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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                                     Members Present

John Carpenter                                           David Simons
Bob Eltgroth                                                Jim Stallman
Marc Jensen                                                John Sullivan, Chairperson
David Kobayashi                                          Bart Thielges
William Manry                                              Herman Wadler
Thomas Muniz                                             Joseph Walton
Curt Riffle

Members Absent                                               
Bill Reisinger

A quorum was present.

PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS

Peter Khoury, Interested Citizen, expressed concern on the deterioration of bike access to San Jose Airport and requested improvement of bike access to terminals and around the airport.

David Ford, Interested Citizen, requested that the overall airport plan include the needs of the bicyclist and pedestrians.   Mr. Ford noted the difficulty of bikers in crossing Highway 101 in the airport area.

Member Walden took his seat at 6:13 p.m.

Minutes of May 12, 2004

M/S/C (Eltgroth/Jensen) on a vote of 11 ayes, 0 noes and 2 abstention to approve the Minutes of May 12, 2004.   Members Carpenter and Stallman abstained.

Committee Staff Report

Ms. Chung stated that a new Bus and Rail Map is available for each member.  Ms. Chung advised that the next VTA Board Workshop is scheduled for Friday, August 13, 2004, 8:30 a.m. at the San Jose Hyatt.  Ms. Chung noted that workshop’s topic will be the financial projections and scenarios for the next fiscal year.

Ms. Chung reported that the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) would release the Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Projects Call for Projects around September 2004. An estimated $32 million is expected for the next four years for the entire bay area.

Member Stallman was curious about the schedule for the new bike rack installation.   He requested status report regarding bike racks at future meetings. 

Member Simons requested staff to discuss the upgrade of bike racks at Fair Oaks and Tasman with the City of Sunnyvale. 

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

Chairperson’s Report

Chairperson Sullivan reported that the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors received a report from Roads and Airport regarding the removal of the Pedestrian Prohibition Signs at Central, San Tomas, and Foothill Expressways.   Chairperson Sullivan added that Reach I’s Santo Tomas Creek Trail had an increased usage since its dedication on May 25, 2004.  He further reported that Reach II is currently under construction.

Upon inquiry of Member Stallman, Chairperson Sullivan reported that the Santa Clara Train Station Crossing of Tracks might be decoupled with the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART).

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

Local Streets and Roads Rehabilitation Projects for the Federal Surface Transportation Program (STP) Funds to Local Streets and Roads Rehabilitation Projects in 2005/06 and 2006/07

John Sighamony, Transportation Planner II, provided a brief background and highlighted that these STP funds are strictly for Metropolitan Transportation System (MTS) roads.  Staff worked with the Capital Improvement Subcommittee (CIP) of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) to determine the streets in need of repair, as listed in Attachment A – STP Project List.

Mr. Sighamony explained that cities received two-year programming targets based on the city’s percentage of MTC’s projected cost of maintaining and reconstructing local streets and County roads over the next 25 years.    He noted that $4,000,000 was taken off the top for Montague Expressway.   He directed attention to the revised STP Project List and noted that Monte Sereno does not have any eligible roads.

Upon query, Mr. Sighamony noted that cities could fill out an exemption form if they do not have MTS roads.

Member Stallman commented that MTC now has a checklist to make sure that everything is done such as the sidewalk repairs. 

Mr. Sighamony clarified that eligible projects in the program are those involving reconstructing of MTS roadways that have a projected Pavement Condition Index (PCI) of 70 and below. 

Marcella Rensi, Principal Transportation Planner, explained that Montague Expressway was given special consideration due to its sub-regional and countywide significance.   She stated that it is in poor condition and noted that it is appropriate to make the repairs now.   

Member Jensen requested a copy of the MTC checklist.

On order of Chairperson Sullivan, there being no objection, the Committee reviewed and commented on local streets and roads rehabilitation projects for the Federal Surface Transportation Program funding in 2005/06 and 2006/07.

The Agenda was taken out of order.

San Jose International Airport Bicycle/Pedestrian Master Plan

John Ciccarelli, URS Corporation for the San Jose International Airport, presented planning and conceptual plans for the San Jose International Airport Bicycle/Pedestrian Master Plan. Mr. Ciccarelli noted that the Guadalupe River Trail Segment along the airport will be the intrical part of the airport's plans for bicycle and pedestrian access.

Mr. Ciccarelli noted that the plan consists of three phases of construction: North Concourse, South Concourse, and Central Terminal.  He noted the North Concourse is expected to be in construction by 2007 and further noted that this phase would create a significant change in bicycle and pedestrian circulation from the existing condition.

Mr. Ciccarelli noted that the timeline for the South Concourse and Central Terminal is still unknown as it is contingent on the passenger requirements and economic upturn. Mr. Ciccarelli discussed the different bicycle and pedestrian paths and access as illustrated in plan drawings. He also discussed the possibility of bike lockers that respond to safety issues.

On order of Chairperson Sullivan, there being no objection, the Committee received  the San Jose International Airport Bicycle/Pedestrian Master Plan.

Programmed Projects Quarterly Conformance Report for April – June 2004

Mr. Sighamony noted that all projects with funds expiring in 2004 are progressing smoothly.  He added that the next Programmed Projects Quarterly Monitoring Report will be in December 2004.

Member Stallman expressed concern on Santa Clara County projects in Alameda County.  Member Kobayashi responded that there is a lot of traffic along the 680 and 880 corridors that go into Santa Clara County.

Richard Swent, Interested Citizen, inquired about bike safety access on Projects #9   (SR-25 Widening) and #10 (SR-125/SR-156 Interchange Improvements) on         Page 47 of 53.  Mr. Sighamony responded that he will contact the project sponsor.

Member Muniz noted discrepancy on the title and project description of Project #8 (Highway 152 Passing and Truck Climbing Lanes) on Page 5 of 53 and Project #13 (Highway 152 Four Lane Expressway Route Study) on Page 8 of 53. 

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

Proactive CMP Reviewed and Approved Projects Quarterly Status Report         

Member Jensen expressed appreciation on the comments regarding the overcrossing at the Kohl’s/Breuners Department Store Project on Hamilton Avenue and Almarida Drive intersection.

Member Muniz inquired about the criteria to be included in the project list of the Proactive CMP Reviewed and Approved Status Report.   Ms. Chung explained that projects that would generate more than 100 peak hour vehicle trips in the morning or afternoon are required to submit a Transportation Impact Analysis (TIA).  After submittal of the TIA, it will be included in the report.  She explained that non-TIA projects get in the list through factors such as the magnitude of the project, impact on transit operations, and impact to traffic volumes.   Member Simons added that there are exemptions such as schools and airports.

Mr. Swent noted correction on Page 9 of 10 and stated that Class I and II’s definition should be switched.

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

2004 Bicycle Ridership Survey and Nine-Year Summary

Ms. Chung provided a brief background and noted that although there was an increase of bicycle boardings compared to last year, the bike boarding is still in 1998/99 levels.   She highlighted that there are more bike boardings in light rail compared to buses. 

Member Stallman expressed concern on the shortage of bike racks and bikes not being on bike racks in the new light rail.   Ms. Chung explained that staff created car cards with pictures on how to put bikes in bike racks.   Ms. Chung also noted that staff will put in decals that would direct bicyclist to the right area, if bike racks are full.

Upon query of Member Elgroth, Ms. Chung responded that a maximum of eight bikes can be accommodated in light rail.

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

Announcements

Member Jensen, Town of Los Gatos, noted there will be a follow-up regarding the notice for the closure of the creek trail.

Member Eltgroth, City of Morgan Hill, stated that the next Street Skills Bike Ed Class in Morgan Hill will be held next Friday and Saturday, August 20 – 21, 2004. 

Member Kobayashi, County of Santa Clara, advised that MTC is looking for volunteers from BPAC, traffic engineers, and law enforcers to examine the source and causes of bike/pedestrian related accidents and develop a method of prioritization of intersections where high collisions occur. 

Member Thielges, City of San Jose, announced that the City lost two part-time staff who were working on the Bike Program. He also announced that the City is still looking for Bike and Pedestrian Committee Members and advised that any interested party should contact John Brazil.

Member Stallman, City of Saratoga, advised that details regarding the meeting with consultants designing the De Anza Trail is available on the City of Saratoga website.

Mr. Swent advised that the public voted against the staff’s recommendation to adjust the signal timing at Homer Street Undercrossing, which is due to open Fall 2004.  Another proposal is installing a counter-flow bike lane for one block to remedy the situation short-term.

Member Simon, City of Sunnyvale, advised that the brand new street in Sunnyvale will be built along with the Sunnyvale Mall.   He stated that the Planning Commission voted for parallel parking on one side and angle parking on the other. Member Simon referred to the Sunnyvale Train Station future crossing and noted that Caltrain will not put an additional at-grade crossing.   He noted that the undercrossing is a more beneficial option for bicyclist than the overcrossing option.

Member Muniz, City of Gilroy, reported that the Trail Master Plan in Gilroy is progressing.   He requested that feedback about the Downtown Civic Plan be forwarded to him.     He also requested to receive feedback regarding an interest to put a Gilroy map on the Bike 511 website.

Chairperson Sullivan, City of Santa Clara, advised that the Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC) will meet in two weeks at 4:00 p.m.   He further advised that there is one open seat for the BAC and applications are available online.   Chairperson Sullivan noted that the possibility of making two one-way streets into two-way streets.

Adjournment

On order of Chairperson Sullivan,there being no objection, the meeting was adjourned at 8:37 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Elaine F. Baltao, Board Assistant
VTA Board of Directors

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