Sacramento City County Bicycle Advisory Committee Meeting - March 16, 2017
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Sacramento City County Bicycle Advisory Committee Meeting - March 16, 2017
The City County Bicycle Advisory Committee (SacBAC) met on Thursday, March 16, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber. The committee reviewed and approved minutes, received updates on the Urban Greening Grant Program, the Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail flooding impacts, the Del Rio Trail, Vision Zero, and the committee's role. It also took action on a program analyst interview panel and discussed the upcoming Open Streets event.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes for January 10, 2017: The minutes were corrected to reflect that Christine Casey was present, that Matthew Read voted "aye" rather than abstained on the November minutes, and that the action on item eight was "tabled." Approved as amended by a voice vote (Matthew Read abstained, Jonathan Lee abstained).
- Approval of Minutes for February 16, 2017: Corrections included lowercase "chambers," noting that Member Farland was present, and correcting the spelling of "adopt." A request to add the Bicycle Master Plan Implementation Plan to future meeting topics was also noted. Approved as amended by a voice vote (no abstentions).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Dan Allison (Resident): Commented on flooding issues along the American River Parkway, including a low spot at the railroad undercrossing that remained flooded until March 13, and inadequate signage for trail closures and detours. He also spoke later about his experience with Open Streets events in San Francisco and offered to help with the local event, including a "Freedom from Training Wheels" program for children.
- Walt Seifert (via written comments read into record): Recommended grade-separated crossings for the Del Rio Trail to improve safety (Vision Zero) and suggested the trail could be a candidate for the Urban Greening Grant Program. On Vision Zero, he urged consideration of distracted driving as a collision cause, even if not reflected in current data.
- Russell Hanley (Midtown Resident): Expressed concerns about the city's new sidewalk riding ordinance, arguing that cyclists belong on the street with better infrastructure and education for both cyclists and motorists. He also called for motorist safety education, noting that both groups are "woefully undereducated."
Discussion Items
- Urban Greening Grant Program (Lucinda Willcox, City Public Works): The state grant program, funded by cap-and-trade, makes $76 million available statewide with applications due May 1, 2017. Projects must reduce greenhouse gas emissions through tree planting, building shade, or reducing vehicle miles traveled. At least 75% of funds must benefit disadvantaged communities defined by CalEnviroScreen. Staff is evaluating projects from existing plans and seeking input from the committee. Members suggested considering projects in Oak Park and Del Paso Heights, connecting to transit, and improving signage and bike parking. The committee noted the lack of a prioritized list of bicycle projects due to the incomplete Bicycle Master Plan Implementation Plan.
- Access along Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail during Flooding (Michael Doane, County Chief Park Ranger): Doane reported on the parkway closures during high flows (60,000–80,000 cfs) and ongoing damage, including a undermined trail near mile 2.75, damage to the PCA Bridge at Sunrise (closed until Memorial Day), and repairs underway. He described improved website status boards and social media updates. Members raised concerns about inadequate signage at access points, inconsistent enforcement, and the need for clear detour routes. The committee stressed the importance of the trail for commuters.
- Del Rio Trail Update (Pamela Dawson Walling, Dawkins Engineering): The project proposes a 4.5-mile Class I multi-use trail along a former rail corridor from the Sacramento River Bike Trail to the Freeport Shores Bikeway. A Trail Advisory Group (TAG) provided input on trail cross-section (separate paved bike path and DG walking trail), alignment (light meandering), access points (more connections preferred), and safety (lighting, increased access, landscaping). The first public meeting is scheduled for March 22, 2017, at Pony Express Elementary School. Final design is expected by summer 2018. Members noted that the trail serves one of the most affluent neighborhoods and urged attention to equitable distribution of bikeway projects.
- Vision Zero Update (Jennifer Donlon Wyant, City Active Transportation Program Specialist): The city is developing a Vision Zero Action Plan. The collision landscape analysis (2009–2013 data) was presented; key findings include that 20% of roadways with speed limits over 25 mph account for 80% of severe bike collisions, and arterials/collectors (23% of the system) account for 79% of severe bike collisions. The next steps are developing profiles of high-injury corridors, identifying countermeasures, and conducting community outreach. The committee asked about incorporating equity and distracted driving. The city applied for an OTS grant for education, enforcement, and encouragement programs.
- SacBAC Role Ad-Hoc Subcommittee Report (Matthew Read): The subcommittee is developing an onboarding packet for new members and exploring potential charter changes to allow mandatory plan review. A yearly schedule of input opportunities is being finalized. The report was received for information.
- Action Item: City Program Analyst Interview Panel: The committee nominated Matthew Read to serve as the city representative on the interview panel for a new program analyst position in active transportation. Approved unanimously.
- Action Item: Open Streets Activation Committee: The city is planning its first Open Streets event in May 2017 (Sunday, date and location to be announced next week). The event will be on Broadway, more than a mile long, with no dedicated city budget; fundraising is ongoing. The committee is seeking one volunteer to serve on the activation committee. Dan Allison offered his expertise. Members expressed interest pending schedule details.
Key Outcomes
- Minutes Approved: Both sets of minutes were approved with amendments.
- Interview Panel Representative: Matthew Read was approved to serve on the City Program Analyst interview panel.
- Open Streets: The committee will consider a volunteer representative for the activation committee; details to be announced.
- Future Meeting Topics: The committee agreed to keep the current list and will prioritize items such as the Bicycle Master Plan Implementation Plan, 2017 funding opportunities, and a Sacramento Police Department presentation on the Bait Bike program. Members suggested using in-meeting polls to prioritize topics.
- Term Expirations: Several city-appointed members (Christine Casey, Matthew Read, Ann, and Mel) noted their terms expire May 1, 2017. Christine Casey and Matthew Read indicated they will not reapply. The county has no term limits; reappointment is required.
- Next Meeting: April 20, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. in the same location.
Meeting Transcript
It now being the appointed hour, will it come to order, please? It's the uh March sixteenth meeting of the city county uh bicycle advisory committee. Ready for take the roll? Yes, I'll take the roll. Umber Farland, not here, member Reed. Member Siparel, not here, member Lee. Member Casey. Member Wheeland, Chair. Here. Member Lang. Member Melvin. Member Cassell. Here. Wonderful. We have a quorum. Couple of housekeeping rules. Um this meeting is broadcast live on our website, and we'll be there thereafter if you wish to go back and see what we talked about. If you have a cell phone, uh, please silence it. Speaker slips are located in the back of the room on the ledge by the window. Um, if you'd like to speak, please fill it out and turn it into Dan. Um, Dan, can you introduce yourself and Dan Clinker with the county? The speaker limit is three minutes. We also have a cordless microphone and assistive listening devices. Should anyone need that? Okay, thank you very much. Uh we normally would look at vote on the minutes uh on a consent calendar item as one item, but I notice there are small errors in each of the the minutes. So let's take them one at a time. Uh beginning in chronological order, that would be the January minutes. Um there any additions or corrections to the January minutes. I noted two that uh Christine Casey was noted as both absent and present. Um were you was it your alter ego? I'm trying to remember honestly, it's the last like four months have been a blur. Um but I it does show that I voted to approve the minutes previously, so I'm guessing that I was present. I agree. I think you were just a little bit started, just came in a little bit after we started. So can we uh have the minutes reflect that Christine was present? Um down in the middle of the page on the item uh approval of the minutes for November. I believe I voted aye rather than abstain. If we could correct that, and then on item eight on page two, or actually it's page four of the minutes. Um I noticed. I'm sorry, what uh I'm thinking that it should reflect that there was no none as action taken, and that if we did table it, in fact, that's an action and should just reflect that. Does anybody know which is correct? The item was tabled because Dan was not here. So let's show that the action uh just that the item was tabled. Are there any other corrections? Christine I was just gonna mention about being absent and present, so no more concerns. Anyone else have a motion to approve the January minutes as amended? Oh, so I am listed as having approved the November minutes, but I abstained because I was not at the November meeting. I I'm listed as having approved the November minutes, but I abstained because I was not present at the November meeting. Thank you.
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