Active Transportation Commission Meeting – June 18, 2020

The Sacramento Active Transportation Commission met remotely on Thursday, June 18, 2020, beginning at 6:00 p.m. after technical delays. The agenda included approval of the consent calendar, a staff report, an action item on the West Broadway Specific Plan, an information/action discussion on the Stockton Boulevard Transportation Study, and an equity definition discussion. All ten commissioners were present and public comment was accepted via e-comment and phone.

Consent Calendar

• The commission unanimously approved the February 20, 2020 meeting minutes and received and filed the Active Transportation Commission Log.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dan Allison requested that the July agenda include an update and discussion on bike share and scooter share, stating the city and partners were 'just waiting to see what Lime will do' rather than ensuring return of a system with strong public control and transit integration. During the Stockton Boulevard item, he argued the only way to combine neighborhood and commuter needs is to make Stockton a transit priority corridor; he said delay of private car traffic should not be a concern and that crossing the corridor is as important as traveling along it.
• Abigail Jackson, Vice Chair of the Midtown Neighborhood Association, expressed dismay that the city would not create east-west and north-south slow streets in Midtown, saying Midtown is the densest neighborhood and vulnerable to COVID-19. She urged using part of the $100 million from the federal government for slow streets, asked how the association could support a low-cost alternative, and cited expected transit ridership reductions and carbon emission concerns.
• Patrick Wilson echoed the slow streets request, recommending east-west and north-south slow streets in Midtown and mini plazas, citing 20th, K, and O Streets as examples.
• Chelsea Taylor submitted an e-comment on the equity item, stating general support for option two with revisions. She called it a guiding principle rather than a definition and suggested word changes including 'equitable' access, 'geographic location,' and going 'beyond performative measures.'

Staff Report & Updates

• Jennifer Donlon Wyant reported on the General Plan update survey (SAC 2040 GPU.org), noting mobility had the highest participation of any topic; Commissioner Cole noted the survey was extended to the end of June. Staff also highlighted the Greenhaven Pocket Transportation Plan and its interactive web map at PlanPocketGreenhaven.org.
• Wyant provided an update on shared rideables: operations were paused April 14, 2020, due to COVID-19, and companies were notified they may resume Monday, June 22, with requirements for sanitation and user education. Uber transferred/sold portions of Jump to Lime, and the permit transfer process is ongoing; Spin and BERD are current permitted operators.
• In response to public comments, Wyant explained the slow streets exploration. Staff used criteria focused on disadvantaged communities, multifamily housing, and access to parks, but the survey of 800+ respondents drew few responses from priority communities. With limited funding, staff decided not to proceed with a pilot, and instead plan to invest in relationships with underserved communities. Commissioner Cole hoped the idea could be revisited.

West Broadway Specific Plan – Action Item

• Helen Selph, Associate Planner, presented the draft West Broadway Specific Plan, a 292-acre area generally bounded by the Sacramento River, Broadway/I-5, near 5th Street, and 4th Avenue. The plan proposes amendments to the Bicycle Master Plan, including a north-south Class I shared-use path along the peninsula, a bike/pedestrian bridge across the marina entrance, and a future bike/pedestrian bridge over the Sacramento River. The existing tunnel under I-5 is already in the Bicycle Master Plan.
• Selph noted the plan is a 20-year guide, with roughly $160 million in estimated costs for park-related improvements. Next steps: Planning and Design Commission on July 23 (agenda attachment said June 25, but the date was deferred) and City Council adoption in August.
• Commissioners raised concerns about industrial uses near residences and schools, the marina bridge design and clearance for watercraft, and fencing around Mills at Broadway/Marina Vista that may block bicycle/pedestrian access. Staff agreed to follow up on the fencing concern.
• The commission unanimously passed a motion forwarding to City Council a recommendation to amend the Bicycle Master Plan to reflect the proposed West Broadway Specific Plan bikeway network.

Stockton Boulevard Transportation Study – Information Item

• Drew Hart presented the Stockton Boulevard Transportation Study, covering a corridor of over four miles from Alhambra Boulevard to Elder Creek Road/47th Avenue. Goals are safety, mobility, and community. He noted Vision Zero data showing 79% of fatal and severe injury crashes occur on 14% of city streets, and two of the top five Vision Zero corridors are on Stockton Boulevard.
• Last summer's engagement found that about 70% of survey respondents currently drive, yet lower-stress bikeways were their top priority. The corridor includes UC Davis Medical Center, the region's only Level 1 trauma center, and SACRT Route 51, the highest-ridership route in the network.
• The study is considering trade-offs, including lane reductions for wider bike or bus facilities. An online survey with options for five corridor sections is open until July 10 on StocktonBlvd.org, with a virtual open house on June 25. A draft plan is expected in November and council consideration in February.
• Commissioners commended staff, voiced support for lane reductions, emphasized the importance of safe crossings, and discussed the Freeport Boulevard four-to-three lane road diet (approximately 23,000 ADT). Jennifer Donlon Wyant noted the city must adhere to current General Plan level-of-service policies and encouraged participation in the General Plan survey if commissioners want those policies changed.

Equity Definition Discussion – Action Item

• Vice Chair Ward Waller presented two draft equity statements developed by the subcommittee (Ward Waller, Garrow, Cole, Carpenter, and Smith). The city currently has no commission-level equity statement, making this a first.
• After the public comment from Chelsea Taylor, commissioners generally favored option two, with many supporting incorporation of elements from option one and the public comment, such as socioeconomic and immigration status, geographic location, and going beyond performative measures. Jennifer Donlon Wyant noted the city attorney's office could review legal parameters.
• The subcommittee will revise the statement and bring it back. The commission agreed to continue the item to the next meeting without a formal vote. The next meeting was announced as July 16, correcting an agenda print that said July 23.

Committee Comments & Other Items

• Commissioner Jesse recommended staff rethink the slow streets decision and consider broader outreach in other neighborhoods, possibly with nonprofit partners.
• Commissioner Cole requested a follow-up on the outstanding police department report regarding jaywalking citations; staff said they will follow up.
• Commissioner Pollins thanked staff for a well-run remote meeting. Commissioner Cole wished everyone a happy Pride month.

Key Outcomes

• Consent calendar approved unanimously.
• West Broadway Specific Plan bicycle network amendment recommendation forwarded to City Council unanimously.
• Stockton Boulevard Transportation Study presentation received; public comment period open until July 10 and virtual open house set for June 25.
• Equity statement work continued; revised statement to be brought back at the July 16 meeting.
• No formal vote taken on the equity item; slow streets pilot remains paused; staff to follow up with police department on jaywalking citation data.