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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-10-16 Bicycle & Pedestrian_MIN Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission th October 16, 2003 Regular Meeting Minutes Roll Call Catron, Baxter, Chapman, Delgado, Knickerbocker, Hartzell and RVTD’s Dan Masi were present. Staff present included Derek Severson and Officer Tom Cook of the Ashland Police Department (APD). Call to Order Chapman called the meeting to order at 5:20 p.m. Approval of Minutes th The minutes of September 18, 2003 were approved as presented. Crosswalk Enforcement Cook noted that in three operations during the past month, there were roughly fifty violations. He pointed out that grant funding for st these enforcement operations ended October 1, and he explained that new grant monies might be available after the first of the year. He suggested that the department would likely apply for another grant if funds are available. Baxter asked whether it would be appropriate for the commission to draft a letter to the Police Chief to encourage him to seek grant money. Cook suggested waiting to see if funds will be available. Cook explained for Catron that a portion of monies generated from fines goes to the general fund. Catron questioned whether the council could be convinced to allocate general fund dollars in the next budget cycle. Cook confirmed that he believed that the money generated from fines would likely pay for the officers’ overtime. Cook suggested that a letter to this end might be the best way to initiate this discussion with the Police Chief and Council as part of the budget process. Chapman suggested that he would like to see monthly enforcement operations and not necessarily focused on pedestrian stings. Cook suggested checking on the status of department plans after grant money availability is announced. He also suggested that a letter stating why the commission perceives a problem and asking for an increase in focused enforcement might result in increased focus by Central Area Patrol (CAP) officers. Hartzell discussed the recent hit and run accident involving a cyclist on Tolman Creek Road and questioned how the commission could address the situation. She suggested that perhaps making the incident the focus of a newspaper article would increase interest and potentially encourage someone to report the driver responsible. Cook added that making a reward available might increase this likelihood. Baxter recounted the discussion, and he suggested a letter be drafted thanking the Police Department for the pedestrian enforcement efforts, expressing support for similar actions, and requesting that they be repeated in the upcoming year. Catron concurred with this suggestion, and noted that he supported anything that the commission could do to educate drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. Catron/Hartzell m/s to draft a letter to the Police Chief as discussed. Discussion: Baxter expressed his willingness to work with staff on drafting such a letter. Voice vote: All AYES. Motion passed. Chapman reiterated his hope for regular, periodic focused enforcement actions that could be publicized. He suggested for instance announcing a problem with speeding on a specific street and noting that several officers would be on hand to conduct an enforcement action to address the problem. Chapman clarified that this could be addressed as part of the letter agreed upon above with the suggestion to look at grant monies in the future with the hope for continuing, periodic focused enforcement efforts. He added that the commission could write letters to the Tidings/Tribune to announce and explain each upcoming action. Catron pointed out the possibility of using commission funds to place focused ads to address specific areas of concern, such as pedestrian rules and responsibilities. Hartzell responded that a plan was needed to affect this problem rather than just throwing money at an issue through ads. She added that having a plan would help to overcome citizen opposition to enforcement efforts. 2003-1016 Bike & Ped Min.doc Page 1 of 5 Members expressed general consensus that the letter discussed above include the suggestion of other focused enforcement actions in addition to pedestrian/crosswalk stings. Bike Lights Hartzell noted that she had sent a note to Interim Police Chief Walsh about lights and their distribution, requesting that officers keep lights on hand for distribution in the field as they see fit. Cook confirmed that the lights are for sale at APD and are in officers’ trunks for distribution as well. He added that officers seemed more supportive of light distribution than he had expected. Baxter noted the recent mention of lights for sale in the Medford paper, and he suggested that this also could be mentioned in the newspaper, the city website, and the utility billing insert/City Source. Cook added that the department had distributed 11 lights and sold 7 sets so far in October. Catron asked for confirmation that funds generated from light sales would come back to the commission for use in purchasing additional lights. Bike Safety Education/Safe Routes to School Members discussed the email included in their packets from Dale Rooklyn at the Ashland Middle School, and noted that this email may represent an opening to bring the programs into the school. Members also noted that someone had been teaching classes with a group of kids around town recently; it was suggested that this was either Carol Lee Rogers or Doug Staples. Hartzell suggested that someone might want to teach bike safety/safe routes as part of a senior project. She recommended a letter to the principal with a suggestion of this idea. Catron added that all students have to do some sort of community service in order to graduate. Hartzell added that along with the idea presented in the letter, the commission could offer free bike lights as an incentive to those students who help out. Baxter stated that he would contact Rooklyn via email. Hartzell stated that she would check in with the high school about senior projects and community service possibilities, and contact Baxter with the results of this contact. Baxter noted that he had attended a recent bicycle trade show in Las Vegas, and he added that there was an effort in the industry to fund and support advocacy in the form of programs such as the Safe Routes program. He pointed out that he now has a contact list to look to for potential support, and he added that this may be a way to involve local bike shops in the commission’s efforts. Chapman stated that he had met a certified teacher from the American Wheelmen who gives classes in adult ridership skills. He explained that these classes would include skills such as defensive riding. He offered to bring this person in to a future meeting for discussion. th Severson explained for Baxter that the Mayor’s office had contacted Reynolds and given her until October 17 to recommit to her service on the commission or someone else would be appointed. Members noted that Jack from Second Gear Cyclery was very interested in filling any opening that becomes available. Goal Setting Chapman suggested developing a list of items to be considered. Members first cited adult bicycle skills training as something they would like to pursue further. They noted the desire to conduct some sort of education relative to laws and best practices for pedestrians and cyclists. Pedestrian specific education and enforcement were also mentioned. Chapman suggested forming a neighborhood safety assessment committee that would survey neighborhoods and pull together neighbors for meetings, walks, and discussion to identify problems and work toward solutions. He emphasized that this would be a team focused on actively improving safety in Ashland’s neighborhoods. Catron emphasized the need to know and look-out for your neighbors as a key to neighborhood safety. Hartzell discussed her interest in discussing issues from the book “The Party’s Over” which addresses the imminent decline in global oil production and the resultant effects it will have on our lifestyles. Baxter suggested that there needed to be a decision reached one way or another in the ongoing discussion of whether to combine with the Traffic Safety Commission. Chapman noted that based on this ongoing discussion, he would like to see either a new commission (neighborhood safety) or an expanded focus for this commission. 2003-1016 Bike & Ped Min.doc Page 2 of 5 Delgado suggested that there was an issue of not achieving goals due to energy levels within the commission. She emphasized that members may have lots of ideas, but they have not been able to meet four goals over the past year or more. She suggested that lead to a cycle of not finishing things. She explained that she would like to see each member name a contribution they could commit to making. Baxter concurred. Chapman added that each item needs a champion to drive it to completion. Baxter emphasized that this was a larger issue that needed to be addressed. Hartzell agreed that members should make specific commitments for time and what they hope to accomplish. She noted that she could work on Safe Routes with neighborhood teams. Catron pointed out that there was an issue of follow through here in that members would need to modify routes as further school closures occur. Delgado stated that while she is not the champion for the school items, her interests were with children and families. She discussed her contacts and the systems she has developed, and suggested that there was a need to build systems around the items identified as goals. Catron stated that better bike lane striping was needed; members advised him to identify where the greatest needs were and contact the Public Works department. Rewcastle noted that she would like to support children and family items and work on the Bike Swap. She stated that she could continue regular writings in the Rogue Valley Parent, and contact with Juli DiChiro and school principals. She noted that while her schedule varies, she could commit to 2-3 hours per month in addition to meeting times. Catron stated that he would like to work to educate people about laws. He explained that he sees many violations by pedestrians and cyclists, and added that he would like to see programs or methods developed to help violators learn and obey the laws. Baxter suggested looking at the city website as a forum to educate people about non-motorized vehicle travel. Catron noted that the newspaper could also provide a valuable resource here. Catron stated that there was a need to figure out the best way to reach and educate people, and he suggested that he would like to emphasize the implications of violating the law. Delgado suggested gathering information for posting on the city website as a means of getting information to people. Knickerbocker noted his background, and stated that he thought he was used to traffic after living in Boston but bicycling in Ashland has opened his eyes to traffic safety concerns and lead to his service on this commission. He stated that he liked the idea of combining commissions, and added that he was interested in helping with, and learning more about, the Bike Swap. Chapman stated that his goal would be to have no speeders in Ashland and to have better statistics from the city. He also stated that more public transportation was needed. Baxter stated that his interests were the Bike Swap and a Bicycle Commuter Workshop. He explained that he had approached some shops, and he wanted to conduct two-to-three hour afternoon events for commuters and potential commuters to educate, instruct, and provide information on appropriate equipment. He stated that he would like to get this up and running in March. Delgado noted that Jack from Second Gear Cyclery had suggested the Swap could be a weekend event to include workshops on parent and child cycling, commuter education, and a kids' safety class. Masi stated that he sees this group’s role as one primarily dedicated to advocacy and education. He pointed to the Swap idea as an illustration of this role. He suggested that the neighborhood work suggested by Chapman, and the ongoing work on Safe Routes in the schools could greatly improve people’s awareness and get them out cycling. He added that as a representative of RVTD he hoped to help in whatever way he could, whether it is through getting road capacity posters printed or simply providing ideas. Audience member Brad stated that he could volunteer at the Swap. He also stated that he would like to get the League of American Bicyclists to recognize Ashland as a bicycle friendly community. Hartzell encouraged staff to provide their input as well. Severson responded that he concurred with Delgado’s assessment of the need to address the issues of energy level and commitment, and he agreed with her idea of turning the Bike Swap into a larger scale, full weekend event. He added that some previous efforts had been dependent on other entities and circumstances beyond the control of the commission, such as BTA funding and the whim of teachers and administrators at local schools. He suggested that the Bike Swap presented an opportunity for a narrower focus on an event fully within the control of the commission that could be a success to be built upon. 2003-1016 Bike & Ped Min.doc Page 3 of 5 Cook noted his agreement with the suggestions of Chapman and Catron and their hope for a focus on enforcement and education efforts. Hartzell noted that she would like to get the Road Capacity photos taken and posters made. She also stated that she would like to focus on work in the neighborhoods. Baxter suggested that members not forget the commission’s advisory role to the City Council. Catron suggested paring this list down to 2-4 items so that the list was one that could be completed. Baxter suggested taking the list, and thinking about it. He emphasized the need for members to consider what they can really commit time wise. He added that there seemed to be a sense of excitement development relative to the Bike Swap. Catron noted that members need to know the relevant rules and regulations if they want to help educate the public. Hartzell reiterated the need to discuss combining commissions. Baxter pointed out that the Swap might serve as a means to launch other activities. Delgado suggested getting the YMCA involved with the Swap, and also emphasized the need to take advantage of the resources of the community at large. Masi urged members to use RVTV community television as a means to present free information to the public. He suggested that he would be interested in helping to that end, and noted that the Swap could be filmed. Chapman noted that the charter requires that the commission be involved in regional and state issues, and he suggested that he would like to see the commission interface with the state and provide input on state laws. He noted that he had also contacted the BTA to update the legislative information on their website. Members questioned the status of the youth liaison, and requested that staff contact the current liaison and determine if he has any interest in continuing on the commission. Baxter requested that the minutes and the goals list be emailed to members as soon as possible. He noted that a new member should be appointed by the next meeting, and he expressed his hopes for better attendance. He urged members to commit to what they would be willing to put their energy toward. He suggested developing a means to evaluate progress toward the goals selected. Catron suggested that everyone determine how they would prioritize the goals list prior to the next meeting. Delgado pointed out that people needed to commit to their interests regardless of where others’ priorities might lie. Hartzell concurred and stated that one person might be able to handle one item even if it was not a priority to anyone else. Catron recommended that the new member appointed next time be given a little information as to the expectations of the commission. He emphasized that members need to better communicate the expectation of commitment. There was general consensus that the next agenda include a discussion to determine what would be considered a reasonable expectation for a monthly time commitment. New Business Chapman stated that those who were involved in the Swap needed to meet to discuss how to use the Swap funds. He emphasized that there had been a commitment to use them for bike safety. Severson clarified that this was not commission money and that the decision on how to use these funds did not need to be official commission business. Agenda Items for Next Meeting Goal setting; Discussion of member expectations; Youth Liaisons; Bike Lights funds; Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:55 P.M. Next Meeting th 5:15 p.m. on November 20, 2003 2003-1016 Bike & Ped Min.doc Page 4 of 5 GOALS Bicycle Skills Training (commuter workshop, defensive biking) Conduct Education in law & best practices (school papers/websites, ads, changing & existing laws) Neighborhood Safety Assessment & Planning Address questions about commission merging/restructuring Catalyze education – fuel production predictions Safe Routes Follow through and accomplishments (systems) Bike Swap – convert to weekend gala event (collaborative; road capacity poster) Improve monitoring (statistics/data collection) Public Transportation Secure designation for Ashland as ‘bicycle friendly community’ 2003-1016 Bike & Ped Min.doc Page 5 of 5