City of Sebastopol
Planning Department
Mayor
Patrick Slayter
Vice Mayor
Sarah Glade Gurney
City Council
John Eder
Robert Jacob
Una Glass
Planning Director
Kenyon Webster
Assistant Planner
Jonathan Atkinson
Administrative Assistant
Rebecca Mansour
To:
Complete Streets Advisory Committee
From:
Jonathan Atkinson, Assistant Planner
Date:
April 8, 2015
Subject:
Planning Department Comments on Agenda Items
_____________________________________________________________
1. Sonoma County Transit Bus Service Update
The Advisory Committee discussed Sonoma County Transit (SCT) bus service within Sebastopol, and subsequently directed Advisory Committee
Members Thompson and Allen to conduct research and establish contact
with SCT as a subcommittee, at their January 14, 2015 meeting. The Advisory Committee subsequently discussed SCT bus service at their February 11,
2015 and March 11, 2015 meetings.
Staff understands that the subcommittee will provide an update report, regarding recent efforts to improve SCT bus service within Sebastopol. Staff
also understands that the subcommittee has prepared a list of sample questions for Bryan Albee, the Transit Systems Manager of SCT, for a future
meeting. Staff recommends that the Advisory Committee receive the update,
review the sample questions, and provide questions and/or comments, if they
arise.
2. Sebastopol Motorist Observations
Staff understands that Vice Chair Skinner will provide a presentation to the
Advisory Committee, regarding observations made while surveying motorist
behavior at two Sebastopol pedestrian crossings. Staff recommends that the
Advisory Committee receive the presentation and provide questions and/or
comments, if they arise.
3. Sonoma Countywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
Representative Report
Staff understands that Vice Chair,Skinner, who is the representative of the
Sonoma Countywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee will provide
an report, regarding an update of actions taken at its meetings held since
February 2015. Staff recommends that the Advisory Committee receive the
update report and provide questions and/or comments, if they arise.
4. Pedestrian Shortcuts in Sebastopol
Committee Member Lynn Deedler requested that the Advisory Committee
discuss the potential development of pedestrian shortcuts throughout SebasCity Hall, 7120 Bodega Avenue, Sebastopol, CA 95472
T 707-823-6167 / F 707-823-4721 / [email protected] / www.ci.sebastopol.ca.us
City of Sebastopol
Planning Department
topol. A member of the Advisory Committee requested that a letter from the
Burbank Heights and Orchards Resident Forum on the matter be provided to
the Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee discussed Committee
Member Deedler’s proposal at their March 11, 2015 meeting, and continued
the discussion to April 8, 2015. Staff recommends that the Advisory Committee take part in the discussion, review Committee Member Deedler’s proposal and the letter, and provide questions and/or comments, if they arise.
5. Press Democrat Letter to the Editor
A member of the Advisory Committee provided a letter written by a Sebastopol resident that was published in the editorial section of the Press Democrat
on March 13, 2015, regarding crosswalks in Sebastopol. Staff recommends
that the Advisory Committee receive the letter.
Attachments
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•
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Sonoma County Transit: Sample Discussion Questions
Press Democrat Article: March 9, 2015
Pedestrian Shortcuts Proposal
Burbank Heights and Orchards Residents Forum Letter
Press Democrat: Letter to the Editor: March 13, 2015
City Hall, 7120 Bodega Avenue, Sebastopol, CA 95472
T 707-823-6167 / F 707-823-4721 / [email protected] / www.ci.sebastopol.ca.us
City of Sebastopol
Complete Streets Advisory Committee
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Attachment 1: Sonoma
County Transit: Sample
Discussion Questions
(Street Committee members, please add to, subtract from, comment on this
list.)
#2--List of Question re SCT for Bryan Albee, Manager
1. What is the relationship between the city and SCT? Is there a city liaison?
2. Does the city subsidize the free Saturday service? If not, who does? Who
subsidizes other Free Ride Days?
3. How much does Bus 24 service cost? Please itemize: bus, driver, maintenance and
other costs.
4. The county has subsidized free service for students and vets for 2015. Could a
subsidy for all Sebastopol riders be established? How could this be done?
5. How many passengers does Bus 24 now serve? What are the peek hours/days?
Do you have a plan now for increasing ridership?
6. Why is the bus service contracted to a French company, Veolia? What is
controlled by Veolia; what by the county?
7. When the bike rake is filled (capacity 2 bikes), can bikes be put inside bus?
City of Sebastopol
Complete Streets Advisory Committee
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Attachment 2: Press
Democrat Article: March 9,
2015
Sonoma County looks to expand rural bus
service
Sonoma County supervisors on Tuesday are set to authorize a $2.2 million expansion of
county bus service along existing routes serving Healdsburg, Sonoma Valley and
communities along the lower Russian River.
The move is expected to boost access to transportation for low-income people, seniors
and those with disabilities who struggle to secure transportation to essential services such
as doctor visits, as well as day-to-day access to food outlets and reliable travel to work.
Upon approval, the funding would decrease wait times for riders during busy morning
and evening commute hours, officials said, as well as help the county purchase two new
energy-efficient buses.
County supervisors hailed the expansion as a much-needed link between rural
communities and the North Bay’s planned passenger rail line, set to begin service by the
end of next year.
“It’s been a challenge to figure out how we link SMART service to people in Sonoma
Valley, along the river and in Healdsburg who may be far removed from the spine of
Sonoma County,” said Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Susan Gorin. “This is very
critical — I hear from many constituents about how difficult it is to reach services,
whether it’s health care, food or education.”
Bryan Albee, a manager with Sonoma County Transit, said the county likely will roll out
the bus system expansion by the end of 2016, coinciding with the current timeline for the
start of service on the 43-mile SMART line.
“We’re expecting great demand for the new rail service and increased ridership on all of
our bus routes,” Albee said. “So as we get closer, we’re looking for ways to fund
expanded services and additional buses.”
Riders can expect to see the two new buses along routes serving Healdsburg, Sonoma
Valley and the lower Russian River from 6:30 to 9 a.m., and from 4 to 7 p.m., Albee said.
The new vehicles are replacing two outdated buses and are expected to bolster passenger
trips along the eight bus lines serving those three communities.
Funding for program expansion is tied to transportation-related projects serving lowincome communities in the Bay Area. In addition to adding bus service in outlying areas,
the program would bolster bus connections between low-income neighborhoods and
employment centers in Santa Rosa and Petaluma, transportation officials said.
Supervisor Efren Carrillo, whose district includes communities along the lower Russian
River such as Forestville, Guerneville and Rio Nido, said the area is primed to benefit
from increased transit service.
Carrillo highlighted findings in a county report released last year that found low-income
people are disproportionately affected by the rising cost of living in Sonoma County. He
said increased transit service can help address some disparities.
“Mobility is essential for people to get their basic needs met, whether it’s medical
appointments, employment or something as simple as grocery shopping,” Carrillo said.
Tuesday’s action is part of a broader initiative to improve the county’s public
transportation network. Expanded bus service was called for five years ago, when the
Sonoma County Transportation Authority released a set of recommendations to increase
transit ridership and offer alternatives to driving.
The $2.2 million for bus service expansion, over three years, is drawn from state and
federal sources and includes a $446,000 county match from local transportation funds.
In a separate item, supervisors on Tuesday are also expected to approve an additional
$1.8 million for the purchase of three new buses, upgraded with Internet access and
reading lamps, for a total of 49 buses in Sonoma County Transit’s fleet.
You can reach Staff Writer Angela Hart at 526-8503 or [email protected].
On Twitter @ahartreports.
City of Sebastopol
Complete Streets Advisory Committee
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Attachment 3: Pedestrian
Shortcuts Proposal
From:
Subject:
Date:
To:
Cc:
Russ Pinto [email protected]
Fwd: GP, Circulation
April 2, 2015 at 11:09 AM
Jonathan Atkinson [email protected]
Geoffrey Skinner [email protected]
Begin forwarded message:
From: LynnDeedler <[email protected]>
Subject: Fwd: GP, Circulation
Date: December 16, 2014 3:22:20 PM PST
To: Fain Jim <[email protected]>, Deedler Lynn <[email protected]>, Morgan Larkin
<[email protected]>, Geoffrey Skinner <[email protected]>, "RUSSELL PINTO G."
<[email protected]>, Jannike Allen <[email protected]>, Thompson Deanne <[email protected]>, Ore
David <[email protected]>
Cc: Kenyon Webster <[email protected]>, Jonathan Atkinson <[email protected]>
I sent the following to the General Plan Committee. Perhaps Complete Streets can discuss this to see if we want to officially support this as a
group, or if you do as an individual send an email to the GP Committee through Kenyon.
Also, I would like to see a General Plan policy saying that we should make it a high priority to develop Class I multiuse trails throughout
the community wherever possible. That these trails should be desirable to use -- safe, direct and attractive. I am not sure what should be
added to this?
Lynn
Begin forwarded message:
From: LynnDeedler <[email protected]>
Subject: GP, Circulation
Date: December 16, 2014 at 2:22:28 PM PST
To: Kenyon Webster <[email protected]>
Cc: Jacob Michael <[email protected]>
This is a request to making the following General Plan policy.
Requiring the creation of pedestrian passages in developments where they have the potential to be beneficial to and
encourage pedestrian travel.
(examples: between Two Acre Woods and Burbank Heights or Sebastopol Inn and the multi use path)
These passages have been blocked, making pedestrian travel harder.
Make this a default requirement unless one can show a compelling reason for not including the walking connection.
Buildings come and go with time. On a development, when there is a reasonable chance for an adjacent building to be
replaced within 20 years and a pedestrian connection can be imagined as a community benefit, then it should be planned
and accommodated in the new construction. A connection can always be shut off if not needed or undesirable, but seldom
created. The goal should apply to development of all sizes.
Below is an example of recent development in our town on a residential court that backs up to Pine Crest School. New school
users are now open to the need for this neighborhood connection which would cut off several blocks of travel for some
walkers going to the school fields. But this opportunity has been lost. A walk through had been discussed that would go
between these two houses below. The old walk through passage to another neighborhood (on the right) remains open with
gate removed and is a pleasant shortcut.
Businesses should provide easy walking access around town, but many walking routes have been fenced off like the one
below.
The City has an emergency vehicle and sewer easement through this neighborhood off Pleasant Hill, which connects to
Burbank Farm and Burbank Heights road. Pedestrians are not allowed. This adds nearly a half mile to walk to town from this
neighborhood.
neighborhood.
City of Sebastopol
Complete Streets Advisory Committee
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Attachment 4: Burbank
Heights and Orchards
Residents Forum Letter
City of Sebastopol
Complete Streets Advisory Committee
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Attachment 5: Press
Democrat: Letter to the
Editor: March 13, 2015