REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Discussion and Direction Regarding Modification of the Guiding Principle of Sunnyvale's Vision Zero Plan
Report
BACKGROUND
On April 9, 2024, a Colleagues Memorandum was added to the Council Agenda (Attachment 1) to "request that an item be agendized at a future City Council meeting to restore the original proposed language of Guiding Principle #3 of Sunnyvale's Vision Zero Plan." Council directed staff to bring the item back for discussion.
EXISTING POLICY
General Plan, Chapter 3, Land Use and Transportation Element:
LT-3.6: Promote modes of travel and actions that provide safe access to city streets and reduce single-occupant vehicle trips and trip lengths locally and regionally.
LT-3.22: Provide safe access to city streets for all modes of transportation. Safety considerations for all transport modes shall take priority over capacity considerations of any one transport mode.
LT-3.22a: Give priority to meeting minimum design and safety standards for all
users. Determine configuration of the roadway space based on options, including at
a minimum an option that meets minimum safety-related design standards for motor
vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(a) as it has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
DISCUSSION
The Vision Zero Plan was brought to the City Council for Plan Adoption on July 30, 2019 (RTC No. 19-0298). The Draft Vision Zero Plan included the following
Guiding Principles to guide the actions of the Sunnyvale Vision Zero Plan:
1. Traffic deaths are unacceptable and preventable.
2. Transportation options should be safe for all users, for all modes of transportation, in all communities, and for people for all ages and abilities.
3. Safety takes priority over efficiency.
4. Actions toward Vision Zero should embody a quantitative, collaborative, and equitable approach.
5. Human error is inevitable and unpredictable; the transportation system should be designed to anticipate error and minimize injury severity.
6. Speed is a fundamental predictor of collision severity survival. The transportation system should be designed for speeds that safely accommodate all modes of travel.
7. Ongoing evaluation should measure performance against the Sunnyvale Vision Zero Plan objectives.
Prior to taking an action, Council discussed the language in Guiding Principle No. 3 where “Safety (of all roadway users) takes priority over efficiency”. While this may seem like a black-and-white statement, the definition of safety, including what level of safety, is not clearly determined and may cause confusion.
After discussion, Council voted to approve the modified language for Guiding Principle No. 3 to say, “Safety is a primary consideration in the development of transportation projects for all users.” The motion was carried with a 6-1 vote.
While staff makes no recommendation regarding Council’s request to revisit the language, it should be noted that the current roadway design process already meets all safety related criteria and results in roadways that are not objectively unsafe. Also, reduction in efficiency of a roadway can cause rerouting of vehicles to other roadways, which can create unintended concerns on those roadways. It is important to note that the roadway network is connected when considering safety and efficiency for roadway design projects.
FISCAL IMPACT
None for modifying the guiding principle in the Vision Zero Plan. Implementation of the Vision Zero Plan will be achieved through various projects that will be considered individually through the City’s budget process.
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. Restore the original proposed language for Guiding Principle No. 3 in the Vision Zero Plan to state: “Safety of all roadway users takes priority over efficiency.”
2. Do not modify the adopt Vision Zero Plan.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Staff makes no recommendation. This report is developed at the request of Council to facilitate a conversation for the public hearing and for consideration and possible action by the City Council.
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
A check 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: Lillian Tsang, Principal Transportation Engineer
Reviewed by: Angela Obeso, Transportation and Traffic Manager
Reviewed by: Chip Taylor, Director, Public Works
Reviewed by: Sarah Johnson-Rios, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Tim Kirby, Interim City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Colleagues Memorandum Restore Original Proposed Language in Vision Zero Plan
2. Report to Council, 19-0298, July 30, 2019 (without attachments)
3. Excerpt of City Council Meeting Minutes of July 30, 2019
4. Adopted Vision Zero Plan