Complete Streets & Bikeway Committee

COMPLETE STREETS COMMITTEE CITY OF MIDDLETOWN, CT May 14, 2018 In attendance: Howard Reid, John Hall, Ron Krom, Laura Baum, Tom Quirk, Cindi Perugini Guests: Catherine Young, Lisa Liesener, Jennifer Kleindienst 1. Review of minutes: Accepted 2. Old Business Bike Routes/Signage 5/14/18: There are no updates though DeKoven Drive now has parking where the bike lanes are to go; this parking is likely to remain until the parking garage on Dingwall Drive is replaced. 4/9/18: CS is awaiting a scheduled Public Works Commission meeting for final approval; the Police Department is signing off on the plan. 3/12/18: The first official Middletown bike trail has been reviewed and approved by public works. The trail will be designated by signage, with no bike lanes. CS to send a letter of recommendation to the Director of Public Works. CS to talk with Tom Nigosanti about the possibility of shoulder striping on the involved roads. Traffic Calming 5/14/18: CS to summarize MacDonough Safe Routes report for PD, focusing on traffic related items. 4/9/18: CS met with the Police Department Deputy Chief and traffic officer Dave Godwin who seem to be in favor of street narrowing, bump outs, and speed traps but noted that the efforts on High St. have not slowed traffic. They will look at possibilities for Pearl St. and Spring Street. CS to provide a copy of the Safe Routes to School Report for their review. 1/8/18: John Hall reported on the first meeting of the traffic calming work group. The group identified its first task to be information gathering, including information about existing traffic calming projects in Middletown and whether there is any data which demonstrates effects of those efforts. Newfield Corridor Path Funding 5/14/18: The city budget meeting is tonight and it is anticipated there will be no additional funding for projects for the next 6 months. Complete Streets Web Presence: Nothing to report. Long Lane Trail 5/14/18: This project has been awarded to DeRita Construction and will be completed this summer. Community Calendar: May 9th is Bike/Walk to School Day: CS is awaiting feedback and results from the schools. May 19th, 9:30am: Family Bike Ride – if bad weather is pending a cancellation announcement will be made the morning of by 8am. Warning of the potential cancellation will be posted on the Bike-Walk Middletown site. May 17th Recreation and Community Services Commission Meeting: John Hall will attend. May 18th is National bike to work day, no local events are planned. May 23rd 7-8:30pm Jonah’s Center Speak Out: This is a planning meeting to be held at the DeKoven House to explain projects and engage attendees. A representative from Spin Bikes will be in attendance to answer public questions about the new program. June 2nd: Ribbon cutting for the Portland Airline Trail opening; this date is also National Trails Day. Priorities for 2018 Road Projects 1/8/18: In preparation for the annual meeting with Public Works to review the coming road project/bond season, the Committee discussed its priorities. Those identified included projects already in progress, including new priority bike routes, Saybrook Rd, and the Long Lane and Newfield Corridor multi-use trails. Additional possible priorities identified were sidewalks along Butternut St. connecting the park to adjacent neighborhoods, and an examination of traffic signal actuators which respond to bicycles. Wesleyan Bike Share 5/14/18: Jen Kleindienst reported the status of the first 3 weeks the program was in operation: 1100 individual riders; 4700 rides; 200 non-students who made 1000 rides. The company is working through the start-up problems of a new program: collection and maintenance of new bikes; addressing local business concerns. Kyle Rowe of Spin Bikes plans to call in to the next CS meeting. 4/9/18: The kick-off is scheduled for 4/12 at 11:30am. The company responsible has inquired if the City of Middletown would like to utilize some of the bikes on Main Street during the summer months when school is not in session. CS discussed the issue and is in support of a trial run with a limited number of bikes. Palmer Field/Veterans Park Path 4/9/18: This path has been approved and work is happening now; CS to check progress periodically to ensure the path is completed correctly. Public Outreach 5/14/18: The NEAC expressed an interest in making Main St. more bike friendly. 4/9/18: CS will attempt to reach out to the North End Action Committee and the Village District to identify the groups’ concerns, identify areas CS can try to address, and try to garner support for our cause. 3. New Business Ridge Rd Sidewalk Project: This project is now complete. Sustainable CT Initiative: Middletown was the first town to sign up for this new state initiative; the city’s Clean Energy Task Force is currently handling efforts to meet the requirements (until a more formal team can be established). In order to be certified this year a submission of qualifying efforts must be provided by August 24th. CS identified qualifying projects for the submission: West St. & Washington intersection; Ridge Rd sidewalks; Woodrow Wilson School sidewalks; Palmer Field trail; Long Lane sidewalk. Meeting adjourned at 8:50 PM. A suggested topic of discussion for the next meeting is crosswalks and sidewalks on Route 17 from Randolph Rd toward downtown. Next meeting: June 11, 2018 7pm in Council Chambers