Pedestrian Safety Board

Meeting Minutes Morgantown Pedestrian Safety Board Public Safety Building – Training Room 1 Monday, February 2, 4:30 – 5:37 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. 4:30 pm Meeting called to order by Bill Reger-Nash I. Introductions: -++ a. Members: Chair Matthew Cross, Vice Chair Bill Reger-Nash, Dwight Harshbarger, Kimberly Hartsell, Jimmie Simmons, Ella Belling, Margaret Stout, Gypsie Denzine, b. Guests: Kristi Valcik representing Dr. Andress, Bill Austin, William Blosser, Don Spencer, Parth Patel II. Approval of January 5, 2015 Minutes (Attachment 1). Motion by Jimmie Simmons. Second by Dwight Harshbarger. Passed by unanimous voice vote. III. Old Business a. Chair Report on: i. Status of Ped Safety Board reporting to City Council, in lieu of reporting to Traffic Commission. Don Spencer pointed out that no boards or commissions report directly to the city. Rather, they report to the City Manager. This change in status needs to be communicated to and approved by the Traffic Commission. ii. New Ped Safety Board Members, 4th ward missing representative. Matthew Cross will compile the list of wards with no representation on the Ped Safety Board. This info will need to be passed on to the respective city council members such that they can recruit representatives. b. Facebook Page – Trace Krall (not present) and Matthew Cross. Matthew will further research this. c. Campus/Town Safety Concerns – Kim Hartsell was to report on Jan 22 Committee meeting with Colleen Harshbarger. However, Colleen Harchbarger, Kimberly Hartsell and Matthew Cross will meet on Feb 16. i. A Complete Streets study of University Avenue has been ordered by Rob Moyers and the Greater Mon County MPO. Consultants are being hired. ii. Bill Austin reported that grade separation at Grumbein Island would cost approx. $10 million for each of six options. iii. Matthew Cross reported that police cited the drunk driver who stuck the woman in the environs of Grumbein Island. Incident occurred at 1 am. Woman was allegedly not in cross walk. d. Participatory Planning / Social Marketing - Bill Reger-Nash met with Mayor Selin and interested stakeholders. Ongoing discussion. i. There is a possible community worker to coordinate this project (identified by Gypsie Denzine). e. Communitywide survey of Pedestrian concerns – Dr. Andress is conducting a study of community receptivity of funding of sidewalk infrastructure. The report was given by  Kristi Valcik. Dr. Andress looking for volunteers to participate in focus groups. She needs 40 subjects. For more info, contact Dr. Andress at 304/293 5299. f. Green Space – Rick Landenberger. Report given by Ella Belling i. Meeting Thurs, February 5, at noon at Blackbear downtown. Everyone welcome. ii. A funding event for a green space project in town is happening March 7 and is called the Blue Jean Ball. g. Summer 2015 proposal – Margaret Stout, Margaret had experience with a private/public partnership in Arizona. She submitted a proposal to conduct a pilot study to mobilize support for local sidewalk construction and a communitywide pedestrian initiative. This will be a study of transit corridors and necessity for people without cars, focusing on neighborhood collector areas regarding access. h. Traffic signals and crosswalk ladder markings – Damien Davis not present. i. MRTC developments – Ella Belling i. Greenspace Coalition is hosting a BlueJean Ball, indoor dance and dinner March 7 IV. New Business a. Proposals for moving Ped Safety Plan forward – Bill Reger-Nash, Christiaan Abildso, and Matthew Cross. This can link into Old Business “d” above. b. City Council Pedestrian Safety line item – All were encouraged to speak to city council in support of the allocation of 20% of city’s transportation funds toward pedestrians. c. Traffic Commission reorganization – Margaret Stout. The meeting changed sites and she was unable to attend the final hearing. She observed that only modest changes were presented. d. Traffic Commission representation – Chairperson Matthew Cross to represent the Ped Safety Board. Margaret is encouraged to also attend. e. Summer 2015 Infrastructure Initiative – Margaret Stout See item Old Business “g” above. f. Update of City Ped Safety Board page – Matt Cross and Bill Reger-Nash i. Minutes were submitted to Jeff Mikorsky. Not posted. Christiaan still listed as Chair. New members not listed. Chelsea Baker is the Info session. Bill Reger- Nash and Matthew Cross will communicate with her. g. Greenbag Road upgrade - Bill Austin Complete streets, sidewalks, accessibility, bus stops, bike paths, and all the other concepts incorporated into complete streets construction. February 4, 4-7 Marilla Park input opportunity. A sidewalk is proposed from Mississippi Street to the Mountaineer Mall. Action Items: 1. Matthew Cross to determine which wards have no representation on the Ped Safety Board. He will then communicate this to the respective City Council members. Due date Monday Feb 9. 2. Everyone is encouraged to attend MPO Open House for Greenbag Road improvements. February 4, Wednesday, Marilla Park Recreation Center. 3. Everyone invited to attend Greenspace Coalition at 12 noon on Thursday, Feb 5. Blackbear downtown. 4. Matthew Cross and Margaret Stout to attend the Traffic Commission meeting on Feb 11 in the city council chambers. 5. Kimberly Hartsell and Matt Cross to meet about town/gown ped issues with Colleen Harshbarger on Feb 16, after having read the Christiaan Abildso reports on Ped Safety.  6. Bill Reger-Nash to present minutes to City Info Specialist Chelsea Baker. 7. Everyone is encouraged to attend the Greenspace Coalition Blue Jeans Ball on March 7. Next meeting: March 2, 2015, Training Room 1, Public Safety Building, 4:30 – 5:30 pm Meeting adjourned at 5:37 pm.