REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Approve The Design To Remove One Southbound Travel Lane And Install A Class IIB Buffered Bicycle Lane On Southbound Mathilda Avenue Between Ahwanee Avenue/Almanor Avenue And Maude Avenue, Find That The Action Is Exempt From CEQA Pursuant To CEQA Guideline Section 15301(c), And Direct Staff To Include The Proposed Improvements As A Future Unfunded Project
Report
SUMMARY OF COMMISSION ACTION
The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission (BPAC) considered this item at their August 21, 2025 meeting.
BPAC passed a motion recommending that City Council approve Design Alternative 1, with no comments on the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) determination, and further recommended that the City Council direct staff to consider upgrading the Class IIB buffered bike lanes on southbound Mathilda Avenue to Class IV separated bikeway during the design phase. The vote was 6-0, with one commissioner absent.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact from approving the design. The current estimated cost of the improvements is estimated to be approximately $800,000. If the design is approved, the project will be listed as an unfunded project for consideration in a future budget cycle.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council meeting agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board at City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Public Library and in the Department of Public Safety Lobby. In addition, the agenda and this report are available at the City Hall reception desk located on the first floor of City Hall at 456 W. Olive Avenue (during normal business hours), and on the City's website.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve the design to remove one southbound travel lane and install a Class IIB Buffered Bicycle Lane on southbound Mathilda Avenue between Ahwanee Avenue/Almanor Avenue and Maude Avenue, find that the action is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guideline Section 15301(c), and direct staff to include the proposed improvements in a future City paving project as funds are available.
2. Maintain the existing southbound Mathilda Avenue configuration between Ahwanee Avenue/Almanor Avenue and Maude Avenue (no change to existing conditions).
3. Approve the Design Alternative 1 to remove one southbound travel lane and install a Class IIB Buffered Bicycle Lane on southbound Mathilda Avenue between Ahwanee Avenue/Almanor Avenue and Maude Avenue, find that the action is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guideline Section 15301(c), direct staff to include the proposed improvements as a future unfunded project, and direct staff to consider upgrading the Class IIB buffered bike lanes to Class IV separated bikeway on Southbound Mathilda Avenue during the design phase.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Alternative 1: Approve the design to remove one southbound travel lane and install a Class IIB Buffered Bicycle Lane on southbound Mathilda Avenue between Ahwanee Avenue/Almanor Avenue and Maude Avenue, find that the action is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guideline Section 15301(c), and direct staff to include the proposed improvements as a future unfunded project.
JUSTIFICATION FOR RECOMMENDATION
This improvement would align with the goals in the Active Transportation Plan, which aims to improve bicycle network connectivity and promote sustainable transportation options. Once implemented, the bicycle lanes on southbound Mathilda Avenue would be continuous from Java Drive to Washington Avenue, filling in a gap in the City’s bicycle network along Mathilda Avenue.
BPAC proposed evaluating an upgrade of the Class IIB buffered bike lane to a Class IV separated bikeway within the study segment during the design phase. However, the existing bicycle facilities in the area are either Class II or Class IIB in both the northbound and southbound directions. Staff recommends a future corridor-wide assessment of the bicycle network to provide a more effective approach to evaluate the feasibility of upgrading both directions along a longer segment of Mathilda Avenue to a Class IV facility. The proposed Class IIB improvements would establish consistency by providing buffered bike lanes in both directions along Mathilda Avenue between Ahwanee Avenue/ Almanor Avenue and Maude Avenue.
Levine Act
LEVINE ACT
The Levine Act (Gov. Code Section 84308) prohibits city officials from participating in certain decisions regarding licenses, permits, and other entitlements for use if the official has received a campaign contribution of more than $500 from a party, participant, or agent of a party or participant in the previous 12 months. The Levine Act is intended to prevent financial influence on decisions that affect specific, identifiable persons or participants. For more information see the Fair Political Practices Commission website: www.fppc.ca.gov/learn/pay-to-play-limits-and-prohibitions.html
An “X” in the checklist below indicates that the action being considered falls under a Levine Act category or exemption:
SUBJECT TO THE LEVINE ACT
___ Land development entitlements
___ Other permit, license, or entitlement for use
___ Contract or franchise
EXEMPT FROM THE LEVINE ACT
___ Competitively bid contract*
___ Labor or personal employment contract
___ Contract under $50,000 or non-fiscal
___ Contract between public agencies
_X_ General policy and legislative actions
* "Competitively bid" means a contract that must be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
Staff
Prepared by: Thinh Le, Transportation Engineer
Reviewed by: Angela Obeso, Transportation and Traffic Manager
Reviewed by: Chip Taylor, Director, Department of Public Works
Reviewed by: Matt Paulin, Director of Finance
Reviewed by: Sarah Johnson-Rios, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Tim Kirby, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Report to Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission 25-0128, August 21, 2025 (without attachments)
2. Corridor Map
3. Alternatives 1 Proposed Improvements
4. Alternatives 2 No Build-Existing Conditions
5. Link to Mathilda Bike Lane Study - Final Report
Additional Attachments for Report to Council
6. Excerpt of Minutes of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission Meeting of August 21, 2025