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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-02-20 Bicycle & Pedestrian_MIN Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission th, February 20 2003 Regular Meeting Minutes Roll Call Spear, Nutter, Beaudoin, and Chapman were present. Hartzell was late. Reynolds, Catron and Baxter were absent. Chapman read Marvin’s letter of resignation from the commission, effective immediately. Spear noted that her term ends in April and she would not be continuing on the commission. Beaudoin noted that he would be absent in April and May. Chapman noted that his term was nearing its end, but he would be continuing on with the commission for now while the issue of combining with the Traffic Safety Commission was considered. Call to Order Chapman called the meeting to order at 5:03 p.m. Approval of Minutes It was noted that in the last paragraph of the first page, under “Public Forum” the second to the last sentence should begin, “Nutter responded that some members citizens oppose paving in principle….” th The minutes of January 16, 2003 were approved as amended. Public Forum None. Crosswalk Enforcement Ashland Police Department Officers Cook and MacLennan discussed crosswalk enforcement efforts. Cook noted that he had returned to patrol duty in December with MacLennan covering traffic. Cook stated that he would return to traffic duty in the spring. Cook noted that the Oregon Department of Transportation has provided the department with its training manual for targeted pedestrian st safety enforcement operations, and a class will be held on April 1. MacLennan noted that he was already accredited and had applied for grant funds to support upcoming operations. He emphasized that these operations might not begin immediately due to staffing levels. He added that using volunteers would be possible, but four paid officers were necessary along with at least two volunteers, with operations to be conducted seven times. Officers Cook and MacLennan presented a video from ODOT on targeted pedestrian safety enforcement operations. Cook noted that no statistics were available due to computer difficulties, but he stated that he would provide new statistics for the next meeting. Cook noted that this spring there would be two traffic officers, working in unison; he also noted that a motorcycle officer would be more effective in the downtown area. He emphasized that having two officers would allow a staggering of shifts to provide enforcement during both morning and evening rush hours. Cook discussed the details for conducting a pedestrian safety enforcement operation, and discussed the necessary role players including the decoy, spotter, recorder, videographer and two chase officers. He noted the necessary set-up for a 25 mph zone, and explained that adequate stopping distance was allowed for someone going 10 mph over the speed limit with a sub-normal reaction time. There was some discussion of whether a suitable location could be found in the downtown providing the necessary 161 foot sight distance. Cook stated that volunteers could serve as videographer and scribe as well as assisting in educational outreach efforts in the schools. MacLennan pointed out that the grant he applied for would fund monthly operations for the next seven months. He added that the st grant outcome would be known in March, and if the department receives the grant an operation was planned for March 21. 2003-0220_Bike Min.doc Page 1 of 3 Sidewalk Needs Inventory Harris noted that she was looking for feedback on the immediate projects, and she explained the priority of items on the list. Members discussed areas where they felt sidewalks were most needed: Spear: A Street (Grange to Fourth); Henry (Lincoln School to Mountain); and replacement for First Street (B to A). Chapman: Granite Street (adjacent to park, with soft path if possible); Wimer (above Scenic); Scenic (Piedmont to Logan); and he noted that Grandview sidewalk work listed would require major retaining work. Nutter: Noted there are vines on North Main near Bush (near the old Victorians) that force pedestrians into the roadway. Beaudoin: Hersey (to the skate park); Water (from bridge to recycle center to skate park) Bike Path Grant Application Chapman noted that the Ashland Woodlands/Trails group had met with Mike Peru of the Billings Ranch Golf Group to discuss potentials connections and trail completions that could come out of the Billing Ranch development proposal. Chapman explained that Jackson Road would be closing at its juncture with North Main, and he noted that Peru was in favor of the grant applicant and had sent a letter of support as well as offering to pay a portion of the cost himself. Chapman discussed Peru’s idea for a pedestrian path between the houses and the golf course, and he added that Peru had expressed some willingness to make the golf course open to pedestrians in the evenings unless vandalism becomes a problem. Combining Commissions Harris provided background relative to the memo from Jim Olson included in the packets. She noted that this issue was on the Traffic th Safety Commission (TSC) agenda for February 27, and that a joint session was proposed after that if the TSC seemed favorable to the idea. She explained that combining commissions was seen as a way to lessen the duplication of efforts by both the volunteer commissioners and their supporting staff. She recognized that there was some concern relative to the potential for longer meetings, the reduction in total members, and the potential reduction in the advocacy role currently played by this commission. Spear noted that in the past, Bicycle and Pedestrian Commissioners had expressed concerns that this commission would get short shrift if the two commissions were combined. Chapman suggested that this commission was getting the short end of the stick now, and he explained that if combined then bicycles and pedestrians would gain a vote in safety issues. Hartzell questioned whether the integrity of the work done in this commission, such as the efforts to improve signage, could be preserved in a combined commission. She noted that if subcommittees were necessary it would create difficulties for noticing requirements and necessary staff support. She emphasized that the TSC has a full plate now. Chapman suggested that a combined commission could be made more efficient and the meeting times shortened. Hartzell stated that she could go either way on this issue, but she emphasized that she would want the combined commission to look at bicycle and pedestrian issues as well as traffic safety matters. Chapman explained that he envisioned the combined commission as a transportation committee looking at what TSC and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission review now, as well as parking and transit issues. Hartzell suggested that some clear structuring would be necessary. Nutter agreed with Chapman that if combined, it would be possible to make things more efficient. Hartzell noted that on the Transit, Transportation and Parking Ad Hoc Committee the “bike person” quit because they felt their point of view was marginalized on the larger committee. She emphasized that there would need to be an intentional effort to attract people who were passionate about bicycling. Harris noted that this commission has seen a turnover of eleven members over the last two years. She suggested that this could be attributed at least in part to the fact that the advocacy role, while important, is a difficult one. Beaudoin noted that being the lone cyclist on a combined commission would be a hard role as well. Beaudoin emphasized the need to represent advocacy and education on whatever commission results from these discussions. 2003-0220_Bike Min.doc Page 2 of 3 Hartzell noted that the signage project, the light distribution efforts, the where to ride brochure, the bike fair, and other recent projects would be difficult to carry out in the context of the TSC. Harris clarified that advocacy is a large, and often overwhelming task. She recognized the importance of the advocacy role, but she asked that commissioners recognize the importance of hard facilities work as well. She emphasized that at present, this commission has little say in the hard facilities planning that directly affects pedestrians and cyclists. She suggested that combining commissions would benefit both groups by bringing more of a bicycle and pedestrian perspective to hard facilities planning while giving the TSC group an advocacy role as well. She pointed out that the advocacy work might be more balanced and rewarding if it were combined with hard facilities project accomplishments. She emphasized that the intention behind combining commissions was to retain the advocacy role, and she reported that Public Works staff was supportive of that intention. She concluded that no action or decision was necessary at this time, but she stated that she would like to set up a joint meeting between the two commissions after the February meeting of the TSC. Nutter noted that he favors a joint committee, and suggested considering beginning with 12-16 members who now serve between the two existing commissions and gradually reducing the number to 9 as terms expire. Hartzell noted that the Jackson County Recreation Users Club has positions tied to specific roles. Harris agreed that there could be four members from the general population, and four with multi-modal interests. Hartzell stated that you would gain perspective but might lose something as well. Nutter suggested that the sense of marginalization of certain interests might be lessened if each member had broader interests. th Harris asked that members consider a possible joint meeting with the TSC on March 6 at 5:30 in this room. She stated that she would pass on this as a possibility to the TSC and then confirm with members via e-mail. Nutter suggested holding off on the appointment of new members to either commission until a decision has been made. He pointed out that by April, there would be only 5-6 members left on this commission. Nutter also stated that he would like to ensure that the financial support for the BTA would continue, as well as the general goal of supporting educational efforts. Harris asked that members look at the draft ordinance setting up a new, combined commission included with Olson’s memo and bring any ideas or concerns to the upcoming joint session. Safe Routes to School/Bike Safety Education Chapman noted that he had sent a message to Reynolds from Carol Lee Rogers regarding approaching the Middle School. He explained that if the Middle School was not going to work out, they needed to start scheduling things at the elementary schools. Chapman stated that Rogers had expressed an interest in continuing to teach if the funding aspect was not going to be a factor. Harris stated that the BTA has grant funding, and a Safe Routes teaching site and staff are the next major issues to be resolved. New Business Chapman suggested that the commission take on the Bike Swap as a benefit to fund the Safe Routes program and raise $4,000-$8,000 annually. Chapman stated that he would follow up with Marvin to get information about taking on this event. Chapman noted that the Parks Department’s Jeff MacFarland was looking at an extension of the Greenway to Mountain Avenue, and had questioned whether members were interested in changing the proposed signage to identify a proposed route for equestrian travel along Mountain to Hersey to Helman to the Dog Park. It was also noted that by next summer, there would be a connection from North Mountain Park to the Dog Park. Harris questioned whether the signage could be moved when the path moved. There was general agreement to leave the signs as is. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:48 P.M. Next Meeting th 5:00 p.m. on March 20, 2003 2003-0220_Bike Min.doc Page 3 of 3