ROLL CALL: Leonardo Gonzalez Chairperson, Zachary Hilton Vice Chairperson, Tony Marandos arrived at 6:05 p.m., Sean Reedy, Chad Reeder

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1 MINUTES OF BICYCLE PEDESTRIAN COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017 CALL TO ORDER: 6:04 p.m. ROLL CALL: Leonardo Gonzalez Chairperson, Zachary Hilton Vice Chairperson, Tony Marandos arrived at 6:05 p.m., Sean Reedy, Chad Reeder ALSO PRESENT: Donna Taft, Office Assistant I COMMISSION SECRETARY S REPORT ON POSTING THE AGENDA: The agenda for the Bicycle Pedestrian regular meeting was posted on Wednesday, June 21, 2017, at 4:50 p.m. in the City Hall announcement window near the Council Chambers and online in keeping with provisions of the California Brown Act. PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS TO COMMISSION: A. Public Comments: None B. Let s All Go To The Park Initiative Presentation: Michelle Wexler, Prevention Program Analyst with Santa Clara County Public Health Department, shared a presentation on the nationwide connection between parks and health and that many health care providers have begun recommending parks to the families that they see. Wexler spoke about working to promote safe routes to get to the parks. She introduced a project they are working on called Let s All Go To The Park which showcases South County parks and trails and provides activation events that model the health benefits of park utilization. They want to promote healthy practices that include water consumption, pedestrian and bike safety and diabetes prevention education. They are focusing on promoting five South County parks by holding events over a six month period. Registration is not required. Water is offered to participants, helmets are checked and people are along the route to encourage participants to continue on the route or to recommend resting and/or turning back if they so desire. Wexler is seeking the support of the Bicycle Pedestrian Commission to help promote the Gilroy Levee walk/bike ride taking place on September 9, 2017 from 10am - noon via social media, websites and word of mouth. The event begins at the Sports Complex then onto Christmas Hill Park and back. She is seeking assistance with a cycle leader in the front of the group and one in the back, helmet fitting, and safety and logistical needs. Incentive items will be provided to the first 100 participants. Wexler also shared that the bike repair stand is to be installed at the library on August 26 th. She said they will be directing people there to do repairs and on that date will encourage people to attend the event on September 9 th. Commissioner Marandos suggested distributing bicycle maps at the event.

2 C. Valley Transportation Authority Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee (VTABPAC) Update: Carolyn Schimandle, VTABPAC Member, stated that there was nothing to report as the monthly VTABPAC meeting was cancelled this month. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approved: Minutes were moved for approval by Commissioner Marandos; it was seconded by Commissioner Reeder. OLD BUSINESS: A. Monthly Award: Commissioner Hilton shared that he dropped off copies of the award form to Sunshine Bicycles, Shifty Cycles and has been sharing information online. Depending on whether the nominee is a child or adult, Sunshine and Shifty have stated that they will promote it and can provide a prize pack (ie: helmet). He also spoke to Sgt. Stanford who is looking for funding to take some crossing guards to a waterslide. If the Commission does not receive a nomination, Vice Chairperson Hilton suggested the Commissioners nominate someone. Hilton nominated Kevin Griffin, owner of Shifty Cycles. He will be invited to come to the next commission meeting in July. After a brief discussion, it was decided that a template will be created to present to the nominated person, a photograph will be taken and they will receive a small gift/token of appreciation. If more than one nomination is received, the Commission will vote on who the recipient will be and the remaining nominees will move to the next month. Motion was made to nominate Kevin Griffin as the first recipient of the monthly award and the motion passed 5-0. Hilton would like to see nominations come from the community as much as possible and not from the Commission and should focus on children. B. Strategic Plan: Vice Chairperson Hilton updated the Strategic Plan and added to the Goals section (page 3) as many of the Master Plans are being reevaluated. He added: Update Parks Master Plan and Gilroy Sports Park Master Plan to include BMX dirt track, dirt pump track, and asphalt pump track. The dirt track did not make it into the budget because it s not listed as having an outdoor BMX track at the Gilroy Sports Park and it was never included or updated as such in the Master Plan. The dirt pump track and asphalt pump track are also not in the Master Plan. Commissioner Reeder shared that he will be attending a meeting on Thursday, 6/29 for which he has received a packet and one issue is that our current plan is in violation of the ordinance to contain growth in the city. It needs to be redone to meet that code. He will update the Commission at next months meeting. Vice Chairperson Hilton also shared that on page 5, under Action Plan, an addition was made because during one of the budget study sessions, when the BPC s three priority items were presented to Council, it was recommended not to go through with funding for it as Council wants Garlic City BMX to present the city with a financial feasibility plan, and a business plan as well as past successes including a succession plan for the BMX Park. Hilton also shared that he identified two grants: one from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) with a bike share capital project and People for Bikes who are giving funding for bicycle infrastructure projects. That information was sent to Michael Fisher, Consultant Transportation Engineer as one thing that can be done are bike lanes. The funding application deadline is in June and December. Commissioner Marandos suggested adding the League of American Bicyclists Bicycle Friendly City Designation to the grants sought for next year as the deadline this year is mid August. Marandos will forward the information for discussion at the July Commission meeting. C. Bike Rack Update: Vice Chairperson Gonzalez shared comments from a discussion with Michael Fisher, Consultant Transportation Engineer. If someone donates a rack and that companies name is on the rack it is considered a sign and therefore, must go through the Planning Commission as there is an ordinance.

3 Gabe Gonzalez, City Administrator told Fisher that this Commission should hold off on this item until the budget is set as there isn t staff to deal with this at this time. Vice Chairperson Hilton stated that Gabe Gonzalez and other Council members at a recent budget meeting agreed that they want to have bike racks downtown separate of those that are being donated. He feels the Commission should sit down and determine a standard for what a bike rack should be. Commissioner Marandos shared that Pacific Grove has a bike rack identical to the one that Gilroy Rotary club has proposed gifting to the city. He suggested contacting the city of Pacific Grove as research. Hilton stated that the city has asked establishments to purchase racks for in front of their businesses but because there isn t a standard in place for it they are unable to do so. A discussion occurred about why a business s name cannot be on a sign if they are paying for it. Commissioner Marandos stated that the city installed statues around downtown which are all different and each is sponsored by different businesses with their names on them and the new Paseo has billboards sponsored by businesses. He stated there are a lot of contradictions to the policies. D. Amendment to the Pedestrian Commission Ordinance # : Chairperson Gonzalez shared that Michael Fisher, Consultant Transportation Engineer had some comments about the proposed additions to the Ordinance (adding items f, g, h, and i to Powers and Duties under Section I) which he asked Gonzalez to share with the Commission in his absence. Regarding Section I, item (g) Transportation projects and new development projects with private and public streets shall be reviewed by the Bicycle Pedestrian Commission early in the planning and design stage, to provide the Bicycle Pedestrian Commission an opportunity to provide comments and recommendation regarding Complete Streets features to be incorporated into the project;. Because the Commission does not have jurisdiction over private streets, it was recommended that private be removed from the wording. Vice Chairperson Hilton shared that the wording follows the Complete Streets Ordinance already adopted by the City. Commissioner Marandos stated he would like to see private remain. Another of Fisher s concerns was that it could potentially stall projects. Gonzalez suggested that the Chair and Vice Chair receive a list of lead projects to review versus going in front of the entire body. Hilton used Third Street and its striping inconsistencies as an example of why it would work and rebuts Fishers concerns. Motion was made by Vice Chairperson Hilton to approve the proposed additions to be in line with the other commissions in the City of Gilroy, it was seconded by Commissioner Reeder. Motion passed 5-0. E. Bylaws Section 7, Addition of #3: Commissioners Gonzalez, Hilton, Marandos, Reedy and Reeder discussed that excused and unexcused absences of a member at regular meetings will be at the discretion of the body. The City Clerk will be notified if a member violates the Bylaws and will determine the outcome. Motion was made by Commissioner Reeder to add Item #3 to Section 7 Attendance of the Bylaws to read: A member that is absent four (4) times in a twelve (12) month period could be removed from the Commission at the discretion of the Bicycle Pedestrian Commission. It was seconded by Vice Chairperson Hilton. Motion passed 5-0. NEW BUSINESS: None COMMISSIONER S REPORTS: A. Chairperson Leo Gonzalez: Recommends that the vegetation in the center median at the crosswalk in front of the train station on Monterey be removed as pedestrians are not visible behind the bushes. Vegetation at the Luchessa roundabout is also too tall and must be cut back; Suggests doing more protected bike lanes and recommends one go on Monterey between Tenth Street and Luchessa on the west side of the road

4 would be a great place to start; He is involved with the Traffic Safe Community Network and at a recent meeting they voted on two agenda items 1) to get every city in the county involved with Crossroads and 2) for the next two years they are going to study the number of pedestrians and cyclists involved in traffic collisions; Safe Routes to School for Palo Alto is the model for the nation and a key component is that they have a paid spot and he feels Gilroy should have the same; Wants to change the mindset at the city level that people are driving to school and suggests having a City of Gilroy staff member attend a subsequent meeting; Suggests laminating the bicycle maps and putting them on a board with Plexiglas on existing doggy bag posts; Stated that the roundabouts in Santa Cruz have signs in the middle island directing drivers and cyclists the streets and it s beneficial. B. Vice Chairperson Zachary Hilton: He shared with Commissioner Reeder that at the General Planning Advisory Committee meeting he should get the terminology for Safe Routes to School and Complete Streets to be used in the Master Plans that will be updated; He had a phone conversation with Rosie Mesterhazy, the coordinator with Safe Routes to School in Palo Alto about what works for them and their intended use of Measure B funding. They discussed that grades K-2 nd in all elementary schools hold Safe Moves Pedestrian Safety as well as safety events at Back to School. When the $39,000 in funding is received he would like to question city staff on what to do with the funds. Two times a year Palo Alto holds an event called Open Streets where pedestrians and cyclists have access to several blocks being shut down to hold safety events, education, bike rodeos, etc. The City of Palo Alto adopts policies with the school board and commissioners and, as a result, schools are automatically opted in to Safe Routes to School. Mesterhazy also shared that once a year she attends assembly with all fifth graders to give a bicycle/pedestrian education class; He would like to get Luigi Aprea parents and leaders involved as to what our Commission is doing and the route the county and nation are going and to be made aware of the resources available; Attended a meeting called Implementing Sustainable Communities, a workshop hosted by the California Strategic Growth Counsel. Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) was there and Hilton highly recommends checking out their website regarding Plan Bay Area because it s one of the major grants that gives funding to the city and they need to a have Complete Streets policy and follow it; He would like a photo taken of the Commissioners to update the website; Would still like to have the Bicycle Pedestrian Commission meetings filmed but learned that the budget does not allow it at this time; Would like to see roundabouts with sharrows and a sign; The Downtown Specific Plan is currently being updated. There are three to four pages worth of bike infrastructure that he feels is good and relevant but does not include a standard for a bike rack. Perhaps Sue Ostrander, Planning Division Manager, should come to a subsequent meeting to get input from the Commissioners for additional bicycle/pedestrian information before it s updated by the end of the year; There is $1,000 from the IT Department added to the budget which will be used to provide s to all Commissioners. C. Commissioner Marandos: Shared that he is pleased about the buffered bike lanes on Welburn and he is hopeful that First Street, Tenth Street, Luchessa, and Princevalle Streets get the same; The League of American Bicyclists would like to apply again for the Bicycle Friendly City Designation; He is disheartened by the information shared by Commissioner Reeder about the information received from Gilroy Unified School District regarding the apartment complex on Tenth Street. The Commission made its concerns very clear to everyone about pedestrian improvements, sidewalk installation on the south end of 10 th and Monterey and other traffic that can cause potential issues in that area; He shared that the concept of bike and walk trains may help alleviate the concerns that parents have about kids walking or riding to school on their own; He would like the Commission to have a banner with the logo that could be used at Bike to Work Day and other events; Stated there is an account with money in it with Bicycle Pedestrian Commission designation.

5 D. Commissioner Reedy: He and Vice Chairperson Hilton attended the YMCA Kick Off To Summer to help with bike helmet fittings and set up a bicycle safety course; He is beginning work to start Safe Routes to School at Antonio Del Beono Elementary. E. Commissioner Chad Reeder: Spoke with Gilroy Unified School District (GUSD) and will arrange to meet at the construction site for the new apartment complex going in on Tenth Street to discuss the challenges that students attending Glenview Elementary will have walking to school; A new elementary school is being built near Solarsano and he encourages that a walking audit take place; He is continuing to work on the business cards; A meeting with Gabe Gonzalez is scheduled for July 5 at 2:00pm where Reeder will offer the Commissions services to the City Administrator as the City is short staffed (to be advocates for them); He will continue to push for green bike lanes and suggested that the first green lane be put on Welburn; Temporary paint has been put on Luchessa Bridge and he would like to see sharrows on it; General Planning Advisory Committee (GPAC) is on Thursday, June 29 and he will update the Commission at the July meeting; Would like to see a timeline for the BMX track to include next steps, hurdles, costs, etc.; There is a new BMX track in Aptos, a new asphalt pump track in Watsonville and a new bike park in San Jose and the Commission can reach out to those cities to get information about the process they went through. STAFF COMMENTS: None AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING: Monthly Award to Kevin Griffin of Shifty Cycles Valley Transportation Authority Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee (VTABPAC) Update New Apartment Complex Under Construction on Tenth Street Monthly Award Strategic Plan Bike Rack Update The League of American Bicyclists Striping Green Lanes/Sharrows Through Roundabouts Protected Bike Lanes General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) Update ADJOURN: 8:20 p.m. to the July 25, 2017 meeting at 6pm.