Bicycle / Trails Advisory Committee

Bicycle/Trails Advisory Committee (BTAC) Planning Subcommittee Meeting Minutes December 9, 2022 Planning Department Conference Room 306 Cedar Road, City Hall Building, Second Floor 3:00 PM MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Rogard Ross Vice Chair Don Burke Whitney Katchmark STAFF/OTHERS PRESENT: Kevin Finn, Planning Department Lucy Stoll, Planning Department Ana Elezovic, Parks, Recreation, and Tourism _______________________________________________________________________________ Chair R. Ross called the meeting to order at 3:04 PM NEW BUSINESS/DISCUSSION: a. Priorities R. Ross began that BTAC had previously sent letters to City Council and stated that the Committee should outline its priorities to Council regarding projects in the Capital Improvement Plan. R. Ross stated that a majority of the Committee’s upcoming few years will be centered around the Trails and Open Space Connectivity Plan. K. Finn provided an update on the status of the RFP, which is currently under review by the City’s Risk and Legal teams. The RFP is expected to be posted prior to the start of 2023 which a consultant under contract by the Spring of 2023. W. Katchmark asked what the scope of the Plan will be and the Committee’s involvement. K. Finn stated that the Committee will serve as the primary stakeholder of the Plan and the scope is to develop a citywide trail network, improve access to both trials and open space, and environmental conservation as well as placing a greater emphasis on implementation. W. Katchmark asked whether the Plan would include sidewalks and whether the City has a GIS layer for sidewalks. K. Finn and L. Stoll stated the Plan will not include sidewalks, but connectivity of existing facilities is a key part of the Plan, and both were only aware of mapped sidewalks for S. Norfolk and Greenbrier. K. Finn went on to discuss the sidewalk prioritization program with Public Works. R. Ross also raised the need for a GIS layer for bike trails/routes. R. Ross raised the desire for additional projects, such as the designation of an East Coast Greenway route from S. Norfolk to the Veterans Bridge and then on to the Dismal Swamp Trail, which the Committee would also like to see extended. R. Ross also stated that he would like to formalize a trails recommendation process so a list could be developed and provided to the proper Department. K. Finn suggested a form found 1  located on the Committee’s webpage, with L. Stoll adding that the form could include an interactive GIS map to provide additional information. R. Ross also raised to desire for wayfinding signage to assist facility users, zebra stripping at crosswalks, green paint used to designation bike lanes, and improved bicycle sensing at stop lights. A. Elezovic stated that the Bike Brochure would be completed by Bike Month. b. Events R. Ross gave a brief recap of previous Bike Month events where poor timing, weather, and planning have played a significant role. The group questioned whether the Dismal Swamp Canal Trail was the ideal location for the event and A. Elezovic suggested a historic bike ride through S. Norfolk, being that May is also Historic Preservation Month. The group settled on two events, a ride from the northern Dismal Swamp Canal Trail trailhead to the Historic Village on May 7th and a historic bike ride through S. Norfolk on May 20th. The group also discussed better incorporating events for Safe Routes to Schools, Bike to School Day on May 3rd, and National Bike to Work Day on May 19th, with possibly partnering with Dollar Tree, Traffix, and the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization (HRTP). Need to coordinate with PRT on getting swag for Bike Month. Other events to support in 2023 include a stronger presence at the Criterium and Teeuwen Time Trails in August and supporting at least one Bike to Your Park Day event in September, perhaps in Western Branch. A. Elezovic suggested the idea of a swag event where residents could take photographs at various, predesignated locations throughout the City and receive a prize for completing a list, similar to the “Paddle the Peake” promotion run by the Tourism Division. A. Elezovic also suggested a bike decorating contest, where photographs could be submitted for a prize. L. Stoll elaborated that a Halloween costume ride/trunk or treat event could be planned for October at the City Hall Complex. c. Outreach and Advocacy W. Katchmark raised the topic of engaging running groups within the City, knowing several that meet at local breweries. K. Finn suggested educational videos that could be posted, such as how to change a bike tire or road safety tips. D. Burke mentioned Camelot as a future community biking location. R. Ross mentioned a member complaint about BTAC meetings being held on the last Monday of the month and the lack of meetings throughout the year. K. Finn stated that the schedule for meetings in 2023 was already set so this topic could be explored at a later date. The number of meetings is set within the Bylaws and would require City Council to adopt revised bylaws. The group concluded with a discussion on the subcommittee’s next meeting and determined that the group would meet as needed. OPEN FORUM: None ADJOURNMENT: 2 Meeting adjourned by R. Ross at 4:40 PM MEETING MINUTES APPROVED: ____1/23/2023______ 3