Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-03-20 Bicycle & Pedestrian_MIN Bicycle & Pedestrian Commission th March 20, 2008 Regular Minutes Roll Call: Chair David Young, Vice Chair Julia Sommer, Secretary Jim Olney (late), Steve Ryan, Mick Church (absent), Matthew Seiler, Tom Burnham Council Liaison: David Chapman Staff: Terry Holderness, Chief of Police Steve McLennan, Police Officer Kip Keeton, Community Service Officer Derek Severson, Associate Planner RVTD liaisons: Paige Townsend, RVTD Senior Planner High school liaison: Vacant SOU liaison: Vacant Traffic Safety Commissioners: Chair Matt Warshawsky, Vice Chair Colin Swales Call to Order Chair Young called the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m. st Approval of Minutes – February 21, 2008 The minutes were approved as presented by unanimous consent. Public Forum Tom Phillips and Midge Thierolf, who are working to develop a memorial for City Councilor Carole Wheeldon, who passed away in late 2006, presented their model of the proposed bench for the memorial and discussed details of its placement and of the process of developing the memorial to date including meetings with the Historic and Public Arts Commissions. They noted that they were working with the Parks Department to get a cherry tree installed, that granite boulders from a local quarry would be used, and that generally the proposal was to use local materials to the greatest degree possible. The indicated that they were hoping for a letter of support for the project. Burnham/Sommer m/s to express Commission support of the proposal as presented. Discussion: Keeton questioned whether a backed bench design would be more appropriate; Young indicated that he would like to respect the design process that had occurred and not try to redesign anything by committee. Voice vote: All AYES. Motion passed. Ambuja Rosen, who has been working to have a dog-tethering ordinance adopted, noted that she has been a bicyclist and pedestrian since moving to Ashland. She gave background on her campaign, and told the story of a dog named Max who lives on Cambridge Street and has been tethered his entire life. She noted the psychological impacts this has had on Max, who she suggested was bipolar. She presented data from her study on the effects of tethering ordinances in ten communities where they’ve been adopted, and asked for a recommendation or statement from the Commission to Council in support of the proposed ordinance, and asked that Commissioners also express their support individually. Burnham questioned what the current law is, and Rosen responded that it requires only adequate space for exercise. She noted that in 2005, only five dog bites were reported in Ashland, but suggested that most bites are not reported 2008-0320 Bike & Ped minutes Page 1 of 5 to local police because they are handled by Animal Control through the County. Burnham asked about specifics of the proposed Ordinance, and Rosen responded that there was not sufficient time available in Public Forum to adequately explain it; she indicated that she would e- mail it to Severson for distribution to interested Commissioners. Matt Warshawsky noted that he had made a request that the Commission make a recommendation to Council to modify Ashland ordinances to allow bicyclists to take the lane where appropriate. Severson noted that he had wanted to forward this request in cooperation with the Police Chief, and that it had fallen through the cracks during the transition between Police Chiefs. He indicated that he would forward it to Chief Holderness ASAP. Keeton introduced himself, noting that in addition to being a Community Service Officer, he also serves on the City’s staff Safety Committee. He expressed his personal concerns with bicyclist and pedestrian safety, and noted seeing frequent near misses where accidents caused by cyclists disobeying traffic laws are narrowly avoided. He indicated that he hoped to see more efforts at bicyclist education and enforcement. Chapman encouraged the police to ticket violations and support diversion programs which would either involve classroom safety education or duty as a crosswalk monitor. Egon Dubois, bicycle safety instructor with the Bicycle Transportation Alliance, noted the effective use of bicycles by police officers in Central Point. He suggested that more bicycles would help Ashland police deal with bicycle enforcement, and he offered to assist the department in obtaining and maintaining bikes if they were interested. Young questioned how Commissioners wanted to handle the fairly full agenda, given that the Police Chief was present and that some members and liaisons needed to leave early. Members suggested beginning with discussion of Siskiyou Boulevard pedestrian safety and the recent focused enforcement actions. Siskiyou Boulevard Safety Young noted that he had issues with conducting a sting operation at a signalized crosswalk, and he indicated that this was not the issue that really needed to be addressed and just served to go after the low-hanging fruit while upsetting the community in a predatory manner. Holderness noted that the operation had been focused on the unmarked crosswalks, and he explained the details and manpower involved in carrying off these actions. He noted that when watching the events on site, officers witnessed multiple near miss accidents at the signalized crosswalk, and determined that this was the most dangerous behavior being observed, and the most in need of being addressed in that place and time. MacLennan and Severson both noted witnessing dangerous situations in the signalized crosswalk caused by pedestrian behavior. 2008-0320 Bike & Ped minutes Page 2 of 5 Holderness noted that more of these actions will follow, and he explained that the publicity from the event is the primary benefit as it is what alters behavior beyond the scope of those ticketed in the event itself. Burnham noted that he would like to see a more regular, on-going police presence to get the awareness level up. Holderness explained on-going efforts by the Police Department, including volunteers at school zones and the radar trailer. He noted that the department is trying to address the full community with limited resources, and that the focus during the busiest morning hours is on the schools. Ryan noted that he has experienced numerous near misses himself caused by drivers, noted that he is keeping a list, and he urged others to do the same. Young noted that he would like to see a more concerted effort, and that the Tidings is not providing the type of coverage that is needed. He indicated that he would like to see some sort of subcommittee form to better address this. Burnham concurred, noting that a coalition needs to be formed to start putting together short and long term solutions. Chapman suggested that anyone interested in participating in finding solutions attend the next Traffic Safety Commission meeting. Warshawsky stated that he would like to have a discussion based on more information next Thursday at Traffic Safety and be able to send recommendations back to the City Council for a decision the following Tuesday. He would like more data, including details on the accident from APD. He noted that he had wanted to form a subcommittee, but suggested that time commitment was an issue and he feels that information needs to be compiled quickly and distilled to get a decision at next week’s Traffic Safety meeting. He stated that he would like interested parties to meet next Tuesday with research they do between now and then. Chapman, Burnham, Dubois, Young and Ryan indicated they would attend, as the APD representatives present were also invited. Warshawsky indicated that the meeting would occur at 7:00 p.m. next Tuesday and that the location would be announced via email. Severson noted that he would provide email contact information for interested members to Warshawsky. Burnham urged lowering the speed limit as an immediate fix. Subcommittee & Liaison Reports Paige Townsend, Senior Planner with the Rogue Valley Transportation District, discussed the status of their liaison role as they seek a replacement for Steve Maluk. She noted that RVTD has been a partner in Car Free Day for 11 years, and she recounted that the event had originally started small knowing that there would be a bigger pay-off. She noted that the Oak Street Car Free Day event and street closure has been successful for three years and has been recognized in Portland. She emphasized that thousands worldwide celebrate Car Free Day on September 22, and that there seems to be a progression in some communities where the benefits of the event lead to a recognition that results in permanent street closures. She encouraged Commissioners to consider what they wanted to do for the event, and she noted that a champion was needed to carry out the event. She suggested that the activities of the day could then be compartmentalized 2008-0320 Bike & Ped minutes Page 3 of 5 and duties split among the Commission and other stakeholders. She discussed the event as a celebration and reward for those who are already living car free. Townsend also asked for participation by Commissioners in the Bike Swap, as commissioners are the beneficiaries of this event along with the BTA and the students of Ashland. She indicated that she would send research on the use of 45-degree crosswalks which she felt might be an applicable solution for the medians on Siskiyou. Chapman questioned the status of RVTD’s Bike First program, and Townsend indicated that a wholesale supplier was needed. Chapman indicated that he would like to see the Commission involved in this. Townsend noted that they would have a new person on staff by the fall. Ryan indicated that he would be interested in participating in the Car Free Day event, but that he did not want to be “the champion.” Seiler noted that he had been involved last year, and he suggested that there is energy within the community. Townsend noted that she would also like to see ECOS, Siskiyou Velo, the BTA Bike Rodeo, etc. She noted that RVTD would handle advertising and marketing for the event. Ryan indicated that he would attend subcommittee meetings. Chapman exited at 6:32 p.m. Young noted that he had attended the last two Bike Swap meetings, and suggested that they were making good progress on planning for the event at the subcommittee level. Severson questioned if members were interested in tabling at the Earth Day event at th Scienceworks on Saturday, April 19. Seiler indicated that he would table, and Sommer and Young indicated that they could also be there to provide additional coverage during part of the day. Seiler added that he was officially out of the Car Free Day event planning, and that he would th attend next month’s Commission meeting prior to leaving town on May 5. Olney noted that he had attended the Jackson County Bicycle Advisory Committee. He noted that staff person Karen Smith was retiring and would not be replaced, and that support for the Committee and for the Greenway was somewhat on hold for now. Swales noted that he had attended the School Board meeting for their discussion of high school students being sent to Lincoln School for some classes during construction. Oak Street Ryan noted that the discussion of Oak Street bike lanes had been tabled at the Traffic Safety meeting last month and would be discussed next week. He indicated he would report back next month. He added that the University was to have had a representative in attendance at tonight’s meeting, and Young suggested that they should be represented on any subcommittee that forms. 2008-0320 Bike & Ped minutes Page 4 of 5 Bike Lane/Bike Path Maintenance Severson suggested that he could prepare a reference card of those to contact for streets, bike lane and bike path maintenance issues. It was noted for Commissioners that the Parks Department provides maintenance on the Greenway all the way to Valley View Road. Top 10 List Sommer noted that she would like to assemble a list of places and issues with problems most in need of being addressed. The Commission would then take these to the Traffic Safety Commission and request action. She indicated that she would be willing to put the list together, and suggested that members e-mail her with their top issues. She clarified that these should be infrastructure and engineering items that could be fixed to create a safer environment for cycling and walking. On-Going Goal Discussion: Car Free Day & Car Free Living Sommer expressed her frustration with trying to get Car Free First Fridays going with the Gallery Association. She noted that despite numerous conversations, they have not followed up and there seems to be no buy-in. New Business Members discussed the potential for quorum issues with the current vacancy and Seiler’s departure. Severson noted that both Ryan and Church had sought positions on the Planning Commission and might not be willing to serve on two Commissions if appointed there. Ryan indicated he would be willing to serve on both. Young noted that he had asked for reappointment. Severson indicated that he could make the Mayor aware of a potential issue. Burnham noted that he was working with Bill Heimann and Chapman to develop improved bike maps. He suggested that the subcommittee will need additional assistance after the issue of Siskiyou Boulevard pedestrian safety has been adequately addressed. Agenda Items for Next Month Seiler suggested that the Commission needed to clarify its vision of Car Free Day. Ryan suggested that members work on “near-miss” lists. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 7:04 p.m. Upcoming Meetings: th Regular Meeting – April 17, 2008 at 5:15 p.m. in the Siskiyou Room 2008-0320 Bike & Ped minutes Page 5 of 5