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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-05-17 Bicycle & Pedestrian_MIN BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN COMMISSION Thursday, May 17, 2001 Meeting Minutes MEMBERS PRESENT Tom Powell, Joan Spear, Carol Lee Rogers, Keri Green, Guy Nutter, Alexis Rewcastle, Cate Hartzell and Beverly Morris were present. STAFF PRESENT Associate Planner Maria Harris and Clerk Derek Severson were present. CALL TO ORDER Green called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m. MINUTES Rewcastle noted that the first sentence in the first paragraph under “Car Free Day/Walk Your Child to School Day Update” should indicate that the School Superintendent is in support of the event, and will try to promote the event. th The minutes of April 19, 2001 were approved with this amendment. PUBLIC FORUM No speakers came forward. Guy Nutter introduced himself as the newest member to the commission. Rewcastle requested that an addition to the agenda dealing with CATS. Green requested that the agenda also be amended to include an update on the Bike Swap and Alternative Transportation Fair. BIKE PATH/GREENWAY LINKAGES, SIGNAGE AND SWEEPING Green provided background on this item and briefly recounted the discussion from the last meeting. Rogers agreed that more signage is needed on bike routes. Powell suggested identifying where signage is needed and passing on a recommendation to the city council. Harris confirmed that this would need to be done in cooperation with both the Engineering and Street Departments. She also noted that signage along the Bear Creek Greenway falls under Jackson County’s jurisdiction. Spear questioned whether Jason Burke, who brought this issue up at the last meeting, had wanted to have signage on Siskiyou Boulevard directing people to the Greenway. Green noted that there is a need to link the Central Ashland Bikeway (CAB) to other safe routes in town as well as a need to somehow designate bike routes around town. Harris pointed out that from the city’s point of view, bike routes are a thing of the past as bikes are permitted and welcome on any city street. She explained that while larger streets may have specific bike lanes identified, there has been a shift in municipal planning which began about seven years ago to plan for and allow bikes wherever vehicles travel. Harris suggested that the commissioners consider looking at things from this perspective. Rewcastle suggested creating a map of logical places for cycling. Rewcastle noted that the county has created a new bike routes map. Powell suggested that signage was needed between the Greenway and the connection to the CAB on A Street. Harris questioned what the commission would be trying to achieve with signage. Morris suggested that a laminated map could be placed on the CAB to give users an idea of how to make the connection to the Greenway. Powell 2001-0517_Bike Min Page 1 of 6 suggested that something similar could also be placed on the Greenway at the Dog Park. Morris suggested that the th placement on the CAB be near 8 and A Streets. Green also suggested that visually identifying some routes would make drivers more aware of cyclists, but she questioned how this could be done without laying out lanes or routes. Nutter suggested that creating some designated routes for pleasure cycling would encourage people to cycle and to explore their community. He agreed that maps and signage would be good ways to encourage cycling. Rewcastle agreed that not having specified routes makes sense, but she suggested that the commission at least work to identify, and place signage for, safe routes for children. Harris stated that directional signs would be most suited to the City’s Transportation Plan, whereas signing specific routes would detract from the city’s intention to provide for cycles everywhere. Harris suggested that identifying routes would work well on a map, while directional signage would be best from the point of view of the city and state. Harris clarified that laminated maps on the bikeway with signs giving directions such as “Downtown take Helman’ at departure/connection points would work best. Hartzell cited the interpretive displays on Calle Guanajuato as a familiar example, and suggested that the laminated maps placed on the bikeway could be similar to this, and could be used to identify the safest or quickest routes. She suggested that these laminated maps be placed near all of the major “on-ramps” to the bikeway. There was discussion of placing these maps on the CAB near Tolman Creek Road, the Cemetery, Mountain Avenue, Walker Street, Normal Street, and East Main Street. Hartzell questioned whether cost was an issue. Nutter suggested providing paper maps at tourist sites and rental places, and he suggested using plastic maps similar to election signs. Rogers suggested that “Dogs only allowed on leashes” signs would also be appropriate. Green confirmed that all present agreed on placing mounted directional metal signs at strategic locations along the Central Ashland Bikeway. Nutter questioned whether a city bike map exists. It was noted that there is a county bike route map, but that there is not an Ashland-specific map. Rogers stated that bike shops should have these maps already. Rewcastle questioned when a map could be prepared if the group decides it is needed. Nutter stated that he would make copies of the county map. Hartzell suggested checking into the potential placement of signs. Nutter suggested identifying specific locations for placement first. Commissioners questioned whether signs would be funded by the City or through the commission’s budget. Rewcastle questioned if the Traffic Safety Commission (TSC) should be involved in this item. Green stated that she would pass along the details of this discussion to Thomas Heumann of the TSC. Green suggested that they might discuss these topics at the upcoming TSC retreat. Hartzell asked whether members were willing to take the lead on initial work on this item. Nutter agreed to look into getting maps copied, and Powell agreed to call about signs. Rewcastle stated that she would look into placement of signs. Spear provided Greenway maps she had on hand from the bike swap, and noted that Nutter could contact Harris for the small bike route map that the city put together for last year’s Car Free Day event. Green asked about sending minutes and agendas to the Bear Creek Greenway Foundation, the County Advisory Committee, and Siskiyou Velo. 2001-0517_Bike Min Page 2 of 6 Rogers noted that Siskiyou Velo is working with the Greenway and will be going through by hand and doing volunteer trash pickups. Powell noted that the Commission had looked into the purchase of a pedal-powered sweeper for the Greenway and stated that it was found to be too expensive to be feasible. ANNUAL CAR FREE DAY EVENT Green questioned if anyone present had any memory of last year’s event. Morris noted that there had been a trolley, a transit fair, a bike tour, a “Bike-it” demonstration with Dave Nori, a walking tour, and several aid stations in the morning with restaurants - Evo’s, Rogue Valley Roasting Company, Brothers and Morning Glory - providing snacks and beverages to those who were car-free. She stated that the morning portion of the event seemed to be the biggest success. It was noted that there were exhibits in Triangle Park in the afternoon, but that exhibitors were not allowed to sell anything as it was park property. It was also noted that there were some cycling exhibitions, helmet fittings, and there was signage announcing the event. Hartzell noted that she had met with Director of Community Development John McLaughlin to discuss the signage issue, and stated that allowing signage for the Car Free/Walk Your Child to School Events would require that the Commission submit a conditional use permit application. It was explained that this would be a planning approval requiring a plan of how signs would be placed over a two-year period. It was emphasized that even with a conditional use permit, signs could not be placed in the right-of-way and would need to be situated on school property or on private property. Hartzell noted that if the commission wanted to seek a permit, the application needs to be prepared. Harris noted that it would be roughly two months from the time of application until approval, and suggested allowing two to three months to get the application organized given the fact that meetings are monthly. Hartzell stated that she would be willing to help, but stated that the commission would need to determine sign locations prior to making application. Harris confirmed that there would need to be an applicant in the form of a member of the commission to lead the application through the process and appear before the Planning Commission to present the application. Green stated that she could take the lead on the application. Harris noted that the application would need to include samples of the signs, a plan, and a list of locations for the placement. She also noted that if signs were made 1 foot by 2 foot they would be exempt from this process. She stated that smaller signs could be done, supplemented by a banner across East Main Street without a permit, or the commission could seek a conditional use permit if members prefer bigger signs. There was a discussion of whether a proliferation of 1x2 signs would fall under the exemption from the sign ordinance, given the nature of the event. Rewcastle noted that the events were designed to be handled and promoted by the schools eventually. Green stated st that the upcoming September 21 event would still be in the commission’s hands. Harris stated that she will check on the possibility of signage with a significant number of 1 x 2 signs. Green stated that she would check in with Harris on this, and agreed that she would lead a conditional use permit through the process if it came to that. Spear agreed to help with sign design. Spear and Morris both clarified that st the conditional use permit process could not be completed in time to promote the September 21 event. Morris stated that she would like to discuss members’ visions of the upcoming event. Harris noted role-players from last year had prepared reports of their duties, and she could make these available to those filling the same roles this year. Green suggested that the bulk of next month’s meeting be dedicated to the Car Free Day Event to be held in September. Rewcastle suggested that the commission look carefully at the length of the afternoon event. Rogers questioned whether the trolley would be done again this year, and it was agreed that Matthew Barnes of RVTD would be contacted on this issue. Harris stated that she would include the details of last year’s event in next month’s packets. Morris questioned whether Benjamin and Susanne Sawyer, community members who helped organize the raffle 2001-0517_Bike Min Page 3 of 6 conducted last year, would be willing to help again this year. CAR FREE DAY/WALK YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL DAY – UPDATE Green noted that the monthly events are being called Car Free Day as well as the yearly Car Free Day. st Rewcastle pointed out that there will be a community meeting on May 31 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Lincoln School to share the community’s vision of this event and to gather ideas by school and neighborhood. Rewcastle noted that this meeting would be publicized in the paper, and stated that schools would put announcements in their newsletters where possible. Rewcastle noted that Bellview School would not be participating as there are safety issues that the principal feels are an over-riding concern. Rewcastle noted that the Bellview principal likes the idea behind the events but he does not want to encourage students to walk or bike to school because of safety concerns. Hartzell suggested a letter to the school superintendent and city council to make both aware of these concerns. Rewcastle noted that both Shop-N-Kart and the Ashland Community Food Store have made donations of refreshments for the meeting, and a community member has agreed to provide childcare. Green noted that the subcommittee will be preparing resource manual binders in four categories to allow schools to approach the event as they see fit. Green passed around some sample information for review, and noted that she would like the group to comment and reach a decision. She stated that the subcommittee would have these packets st available at the May 31 meeting. Rewcastle stated that she would like to see citizen volunteers referred to the subcommittee to help build momentum for the event. WHERE WHEELED VEHICLES BELONG – UPDATE Spear noted that a meeting occurred on Wednesday with representatives of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission, Traffic Safety Commission, Ashland Police Department, and the City’s Communications and Marketing Manager Ann Seltzer to discuss issues relative to this topic. Spear explained that the result of the meeting was that the Police Department will prepare a pamphlet, similar to the one for skateboards, discussing wheeled vehicles. Spear also noted that the meeting had included a discussion of enforcement issues wherein it was noted that the police need a mandate from the community to encourage enforcement in a specific direction. She explained that there is a lack of clarity in the law about motorized vehicles. She stated that David Young had so far been unable to get a response from the lawyer he had contacted on this matter. Morris stated that this item is now in the hands of the Police Department, as they are looking into a pamphlet and working with the state to clarify some issues. She noted that the Police Department should be reporting back to the Commission at the next meeting, to be held in June. Nutter noted that he commends the Ashland Police Department for stopping speeding motorists, and stated that he feels that the police need positive reinforcement from the community. He suggested that the Police Department be encouraged to conduct further sting operations similar what has been done with crosswalk safety efforts in the downtown. BIKE EDUCATION UPDATE Rogers noted that she has finished one class, and stated that money has been received from the Ashland Community Hospital Foundation to fund bike safety classes for all sixth graders in Ashland. She stated that the recently completed class had gone by very quickly, but they did not have a chance to practice as much as she would have liked. She stated that more time would be spent with the upcoming classes. Green suggested tapping the resources of the Ashland Community Bike Program. Dustin, an audience member from the Community Bike Program, suggested that there are students at Southern Oregon University who would be able to get practicum credits for assisting with this program. Dustin also stated that the Community Bike Program has a 2001-0517_Bike Min Page 4 of 6 mobile tune-up apparatus that could be used to tune bikes used in the classes. BIKE SWAP & VEHICLE FAIR Spear noted that she had worked at the table at the Bike Swap, and had distributed pamphlets. She stated that the early part of the day was so crowded that only three people picked up pamphlets, but then the crown thinned and there was a lot of interest. She also pointed out that RVTD had provided the reflectors they promised, and these were distributed as well as pamphlets. Morris noted that there had been a lot of interest when she was at the table, including a potential new member. Rogers noted that the Schools Foundation is considering allowing the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) to take over the Bike Swap as a means to fund the bike safety classes she conducts. She stated that she would keep the commission informed of any news to this end. Powell noted that in his experience, these events are a huge undertaking. Hartzell stated that 150-200 people had attended the alternative vehicle fair, and suggested that work should be done to increase the visibility of the event. She indicated that it had worked well in conjunction with the Bike Swap, and noted that the newspaper ad placed by realtor Annette Pugh, and her willingness to let people try her hybrid car, had been very helpful. She also noted that a community member had brought in an older electric car, and there were a number of electric bikes as well. She concluded that there was a steady stream of visitors, that interest seemed to be well distributed over the generations, and that the press was on hand for the event. Nutter concurred with Hartzell’s assessment of the event, and stated that it was very fun. He suggested that this had begun to develop a level of interest within the community that could be built upon in years to come. CATS Rewcastle noted that Bob Taber, founder of CATS (Citizens for Alternative Transportation Solutions), has moved and handed off this group to Rewcastle and/or the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission. She briefly explained that this group tries to promote citizens committing to refrain from using their cars a specific number of days each week. She reiterated that this program is available to be taken over, and that she has all of Taber’s materials. Nutter suggested that the commission take over this event as it would fit in well with the commission’s purpose. Green stated that CATS could be promoted at Car Free events, and that the commission could build a mailing list and help to create mass for future event. Green asked that staff look into the possibility of receiving monetary donations to support the commission and to defray expenses. Harris stated that she did not believe that the commission could collect funds, but she agreed to check into this further. Nutter stated that he would follow up on this with Harris. Green confirmed that there was no opposition to the commission pursuing this further. Spear stated that there would need to be someone in charge. Rewcastle agreed to bring information to the next meeting, or to see that it was provided to staff for inclusion in the next packet. AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING Presentation from the Ashland Police Department on a “Where Wheeled Vehicles Belong” pamphlet; discussion and planning for the upcoming Car Free Day event; and further discussion of the commission taking over CATS. Both Rewcastle and Rogers indicated that they would be to be out of town for the next meeting. Harris noted that there might also be a new member appointed by the next meeting, as there have been at least four applicants for the vacancy. Hartzell noted that there has been discussion of the possibility of integrating the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission and the Traffic Safety Commission into one group. Green questioned whether there was time available to pursue this. Hartzell suggested that if there was sufficient interest, someone should take the lead in pursuing this further. 2001-0517_Bike Min Page 5 of 6 Green suggested that this is probably worth exploring, but stated that she has no position on the matter. Hartzell concurred, and noted that this matter would ultimately need to go before the city council. Green noted that she will speak to David Young, as he is in effect a member of the commission’s “advisory council.” Rogers and Rewcastle stated that they might be willing to assist on this item in the future. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. st NEXT MEETING: Thursday, June 21, 2001 2001-0517_Bike Min Page 6 of 6