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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBIKE PED MINUTES NOV 21_2013BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 21, 2013 PRESENT: Adam Bellcorelli, Kyle Clark, Melanie Hunt, James Michelson and Ben Rennert ABSENT: Brian Kienert STAFF: Christopher Strong, Transportation Director Jennifer Weigand, Recording Secretary CALL TO ORDER Vice-Chairman Michelson called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Bellcorelli moved the accept the minutes of the September 19, 2013 meeting. Mr. Clark seconded the motion. Motion carried (4-0). NEW BUSINESS 1. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Mr. Clark nominated Mr. Michelson for Chairman. Mr. Bellcorelli seconded the motion. Motion carried (4-0). The Committee unanimously elected Mr. Michelson as Chairman Mr. Bellcorelli nominated Mr. Rennert as Vice-Chairman. Mr. Clark seconded the motion. Motion carried (4-0). The Committee unanimously elected Mr. Rennert as Vice-Chairman. 2. DISCUSSION OF CANDIDATE PROJECTS FOR TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES PROPGRAM (TAP) APPLICATION Mr. Strong said that according to the Department of Community Development, Riverwalk is not a good candidate for TAP funds at this time. He noted the Wiouwash Trail would be too small of a project based on the state’s funding limits. He suggested focusing on non-infrastructure projects, such as continuing funding for the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program. Ms. Emily Dieringer, Coalition Coordinator with Winnebago County, provided the Committee with the results from a survey taken on Bike/Ped Improvements in Winnebago County. She felt this may validate some things the committee has thought about. Ms. Dieringer informed the committee that according to Melissa Kraemer Badtke of the East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (ECWRPC), ECWRPC is willing to provide the twenty percent local match for SRTS items. Ms. Hunt arrived at 4:12 p.m. Ms. Dieringer felt from her perspective that if an infrastructure project connects a lot of areas, it would have a better chance of securing funding. Mr. Michelson felt adding a multi-use trail along County Highway A would be a great project but there is no plan far enough along at this time. BIKE & PEDESTRIAN MINUTES 2 November 21, 2013 Mr. Clark questioned if the grant would cover engineering designs. Mr. Michelson would like to see Oshkosh and Neenah connected safely. Ms. Dieringer said she was meeting with Ernie Winter from Winnebago County next week. Mr. Bellcorelli asked when the cutoff date was. Ms. Dieringer replied December 13, 2013. With the city budget coming up for vote on November 26, 2013, Mr. Clark noted something would have to happen in the next four days in order for the City to provide the local match. Mr. Strong said he believed that many townships are not interested in paying for bicycle-related infrastructure. He said while a project on County Highway A would be a great candidate, matching funds may be a problem. Mr. Michelson would like to see the Wiouwash Trail paved and possibly a fishing pier behind the cemetery. Committee members talked about the location where the Wiouwash Trail crosses Congress Avenue. Mr. Clark suggested signal improvements or an overpass on Congress Avenue. Mr. Strong said the problem with an overpass is to get people to use it and a signal has to meet the warrants. Mr. Bellcorelli suggested reconstructing half the bridge and build an underpass. Mr. Strong noted this is a relatively new bridge, so it is unlikely to be reconstructed any time soon. He added that there would be difficulty securing the local match on such an expensive. Mr. Rennert suggested adding a different access point to the trail. He suggested a parking lot by the cemetery. Mr. Clark pointed out the north side of the cemetery has an expansion area, curb cut and the City owns the land. Possibly there could be a partnership with the university. Mr. Michelson asked what would be the odds of getting the matching funds. Mr. Strong replied they were very slim. Mr. Michelson said County Highway A’s biggest issue is there is not enough right-of-way. Mr. Strong added there are wetland issues and the railroad. Ms. Dieringer said the timing of the grant announcement is unfortunate. Mr. Bellcorelli said it is something to plan for. Mr. Michelson said is it too late for 2014. He said the Committee needs to keep it on their agenda and talk about it every three months. Mr. Strong felt three months may be too frequent and suggested six months. Mr. Michelson asked the Committee’s feelings about paving the Wiouwash Trail. Mr. Rennert was for it. Mr. Bellcorelli felt paving would greatly improve it. Mr. Michelson would like pursue the following projects for the next funding cycle: 1) traffic signals on Congress Avenue and 2) paving of the Wiouwash Trail. Mr. Bellcorelli asked if online bicycle registration would be eligible. Mr. Strong did not think this would be considered a non-infrastructure project. Mr. Clark suggested getting support from the Oshkosh Police BIKE & PEDESTRIAN MINUTES 3 November 21, 2013 Department with online bicycle registration. Ms. Dieringer suggested getting other jurisdictions involved with the online registration. 3. DISCUSSION OF DESIGNATED BICYCLE FACILITIES ON HAZEL STREET/MENOMINEE DRIVE. Mr. Strong reviewed how the committee had discussed bicycle facilities accommodations on Bowen Street in conjunction with the upcoming reconstruction of the street. Because of on-street parking limitations, staff examined whether Hazel Street could be an alternate north-south route. He noted that there is more favorable right-of-way on Hazel Street, but added that both the Parks Director and the Police Chief have indicated that on-street parking availability is a current challenge not only for isolated special events at Menominee Park, but also for more regular events such as softball games. Mr. Rennert questioned how many parking spaces would be lost on Hazel Street with an ordinance change. Mr. Strong replied up to 200 spaces. Mr. Rennert noted vehicles could park on side streets. Mr. Michelson asked what would happen if bicycle lanes were accommodated on parts of Bowen Street where the right-of-way is wider. Mr. Strong said one solution would be to reduce or eliminate the terraces, which would create its own issues. Mr. Michelson questioned if the committee needed to act on Hazel Street at this time. He doesn’t want to lose the parking by the parks or take parking away on Bowen Street. He didn’t think people would support this. Mr. Clark suggested keeping this on the committee’s radar screen for when Hazel Street is reconstructed in the future. Mr. Bellcorelli felt Bowen Street would be less controversial than Hazel Street. He felt part the mission of this committee is to get people to use their vehicles less. Mr. Rennert would like the bicycle lanes on Hazel Street. He felt the bicycle lanes are used more days than the parking spaces for special events. Bicycle lanes are for transportation from point A to point B, so Hazel Street would be preferable to using the trails in Menominee Park. Ms. Hunt said she would prefer Hazel Street. She felt Bowen Street is a dangerous street to even drive a vehicle on. Mr. Clark felt the sight distance is better on Hazel Street. He pointed out there are many blind corners on Bowen Street. Mr. Strong noted this was brought up because of the upcoming construction on Bowen Street. Next step would be to talk with the Parks Board. Mr. Clark thought it a good idea to get it on their radar screen. Mr. Strong suggested a joint workshop with the Advisory Parks Board. Mr. Rennert liked the idea. Mr. Michelson suggested not pursuing this idea at this time. 4. WALK FRIENDLY COMMUNITES. BIKE & PEDESTRIAN MINUTES 4 November 21, 2013 Mr. Strong asked if any committee member was interested in completing an application for this recognition program. He noted this application cycles comes two times per year. Mr. Clark said it would be another marketing tool for the city. Mr. Michelson noted the deadline of December 15, 2013 for the current cycle was impractical. Ms. Hunt left at 5:35 p.m. STAFF STATEMENTS 5. 2013 PASER RATINGS MAP The map was distributed to committee members for their interest. Mr. Strong said PASER is a rating used to assess pavement condition, not the amount of traffic or quality of the bicycling/pedestrian environment. 6. TRAFFIC VOLUMES ON WITZEL AVENUE AND 9TH AVENUE. Mr. Strong said the daily traffic volume comparison did not show a strong shift of traffic from 9th Avenue to Witzel Avenue after the roundabouts were constructed in 2010-2011. 7. POTENTIAL BICYCLE LANES ON SAWYER STREET. Mr. Strong said he is currently reviewing the potential to install bicycle lanes on Sawyer Street, between Oshkosh Avenue and 9th Avenue. This would require very little change to on-street parking, except in front of Roosevelt School, where parking would likely be changed from a loading zone to a longer-term parking setting. He said the principal of Roosevelt Elementary School supports this idea. 8. UPDATE ON FOX CITIES/OSHKOSH URBANIZED AREAS BICYCLE AND PEDISTRIAN PLAN. Committee members will receive copies of completed bicycle and pedestrian safety audits when the audits are finalized. AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING • Mr. Clark would like to know of our community access points from other communities. ADJOURNMENT There being no other business to come before the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, and upon being moved and seconded (Clark, Bellcorelli), the meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m.