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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesBICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES July 16, 2015 PRESENT: Tom Otto, Caroline Panske, Jay Stengel, Adam Bellcorelli, James Michelson STAFF: Principal Planner David Buck 1. Call to Order Mr. Michelson called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m. As there was a quest in attendance at the meeting, Mr. Michelson suggesting taking Item 9 out of sequence and discussing it after the minutes. The committee agreed unanimously to do so. 2. Approval of June 18, 2015 Meeting Minutes Mr. Michelson stated that under item #4 when discussing 6 foot sidewalks that he would like the minutes to be amended to clarify that he was referring to requiring 6 foot sidewalks on only arterial or major roads only, not just all sidewalks. Mr. Bellcorelli moved to approve the June 18th meeting minutes as amended and Mr. Stengel seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. 9. Murdock Road Diet – Update Marian Stevenson (1335 Fairview) was in attendance at the meeting and stated that she was not in favor of bike lanes on West Murdock Avenue and bicycle traffic should not be encouraged to use that high traffic roadway at all. She felt there were better alternatives on Bent or Linwood. Mr. Buck explained the outcome of the last Traffic Advisory Review Board meeting at which the item was discussed and stated they approved the lane reconfiguration with the exclusion of the bike lanes. The committee discussed the need for education of motorists and bicyclists in regard to appropriate use of the roadways as well as the need for the Police Department to regulate both automobile and bicycle traffic. Mr. Otto pointed out that when designating bike routes the committee looks at the “whole picture” to make logical connections. The committee discussed the need for background data on traffic and accidents for future discussions on East Murdock Avenue route designations. Ms. Panske said that since West Murdock will no longer have bike lanes but that there will be excess space on both sides of the street that they should be differentiated by adding color and asked that this be a future agenda item to discuss with Transportation and Public Works Departments. Mr. Otto inquired if you could have two-way bike movements in a single bike lane on one side of a street. 3. Congress and Summit Crossing Improvements - Update Mr. Buck stated that Public Works are performing survey work on the intersection for the inclusion of ADA ramps which will be budgeted for next year and that the installation of the RRFBs may be held off until then as well so as to not have to redo any work associated again when the ramps are installed. A communication from the Transportation Department stated they are working with the traffic signal vendor to determine what is possible to implement ahead of the ramp projects. Mr. Otto believed that easements may also be required. Mr. Bellcorelli pointed out that consideration must be given to removing or augmenting the right turn lane at that intersection as well. 4. Possible amendment Ordinance 25-54 discussion – Sidewalk Width - Update Mr. Buck explained that Municipal Code Section 25-26 already addresses obstructions in the sidewalks and went over the section. Mr. Michelson commented that his desire to amend the code to increase sidewalks to 6 feet would only be where needed on higher pedestrian volume areas. Mr. Otto suggested that it could apply to all arterial streets with a clear process to appeal if 6 foot walks were infeasible. The committee asked that the road classification definitions be brought back to them at the next meeting. He further stated that the discussion on obstructions located in the sidewalks would be forward not retroactive. Obviously the city can correct ones that are being worked on or if they are very unsafe or hard to traverse. Mr. Otto confirmed that these changes would be for future walks primarily. Mr. Buck asked if the committee had any areas of concerns to be looked at and Mr. Otto stated that the walk on Pearl Avenue on the west side of the bus station near the credit union should be looked at and Mr. Michelson added that Sawyer Street on the north side of the Oshkosh Avenue intersection was also particularly problematic. 5. North Jackson Street Sidewalks – Discussion Mr. Buck went over the visual inventory conducted by Ms. Naudziunas for the west side of Jackson Street north from Bacon Avenue to the corner of Packer Avenue including Affinity Health as well as policy issues related to putting in sidewalks on city property versus town property. Mr. Buck explained that it appeared that the only section of city walk that could accommodate a walk is in front of the Glass Nickel property and that the Department of Public Works will have to do some survey work to determine how much room there actually is. Mr. Bellcorelli asked if they could also look at the east side of Jackson Street at this location as well because of the apartments that will be going in. The committee felt that the city should install the walks on the properties located within the city now and address the properties in the town at a later date. 6. Broader Safe Roads Initiative Ideas There was brief discussion on having a workshop with the Common Council and Traffic Advisory Board to discuss the goals and objectives of the Pedestrian and Bicycle Circulation Plan and the desires of the committee so all are on the same page with the direction the city is taking on issues of biking. 7. Education/Promotion on bike lane usage – Discussion Mr. Bellcorelli said that he thinks that the committee should consider creating a series of 3 to 5- minute videos on biking in Oshkosh on topics such as “How-to ride safe” or the “Rules of the Road”. He stated that he spoke with someone at the university and got an estimate of approximately $500 to do them. An alternative could also be to have a contest where people submit videos for a prize that can be used. Mr. Buck suggested utilizing the Oshkosh North High School Communities program to do this type of item and also that the police do videos about proper biking and bike safety so those could be utilized as well. Mr. Michelson commented that we want to tell people that bikes are out there so the Strava data should be used as well. Mr. Bellcorelli asked if the Transportation Department has any social media presence that could be used to disseminate the information or could the commission have some social media of its own. He asked that staff check with Media Services, Public Works and Transportation to find out and report back. The committee discussed the need to have an easy way for individuals to contact the city to let them know about problem areas, areas where facilities were desired and to provide general input on bike and pedestrian issues. The two items the committee would like to discuss further are the videos and ways for the community to provide comments. Mr. Otto also thought that info on the positive aspect of biking and the benefits of facilities to businesses was important to focus on. Mr. Bellcorelli suggested that naming routes like the WIOUWASH can also be used to give the bike routes an identity and can be incorporated on future maps. Mr. Michelson stated that the connected routes need to happen before the committee can produce maps whether the routes are named or not. Mr. Otto added that the river walk need to be included on routes maps, which should also show bus stops and other desirable features to bicyclists. 8. Grants Information Update – Ms. Panske The committee agreed to skip item 8. 10. Yearly Work Plan Schedule - Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee Goal List/Work Plan for 2015 The committee agreed to skip item 10. 11. Agenda Items for the Future Meeting(s) Mr. Otto asked that the Department of Transportation be asked to come to a future meeting to discuss the safety of the design of the round-a-bout at Jackson and Murdock. Mr. Michelson agreed that it was a very unsafe intersection and it would be good to get data on its performance and discuss if any changes could be made to improve it. Mr. Otto stated that this would not need to be on the next meeting but as a future agenda item. Mr. Buck stated that he had made notes that the Murdock Avenue reconstruction (east of Main to Bowen) should be included on next month’s agenda including timeline, data such as traffic counts and ability to institute bike facilities. Other items for next meeting include: • Discussion on amending Ordinance 25-26 and getting definitions on roadway classifications • Info on Jackson Street sidewalks • Discussion on an education/promotion video program initiative and ways to get public input • West Murdock Avenue lane reconfiguration as it relates to the leftover area on the sides of the road. Mr. Buck added that if there are other topics that the committee should let Ms. Naudziunas know. 12. Adjournment Mr. Bellcorelli moved to adjourn the meeting and Mr. Otto seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously at 5:34 p.m. Recorded by David Buck – Principal Planner