Sunnyvale plans to fill in a gap in its bicycle network.

At its Oct. 21 meeting, the Sunnyvale City Council approved removing a traffic lane on southbound Mathilda Avenue between the US 101 off-ramp and Maude Avenue and adding a buffered bike lane. 

The stretch has four traffic lanes without a bike lane or shoulder. The change would mirror conditions of the road’s northbound lane. 

Angela Obeso, transportation and traffic manager, said the change has gone through several public meetings, workshops and pop up events. It has seen “generally very positive feedback,” she added.

The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee unanimously approved the change but suggested the city install a separated bike lane instead of a buffered bike lane.

However, Obeso said her “gut feeling” is that doing so would likely “more than double” the cost.

The city estimates the cost of the change at $800,000. The project is unfunded.

Given the logistics, cost and time, Obeso said the buffered bike lane is the best option.

Daniel Karpelevitch, a public commenter, called the change a “no-brainer,” adding that it could be a “win-win” for motorists and cyclists alike since the lane removal would obviate drivers’ need to merge from four lanes to three.

Council Member Richard Mehlinger called the change a “clear improvement.” 

“It’s a major step toward turning Mathilda into something approaching a complete street with excellent bicycle and pedestrian facilities,” he said.

The motion passed unanimously.

Bond Money Set to Fund SMaRT Station Repairs

The council also unanimously approved issuing $50 million in bonds to fund improvements at the Sunnyvale Materials Recovery and Transfer (SMaRT) station.

Acting as the newly formed Industrial Development Authority — a body formed to replace the successor to the redevelopment agency — the council approved the 20-year bonds.

Matt Pauline, the city’s finance director, said financing for the tax-exempt bonds had not been “straight-forward.” The bonds will be paid out of the city’s solid waste fund, money collected from residents for garbage service.

The city secured an AA+ rating, the highest available. 

The city has agreements with Mountain View and Cupertino to process trash at the plant. Cupertino will start dumping its trash at the plant following the improvements, Pauline said. Mountain View has already contributed $4 million for its share.

The city estimates the total improvement costs at $51.5 million, with grant money filling the gap. 

Pauline said the upgrades will reduce human sorting through the use of robotics.

Vice Mayor Linda Sell said the bonds seem like a “beneficial mechanism” to fund the improvements, adding that the move “seems like a good investment.”

Improvements are slated for completion in January 2027. 

Sunnyvale Consent Calendar Spending

The council approved the following spending in one motion via the consent calendar:

• A $136,090 extension to an agreement with Strategic Economics, Inc. for an inclusionary housing feasibility study. The new contract total is $361,090. 
• A $645,791.50 contract with Columbia Electric, Inc. for pedestrian signal improvements.
• A $647,414 contract with Adams Pool Solutions for work at Columbia Middle School swimming pool.

Council Members Alysa Cisneros and Eileen Le were absent.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the council is at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18 in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 456 W. Olive Ave. in Sunnyvale. 

To submit public comments ahead of the meeting, visit http://Sunnyvale.ca.gov/PublicComments; Meeting online link: https://sunnyvale-ca-gov.zoom.us/j/96111580540; meeting call-in telephone number: 833-548-0276, meeting ID: 961 1158 0540 

Contact David Alexander at d.todd.alexander@gmail.com

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