Active Transportation Commission Meeting - June 20, 2019

The Active Transportation Commission met on June 20, 2019, at 6:00 p.m. to receive information and comment on several major transportation initiatives. Key topics included the I Street Bridge replacement project and deck conversion, Vision Zero top five corridors, school speed limit reduction, and regional funding priorities. The commission also heard public testimony on bike access on light rail and discussed unmet transportation needs. No formal votes were taken on the substantive items, but the commission provided input that will inform future city actions.

Consent Calendar

• Item 1: Approval of Meeting Minutes of May 16, 2019 – Approved by motion.
• Item 2: Active Transportation Commission Log – Received and filed.
• Item 3: Commission Staff Report – Received and filed. Staff reported that Jump has received a permit for up to 1,170 scooters under the new regulatory framework, with four other applications expected to be approved soon.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Glenda Marsh and Kat Gray (350 Sacramento) presented survey results from 44 light rail users who combine biking with transit. They reported that 32–34 of respondents were male and three were young adolescents. The presentation highlighted the difficulty of lifting bikes onto older light rail vehicles, steep stairs, and door-closing hazards. They advocated for low-floor vehicles to improve universal access and noted that the current system limits bikes to two per train car, though sometimes a dozen are squeezed in. Chair Cole noted the item was informational only, as the commission does not advise regional transit.

Discussion Items

• I Street Bridge Replacement Project and Deck Conversion (Item 4) – Jesse Gothan (Supervising Civil Engineer, City of Sacramento) and Jason McCoy (Project Manager, West Sacramento) presented. The bridge, built in 1911–1912, carries 40 trains per day and has narrow 9-foot travel lanes and 5-foot sidewalks. The replacement bridge will include 12-foot sidewalks and buffered bike lanes, with a movable span to accommodate river traffic for levee maintenance. The deck conversion project would repurpose the historic bridge’s upper deck for pedestrian and bike use. The commission discussed the need for a bike-friendly design, construction detours, and coordination with the Broadway Bridge (expected construction by 2035). The item was receive and comment; no vote was taken.
• Information Item: Comments on SACOG 2020 Regional Funding Program (Item 5) – Glenda Marsh presented on behalf of 350 Sacramento. The item was informational only. Commissioners asked about the timeline for low-floor light rail vehicles (RT has started acquiring funding for 4–10 vehicles, beginning on the Gold Line). No vote.
• Information Item: Unmet Transportation Needs and Priorities (Item 6) – Noah Painter (KMP Strategies) facilitated a discussion on potential revenue measure in 2020. Commissioners identified priorities: repairing roads and sidewalks, safe bike lanes, neighborhood connectivity, safety, microtransit, and reducing congestion through multimodal options. They emphasized the importance of meaningful community engagement, particularly with underserved communities, and suggested using tools like Street Story, postcard mailings, and partnerships with community-based organizations. Commissioner Wardwaller noted that the city has adopted Vision Zero and recommended aligning categories with safety goals. No vote.
• Information Item: Vision Zero Top 5 Corridors Update (Item 7) – Leslie Mancebo (Program Analyst) and David Carter (Fair and Peers) presented recommendations for Marysville Boulevard, El Camino Avenue, Broadway/Stockton, South Stockton Boulevard, and Florin Road. These corridors represent 14% of city roadways but account for 79% of severe crashes. The presentation included 8 years of crash data, corridor-wide recommendations (e.g., road diets, signal timing, bike lanes), and location-specific countermeasures. Commissioners requested more innovative treatments, such as protected intersections and mid-block crossings, especially near light rail stations and where bike crashes are concentrated. They also noted underreporting of pedestrian and bike crashes and urged that short-term improvements be implemented through the city’s maintenance program. The commission’s comments will be incorporated into the final report; the public comment period ends June 30.
• Information Item: Vision Zero Implementation: Reducing School Speed Limits (Item 8) – Leslie Mancebo reported that the city council approved reducing speed limits to 15 mph around 115 schools (2025 street segments, over 20 miles) on June 4, 2019. Signs for 400 locations are being installed over the summer and will be enforceable once posted. The commission praised the initiative and discussed enforcement challenges, potential expansion to other areas (e.g., business and residence districts per CVC 22352), and the need for community outreach. No vote.

Committee Comments, Ideas, Questions, and Meeting Reports

• Commissioner Pollins reported meeting with her council member and other district commissioners to coordinate on active transportation goals.
• Commissioner Carpenter attended a Vision Zero pedestrian crossing guidelines workshop and noted that the consultant has strong expertise; the revised guidelines will come to the commission.
• Commissioner Smith raised the need for a discussion on equity in transportation, including how equity is defined and factored into grant proposals and investment decisions. Staff noted that the city’s equity manager may be invited to a future meeting.
• Commissioner Wardwaller reported ongoing issues with construction detours blocking bikeways, but noted that recent improvements around the convention center and a state building on 10th Street were made after staff intervention. The item remains on the log.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar approved.
• I Street Bridge and Deck Conversion: The commission provided input on the bikeway master plan amendments; no formal vote, but staff will consider comments.
• SACOG Regional Funding and Unmet Needs: Commission input will be included in the report to SACOG. The firm will continue outreach and may return for further discussion.
• Vision Zero Top 5 Corridors: The commission’s comments—including requests for protected intersections, mid-block crossings, and consideration of underreported crashes—will be considered in the final recommendations. Short-term improvements may be funded through the city’s five-year roadway maintenance program, which includes all five corridors.
• School Speed Limit Reduction: The policy was already approved by council; implementation is underway. The commission encouraged exploration of other speed reduction tools allowed by state law.
• Equity Discussion: A future meeting will include a presentation from the city’s equity manager to help define equity and its application to transportation investments.
• Construction Detours: Staff will continue to work with construction crews to improve detour plans for bikeways and pedestrian facilities.