Upcoming Bicycle-Related Items on the Sebastopol City Council Agenda, Dec. 1, 2015

The Sebastopol City Council will be discussing several bicycle-related items on the upcoming City Council meeting on Dec. 1, 2015. These are contained within Agenda Item 9, Discussion and Action for Consideration of Direction to Staff Regarding Capital Improvement Budget Items:

a. Report on MTC Grant Application for Hwy 116 Bike Lane Project

b. Bike & Pedestrian Community Forums

c. Reprioritization of Capital Improvement Budget

Agenda is at http://ci.sebastopol.ca.us/sites/default/files/events-and-meetings/december_1_2015_city_council_meeting_agenda.pdf

Please see the staff reports for these three items from the Events and Meetings page: http://ci.sebastopol.ca.us/sites/default/files/events-and-meetings/

Sebastopol City Council to Consider Feasibility Study for E-W and N-S Multi-use Trails on May 5, 2015

South High Street to Ives Park

The City Council will hold a public hearing as Agenda Item no. 2 of their regular meeting on Tuesday, May 5, to consider funding a feasibility study for for possible new east-west and north-south pedestrian and bicycle trails or other improvements. The study would include public outreach and community workshops, as well as feasibility and alternatives analysis, and may identify amendments to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan.  This is a follow-up to the recommendations from the Complete Streets Advisory Committee in November 2014. The staff report for this item is available on the City website

At the November meeting, some of the neighbors of the proposed routes voiced strenuous objections for a variety of reasons, including privacy and safety, but while the study could include City streets, parks and public easements over private property, it would not be focused on particular routes. In addition, the feasibility study grant for the Petaluma-Sebastopol Trail includes study of the portion between the Joe Rodota Trail and the City limits, so an additional feasibility study might not be needed for the north-south route. Alternatives to funding the feasibility study could include support for completing more of the projects already identified in the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan.

Consider attending the May 5 meeting to support transportation alternatives for Sebastopol and spread the word. If you are unable to attend, send a note to the Council, care of Mary Gourley, City Clerk: mgourley@cityofsebastopol.org