Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesBICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES September 18, 2014 PRESENT: Caroline Panske, Adam Bellcorelli, James Michelson, Vicki Redlin ABSENT: Benjamin Rennert STAFF: Benjamin Krumenauer, Assistant Planner CALL TO ORDER Being that a Quorum was present, Chairman Michelson called the meeting to order at 4:03 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Ms. Panske moved to accept the minutes of the August 21, 2014 meeting as provided. Mr. Bellcorelli seconded the motion. Motion carried (4-0). NEW BUSINESS 1. 2014 Advisory Committee Goal Updates Mr. Krumenauer gave a brief description of the timeline necessary to complete the 2014 goals. He went on to explain that each goal had committee member support and that we will be going through each goal individually to receive an update. Provide bicycle and pedestrian awareness materials that would increase awareness, safety and bicycle registration. (Adam Bellcorelli, Vicky Redlin) Mr. Krumenauer gave an update on the goal and how resources are available but no cohesive document is available for a pedestrian or bicyclist to use. He continued by explaining the documents that were included and the relevance to the goal. Ms. Redlin said that Winnebago County is working on trail etiquette. She continued by bringing up the voluntary bike patrol program. The program is designed to reward trail users that are following the rules and making a positive impact. The program is looking into a volunteer force that will be active on the trails and provide positive feedback to users. Rethink and Weight of the Fox Valley will be valuable tools to pursue. Ms. Redlin brought up the use of active and passive enforcement. Trail cameras are a way to drop vandalism on a trail. Safety will also increase with the use of passive enforcement techniques. Ms. Panske asked if there is an actual concern on trail safety. Ms. Redlin responded that yes there is a problem with safety. A focus group stated that use is down when a pair is not able to go on a trail together. There are residents who wish to use the trail but will not go alone. Mr. Michelson asked what some of the safety concerns are. Ms. Redlin said that violence, assaults, crime and robberies are issues that Wisconsin trails have seen. Mr. Krumenauer said that the use of trail cameras and bike volunteers are great ways to make the trails safer and more aesthetically pleasing. Develop new and update existing maintenance policies for bicycle and pedestrian facilities. (Vicky Redlin, Jim Michelson) Mr. Krumenauer explained the attached documents and talked about the importance of regular improvements. Ms. Redlin asked if the City is looking to keep the existing trails open during the winter. Mr. Michelson said that the public park trails are maintained throughout the year, but there is a lack of winter facilities. Ms. Redlin said that the county will not maintain the trails during the winter. She said that the county does not have the resources available to keep the trails maintained all winter. There gets to be concerns of maintenance and liability if Ice and snow make a trail unsafe. Mr. Krumenauer said that winter maintenance is the biggest reason why trails are not installed around detention basins. The liability is not something that the City wants to take on at this time. Ms. Redlin stated that the trails would have to be redefined in the municipal ordinance. Mr. Krumenauer brought the discussion into the next section of Goal 2 which talked about the maintenance of the trails. He went on to ask if there is any way that we can establish the ongoing condition of the trails and provide a detailed analysis of who would be responsible for the trail maintenance. Mr. Bellcorelli asked if there are contacts available for different issues. Mr. Krumenauer said that there is not one list that states who is responsible for what issue. The group could take that on as a specific piece of this goal. Mr. Krumenauer said he would like the goal leads to develop an inventory of the existing trails/routes and what is needed to improve or maintain the facility. Mr. Michelson said that the existing park master plans will be a great resource to look into. Investigate and develop grant or funding resources that the City of Oshkosh could utilize for additional facilities. (Caroline Panske) Mr. Krumenauer explained the intent of this goal and how Ms. Panske was the lead. Ms. Panske stated that the task for looking for applicable grants is enormous but has had some luck finding resources that may be appropriate for Committee members and City staff to pursue. She continued by talking about some of the general requirements necessary to apply for the grants and the importance of those requirements. Mr. Krumenauer said that he is excited to see what was brought up and stated how Ms. Panske is doing the initial research and that the grant writing piece will be completed by a large group of people including City staff, Committee Members, ECWRPC, WIDOT, etc. Mr. Bellcorelli said that the University would be an excellent resource to pursue. Mr. Krumenauer suggested a matrix be developed that prioritizes available grants and lists some of the common requirements that are needed. Properly sign all existing bicycle routes and develop a new brochure that shows all bicycle and pedestrian routes/trails in the city area. (Ben Rennert, Caroline Panske, Adam Bellcorelli) Mr. Krumenauer talked about the included maps and briefly described the attached maps. The samples show the different ideas and how the maps can be geared for tourists or for the avid trail rider. Mr. Krumenauer continued by showing the Wisconsin resource guide. Using this example, Mr. Krumenauer explained that this should be seen as an end result for the goals. One cohesive document that includes all the pieces from financial resources, education, safety, maps, guides, and historical information can be a valuable tool. Ms. Redlin asked what the City’s stance is on outside advertising on City documents. Mr. Krumenauer said that he did not know, but would find out what is possible. Mr. Bellcorelli said that UW-Oshkosh Foundation or the Community Foundation may be interested. 1. Draft Map Updates for Pedestrian and Bicycle Circulation Recommendations Mr. Krumenauer discussed the revisions made to the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Circulation Plan and encouraged each member to review the included map. He went on to state that he will be emailing a digital copy for review as the provided copies are smaller that preferred. Mr. Krumenauer also said that he will be working with our GIS Administrator to get the maps updated and pursue the best routes to update the overall plan with the Committees recommendations. 2. Information packet distribution for Murdock Avenue (Bowen Street to Main Street) Mr. Krumenauer gave a packet of information to help analyze Murdock Avenue from Bowen Street to N. Main Street. Some of the general characteristics were discussed and a closer look at known issues and assets were discussed. Mr. Michelson asked if there was a way to meet out in the field to discuss the area and see if there is a way to find a mutually beneficial solution. Mr. Krumenauer said that he liked the idea and would look into what needed to be done to make that happen. Mr. Bellcorelli agreed that it is important to look at the intersection in person instead of always relying on maps and numbers. Mr. Krumenauer said that the road was pushed back in the CIP and that it is not slated to be reconstructed until 2017. He said that we have some time to make a quality recommendation and was hopeful that a solution could be met. FUTURE ITEMS 1. Caroline Panske: Bike/Pedestrian Facility Funding Options Presentation and Discussion. 2. Vicki Redlin: WIOUWASH Trail Draft Maintenance Discussion ADJOURNMENT There being no other business to come before the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, and upon being moved and seconded (Bellcorelli, Panske), the meeting adjourned unanimously at 5:20 p.m. Dutifully Recorded Benjamin Krumenauer