Sacramento City County Bicycle Advisory Committee Meeting - June 21, 2017

The Sacramento City County Bicycle Advisory Committee (SacBAC) met on Wednesday, June 21, 2017, at 6:00 PM in City Hall Council Chamber. The meeting covered consent calendar approvals, an action item to name a trail, reviews of ongoing projects, and updates on bike programs and funding.

Consent Calendar

• Item 1, 2, 3: The committee approved the minutes of March 16, 2017, and April 20, 2017, with a correction to the April minutes (member name spelling), and received and filed the Bicycle Advisory Committee Log. Member Melvin abstained from the April minutes due to absence. The motion passed unanimously with the abstention.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jim Brown, Executive Director of Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates (SABA): During discussion of the Downtown Specific Plan, Mr. Brown expressed concerns that the plan lacks continuous low-stress routes, particularly in the northwest quadrant, and may not meet CEQA requirements. He requested a future agenda slot to present SABA's detailed analysis. The committee agreed to schedule a presentation at the next meeting (July 13, 2017).

Discussion Items

• Item 4: East Drain Canal Trail Naming (Action Item): Elizabeth Graham of the North Natomas TMA presented. A community survey (161 votes) selected “Jackrabbit Trail” with 58% support. The committee discussed signage needs; members Walt Seiford and Jonathan encouraged visible trail-name signs at street intersections. The committee voted unanimously to endorse the name Jackrabbit Trail.
• Item 5: South Sacramento Parkway (Review and Comment): Project Manager Bill Shunk presented a 0.5-mile Class I trail parallel to I-5, connecting Freeport Trail to Delta Shores Trail. Design features a 12-foot asphalt path with 6-foot bike lanes and decomposed granite shoulders. Challenges include Caltrans right-of-way and encroaching landscaping from adjacent properties. Committee comments suggested considering a distinctive trail name, yield signs instead of stop signs, a mini-roundabout at the trail intersection, and tree planting. Staff will incorporate feedback into final design, with construction anticipated spring 2018.
• Item 6: Downtown Specific Plan (Review and Comment): Planners Marco Gonzalez, David Carter (Fehr & Peers), and Sparky Harris presented Grid 3.0 integration. Key features: 189 blocks of road diets, 82 blocks converted to two-way streets, and 188 blocks of new bicycle facilities (a 55% increase). Committee members raised concerns—echoed by SABA—about missing links in the northwest quadrant. Staff addressed each of SABA’s seven proposals, explaining trade-offs with transit and auto volume. The committee voted to have SABA present further at the July meeting and requested a full committee review before the plan goes to City Council in December 2017.
• Item 7: City Bait Bike Program (Receive and File): Sergeant Don Schumacher reported that since 2015, the program has resulted in 371 deployments, 110 arrests, and a 60% reduction in reported bike thefts in downtown (comparing July 2013 vs. July 2015). Most arrestees are transient; the program uses GPS-tracked bikes locked with cable locks. Committee questions covered demographics, entrapment concerns, and bike rings. The item was received and filed.
• Item 8: City 2016-2017 Year in Review (Receive and File): Active Transportation Program Specialist Jennifer Donlon Wyant summarized accomplishments: adoption of Vision Zero goal, bike rack design standards, new bike infrastructure (City College bridge, Freeport Avenue bike lanes), Sunday Streets event, launch of bike share preview, and education programs. Committee offered suggestions for the next year: improve connectivity and gateways, expand enforcement, promote bike-friendly businesses, and enhance outreach. Equity concerns were raised regarding the bait bike program’s impact on vulnerable populations. The report was received and filed.
• Item 9: Bike Plan Implementation Plan (Receive and File): Jennifer Donlon Wyant outlined the scope of work to prioritize bike projects from the 2016 Bike Master Plan. The consultant will clean GIS data, determine preferred facility types, and develop evaluation criteria with public input. The committee will be involved via a potential subcommittee or special working meeting. Completion is targeted by end of 2017. The item was received and filed.
• Item 10: One Time Funding Update (Receive and File): Jennifer Donlon Wyant reported on $2.25 million in mid-year surplus funding for bikeway projects across all eight council districts. Approved projects include two pedestrian hybrid beacons (Del Paso and Pocket Road), buffered bike lanes on Alviso Avenue and 2nd Avenue, a trail connection in May Fong Park, sidewalk/bike lane on Mack Road, and downtown bikeway extensions on P/Q Streets, I Street, and 8th Street. The City Council approved the funding on June 20, 2017. The report was received and filed.

Key Outcomes

• Votes: Consent calendar passed (1 abstention). Item 4 (trail naming) approved unanimously.
• Directives: Staff will schedule SABA’s presentation for July 13, 2017. Staff will keep the committee informed of Downtown Specific Plan progress and seek committee review before council action in December.
• Future Actions: Member Walt Seiford will present on automated speed enforcement and stop-sign-as-yield legislation (AB 1103) at the July meeting. The committee will also discuss the Bike Plan Implementation Plan workgroup format.
• Next Meeting: July 13, 2017, at 6:00 PM in historic City Hall chambers.