Active Transportation Commission Meeting – November 16, 2023: Jackrabbit Trail, R Street Crossing, Grant Applications, and 2023 Annual Report
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Active Transportation Commission Meeting – November 16, 2023
On November 16, 2023, at 6:00 p.m., the Sacramento Active Transportation Commission convened at City Hall (915 I Street) to approve the consent calendar, discuss four major agenda items, hear public testimony, and approve the commission’s 2023 Annual Report. The meeting included a land acknowledgement, pledge of allegiance, and staff updates. Commissioners voted unanimously on consent items, the Caltrans grant applications, and the annual report, while providing feedback on design options for the Jackrabbit Trail crossing and the R Street pedestrian project.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the October 19, 2023 meeting minutes (File ID: 2022-02335)
- Adopted the Active Transportation Commission Log (File ID: 2023-01492)
- Motion passed unanimously (9-0)
Public Comments & Testimony
- Matt Anderson (District 4) spoke on the Jackrabbit Trail project, questioning why a rectangular rapid flashing beacon (RRFB) or signal could not be installed due to proximity to Truxel Road, and suggested a chicane for vehicles instead of pedestrians. On the R Street project, he praised the grant and requested a pedestrian phase every cycle and passive pedestrian detection.
- Jerry Champa (Land Park resident) presented a community transportation plan for Land Park, including street closures on 14th Avenue, modifications to Sutterville/Freeport/13th Street gates, and mitigation strategies for 13th and 11th Avenues. He noted crash concentrations and incomplete infrastructure.
- Kobe Sonoyama (Land Park) supported closing the golf course loop on 14th Avenue to vehicles and proposed mitigation for 13th and 11th Avenues, highlighting high collision history at 11th/Land Park and Sutterville/Mead.
- Alina Wong (student) described being hit by a car at Sutterville and Mead in 2019 while biking to school, suffering severe injuries. She criticized solar-powered rectangular rapid flashing beacons as ineffective and urged safer infrastructure for school routes.
- Matt Malkin (Hollywood Park) discussed the Freeport Boulevard road diet and its impact on Land Park Drive, Riverside, and Swanston (two fatalities), and called for roundabouts, safe routes to school, and quick-build solutions.
- John Meredith (Hollywood Park) asked how the commission could address Land Park issues, noting the need for safe routes to Sutterville Elementary.
- Public Comments – Matters Not on the Agenda: Jerry Champa continued his Land Park presentation, showing crash trends and incomplete infrastructure. Matt Anderson suggested exploring transportation management authority (TMA) funding models as an alternative to city funding.
Discussion Items
Item 3 – Jackrabbit Trail Crossing Improvement Project (Arena Boulevard)
- Staff (Jesse Gothan, Engineering; Melissa from North Natomas Jibe) presented four median treatment options: 5-foot skewed opening, 8-foot skewed, 8-foot straight with striping, and 6-foot straight. The crossing is currently a maintenance access for Reclamation District 1000, but used by pedestrians and cyclists. No collision history was noted, but speeds are posted at 45 mph. Commissioner Gonzalez presented own speed data showing average 47 mph and observed speeds up to 70 mph, arguing for a full signalized crossing. Commission feedback: preference for option 3 (8-foot straight) or a raised crosswalk (suggested by Commissioner Banks). Concerns were raised about vehicle conflicts and the lack of a signal. Staff will incorporate feedback into final design.
Item 4 – Pedestrian Crossing at R Street and 29th/30th Streets
- Luke Fuson (Associate Engineer) presented a $4.6 million project to signalize two unsignalized intersections near the 29th Street Light Rail Station. Funded by a SACOG grant with local match, construction is expected in 2025. Features include audible pedestrian signals, bulb-outs, bus stop improvements, and pavement rehabilitation. Public comment supported the project. Commissioners praised the design, requested passive pedestrian detection, tree planting, and coordination with the Disability Commission. No formal vote; the commission expressed strong support.
Item 5 – FY2024/25 Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Applications
- Jennifer Donlon Wyant (Transportation Planning Manager) proposed four applications: Arden Way-Auburn Boulevard Vision Zero and Mobility Plan, Fruitridge Road Safety and Mobility Plan, Elder Creek Road Safety and Mobility Plan, and Walking and Bicycling Wayfinding Project. These corridors have high injury and fatality rates. The wayfinding project would expand a pilot from 2016. Commission voted unanimously to recommend to City Council. Discussion included prioritization (staff not asking for ranking) and concerns about funding for non-disadvantaged areas (e.g., North Natomas).
Item 6 – Active Transportation Commission 2023 Annual Report
- Staff presented the final report, which includes recommendations for a safe routes to school program, speed management, e-bike incentives, bike racks, and other initiatives. Cost estimates: $10.7 million initial, $9 million annual ongoing. Commissioner Gonzalez requested a 10% annual increase for inflation, which was incorporated. Chair Doerr Westbrook proposed several editorial amendments (e.g., correcting acronyms, updating language, removing outdated references). The motion to approve the annual report with amendments passed unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar approved unanimously.
- Jackrabbit Trail: Commission provided feedback; staff will refine median design and consider raised crosswalk and signalization options.
- R Street Project: Commission supportive; no formal vote, but staff will incorporate comments on passive detection and tree planting.
- Caltrans Grant Applications: Motion to recommend to City Council passed unanimously (9-0).
- 2023 Annual Report: Motion to approve with amendments and forward to City Council passed unanimously (9-0).
- Commissioner Comments: Items for future log – right-on-red policy (Commissioner Banks), meeting attendance rules (Commissioner Gonzalez), Land Park project pathway (Commissioner Gibson), and event detours in Old Sacramento (Commissioner Hodell).
- Next Meeting: January 2024 (no December meeting). Election for chair and vice chair will occur.
Meeting Transcript
Chair Staff is ready when you are. Great, thank you so much. And good evening. Welcome to the November 16th, 2023 Active Transportation Commission. This meeting is now called to order. Will the clerk please call the roll to establish a quorum? Thank you, Chair. See Commissioner Granville. Commissioner Banks. Here. Commissioner Gibson. Here. Commissioner Gonzalez? Present. Commissioner Harris. Here. Commissioner Hodell. Here. Commissioner Haupt? Here. Commissioner Rowe. Here. Thank you. We have a quorum. Present. No worries. Okay. I would like to remind members of the public and chambers that if you'd like to speak on an agenda item, please turn in a speaker slip when the item begins. You will have two minutes to speak once you are called on. After the first speaker, we will no longer accept speaker slips. We will now proceed to today's agenda. Oh. Okay. Yeah, sorry. 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 Miwok, Patwan Wintu 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 today in the active practice of acknowledgement and appreciation for Sacramento's Indigenous People's History, contributions, and lives. Thank you. And remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. All right. Our first business today is Commission staff report. Staff, you may proceed. Thank you, Chair. Um Commission, Jennifer Donlin Wyatt, Transportation Planning Manager, with my monthly staff update. I have a short update this month. Um the first I wanted to share with you is that the 2024 Active Transportation Commission calendar was approved by City Council this past Tuesday. I want to note for everybody the start time has shifted from 6 p.m. to 5 30 p.m. Um so just as at FYI, whether we get out earlier or not is at your discretion. Um as a reminder, we have no December meeting.
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