Sacramento Active Transportation Commission Meeting - October 18, 2018
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Sacramento Active Transportation Commission Meeting - October 18, 2018
The Active Transportation Commission met on October 18, 2018, at 6:00 p.m. to receive updates on Vision Zero, the Bicycle Master Plan, recent active transportation investments, planning projects, and projects under design. Commissioners discussed funding challenges, equity, safety, and maintenance, and heard public comments on local funding needs and pedestrian safety.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the meeting minutes of September 19, 2018, the Active Transportation Commission Log, and the Commission Forming Ordinance. Commissioner Ward Waller abstained from the minutes vote but voted in favor of the other two items.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Jim Brown (Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates) expressed full support for Vision Zero but urged the city to secure locally controlled funding, stating that reliance on grants is uncertain. He noted that Measure A generates $8 million annually for transportation (50% of the $15 million total budget) and may be repealed. He also advocated for a more robust Bicycle Master Plan update, noting the city spent $150,000 on the plan vs. Stockton’s $500,000, and that the mode share goal of 7% by 2020 is not being met (currently 1.9% and declining). He urged the commission to consider a new ATP grant for a full plan update.
- Dan Allison (public) described dangerous pedestrian conditions at J and 13th Street, where the signal often skips the pedestrian cycle and left-turning vehicles conflict with pedestrians. He requested a pedestrian scramble or exclusive pedestrian phase and noted that his 311 reports have not been resolved.
Discussion Items
- Vision Zero Action Plan (presented by Jennifer Donlon Wyant): Key statistics: Killed or Severely Injured (KSI) increased 6% from 2009-2015; 79% of KSIs occur on 14% of roadway; Sacramento is second worst in California for cities over 250,000 for speed-related and alcohol-involved crashes. The plan includes a High Injury Network, top five corridors, low-cost safety improvements at 10 locations per year, school speed limit evaluations, and a PSA campaign. Commissioners asked about project selection criteria, integration with mode shift goals, and the need for local funding. Staff noted that no local funding source exists for transportation and that they rely on grants and gas tax matches.
- Bicycle Master Plan (presented by Jennifer Donlon Wyant): Goals: 7% bike mode share by 2020, zero bicyclist fatalities by 2020, double low-stress bikeway access by 2025, and equitable investments by 2020. The equity analysis used poverty, CalEnviroScreen 2.0, high bike commuting, low auto ownership, and high bicycle collision rates. The plan includes 200 miles of proposed bikeways; short-term projects total $51 million. Commissioners discussed the need for a plan update, funding flexibility, and how projects align with goals. Staff said they are not planning an update soon but would consider commissioner input.
- Overview of Recent Active Transportation Investments (presented by Drew Hart): Highlights included road diets, buffered bike lanes, and protected bikeways on 24th Street, 65th Street, C Street/Elvis Avenue, H Street/Carlson, Del Paso/Jackrabbit Trail, Downtown P/Q/10th/J Streets, and Mac Road. Nine pedestrian hybrid beacons were installed. Commissioners asked about motorist pushback; staff noted initial confusion but decreasing complaints over time. Commissioner Cole praised work in South Sacramento and connected staff with local bike groups.
- Overview of Transportation Planning Projects (presented by Drew Hart): Active projects include Envision Broadway (community-driven), Systemic Safety Analysis Report (SSAR) used to develop $9 million in HSIP cycle 9 projects, Vision Zero top five corridor studies, school safety study at 20 schools near the High Injury Network, and a Stockton Boulevard Complete Streets Plan (four-mile segment, funded by Caltrans Sustainable Communities grant). Commissioners asked about grant writing processes and proactive vs. reactive safety approaches.
- Active Transportation Projects Under Design (presented by Megan Johnson): A comprehensive list of projects in design or nearing construction, including North 12th Complete Street (lane reduction, two-way bikeway, arts/placemaking, construction 2020), Broadway Complete Street (phased, $10 million, first phase funded), Meadow View Road (buffered lanes, 2019-2020), Bell Avenue (consistent bike/ped facilities, 2020), Franklin Boulevard (two projects: raised class four bikeway with lane reduction and tree planting, and a northern extension with buffered lanes connecting to Elk Grove), Downtown Mobility (next phase of protected bikeways on 9th, 19th, 21st streets, two-way conversion on 5th), Fruit Ridge (re-evaluating for road diet), school access projects on El Camino, and trails including Del Rio ($12 million, under funding review), South Sacramento Parkway, Two Rivers, Sacramento River, Valley Station Connector, and May Funk Park. Commissioners asked about design details (curb types, buffer widths), maintenance, and the impact of SB1 repeal. Staff read a statement that without SB1, the city can only do basic operations and emergency repairs.
Key Outcomes
- All information items (Vision Zero, Bicycle Master Plan, recent investments, planning projects, projects under design) were received and filed.
- The commission discussed the possibility of moving the next meeting (scheduled for November 6, 2018, election night) to a later date due to conflicts. Staff will poll commissioners via email and coordinate with the clerk’s office to reschedule if needed.
- Commissioners requested reports on: North 12th Street project, Del Rio Trail implementation, Sacramento River Trail easements, and facility maintenance (signs, markings, sweeping). Staff will coordinate presentations for future meetings.
- Commissioner Haupt raised issues with improperly parked Jump bikes and the lack of bike racks at the Front Street Animal Shelter and Auto Museum. Staff advised reporting via 311 phone or website and noted that Jump bike issues can be reported to support@jumpbikes.com. Staff will follow up on bike rack requests.
Meeting Transcript
I like to call this meeting to order. We do not have a chair, so I'm going to call roll, and then the commission can nominate. We don't have a chair or a vice chair at the moment. So the commission can then nominate somebody to run the meeting after I call roll. All right, great. Good evening, everybody. Welcome to the Active Transportation Commission. Commissioner Jezzy. Present. Commissioner Garrow. Commissioner Pollins. Present. Commissioner Coffer. Present. Commissioner Cole. Commissioner Ward Waller. Commissioner Berdugo. Commissioner Haupt. Present. Commissioner Carpenter. Present. Commissioner Brazzle. Present. Commissioner Smith. Present. Wonderful. We have a quorum. So I'd like to take any nominations to run the meeting. In absence of a chair and vice chair. I nominated Nika. She's sitting closest to the chair's chair. Great. That was like second. No. No? We can have a vote. So all in favor of Commissioner Jesse running the meeting. Please say aye. Aye. All against. Okay, wonderful. So Commissioner Jesse, you actually need to come over here to this seat. Here's your all important gavel. Here are your instructions. Thank you for things that you have to do. So we've already called the meeting to order. I already called role. I do have some housekeeping issues that I need to do. So while we get set up, this meeting is broadcast live on the internet. So you can always watch it now or later.
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