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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-06-10 Bicycle & Pedestrian_MIN BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN COMMISSION Thursday, June 10, 1999 Meeting Minutes Members Present: Tim Garry, Landon Hilliard, Theresa Johnson, Jesse Ferraro, Tom Powell, Russ Rickert, Council Liaison Wheeldon, David Young, Jennifer Hadden, and APD Liaison Kip Thomas. Staff present: Maria Harris and Derek Severson. I. CALL TO ORDER: Tim Garry called the meeting to order at 5:06 p.m. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: May 20, 1999 The minutes for April 15th were amended as follows, under D. Miscellaneous: “He (Hilliard) also announced that a critical mass ride town cruise would be taking place after the Earth Day Fair at SOU.” Wheeldon/Garry m/s to approve the amended minutes for April 15 and the presented minutes for May 20. Voice vote: All AYES. Motion passed. III. PUBLIC FORUM No speakers came forward. IV. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION A. Goal Setting Hilliard questioned the first bullet under short-term engineering regarding evaluation of neighborhoods within a quarter-mile of schools. Stated that he felt a wider radius should be considered for cycling, and suggested that two miles be considered. Garry and Young suggested that one mile was more appropriate given the size of Ashland. Wheeldon suggested separate criteria for cycling and walking. Garry questioned the idea of a complaint/suggestion card to be filled out by pedestrians and cyclists. Harris suggested that this would enable citizens to bring areas of concern, such as potholes, to the attention of the City. Harris confirmed for Wheeldon that there is no existing program for complaints, and Wheeldon suggested that a complaint or suggestion card be included in the utility billing insert. Harris explained that she was thinking of cards to be distributed through local bike shops, rather than through official channels. Hilliard suggested that this could be coordinated with the sidewalk repair program. Harris expressed concerns over taking citizen complaints while there is no mechanism in place for addressing these complaints. Wheeldon stated that she would look into the response end of this matter. Garry suggested looking at the desired end product of this goal setting, and noted that he believed Harris had planned on drafting action statements, with timeframes for their completion. Garry suggested that each member choose items and prepare action statements. At Wheeldon’s suggestion, commissioners split into three groups of three, with each group taking six items and working to develop action statements. Groups came up with the following: The Commission will review traffic calming designs and recommend as to their use in neighborhoods, and prepare a handout or handbook as well. The Commission will make recommendations annually for dollar allocations from the miscellaneous concrete and sidewalk repair budget to connect sidewalks within ¼ mile of schools. A committee of the Commission will develop a schedule of topics for a media campaign for the year, with individual topics to be addressed on a monthly basis. Commission will follow up on the possibility of acquiring a used sweeper from Medford (as a donation), which is not pedal-powered, but would fit on the bike path. Noted that Medford is in the process of getting two, and will be training volunteers. The other option to be considered would be a pedal-powered work bike from a Eugene company. This option is on hold until the company can be contacted and a source of funding can be determined. The Commission would like to continue month to month contact with the Police Department through the liaison officer present. Any further contact necessary could be scheduled in meetings or training sessions about policies relative to the efforts of the Commission. The Commission also needs to be kept up to date on any problems the police may be encountering relative to bicycle and pedestrian issues. The Commission will utilize handouts to remind people to be aware of pedestrians and bicycles in neighborhoods and to communicate that the City cannot accommodate fast-paced driving. (Emphasized that most residents are willing to listen and just need a wake-up call to make them aware of the issue.) The Commission will utilize the monthly riding campaign to connect as a group, and will make an effort to issue monthly updates. Will try to tie in the monthly rides with the “Share the Road” campaign. For the “Share the Road” campaign, efforts will focus on bumper stickers, handouts, and painted icons on the streets around town, with the hope that repeated exposure will be effective. The Commission will assist Ashland Middle School with the continued implementation of the BTA bike program. The Commission will also continue to work as a liaison with SOU to see that students who assist with the BTA program continue to receive credits. The Commission will speak with representatives of the Middle School to see about using their bike fleet for a bike summer camp. With regard to bicycle parking, the Commission will review bicycle parking around town and try to make it more convenient. Policies will be enforced or changed to allow bicyclists more parking choices. Once the City and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) finalize the jurisdictional transfer of Siskiyou Boulevard to the City, the Commission will work closely with the City in developing a comprehensive design and in carrying out a thoughtful campaign to promote this design to citizens. The Commission will create a map indicating the location of all schools, safe and convenient cycling routes, and access routes to the schools. The map will also indicate the bike path, bicycle parking, and general points of interest, and on the back there will be a list of rules of the road and cycling tips. (It was noted that these maps will be made available through local schools and the police department.) The Commission will list specific suggestions for Ashland Police Department with regard to ways laws could be better enforced, and will suggest that the previously mentioned maps be handed out by the police. The Commission will try to coordinate activities with those of the Ashland Community Bike program, and all Commission members will endeavor to stay abreast of activities of the program; and to take advantage of Community Bike program locations and members as useful resources. (Ferraro suggested that liaisons be established between the Commission and the program. Hilliard noted that he attends all Community Bike Program meetings.) All Commission members will try to attend at least one of the “Town Cruises”, and the Commission will work to schedule cruises on a regular pattern. Wheeldon requested that these action statements be prepared and distributed well in advance of the meeting to allow Commissioners ample time to work on them. Harris confirmed that these statements would be mailed separately from the rest of the packets. Agreed that members will look at action statements prior to the next meeting in preparation for the “Final Goal Setting.” Garry suggested that members prepare to commit to working on individual items. After discussion, members agreed that summer meetings would be scheduled at 6:00 p.m. instead of 5:00. B. Bike Racks Harris confirmed that there are currently seven bike racks, but stated that three or four of these are destined for installation near Siskiyou Microbrew Pub on Water Street. Also stated that two racks will be placed on the sidewalk just up the hill, near the Ashland Creek Bar and Grill. Noted that no one has yet taken responsibility for the existing racks, but Code Compliance Officer Adam Hanks is looking into who owns them. Harris explained that the new racks will be located under the overpass, lined up along the Siskiyou Microbrew Pub’s deck so that they will not be in the way of the Growers’ Market or intruding into the planting strip. Noted that there will be a need to make cuts in the asphalt and pour concrete pillars to secure the racks, and stated that the cost for this should be around $500. Young questioned why this expense fell to the Commission, rather than the Public Works Department. Harris explained that there is close to $1000 left in this year’s budget, and noted that racks are $100-$150 each. Also stated that she is working on finding a local distributor that would be cheaper. Wheeldon stated that she does not feel that the asphalt work should be a Commission expense either, and suggested that any budget surplus should go to the purchase of a sweeper. Also suggested that funds could be used to buy more u-racks. Harris stated that she could look at bicycle parking funds still available under the Public Works budget, but believed that Public Works had spent all of these funds on the bike locker purchase. Wheeldon stated that the expense might be appropriate if there are funds available, and noted that any surplus funds should be earmarked. Rickert noted the need to look into the costs of a sweeper, and stated that any money left over should go to mounting racks and buying additional racks. Emphasized that Commission money should be used to disseminate information, but recognized that given the late stage in this budget cycle it may be acceptable to spend money to mount racks now, especially given the Public Works’ expense for lockers. Emphasized that this precedent should not be continued however. Harris pointed out that this Commission typically receives more money than some others in the budget because of its role in placing racks. Garry/Wheeldon m/s to use necessary budget dollars to install “U” bicycle racks on Water Street. Discussion: Harris confirmed that any surplus funds would be used to cover overages for the bicycle lockers. Voice vote: All AYES. Motion passed. V. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 6:27p.m. Next Meeting: Thursday, July 15th, at 6:00 p.m.