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CC - (1) Consideration of the Creation of a Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee of Nine Members to Provide Input and Participate in Planning for City Bicycle and Pedestrian Projects; and (2) (If the Committee is Created) Authorize the City Manager to Advertise and Solicit Applications from Qualified Persons to serve on the Committee.
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Contact Person/Dept.: Rudolph R. Galindo/Public Works
Phone Number: (310) 253-5618
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X] Date:
Commission Name:
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (02/03/16); (E-Mail) Ongoing Topics - Bicycle and Pedestrian (02/03/16)
Department Approval: Charles D. Herbertson, Public Works Director/City
Engineer (01/29/16)
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RECOMMENDATION
The Sustainability Subcommittee of the City Council and staff recommend the City Council consider the creation of a Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) comprised of nine members to provide input and participate in planning for City bicycle and pedestrian projects and (if created) authorize the City Manager to advertise and solicit applications from qualified persons to serve on the committee.
BACKGROUND
On February 23, 2009, the City Council established a Public Advisory Committee (PAC) to provide input on the preparation of the Citywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan (BPMP). The PAC was comprised of residents, homeowners, advocates, school representatives, and business owners. The PAC held public meetings throughout the preparation of the BPMP until the BPMP’s adoption by the City Council in 2010. Upon adoption of the BPMP, the PAC was dissolved.
Over the past five years, Culver City has made many improvements in the City’s bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. Through the guidance provided by the BPMP and the leadership of the City Council, the City has made significant progress in providing for active transportation for residents.
The City has several upcoming projects that will continue the progress toward making Culver City a more bikeable and walkable community. The City Council approved funds in the City Council Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year 2015/2016 for an update of the BPMP, a Bike Share Feasibility Study, and a study to look at the feasibility of a bike connection between the Culver City Expo Station and downtown. In addition to the newly budgeted bicycle and pedestrian projects, the Public Works Department also has ongoing projects that have incorporated elements of bike access and a “complete street.” These projects are a combination of regularly scheduled capital improvement projects and grant funded projects.
In an effort to continuously keep the community engaged in these upcoming projects, the Public Works Department has explored the idea of developing an ongoing committee that would promote community involvement for currently budgeted and future projects.
The recommendation for the establishment the BPAC was presented to the Sustainability Subcommittee of the City Council on February 25, 2015. Per the recommendation of the Subcommittee members, staff developed a structure, format and makeup for the committee. A follow up discussion with the Subcommittee included more details and a proposed structure for the BPAC. This was presented to the Sustainability Subcommittee on November 4, 2015, and the Subcommittee recommended the staff recommendation be brought to the City Council for consideration.
DISCUSSION
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC)
The development of City-wide infrastructure plans benefit from early and consistent participation by the community. The BPAC is intended to serve as another venue for the public to provide input.
It is recommended that the BPAC consist of residents, representatives from the Culver City Unified School District, the Culver City business community, and students. Members of the BPAC would be asked to provide input on policy issues, principles, prioritization, design guidelines and standards for current and upcoming projects. BPAC meetings are anticipated to be held on an as-needed basis. If the City Council authorizes formation of a BPAC, staff proposes to advertise and solicit applications in the same manner as is done for the City’s existing Commissions, Committees, and Board (CCB).
It is recommended that the BPAC consist of no more than 9 members, each serving a two year term with terms staggered so that 5 members serve an initial three year term and 4 serve an initial two year term. The BPAC would be structured as other City CCBs and would be subject to the requirements of the Brown Act, including the creation of an agenda, minutes, and allowing public participation at meetings.
Membership Criteria
Following is a listing of the criteria that staff recommends the City Council consider to select members of the BPAC. These criteria are categorized into three sets: Logistical, Knowledge-based, and Representative.
• Logistical Criteria: Logistical criteria are related to a BPAC member’s ability to make the time commitment to actively participate in meetings. This primarily includes availability. Meetings may take place after work and school hours during the afternoon, evening and possibly some weekends.
• Knowledge-based Criteria: Knowledge-based criteria are related to a member’s relevant experiences and/or knowledge of the general issue, or their willingness to acquire the information required for effective problem solving. Examples of useful knowledge include a vocabulary of bicycle and pedestrian treatments; a knowledge of the City’s road and/or flood channel network, location of major destinations and the surrounding area.
• Representative Criteria: Representative criteria are related to a member’s relevant support, confidence, and understanding from specific groups with significant input for the development of bicycle and pedestrian facilities. As stated above, it is recommended that the BPAC consist of 9 members and that the membership represent at least one individual from each of the groups listed under BPAC Composition. If the applicant pool does not consist of potential candidates to represent all the below groups, it would be appropriate for the City Council to select candidates from any already represented groups.
BPAC Composition
It is proposed that each of the following groups be represented on the BPAC. For the CCUSD and Culver City Chamber of Commerce, those members would be nominated by the CCUSD/Culver City Chamber of Commerce as applicable.
• City Residents (5) - This group is anticipated to provide a broad range of firsthand knowledge to the BPAC. Staff recommends the following sub-categories to provide a broad base of viewpoints from residents:
1) Resident: Member at Large (3) - two initial three year term, one initial two year term
2) Resident: Senior Citizen (A person who has reached the age of 50) (1) - initial two year term
3) Resident: Disability Representative (1) - initial three year term
• Culver City Unified School District Representative (1 - initial three year term) - Members from this group can be teachers, members of a Parent-Teacher Association, or school administrators that are familiar with the issues that pertain to accessing schools as selected by the Culver City Unified School District (by either the Board of Education or the Superintendent’s Office, as determined by the CCUSD). Of particular interest is anyone who has participated in a Safe Routes to School program or who has helped coordinate alternative transportation methods to schools. This group provides insight into commuting patterns as they pertain to schools, and can provide much needed expertise when it comes to increasing bicycle and pedestrian access to schools. Members from this group are not required to be residents of Culver City.
• High School Student (1 - initial two year term) - The involvement and participation of a Culver City High School student will benefit the BPAC by providing a new perspective on issues related to biking and walking to school as well as throughout the City. The student will be nominated by the Culver City Unified School District (by either the Board of Education or the Superintendent’s Office, as determined by the CCUSD). Members from this group are not required to be a residents of Culver City.
• Culver City Chamber of Commerce (1 - initial three year term) - Representation from the Culver City Chamber of Commerce can ensure that bicycle and pedestrian plans support the broader needs of Culver City businesses by providing convenient access for customers and also easy commuting alternatives for employees. Members from this group are not required to be a residents of Culver City.
• Culver City Local Business Owner (1 - initial two year term) - Business owners in Culver City are intimately aware of factors that improve their business and are typically aware of access issues. Because of its small town character, businesses play an integral role in the pedestrian and bicycle environment within Culver City. Staff recommends the members from this group be required to have a “brick and mortar” (a physical retail, commercial, or industrial business presence - home business owners may apply as a City resident) in the City and have a minimum of three employees. Members from this group are not required to be a residents of Culver City.
All members of the proposed BPAC are subject to approval and appointment by and serve at the pleasure of the City Council. In the case any category does not yield applicant(s)/nominee(s), the City Council may determine to appoint other applicants to those seats.
Outreach Strategy
The Public Works Department will be conducting outreach with the following groups, who have all expressed interest, regarding participation and the application process for the BPAC:
• Senior Center
• Disability Advisory Committee
• School District
• Chamber of Commerce
• Business Organizations
• Culver City Bicycle Coalition
City Clerk’s Office
Should the City Council determine to create the BPAC, the City Clerk’s Office would include the vacancies as part of the annual application period (which commences in late March/early April for presentation to the City Council in May).
FISCAL ANALYSIS
Community meetings pertaining to upcoming bicycle and pedestrian projects will be covered by the funds appropriated in the City Council Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year 2015/2016 for bicycle and pedestrian related projects.
ATTACHMENTS
Proposed Application
RECOMMENDED MOTION(S):
That the City Council:
1. Discuss the creation a Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee; and,
2. Authorize the City Manager to advertise for applicants to serve on the BPAC.