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The Regular Meeting of the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) was called to order at 6:05 p.m. by Chairperson Sullivan in Room B-104, VTA, 3331 North First Street, San Jose, California.

ROLL CALL

Members Present
Cedric de la Beaujardiere
Bob Eltgroth
Marc Jensen, Vice Chairperson
David Kobayashi
Mahmoud Kamangar
William F. Manry
Thomas Muniz
Curt Riffle
David Simons
Jim Stallman
Herman H. Walton
Joseph Walton
John Sullivan, Chairperson

A quorum was present.

Jack Leuder, City of Santa Clara, requested that if an agenda item is affecting individual cities to notify that citys BAC so a representative can be present.

Chairperson Sullivan advised that the agendas are posted on the VTA website a few days before the meeting.

Chairperson Sullivan requested that Chairperson Anderson be replaced with Chairperson Sullivan commencing on Page 3.

Member Manry advised that his name did not appear on the Absent Members list.

Member Eltgroth requested that on Agenda Item #9., Announcements, the spelling of his name be changed from Elgroth to Eltgroth.

M/S/C (Eltgroth/Wadler) to approve the Minutes of February 5, 2004 as amended.

Chairperson Sullivan brought attention to a recent fatal bicycle accident in San Jose, California, compared bike accident laws between Europe and the United States, and noted that it is time to make changes in the law with regard to bike accidents.

On order of Chairperson Sullivan, there being no objection, the Chairpersons Report was received.

Mike Aro, Service and Operations Planning Deputy Director, stated that this item is the Plan that is being presented at all of the Advisory Committees, Standing Committees, and Board of Directors at their April 1, 2004 meeting. 

Mr. Aro stated that staff received input from five community meetings held in the City of Milpitas and City of San Jose.  Although the meetings were announced on flyers and card cars on buses and light rails vehicles, in newspapers, on the VTA website, and press releases, there was still lower attendance than expected.

Mr. Aro noted that there are four minor changes were made to the Plan, two of which are adjusting the headways and extending hours.   Pre-revenue is schedule to commence late  May 2004, and public revenue service will commence July 1,2004.

Chairperson Sullivan queried if the stations have bicycle lockers.   Mr. Aro advised that bicycle lockers are located at transit centers.

On order of Chairperson Sullivan, there being no objection, the Preliminary Tasman East/Capitol Bus Rail Service Integration Plan.

Mr. Aro referenced Page 2, Key Performance Measures FY 2004 Second Quarter, of the Revised Second Quarter Performance Report, noting that operating expenses have decreased by 9.3 percent since 2003.   In the second quarter of 2003, approximately $130 million was expended and in 2004 the cost was down $115 million.  Farebox recovery has improved to 13 percent due to costs being kept down.  The costs per hour for FY 02 was $159 per hour, FY 03 up to $161 an hour, through the second quarter running about $158 per hour.

Mr. Aro noted that cost containment measures were implemented to improve the operation ratio.

Mr. Aro advised that there was a fare increase in August 2003.  The average fare in FY 03 was 65 cents, which was increased to 78 cents in FY 04.   The increase improved the farebox recovery from 10.3 percent to 13 percent.

Mr. Aro also reported that ridership is still a big issue because during the second quarter it was down 17 percent to 18 percent for both light rail and bus.   Mr. Aro noted that there has been a decline in ridership the last 28 consecutive months equaling 125,000 riders on an average weekday, down 75,000 riders over the two years.

Mr. Aro stated that the bright side of everything is that the service quality is still improving with only 6,606 miles between service calls compared to FY 03 having 4,630 miles between calls.   The percent of service operations is above the goal of 99.25 with light rail running at 99.34 percent and light rail running at 99.02 percent.

Member Walton queried if the price of gas affects ridership.   Mr. Aro responded that it will take a while to see those results and in the past when the price of gas increased, it did not factor into increased ridership.

Member Wadler queried what percentage of ridership can be attributed to students.   Mr. Aro stated that students are attributed for 30 percent of the riders and do not expect them to stop riding because they are transit-dependant.

Member de La Beaujardiere queried if any studies were done with regard to ridership increasing if light rail traveled at as a faster speed.   Mr. Aro responded that staff has not initiated such a type of study as the light rails speed limit is mandated by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and cannot travel faster than traffic.  Tasman East elevated segment will be able to run at 55 miles per hour. 

Member de La Beaujardiere queried if there is a metric for use of the system in terms of how well the areas are covered, wait times between transfers, and are those part of the metric for quality of service?   Mr. Aro advised that service is covered and is monitored but with all of the recent service cuts, service coverage has shrunk.

On order of Chairperson Sullivan, there being no objection, the Fiscal Year 2004 Second Quarter Report was received and filed.

Chairperson Sullivan introduced new Member Thomas Muniz representing the City of Gilroy.

Doug Johnson, MTC, distributed a copy of a Memorandum to Programming and Allocations Committee from Steve Heminger, Executive Director, dated March 3, 2004.

Mr. Johnson acknowledged Ms. Chungs work on behalf of bicycle issues and her involvement in the process of developing the regional bike and pedestrian program.

Mr. Johnson reported that on December 2003, as a part of the 25-year regional Transportation Plan effort, the Commissioners designated an $8 million per year to the Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Program with focus of the Program on the regional bicycle network, which is a part of MTCs Regional Bike Plan which contains a subset of all nine counties countywide bicycle networks.

Mr. Johnson noted that MTC fully acknowledges that the BPACs in all nine counties offer a lot of important insight, local knowledge into project prioritization, project feasibility, and local support, which are all important components.

Mr. Johnson stated that the Regional Program will be administered by MTC and BACs from the nine counties would prioritize their projects based on adopted criteria and forward the list of projects to MTC and partners, a panel chosen from a broard variety of interest groups or alternatively, CMAs maybe directed to select the final projects. 

Mr. Johnson noted that the nine counties will receive their fair share of funding based on population in over the life of the Program.

Member Eltgroth queried as to who the bike/ped groups (see below) in the text of the Regional Bike/Ped Program Draft Proposal for Implementation are.   Mr. Johnson referenced Page 2 of the Regional Bike/Ped Program, Criteria, and stated that key CMA staff and key bike/ped advocates, are the bike/ped groups referenced in the description of the two alternatives and have agreed to work together to develop the criteria for the Program.

Member Jensen expressed concern that pedestrian transportation projects would be funded before pedestrian recreational projects.

Member Jensen state that currently bicycle programs are not funded by Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) because there is no way to prove pollution reduction counts that MTC provide the BAAQMD with counts in order to receive funding.

Member Wadler queried as to the magnitude of funds between now and 2030 and  Mr. Johnson replied that is $200 million over 25 years.   Member Wadler queried as to the source of that funding.  Mr. Johnson replied that the source of funding is the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) Congestion Management Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ).  Mr. Johnson noted that the Program will be updated ten times in the life of the Program so funding could be reallocated within that time.

Ms. Chung clarified $200 million funding is region wide, not just for Santa Clara County and advised that Santa Clara County would be receive about $2 million per year.

Mr. Johnson also noted that some of the counties have been interested in swapping out their funds, which would allow them to spend local dollars on an eligible regional pedestrian or bike project and then take the federal dollars and spend them on other projects but some of the Commissioners have did not support any crediting because it could undermine the amount of funding that was allocated

Mr. Johnson stated that Attachment 1, Page 5, of the Memorandum, Baseline programming for Transportation 2030, first table shows that the Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Program at $8 million across the board.   Under the deferral option, on Attachment 3, Proposed STIP Crisis Backfill, the funds were moved around but the totals remain the same, $32 million over the four-year cycle.

Member Simons queried when it would be a good time to note concerns to the MTC regarding funding of programs.   Mr. Johnson advised that comments and concerns should be forwarded to MTC within the next two weeks. 

Member Simons expressed concern regarding transferring bicycle and pedestrian dollars now for later.

Member Stallman stated that the County of Santa Clara has problems losing access because of poorly designed Caltrans projects and it would be a serious matter to lose funding for projects because the projects fail to comply with California Department of Transportation Deputy Directive Number 64 (DD-64) and recommended MTC consider DD-64 for bicycle and pedestrian projects.

Member de La Beaujardiere queried what percentage of funding will be going to the bicycle and pedestrian program in relation to other federally funded transportation programs.   Mr. Johnson stated that he would forward that information to Ms. Chung and she will forward to the Members.

Ms. Chung stated that the answer is going to be quite as simple because a lot of the federal funds are already pre-directed to transit operations or transit maintenance.

Mr. Johnson requested all questions and comments be forwarded to dougjohnson@mtc.ca.gov.

On order of Chairperson Sullivan, there being no objection, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) Regional Bicycle/Pedestrian Program was discussed.

Chris Augenstein, Principal Transportation Planner, provided attachments regarding the program areas in VTP 2030.

Mr. Augenstein stated that the VTP 2030 ten program areas are : transit, highway, expressway, local street and county roads, transportation systems operations and management, sound barrier, pavement management, bicycle, livable communities and pedestrian, and landscape restoration and graffiti removal programs.   Mr. Augenstein noted that staff has been involved in the process since August 2003, with the initial development of the list. 

Mr. Augenstein reported that the list has been brought through the Advisory and Standing Committees and to the Board of Directors.  The investment target allocations are outlined by program areas and were presented at the Advisory and Standing Committees and to the Board of Directors at their Workshop in February 2004.   Staff will present the program allocation amounts, without any changes to the next board workshop.  Mr. Augenstein noted changes were made based on input received from Board Members, staff and member agencies, as well as public outreach.

Mr. Augenstein stated there have been public meetings and information regarding the VTP 2030 has been posted on the VTAs website, www.vta.org.   Staff has been receiving all of the input and will be making minor modifications to the project list.   Mr. Augenstein noted that no changes will be made to the bicycle program as the program was approved by the Committee as apart of the Expenditure Program.  Staff is proposing in the VTP 2030 that in the Tier 1 Projects, all funds are allocated to the Program. 

Member Jensen expressed concern regarding the lack of context in terms of dollar amounts in the survey.   Mr. Augenstein reported that after much discussion, it was decided to leave out dollar amounts as staff was trying to reach the broadest audience and this audience might not understand what the amount of dollars means relate do the project.

Member de La Beaujardiere commented on that the Expanding Regional Passenger Rail (BART, Caltrain, and ACE) question under the Transit Section of the VTP 2030 Survey located on VTAs website.   He recommended each project be considered individually.

Member de La Beaujardiere recommended that VTA include cost effectiveness of cost per rider in its evaluation criterion with a point allocation that is comparable to the congestion relief ridership and the customer operational benefits, given the current financial crisis of VTA.

Member Eltgroth called for a point of order to clarify that the Agenda Item 9 is a review and comment item and not an action item on the Agenda.

Member de La Beaujardiere expressed concern regarding blindly moving forward with projects that are extremely expensive without taking into account how this is going to affect some of our other operations and how much bus service is going to have to be cut back in order to achieve a project that has high ridership

Member de La Beaujardiere requested staff provide information regarding the operating costs for BART.   Mr. Augenstein replied that information will be made available late in March 2004 when the Environmental Impact Report is released.

Member de La Beaujardiere recommended that as the Board of Directors considers projects in VTP 2030, staff provide the cost effectiveness of the various projects so Board Members can see dollars per rider and associated costs.

Member Eltgroth expressed concern regarding Page A-5, VTP 2030 Measure A Transit Program that Caltrain Electrification is outside of the line.  Mr. Augenstein stated that the Board of Directors have also expressed concern and it is quite possible that with the next round of staff proposals, Caltrain Electrification will be elevated above the 30 year cut off line.

Member Simon queried why the Bernardo Avenue Undercrossing had been zeroed out?   Ms. Chung responded this project was carried from the previous list when the Tier 1 project list was updated in 2002 with the understanding that the City of Sunnyvale would be able to provide a feasibility study with a realistic cost estimate.   The City of Sunnyvale has not provided the information.

Member Sullivan recommended that VTA include ACR 211 (Nation), Integrating walking and biking into transportation infrastructure, in new projects.

Member Sullivan queried as to the status of the Pedestrian Technical Guidelines.  Staff responded they will be distributed at their meeting of April 7, 2004.

On order of Chairperson Sullivan, there being no objection, Recommendations for the Valley Transportation Plan 2030 (VTP 2030) program allocations and project priorities were reviewed.

Ms. Rensi noted that the two Programs are revisions to the STIP Program.

Ms. Rensi reported that approximately two years ago there was $2 million programmed to the San Tomas Aquino Creek Trail, Reach II.    The City of Santa Clara was scheduled to commence construction using that funding summer of 2004.   The City of Santa Clara contacted staff and advised that in order to expedite the project they are going use local funds as they had some redevelopment funding which had a short fuse and decided to use that funding on the segment and move the Reach II grant onto Reach III. 

Ms. Rensi also reported that two years ago the Board of Directors approved $1.7 million for environmental studies for the Route 25 Interchange.   With the State financial situation deteriorating very rapidly the funding the Board of Directors wanted allocated from the STIP for the environmental studies for Route 25 was pushed out to Fiscal Year 06/07.   Ms. Rensi advised that there is funding available through the STIP and under AB 3090 local funding can be used upfront and the State either will pay back the funding or replacement project with a STIP will be given.  Ms. Rensi advised that $1.7 million STIP, which is not yet dedicated to any project that needs to be used by FY 08/09, is being considered for Highway152/156.

Ms. Rensi noted that the John Ristow, Deputy Director Programming & Highway Adminstration, will be the staff person in charge of the Highway 152/156 Project and that VTA, as part of the Highway Programs is responsible for the Project.

On order of Chairperson Sullivan, there being no objection the Recommendation to revise Santa Clara Countys Regional Improvement Program (RIP) share of the 2004 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) to move $2 million from Reach II to Reach III of the City of Santa Claras San Tomas Aquino Creek Trail, and to program $1.7 million undesignated AB 3090 replacement project commitment to the Route 152/156 Interchange project southeast of Gilroy were reviewed.

Mr. Augenstein reported that VTA started developing the Program at the time of the adoption of VTP 2020 and in November 2002 the VTA Board acted to adopt the Program as VTAs primary program to integrate land use. 

A final manual was completed and in spring 2003 and staff visited cities to begin the endorsement process.   Staff worked with every city, providing presentations to city councils, planning commissioners, and architectural commissions.   Formal endorsements for the program were received in fall 2003 and that process was completed couple of weeks ago. 

Mr. Augenstein advised that the Program was developed and bicycle technical guidelines and pedestrian technical guidelines were developed to get these ideas and concepts out into the development process early. 

Mr. Augenstein stated that it has been really gratifying, staff has received positive input and there have been many requests to sit in with city staff when working with project developers. 

Member Muniz requested a copy of VTAs Community Design & Transportation Program.

On order of Chairperson Sullivan, there being no objection, the Member Agency Endorsement of VTAs Community Design & Transportation Program was received and filed.

Vice Chairperson Jensen, Town of Los Gatos, stated that the California Works and the City of San Francisco are requesting the BAAQMD reformulate their data collection process and develop criteria for pedestrian projects being funded so there to measure air pollution reduction.

Member Muniz, City of Gilroy, stated that he is a new member on City of Gilroys Bicyle and Pedestrian Board, and sits on the Trails Master Plan Task Force which is preparing alignments within the City of Gilroy and how it ties in with the overall County of Santa Claras planning.

Member Eltgroth, City of Morgan Hill, the City of Gilroy is trying to coordinate their Bicycle Master Plan and the Trails Master Plan together. 

Member Manry, City of Monte Sereno, reported that the cyclists deaths that occurred on Highway 9, in February 2004, were in City of Monte Sereno.

Member Walton, City of Cupertino, stated the City is working on the extension of the Stevens Creek Trail.   It is important to develop a trail that is both pedestrian and bicycle friendly and requested input from Committee Members be forwarded to him through Ms. Chung. 

Member Wadler, City of Campbell, stated he brought the Bicycle Pedestrian Plan for the City of Campbell, for the Committees review.

Member Stallman that a bill is going through the Assembly Committee regarding reauthorizing Kids Cross to School funding of approximately $27 million.   This funding can also be used for pedestrian and bicycles safety improvements.   Mr. Stallman provided his e-mail address to the BPAC Members for more information.

Member Simons, City of Sunnyvale, requested that the temporary extension of the Chairperson and Vice Chairpersons terms be agendized.

Member Riffle, City of City of Los Altos, reported that Hetch-Hetchy Passway is alive again but funding will expire September 2004.   Member Riffle noted that the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee in the City of Los Altos has become part of the Traffic Committee and will meet on March 24, 2004.

Chairperson Sullivan, City of Santa Clara, stated the BAC Committee has not met in the last two months and since their last meeting funding issues have come up BAC have been out of the loop.   The City of Santa Clara BAC has scheduled a meeting for the end of March 2004.

Member Stallman stated that the ribbon cutting for the undercrossings in the Cities of Sunnyvale and Santa Clara was on March 4, 2004 and the project used $85,000 of Measure A funding. 

On order of Chairperson Sullivan,there being no objection, the meeting was adjourned at 8:22 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

NOTE:   M/S/C MEANS MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED AND, UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.