Active Transportation Commission Special Meeting - January 18, 2024

This special meeting of the Sacramento Active Transportation Commission was called to order at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 18, 2024, in the Luella Johnston Hearing Room at City Hall. The commission addressed a consent calendar, elected new leadership for 2024, reviewed a draft policy on work zone and event detours, and received a report on Sacramento's alleys. The meeting adjourned at 7:28 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the DRAFT minutes from the November 16, 2023 meeting (File ID: 2023-01691).
• Adopted the Active Transportation Commission Log (File ID: 2024-00347).
• Both items were passed by a single motion with a unanimous vote (Commissioners Banks, Erasmus, Gibson, Gonzalez, Hodel, Houpt, Moore, Roh, and Chair Doerr Westbrook in favor; Commissioner Harris absent).

Public Comments & Testimony

• On Item 3 (Selection of Chair and Vice Chair): Anya McCann, Bike Program Manager at North Natomas Jibe, spoke in support of Commissioner Arlete Hodel for Chair, citing her experience as a bicycle instructor, clear communication, and passion for active transportation.
• On Item 4 (Draft Work Zone and Event Detour Policy):
  • Dan Allison (District 4 resident) stated the policy is "immensely better than current practice" but stressed the need for compliance with PROWAG, especially R303, and for monitoring and enforcement. He reported a work zone at 16th and E Street that lacked correct signage and barriers and had not been corrected in 17 days.
  • Troy Senke expressed support, noting the emphasis on diversions over detours, and suggested the policy also cover non-pre-planned events like climate-related weather events. He echoed the need for monitoring and called the cost of implementation "a small price to pay for safety."
• On Item 5 (Log Item Report Back: Sacramento’s Alleys): Troy Senke spoke again, praising alley activation as an underutilized opportunity, referencing concepts from Jeff Speck's "Walkable Cities" and Jane Jacobs' "eyes on the street." He suggested prioritizing land use changes before beautification.
• Public Comments – Matters Not on the Agenda: Dan Allison raised concerns about 64 bag buttons installed on Alhambra Boulevard, stating they are not a recognized pedestrian safety countermeasure by FHWA and questioning the decision, funding source, and lack of appropriate signage.

Discussion Items

• Item 3: Selection of Chair and Vice Chair for Calendar Year 2024 – Chair Doerr Westbrook was ineligible for re-election as Chair after serving two years. Nominations were made: Commissioner Gonzalez nominated himself, and Commissioner Banks nominated Arlete Hodel. Following candidate statements, a vote was taken. Commissioner Hodel was elected Chair (7 ayes: Banks, Erasmus, Hodel, Houpt, Moore, Roh, Doerr Westbrook; 1 nay: Gibson; 1 abstain: Gonzalez; Harris absent). Then, Commissioner Houpt nominated Isaac Gonzalez, Jr. for Vice Chair, and the motion passed unanimously (9 ayes; Harris absent). The new officers begin their terms at the next regular meeting.
• Item 4: Draft Work Zone and Event Detour Policy – Transportation Planner Casandra Cortez presented the policy, which aims to prevent detours and maintain accessibility for people walking and biking through work zones and special events. Proposed accommodations include sidewalk diversions (required for 5+ day stationary work), covered walkways, bikeway diversions (preferred over detours), sharing travel lanes, and bikeway detours (last resort). Staff noted the policy will increase costs for development and events and is still in development with a public webinar scheduled for January 24. Commissioners offered extensive feedback:
  • Commissioner Hodel emphasized the need for stakeholder (e.g., Walk Sacramento, SABA) comment opportunities and clear enforcement.
  • Commissioner Moore urged requiring physically protected bikeways in diversions rather than minimum class II lanes, and opposed physical police presence for enforcement, favoring automated measures.
  • Commissioner Gonzalez asked for QR codes or contact info posted at zones for near-immediate issue reporting, and suggested real-world photos instead of schematics to guide implementation.
  • Commissioner Gibson recommended two-tier enforcement: education first, then fees or halting construction, and a public database of approved traffic control plans.
  • Chair Doerr Westbrook requested that the policy include considerations for street crown slopes requiring platform build-outs for ADA compliance, and that bike parking affected by closures be addressed.
  • Commissioner Erasmus inquired about outreach strategies and suggested partnerships with Google Maps/Waze for long-term detours.
  • Commissioner Banks emphasized using "do this, not that" photos and urged education for event organizers.
  • Commissioner Houpt noted that the MUTCD has updated language on “share the road” to a 3-foot minimum passing clearance, which should be reflected.
• Item 5: Log Item Report Back: Sacramento’s Alleys – Transportation Planning Manager Jennifer Donlon Wyant reported on former Commissioner Granville's log item. The city has over 1,200 alleys, primarily in older areas. Alleys provide access for waste services, garages, and ADUs, but face issues with illegal dumping and safety. Only two alley activation projects have occurred in 20 years: L Street Alley (c. 2010, via redevelopment funds) and the Dixieanne project (via Clean California grant). The report was received and filed.
• Commissioner Comments & Further Items: Commissioner Gibson acknowledged recent traffic fatalities (five since November 30, 2023) and made a log request on behalf of absent Commissioner Harris for a public presentation on repurposing the Highway 160 crossing for active transportation. Commissioner Gonzalez requested clarification on meeting calendar changes, a citywide crash dashboard, and a Zoom option for commissioners when ill (staff noted remote participation is not currently allowed). Commissioner Moore noted a SacBee article on sidewalk repair inequity and asked about city mechanisms for enforcing obstructions of public right-of-way beyond work zones; Chair Doerr Westbrook added that to the log. Commissioner Banks suggested an "Adopt-an-Alley" program. Commissioner Gibson asked about the Truxel Bridge project presentation (scheduled for February). Chair Doerr Westbrook noted an annual ATC report tentatively scheduled for City Council on February 13.

Key Outcomes

• Commissioner Arlete Hodel was elected Chair for calendar year 2024 (vote: 7-1-1).
• Commissioner Isaac Gonzalez, Jr. was elected Vice Chair for calendar year 2024 (unanimous).
• The Draft Work Zone and Event Detour Policy received extensive comments; staff will incorporate feedback and bring a finalized version back to the ATC and then to City Council.
• The Log Item Report Back on Sacramento’s Alleys was received and filed.
• Log requests added: 1) Commissioner Harris's request for a public presentation on Highway 160 active transportation crossing (for March 2024 meeting). 2) Commissioner Banks's request to explore an "Adopt-an-Alley" program. 3) Commissioner Moore's request for a report on mechanisms to enforce public right-of-way obstructions (e.g., signage, chairs). 4) Chair Doerr Westbrook's reminder to establish a community award for May (Bike Month).
• Staff noted a growing team of eight (six permanent, two temporary) with new data analyst Leon Shum, who will help develop a Vision Zero crash dashboard (timeline not immediate).
• The meeting adjourned at 7:28 p.m.