BPAC tells council: don’t bank TDA Article 3 funds, move Poplar sidewalks toward construction

The Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Commission voted Feb. 20 to recommend that the City Council not bank Transportation Development Act (TDA) Article 3 funds for a future year and instead proceed with using the funds this fiscal cycle.

What commissioners decided: After staff outlined several eligible projects for the roughly $621,513 in TDA Article 3 money (which included $411,038 banked from the prior year plus returned rescission funds), commissioners debated whether to hold the funds for future years or push a long‑planned Poplar Avenue sidewalks project toward construction this summer. Commissioner Hageman moved that the commission recommend to council that the funds not be banked; the motion passed in a roll-call vote with seven commissioners in favor and one commissioner absent.

Why it matters: Staff told the commission there is a funding gap between available TDA funds and the estimated construction cost for the Poplar Avenue sidewalk project (staff listed an estimated construction cost of $895,000). The commission emphasized a desire to accelerate the Poplar sidewalk project rather than continue to postpone construction by banking funds again.

Projects discussed: In addition to the Poplar sidewalks, staff presented a prioritized list of candidate projects that TDA Article 3 funds could support, including: - Rectangular rapid-flashing beacons (RRFBs) and curb extensions at two crossings (California & Francis; Sunset & Washington) — design+construction estimate: $700,000 for both locations combined (staff noted the California & Francis crossing is in the Active Transportation Plan and Sunset & Washington was resident‑requested and met warranting criteria); - Supplement for Evelyn Avenue multi-use trail construction (to close a budget gap): $300,000; - Pedestrian/crossing improvements near Gail Ave and Iris Ave (near a school): $225,000; - Reduction of pork‑chop islands on westbound El Camino Real to improve bicyclist paths ($65,000); - Converting on‑street part‑time bike lanes to full‑time bike lanes on Olmsted Road (signage and implementation signs: $63,000); - Class 3 route treatments on Pastoria (signage/markings): $35,000.

Commission direction and next steps: By voting not to bank the funds, BPAC asked staff to advance the funding recommendation to City Council with the commission’s preference that the Poplar Avenue project be a funding priority for the coming construction season. Staff noted the final decisions and allocations are taken by City Council and that MTC (Metropolitan Transportation Commission) must approve TDA Article 3 applications; MTC typically finalizes allocations in the fall cycle.

Ending: The vote sends a clear signal to council that BPAC favors using the currently available TDA funds to push Poplar sidewalks toward construction rather than saving them for additional banking years.