1) New Business
a. Move Cranfield Avenue issue to Traffic & Transportation Commission with Recommendations
i. Chairperson Panero stated that the problem is not the concern of the B/PAC because the issue does not relate to bicycling or walking
ii. Committee member Harris stated that the issue has been to the Traffic and Transportation commission but has not been significantly addressed. Also, the key issue is that of pedestrian safety because of the large amount of student traffic, both in cars and walking. Committee member Harris also asked whether it would be possible to install a traffic circle to reduce the traffic problem.
iii. Public Works Director Parviz Mokhtari stated that the city council must decide where money for a study will come from. He acknowledged that a problem exists, though the issue is who will pay for a study. Both the city of Belmont and Carlmont High School are involved, and there is no professional traffic report in existence for the intersection. Director Mokhtari stated that the B/PAC could send the issue directly to the City Council, but suggested that if it was submitted first to the Traffic and Transportation commission there would be two committees behind the issue rather than just one.
iv. Committee member Harris stated that the parties involved continually suggest that it is other parties’ problem. She also pointed out that the intersection is within San Carlos city limits.
v. Director Mokhtari stated that a third party would make the best recommendations regarding solutions to the issue.
vi. Committee member Pye stated that the B/PAC recommended at the last meeting that a third party agency should look into the issue.
vii. Director Mokhtari stated that the selection of a third party is made by the City Council. He also suggested that it is possible the city will pay for a Traffic Engineer.
viii. Chairperson Panero suggested that the B/PAC make a recommendation to the City Council that a traffic engineer be hired to study the Cranfield Avenue intersection and that the Traffic and Transportation commission support this effort.
ix. Motion/Second Committee members Baumgarten/Peale that the Traffic and Transportation commission in concert with the B/PAC propose that the City of San Carlos recommend that San Carlos contract with a qualified traffic engineer to study alternatives to the problems of vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle traffic in and around the Cranfield Ave. / Alameda de las Pulgas / Carlmont High School intersection area, and make recommendations as applicable.
a. How does a local resident know which jurisdiction is responsible for a street or walkway problem and what should San Carlos city staff do to make it less difficult to report problems?
i. Chairperson Panero stated that it is unclear to whom road problems should be reported.
ii. Director Mokhtari clarified that city staff will inform the appropriate authorities of any problems and that City Hall policy is to forward any calls regarding roads to Director Mokhtari or one of his staff. He also stated that staff can add this question to the city’s website FAQ section.
iii. Chairperson Panero mentioned that the Circulation Element has an entry along those lines.
b. All future road/walkway/bikeway projects shall be presented to B/PAC for review so accommodation for pedestrians and bicyclists is assured during and after construction. Presentations shall include descriptions of the consequences for pedestrians and cyclists during and after construction.
i. Chairperson Panero stated that many construction projects, often for several weeks. The projects may have nothing to do with bicycling or walking, but they still have impact on bicyclists and pedestrians. He asked that a formal request be made that every project with impact on bicycles or pedestrians be presented to the committee.
ii. Director Mokhtari stated that B/PAC is an advisory committee and that plans are never presented officially. He also stated that the city will inform the public and take comments whenever a project with significant impact is to take place, and confirmed that any sensible suggestions with minimal costs would certainly be incorporated into plans.
iii. Chairperson Panero stated that the B/PAC would like to be informed before, rather than after, the projects begin.
iv. Director Mokhtari asked that the committee revise its suggestion to review “all” projects to read: “all projects with major impact on bicycles and pedestrians. ”He stated that asking to review all road projects is too large a category and that most projects have little to no impact on bicycles or pedestrians.
v. Committee member Harris asked whether the committee was most concerned with residential, commercial, or mixed use development.
vi. Chairperson Panero stated that to assume that blocking bicycle and pedestrian routes is a sign that bicycles and pedestrians are not considered important.
vii. Committee member Baumgarten stated that the B/PAC should be able to look at any public works project with impact or failure to consider bicycle and pedestrian issues. He suggested that the B/PAC be included in the early stages of the planning process.
viii. Chairperson Panero asked whether there was any need to make a formal resolution or whether the B/PAC can assume that we can expect to be understood without one. He also hoped that projects with impact to bicycles and pedestrians would be present early enough that the B/PAC would be able to influence the design process.
ix. Committee member Harris asked whether signs would be included in the presentations.
x. Director Mokhtari responded that signs would be included.
c. Jack Baumgarten to report on Circulation Plan
i. Committee member Baumgarten stated that a few months ago, the planning department accepted comments on a draft circulation element. The B/PAC made significant recommendations about the circulation element, and it seems that the specific comments of the B/PAC were adhered to in the final Circulation element. One suggestion not included in the final plan was the suggestion that all projects “should” consider bicycle/pedestrian impact was not changed to “shall. ”Committee member Baumgarten is pleased with the final Circulation Element.
ii. Director Mokhtari stated that travel lanes for cars will be narrowed to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety, and that further presentation of the element will occur at the May 9th City Council meeting.
d. Cecily Harris to report on Principal’s meeting
i. Committee member Harris did not attend the meeting because the principal of Carlmont High school did not attend.
ii. Director Mokhtari stated that all principles are nervous about the status of the intersection of San Carlos Ave. and Club Drive next year because of the discontinuation of SCOOT next year. He stated that the principals of schools involved may contact the B/PAC about suggestions for walking or biking to school.
iii. Committee member Peale asked what would be the best plan of action in order for the B/PAC to help solve the traffic congestion problem.
iv. Director Mokhtari replied that the best way to reduce traffic is to educate students, parents, and principles about the issues involved.
e. Recognition of Nancy Lewis for her contributions to B/PAC
i. A plaque has been mailed to Nancy in appreciation for her work with the B/PAC
f. Election of Chair and Vice Chair for the coming year
i. Committee member Baumgarten motioned that the current Chair and Vice chair continue their work for a second term. Committee member Harris seconded.
2) Old Business
a. Prepare for Meeting with City Council July 11,2005
i. The meeting will be held on July 11th.
b. Status of B/PAC Web Pages
No report.
c. Status of bushes in the roadway on Alameda at Brook Street (completed)
Bushes have been removed by city staff.
d. Problem Intersections
No contributions to the list were made.
3) Committee Reports
a. Subcommittee Reports
i. Hometown Days Bike Parking
1. Chairperson Panero stated that HTD is coordinating the parking and Chairperson Panero is assisting them. Committee member Peale still needs to contact Sheryl Pomerank in connection with the Art and Wine festival parking.
b. Commission Reports
i. Youth Advisory Council
1. Committee member Peale stated that the YAC is concerned about the disappearance of SCOOT and may be helpful in organizing events and providing volunteers.
ii. Parks and Recreation Commission
1. Committee member Harris stated that the Parks and Recreation commission met with the City Council. The Parks and Recreation has wanted to establish a foundation to benefit Parks and Recreation in the city. A consultant attended the study session. A new trailhead off Crestview Drive linking to the new Mid Peninsula Open Space trail system has support from Mid Peninsula Open Space, but the City of San Carlos must pay for everything. The next step is to bring the proposed trail to City Council and to hold public comment meetings.
4) Public Comment
a. None
5) Adjournment
Motion/Second: Committee members Baumgarten/Pye
