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Chris Gellrich spoke in favor of a pilot project and noted that Edgewood Road has 13,000 cars a day versus the 12,000 on Farm Hill Boulevard that shows that one lane (each way) can satisfy. He shared concerns with the current situation which included the average 40 miles per hour speed on Farm Hill Boulevard, he and/or his children being able to cross the street safely. He opined that the extra space would make it easier for people to get into traffic safely and for buses to pull aside, and he opined that a pilot could be undone and it is worth a try. Jim Luna, a resident and property owner of several properties, said he has chosen to live on Farm Hill Boulevard and spoke in favor of a redesign of an outdated four lane design that would encourage walkers and bicyclists and be healthier for people. He opined that maintaining the status quo would be a cop out and he cited several other successful redesigned areas with improved safety and maintained traffic volume. He asked that the project move forward and submitted a petition signed by others who could not be present (on file). Rebecca Radcliffe, a resident living close to Farm Hill Boulevard since 2001 said that she is a mom with children attending Roy Cloud and they are in support of the project and she submitted a petition signed by neighbors (on file). She noted that she walks on Farm Hill for 30 to 40 minutes a day, she knows of two families that have left due to high traffic speeds, and she opined that under this pilot plan, more people would walk, bike and hopefully slow down, and make stronger community coupled with rigorous enforcement. Billy James, a resident noted that he is representing himself, and not in his capacity as a Senior Affairs Commissioner, spoke in support of the pilot plan for the community and in giving it a try as it is only paint and part of the Complete streets concept. He opined that this is an opportunity to show leadership and noted that the City has already been part of such projects in other areas, including along Industrial, Brewster, Middlefield, and the Alameda. Barbara Pierce, speaking as a resident, said she has lived on Eden Bower (off of Farm Hill Boulevard) for 30 years and that she had also walked her children downhill then and it is safer now. She spoke in favor of the project and opined that it would be healthier, safer, and provides more options for people to use the streets and cited some successful street examples in another state and along the Alameda. Lee Wright spoke in favor of the project, said she has lived on Farm Hill for about eight years, and opined that safety is a problem. She opined that it is difficult to back out with most 100 % drivers speeding and shared concerns regarding the number of accidents, bike lanes, connector streets, pedestrians, and how she wants impactful change. M/S Seybert/Foust to close the public comment. Dr. Bell, through the Chair, made a correction regarding comments made by one speaker. He said that the recommendation is not about "status quo" but taking a better JOINT CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY BOARD October 22, 2012 MEETING MINUTES PAGE 6 MINUTE BOOK NO. 64 Page No. 226