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sr-022812-8afir City of City Council Report Santa Moaiea City Council Meeting: February 28, 2012 Agenda Item: 8A To: Mayor and City Council From: David Martin, Planning and Community Development Director Kate Vernez, Deputy City Manager - Special Projects Subject: Appointment of Local Community Representatives to the Expo Phase 2 Bicycle Advisory Committee Recommended Action Staff recommends that the City Council: 1. Appoint two representatives to serve on the Expo Phase 2 Bicycle Advisory Committee. 2. Direct staff to communicate the Council appointments to the Exposition Construction Authority Executive Summary The City of Santa Monica has the opportunity to appoint two representatives to the newly forming Expo Phase 2 Metro Line Construction Authority's Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC). The position of community representative to the BAC is a voluntary unpaid appointment. The Committee will be comprised of a seven member panel which represents communities and stakeholders along the Expo Phase 2 Corridor. A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the two Santa Monica appointments was released on January 5, 2011. Nine applications were received from which the Council can make appointments to the BAC. Background The Phase 2 Expo Bikeway project is part of the Exposition Boulevard Right -of -Way Regional Bikeway that will provide a commuter bike and pedestrian path from Downtown Los Angeles to Santa Monica. The path will be designed and constructed through a separate contract but on a parallel timeline with the Exposition Light Rail Line. The Phase 2 Bikeway consists of a 5.5 -mile Class 1 commuter bike path of which 4.2 miles are in the City of Los Angeles and 1.3 miles are in the City of Santa Monica. City of Santa Monica staff developed concept plans that will be conveyed to the Expo Construction Authority to be utilized by the bike path design builder. The path's planned location is on the north side of the light rail tracks between Centinela Avenue and Olympic Boulevard, crossing to the south side of,the tracks west of Olympic Boulevard to 17th Street/Colorado Avenue. The path ends at 17th Street and connects with the City of Santa Monica's existing bike network. (Attachment A). The Bicycle Advisory Committee will consist of seven total members appointed as follows: • 1 representative appointed by Council District 5 1 representative appointed by Council District 11 • 1 representative appointed by Supervisorial District 2 • 1 representative appointed by Supervisorial District 3 • 2 representatives appointed by Santa Monica City Council • 1 representative appointed by the Chair of the Metro Board. It is anticipated that the design -build contractor for the Expo Bikeway project will receive a Notice to Proceed from the Expo Authority to start working in February 2012. The BAC is expected to be activated shortly thereafter. Appointees will need to be available to meet with the Expo Authority and the design build contractor, Skanska -Rados Joint Venture, to provide input at key milestones during the Bikeway preliminary engineering and design stages. Significant work has already been done by the Expo Authority and the design -build contractor. The alignment and stations have been environmentally cleared and approved by appropriate agencies so the committee will not be permitted to change the scope of the project, affect the alignment, stations, and other aspects of the light rail or bike path. The committee's role will be to provide input on design elements that may include, but is not limited to, landscaping, signing and lighting. Discussion On January 5, 2012 and January 6, 2012, staff released an RFQ to solicit interest in the Santa Monica appointments to the BAC. A notice was advertised in the Santa Monica Daily Press, posted on the City's website, and distributed to neighborhood groups. A 1►: press release was sent out on January 12, 2012. The RFQ explained the role of BAC members in working with Expo Authority staff, the Skanska -Rados Joint Venture and community stakeholders to provide input into Phase 2 Bikeway of the Expo Line project. The RFQ noted that BAC Members were not required to have any technical background to serve on the Committee; however it was desirable for appointees to demonstrate expertise and experience in the following areas: • Transportation and multi -modal planning and design, including pedestrian and bicycle access • . Principles of bicycle facility design, including regional and commuter facilities • Participation in or knowledge of the City of Santa Monica's General Plan Land Use and Circulation Element (LUCE) • Participation in or knowledge of the City of Santa Monica's Bicycle Action Plan • Experience in consensus - building and identifying feasible solutions for public projects. Nine residents responded to the RFQ and submitted qualifications for consideration as a City of Santa Monica appointee. • Amy Chow has a public policy background and expertise working with various stakeholders to create viable solutions. She is familiar with the principals of urban planning and hopes that Santa Monica will implement the five year bike plan and become a great biking city. This appointment would be her first experience in specific bicycle and pedestrian planning. • Barbara Filet is a local bike advocate and has participated in national transportation planning workshops where she has gained an understanding of bicycle facility design. She has a strong commitment to making biking better in Santa Monica and has participated in the many meetings and workshops for the LUCE, Bike Action Plan and individual large development projects. • Dwight Flowers has numerous years of professional experience as an urban planner with an emphasis on new community planning and working with citizen advisory groups. He has participated in the workshops and meetings for the LUCE and Bike Action Plan, and is an active member of the North of Montana Association and Santa Monica Conservancy. He serves as a part -time Downtown Santa Monica Ambassador. • Corinna Gebert has followed the development of the LUCE and Bike Action Plan. She is an architect with 12 years of design and urban planning experience working on transportation- oriented projects and works with a local Santa Monica architecture firm. She has expertise in consensus building and sustainable systems designs. Her design portfolio includes a multi -modal transportation hub in Cleveland and mixed use transit oriented development in Tucson. 3 • Gary Kavanagh is a local bike advocate and has attended LUCE and Bike Action Plan workshops and public hearings. He has an understanding of transportation facility design and is an active writer on local and regional bicycle issues. Gary has a broad background as video game developer, photographer and writer. He is enthusiastic about improving all things related to transportation in.the city. • Cynthia Rose is a founding member and director of Santa Monica Spoke. She has served on the Westside Cities Council of Governments Bicycle Plan Advisory Outreach Group and attended LUCE meetings and helped shaped the Bike Action Plan. Cynthia is a League of American Bicyclists Certified Instructor and well versed in transportation design and policy. She continually advocates for quieter safer streets as a benefit to the community. • Michael Ryan is a car -free resident who feels biking is more than a hobby. He is a writer and producer spotlighting local businesses associated with the City's Buy Local campaign. Michael kicks off each episode on his bicycle and showcases that everything in Santa Monica is just a short bike ride away. • John Cyrus Smith is a member of the Cascade Bicycle Club and familiar with the LUCE and Bike Action Plan. John has been an advocate and supporter of bike lanes and safety. He has ridden locally and regionally as well as up and down the west coast observing countless examples of good and bad bicycle facility designs. • Jodi Summers is involved in many local committees such as the Santa Monica Conservancy historic preservation society, Ocean Park Association, Urban Forestry Task Force and the Friends of Sunset Park community group. She has prior experience as a member of a student advisory board working with the University of Arizona to improve bicycle and pedestrian flow. Jodi feels that Santa Monica needs to improve bicycle facilities so that she can bike around town and feel safe. Each application showed a commitment and excitement about bicycling in Santa Monica, and exemplified the high quality of engagement among our local residents. Staff will forward the Council's recommended members to the Expo Authority. Staff expects that the BAC will convene in late February to early March. 12 Financial Impacts and Budget Actions There are no direct budgetary impacts associated with appointing a community member to the Bicycle Advisory Committee as they will be working in a voluntary capacity. Prepared by: Michelle Glickert, Senior Transportation Planner Approved: Approved: David Martin, Director Planning & Community Development Forwarded to Council: Rod Gould City Manager Attachments: Kathryn V rnez Deputy City Manager — Special Projects A. Map of Exposition Phase II Bikeway Project — Santa Monica Route B. Applications Received Attachment A. Legend Expo Stabaa Expo Um Existing Bike Rage Expo Bike Pa 0 Attachment B — Applications received for Exposition Bike Advisory Committee Interest Letter: Amy Chow BAC Dear Michelle, It was perfect! I knew it would be when I saw it Bike Pro shop on 5th and Broadway. I knew it had to be mine! It is a classic Schwinn single cruiser bike in cream. I already envisioned riding down Arizona along the bike paths to the beach with my woven basket in front living the California Dream! I couldn't wait, and I didn't. Once I got my hands on it, I was out the door. I remember my first ride was so freeing. There is something so calming and carefree when riding your bike instead of driving. A real sense of ownership of the road when you can feel and experience everything... until you hear a car honking at you or trying to get in front of you because there is no bike path. Living and working in Santa Monica, I had hoped to be able to commute on my bike everywhere. I am sad to say this has not been the case because as a fellow driver I know what its like while driving, LA is a automobile driven place, and residents don't have the greatest attitude towards bikers. Without, bike lanes on every street it makes it unsettling to ride. My wish, which I believe will come true with the five year bike plan, will make Santa Monica a great biking city. Not only because I am an avid biker, but coming from a Public Policy background has fueled my interest to participate in Expo Bikeway Advisory Committee (BAC) My background is primarily focused in Public Policy and Management. I received bachelors in Behavioral Economics and a Masters in Public Policy and Management with a concentration in Urban Planning from Carnegie Mellon University. I have always had a passion to help grow and connect a community through urban planning. Though I may not have the most experience working on bike specific projects. My expertise is my ability to work with various stakeholders and translate needs and wants into a viable solution that can make everyone satisfied to an extent! My ability to be able to maneuver different situations and quickly adapt, which I believe will more than make up for my lack of experience working on transportation and multimodal planning. Before moving to Santa Monica, in 20 11. 1 can say have done my fair share of moving and traveling. My experience with public transit to bike paths has been extremely vast. Having grown up in New York City, I was exposed to one of the most extensive public transit systems in United States, if not the world. Then moving to Pittsburgh, PA gaining an education while working for the City of Pittsburgh in evaluating the economics in green space in Pittsburgh. Then moving to one of my most favorite cities, Portland Oregon. While in Portland 1 worked for the Regional government Metro. Also after graduating graduate school, I moved to Washington D.C. to work for the Department of Housing and the Department of Interior (specifically U.S. Geological Survey). Now, that I live and work in Santa Monica as a Change process manager in Santa Monica. More recently, going to school at Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh, PA. I worked as a consultant with the city of Pittsburgh with the Urban Redevelopment Fund. I was commissioned with a group of other graduate students to conduct a study on the economic value of Green Space in Pittsburgh and how green space affected housing values. We created a regression model to evaluate the economic value, but also conducted a qualitative study where we interviewed and spoke with over 200 community members to see how parks impacted their daily life. While working in Portland Oregon for Metro I worked on organizational wide initiatives that included a balance scorecard as well as implementing a learning system across the organization for over 1,000 employees from the Portland Zoo to employees in Waste facilities. Another large initiative I was part of was the plan to engage council members and stakeholders in building a new energy plant. My next stop in Washington D.C., I worked with the Housing Department and Department of Interior to improve their procurement system. I worked with stakeholders across various departments to gather requirements, conduct business process reengineer workshops, to train users on how to use the new implemented system. Finally, moving to Santa Monica, I work as a process manager for a Internet Company here in Santa Monica, managing their website and improving internal processes. January 20, 2012 To: Michelle Glickert, Senior Planner Strategic and Transportation Planning Division City of Santa Monica 1685 Main Street, Room 115 P.O. Box 2200 Santa Monica, CA 90401 I am interested in serving on the Bicycle Advisory Committee for the second phase of the Expo Light Rail Line. As a member of Friends4Expo, I have been an advocate for the Exposition Corridor Parkway since 1990 and it is a dream come true to see it coming to life. However, we advocated for and were promised a multi -modal project: a rail with trail. That the bicycle portion is not being simultaneously developed with the rail threatens that promise. With the light rail design in the second phase already 60% complete, it is critical that the bikeway portion receive focused attention, so that it does not continue being an afterthought. The bikeway must be fully integrated. As a long -time bicycle rider and advocate, I am eager to share my experience and knowledge to assure this happens. I am retired from a career as a graphic designer and photographer. Good design is one of my highest values and I enjoy applying my skills to the design of bicycle and pedestrian facilities. Since living as a child in the Netherlands, bicycling has been in my blood. I do not own a car and transport myself mainly by foot, bike and transit. In 1994, 1 read David Engwicht's book, "Traffic Calming." I thought this information could heal Santa Monica's traffic woes and hosted a public meeting for the author here in 1994 and that sparked my interest in transportation and urban design in general. In addition to working with Friends4Expo, I have been active in the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition since its start in 1998. In 2000, 1 lead in the creation of a local chapter in Santa Monica, called Cycle Santa Monica. After it wound down, a new bicycle advocacy group, Santa Monica Spoke, emerged in 2008. 1 have served on its steering committee since its inception. I helped to formulate some of the transportation goals in the 2003 update of the Sustainable City Plan. In 2004, 1 served on the Samohi Parking and Transportation Task Force. To reduce the campus car parking crunch, we advocated for safe bike and pedestrian routes for Santa Monica students, especially along Michigan Avenue, and we advocated for a bike path across the campus. I continue to read EIRs, project proposals, books and reports on urban planning and transportation issues. I have attended numerous conferences which concentrate on bicycle transportation and multi -modal planning and design, including regional and commuter bike facilities. I have taken workshops by some of the top bicycle advocacy and design professionals active in the country, among them: Dan Burden, Charly Gandy, Jeffrey Tumlin, Michael Ronkin, Ryan Snyder, Wendy Kallins, Deb Hubsmith and David Snyder. Some of the conferences I have attended: 2001 New Partners for Smart Growth, San Diego 2002 Rail- Volution, Washington DC 2003 Walk -Bike California, Oakland 2004 Pro -Walk, Pro -Bike, Victoria BC 2005 Walk -Bike California, Ventura 2006 Pro -Walk, Pro -Bike, Madison 2009 Los Angeles Bike Summit 2010 Los Angeles Street Summit 2011 California Bike Summit, Los Angeles During these conferences and on other trips, I was able to tour and study the bicycle and rail facilities in Washington DC, San Francisco, Oakland, Palo Alto, Portland, Madison, Santa Barbara, New Orleans, Chicago, Victoria and Vancouver, BC, and many cities in the Netherlands. During the six long years of LUCE planning, I participated in most of the community meetings and workshops, advocating for bicyclists at every opportunity. After the LUCE was passed, the city created the Bicycle Action Plan. Working with Santa Monica Spoke members, I drafted detailed recommendations, many of which were incorporated into the plan. I have spoken out on behalf of bicyclists on nearly every significant project that has come before the city. Recently, I provided extensive input for an environmental justice grant to do public outreach for the Michigan Avenue Greenway project, a facility I helped to design and have wanted to see created for about 15 years. As a member of Spoke, I meet with community groups, city staff and developers to give them feedback on projects regarding bicycle access. This is a consensus - building activity where we seek to identify feasible bicycle access solutions. Sincerely, January 20, 2012 Michelle Glickert, Senior Planner Strategic'and Transportation Planning Division City of Santa Monica 1685 Main Street, Room 115 P.O. Box 2200 Santa Monica, CA 90401 Dear Ms. Glickert, I am submitting a letter of interest in,serving as a Community Representative for the Expo Bikeway Advisory Committee, A have been a resident of Santa Monica for nearly 10 years and have become an avid biker, both functional and recreational throughout the city and its environs, I generally ride an average of 6 -8 miles each day and rarely use our car for local trips. As an architect and urban planner by profession, I have become involved in community activities and the LUCE planning process, attending numerous meetings and workshops over the years. Since moving to Santa Monica in 2002 upon retirement in Maryland, I have become involved in local groups, volunteer and professional work as listed below: - Served for over 5 years on the board of the North of Montana Association Member of the Santa Monica Conservancy since 2002 and served on their Activities Committee with major responsibility in organizing community garden tours in 2009 and 2011 Active in local church and various volunteer activities, including food bank, Step up on Second, OPCC Part -time employment with Santa Monica Downtown, Inc. as ambassador, 2009 - present, assisting residents, workers and tourists Active in Santa Monica Spoke cycling group and participated in review of the current Bicycle Action Plan My background is in architecture and urban design, with special emphasis on new community planning and planned unit developments. I studied architecture at the University of Michigan and went on for a Masters in City Planning at M.I.T., completed after Peace Corps service in Venezuela. Later I spent a year in Sweden on a Fulbright grant, involving research on new town planning and development. I also obtained my architectural registration in Maryland and AICP status in the American Planning Association. My experience has been divided between the private and public sectors. I first served as a design coordinator for a major new community in Maryland, and other projects. Later I did consultant work abroad in Central and South America and Asia. My experience in the public sector includes many years as professional architect /planner in Annapolis, Maryland where I served as project manager for county sector plans, working with citizen advisory committees and prepared concept plans and comprehensive rezoning, based on visual surveys and analysis of neighborhoods, commercial corridors and employment centers. I was also involved in site alignment studies for a light -rail extension from the B WI Airport area near Baltimore. I have been following the Expo project planning for some time and am very interested in the feeder systems and bikeway development along the route. It is a challenging design problem and will involve careful coordination between the technical.and social aspects, with major implications for the surrounding land uses, I would be available to serve as a Community Representative in the planning process. Si er, Dwight'E Flowers 1&591'701 Street suite 200 330 450 8240 Santa Monica California Aleks lstanhuilu Architects AiA 1 3991888 90404.3701 ai-arehitects.com Santa Monica, January 19 ", 2012 Application as community representative for the Expo Metro Line Construction Authority's Bicycle Advisory Committee Dear Ms Glickert, dear members of the City evaluation team — Thank you for considering my application as a community representative to the BAC. I am an architect by training with 12 years of design and urban planning experience in Europe, Australia, and the US. I am a resident of Santa Monica and have been an exclusive bike commuter on the west side of L.A. since 2007. For the last 8'/2 years, I have gathered extensive experience on several transportation- oriented projects with Aleks Istanbulllu Architects, a long -time Santa Monica Firm specializing in solving complex design and strategic challenges to create sustainable urban community and mixed use spaces. As designer and project manager I have been involved in strategizing and consensus building among a wide variety of stakeholders— city officials, residents, developers, design review boards and local interest groups - on projects including feasibility studies for the Helms Bakery and VPI Properties spanning the Los Angeles / Culver City border at Venice and National Boulevard, a design for a multi -modal Transportation Hub in Cleveland, Ohio and the recently completed Plaza Centro Master Plan, Infrastructure and Mixed Use TOD in Tucson, Arizona. (Please refer to the enclosed Project sheets for more details.) Additional qualifications that support my interest and expertise in sustainable systems design include my accreditation as LEED AP since 2006 and completion of the Los Angeles Permaculture Design Course Series with Larry Santoyo in 2008. I am following the development of Santa Monica's LUCE and Bicycle Action plan with great interest and increasing excitement for both professional and personal reasons: I have been a resident of Palms, Mar Vista, Venice since March 2004 and now own and live in an apartment in the landmark Vanity Fair Apartment Building in Santa Monica. Navigating these neighborhoods - and beyond- without owning a car for the past 5 years has given me ample opportunity to experience the many perks and pitfalls of biking in L.A. first hand, and I believe that LUCE and the Bike Action plan will make Santa Monica an outstanding example of citizen - oriented urban design. I would be honored to provide my feedback and support for the Phase 2 Expo Bikeway Project. Please feel free to contact me, or my references listed below, at any point for further questions Sincerely, Corinna Gebert January 18th, 2012 Dear Ms. Glickert, The Expo Line Bicycle Advisory Committee position to represent Santa Monica is one of great interest to me, and a role I feel I am qualified to fulfill. Phase II of the Expo Line has the potential to be a game changing moment in the shaping of Santa Monica's future and giving a much needed boost to regional transportation alternatives in the Westside of Los Angeles. As a Santa Monica resident who has been living car free since 2008, there is no other project on the immediate horizon that excites me more than the completion of the Expo Line and the adjacent bikeway. I also believe that the successful implementation of the adjacent bikeway and other bicycle facilities are an equally important component to the rail line itself in facilitating fully car -free trips. Bikes can be used to seamlessly solve the "last mile" problem of express transit service and are an ideal way to bridge gaps and enable potential commuters outside walkable distances to catch the train without a car. If Santa Monica is to meet it's LUCE traffic congestion mitigation goals, enabling as many people as possible to take advantage of the Expo Line without having to drive to a station is critical. As a long time local advocate for bicycling, blogging on local bike issues and bike culture, living without a car, and more recently writing am opinion column on sustainable urban development, I feel I have a broad understanding of what it takes to reduce automobile dependence. When I travel to other cities, in California, across the U.S., or abroad, I always do so without a car, and plan my transportation around walking, bicycling and public transportation. With a camera on hand at all times, I am always photo documenting how I get around. Whether it's a beautiful train platform, an unfamiliar bike lane configuration, a roundabout, or just simple bike rack placement, I take note of the details that matter. The opinions that I write are closely followed within the bicycling and alternative transportation communities active online, and people often reach out to me for help or expertise on bike related issues. A diverse range of experiences within bicycling, as sport, recreation, a social activity and daily travel, has given me a unique perspective on the needs and interests of the many different kinds of bicyclists. Within Santa Monica I've been very civically engaged, participating in public input sessions for the LUCE, numerous public works projects, as well as all throughout the Bike Action Plan process. On occasion I've also spoken before the planning commission and the city council during public comments, on bicycling, transit and sustainable urban development issues. Many of the council members and planning commissioners know and recognize me, and some have sought out my opinion on bicycling issues before relevant meetings. For further interview concerning this position, I can be reached by cell phone at (310) 895 -6502 or e -mail at garyridesbikes@gmail.com. Thank you for your time and consideration. \/G 1f —t—_ _74— Gary Kavanagh, Video Game Developer / Photographer / Writer Cynthia Rose 35 year Resident, City of Santa Monica Director Santa Monica Spoke, Regional Chapter LACBC LACBC Regional Chapter, Liaison League of American Bicyclist, League Certified Instructor I would like to apply for one of the positions to serve as a community representative for Santa Monica to the Expo Metro Line Construction Authority's Bicycle Advisory Committee. I feel I would give voice to the interests of the many stakeholders in our community who are committed to a sustainable future for our region and give life to the years of ground work already done by our city's elected's. The bicycle facilities that have previously been outlined by Metro must be brought to fruition to make the project complete and viable as a multi -modal alternative to single passenger vehicles and a greener future. Design solutions can and must be found. I am versed on the principals of the LUCE and embrace the city's vision to move towards a more sustainable future. I participated through out the process of Santa Monica's Bicycle Action Plan and also have knowledge of the Los Angeles Bike Plan, I believe I can add insight to the project from those perspectives as well as from the perspective of an everyday cyclist. I commute by bike or carpool to work in the South Bay from Santa Monica. I use my bike as my primary transportation followed by walking and mass transit. Although I own a car I consider our family a "car light" household in that it is our last choice. I am proud to be a part of the growing and unstoppable momentum of the bike as everyday transportation. I am committed to being a leader, advocate and a roll model to demonstrate that quieter safer streets are a benefit to the community as a whole. I have traveled to Portland and Seattle to study and participate in the design and cycle culture of those cities. As a founding member of Santa Monica Spoke I serve on its Steering Committee as Director . and I have been the groups only elected spokesperson to date. I serve as one of the groups two Regional Chapter Representatives to LACBC. Santa Monica Spoke was the catalyst for LACBC's Regional Chapters (now numbering 9 total) and are being looked at as the next evolution for LACBC in uniting the cycling community in the vast and diverse LA County. At the local level Spoke is very proud of the open dialogue that we have developed between the city and the cycling community. I served on the Westside Cities COG Bicycle Plan Advisory Outreach Group, 2011 where we worked to identify "holes" in bike infrastructure between municipalities. We also worked on a group recommendation to identify priority bikeways to interconnect between the cities of the Westside COG. Since the LUCE and the Bicycle Action Plan I have participated in design and community workshops most recently for Bergamot Transit Village, Santa Monica Bike Share, Civic Center Parks, Downtown specific plan and the Colorado Esplanade. I have attended these lectures or participated in the following training. • Los Angeles Bike Summit, February 2009 • Janette Sadik -Kha pre summit lecture and • Los Angeles Street Summit, March 2010 • Round Table Meetings Jennifer Philips, City of Santa Monica, 2010 • Designing for Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety, December 2010 • Complete Streets for LA Conference, February 2011 • League of American Bicyclist, Instructor Training, June 2011 • Long Beach Tour with Charlie Gandy, June 2011 • SCAG 2012 RTP /SCS Public Outreach Workshop, August 2011 • ThinkBike LA, Design with the Dutch, September 2011 • Alliance for Biking & Walking Winning Campaign Training, October 2011 • California Bike Summit, November 2011 Greetings, I am very interested in assisting with the Bicycle Advisory Committee. As a non car owning resident of Santa Monica, biking is more than just a hobby, it is part of my day to day life. I currently write a weekly food column in the Santa Monica Daily Press about eating and biking here in town. I also host /produce a segment on CityTV spotlighting local businesses associated with the cities Buy Local campaign. I kick off every episode on my bike showing viewers that everything you really need is just a short bike ride away. I am very familiar with the Santa Monica streets and traversing them on two wheels. Please keep me in you consideration as you make your final decision. Thank You, Mike Ryan John C xus Smith LETTER OF INTEREST COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVE FOR EXPO BIKEWAY ADVISORY COMMITTEE (BAC) The following is my letter of interest to serve as a Community Representative for the Expo Bikeway Advisory Committee. As a journalist, experienced cyclist and active Santa Monica resident, I feel I have the kind of unique set of qualifications needed to work with the Committee and help guide the project forward. For starters, I am a member of the Cascade Bicycle Club, one of the largest bike organizations in the nation. I have been a strong advocate and supporter of bike lanes and safety for years. I am also an avid cyclist, and have ridden in several 100 and 200 mile rides, sometimes covering more than 200 miles in a single day. I have ridden extensively in Southern California, Oregon, Washington and Canada, on all types of roads, paths, trails and surfaces, so I know first hand the many challenges both cyclists and drivers encounter as they share the roads. I have also ridden on virtually every bike path and thoroughfare in West Los Angeles. As both a driver and a cyclist, I know what it takes so both can co -exist in close quarters, and how Santa Monica can create a bikeway that provides the highest levels of convenience, recreation and safety for cyclists, in an urban street environment where cars are still the primary source of transportation. As a journalist, I have covered transportation issues extensively in Southern California for the past 20 years. I know more about the 405, carpool lanes, sharrows, LA's subway, the Orange and Green lines, etc., than most anyone in the city of Santa Monica. I see how cities and municipalities arrive at solutions, create a consensus, and get projects started and completed. It takes a lot of savvy and know -how to resolve conflicts and cost issues. Someone like myself, a journalist who strives to cover issues with an eye toward objectivity and fairness, could be invaluable in that respect. Finally, as an avid rider, I've seen countless examples of bicycle facility designs, bikeways and transportation features, and used them extensively. I'm also well- versed about Santa Monica's General Plan Land Use and Circulation Element, and the city's Bicycle Action Plan. An ideal person to serve as a member of the BAC, and help guide the creation of a new bikeway, is probably someone who's an experienced cyclist, who has seen what works and what does not, and uses it on a regular basis. Someone like me Sincerely, John Cyrus Smith I• • .tF .M LETTER OF INTEREST > BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE Good day. Allow me to introduce myself, Jodi Summers I am a resident of the City of Santa Monica. I am a qualified individual applying for the position as community representative to the Expo Metro Line Construction Authority's Bicycle Advisory Committee. Personally, I'm very pleased that Santa Monica is getting a safe cross -town . bicycle route. My experience in multi -modal planning and design dates back to college at University of Arizona. As part of the student advisory board and an editor on the Daily Wildcat newspaper we worked with the University to redesign the pedestrian / bicycle flow around the university. Upon transferring to Arizona State University, we worked to improve bicycle and pedestrian flow around Tempe. As a native New Yorker, I'm quite familiar with regional and commuter facilities... though I think the Dutch system is the best organized bicycle infrastructure I've experienced. This bicycle commuter area on the Lido in Venice, Italy, is perhaps the most traditional manner of handling scores of bicycles. I am delighted that Santa Monica is finally getting a light rail line. To celebrate, I have been participating in LUCE over the past several years. As a native New Yorker, I have an innate understanding of ma: have been fascinated by the scope of the planning process. I can laugh and cry watching the City's evolution and confusion of the bicycle action plan. As we are all aware, cyclist are currently impeding traffic flow and are at constant risk. Certainly, that's what keeps me off the roads. It would be nice to bicycle around town and feel safe. During the past 14 years I have lived in Santa Monica, I have had long term participation in various community groups which have been part of the consensus - building and identify solutions for public projects (like how to get the light rail around the freeway to the final stop). Other local committees of interest include the Santa Monica Conservancy historic preservation society (try raising a $250,000 to save a property that cost $1,200 to build), The Ocean Park Association (we've been working on the Ocean Park Blvd., west of Lincoln for years), the Friends of Sunset Park community group (Airport! Airport! Airport!), Action Apartment Association of Westside income property owners, and the Urban Forestry Task Force (love the idea of turning the cemetery into an arboretum), among others. ABOUT US Jodi Summers The SoCal Investment Real Estate Group Sotheby's International Realty Sotheby's International Realty's legacy dates back to 1744. Respected as one of the world's oldest and largest fine art auctioneers, Sotheby's has a longstanding tradition of bringing together buyers and sellers of fine property. Jodi Summers is the founder of the SoCal Investment Real Estate Group, a top producing team with Sotheby's International Realty in the Los Angeles area. With more than $125,000,000 in listed inventory, Jodi and the SoCal Investment Real Estate Group know finance, rules, regulations, procedures and methods. We are accurate, knowledgeable, timely and aware of how government shapes the cities of Southern California. A New York native, Jodi grew up working in the family business — marketing, Madison Avenue style. Childhood math quiz questions calculated demographic and psychographic percentages or analyzed the allocation of adverting dollars. Word games were for devising slogans. "My marketing and communication skills have proven to be a true gift when it comes to promoting real estate," observes Jodi. "And I am consistently able to get an exceptionally high price per square foot for my sellers." Discipline (Jodi holds a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do), organization, motivation, excellent communication skills and knowing & satisfying the needs of her clients have been her essentials for running a successful business. A passion for investment real estate explains her emphasis in asset - yielding properties. Jodi is a member of the National Association of Realtors, Beverly Hills + Greater West Side Association of Realtors, Action Apartment Association of Westside income property owners, the Santa Monica Conservancy historic preservation society, The Ocean Park Association, the Friends of Sunset Park community group, the Real Estate Investors Club L.A., the American Solar Energy Society, Sierra Club, California Parks Association and the Culver City Rock & Mineral Club. She is currently in training for her CCIM + SIOR certifications. Members of her team are fluent in Spanish, French, Farsi and Italian.