Active Transportation Commission Meeting - August 17, 2023: General Plan Comments, Grant Application, and Annual Report
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Active Transportation Commission Meeting - August 17, 2023
The Active Transportation Commission (ATC) met on Thursday, August 17, 2023, at 6:00 PM in the City Hall Complex, 915 I Street, Sacramento. The meeting was called to order by Chair Ali Doerr Westbrook with a quorum of nine commissioners present (Hodel, Harris, Gibson, Roh, Houpt, Brasel, Granville, Lee, and Chair Westbrook) and two absent (Gonzalez and Banks). The meeting included a land acknowledgment, pledge of allegiance, staff report, and proceeded through a consent calendar and five discussion items. The meeting adjourned at 7:45 PM.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes (June 15, 2023): Approved 8-0-1 (Commissioner Lee abstained). Motion by Commissioner Houpt, second by Commissioner Hodel.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Public Comment – Matters Not on the Agenda: Andrew Basold, a new Sacramento resident and active transportation professional, spoke about the need for daylighting intersections (e.g., no parking within 25–50 feet of crosswalks/stop signs), bulb-outs, and better stop sign placement. He noted that over 25–30% of stop signs in the city are obscured by trees or poorly positioned. Commissioners responded that the city is working on daylighting (AB 413) and updating street design standards.
Discussion Items
- Item 2 – ATC Comments on Draft 2040 General Plan Update (File ID: 2023-00992): Commissioner Gibson presented four germane recommendations: (1) prioritize sidewalks and lighting within 1/4 mile of light rail stations; (2) ensure new bike connections across the American River (e.g., South Natomas to rail yards) are not subject to regular flooding; (3) prohibit new drive-through restaurants citywide (instead of only within 1/4 mile of transit); and (4) promote permanent pedestrianization of streets in dining/entertainment corridors. Discussion included support for these changes. A friendly amendment corrected a typo. Motion passed 9-0 (Harris/Houpt).
- Item 3 – Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Grant: Reconnecting Old North Sacramento (File ID: 2023-01013): Staff presented an application for a $2 million planning grant (due September 28, 2023) to study reconnecting the Old North Sacramento area, historically divided by Highway 160. The project area is bounded by the American River, Lampasas Avenue, the Capital City Freeway, and Northgate Boulevard. Staff noted prior community engagement and support from the Del Paso Boulevard Partnership. Commissioners expressed strong support, and the motion to forward a recommendation to City Council passed 9-0 (Lee/Harris).
- Item 4 – Revisions to Vehicle and Bicycle Parking Requirements Project (File ID: 2023-01026): Staff explained the project scope, including bicycle parking requirements, e-bike charging, and design standards. Two working groups (residential and non-residential) will meet about four times (first meeting fall 2023, last by early 2024). After discussion, the commission appointed Chair Doerr Westbrook to the residential working group and, if space permits, Commissioner Hodel to the same group. The motion passed 9-0 (Houpt/Granville).
- Item 5 – Active Transportation Commission Log Discussion (File ID: 2023-01014): The commission reviewed log items needing sponsor updates. Actions: removed the "gaps in bicycle network" item (due to duplication with the Streets for People Plan) and the "Aggie Square" item (outside city jurisdiction). Vice Chair Granville added a new item on "alleyway safety and activation." Chair Westbrook volunteered to sponsor the construction detour policy and the statement of equity implementation. The motion to adopt the log as amended passed 9-0 (Hodel/Harris).
- Item 6 – ATC 2023 Annual Report (File ID: 2023-01015): Staff presented a draft report for discussion, noting it will be a standing item through November 2023. Commissioners discussed consolidating the nine recommendations from last year, prioritizing specific funding requests (e.g., a dedicated active transportation revenue source, matching funds for grants), and including location-specific examples. The report will be refined after the August 29 City Council presentation of the previous annual report. No vote was taken; the item was received and commented on.
Key Outcomes
- Vote on Item 2 (General Plan Comments): 9-0 in favor of sending a letter to City Council with the four recommendations.
- Vote on Item 3 (Grant Application): 9-0 to forward a recommendation to City Council to apply for the Reconnecting Communities planning grant.
- Vote on Item 4 (Parking Requirements Working Group): 9-0 to appoint Chair Doerr Westbrook and, if possible, Commissioner Hodel to the residential working group.
- Vote on Item 5 (Commission Log): 9-0 to adopt the log with removals, new sponsor assignments, and addition of the alleyway safety item.
- Commissioner Comments: Vice Chair Granville promoted a SABA social ride (August 20); Commissioner Hodel announced a North Natomas bicycle infrastructure ride (October 1). Commissioner Gibson reported three pedestrian/cyclist fatalities since the last meeting: Grace Contreras (July 9), Ivan Biyuco (August 14), and a cyclist on Richards Boulevard (August 17). He also noted that the Streets for People Plan does not include the Gardenland/Northgate area; staff offered a future presentation.
Meeting Transcript
Chair staff is ready when you are thank you and good evening. Welcome to the August 17th, 2023 Active Transportation Commission. The meeting is now called to order. Will the clerk please call the role to establish a quorum? Thank you, Chair. Commissioner Hodell. Here Commissioner Harris. Commissioner Gibson. Here. Commissioner Rowe. Here. Commissioner Gonzalez is absent. Commissioner Haupt? Here. Commissioner Brazzle. Here. Commissioner Granville. Here. Commissioner Lee. Just here. And Commissioner Banks. Is absent. And Chair Dewar Westbrook. Here. Thank you. We have quorum. Great. Thank you. I would like to remind members of the public in chambers that if you would like to speak on an agenda item, please turn in a speaker slip when the item begins. For members of the public who wish to join virtually, please refer to the agenda for the Zoom link. Once you have joined the meeting and wish to speak, raise your hand to provide a public comment when the chair confirms the public comment speaking period for your desired item. If you're online, click on raise your hand on the bottom of your screen. And in the mobile app, you can raise your hand by tapping the raise hand option in the more tab. If you're calling in via telephone to raise your hand, dial star nine. Then to unmute or mute, dial star six. Speakers will be called on by the last four digits of their phone number. You will have two minutes to speak once you are called on. After the first speaker, we will no longer accept speaker slips and the raised hand feature in Zoom will be disabled. We'll now proceed with today's agenda. Please rise for the opening acknowledgments in honor of Sacramento's Indigenous People and Tribal Lands. To the original people of this land, the Nissanon people, the Southern Maidu Valley, and Plains Mewak, Pacquanwintu peoples, and the people of the Wilton Rancheria, Sacramento's only federally recognized tribe. May we acknowledge and honor the native people who came before us and still walk beside us today on these ancestral lands by choosing to gather together today in the active practice of acknowledgement and appreciation for Sacramento's Indigenous People's History, contributions, and lives. Thank you. All right. Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Our first business today is approval of the consent calendar. Clerk, are there any members of the public who wish to speak on the consent calendar? Thank you, Chair.
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