Sacramento Active Transportation Commission Meeting - March 21, 2024

The Sacramento Active Transportation Commission met on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, 915 I Street, to discuss six agenda items including active transportation elements of the Downtown Riverfront Streetcar Project, the Draft Parks Plan 2040, the T Street Bikeway Gap Closure, and a recommendation to City Council for Active Transportation Program (ATP) Cycle 7 grant applications. The meeting included public testimony on multiple items and concluded with commissioner comments and public comment on matters not on the agenda.

Consent Calendar

• Item 1: Approved the Active Transportation Commission meeting minutes from February 15, 2024. (File ID: 2024-00003)
• Item 2: Adopted the Active Transportation Commission Log. (File ID: 2024-00684) Both items were approved by a single motion (7-0, with Commissioners Erasmus and Gonzalez absent).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 3 (Downtown Riverfront Streetcar): Two speakers spoke. Dan Allison (District 4 resident) supported the project but raised concerns about inadequate bike lane protection on Third Street, recommending lane width reductions and a wider buffer with delineators. Matt Anderson (District 4 resident) expressed excitement, requesting raised bike lanes on the bridge, a painted lane on alternative routes, and additional tree planting.
• Item 5 (T Street Bikeway Gap Closure): Three speakers commented. Lawrence Bernstein emphasized the need to remove parking near Stockton Boulevard to create space for queuing bike lanes. Mark Harmon suggested a bike box for left turns onto 34th Street. Dan (last speaker) supported the project, recommended removing unnecessary parking under the freeway and making the right-hand lane on T Street eastbound a right-turn-only lane.
• Item 6 (ATP Cycle 7 Grants): One speaker, Dan Allison, supported the Envision Broadway project but expressed concerns about sidewalk widening language ("if feasible") and urged the commission not to recommend the Freeport Boulevard project, stating the plan did not reflect community priorities for safety and trees.
• Public Comments - Matters Not on the Agenda: Two speakers addressed the commission. Dan proposed a rapid response safety pilot program, asked about "no turn on red" prioritization and crosswalk daylighting, and noted improvements at the Jack Rabbit Trail crossing. Matt Anderson praised recent traffic calming installations and encouraged support for a quick-build program following Councilmember Valenzuela's request for cost estimates.

Discussion Items

• Item 3: Downtown Riverfront Streetcar Project - Active Transportation Elements (File ID: 2024-00727) Anthony Amsen (Director of Planning, Sacramento Regional Transit) presented the 1.5-mile streetcar alignment from Sutter Health Park to the Valley Station, including planned Class IV cycle tracks (6 feet on Tower Bridge and Third Street, 4-6 feet on N Street), pedestrian safety upgrades, and removal of 121 parking spaces. He noted 80% funding secured ($130 million of $160 million), an environmental document to be resubmitted in summer 2024, and a target construction start in 2027. Commissioners raised concerns about physical separation for bike lanes (especially on Third Street and Tower Bridge), shared sidewalk design for bicycles and pedestrians, and the need to align with the city's upcoming street design standards update. No vote was taken; the commission provided feedback.

• Item 4: Draft Parks Plan 2040 Public Release (File ID: 2024-00696) Dana Repan (Senior Planner, Youth, Parks, & Community Enrichment) presented the plan, which is out for public comment from March 8 to April 8, 2024. Key directions include equitable investment, sustainable management, and youth development. A statistically valid survey showed majority support for allocating more funding to high-need neighborhoods. Commissioners asked about park need metrics, bicycle integration (bike racks, safe routes, shared-use paths), and budgets for implementation. Staff clarified access to parks is managed by Public Works and encouraged participation in the upcoming Streets for People Plan. No vote was taken.

• Item 5: T Street Bikeway Gap Closure Rehabilitation Project (File ID: 2024-00697) Judy Matsui-Drury (Supervising Engineer) presented the proposed bikeway concept to close the gap between 34th Street and Stockton Boulevard. The plan includes buffered Class II bike lanes, parking removal near key intersections, lane reductions from four to two lanes between 34th and 35th Streets, a relocated pedestrian crossing with rapid-flashing beacons, and pavement rehabilitation. The project is on the Vision Zero High Injury Network. Commissioners supported the project but emphasized the need for physical separation, bike boxes, and signal timing that prioritizes cyclists and pedestrians. Cost estimated around $3 million for design and construction, with local funding intended. No vote was taken; feedback was provided.

• Item 6: Active Transportation Program Cycle 7 Grant Applications (File ID: 2024-00685) Jennifer Donlon Wyant (Transportation Planning Manager) presented three project applications for City Council approval: (a) Envision Broadway in Oak Park (construction funding), (b) Freeport Boulevard Safety and Mobility Project (preliminary design and environmental clearance), and (c) Northgate Boulevard Safety and Mobility Project (preliminary design and environmental clearance). She noted the program's high competition (~15% award rate) and a potential $200 million reduction in state funding. Commissioners expressed concerns about Freeport's community support and competitiveness but were assured that design revisions could be made during the preliminary design phase. The commission recommended all three applications to City Council.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Motion passed 7-0 to approve minutes and adopt the Commission Log.
• Item 6 (ATP Grants): Motion passed to recommend to City Council the approval of applications for Envision Broadway (Oak Park), Freeport Boulevard, and Northgate Boulevard. Vote: 6-0 (Commissioners Banks, Gibson, Harris, Houpt, Moore, Chair Hodel in favor; Commissioner Doerr Westbrook recused; Commissioners Erasmus and Gonzalez absent).
• Commissioner Doerr Westbrook recused herself from Item 6 due to a conflict of interest (not specified).
• The commission received updates on the staff report, including a $50 million federal award for the Reconnecting Old North Sacramento project (Highway 160), the acceptance of the Active Transportation Commission annual report by City Council with direction to develop a quick-build program cost estimate, and the resignation of Commissioner Rowe. Recruiting is active for two commissioner seats.
• Commissioner Harris noted the need for better performance metrics to track implementation of commission recommendations.
• Commissioner Gibson reported three recent traffic fatalities involving pedestrians and cyclists (Feb 26, March 16) and noted that traffic deaths (65 in 2023) outpace homicides (38), urging continued safety funding.
• Commissioner Banks promoted Bike Month activities in May, including a city bike ride on May 22.
• Commissioner Houpt raised the issue of a city policy for pedestrian and bicycle conduct on paths, similar to county policy; staff will consult with the city manager's office and traffic engineer on next steps.
• The meeting adjourned at 7:13 p.m.