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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-02-17 Bicycle & Pedestrian_MIN BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN COMMISSION Thursday, February 17, 2000 Meeting Minutes Members Present: Landon Hilliard, Tim Garry, Bruce Taylor, David Young, Beverly Morris, Jennifer Hadden, Councilor Carole Wheeldon and APD Liaison Kip Thomas were present. Staff present: Maria Harris and Derek Severson were present. I. CALL TO ORDER: Garry called the meeting to order at 5:08 p.m. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: January 20, 1999 Taylor/Hilliard m/s to approve the minutes for January 20, 1999 as presented. Voice vote: All AYES. Motion passed. Hilliard noted that the spelling for Jim Berkman’s name was incorrectly spelled “Burkman” in recent minutes, and asked that it be corrected. III. PUBLIC FORUM Renee Berkman noted that she had met with Kelsey Bower and suggested that a sculpture of Jim Berkman riding a bike of his own design. Noted that she had a frame that Kelsey and Jim Berkman built together, which she would be willing to donate to a raffle to raise money to pay an artist to construct the sculpture. Emphasized that she has a bingo manager’s license and could oversee as manager of a raffle if it was under the umbrella of a non-profit like the Ashland Community Bike Program. Explained that she felt that the commission’s offer of money for a plaque was more than generous, and she was happy to contribute in this way for tribute to Jim. Wheeldon suggested that the Ashland Free Ride Day event might be a way to sell raffle tickets. Garry suggested looking for welders in the high school welding class. It was noted that this project might work as a senior project. Commission discussed the design process that would be used, and noted that both Berkman and Bower would be contacted and consulted as part of this process. Requested that Renee Berkman provide a picture of Jime Berkman riding a bike to help in designing this piece. Wheeldon noted that the City Council had recently approved $1000 for building the Berkman Bikes discussed at the last meeting. Garry noted that the Community Bike Program has hired someone to build the bikes for them with this money. IV. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION 1. Update on Central Ashland Bikeway Extension Harris noted that there was no updated information available at this time. Wheeldon noted it was addressed in the Capital Improvement Plan which was on the last council agenda, but stated that it was not discussed at the last council meeting due to time constraints. 2. Subcommittee Discussion of Projects Garry noted that with Powell and Rickert absent, Hadden might want to join one of the other subcommittees tonight. Adjourned to subcommittees at 5:22 p.m. 3. Commission Discussion of Subcommittees Reconvened at 5:52; Harris distributed the maps requested at last meeting. Ashland Bicycle & Pedestrian Commission Minutes February 17, 2000 Page 1 of 3 Wheeldon discussed how this subcommittee will be mapping routes within a quarter mile radius around city schools. Explained that they will walk four blocks in each direction from schools to see routes and determine priorities. From here, they will consider what would be the most logical connections, and then try to design routes proposed to make these connections. Emphasized that more designated routes will mean that more people might be willing to walk. Hadden noted that the “human school bus” concept had been discussed briefly. Young noted that he thought this was an excellent idea for this community and stated that it would address many parents’ concerns. Young suggested trying to implement this at one school to begin with, and stated that he would consider leading this effort. Hilliard emphasized that the perception of unsafe routes is the number one barrier to cycling and walking. Young explained the human school bus concept, noting that an adult would lead children to school, using regular routes and following a schedule. Group agreed that this would provide a good model for children, and would be taking advantage of the opportunity to educate children about the benefits of walking and cycling. Garry noted that his subcommittee is making progress on the media campaign, and that they have some interviews done and others lined up. Stated that they will be submitting these to the Tidings for publication soon. Explained that they had also discussed Ashland Free Ride Day, and that they would come to the next meeting with proposals to organize the event and ask for commission volunteers. Emphasized that they want a good effort without being over-ambitious or grandiose. Discussed revisiting the name of the event, noting that any change would require a new banner at a high cost. Hilliard explained that the event is about using any form of transportation except the automobile, and noted than bus rides were free, and other means were free of pollution – hence the name Free Ride Day. Young suggested “One Less Car Day”, and noted there were still “One Less Car” stickers left . Morris suggested Shanksmere, an expression meaning to get there by one’s own power. Further explained that she was unsure of the expression’s origins or spelling. Wheeldon agreed with the “One Less Car” theme. Taylor suggested “Car-Less Day”. Paris Edwards suggested “Leave Your Car at Home” Day. Hilliard suggested that there is a need to narrow the group’s overall efforts and get out message, and suggested trying to shake-up people’s thinking without too much effort. Young noted that there is a need to get information into the Tidings and all of the local school newsletters. Hilliard suggested that the focus of the event be to teach children as much as possible. Wheeldon noted issue of parents driving kids to school, and reminded the group of the Mayor’s plan to distribute pamphlets at local schools. th Hilliard noted that the event would need to occur on Thursday, May 18 to coincide with the free buses on RVTD. Young noted that the two primary candidates for an event name seem to be “One Less Car” or “Car Free.” Wheeldon noted she also liked “Try Another Way”. Harris noted that there has been poor weather during the event during the last two years, and questioned if free bus service was a deciding factor in scheduling this event. Harris suggested September for its better weather and to coincide with kids going back to school. Garry noted that Town Cruises could work into this as well. Hilliard noted that it was unlikely that RVTD would offer free service on another date, but agreed that we could approach them. Wheeldon noted that Oak Street speed humps will be replaced with metal-edged rubber, and will be made more gradual, by adding a six-foot table section. Further explained that one modified hump will be installed within the month. Ashland Bicycle & Pedestrian Commission Minutes February 17, 2000 Page 2 of 3 Garry reminded those present that the Traffic Safety Commission (TSC) meeting is one week from tonight at 7 p.m., asked that as many commissioners as possible attend. Harris noted that her memo to the TSC was included in the packet for this meeting, and suggested that she could send out a sign-up sheet for attendance of future TSC meetings in the next packet. Hilliard emphasized the need for a strong showing by Bicycle & Pedestrian Commissioners at the next TSC meeting. Agenda Items for Next Meeting No items were suggested. V. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:24 p.m. th Next Meeting: Thursday, March 16 at 5:00 p.m. Ashland Bicycle & Pedestrian Commission Minutes February 17, 2000 Page 3 of 3