Pedestrian Safety Board

Meeting Minutes Morgantown Pedestrian Safety Board Public Safety Building – Training Room 1 Monday, April 6 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. 4:32 pm Meeting called to order by Chair Cross I. Present and Introductions: a. Members: Bob Anderson, Jimmie Simmons, Councilperson Mike Fike, Chair Matt Cross, Vice Chair Bill Reger-Nash b. Guests: William Blosser, Mayor Selin, Jing Zhang, Bill Kawecki, Student Cody Raab II. Approval of March 2, 2015 Minutes (Accompanying pdf). Motion to pass March Minutes by Jimmie Simmons, Second by Bob Anderson. Passed by unanimous voice vote. III. Reports  -Mountain Line Maria Smith Not present.  -WVU Kim Hartsell Not present.  Planning Commission – William Blosser. Traffic light at 3rd in Sunnyside. Frank Scafella and Damien Davis have info. There will be an 8-foot sidewalk on development side and a smaller one on downhill side. One major problem throughout this area is the presence of the utility polls in the middle of the sidewalk. Mayor Selin mentioned that utility lines can be buried. The general consensus of those in attendance is that underground placement of utilities is something that the members of the Ped Safety Board should be advocating. The poles are in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. We might want to use this as leverage to clean up the sidewalks along University Ave.  -Rail Trail Matt Cross reported on National Trail Day which he saw as a success. Ella Belling reported that: o There will be a National Rail Trail Sojourn on April 23, 24, and 25. Please support this effort, which highlights our existing trails and will be promoting the development of the trail through Point Marion, to Cheat Lake, and on to Dunbar, PA. o Funding was received for the rail trail connectors at Foundry Street, Westover, Collins Ferry. However, the matching monies have yet to be identified. The Blue Jean Ball raised $1,000. Perhaps this money can be used for the $15,000 Collins Ferry match. o Match can be generated thru individuals for specific projects. o Half Marathon in June funds ($20,000) pays for support MRTC. o New Suncrest Primary School may be opportunity to raise funds (school wanted link down to the trail. Would be great for the school to have access to the trail. School reached out to MRTC about larger culverts under trail. Perhaps stairs from the rail trail to the school or sidewalk construction down Collins Ferry to the Rail Trail could be promoted at this time. Bob Anderson to do draft letter request for consideration of pedestrian rail-trail access to the school board.  -Greenspace Rick Landenberger Not present   -City Council Mike Fike Mayor Selin issued a Proclamation that March 2015 is the Mayor's Challenge for Safer People and Safer Streets Month. See accompanying Proclamation. Mike commended the Ped Safety Board for ongoing efforts and efficacy. Mike announced that this may well be his last Ped Safety Board meeting as he did not run for re-election and he has other commitments during subsequent meetings. The Ped Safety Board saluted Council Representative Fike with a round of applause for his tireless service and his commitment for what is good for the City.  -MPO As reported by Jing Zhang. Now conducting annual traffic count. Will then prepare annual report (48 hours continuous monitoring), which will include pedestrian and bike volume, crash data.  -City Engineering Damien Davis Signs placed on High Street, thanks to Damien Davis and city engineering.  -Police Officer McCabe Not present.  -Traffic Commission Matt Cross Meeting cancelled for this past month. He will attend the meeting next month. IV. Old Business  -Margaret Stout sidewalk development study. Possible partial funding from Will and Martha Carter. Bill Reger-Nash to call Margaret and Jeff Mikorski about the feasibility of using the Carter donation to stimulate a city investment in the project. Bill will send the Stout Proposal to Mayor Selin and Council representative Bill Kawecki. V. New Business  -Matt Cross Facebook page/Ped Board Flyer/Chocolate Day. Please check out the Facebook page and post as appropriate.  -Board member notices. No action taken. Action Items: 1. Bob Anderson to do draft letter to the school board regarding link from Suncrest Primary to trail. 2. January 2016. Ped Safety Board to request city for minimum of 20% of transportation dollars be allocated annually for SIDE WALK PROGRAMS, Pedestrian Infrastructure and issues. 3. Bill Reger-Nash to contact Margaret Stout and Damien Davis to attend next meeting. Matt Cross to contact police and Kimberly Hartsell. 4. Jenny Selin to contact Laurie Andress about Sidewalk Summit. 5. BRN to send Margaret Stout proposal to Bill Kawecki and Jenny Selin 5:39 pm motion to adjourn by Bob Anderson, Second by Jimmie Simmons. Passed by unanimous voice vote. Next meeting: May 4, 2015, Training Room 1, Public Safety Building, 4:30 – 5:30 pm Minutes submitted by Bill Reger-Nash.