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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-08-15 Bicycle & Pedestrian_MIN Bicycle & Pedestrian Commission th August 15, 2002 Meeting Minutes Roll Call Spear, Baxter, Beaudoin and Chapman were present. Nutter and Hartzell were absent. Matthew Barnes from RVTD and City Councilor Kate Jackson were present. Call to Order Chapman called the meeting to order at 5:07 p.m. Public Forum Councilor Kate Jackson introduced herself, and explained that she was visiting all of the commissions. Space Needs for Ashland Community Bike Program Malena Marvin of the Ashland Community Bike Program (ACBP) explained the difficulty in finding a space for ACBP. She explained that ACBP needs to find a free space so that they will not have to write grants to cover rent. She stated that they would like to find a two car garage. Baxter asked if she knew what sort of square footage they required. Marvin stated that they were flexible and did not have a specific number in mind. Baxter suggested looking at the industrial spaces on Hersey Street. Marvin added that it would be nice to find something that would be accessible to kids. Review of Miscellaneous Concrete Projects Harris explained how the city deals with its miscellaneous concrete projects. The plans will be reviewed at the September meeting. Review of Traffic Safety Recommendations on North Main Street Barrier and East Main and First Street Crosswalk Closure Barnes suggested that the street be closed since it was motor vehicles that had caused the problem here. Harris explained that when Michael Ronkin, the ODOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Director, was in Ashland, he said this would be “punishing the pedestrian.” Baxter stated that he thought this closure would simply be moving the problem. There was discussion of the barrier on North Main Street, and Harris noted that Public Works Director Paula Brown had noted that there was discussion of the possibility of lowering the speed limit so that the barrier would not be necessary. Baxter/Beaudoin m/s that the Commission go on record in support of the curb & sidewalk portion of the TSC recommendations for North Main Street. Voice vote: All AYES. Motion passed. Baxter/Spear m/s to recommend that the crosswalk at East Main Street and First Street not be closed. Voice vote: All AYES. Motion passed. Marvin suggested that the Commission make a recommendation for a car-free downtown. ACTS Mini-Grant It was noted that a grant application would not be submitted. Commission Vacancies Chapman noted that the mayor would not be making any appointments until September, but he added that the applicant pool was excellent. Election of Vice-Chair Chapman nominated Spear. Spear stated that she already had a job, but after consideration she stated that she would accept the nomination. She noted that her term is up in April of 2003. Baxter stated that he would be willing to fill this role if Spear did not 2002-0815_Bike Min Page 1 of 2 want to. Chapman nominated Baxter, and after discussion it was agreed that Baxter would be the new vice chair. School Project Car Free Challenge Baxter emphasized the need to address this item, and he noted that he has gone on record in support of the project. He suggested waiting until the next meeting to see if the new members are willing to take on the project. Baxter suggested that he would like to see the project from a new perspective. Baxter noted that getting underway would require a firm plan and the staffing to go along with it. He added that this commission needs to fill the role of catalyst to get the program going. Signage & Maps Chapman noted that he had been thinking about developing a handout map showing walking routes as well as biking routes. He noted that he would also like to include access to hiking trails. Spear questioned how a walking map would differ from a biking map. She also pointed out that getting to the trails is different than walking around town. New Business Baxter noticed that ODOT was re-striping bike lanes on Ashland Street, and he stated that he believed these were supposed to be widened to 6 feet. He suggested that it was wasteful to do this now if further work will be taking place in the fall. Beudoin volunteered to make a presentation to the high school driver’s education group. th Barnes noted that RVTD would be observing Car Free Day on the last Friday in September (the 27). Agenda Items for Next Meeting It was agreed that light distribution would be addressed at the next meeting. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:40 p.m. Next Meeting: th 5:00 p.m. on September 19, 2002 2002-0815_Bike Min Page 2 of 2