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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-12-19 Bicycle & Pedestrian_MIN Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission th, December 19 2002 Regular Meeting Minutes Roll Call Spear, Catron, Baxter, and Chapman were present. Nutter, Beaudoin, and Hartzell were late. Marvin and Reynolds were absent. Call to Order Chapman called the meeting to order at 5:06 p.m. Approval of Minutes st The minutes of November 21 were approved as presented. Public Forum There was no one present wishing to speak. 2003-2004 Budget Request Harris explained the five-year budget history she had provided. Catron stated that he would like the commission to pay for periodic ads in the Daily Tidings. There was discussion of the commission’s history with ads, and Spear noted that she had also written a letter to the editor. Hartzell noted that the commission had also been involved in the preparation of a pamphlet and a video. Hartzell added that it would be a good idea to contact Ann Seltzer, the city’s Telecommunications and Marketing Manager, relative to ads. Catron urged the commissioners to consider regular communications with the citizenry in the form of periodic ads. Cook pointed out that the city website was another important point of contact. Hartzell suggested that this be added as a future agenda item, as it would be a fairly involved issue. Harris confirmed for Hartzell that it would be preferable to prepare a budget request to attempt to reserve specific amounts for important programs. Harris explained the status of the directional signage, and clarified that the directional signs were a separate item from street signage. Nutter stated that for him, the items to be included in the budget would be signage, the Bike Safety and Safe Routes programs, and advertising. Baxter added that promoting the Bike Swap and purchasing more lights should also be considered. He suggested that those present prioritize the items identified for the next budget cycle. Nutter suggested that the combined safety programs were of foremost importance to him, followed by providing money to promote the Bike Swap and then preparing brochures. He added that enforcement would also be high on his list. Harris pointed out that the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) had stated that they were fine with continuing the Bike Education program at Briscoe School, not Bellview as stated in the packet. Harris added that the Planning Department has $1000 for bike safety education in its annual budget. She clarified that the Traffic Safety Commission (TSC) had pledged its support as a one-time donation at this point. Chapman pointed out that grant-writing and fundraising should be a sub-item of the Bike Education and Safe Routes programs. He also added that there probably would not be a need to purchase additional lights this year. Harris clarified for members that it would be best to provide an item by item breakdown for the budget proposal. Hartzell added that money would be very tight in the coming budget cycle. Catron asked for some additional focus on pedestrians, and he emphasized that seven times more pedestrians are killed than bicyclists. He urged the commission to focus on everyone rather than only on bikes. Hartzell questioned whether members wanted to include Car Free Day and a Critical Mass event. Nutter stated that he did not feel comfortable supporting what might be an adversarial event with city funds. Baxter added that a commuter education program might be a better place to focus commission efforts. 2002-1219_Bike Min.doc Page 1 of 4 Hartzell pointed out that one item that remained from the commission’s 1999 goals was a bicycle and walking map of the city. Baxter suggested that hiring a grant-writer would cost at least a couple thousand dollars. There was discussion of whether this would be a one-shot fee. Baxter suggested that it could indeed be a one-shot fee, and suggested that the best approach would be to prepare very specific parameters. He went on to note that while a grant-writer might be a one-shot deal, the role of fundraiser might be ongoing. He added that grants end, but he pointed out that safe routes and bike education should be easy to sell. He concluded that some sort of ongoing maintenance of funding relationships would be necessary. Beaudoin suggested, and others agreed, to budget $1000 for grant-writing/fundraising. Catron suggested $516.24 be budgeted for advertising in the Tidings, with that amount based on the city’s contract with the paper. Beaudoin suggested using websites as another outreach area. Hartzell questioned the future of the Bike Swap. Baxter stated that he felt it was more than the commission could take on. He commended Marvin for her work last year, but he added that he was not sure if the Ashland Community Bike Program (ACBP) would be picking up the swap this year. Chapman stated that he felt the Swap should continue. Beaudoin and Spear concurred. Hartzell suggested that it might be a good idea to shop around for sponsors. Baxter noted that the city had paid $500 for public relations to get the event going last year. (Marvin clarified at the January 2003 meeting that the commission had only provided about $150 to the event last year.) Harris noted that the “Where Do You Ride?” brochures would not be expensive to produce. Harris discussed the BTA program’s history, and added that the bikes stay at the Middle School as part of the original program agreement. (Carol Lee Rogers of the BTA noted at the January 2003 meeting that the bikes are kept at the Community Education barn on East Main Street.) Harris clarified that the Middle School was not interested in having future programs. She went on to note that the Safe Routes program would cost $4,000 for one year in one school. She reminded members that the cost of the Bike Safety program was $7,000 to cover 275 students, and added that with the $1,000 already proposed for a grant-writer/fundraiser, the commission was looking at a $12,000 request so far. Baxter questioned whether the commission wanted to fund a grant-writer. He suggested setting aside a specific amount and then deciding later whether it would go to a grant-writer or some other aspect of program support. He added that the commission did not even know if the BTA would support an arrangement where the commission funded a grant-writer/fundraiser. Catron/Nutter m/s to propose the following budget: $1500 Bike Education/Safe Routes Programs $ 500 Bike Swap $ 500 Advertising $1000 Signage $3500 Total Budget Proposal Discussion: Hartzell asked whether Bike Swap funds could later be used for Bike Education. Baxter noted that the Swap was a great program, but he emphasized that it raised little money for the time involved. Baxter suggested that the ACBP might take on the Swap. There was discussion of what was involved in conducting the Swap. Voice Vote: All AYES. Motion passed. North Main Street Speed Limit Reduction Request Harris stated that there was no additional information on this item. Speeding & Crosswalk Enforcement Harris noted that Officer Cook was present, and she added that he had provided informational handouts. Cook explained that there was no information on stops involving bicyclists without proper equipment, unless the cyclists were issued citations. He stated that police officers typically give warnings, which are not tracked. He discussed the difficulty in tracking 2002-1219_Bike Min.doc Page 2 of 4 warnings under the current system. Nutter questioned the cost of enhanced crosswalk enforcement efforts. Cook explained that it would involve four to six officers working eight hours of overtime, two to three days per month. Catron asked whether volunteers could be used to limit the amount of officer overtime involved. Cook explained that this would be difficult, as tickets must be issued based on direct observation by the officer issuing the ticket. He emphasized that civilian observations would require an officer to fill out a report, and the civilian would be required to make a court appearance after filing the complaint. Cook discussed operating procedures. Cook stated that a “crosswalk sting” would enhance the ability to use volunteers, but he emphasized that it would require training in the form of an eight-hour course for traffic officers. Catron suggested that the income generated from the stings could be used to cover the cost of officer overtime. Nutter stated that he was in favor of officers getting training and pursuing the idea of conducting stings in Ashland. Cook added that volunteers would not need to be trained, but that he and Officer McLennan would be trained. Cook agreed to bring additional information on this item to the next meeting. Cook noted that volunteers might also be useful in videotaping crosswalk violations. Nutter requested that Cook bring more information on training, sting operations, and the use of volunteers to video tape violations. Nutter emphasized that he would like to get these enhanced enforcement mechanisms in place as soon as possible. Light Distribution Harris explained that the lights were at the Police Department, and that an account had been created to hold the money generated from light sales. She added that some lights were being kept in patrol vehicles for distribution at officer discretion. Bike Commuting Instruction Moved to future agenda. Signage & Maps Discussed under “2003-2004 Budget Request.” Bike Education Program Harris noted that her letter had been copied to members, as well as the BTA response. She clarified that the TSC match of $1250 would be to support the program at Helman, Lincoln and Briscoe schools. Chapman stated that he would ask Reynolds to contact the PTA. Baxter asked that Ann Seltzer prepare a press release making the public aware of the resumption of the program in the spring due to funds from the commission, the TSC and ODOT. Nutter suggested that a press release also be prepared to note that the commission was looking for a grant-writer. He added that a similar request be sent to Frank D’Entremont, the CSV Volunteer Coordinator. There was discussion of Catron’s desire to bring Ashland Municipal Court Judge Drescher to a future meeting to discuss pedestrian violation enforcement. Catron clarified that city ordinances prohibit jaywalking and bikes on sidewalks in the downtown. Hartzell emphasized the need to look at an approach to effect a change in behavior. Nutter expressed concern that cars have the potential to do a great deal more damage and as such should be the focus of enforcement efforts. Harris added that a focus on pedestrian violations might be counter to the commission’s stated mission. Harris suggested addressing pedestrian safety in a proactive manner under the Safe Routes program. Harris also emphasized the need to improve pedestrian amenities to encourage safer behavior. She urged members to focus on multi-modal equity as a means to bring pedestrians onto a safer footing. Hartzell expressed concern with the limited resources available for enforcement, and expressed concern that focusing enforcement efforts on pedestrians would not be getting the most “bang for the buck.” Catron stated that he would postpone this item and contact Drescher about an appearance at a later date. Safe Routes to School Proposal Harris stated that Scott Bricker of BTA would be attending the next meeting to discuss the fundraising issue. Baxter asked that he provide an update of Safe Routes program progress in other municipalities as well as the status of the OCF grant, and BTA’s fundraising plans. Baxter added that members feel that BTA is the way to go in getting this program under way, but he would like to see how the program can be made to be sustainable. He questioned who would be staffing the program in Ashland. Hartzell added that she would like to know how other locales are funding their programs. Harris explained that Bend, Eugene, and Portland seem to be community-sustained. 2002-1219_Bike Min.doc Page 3 of 4 Beaudoin added that he felt the program would be more efficient and focused if it were conducted at the Middle School for the long- term. New Business Chapman asked that the city purchase “Innovative Bicycle Treatments”, an informational report from the ITE Pedestrian and Bicycle Council discussed in the packet materials. Harris stated that she would order this item. Chapman suggested that a Transportation Commission be considered. He explained that this would combine Traffic Safety and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission. He asked whether there was interest in this idea, and noted that it had been discussed in the past. Hartzell stated that she would like to see the item included on a future agenda, with the previous minutes addressing the discussions that had already occurred. Chapman clarified that the high turn-over rate was one justification for considering a consolidated commission. Both Chapman and Spear noted that their terms of office ended in April, and they stated that they would not be renewing their commitments. It was noted that Marvin’s status was in question and that she might be leaving as well. Agenda Items for Next Meeting Baxter noted that he is interested in the commuter workshop idea, and would consider being involved. He asked that this item be included on the next agenda. It was agreed that the BTA discussion would get the largest block of time for the next agenda, with ten minutes for Officer Cook’s presentation and other items limited to five minutes each. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:00 P.M. Next Meeting th 5:00 p.m. on January 16, 2003 2002-1219_Bike Min.doc Page 4 of 4