Loading...
2017/06/26 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Minutes .055NERT p,,?4 5 . sz‘.. ''''*- - Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) z,,,,, RN,, Meeting Minutes 5:30 PM, Monday, June 26, 2017 2nd Floor Conference Room, Rohnert Park City Hall 130 Avram Avenue, Rohnert Park, California 94928 Members Present: Stephen Gold(Chair)X Terry Gault(Vice-Chair)X Gary Gutierrez X Tim Hensel Katie Musick X (5:55 PM) Non-Voting Participants: Eydie Tacata, Management Analyst 1. Call to Order Chair Stephen Gold called the meeting to order at 5:35 PM. 2. Introductions Chair Gold commenced self-introductions. 3. Public Comment There were no members of the public present. 4. Consideration of Approval of Minutes of May 22,2017 Meeting Committee Member Gary Gutierrez moved to approve minutes of the meeting of May 22, 2017; the motion was seconded by Vice Chair Terry Gault and was approved by a vote count of 3 ayes (Gold, Gault, Gutierrez)—0 nays—2 absences(Hensel, Musick)—0 abstentions. 5. Evaluation of Select Crosswalks at Mid-Blocks and Uncontrolled Intersections Chair Gold introduced the item. Staff member Eydie Tacata said that the item was a continuation of the May 22nd discussion item as prepared by Chair Gold. The Committee resumed the evaluation. ➢ Country Club Drive at Copeland Creek (2 crosswalks) Committee Member Gutierrez noted the bus stops in the vicinity of this location and asked if there there is any requirement to have crosswalks near bus stops. Ms. Tacata said that she did not believe that there any such requirement. Vice-Chair Gault said that when he has used the north Copeland Creek path for running, he has noticed a blind spot, west of the north crosswalk. Chair Gold noted that this location seems to be a candidate for push-button activated flashing lights. He noted that the Department of Public Safety report showing a history of collisions in the vicinity of these crosswalks. He said that slowing down vehicles in this area or alerting motorists and path users may be of help. Chair Gold asked the Committee if they notice any lighting issues at this crosswalk location. Vice- Chair Gault said he has not, as he avoids the Copeland Creek path at night. There was brief discussion about the homeless presence along Copeland Creek and residents' and college students' use of the path. Ms. Tacata said that members of previous Rohnert Park Bicycle Advisory Committees have cited bicyclist riding too fast on the paths and entering the street intersection without looking. They suggested slowing down bicyclists with signs warning bicyclist on the path about the upcoming street, refreshing the "Look' pavement markings at the path exit/entrance, or even physical barriers such as bollards or Rohnert Park Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee June 26,2017 Meeting Minutes gates to force bicyclists to stop before crossing Country Club Drive. Committee Member Gutierrez noted that because it is such a straight path,there is a tendency for bicyclists to want to ride fast. Ms. Tacata also added that at a Town Hall about a year ago, a citizen requested that the City put up signs telling bicyclists to warn pedestrians of their approach by ringing their bike bells or verbally. There was brief discussion about bicycle etiquette and culture about different users sharing the path. Committee Member Gutierrez asked if there are speed bumps for bicycles. Several Committee members and staff replied that they had not seen any. Committee Member Katherine Musick joined the meeting at 5:55 PM. The discussion continued regarding the visibility at the northwest corner. Vice-Chair Gault and Committee Member Musick noted the presence of a wall and a tree that appears to block motorists' view of eastbound pedestrians approaching the north crosswalk at Country Club Drive. There was discussion about whether the tree and fence at the northeast corner was public or private property. Chair Gold wondered if the property owner could be approached about these. Committee Member Musick asked if a rumble strip could be placed on Country Club Drive to slow down vehicles, or perhaps sawtooth markings to emphasize the crosswalk, especially on southbound Country Club Drive. There was additional discussion about traffic calming. Committee Member Musick also mentioned that there is a not a lot of warning for bicyclists on the path about the crossing, and that perhaps a stop sign or yield sign on the path could alert bicyclists. Chair Gold confirmed with the Committee that the recommendation for this crosswalk location would be for a push-button activated flashing light. ➢ Snyder Lane at Capri Way/Rosana Way Committee Member Musick asked what has come of the investigation in which the bicyclist hit the car. Chair Gold and staff said that they have not seen further reports about the investigation into the incident. Chair Gold briefly reviewed the list from Public Safety of the several collisions at this location. He also recalled the discussion with Public Safety Commander Aaron Johnson about the"A Pillar" effect that might have contributed to the motorist not seeing the bicyclist in one of the incidents. Chair Gold asked the Committee if they supported the installation of a push-button activated flashing sign or not, given the discussion at previous meetings to remove the crosswalk altogether. Ms. Tacata said that at a previous meeting, Commander Johnson expressed support to remove the crosswalk. There was discussion among the Committee that there is a lot of signage and lights on Snyder Lane already, that the crosswalk provides false sense of security, and that students walking on this street could use the existing crosswalk facility at Southwest Boulevard and Snyder Lane instead. Chair Gold confirmed that the Committee recommends removal of the crosswalk at this location. Camino Colegio at Maple Drive Chair Gold noted the bus stop in vicinity of this crosswalk. Committee Member Gutierrez asked where bus users would cross to access the bus stop if the crosswalk were to be removed. Chair Gold replied that users can cross streets without a crosswalk. There was discussion about the past,present and future vehicular traffic on Camino Colegio. It was generally agreed that the car traffic on this street is fairly light at present, but with the further development of Sonoma Mountain Village and the new housing subdivisions in the southeast area of Rohnert Park, car traffic will be heavier in the future. Rohnert Park Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee June 26,2017 Meeting Minutes Committee Member Gutierrez asked about accidents at this location. Chair Gold said that there were none in the last 4 years, according to Public Safety's bicycle and pedestrian collision report. There was discussion about adding a stop sign or removing the crosswalk. Vice-Chair Gault said he favors a stop sign. There was general agreement from the Committee members that a stop sign should be added. Chair Gold added that it could be a 4-way stop. Chair Gold confirmed with the Committee that removing the crosswalk would be the 2nd choice recommendation. ➢ Camino Colegio at Manchester Avenue/Valley House Drive Chair Gold said that he is surprised that there is not a traffic light at this intersection, given the plans for development for Sonoma Mountain Village. Ms. Tacata said that the Sonoma Mountain Village Final Development Plan(FDP)may show a planned traffic light, especially that the FDP has a different configuration of internal streets within the development at final buildout. The Committee looked up the Sonoma Mountain Village Final Development Plan on the City of Rohnert Park website and saw that there was no traffic light shown at this intersection. Vice-Chair Gault said that there should be a stop sign at this intersection at a minimum. Committee Member Musick agreed. Chair Gold confirmed the Committee's recommendation for a stop sign to be installed at this intersection, along with removal of the crosswalk, unless there are actually future plans for a traffic light. 6. Staff and Committee Member Updates on Previous Matters Ms. Tacata reported on the Letter of Support submitted by the City for the MTC Bike Share Capital Grant Program application developed by the Transportation Authority of Marin(TAM) and the Sonoma County Transportation Authority(SCTA). She said that the details of the application are still being worked out. The application is due by June 30, 2017. Chair Gold reported on the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Trail to Crane Creek Regional Park, which took place on June 8th. He said that it was a nice event, but he would have liked to for City of Cotati representatives be invited. He also said that there was a notable absence of Sonoma State University administration or staff. 7. New Matters for Future Consideration There was a short discussion about the recent heatwave and whether it may have affected the infrastructure. Chair Gold suggested that if there was any effect, the Deputy City Engineer could be invited to talk about it at an upcoming meeting. Chair Gold reminded the Committee that July 24 is the date of the next meeting. 8. Adjournment The Committee concurred to adjourn the meeting at approximately 6:45 PM. Eydie Tacata, Recording Secretary Stephen Gold, Chair Rohnert Park Bicycle and Rohnert Park Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Pedestrian Advisory Committee