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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-03-17 Bicycle & Pedestrian_MIN Bicycle & Pedestrian Commission th March 17, 2005 Regular Minutes Roll Call Members present: Chair Lexi Delgado Julia Sommer Tom Marvin Vice Chair Brad Knickerbocker Dylan Robbins John Hinke (absent) David Chapman Tracy Bungay Council Liaison: Russ Silbiger (absent) Staff: Derek Severson, Assistant Planner (absent) Tom Cook, APD Officer RVTD liaison: Paige West, RVTD/TDM Planner High school liaison: Cory Lescher SOU liaison: Phil Clark Call to Order Delgado called the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m. th Approval of Minutes – February 17, 2005 th Robbins/Chapman m/s to approve the minutes of February 17, 2005 as presented. Voice vote: All AYES. Motion passed. Public Forum Art Bullock/791 Glendower, Ashland briefed commission on the implementation of aspects of the Downtown Plan (#2002-10) including proposed changes to six intersections: N. Main St. at Helman; Main St. at Ashland Creek; Main St. at Ashland Plaza; E. Main St between Pioneer and 1st St.; E. Main at 1st St.; and E. Main at 2nd St. Handouts detailing these proposed changes were provided. Bullock noted that construction will begin on Downtown Plan (#2002-10) and that many changes to be implemented have not been subjected to public review. These changes, Bullock suggested, will adversely affect bicycle and pedestrian safety downtown. Delgado asked that additional information regarding aspects of Downtown Plan (#2002-10) be provided to the commission by Severson upon his return. Sue Graham/2817 East Main Street, Ashland joint owner of Sk8Guard, briefed the commission on the history of the product, including its implementation in the Ashland public schools. She noted that effectiveness and use are high at the Middle School but lower at the High School. She cited management and student misuse of the parking structures as a reason for lower rates of use at the High School. She expressed the desire that Sk8Guards be installed wherever bike racks are located to promote the use of skateboards as a viable means of non-motorized transportation. Robbins noted that skateboards are an integral part of a multi-modal transportation strategy and as such should be considered by the commission when making recommendations to the council. Car Free Day 2005 West summarized the process for applying for street closures in Ashland, noting that there are three separate applications depending upon the nature of the closure. Bungay recommended Water Street. from the Plaza to Van Ness as a possible location for the Car Free Day street closure, with activities such as bike maintenance also taking place in the plaza proper. West reiterated the importance of obtaining a commitment from the City Council to support long-term car-free initiatives, such as "Walking Wednesdays" and Safe Routes to School. Such a commitment would include establishing goals to obtain a specific reduction in automobile usage. Delgado proposed moving the closure to Oak Street between Lithia Way and Main Street or to First Street between Lithia Way and Main Street to increase the visibility of the event. The merits of the various locations were discussed. 2005-0317_Bike Min Page 1 of 2 Robbins/Knickerbocker m/s to identify Oak Street between Lithia Way and Main Street as the location for the street closure. Discussion: The time of the closure would be between 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on nd Thursday, September 22, 2005. This would allow participants to go directly from Car Free Day to the bicycle movie night. Voice vote: All AYES. Motion passed. Bungay and West will continue working on an official proposal to be presented at the next meeting. Bike Shop Outreach/Community Relations Robbins informed the commission of the opening of a new bike shop in Talent by Ashland resident Ian Bagshaw. Robbins stated that he had attended the monthly meeting of the Siskiyou Velo cycling club and presented a summary of their activities and concerns to the commission. Chief among their concerns was the proposed operation of a 24-hour a day, 7-days a week asphalt and gravel processing plant on Dead Indian Memorial Rd. and the effect such an operation would have on cyclists who utilize the road. A public hearing regarding the operation will be held at the County Courthouse in Medford on March 21, 2005. Robbins noted that the commission meeting times will now be published in the monthly Siskiyou Velo newsletter. Downtown Plan Update Bungay reported that the Downtown Plan is currently on hold. The council decided to review the visioning process, and the next public meeting has been cancelled. The proceedings of the Downtown Plan meetings will be discussed at the next City Council meeting. Sommer expressed the need for the commission to draft a statement to the Council regarding the Downtown Plan. Wording and intent of the statement was discussed by the commission, and Robbins volunteered to craft a statement which will then be distributed to the commission via email for comment and revision. Bullock noted that the commission could be included as one of "multiple stakeholders" out of which the sounding board will be composed. Sommer volunteered to serve as the commission’s official representative to the sounding board if such a position becomes available. New Business West reported that the Parks Department has approved and begun implementation of a skateboard skills and safety training program. These classes will be held beginning in the summer of 2005, with instructors possibly provided through Ashland’s own Lowdown Board Shop. West noted that the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) Safe Routes to School April training session has been moved to Roseburg. Ashland would have to obtain commitments from at least ten individuals in order for an additional training to be held in the Rogue Valley. Bungay and Delgado noted that such a commitment could easily th be obtained and that an additional training session in Ashland is justified. Delgado suggested April 19, 2005 as the date for a training session. Agenda Items for Next Month Downtown Plan process update; Review and approve the Commission’s statement to the City Council regarding the Downtown Plan; Earth Day activities. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m. st The next regular meeting will be Thursday, April 21 at 5:15 p.m. 2005-0317_Bike Min Page 2 of 2