REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on Appointment of Members to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Deliver and Enhance High Quality Efficient Services and Infrastructure
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 Ken Kratz and Thanh Do expire on December 31, 2020, and only member Kratz indicated that he was interested in serving another term. The BPAC membership openings were advertised on the City's website, social media, the City's channel 15, and on Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition's social media channels to allow potential candidates to apply for membership. Seven membership applications were received from Lloyd Cha, Margaret Horoszko, Chris Howden, Issa Ibrahimi, Ken Kratz, Perry Penvenne, and Atisha Varshney (Attachment 1). After receipt, Chris Howden and Perry Penvenne withdrew their applications, which resulted in five candidates being considered for two vacancies.
The existing procedure for BPAC membership is for the BPAC to accept applications and advise Council on the appointment of new members. At the December 10, 2020 BPAC meeting, Committee members voted to recommend to the City Council that Lloyd Cha and Atisha Varshney be appointed to serve, with terms expiring on December 31...
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