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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesBICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES August 20, 2015 PRESENT: Tom Otto, Caroline Panske, Ben Rennert, Adam Bellcorelli, James Michelson EXCUSED: Jay Stengel, Vicky Redlin STAFF: Assistant Planner Alexa Naudziunas 1. Call to Order Mr. Michelson called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. 2. Approval of July 16, 2015 Meeting Minutes Mr. Bellcorelli moved to approve the July 16th meeting minutes. Mr. Otto seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. 3. Education/Promotion on bike lane usage – Discussion The committee agreed that they want to create original videos to help Oshkosh residents learn about the benefits and safety concerns regarding using a bicycle in an urban setting. The committee expressed a desire to create a social media presence with images and charts to help explain the culture of bicycling in Oshkosh. Ms. Naudziunas agreed to contact the City of Oshkosh Media Services in order to learn more about these possibilities. 4. Murdock Avenue Road Reconfiguration – Update Ms. Naudziunas updated the committee on the new paint/striping on Murdock Avenue. Ms. Naudziunas explained that there are no designated bike lanes on Murdock Avenue; however there is a five foot shoulder on each side bordered by a white solid line. Ms. Naudziunas explained that the five foot border was always intended to be part of the Murdock Avenue road reconfiguration and this did not need to be approved by Common Council. Ms. Panske expressed a desire to continue moving forward with the goal of establishing designated bike lanes on Murdock. Ms. Panske mentioned a grant that funds the use of green paint in bike lanes. Ms. Naudziunas agreed to find out if green paint can be used in bikes lanes. The committee discussed the benefits of waiting to pursue bikes lanes on Murdock Avenue and the benefits of pursuing the goal immediately. 5. Broader Safe Roads Initiative Ideas There was brief discussion on having a joint event between the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. Mr. Bellcorelli explained that there is some interest in creating an event that showcases a documentary in order to educate students and community members on the importance of bicycle based infrastructure. Mr. Bellcorelli agreed that this agenda item could be combined into the similar agenda item dealing with education and promotion of bike lane usage. 6. Grants Information Update – Ms. Panske Ms. Panske explained that there are other groups in the area pursuing grants for bike racks and she has decided to stop pursuing grants for bike racks. Ms. Panske is interested in pursuing a grant from People for Bikes that funds green paint to be used in bike lanes. Ms. Panske stated that she will continue researching grant opportunities. 7. Congress and Summit Crossing Improvements - Update Ms. Naudziunas stated the Transportation Department has ordered the Rectangular Rapidly Flashing Beacons and they are scheduled to arrive in one month. Ms. Naudziunas explained that the Transportation Department will aim to install them in the fall, possibly October. Ms. Naudziunas stated that Jim Collins the Transportation Director said the cost of the RRFB’s will be $17,000. The intersection is being studied by Public Works for potential sidewalk reconstruction next year. Ms. Naudziunas explained that in the instance that the sidewalks get reconstructed there is a chance the activation buttons will to be relocated to the appropriate spot. 8. North Jackson Street Sidewalks – Discussion Ms. Naudziunas explained that she met with Public Works Interim Director, Steve Gohde, to discuss the best approach to improving sidewalks. Ms. Naudziunas stated it has become clearer that extending the sidewalk that ends at the Glass Nickel Pizza Co. property may have less of an impact than selecting areas that include amenities that naturally attract pedestrians such as bus stops and the Affinity Medical Group. Ms. Naudziunas explained that the Go Transit map indicates that the route does not run or have stops on the section of North Jackson between Bacon Avenue and Packer Avenue. It stops in front of the Affinity Medical Group building. The committee still agreed that there needs to be sidewalks the entire length of Jackson between Bacon Avenue and Packer Avenue. Ms. Naudziunas agreed to invite Steve Gohde to the September meeting in order to express the need for sidewalks in this area. 9. Possible amendment Ordinance 25-54 discussion – Sidewalk Width - Update Mr. Naudziunas 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. Ms. Naudziunas explained that the discussion on obstructions located in the sidewalks would be forward not retroactive. Mr. Otto confirmed that these changes would be for future walks primarily. Ms. Naudziunas suggested that the committee could select areas that are planned for reconstruction and then appeal to the Board of Public Works to request that the area be reconstructed with 6’ sidewalks. Ms. Naudziunas agreed to find out more about the roles and duties of the Board of Public Works. Ms. Naudziunas agreed to research the municipal code for La Crosse, Wisconsin regarding sidewalk width. 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) Ms. Panske requested that we discuss the People for Bikes green paint for bikes lanes grant at the next meeting. Mr. Michelson requested that we discuss a way to make sure that the committee meetings are attended by additional staff from Public Works and Transportation in the instance that an item on the agenda relates to that department. 12. Adjournment Mr. Michelson moved to adjourn the meeting and Mr. Rennert seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously at 5:42 p.m. Recorded by Alexa Naudziunas, Assistant Planner