Countywide Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee MEETING1B AGENDA November 24, 2015 1:30 PM Sonoma County Transportation Authority SCTA Large Conference Room 490 Mendocino Avenue, Suite 206 Santa Rosa, California 95401 ITEM 1. Introductions 2. Public Comment 3. Approval of Notes: July 28, 2015 – DISCUSSION / ACTION* 4. Notice of CBPAC Officer Elections for 2016 - DISCUSSION* 5. Roundtable Updates 5.1. Member Updates 5.2. Other Entities’ Updates 6. Sonoma Valley Trail Feasibility Study – Elizabeth Tyree – PRESENTATION Link to draft document – http://www.bikesonoma.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/SVT- StudyReport-Draft_11-6-15.pdf 7. Pre-Call for FY 2015-2016 TDA3 Projects – DISCUSSION* 8. Active Transportation Program (ATP) Cycle 2 Update – DISCUSSION* 9. Articles and Events of Interest – INFORMATION 9.1. AB 1096 http://www.peopleforbikes.org/blog/entry/new-e-bike-law-passes-in-california 9.2. YES Conference January 30, 2016 http://www.sparetheairyouth.com/2016-yes-conference 10. Other Business / Comments / Announcements 11. Adjourn - ACTION *Materials attached. The next S C T A meeting will be held December 14, 2015 The next CBPAC meeting will be held January 26, 2016 Copies of the full Agenda Packet are available at www.sctainfo.org DISABLED ACCOMMODATION: If you have a disability that requires the agenda materials to be in an alternate format or that requires an interpreter or other person to assist you while attending this meeting, please contact SCTA at least 72 hours prior to the meeting to ensure arrangements for accommodation. SB 343 DOCUMENTS RELATED TO OPEN SESSION AGENDAS: Materials related to an item on this agenda submitted to the COUNTYWIDE BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection in the Sonoma County Transportation Authority office at 490 Mendocino Ave., Suite 206, during normal business hours. Pagers, cellular telephones and all other communication devices should be turned off during the committee meeting to avoid electrical interference with the sound recording system. 1 COUNTYWIDE BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING NOTES Meeting Notes of July 28, 2015 ITEM Geoffrey Skinner reported that Sue Kelly postponed her retirement until August 16 in 1. Introductions order to complete some final tasks. Meeting called to order at 1:37 by Chair Wendy Atkins. Mr. Skinner next reported that the Sebastopol Complete Streets Advisory Committee initiated Committee Members Present: Wendy Atkins, discussions with Sonoma County Transit and City of Sonoma, Chair; Nancy Adams, City of that they are discussing possible route Santa Rosa; Jim Bohar, City of Sonoma, changes. Citizen Representative; Geoffrey Skinner, City of Sebastopol; Elizabeth Tyree, Sonoma Mr. Skinner noted that vandalism has been County Regional Parks. reported along the Joe Rodota Trail between Stony Point Road and Dutton Avenue, with oak Guests: Bjorn Griepenburg. trees being cut down. Staff: Chris Barney, Nina Donofrio, Janet City of Sonoma: Spilman, Dana Turréy. Jim Bohar had nothing to report. 2. Public Comment N/A Ms. Atkins announced that two bicycle classes were held in June; one was a street skills class 3. Approval of Notes: April 28, 2015 – with approximately 15 attendees, and the other DISCUSSION / ACTION* was a family bicycle workshop that also had Approved as submitted. approximately 15 parents and children. 4. Roundtable Updates City of Santa Rosa: 4.1. Member Updates Nancy Adams had nothing to report. Sonoma County Regional Parks: 4.2. Other Entities’ Updates N/A Elizabeth Tyree announced the award of a bid to begin construction shortly on the SMART 5. Facilitating Suburban Bike-to-Rail, UO bicycle/pedestrian trail between Millbrae and Master’s Project – Bjorn Griepenburg – connecting to the Joe Rodota Trail. PRESENTATION Mr. Griepenburg, a planning intern with the Ms. Tyree next reported that final approval has University of Oregon, presented slides of his been received from the school next to Larsen Master’s Project, explaining that he was Park for construction of the bridge and next originally from Petaluma and is therefore very stretch of the Sonoma Valley Trail to Eagle interested in Sonoma County project planning. Road. City of Sebastopol: 2 Mr. Griepenburg presented the overview of his Among the recommendations were that bicycle project, summarizing why bike-to-rail is facilities classifications be changed from the important; policies; research materials he used Level I, III and III standard to one that reflects as reference; and recommendations. the stress/comfort levels of the bicycle path. Mr. Griepenburg noted that mode shift will take Referring to the benefits of bike/transit place when anyone can access the rail station integration, Mr. Griepenburg explained how the via low stress bicycle routes, and when the park and ride system is not compatible with service area opens up to low stress/comfort Transit Oriented Development (TOD), and that routes. in order to reduce reliance on automobiles the catchment area to rail stations (both walking 6. Comprehensive Transportation Plan Update and bicycling) must be extended. He noted that – DISCUSSION** the widely accepted standard for catchment to Ms. Turréy referred to an early draft of the stations on foot is one-half mile; on bicycle, it is “Existing Conditions” section of the CTP, three miles, and that the Federal Transportation explaining that all the projects have been Authority (FTA) considers bicycle projects that collected, and requesting the Committee’s are within of three miles for funding. feedback. She referred the Committee to Janet Spilman for their comments, explaining that she Mr. Griepenburg cited examples of successful would be out on leave for the next T-TAC suburban planning for bicycle access to transit meeting; Ms. Spilman requested comments and rail. He noted that 17% of passengers on within the next two weeks, as this is an early Caltrain access the station by bicycle. draft. Citing the factors that encourage people to use Ms. Turréy announced that the project lists are bicycles to transit, Mr. Griepenburg cited the available online for viewing. ease of accessibility and bicycle amenities at the station (locking bicycle storage/parking), 7. TFCA/TDA3 Quarterly Report – and “bicycle cars” on rail to accommodate INFORMATION** cyclists. Ms. Turréy distributed the report, noting that has been sent to the Technical Advisory Next steps would include project identification Committee. It reflects information as of the and prioritization. This would include plan fourth quarter of Fiscal Year 2014/15 and review at the regional (MTC) level and county shows all the TDA3 projects. She invited the (CMA/SCTA) level. Mr. Griepenburg noted that Committee to contact her with any questions. the Countywide Bicycle/Pedestrian Master Plan and almost all Sonoma County bicycle and 8. Caltrans District 4 Bicycle Plan – pedestrian master plans integrate bicycles with INFORMATION* transit. Ms. Turréy explained that Caltrans is focusing on bicycle routes that cross State highways; Mr. Griepenburg also cited the need for “Safe this would include off ramps. She noted she is Routes to Transit” in these bicycle/pedestrian seeking further information on this. She plans, and emphasizing complete streets, confirmed that Caltrans is developing the plan particularly in station area plans. He also for District 4. referred to the issue of connectivity between Class I bicycle facilities, including the SMART 9. Articles of Interest – INFORMATION bicycle/pedestrian pathway, and the varying Ms. Turréy referred the Committee to the degrees of attention given to the importance of following articles for their information: connections with bicycle facilities beyond the 9.1. Senate Committee Passes DRIVE Act station area. Unanimously After Some Tinkering – StreetsBlog USA - Bicycle sheds for rail stations were included in http://usa.streetsblog.org/2015/06/25/senate- the recommended next steps, as well as committee-passes-drive-act-unanimously-after- addressing stress levels to street segments, some-tinkering/ rated by traffic conditions and their perceived 9.2. The Feds Jump on Board: Protected Bike Lanes safety level. Are Now Official Federal Policy – People for 3 Bikes - http://www.peopleforbikes.org/blog/entry/the- feds-jump-on-board-protected-bike-lanes-are- now-official-federal-policy 9.3. Closing Streets to Cars for Walkers and Cyclists Is Getting More Popular by the Minute – Next City - http://nextcity.org/daily/entry/san-jose- street-event-new-york-central-park-closed-to- cars 10. Other Business / Comments / Announcements Nancy Adams announced that the City has submitted their application as a Bicycle Friendly City. 11. Adjourn - ACTION 2:25 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for September 22, 2015. 4 Staff Report To: Countywide Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee From: Dana Turrey, Transportation Planner Item: CBPAC Officer Elections for 2016 Date: November 24, 2015 Issue: The election of Chair and Vice Chair of the Countywide Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee (CBPAC) for 2016 is noticed for the CBPAC meeting scheduled on January 26, 2016. Background: The committee’s purpose is to provide technical assistance to the Sonoma County Transportation Authority (SCTA) related to bicycle and pedestrian planning and funding. The CBPAC meetings serve as a forum for the exchange of information about bicyclist and pedestrian issues and to coordinate efforts countywide. • Officers: SCTA’s Ordinance No.3 requires that a Chair and Vice Chair be elected at the first meeting of the year to lead the CBPAC during the calendar year. Officers must be members of the CBPAC. There are no other requirements or term limits. Wendy Atkins, City of Sonoma staff member, has been Chair during 2011-2015 and has consented to be a candidate for Chair in 2016. Geoffrey Skinner has been Vice Chair during 2015 has consented to be a candidate for Vice Chair again in 2016. The candidates are also happy to step down and provide the opportunity for others on the Committee to take on the roles of Chair and Vice Chair. Additional nominations, including self- nomination, from the pool of members may be made for either office at the January meeting.