October 2, 2023 Council Transportation Committee

Video

Agenda

• 1. CALL TO ORDER: At 6:32 p.m., Chair Kamei called the meeting to order. (00:00:01)
• 2. ROLL CALL (00:00:01)
• 3. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC - None (00:00:43)
• 4. CONSENT: There were no public speakers in-person or virtually. MOTION - M/S - Matichak/Hicks - To approve the Consent Calendar. (00:02:09)
• 4.1 Approve Meeting Minutes: Approve the Council Transportation Committee meeting minutes of May 15, 2023. (00:02:09)
• 4.2 California State Transportation Agency-Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Grant: Forward a recommendation to the City Council to allocate the $20 million Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program grant funding award from the California State Transportation Agency to the construction phase of the Rengstorff Avenue ... (00:02:09)
• 5. NEW BUSINESS (00:03:20)
• 5.1 California Street Complete Street Improvements, Pilot, Project 21-40: Associate Civil Engineer Nguyen, Consultant McGowan, and Consultant Cosentino provided a presentation on the California Street Complete Street Improvements, Pilot, Project 21-40. (00:03:20)
• 5.2 Grant Road and Sleeper Avenue Intersection Improvements, Project 21-39: Associate Civil Engineer Robertson provided a presentation on the Grant Road and Sleeper Avenue Intersection Improvements, Project 21-39. (01:19:01)
• 6. COMMITTEE/STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS, UPDATES, REQUESTS, AND COMMITTEE REPORTS (02:30:50)
• 6.1 Staff Comments: Public Works Director Cameron provided a verbal update on the Castro Street Grade Separation project. She also proposed a tentative Council Transportation Committee meeting schedule for 2024. (02:30:50)
• 6.2 Committee Comments: There were no Committee comments. There were no public speakers in-person or virtually. (02:47:04)
• 7. ADJOURNMENT: At 9:20 p.m., Chair Kamei adjourned the meeting. (02:47:04)

Transcript

2. ROLL CALL

[00:00:01] Chair Ellen Kamei: Great. Okay, good evening, everyone. Welcome to the Council Transportation Committee meeting of October 2nd 2023. The meeting is started at 6.32 PM. This is a hybrid meeting allowing public comment both in person and virtually. Instructions for addressing the committee virtually may be found on the posted agenda, and I believe we have one over there for our person, and then online for those virtual. Loom on item 2, which is roll call. The public works director will take attendance by roll. Okay. Um,

[00:00:33] Public Works Director Cameron: share person committee.

[00:00:35] Chair Ellen Kamei: Here.

[00:00:37] Public Works Director Cameron: Council member, Mattachek,

[00:00:38] Member Lisa Matichak: here,

[00:00:39] Public Works Director Cameron: and uh, mayor.

[00:00:41] Member Alison Hicks: Yeah.

3. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC - None

[00:00:43] Chair Ellen Kamei: Great. So we'll move on to item 3 oral communications. This portion of the meeting is reserved. We need to address the committee on any matter, not on the agenda. Speakers are allowed to speak on any topic for up to 3 minutes during this section. State law prohibits the committee from acting on nonagenda items. Would any member of the public on the line or in person like to provide comment on a non-agenda item? If so, please click the raise hand button in Zoom, or you may approach the lectern, and I believe there's cards, um, if you would like to give public comment. We'll take in-person speakers 1st and we will work through staff to display the 3 minute timer on the screen. There's a needful opponent. Anyone in person wanting to give a comment. All right, we do have somebody partially, so. Do you want me to? Shots. Vance Wagner?

[00:01:46] Vance Wagner: Yes, hi, can you hear me? Yes. Hi, uh, I'm calling in about the proposed change on Sleeper and Grant. I just want to confirm this is the right time for me to speak.

[00:01:58] Chair Ellen Kamei: We will be moving on to Grant and Sleeper. That's item 5.2. We're on item 3 right now.

[00:02:04] Vance Wagner: Okay, please apologies for getting the order wrong, but thank you. I'll hold

4.2 California State Transportation Agency-Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Grant

[00:02:09] Chair Ellen Kamei: Yes. 5.2 will be the one. Thank you. All right. I think that concludes public comment. So we will move on to item four, which is our consent calendar. We have 2 items. 4.one is to approve the meeting minutes, item 4.2. The California State Transportation Agency Transit Intercity Rail Capitol Grant. The consent calendar will be approved in one motion unless any member of the committee would like to remove an item. With any member, like to make comment or remove an item. Would any member of the public joining us virtually or in person like to provide comment on either consent item? If so, please click the raise hand in zoom or approach the lectern. We'll take in person 1st if they're hard. Hey, you don't see any. And I do not see any earthly. Uh, so I'll bring the item back or committee action. Committee member matchup.

[00:03:16] Member Lisa Matichak: Thank you. All move. We approve the consent calendar.

[00:03:19] Chair Ellen Kamei: Great.

[00:03:19] Member Alison Hicks: A second.

5.1 California Street Complete Street Improvements, Pilot, Project 21-40

[00:03:20] Chair Ellen Kamei: Okay, Mayor Hicks second. So we have a motion and a 2nd. So probably just do a raised hand of books. Okay, all those in favor. All right. That is unanimous by the committee. We'll move on to item 5, which is new business. Item 5.one is our California street, complete street improvement pilot project 21 dash 40. South presentation will be provided by Juan Wyn, associate civil engineer. Thank

[00:04:01] Associate Civil Engineer Nguyen: And everyone, we've been in community members. My name is Huang Wing. I am also successful engineer with the public works department. I'm here today to provide update on the design of the pilot face, for the California street company student improvements, and to obtain feedback from CDC on the corridor layout, including vertical elements. From later in this presentation, uh, Macello, Constantino, and Trent McGovern. Besides consultant from Gave Engineers. It's like based. Back girl. In 2015, staff completed the California Escula shoreline, complete street feasibility study. The objective is to create safe, comfortable, convenient condition for our travel most, including automobile, podetrion, bicycle, and transit. Starting out with a pilot program using Pegman Markins and temporary improvements. In December 2021, Council Authorized Professional Services Agreement with PKF Engineers, for designing the pilot face, with limits from showers drive to Octega Avenue. In June 2022, Council Directed Stab to expand the project limits to show like Bolivar. In September 2022, Council authorized an amendment to begin agreement. To accommodate, they spend the scope for this pilot phase, exploit. I will have it to train, protect the public. Thank

[00:05:43] Consultant McGowan: you, Juan. As you said, my name is Trent McDown. I'm a civil engineer at BKF engineers. This slide will provide us some context and provide the project location. Highlighted Orange is California Street, that is the quarter we're speaking about, from Showers Drive on the west to Shoreline Boulevard on the east. You can see, to the north is Central Expressway, El Camino, to the south. There's a few street names up there, Ortega, Ringstorf, Escuela, Areposa. Those will be discussed further. This presentation can be referenced. Next slide, please. The existing condition can be split into 2 segments. The 1st segment is showers dry to Mariposa Avenue. You can see that the quarter has 2 through lanes in each direction, parking on one or both sides. In some areas, there's a 2 way center left turn lane. And in this segment, it's primarily multifamily housing, there are striped bike lanes next to the curb, if there's no parking or between the parking and the through lanes. There are some challenges on this corridor, including high speed of vehicles, limited crossing opportunities for pedestrians, and minimal bike infrastructure. There is no buffer between the park cars and the bikes, and there's no buffer between the fast moving vehicles and the bikes. There's also frequently delivery vehicles that block what is left of the bike light. Next slide, please. This is a section showing existing on the bottom. and the proposed pilot improvements for this corridor. The number of lanes we reduce from 4 to three, which is known as a road diet. There'll be one travel lane in each direction, and a center, 2 way left turn lane. The bike lane, which is adjacent to the curb. Is parking protected. And between the parking and the biclane, there is a striped buffer, that features vertical elements, we'll be discussing those more in depth later. Next slide, please. Second segment is from Mariposa Avenue to Shoreline Boulevard. This segment is primarily single family homes. Can see the center of the road has a landscape median. That will stay as well as all the landscaping in it. The segment also has 2 lanes in each direction. Parking on each side and a bike lane striped between the parking and the travel lane. Next slide please. And again, this is a corresponding cross section showing the pilot improved conditions. The segment also will have a road diet. From 4 lanes to 2 lanes, since there won't be a center left turn lane. Again, we have parking protected bike lanes. With a buffer zone between the cars, the parked cars, excuse me, and the biplane. Again, with vertical elements, that we're discussing in depth later. These improvements aim to reduce speeds of vehicles on the road. provide a safe, separate space for bikes, use the corridor, and provide pedestrians, with more crossings that have more visibility. To continue talking about improvements. I'll pass it to Marcel.

[00:09:23] Consultant Cosentino: Thank you for, uh, good evening, community members and attendees. Next slide, please. This slide shows a typical pilot improvement at signalized intersections. California Street is reduced to one lane in each direction, making room for parking protected bike lanes as you approach the intersection. The layer reduction also allows for protected intersection features to be added to signalized intersections as space permits. High visibility, crosswalks delineate the pedestrian zone, while green striping within the intersection delineates the bicycle path. Dashed green striping delineates conflict or mixing zones. In this case, bicycle shared space with buses. Truck-turn templates for garbage truck cleared the intersection islands, outlined by vertical elements in the pilot project. Next slide, please. This lead shows typical improvements at non-signalized intersections. Again, reducing the street to one lane in each direction. We make room for parking, protected bike lanes in the departure side of the intersection. Project will add high visibility crossbox and greed conflict striping through the intersection. This layout is also applicable at signalized intersections, where protective island elements are not feasible. Next flight, please. Well, the project will also add 3 midflow crossings, which will include accessibility ramps at sidewalks, raised islands between the bike lane and the travel wake, and raised refuge island in the medium. High visibility cross walk, and flashing beacon system with street lights. Next slide please. In March 2023, we presented this pilot project to BPAC, sharing largely what you've already seen. This feedback, uh, We received and what we have done to address it, you can just talk about next. They asked us to look at 3rd midblock crossing between Escuela and Rensdorf, and we're currently evaluating a location for it. They also asked us to take a look at vertical elements, which we're about to discuss here with you today. We're currently also looking at the performance criteria. It means to keep delivery vehicles from blocking the bike lane. Next flight, please. These are various types of vertical elements that we'll be using along the corridor for the pilot project. In some cases, we'll be mixing these elements together. We have K 71 channelizers, floppies posts with either long or short base. Rubber curbs, armadillos, and hunter boxes. Just to know, this is only one example of a planter box, not necessarily a product that we're going to select. We haven't finalized the actual product or plant species for the planter boxes. We'll be working with our community services department to identify the product and species that are best suited. And we do expect that additional maintenance costs associated with maintaining these planter boxes. Next time, please. Now we'll walk you through the corridor so that you can see we're applying these vertical elements. We're doing this that test different vertical elements and see how they function. With the parking protected improvements in vertical elements, we do expect that there will be a loss of on street parking to accommodate this new configuration. Showing here between showers toward Dega, planter boxes with K 71 delineators. We're also introducing a mid-block crossing and parking on the south side of the street. East of Ortega to the middle of the block, we're installing floppies posts with small base and armadillos. Though not shown here, we are evaluating the location of that 3rd mid-block crossing between Ortega and ring store. Next slide please. From the midblock west of Brinkstorf, to Rinkstorf intersection, we're installing rubber curb and floppies with small base. From the Rinstorf, uh, intersection westerly to midblock crossing, we will be installing floppies, uh, posts with long base. Next slide, please. From the midblock, crossing to Escuela, we're installing K 71 boats, and from Escuela to midblock, we are installing armadillos and floppies with small bass. Next light, please. From the mid block east of Chiquita to Mariposa, we're installing planters. And from Mariposa to Pettus, we are installing K 71 posts and planters. Nix life, please. From Perez to Palo Alto, we're installing case everyone posts and from Palo Alto to shoreline, we're installing floppies with the long base. Parking here will be affected as we introduce the mixing zones and addition of parking protected by planes. Now we'll hand it out to Hua. We'll discuss the next steps.

[00:14:34] Associate Civil Engineer Nguyen: For next steps. We anticipate to commit the design by spring 2024 and to start conduction in summer 2024. After the design complete. Stop, we return to PPA and CTC to identify the criteria, for determining the effectiveness of the pilot. We are looking for city civic packs on the review, the CordoliL and vertical elements. Thank you. Thank you.

[00:15:12] Chair Ellen Kamei: So I'll bring the item back to our committee and do any member of committee have questions? Start with mayor.

[00:15:21] Member Alison Hicks: So I'm going to say thank you very much. I... I'm going to say, um, I did talk to a resident who said that, um, found some of the terms technical and hard for residents. And I'm new to this committee, so I'm going to ask for some definitions before I get into the kind of the meat of the issue. Um, can you explain to me what a corner rubber curb bulb out is?

[00:15:49] Consultant Cosentino: Sure. Um, see. I want to go to the slide. That shows that element.

[00:15:58] Chair Ellen Kamei: Or you can describe it.

[00:16:00] Consultant Cosentino: So in essence, rub curb's a temporary curb, it's either adhere that's learning, but. Felt into the existing asphalt concrete pavement. Uh, or adhere via some sort of adhesive, right? Perfectly both. And so, The island at the intersection, the protected intersection, essentially extends into the intersection. And so that rubber curb delineates the island itself. And traditionally, you'd use vertical elements such as posts inside of that to further draw attention to that intersection at the height of like a drive. So it's going to be.

[00:16:46] Member Alison Hicks: A curb made of rubber. Okay. And um, also, what are, this was in the staff report, what are advanced stock bars?

[00:16:57] Consultant Cosentino: Event stop bars, uh, you can see they're right where there's the crosswalks, right? The high visibility crosswalks. We want, we don't want vehicles to stop right at the crosswalks, so you set that back.

[00:17:07] Member Alison Hicks: I never knew they were called that. Okay, thank you. So now maybe the meat of the issue, um, can you, I understand that this is a pilot? And that we're evaluating it for a, and then, and then even planning the pilot has taken a long time. So we, my understanding is we probably don't don't under delay that more, but I would like to know more about how the transition from pilot to long-term solution, how that will go. What is the, what things that we decide now will be in, become inflexible in the future. For example, lane widths. Um, I imagine from what I'm saying that, uh, uh, planter boxes and stripings and bollards, those all seem changeable. What are the things that become fixed or are they all changeable in the future?

[00:18:07] Consultant Cosentino: Can we take this one up? Go ahead. Thank you. So as part of the preliminary design, we did study, we pretty much laid out all the permanent improvements. and we took a look and see what of that we would install in a temporary means, right? And I think the key here is to reduce that, uh, to a seamless transition, right? To not have to restripe and rework the area. So in essence, the main difference would be the just temporary planters in the pilot condition, the final condition, you'd have to raise ball belts. Ideally, we want to put the braised ball belts in the same areas that you see here that pertain to Stripe, right? So as to not have to redo a lot of the work that we've already done.

[00:18:58] Principal Civil Engineer Gonzales: Yeah, thank you. Robert Gonzalez, principal, civil engineer, and uh, um, Civil infrastructure group. So my, my, my, my group is tasked with deliberating this project. So the intent here was to do a true pilot. So if the question was, what elements are not reversible, the intent here is if we go down this road and we try this out and we realize that none of its elements are working for us, we could practically reverse everything. That's a possibility. don't expect that. We think this is going to be a successful problem. That's not where I was going.

[00:19:31] Chair Ellen Kamei: Right, right. Thank you.

[00:19:32] Principal Civil Engineer Gonzales: Yeah. I would say that the elements that are probably going to be the most fixed would be the road diet itself. Like, we would think that element is, by itself, the reduction in lanes is going to be a functional improvement. Um, and the other ones, we can evaluate any of the elements that Marcelo recommend it, um, and find out if they work and that's really why it work. We give you such a variety of vertical elements, for example.

[00:19:57] Member Alison Hicks: So another question I have is in one section, which I think was, Uh, so in one section, the main travel lane is, I have it, right? You can correct me, show the photos correctly. One, I think the main travel lane is 11 feet and whether it's 12 feet. So I'm wondering why what's the reason for the difference? Is it like a mass transit thing, a bus thing, or is it just some other reason that I haven't thought of? So Y on one is it an 11 and one and 12? And then in the future, you know, after we've evaluated the pilot, could something like the 12 foot road reduced to an 11 foot one? Or has that become kind of fixed at this?

[00:20:43] Principal Civil Engineer Gonzales: So those are really design challenges why we asked PKF to come on board and look at this. The corridor itself changes slightly in width. Um, we have a fixed median in one section of the corridor and, um, a, an open median, an open, um, alignment in the other corridor. So you can see that there's there's a few variables there. So what we did is we tried to balance the width of the bike lane, the width of the buffer, the width of the travel lane and the width of the median.

[00:21:14] Chair Ellen Kamei: I'd like to have.

[00:21:15] Principal Civil Engineer Gonzales: Yeah, sure. And so all of those have minimums, all of those have criteria to deliver. And then we found that one area that we could provide. Um, a 12 foot travel lane was in one section of the of the corridor. And in another section, we had to narrow that down to 11. So.

[00:21:32] Public Works Director Cameron: I would like to add on. I was just comparing the 2 cross sections, sorry, Don Cameron, public works director. The, um, the cross-section you saw with the 11 foot travel lanes is also the one with the center turn lane at 10 feet. So what that basically means is you get a little shy away, move a little extra room there because you don't have, You have that center turn lane, that gives you a little extra breathing when we have the other person. A section of the roadway and it may vary still based upon right away. The section of the roadway that's 12 feet is actually constrained on both sides, one side is the medium we're keeping with the trees, and the other side is your parking lane. So with the buses that go down there. I think, I would like to think, I'm thinking BKF, that that was taken into consideration that you really do want 12 feet when you're constrained on both sides like that because there are buses that go down here.

[00:22:34] Member Lisa Matichak: I think that's all my questions for now, but if I think of one more, I'll take a 2nd half. All right, council member. Yeah,

[00:22:41] Member Alison Hicks: so thank you. Um, I have a question about, Why are we doing a pilot with so many different vertical elements? I'm, I'm assuming you experienced doing these. And so you're recommending this, but I'm trying to figure out, well, what are we going to learn? And what have you learned from other pilots? Um, that's saying, yes, we should do so many different types of vertical treatments? Oh, Russell,

[00:23:11] Consultant Cosentino: Cousantino, PKF engineers. Thank you for your question. Well, a lot of agencies are putting up these, you know, pilot studies are sometimes permanent improvements with standard delineators, right? I think, uh, the city sought, based on the, based on our BPAC meeting, BPAC recommended, looking at various different types of vertical elements. And that's one of the reasons that why we started taking a look at these.

[00:23:44] Public Works Director Cameron: I think in a little context. This corridor is one. 2 miles long. And and yes, when we were at the BPAC meeting, they were, uh, there was different opinions on what makes for the 1st best vertical elements. So since this is truly a pilot opportunity to test. That's why staff said, okay, this is a very long corridor, so really great opportunity to test. vertical elements. And it's part of the evaluation process. See how well they function for all the teachers of the world. And that could help inform the more permanent project, as well as future. complete streets projects. Did

[00:24:30] Member Alison Hicks: you not add anything? No,

[00:24:31] Principal Civil Engineer Gonzales: I think that was my point.

[00:24:33] Member Alison Hicks: So when you say how well they function, What does that mean? People running into them, are people disregarding them? Like, what are, what are we gonna learn? So

[00:24:46] Principal Civil Engineer Gonzales: I think there's a couple elements here that we can learn from. One is a sense of safety. So we're gonna look be looking for feedback from writers, from pedestrians, how they feel about certain elements. They don't feel like a flawby is as protective as one of the smaller fatter ones in case of any ones. And then we'll also see as you describe how sturdy they are, how performative they are from a traffic or transportation aspect. Some of these will get more callouts for some of these, um, for our maintenance groups, um, to repair those. So we'll be able to pull in some data. We'll be able to get some feedback. from users of the corridor, and all of that comes into play when we decide which ones makes sense for this corridor, and it's director camera, it said, this is really something to form us of multiple quarters that we're gonna be looking into. Down the road, we're going to be looking at middle field. You know, be looking at other corridors, for these types of improvements. Okay. And, um,

[00:25:42] Member Alison Hicks: EKFs experience. What has been your experience with the different types of fighters there? Oh,

[00:25:51] Consultant Cosentino: from BKF experience, uh, we've installed various different types of dividers, uh, mainly case 71, you see those practically everywhere. with regards to the floppy posts. We've seen those as well. And those, those will, sometimes, depending on the proximity to the roadway can be knocked off, especially in parking zones, right? But you have that based on the learning, learned experience of the pub, right? As they used the corridor with the park. So we'll see how each of these will fare, uh, as people use the corner, whether it's parking, whether it's biking or travel. So, but we've installed all these types of features. Um, Where

[00:26:45] Member Alison Hicks: would you expect, um, Delivery vehicles to now try. That's

[00:26:52] Consultant Cosentino: one of the things that we are looking into, and we've met with you. And we've had to bring on some of the experience we've had in other projects. Uh, you know, just recently, we've uh, worked with some East Bay agencies as well, with the same question as to where, for the, for the, vehicles park. And, you know, you can park before or after driveways and as they make the deliveries, it also depends on the use, but it's a residential zone, right? Do

[00:27:25] Member Alison Hicks: they park in the travel lane? They

[00:27:30] Consultant Cosentino: don't, they don't need to park the trap. We can make space for them. Like you see in the upper left hand corner, there is some space there, you know, the zone's fairly large, so we can designate a zone for delivery vehicle. Ah, so

[00:27:45] Member Alison Hicks: I... Thought you were saying a parking sandwich. I was taking parking. But you're saying actually you could designate delivery vehicle, so. Okay, okay. Okay. Um, Let's see. And how much is parking on this street? That's long street utilized? There

[00:28:07] Consultant Cosentino: was a parking study that was completed. Yes,

[00:28:13] Principal Civil Engineer Gonzales: that's correct. So staff has gone out there to observe parking. There's both on and off street parking along this corridor, particularly from showers to Escuela. There's there's a significant parking as well as that inventory parking. We are going to lose some on street parking. That's going to be, you know, part of this. On some of the sections, I think, on the showers to Ortega. We are actually gaining parking on one side. But for the most part, we are going to be losing some part on street. That's mitigated. That's balanced out with some of the existing off street park. So I don't have numbers for you in front. Okay. Um, I'm curious to

[00:28:53] Member Alison Hicks: know that if the off street parking is full, and people are using then the on street parking. Or visitors or something. Get curious about that.

[00:29:03] Principal Civil Engineer Gonzales: It's often a balance of both, sometimes a resident would prefer to park as close to their front door as possible. Other times they prefer to park on street. They're interested in going on their way, you know, on their way to work, so they'll they'll align their car in one direction or the other. They might run across the street if they choose to. Okay.

[00:29:23] Member Alison Hicks: Um, see. And I've been in here and I missed it, but what is the cost of the pilot? Yeah,

[00:29:33] Principal Civil Engineer Gonzales: the cost, uh, construction cost estimate. Who was that? Was it? What's

[00:29:41] Unknown Speaker: 35% cost estimate? Yeah,

[00:29:44] Associate Civil Engineer Nguyen: we have not finalized the concept. The 3 changes. I'll get back. It's in the PPAC meeting. We have incorporate both various vertical elements. And we still, you know, try to fit in like how many absorb with the elements throughout the corridor. And that could detain like, increase the project, uh, cause a lot. Okay.

[00:30:08] Public Works Director Cameron: I'll note that, again, council asked us to greatly expand the limits of this project and when we were putting together the amended capital improvement program budget for this, I really didn't know how much that it would cost. So we threw a little more money in, knowing very well when it was time to come to council, because that would be our next step with the approve the plans, the specification authorized to bid. By then, we'll have a full engineer's estimate and the odds are we are going to be asking counsel to appropriate additional funding to the project. I'm just curious. Um, I

[00:30:48] Member Alison Hicks: think that's all the questions I have right now. Thank you. All

[00:30:52] Chair Ellen Kamei: right, I have a few questions slash things I'm hoping to favor comes back to the council. So for the mid block crossings. Those are there's 3 new mid-block crossings. I don't, I don't remember seeing it called out where, well, you know, maybe in the photo, you remind us where all the, the mid blocks are going to see. So they're not existing or that's already existing and you're just going to improve them and you clarify.

[00:31:22] Associate Civil Engineer Nguyen: So there's no block crossing. So, uh, the 1st one we propose in, uh, is between the showers drive and Ortega, uh, but you can see, uh, Yeah, see, see, see the male cousin.

[00:31:36] Chair Ellen Kamei: Oh, I see. Okay, uh-huh. That's

[00:31:38] Associate Civil Engineer Nguyen: the 1st one. And the 2nd one will be June, drain stuff, and um, Octavia. Uh, so this location is not in, uh, doesn't, it's not showing the, in, is a bit yet. Because, uh, we still evaluate the location for this costing due to, um, SPUC right away. So we try to, um, not, not encourse into the driveway because due to the, like, cut with some public process. Um, we still, uh, but we will include it, uh, We will select the location and included within the project. Okay. And the next location between, uh, rain stuff and a school. And we show it here. Uh, so there's a target broadcast for this project. I'm

[00:32:38] Chair Ellen Kamei: just trying to imagine where they are because I know it's mostly residential. The streets. I'm trying to orient myself. Okay. And so, um, I thought it was helpful that the bus stops are, uh, noted on the map, but are, does the shuttle stop over here? The community shuttle. I know that we expanded the route and I just can't recall if it's there as well. But I would say... Yeah, that's what, yeah. So I would say part, well, I'd love for the map that comes back to council to show where the VTA bus stop is as well as where the community shuttle stops and maybe that can help inform some of the mid-lock crossings. I don't want to get too far into comets, but that's kind of, I like, I like to see that. And then, um, Is this is this part of the safe route to school? I know we got a letter from one of somebody involved with the schools on wanting to encourage students to use this. So staff

[00:33:41] Principal Civil Engineer Gonzales: can confirm that. I believe it is on the safe route to school. Okay,

[00:33:46] Chair Ellen Kamei: perfect. Don't hold me

[00:33:47] Principal Civil Engineer Gonzales: to that one. I can go, I can confirm that. Yeah.

[00:33:49] Chair Ellen Kamei: So I would say 2 when this comes back to council, if we can just note if it is part of the sacred to school. And then, um, I was curious when we're talking about the different vertical treatments. I know we adopted our vision 0 plan. And so how do the different treatments? Um, connect with our vision 0 plans. That might not be a question that can be answered tonight, but that is a question that I do have. And I don't want to teeter to comments, but that's a question. And then for the vertical treatments when it comes back to counsel. I think it'd be really helpful to know like to, is what they determine by miles per hour in a certain zone. So in a 25 mile an hour zone, you typically use the K 71 or 35, it's the armadillo. Is that looking to be cash. It's typically designated

[00:34:44] Consultant Cosentino: by the manual uniform traffic controlled devices in UTCD as far as the spacing goes, it's recommended based on modeling. And we

[00:34:51] Chair Ellen Kamei: say the acronyms for everybody else.

[00:34:53] Consultant Cosentino: Yeah, that's what I say, menu of uniform traffic control devices. MUTCD. Yeah. So that's typical what governs spacing for these, but also the traffic speed for the roadway. Uh, with any road diet as, as, uh, as defined earlier, uh, as you reduce the lanes, reduce the roadway, which also traffic tests slow down, right? It's also a traffic common feature. So that's that will determine based on this next phase, that's basic for each one of these types of vertical elements. So, we're looking at all that in this next phase. Okay. Yeah,

[00:35:33] Chair Ellen Kamei: and I saw 2 that the evaluation criteria will come back. Yes, will come back for summer 2024. So it was the idea then too, with the, um, with the potential construction that it'd be like during summer break, because that's why I was asking about the same groups to school. Was that part of it or that it just aligns that summer would work the best? Generally,

[00:35:59] Public Works Director Cameron: uh, lines and it's, No, it's going to be a lower construction project just this summer. Okay. This

[00:36:07] Principal Civil Engineer Gonzales: is a long corridor, so we expect this to be maybe a 9 month constructive project. We'll do our best to align that with, with, uh, school breaks, but, um, construction is construction.

[00:36:20] Member Lisa Matichak: Understood too. Thank you. Okay, great. Oh, if you're not, I got it. Yeah, large? Yes. Mayor Hicks has a question. Yes, I found a couple more questions. So, um, First, my 1st question is, um, and I'm trying not to slide into comments. How are you going to judge the effectiveness of the pilot? And in particular, I'm interested, I'm interested in all of it, But To me, most of the improvements seem bike oriented. But most of the people, most of the people I know, my kids went to school near here. So most of the people I knew here were trying to walk here. Um, you know, walk from home to Target, and I think we're trying to encourage walking as well as biking. And and not to try this to get to my question. But it's a hostile place to walk. It's, you know, it's hot. It's, um, it's unpleasant. Um, so, for the longer term, and frankly, the friends I've known who used to walk there as soon as they were able to drive, they drive now. And that's what we're trying to discourage. We're trying to encourage more walking and biking. So, Will the criteria, um, Will it include more than just bike safety and pedestrian safety, frankly, pedestrians I know. I know a pedestrian actually was hit there once, but, um, but most people, it's just because it's, uh, a brutally unpleasant walk is why they don't want to walk there. So are we going to be judging how this affects walkability, which to me, except for the, the mid block crossings, which are good. Uh, hardly at all. Um, and how, um, and how we could improve that in the future.

[00:38:24] Senior Traffic Engineer Galang: We expect this pilot to be in place for at least a year, it could be significantly longer, depending on funding. So that's why you see such a comprehensive pilot in front of you. While that's in, while that's in place, we have a lot of opportunity to collect data. So some of that will be raw data like we can put down tubes and count cars and proximate speaks. But also we have an opportunity to reach out to the community with a survey with additional postcards. We can even set up a survey online with QR codes. So there's a lot of ways for us to start engaging with the community. We haven't figured that out. We want to go back to BPAC and start having that conversation while we're in the final parts of design. And as we go into construction, we want to make sure we're settling on some of those. So we've got some ideas. We want to take it back to BPAC and evaluate those, but a survey is a good example where you would be able to ask a couple different types of questions on how do you feel? Like is there a perception of safety for a writer or a pedestrian, how do you feel experienced? How does the experience change in a card, dropping off your childhood school, that sort of thing? Church. There's a lot of different uses on this court. Okay. So

[00:39:35] Member Alison Hicks: there is a path forward for more than just bike safety, but also for a plethora of other things. Yeah, we're

[00:39:43] Senior Traffic Engineer Galang: going to be identifying as many users of the corridor as we can. So we have a comprehensive approach for this. And

[00:39:49] Member Alison Hicks: then my last question is, beyond the pilot, which I'm, you know, I like to hear that it's convenient at least a year long. Um, are, will we also do, be able to consider for the longer time kind of the much more, um, I don't know what to call them, like rich, uh, more finished, uh, long-term solutions like raised or sidewalk level bike lanes, things like that that really would be kind of friendly to the community and offer a better gateway or corridor, gateway to San Antonio or gateway, back to the downtown. Are those things things that can be considered for the long term as well?

[00:40:31] Senior Traffic Engineer Galang: We will certainly look at all of the elements that we'd like and and PPAC and CTC and all the feedback we're getting. If we like elements, we will make those sturdier would make those more permanent. Um, in terms of a raised, um, bicycle lane. I need to balance cost. We need to be able to communicate with CTC and council about what those types of elements would cost in such a long corridor. But we can certainly look. look at that. And we would look for 2 other examples as well instead of us relying on BKF to generate rock costs, we can go to other communities and see how they've traded corridors like this. Um, and the type of performance they get back on. It's something like a race bike.

[00:41:14] Principal Civil Engineer Gonzales: I think, so thank you, you know, for helping to manage expectations, because you sell in your packet, our current estimate to convert these temporary improvements and determinate improvements, assuming that what works here really works design well. Uh, and including, uh, making the planters more permanent with irrigation because they're going to be a real maintenance challenge while they're in place. But we've to talk to CSD. They're trying to, you know, be a position to be able to keep them back. Oh, we're looking at $30000000 So, um, to take it even further than this, we'll get quite additional things, you know, all of that will add. So, again, that'll be appeal to decision, including, hoping to identify reality at the funding. It's one of the reasons why I appreciate you saying at least a year. I believe it's going to be more than a year because we don't actually have that kind of money readily available in order to save up for it and maybe just do a block at a time to get a smaller chunk. So these are all the things that we will have to look at and can balance. But there's a lot here that will do very well. And other cities have done this level of type certificates, treatments and, um, They really change the corridor and look at field record. Questions? Okay. So,

[00:42:49] Chair Ellen Kamei: um, now we will take public comment. Would any member of the public joining us virtually or in person like to provide comment on this item? If so, please click the raise handbun in zoom or approach the lectern. We'll take in person speakers first. Each speaker will have 3 minutes. Just a 2nd she'll get the timer for you. Sure.

[00:43:26] Ken Kershner: Good evening. Thanks for holding this session. My name is Ken Kirchner. I'm assistant advocate with Silicon Valley Bike Coalition. And I just want to express just how absolutely over the moon, enthusiastic I am with just a sign. It's gonna change that corridor. Uh, in a revolutionary way. It's gonna completely change the character of that neighborhood. And turn into really an urban village. And I think that's the intent, and I can't tell you guys how excited we are to see this happen. Um, it couldn't happen fast enough. So the design may not be perfect, but it is so much better than what's there today. We can't lose sight of, like, the, the, improvement this is gonna bring. Um, you ask about, um, uh, walkability. I want to emphasize that in other areas, a protective, a parking protected buffer is going to protect the pedestrians as well. So it's going to change the perceived safety of pedestrians walking on sidewalks in that area as well. Um, One suggestion would be to consider a bike counter to get bike traffic before and after. Um, so you can see the actual numeric improvements. And I've personally ridden this route with the fear of being doored, and it's excruciating right now. So turning this into a corridor for all ages and abilities. Um, I think these guys have done a fantastic job on their design. I also wanted to suggest that the planter boxes are going to be a very popular vertical element. Um, it just relieves the kind of asphalt jungle, nature of uh, streets by by nature and putting that treatment in the middle of the community area. Especially near the Escuela intersection, would be a possible way of kind of making it more comfortable where there's a lot of pedestrian traffic. Oh, I'll save any other comments, but I want to thank you guys for the fantastic work. It's awesome.

[00:45:39] Chair Ellen Kamei: Not interested, let's speak on this item. Sure. Oh,

[00:45:44] Harold Russell: you feel good? I should come back to the park. Um, Yeah,

[00:45:52] Carl Stermenov: uh, hi, I'm Karl Stimenov. I, uh, I'm a bike commuter and I go down California every day and uh, I feel like you just said everything I was about to say. So I just want to say a +one to every one of his points. Uh, I literally end up in the travel lane most of the time because I know, statistically speaking, getting doored is the most dangerous thing for a biker. You're likely not going to get hit from behind or, you know, either getting doored or getting hit from a driveway or something is the most likely thing. So, yeah, I plus big +one to the protected, uh, the parking protected bike lanes. I think that's that's that would be fantastic. And, um, Mayor Hicks, I was gonna say for walkability, I think that would help. And then I think we could also take a page out of Palo Alto's book, in terms of like, lower visibility, like more plant overhang actually makes cars drive slower and provides more shade. So like it's kind of an, you know, It's kind of like a not counterintuitive thing, right? Like if cars can't see as far, they're going to have to drive slower. So, I mean, it's not really possible to make the street bend more, but if there were more trees and canopy and stuff, that would provide more shade for walking and also make visibility lower. So cars would be forced to drive slower. Um, and I personally have seen with the K 71s and the floppy things. I mean, cars who are going to disregard paint are going to disregard those. So, I mean, I would also like to strongly advocate for those planter boxes. And as to like the maintenance problem, I mean, maybe succulents or something that's more hardy, like native to California would be good because they would require less water. Um, And yeah, I've actually, I've already, this is anecdotal, but I've seen a lot. I mean, almost every day I see delivery vehicles stopping in the traveling there already, because parking's already a nightmare on that street. I mean, it's always full. So I think the dedicated delivery zone. They're doing that in San Francisco in some places and I think there's enough demand for it, right? Like people are ordering Amazon and stuff enough. So, yeah, I also want to thank you all for doing this. I mean, Mountain View is like one of the better places in the state for biking and walking and stuff because of stuff like this. So, thank you very much.

[00:48:18] Harold Russell: Harold Russell, I, I, I feel like I'm going to be just hitting that +one, but over and over here. also as a as a bicycle commuter. Um, I did have a question about the, well, a comment, I guess, on the, the 12 foot versus 11 foot, because I thought that 11 foot was the BTA, uh, width that they required for buses, and it seems like smaller is better because it would slow traffic down, rather than bigger is better because you have the room forth. Um, and I, I figured I would also, like, say that 100 boxes, I understand they're more expensive. But I do feel like they, they will make you feel more protected both as a pedestrian and as a, as a cyclist because they're, they're a substantial thing. I wonder if it is possible to do something like an adopt a highway. where Businesses or residents could adopt a pleasure box and keep it alive and maybe you could rotate that around, but just as a, as a potential idea that, uh, I am, like, totally grateful that you all are doing this. I, I'm excited to go right on it with my son. Such a great experience the last time we took it. And it's one of the best streets. So, uh, +one, the delivery vehicle, dedicated zones, that sounds like a great solution. Wow. Uh, Okay. I think that's, that's basically, oh, the, the sooner or better, but later, because I, I would hate for anything that we all probably agree with, but if it's gonna make it take substantially longer, this seems pretty great. Let's go there and then work it out. Thank you.

[00:50:25] Chair Ellen Kamei: In person, public comment on this item. Um,

[00:50:31] April Webster: April Webster. I am on the Caltrans district for bicycle advisory committee. I'm on the MT Metropolitan Transportation Commission, Active Transportation Working Group co-chair. Um, I'm also on the SVBC policy committee and I'm a member, a local. I lived here for over a decade. I've biked around here and biked around the world. So, um, I'm very active in this community and I just want to say to start this, I'm very happy. This is a solid design. This is one of the more progressive designs. I've seen, I applaud the city for listening to all of the input from the community and doing an excellent job of hearing us and putting into, you know, implementing it through your design, everything that you've heard from us. It is amazing. I just want to start with that. I want to echo what other people have said. Um, the sooner that you can make this happen, the better. Um, We've been waiting for some of these projects for a long time and we are really excited to see this hit the ground. As a Canadian, what we would say is get her done. Um, so that's the, you know, the main message I want to put out there. Um, I want to talk a little bit about some of the elements of the design just in case other people aren't familiar. What is really impressive, oppressive in what you've done, is in the design itself, the road diet, 4 lanes to do to 2 lanes is amazing. This is a design element that automatically slows down traffic. There are fewer lanes that people have to cross. When they're walking across a crosswalk, wonderful, parking protected bike lanes that many of people have pointed out, protects. There's this extra barrier of large metal, you know, £2000 cars that are protecting you from moving cars, the Dorian Zone. Thank you for adding in that buffer for the Doring Zone. wonderful. The mid-block pedestrian crossings. As you saw, some of those blocks are really long. If you were a senior, I've actually been somewhat disabled, I had a hip replacement done recently. And I realize how painful it is to walk around. So I, you know, I'm very happy that you've added more of those in. Um, you know, several options for protecting the bike lanes. I think that's wonderful because that is, you're doing a proper user study there, evaluating the standard options for vertical treatments, and being able to get that hard data, to understand the different benefits, the costs, so that you can make smart informed decisions later on throughout the community. Wonderful. Um, I know I'm running out of time. I wanted to talk about Escuela. And if you can, that is the heart of the community. There's a church around there, there's a school. A lot of traffic, especially pedestrian traffic around there. If you could put some of the green treatments in there, some of those green planters, that could have such an impact on a large part of the community. And then finally, um, You know, someone talked about it, I'm out. so much more to say. But thank you. Two thumbs up for me.

[00:53:36] Member Lisa Matichak: questions for you. Oh, sure. You mentioned also those conversations at the beginning. Are you speaking on their behalf? No. Okay. But,

[00:53:43] April Webster: um, I'm part of these committees and so I hear and see a lot about where policy and standards are going within both the region and um, California. When I talk about when I see things, I, like I, yeah. I'll be informed. Thank you.

[00:54:01] Chair Ellen Kamei: Any other in-person speakers? Yes. Please, please don't be shy because we have people online ready to talk to. Thank you.

[00:54:08] Julia Hayden: Hi. Uh, my name is Julia. I heard I came in a little late, but I thought I mentioned hearing about raised crosswalks and I just want to say huge supporter of those. I'd love to see it here, because most people, they do not see you. I've gotten like, People take up the whole intersection for the crosswalk or the crosswalk, and I've had people come like within 6 inches. I mean, with their giant cocks. So I really like the idea of being hiked up a little bit and having like impacted the speed map for people to slow down. And I just like to see more. Yeah, I think I heard about who you guys doing that with us. We are not. Oh, not? Oh, well then I'd love to see it. If you guys can implement raised crosswalks somewhere there on the protected intersection. I'd love to see that too, to help with pedestrian traffic. Because I feel much safer on those. I know a lot of people do. So I just like to see raised crosswalks for pedestrians. Thank you.

[00:55:03] Chair Ellen Kamei: All right. I'm going to move on to virtual if no one's coming up. Okay.

[00:55:08] Cynthia Palacio/Cindy Newman: Hi.

[00:55:09] Cynthia Palacio/Cindy Newman: Um, I'm, I'm, I have 2 names. Uh, let's see. Cynthia Palatio, retiree of the city of Mountain View. And I'm also Cindy Newman in the neighborhood, the neighborhood, watch, uh, Captain. I live a 2430 villain to wave away off of Eunice. I often travel down California. I ride a bike. Um, and I have been injured on the bike, um, on the Castro Wiggle Waggle because of one of those bumpers. So, you know, the armadillos, I think they're called. So if maybe gift consideration, um, to backing off one bumper, where you have driveways and other things so that the biker has a bicyclist has a chance to avoid collision with trucks and other cars coming out of the driveways. Um, Uh, I was lucky I, it was school and 2 lanes of traffic northbound on Castro were stopped. When a truck came out and I don't know how he Could miss me. I'm in a protected bike lane on the green pavement. I'm wearing bright yellow. I had to avoid him, but I hit the bumper. And I went flying off my bike, rolled through 2 lanes of traffic. Thank God everyone was stopped. Um, my bike was blown apart and I was late for my bike to work day pitcher because I was lecturing the guy for 30 minutes because he was driving away from the scene. Um, and my brother was also injured at injured at died as a result of not wearing his helmet and hitting the pavement on a less than one or 2 mile an hour. Not even that, whatever, whatever you could do at 50 or 60 years of age. What I want to know is, what about the garbage trucks? How are you going to pick up garbage in that section of single family homes between Mariposa and Shoreline? I worked in the garbage and recycling division here. And those arms, automated arms, only go so many feet.

[00:57:22] Emil Abraham: Uh, my name's Emil Abraham. Um, so kudos to the engineering team, BPAC, everyone who is involved in this project. Um, so I absolutely love this design. I mean, I'm hoping gets implemented quickly. Um, so I love the protected, um, the bicycle lanes, the parking buffer. It feels a lot safer on my bike, and I'm sure plenty of others have already said that. Thank you very much for the road diet. Like keeping the lanes narrow and reducing the number of lanes is a super effective and natural way just to reduce speed. So I love that. I see that some lanes are 12 feet. And others are 11. If there's any way to reduce those further, that would be awesome. Um, I love the planters, and I know you guys are testing. Um, different vertical elements, so I really hope that they win. Um, They are super pleasurable to bike five. It's lovely to see to break up like the concrete and stuff like that. Um, and yeah, yeah, these are awesome changes and then I hope to see uh, a lot more of these changes in the rest of Mountain View as well. Thank you. Thank you. Hi,

[00:58:39] Evan Crowe: uh, my name is Evan Crowe. I live actually on the corner of California Escuela, so I'm very excited about this. Um, Everyone has been positive about us. I will reiterate the positive things, but one slight concern I have is I have lived in a different city where we had a similar project converting a very vast multi-lane road to a parking protected bike plane. Um, and especially in the initial, uh, transfer of traffic. It creates kind of a situation where the bike lane all of a sudden is not visible to the cars. And then it's a possible situation where a car can just forget to look. And knee drive me riding my bike. I've actually had a couple close calls and that's a situation. So I would encourage potentially looking at, you know, increasing the visibility, especially on California, like on my block. There's many driveways and cars are used to driving a 35 miles an hour and turning into the driveway. Um, So it possibly increasing to visibility. And also encouraging, well, good communication with the public as we transition into this. But yeah, overall, I think the sooner this can happen, the better because it's currently a hanging to bike on. Thanks.

[01:00:10] Chair Ellen Kamei: All right. Okay, we'll move to virtual speakers. So 1st we have Tracy Chu. Hi there. Hi. Uh,

[01:00:20] Tracy Chu: thank you so much for uh, all the hard-working city council and city staff. Um, I'm, I am a longtime resident of along the corridor. I've actually been advocating and following this project for 12 years. Um, back in 2011, 2012. We had 3 pedestrian fatalities on California Street. One was on Pettus, one was on Franklin, and one was on a squill, and the tragedy, William Ware, which many people are aware of. And this was a real watershed moment for our neighborhood. At that time, I had never spoken at a city council meeting. I knew nothing about street design or street safety. But over the years, myself and our neighbors have really, um, you know, educated each other a lot and, um, really have been advocating for this. So this is really wonderful to see. Um, so like everyone else, I'm a +one on this project, couldn't be more pleased. Um, but just like the last speaker. I have a lot of concerns about, um, about this project. Everyone here is of course really enthusiastic about it. Um, but, you know, the street has many users. Um, And there's going to be controversy, I'm sure. You know, one person's uh, you know, traffic calming is another person's like an extra minute on their commute. Uh, so I I anticipate there's going to be a lot of controversy. And so my question in my request is, um, you know, how are you going to, um, you know, roll this out to educate uh, the public about what's coming and why we were doing this? Uh, because I think people hear, uh, you take, uh, a lane of tropic away and they don't really know the rest of the context and it can really, uh, sort of build a lot of, um, maybe negative feelings about the project, um, and not provide the context that, you know, 3 people have died, you know, on this quarter and we need to really slow it down to save lives, you know, uh, literally save lives. Uh, so I was I had that question. And then, my other question was just, um, you know, it would, it would be great if we can set some expectation on what the criteria of successes for this program, and it's not going to come without resistance. It's not going to be 100% positives. Um, there are going to be some pockets of resistance, um, like the people I mentioned. And I think it would be helpful, you know, in these conversations as well as like talking to city council. about, you know, setting a realistic expectation of what that might be. Um, you know, that would hopefully not totally offset. you know, all the positives. So, that's it. Thank you again so much. Thank you. Celia Paymer. Hi. Hi. Um,

[01:03:09] Silja Paymer: so I was calling because I'm really excited for this project. Um, so they pay more a resident of Mountain View for the past 15 years. Um, I'm just really looking forward to this. I don't commute down California, but I do use it for transporting um for more, you know, going to activities. Um, we use that route to take our kids to camp, um, when they're at the teen center, the senior center, and the, um, community center. And so right now, we have to go past and go to Villa to go down because California is so rough. So I'm really looking forward this as a way to make Mountain View, um, a safe bikable, um, community for all residents of all ages. Um, Also, the other day, I think we had our um, PRC. Um, strategic meeting at the community center and I bite from downtown and it was really nice. I think it was less than 5 minutes. So, um, you know, once we have a really nice safe route. Maybe even city staff members could bike between city hall and the community center. So I look forward to all the opportunities that this is going to give. Thank you. Thank you. Mary Dadia. Hi,

[01:04:25] Mary Dateo: um, just Marie, yeah, I'm just really excited about this project, and I'm looking forward to how much safer California is going to feel, and um, I'm hoping that, uh, I'm expecting we're going to see a big increase in the number of cyclists and pedestrians when it's, uh, such a better, um, um, atmosphere. Thank you. Thank you. Alex Brown. And

[01:04:54] Alex Brown: expect to see me here, did you? Hi. Hi. Uh, I don't want to get hit by cars. Please keep me from getting hit by cars. Thank you. Alright.

[01:05:07] Chair Ellen Kamei: So, uh, that concludes our in-person and public speaking. Just trying to lower his hand. There we go. So I'll bring it back to the committee for comments and feedback to staff. We, uh, no formal emotion is required, but staff is looking for consensus if we have one or, uh, general comments.

[01:05:35] Chair Ellen Kamei: Yeah, Mary Scott. Well,

[01:05:38] Member Alison Hicks: generally, I'm very, I'm very happy about everything. I want to thank staff and the consultant and the PAC, if any members are around and members of the public who've had input. Um, and and everybody else 2nded, you know, what many people said, I'm not going to go on at length. I think this is great and safer and um, you know, more than just good as a pilot. The only things that I would add are things that I've heard from members. Oh, I should say I have 2 more questions. One is, uh, I liked the question somebody asked about. how you're going to educate the public. And was wondering if you could make any comments on that. Yeah,

[01:06:27] Principal Civil Engineer Gonzales: thank you. Robert Gonzalez principal. So watch me again. So thank you for the question. We appreciate that. So part of this will be outraged during design, while we're developing it, you can see behind us some of the success we've had without reach already. We spend a lot of time and effort, spent a lot of time and effort on mailings. So that's one of our backbone approaches is to make sure that we're mailing out information. We can have a QR code on there, our website on there so that people can get gather more information during the design. And then as we're rolling it, rolling it out, we'll do the same things. We'll be, along with the design elements that you see on the, on the front of you, we'll have signage, so we'll also be. I haven't spoken to our transportation manager yet about this, but we'll be working together on communicating perhaps directly to schools as well. That

[01:07:18] Member Alison Hicks: was fun. Thank you. That's my 1st question. And my 2nd I did become curious when the speaker spoke about how you would be taking up the garbage in that residential area. What is the answer to that question? Well,

[01:07:34] Consultant Cosentino: uh, we've worked with bricology. In fact, we've met with them on a few occasions, a few projects and we are looking at zones for garbage areas, in particular for residential. There's 2 just 3 types, right? There's the large containers. There's the residential containers, and they also have special pickup area, uh, special pickup, uh, guest times where people call it for special, uh, pickup elements. But we're looking at those various different types of services at the same time developing zones throughout the world. So

[01:08:16] Member Alison Hicks: zones where the trucks can, uh, get closer and reach the,

[01:08:21] Consultant Cosentino: Correct. Zones were, were, uh, there's types of access too, right? There's where trucks go in and pick up within the property where and when they don't have enough room, we may have to back in or from.

[01:08:37] Unknown Speaker: Orango, assistant both works, right? You see it. I felt impelled to come up and speak to the garbage piece. My staff has been doing fantastic job days for the questions for the garbage. It's going to be a reeducation effort as we define new zones for the residential customers, where the location they place their garbage. So the bands typically are right at the curb. Um, so the garbage truck pull in and, um, empty garbage cans. So we anticipate that those garbage cans are going to have to come out next to where the new part zone is. So we're going to have to identify and then it's going to be an education effort to all the residents on the border to share. This is where you're... for garbage.

[01:09:17] Member Alison Hicks: That's not such a thought of that. Um, so, so yeah, my only additional, you know, kudos to everyone, my only additional, um, Comments are, I liked it when people said, put planters, you know, the pilot planters near Escuela, um, because that is kind of a hub of pedestrian activity. And I also liked when people said, um, this make sure there's visibility at drive rightways and cross streets, so probably don't put planters too close to there. But I think those are 2 important pieces of information for the pilot. And other than that, I'm just, I, I am happy to hear that the pilot, once we put it up and it costs all that money will go for a year or 2 or who knows, maybe even more, but I also very much look forward to the next phase. And I think that it's really going to be possible to put in more trees and more green, um, and additional things that will make it more pleasant for pedestrians and bikers so that it's really used, you know, really a pleasant place that encourages. active transportation.

[01:10:33] Member Lisa Matichak: I do have a few questions. Is it possible to change the location of the planters? It looks like they are not right on either side of the square. I don't know how you chose where, whether you're looking for treatment, the different vertical treatments, but is it possible to put at least on one side display with matches? Oh, can you look at it? Love it.

[01:11:00] Public Works Director Cameron: Um, One of the things we're doing is, the staff back is, um, to the audience, they have a harder time hearing the response also. Or if you want to join me over here, Robert. Thank

[01:11:17] Principal Civil Engineer Gonzales: you. No, that's fine. That's fine. Um, so, Sorry, uh, Commissioner manager, can you repeat the question? Yeah, so we, um, heard

[01:11:27] Member Lisa Matichak: some people say the, um, good to put some of the, uh, vertical planter treatments, close to Osuela. But looking at this map, it looks like they aren't on either side of Venezuela. So is it possible to maybe switch some? I't know how you chose the ones you

[01:11:42] Principal Civil Engineer Gonzales: did. So thank you for the question. It is possible to switch. I'd like to make some trade-offs here, but I'd like to keep in mind also that we were balancing placing those planters on areas of areas of California that were multifamily and also some aunt that were single family. So we were intentional in placing those. So we'll go back there and look at it and see if we can do some rebalance.

[01:12:04] Unknown Speaker: Okay, thank you. Um, And then do we know the flight count now, and if we don't, are we going to measure that? before?

[01:12:14] Principal Civil Engineer Gonzales: I think it's appropriate to measure it before. We don't have a good bike out an hour. If we do, it might have been it might have been 6 months ago, a year ago. So laying down the rubber counters now. We have some time before we finish the design before we get into construction. So we'll gather that information. So at school, uh, during summer, we can gather some of that information during the break, um, so that we can get that baseline data. We do have baseline pedestrian data. We asked BKF to go out there with some cameras and count jaywalking, and just lots of people like using that corridor and for different reasons. So we've all seen, we've all experienced that happens. That's okay. It's scary sometimes for the driver and sometimes for the pedestrian, but they make those choices. Um, so we'll be able to get that baseline data as well for us. Okay.

[01:13:05] Unknown Speaker: Great. And then we talked a little bit about communications. And, um, I'm wondering if there's anything that's specific to the people who live along California, any communication that would happen. Um, outside of what everybody's now, you might be proceeding.

[01:13:25] Principal Civil Engineer Gonzales: I mentioned the mailers. I think that will be one of our. That's directly

[01:13:28] Unknown Speaker: of Sout California.

[01:13:29] Principal Civil Engineer Gonzales: When we did the mailing, we did residents and property owners. So we can certainly do it if we just want to focus on residents. We can do that, or we just... So just me, in particular, those residents. and property. Okay. But

[01:13:46] Public Works Director Cameron: I think what I'm hearing is, when we're ready to start construction, before we go out there, what kind of education we're going to get, especially for the residents of California, this is what we're doing. This is what it's going to look like. This is why we're doing it. And I will say that for generally for our construction projects, we do have a protocol, for informing those that are most impacted by the construction about the project, traffic detours that may happen. But one of our takeaways here is we go above beyond that in our communication and talk a little bit more about the project itself and why the project. So I think that is something we can work on the communication platform. Yeah, just on that topic,

[01:14:34] Unknown Speaker: unless you're still on that topic. I'm still on that topic. Um, so I do think it's important to um, provide more detail for the folks on California because they're the ones that are going to need to perhaps change their, um, habits. Um, and so I want them to be aware of what's coming and be, um, thinking about how they're going to do something differently. Yeah,

[01:15:06] Unknown Speaker: just it might be good to also, I don't know how much you always do this, but to also engage with the neighborhood groups. And the neighborhood groups, the schools, um, you know, it's the swan neighborhood, and I don't know what other neighborhood groups might be around there, but they all have newsletters and, um, and, you know, any organizations that you can communicate with not just people along the whole industry.

[01:15:35] Unknown Speaker: So, um, I'm, I'm the sports project, um, that was where we expanded it, not just a section of this, but the full corridor. Um, I am interested in hearing what the metrics are gonna be. And just, how are we going to know if this is successful or not, which is why I was asking about the bicycle counts now? Um, but yeah, I'll perform this. So thanks. So,

[01:16:05] Chair Ellen Kamei: um, I think what you're, well, you're going to hear is unanimity from the committee that they're support of the pilot, which I shouldn't be a surprise to counsel and was supportive. Um, I really like the ideas that committee members are sharing about expanding the community outreach. I do think it's going to be critical to its success. I've seen a road diet in another community go forward and then be reversed. Because the community. So with the, um, type of investment the city is making, I think it's really critical. What I'd like, I know that we do the notices for the 750 radius, but I love the idea of doing the neighborhood associations. I think it would be also really important to work with our, um, multi, uh, lingual outreach program on a particular Spanish outreach. So to like the capacito group that's involved, particularly this neighborhood would be, I think really important. There was another street where the community had come out and was voicing concerns about speed and traffic safety. And I think knowing that the city's doing something would be, um, really critical. Um, and then earlier, my questions were kind of teetering into comments. I apologize, but I think the city has made so many investments on trying to move in a multimodal direction that I do want to know where our ETA stops, our community shuttle stops, how these might, what's the current usage, how it might be increased as people are walking and biking to these locations to take it. Um, And then just the confirmation on the safe route to school. I do think working with, um, both All 3 school districts will be very important for the outreach. Um, and then, um, Tying that to, to, to vision zero. I, I, My memory is fuzzy on what the metrics were for that success, but as we're rolling that out and we're looking at the evaluation criteria that's to come in 2024. I'd like there to be synergy between those. as well. So I think, and I, I, what would really be great. I'm really interested in these vertical treatments, I'd like a little chart on the speed limits on what's used in other communities, I think, for as mountain views moving towards, Like I said, multimodal, um, options for community, I want to know what's successful. And, um, what we, what we can do and maybe how that can improve working at some of the sustainability goals that we have as a city. So. Okay. All right. Oh, yes, go ahead, Mary.

[01:18:44] Unknown Speaker: One last comment. I loved the adopt planter box solution. Um, you know, because there's a lot of residential. Uh, there. So that might be one of the, the, the, maintenance problem. Right. You

5.2 Grant Road and Sleeper Avenue Intersection Improvements, Project 21-39

[01:19:01] Chair Ellen Kamei: have anything else? All right. Well, then I think this closes this item. Thank you to our community members. So we'll move on to item 52, our grant group, and Super Avenue, Intersection Improvements, Project 21 dash 39. That presentation will be provided by Conford Robinson, the associate civil engineer. I have a little staff switch. Appreciate everyone's patience. Thank you.

[01:20:12] Public Works Director Cameron: Okay, Sarah's grabbing some water should be back in just a minute. Okay. Good

[01:21:22] Associate Civil Engineer Robertson: evening, good evening. Thank you, chair committee members. This item before you on the agenda tonight is a project update on the Grant Road and Sleeper Avenue Intersection Improvements project. My name is Catherine Robertson. I'm an associate civil engineer with the public works department. Additionally, with me tonight is Robert Gonzalez, the principal civil engineer for the civil infrastructure section, and he will assist me with answering your questions at the end of the project. All right, let's get started. This image here shows that the intersection of Grant Road and Sleeper Avenue is located along Grant Road, approximately midway between North Drive and Quest Drive, indicated by the blue circle with a one in it. The intersection is adjacent to Questa Park, and it is an essential connection to the entrance to the Stevens Creek Trail, which is approximately one half mile to the east of the intersection seen on the far right of this image. Um, El Camino Hospital and the YMCA are both to the west of the intersection, along North Drive, located in the bottom left corner of this image. And now a little background on this project thus far, in 2018, the city issued a request for proposals for conducting a feasibility study of the Grant Road and Sleeper Avenue intersection. In 2019, the city contracted with TJKN Transportation Consultants to conduct the study and evaluate conceptual alternatives for improvements to facilitate the safe movement of pedestrians and bicyclists crossing Grant Road at Sleeper Avenue. The current conditions, as depicted in this image, show that there is only one marked crosswalk at the eastern leg of the intersection to cross sleeper avenue. While a median opening and accessible curb ramps are provided on the southern leg of the intersection to allow pedestrians and vice lists to cross Grant Road. The feasibility study culminated in a preferred alternative design, which was presented to uh, to and supported by the VPAC and CTC in February and April of 2021 respectively. As part of CTC's recommendation of the preferred alternative, CTC requested that a northern bicycle crossing for westbound bicycle movements be incorporated into the final design. And in June of 2021, council approved the preferred alternative recommended by BPAC and CTC with the addition of a northern bicycle crossing. The image here shows the preferred alternative design from the study, which included a pedestrian hybrid beacon or PHB on Grant Road. High visibility crosswalks on the southern and eastern legs of the intersection. A left turn restriction from Sleeper Avenue onto Grant Road. Adaptive traffic signal equipment and signal interconnect, street lights, and enhanced signage and striping. Which leads us to today's preliminary design. EKF and staff coordinated on the northern bicycle crossing for the westbound cyclist movements. And the new preliminary design includes all the elements from the approved, preferred alternative with the following additional improvements across Grant Road. A high visibility northern pedestrian crosswalk, an associated ADA curb ramp. Northerly and southernly bicycle crossings, including green markings, bicycle ramps, and pathway access. Blankout signs that will be activated in conjunction with the PHV to indicate a no right turn restriction for westbound vehicles on Sleeper Avenue. A median island for improved visibility of the left turn restriction from Sleeper Avenue to Grant Road, and PHB push buttons for the cyclists. For those unfamiliar with how a blankout sign would be integrated here. Let me provide a little more detail. Once the PHB is activated by pedestrians or bicyclists via a push button, the intersection will function as a full stop for all vehicles in all movements once the solid red indication turns on for the northbound and southbound of Grant Road. The activated blankout sign will illuminate in conjunction with the PHB activation, prohibiting right turning vehicles from Sleeper Avenue onto Grant Road that would conflict with the pedestrian bicyclists crossing Grant Road. Pedestrians and bicyclists will each have their own designated travel area, delineated by corresponding striping on the roadway. Once the activated PHB cycle completes, the blank outside will turn off, showing no restrictions for right turning vehicles onto Grant Road front sleeper. With the addition of the northerly bicycle crossing for westbound bicycle movements, staff added a crosswalk as well, since it provided a more direct path across Grant Road for pedestrians on the north side of Sleeper Avenue traveling westernly, eliminating the need for pedestrians to make an additional crossing of Sleeper Avenue to access the west side of Grant Road. Um, overall, EPAC was very pleased to see our additional improvements to the previously approved, preferred alternative. EPAC was eager to see our construction start, and they noted that these improvements may affect traffic patterns in the area, and that it may also encourage more students to bicycle to school. So what are our next steps? The designer will take any feedback from CTC, provided tonight, and continue to develop the design in preparation for advertising project for construction. All right, that wraps up the presentation. Thank you, chair and community members, any questions? Any members have questions? Don't throw that check. And

[01:27:31] Unknown Speaker: put this, um, guest statement on page 6 presentation, the BPEC said enforcement of vehicle code, is an additional step after implementation. So, did they say what their concern was, what needed to be enforced?

[01:27:50] Associate Civil Engineer Robertson: Residents and what they heard was people were worried with how attorney movements were going to be implemented. And so, uh, the, with the left turn restriction from sleeper onto grant, they are going to see a change in traffic patterns, and they're wondering how that will affect, uh, the Eunice and Grant Road intersection, um, especially due to the, uh, what would you call it? pulses with school departure and change shits at the hospital. They notice that sometimes it is very backed up. So, they're worried about how this will affect future traffic movements, but currently they notice there are bad actors blocking the intersection. So if that's already an issue, the enforcement of that would be a after we implement it situation. Okay. And Eunice has a light, right? Yes, does have a traffic signal light. Yes. Okay. And there's backup in the intersection. At that intersection you're saying? I have not, um, gone and done the study myself. Okay, you wanna? Oh,

[01:28:58] Principal Civil Engineer Gonzales: wow. Sorry, go ahead. All right. No,

[01:29:02] Public Works Director Cameron: otherwise, Darwin, do you have... Good evening.

[01:29:08] Senior Traffic Engineer Galang: Darwin belongs to your track engineer. From the feedback we receive a class PPAC meeting. It was mainly the intersections being blocked by vehicles, trying to get across the green light and the red light. So we received a feedback from the community to make sure that I think it's more of its enforcement. of the intersection not being blocked by vehicles. And we are looking into that issue now, if there's a need for extending green time, for traffic coming off of Unis. So the backup gets cleared with enough green time, then that's, we can do that separately from this project. Okay, thank you. Um. Can

[01:29:54] Unknown Speaker: you respond to me? How the flexible posts, what the... Okay. Some of the names, but not all.

[01:30:06] Associate Civil Engineer Robertson: Okay. I think you can see my cursor. The location of the flexible posts would be along here on Sleeper Avenue.

[01:30:14] Unknown Speaker: I'm looking at the bigger ones.

[01:30:16] Associate Civil Engineer Robertson: So those are going to be K 71, as you can see, the little 71. The bigger ones. That's

[01:30:21] Unknown Speaker: the purpose. What are they stopping?

[01:30:23] Associate Civil Engineer Robertson: So we have a lane change. You're trying to keep them channelized in their lane. Versus encroaching on the left turn lane. Also, we want to provide some type of barrier or interference here because we still want to prevent the left turning movement. People can, even when you stripe it one way, people can ignore it. That's

[01:30:47] Principal Civil Engineer Gonzales: really the big changes that we're going to restrict that left turn from sleeper underground.

[01:30:53] Unknown Speaker: Oh, otherwise, you might have done it by extending that, I don't know, the median, but you're, maybe there would be other reasons you're not doing that, such as cost, and this is quicker, but essentially does the same thing with that.

[01:31:06] Principal Civil Engineer Gonzales: It would. So part of this is balancing cost, but also evaluating it to see if it's something if it's if it's working the way it's designed, then we save the money. If it didn't, then we could, we could expand the footprint of that, of that curved area. Okay. But it is channelization and then and then managing that left turn movement. It

[01:31:28] Associate Civil Engineer Robertson: allows us to put them here as well between the crossing and the bike lane to really add a barrier there. Or deterrent.

[01:31:42] Unknown Speaker: People would do that little space. They'll

[01:31:44] Unknown Speaker: still drive around it. Okay. Okay. They'll make you better. Yeah. Yeah. So it could be more of a medium, but this is cheaper than a pilot. Okay, I get it. Thank you. So,

[01:32:03] Chair Ellen Kamei: um, The, my, sorry, my question is, so we, and I'm trying to remember, I feel like this is such a long journey to get to worry tonight. So we've taken the community input already on this intersection, so we're just looking for final design so that we can go forward to finally implement the project. Is that correct? Correct.

[01:32:28] Principal Civil Engineer Gonzales: Sorry. What? Oh, I was just going to clarify, we CTC took input during the feasibility study. and provided feedback to us that we're bringing back here and we wanted to do another round of during design. Okay. All

[01:32:45] Chair Ellen Kamei: right. So this would, so design completion, council. So this would come back next year to our council agenda for final approval. For,

[01:32:55] Public Works Director Cameron: yes, for approving the plan specification of advertising the project for bits. Got it. Okay, great.

[01:33:02] Chair Ellen Kamei: Thank you. All right, those are my questions. Yes, go ahead.

[01:33:06] Unknown Speaker: I should have any other questions. On page 5 of the 2nd one. It talks about bicycle ramps. Um, and Where are those on this intersection? Is it different than? Sorry, go ahead. That would be, it's

[01:33:24] Associate Civil Engineer Robertson: oh, sorry, let me click. There is. Here? So you have a ramp to get into the park. A direct. So

[01:33:37] Principal Civil Engineer Gonzales: it is distinct from a pedestrian curb brand where you have it. There's no truncated domes. It's distinctive and it communicates different things to cycle its versus pedestrians. Okay. Great. Thank you. Okay, that's it. Thank

[01:33:52] Chair Ellen Kamei: you. All right. So we will, um, bring this to public comment. Would any member of the public joining us virtually or in person like to provide comment on this item? If so, please click the raise hand button in Zoom or approach the lectern, and we're going to take in-person speakers first. And so I asked you to, if you want to queue up or stand so we can kind of keep the line flowing. We have many people virtually with their hands right. So I want to make sure we can get through. Uh, we'll do 3 minutes. Um, And we will start with in person. So if you'd like to have per selector.

[01:34:31] Public Speaker: I kind of went from Illinois that way. I'd like to see my time.

[01:34:39] Chair Ellen Kamei: We don't do it like that. Everybody gets 3 minutes. Oh. It was just a committee meeting. We're not fancy like regular counselor. I'm sorry. That has to be worked out with the clerk in advance.

[01:34:49] Cynthia Palacio/Cindy Newman: We did we did that at the meeting on Monday. I told that was the process. So I'm Cindy Newman, Cynthia Placio again. 2430 Villain a wave away. Um, I am in favor as a bicyclist and pedestrian. I'm in favor of the 3 crosswalks. I think I think that's a great way to go. Um, and uh, let's see, what else do I have here? Got caught a little bit off guard. Yeah, I'm in favor of the 3 crosswalks. I'm also very much in favor of the electronic signs, limiting the right turns whenever the pedestrian or bicyclist pushes it. I love that they have control. of their safety. What I'm opposed to is um, the no left turn at any time. And I know I'm coming late to the party, but honestly, folks, this was happening during COVID. And the meetings that we had, that you guys had during COVID. I missed it. I'm grateful that we're getting input now. Um, so I'm supposed to left turn lanes because I think it's going to have unintended consequences, um, because you're not going to be able to make a left turn, so you're not going to be able to go to the YMCA or the hospital. You have to do a U-turn, a quest to drive, which is going to increase traffic flow, increase turning movements, where after you make that U-turn, you're coming into conflict with people leaving St. Tim's Church 2 driveways. Um, and St. James is not just there on Sunday. There's activities going on all the time. In addition, the northbound Grant Road, uh, right before the quest drive, um, intersection is also a crosswalk and has a queue. And on our way here tonight, that queue was backed up all the way onto the travel lane. Um, so you're going to eat by making it right turn only. They're going to increase the traffic flow around that medium. And people that have problems in the middle of the night. Need to get to the ER room and it's not going to, the ambulance is going to take too long to get to you. You're going to have to go out, right turn, do a U-turn on Questa, or you have to go circuitously through Carol to Eunice, travel over speed bumps. And every minute counts. Um, what else do I have here? Um, Running out of time. So, uh, we need, uh, my concern is that there are only 2 exits to grant for this neighborhood of about 600 homes. In Dutch Haven alone, where I live, Illinois away, there's 122 homes. If traffic is forced to make left turn by going down Carroll, onto UNIS, we can't get out of our neighborhood. Smoke events are all too real now with wildfires. We voluntarily evacuate to get into fresher air or maybe we have to do a mandatory evacuation. I'm also certified. I'm concerned about being able to get out with only 2 exits. We can't get out through Martin's, uh, or whatever it's called there, Martin's. We can't get out through, um, Levin. is too circuitous. We have to travel miles to get to London. April, Lane has an example, April and Grant, has an example of a flattened concrete medium. I object to the concrete median and the stop sign. Thank you. Thank you. If

[01:38:12] Chair Ellen Kamei: you're here to speak, please stand up. Please don't wait for other people. Come on up.

[01:38:25] Public Speaker: I live on the 1st floor, Sleeper Avenue, on Grant Road. Been there for decades. You're welcome, Stevens Creek Channel, although it increased the traffic in front of our house. What I object to is the premier left turn 6. When it's busy. We go down to UNIS. The traffic signal at Eunice and Grant, the lifter. weekends and other times of day, I do not see a need for. What kind of a week, uh, a permanent, or a turn. Does not make any sense to me at all. With the north bound pedestrian walkway, that'll increase a number of people, trying to make a cross grant road, on the south side, where the left turn effect would be effective. So my big objection other than that, and there's a permanent no left term post and barrier. Thank you. Um,

[01:39:43] Prem Andrzejek: hi, my name is Premondaic. I live on Sleeper Avenue. Um, I've been at a few of these meetings in the past 10, 14 years, um, concerned about safety of pedestrians as I walked my small children at the time across um, Grant Road to the park. Um, So I do, I am opposed to the left turn restriction. I'm concerned that it's going to cause further backup on sleeper as people have to track around during school times to go down Carol to get to UNIS. And I want to remind you that, um, Carol is a sacred school. It is a back entrance to in my elementary school. Um, I'm also concerned about whether uh, traffic analysis has been done about 11 years ago. I witnessed a traffic analysis. It was on Labor Day Monday at 9 AM and I asked the person sitting at the corner what they were doing and they said they were actually conducting the traffic study. And I commented that that was the worst time to be doing it because obviously it's not reflective of the true traffic patterns in the neighborhood. So, um, Those are my concerns that I just wanted to bring to your attention about this plan. So I hope those considerations. I feel that a lot of the changes have been. I believe in bicycle safety and I like to see a lot of changes made to make things improved for bicyclists, but when we were asking for these changes for pedestrians over the last 15 years, It seems like what's those projects have installed, and we ended up with a faux kind of crosswalk right now and sleeper and grant. And what's pushing a lot of this faster is the need to incorporate biking safety. And I'd like to see bicycle and pedestrian safety considered imbalance. Thank you. Hi,

[01:41:31] April Webster: um, April Webster. Um, uh, this is a relatively simple intersection. I biked along here. I totally take long foothill and down through Cuesta. I need to get to Stevens Creek to get back home. I love um, on Central Avenue. And I used to bike down there until someone from the community pointed out a back road to me so I could avoid that particular intersection because it is really hairy. I've biked in other hairy places when you have to cross over poor lanes of traffic and play frogger, to get across to a left lane to turn. It is, it is, um, You worry. And and think twice about crossing there. So I'm thrilled to see the number of things I'm thrilled to see, the additional crosswalks, the no right turn on red is, I'd love to see that actually more throughout the city because it really protects pedestrians. We've seen this time and again, we saw this on El Camino Real. Um, and other intersections. People aren't paying attention. Um, they're busy, busy lives are in a hurry and we want to design to have people do, um, the best thing that they can to prevent, um, no one wants to hit someone in a crosswalk. And so the more that we continue to design, to make that harder is great. Um, I really like that. The, the push button, it shuts down all lanes of traffic so people, it's not quite a scramble, but everyone can cross in all directions. So it's a really large safe space for, um, pedestrians and bicyclists across. And one other comment is this has been going on since 2010. I know it's been number of different councils, a number of different staff members, and this is just the history of it, but it's been going on, and we're looking at how it implemented. Um, I think in 2025. That's a long time for a project to be ongoing. And so I know it's become back and it is almost like this, I want to say desperate, but a number of rounds of design. So it would be nice to see something move forward if something's good enough. I know their concerns about the left term, but if we can somehow avoid, if there are changes being made, have a go through that entire loop again, through BPAC or outreach, BPAC, it just takes such a long time to see something happen and people start to get discouraged. Um, and a kind of road trust as well. So, Whatever you can do to speed it up would be wonderful. I know you're dealing with what you're dealing with, but we would love to see things implemented quickly. Thank you so much. you.

[01:44:14] Marcy Marcus: Hi, my name is Marcy Marcus. I live at 100 Sleeper Avenue right on the corner. Um, I'm not as articulate of the speaker as some of the other people have spoken tonight, so I'm going to do my best. Um, I do have some serious concerns about the no left turn as well as Miss Newman. Um, or and I echo, uh, much of what she said about having the traffic patterns get far worse than they are AR. I can tell you at peak traffic times just getting out of my house is impossible because the line of cars just backs up so much. It's not just the elementary school in the hospital. We have another high school, public high school on one side and a private high school behind the hospital on the other side. Um, so I think putting in a permanent no left turn is going to be atrocious for the traffic that's already bad and it's going to make it worse. And while I understand, um, people have concerns about pedestrians and bicyclists, but people still have to drive to get to and from, their houses to work. Or not, you have to also consider the drivers. Um, and I'm not trying to belittle the pedestrians at all, but I can tell you, I have, as I mentioned last week, I have 2 small children, ages 7 and 10. You guys did a lot of this planning during COVID. I agree with Cindy. Um, we were not really aware of what was going on because we were dealing with so many other things with school closures. So I would really appreciate if you would consider our comments now, um, with regards to putting this permanent, no left turn in. I think if you do that and then couple that with no right turn anytime somebody's going into any part of this intersection. It's really going to cause a log jam. Um, There was something else I was going to say. I'm sorry, I'm just tired. I have 2 little children, and I can tell you we've been there now for over 4 years. And I don't understand why people can't take another 2 seconds to go less than a quarter mile, either right or left to the designated crosswalks where there are traffic lights to cross. I get that there should be a highlighted crosswalk in case somebody does decide to make that decision. But we've been taking our children to the lights. With no problem. It takes maybe 5 more minutes to walk. And I think if you're on a bicycle, it's gonna take even less time. So I think just shutting down this whole intersection and causing more traffic is really, you know, putting the welfare of a few over to the, you know, over the, uh, detriment of the people living in the neighborhood. And I, how many I, my concern also is how many pedestrians and bicyclists cross there. Has there even been a study, do we even know how many people cross there versus going to quest to drive or to UNIS to cross? I mean, that's another thing that I wanted to know what the committee looked at to make this decision. Thank you so much. I'm sorry, I just we'll have so much to say. It's a little time. Oh,

[01:47:31] Emil Abraham: my name's Emil Abraham. Um, thank you very much to the engineers and be packed for all the, um, the feedback, um, so this dime, design is very cool as it is. It's amazing Um, so I take Stevens Creek Trail every day to get to the YMCA from the north, so southbound, and I completely avoid this intersection because it is absolutely horrible or close to impossible to cross on bike because of the high speed of the cars coming down Grand. Um, so these changes are absolutely amazing. And connecting bike routes like this to like Stevens Creek to like a park is a great way to get people to adopt riding their bikes. Um, I really enjoy the, um, the pet and bike activated lights to control the traffic on grant. I think that's a great idea. Um, and I hear all the concerns about the no left turn. So I hope that we can all come to like a compromise and keep all these great bike and pet changes while maybe keeping that left turn. Um, but I think the most important thing is that we that we implement this as soon as we can. Um, so as they say, perfection is the enemy of progress. So this project has been delayed for a really long time. So anything to speed this up would be amazing. Thank you.

[01:48:59] Public Speaker: Hello, MDP. I'm also, um, I live on Sleeper Avenue. Um, and I just wanted to echo the concern of the no left turn. The traffic on Sleeper Avenue gets really bad during school times. In fact, I have a 5 year old son who has, you know, asthma seats frequently and we, in fact, just 2 weeks ago, we had to take him to the ER at the El Camino hospital. And, you know, I can, I can't imagine if, let's say, the traffic is backed up, but I have to take a Utah and go there, just, like you said, every minute comes. So

[01:49:29] Public Speaker: I just want to do echo that, um, you know, this is a concern for me as well. Thank you.

[01:49:34] Chair Ellen Kamei: Thank you. Okay,

[01:49:40] Chair Ellen Kamei: I'm gonna move on to virtual, unless, okay, more.

[01:49:44] Public Speaker: I kind of went 2430 bill and wave away. Um, of course, yeah, the comments about the, uh, Uh, the notice. I don't know if there was mailings for this project or not. It seems like the Dutch Haven or Illinois, the neighborhood should have received the mailings of the war mail. I've been here probably sooner. Um, Far as a left hand turn, I think possibly just time restrictions would help. uh, that the backup there is, Starts about 3, 330 when the shift change, um, happens, it open in a hospital, plus the schools, all of that, let out, um, St. Francis comes out, you know, through a salad drive as well, in one of the, uh, Monte Vista high school, so there's a lot of traffic. What happens on units, it's gridlock. coming out of the uh, the cars don't stop when they're coming out of the hospital. Turn uh, to go north on Grant. And they block the intersection, so you can't get out from units either. Oh, maybe time restrictions on the no left turn for the morning. and it up 3 to 5 kind of thing, I think, would might be better. Well, if you, I don't know if you've seen the, uh, The Yellow Post and uh, some of these cities now where they've been there for a while, they just, I mean, they're beat up. They're ugly. I think the new turn restriction, uh, just certain times today would be much better. No Thank you.

[01:51:22] Chair Ellen Kamei: Okay, last call. Alright. So we're gonna move on to virtual Mary Dato. Oh,

[01:51:30] Mary Dateo: good evening. Um, I'm, uh, was really excited to see the latest version of this design that includes that, that north, um, side crossing because some of the early designs did not have that, and, um, I just think this is so much better for pedestrians than bicyclists not to have to always sort of walk around, you know, most of the way around an intersection in order to, in order to do a crossing. I think this is just going to be so much safer and I'm really excited about the addition of the light. Um. Whenever I'm a pedestrian or cyclist and I'm crossing and there's not a light, it actually sometimes makes me nervous to see the car stopping for me because I'm always afraid the 1st car is going to get rear ended by the 2nd one. So, I think this light's going to make it um, a lot safer, not just for the pedestrians, but also for the drivers. Thank you.

[01:52:23] Chair Ellen Kamei: Thank you. Celia Paymer. Hello? Hello? Hi,

[01:52:33] Silja Paymer: um, yeah, so I'm Selia Pamer. Um, I'm a resident in the adjacent Questa Park neighborhood, um, that also uses this intersection. Um, and sort of from our perspective, it's a lot of people and a lot of kids and a lot of um, people of all ages that are traveling between the park and the Stevens Creek Trail. Um, when I went to the um, Parks and Rec, um, strategic plan meetings that every single meeting I went to, people brought up that one of the things they want is an interconnected um, park system. And so, this is something that's going to be coming up soon in that strategy, I'm pretty confident, considering how many times I heard about it. And so this would be added probably to that route. So not only would it be a consideration for safe routes to school, but also safe routes to parks, um, in terms of the safe routes to school, yes, it is not currently on either the Gram or the Mountain View High School safe route to school. And that's because it's not safe. We can't put it on the map if it's not safe. And so right now, there's not probably a 10th of the users as there could be because it's not safe. Um, so people aren't going to go there um, until these changes are made. In term of the left turn. Um, this was actually a design to, because of traffic concerns, the reason the left turn was eliminated was to allow for a left turn with no conflicts with pedestrians, it would have needed um, its own light cycle, um, coming out from sleeper, which would have needed a full light, that had light cycles for pedestrians as well as left turns coming out of sleeper. Um, and that there was a concern that that would impact the traffic on grant and back it up more. So this was actually the solution to the traffic concerns. Um, if anything, it will probably speed up, um, some of the backup on sleeper as you won't be stuck behind someone trying to make a left turn. Everyone will just be turning right. Um, and um, it might actually smooth out some of that. Um, And so I'm really excited for this in terms of for my kids. Um, it is technically a crosswalk already, according to California law. And so putting it in in a visual way that's protected, um, I think is going to benefit a lot of residents. Thank you so much for your time.

[01:54:51] Chair Ellen Kamei: Thank you. Bruce England?

[01:54:56] Bruce England: Thank you Uh, Bruce England, um, Wisman Station Drive. I support a number of the comments that have been made so far. There was a letter drafted by Celia Paymer for Green Spaces Mountain View. If that went through and you're able to see it. Great. I support that letter. Um, want to support the idea of limiting any delays on this because the project's been on, um, um, been processed for a very long time. It'd be great to just get it done ultimately. That said, having no right turn on red, from grant to sleeper would be wonderful. And, um, and those kind of no right turn on red infrastructures throughout town. We like to see them more and more. Apparently there are only 2 right now in Mountain View. More of those would be great, and at this location would be great. And, um, just also, lastly, to support whatever we need to improve our bike ped safety infrastructure, that needs to be paramount. I get the points about the no left turns and things like that, but um, we need to support active transportation in Mountain View. Um, for a variety of reasons and would like to see that put front and center. And also, um, on Scilius point about we need safety and key locations in order to, um, provide safe routes to school infrastructure, from as many locations as possible to and from the schools for our kids. Thanks.

[01:56:26] Chair Ellen Kamei: Thank you Juani Shaw. Hello.

[01:56:34] Priyanka and Dhwani Shah: Hi, this is Priyanka and Duanisha. We live off of sleeper as well. And I'm really happy to see these changes coming in. Especially excited about the activated uh, uh, crossing. Uh, because the grant is a, both sides is 2 lane road. I've noticed a lot of people, including ourselves when we cross the road, you know, the 1st car stops for us, you know, looking at the pedestrian, but the car in the 2nd lane has no idea. Uh, and that keeps, you know, rushing through. And there's a lot of like quote unquote peer pressure to start walking because there's a car waiting, but that's extremely dangerous. Um, I know that's part of the plan. My comment and request to this team is, you know, while you hash out the feedback and the details, uh, and the process, if there's a way to, you know, put a pedestrian, uh, a visual pedestrian sign, and uh, a lighted, uh, like illumination earlier, uh, then I think that would benefit a lot and make it a lot safer. Uh, we do see a lot of pedestrian traffic right there, which is, you know, uh, with the high speeds on grand. is really brisky. So I echo a lot of uh, uh, people who've uh, set stuff before me that, uh, you know, perfection is not, uh, you know, uh, the goal, but, you know, a good uh, design is great too. So if something can be done earlier, that would that would be my request to you. Thank you.

[01:58:09] Chair Ellen Kamei: Thank you. Megan Kunto?

[01:58:16] Megan Kundu: Hi, this is Megan Kandu. I am also, I'm a resident in this neighborhood, um, in one of the streets just off of sleeper. Um thank you for this. It's long overdue. I share, um, the comments of many other community members that we would love to support you in going faster with this, um, including, you know, in baby steps, if that's what it takes to make things safer. Something that I want to point out that I haven't heard discussed already. If we really want to make, um, commuting to and from, um, the park and, um, Stevens Creek Trail safer for pedestrians and bicyclists, that entire route, you will be supporting people getting from the park. But there are no sidewalks and there are no bike lanes on sleeper. And it will still not be a safe route to school for Emai or for Mountain View High School because it lacks those things. So this will make it easier, which is fabulous to cross grant because that's very dangerous right now. But it will still be a very dangerous route to school. Um, and a dangerous um, pedestrian and bike route generally because um, once you are into the sleeper neighborhood. Um, it is not a safe place to bike. Um, and, uh, if you want to do a traffic study there, please come and do it during the school commute time where you can see, um, that because kids are biking in the middle of the street, ours are weaving in and out between them, um, down the middle of the street. Um, so we won't be solving that and I would love for you to sort of take that into account as the phase too. And making this a safer community, um, for biking and walking, and to also encourage you to think about taking some of these grapes steps and carrying them over onto Cuesta, um, where we also have very long sidewalks to get from the park, um, to the neighborhood opposite Cuesta, um, that don't have any lights or attention grabbing signals. Um, and if you drive there, you will see that people are often missing that pedestrians um, are wanting to cross. And it would be great to take some of these same ideas and carry them over so that all routes through that park are safer. Thank you.

[02:00:23] Chair Ellen Kamei: Great. Thank you. Lance Wagner. Yes,

[02:00:30] Vance Wagner: hi, thanks for holding this meeting. Uh, my name is Vance Wagner. I live on Grant Road in the 1600 block, so a little bit north of this project. But I have 2 kids. We're constantly biking and walking all around the, this neighborhood. I go to St. Tim's Church. We're very familiar with this intersection. So I just wanted to make 3 points. Number one, I strongly support the city's efforts to proactively improve the safety of intersections like this. And so, I just want to express my gratitude. We've benefited from a lot of the bicycle infrastructure, um, that has been improved over the last few years in Mountain View, so thank you for that, and I like, I like that you're taking a hard look at this particular intersection, um, which is a terrifying place to cross grant. I mean, all places to cross grant are terrifying, but especially this one. My point number 2 is, um, that being said, I am concerned about the no left turn restriction. And I speak as someone who never turns left from sweeper onto grant, so this is not something out of, you know, my, my own self-interest. Um, But we cross grant at Cuesta. very regularly, and that intersection is horrible. And anything, I'm worried one of the other speakers spoke about the potential unintended consequences of eliminating the left turn from sleeper. And one of those that I'm worried about is more cars, who are frustrated and in a rush, trying to make a U-turn, uh, you know, at that grant quest to intersection, and that's going to make Grant Cuesta even more dangerous, and that intersection is already pretty horrible. Um, you know, not to mention the potential problems on UNIS and a long sleeper and carol and and all that area where, you know, there's no bike infrastructure and kids really just are out on the streets. I just feel like this problem can be solved without that step of eliminating the left turn onto grant, and I would encourage the committee to look at a solution that moves quickly, but preserves that left turn. My final point is that I really think one of the solutions, which hasn't been discussed, is just general traffic calming on grant. Because one of our biggest issues is that cars, as they're going north on grant, they pass sleeper, and then it's like a free, free for all all the way to Martin's, and they just accelerate, they accelerate through Cuesta, and right around, it's kind of like a blind curve in front of the rehabilitation center. But if you had some traffic calming measures, which were sort of slowing cars through sleeper and through Cuesta. I think that's going to do a lot more for pedestrian safety than blocking off the left turn there. Um, but again, thank you and um, yeah, look forward to seeing what happens. Thank you.

[02:03:19] Chair Ellen Kamei: Pretty, pretty. Yeah,

[02:03:23] Public Speaker: hi everyone. I really appreciate that we all are thinking in this direction. I live at 101, like 101 Sleeper Avenue. Um, so very close to what is being discussed. I can see it right away from my window. Um, so the, I have 2 kids, uh, 7 and 10 and so we also love going to Questa Park. In fact, my older parents, we all commute all the time there. And I feel the pain for pedestrian. Not sure how many bikers cross it though. But what is really, what I'm really opposing here while I support all the pedestrian effort around it. I think no left turn would create a bigger mess here. Because already around the peak hours. Like I hear all the time, even honking around and it's a nightmare, you know, to live next to it, specifically, a lot of times, even the ambulances are stuck. So think about it, like, you know, around like hour and a half too, at least in morning, again, in noon and again in evening. Uh, those are the times when anyways, the intersection around sleeper and um, Grant, in fact, it goes all the way through Alchemine, another side beyond Coesta. So this entire like one. 5 mile stretch is jam packed, and it's impossible for us to even get out of our home in the mornings, even to walk kids without, you know, crossing multiple cars. And it's already painful. So I can't imagine, you know, how, how worse it would get, if there is no left turn, probably entire sleeper would be blocked all the way till, you know, beyond carol and far beyond. So it'll also impact the pedestrian who are kids who are going to school crossing Corole, um, in the morning to MI. So I would really suggest that, uh, like we should consider it again, uh, that while pedestrian work is a great idea. Yes, electronic science, you know, all they like mentioning that the flashing lights, everything is great, you know, it's saving a lot of lives. I've seen very few bikers while there are like 1000s of car every day on those roads. So, uh, that's what I'll suggest. Like, if you have not done enough study, uh, please come and see or maybe live in my home, uh, for a few days and you'll know it's nightmare. I'm already living on the road. And uh, hearing ambulances all the time stuck in the traffic. I hope we are caring for those lives as well. That's it. Thank you again for all the effort and I would strongly recommend that we do another study on the how much traffic we build up already without a lap turn. Thank you.

[02:05:49] Chair Ellen Kamei: You. Molly Carlson.

[02:05:56] Molly Carlson: Hi, um, I'm a resident of Woodleaf Way. Um, which is a block off of Grant from sleep on sleeper. And I use this intersection, multiple times every week, mostly walking, but sometimes biking, and I would like to thank you for addressing this situation because it is not a safe situation. We often have to run To get across that intersection. And I'm favor adding the crosswalks and the signals. Um, as I think that will make it safer and let the cars know. Not to move. I am concerned with the left turn restrictions. I think it will, Impact traffic and. Um, I also feel like there's a lot of stuff going on in the designs with barriers and posts and, and lights and, and maybe not all of that is necessary because if the lights are flashing at the crosswalk, then the cars, Are not allowed to go. Um, I think the blackout sign is interesting. I haven't seen that before, and I'm wondering if there could be a blockout sign for the restricting the left turn when there are pedestrians in the crosswalk. Um. And so those are my comments now, but I do also encourage this to move on because we started. We've been asking for it when my children were early grade school and they now were, Almost 30. So, It's been a while, but I, it is important and thank you.

[02:07:40] Chair Ellen Kamei: Great, thank you. Ling W. Uh,

[02:07:47] Ling W.: hi, um, my name is Ling, and I'm, um, also a resident in the neighborhood off of sleeper. Um, I think I bike uh, with my kids around the neighborhood all the time and We do actually um, use that intersection and cross that intersection on a daily basis. I think maybe on like one of the only parents that let my kids cross that. Um, but my biggest, the biggest safety issue crossing that, though, is always, for me, the 1st lane of traffic will see you, but then the 2nd lane rarely does see the pedestrian or the bike, um, cyclist, right, in one way. And so I've trained my kids to basically always wait for both lengths to stop for you before you cross even onto that. What did you call it? pedestrian refuge island. Um, and then move forward. Um, so I, you know, it's great that we're having those user activated uh, pedestrian signals. Um, and having those um, crosswalks lined, and I saw that design was in this, the initial preferred alternative, alternative route. Um, But then it seemed like there were a bunch of extras that came in through that 2nd design phase. Um, and one of them seemed to be the no left turn with all the extra um, posts and whatnot that seemed very busy. Um, and I would just question, you know, again, the traffic study of having that no left turn, um, right, during high traffic times. Okay? Um, and also, you know, what is the cost trade-off with each of these elements, right? I think we can all agree that we need that user activated signal to get all traffic to stop. But then what about all these extras? Like, do we really need that extra bike lane along with the pedestrian crosswalk? I mean, a bike that's crossing that intersection is going to press the city? They're going to stop no matter what, just like pedestrians, right? Um, so that's my concern is with all of the extras. Does it really make sense? Is there a cost parado? Um, what additional traffic that's gonna cause, um, all along the neighborhood, whether that is further upgrant, folks making U-turns, um, blocking exits and whatnot. So, That would be my feedback.

[02:10:18] Chair Ellen Kamei: Thank you. Come on, neuron.

[02:10:30] Kamal Naran: Hello Hello. Sorry for the wait. Thank you so much for letting us speak. I really appreciate all the effort everybody's been putting into putting this design together. I know everyone's working towards the goal of pedestrian and bike safety, and we appreciate all those efforts. Um, I feel like perhaps we're going doing too much. Uh, it seems to me that having a bike and pedestrian lit, uh, walkway would address the majority of the concerns. Um, going as far as making uh, no left turn. I think. Everyone's on the same page. I think everyone's in agreement that the light up, pedestrian and bike crossing is a benefit, um, and everything going beyond that, I think, is where it starts to get, um, uh, a lot of, they're a bit controversial. Um, So I would say let's go forward with the part of the plan that everyone's in agreement with. And address the other parts as needed over time. It's been in the works for quite some time. I feel like you've got a solid piece of the plan to move forward with. That's the plan that should, That should move most quickly. Um, on a personal note, I've been in a situation living in the sleeper neighborhood where we've needed to take our son to the emergency room, uh, at a moment's notice, and not being able to make a left turn from sleeper onto Grant would have cost us valuable time. Um, so, I don't see any benefit to doing that. Um, I can see where it would cause harm to, uh, or it could, it could be harmful to individuals, and it definitely, at the very least, inconvenient. Um, pedestrian safety, bike safety is, of course, paramount concern. And I believe that the light up crosswalk would address that. So thank you.

[02:12:25] Chair Ellen Kamei: Thank you. All right, that concludes our in person and uh, virtual public comment. So I'm going to bring this item back for committee comments and feedback to staff. So again, you know, no formal motion is required. Stop looking for consensus on a cryptose design or perhaps a feedback. I have. Okay,

[02:12:53] Member Alison Hicks: all right, go ahead. So I have a question from all the comments. We're hearing a couple of things about no left turn on sleeper. Can you give us the history of that decision because many people have been saying, don't prohibit it all the time. Other people are saying that that decision to know that it was considered girl. Somewhere earlier in this 15 year history, and that that was considered cumbersome as well. So, information on that. So

[02:13:23] Public Works Director Cameron: sorry, can you come sit here that way your voice will project out for the audience as well. And I pulled up also the, um, the report from when we went to CDC the last time and paid more data. About the left turn when the decision was made. Right.

[02:13:41] Senior Traffic Engineer Galang: So, as part of the study, we did look at the counts for the left turn. The main reason we removed the left turn is for the conflict, for the new pedestrian cross, or for the pedestrian cross, the southern layer of the intersection. And when we look at the counts, the counts showed us the peak hours, there's only 3 left movement from sleeper onto ground. That came us, that gave us the confidence to, you know, think about ways to eliminate that conflict from the left turn with the with the pedestrian. And that is also the reason why, When we brought it to be packet to cancel, the left turn restriction is temporary only. It's gonna be tested after 6 months or a year. You know, as we get the feedback from the community, then we get more counts. If it's needed, we can take it out again, allow that fit again, or, you know, the community loves it, we can make it more. Um, so

[02:14:38] Public Works Director Cameron: thank you. And that's exactly what was in the April of 2021 report to CTC was the results of the left turn counts, which were showing to be 2 to 3 per peak hour. And the reason, as you were bringing up earlier, that instead of doing extending the media and so on, it is more the channelizers being used because they're temporary. So we did, when we did go to, we came here as well as council, we did present it as a pilot. And to, um, just to observe how conditions go with restricting the left turn lanes. The conflict for the left turn lanes into the southern lake of the pedestrian life formal is a real concern. And should it be decided to maintain the left turn lanes or do the pilot and then put it back? We would also need to look at upgrading the signal system out there, potentially going through a full signal. Because, um, while the blankout signs could be very effective for right turn. I would be concerned about using for left turn. They're too easy to ignore. And, um, I know it's been suggested time restrictions for the left turns. That becomes an enforcement issue. Because you haven't done anything physically to block those left turns, so they will continue trying to do that turns unless they have police out there to make sure it's enforced during these periods there would be more returns. Um, so the time restricted that time is not something stop.

[02:16:23] Member Alison Hicks: And you also mentioned, or I think one of the speakers mentioned some problems with full signalization. I don't know if I'm remembering that right?

[02:16:32] Senior Traffic Engineer Galang: Uh, we also look at full signalization as part of the alternatives during the study. One main drawback is to cost. It's additional, I believe 500,000. And even with that, you would still have that conflict with the left turn. Because when do you have a full signal. You still have that crosswalk, the southern leg, and allow left turn while they're crossing. unless you have a full pedestrian face signal, which would cost delay, where only pedestrians and bicyclists could get the movement without any vehicle getting their green light. And

[02:17:06] Public Works Director Cameron: the key difference is, the traffic signals cycles through, so it could affect your traffic along ground a lot more, whereas the push button, pedestrian activated signals, you're really only bringing all traffic to stop when there's bikes and pets needing to cross. So you're not. Just doing that for every single car that's trying to interrupt a grant activating. That's been on that screen.

[02:17:38] Member Alison Hicks: I'm comfortable with doing that as a pilot, but I would like to see what... That's my roommate check. Yeah,

[02:17:46] Member Lisa Matichak: so when we did the time, did you reference, um, when were you next time? Those

[02:17:53] Senior Traffic Engineer Galang: were done in April 2019. April 2019.

[02:17:57] Member Lisa Matichak: Okay. And was it done over multiple days? We

[02:18:00] Senior Traffic Engineer Galang: typically take a full week of counts. Okay. Um.

[02:18:05] Member Lisa Matichak: And If this is implemented as a pilot. Um, And we're looking at the what changes in terms of traffic patterns. Where would we look at that? Like how far away from that intersection would we look to see what the impact might be?

[02:18:26] Senior Traffic Engineer Galang: I think we could look at the whole area, including units, because that's where all the, uh, the movement would go, if we were restricting left turn from, uh, sleeper and to grant. A lot of the spillover would be going to the next street would be Eunice or Levin, even south of that. Yeah,

[02:18:46] Member Lisa Matichak: I'm finding this one a little bit. Um, puzzling, frustrating, um, all kinds of things because we have been talking about this for quite some time. And there are some residents who live on sleeper, very close to that, who regularly contact us to say, when are you going to implement this? Um, they're frustrated about the delays. And yet, and I feel like all the times we've discussed this, um, we haven't heard much opposition to the November shortly. And so this is kind of surprise tonight. And, and I kind of feel like, well, why is it that some people, um, heard about these meetings and spoke up and others, um, are saying they didn't really hear about these meetings. Um, You know, that's always a frustrating thing to hear. Because you think you do a great job of communicating and then people are saying they haven't heard. So, um, I guess um, I'm kind of, uh, Leaning toward going forward, since it is a pilot. But making sure we're really looking at the broader area in terms of the impact on traffic patterns. Um, And also doing counts on bicyclists and pedestrians. Are they using it more than they are using it now? So we'd have to be measuring it now and later.

[02:20:25] Chair Ellen Kamei: Great, thank you. Um, Okay. Well, I think, um, Uh, I want to talk about the positive things, which is I, I want to, uh, we heard at our last, um, CTC meeting that people wanted all 3 crosswalks. I thought that they gave quite clear feedback. That's what they wanted. Um, so I'm excited that we're we're seeing that. I think, um, the, I also know that we are managing the cost, but also, I would say to the community, like the full impact on the community, if we go full signalization. So I think that, I, maybe letting people know if they don't want the no left turn lane, to move to full signalization, what that might mean for the community and the traffic, right? And having spent the majority of my childhood and this part of mountain view growing up. It has only gotten more and more and more congested as I've lived here. And I think that one of the public speakers gave great comments in terms of what are we doing? Overall on grant. And I think that we are that was a great point, but we're looking at sleeper as a direct, um, feedback from the community. The community asked for this. And so we're looking at it. Um, and we want to be responsive to the community because people did not feel safe. Walking cycling in this area. So we are trying to be responsive in the best way that we can. given the information available. So, I don't, I feel, that it is, I wouldn't want to move forward with something, that would further bring conflict, for a pedestrian or a cyclist. That if we have the left lane, And someone was hit in that intersection and we made that decision. That would be on council. and the city, and it makes me extremely uncomfortable to say that we are not prioritizing the lives of our residents. So I think maybe in the conversation and how we title it is, you know, Grant Road Sleeper Avenue pilot intersection so that people know that we are truly trying to be receptive to the feedback we've been getting the last 2 decades, um, that we're trying something out. And that I would say anything is a better improvement than what we have currently. But I do think the signalization point that came up multiple times, um, whether the, um, you know, Martin's Cuesta, Eunice, Bryant, I mean, all of those are congested. Um, It, In the morning and afternoon, at night, and I, and I, I've tried to remember what the mile per hour is on grant. So 35? 35 months. Yeah. So I also think, People don't go 35 on crant. And if you get hit at 40 miles an hour, that's a fatality. So I just feel like, you know, uh, those are other considerations that I feel like the committee that council is is weighing and maybe we need to share that and, um, But I, I do want to move forward tonight. I don't I don't want to further hold up. Moving forward. So, I, I feel hesitant, given the feedback we've given, we've gotten from the community tonight. But as we've weighed the different alternatives, I feel like the only other thing that would keep the left lane to what I'm hearing from staff would be full signalization or doing nothing. I mean, I think those are the 2 options.

[02:24:36] Senior Traffic Engineer Galang: We can, we can, if you, if TTC would recommend removing a left turn, we can take a look at that. But then again, we're looking at additional time into designing the project. If we need to actually evaluate that again because that was not evaluated as part of this final alternate. If I may. Yeah.

[02:24:56] Unknown Speaker: And

[02:24:56] Public Works Director Cameron: Ringo again, the system works director and same engineer. So, as Darwin mentioned, it's something that staff can evaluate. Um, that this would, it's a change from what, um, that took to, sorry, let me switch that way. I don't even know that for not predicting it. So this is a change from what staff took to the community, to the BPack to the CTC and council. So it wouldn't, we need to, we need to start that process over and we delay the project. And that's something that we're hearing consistently from the community that, you know, the size as you can, make this practice happen. So, um, it is a pilot, um, you know, consider that and we're trying to put improvements in that allow them to be removed. The feature of the value. But, with fish, uh, and these things, we provide, uh, staff with, look at removing that left turn restriction. Then we would have to start over to make sure that we evaluated it through all the committees.

[02:25:55] Chair Ellen Kamei: Maybe we can help provide the timeline for the pilot. So when it would get constructed. I know we haven't talked about that yet, but maybe we can share that with the community so that they're well aware and because things move forward, making sure that everyone's part of the process. And so kind of familiar to my comments, uh, for the prior item going beyond the 750 foot radius and just noticing the entire community. As council member Matachek said, the most frustrating part is when we hear that somebody wasn't notified. So. So,

[02:26:31] Unknown Speaker: I think I'll answer the questions. Um, so if we go forward with this and we see that, um, there are consequences that maybe we didn't expect or we're not really happy about, um, and we want to change things, um, How does that work? Do we then do a study on how to change things and that takes a while? Um, or do we like, Just immediately turn off the no left turn lane. How does that work? Okay. Hello, woman, give me.

[02:27:19] Public Works Director Cameron: So, obviously, if as a result of evaluating the pilot is, it is determined that it would be advisable to return allowing the left turn lanes as part of that, we would have to look at what additional improvements we want to put in there to, um, you know, basically protect the pedestrians crossing that southern lane. So it may be accompanied by something of, let's

[02:27:46] Unknown Speaker: convert it to a full signal or

[02:27:48] Public Works Director Cameron: something else. But we need. Would not take. The number of years is taken to get to where we're at. It would be a more focused study on. What, what one would have to change in addition to about like that term?

[02:28:06] Unknown Speaker: And do we leave the have it in place until we've determined? We've studied that? And how long would that take in roughly to study it?

[02:28:18] Public Works Director Cameron: Well, it always does depend upon a combination of having staffing, a project manager available to take it on as well as budget. Um, This being a more focused study shouldn't take that long to actually complete the study. It should be just be a few months, right? And which would be enough to um, evaluate and come up with uh, alternate set of improvements. But again, if it does mean something as converting to a full signal. We will have to go through a full design process and then, of course, public works contract and bid it out and. So it would take a little while. It would take a little while. Okay. So,

[02:29:07] Chair Ellen Kamei: um, I think that, you know, again, no formal motion is required from the committee, I think that you're hearing feedback from us on outrage, timeline. Um, of the pilot, um, the opportunity to shift. It's the pilot is not, um, what the community wants. Um, uh, but I am hearing going forward. The committee will recommend it going first. Okay,

[02:29:42] Public Works Director Cameron: and if I could summarize, just, thank you, uh, chair for summarizing, but what, what, I am hearing is similar to what we talked about California Street, it might be nice to, um, do another set of pre-project counts, vehicle guide, okay, which will give us a baseline also to compare with, uh, what the project is implemented, um, doing an evaluation of how it is affecting traffic, including the broader area, looking at UNIS, looking at quest tests, and looking at, you know, what's happening along sleeper as well as along grad. So, a general evaluation of traffic, but also, uh, evaluating how this is affecting bikes and pets. Are we seeing an increased, uh, crossing there, bikes and pets? Um, what did it be? In general, and then increase noticing, um, both before we put in the project and as part of the evaluation phase. Yes. I think you're getting nodding.

6.1 Staff Comments

[02:30:50] Chair Ellen Kamei: Thank you, staff. Alright. We'll move on to item 6, which is committee, staff announcements, updates, requests and committee report. We'll move on to item 6.one, which is staff comments. And Cameron Public Works director will provide some staff comments. Um, thank you very much, and we can put

[02:31:10] Public Works Director Cameron: on the agenda that there are 2 specific items that I wanted to, um, provide the comments on. Um, the 1st one is a general update on the capital street or Kansas intergrace separation project. And after last meeting I learned at work, we're going to do a more detailed strategy plan on the project, uh, various elements forward to you. And this is, as I know you're aware, is a very large scale, very significant infrastructure project, but certainly along very, very quickly. Um, because we're, we're finished 65% design, we're getting over to the final design, we're looking forward to construction starting, maybe as early as next summer or fall. And, um, so one of our friends is pretty much at every meeting, you'll either have a horrible agenda item on it, or you'll receive an update on status. Now, this being an updated status means we're not really going to be discussing it because it wasn't agendaized that way. It's to give you a heads up on what's going on and let them. And, um, If you do have questions and so on. You know, and then we have to overly, we have to avoid over the engagement discussion because we just, we just put together some update. But, Laura, could you share, I, um, to make it a little simpler, we did. Put together a couple slides. Um, next night. So just so you know, we're at, um, when we came to you last spring, we were talking about, we were in 65% design, and as you will recall, Caltrain is the lead on final design construction of this project. The ETA is very involved because they're providing measure B funding, which is the bulk of the funding to deliver the projects and they're providing overall oversight of the entire great separation program. All the ones funded by measure B. But the city is the sponsor, a key local partner, and ultimately, um, The city is the decision maker in terms of, you know, the general design of it. It's it's how it looks and feels, that type of thing. So, um, the team is getting ready to proceed into 95% design, um, some good news for us recently is the project was awarded a $25000000 California SB one local partnership program grant, which does a great job in helping to fill our funding gap for the construction. And, um, You know, we're trying to be on target that construction could start as early as noted here next August. It will take a good 2.5 years to get through construction. I want to kind of highlight for you, though, that number one, there are still some utility relocations that need to take place, and they've been a little bit stoled out, and unfortunately, that could delay the start of this construction. We're looking at that. We're working on it, see what we could do. The other piece is we're starting to get in some, uh, pulmonary estimates on costs again. Every time you go through another design phase and we look at it. And, um, The costs are coming in higher. And we are looking and exploring with the design team, what the options are that could break, get the cost back into the budget or as close as possible to it. It is premature. I really cannot give you numbers because we're still in the vetting stage and we're looking at the options because we do believe there may be options that can at least lower. Get the cost back down. Um, but I point this out because one of the things that's affecting the cost is the amount the construction time. And the longer it takes to construct, the more expensive it is. So one of the things that we're looking at that we'd be bringing forward to you and eventually counsel. is if we, If we do more construction of phases all at once instead of doing separate phases and shorten the construction window. We bring the cost back down. But we're balancing that with the community impacts of how much you're constructing at the same time in different areas, including the ramp from Evelyn up to shoreline, how this is affecting the businesses right there on the 100th block, the other side on Moffatt. So we're exploring what those options look like and um, that we can bring forward, you know, these are the trails involved. Uh, you know, in terms of higher cost versus lower cost, but uh, these kind of community impacts during construction. The other, we're really focused on its construction method of the tunnel. There are so many different ways you can do this tunnel. And, um, one of our concerns is the method that's starting to be really advocated for by countering maybe a more expensive method. So we are talking to them about, Can we do it in a different way? So we want a little, we need a little more time to finish working this through, but I am getting a heads up that, um, you know. All delays and all of this can sometimes lead to higher costs and we're trying to work on that. Um, and then we are coming back to you, oh, get to that in the next slide. But again, these are all the things we're also considering about construction, where are the work zones, where are the staging areas, how it has a temporary keyboards. Next slide. Some, um, other news about how this is progressing is, uh, been actively working on the public art, the artist and the public arts selection, process, with the visual arts committees, and following the usual process we do for all capital improvement programs. And wanted to share with you that the committee in July. uh, after going through a very robust, um, selection process, including one where there were finalists who were, um, paid um, a small stipend to further develop the concepts to, yeah, you know, so the visual arts committee would have more to look at and work with. So, um, you can go back and look at their meeting packet for more information, these graphics do come out of their meeting packets, um, the artists that they've selected and looking at 2 basically, 2 major art installations. One would be up on, um, the upper concourse area up against the, you know, where you enter into the rail platform areas, which could be more of a, a vertical sculpture element. I understand the theme is more around home on it. And the other would be uh, kind of neural wall treatments for um, the main concourse area, that leads into a treatment on the, the grand staircase. And the theme that's being looked at here, again, is a combination of what is Mountain View home. Um, the, what's, what, is being contemplated is like a map of a mountain view that would be on the staircase. Um, this is still undergoing a lot of development. Um, it will eventually, of course, come to council for approval. But if you're interested, I do suggest that you go ahead and check out one of the past visual arts committee. So you have more of a sense of what's being discussed and being developed for recommendation to counsel. Sorry,

[02:39:22] Unknown Speaker: so what's on the step is a map of Mountain View.

[02:39:27] Unknown Speaker: Yes, that's correct. That is, that is how the artist presented the, uh, the imaging. The mapping would be on the stairs and then also the backing in the tunnel itself. So the proposal. We prompt, the city's prompt was to propose something for the main tunnel underneath the Caltrain tracks. And so that was the response. The images on the on the bottom right. Would be in the tunnel. Um, the artist is open to suggestions. Um, the, It looks so dark. Give that as feedback. Um, we appreciate that. Any feedback is more than welcome.

[02:40:07] Public Works Director Cameron: But again, I want to say we did not notice the meeting for this purpose, so this was more to give you an update. Uh, so you But this comes to council. When does it come to council? So, um, December is what we're breaking? Yeah, this December. 202 December. Yeah. It needs to be decided early enough, again, as you know, because it gets integrated into the design and the construction. Can we have the next slide?

[02:40:35] Unknown Speaker: Yeah, and I should just say, I've seen a lot of this person, the artist who was picked. I seen a lot of her work and if you're interested in, like, Saying more about it, I would encourage you to look at, like, the entirety of her work. And I said, I can, I, I know some people in the visual arts committee, like, So

[02:40:59] Public Works Director Cameron: we are on the agenda for your next meeting of November 28th that will be bringing an actual agenda item forward and I want to give you a heads up of what you can expect on that. Um, we are going to bring forward more information about the architectural treatments that are being developed. They are, you know, the goal is to make sure they're complementary to the public art so that you get a really good, you know, integrated, seamless approach to the look and feel and the visual experience for the whole project. So, We're going to bring that forward so you can see the rest of the architectural treatments that are being proposed. Definitely talk a lot more about construction impacts. We'll have a better sense of what we're talking about and we really am working on a communication plan for how we're going to handle this because again, this is a big project. Uh, we are refining the Moffat Boulevard uh, design in terms of the street treatment for bicycles and the, um, for that 1st block of Moffat as it comes in and gains access to the undercrossing. And we're continuing to refine the design of the S curve that everyone's going to be to connect through, which does start to impact a little bit of centennial plaza. So we wanted to bring that.

[02:42:22] Unknown Speaker: So this joint didn't show an S curve, did it? Or

[02:42:25] Public Works Director Cameron: I just looking at it? The original, um, concept. Yes, that was the original concepts had kept the 2 90 degree ride. So it showed the prior. It showed the prior. And with the cash to pet mall, And closing the 100 block permanently created an opportunity to refine that into more of this. Um, it's the design speeds like 20 miles per hour, S curve with this super wide bike pet crossing, that type of thing. So this is just a heads up of it's going to be a major item on your next agenda. So, um,

[02:43:07] Unknown Speaker: as part of the architectural treatments, can, or can we add to this slide that we also, um, can comment on the public art?

[02:43:16] Public Works Director Cameron: We can definitely, uh, look it online to, uh, bring forward a report on the public art and include it on the Jet package.

[02:43:25] Unknown Speaker: So are we, I'm unclear on how much we talk about that here versus in council. Nothing. So you're just saying to bring it to council. Well, I'm, no, actually, I'm saying it's, if this is hard on it, Mom, to

[02:43:37] Member Lisa Matichak: the CTC. I think it would be helpful to see the public art, if it's supposed to be aligned with the architectural treatments. I see. What

[02:43:46] Public Works Director Cameron: I was saying is because today we just put another staff, we can't. I get into discussion or you're not going to tell us what you think about it, but November 28, you meet again. Um, this is the, this great step is going to be an actual agenda item with a memo, and that will then be properly put, you know, publicly noticed that you

[02:44:08] Member Alison Hicks: can step out and talk about. Thank you. So in addition to that, people who I know on the visual arts committee, talked about not only the art, and where they put the art, but where there were opportunities for greenery within the, So I see 3 things interacting, the, uh, architectural treatments, there's probably one, 3, but architectural treatments, the public art, which is not everywhere on the inside, and opportunities for green spaces. I would actually like to hear all 3 of those because some of the people in the visual arts committee was saying, were saying, we chose this place for visual arts because we thought that place we could put green, you know, landscaping in or something growing. So I'd like to hear about all 3 of those.

[02:44:55] Public Works Director Cameron: Absolutely. And that was part of what we brought to visual arts committee was where we thought there was more potential opportunity for the green elements in terms of hiding, things like that. Okay, we can do that. All right. But with that update, I'll move on to my 2nd item, which is that, as you've seen this year and a little bit last year, I'm very happy to say that, as we finish filling our vacancies in engineering, as we start to get a chance to set up, we're moving forward a lot more projects. And a lot of them generate a lot of public interest and one of the key things I value about the council transportation committee is an opportunity to bring these things forward to you before we go to full council, uh, for feedback, hear more from the public. So there's more projects. And because of that, um, and yeah, meetings have been running long and I do apologize for that. Um, We, instead of, um, for 2024, I'm proposing that instead of we just meet on an as needed basis where we'll schedule it when we know we need it. I would like to pre-schedule for me for 2024, like once a quarter. Uh, I know can you never should. continue, but we'd start with what seems to work, but that would be... Yes. So I just want to give you a heads up. Um, I'm thinking in February, I'm leaving May, I'm meeting in September, and I'm meeting in November, maybe November. Um, in November. Your agendas will be full, but... I'm

[02:46:53] Member Lisa Matichak: fine with that. Yep, yep, okay. As I was saying, it's still Monday. Yeah. I'm

[02:46:58] Public Works Director Cameron: like, yeah. All

7. ADJOURNMENT

[02:47:04] Chair Ellen Kamei: right, well, that can end my committee staff. Yes. Yes, thank you. All right, so we'll move on to item 6.2, which are committee comments. Do any member or do any of the committee members.com is or reports to share? Okay, no worries. Okay, um. And then, um, would any member of the public joining us virtually or in person, like to write comment on either item? If so, please click the raise handband in Zoom or approach the lecture. I'm not seeing any. Um, so thank you. We'll move on to item 7, which is adjournment. Thank you so much for joining us. Our next council transportation committee meeting will be on November 28, 2023. The meeting is adjourned at 9.20 PM. Thank you.

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