Active Transportation Commission Meeting – December 19, 2019

The Active Transportation Commission of Sacramento met on December 19, 2019, at 6:00 p.m. in City Hall Council Chamber. The meeting covered consent calendar approvals, election of officers for 2020, approval of the 2020 meeting calendar, a review of 2019 accomplishments, a preview of 2020 projects, and a discussion of potential active transportation improvements under the Affordable Housing Sustainable Communities (AHSC) grant program. One public comment raised concerns about leaf debris in bike lanes.

Consent Calendar

• Item 1: Approved meeting minutes of November 21, 2019, with one abstention (Commissioner Berdugo).
• Item 2: Received and filed the Active Transportation Commission Log.

Staff Reports

• Item 3 – Commission Staff Report: Staff congratulated Commissioners Hopp and Haim for perfect attendance in 2019. Commissioners were reminded to submit stipend forms.

Discussion Items

• Item 4 – Election of Chair and Vice-Chair: Commissioner Haim was nominated and elected as Chair (unanimous). Commissioner Ward Waller was nominated and re-elected as Vice-Chair (unanimous).

• Item 5 – Approve 2020 Commission Calendar: Staff noted that the July 2020 meeting must be canceled due to renovations in the council chamber and hearing room. A motion to approve the calendar with the July meeting removed was passed unanimously.

• Item 6 – 2019 Review (Drew Hart):

  • Bike Parking: 97 bike racks installed year-to-date; the city will cross the 100-rack threshold by year-end.
  • Complete Streets Policy: Adopted by City Council on December 10, 2019, formalizing existing practices.
  • Pedicabs on Sidewalks: City Council voted on December 10 to prohibit pedicabs from sidewalks (driving, riding, or parking). Enforcement begins January 10, 2020.
  • Commissioners discussed related topics: bicycles on sidewalks (allowed citywide unless prohibited on specific blocks meeting criteria) and shared rideable drop zones.

• Item 7 – Upcoming 2020 Items (Drew Hart): Staff previewed items for 2020: shared rideables six-month check-in, 2020 grant application strategy, Stockton Boulevard corridor study, Pocket/Greenhaven neighborhood transportation plan, Transportation Master Plan, General Plan mobility element update, work zone detour policy update, and bike parking updates. Commissioners requested emphasis on safety and equity, and asked for recommendations to the state on MUTCD updates and work zone detour guidance.

• Item 8 – AHSC Program Active Transportation Potential (Jennifer Donlon Wyant):

  • The AHSC grant (cap-and-trade funded) supports affordable housing near transit and active transportation improvements within a half-mile of the project. The current opportunity involves the Twin Rivers area (Districts 3 & 4).
  • Eligible improvements must be in an approved plan and have CEQA/NEPA clearance. The city is considering: pedestrian-scale lighting on 12th Street, extending the 12th Street cycle track from C to D/E/F, and a 15th Street parking-protected bikeway. Budget is approximately $2–2.5 million.
  • Commissioners supported exploring all options and noted the tight timeline (grant deadline February 2020). Staff will report back on the final decision in January.

Committee Comments, Ideas, Questions, and Meeting Reports

• Commissioner Hopp reported on the Great California Delta Trail planning (December 5 stakeholder meeting) and urged city involvement. He also highlighted the Sacramento Waterfront project’s proposed Class I bike trail through Old Sacramento as a safety improvement.
• Commissioner Pollins raised the veto of SB 127 (statewide complete streets bill) and asked if the commission could advocate for similar legislation. Staff noted the city supported SB 127 and would bring future efforts to the commission.

Public Comments – Matters Not on the Agenda

• Ally Dore Westbrook (Marshall School neighborhood resident): Expressed concern about large leaf debris piles in bike lanes, especially on 8th and H streets, and frustration with generic 311 responses. She requested the commission advocate for better enforcement of street sweeping and leaf removal during leaf season.
  • Commissioners agreed to add a discussion item to the commission log regarding leaf debris in bike lanes and invited Solid Waste division staff to present. They also noted the issue of 311 response tracking.
  • Commissioner Hopp suggested moving public comment earlier in the agenda to allow more timely input; staff will follow up with the clerk’s office.

Key Outcomes

• Elections: Chair Haim and Vice-Chair Ward Waller elected for 2020.
• 2020 Calendar Approved with July meeting canceled.
• Staff to follow up on leaf debris (add to log, invite Solid Waste), 311 response process, and earlier public comment placement.
• AHSC Grant Discussion: Staff will proceed with project selection and report back in January.
• Commission Log Items: Added Morrison Creek project follow-up, Delta Trail presentation, and Waterfront plan presentation.
• Next Meeting: January 16, 2020, in council chambers.