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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-06-15 Bicycle & Pedestrian_MIN Bicycle & Pedestrian Commission th June 15, 2006 Regular Minutes Roll Call Tracy Harding Arnold Bleicher Tom Marvin (absent) David Young Chair Dylan Robbins Vice Chair Julia Sommer Selene Aitken Paul Rostykus Council Liaison: David Chapman Staff: Derek Severson, Associate Planner Steve McLennan, Police Officer Rachel Teige, Recreation Superintendent RVTD liaison: Paige West, RVTD/TDM Planner Traffic Safety Commissioners: Colin Swales Matt Warshawsky High school liaison: Vacant SOU liaison: Nathan Meyerson (absent) Call to Order Chair Robbins called the meeting to order at 5:20 p.m. th Approval of Minutes – May 18, 2006 th Rostykus/Sommer m/s to approve the minutes of May 18, 2006 as presented. Voice vote: All AYES. Motion passed. Public Forum None. Bike Swap Update (Recreation Superintendent Rachel Teige) Recreation Superintendent Rachel Teige presented a final update on the 2006 Bike Swap. She explained that improvements were being considered to address issues observed this year, including monitors and color-coded price tags to ensure prices were marked clearly and understandably for customers and cashiers. She noted that the total funds now available for Bike Safety Education were $7,076.48. There was discussion of the substantial increase in attendance, which was up to over 650 people through the gate, and it was noted that this may be due in part to higher gas prices. Teige commended the volunteers on their commitment and professionalism. Teige discussed the fact that one bike sold was defective, and was apparently put together from parts just to be sold. Shortly after the purchase, the buyer had problems which they were unable to resolve with the seller. Teige coordinated with volunteer Egon Dubois from the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) and was able to resolve the issue; Dubois did the repairs himself after a bike shop quoted the buyer a cost of over $200. Teige suggested that some reassurance of functionality was needed from the sellers, or alternatively a disclaimer could be prepared. Members agreed that agreement from sellers on the functionality of the bikes or some sort of lemon law or disclaimer were appropriate, but generally indicated that the swap should not take responsibility for the condition or functionality of the bikes being sold. Teige indicated that she would check to see how this issue was addressed through the Ski Swap. Young/Chapman m/s to recommend that the Ashland Parks Foundation pay Egon Dubois from Bike Swap funds for his time and materials for the repairs completed on the defective bicycle sold at the 2006 Bike Swap. Voice vote: All AYES. Motion passed. It was suggested that efforts be made next year to educate buyers, and to clearly communicate that the City of Ashland, Parks Department, Bicycle & Pedestrian Commission, and the Bike Swap would take no responsibility for the functionality of the bicycle being sold. 2006-0615 Bike & Ped minutes Page 1 of 4 Budget Update Severson noted that as voted last month, the remaining funds had been used to purchase helmets for distribution in local schools, which was being coordinated by Chapman and Traffic Safety Commissioner Keith Massey. Chapman noted that the helmet distribution had been well received, and reiterated that any helmets not distributed would be forwarded to the Parks Department office for distribution with the helmets that were purchased using Bike Swap funds. Severson noted that he had been in communication with the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) about Commission support of their bicycle safety education programs. He stated that he expected to receive an invoice shortly, and added that he had communicated to the BTA that the Commission had requested that a more concrete request be submitted for the coming year, and that it be submitted nearer to the July 1 start of the fiscal year. Severson noted for Teige that he had informed the BTA of the Commission’s recommendation that the Parks Department also provide $1600 in support for the bicycle safety education programs using Bike Swap funds, and indicated that she should expect an invoice shortly. Sk8Guard Rack Installation Update Severson noted that he was working with the Public Works Division and Street Department on installation, and had had an initial meeting with the Historic Commission’s Review Board because the placement in the downtown is within a National Register Historic District. He indicated that he now needed to get the full Historic Commission’s sign-off on the installation and placement as well as approval from the City Administrator prior to scheduling the crew to install the racks. He indicated that he expected this to just after the Historic Commission’s next meeting to th be held July 5. Subcommittee & Liaison Reports Severson noted that the Public Works Department had approached him requesting a letter of support from the Commission for a grant application which would fund 90% of the roughly $275,000 cost of installing sidewalks along a section of Laurel Street in the vicinity of Helman School. He added that he had draft plans showing the proposed installation, and that he had drafted a letter based on one that was prepared by Public Works for the Traffic Safety Commission to sign. Rostykus/Robbins m/s to authorize the chair to sign the letter supporting the Public Works Department’s Laurel Street Sidewalk grant application. Voice vote: All AYES. Motion passed. Who Rides Where/Bike Safety (Guest: Traffic Safety Commissioner Matt Warshawsky) Severson introduced the newest Traffic Safety Commission Matt Warshawsky, and explained that Warshawsky had submitted a letter of concern which was included in last month’s packet. Warshawsky was struck by a car while stopped on his bike in the downtown, and during that incident was informed of an Ashland ordinance which requires that cyclists ride within five feet of the curb. Warshawsky expressed his concern that this was out of compliance with state law, which allows cyclists more flexibility to ensure their safety. APD Officer MacLennan indicated that the current Ashland ordinance is typically not enforced, and that officers default to the Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS). There was discussion of how the exceptions in the ORS allowing cyclists to “take the lane” provide more flexibility to respond to situation-specific conditions and increase rider safety. Rostykus/Chapman m/s to direct staff to draft a letter requesting that the City Council consider an ordinance change to amend AMC 11.52.030.E to bring the ordinance into line with the current O.R.S. 814.430 relative to cyclists “taking the lane” when appropriate for their safety. Voice vote: All AYES. Motion passed. Election of Officer - Secretary Severson explained the duties of the Secretary, noting that these would consist primarily of running the meetings if both the Chair and Vice Chair were absent, and of taking notes of the proceedings in the event that the Planning staff liaison was absent. After a lengthy silence in which no one indicated a willingness to serve in this role, Chair Robbins offered to provide candy and flowers to the secretary each year on Secretary’s Day. Aitken reluctantly volunteered, noting her personal candy preference for Dagoba Chocolates. All of those present expressed their unanimous consent that Aitken be made Secretary. 2006-0615 Bike & Ped minutes Page 2 of 4 North Main Multi-Use Path Severson noted that while Marvin was absent he had submitted a letter from a co-worker by fax which was distributed to those present. This letter supported the idea of a bike path along North Main, and requested an interim step consisting of a fog line/bike shoulder stripe on Highway 99 from Butler Ford to about Schofield. The letter indicated that this should be done regardless of jurisdiction as an interim step. Severson explained that jurisdiction is a significant issue with this request, as the majority of the area involved is within the county, and is entirely under state jurisdiction, meaning that the request would have to be coordinated both through the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and Jackson County, as well as the City Public Works Division for the portion within Ashland. Discussion of Striping of Bikelanes & Paths Young expressed his concern with the state of the striping along Mountain Avenue near Havurah Shir Hadash, noting that the lane line is not clearly visible and emphasizing that this was more of a concern given the proximity to retirement communities further out on Mountain where there are more drivers with eyesight and reflexes that have declined with age. Chapman noted that there is a similar problem with the striping on Tolman near East Main. Severson indicated that he would follow-up with Jim Olson to see about the striping maintenance schedule and the possibility of new striping and/or bubble reflectors in these locations. Car Free Day (9/22/06) Subcommittee members explained that they were hoping for regular weekly meetings now that the event is getting closer. They indicated that they have been working primarily via e-mail in recent weeks, but would begin meeting regularly and would soon need support from the commission at large. They asked that Robbins consider approaching bike swaps in the near future, and Sommer noted that she had prepared a letter for local employers to encourage employee participation in the event. She asked that anyone interested take letters to distribute. West confirmed for Sommer that RVTD was working with JPR on underwriting event announcements. Int'l Bike/Walk/Scooter to School Day (Week of 10/2 - 10/6) Rostykus noted that he had brought this up for the agenda, and asked that it be promoted at Car Free Day. West suggested that it could be coordinated with the Walking Wednesday program as well. She explained that there was a $1500 SafeKids grant that was being split between Walker and Helman Schools, and that both schools had committed champions who were promoting walking and biking to school. She indicated that the program had been very successful last year, and that it was the first full year program conducted in Ashland. She stated that there were more than 90 kids walking in one school at the Walking Wednesday event at the end of the year. She noted that th volunteers were needed to support the annual event by leading groups of walking children on October 4, and that this would begin at about 7:30 a.m. West also discussed the efforts she and Harding had made along with former Bicycle & Pedestrian Commission Chair Lexi Delgado to look at walkability in the vicinity of the Siskiyou School at 631 Clay Street. She noted that they had conducted a walkability survey and prepared route maps, and indicated that signage and easements were needed. Severson explained that typically, planning actions from a private applicant are responsible for installing their own signage, but he added that it would be something the Traffic Safety Commission might consider looking at. He stated that he would make Jim Olson aware of the issues; Traffic Safety Commissioner Colin Swales indicated that the Commission had recently looked at signage needs in this area at length, but added that they had been unaware of the school’s plans during that review. Signage Rostykus noted that he had ridden the Central Ashland Bikepath (CAB), and added that the signage previously installed through the efforts of this commission were very well done. He added that elsewhere there are signage needs that need to be addressed, such as at Ashland Street near the cemetery. Chapman asked that Severson find and provide copies of the previous signage map. Severson noted that the previous effort cost about $1500, which the commission had been prepared to pay for. The cost was picked up by Public Works through the Street Department in the end as it tied in to other work being done 2006-0615 Bike & Ped minutes Page 3 of 4 at the same time, but he added that he would expect that placing additional signage would have to be at commission- expense. Bleicher added that he would like to see mileage markers along the CAB so that if there were an emergency, a first responder could be easily directed to the appropriate location to provide assistance. Warshawsky added that he felt that maps placed in strategic locations, such as at Eagle Mill Road , at the Dog Park, and elsewhere, would be of great assistance as well. Members indicated that this map would need to be more clear than the current trails map, and should indicate hazardous areas, traffic volumes, etc. Severson noted that there would be cost and process involved with preparing a new map. He added that he believed the GIS Department was in the process of development a signage layer for the GIS system. Dubois suggested that while he is all for maps, he felt that signage on the roads should be the higher priority. Bike Racks Severson noted that he had looked into the inquiry from last month about bike racks at the Grange. He explained that there was no bicycle parking required on their plans, and that at this point after the project is completed the city could not approach them years after the fact to require bike parking be installed. He stated that Commission members could approach the Grange privately and make them aware that the Commission and customers would like to see racks installed, and suggest that if they are interested they could contact Planning Staff about rack standards and possible placement. He added that the lot has little room for rack placement, and that any racks installed would have to work with the current parking and circulation as well as the approved landscape plans as well as being close enough to the entrances to be used. Young noted that he is a frequent customer who rides his bike to the Grange, and he indicated that he would be willing to approach them to this end. Powers & Duties of the Commission, Meeting Times, Individual Goals, Expectations & Time Commitment West raised the issue of broadening the Commission’s focus to encompass transit and skateboards as well. Members discussed the possibility of further involvement in the planning process through review of current planning applications, and considered the necessary modifications to the meeting schedules and agenda that would tie into conducting land use public hearings. The group decided to request staff bring any actions involving larger scale bicycle & pedestrian issues to the commission's attention rather than reviewing individual actions. The commission also discussed the possibility of preparing a hand-out for distribution to applicants at the pre-application conference phase, and asked that staff bring back the related regulations for commission review next month. Robbins indicated that he would be willing to work on preparing such a hand-out. New Business West provided an update on the current status of proposed RVTD service cuts and fare increases, noting that Route 4 in Medford near RVMC would be cut, and that there would be a $2 fare district-wide. Chapman indicated that the council was working to have Route 10 remain free and cut Route 5 to provide free half-hour service. West th discussed the RVTD budget process, noting that a vote on the budget was expected on the 28, and adding that some drivers were being laid-off. She indicated that service might be restored or increased in the future, if a revenue source such as a payroll tax were determined. Bleicher indicated that he would be absent from the July meeting, and Severson stated that he would be absent as well if his requested time off were approved. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 7:07 p.m. Upcoming Meetings: th 5:15 P.M. Thursday, July 20 – Regular Meeting in the Siskiyou Room 2006-0615 Bike & Ped minutes Page 4 of 4