2019/07/22 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Minutes�Or1NER7 I?,k�,
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAQ
Meeting Minutes
5:30 PM, Monday, July 22, 2019
SITE VISIT: Myrtle Avenue between Lancaster Way and Hahn Way, and on
Liman Way between Ladybug Park and Myrtle Avenue
Members Present: Katie Musick X_ Creighton Bell X Tim Hensel X_
Shirley Johnson X Gary Kenworthy X
Non -Voting Participants: Eydie Tacata, Management Analyst, City of Rohnert Park; Jerry Griffin,
Parks and Recreation Commissioner; Eris Weaver, Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition
Call to Order
Chair Katie Musick called the meeting to order at approximately 5:31 PM.
2. Introductions
Chair- Musick commenced self -introductions.
3. Public Comment
There was no public comment about items not on the meeting agenda.
4. Site Visit Observations
The Committee members and other site visit attendees met along the west sidewalk of Liman Way,
just north of the corner of Myrtle Avenue and Liman Way.
Staff member Eydie Tacata explained that at an August 2016 joint workshop with the City of
Rohnert Park Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee and City of Cotati Planning Commission, there
was discussion about a mid -block crossing of Myrtle Avenue. A watershed education volunteer described
how he would guide groups of University Elementary at La Fiesta students along the trails of the Laguna
de Santa Rosa Channel just south of the school. They would exit through the access path to Myrtle
Avenue, then cross the road at the unmarked location, and continue to the informal, unpaved paths south
of Myrtle Avenue to the Lydia Community Gardens.
The group walked to a path access point about 400' west of the intersection Myrtle Avenue and
Liman Way and discussed the following issues:
Condition of access path and path along the Laguna de Santa Rosa Channel between
Landsdown Circle and Myrtle Avenue: There was discussion about both the condition of the path
along the Laguna de Santa Rosa Channel ("Laguna Channel") and the access path between Myrtle
Avenue and the Laguna Channel. The group noted the overgrown vegetation and generally
unmaintained state of the path and channel. There was discussion about Sonoma County Water
Agency maintenance of the path. The history of the path was briefly discussed, with attendees
recalling that users of the path preferred a soft surface treatment and natural landscape, rather than a
paved path. Also discussed were past efforts by the Cotati Creek Critters to restore the Channel's
riparian habitat and the City of Rohnert Park's responsibility to maintain the short access path,
including trimming overgrown landscaping, if it is on City property.
Suggested mid -block crossing of Myrtle Avenue: Ms. Tacata asked the Committee about their
thoughts on a mid -block crossing at this location. Committee Member Tim Hensel noted that there
was a marked crosswalk already at Myrtle Avenue and Liman Way where there is also a stop sign:
this appeared to be safer choice for crossing young students. Committee Member Shirley Johnson
Rohnert Park Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
July 22, 2019 Meeting Minutes
observed that there is a storm drain inlet directly in line with the path entrance, which would pose a
challenge in constructing a marked crosswalk at the location of the path access.
Ms. Tacata asked the group about their thoughts on traffic calming, as there had been previous BPAC
concerns about automobile speeds on Myrtle Avenue. Committee Member Gary Kenworthy noted
that despite the posted speed limit of 25 mph, he could see that drivers would want to speed up, given
the straight road and perceived excess width of the street. Committee Member Johnson asked if a
raised table could be used for crosswalk and to calm traffic. Committee Member Hensel said it could
raise parking issue; Committee Member Kenworthy noted that there was a lot of street parking
available. There was additional discussion about the use of fog lines for traffic calming, and an
observation that there did not seem to be much traffic at the time, which should have been the
afternoon "rush hour" of people coming home from work.
Chair Musick asked a resident, who was momentarily at location, if he observed many people
crossing Myrtle Avenue here. He said that most people accessing the paths did not cross over to the
other side of the street, but instead would go east or west along Myrtle Avenue.
There was general discussion about the use of the informal paths south of Myrtle Avenue as well as
questions about jurisdictional ownership and easements along the paths.
Chair Musick said that she is not inclined to support the marking of a crosswalk at this mid -block
location. The group generally agreed.
Other access points to Laguna Channel path from the north: The group moved to the entrance of
Ladybug Park on Liman Way. There was discussion access of the Laguna Channel path via Ladybug
Park. Committee Member Creighton Bell and meeting attendee Eris Weaver noted that the turf
between the park and the Laguna Channel path is usually soggy. Committee Member Kenworthy said
that the Cotati well site west of the park offered the most direct and paved access to the Laguna
Channel path. Committee members also noted that there was genet -ally no clear indication of where
paths and connections are in this area. Chair Musick saying that this is another example of where a
wayfinding system could be very helpful.
5. Adjournment
The Committee adjourned the meeting at approximately 6:30 PM.
Eydie Tacata, Recording Secretary
Rohnert Park Bicycle and
Pedestrian Advisory Committee
Katie Musick, Chair
Rohnert Park Bicycle and
Pedestrian Advisory Committee