Minutes

Wednesday, May 19, 2004

City Hall
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place (Polk Street), Room 421
www.sfgov.org/bac

The meeting was called to order at 6:19 PM

Roll Call/Attendance:

Present – Andrew Thornley (District 1), Dianna Waggoner [6:27 pm] (District 3), Janice Buike Voorsluys (District 4), Bridget May (District 5), Jerry Ervin (District 8), Rufus Davis, Jr. (District 10)

Excused - Dale Butler (District 6), Casey Allen (District 11)

Absent - Will Henning (District 7)

Announcements:

A Guest, Francisco Hernandez, who is expected to be sworn in as the District 9 BAC representative, was introduced.
The meeting was held in Room 421, rather than the usual Room 408.

Approval of minutes of March 17, 2004meeting (6:21)

Public Comment: (6:22)
Marc Solomon spoke about the history of the Bike Plan Update, and urges the BAC to work with the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition for more public outreach.
Greg Hayes submitted an essay to the BAC about the history of dangerous road conditions in San Francisco. He commented about public input and the Bike Plan Update.

Chairman’s Report (6:37):
Chairman Thornley (District 1) and member Bridget May (District 5) attended the May 17, 2004 Land Use Committee Hearing.
He attended meetings of the Bike Plan Update Advisory and Technical committees.
The BAC website announcements page (http://www.sfgov.org/site/bac_index.asp?id=24842) is up and running. He encourages members to forward information to him that should be posted for the cycling public.
He and other BAC members attended Bike Plan Update neighborhood meetings.

Member Reports:
- Dianna Waggoner (District 3) believes that since the Pier 27 – 31 project is experiencing conflicts, the planned June 8 presentation to the Port Committee will not occur. So input about bike parking, which the Mills Corporation had requested of the BAC will not be needed immediately.
- Rufus Davis, Jr. (District 10) reported that the light rail construction project on Third Street is causing challenges for cyclists.
- Jerry Ervin (District 8) reported that he had a positive meeting with Supervisor Dufty, discussing the Bike Plan Update. At commissioner Ervin’s request, Supervisor Dufty has requested traffic fatality statistics from the Police Department for the Duboce & Market Streets intersection.
- Several BAC representatives (Thornley, Waggoner, Voorsluys) will be escorting several City Supervisors to City Hall on Bike to Work Day, May 20, 2004. They will highlight high priority projects on the Bike Plan Update along the way, and a press conference will be held.

Department of Parking and Traffic Report (6:47)
Oliver Gajda of the Department of Parking and Traffic Bicycle Program submitted a written report of the Program activities for the past two months, highlighted a few points, and answered BAC representatives’ questions.
- Rufus Davis Jr. (District 10) asked for clarification about the process for removal of the Page Street traffic circles.
- The free bike racks will now be installed by the DPT sign shop, instead of the Conservation Corps as had been done in the past. There is no change in the way that people request the racks, to clarify a question by Bridget May (District 5).
- It is noteworthy that auto parking will be moved at the Main Library in response to the need for more bicycle parking.
- The Planning Department gave environmental approval for the Howard Street Bike lanes.
- The bicycle bridge on Cesar Chavez was dedicated May 19^th, note that more striping and signage is yet to be completed.
- The signs and striping have been completed on the Panhandle Path. There is a pre-traffic protective phase arrow at the intersection of Shrader and Stanyan.
- The DPT reviewed and made comment on California’s supplement to the national MUTCD (Manual Uniform Traffic Code Devices).
- Separate from the DPT report, Mr. Gajda encouraged the BAC to request representatives from other City departments to attend future BAC meetings, as the municipal code requires, to facilitate discussions about topics such as transit/bicycle collisions or bike theft.
- Jerry Ervin (District 8) requested copies of the MUNI/bicycle collision data when the memo is finalized.
- There was discussion about information a member of the public had requested via the BAC website. For the public’s information there are aerial maps of San Francisco available at SFProspector through the Real Estate section of www.ci.sf.ca.us.

Comment on DPT Report

Josh Hart of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition commented on the Proposition K section of the DPT report. He pointed out that there are three options for improving the intersection of Fell and Masonic in the Bike Plan Update, and fears that the implementation of the Prop K improvements are not what the public wants and may prevent more ambitious improvements from occurring.
There was discussion about whether auto left-turners off Fell onto Masonic are the main safety concern.
Public Comment was made by Sam Murphy regarding Fell & Masonic. She stated that she agrees with the statement made by Josh Hart that even if the data doesn’t show that left-turners cause the most collisions, that is the perception, and that in itself makes cyclists fearful, and that if improvements are to be made to the intersection they should address all the issues.

San Francisco Bicycle Coalition Report (7:21)
Josh Hart from the SFBC reported that most of the SFBC’s energy has been focused on Bike to Work Day, May 20, 2004. Of particular note was that there are twice as many energizer stations as last year, and that seven Supervisors and the Mayor will be riding to City Hall.
Mary Brown of the SFBC spoke about the Bike Plan Update public comment period that is just concluding. So far 750 comments have been received, and the last day for submissions in May 28^th.
Regarding Fell & Masonic, she pointed out that there is a red zone on the Southern side of Fell Street at Masonic, but that cars are often parked there anyway, this defeats the purpose of the red zone which was intended to increase visibility.
She stated concern that it appears that the DPT went forward with the plan for Fell & Masonic before reviewing the public comment.
The Cesar Chavez Bike Bridge was dedicated that day (May 19^th, 2004). Supervisor Sophie Maxwell attended the event and rode over the bridge.
It was clarified how the phase signals at Fell & Masonic would work.
Mary stated that the public can request that a Supervisor introduce legislation on bike matters.
In response a question from Rufus Davis, Jr. (District 10) Mary stated that per the requirements of the Caltrans grant for the Bike Plan Update the SFBC held public outreach sessions, and particularly solicited the non-cycling public.

Old Business (7:39)

Octavia Street

The future Octavia Street freeway on-ramp was discussed. Josh Hart of the SFBC gave a brief history of the project. The issue revolves around auto right-hand turns off of Market Street onto the freeway, which is a potential hazard for cyclists traveling alongside them straight through the intersection. He emphasized that Market St is supposed to be a transit-first street, and that the residents of the neighborhood do not want right turns allowed.
The DPT is recommending a six-month trial allowing the right-hand turns. Oliver Gajda stated that the public voted to allow the freeway to touch down on Octavia Street.
Bridget May (District 5) asked about the criteria that makes a 6-month trial a failure or a success.
Chairman Thornley (District 1) asked what WALK SF’s preference is and Josh Hart replied that they do not want the right turns allowed.
Public comment was heard from David Kardatzke and Michael Cobb.
7:57: A motion was made by Bridget May (District 5), seconded by Thornley to urge the Supervisors to not allow auto right hand turns off of Market Street onto the freeway. The motion was not passed with three for (May, Thornley, Voorsluys) and three against (Davis, Ervin, Waggoner)

Piers 27-31

This subject is tabled until the entire project problems are resolved

New Business (8:04)

San Jose/Guerrero Street Improvements

Jon Winston, member of the public, presented the plan to make improvements to San Jose Avenue, which connects Valencia Bike Lanes to Glen Park, Excelsior and other neighborhoods through traffic calming, pedestrian improvements and landscaping. They have the support of Supervisors Dufty and Ammiano who are going to introduce legislation for improvements. There is also a current Glen Park improvement plan sponsored by the Planning Commission part of which includes lowering San Jose Avenue and creating a transit center at the back of the Glen Park BART Station. This land belongs to Caltrans. His written report will be distributed to the BAC members.
Rufus Davis, Jr. (District 10) asked for clarification about the exact location of the San Jose Ave bike lanes.
Oliver Gajda of the Department of Parking & Traffic stated that they are working on the project and has requested funding. They are working with Caltrans.
Public comment was heard from Marc Cobb who stated that often these improvements for biking have the result of improvements to the whole neighborhood.

BART Embarcadero Bike Station Service Changes

The issue (it is proposed to no longer have an attendant at the station, but access via key card) is tabled until the next regular meeting. A BART representative will be requested to be present.

BIKE PLAN UPDATE DRAFT DOCUMENT

Oliver Gajda of DPT gave some background about the Bike Plan Update Draft Document, and it’s evolution from the original 1997 Plan. Note the difference between the Network Document of twenty “grant ready” projects and the Policy Document which is a general overview encompassing design guidelines, outreach, etc.
He outlined the timeline, in which the plan goes through review by the BAC, the Metropolitan Travel Authority’s Citizen Advisory Committee, and finally on to approval by the MTA for the Network Document and the Board of Supervisors for the Policy Document. Right now DPT is waiting for the final compilation of the public comment from the outreach meetings from the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, and for finalization of a few points before the document is ready to be released to the public.
There was discussion about how to present the rather large document to the public.
Jerry Ervin (District 8) suggested that the DPT hold on releasing the document until May 28th so it would be more complete. He also asked for clarification about the BAC’s role in providing input.
Oliver Gajda stated that there must be a 30-day period for the public to comment.
8:51: It was moved by Thornley and seconded by Ervin that the BAC schedule two meetings on or about June 1^st and 8^th for public comment on the Bike Plan Update Draft Document. The motion passed unanimously.

BIKE THEFT TASK FORCE

Member of the public, Victor Veysey, submitted a written proposal for the creation of an 18-month long bicycle theft task force, which has an emphasis on registration of bicycles. He spoke about the negative economies that are supported by profits from stolen bikes and the fact that bike theft is on the increase in San Francisco. He spoke to the Mayor’s office, which he found receptive to the idea. One of the main issues revolves around the question of who would maintain the database.
Oliver Gajda of DPT will forward to the BAC the city code that states Police Department’s responsibility in maintaining registration of bicycles. He also suggested that the BAC request a member of SFPD attend a future BAC meeting to discuss the issue.
Jerry Ervin (District 8) requested that Chairman Thornley invite SFPD to the July BAC meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:03 PM