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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-03-21 Bicycle & Pedestrian_MIN Bicycle & Pedestrian Commission st Thursday, March 21, 2002 Meeting Minutes Roll Call Commissioners Spear, Nutter, Rogers, Green, and Chapman were present. Bretko, Burke and Hartzell arrived late. Call to Order Green called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. Approval of Minutes Rogers noted the following amendments to page 1 of the minutes: 1) in the second sentence of the last paragraph on “Sub-Critical Mass,” the sentence should begin, “Rogers Hartzell suggested that someone…”; 2) the first sentence on “School Project Car Free Day,” should begin, ““Rogers Hartzell noted that this event…”; the last sentence on the page should begin, ““Rogers Hartzell suggested looking into getting a…” st Rogers/Chapman m/s to approve the minutes of February 21, 2002 as amended. All AYES. Motion passed Public Forum Matthew Barnes noted that a $2500 grant from ODOT had been made to RVTD and Carol Lee Rogers for teaching bike safety in four schools. Rogers noted that she had spoken to Eagle Point, Gold Hill and Central Point about a program focusing on fitness, alternative transportation and safety. It was noted that these classes would be separate from the BTA program. Barnes also noted that the Jackson County Transportation System Plan process was starting, and he added that the Bicycle System Plan was to be updated as part of that process. Barnes encouraged commissioners to become involved in this process, and he stated that he could provide contact information for those who were interested. TV Commercials Rogers explained that this item had to do with the BTA public service announcements discussed last month. Barnes pointed out that RVTD had been considering sponsoring these for local broadcast, but they felt that only two were really good enough to air. Barnes suggested that the commission could also check in with local television stations about having them run these spots for free during their public service announcements. Green agreed, and she stated that it might be possible to get some airtime during a news broadcast similar to the Adopt-A-Pet segments. Pace Car Chapman explained this idea has been tried with some success in Boise, Idaho, and he noted that it originated with traffic calming speaker David Engwicht. He explained that those wishing to participate in the program pledge to drive no more than the speed limit, and to watch for cyclists and pedestrians. They receive bumper stickers identifying them as “pace cars.” He noted that he had further information available for those who might be interested, and he clarified that the idea behind the program was that it would be city- supported. He concluded that the Engineering Division and the Traffic Safety Commission are looking into the possibility of implementing this type of program under city sponsorship in Ashland. There was general agreement on this idea in concept. Signage & Maps Harris stated that she would look into cost estimates for making and installing signs, and try to have numbers for the next meeting. She clarified that signs would be made by the Street Department, and she added that the issue of whose budget this would come out of would need to be looked at with Public Works. There was discussion of whether something needed to be worked up for next year’s budget at this meeting. Harris noted that she needed to discuss this with Public Works, and to see what has been prepared so far as part of the Community Development Budget. Nutter emphasized the need to include funding for signage in the commission’s budget in order to set a precedent for future funding through the commission. Hartzell suggested inclusion in the Public Works budget as a way of institutionalizing this sort of signage. Harris emphasized that cost estimates and a comprehensive package would be needed to make a budget request. She recommended ironing out these details rather than trying to come up with a quick estimate in this meeting. Harris emphasized the need to approach this cooperatively. Hartzell emphasized the need to get work done soon, and she suggested reserving money and ordering signs, and then working to get staff buy-in while the signs are on the way. Harris stated that she thought the signs should come under the Public Works budget, and she suggested that Public Works should initiate the process. Hartzell stated that there is a sense of urgency to get money set aside for the coming budget year, if it is not possible to get 2002-0321_Bike Min Page 1 of 1 contingency funds this year. Harris noted that some commissioner assistance might be needed to get the signs going with the Street Department if an accelerated timetable was desired. Green clarified that Harris could be given a month to see what can be accomplished at the staff level, or have a commissioner try to work with the Street Department. Chapman suggested waiting until the next meeting. Hartzell noted that this would mean that the matter was off the board for next year’s budget cycle. Rogers urged the commission to wisely use what it has already been given rather than asking for more at this stage. Bretko stated that she would like to support Harris if she were able to handle this by the next meeting. Green suggested asking for a $1000 placeholder in the Public Works budget while Harris is working on this item. Hartzell stated that it may already be too late for inclusion in the budget, but she suggested at least presenting the proposal in hopes that funds could be found in the contingency fund of this year’s budget. Harris confirmed that the commission could make a request for a placeholder in the budget, but she suggested that it should probably be at least $2000. There was general agreement to ask for a placeholder in the amount of $3000 from the Public Works budget while the commission works on a cost estimate for the signage. Harris stated that she would make this request. She also clarified that funds would need to th be spent by June 30 to fall under this year’s budget. It was noted that design work on the signs has not been done, but the placement locations have been identified. Burke stated that he would bring in photos of the type of sign he has in mind. Commissioners also requested that Barnes look into the cost of having RVTD prepare signage rather than using the Street Department. Bike Swap Malena Marvin of the Ashland Community Bike Program (ACBP) explained that the Ashland Schools Foundation (ASF) had contacted them when it decided to give up the Bike Swap, and she confirmed that the ACBP will be taking over the Bike Swap. Marvin added that the raffle normally generates $4,000-$6,000, but the ACBP is in need of some seed money to get underway. She explained that they have only met once to look at the event, and they have determined that it will be more of a bike fair, with a more collaborative approach, and she questioned how much the commission would want to be involved. She also asked if the commission would be willing to provide some funding assistance to cover their up-front costs for posters and promotion of the event. Harris clarified that the commission had $2700 remaining in the current budget, but she emphasized that the commission does not have the authority to appropriate funds for another entity. She confirmed that the commission could decide to co-sponsor the event, and to pay for posters as part of that co-sponsorship. th Marvin explained that the event was being planned for May 11, but she stated that they have not done much planning beyond an initial look at logistics. She added that they are requesting funds to produce promotional materials and develop advertising. She noted that they already have organizational materials prepared by ASF. Marvin went on to note that the event would be held in the Grove parking lot, and would include Bike-It exhibitions, information booths to include the ACBP, and the bike swap with raffle. Marvin explained that the idea behind using the Grove was that the parking lot is available for free whereas the Armory comes at a substantial cost. There was general agreement with the event in concept, with Baxter noting that it is a great way to get people riding. Baxter added that it serves a great purpose for the community, even if it is not as a fundraiser, and he stated that he would like to help facilitate the event. Barnes noted that RVTD might be able to help produce posters, and he confirmed that RVTD would like to have a booth at the event. Barnes also cited his personal experience with developing a similar event in Colorado, and he offered to speak with Marvin. Green clarified that Marvin was requesting monetary support and/or co-sponsorship of the event. Spear pointed out that the commission had a booth at last year’s event and offered to sit at a booth this year. Chapman suggested that the commission could make some of the helmets normally sold by the Police Department available at the event. Bretko noted the struggle that the ACBP has faced without city support, and stated that this commission has been sitting on its money for a year. She urged the commission to co-sponsor the event and help in someway because it does have the funds. Hartzell stated that she is supportive, but she noted the amount of organization needed for this event and stated that if the commission were a co- 2002-0321_Bike Min Page 2 of 1 sponsor, members would need to determine how much work they would need to do to assist the two ACBP volunteers. Marvin explained that the event will be streamlined down to one day from the previous three, and she added that she intends to pay herself for organizing the event with five other volunteers. She emphasized that they intend to make this a less complex, less bureaucratic. Marvin stated that the check-in for the event will occur from 7:00 to 11:00, with the swap to occur from 12:00 to 4:00, and then pick-ups from 5:00 to 8:00. Green suggested addressing this in two parts: 1) the level of physical support and assistance to be required; and 2) whether the commission wishes to co-sponsor the event. For part 1, Bretko, Spear and Baxter noted their interest in helping in some way. Marvin stated that she is inclined to create the Ashland Community Bike Swap, and she assured the commission that she would use any assistance effectively and creatively. Harris emphasized the need to have firm cost estimates, and she suggested that the commission could state a maximum level they would be willing to pay toward the media campaign. Chapman suggested splitting the cost of posters with RVTD. Hartzell asked what other costs there were besides the posters, and she emphasized the fact that the commission would need to have real costs for the city to pay the invoices, and she stated that payment would not be made directly to the ACBP. Green/Baxter m/s to pay a maximum of $250 toward the cost of advertising, to be paid directly to vendor(s), to promote the Ashland Community Bike Swap. Voice vote: All AYES. Motion passed. Marvin added that the ACBP would be producing a newsletter for distribution at the fair in conjunction with the swap, and she questioned whether the commission could provide an additional $50 in support to assist in the newsletter production. Harris explained that the commission is not empowered as a granting authority under the city charter, and emphasized that requests of this nature raise some difficulty relative to the need for equity in considering funding requests. Commissioners were unwilling to entertain this request, but it was suggested that Marvin bring back further information to a future meeting. Officer Elections Nutter/Rogers m/s to nominate Chapman as committee chair. Voice vote: All AYES. Motion passed. Nutter/Spear m/s to nominate Rogers as vice chair. Voice vote: All AYES. Motion passed. Chapman/Rogers m/s to nominate Spear as secretary. Voice vote: All AYES. Motion passed. Harris noted that she had received a number of applications to serve on the commission, and she stated that she would give these to the chair-elect. Sub-Critical Mass Baxter Baxter stated that there had been no subcommittee meeting held since the last update, and stated that he would set a date for a meeting as soon as possible. Street Smart Presentation Update Baxter Baxter stated that he felt his presentation went well and the event was well attended. He noted that the pedestrian safety issue was something everyone was more aware of, and he stated that the questions were good. He pointed out that there seems to be some degree of hostility from some people at the idea of pedestrians having rights compared to automobiles, but he recognized this as something that seems to be part of the car culture. He emphasized that the event was very educational, especially with regard to unmarked crosswalks, and he stated his feeling that the event was good for the parents and children who attended. He concluded that the event seemed to be very successful overall, and his feeling was that it will be continued in the future. Hartzell noted that a recent speaker at the city council was very concerned with bicyclists riding at night, without lights, and she suggested that the commission should consider giving away lights, or at least selling them at reduced rates the way the Police Department does with helmets. Baxter concurred that night riding without lights is a problem, and he suggested that enforcement needed to be a part of the solution. Rogers noted that the BTA bike safety classes are for young children, and she recognized the difficulty in changing already established behaviors in older kids and adults. Rogers agreed that more enforcement was needed. Spear suggested giving out reflectors at the Bike Swap. Green asked that this item be moved to next agenda for further discussing. 2002-0321_Bike Min Page 3 of 1 Tree Commission Proposal Brian Holly/324 Liberty Street, speaking as an Ashland Tree Commissioner, noted that he was a recreational, urban cyclist with an appreciation for the Central Ashland Bikepath. He suggested that there are orphaned trees along the bikepath that need work, and he noted that he had catalogued 12 staghorn sumacs, 3-4 deciduous trees and 4-5 conifers. He went on to explain that the city will be conducting some events in conjunction with Arbor Day, but he suggested that more efforts at education are needed. He stated that the Tree Commission wants to conduct a restoration project along the bikepath where it runs behind the city yard and offices in order to bring these trees to peoples attention. He added that there is the possibility of installing some sort of irrigation system. Holly went on to note that the Tree Commission hopes to start doing annual restoration projects, starting with this one, and he noted that they have the cooperation of the Public Works, Utility and Electric Departments. He pointed out that city staff are unavailable to assist in the project, but stated that the high school is looking at providing a work party as part of their community service requirement. Holly explained that the Tree Commission was seeking the endorsement of the Bicycle & Pedestrian Commission as this project is along the Central Ashland Bikepath. He concluded that they are trying to put together a 4-6 hour day in late April, on a weekday or weekend, to prune the trees and address some erosion issues. He noted that an immediate decision was not necessary, but he stated that they are hoping for an endorsement. Nutter/Rogers m/s to endorse the Tree Commission’s orphaned tree restoration project along the Central Ashland Bikepath. Discussion: Nutter stated that this was a great idea. Rogers noted her interest in helping. Holly suggested looking for other areas to address as well. Spear questioned the little bushes that seem to overgrow this stretch of the bikepath, and Holly responded that these are suckers off of the staghorn sumac. He added that if they were pruned, the energy they sap would be put back into the trees. Holly stated that the tree commission is hoping for the city to provide some irrigation, or the tree commission may simply purchase some soaker hoses from its budget. He emphasized that the hope is that city employees will come to appreciate and care for the trees. Voice vote: All AYES. Motion passed. Meeting with ODOT on Highway 99 Project th Harris noted that she had been in contact with ODOT, and they have tentatively agreed to a meeting on April 18 at 3:00 p.m. Harris emphasized that ODOT had asked her to pass on the fact that the contractor has already been hired and any changes at this point would require significant funds. She stated that ODOT has seemed very open and willing to sit down, but she reiterated that they want it known up front that they do not have the ability to change easily at this point. Harris clarified that any changes requested would be costly, but she indicated that simply re-striping the lanes a little differently might not be too difficult. Harris noted that this is an asphalt overlay project, and she stated that a meeting with ODOT would allow the commission to raise the issue of lane width. Harris stated that she would work further to set up a meeting date and time; members agreed that they could be flexible to the point of combining the ODOT meeting with the regular meeting or moving the meeting time to later in the evening. Harris suggested, and the members agreed, to leave the meeting time to ODOT’s schedule with as many commissioners to participate as possible. Siskiyou Boulevard/Highway 66 Redesign Update Chapman noted that the design work is sixty percent complete. He stated that there is little to report, but he noted that at least one business owner had expressed strong opposition to the proposed changes. Baxter added that any change would be an improvement, but he recognized the difficult design issues involved. Chapman introduced Steve MacLennan, the new traffic officer for the Ashland Police Department. The commissioners thanked MacLennan for the increased enforcement, and asked him how to maintain this momentum. MacLennan suggested that there are a number of new officers, and they are focused on educating the public. He stated that enforcement efforts would continue. MacLennan noted that commissioners were encouraged to consider participating in the ride-along program, and he added that he is working with the Daily Tidings to educate people about traffic laws. MacLennan noted the difficulty with enforcing cycling rules in the daytime, and he stated that it is especially difficult downtown due to congestion. He stated that this would change when police officers are back on bikes in the downtown. MacLennan went on to note that enforcement of lights and stoplights is much more common, and he stated that bike thefts are another common issue at night. He suggested that the night patrol balances the daytime focus on cars, and noted that cyclist stops are typically warnings rather than tickets. Agenda Items for Next Meeting Bike & Pedestrian Commission giveaway of lights and/or reflectors, bike safety and enforcement; signage and maps; budget; 2002-0321_Bike Min Page 4 of 1 discussion of A Street issues raised by Bretko; school project, and bike safety and railroad tracks discussion at Rogers’ suggestion. nd Harris noted that the city would be holding a volunteer recognition party at 4 p.m. on May 2. She also noted that the next Traffic th Safety Commission meeting would include a workshop on “Traffic Engineering for Non-Engineers” on April 25. Harris concluded that she had sent a letter of thanks from the commission to Chief Fleuter and the Ashland Police Department for their recent enforcement efforts. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:39 p.m. Next meeting th 4:30 p.m. on April 18, 2002 2002-0321_Bike Min Page 5 of 1