2015/08/24 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee MinutesFINAL
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Bicycle Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
5:30 PM, Monday, August 24, 2015
Rohnert Park City Hall
130 Avram Avenue
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
Members Present: Tim Hensel (Chair) X Terry Gault (Vice -Chair) _
Stephen Gold X Katie Musick ---- X Carson Williams X
Non -Voting Participants:
X Chris Borr, Parks & Recreation Commission Liaison
X Eydie Tacata, Staff
Call to Order
Chair Tim Hensel called the meeting to order at 5:34 PM.
2. Introductions
Chair Hensel commenced self -introductions. Committee Members present were Tim Hensel,
Stephen Gold, Katie Musick and Carson Williams; City staff present were Eydie Tacata, Management
Analyst, and Mary Grace Pawson, Acting Development Services Director/City Engineer; also present
were Chris Borr, Parks & Recreation Commission Liaison, and Creighton Bell, member of the public.
3. Approval of Minutes of Meeting of July 27, 2015
Committee Member Gold moved to approve the July 27, 2015 meeting minutes; the motion was
seconded by Committee Member Musick and carried unanimously (3-0-1-1).
4. SMART Multi -Use Path: Update
Chair Hensel introduced the item. Staff member Mary Grace Pawson updated the Committee
and answered questions about the SMART Multi -Use Path (MUP) segment through Rohnert Park,
including:
• Status of funding of the MUP through Rohnert Park — SMART has obtained funding for
environmental permitting and construction of the Rohnert Park segment from the City limits just
north of East Cotati Avenue up through Golf Course Drive.
• Placement of the MUP — The MUP will be on the east side of the railroad tracks for all of the
segment through Rohnert Park. The Rohnert Park SMART Station is on the west side of the track.
• Construction schedule — The MUP construction is expected to start in Spring/Summer 2016. The
same design/build contractor which built the rail operating line will build the MUP and Rohnert
Park Station.
• Signals — Staff member Pawson reported that SMART is responsible for installing/modifying the
traffic signals at the MUP / city street intersections. There was discussion among the Committee and
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August 24, 2015 Meeting Minutes
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staff about pedestrian- and bicycle -actuated signals; signal actuation from the MUP; and whether
actuation would bring down the railroad gate arms.
MUP crossing at Rohnert Park Expressway — Staff member Pawson described SMART's current
design of the crossing of the MUP through Rohnert Park Expressway in relation to the railroad gate
arms and in the formation of a "backward Z"; a bicycle/pedestrian refuge; and overhead warning
lights on Rohnert Park Expressway. There was discussion among the Committee and staff about
SMART's design; pavement markings on the MUP to warn users approaching the intersection;
existing bike lanes on Rohnert Park Expressway through the intersection; the use of green bike lanes
on Rohnert Park Expressway at potential conflict areas; adequate signal timing for pedestrians and
bicyclists to cross; differentiated signal actuation for bikes and pedestrians, and ADA accessibility.
• MUP crossing at Golf Course Drive — In response to a question from the Committee, staff member
Pawson answered that SMART was not providing crossing enhancements where the MUP intersects
Golf Course Drive.
■ Fencing along track — In response to a question from the Committee, staff member Pawson
answered that SMART has planned extensive fencing along the MUP, separating it from the rail
operating line.
• Section of MUP south of East Cotati Avenue through City Limits —There was discussion among the
Committee and staff about the southernmost section of the MUP through Rohnert Park for which
SMART has not secured funding; potential access through existing Sonoma Mountain Village
rights-of-way and streets to connect back to MUP; potential access to MUP at Maple Drive; and
informal crossings at location south of L Section to Sonoma Mountain Village.
• Wayfinding — Staff member Pawson responded to a question from the Committee about wayfinding,
answering that some wayfinding signage is grant -funded for the Rohnert Park Priority Development
Area to direct the traveling public to and from the SMART Station, key landmarks and the bike path
system. There was discussion among the Committee about maps and need for signs on creek paths
out to streets.
• Construction path construction — Staff member Pawson responded to a question from the Committee
about the MUP construction, answering that it is likely asphalt, and although the City would like to
it to be concrete, that the City would ask SMART for lime -treatment of the underlying soils.
• Maintenance of the MUP— Staff member Pawson responded to a question from the Committee
about sweeping of the MUP, that SMART is responsible for maintenance of the MUP, but that it is
likely that such sweeping would occur at best infrequently.
5. Invitation to City of Cotati representatives to future Rohnert Park Bicycle Advisory
Committee meeting (Discussion)
Chair Hensel introduced the item. Staff member Tacata said that the Committee asked for this
item to be agendized for discussion. She asked the Committee about particular topics or issues they
want to discuss with the bike and pedestrian advisory body at the City of Cotati. The Committee
suggested signage consistency; Bike to Work Day; specific bike/ped projects that cross over
jurisdictions or where the city limits adjoin, for example where Class 11 bike lanes in one city meets a
Class 111 of the other; network maintenance issues; and SMART and the MUP. There was a suggestion
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August 24, 2015 Meeting Minutes
for staff to send Rohnert Park BAC agendas to Cotati. Staff member Tacata said that she would contact
the Community Development Director Vicki Parker to discuss the coordination of a meeting, especially
if the two committees are subject to the Brown Act.
6. New Matters for Future Consideration
The committee members suggested the following matters to consider for future Committee
agendas: Pedestrians crossing East Cotati Avenue mid -block from Sonoma State University to Wolf
Den Plaza
The committee members also requested a draft annual schedule of topics and a standing item or
regularly -scheduled check-in from the Department of Public Safety.
5. Public Comments
Creighton Bell reported that the traffic signal at Doubletree Drive and Golf Course Drive was
not detecting motorcycles. He also reported a hazardous condition of uneven junction between the
bike/ped bridge and adjoining pavement at the Laguna Channel and Commerce Boulevard Bike Path.
6. Adjournment
Chair Hensel moved to adjourn the meeting; the motion was seconded by Committee Member
Gold and carried unanimously (4-0-1-0).
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 6:53 PM.
Eydie Tacata, Recording Secretary
Rohnert Park Bicycle Advisory Committee
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Tim Hensel, Committee Chair
Rohnert Park Bicycle Advisory Committee