Pedestrian & Bicycle Advisory Committee

Pedestrian & Bicycle Advisory Committee — January 3, 2024

This was a regular meeting of the Pedestrian & Bicycle Advisory Committee (PBAC), held at Petaluma City Hall. All members were present except Pamela Asselmeier. Councilmember Frank Quint and Councilmember Brian Barnacle also attended in their committee capacities.

General Public Comment

Three members of the public — Nickola Frye, Eris Weaver, and Dan Berry — offered comments on items of general public interest not on the agenda. The specific content of their remarks is not detailed in the minutes.

Micromobility Update: Notes from the Micromobility America Conference

Committeemember Adam Garcia presented highlights and takeaways from the Micromobility America Conference and led a discussion with the committee. The conversation touched on opportunities and challenges associated with expanding micromobility options (e-bikes, scooters, and similar devices) in Petaluma.

Committee feedback centered on several themes: ensuring that programming includes more opportunities for seniors; concern that current infrastructure may not be adequate to support significant growth in micromobility use; a strong emphasis on safety; a suggestion to establish designated delivery routes for freight micromobility; interest in making cycling and micromobility corridors aesthetically appealing; and support for controlled speed measures. Eris Weaver and Nickola Frye also offered public comment on this item, though the content of their remarks is not detailed in the minutes.

No formal vote or action was taken; this was an informational and feedback discussion.

Approval of Minutes — December 6, 2023

The minutes from the December 6, 2023 regular meeting were approved as presented. No discussion was noted.

Review and Provide Feedback on Draft Blueprint for Carbon Neutrality

City staff member Bjorn Griepenburg introduced the City's Draft Blueprint for Carbon Neutrality and led a discussion with the committee. The Blueprint is a planning document outlining Petaluma's strategy for achieving carbon neutrality, and the committee was asked to review it and provide feedback from a pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure perspective.

All committee members provided comments — Committeemembers Tarr, Racusen, Quint, Garcia, and Bond, as well as Chair Camarda and Councilmember Barnacle. The specific substance of each member's comments is not captured in the minutes, but the City noted that all written comments submitted before and during the meeting were posted to the agenda website on January 10, 2024, and can be reviewed there for full detail.

Public comment was offered by Eris Weaver and Pete Gang, though the content of their remarks is not detailed in the minutes.

Following the public hearing, Griepenburg also provided a staff update on current City projects related to bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. Details of that presentation were posted separately on the agenda website.

No formal vote was taken; this was an advisory feedback session.

Key Takeaways