Bicycle / Trails Advisory Committee

Bicycle / Trails Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes February 27, 2023 1224 Progressive Drive 5:00 PM VOTING MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Rogard Ross, Vice Chair Don Burke, Andy Booden, Steve Froncillo, Whitney Katchmark, and Tim Stephens STAFF/OTHERS PRESENT: Ana Elezovic, Parks, Recreation, and Tourism; Kevin Finn, Planning; Tracy Jones-Schoenfeld, Public Works; Paul Atkinson, citizen; James Bacaoan, citizen; Rich Clark, citizen; and Robert Swoop, citizen, Ric Sutton, citizen (arrived late) Staff updates submitted prior to the meeting via email: Parks, Recreation, and Tourism: • Bicycle and Trails Brochure: As mentioned at previous meetings, PRT will have a document for review at the April meeting but will not have a deliverable or updates until then. • Indian River Park planning: At the Indian River Park Trail Planning meeting, citizens asked for a portable toilet. The portable toilet has been delivered and we have adjusted the location at the requests of resident’s sight lines. We are continuing to work on maps and signage. • Heritage Park planning: I have reached out to Wilbur Hogge today for updates, but PRT has not received any additional updates at this time. • Newton Neck planning: PRT has ordered park entry signage and park rules signage has been installed. PRT has met on-site with contractors and is awaiting quotes for 2 bridges to improve connectivity for all user groups. We have met with Fire Prevention and PW to discuss parking options for under the bridge and are awaiting quotes for fencing contractors. • A P.O. has been issued to L4 for $45,370 worth of sidewalk connections at various parks, including Western Branch Park, Kristina’s Park, Broadmoor Play area, Camelot park, Fentress Play Area, Oakbrooke Park, Elizabeth River Park, and Russell Memorial Library. This project will increase accessibility to park amenities through added pedestrian connectivity. • Horse Appreciation Day has been scheduled for March 26th from 10 am - 4 pm at the Dismal Swamp Canal Trail. PRT will have a table with room for BTAC to join. Planning: • Trails and Open Space Connectivity Plan - Proposals are in and City staff has concluded their initial review/scoring last week. Planning will be conducting interviews over the next few weeks and will then make a selection. • Industrial Waterfront Study - No changes to the updates provided last month. There is a community survey posted on the study's webpage and K. Finn will bring some flyers to next week's meeting. Public Works: • Construction on Phase II of the Western Branch Trail (from Dordon to Taylor) should begin later this summer. More information can be found here: https://www.cityofchesapeake.net/1341/Western-Branch-Chesapeake-Trail • More information about the Poindexter Street Sidewalk project can be found here: https://www.cityofchesapeake.net/1331/Poindexter-Street-Sidewalk-Extension-Pro • The following projects are in progress: o IR Road Diet/Redesign o Reconnecting Community Grant o Great Dismal Swamp Accessibility Study, and o Bicycle sensing at traffic lights Chair R. Ross called the meeting to order at 5:02 PM. INTRODUCTIONS: Committee members and staff introduced themselves. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (January) A motion was made to add staff notes to the January meeting minutes. All members present voted to approve the minutes with the addition of the staff updates sent prior to the meeting. NEW BUSINESS/DISCUSSION: 1. HEARING OF CITIZENS - Committee members shared that they were interested in seeing staff send updates as an attachment with the agenda rather than as separate emails. - R. Ross lead a discussion about trail priorities for future projects. D. Burke described a general goal of creating trails “that go somewhere”, i.e. that make it easier to get around without a car. The following locations were identified as possible priority areas (in order that they were mentioned): o Crossings under I-64 – Greenbrier and Battlefield o Great Bridge Blvd and Battlefield Boulevard intersection o Oak Grove to Hospital area trail connections o Mountain biking  o Dismal Swamp Canal Trail extension to North Carolina border o Dismal Swamp Canal Trail extension to Deep Creek Bridge o East Coast Greenway route from Berkley to Veteran’s Bridge o Veteran’s Bridge to Dismal Swamp Canal Trail o Finishing the South Hampton Roads Trail Phase 2 and 3 o Indian River Road Diet/Bike Lanes o Prioritization of pathways identified in Indian River Planning Area Study - An optional Bike Ride is to be held on March 4th. The proposed route is 9.4 miles and begins at South Norfolk Community Center and will go north to Berkley Bridge and then south to Veterans Bridge. 2. REPORTS Parks, Recreation and Tourism - A. Elezovic requested volunteers to assist with the planning for Bike Month. D. Burke and R. Ross volunteered to join the Bike Month Planning Subcommittee. - Elezovic shared that Horse Appreciation Day was to occur on March 26th from 10 am to 4 pm at the Dismal Swamp Canal Trail. W. Katchmark and D. Burke volunteered to table at the event and share information about BTAC. Public Works - T. Jones-Schoenfeld shared a presentation about TAP projects. The presentation included information about previous applications and explanations for how committee members could get involved in the future. BTAC will be encouraged to provide recommendation letters for new projects that align with the committee’s goals and objectives. ` Planning - K. Finn provided updates on Open Space and Trail Connectivity Plan. He shared that there were three applicants and that a preliminary review occurred on the 24th. He also shared that interviews would be conducted in mid-March and that staff was hopeful to have someone under contract by mid-April. BTAC will be a primary stakeholder for this document and will be encouraged to participate in the kickoff event and additional community input sessions. - The Planning Department is also currently engaged in the Industrial Waterfront Study - A kickoff meeting for Greenbrier study is coming soon, and committee members can expect to hear more about the Deep Creek Village plan soon as well. 3. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 6:18 PM The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 27, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at Parks, Recreation and Tourism Office at 1224 Progressive Drive.