Title
Staff Report for a City of San Leandro City Council Resolution to Appoint Members to the City of San Leandro Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
Staffreport
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) provides a forum for public input and discussion regarding non-motorized mobility within the City. The BPAC also provides policy recommendations to achieve the City’s adopted Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan goals and objectives.
Given the current vacancies in the BPAC, staff recommends the following action:
1. Adopt a resolution to appoint the following as members to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee.
a. Donna Chang (Council District 5)
b. Angela Hoang (Council District 6)
BACKGROUND
Although establishing a BPAC is not required by law, the BPAC provides a valuable forum to receive community input related to bicycle and pedestrian facilities. A complete committee is recommended. Following is a summary of the key elements of the BPAC:
Committee Name: Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
Membership: Eleven Member Committee
Staff recommends that there be no age limit for BPAC members and that at least one member represent each Council District. The selected members must represent both bicyclist and pedestrian interests and be approved by the City Council.
Responsibilities: In general, the BPAC will be charged with advising staff on matters relating to the status and condition of bicycle and pedestrian facilities within the City.
Meetings: Meetings of the BPAC shall be held on an as-needed basis. It is anticipated that the BPAC will meet several times this calendar year on an ad-hoc basis.
DISCUSSION
The BPAC is comprised of eleven members. BPAC members, who represent both bicycle and pedestrian interests, are selected to represent each of the six Council districts. Recently, two BPAC members resigned, prompting staff to fill the vacancies on an interim basis after receiving recommendations from Council Members who represent those districts. The two interim members are now seeking City Council approval for permanent appointment.
Staff recommends that the City Council appoint two new members to serve on the BPAC. The following San Leandro residents are recommended for appointment to the BPAC:
1. Donna Chang (Council District 5)
2. Angela Hoang (Council District 6)
Current Agency Policies
Maintain and enhance San Leandro’s infrastructure
Support and implement programs, activities and strengthen communication that enhances the quality of life and wellness, celebrates the arts and diversity and promotes civic pride
Previous Actions
On March 19, 2018, by Resolution No. 2018-103, Council approved two new BPAC members.
Applicable General Plan Policies
• Policy T 2.1 - Complete Streets Serving All Users and Modes. Create and maintain “complete” streets that provide safe, comfortable, and convenient travel through a comprehensive, integrated transportation network that serves all users.
• Policy T-2.2 - Context Sensitive Design. Be positive to local conditions when planning and implementing street improvement projects. The City will work with residents, businesses, and other stakeholders to improve streets in a way that creates a stronger sense of place.
• Policy T-3.1 - Citywide Bikeway System. Develop and maintain a bikeway system that meets the needs of both utilitarian and recreational users, reduces vehicle trips and connects residential neighborhoods to employment and shopping areas, BART stations, schools, recreational facilities and other destinations through San Leandro and nearby communities.
• Policy T-3.2 - Funding. Maximize the City’s eligibility for funding for bicycle and pedestrian improvements, and aggressively pursue such funding to complete desired projects.
• Policy T-3.3 - Designing for Multiple User Group. Recognize the dual needs of experienced cyclists relying on bicycles for commute trips and daily travel and less experienced cyclists using bicycles principally for recreation. Where needed, develop facilities designed to serve each user group, with recreational routes primarily using low-volume streets and off-street bike paths.
• Policy T3.4 - Future Trail Alignments. Encourage the use of existing natural and man-made corridors such as creeks, shorelines, railroad corridors, and other open space corridors for future multi-use trail alignments.
• Policy T-3.6 - Pedestrian Environment. Improve the walkability of all streets in San Leandro through the planning, implementing, and maintaining of pedestrian supportive infrastructure.
• Policy T-3.7 - Removing Barriers to Active Transportation. Reduce barriers to walking and other forms of active transportation such as incomplete or uneven sidewalks, lack of wheelchair ramps and curb cuts, sidewalk obstructions including cars parked on sidewalks, trail gaps, wide intersections, and poor sidewalk connections to transit stops.
• Policy T-3.8 - Education on Walking and Biking Benefits. Raise awareness of the benefits of walking and biking, such as reduced noise, energy consumption, congestion and parking demand; improved air quality; and opportunities for exercise and healthy life style.
• Policy T-3.9 - Coordination with Bicycle Advocacy Groups. Coordinate local bicycle and pedestrian education efforts with interest groups and bicycle advocates such as Bike East Bay, the Cherry City Cyclists and other relevant advocacy associations.
Environmental Review
The formation of a BPAC does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Summary of Public Outreach Efforts
Staff coordinated with the respective City Council Members for the proposed appointments to the BPAC.
Fiscal Impacts
There are no fiscal impacts arising from the proposed appointment of two new BPAC members to fill current vacancies on the Committee.
PREPARED BY: Reh-Lin N. Chen, Senior Transportation Engineer, Engineering and Transportation Department