Bicycle / Trails Advisory Committee

Bicycle/Trails Advisory Committee (BTAC) Meeting Minutes October 24, 2022 LifeStyles Center, 800 Battlefield Blvd N. 5:00 PM VOTING MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Rogard Ross Vice Chair Don Burke Aaron Bull Whitney Katchmark Timothy Stephens Tina Bodnar Greg Curl Wendy Schofer Michael Coffman STAFF/OTHERS PRESENT: Kevin Finn, Planning Department Tracy Jones-Schoenfeld, Public Works Ana Elezovic, Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Travis Davidson, 757 Bike Mission Tom Lilley, Citizen Fred Casioppo, Citizen Raleigh Martin, Citizen Dawn Kennedy, Citizen _______________________________________________________________________________ Chair R. Ross called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM INTRODUCTIONS: Committee members and staff introduced themselves. MINUTES: Approval of September 26, 2022 meeting minutes; Motion to approve minutes made by A. Bull and second by G. Curl, all members present voting for. NEW BUSINESS/DISCUSSION: a. Public Works Update T. Jones-Schoenfeld provided the Committee with a handout of upcoming Capital Improvement Program submittals and provided an update on each of the projects. That list of projects includes Airline Boulevard Sidewalk Extension, Chesapeake Bike Trail Phases II and III, Etheridge Manor Blvd. Sidewalk Installation, George Washington Highway Widening, Poindexter Sidewalk Extension, Seaboard Avenue & Industrial Avenue Sidewalk, and Volvo Parkway Sidewalk Extension. T. Jones-Schoenfeld also 1  discussed the information she found on bike detection at signaled stops. R. Ross indicated that he received clarification that a cyclist should come to a complete stop at a red traffic signal, wait two minutes for the light to change, but if not, should then treat the light as a stop sign, but that this felt that this should not be considered an adequate and safe solution. Public Works will continue to investigate calibration. T. Jones- Schoenfeld also provided a brief update on the Dismal Swamp Accessibility Study, which will begin next year in collaboration with Suffolk. T. Jones-Schoenfeld report she had no information on start dates for the Commonwealth Rail Trail construction, Indian River bike lanes, or Poindexter Street/I/464 Overpass facilities. b. Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Update A Elezovic informed the Committee of the meeting being held that night at the Great Bridge Community Center to discuss equestrian facilities at Heritage Park. At least two Committee members will be in attendance. c. Planning Update K. Finn informed the Committee that the RFP for Trails and Connectivity Plan has been submitted for internal review. K. Finn also provided an update on the connectivity and trails included within the rezoning application of the Coastal Virginia Commerce Park, including a multi-use trail along Rt. 17 that could become a section of the East Coast Greenway. R. Ross requested information on the Industrial Waterfront Study’s community engagement to which K. Finn stated he would get back to the Committee on. d. Elections R. Ross gave a quick update that recommendations were made regarding the Commissions multiple open positions which will be appointed at the City Council meeting on 10/25/2022. R.Ross stated the nominations from last month’s meeting as R. Ross for another term as Chair, D. Burke for another term as Vice Chair and for Greg Curl to be as Secretary. With no other nominations on the floor, R. Ross requested a motion. Motion to elect the slate of nominees made by A. Bull and seconded by T. Bodnar, with all members present voting for. e. Prioritization of Trail Facilities R. Ross discussed that this is a duty assigned to the Committee in the City’s Ordinance and requested that City staff provide a presentation on submitted CIP projects in January. It was also suggested that the Committee make recommendations for future CIP projects each September. f. Planning Subcommittee R. Ross reintroduced the topic of creating a subcommittee to handle the planning of events including Bike Fest, Bike to Parks Day, and other activities throughout 2023. The subcommittee will have a draft of goals for the January meeting. The topic of funding and grants was discussed, the Committee does not have a line item within the City budget and has typically relied on donations and such. A. Elezovic discussed her enthusiasm and vision of bike and trail-oriented events within Chesapeake. R. Ross requested volunteers and the subcommittee will be comprised of R. Ross, D. Burke, D. Kennedy, A. Elezovic and W. Katchmark. 2  g. Bike and Trail Map Status R. Ross requested an update on the status of the proposed Bike and Trail map and D. Burke provided the Committee with his edits. A. Elezovic proposed a deadline to have the document complete in time for Bike Month in May, which the Committee accepted. h. Member Updates/Suggestions/Questions R. Ross and A. Bull provided an update regarding T. Davidson’s involvement with the East Coast Greenway and recent meetings held with the group’s staff from Virginia and North Carolina. A trail and improved crossing was recommended near the intersection of Cedar Road and Moses Grandy Trail, where there is no safe way to cross. T. Jones-Schoenfeld discussed how the City is developing a way to take suggestions regarding trail and other pedestrian-oriented improvements and funding will begin on that system next fiscal year. T. Jones-Schoenfeld made note of the suggestion. There was general agreement that the Committee should keep welcome and keep track of trail recommendations. R. Ross reminded the Committee to complete the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization’s Long Range Planning survey. D. Kennedy introduced herself and offered the conference area of the Realtor’s Association as a future meeting place for the Committee. i. Upcoming Events A Elezovic reiterated the Heritage Park meeting happening that evening. j. Monthly Optional Group Outing D. Burke said he would be performing a clean up of Indian River Park on Saturday, 10/29/2022 at 1:00 PM. OPEN FORUM: None NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will take place on January 23, 2023 ADJOURNMENT: Motion to adjourn made by G. Curl and seconded by A. Bull, all member present voting for. Meeting adjourned by R. Ross at 6:15 PM MEETING MINUTES APPROVED: ___1/13/2023__________ 3