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CALL TO ORDER

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
Eric Anderson
Cedric de la Beaujardiere
Bob Eltgroth
Marc Jensen, Vice Chairperson
David Kobayashi
William F. Manry
Thomas Muniz
Bill Reisinger
Curt Riffle
David Simons
Bart Thielges
Herman H. Wadler
Joseph Walton
John Sullivan, Chairperson

Members Absent
Mahmoud Kamangar
Jim Stallman

A quorum was present.

Rob Means, Sunnyhills Neighborhood Association City of Milpitas, stated that the standard steel and concrete crossing of railroad tracks on Tier 1 list unacceptable to the property owner, Selectron.   Mr. Means recommended Personal Raid Transit (PRT) at the crossing instead.   Mr. Means requested that PRT be agendized at the Committees future meeting.

Members Muniz, Simons, and de la Beaujardiere took their seats at 6:10 p.m.

Mr. Means distributed a document entitled 2-minutes Public Forum talk to the 5/7/04 joint meeting of BART and VTA Boards.

Member Kobayashi requested that Item #14., Announcements, under his announcement being modified with deflectors should say new bike sensitive detectors and in the last sentence, strike out the word more.

Member Simons requested that Item #14., Announcements, under his announcement more be done by the end of the project which I believe has already been funded to more will be done by the end of the project than proposed.

M/S/C (Reisinger/Simons) to approve the Minutes of April 7, 2004, as amended.

Ms. Chung noted that Bike to Work Day is schedule for Thursday, May 20, 2004.

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

Chairperson Sullivan reported that he attended the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisor´s Meeting on May 4, 2004.  The Roads and Airport staff report regarding pedestrian prohibitions on expressways was presented to the Board of Supervisors and accepted by the three Members present.  Road and Airport staff did indicate that they would make an effort to remove the prohibitions remaining in some cities.

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

John Sighamony, Transportation Planner II, distributed Revised Attachment A, 2004/05 TDA Article 3 Requests by Jurisdiction, to the Committee Members.

Mr. Sighamony stated there is between $2.5 million and $2.6 million TDA funding remaining for bicycle and pedestrian projects outlined in Attachment A.   Mr. Sighamony noted the additions to the revision of Attachment A:   City Cupertino - City of Sunnyvale will donate $44,205 toward the footbridge on Mary Avenue and the City of San Jose - Cedar Grove Elementary School Sidewalks was added.

Mr. Sighamony advised that the City of Monte Sereno deferred TDA funding and swapped out with Measure B funding for a feasibility study for the highway bicycle lanes and the City of Milpitas deferred TDA funding and swapped out for Measure B funding for improvements along Piedmont Road.   Mr. Sighamony stated that cities of Campbell and San Jose will be using funding for the Los Gatos Creek Trail Project, and the County of Santa Clara will be using funding for the Bicycle Shoulder Delineation along Expressways Project.

Member Reisinger requested staff indicate on Attachment A that the City of Monte Sereno and the City of Milpitas made a deferral.

Member Muniz queried which expressways will be included in the Bicycle Shoulder Delineation Project in the County of Santa Claras Projects.   Ms. Chung responded segments on Almaden Expressway, San Tomas Aquino Expressway, Page Mill Expressway, Oregon Expressway, and Foothill Expressway will be included.   Ms. Chung noted that the remaining segments have been done as part of the Pavement Management Program.

On order of Chairperson Sullivan, there being no objection, the Committee reviewed and commented on the recommendation of the Board of Directors to approve Project Priorities for the 2004/05 Countywide Transportation Development Act (TDA Article 3) program.

Chris Augenstein, Principal Transportation Planner, stated that when staff first started to put the program together, Member Agencies stated that the program should not be an esthetic program but rather a dynamic program and recommended that the fund sources be attached. 

Mr. Augenstein referenced to Attachment A, Draft Project Application Process and Evaluation Criteria, and requested comments and feedback from the Committee.    Mr. Augenstein noted that the document is a draft criteria that has gone through internal review and review by the Capitol Improvement Program (CIP), through various city staff, planning directors and public works directors from every city in the County of Santa Clara for their review resulting in the application that is being reviewed today.  Mr. Augenstein stated that the application will also be reviewed by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC). 

Member Anderson queried if there is a scoring process for this program.   Mr. Augenstein responded there is no scoring process because most of the criteria is from a qualitive standpoint.

Chairperson Sullivan stated that he thought it was a good idea not to have a scoring process.

Member de la Beaujardiere noted the following corrections:   Page 2, bottom of page, a comma should be used after the word or instead of a semi-colon, minor typographical errors on Page 4, and a comma is needed after the word evaluation.

Member Kobayashi queried with regarding to Levels of Service (LOS), if VTA has to put in a certain amount of intersections, some if which need asphalt, and if those intersections are exempt from the monitoring program.   Mr. Augenstein responded that it would depend on whether or not it is a Congestion Management Program (CMP). Mr. Augenstein noted that these are geared more to a citys LOS standard, which are more rigid than the CMP standards.

Member Muniz referenced Page 5 and 6 line items criteria topic description, recommending that each of the line items be described into the key concept list.   Mr. Augenstein stated that he suggest that on Page 7, Planning Proposal, include a brief description as to the how the project proposal.

Member Simons recommended that the Individual Design Guidelines be referenced as well as the CDT Manual Guidelines.

Member Walton queried if there are any projects in the queue.   Mr. Augenstein responded there are no projects in the queue at this time but there has been some interest from some cities. 

Member de la Beaujardiere queried if the County of Santa Clara has signed up for the CDT for the incorporated areas are of the County.   Mr. Augenstein responded that everyone has endorsed the program formally.

Mr. Augenstein requested that all comments and recommendations be forward to Ms. Chung.

On order of Chairperson Sullivan, there being no objection, the Committee reviewed and commented on procedures and Evaluation Criteria for selecting and awarding for the Community Design and Transportation (CDT) Program Planning Grants.

Murali Ramanujam, Assistant Transportation Engineer, stated that in order to help VTA staff with monitoring and conformance determination a Request For Project (RFP) was issued on April 21, 2004, and a total of 38 consultant firms were solicited.   Eight consultants attended the pre-proposal conference meetings and the proposals will be opened on May 17, 2004.

Mr. Ramanujam advised that the final recommendation on the selected consultant will be presented to the CMPP meeting and subsequently to the Board for approval at their Special Meeting of June 17, 2004.   Mr. Ramanujam noted that this is a three-year contract with an option to extend for two additional years. 

Staff is expecting to the final Monitoring and Conformance Report by Spring 2005.   Ten intersection locations for bicycle and pedestrian counts are being included.  Member Muniz requested a list of the ten bicycle and pedestrian intersections.

Member Simons stated there was a policy discussed two years ago to modify CMP requirements for intersections that have multi-modal capacity and queried if the intersections are still under the requirement that CMP counts depending.   Mr. Murali responded that at local intersections a snapshot would be taken in the month of September and are compared to the trend.

Member Simons expressed concern that at some of the intersections morning or evenings will have potential DEF issues over the next ten years.

Chairperson Sullivan queried what type of data is gathered aerially.   Mr. Murali responded that the data is cars passing through the segments on the freeways in the County of Santa Clara.

On order of Chairperson Sullivan, there being no objection, the 2004 Monitoring and Conformance Report was received and filed.

Stephen Flynn, Senior Management Analyst, stated that after the review process, staff has not received any suggested changes to the Work Program or Amended Budget.   Staff will present the document to the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) for further review and recommendation and to the Board of Directors for adoption at their June 2004 meeting.

Mr. Flynn noted that a couple of Member Agencies, due to their financial challenges they are facing, inquired about the possibility of lowering the Member Agency Fees for Fiscal Year 2005 and the other Member Agencies expressed reluctance to do so.

Member Anderson queried how the dollars per entity is figured.   Mr. Flynn responded that it was built on a formula put together when the CMA was established in 1990 and once established it was based on day time population and a couple of other factors.

Member Simons queried as to the Board of Directors use and policy of CMP data for intersection LOS and its impact on funding.    Mr. Flynn responded that he did not have that information.

On order of Chairperson Sullivan, there being no objection, the Committee reviewed and commented on the FY 04-05 Congestion Management Program Work Program and Amended Budget.

Samantha Swan, Transportation Planner, noted this Quarterly Report is for months January, February, and March 2004.  

Ms. Swan requested the Committee disregard the comments from the City of Santa Clara, for the Santa Clara University Baseball Stadium project, Page 4 of the Conditions of Approval Monthly Report.

Member Thiegles queried why there isnt a request for an easement on Page 4 of 7, City of San Jose San Jose Flea Market, Coyote Creek Trail.   Ms. Swan responded that there is a lot of convoluted and complicated action on that site with regarding to Penetencia Creek.

Mr. Thiegles requested an easement to ensure that a big concrete thing does not get built where the creek trail will be.   Ms Swan stated verbiage could be added into the EIR that the following verbiage could be added to the EIR: The site plan should be designed in such a way so as not to preclude construction of the planned bike path along Coyote Creek.

Member Anderson expressed concern regarding Page 2 of 4, Conditions of Approval Monthly Report, City of Palo Alto, Charge Fees for Public Parking Spaces, such as projects that charge for parking anywhere outside of the airport.   Ms. Swan stated that under VTAs Development Review Process, staff is recommending that the project implement comprehensive Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Programs.   A lot of other projects do implement the TDM Programs, especially projects involving campus development or office development.  VTA encourages TDM but charging for parking is very unpopular.  VTA did encourage charging for parking but it is not a countywide or region wide program to require them to charge for parking; therefore, developers argue that requiring them to charge for parking would present a financial burden and eliminate their competitiveness and would cause them to leave to other areas.

Member Simons recommended that with regard to charging for parking, reducing parking requirements at different lots should be considered.   Modifications can be made that will reduce the cost of development if the parking lots are reduced by five percent to ten percent and require four parking spots per 70,000 square feet.   Ms. Swan responded that VTA does encourage reduction of parking and land-banking, which is landscaping future parking areas until and if the area is needed in the future.

Member Muniz noted that with regard to Page 1 of 4, Conditions of Approval Monthly Report, City of Gilroy Gilroy Super Wal-Mart Store, there were no comments to the City of Gilroy from VTA with regard recommendations for consideration of trail development near the Santa Clara Valley Water District Channel that borders the Super Wal-Mart.   Member Muniz queried if VTA provided comments back to the cities once VTA has received their comments.   Ms. Swan responded that typically no but that it can be done. 

Member Muniz queried if VTA is expecting a response from the City of Gilroy regarding traffic calculations at Charter High School Project.   Ms. Swan responded that due to the type of study, it will be a little bit more difficult to keep track of the citys responses. 

Members Muniz and Reisinger recommended that dates be added to the cities responses to VTA.

Member Simons queried what the trip is that causes the cities to be required to announce a project that has to be commented on by the VTA if it mitigation for traffic or a traffic impact.   Ms. Swan responded that if it is over 100 peak hours close to one of the proposed stations, bus lines, or bus stops.   Ms. Swan noted staff is looking closely at trying to find out what the threshold is for cities to send referrals to VTA.

On order of Chairperson Sullivan, there being no objection, Proactive CMP Reviewed and Approved Projects Quarterly Status Report was received and filed.

Member Reisinger, City of Milpitas, noted that the City of Milpitas was recipient of Honorable Mention Award as a bicycle-friendly City.

Member Anderson, City of Mountain View, stated that the City of Mountain View received A bicycle friendly award.   Mr. Anderson advised that on Tuesday,  May 18, 2004, Mountain View City Council has a session devoted to reviewing the Stevens Creek Trail EIR.  Mr. Anderson stated that although the Citys BPAC has requested a better bicycle pedestrian access where Costco at the San Antonio Center is expanded, the expansion was approved with the BPACs request.

Member de la Beaujardiere, City of Palo Alto, stated that he has Bike to Work Day posters with him if anyone is interested.

Member Eltgroth, City of Morgan Hill, stated that Saturday, May 17, 2004, at the Morgan Hill Cultural Center there is bike safety workshop.   Bike Ed classes are scheduled for June 25, 2004 and June 26, 2004 at the Specialized Store.

Member Riffle, City of Los Altos, reported the City of Los Altos will have between one and three Energizer Stations.   Member Riffle thanked Ms. Chung for all of her hard work with Bike to Work Day.

Member Muniz, City of Gilroy, requested if city representatives have group model planning processes available.

Member Simons, City of Sunnyvale, noted that the preliminary design has been authorized for the Bernardo Underpass.

Member Walton, City of Cupertino, recommended staff request a presentation from the Street Smarts Program staff.   Mr. Walton stated the City of Cupertino will be providing coffee cake on Bike to Work Day at the energizer station on Stelling.

Member Wadler, City of Campbell, noted that soil samples are being taken at the Los Gatos Creek Trail and hope to finish before winter with the expansion. 

Chairperson Sullivan, City of Santa Clara, advised that there will be a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the Saratoga/Stevens Creek/San Tomas Aquino Creek Trail on May 25, 2004, 10:00 a.m. at the trail access point where the trail crosses Tasman Boulevard. 

Member de la Beaujardiere, advised there will be a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on May 18, 2004 in the morning, for a bicycle path from the Palo Alto Caltrain Station down to south of Churchill.

Member Eltgroth noted that their energizer stations will be located at the Caltrain Station and Gavilan College.   Mr. Eltgroth announced that Willie Ware will be the speaker at the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition meeting scheduled for May 13, 2004, 7:30 p.m.  He will discuss his bicycle travels in Cuba.

On order of Chairperson Sullivan,there being no objection, the meeting was adjourned at 7:41 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Gilda M. Grozdanich, Board Assistant
VTA Board of Directors

NOTE:   M/S/C MEANS MOTION SECONDED AND, UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED THE MOTION PASSES UNAMINOUSLY.