Commissioners Spear, Rogers, Burke, Chapman and Hartzell were present. Baxter, Nutter and Bretko were late.

Rogers called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.

Matthew Barnes of RVTD noted that the Jackson County Transportation System Plan is in comment phase. He also pointed out that on June 11th, RVTD would be sponsoring speaker Todd Litman for an RVACT meeting, to be held at the White City Auditorium at 9:00 a.m. and then again at 12 noon. He offered to e-mail details to commissioners, and referred any questions about the Transportation System Plan to Jackson County Planning. Barnes stated that the county bike commission is together and meeting again on the 2^nd Thursday of each month, at 4:30 p.m. at RVTD.

The group agreed to review the map work done last month. Harris clarified for Hartzell that the red stickers indicated a location for a system-wide map. Harris questioned whether the focus of the signs was intended to be more on recreation or transportation. It was suggested that members be given copies of Spear’s map for review at the next meeting. Burke suggested that signs similar to those in Jacksonville that are decorative and historically compatible would be preferred. Harris noted she had ODOT’s street sign standards, and she stated that the Street Department can prepare signs of that type. There was discussion of whether this would come out of the commission budget, with the decision being to verify cost of labor and materials.

Baxter noted that a sub-committee meeting had not yet occurred, but he stated that he had met with the Southern Oregon Mountain Biking Association (SOMBA) and would like to get a proposal to them. He explained that SOMBA is more organized than Siskiyou Velo, and he suggested that he would like to respond positively to their energy and enthusiasm by their May or June meeting. Baxter suggested that the next step should be to meet to draft a sub-critical mass ride proposal for the commission to consider. Chapman, Bretko and Baxter agreed to set a time for a subcommittee meeting. There was discussion of the noticing requirements for public meetings, with Harris explaining that the meeting should be announced in a public notice if a quorum of 4 commissioners would be present.

Baxter added that there would not be a Bike Swap this year, as the Ashland Schools Foundation feels that the event is not worth the effort. Hartzell suggested that someone in the community might be willing to take on this event. Baxter stated that if the event were restructured and held elsewhere it might work.

Hartzell noted that this event is now called the Car Free Challenge. She added that the event was to have kicked off on February 20th but it was rained out. She went on to note that they have made a wooden school bus, and will kick off with a February 27-28th event, with a teacher and principal in the walking schoolbus on a route from Wimer Street to Lincoln School. Chapman explained that the bus began as a prop for discussions in the school, and he added that they are trying to get commitments from students to walk one or two days a week.

Chapman noted for members that the schoolbus would be at Brothers Restaurant at 7:45 a.m. There was discussion of logistics, with the suggestion to address more of a route around the school rather than simply a straight walk down Siskiyou. Chapman noted his hope for a telephone party to contact parents who might not have read the newsletter. Hartzell suggested looking into getting a neighboring business to provide an office with phones for use in calling.

Hartzell stated that they are in the shooting phase, and they have already done some voiceover work. She stated that she had not seen anything since the script that was looked at originally.

Baxter stated that he would be willing to do this, if a script were provided. Burke noted that he thought he could attend as well, and stated that he would get back to Baxter to confirm.

Rogers noted that the website http://www.bta4bikes.org/info/tv.html has Bicycle Transportation Alliance public service announcements, which will be airing soon.

Rogers also asked for volunteers to assist with classes at McLaughlin next Wednesday the 27^th at 2-3:30, and the 8th, 15th and 22nd of March.

Rogers questioned stopping the monthly coffee get-togethers due to difficulty with turnout. After discussion, it was agreed that if anyone wanted to meet, they would contact other members.

Chapman noted reading that the council had approved some pedestrian safety items, and he questioned what had occurred. Hartzell noted that because repaving had already been scheduled, the decision was made to move on some items like bump-outs and zebra striping as the paving occurs, assuming that the funding can be found. She clarified that this would be done along Lithia Way and East Main through the downtown. She stated that the city will be contracting out these items, and she added that the city is also trying to get an ODOT representative to come in for a walkthrough to provide further advice. Harris clarified that the bump-outs do not require lane changes, and will be built to existing lanes and changed if the lanes are altered. Spear questioned whether bump-outs cause problems for bikes. Harris stated that they should only create problems for bicyclists riding in the parking lane, which they should not be doing.

There was discussion of the draft Downtown Plan, and it was noted that the plan had not yet been adopted or gone through public process. Hartzell requested black and white copies of the plan for the commission to review.

There was discussion of how long it would take to get lane reductions and bike lanes downtown. Harris noted that lane changes are physically easy, but the community involvement process is quite involved and would need to occur before bike lanes could be added. Chapman questioned what was needed besides a traffic study. Hartzell questioned the planning staff schedule, and suggested that Chapman draft a letter expressing his concern. Nutter suggested a letter from the commission. Harris stated that she could pass on the commission’s concerns and interest to John McLaughlin, the Director of Community Development.

Nutter suggested asking for temporary bike lanes on North Main Street. Hartzell stated that staff would be coming back to the council with a matrix of goals, including the Downtown Plan. She suggested looking at that matrix prior to moving further on this issue, and she stated that it should come back to the council before this commission’s next meeting.

Nutter questioned whether there was a way to ask for temporary bike lanes prior to a downtown process. Bretko asked for a meeting with all of the principals in one room to set goals together.

Harris stated that the city was at least one year away from final adoption of the Downtown Plan. Nutter stated that he would like something else put in place as a temporary measure. Chapman noted that he is frustrated that the city already has a plan that could be put in place and there are still delays.

Harris clarified that five-foot bikelane would be the maximum allowable, but she added that a wide, shared outside lane of fourteen feet could be used to better accommodate cyclist with cars. She concluded that without acquiring more right-of-way, there is little other room for bike lanes. Hartzell recommended letter writing to the council to make them aware of the problem.

Harris suggested that there would be some value in a softer approach, and she added that a meeting with city staff, ODOT representatives and the TSC to hammer out details of the North Main Street design might be beneficial for all parties. She emphasized that this would help foster better understanding of North Main issues while conveying the commission’s concerns. Hartzell pointed out that there is not a currently accepted model which factors bicycles and pedestrians into the bigger picture. Harris stated that she would work to set up a meeting, and all of those present indicated an interest in attending.

Baxter asked whether members wanted to discuss the recent Ashland Street meeting. Chapman noted that the Ashland Street business owners do not want changes, but they are now looking at designs similar to the Siskiyou lanes. Chapman added that the businesses specifically do not want medians. He concluded that the designers brought a concept back last week, and he stated that they will have a 60%-complete design with some medians for the council work session next week.

Harris stated that this item was placed on the agenda at Green’s suggestion, without an explanation of what she intended. Chapman stated that he thought this was intended as a general look at goals, and he suggested that the first question to address was whether commissioners wanted to develop goals. Harris agreed with Chapman on the need to determine whether the commissioners want new goals and further structure. Hartzell noted that the TSC is conducting strategic planning, and she discussed the process. Rogers suggested looking at what the commission is doing and accomplishing – sub-critical mass, the school project, the TSC video, and maps and signs.

Burke pointed out that he would be leaving the commission for graduate school after April. Rogers stated that she was staying with a question mark. Burke discussed the difficulty in accomplishing things as a volunteer commissioner, and discussed the need for general goals as well as specific ones.

Bretko stated that she would like to eliminate cars in the downtown. She questioned the need for sign-off of downtown interests for the Downtown Plan. Harris stated that this was a part of public process.

Rogers noted that she had spoken to Medford Police about helmet law enforcement for kids, and stated that she would also be speaking to the police in Talent and Ashland. Hartzell asked that enforcement efforts begin with warnings rather than simply increasing ticket issuance. Bretko suggested buying helmets and providing them to be given out with the warnings. Rogers noted that students could also earn helmets in school. Nutter stated that he would prefer that helmets be earned, but he agreed with the idea of the commission subsidizing a helmet purchase. Bretko suggested providing stickers to allow children to personalize their helmets.

Maps and sign costs for the next budget cycle, copies of the Downtown Plan, and setting a meeting on the North Main Street project with ODOT, staff and the TSC.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:20.m.