Pedestrian Safety Board

Meeting Minutes Morgantown Pedestrian Safety Board Public Safety Building – Training Room 1 Monday, January 5, 4:30 – 5:30 PM The Morgantown Pedestrian Safety Board’s mission is to promote a walkable environment throughout the City by developing safe, attractive, and accessible walkways that connect neighborhoods and destinations. Meeting called to order at 4:30 by Vice Chair Bill Reger-Nash I. Introductions: Chair Matthew Cross, Vice Chair Bill Reger-Nash, Christiaan Abildso, Jimmie Simmons, Bob Anderson, Dwight Harshbarger, George Lilley, Ella Belling, WVU representative Kimberly Hartsell, MountainLine Representative Maria Smith, City Council members Mike Fike, Bill Kawecki, and Mayor Jenny Selin, guests William E. Blosser, Frank Gmeindl, City Engineer Damien Davis, Trace Krall, Gypsie Denzine, MPO director Bill Austin, Don Spencer, II. Approval of December 1, 2014 Minutes (Attachment 1) a. Amended by Bill Austin; moved by Jimmie; second Dwight; unanimous approval III. Old Business a. Ped Safety Plan Review – Bill Reger-Nash, Don Spencer, Rick Landenberger Bill Reger-Nash, Don Spencer, and Rick Landenberger reviewed the plan. Conclusion: The methodology was sound and focused on strategic connections between schools and neighborhoods, which are still relevant. Volunteers other than these three to further review and report back at the February meeting. Jimmie noted that Suncrest Primary School will no longer be a school, but Bill Reger-Nash noted that it will still likely be a pedestrian attractor b. Green Space – Dr. Rick Landenberger c. Summer 2015 proposal – Margaret Stout d. Traffic / Transportation Commission update – Damien Davis and William Blosser i. Damien - Final TC workshop held last month; ordinance changes on agenda for 1/7/15 TC meeting (if approved, on to City Council for approval) ii. No name change, mostly changes to roles but adding to membership proposed, specifically adding a pedestrian and cycling member with voting status (not at-large as is currently) iii. Discussion ensued about establishing a pedestrian board that reports directly to city council, rather than to TC 1. Motion by Bill Reger-Nash that Pedestrian Safety Board be given the authority to directly communicate to City Council rather than through Traffic Commission, while maintaining relationship with Traffic Commission a. 2nd: Bob Anderson b. Much discussion ensued i. Jimmie – opposed b/c of TC restructuring ii. Pro – speeds timeline for action; direct line to CC iii. Con – (Don) so much advanced timeline needed for CC 2. Approved by voice vote, 1 no vote was Jimmie e. Railtrail developments – Ella Belling i. VanVoorhis - 1. MRTC expanded parking/restrooms at Van Voorhis (3 miles from PA state line), now want to connect to PA & Sheepskin Trail ii. Sheepskin Trail 1. hoping to finish from VV to Pt Marion by May, 2015 2. phase 2 is connecting Pt Marion to Cheat Lake Trail iii. Connector to Cheat Lake Trail iv. MRTC working on a lot of connectors from the trail, grants for: 1. Collins Ferry Road 2. Foundry Street 3. Greenmont Bridge (funded) 4. White Park connector across Don Knotts (bridge, most likely) v. Two mile walk in Spring by MRTC f. Social Marketing / Participatory Planning – Bill Reger-Nash i. Challenging, Bill Reger-Nash conducting meetings with Communications people and Mayor, not likely to happen this Spring ii. Jimmie suggests “Wear White at Night” iii. Trace recommends a Facebook page, will look into the idea & discuss at next week g. WVU Ped initiatives – Kim Hartsell and Colleen Harshbarger i. Kim – defers to Colleen who is not present, will update next meeting h. Requests to Morgantown Engineer Damien Davis – Bill Reger-Nash i. 10 crosswalk ladders 8’ x 2’ 1. Damien is budgeting more for 2015-16 for crosswalks ii. Concurrent Ped Crossing Lights 1. Damien working with this, it is budgeted in state TIP (Transportation Improvement Plan) Meeting Adjourned at 5:35pm i. New Board Members – Chair Matthew Cross i. Gypsie Denzine first Ward, to replace Tom and Sara Bias. IV. New Business a. Proposals for moving Ped Safety Plan forward – Bill Reger-Nash and Dr. Christiaan Abildso b. City Council Pedestrian Safety line item – Mike Fike MOVE THE FOLLOWING TO NEXT MEETING a. Update on WVU Ped Survey – Andrew Denny and Dr. Lauri Andress Next meeting: February 2, 2015, Training Room 1, Public Safety Building, 4:30 – 5:30 pm Morgantown Pedestrian Safety Board Meeting Minutes Public Safety Building - Morgantown, WV Monday, December 1, 2014, 4:30 – 5:30 PM The Morgantown Pedestrian Safety Board’s mission is to promote a walkable environment throughout the City by developing safe, attractive, and accessible walkways that connect neighborhoods and destinations.