2019/02/25 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Minutes JON ERT Pq RK
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Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC)
Meeting Minutes
C4LIFORN'P
5:30 PM, Monday, February 25, 2019
Rohnert Park City Hall, Conference Room 2A
130 Avram Avenue, Rohnert Park, California 94928
Members Present: Creighton Bell X Tim Hensel X Shirley Johnson X_
Gary Kenworthy Katie Musick X
Non-Voting Participants: Vanessa Garrett, Deputy City Engineer, City of Rohnert Park; Eydie Tacata,
Management Analyst, City of Rohnert Park; Eris Weaver, Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition; Tim Smith,
resident
1. Call to Order
Chair Katie Musick called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM.
2. Introductions
Chair Musick commenced self-introductions.
3. Public Comments
Tim Smith (4467 Hollingsworth Circle) spoke about the need for a bicycle/pedestrian bridge over the
creek between Holly and Fauna Avenues. Mr. Smith said that when he was on the City Council, the
Holly-Fauna Bridge was in the Rohnert Park General Plan circulation element and the City's Capital
Improvements Plan (CIP). While one citizen expressed opposition to the bridge at a City Council
meeting at the time—and the proposed bridge project has since disappeared from the CIP—the need
for a bridge has not gone away. He showed a photo of the creek full of water from the recent storm.
Mr. Smith gave several reasons to install a bridge, such as environmental protection of the creek by
mitigating the items placed there to cross it(e.g. planks, mattresses); creating additional emergency
egress in the neighborhood; and providing accessible routes for a wider range of users. Mr. Smith
said that there is considerable support for a bridge among his neighbors. He asked the Committee to
study the issue and need for the project. He advocates putting the project back on the City's CIP.
Eris Weaver, Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition, introduced herself as the new Executive Director.
Ms. Weaver said that she was getting out to all parts of Sonoma County to listen in on the various
bicycle and pedestrian committees and to make sure they knew of SCBC's ongoing support and
advocacy. In an effort to create an ongoing stream of knowledge of what's going on throughout the
County, she was looking for a volunteer"correspondent" from each of the bicycle/pedestrian
advisory committees, and she hoped that the Rohnert Park Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee would
consider providing one. Ms. Weaver left her contact information for follow-up.
4. Consideration of Approval of Minutes of December 17, 2018
Vice Chair Creighton Bell moved to approve meeting minutes of December 17, 2018; the motion
was seconded by Committee Member Shirley Johnson and approved by a vote count of 4 ayes (Bell,
Hensel, Johnson, Musick), 0 nays, 0 abstentions, 1 absence (Kenworthy).
Rohnert Park Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
February 25,2019 Meeting Minutes
5. Bicycle and Pedestrian Project Updates
Vanessa Garrett, Deputy City Engineer, provide updates on several bicycle and pedestrian facility
projects going to construction later this spring and summer:
• Laguna Bridge Approach ADA Upgrade
The bid opening for this project will be held on March 6, 2019. The project will improve the east
and west approaches of the Laguna Bike/Ped Bridge to have ADA-compliant slopes and to
prevent the recurring and problematic "lip" that forms at the junction of the asphalt path and
bridge.
• Pathway Repaving
This project will replace existing failing asphalt paths at several locations with concrete path,
which is the updated City construction standard. The locations include the Coleman Creek Path
from Golis Park to Hillview Way and the path on west side of Camino Colegio from Magnolia
Drive to the City well site.
Committee Member Johnson asked whether the asphalt path on Camino Colegio north of SOMO
Village was considered for rehabilitation. Ms. Garrett said that the path segment belongs to the
owners of SOMO Village, making it their responsibility for repair or replacement.
• Sidewalk Rehabilitation and New Installations
Failing sidewalk will be replaced at several locations, including: south side of Southwest
Boulevard between Camino Colegio and Country Club Drive; north side of Camino Colegio
between Manchester Avenue and Mitchell Drive; northeast corner of Commerce Boulevard and
Arlen Drive; driveway of Northern Fire Station on Country Club Drive; and north side of
Rohnert Park Expressway west of Lynne Conde Way. The project will also include a sidewalk
gap closure on Labath Avenue.
• ADA Ramp Upgrades
ADA ramps will be upgraded at locations along Redwood Drive and Commerce Boulevard,
including width and slope correction and installation of truncated dome tactile surfaces.
Committee Member Johnson noted that while she appreciates the need for the tactile surfaces for
visually-impaired users,the truncated domes pose difficulties for others, including wheelchair
users such as herself, other assisted-mobility users (e.g. walkers), and even users with strollers.
Vice Chair Bell agreed and asked if there were other alternatives for tactile surfaces. Ms. Garrett
said that the truncated domes were the current Caltrans standard meeting ADA requirements.
6. Southwest/Commerce Roundabout
Ms. Tacata explained that in anticipation of a Southwest/Commerce Roundabout item at the March
25th meeting, she provided minutes of past meetings when the Committee discussed various bike and
pedestrian issues as well as facility deficiencies at the project location.
Vice Chair Bell asked about the extent of the roundabout project. Ms. Garrett said that besides the
roundabout itself, the project concept at this time includes repaving and reconfiguring of Southwest
Boulevard to No Name Street and Commerce Boulevard to Alison Avenue, and possibly a new
sidewalk along the north side of Southwest Boulevard.
Chair Musick asked what exactly was needed from Committee members at the March discussion
about the roundabout. Ms. Tacata said she wanted the Committee members to review the minutes
Rohnert Park Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
February 25,2019 Meeting Minutes
and determine if the issues the Committee brought up were still relevant, and also if they had other
concerns that would inform an upcoming Request for Proposals for design of the roundabout.
7. 2019 Meeting Calendar
The Committee and staff reviewed the calendar and agreed to the following 2019 meeting dates:
March 25, April 22, May 20, June 24, July 22, August 26, September 23, October 28,November 18
and December 16.
8. Staff and Committee Member Updates on Previous Matters
Ms. Tacata reported that the pedestrian-activated Rapid Rectancular Flashing Beacon (RRFB) signs
at the Snyder Lane @ Capri Way/Rosana Way crosswalk were installed a couple of months ago.
She said that this was a result of the Committee's study and their recommendation for safety
improvements at this crosswalk.
Chair Musick asked about the striping of the bike lane west of the Rohnert Park Expressway and
Petaluma Hill Road intersection which was brought up by Vin Hoagland, Sonoma County Bicycle &
Pedestrian Advisory Committee representative at a prior meeting. Ms. Tacata said she reviewed the
construction plans for the widening which showed that the striping was installed as designed—
unfortunately, not to include a bike lane to the left of the right vehicular lane.
9. New Matters for Future Consideration
Vice Chair Bell suggested revisiting the officer election schedule, noting that the City Council does
not approve appointments until their January meeting, yet the Committee's election of officers is in
December, when it may not be certain that some members will return. Ms. Tacata said that their
Committee Guidelines could be amended if they wish; the item would need to be put on a future
meeting agenda to be considered and acted on.
Committee Member Hensel said that along the Copeland Creek Path at a bridge location
approximately north of Richard Crane Elementary School, recycling and garbage receptacles were
recently installed but have not been emptied. Committee members shared that the City Public Works
could be called directly in this case. Chair Musick added that the City's customer service phone app
is very helpful, and she has found that graffiti and other issues are dealt with very quickly when she
uses the app to report them.
Chair Musick summarized a set of future agenda items, which included the request from Vice Chair
Bell to review officer elections and terms of office; a prior request from Committee Member Johnson
to review pedestrian facilities on the west side of town, especially Labath Avenue; a prior request
from Committee Member Hensel to look at the Golf Course Drive crosswalk at Hacienda Way; and
the citizen request to discuss the Holly-Fauna Bridge. She added that the Committee should have
field trips to look at the sites as necessary.
10. Adjournment
The Committee adjourned the meeting at approximately 6:30 PM.
Eydie Tacata, Recording Secretary Katie Musick, Chair
Rohnert Park Bicycle and Rohnert Park Bicycle and
Pedestrian Advisory Committee Pedestrian Advisory Committee