HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-09-20 Bicycle & Pedestrian_MIN
Bicycle & Pedestrian Commission
Thursday, September 20, 2001 Meeting Minutes
Members Present
Keri Green, Guy Nutter, Carol Lee Rogers, David Chapman were present. Alexis Rewcastle, Cate Hartzell and John Baxter
arrived late.
Staff Present
Maria Harris and Derek Severson were present.
Call to Order
Green called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m.
Approval of Minutes
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Commissioners Chapman/Nutter m/s to approve the minutes of August 30 as presented.
Public Forum
No speakers came forward.
Annual Car Free Day Event
Nutter noted that he had been contacted by the Rogue Valley Roasting Company, one of the Car Free Day coffee stops, and
he explained that they indicated that they were unwilling to provide tables or snacks although they would still provide coffee.
There was discussion of the fact that without key people, such as Bretko or Rewcastle, who were handling the logistics of the
event, it was difficult to work out these issues. Staff noted that the city was unable to provide tables on such a short notice, as
it would require trucks and crews to haul tables and they would need to be reserved in advance. There was discussion of
whether to try to come up with tables or assume that Bretko had worked this out with the other restaurants.
Rogers agreed to hand out refreshments at Rogue Valley Roasting Company; Nutter stated that he would be at Brothers;
Green indicated that she could go to Morning Glory and provide a table; Chapman stated that he would be at Greenleaf.
Green noted that Baxter would be available, and could cover at Evo’s.
It was noted that those who were at the coffee stops would be handing out coffee and having participants sign a sign-in sheet.
It was also explained that there would be signs for the Commission on display at each of the stops.
Rewcastle arrived, and agreed to cover at Morning Glory. Rewcastle also presented commissioners with sign-up sheets to
use in recruiting volunteers for the monthly events, and stated that the monthly event binders would be on hand at each coffee
stop table. Everyone was asked to bring tape and to take a supply of stickers and pamphlets for distribution. Matthew Barnes
brought t-shirts and other items to promote the event provided by RVTD.
Nutter and Chapman noted that they had agreed to staff a table at the afternoon fair in Triangle Park, but it was noted that
there was some uncertainty as to whether this fair would still be occurring.
Chapman noted that he was not happy with the planning for this event. Those present concurred that coordination and
communication were lacking.
School Project
Rogers noted that she had spoken to the Walker School PTO, and they have given the safe route/mapping project to two
classes at Walker.
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Green questioned whether the commissioners would be making maps for the schools, or if they were only making a template
and helping schools to embrace the project for themselves.
Rewcastle noted that Superintendent DiChiro supports this project, and has issued a mandate that the individual schools need
to support it.
Green suggested that a blank area map be provided to each school for them to fill in. Harris clarified that city staff is
preparing large, laminated color maps of each individual school area. Harris also stated that staff could provide a smaller,
11” x 17” map for copying and distribution to students that should retain its readability.
Hartzell suggested providing various maps at a meeting for neighborhoods to invite discussion. Green stated that she felt this
might detract from the intent to keep this at a “grass roots” level. Hartzell questioned if mapping was to be completed by a
specific date. Green clarified that she envisioned mapping as an organized project that each school would embrace to
generate a specific product. Hartzell questioned how this would allow for parental input in the project. Rewcastle responded
that schools could involve the parents through their PTOs or via surveys that would be sent home.
There was discussion of the time commitment and manpower available for this project. Green stated that she is not a front
line, primary contact person for schools, and noted that she would rather work in the background.
Chapman questioned the lack of focus that seems to be a problem with the project. There was discussion of how the project
has come about, historically, and other commissioners recognized the need to “re-strategize.” It was decided that the next
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subcommittee meeting for the monthly school events would be on Monday, October 1 at Rewcastle’s home, at 7:00 p.m. to
address “re-strategization” for those who really want to engage in this project.
Chapman suggested focusing on willing schools as a starting point, even if it meant including only one or two to begin with.
Rewcastle agreed, but explained that they did not want to leave out anyone who might be interested.
Chapman clarified that he has received conflicting direction about maps, and he does not want to do too much more before
having a clear idea of what is really needed. Chapman emphasized that he would like to help, but he noted that like Green, he
would rather not be a “front-liner” in a school.
Harris stated that she could have the large maps ready for the next meeting, but suggested that staff needed a clear direction
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from the commission. She suggested that this be clarified at the October 1 subcommittee meeting. Rewcastle suggested that
the commission commit to providing these maps as part of DiChiro’s mandate to the schools. Harris agreed to provide the
larger maps, but suggested holding off on the smaller versions until details are worked out and individual schools come on
line with the program. Harris confirmed that the large maps would show district boundaries for each school.
REPORTS - Valley View to Fourth Street Highway Preservation Project
Harris stated that she had confirmed that because this project is for repaving, it would not have bikelanes. She explained that
the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) does not feel that North Main Street meets their standards for lane width
or vehicle travel. She continued by noting that getting a bikelane installed would require that the city take over jurisdiction
for this stretch of North Main. She recognized that the narrow section from Ashland Mine Road to downtown would be
difficult.
Hartzell pointed out that there would be a bike path from Jackson Road to Laurel Street along the Greenway parallel to North
Main.
There was discussion of the difficulty in being responsible to the community when the city cannot control the design and
maintenance of its own streets. After discussion, it was suggested that it might be possible to lower the speed limit along
North Main if it qualified under the ODOT definition of a “commercial zone.” Harris stated that she would verify whether
this qualifies as a commercial district under state law.
Hartzell also stated that an alternative bike route should be looked at. Hartzell suggested a letter from the commission to the
council to bring these issues to the council’s attention. There was discussion of the difficulty in walking, much less biking,
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this portion of North Main Street.
Hartzell questioned whether a study could be commissioned to look into the feasibility of a jurisdictional exchange and to
consider potential options. Harris stated that she believed this would need to begin in the form of city council direction to
staff, and she clarified that it would not be possible to change the repaving project at this point.
Nutter agreed with the idea of a study to identify options for making this road more bicycle and pedestrian friendly. Harris
stated that she could work on some language for a letter to council if Nutter and Chapman wanted to help, and she suggested
that this could be included in next month’s packet.
Chapman expressed his frustration with regulations not being people-friendly and only considering traffic flow.
There was discussion of similar difficulties on Ashland Street. Harris read a letter she had drafted to ODOT in attempting to
get them to approve allowing “zebra-striped” crosswalks on state highways through Ashland. Those present expressed their
unanimous approval of the letter as presented and asked that the chair sign the letter for delivery to ODOT.
Vote for Your Favorite Pedestrian Slogan
Hartzell noted a need to gauge commissioner opinion relative to the potential slogans. Harris noted that the commission
could express a recommendation.
Rogers expressed concern that none of the options addressed bicycles. She also suggested that individual commissioners
should also submit their personal votes as well.
Chapman stated that he does not approve of any of the options, and he suggested that whatever is selected should not be too
cute or too threatening.
Nutter urged that bicycles be included in any slogan, and he emphasized the need for strict enforcement of traffic laws to
ensure bicycle and pedestrian safety.
Harris read each of the six potential slogans, and there was no commission consensus on a particular option. Green
suggested, and Harris concurred, that the commission could work toward consensus via e-mail and reach a recommendation
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by October 19.
Chapman noted that he perceives local drivers to be a bigger problem than visitors. Nutter reiterated, and Chapman agreed,
that enforcement is a more important issue than slogans or signs.
Harris clarified that the public process of citizens voting on slogans is in fact raising public awareness of this issue, and it is
serving a beneficial purpose in and of itself. Harris also stated that the fact that bicycles were not mentioned in the options
came out of the fact that this came out of a discussion of pedestrian safety in the downtown.
Hartzell suggested that the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission work with the Traffic Safety Commission on this matter in a
concerted effort.
Green questioned if the commission could reach a consensus on a slogan, or if it was something that the commissioners felt was worth the
time it might take. It was again suggested that this be considered via e-mail, and if the commission could get closer to a decision,
additional time could be set aside to reach a recommendation at the next meeting.
Baxter suggested, and those present agreed, that whatever slogan is chosen should include the mention of bicycles as well as
pedestrians. Harris stated that she would draft a letter.
Other Business
Green stated that she would speak with Bretko about the lack of communication and perceived failure to carry out the duties that she had
accepted for Car Free Day. Nutter suggested verifying what had been done. Green emphasized that even if she did what was promised
there still should have been some communication and better coordination of the event. It was agreed that the need for better
communications needs to be reinforced. Hartzell noted that she believed Bretko had a family emergency that required her to leave town.
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Harris noted that she believed both Matthew Barnes from RVTD and Malena Marvin from the Community Bike Program were going to take
on duties for this event, and she stated that she was unsure if they had fulfilled these commitments.
Rewcastle noted that she had done what she promised and e-mailed information to the commission, but apparently there was some
problem with this e-mail going through.
Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
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Next Regular Meeting Thursday, October 18, 2001
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