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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-11-16 Bicycle & Pedestrian_MIN Bicycle & Pedestrian Commission th November 16, 2006 Regular Minutes Roll Call: Chair Dylan Robbins, Jim Olney, David Young, Vice Chair Tracy Harding (absent), Arnold Bleicher (absent), Selene Aitken (absent), Paul Rostykus (absent) Council Liaison: David Chapman Staff: Derek Severson, Associate Planner; Steve McLennan, Police Officer RVTD liaison: Paige West, RVTD/TDM Planner (absent) High school liaison: Vacant SOU liaison: Nathan Meyerson (absent) Call to Order Chair Robbins called the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m. Approval of Minutes – October 19th, 2006 th Olney/Robbins m/s to approve the minutes of the October 19, 2006 meeting as presented. Voice vote: All AYES. Motion passed. Public Forum Moshe Ross asked that a place to arrange carpooling be set up on the City’s website. Severson noted that Carpool Match NW was already an established service supported locally by RVTD and said that he would follow up to see that a link was placed on the city website. th Dubois noted that he had traffic issues to report for 8 Street at the intersections of A Street and B Street; at Nevada Street and Glendower Street; and at the intersection of Water and B Streets. After Dubois explained his concerns, Severson and MacLennan indicated that they would follow up with Jim Olson to ensure that these locations were examined by the Traffic Safety Commission. Young reported that he, Olney, Severson, and friends and family of Carole Wheeldon had met prior to the meeting at the proposed site for the Wheeldon memorial. He explained that the general discussion was to provide shade, an additional bench and some sort of memorial plaque, and possibly a tree and/or an artistic water fountain. He noted that before proceeding, he would need to follow-up with the Public Works/Engineering Division to identify any issues with utility line routing. Chapman suggested that if the bench or whatever shade were to be provided required construction, it would be cheaper and more expeditious for commissioners and volunteers to construct them. Young and Olney stated that they would meet as a subcommittee to continuing working on this project, and after Severson providing utility routing details they would schedule the next subcommittee meeting via email. Budget Update Severson noted that no new expenditures had occurred since the budget update memo was prepared for the packets. Subcommittee & Liaison Reports There was a brief report on the Bike Swap subcommittee, and Severson indicated that he would send notice to the paper and reminders to members. Verde Village Changes to Bicycle & Pedestrian Facilities Severson explained that Verde Village was a planning action coming before the Planning Commission that involved a subdivision at the location of the Ashland Greenhouses. He stated that he was bringing to the Commission’s attention because of the proximity to the Bear Creek Greenway at the site of the Dog Park and some changes proposed for the circulation pattern in that vicinity. Dubois noted that he would still like to see directional signage and the Bicycle Friendly Community signage placed at Oak and Nevada to direct people to the Greenway and away from Eagle Mill Road. Members asked that a strongly worded recommendation be sent to the Planning Commission that the connection to the Greenway be moved either to the north over Harold Hardesty’s property or between the parking lots rather than through the Dog Park parking area which is already heavily congested at times. 2006-1116 Bike & Ped minutes Page 1 of 2 Bike Lights, Helmets & Pedometers There was discussion of the fact that the Police Department was willing to sell helmets and lights as a one-stop distribution point. Severson noted that he had been provided a balance of the funds available, but had to determine how these funds had been considered within the budget before determining how they could be spent. There was brief discussion of a pedometer program, noting that it appeared that $15 was the threshold level for purchasing a quality unit, and it was suggested that a partnership with the YMCA might be possible here. It was noted that Harding had been the one who initiated this item, and those present felt it most appropriate to postpone further discussion until she was present. Weekly Car Free Day It was noted that Harding had been the one who initiated this item, and those present felt it most appropriate to postpone further discussion until she was present. Safe Routes There was discussion of pursuing Safe Routes grant funds when they become available for the Laurel Street sidewalk project. Young/Olney m/s to endorse a sidewalk construction project on Laurel Street as a Safe Route to Helman School. Discussion: Members questioned whether this would preclude doing work elsewhere, such as adjacent to Walker School. Voice vote: All AYES. Motion passed. Goal Setting – Preliminary Discussion Severson explained that for the past few years, there hasn’t been interest in doing a formal goal setting session as members have repeatedly expressed their preference for dedicating their personal efforts to individual items in their areas of interest that they were willing to champion rather than a broader set of Commission-wide items. He further noted that at the recent discussions of the commissioner surveys, several members of the commission had expressed an interest in doing a more formal goal setting process. He asked if there was a consensus to move forward with this, and suggested that if there was, it would be appropriate to make this the primary item on the agenda for the first meeting of the new year. After brief discussion, those present indicated they would like to do this. New Business Dubois asked that an agenda item be added in the near future to discuss safety education for cycling on the street in a motorized world, and noted that he would be doing a presentation with this focus at the high school as part of a downhill mountain biking program, and suggested that the Commission might be interested in sponsoring the program. It was noted that Bill Bradbury would be in town shortly to present Al Gore’s “Inconvenient Truth” slideshow dealing with global warming. Olney noted that he would be attending the upcoming Jackson County Bicycle Advisory Committee meeting. Agenda Items for Next Month Goal Setting. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 6:47 p.m. Upcoming Meetings: th Regular Meeting – January 18 at 5:15 p.m. 2006-1116 Bike & Ped minutes Page 2 of 2