Ashland Police Department Liaison Kip Thomas, Associate Planner Maria Harris, and Clerk Derek Severson.

The meeting was called to order at 5:04 p.m.

Spear noted a grammatical correction to the minutes, pointing out that "the commission" is singular and should be used accordingly in the minutes.

Rob Joseph noted that he was present to make known his interest in serving on the commission.

Rogers noted that as part of her work with RVTD, she has spoken in all Ashland Schools. She made note of the fact that retiring Bellview School Principal Eric Jorgensen had refused to speak to students about cycling or to allow a presentation on cycling as he feels that too many city streets are unsafe for children to cycle.

Rogers also noted that Ashland Community Hospital has given $2,000 to the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) to support safety classes in Ashland schools. She also pointed out that she now has an office at the Middle School.

Those present consented to having their e-mail addresses added to the city's web page.

Green noted that she had a proposed final draft ready, and stated that this draft incorporated the suggestions from the last meeting.

There was discussion, and it was agreed that the last bullet point under number 3 addressing the prohibition on riding bikes on downtown sidewalks should be removed as it was included under the portion stating, "bicycles may use sidewalks except where explicitly prohibited."

At Spear's suggestion, the second bullet point under number 3 was amended to read "Giving an audible warning before overtaking and passing a pedestrian or other cyclist."

Rogers questioned the sidewalk issue, and noted her preference that the statement not recommend sidewalk riding. Young noted this had been discussed at length in prior meetings, and recognized that education would be required to reinforce the requirement that cyclists on sidewalks behave as pedestrians. There was discussion of the fact that the commission does not advocate sidewalk use, but that it urges safe riding for those who do ride on sidewalks.

Rogers clarified her concern, noting that as it stands now, the "Where Bikes Ride" statement implies that if there is no bike lane, cyclists are to use the sidewalk. Rogers questioned, and those present agreed, that if there is no bike lane, cyclists could ride at the side of the road as well.

Thomas clarified that state requirements that cyclist use bike lanes when they are available applies only to state-certified bike lanes, and he noted that in Ashland some of the bike lanes have not been certified by the state.

After some discussion, it was agreed that the following would be added to number 3: If a bicycle lane is NOT available, bicycles may ride on the road as delineated in the ORS or use sidewalks..."

Hartzell suggested that when complete, this statement could be used as the basis for a brochure to be distributed around the city.

Young clarified that electric scooters are illegal on sidewalks, and noted that skateboards and non-motorized scooters are allowed on sidewalks.

Green questioned whether this issue would be incorporated in the "Where Bikes Ride" statement. After discussion, those present expressed a consensus that skateboards and scooters should be added to the statement.

Harris pointed out pedestrians are also an issue, and noted that she has had inquiries from pedestrians wanting to know what they are to do in the absence of sidewalks. Harris suggested that the statements be separated, to allow separate educational materials to be distributed to each user group.

Green suggested that Young draft a scooter and skateboard statement similar to the "Where Bikes Ride" statement. Young, as chair, expressed his discomfort at being "volunteered" by someone else and questioned whether it was time for him to resign his chairmanship. After discussion, secretary Rogers agreed to serve as chair for the remainder of this meeting since vice chair Morris was not present.

Thomas noted that the only rule specific to skateboards is that skateboarders must have a helmet if they are in the street. He clarified that this rule does not apply in a bike lane, only in the travel lane.

There was discussion of whether the commission would want skaters in the travel or bike lanes on Siskiyou Boulevard or Ashland Street. Thomas noted that skateboarders have tended to use sidewalks or side streets and to avoid heavy traffic areas. There was discussion of the intended audience for this statement, and it was noted that it would likely be the parents of skateboarders.

Hartzell suggested that this could be part of the commission's media campaign, through inclusion of the statement in a brochure, and asked that the statement be assigned to a subcommittee to prepare a draft.

After discussion, Young stated that he would work to prepare a draft and e-mail it to members for their comments and suggestions.

Harris agreed to put together a pedestrian statement after the skateboard statement was drafted.

Harris noted that Rewcastle's subcommittee minutes were included in the commissioners' packets, and noted that they had been approved at the last meeting.

Green stated that since there had not yet been a discussion of this matter, she felt a full commission discussion and motion to approve were needed to move ahead. Rogers noted that in the past, there was mention of clarifying the commission's focus on this item prior to moving any further.

Rogers suggested that the subcommittee reconvene first. Rewcastle asked that the commission first clarify whether there is a need to move ahead with this.

Rewcastle recapped the work already done by the subcommittee in planning a monthly Car Free Friday in Ashland schools. She explained that the hope was to have initial support and implementation by the commission leading to the recurring monthly events becoming self-sustaining in each school.

Green briefly explained the "walking school bus" concept and noted that it was one area the subcommittee wanted to explore.

Hartzell suggested adding some sort of a game element to the walking school bus, such as having teachers giving students things to look for as they walk to school and thus tying the walking school bus into classroom activities.

Rewcastle noted that another area would be a neighborhood survey/safety checklist. She listed the final two areas of focus as physical fitness/health and safety. Rewcastle explained that each subcommittee member is working to gather resources and prepare information in one of the four areas.

Rewcastle stated that the subcommittee now needs a consistent format to present the information on these four areas, and once the information is prepared the subcommittee members will contact teachers, principals, and PTOs/PTAs to identify areas of support in each school. She concluded that the subcommittee needs commission approval to continue, with the next step being to prepare write-up's for the school presentations.

Hartzell suggested going to each school's site council. Rewcastle noted that Superintendent Juli Di Chiro had suggested her preference was that they start with PTOs or PTAs for each school. Hartzell expressed her approval for what is being done, and urged that similar efforts be made to reach the middle school and high school.

Harris pointed out that the subcommittee can meet and work, and emphasized that decisions cannot be made outside of the full commission. Rewcastle stated that the subcommittee members would bring their write-ups to the next meeting commission approval.

Harris clarified for Rewcastle that the budget process is starting now and stated that the subcommittee will need to the costs of its various materials to initiate the Car Free Fridays.

Hartzell suggested that the subcommittee could prepare a specific action plan for commission approval. She also recommended that a quick estimate of costs be prepared for the coming budget cycle.

 Harris noted that historically the budget is set at one level for all commissions, and explained that last year the commission was budgeted $750. She pointed out that in the past, it had been $2000 which was higher than other commissions because it included bike parking projects.

Hartzell stated that as a councilor, she will be a strong advocate for the commission and suggested that based on the goals of the commission she felt it should ask for $3000 to $4000. She further explained that moving toward multi-modal equity is an often-cited goal within the community and the commission's efforts are to that end.

Hartzell suggested that in addition to a brochure, the commission work to prepare a video to air on RVTV.

Harris noted that she had not attended the design committee meeting, and added that there had been an extensive public workshop at Southern Oregon University on January 9^th and 10^th with the consultant presenting some proposed alternatives to about 120 people.

Harris briefly discussed the alternatives that had been presented, which varied from minor changes with bicycle-friendly improvements to a closure of median openings, the addition of two signals, extended medians, and a promenade with bike lanes. Harris noted that a revised, mid-range "preferred option" would go to the council on February 6^th.

Young noted that some concerns had been expressed on the part of the Meister's and Councilor Fine. Based on these concerns, Young indicated that a decision from the Council on February 6^th seemed unlikely. Young also suggested that Mayor DeBoer wants considerably more public process.

Young explained that there is a narrow window for the City to approve this project given the limited availability of funds from ODOT. Young noted that there is no set price for the consultants' preferred option, but he pointed out that just paving and re-curbing would be $600,000. He emphasized that there would be additional work involved with digging, enhancing the pedestrian crossings, and doing design work. Young stated that the design team would likely prepare the design to be bid within the available $2.1 million budget.

Harris clarified for Hartzell that the City could lose the full $2.1 million in State Transportation Improvement Projects (STIP) money if a decision is not made in time. Hartzell suggested that a letter of endorsement from the commission might be helpful.

Young stated that he views the commission more as a resource for Council than as advocates. Rewcastle suggested that the commission not refraining from comment if there is something that members wish to say.

Green noted that this could be a public relations opportunity for the commission, and suggested relying on Young, based on his continued involvement in the process, to gauge the appropriate time for the commission to come forth with comment.

Young explained that this matter is now in the political process, and suggested that as a Councilor, Hartzell could urge the Council to use the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission as resource.

Hartzell suggested that individual commissioners could also write letters to the Council.

Young noted that the Design Committee will be meeting at 4:00 p.m. on January 22^nd in the Public Works Conference Room, and will then meet at 7:00 p.m. on January 30^th in the Rogue River Room at SOU.

Hartzell questioned if this was timely issue. Young indicated that he found it to be timely, given that a new budget cycle is beginning soon. Young continued by noting that specific projects would need to be planned if funds are to be requested. He suggested that enforcement is the key issue that needs to be addressed in his view.

Rewcastle clarified that the two commissions do not have any specific joint projects in mind at this time. Young stated that a safety and education campaign could be organized in cooperation with the Traffic Safety Commission (TSC).

Hartzell suggested "ballparking" a figure and having the TSC up their budget request as well in order to accommodate an increase in joint projects. She also encouraged members to participate in the strategic planning process by writing letters.

Harris stated that she would check with Community Development Director John McLaughlin to verify whether he needs to initiate a budget increase, or if it can come directly through the commission.

Hartzell noted her experience with the Gizmo electric car and the Toyota Prius hybrid car, and suggested that an alternative vehicle fair might be an appropriate event for the commission to sponsor. She suggested that this might include bicycles as well as alternative fuel vehicles. Rewcastle suggested that this could be a kick-off event for the first Car Free Friday.

Young pointed out that the commission is not vehicular in focus and has no money for this in the current budget.

Items listed for discussion at the next meeting included: the Car Free/Walk Your Child to School event; a review of goals; a budget estimate; and a subcommittee update.

Young stated that he would try to attend.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:46 p.m.