REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on Appointment of Members to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
Report
BACKGROUND
The Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC) was established by City Council in May 1991 to act as an advisory body to City Council for the development of safe bicycle lanes on City streets. In March 2014, by City Council action, the BAC’s name and role was changed to become the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC). It is a committee composed of nine members and is presently chaired by Councilmember Karen Hardy, with Councilmember Raj Chahal as the alternate. The BPAC represents a cross section of Santa Clara’s bicycling and pedestrian community, contributing their knowledge to the City regarding bicycle and pedestrian-related issues and projects.
DISCUSSION
Members serve for three-year terms with the option to apply for additional terms. The terms for members Diane Harrison, Craig Larsen, and Rafael Rius expire on December 31, 2019, and only member Harrison indicated that she was interested in serving another term. The upcoming openings on the BPAC were advertised on the City’s website, the City Manager’s Bi-weekly Blog, social media, the City’s channel 15, and the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition’s social media channels to allow potential candidates to apply for membership. Six membership applications were received. The applicants are Anthony Carnesecca, Betsy Megas, Diane Harrison, Frank Kim, Mercedes Mack, and Yury Perzov (Attachments 1 through 6). At the October 28, 2019 BPAC meeting, Committee members voted to recommend to the City Council that Betsy Megas, Diane Harrison, and Yury Perzov be appointed to serve three-year terms expiring on December 31, 2022. This process is based on the past practice of the BPAC accepting applications and advising Council on the appointment of new members.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a government organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no additional cost to the City other than staff time and expense.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library. In addition, this item was discussed at the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee meeting on October 28, 2019.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Appoint Betsy Megas, Diane Harrison, and Yury Perzov to serve three-year terms on the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, expiring on December 31, 2022.
Staff
Reviewed by: Craig Mobeck, Director of Public Works
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Application - Anthony Carnesecca
2. Application - Betsy Megas
3. Application - Diane Harrison
4. Application - Frank Kim
5. Application - Mercedes Mack
6. Application - Yury Perzov