Connecting Us - Sustaining Progress (CUSP)

CUSP Housing and Transportation Subcommittee Meeting Minutes July 31, 2020 Chair Stephanie Rose called the online Zoom meeting to order at 5:00 pm Members Present: Chair - Stephanie Rose, Chad Murdock, Todd DeVries, Julene Haworth, Lexie French, Barbara Dahl Absent: Rebecca Long Pyper This date is the first time the committee has met since the Covid pandemic began. The Chair and members agreed by text/emails that an online Zoom Meeting would be the best solution to begin safely meeting to carry out our CUSP mission established by the Idaho Falls Mayor and Council Members. Agenda: COMMITTEE DISCUSSION: 1.Update on sub committee meetings and info needed for CUSP Chairman Juan Alvarez’s in- terim report: Stephanie reviewed both the Committee and the H&T subcommittee goals and updates. • At this juncture only two other subcommittees are meeting. The final reports/recommenda- tions from all subcommittees are due late September/early October. • Chairman Alvarez will be sending an email to all subcommittee’s members requesting further information regarding their fields of expertise with reply back to him. Agenda: COMMITTEE ACTION: 2. Narrow Scope - Part 1 Transportation - H&T document Prioritize Objectives Prioritize Problems 3. Define Project and Plan Determine additional input needed… Task Force Assignments Schedule and Timing Stephanie referred members to the “Planning Part 1” worksheet packet. Discussion by members led to decision that with a transportation element currently being worked on by Council Member Michelle Ziel Dingman, the committee’s first focus should be on Transportation - answering worksheet questions/guide for recommendations. Transportation issues more locally controlled than housing. May have to triage due to enormity of covering both H&T. Some discussion on housing - areas of city that require transportation due to lack of services/gro- cery stores, medical needs, etc. Chad is participating in housing discussions and problem solving via Community Development. He informed committee regarding new low-income housing/apartments that will be built on Lo- max. Reminder regarding national webinar: Preventing Eviction and Homelessness in your City…Au- gust 11th, need to sign up - see forwarded email from mayor’s office. Objectives: The “livability” factor of affordable housing and transportation, quality, sustainability, and ac- cess to housing/transportation is a quality of life issue for all residents in IF. A Complete Streets Policy was referred to numerous times with explanations of why the City should adopt the policy along with encouraging the adoption of a state law. A CS policy is a recommendation in the City’s COC Plan. The following discussion/transportation objectives would fall under the um- brella of the Complete Streets Policy: • Convenient, affordable, promoting safety, environmental sustainability, etc. Identify problems: • Mega intersections i..e Sunnyside/Hitt Rd, 17th/Hitt Road: lacking auditory walk alerts, lack- ing ‘safety islands’ for pedestrians; • Traffic engineers focused primarily on vehicle transportation; • Cars turning right at numerous intersection blocking pedestrian crossing I.e. 1st St./Woodruff • Roundabouts lack clear and safe pedestrian crossings; • PV speeding and noise issues - enforcement, more traffic ‘calming’ measures needed; • Lack of public transportation (and Para-transit) (TRPTA failure) i.e. buses, set routes in Idaho Falls • Lack of addressing safety issues for pedestrians/bike • Maintenance of sidewalks i.e. crumbling walks, snow removal issues, • Lack of anything other than car travel. Additional input: • City engineers - Public Works - Parks and Rec: who has what responsibility? • Bike/Ped advocates - what is their take on progress, deficiencies? • Public transportation update needed Homework: Look at what’s needed, prioritize 5 transportation problems . Next meeting? Zoom, Wednesday August 5? Email to confirm date/time Meeting adjourned 6:30.