Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-07-20 Bicycle & Pedestrian_MIN Bicycle & Pedestrian Commission th July 20, 2006 Regular Minutes Roll Call Tracy Harding Arnold Bleicher (absent) David Young Chair Dylan Robbins Selene Aitken (absent) Paul Rostykus (absent) Council Liaison: David Chapman Staff: Derek Severson, Associate Planner (absent) Steve McLennan, Police Officer (absent) RVTD liaison: Paige West, RVTD/TDM Planner (absent) High school liaison: Vacant SOU liaison: Nathan Meyerson Call to Order Chair Robbins called the meeting to order at 5:20 p.m. th Approval of Minutes – June 15, 2006 th The minutes of June 15, 2006 were approved as presented. Voice vote: All AYES. Motion passed. Public Forum None. Subcommittee & Liaison Reports Robbins read memos from Planning Staff Liaison Severson on the status of the current budget and installation of skateboard racks on the plaza and at the Library. Members discussed placement of the racks at the Library, and noted that if the racks couldn’t be installed adjacent to the bus stop at the sidewalk, they would like to see signage at the entrance making people aware of the skateboard racks in the rear. SOU Liaison Meyerson presented an informational quarter sheet on the Ashland Community Bike Program, and noted that there was a front page article regarding the program. He noted that they are still conducting weekly bike clinics at the Tuesday Growers’ Market at the Armory. He added that there are weekly work parties on Saturdays at 6:00 p.m. at the bike shed on the SOU campus. Council Liaison Chapman gave a status update on the helmet distribution program that he has been working on with Traffic Safety Commissioner Keith Massey, and provided sample vouchers that are being distributed for children to pick up helmets at the Parks Department. Harding noted that ten bikes are being given to the migrant Head Start program through the Community Bike Program, and that these vouchers will be provided with the bikes. Discussion of Use of Bike Swap Funds & BTA Funding Harding asked that members begin thinking creatively about ways to use this recurring annual funding source, and she suggested that one option she felt merited consideration was to provide funding for the BTA Bicycle Safety Education programs that the Commission has co-sponsored since 1999. Robbins indicated that he thought this was a great idea, given that it was a program that was in place and staffed and only needed to be expanded. He questioned whether the program had any room for expansion. Dubois noted that the primary limitations were staffing and weather, and reported that an experienced BTA instructor from Corvallis would be moving to Ashland. He explained that the maximum classes one instructor could teach would be three during one term, but added that with the addition of a new instructor it would open up additional opportunities for more classes and or programs in additional schools. Dubois added that he would be approaching the new principal at Bellview. He concluded that if funds were available, as they appear to be with the addition of the Bike Swap funds into the mix, it would appear to be possible to offer bike safety training in every school in Ashland. Members discussed the logistics of offering classes in each school without doubling up and the difficulties for one instructor to teach every student in each school; Chapman suggested a varying curriculum that would avoid duplication of the classes taught to individual students. 2006-0720 Bike & Ped minutes Page 1 of 4 Members discussed the recent implementation of a skateboard class, and suggested that some rules of the road needed to be included in this training as well. Dubois noted for Chapman that he had materials in Spanish as well to accommodate Spanish-speaking students, and that he could provide these materials for anyone who needed them. Harding noted that the per class cost according to the most recent BTA information was $800. Members discussed the number of classes to be taught. Young noted that he feels the BTA programs are great, but that the budget submittal was insufficiently detailed for his taste. Robbins noted that if others felt the same, there could be a request for additional information. Chapman concurred with Young, and discussed the fact that the program was originally intended to become self-sustaining, or that it would at least decrease in cost as interested parents were trained to assist and a bicycle library was established. Dubois explained that the budget was an average cost based on the BTA’s programs statewide, and he added that in particular insurance was very costly. Young stated that he would prefer to see a direct cost breakdown of the program in Ashland and an honest assessment of additional costs that go directly to the BTA. Dubois noted that in the past year, for instance, almost half of the bikes in the program had to be replaced. He concurred that it would be good for Ashland if the program were to become self-sustaining, and he discussed that at present more funds are available in Ashland than anywhere else in the state. He noted the difficulty in fundraising, and emphasized that this was an on-going problem even in Portland. He added that the programs in Talent will likely be discontinued unless a funding source there is found. Chapman suggested that self-sustaining satellite programs that paid a membership fee to the BTA would benefit BTA as well as the individual communities, but he indicated that the current percentage going to the BTA was excessive. Members discussed the historic difficulty in fundraising, noting that in the past more than one third of instructors’ paid time went to fundraising. Dubois added that he is not paid for fundraising or meeting attendance, he does these things on his own time to support the program. Chapman noted that fundraising is a budgeted item. Dubois noted that BTA does not have the staffing to do itemized per class cost breakdowns for each city’s programs; he stated that the costs provided are an average for their statewide programs. Robbins questioned whether it was up to the BTA to make the program self-sustaining, and to explain how they proposed to do so, or if it was up to the Commission and the community. Dubois explained that there is an instructor training and certification program in place; members questioned whether bike swap funds could simply be paid to an instructor who would pay BTA to provide training and administrative support. Dubois discussed the advantages of centralization, noting in particularly that umbrella insurance coverage statewide would be less costly that individual insurance for diverse, separate programs. Chapman suggested that BTA could provide umbrella insurance for individual franchisee communities. Dubois noted that this would require a wholesale change in the BTA’s structure, and he was uncertain if BTA would be willing or able to do this. He suggested that the more realistic scenario would require individual communities to break with BTA and institute their own programs, and he reiterated that insurance would be a huge issue. He noted that supporting the BTA brings with it their political advocacy and the state and national level and their nationally recognized model for bike safety training; instructor training and pay; bicycles and their maintenance. Chapman expressed concern that the percentage of funds going to the BTA in Portland was money that could be used locally for more classes. Dubois noted that BTA receives grants and funding from other sources, and that their programs in every community are subsidized through other funding sources. Young indicated that he would like to see the annual budget for BTA, and reemphasized his desire to develop a self-sustaining program. Dubois noted that there are two people at BTA dealing strictly with advocacy at the legislative level, then one person who deals strictly with Safe Routes to School, two who deal with bicycle safety education, and a clerical support staff. Robbins indicated that it appeared additional information was needed. Harding suggested opening discussions with BTA about whether a reduced cost would be possible with additional classes. 2006-0720 Bike & Ped minutes Page 2 of 4 Chapman noted that if Bike Swap funds were used, it would free up Commission program funds for both the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission and the Traffic Safety Commission to do other things. It was emphasized that the Bike Swap funds were earmarked for bike safety education from the start. Members asked for additional information and a discussion of becoming self-sustaining, and whether the BTA would support a self-sustaining program. Dubois reiterated that the cost statewide for BTA’s program is $800 per class, but that even if the city doesn’t pay for every class taught the BTA will subsidize the program in Ashland. Harding stated she would like to give BTA ninety percent of the Bike Swap funds, but she recognized that this would still not cover the cost of BTA offering classes in every school. Robbins noted that he would also like to see the funds go to prepare a valley-wide bike route map, with color-coded traffic volumes. Young indicated that he would like to see expanded community education programs. Harding noted that the Parks Department has been offering classes. Robbins suggested a bike commuting training would be valuable. Dubois st noted that he would be presenting a bike workshop for teachers on September 1 to discuss lifestyle issues around bicycle commuting. Harding noted that she has been working with RVTD to approach employers about presenting similar programs. Dubois noted that teaching school teachers would hopefully result in their leading by example. Young suggested that there was a need to shift the focus of these programs from employers to the community. Dubois noted that hills are one of the biggest issues for commuters in Ashland. Harding noted that Car Free Day was an excellent venue for presenting commuter training. Chapman suggested funding an Ashland version of the BikeFirst program that RVTD has been doing in Medford. Young noted that all of these ideas were tied to promotional costs. Members suggested that they should develop a list of questions for BTA, and to ask themselves about the direction this program is going. Dubois agreed to contact Scott Bricker to see if he would be willing to attend the next meeting. Members stated that they would consider and decide next time how much could be dedicated to fund BTA. Chapman suggested looking at a sliding scale based on the number of classes, as administrative costs should be reduced at some point. Young noted that it was important to remember that BTA’s cost is $800 per class, whether it comes from the Commission or other sources; he suggested that the Commission commit as much as it is comfortable with and if that does not get the number of classes desired looking at something else. United Bicycle Institute (UBI) Scholarship Harding noted that she had thought of this as another idea for use of available funds, which would allow someone for instance from the Ashland Community Bike Program to gain new knowledge as a resource for the community. Harding added that Dave Nourie was also hoping to raise funds for a covered indoor space that would serve as a performance, recreational and educational space. Chapman noted that the American Wheelmen offer commuter classes, and he indicated that there is a local instructor (Bill Hyman) who teaches the certification classes for commuter and touring trainers. Robbins expressed his support for a UBI Scholarship, hopefully at a reduced rate; Young suggested adding a proviso to require that any recipient would need to sign a contract to reimburse the Commission if they didn’t remain in the community as a resource for an agreed to period of time. League of American Bicyclist’s BFC Feedback Letter Robbins explained that the redemption of Ashland’s bronze status through May of 2008 included recommendations to improve that status. He noted that the recommendations included programs and events to encourage additional bike commuting, expanding the Safe Routes to School program to every school, and increase bike route and trail network connectivity. Harding noted that BTA is considering a Bike Commuter Challenge in Ashland. Robbins suggested discussing this next time, and looking at ideas and timelines for implementing these recommendations. 2006-0720 Bike & Ped minutes Page 3 of 4 nd Car Free Day (Friday, September 22) Harding noted that there is a lot to do in preparation, and more now with Sommer’s resignation. Harding stated that she would welcome any and all assistance; she noted that a regular meeting time needed to be established and she stated that this was likely one of Sommer’s frustrations. Harding noted that she and West have been working together at RVTD and can continue. She stated that she would compile and e-mail a progress report. Robbins asked for a list of specific tasks so that people could take them on in their own time. Harding stated that Sommer had already completed her tasks, including preparing and distributing the merchant letters and making personal contact with individual merchants. ndth Int'l Bike/Walk/Scooter to School Day (Week of October 2 through 6) Harding noted that Wednesday would be the big day, with events at Walker and Helman, and stated that for the Commission the biggest contribution would be through volunteers. Harding noted a parent and a teaching assistant were championing the program at Helman. New Business Young noted that he had made contact with the Grange Co-Op about installing bike parking. He indicated that they have plans for a bike rack next to the entrance; he indicated that it would take a while unless the city could provide or purchase a rack. Harding and Meyerson discussed the possibility of using left-over racks from SOU or having them welded in a shop class. It was noted that inverted U-racks are the standard, and a varying from this standard would require approval of this commission. It was requested that Severson determine if the City has any racks available. Agenda Items for Next Month BTA Funding Decision; Discussion of other uses for Bike Swap Funds; Timelines for implementing League Recommendations; Car Free Day Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 7:10 p.m. Upcoming Meetings: th 5:15 P.M. Thursday, August 17 – Regular Meeting in the Siskiyou Room 2006-0720 Bike & Ped minutes Page 4 of 4