Bicycle / Trails Advisory Committee

Bicycl e/Trails Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes October 23, 2023 5:00 p.m. This meeting of the Bicycle/Trails Advisory Committee Meeting was held October 23, 2023, at the Parks, Recreation and Tourism Administrative Office, 1224 Progressive Drive. Chair Ross called the meeting to order at 5:04 p.m. ANNOUNCEMENTS Introduction of new members  Lakela Lofton was welcomed as a new member. ROLL CALL Ms. Abaka-Williams took the roll. Attendance reflected a quorum. Nine voting members were present and three were absent. Members Present: Donald R. Burke, Michael Flint, Steve Froncillo, Whitney Katchmark, Dawn M. Kennedy, Lakela Lofton, Rogard Ross, Timothy L. Stephens, Barry R. Sutton Members Absent: Andy Booden, Alex Breshears, Christian Saxon City Staff Present: Michael Barber (PRT), Ana Elezovic (PRT), Carrie Abaka-Williams (PRT), Kevin Finn (Planning), Troy Eisenberger (Public Works) MINUTES: A motion was made by T. Stephens and seconded by B. Sutton to approve the September 25, 2023; minutes as presented. The September meeting minutes were unanimously approved by the board. HEARING OF CITIZENS: None STAFF UPDATES: Parks, Recreation and Tourism – Ana Elezovic  The City Council work session to discuss Heritage Park is planned for November. Public Works – Troy Eisenberger  Indian River bike lanes - Planning will bring in a consultant which will focus on the safety aspects of the Indian River Road Diet. This study should be completed March 2024.  The Western Branch Trail Phase 2 is projected to begin Summer 2024.  Phase 3 is from Taylor Road to the connection in Suffolk. The Planning Department will bring in a consultant. Scope, fee, and design meetings are planned for December 2023. 30% of the plan is to be finished by May 2024 and  60% plan completion is projected to be completed late 2024. When 60% of the plan is achieved, a public meeting will be held.  Staff are currently working with the City of Suffolk to come up with a working draft agreement in the Great Dismal Swamp Accessibility Study.  T. Eisenberg thanked the committee for its letter of support for the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funding application; the City submitted the application. Kevin Finn (Planning)  The open House for the Chesapeake Waterfront Study is Thursday, October 26, at the Portlock Galleries at SONO.  The next Greenbrier Area Plan Open House is November 15 at the Greenbrier Middle School.  Staff is currently finalizing the request for proposal (RFP) for the Deep Creek and Camelot Area Plan.  More information about upcoming open houses can be found on the Chesapeake Planning Department’s website. REPORTS: None UNFINISHED BUSINESS : Indian River Park Subcommittee a. T. Stephens contacted remote car users about needing a representative for the subcommittee.  He shared M. Barber and A. Elezovic as the point of contact for Parks, Recreation, and Tourism.  R. Ross is concerned about what is going to happen if an R/C representative cannot be found. He would like to see something with the subcommittee happen before the next January meeting of the BTAC. b. R. Ross shared that issues have come up at Indian River Park.  Trails being cut at the north end of the park.  Graffiti issues on the bridge have been addressed.  On October 21, 2023, R. Ross found a large branch with nails hammered into it in the parking lot. He expressed his concern about vandalism causing damage to visitors’ tires.  A. Elezovic asked that committee members share trail issues with her as soon as they are discovered so that they can be shared with the Chesapeake Park Rangers promptly. Trail Priorities 2  a. Chairman Ross shared the draft list of BTAC trail priorities throughout Chesapeake with the committee last meeting. He shared the internal survey made from that draft list and the committee voted for their 1-10, 11-20, and 21-30 trails. https://www.cityofchesapeake.net/DocumentCenter/View/16129/Ordered-Trail-Priorities b. Chairman Ross will make the survey results available for K. Finn to share with the Alta team working on the TConn Plan. Trail and Connectivity Plan a. The online survey is available online till November 1, 2023. K. Finn asked the BTAC committee to share the following link: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/31b2d3ec4a4e473f8d8a060e13d33f98 b. Community Engagement Opportunities The stakeholder meeting and the next public meeting will be held January or February 2024. c. Economic market analysis on Trails:  Planning would like to have a special meeting with BTAC to sit down and discuss trail opportunities. K. Finn will get back to BTAC about dates and once a date is agreed upon BTAC will advertise the special meeting. NEW BUSINESS: Elections of Officers a. Current positions are as follows:  R. Ross, Chairperson  D. Burke, Vice Chairperson  D. Kennedy, Secretary  All officers stated they would be available to serve another term. B. Sutton made a motion to leave all officers in their current positions. T. Stephens seconded it. The motion passed unanimously. Northwest River Park a. Potable water  Nakiesha Bridgers, Park Operations Manager has checked and the spigot at Northwest River Park is operational. b. Parking  Currently the area that the horse community is utilizing is too small and the material it is made of is not conducive to horse trailers.  B. Sutton suggested covering the ditch with a culvert and laying crush and rock. He suggested a loop shape so horse trailers could pull in and out easily.  M. Barber stated that parking lot improvements could be made with the Phase 6 NWRP improvements. The improvements include building a new ranger station and what money might be left could go towards parking lot improvements. HEARING OF BOARD MEMBERS: 3  Member Updates None Monthly out ing  R. Ross proposed a bike outing to include stops along Volvo Parkway, Battlefield Blvd, and the Arboretum to check out sidewalk connectivity.  D. Kennedy proposed a walking outing from Riverwalk and down Great Bridge boulevard in the coming months. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 6:28 p.m. NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will be on Monday, January 22 , 2024. The meeting will be held at the Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Administrative Office, 1224 Progressive Drive Chesapeake Va. 23320 at 5:00 pm. Minutes submitted by Carrie Abaka-Williams 4