HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-01-17 Bicycle & Pedestrian_MIN
Bicycle & Pedestrian Commission
th
January 17, 2008 Regular Minutes
Roll Call: Chair David Young, Vice Chair Julia Sommer, Tom Burnham
Steve Ryan, Mick Church, Matthew Seiler, Jim Olney
Council Liaison: David Chapman
Staff: Derek Severson, Associate Planner
Steve McLennan, Police Officer
RVTD liaisons: Steve Maluk, TDM Planner (absent)
High school liaison: Vacant
SOU liaison: Vacant
Call to Order
Chair Young called the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m.
th
Approval of Minutes – December 20, 2007
Sommer suggested that the reference to “special needs students” be removed from the Bellview
School hearing notes, indicating that she didn’t recall them being mentioned. There was
agreement by those present that this hadn’t been part of the discussion, and it was recommended
that staff remove the reference. The minutes were approved as amended by general consensus.
Public Forum
Egon Dubois, Bicycle Safety Instructor for the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA), inquired
whether commissioners were interested in meetings in the field at some point, to visit sites under
discussion, examine facilities, or just have a coffee ride. He also questioned the progress made
in forming a Transportation Commission.
Subcommittee & Liaison Reports
Car Free Day Subcommittee members noted that they had met to discuss continuing a Car Free
Day event and maintaining momentum. It was noted that members wanted to engage the
business community in some sort of bicycle commuting challenge, similar to what has been done
by the BTA in Portland, with a competition between larger local employer commuter teams,
miles and days commuted logged on-line, and those participating entered into a raffle for prizes.
It was noted that Car Free First Fridays were still being considered, and that there may be a blurb
included in the map put out by the gallery association to encourage car free participation, and
that it may be possible to use the double-decker bus to help promote this.
Car Free Living subcommittee members noted that they had discussed developing a “Top 10” list
of commission priorities for maintenance items to insure that the pressure is kept on until the
items are resolved. Subcommittee members also indicated that they had considered trying to
encourage the City Council to walk and bicycle, potentially through a letter from the
Commission or through the Commission’s annual presentation to Council.
2008-0117 Bike & Ped minutes Page 1 of 4
Young noted his efforts to promote the student liaison position through the “Griz-O-Gram” had
resulted in one inquiry. He indicated that he would follow up on the idea of approaching the
student government/leadership students. Ryan indicated that he could present something similar
at SOU, and fellow Commissioners suggested approaching ECOS, the Community Bike
Program, and the student government. Severson clarified that the student liaison positions are a
non-voting position, and require appointment by the Mayor.
Olney reported on the Jackson County Bicycle Advisory Commission’s discussions of a bicycle
crossing for Barnett Road, noting that the current cost is $1.6 Million. Sommer noted that she
was no longer representing Ashland on the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO).
Young updated Commissioners on the Interchange Area Management Plan (IAMP) citizens’
advisory committee meetings, noting that the current proposal for Exit 14 calls for a three-lane
road with a left onto North Main, ten-foot wide shoulders and a sidewalk. He noted that both
directions ends would be signalized, that the shoulder would not be striped, and that the bike
lanes would cross the on-ramps. Members emphasized that there needed to be unimpeded
crossing of the on-ramps for bicycles and pedestrians, with designated lanes and controlled
crossings; members suggested that the proposal as described was inadequate.
Olney/Ryan m/s to authorize Chair Young to send a letter to this effect to John MacDonald
of ODOT by the comment deadline, which occurs before the next regular meeting of this
Commission. Voice vote: All AYES. Motion passed.
Young noted that Exit 19 was located within Jackson County jurisdiction and was seen as having
no connecting bicycle or pedestrian facilities. The plan proposes three lanes with stop signs and
no sidewalks, and a ten-foot shared shoulder. He noted that roundabouts had been discussed, and
while they were initially found to be not germane to the discussion they may be revisited. He
indicated that there was also discussion of closing one east/west lane of Ashland Lane until
future expansion in the vicinity occurs.
Election of Officers – Secretary
The roles and responsibilities of the secretary were discussed, and Olney indicated his
willingness to serve in this role.
Seiler/Church m/s to nominate Olney to serve as secretary. Discussion: No one else
expressed interest in the nomination. Severson noted that the other officers had been
elected in May of 2007, and Commissioners did not express an interest in appointing a new
Chair or Vice Chair. Voice vote: All AYES. Motion Passed.
Appointment of Representative – Croman Master Plan Meetings
Church indicated that he would be interested in attending the upcoming meeting and reporting
back. Seiler said that he may attend as well.
2008-0117 Bike & Ped minutes Page 2 of 4
Follow Up Items
Severson briefly discussed the status of the Wheeldon memorial, noting that it had been
discussed at the Historic Commission where there were concerns that the conceptual drawing
was too rustic and heavy, and that it would be going to the Public Arts Commission on January
th
18.
Severson noted that Jim Olson had responded to the list of ODOT grant items formulated last
month, and that he had indicated that ODOT would not consider items where the full right of
way was not already in place to complete the project. Severson added that Olson now believes
that the Laurel Street sidewalks are the best option, and that the prior grant application could be
modified to include a significant portion of the necessary bicycle and pedestrian improvements
to the railroad crossing at Laurel Street and resubmitted.
Severson noted that he had met initially with Interim Public Works Director Jim Olson, Assistant
City Engineer Karl Johnson, and Project Manager/City Engineer Paula Brown about the creation
of a Transportation Commission. Severson indicated that Brown was now looking into what
other cities have done and has taken the issues raised in the initial meeting to begin formulating
recommendations. Members suggested that examples from Boulder, Colorado and Eugene,
Oregon be considered.
Severson noted that he had anticipated having a Transportation System Plan (TSP) update
project list for Commission review tonight, but he explained that the initial project list had just
been received from the consultants today. He stated that in discussing the TSP update with
Public Works Staff, they suggested it might be best to have interested Commissioners attend the
th
public open house in the Siskiyou Room from 5:00 – 7:00 on January 30.
Severson reported that Paula Brown would be checking with ODOT on the North Main fog line
installation request, and that he would report back if there was any new information.
Severson noted that in terms of the Oak Street discussion, he wanted to be clear that in terms of
that discussion, the Commission would not be the final decision making authority, and that this
item would likely wind up before the Council – with significant neighborhood opposition –
before a final decision is made.
Sommer indicated that nothing would ever be accomplished if the right decision was avoided
because it might be difficult. Church, Burnham, Sommer and Ryan all indicated that they were
in favor of pursuing Oak Street parking removal to install bike lanes. Young suggested that a
charette be held to bring neighbors in to pursue options for promoting safety while providing
connectivity. Severson noted that there could be issues with removing parking where on-street
parking credits have been used to meet the parking requirements for development which had
occurred along Oak Street, and that it would take considerable staff time just to research how
many lots this might affect. Young suggested that members could also take this item to Council
to see if they were willing to direct staff to explore the feasibility. After general discussion,
members suggested that Severson request time on the next Traffic Safety Commission agenda so
that this item could be brought up before Traffic Safety and it could be determined if they had
2008-0117 Bike & Ped minutes Page 3 of 4
ideas to solve the problem or an interest in finding solutions. Ryan indicated that he would
attend this meeting.
Car Free Day/Car Free Living
There was discussion of whether the event should be held on a Sunday or a Monday, or
somehow related to First Friday. It was also noted that there would be a tie-in to a bike
commuter challenge.
Young noted the need to challenge assumptions, and suggested that the Commission look to
creating a week-long event rather than a one-day carnival. He suggested that Commissioners not
be bound by the International Car Free Day date. There was discussion of seeking sponsorship
and participation from larger employers in the city including the City, Darex/Drill Doctor, OSF,
SOU, and the School District. It was suggested that the event could be the culmination of a week
of activities; members discussed possible incentives.
There was general consensus to conduct a weekend event with a commuter challenge week.
Severson asked that subcommittee members e-mail him future meeting dates and times so he
could cover the public noticing requirements. Ryan indicated that he would try to attend these
subcommittee meetings as well. Members questioned if Siskiyou Velo could be involved.
Jeff Boncheck arrived late for Public Forum, noted that he’d had two friends killed while
walking in the past five years. He indicated that a friend on a bike was in an accident earlier
today, and he just wanted to attend to find out what was going on with the Commission. He
noted his involvement with the Community Bike Program at SOU and reminded Commissioners
of the free bike clinic on Tuesdays at the bike barn.
Agenda Items for Next Month
Oak Street follow-up, and Car Free Day/Car Free Living.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 7:03 p.m.
Upcoming Meetings:
st
Regular Meeting – February 21, 2008 at 5:15 p.m.
2008-0117 Bike & Ped minutes Page 4 of 4