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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesBICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 20, 2014 PRESENT: Adam Bellcorelli, Kyle Clark, Melanie Hunt, James Michelson and Ben Rennert ABSENT: Brian Kienert STAFF: Benjamin Krumenauer, Assistant Planner David Buck, Principal Planner CALL TO ORDER Chairman Michelson called the meeting to order at 4:04 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Clark moved to accept the minutes of the December 19, 2013 meeting. Mr. Bellcorelli seconded the motion. Motion carried (4-0). NEW BUSINESS 1. INTRODUCTION OF NEW STAFF REPRESENTATIVES (DAVID BUCK, BENJAMIN KRUMENAUER) Mr. Krumenauer introduced himself and gave a brief description of his credentials and excitement to be a staff liaison to the Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee. Mr. Buck introduced himself and gave a brief description of his credentials. Ms. Hunt arrives (4:17 p.m.) 2. DISCUSSION OF CONTINUING AGENDA ITEMS a. PRIORITIZATION OF PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 2014 Mr. Krumenauer distributed a section of chapter eight of the Ped/Bike Plan and recommended to the Committee that they choose up to five obtainable goals that can be formalized during the March meeting. Mr. Bellcorelli asked if staff reviewed the minutes from 2013 Mr. Krumenauer responded with yes Mr. Bellcorelli recommended we look at roads area by area for analysis Mr. Michelson requested that committee and staff ID what plan recommendations were finished or completed Mr. Krumenauer stated that staff would be willing to compile a list of recommendations completed. b. WALKABLE COMMUNITIES Mr. Krumenauer requested an update from Committee on the status of the Walkable Communities designation. Mr. Bellcorelli has not started the application process yet. He stated that the application is fairly straight forward, but the information needed to submit with the application is extensive and will need staff assistance to compile. Mr. Bellcorelli also stated that maps are present in other communities and hopes that similar maps could be created in Oshkosh. c. WAYFINDING SIGNS Mr. Krumenauer explained that wayfinding signage will be researched and is considered feasible. He stated that the signage should be consistent with other city groups such as the Business Improvement District, Oshkosh Area Community Foundation and the Convention and Visitors Bureau. Mr. Clark stated that wayfinding signage for vehicle traffic could also be consistent with wayfinding signage for pedestrians. Mr. Bellcorelli asked if we would approach other boards. Mr. Buck responded with generally no, the Traffic Advisory Board may be a good board to consult, but signage would fall into department responsibility. Mr. Bellcorelli recommended consistency with signage. Mr. Clark agreed. d. DISCUSSION OF DESIGNATED BICYCLE FACILITIES BETWEEN DOWNTOWN AND HAZEL STREET. Mr. Krumenauer explained that this agenda item was a continuing item from 2013 and would like the committee to discuss merits of the item. Mr. Michelson stated his confusion on the actual purpose of the item. Mr. Clark explained the goal is to provide an east/west connection from Main Street to the park and Hazel Street. Mr. Rennert told the committee how he has received positive review from residents about an east/west bicycle route. Mr. Krumenauer used this opportunity to go into greater detail about the connection options. Mr. Buck wished to convey the question of at which point do you leave the Pedestrian and Bicycle Plans goals and start to adopt routes that may not have been the original purpose of those routes. Mr. Clark discussed his thoughts about Washington Avenue as a designated route and felt that it would have better luck getting approved because of its direct route to downtown and how less on-street parking would be affected. Mr. Rennert discussed the importance of awareness with Washington and how it could be a viable bike route. Mr. Clark brought up traffic patterns and how Washington may actually have less overall traffic issues than Otter Ave or Ceape Ave because of the location in the city. Mr. Michelson asked if we had traffic counts for the roads in question. Mr. Krumenauer said that the information is not readily available, but will look into getting the notes. Mr. Bellcorelli talked about the importance of designated routes being designed as transportation routes not just recreational routes. Mr. Michelson said that the decision is a question of scenic versus priority. Mr. Bellcorelli talked about the importance of education when it comes to residents and that signage and striping are valuable tools to show uses. e. JACKSON STREET SIDEWALK PROJECT Mr. Krumenauer described the item and how the talk is addressing a lack of sidewalk on Jackson Street. Target area would be from Bacon Avenue north to Packer Avenue. Mr. Buck described the three options available for sidewalk location and installation. Mr. Clark felt that there could be some concerns about liability and safety with sidewalks in an easement. He also wanted to have the legalities addressed before the process of recommendation is pursued. Mr. Buck said that the legal issues will be looked into. Mr. Clark was also concerned about snow removal policy in the township versus city properties. Mr. Michelson had concerns about the cost of construction for the property owners and thought that the parking lot of St. Vincent DePaul may be an option for a paved walk. Mr. Clark recommended a formal meeting discussion be set. Mr. Michelson agreed and requested an analysis of cost/resident be established. Mr. Buck said that there may be grant options available. Mr. Michelson asked if town properties can be paved by the city. Mr. Clark said no. We have no jurisdiction of town properties. He felt that a regulatory policy may need to be adopted. Mr. Rennert asked if you could annex those properties. Mr. Buck said that the annexation would have to be a large amount of land due to the policy of not creating islands by annexation. Mr. Clark said that legal would need to be addressed in order to bring in properties. He felt that the process would need resident, township and city approval. Mr. Bellcorelli asked where the sidewalk stops on Jackson Street. Mr. Buck said that Bacon is the furthest north intersection with sidewalk. He also said that an alternative to the west side of Jackson St. could be the east side of the road. The city is already in the process of acquiring property for storm water treatment and that the proposed apartment on Jackson St. would then be connected to the city sidewalk grid. Mr. Michelson asked the question of larger sidewalk widths on priority roads. Mr. Buck said that staff would have to look into the rules. Ms. Hunt left the meeting at 5:17 p.m. STAFF STATEMENTS 3. UPDATE ON CURRENT CITY PROJECTS CONCERNING PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE CIRCULATION PLAN Mr. Krumenauer briefly discussed the CIP projects that affect the Committee which included city contracts 14-04, 14-05 and the Riverwalk expansion. ADJOURNMENT There being no other business to come before the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, and upon being moved and seconded (Michelson, Clark), the meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.