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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-10-20 Bicycle & Pedestrian_MIN Bicycle & Pedestrian Commission th October 20, 2005 Regular Minutes Roll Call Brad Knickerbocker (absent) Tracy Harding Secretary Christina Lacy (absent) Tom Marvin Chair Dylan Robbins Vice Chair Julia Sommer Selene Aitken (arrived late) Council Liaison: Russ Silbiger Staff: Derek Severson, Assistant Planner Tom Cook, Police Officer RVTD liaison: Paige West, RVTD/TDM Planner High school liaison: Cory Lescher (absent) SOU liaison: Nathan Meyerson Call to Order Chair Robbins called the meeting to order at 5:25 p.m. th Approval of Minutes – September 15 th The minutes of September 15, 2005 were approved as presented. Public Forum Egon Dubois of the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) discussed the skateboard racks made by SK8GUARD. He noted that placement of the racks would represent a change in mentality in terms of the way skateboarders are perceived, and that this change would result in a similar change in how skateboarders behave in reaction to public perception. He suggested that racks be placed in prominent places around town, especially at locations such as Evo’s, the Library, and near the bike racks on the Plaza. Sue Graham of SK8GUARD noted that she would like to see skateboards on an equal footing with bikes, and she specifically suggested that they be allowed to be used in bikelanes within the downtown. After some commission discussion, Graham suggested that her company could likely donate two of their racks for placement by the Commission in prominent locations around the downtown. She stated that she would check inventory and make the commission aware if the donation was possible. She also noted that due to increases in materials costs, the price of the racks would be increasing to $300 with her next order. Harding suggested that if two racks were to be donated, the Commission should also purchase two. West suggested some modification to City ordinances to allow the replacement of one space of bicycle parking with a skateboard spaces. She emphasized that this should be in lieu of one bicycle space, and that it not be a reduction by more than 10% in required bicycle parking. Sommer indicated that she would contact the Library and see if they would be willing to have a SK8GUARD rack placed on site. Severson noted that he would check to see if city crews would be able to install the rack on the Library site; he pointed out that the Library was owned by Jackson County and there might be some jurisdictional issues with city crews placing the rack on a county facility. After discussion, members agreed that they would like to have verification from Graham on whether racks were available for donation, from the Library on whether they were interested in having a rack, and from Severson on placement of racks by City crews before making a formal motion to purchase two racks. 2005-1020 Bike Min Page 1 of 3 Budget Update (Annual Budget: $3300 Program Funds; $750 Commission Funds) Severson noted that $500 had been committed to Car Free Day, and that to date only $65.64 had been expended from Program Funds. He added that $150 was committed to purchasing helmets, lights, etc. but noted that no request had been made for those funds. Officer Cook noted that there were no more helmets in inventory at the Police Department, and that no more were being purchased. He added that there were still a lot of light sets on hand. Dubois noted that the Parks Department was interested in starting a program to distribute helmets, and members discussed whether the remaining light sets could be forwarded to Parks for distribution with helmets. . Introduction of New Members Severson noted that Selene Aitken, who was not present, had been appointed to the Commission as a regular member, and that Nathan Meyerson had been appointed as SOU Liaison. Severson also added that Victor Chang was also present, and that he had expressed an interest in applying for the remaining vacancy on the Commission. . Car Free Day 2005 Members briefly discussed concerns expressed by Siskiyou Velo that the demographic represented by those in attendance at Car Free Day had not necessarily made it worth their while to participate in tabling at the event. Members suggested considering a spring event coordinated with Bike to Work Week and sidewalk sales. Marvin emphasized that there needed to be more of a focus on being car free. Members discussed the possibility of expanding to the other side of the Wells Fargo parking lot and encompassing a block of Pioneer Street in the closure as well, but some concern was noted in potentially splitting the focus of the event. It was noted that nearly a full year of event planning had been required of subcommittee members, and it was suggested that if a spring event was to be held it would require a strong commitment of time by all members. Bike Swap Discussion West, Harding, Robbins, Dubois and Meyerson expressed an interest in volunteering. There was discussion of arranging delivery or bikes if the event were to be coordinated with Car Free Day, and members discussed whether coordinating these two events would result in overload. It was noted that the issue of getting surplus bicycles from the Police Department impound should be addressed in the planning phase this year, rather than at the last minute. Meyerson noted that he could work to involve ECOS on this event, and that he would poster on the SOU campus. Bike Path Signage th Harding noted that she and Chapman had assisted with Walk & Bike to School activities on October 5, and that as a result of this event 275 of 400 students had walked or biked to school. She added that parents at this event had noted some problem areas on the Central Ashland Bikepath at Takelma and Clay on Tolman Creek Road. She explained that given the potential for collisions here, there should be a stop sign, mirror on the fence, or other signage urging caution prior to entering the path. Marvin stated that he rode the path in this vicinity frequently and did not see a problem. Severson noted that if the areas in question were with private easements inside the subdivision, it may be necessary to work with the homeowners’ association. West noted that in Medford, there is a “Welcome” sign at the entry to the path that notes rules. Marvin suggested that something as simple as a painted “Keep Right” on the pavement and some speed limits and “Yield – Intersection Ahead” signage might suffice to address this issue. Dubois suggested simply stating “Please Slow Down” in pavement painting without signage or an established speed limit. Bike Racks Sommer noted that she had discussed with the Public Arts Commission, and they were supportive of more artistic racks. Severson noted that in the Downtown and along A Street there would be an issue given that these are National Register Historic Districts, and any racks would need to be approved by the Historic Commission as well. Severson also suggested that the Downtown Planning process may address consistent street furniture and set a specific bike rack standard for purposes of continuity and compatibility. He noted that the existing ordinances already have discretion for this Commission to approve alternative rack designs, so no change in the ordinance was required. Sommer asked that Planning staff make applicants aware of Creative Metalworks rack designs as well as the standard inverted “U” racks. Sommer indicated that she would follow-up with the Public Arts Commission to see if their supportiveness would extend to actively working on getting more artistic racks placed in town. 2005-1020 Bike Min Page 2 of 3 Bike Lanes in Downtown & North Main Street (Tom) Severson gave a brief history of the downtown and North Main bike lane situation, and noted the issue created by the entire road being State Highway right-of-way. He added that a multi-use path was slated to be placed below North Main as part of the planned golf course on the Billings property. It was noted that the access points for this path would be somewhat limited. Marvin noted that he would like to see the existing sidewalk and road-shoulder removed and replaced with a wider multi-use path, separate from the travel lanes. Severson suggested that the first issue to resolve would be to speak to the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to see if there were any problems with this idea, on their right of way, from their perspective. Marvin stated that he would follow up with ODOT. Skateboard Parking Addressed above, during Public Forum. Joint Meeting with Traffic Safety Members briefly discussed the upcoming meeting, noting that issues to be discussed were: combining commissions, creating formal or informal liaisons, having a shared member serving on both commissions, and holding regular joint meetings. It was also noted that re-activating the Safety Chicken would be discussed, along with the possibility of working together on the intersection of A Street, Oak Street, Van Ness Avenue and the Railroad Tracks. Aitken arrived late. New Business None. Agenda Items for Next Meeting Discussion of David Engwicht Traffic Calming presentation; Safe Routes to School program at Walker Elementary; Car Free Day; Follow Up on Traffic Safety Joint Meeting; SK8GUARD; North Main Multi-Use Path; Response to Letters sent to Jackson County; Bike Parking Ordinance; SOU Report on Transportation Options. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:10 p.m. Upcoming Meetings: th 6:00 P.M. October 27 - Joint Meeting with Traffic Safety at Council Chambers, 1175 E. Main St. th 5:15 P.M. November 17 - Regular Meeting in the Siskiyou Room 2005-1020 Bike Min Page 3 of 3