Bicycle Task Force

APPROVED MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE BICYCLE TASK FORCE Northbrook Village Hall – Terrace Conference Room September 11, 2013 Members Present: Angus Duthie, Jim O’Connell, Chris Henning, Tom Tebbe and Matt Cassidy Members Absent: George Garner Jr., Dan Pepoon, and Mardi Scott Staff Present: Jim Baxa Staff Absent: Mike Metrick and Jennifer Rooks-Lopez Others Present: Jim Lamb, Stan Gill & Frank Blecker (Northbrook residents); Pat Krochmal (Pioneer Press) Call Meeting to Order. Chairman Henning called the meeting to order in the Development and Planning Conference Room of the Village Hall at 7:04 p.m. Public Comments – Hear from Audience. Northbrook resident Jim Lamb introduced himself as being an avid cyclists and interested in attending Bicycle Task Force Committee meetings. Review July 10, 2013 Minutes. It was moved and seconded that the July 10, 2013 minutes be approved. The motion was approved. Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Grant Applications. Staff liaison Jim Baxa briefly explained the four IDOT Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program grant applications that were submitted on August 19th; the Village submitted two applications individually and two applications as a part of a joint collaboration with neighboring for the latest call for projects. The projects included Skokie Valley Trail, Shermer Road Bike Path, On-street Pavement Marking and Signage, and additional Metra Bike Parking & Bike Shelter. The committee inquired if it was permissible for the Village to receive outside donations and or contributions towards the purchase of smaller items from private parties such as bike rack and/or street signage. In addition it was asked if fund raising event are allowed to help finance such improvements if there is not conflict of interest. Staff will provide a follow up at the next committee meeting. Review of Proposed Developments 770 Skokie/Wal-mart The BTF reviewed site engineering plans for two proposed developments (770 Skokie Boulevard & 1000 Skokie Boulevard) to inquire if bicycle/pedestrian amenities were being provided for at both proposed development locations. After reviewing the plans the Bike Task Force came up with a couple of comments for the Planning commission’s consideration for the proposed development; these include: General review suggestions by the Bicycle Task Force for both development sites:  Were the proposed improvements to the Dundee Road/Skokie Boulevard intersection (included the southbound on ramp for the Eden’s Expressway) apart of the initial Traffic Study for bicycle/pedestrian site access and safety?  September 11, 2013 BTF Meeting Minutes - APPROVED  Can pavement and signage enhancements be made at the proposed ingress/egress locations to better distinguish the sidewalk crossings locations from the driveline pavements? (I.E. Pavement material types, additional signage and pavement stripping)  If and when the Skokie Valley Trail is construction, if the potential for a bicycle/pedestrian bridge is proposed as a future trail amenity; acceptance of said structure cannot be objected by the property owners at 770 Skokie Boulevard.  Has the Village identified areas within the Village to have bicycle/pedestrian amenities outside the areas outside to locations identified in the comprehensive plan? General review suggestions by the Bicycle Task Force for Wal-Mart site:  Increase the width of the proposed public sidewalk along Skokie Boulevard from five feet to seven feet (see as shown on 770 Skokie Blvd. plans).  There are two bike racks being provided for this site, can additional bike parking be provided?  When the remaining five acres parcel is developed north of the proposed Wal-Mart site, provide an access route to the proposed Skokie Valley Trail. Review of current Village codes and Comprehensive Plan At the request of Chairman Henning, the Bicycle Task Force committee review the different section of the Village’s Municipal Code, Comprehensive Plan, Subdivision & Development Code and Engineering Standards & Specifications to better understand the intended use and of there is any inconstancy or overlap of the language. The current language lists several different level staff member s involved with the planning and selection process for bicycle/pedestrian facilities. The committee would like to have a better understand of the hierarchy of staff involved and requested if the Director of Planning Services can attend a future meeting to discuss this matter. Des Plaines Review Corridor Plan Staff shared Stakeholder information from the Northwest Municipal Conference (NWMC) for the Des Plaines River Trail Plan. The proposed plan will address how people access the river corridor for bicycling, canoeing, kayaking, and other uses of the trail. The goal is to make additional recommendations for the better accessibility and enhance the use of the trail per survey information received from the end users. The BTF reviewed the list of stakeholders and recommend including large business/companies located with ½ mile of the corridor for additional input on the trail is used by commuters. Review Bike Task Force Work Plan: After a review of the Core Work Program, the Committee provided additional items to be added to the list as well as updates to existing items. Page 2 of 3 P:\MINUTES - DRAFT\2013\BTF\9-11-13 BTF APPROVED Minutes.docx  September 11, 2013 BTF Meeting Minutes - APPROVED Set Topics for Next Meeting: The Task Force requested to look at the plans for Willow Road to learn where bicycle/pedestrian improvements were provided. Adjourn: On motion made and seconded, the meeting of the BTF was adjourned at 9:04 p.m. Minutes Submitted by Jim Baxa. Page 3 of 3 P:\MINUTES - DRAFT\2013\BTF\9-11-13 BTF APPROVED Minutes.docx