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Council names members to Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee after interviews
Summary
Following interviews, the Santa Clara City Council appointed Jonathan Marinaro, Vernon Shurer and George Harrow to Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee seats and placed Ram Iyengar on an eligibility list.
The Santa Clara City Council appointed three residents to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) and added one candidate to the eligibility list after interviewing seven applicants during a special meeting.
Jonathan Marinaro was the top vote-getter and will serve the partial term ending June 30, 2028; Vernon Shurer was appointed to a partial term ending June 30, 2027; and George Harrow was appointed to a full term ending June 30, 2029. Ram Iyengar was named to the eligibility list should a vacancy arise. The appointments were approved unanimously by the council members present.
Applicants described a mix of professional and civic experience related to walking and cycling issues. Vernon Shurer described his product-marketing and analytical background and said he would bring attention to detail and empathy for diverse users — "I feel like I have a lot to learn," he told the council during his interview. Jonathan Marinaro, an avid bicyclist who has commuted by bike and used regional transit, told council members, "It's not about just making it accessible, it's making it desirable," urging the committee to focus on connections between modes and on how improvements affect day-to-day commuters.
Council members asked candidates about secure bike parking, the city budget for bicycle and pedestrian improvements, and Vision Zero-style safety goals. Candidates recommended a combination of infrastructure investment, improved connectivity to close 'first-mile/last-mile' gaps, partnerships with advocacy groups and targeted outreach to vulnerable populations such as seniors and parents with small children.
City staff noted there had been a resignation on BPAC and one withdrawal from the applicant pool; the council formally accepted the resignation and added the seat to the recruitment this evening before proceeding with interviews and appointments.
The council instructed staff to proceed with onboarding for the new appointees. Councilmembers present included Gonzales, Shahald, Hardy, Park, Vice Mayor Cox and Mayor Gilmore.
