Sacramento City County Bicycle Advisory Committee Meeting - December 14, 2017

The Sacramento City County Bicycle Advisory Committee (SacBAC) held its final meeting on December 14, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber. The committee reviewed coordination with Caltrans, received updates on the county bicycle advisory committee restructuring, examined the 2018 street maintenance program and bikeway enhancements, discussed letters of support for state bills, and received the final update on the dissolution of SacBAC and creation of a new Active Transportation Commission. The meeting included public testimony and farewell remarks from members.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Meeting Minutes of November 9, 2017: Approved with one abstention (Jordan) after minor corrections suggested by a member (deleting reference to 6:30 in open session and correcting estimated time on consent calendar from 10 minutes).
• Bicycle Advisory Committee Log: Received and filed.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Katie Webster, a resident of East Sacramento, attended her first meeting and expressed enthusiasm for Sacramento's bicycling community and infrastructure, including the river bike path. She indicated interest in future committee involvement.

Discussion Items

• City and Caltrans Coordination (Item 3): Jesse Gothan, Supervising Engineer, presented an overview of coordination with Caltrans, including federal fund compliance, encroachment permits (typical turnaround 6–8 weeks), and Caltrans' goal to be a collaborative partner (target 75% partner satisfaction by 2020). Questions from members focused on underpass improvements (e.g., 26th Street under Highway 50), the Chiquita Street Bridge closure and detour issues, and whether Caltrans would allow wider bike lanes (e.g., negotiation for 8-foot bike lanes with 2-foot buffers on I Street Bridge). Gothan noted that Caltrans generally starts with AASHTO minimums but can be flexible for active transportation funds.
• County Bicycle Advisory Committee (Item 4): Dan Klinker, County Alternative Modes Coordinator, reported that the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors approved a new County Bicycle Advisory Committee (effective January 1, 2018) with seven members appointed by the board, meetings at least quarterly at 411 Branch Center Road, and a charter similar to the previous committee. Members asked about dual membership and application process; Klinker said applications could be sent to the Clerk of the Board after January 1.
• Sacramento Street Maintenance 2018 (Item 5): Jennifer Donlon Wyant, Active Transportation Program Specialist, presented the 2018 street maintenance program funded primarily by SB1. Projects included slurry seal and overlay, with bikeway enhancements on: C and Elvis Avenue (buffered bike lanes via lane narrowing), Folsom Boulevard (mix of bike lanes and buffered bike lanes), 24th Street road diet (from 4 to 3 lanes with buffered bike lanes between 2nd Avenue and Broadway), and Mac Road (buffered bike lanes). Also highlighted downtown bikeways projects (parking-protected bikeways on P, Q, 10th, H, I, and F streets) using $2.25 million in one-time funds. Members asked about inclusion of non-bike-plan streets and the status of the Broadway Complete Streets plan (planning phase for central Broadway to start in 2018).
• Letters of Support for AB 342 and AB 1103 (Item 6): Jennifer Donlon Wyant reported that letters of support for automated speed enforcement (AB 342) and stop-as-yield (AB 1103) had been prepared but delayed in delivery; they would be emailed to council members the next day. Member Walt shared an update that AB 1103 had been amended to a pilot program ending in 2024, allowing cities/counties to designate specific stop sign locations where bicyclists could yield, subject to CHP approval and annual crash reporting.
• Final Update on City Bicycle Advisory Committee (Item 7): Jennifer Donlon Wyant announced that after 22 years, SacBAC would be dissolved and replaced by the Active Transportation Commission (name changed from earlier proposal). The new commission will have 11 seats: 8 appointed by council members, 1 by the mayor, and 2 at-large (one transportation professional, one advocacy experience). Terms are 4 years, staggered. The ordinance will go to City Council on January 23, 2018, with recruitment starting in February and seating expected by April or May 2018. Members expressed gratitude and shared reflections on the committee's progress.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar approved (minutes and log) with one abstention.
• City and Caltrans coordination discussed; no formal action taken.
• County Bicycle Advisory Committee restructuring noted; members encouraged to apply after January 1, 2018.
• 2018 Street Maintenance Program presented; no formal vote, but committee endorsed the bikeway enhancements.
• Letters of support for AB 342 and AB 1103 to be sent to city council; members noted amendment to AB 1103.
• Dissolution of SacBAC and creation of Active Transportation Commission approved by Law and Leg Committee in November; final council vote scheduled for January 23, 2018. Recruitment for new commission will begin in February 2018, with appointments expected by April/May 2018.
• Public comment received; no further action.