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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-06-15 Bicycle & Pedestrian_MIN BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN COMMISSION Thursday, June 15, 2000 Meeting Minutes MEMBERS PRESENT Bruce Taylor, Tom Powell, Joan Spear, Beverly Morris, David Young, and Carole Wheeldon were present. STAFF PRESENT Derek Severson was present. CALL TO ORDER: Young called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: May 18, 2000 Morris/Wheeldon m/s to approve the minutes of May 18, 2000 as presented. Voice vote: All AYES. Motion passed. PUBLIC FORUM No speakers came forward. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION Young introduced new member Joan Spear to those members who were absent from her first meeting last month. Young briefly discussed membership and member attendance, and noted that Benjamin Sawyer has attended several recent meetings and shown his willingness to be involved. Young suggested that Sawyer apply when an opening is announced on the commission. Report on May 18 Transportation, Transit, and Parking Committee Meeting Young noted that the June meeting had been cancelled. He explained that the May 18 meeting was a review of what had been covered in previous meetings, and noted that there would also be a meeting June 16 at 8:00 a.m. in which the Committee would be re-grouping to look at what course to take from here. Young continued by noting that this meeting had consisted of brief presentations from the groups representing each area of concern in the city, and then they had looked at ideas that had been presented at the earlier meetings. Young stated that the focus had been on mass transit and more livability with less dominance by automobiles. Matthew Barnes of RVTD, who also attended this meeting, concurred with Young’s summary of the meeting and stated that he had a positive feeling from the meetings. Wheeldon noted that the Committee has worked on listing and prioritizing, but has avoided addressing radical ideas like lane reduction. She stated that there has been some discussion of delivering a list of items needing to be addressed to the Council, with no plan for accomplishing the items. Wheeldon stated that this would serve the purpose of raising awareness and keeping these items on the Council’s radar screen, but suggested that the issue of how to pay for the items listed has not been addressed. Wheeldon noted RVTD as an example, explaining that they are willing to do what the City asks for a fee. She emphasized that service can likely be restored to previous levels with 15-minute buses and $0.25 fares, but expansion of service beyond that appears too costly at this point. Wheeldon noted that city staff would be presenting transit costs and revenue figures for paid th parking at the meeting on June 16. Wheeldon also stated that the Aspen model being used for Ashland Bicycle & Pedestrian Commission Minutes June 15, 2000 Page 1 of 5 comparison is not completely applicable as Aspen has a year-round tourist season and other revenue sources. Young noted that there seems to have been a consensus among those present to embrace the idea of paid parking. Noted that he and downtown business owner Michael Donovan had suggested Burlington, Vermont as a more readily applicable program given there work on transit, parking structures, parking fees, and parking validation programs. Audience member Benjamin Sawyer, who also attended the meetings, suggested that a shuttle service was an excellent idea. Discussed his experiences with shuttles in Santa Barbara, California. Wheeldon questioned how this would work in conjunction with the existing RVTD bus service. She noted that riding a trolley would be seen in a different light than riding the bus. Wheeldon explained that in citizen surveys in years past, as many as 75% of residents expressed their unwillingness to ride the bus. She suggested that the populace needs to be educated to change their views of transit. Young noted that the Committee hopes to develop a smaller scale, simpler, and quicker trolley service. Wheeldon noted that she had suggested a trolley system to Council eight years ago, and the suggestion received a poor response. Morris stated that frequency was the key issue to be addressed by a shuttle or trolley. Young noted that Burlington, Vermont combines buses and trolleys to address all of their transit needs. Wheeldon recognized that that a trolley may not be able to address all hillside residents, but suggested that it would be a good incremental solution. Wheeldon stated that the Committee th would be meeting tomorrow, June 16 from 8-10 a.m., and she would bring back information on the meetings next time. Staff was asked to get information on upcoming meetings to the members when a new recurring meeting schedule is set. Young emphasized that the meetings needed attendance from people with interests beyond parking, and encouraged members to consider attending. Morris cited a recent article in the Tidings on attempts to curtail driving by seniors when they reach an age that driving becomes difficult and accidents increase. She suggested that a trolley service would provide excellent for seniors to drive less. Discussion/Planning of Car Free Day Young gave background of the previous meeting’s discussion of Car Free Day where the date th (September 15), name (Car Free Day), and details (a one day event) were set. He noted that there had been a suggestion to block off a lane of Siskiyou Boulevard and have a trolley running. RVTD’s Matthew Barnes noted that RVTD does have a trolley available. Young noted that the subcommittee has not met since the last regular meeting, and questioned those present on their thoughts on conducting this event when SOU will not be in session. Young noted that he had considered the matter, and felt the original decision should stand. Wheeldon noted that SOU students were not a factor in last year’s event. Powell concurred, noting that students did not have a big impact. Wheeldon pointed out that the SOU students already have a free ridership program to encourage them to ride the bus. Barnes noted that all RVTD buses would be free throughout the valley that day, as part of a Bear th Creek Greenway promotional event on the 16. Barnes explained that there will also be some sort of event in Medford, and suggested that they were trying to set up a competition between local government entities to see which could have the highest employee ridership. Ashland Bicycle & Pedestrian Commission Minutes June 15, 2000 Page 2 of 5 Commission discussed costs of the shuttle and possible hours of operation. Wheeldon suggested that having a shuttle for one day might plant a seed in some people’s minds about what could be accomplished with transit. She suggested that the trolley would need to run all day. Barnes noted that the cost of a trolley through RVTD is typically $95 per hour, but for this event he believed that RVTD would reduce this rate to $75 per hour. Discussed the possible impact that might come from having the trolley running into the evening so that it would be available for Shakespeare Festival patrons. Young noted that a grant might be available to fund a trolley in Ashland. Commission discussed what funding was available, noting that the event would be occurring in the next fiscal year and so would be from next year’s budget. Benjamin Sawyer questioned if the lane closure on Siskiyou was feasible. Wheeldon stated that she believed it was, and noted that it was done for parades. Young noted that the idea had been brought up before the Traffic Safety Commission, and Officer Kip Thomas stated that he would approach Police Chief Scott Fleuter with the idea. Young emphasized that there is a need to work out the details and finalize the lane closure and the trolley. Members discussed the possibility that lane closures might create an inconvenience and cause a negative perception of the event. Taylor expressed his opposition to creating hostility. Sawyer suggested that the group work to have as many cyclists and trolley users involved in the event as possible. There was discussion of the best route for the trolley, relative to downtown traffic and the impacts of lane closures. It was suggested that the closure needed to encompass more of Siskiyou than merely the downtown area, in order to reduce traffic from people coming to the downtown core from other parts of town. Spear noted her concern with cross street traffic effecting the closed lanes. Wheeldon suggested that there needs to be some sort of event indicator, and noted that banners placed along the boulevard in the flag holders would be effective. Barnes noted that RVTD would like to work with the Commission on this event, and stated that he could attend any subcommittee meetings that are scheduled outside of the regular meetings. He emphasized that RVTD is hoping to make this a regional event, and acknowledged that Ashland has always been a driving force behind supporting transit in the region. There was discussion of the need for a special meeting to work on planning for this event. th Wheeldon noted that she would be out of town until the 16 of July. Benjamin Sawyer noted that he would be gone during the first week in July. Young suggested that a meeting occur before the first of July. After discussion, it was decided that a special meeting would be held for event th planning at 6 p.m. on June 29 in the Council Chambers. Staff was directed to reserve the location and asked to notice the event in local papers. It was suggested that the public be encouraged to attend this meeting to be involved in the event. Wheeldon stated that she would make the Transportation, Transit and Parking Committee aware of the meeting and invite them to attend and participate. It was noted that the University not being in session was actually a positive point, because they would not be overly inconvenienced by the lane closure on Siskiyou Boulevard. Discussion of Summer Crosswalk/Pedestrian Event Wheeldon noted that the decision was made previously to move away from using the “Safety Chicken” for this event. Wheeldon also discussed David Engwicht’s ideas for street reclamation and traffic calming and suggested building the event around those concepts. Ashland Bicycle & Pedestrian Commission Minutes June 15, 2000 Page 3 of 5 Powell stated that saturation patrols by the Police Department in the downtown area might raise driver awareness of the need to stop for pedestrians. Spear questioned why pedestrians could not just wait for a break in traffic to cross a street. Young disagreed. Sawyer suggested that it was a quality of life issue, and had to do with whether the automobile is given priority in our lives. Wheeldon suggested that increased awareness of pedestrian issues and crosswalk safety would encourage more people to consider walking. Morris asked that as part of the event, the local media be used to publicize pedestrian rights and responsibilities. Sawyer noted his concerns about pedestrian safety on Siskiyou, and stated that there was a need for greater enforcement here. Morris stated that she was somewhat dismayed by the view of enforcement she had encountered when attending last month’s meeting of the Traffic Safety Commission. It was noted that some difficulties in enforcement efforts have to do with the availability of funds for personnel. There was discussion of the scheduling of this event, and it was recommended that the event occur closer to the start of the school year. Taylor suggested that the event could be included in the Car Free Day event. Wheeldon concurred that this would be feasible, but emphasized the need to get pedestrian safety information into the paper. Staff was directed to determine if the city had prepared any pedestrian safety or crosswalk awareness materials in the past. If such materials have previously been prepared, Morris agreed to work on updating them for distribution to the media. Spear noted that there is a need for bells on bikes, or some sort of audible warning as cyclists approach pedestrians. This was discussed, noting that in the past, the need for an audible warning was enforced and there was even signage along Siskiyou to make cyclists aware of this requirement. It was suggested that the Commission consider giving away free bells as a promotional item in future events. Subcommittee Discussion of Projects Powell suggested that there was a need to consider reassigning commissioners to subcommittees given member attendance and the fact that Hilliard and Garry are leaving the commission. Young questioned the viability of the subcommittees given time, structure and attendance concerns. He suggested that there might be a way to better accomplish the goals of the Commission. Wheeldon stated that there is a need to revisit the goals that the Commission has adopted, and to look at a realistic pace for accomplishing them. Taylor suggested that this summer’s meetings be devoted to planning the Car Free Day event, and that the Commission’s goals be revisited in October. Report on June 1 Traffic Safety Commission/Sign-Up for Next Meeting st The June 1 Traffic Safety Commission (TSC) meeting was briefly summarized, and it was noted that the TSC had expressed their appreciation for the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commissioners’ attendance. It was noted that there had been discussions of Hillview Drive residents’ concerns with traffic on their street. Young also noted that the TSC was looking at right-of-way signs to make things clearer at the intersection of Siskiyou, Morse and Beach. Young also noted that the TSC discussed Oak Street, and that they recognize that it has been a learning experience. He pointed out that while they view the rubber speed bumps as a failure, they still approve of speed bumps in Ashland Bicycle & Pedestrian Commission Minutes June 15, 2000 Page 4 of 5 concept, and stated that they will try to look at future solutions in a more “global” perspective. Powell questioned why Oak Street is striped. Wheeldon noted that she had spoken to Assistant City Engineer Jim Olson on this subject. She stated that his explanation had to do with the fact that Oak Street was striped according to its street classification. th Morris, Young and Taylor indicated that they would all try to attend the July 27 TSC meeting and report back. Other Business Taylor raised the issue of the Forest Service’s Ashland Watershed Trails proposal. He explained that he had received a mailing outlining the draft alternatives, and noted that the Forest Service is still taking public comments. Taylor noted that District Ranger Linda Duffy is for the second alternative, and stated that this is also his preferred option. He questioned if it would be appropriate for the Commission to take a position on this matter and draft a letter in support of one of the alternatives. Under discussion, it was noted that the Forest Service had made a presentation to the Commission at a previous meeting and that the alternative selected will affect the recreational opportunities available to cyclists and pedestrians in and around Ashland. Taylor briefly explained the alternatives. He noted that #1 was for no action; that #2 proposed a system of trails, mostly existing, with some trail closures in the reservoir area and closure of some Forest Service roads. There was discussion of whether the roads to be closed were in areas where vehicular access was necessary. Wheeldon/Powell m/s to draft a letter to the Forest Service expressing the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission’s support for option #2. Discussion: Taylor agreed that he would draft this letter. Wheeldon noted that the proposed closures were an attempt to address concerns over erosion and to prevent incursions in to private lands. Wheeldon suggested that the Forest Service’s previous presentation to the Commission put them in the loop to make this recommendation. Voice vote: All AYES. Motion passed. Agenda Items for Next Meeting Items identified for the next meeting’s agenda were: Car Free Day, developing a monthly presence in the local media through member-written articles, the election of officers, and a discussion of member attendance. Wheeldon also noted that she would report back on the progress of the Transportation, Transit and Parking Committee meetings. ADJOURNMENT: 6:26 p.m. Taylor/Powell m/s to adjourn the meeting. Voice vote: All AYES. Motion passed. th Next Meeting: Thursday, July 20 at 5:00 p.m. Ashland Bicycle & Pedestrian Commission Minutes June 15, 2000 Page 5 of 5