Active Transportation Commission Meeting - February 21, 2019

The Active Transportation Commission met on Thursday, February 21, 2019, at 6:00 p.m. at 915 I Street, 1st Floor, Sacramento. The meeting covered a range of items including a Brown Act refresher, a detailed update on the North 12th Street Complete Street Project, selection of a Vision Zero Task Force representative, a presentation on maintaining bikeways, and scheduling a special meeting at Morrison Creek Trail. Commissioners also discussed the city's shared rideable regulations and received public comment.

Consent Calendar

• Item 1: Approval of Meeting Minutes of January 17, 2019 – Approved with two abstentions.
• Item 2: Active Transportation Commission Log – Received and filed.

Discussion Items

• Item 3: Brown Act Focus – Reporting on Outside Meetings – Staff reminded commissioners of Brown Act requirements regarding outside communications about commission business. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about applicability to electronic correspondence and discussions about potential future agenda items. Staff advised that any discussion of commission business with a quorum of commissioners, even via daisy-chain, could violate the Act, and encouraged disclosure of any such communications.

• Item 4: North 12th Street Complete Street Project Update – Staff presented a project to convert North 12th Street from Richards Boulevard to H Street from four lanes to three lanes, adding a two-way Class IV separated bikeway, pedestrian lighting, and intersection improvements. Key features include a new traffic signal at Sunbeam Avenue, a bus stop relocation, and a five-point intersection redesign at North B Street/Dos Rios Street. Commissioners asked detailed questions about signal phasing, lighting, bicycle movement at intersections (especially the five-point intersection), safety of the bus stop design, and the transition from Caltrans right-of-way. Concerns were raised about potential conflicts at the complex intersection and the temporary fencing planned for safety near the underpass. Staff noted ongoing design refinements and that a small sweeper has been approved for maintaining the bikeway.

• Item 5: Vision Zero Task Force Representative – Staff requested a motion to select a commissioner to serve on the Vision Zero Task Force. After nominations, the commission voted to appoint Commissioner Carpenter as the representative and Commissioner Smith as alternate. Motion passed unanimously.

• Item 6: Maintaining Bikeways in the City – Signs, Markings, and Sweeping – Staff provided an overview of how on-street bikeways and trails are maintained. Street sweeping occurs February–October every 4–6 weeks (no sweeping November–January due to leaf collection). The city has a $179 million backlog in street maintenance. Trails are swept bi-weekly; other maintenance falls under different departments. Commissioners raised concerns about leaf accumulation in protected bikeways during the no-sweep period, especially since the new sweeper is not yet available. Staff acknowledged the issue and committed to discussing with the solid waste division.

• Item 7: Schedule Special Meeting at Morrison Creek Trail – Commissioners approved a motion to schedule a special meeting for a group visit to Morrison Creek Trail to gather information about a potential future project. Staff will coordinate with the public champion who raised the issue and commission members via email.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kate Riley (Vice President, Safe Don't Pave) – Opposed the Two Rivers Trail Phase Two project, citing concerns about equity and environmental impacts. She stated the group has 800 paper signatures and 1,500 online signatures in opposition, and submitted a 145-page letter to the City Council. She requested an opportunity to present concerns to the commission at a future meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Appointment to Vision Zero Task Force: Commissioner Carpenter selected as representative, Commissioner Smith as alternate.
• Special Meeting Scheduled: Staff directed to arrange a visit to Morrison Creek Trail.
• Requests for Follow-Up: Staff will bring up leaf sweeping in protected bikeways with the solid waste division; explore adding a report on Caltrans bicycle safety improvements in the city; and consider a policy on street closures for construction (in response to Vice Chair Wardwaller’s comment).
• Next Meeting: The commission will meet next on March 21, 2019.