Bicycle / Trails Advisory Committee

Bicycle/Trails Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes June 26, 2023 5:00 p.m. This meeting of the Bicycle/Trails Advisory Committee Meeting was held June 26, 2023, at the Parks, Recreation and Tourism Administrative Office, 1224 Progressive Drive. Chair Ross called the meeting to order at 5:01 p.m. ANNOUNCEMENTS R. Ross informed the committee that going forward, it is requested that citizens should use the provided speaker sheets to request to speak. ROLL CALL Ms. Abaka-Williams took attendance; 4 voting members were present, 3 were absent. Members Present: Donald R. Burke, Rogard Ross, Timothy L. Stephens, Dawn M. Kennedy Members Absent: Andy Booden, Steve Froncillo, Whitney S. Katchmark City Staff Present: Michael Barber (PRT), Ana Elezovic (PRT), George Hoddinott (Planning), Tracey Jones-Schoenfeld (Public Works), Troy Eisenberger (Public Works), Carrie Abaka-Williams (PRT) MINUTES: A motion was made by D. Burke and seconded by D. Kennedy to approve the April 24, 2023; minutes as presented. The minutes will also include a copy of the letter sent to the Mayor and the Members of City Council. The minutes were unanimously approved by the board. HEARING OF CITIZENS: None STAFF REPORTS: a. Parks, Recreation and Tourism - Ana Elezovic Parks, Recreation, and Tourism (PRT) would like BTAC committee members to take a supplemental role in the Chesapeake Criterium Bike Race August 5th, and Time Trials August 6th. PRT is currently involved in the non-racing aspects of the events (food trucks, music, children's activities) and would appreciate committee involvement,  including support with activities for youth. Activities and details will be discussed further in the committee meeting. b. Public Works -- Troy Eisenberger Western Branch Trail Work for Phase 2 has started; they are surveying now and will assess the start day afterwards. Phase 3 is scoped; the project is funded through construction with Smart Scale Grant. Indian River Road Redesign The project focuses on creating a bike lane and speed reductions. Public Works is asking for speed limit recommendations from the Indian River Area Plan consultant. Rokeby Military Highway Intersection This was part of the last smart scale funding request. It was submitted as a roadway safety project. Construction will likely begin in 2026. BTAC would like to see how bicycles could cross at this intersection. T. Eisenberger indicated that Public Works is drafting some options that could enable this. c. Planning (Kevin Finn) K. Finn shared the following updates via email prior to the meeting: Greenbrier Area Plan: • K. Finn shared a flyer advertising the open house on June 21st. However, given the short turnaround, it is unlikely that staff will be able to provide a report on all the topics discussed but those who attend could share their initial thoughts. Industrial Waterfront Area Plan • An open house was held on April 20th and the consultants are still in the process of reviewing the discussion topics and suggestions. Trails and Open Space Connectivity Plan • Planning is considering shortening the study name to the Trails and Connectivity Plan (TConn), but the scope will remain the same. City Staff held an internal kickoff meeting at the end of May. Planning staff is working with the consultant on the project scope, community engagement plan, and project schedule. The consultant (Alta Planning and Design) will spend the next few weeks/months finalizing these initial 2  documents and then begin working on reviewing GIS layers and a review of existing plans, both regionally and within Chesapeake. Additional updates included: Open Space and Connectivity Plan • Alta is being used as the consultant for this project. Kevin will inform the committee when Alta is ready to start taking public input. Industrial Waterfront Plan • One focus of the plan is on improving connectivity to parks and schools for residents of South Norfolk. • It is likely that reconfiguration of Bainbridge Boulevard may be considered. REPORTS:NEW BUSINESS: a. Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) T. Eisenberg provided VDOT Transportation Permits Program background information which includes: The last six to seven years VDOT has been focused on active transportation projects. Projects that have been previously funded through the program include: • Western Branch Trail (part already constructed) • Complete trail to Taylor Road • Design and planning work on both phases (DCM Group is managing, JMT consultant awarded contract from consultant-construction, officially start work likely in July) Current year grant applications • Pre-application project is due June 30, 2023 • The final part of application is due at the beginning of October. Eight projects are considered for submittal by Chesapeake currently. 1. Great Bridge Boulevard- (Riverwalk to Oscar Smith High School). 2. Stadium Drive- (Great Bridge Middle School to Triangle of Mount Pleasant Road and Battlefield Boulevard. 3. Gum Road- Multi-use path, the south end gap. 4. Dismal Swamp Trail Extension-Deep Creek to the bridge. This might be too big and not a good way to find a halfway stopping point. Will be submitted as part of a planning study or right of way study. 3  5. Cedar Lakes to Park- (from Walmart to Albemarle Drive). 6. Cedar Lakes- (Cedar Lakes to Bartell) 7. Veteran’s Bridge to TCC-recognized as an important bike connection. Proposed change from sidewalk to a multi-use path. 8. Gaps on Greenbrier- (Volvo Parkway to Buffalo Wild Wings). This is involved in the Greenbrier study. Projects not on list • Volvo Parkway from Railroad crossing to Battlefield Boulevard will not be included. This is an active Capital Improvement Project. Construction will involve a weekend closure of Volvo Parkway due to the fact the railroad would have to weld the tracks to put a gate for the sidewalks. • Gaps on Battlefield will not be included as they are smaller projects, or they have been funded locally. • Veterans Bridge to Newton Neck Park. The issues with this project are project cost D. Burke suggested making the entrance through the neighborhood on Mapleshore Drive with the installation of sidewalks. M. Barber stated that this would need further discussion with neighbors and that anything more than a trail entrance to the park from the neighborhood sides is not preferred at this time based on input from the Newton Neck Community Meeting. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: a. Indian River Park Trail Subcommittee PRT is waiting on the City’s Risk Manager and City Attorney Office to decide if the meeting needs to be posted to the public or if the department can move ahead with a subcommittee. PRT continues to look for a representative for the remote-controlled car community. NEW BUSINESS (continued): b. Event Planning • September- Bike Your Park Day on September 23 T. Lilley (citizen) will be taking a group on a bike ride to the Dismal Swamp Trail. R. Ross suggested getting Eastern Virginia Mountain Bike Association interested in doing something at Indian River Park on that day. PRT is considering hosting an event on the Western Branch Trail. • October - Halloween Event around City Hall The committee will form a planning meeting with members between now and the July meeting to come up with ideas for activities to do at events. D. Kennedy volunteered for the Halloween event and D. Burke volunteered for the Bike Your Park Event. 4  c. Nomination and election of new Secretary June 28, 2023, City Council will look at appointments of new members to the committee. The secretary position is open. The committee chose to wait on nomination and election to include the new members at the July meeting. d. Committee members discussed potential future recommendations for naming the trails in Western Branch running parallel to Taylor Road from the Suffolk to Portsmouth city lines. The trail is being referred to by various names including. • South Hampton Roads Trail • Commonwealth Rail Trail • Seaboard Trail (in Suffolk) • Western Branch Trail (which also the name of a nearby trail along Bruce Road) • Chesapeake Bike Trail There being no consensus, R. Rogard tabled the discussion on providing a recommendation for naming the trail in Western Branch for now and will revisit it at a future meeting. HEARING OF BOARD MEMBERS: R. Ross asked how the BTAC committee can be made more effective to best share information in preparation for meetings to best use our limited time. Staff liaisons opined that email is proper and acceptable protocol for distributing information among members, if no voting is done. Information provided at the committee meetings will be included in the meeting minutes and made public. Meeting attendance is important. Monthly outings • Currently no plans for a monthly outing. • D. Burke is planning an outing to Battlefield Park to take measurements to identify locations of several cables that were left after construction, so a request for work can be submitted for removal. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 6:34 p.m. NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will be on Monday, July 24, 2023, at the Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Administrative Office, 1224 Progressive Drive Chesapeake Va. 23320 at 5:00 pm. Minutes submitted by Carrie Abaka-Williams 5