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Home My WebLink About2007-02-15 Bicycle & Pedestrian_PACKETCITY OF ASHLAND BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN COMMISSION Agenda Thursday, February 15th, 2007 @ 5:15 P.M. Siskiyou Room @ 51 Winburn Way Community Development & Engineering Services Building I. CALL TO ORDER II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: January 18, 2006 III. PUBLIC FORUM - Business from the audience not included on the agenda. (Limited to 5 minutes per speaker and 15 minutes total.) IV. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS Subcommittee & Liaison Reports Attendees for March 12th Commissioner Appreciation Event (RSVP Please) V. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION Goal Setting Follow -Up Discussion 2007-2008 Budget Request Review of ODOT Proposal - Guard rail installation at railroad trestle Lights and Helmets Pedometers Wheeldon Memorial New Business Agenda Items for Next Month V. ADJOURNMENT Upcoming Meetings Next Regular Meeting - Thursday, March 15th, 2007 at 5:15 P.M. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Administrator's office at (541) 488-6002 (TTY phone number 1- 800-735-2900). Notification 72 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to the meeting (28 CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA Title I). City of Ashland Bicycle & Pedestrian Commission Membership Roster (Updated January 22, 2007) 1. 4.30.2009 Vacant 2. 4.30.2009 Selene Aitken 446 Helman Street 482-7567 Secretary seleneaitken@vahoo.com 3. 4.30.2007 Vacant 4. 4.30.2007 Tracy Harding 334 Bridge Street 488.7884 Vice Chair reclamation@riseup.net 5. 4.30.2007 Jim Olney 361 Wiley Street 482-1057 6. 4.30.2007 7. 4.30.2008 8. 4.30.2008 Tom Burnham David Young Dylan Robbins Chair 9, City Council David Chapman Liaison Planning Staff Liaison Derek Severson RVTD Liaison Paige West olneyit@mind.net 1344 Apple Way 482-4467 tb1937@charter.net 747 Oak Street 488-4188 dvoung @ ieffnet.org 78 Pine Street 210-3325 rrdylan(D.msn.com 390 Orchard St 488-0152 davidchapman@ashlandhome.net 51 Winburn Wy. 552.2040 seversod@ashland.or.us 3200 Crater Lake Ave 608-2429 Medford, OR 97504 p.west@rvtd.org transportationoptions@qmail.com Youth Liaison (SOU) Nathan P. Meyerson (no address on file) 488-9179 natefoo@gmail.com Youth Liaison (AHS) Vacant Traffic Safety Liaison Colin Swales 461 Allison St 488-0939 colinswales@gmail.com (Nine voting members, four constitutes a quorum per AMC 2.22.030) Bicycle & Pedestrian Commission January 18t", 2007 Regular Minutes Roll Call: Chair Dylan Robbins, Jim Olney, David Young, Vice Chair Tracy Harding (late), Selene Aitken, Tom Burnham Council Liaison: David Chapman Staff: David Stalheim, Community Development Director; Derek Severson, Associate Planner Steve McLennan, Police Officer (absent) RVTD liaisons: Paige West & Steve Maluk, TDMPlanners 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 — November 16, 2006 Olney/Aitken m/s to approve the minutes of the November 16t", 2006 meeting as presented. Voice vote: All AYES. Motion passed. Public Forum None. Introductions Those present introduced themselves to new member Tom Burnham. Severson introduced the Director of Community Development, David Stalheim, who was present to observe the meeting. Severson noted that both Bleicher and Rostykus had resigned in the past few days due to scheduling conflicts, and indicated that the Mayor's office was in the process of advertising to recruit new members. He also pointed out that there were several recent resumes on file from the most recent recruitment where Burnham was selected. Young indicated that he would have preferred a chance to discuss scheduling options in order to try to retain Bleicher and Rostykus. Budget Update Severson noted that in addition to the information presented in the memo, there was approximately $1,710 in the Wheeldon Memorial Fund. Severson explained that he had followed up and while there was over $3,000 in the account for the helmets and lights line item, these items had not been budgeted for expenditure. He suggested that he would need to follow up on current costs, but felt that it was likely that money could be found to purchase lights during this fiscal year. Young clarified, asking that front lights be purchased to supplement the 43 rear lights already on hand. Teige noted that there were helmets on hand at Parks and these could be shared with Police until more were purchased. Subcommittee & Liaison Reports Teige gave a brief update on the Bike Swap subcommittee meetings. She noted that the Parks Department hoped to hire someone to reconcile receipts after the Swap, as there was not staff time available to do this. She noted that they would pay a living wage and that the expenditure would not exceed $185. She suggested that they would prefer to hire Harding to do this as she had experience with the Swap and the tasks. She clarified that the payment would not be for the volunteer efforts in support of the Swap, but rather for work that would normally be done by paid staff. She indicated that she didn't feel this created any conflicts. Severson indicated that under Oregon public officials ethics laws, the fact that Harding would have direct financial benefit did represent a conflict of interest. He clarified that this was not a problem in and of itself, and added that it did require that Harding not participate in the discussion or the vote on this matter. He noted that these funds were 2006-1116 Bike & Ped minutes Page 1 of'5 held by a private non-profit, the Ashland Parks Foundation, and that they had graciously allowed the Commission a recommending authority in how the funds were spent. He emphasized that the Commission did not have the budgetary authority to enter into contracts or appropriate funds on behalf of the City, and that in this case the request was for a recommendation to the Parks Foundation to support their desire to expend funds they hold as a private non-profit from previous Bike Swap proceeds. Young indicated that he was somewhat uncomfortable with discussing payment to a commissioner just for the potential appearance of impropriety. Olney noted that the Commission could simply approve the request with a recommendation that Parks could pay someone to do the required work, and that the Commission would not be involved in the selection of who was hired. Olney/Young m/s to recommend that the Parks Foundation expend an amount not to exceed $185 from Bike Swap funds to pay a part-time person at living wage levels to handle reconciliation of receipts after the Bike Swap. Voice vote: All AYES, with Harding abstaining. Motion passed. Severson noted that the Verde Village had submitted a revised proposal addressing changes made in response to the Commission's recommendations from last month. Severson explained that there was a Commissioner Appreciation Event scheduled for March 12`', and indicated his hope that a least a few members would be available to table at the event. Olney noted that he had attended one meeting of the Jackson County Bicycle Advisory Committee and would try to keep doing this as his schedule allowed. Update on Councils 12/4 Discussion of Bikepaths Severson gave brief background, noting that the City had received federal funds to complete this project, but in the time since those funds were received significant increases in the cost of the project had occurred due to federal engineering requirements and right-of-way acquisition. As such, the cost of the project had increased by more than three times. He explained that Public Works Director Paula Brown had made a presentation to the Council in early December but had been unable to update this Commission beforehand due to the timing of the meetings. He explained that Brown was recommending repayment of the funds amounting to approximately $90,000 to remove the federal funds, and thus their requirements and increased costs, and also noted that Brown would like the Commission to engage in helping to update the City's Transportation System Plan with regard to bikepaths and bicycle and pedestrian facilities. Members were generally supportive of Brown's recommendation. Severson noted that this item would again be coming to the Council on February 201h for further discussion. Request for partnership and $200 financial support of ICLEI from Commission Funds Severson noted the history behind this request, explaining that the City has previously participated in ICLEI programs for local government sustainability but that a fee has recently been instated to support ICLEI and engender a greater sense of ownership in their members. He noted that the Conservation Commission and the Conservation Department would each be picking up a $200 one-third share, and suggested that it was appropriate for this Commission to pay one-third given that the primary focus of likely measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions would have to do with reducing automobile use within the community. He added that many of the Commission's recent successes have come through partnerships (with B.T.A., the Parks Foundation, etc.) and then suggested that as important as the ideas behind ICLEI were he felt the opportunity to begin a meaningful partnership with Conservation was of equal value here. Burnham questioned the nature of ICLEI programs and their appropriateness to this commission, as many seemed energy or transit related. He questioned why the Council couldn't just pay the membership fee rather than tapping this Commission's limited funds. Members noted that the opportunity for partnership were valuable, as was the potential third -party program support from ICLEI, and that Ashland would have the opportunity to tailor a program to its own needs. Robbins emphasized that being involved would give the Commission a greater say in how this program was designed and implemented. 2006-1116 Bike & Ped minutes Page 2 of'S Young/Harding m/s to expend $200 in Commission Funds to pay a one-third share of (lie City's membership in ICLEI. Voice vote: All AYES. Motion passed. Election of Officers It was agreed to delay this item until after the appointment of new members to fill the two recently created vacancies. Goal Setting Goal setting began with an open brainstorming session to identify concerns and interests of those present: Robbins noted his interest in eliminating obstacles, including classist barriers, that prevent people from cycling. Dubois noted the need to follow up on recent discussions of doing a better job to promote walking. He noted ways to do this might include a pedometer program, or through outreach and partnerships with local employers. Bill Hyman, audience member and League of American Bicyclists certified instructor, suggested that all commissioners need to be educated on street smart cycling and that the commission needs to completely review city ordinances and policies relating to bicycles. He noted for instance that by law all bicycles are to be licensed, but suggested that there is currently no mechanism for licensing in place. Burnham suggested that the Commission look at the Comprehensive Plan and its Transportation Element and make carrying these out the focus of their work. West suggested creating a matrix to identify goals and policies and how they are addressed. Audience member Elaine Shanafelt urged the commission to work toward completing sidewalks and furthering Greenway connectivity, particularly between Mountain, Nevada and Oak Streets. Severson briefly discussed the Council and Public Works Departments rolls in the LID process, but noted that the Commission could take a roll in making recommendations and that one obvious opportunity to do so would be through annual review of the Miscellaneous Concrete Projects. He added that the Greenway connection was still being pursued, but that right-of- way acquisition was a time consuming matter that was limited by cost and property owner willingness. Stalheim emphasized that Commission input should be a guiding force in determining project priority rather than relying strictly on vocal citizens to raise issues of project priority, as the Commission's have a better big picture grasp of existing facilities and connectivity needs. Young identified the Safe Routes to School Program as a priority. Aitken indicated that she would like to work to promote a culture of non -motorized transportation, and suggested that the way she saw doing this was through a weekly Car Free Day as had been previously discussed. Burnham said there was a need for more marketing and promotion through the preparation of printed educational material. West noted that RVTD could be a partner in a marketing campaign. Members noted the need to focus on repairing and maintaining infrastructure including bikelanes, bikepaths, sidewalks, and signage, and to put greater emphasis on the annual review of Miscellaneous Concrete Projects. Members identified a need to focus on partnerships with the BTA, Traffic Safety, Parks and Recreation, Parks Foundation, Police Department, Public Works Department, Conservation Division, Conservation Commission, and Ashland Community Hospital. Members also indicated that there could be more outreach to bike shops and to the University, and efforts could be made to better integrate efforts with those of other advocacy groups including Siskiyou Velo, the Southern Oregon Sizzlers, Silver Striders, the local running shop, etc. Members noted that Siskiyou Velo might be a funding partner, and that efforts could be made to build partnerships to offer classes and distribute educational materials. Aitken exited at 6:30 p.m.. 2006-1116 Bike & Ped minutes Page 3 of 5 It was suggested that efforts be made to focus on driver education, either through the distribution of materials, teaching of classes, or required diversion programs for drivers ticketed for violating pedestrian or cyclist rights. It was also noted that the Commission could sponsor a forum on cyclists rights and responsibility similar to the one put on by the BTA in Medford last year. West discussed the Safe Routes grant that would be coming up shortly, Severson noted that there was a grant application previously prepared to install sidewalks on Laurel adjacent to Helman School. He explained that while it had been rejected due to issues with the Laurel Street railroad crossing„ it could be slightly modified for resubmittal and would have all of the legwork essentially complete. West noted that ideally the state was looking for these applications to come through coalitions or task forces consisting of citizens, police, planning departments, and school districts. West asked that Severson provide her with a copy of the previously submitted Laurel Street grant application. Members noted that continuing Car Free Day and expanding to include weekly car free observances, continuing the Bike Swap and bike safety education program with the B.T.A. were also priorities. Hyman suggested working to educate the police and local judges about enforcement. Dubois added that tickets should be fairly sizeable or in the form of fix -it tickets or diversion programs. Members suggested forming a committee to address regional transportation issues. Severson noted that in transitioning from the brainstorming portion of the session to developing more concrete plans, it was important to consider some things: he emphasized that staff time to support commission activities was limited; that the time available essentially went to preparing agendas, packets and minutes and attending meetings; that the Council had directed staff to not take on new work programs other than through Council goal setting; and that members also realistically consider how much time they were willing to commit before developing an overly ambitious goal list. Members discussed the need for champions to energize and promote individual items. Harding indicated that she would continue to work on expanding Car Free Day, and on the Bike Swap. West indicated that she would work on expanding and facilitating Safe Routes to School efforts, including the grant application. Robbins indicated that he would work on education, outreach and promotion, possibly to include classes, brochures and outreach to the local judge. Young indicated that he would work on the memorial to Carole Wheeldon. Teige, Dubois and Hyman all indicated an interest in working on offering adult bicycle education opportunities Olney noted that he would continue to attend the Jackson County Bicycle Advisory Commission meetings, and Burnham suggested that he would work on outreach and development of strategic partnerships with Siskiyou Velo. Severson agreed to prepare a draft outreach letter that could be included with the Commission's agenda when it is sent to other organizations, and suggested that if anyone had other groups in mind for outreach they let him know and he could update the mailing list. Members suggested that meeting times could be provided to Siskiyou Velo for inclusion on their calendar as well. Members suggested that infrastructure to include Greenway, bikepath, bikelane, and sidewalk connectivity, signage, review of Miscellaneous Concrete Projects, and work with Public Works on the Transportation System Plan remain on the radar screen as items to be addressed. New Business Harding noted that April 14th was to be a national day of action on climate change, and stated that the Conservation Commission was forming a subcommittee to look at this issue to meet the second Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. She stated that she would follow up and provide additional details as they become available. 2006-1116 Bike & Ped minutes Page 4 of 5 Aa2ngAjLerr�� fir et r�, Goal Setting follow-up, Next Year's budget request, Wheeldon Memorial, Bike Lights and Helmets, Pedometers. gmffiin��tlng m Regular Meeting — February 15"', 2007 at 5:15 p.m. 2006-1116 Bike & Ped minutes Page 5 of 5 CITY OF -ASHLAND January 31, 2006 Dear Commissioners, I just wanted to give you a heads up. In the next few weeks, the Mayor will be sending a letter to each of you inviting you to attend an Open House and Reception for all City of Ashland commission members. The event will take place on March 12, 2007 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. in the lobby of the Grove (1195 East Main Street). This event celebrates your efforts helping the City of Ashland, as well as spreading the word to citizens who may be interested in joining your commission. Each commission will be offered the chance to display information about their commission at a designated table. The Mayor will be inviting members of the public to attend, so bring a friend! Your staff liaison can provide you with further information or feel free to contact me 488-6002. I look forward to seeing your there! Sincerely, Diana Shiplet Executive Secretary ADMINISTRATION 20 East Main Street Ashland, Oregon 97520 www.ashland.or.us PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER Tel: 54I A88-6002 Fax: 541488-5311 TTY: 800-735-2900 BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN COMMISSION GOAL SETTING 2007 SAFE ROUTES (Grant Funds) — West WHEELDON MEMORIAL — Young BIKE SWAP — Teige, Harding, CAR FREE DAY(S) - Harding INFRASTRUCTURE/MISCELLANEOUS CONCRET PROJECTS/TSP - EDUCATION/OUTREACH/PROMOTION - Robbins BIKE SAFETY EDUCATION (On -going) - ADULT BICYCLE EDUCATION — Teige, Hyman, Dubois JACKSON COUNTY BICYCLE ADVISORY COMM. LIAISON — Olney SISKIYOU VELO LIAISON — Burnham PEDESTRIAN PROGRAMS/PEDOMETERS — DRIVER EDUCATION/DIVERSION PROGRAMS - CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIPACLEI - 2007-2008 BUDGET REQUEST 2007-2008 PROJECTS AMOUNT 'RE VESTED ??? TOTAL $??9 Some general budget notes: • The City of Ashland's fiscal year runs from July I" through June 301h. • This Commission's budget has remained unchanged for the past several years: - $3300 in "program funds" to support programs and events such as Car Free Day, the Bike Swap, Safe Routes, Bike Safety Education, etc. - $750 in "commission funds" to cover conference expenses, subscriptions, and meeting -related materials, etc. • In addition, $1,710 has been received to date for the Carole Wheeldon Memorial Fund. These funds are in an account earmarked for capital improvements projects in the Public Works budget, with the Commission able to make recommendations for their expenditure. • There is $3,452.95 in the line item generated from the sale of lights and helmets, however no expenditure for the use of these funds was identified in the current Community Development budget. As such, any purchase of lights or helmets will have to be made through cost savings elsewhere in the Community Development budget. • All expenditures of Commission or Program funds must be voted on by the Commission and approved by the Planning Director, and must be processed through the staff liaison who handle the administrative details through the Finance Department's Accounts Payable office. • The Commission cannot allocate funds or enter into contracts to provide services. These sorts of requests would need to go through the City budget process with all other requests at that level. • Funds not expended and remaining at the end of the fiscal year are returned to the general fund. • Funds generated from the Bike Swap are under the control and management of the Ashland Parks Foundation, a private non-profit affiliated with the Parks Department. The Foundation has indicated a willingness to allow the Commission to make recommendations for the expenditure of these funds; staff would strongly recommend that any motions for the use of these funds be framed as recommendations to the Ashland Parks Foundation in order to avoid any confusion about the status of these funds or the Bicycle & Pedestrian Commission's role in managing them under Oregon state budget law. BUDGET REOUESTS ACTUAL EXPENDITURES 2003-2004 EXPENDITURES AMOUNT Bike Safety Education $1,700.00 Walk/Bike to School Project Planet Bike (bike li hts) $1,553.47 L. TOTAL $3 253.47 NOTES: Directional Signage item originally approved for $1000 was completed using Street Department funds at no cost to the commission; $1700 to BTA; . NOTES: Up to $1500 was approved for Bike Education/Safe Routes however only of agreed upon classes were conducted and only % of funding requested. None of the "Commission Funds" $750 was expended. None of the "Commission Funds" $750 was expended. 2006-2007„PROJECTS Bike Safety Education (a 'd 8/06) AMOUNTS APPROVED TO DATE $1,500.00 Car Free Da (a 'd 9/06) $ 85.69 Bike Swap lights, Helmets, etc. Pedometers %REMAINING FUNDS FOR FY'06-`07' $1700 CITY OF Memo ASHLAND Date: February 15, 2007 From: Jim Olson, Traffic Safety Commission Engineering Division Staff Liaison To: Bicycle & Pedestrian Commission Re: Guardrail Installation on North Main Street Brian Shade[ from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) sent the attached PDF file showing a proposed guardrail installation on North Main Street at the center concrete pier of the CORP Railroad overpass. Apparently they have had several vehicles impact the center pier over the past years and feel that there should be some protection there before someone strikes the pier head-on. The proposed guardrail would be a "Type 2X standard steel guardrail located along the north curb on the median island. The guardrail would extend from the end of the median to the face of the concrete pier (see attached PDF drawing) The guardrail would be terminated on the south end with a standard wrap -back end piece and would be installed in accordance with ODOT details RD405 to RD440. The guardrail would be installed along the left side of the northbound lane and should not affect bicycle travel. Are there any concerns regarding this proposed guardrail installation? Bicycle & Pedestrian Commission 51 Winburn Way Phone: 541.552.2040 R., Ashland OR 97520 Fax: 541.552.2050 www.ashland.or.us TTY: 800.735.2900 IFr I /' I rl r Friends of Jackson County P.O. Box 1443 AN 16 Z007 Phoenix, OR 97535 ; 14 January 2007 r To the Council and Planning Commission, Enclosed is a table showing how many people could be added to the existing City limits of cities participating in the Regional Problem Solving process before minimal densities would be reached. A density of approximately 5000 people per square mile is needed before there is a substantial shift from auto transportation to other transportation modes. While this degree of density is not likely achievable throughout entire cities due to previous land use patterns, this number is achievable in downtown cores built before World War II where a commitment to an infill program is rrrost easily raaarte, But some infill is appropriate throughout any part of a city. What this weans is that in parts of cities we can foster considerably more walking, bicycling, and public transit by Mowing more to get done in a smaller area. laa others we can reduce the amount of land required to house each additional X amount of people. The point is to urge all cities to continue to develop and refine infill programs. It is wrong to consume one square mile each time 2500-3000 people are added to a community as is occurring now in several of our cities. Our cities have already been infilling some. What is at issue with decision makers such as yourselves is to what extent this process should be further encouraged. With adequate amounts of parkland set aside, a considerable amount of infill can be achieved without losing what people call "livability" as is shown in many other parts of the world. In countries where cities have greater densities, those countries c011surrae and waste far less energy moving people from place to place. We know that the US with aria of the worlds population asses 25% of the world's energy. We may not understand that sprawl is a big part of this energy waste problem. Again, we can get rnore done on less land without losing "livability". We can do this by encouraging 2nd float, additions, new 3 and 3 1/2 story buildings, mixed use developments, accessory dwelling units, parking for normal need not maximum Possible need, smaller lot partitions, and other means. And a big part of any infill program is making the determination that a 3 or 3 1 /2 story building is not "high rise". Where decision makers believe that a city covering an ever larger geographical area, will make for a "better" city, we urge them to rethink this approach and allow their Planning Departments to work for target densities so that not so much rural land will be lost through annexations. If we don't do this, at least as much farmland will be lost thru unnecessary annexations frorn the continued approval of low density projects as will be lost through development in the County from the unfortunate policies currently pushed by two of our County Commissioners. It is wrong to dodge the issue of infill by saying that what will be annexed in the future will be transit friendly without first reworking the city core areas and existing outlying areas. And, of course, many of us do not look forward to a doubling of the population of the rogue Valley. This is an issue controlled by our U.S. Senators and Congressional delegates, and we would all be wise to ask them to work to level the population of the U.S. so that in time the population of the Logue Valley will stabilize. Best regards to all of you in trying to help your cities gracefully and economically cope with the growth that has been and will be coming our way. Sincerely, 65:z� a400x Brent Thompson President 488-0407 Table showing how many people could be added to Jackson County Cities with no geographical expansion if target densities are achieved. City 2004 Pop. 2005 sq. 2005 Target: mi. density 3500 3750 4000 Ashland 20590 7.42 2775 5360 7235� 9090 Central Point 14950 4.49 3330 765 1888 3010 Eagle Point 6980 3.04 2296 3660 4450 5210 Jacksonville 2410 1.9 1268 4240 4715 5190 Medford 69220 28.15 2459 29305 36343 43380 Phoenix 4570 1.7 2688 1380 1805 2240 Talent 5890 1.75 3368 235 673 1110 Figures in last three columns achieved by multiplying a given target density x current sq. mi. in each city and then subtracting the current population from that figure: e.g. for Medford 28.15 square miles x 3500 = 98525 - 69,220 = 29,305 people that could be added before Medford's density would exceed 3500 people per square mile. Source: Damian Mann, Medford Mail Tribune Sunday 13 November 2005 Last three rows alculated by Brent Thompson, President of Friends of Jackson County January 2007 Friends of Jackson County P.O. Box 1443 Phoenix Oregon 97535 phone 488-0407 Draft 3 Help Support Child Safety Seat Distribution Programs Child safety seats are very effective in saving lives, but seats cost over $50.00. Estimated Need: • There were 6,700 Oregon children born into poverty in 2003. • Over 7,000 low-income children turned age five in Oregon in 2003. (Oregon Public Health Division, 2005) Just these two figures represent a potential need to subsidize 13,700 child safety seats each year. Your Support Is Vital ACTS Oregon manages individual accounts for counties to purchase child safety seats. 100% of contributions are used to purchase child safety seats. Certified child passenger safety technicians distribute seats to families at a reduced cost. 100% of the family co - payments are also used to purchase child safety seats. Mail donations today to: ACTS Oregon Child Safety Seat Distribution Program 8059 SW Cirrus Drive Beaverton, OR 97008 Donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. ACTS Oregon is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. �S T 5 OREGON Connecting Oregon's Community Traffic Safety Advocates Volume 5, Number 3 National Child Passenger Safety Week February 11-17, 2007 As traffic safety advocates, you know that motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death and injury for children. You also know that child safety seats and booster seats are very effective in preventing death and injury. But Did You Know...? • 1,354 child passengers under age eight were injured and six were killed in motor vehicle crashes in Oregon last year. (ODOT Crash Analysis & Reporting). • Two out of five of these children were not using child safety seats. This means they were either using ill-fitting adult lap and shoulder belt systems or no child safety seats at all. • For children injured in crashes, head injuries are the most common and often result in lifelong disabilities. • Misuse of child safety seats continues to be a problem. Of the 2,580 child safety seats inspected in Oregon, 2,123 required correction —a misuse rate of 82.3%. • Using the right child safety seat can reduce the chance of crash injury an estimated 71% for infants, 54% for toddlers, and 59% for children in boosters. • Once a child has outgrown their child safety seat, a booster seat should be used until safety belts fit correctly, usually not until the child reaches TV' in height or is 8 years old. How Can You Help? • Distribute posters, brochures and fliers to local churches, schools, community centers, child care centers, fitness clubs, and additional locations where families gather. Order Form page 3! • Call the Child Safety Seat Resource Center 1-800-772-1315 or 503-643-5620 or go to www.childsafetyseat.org for information on child safety seat checkup events and other activities scheduled in your community. Continued on Page 3 2007 Oregon legislature Began January 8, 2007 The legislative process can be a maze to navigate, but the Oregon State Legislature web site wwtv.leg. state. or.us provides valuable help. For information on specific bills go to: www.leg.state.or.us/bills_laws. Click on 2007 Regular Session. This allows you to view the full text of 2007 measures, search for specific measure numbers, search the bills and laws, and get information on new measures. The Citizen's Guide pages offer many tools to help citizens participate in the legislative process www. leg. state. or. us/citizenguide% Child Safety Seat Questions Answered The Child Safety Seat Resource Center responded to 5,970 requests for information in FY 05-06. The top five inquiries were for: • Clinic/Fitting Station Locations-662 • Oregon Law-466 • Distribution Programs (low cost child safety seats)-454 • Check -Up Appointments-423 • Correct Use for Children over 40#-381 The CSSRC will continue to address these areas of need through training of technicians, supporting check up activities, fund raising to purchase child safety seats for distribution and ACTS Oregon encourages traffic safety advocates public education on Oregon law, and correct use to share ideas and opinions with their legislators. of child safety seats. Traffic Safety Connection • Jan/Feb.,, ....... . ........ ... . ... .... For information call 503-643-5620 or 1-800-772-1315..........................................................'1 ACTS Oregon 2006-07 Building Safer Communities Mini —Grant Awardees STAFF Ruth Harshfield Executive Director ruthh@actsoregon.org Gayle Watts Child Passenger Safety Program Coordinator gaylew@actsoregon.org Sandy Holt Child Passanger Safety Technician Coordinator sandyh@actsoregon.org Lynne Mutrie Community Traffic Safety Coordinator lynnem@actsoregon.org Kate Murphy Office Manager safety@actsoregon.org BOARD MEMBERS Mike Hattan, President Clackamas mikehat@co. clackamas. or. us Tony Tirico, Vice President Bend ttirico@ci. bend. or. us Lucie Drum, Secretary Portland lucie—drum@amr-ems.com Daniel Marcisz, Treasurer Medford firedan@charter.net Mark Alexander Ontario malexander@ontariooregon.org Larry Christianson Amity dejaceo@msn.com Tammy Franks Hillsboro tammyf@teleport.com Stephen J. Manning Keizer smanning@capitol.quik.com John Naccarato Oregon City johnnac@co.clackamas. or. us Mike Stupfel Salem Michael.Stupfel@state, or. us Beth Wemple Portland BWEMPLE@kittelson.com Graphic Design by Melissa Gannon This year we had over $59,000 in grant requests. After reviewing each of the grants carefully we are happy to say that 14 communities were awarded grants. Successful grantees are: Successful Grantees: City of Albany: purchase a trailer to store and transport bike fleet to teach bike safety to area children. Ashland Traffic Safety Commission: purchase portable traffic analyzers to be used by enforcement to educate community regarding neighborhood speed. Columbia County Traffic Safety Committee: develop and manage a website to provide information about traffic safety to Columbia County citizens. Grant County Safe Communities Coalition: traffic safety education through bike safety rodeos, teen radio program, workshops and rewards for safe traffic behavior. Happy Valley Citizen Traffic and Public Safety Committee: purchase speed display to educate and inform citizens and help focus enforcement efforts. Harney County Safe Communities Coalition: provide child safety seats for community, child safety seat clinics and school zone speed projects. Hubbard Police Department: hire part-time community resource officer to coordinate and provide safety throughout the community and area schools. Independence Police Department: purchase portable digital speed display message sign and traffic counter and related English and Spanish educational programs. Jefferson Rural Fire Protection District: exhibition to increase knowledge and awareness of traffic safety, health, wellness and emergency medical services. City of Keizer. educate elementary and middle school students about the proper and required use of helmets while riding skateboards, scooters, bikes and roller blades. Lane Transit District: provide Safe Routes to School instruction to students, staff and parents at schools to increase student safety and increase number of kids walking and biking to school. Malheur County Traffic Safety Committee: bike safety rodeo to demonstrate safe cycling skills, helmet distribution and fitting. Union County Safe Communities Coalition: develop and promote bike safety rodeo program to be shared throughout Union County. Wallowa Valley Together Project: promote helmet safety and child passenger safety through helmet and safety seat distribution program and campaign. For more information on these grantees contact Lynne Mutrie: lynnem@actsoregon.org or 503-643-5620. Grant County —Working Together to Make a Difference Grant County Safe Communities Coalition was a recipient of a 2006 Building Safer Communities Mini -Grant. The coalition brought together schools, youth, parents, Parks and Recreation and local media to promote bike and traffic safety education. They did this through a combination of activities that included: Bike Education and Rodeo: They hosted a successful bike rodeo in the summer. The Ride and Glide Stunt Team preformed and was a great crowd pleases Bike helmets were fitted and distributed, and local police officers rewarded kids wearing their helmets correctly with DQ ice cream tokens. The rodeo planning and implementation was a great volunteer collaboration effort between Parks and Recreation and the Youth Prevention Coalition. Continued on Page 3 Traffic Safety Connection • Jan/Feb........................................Click on www.actsoregon.org for Traffic Safety Information in Oregon..........................................2 ................................ ......... ...... ....... ........_...... Child Passenger Safety Week FREE Educational Materials Order Form Please mail a packet of FREE educational materials to my address below: Contact Person (if different) Address City......._ Telephone Please return by mail or FAX to: ACTS Oregon Child Safety Seat Resource Center 8059 SW Cirrus Drive Beaverton, OR 97008 FAX: 503-643-5680 Thank you for supporting this lifesaving effort!!!! Questions —Please call 503-643-5620 or 800-772-1315 *For requests from outside of Oregon, call ODOT—Transportation Safety Division i at 503-986-4199. Deadline to order materials: March 31, 2007! Shining Stars of Malheur County Malheur County Traffic Safety Commission had an awards presentation on December 14th, 2006 to recognize outstanding public employees and citizens of the county. These shining stars play an important role in conveying and upholding the message of traffic safety in the community. The recipients of the awards were: Chief Dennis Francis —Chief of the Nyssa Police Department and member of the Malheur County Traffic Safety Commission. Grant County —Working Together to Make a Difference Continued from Page 2 Teen Radio "Car Talk" Program: The coalition sponsored a monthly teen radio "Car Talk" program that was a huge success with youth and parents. With teen drivers being at high risk of traffic crashes, the program provided a great venue for information, fun, trivia and contests focusing on traffic safety. They contracted with a teacher/coach at the high National Child Passenger Safety Week February 11-1712007 Continued from Page 1 The Child Safety Seat Resource Center is also available to help you: • Locate certified child passenger safety technicians and advocates in your community so you can thank them for their efforts. • Work with local child passenger safety technicians and advocates to spread this important message. • Write a press release, letter or feature for a local paper, magazine or newsletter about this important issue. • Conduct a Valentine's Day event in cooperation with an auto dealer or child safety seat retailer in your community. Partners in this educational project include: ACTS Oregon —Child Safety Seat Resource Center, American Medical Response, Oregon Medical Association, Oregon Public Health Division, Oregon Department of Transportation — Transportation Safety Division, Oregon SAFE KIDS Coalition and Portland/Metro SAFE KIDS Coalition. Thank you for joining our efforts to improve the safe transportation of children in Oregon. Deputy Cliff Hill —Malheur County Sheriff's Office, resident Deputy in Jordan Valley. Trish Draze—Oregon State Police Trooper currently patrolling in the Ontario area. Victor Grimaldo—Ontario Police Department Officer and a volunteer fireman. Patty McClure —Oregon Department. of Transportation, Region 5 Traffic Safety Coordinator. Sheri Smith —Ontario Police Department Administrative Secretary, traffic school instructor, and child passenger safety technician. Helen Dickinson —Business representative from school to oversee the program, which facilitated better understanding in the school with staff and students. School Presentations: Youth were taught to develop and make community presentations. Classroom presentations were made on traffic, pedestrian and bike safety. One of the challenges faced was getting school time to conduct the presentations. All high schools were also brought together for the Motivational Media presentation that gets kids to think about their Hanigan Motors on the Malheur County Traffic Safety Commission and supporter of child safety seat check up events. Mark Alexander —Captain with Ontario Police Department and an active member of the Malheur County Traffic Safety Commission. ... ..,1im� it choices and options before taking action. It was a great success. Continued on Page 4 Traffic Safety Connection 9 Jan/Feb...... ....................... .......... .Click on www.childsafetyseat.org for clinics scheduled in Oregon ...... .._.... ___ ....._.................3 „l ltrf f"tt Child Safety Seat Clinics and Training Opportunities Additional events may bescheduled for Child 1 arssengrer Safety Week, 1"itlir'rs stations are also field 'regularly in Beaverton, Corvallis, Independence,: La Grande, McMinnville, Milw+aukie, Redrnori& a_ Saleni. Please check rr�rr��raa.e iriidwa%�t„�'serrt.r'�rr�= under Child Passenger Safety/Calendar for currew list, specific dates, locations arlid tinles. Dater City location Address Tian”" 01/2012007 'Portland Portland Fire Station f123 2915 SSE lath Place 10:00 A.M, to 20 v�mM (Conier of Sr Gideon St and 1.4th near SE Milwareikie & Powell) 02/03/2007 Hillsboro Washington Co. fairgrounds 872 NE 28th Avenue 100 A.M. '10 1:00 P.M, 02/03/20t1�7 Roseburg Ro'sewburg, Fire Dept. Station #3 8,01: NW Garden Valley 10:00 A.K to 2:00 i,.M. 02/08/2007 Beaverton Runi Cadillac 3725 SW Cedar dills Bou. evard 5:00 f:.m. to 7:00 P:M, 02/17/2007 Sarleni Hospital 665 Winter Street SE 11:00 A.AC to 3:00 P:M. Parking lent: of Com. 1341g, 02/1.7/2007 La Grandee Gross Motors 1415 Adams Avenue 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 v.M. 02/24/2007 Salr°in Burlington Coat Factory 303 Bradley Drive SE 10:00 AN. to 3;00 rm, 02/24/2007 Bandon City Hall 555 Hwy 101, 10:00 A 14i. to 2:00 i%t. 8-flour Child Passenger Safety Classes—Kegistration required C All 800 772-1,315, 501 64"3 5620. 2/02/07 Roseburg 01"tlT Region 3 3500 NW Stewart parkway 8.30 A.hi. to 5:00 P.M. 2/23/07 Bandon City Library 1204 1 Ith St S'V'i'r 8:30 ,A30, to 5:00 i" Ni. 3/15/07 Portland Legacy Emanuel Hospital 2801 Gantenbein, Lorenzen Center 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Technician Update Training 4-Hour class for CPS technicians and instructors provides CEU credits toward re -certification and opportunity for seat checks. Registration required. Call 800-772-1315 or 503-643-5620. 2/02/07 Roseburg ODOT Region 3 3500 NW Steward Parkway 1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. Technician Certification Class—$60 fee. Registration required. Call 800-772-1315, 503-643-5620. 2/28, 3/1, 3/7 & 3/8 Beaverton ACTS Oregon 8059 SW Cirrus Drive 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. —first 3 days 10:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M.-3/8 4/19, 20, 26, & 27 Albany Albany Fire 2850 Gibson Hill Drive NW 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Grant County —Working Together to Make a Difference Continued from Page 3 Grant County Safe Communities Coalition continues to grow with a diverse array of partners. Community partners have worked together well, sharing expertise, resources and information around traffic safety to make their communities better places to live. ACTS Oregon congratulates them on their hard work and wishes them continued success in the future. For information about Grant County Safe Communities Coalition call Debi Hueckman, 541-575-2595. Plan now to attend the Governor's fligirway Safety Association National Meeting September 22-26, 2007 Portland lHilton Hotel Portland, Oregon Im r Traffic Safety Connection 9 Jan/Feb ............................. Oick on wwwchildsafetysest.org feel r Mules sclied uled in Oregon .........:. ....:.............. ...... ..4