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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 6:12 p.m. by
Chairperson Sullivan in Room B-104, VTA, 3331 North First Street, San Jose, California.

ROLL CALL

Members Present
John Carpenter
David Kobayashi
William F. Manry
Bill Reisinger
Curt Riffle
David Simons
Jim Stallman
Richard Swent
Herman Wadler
John Sullivan

Members Absent
Bob Eltgroth
Marc Jensen
Thomas Muniz
Bart Thielges
Joseph Walton&

A quorum was present.

There were no Public Presentations.

M/S/C (Stallman/Carpenter) to approve the Minutes of August 11, 2004.                    Member Reisinger abstained.

Celia Chung, Senior Transportation Planner, reported that a call for projects for Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Program has been issued Santa Clara County.   Projects are due by November 12, 2004, to VTA.    Ms. Chung stated these will be projects in either Tier 1 or Tier 2 as well as any pedestrian project subject to MTC Guidelines.

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

Chairperson Stallman reported that he has been looking at traffic calming devices to get an idea what other cities and counties are using.

Member Riffle advised that the BPAC Committee Members that they can contact him directly if they would like to know what the City of Los Altos has used.

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

Ms. Chung introduced Roger Contreras, Chief Financial Officer and Joanne Benjamin, Policy & Program Manager, to the BPAC Committee.

Mr. Contreras introduced Kim Koenig, Manager Business Analysis and Debt Administration, and stated she would be providing brief background information on materials provided to the Board Members at their Workshop of October 1, 2004 as well as reporting on VTA’s next steps.

Ms. Koenig stated that based on the recommendation from the Ad-Hoc Financial Stability Committee that VTA pursue another funding source, staff provided four scenarios at their Workshop of August 13, 2004.   She briefly reviewed those scenarios:   Scenario #1 is a no new revenue source for VTA; Scenario #2 is a permanent quarter-cent sales tax assumption; and, Scenarios #3 and #4 provides a new half-cent sales tax.  The difference between Scenarios #3 and #4 shows a four and five year (respectively) delay to Downtown East Valley (DTEV) and Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART).

Ms. Koenig also reported that of the Scenarios presented to the Board at their Workshop of August 13, 2004, Scenarios 3 and 4, provide a new half-cent sales tax and are the only scenarios to provide resources available to meet VTA’s capital and operating costs.

Ms. Koenig stated that staff provided two new scenarios to the Board of Directors at their October 1, 2004 Workshop.   Scenario #1, no new tax or major revenue stream VTA will have the financial capacity to fund local project programs and do not have the capacity to build or operate BART within the optimum schedule; Scenario #3, half-cent sales tax provides VTA with financial capacity to finance local capital program project and operating expenses associated with BART and DTEV, increase in service, maintains operating reserves, and fund local match for VTA’s capital investments.

Ms. Koenig noted that staff’s goal is to have an expenditure plan by spring 2005. 

Member Simons took his seat at 6:30 p.m.

Member Carpenter recommended that a more stable resource might be property taxes versus sales tax.   Ms. Koenig responded that the property tax option was discussed at the Ad-Hoc Financial Stability Committee Meeting wherein it was decided not to consider property taxes as a resource. 

On order of Chairperson Sullivan, there being no objection, the Two VTA Transit Operating and Capital Scenarios considered by the VTA Board of Directors at a Board of Directors’ Workshop on October 1, 2004 were reviewed and commented on.

Ms. Benjamin reported that after the August 13, 2004 Board Workshop, the Board Members asked that there be an expenditure plan so they could see what a cash flow would look like.   Ms. Benjamin referenced Exhibit D, Scenario 3: Optimum Schedule and A New 3/8-Cent Sales Tax to VTA – 2000 Measure A Revenue and Expenditure Project Profile/2003-2036 and Exhibit E, Scenario 3 – 2000 Measure A Program – Draft Schedule Based on Projected Cash Flow.   The Board of Directors have reviewed the two Exhibits and provided input.

Ms. Benjamin outlined Exhibit D - Expenditures (Total Project Costs) for:   Line 1 - Bond Payment and Costs, Line 10 - Silicon Valley Rapid Transit Project (SVRTP),  Line 11 - DTEV Transit Improvements that connects the Capitol to Neiman Avenue assuming Santa Clara/Alum Rock Corridor would be Enhanced Bus, Line 12 - Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) (Line 22 along the El Camino, Monterey Highway, and Stevens Creek Boulevard), Line 13 - Caltrain Service Updates and Line 14 - Caltrain South County would add 5 trips and the South County is requesting reverse trips in the morning,              Line 15 - Caltrain Electrification- the Board has had a lot of discussion because it is shown in the later years of the 30 year Measure, Line 17 - San Jose Mineta Airport People Mover is trying to be ready for the opening of BART because of the connection between BART and the Airport, Line 18 - Highway 17 Bus Improvements, Line 19 - Dumbarton Rail – would connect Union City in the East Bay across the new bridge along the old alignment of Dumbarton Bridge, and connect to Caltrain in the City of Palo Alto,              Line 20 – Palo Alto Intermodal Center - VTA will pay 25 percent and the City of Palo Alto will pay 75 percent, Line 21 – ACE Upgrades, Line 22 –New rail Corridors – Phase 1 and Line 23 – New Rail Corridors – Phase 2, Line 24 – Zero Emission Buses ZEB’s & Facilities) and Line 25 – ZEB Demonstration Program – Legislation has stated that transit operators between 2008 and 2010 will need to convert to Zero Emission Buses.           

Ms. Benjamin referenced Exhibit F, VTA Operations – Capital Investments Program, stating that 25 percent has been set aside to keep the system in good working order.

Member Stallman queried as to the interest of the study for rail corridors.   Ms. Benjamin responded that there was interest by a lot of the cities that wanted to do some land use planning.   Mr. Stallman queried as to the cost of the study.  Mr. Benjamin advised that the cost of the study will be $1.3 million,  take a year to complete, and be pushed out to the end of the Measure. 

On order of Chairperson Sullivan, Capital Program and Expenditure Sequencing considered by the VTA Board of Directors’ Workshop on October 1, 2004 were reviewed and commented on.

Ms. Chung stated that the existing Bicycle Expenditure Plan included three tiers of projects that had been evaluated based on the Board of Director’s adopted Evaluation Criteria and prioritized by VTA’s Bicycle Advisory Committee.

Ms. Chung advised the BPAC Members of the four major policy changes for the Bicycle Expenditure Program (BEP): 1) Merging Tier 1 and Tier 1 projects into a single BEP project list and merging the Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s (MTC) Regional Bicycle Pedestrian Plan (RBPP) funding into the PEB, 2) Revise existing policies and codifying existing practices governing the BEP funding and the BEP project list, 3) Extend the sunset of local set-aside funding for the BEP, and 4) Replace the existing adopted Evaluation Criteria based on MTC’s RBPP project evaluation criteria.

Ms. Chung referenced Attachment A - Proposed Policies of the Bicycle Expenditure Plan, Measure B - Projected BEP funding 2000-2020, and, Attachment C – Proposed Evaluation Criteria for the Bicycle Expenditure Program which reflects the merging of the two tiers, the merging of the funding and various types of funds available.

Ms. Chung outlined the Proposed Policies of the BEP with regard to:   1)   Start of Programming, 2) Minimum Match, 3) Annual Reporting, 4) Financially Constrained List, 5) Triennial Review, 6) New Projects, 7) Timely Implementation of Programmed Projects, 8) Status of Unprogrammed Projects, and 9) Requests for Additional Allocation. 

Ms. Chung advised that she will be proposing to abolish the Tier 3 List because cities have now come up with their own bike plans..

Member Simons requested staff review Member Stallman’s past motion regarding rebalancing and regarding taking larger projects instead of various smaller projects. 

Member Simons expressed concern regarding the affect the new policies will have the previous motion regarding Tier 3 projects. 

Ms. Chung outlined the Projected BEP Funding for years 2000 to 2030:   1) Maximum Brake (MB) – 12 million for year 2001; 2) Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA) 40% Program Manager – 11.2 million (50 percent set-aside) 2001 through 2010 and  $12 million (proposed set-aside) 2010 through 2030; 3) Transportation Development  Act 3 (TDA 3) $6.9 million (30 percent set aside) 2001 through 2010 and $11.7 million (proposed 25 percent set-aside) for 2010 through 2030; 4) Federal Transportation Enhancements - $2.2 million 2001 through 2010 and 2010 through 2030 to be determined pending Transportation Enhancement Activities-21 (TEA-21) reauthorization; Misc/Swap – $5.8 million 2001 through 2010; and MTC RBPP $37.5 million.

Member Simons recommended the policy remain consistent with prior votes regarding transfer of programs from Tier 2 to Tier 3, availability of funding and impacts.

On order of Chairperson Sullivan, there being no objection, the Proposed Policy Changes for the Bicycle Expenditure Program were reviewed and commented on.

Ms. Chung advised the BPAC that the Board of Directors will be adopting Tier 1 Bicycle Project List before adopting the Proposed Policy Changes.

Ms. Chung noted that the City of Campbell requested a major scope change.   Ms. Chung introduced Matthew Yu, City of Campbell to discuss the scope change.   Ms. Chung disbursed a copy of a letter dated September 27, 2004 from Robert Kass, Public Work Department to Ms. Chung regarding the scope change.

Mr. Yu stated that the City of Campbell has concerns regarding the entered into an agreement with Mark Thomas & Company for a Feasibility Study/Alternatives Analysis for a project that will provide an improved Bicycle/Pedestrian Crossing on Hamilton Avenue over Highway 17.   The City of Campbell has also entered into a Measure B Bicycle Fund Transfer Agreement with VTA to fund this portion of the Tier 1 project. 

Mr. Yu stated that the Study included reviewing all possible alternatives for Hamilton Avenue crossing and at least one other Highway 17 crossing and concluded that a bridge widening project only limited benefits to the community because of potential conflicts between bicyclists/pedestrians and very high traffic volumes and lane changes merging due to freeway on-rap movements. 

Mr. Yu noted that an analysis of the Campbell Avenue crossing reviewed the possibility of widening the existing undercrossing or constructing parallel bicycle or pedestrian tunnel under Highway 17.   After reviewing the existing improvements and discussion with Caltrans staff, Mark Thomas has concluded that widening of the existing structure is not economically feasible and that Caltrans will not support construction of a parallel tunnel for bicycles/pedestrians.   It is possible, however, to reconstruct the existing curb and sidewalk, reconfigure lane striping to provide on-street bicycle lanes, and improve the sidewalks for pedestrians. 

Mr. Yu stated that it will be essential to widen the adjacent, existing bridge over Los Gatos Creek to provide on-street bicycles lanes and sidewalks connective Bascom Avenue corridor to Downtown City of Campbell Corridor as Campbell Avenue is the selected location for an improved east-west bicycle/pedestrian crossing of Highway 17.   Mr. Thomas proposes widening the bridge approximately 10 feet at an estimated cost of $1,500,000 and therefore, the City of Campbell is requesting that the Tier 1 funds allocated to the Hamilton Avenue Bicycle/Pedestrian Improvement Project be reallocated to the improvements on Campbell Avenue.

M/S/C (Wadler/Carpenter) to recommend the Board of Directors adopt the revised Tier 1 Bicycle Projects and Schedules.

Ms. Chung reported that VTA purchased $70,000 worth of bike racks.   The racks will be sold to the City of San Jose first because they do have funding available that needs to be utilitized.  Bike racks will also be replaced at some of the light rail stations as well as installed at new stations when built.

Member Wadler, City of Campbell, reported that the City of Campbell’s BAC held discussions regarding bicycle/pedestrian lanes on Hamilton Avenue.

Member Carpenter, City of Mountain View, reported that the Hetch-Hetchy Trail in the City of Mountain View has been dedicated, the Bike Boulevard Study will be going to the City Council for approval, the Steve’s Creek Trail over Moffett Boulevard is coming along but unsure where funding will be coming from. 

Member Swent, City of Palo Alto, reported the bike maps for the City of Palo Alto should be out in October 2004, the e-lockers have been put in Downtown Palo Alto, the bicycle station will be closed for several months and at this time still have not found a new location, City Council did not approve the Homer Avenue undercrossing.

Member Reisinger, City of Milpitas, advised of the road closure southbound lanes on Piedmont Road because of a pipe that delivers water from the Aqueduct to the City of San Jose.

Member Stallman, City of Saratoga, reported that information regarding the DeAnza Trail is located on the mail page of the city website. 

Chairperson Sullivan, City of Santa Clara, reported that the City of Santa Clara’s Bicycle Advisory Committee staffed a booth at the Santa Clara Art & Wine Festival in  September 2004. The booth held a raffle for a bike donated by Offramp Bikeshop and 375 people pledged to ride their bikes or if in a car, to drive safely around bikes.

Member Riffle, City of Los Altos, introduced Scott Chan, the new City of Los Altos representative for BPAC effective November 10, 2004, there will be a meeting to discuss and receive input regarding the design on October 16, 2004.

On order of Chairperson Sullivan, there being no objection, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

 Respectfully submitted,