossing near Middy Way and Lawrence Expressway be placed on a future agenda.

Member Eltgroth requested that a discussion regarding the Traffic Control Plan during construction of the Capital Corridor be placed on a future agenda.

The agenda was taken out of order.

David Sausjourd, Revenue Services, distributed graphs showing percentages of change from same quarter of the previous year for: 1) VTA half-cent sales tax,
2) system-wide weekday ridership and 3) Santa Clara County Employment.  He described the bleak financial situation of the organization and the efforts that administration is taking to seek new revenue.  Mr. Sausjourd provided an overview of proposed fare increases.

On order of Chairperson Simmons, there being no objection, the Proposed Transit and ADA Paratransit Fare Modifications for implementation August 1, 2003, was received and filed. 

Erin Chao, Transportation Planner II, provided an overviewof theFY 2003/04 Transportation Fund for Clean Air Program Manager Fund (TFCA 40%) Project Allocations.

The Committee asked staff to work with the City of Sunnyvale, the Joint Powers Board, the City of Mountain View and the County of Santa Clara to investigate opportunities to move the Bernardo Undercrossing Project forward before the Measure B funds run out.

M/S/C (Stallman/Walton) to recommend that the Board of Directors approve programming $2.7 million in Transportation Fund for Clean Air Program Manager (TFCA 40%) funds to the Competitive Projects and to the Tier 1 Bicycle Projects in the FY 2003/04 cycle noting concern regarding the progress of the Bernardo Undercrossing Project.

Stephen Flynn, Senior Management Analyst, provided an overview of the amended Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Bylaws. 

M/S/C (Jensen/Eltgroth) to approve the revised Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Bylaws as amended to reflect, under Section 2.1.e., the addition of the language: Serves as the countywide bicycle and pedestrian advisory committee for the County of Santa Clara.

Andrew Kreck, VTA Resident Engineer, and Chris Metzger, Nolte Associates, provided an overview of the 85/101 North Interchange Project noting that it will be built in three stages: 1) reconfigure Moffett Boulevard moving traffic further southbound, 2) constructing main structures and corridor projects from 85 to 101 and 3) widening and street realignments. The Project will take approximately
three years to complete and serve to improve the flow of traffic.

The Committee discussed bicycle and pedestrian throughway and safety. 

On order of Chairperson Simmons, there being no objection, the 85/101 North Interchange Project Presentation was received and filed. 

Member Riffle left the meeting at 7:30 p.m.

Member Slechta left the meeting at 7:40 p.m.

Ms. Chao provided an overview of the Programmed Projects Quarterly Monitoring Report.

On order of Chairperson Simmons, there being no objection, the Programmed Projects Quarterly Monitoring Report was received and filed. 

Samantha Swan, Transportation Planner II, distributed Responses to Selected Projects Reviewed by VTA February 2003 and provided an overview of the Proactive CMP Reviewed and Approved Projects Monthly Status Report.

On order of Chairperson Simons, there being no objection, the CMP Reviewed and Approved Projects Monthly Status Report was received and filed.

Member Sullivan announced that the Santa Clara BAC will meet two weeks from tonight.

Member Anderson announced that the City of Mountain View BPAC is reviewing a new Bicycle Plan, a public hearing will be held within the next two months, and the City of Mountain View will conduct an outdoor BPAC meeting this summer to encourage attendance from the public.

Member Stallman noted ongoing uncertainty regarding the Guadalupe crossing along 237 that Caltrans proposed to close.  Advocates are working towards meeting with Caltrans. 

Member de La Beaujardiere announced that the Santa Clara Valley Research Team on Air Quality is offering $30 sponsorships to provide food and beverages for Bike-to-Work Day Energizers Stations. 

Member Eltgroth announced that the Morgan Hill BPAC will meet tomorrow night and there are five new members.  The Morgan Hill BPAC is working to have an Energizer Station for Bike-to-Work Day near the Caltrain Station and Gavalin College will also host Energizer Station at each of their campuses.

Member Jensen announced several press conferences to get awareness out regarding TEA reauthorization.

Member Walton announced Stevens Canyon Road is being widened and the Mary Avenue Project is going into the design phase.  Member Walton provided handouts, The League of American Bicyclists Bike to Work Guide.

Member Means announced that the City of Milpitas BPAC is now meeting on the second Monday of each month.

Ms. Swan noted that information on VTA Energizer Stations is located on VTAs Website at  www.vta.org. 

On order of Chairperson Simmons, there being no objection, the meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.