Bicycle & Pedestrian Commission

January 19^th, 2006

Regular Minutes

Roll Call: Tracy Harding (absent), Secretary Christina Lacy (absent), Tom Marvin, David Young, Chair Dylan Robbins, Vice Chair Julia Sommer, Selene Aitken

Council Liaison:  Russ Silbiger (absent)                                       

Staff:    Derek Severson, Assistant Planner, Steve McLennan, Police Officer (absent), Rachel Teige, Recreation Superintendent

RVTD liaison: Paige West, RVTD/TDM Planner

High school liaison:   Cory Lescher (absent)                                       

SOU liaison: Nathan Meyerson

Call to Order

Chair Robbins called the meeting to order at 5:22 p.m.

Approval of Minutes – October 20^th

Sommer/Marvin m/s to approve the minutes of October 20^th, 2005 as presented.  Voice vote: All AYES.  Motion passed.  

Public Forum

Brad Jones (2295 Tolman Creek Road, 482-8915) noted that he works with the IFCO/Pastors for Peace program which runs a humanitarian aid caravan to Cuba.  He noted that bicycles and bicycle parts are delivered along with other humanitarian aid supplies, and added that they were looking for help from the community.  He explained that he had met with United Bicycle Institute (UBI), and was hoping that the Commission could commit: 1) any left-over bicycles or parts after the Bike Swap in May; 2) any mechanical or repair skills to help build and repair bicycles between now and June; 3) any other bikes to donate; and 4) a donation of financial support of at least $100.  Members asked that a formal request be made and that this item be placed on next month’s agenda for discussion.

Paul Rostykus noted that he had applied for appointment to the commission and was in attendance again in hopes of appointment.  Severson noted that Rostykus’ application had been received and forwarded to the Mayor some time ago, and that he would follow-up with the Mayor to make him aware that there was still interest in the position.

Egon Dubois, Bicycle Safety Instructor for the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA), thanked the Commission for its support on his own behalf and for the BTA.  He discussed the value of the bicycle safety education program in the local schools and noted that it is noticed in town.  He explained that he was asking for funds in the amount of $1600 in addition to the annual request for financial support made by the BTA to support.  He went on to note that the cost for conducting a class was $800, and noted that there are currently classes in Walker Elementary School and Talent Middle School, with a program due at Ashland Middle School in the spring.  He added that if Talent drops their program due to funding, there would be two classes in Ashland in the fall, for a total of three elementary schools and one middle school program in a year.  He clarified that there were not classes in every grade.  Dubois explained that there were Bike Swap funds leftover from last year still to be spent, and that given the difficulty in finding financial support for the program and the intended use of Bike Swap funds for bike education programs he believed this was an appropriate use of these funds. 

Severson clarified that the Bike Swap funds were held by the Ashland Parks Foundation, a non-profit affiliated with the Parks and Recreation Commission to support Parks Department programs.  He explained that these funds were separate from, and not under the control of, the Bicycle & Pedestrian Commission.  Recreation Superintendent Teige explained that while these funds were held by the Foundation, they were generated from a Bicycle & Pedestrian Commission supported event and it was her understanding that the Foundation would rely on the recommendations of the Bicycle & Pedestrian Commission for the expenditure of these funds.  Teige agreed to check on the exact amount in the account and verify the details.  Members asked that a formal request for use of these funds be made and that this item be placed on next month’s agenda for discussion.  Dubois stated that he would prepare a formal request for next month.  Severson noted that the annual request from the BTA had not been received to date, and added that this was later than usual.  Dubois indicated that a request would be forthcoming.

SK8GUARD Skateboard Rack Discussion

Severson provided brief background on this item, noting that members had previously agreed to purchase two Sk8Guard skateboard racks in addition to the two that were being donated in order to provide skateboard parking facilities in the downtown.

Sommer/Marvin m/s to purchase two SK8GUARD racks at a price of $300 each to supplement the two racks being donated free of charge by SK8GUARD.  Discussion: After discussion, it was agreed that the most appropriate locations for placement were two racks on the plaza with the bike parking and two racks at the library (one near the front entrance, at street level, and another at the rear entrance).  Voice Vote:  All AYES.  Motion passed.

Budget Update (Annual Budget: $3300 Program Funds; $750 Commission Funds)

Severson noted that besides the $600 just committed, $500 had been committed to Car Free Day, and that to date only $65.64 had been expended from Program Funds.  He added that $150 was committed to purchasing helmets, lights, etc. but noted that no request had been made for those funds. 

Liaison Reports

West noted that a bike parking capacity study was underway at SOU, and the target is to survey 50% of the student body by phone in order to get an idea of the split between the various modes of transportation used on campus.   She stated that there was on-going discussion of bus passes.  She reported that signage was being placed on 10 shelters as well as the buses, and that schedules would be placed in the shelters as well. 

West stated that Walker Elementary School was taking the lead in Safe Routes to School (SR2S) activities, and noted that Wendy Connor at Walker was doing wonderful work on walking Wednesdays as an extension of the SR2S program progression.  She noted that they are seeing great success in the program, and that they will be doing a walkability study in the vicinity of the schools and would like to have city staff (both an engineer and a planner) assist in this effort.

West explained that the Rogue Valley Transportation District (RVTD) is in the process of reprioritizing their Transportation Demand Management (TDM) program.  She stated that because of this reprioritization, she will be able to attend fewer meetings in order to focus more on land use and state funding.  She added that the focus of the program is trying to better address transportation and land use.  She noted that she would need to pull back on coming to meetings, but that Car Free Day was a priority and she would continue her work on that event but that she would not be able to take as strong a role in the Bike Swap as she would like. 

Meyerson noted that the first transportation meeting at SOU would be on January 20^th.  He added that he was just getting involved in the bike clinic/bike library.  He stated that there would be a work party the first weekend in February that would include an education clinic.  Dubois volunteered to assist in this effort.  Meyerson reported that the student fee committee is hoping to reinstate their financial support for RVTD and establish a permanent funding mechanism for that support.

Car Free Day Spring 2006

Sommer suggested that the commission might piggy-back on a First Friday Art Walk to close off Oak and Pioneer streets between Main and Lithia for the duration of the walk (5-8 pm), and perhaps one hour before and after.  She suggested Friday, June 2, after the Bike Swap and when the weather is good, and offered to approach the Ashland Gallery Association about such a co-production.  She mentioned that she had spoken to Suzanne Heinrich, administrator of the Association, who thinks it's a great idea.  Sommer noted that the Gallery Association distributes 1,000 walk maps and does considerable advertising for its monthly art walks, and that Bike & Ped could piggy-back on this.  Sommer suggested that if the commission and the Gallery Association is supportive of this proposal, Standing Stone and Tabu/Abajo be approached to provide street dining, and that all merchants on these two blocks be approached for their support, and perhaps street booths.  Booth possibilities were discussed.  Sommer will report on the Gallery Association response at the next commission meeting.

West suggested reminding the Gallery Association that the advertising should emphasize a car free focus to the event, and should note that buses would be free until 7:30 p.m.  She recommended that the advertising include a press release and stories in the Tidings.  Marvin asked that additional events be considered as part of the day, and recommended an essay contest.  Aitken suggested having art bikes on display.    Young expressed some concern that a closure of downtown streets in the peak of tourist season may be a problem.  Severson questioned whether the timing of this event was so close to the September International Car Free Day event that planning efforts for June 2^nd might detract from the September event.  He also noted that planning the last event had taken a small group close to a year, and questioned whether members were willing to take on the additional time commitments to carry a larger closure out in a much shorter timeframe.  West noted that the commission might be able to co-sponsor the ArtWalk and provide bike parking and bus service without a street closure.  She also noted that it would be a question of whether planning this event would compete with the Bike Swap in May. 

Sommer indicated that the closure was an important element and that the street cafes were crucial in drawing people into the street and the event.  She stated that she would follow up with the Gallery Association board and report back next month.  Dubois indicated that he was willing to help with this event, and Robbins stated that he could help make contact with merchants. 

Bike Swap Discussion

It was noted that the event was to be held on May 13^th, from 12 to 4 p.m., with bikes to be dropped off from 7 to 11 a.m.  Logistics and fees were discussed.

Young/Sommer m/s to eliminate the per-item registration fee structure and charge a flat fee of 15 percent of all sales, with the budget for the event coming from, and any funds generated going to, the Parks Foundation’s Bike Swap account.  Discussion:  Teige noted that they are working to assemble food vendors and give the event a party atmosphere.  She asked that any and all volunteers be sent to her.  Meyerson indicated that he could bring several volunteers.  Marvin expressed concern with treating the event simply as a fundraiser, and urged that the fees be kept at 10 percent.  He emphasized that he was concerned with getting caught up in “money-thinking” rather than looking at what the event should be about, especially when the funds would be going to an account members weren’t even aware existed.  West indicated that she had been aware of the account and the funds available there.  Roll call vote: Sommer, Robbins, Young, and Aitken, YES.  Marvin, NO.  Motion passed 4-1.

West noted that RVTD would be providing $1,000 in advertising, plus bus signage.

David Engwicht/Traffic Calming Training Discussion

Severson noted that this was intended as an informational item only, since the training had been previously discussed.  He noted that Engwicht would soon be releasing a DVD, which was described in the packet information, intended to help resolve neighborhood traffic issues, and he suggested that the commission consider purchasing a copy for information when it was released.

North Main Street Multi-Use Path Solution

Marvin provided some background on this item; he noted that his proposed path would be a bi-directional multi-use path on the uphill side of North Main Street, from the city limits to the downtown.  He indicated that North Main is currently the worst stretch of road for cyclists in the western hemisphere, and suggested that the multi-use path he was proposing was a solution.  He noted that the path would be of varying width and would undulate and meander according to how much additional right-of-way could be acquired. 

Marvin indicated that he had spoken to John Vial of the Oregon Department of Transportation and that Vial recognized the need for such a solution and suggested that it should be pursued.  Marvin stated that the next steps were: 1) to lift the ordinance prohibiting bicycles on the sidewalks in the city; 2) determining and addressing the cost; and 3) determining whether Vial’s statement that no additional right-of-way was available.  He also recognized that a barrier design and crossing at Jackson Road needed to be addressed.  Marvin stated that he would follow-up further and report back next month. 

Young recounted the previous barrier ODOT had installed along North Main, known to those who opposed it as “The Wall of Death”.  He explained that a concrete barrier had been placed on the downhill side of North Main in the stretch proposed, and it effectively trapped cyclists in the vehicle travel lane by cutting off any possibility of using additional space to evade obstacles.  It was removed after a strong outcry from citizens and this commission, which he was serving on at the time.

New Business

Sommer noted that the Rogue Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization (RVMPO) Public Advisory Council needs one more Ashland representative.  She noted that they meet the third Tuesday, every other month, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Smullin Center on the Rogue Valley Medical Center campus in Medford, with the next meeting scheduled for March 21^st at 5:30 p.m.  Dubois and Robbins both expressed some interest in serving.

West suggested looking at priorities for the Bike Swap funds, and added that there may be some matching grant opportunities for community facilities rather than limiting them to education.

West discussed the recent regional problem solving effort looking at planning land-use and transportation allocations until 2050.  She emphasized that Ashland was the only city within the MPO that had not proposed expanding its urban growth boundaries.  She suggested a letter of support from the commission to the city council emphasizing the need to hold firm to the longstanding commitment to maintaining a compact urban form around a dense urban core and relying on density and in-fill to accommodate growth rather than looking to expand the urban growth boundary and potentially contributing to urban sprawl.  Members asked that Severson prepare a draft letter to this effect. 

Agenda Items for Next Meeting                                                                       

General discussion of Bike Swap Funds; Requests for Funding : Pastors for Peace Cuba Caravan request for support; BTA annual request for support from program funds; Egon Dubois/BTA request for recommendation that the Parks Foundation expend Bike Swap funds; June ArtWalk! Street Fair; Multi-Use Path; Draft Letter to Council on Density versus Sprawl

Adjournment

Sommer/Aitken m/s to adjourn at 7:23 p.m.  Voice vote:  All AYES.  Motion passed.

Upcoming Meetings:

5:15 P.M. Thursday, February 16^th - Regular Meeting in the Siskiyou Room