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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-10-19 Bicycle & Pedestrian_MIN Bicycle & Pedestrian Commission th October 19, 2006 Regular Minutes Roll Call: Vice Chair Tracy Harding, Arnold Bleicher (absent), David Young, Chair Dylan Robbins (absent), Selene Aitken , Jim Olney, Paul Rostykus Council Liaison: David Chapman Staff: Derek Severson, Associate Planner; Steve McLennan, Police Officer RVTD liaison: Paige West, RVTD/TDM Planner High school liaison: Vacant SOU liaison: Nathan Meyerson Call to Order Harding called the meeting to order at 5:20 p.m. st Approval of Minutes – September 21, 2006 st Rostykus/Olney m/s to approve the minutes of the September 21, 2006 meeting as presented. Voice vote: All AYES. Motion passed. Public Forum None. Budget Update Severson noted that no new expenditures had occurred since the budget update memo was prepared for the packets. Harding indicated that she had money from the Car Free Day raffle, and that she would route it to the Parks Foundation for inclusion in the Bike Swap/Bike Safety Education fund as previously discussed. Subcommittee & Liaison Reports West asked that a discussion of the 2007 Bike Swap be added to the agenda, as requested by Recreation Superintendent Rachel Teige. MacLennan noted that Police Department inventory of front bike lights was running low, and inquired about purchasing more. Severson explained that the original intent was that funds generated from sales would be used to purchase more lights, and indicated that he would follow up with the Finance Department to verify that these funds had been handled as intended and to determine how much was available to purchase new lights. MacLennan stated that he would verify the number of each type of light (front/white and back/red) in stock before the next meeting. Announcements Severson noted that the current vacancy on the Commission had been advertised and the deadline for applications th was November 10. West noted that the City of Medford had recently created a Bicycle & Pedestrian Commission. Chapman noted that the Fern Valley interchange project in Phoenix was giving questionable treatment to the importance of bicycle and pedestrian improvements, and said that it may be necessary to mobilize support for a future meeting where this is discussed. West added that the current plan was not providing the improvements required in Phoenix’s Transportation System Plan along Highway 99. Carole Wheeldon Memorial Fund Severson noted that the balance in this fund was $1,615 as of noon on Wednesday, and that funds seemed to be continuing to trickle in daily. 2006-1019 Bike & Ped minutes Page 1 of 4 Young gave some background on the creation of this fund, noting that he was a friend of the Wheeldon/Beaudoin family and had been approached to set up a fund in memory of former City Councilor Carole Wheeldon. He explained that the family had felt Carole was particularly happy with the island created between the new Fire Station and the Library as part of the Siskiyou Boulevard redesign as a place for pedestrians to rest, and they had hoped for some sort of memorial bench and related improvements to be placed there in her honor. Rostykus stated that there should be some form of shade provided in addition to a bench to ensure that the bench could be used year-round. He indicated that this could be a gazebo or an arbor, and Young suggested that Wheeldon would have liked a shade tree. Aitken stated that she believed there was a bench there now. Dubois suggested looking at the island closely to determine how it could be made more inviting. Young and Rostykus indicated that they would visit the site to assess its possibilities and after discussion, and after discussion, members agreed to meet th on site as a subcommittee at 4:30 p.m. before the next regular meeting on November 16. Members would then walk to the Community Development Building for the regular meeting. Young and Rostykus indicated that they would coordinate anything planned with Wheeldon’s family. Rostykus suggested that a drinking fountain might also be considered, and members agreed if there were water lines available on site. Severson noted that there would be jurisdictional issues involved, and that Public Works, Parks, the Historic Commission, the Tree Commission, the Street Department, the Planning Department, the Public Art Commission, and potentially the Oregon Department of Transportation. He suggested that members look at what they would ideally like to do, but that they remain aware that there may be other considerations that come into play with the other entities involved. Young questioned whether there was a process to select a tree variety, and Severson explained that there was an adopted street tree guide which listed acceptable species along with their sizes and growth habits. He added that the Tree Commission also had considerable expertise and would be available to consult on tree selection. Harding confirmed that members would meet on site at 4:30 prior to the next meeting; Severson stated that he would make the Tidings aware of this as a subcommittee meeting to cover public noticing requirements. Debriefing: Car Free Day Harding noted that the feedback from tablers had been largely positive. West noted that RVTD’s table is most successful in Ashland versus other Rogue Valley communities. Harding stated that she had not enjoyed the raffle, as it took too much time and made the event all about the prizes for some people. She suggested that she would like to continue making t-shirts, but would like to find a better way to deal with giving them out. Rostykus suggested looking at a better valet parking set-up, and suggested possibly using another site for the parking – like the old Copeland lumberyard area. Members noted that bike circulation through the event had been an issue, and West suggested that laying out a specific travel lane for bikes might be a solution. It was noted that neither the tree walk nor the workshops had been well-attended. Rostykus suggested spreading events out more over the month of September, and Severson noted that workshops, such as the BTA-commuter workshops offered in Portland, could be held during the week leading up to the event. Harding noted that if these were planned well in advance, they could be featured in the Parks Department recreation guides. Chapman stated that he would like to see a criterion bike race offered over several blocks of the downtown with the cooperation of Siskiyou Velo. Members discussed the fact that next year’s event fell on a Saturday, and noted the need to try to coordinate with the Bear Creek Greenway celebrations. Dubois suggested thinking about ways to draw in more of an emphasis on walking as well as bicycling. West noted that she had been looking at Robert Sweetgall’s “Creative Walking” program, which includes pedometer programs, books and videos, and other materials and methods to promote walking. She stated that she would bring a copy of the catalog to a future meeting for members to determine if this could be integrated into the event. Members 2006-1019 Bike & Ped minutes Page 2 of 4 discussed the possibility of a pedestrian obstacle course, a secret shortcut scavenger hunt and the creation of a secret shortcut map as ways to interest pedestrians. Debriefing: Walk/Bike/Scooter to School Day West noted that 1,000 kids in the Rogue Valley had participated in the Safe Routes to School/Walk-Bike-Scooter to th School event on October 4. She explained that this number was based on participation of Jackson and Roosevelt Schools in Medford, Phoenix elementary, and four elementary schools plus the middle school in Ashland. West discussed the fact that the requirements for state funding of Safe Routes projects had become significantly less stringent since the last meeting, and she noted that city’s or school board’s could identify projects within ½ mile of a school and that projects could be based on adopted Transportation System Plan needs rather than a separately adopted Safe Routes plan. She explained that funds would be available on a 70%-30% split, with 70% dedicated to covering construction project costs and 30% dedicated to engineering, education and enforcement efforts such as safe routes education programs, signage, school curriculum, or printed materials. She added that $3 million per biennium would be available around the state, and that the grants would be available late winter or early spring. Members discussed some project ideas, including a better pedestrian crossing of North Main to get students down to Helman and a better crossing of Ashland Street at Normal. She stated that projects were to be identified through partnerships with local schools, and that the creation of local task forces linking government, schools and citizenry was hoped for as part of the funding. Severson noted that the ½ mile radius was significant in Ashland, as it would likely cover most of the city; he suggested partnering with the schools, the Traffic Safety Commission, and the City’s Engineering Division to identify projects and pursue grant funds. Discussion of Commissioner Surveys Members went through the surveys provided; a general summary of the comments for each is attached. Severson noted that he would submit these comments on behalf of the commission but that individual members were encouraged to provide their own comments prior to the deadline as well. As Chapman exited the meeting, he suggested that a better-marked crosswalk was needed at the intersection of Church and Main Streets. Pedometer Purchase Program Harding suggested postponing this item until next month for concurrent discussion with the issue of purchasing helmets and bike lights. It was noted that bulk pedometers could be purchased for as little as $3.50 each. Discussion of Holiday Meeting Schedule th After discussion, members determined that they would like to meet on November 16 as planned, but that no meeting would be held in December due to the holidays. An audience member identifying himself as Marco from Phoenix expressed interest in serving on the Commission, and noted that he had recently moved to the valley. He stated that his interests included outreach to the Spanish- speaking community. Members explained how to go about applying to serve on the Commission, and noted that residing outside of Ashland would not necessarily exclude him from service. Young also suggested he contact Charlie Bauer in Phoenix regarding Hispanic education efforts there. New Business th West requested that members discuss the Bike Swap, which is tentatively planned for Saturday, May 12 of 2007. She noted that Teige was trying to respond to issues from last year’s event, and was looking at the point at which potential sellers should be required to pay for a table. After discussion, members suggested that anyone with more than three items be required to pay for a table at $15, with half-tables available. Discussion of the number of items to require a table varied from 3 to 10. Sellers would need to coordinate half-table use among themselves. It was suggested that no percentage be collected on the table items, and clarified that the tables would be only for componentry and equipment, not whole bikes. Members also suggested a free box be available for people to make free items available. West indicated she would discuss this further with Teige. 2006-1019 Bike & Ped minutes Page 3 of 4 Agenda Items for Next Month Goal setting; Wheeldon Memorial; Bike Lights, Helmets & Pedometer; Bike Swap Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m. Upcoming Meetings: th Wheeldon Memorial Subcommittee to meet at 4:30 on November 16, on-site at the median/island at the Intersection of Siskiyou Boulevard and East Main Street, between the Library and the Fire Station. th Regular Meeting – November 16 at 5:15 p.m. 2006-1019 Bike & Ped minutes Page 4 of 4