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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-01-20 Bicycle & Pedestrian_MIN BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN COMMISSION Thursday, January 20, 2000 Meeting Minutes Members Present: Landon Hilliard, Tim Garry, Russ Rickert, Tom Powell, 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 5:07 p.m. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: December 16, 1999 In item IV(c) on page 2, Hilliard noted that Bauer should be spelled Bower. Hilliard/Garry m/s to approve the minutes for December 16, 1999 as amended. Voice vote: All AYES. Motion passed. III. PUBLIC FORUM Renee Burkman noted she was present to hear discussion of the tribute to Jim Burkman. IV. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION A. Subcommittee Discussion of Projects Adjourned to subcommittee for 15 minutes at 5:20 p.m. B. Commission Discussion of Subcommittees. Garry noted that the Encouragement, Promotion and Publicity subcommittee is continuing to work on interviews with people who show an exemplary commitment to cycling or walking. Explained that a couple interviews are underway, and they will bring 4-5 typed interviews back to next meeting. Noted that the subcommittee will bring a formal proposal to John Enders at the Tidings after the next meeting. Wheeldon noted that the Engineering and Planning subcommittee had primarily discussed Traffic Calming today. Suggested that there needs to be some sort of sign to make motorists aware of the four-way stop at Hersey and Oak, so that they understand what other motorists are going to do. Rickert noted that there needs to be an acceptance and incorporation of bikes in the city as a whole. Explained that there needs to be an integration of cyclists into the minds of motorists for the safety and acceptance of cyclists. Emphasized that motorists must be made aware of cyclists and pedestrians, and accept them as part of the road. Wheeldon noted that she had discussed an interface between the Traffic Safety Commission (TSC) with council liaison Don Laws. Discussed that the Oak Street traffic calming project was approved by the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission, but that perhaps there needs to be more consideration of cycling issues in looking at projects. Emphasized the need to work together with the TSC and the Engineering Department. Discussed the Oak Street traffic humps, with Wheeldon noting that in the spec sheet for these humps, there is a transition strip. Wheeldon stated that the vendors are looking at the humps in cooperation with Public Works to see what can be done to improve their performance. Discussed the approval process for this project, and the differences between what was approved by the commission and what was installed. Wheeldon noted that a lot of the changes had to do with input from neighborhood residents. Kelsey Bower noted that he approves of the traffic calming measures, and stated that they are a success from his point of view as a resident in the neighborhood. Garry noted that in his view, street standards are needed that would allow someone to pull a bike trailer in the bikelane. Stated that a six-foot lane was adequate. Hadden stated that the Education and Awareness subcommittee will contact the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) for informational literature and promotional items to use in the Share the Road campaign. Rickert noted that he has stickers and water bottles which he would make available. Hilliard noted that Mayor Cathy Shaw will be distributing pamphlets at the elementary and middle schools to educate parents about alternative means to get children to schools. Hilliard suggested that the commission could work to support this effort and possibly coordinate efforts. Harris noted she had information which she has given Young that dealt with this issue. Wheeldon questioned the school bus ridership numbers, noting that figures provided by the school district suggest that only 25% of students ride the bus – versus nearly 95% in other nearby communities. Hilliard noted that the commissioners might be willing to volunteer to help during this period. Emphasized that Shaw will be organizing this event, but stated that commissioner assistance for physically distributing pamphlets at the schools would be welcome. Rickert suggested that a basic bicycle education curriculum should be introduced in elementary schools. Emphasized that the school district should be the one to do this. Paris Edwards noted that this could be suggested as an exploratory class at the schools. Young suggested that it needed to be introduced at the elementary school level, and stated that something should be written for the parent newsletters at the various elementary schools. Rickert reiterated that BTA could provide information, but stated that he feels the school district should institute the curriculum rather than the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission. Harris also suggested looking at the idea of a “walking school bus” as suggested by David Engwicht in his “Beyond Traffic Calming” presentation. C. Tribute to Jim Burkman Wheeldon noted following up with Jim Hartman, who said the Ashland Community Bike Program could build 20 bikes for $1000, and they would keep better track with the lending so that it would be more of a library system. Also noted that Hartman felt one of Burkman’s original bikes might be available to use as a sculpture at the Grove Teen/Community Center where the program will be located. Renee Burkman expressed her happiness that this was being considered, and said that a permanent memorial would be wonderful. Kelsey Bower noted that he would look at Burkman’s bikes and see about one that would be appropriate as a sculpture. Stated he would bring something to the next meeting. Wheeldon stated she would go to the Budget Committee to see about getting money for a tribute to Burkman. She noted that it would likely be $1500 or so for the bikes and the sculpture with a plaque. Bower noted he wanted to be involved in the process of preparing the tribute; Wheeldon stated that she would work with him. Young noted there was also a need to go through Jim Hartman to see about building the bikes. Discussed the wording for a motion to formally request $1000 through the budget process for the construction of twenty Burkman Bikes and additional funds for a sculpture and plaque. Young suggested that the sculpture and plaque be paid for from commission funds, not to exceed $500. Noted that the Commission would work with the Grove Teen Center to negotiate placement of the sculpture in a prominent, visible location near the Central Ashland Bikepath (CAB). Garry/Young m/s to formally request $1000 to build twenty “Burkman Bikes”, and to commit to providing funds not to exceed $500 from the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission budget for a sculpture and plaque in tribute to the late Jim Burkman. All AYES. Motion passed. D. Tribute to Ken Hagen Wheeldon noted that $125,000 had been budgeted to acquire right of way for a CAB extension to Jackson Road, which was Ken Hagen’s idea. Public Works will be leading this effort, and it is included in the Capital Improvement Plan. Wheeldon stated she believed it was planned for this year, and she will keep the commission informed of any progress that is made. Also noted that there will be another memorial placed along a stretch of the CAB in Hagen’s memory. Wheeldon noted that the area on Crowson Road was also a possibility, and that a state grant had been sought to develop this area. A CAB extension might also be included there as a tribute to Hagen. Rickert suggested that there is an immediate need for a plaque to commemorate Hagen’s contribution to the cycling community. Wheeldon stated that a plaque could be dedicated at th 6 Street when the CAB extension is completed there. Hilliard noted that there is also a memorial that the Greenway Foundation has put together for Hagen Memorial Walkway, and noted that there is a fund for the Siskiyou Memorial CAB extension at a local bank. Hilliard also suggested that if a transportation hub is ever developed in the Railroad District, as Ken Hagen had hoped, it be dedicated to Hagen’s memory. Rickert agreed, and suggested that there is a need to work harder to keep this dream alive and carry on Hagen’s vision, with Hagen’s intensity and focus. th Wheeldon stated that she will check into the progress of the extension of the CAB to 6 Street with Public Works, and pursue the placement of a plaque. Hilliard questioned the status of the Siskiyou Boulevard redesign project. Wheeldon noted that the city currently has $1 million, and explained that the jurisdictional exchange is still being discussed. She noted that they will be forming a committee, but pointed out that membership will be a commitment of up to four years. Suggested that there is a need for heavy representation of bicycle and pedestrian concerns. Emphasized that this project is on the front burner, and is part of the Capital Improvement Plan for this year. Hilliard indicated that he would like to be on this committee. E. A St. & Bikepath Intersection/Traffic Safety Commission th Wheeldon suggested a sign-up sheet for the coming year (TSC meetings are the 4 Thursday each month) so that there can be a rotation of Bicycle and Pedestrian Commissioners to attend the meetings and report back. Garry noted that an en masse appearance might be appropriate for the first meeting. Harris noted that the next meeting is th February 24; also noted that Jim Olson, Assistant City Engineer and staff liaison to the TSC, would prefer a Bike Commissioner appear and state the commission’s preference on th the A Street/8 Street crossing. Rickert noted he would like to attend, with another member as back-up. Wheeldon suggested reserving a spot on the agenda. Hilliard noted he would attend, and that he would like Young to be there as well; Garry and Young stated they would try to attend as well. th Young noted that there is no visible action yet at the intersection of 8 and A Street, but that th by the street markings, they appear to be mapping the extension of the path to 6Street. Wheeldon noted that it also appears that someone, possibly a neighbor, has painted the centerline to make it more visible. th Harris suggested that in the minds of the TSC, the 8 and A Street crossing is resolved, and bringing it up again on their agenda will open it for further discussion. Hilliard clarified that TSC mistakenly perceives that the Bicycle Commission wanted the CAB crossing at this intersection closed, and stated that this misperception needs to be corrected at the next meeting of the TSC. F. Agenda Items for Next Meeting Young questioned if members can do anything to support the CAB right of way acquisition to Jackson Road. Wheeldon stated that she will look into this, and see if it is in the works for this year. She suggested that a memo of encouragement might be appropriate. Discussed how right of way is acquired and how this might proceed. Wheeldon suggested placing this on the agenda for next month, and asked for a map of the area so that commissioners can orient themselves. Discussed whether there was staff time to prepare a map; commissioners noted that they just need a clean city map, with streets indicated, to look at the possible routes for the CAB. Harris stated that she would also get an update so the commissioners would know where to proceed from here. Harris stated that she will bring a Transportation Systems Plan map or print an area map, but noted that including property divisions would be difficult. Morris suggested that just a simple, 8 ½ x 11 map for every member would be helpful. V. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:37 p.m. th Next Meeting: Thursday, February 17 at 5:00 p.m.