City Council

Minutes of Joint Session of Council of Ogden City, Utah, June 23, 2015 Page Minutes of the Joint Study Session of the Ogden City Council, also acting as the Redevelopment Agency, held on Tuesday, June 23, 2015 at 5:30 p.m., in the Council Work Room on the third floor of the Municipal Building, 2549 Washington Boulevard, Ogden City, Weber County, Utah. Present: Chair Richard A. Hyer Vice Chair Marcia L. White Council members Bart E. Blair Neil K. Garner Caitlin K. Gochnour Doug Stephens Amy L. Wicks (arrived at 5:49 p.m.) Council Executive Director Bill Cook Council Deputy Director Janene Eller-Smith Council Policy Analyst Glenn Symes Communications Manager Amy Sue Mabey Also present: Chief Deputy City Attorney Mara Brown Public Services Director Jay Lowder City Engineer Justin Anderson Comptroller Lisa Stout Planning Manager Greg Montgomery Deputy City Recorder Abbie Zampedri The purpose of the Joint Study Session is to receive a bike master plan update, to review agenda items for the City Council and Special Redevelopment Agency meetings, which begin at 6:00 p.m., and to discuss Council and Board business. Bike Master Plan Update Council Policy Analyst Symes explained the Bicycle Master Plan process is still underway and as part of the contract with Fehr and Peers, the consultants have agreed to come back to the Council to provide an update on the plan’s progress. The consultants will also provide an overview of the planned activities for the upcoming public open house scheduled for July 15, 2015 at Union Station. He introduced Maria Vyas representing Fehr and Peers and asked that she provide the Council with the Bike Master Plan update. Ms. Vyas used the aid of a PowerPoint presentation to provide the Council information about the work that has been done since the last update was provided in January of 2015. She noted that the goals and objectives of the study have been finalized, a bike share suitability analysis has been completed, bicycle parking ordinances have been contemplated, and the consultant has participated in a facility tour with stakeholders in the area. She reviewed a map to identify the potential locations of bike share stations throughout the City. She then reported an open house was held February 5, 2015 and there were approximately 250 people in attendance. She reviewed a list of items that Fehr and Peers may be proposing relative to creating a bicycle network in Ogden:  Traffic characteristics  Surrounding land uses  Street geometries  Network characteristics  Stakeholder/community feedback Ms. Vyas noted the type of bicycle facilities that the consultant has considered to this point including things like bike routes, bike lanes, sharrows, separated bikeways or cycle tracks, bike boulevards, and shared use paths; the costs of each of the different facilities vary widely. She reviewed an additional map that identifies the types and recommended locations of bicycle facilities that the City would need to implement in order to receive a platinum bicycle community status. She noted that 78 percent of all arterials and 46 percent of all roads would need to include bicycle facilities in order to achieve platinum status. She stated many roads in the City have traffic characteristics that are not conducive to bicycle traffic, yet they are major connector roads and she is trying to find the balance that would provide bicyclists safety on such roads. Vice Chair White asked if the consultant has identified alternative routes to the busier roads, such as Harrison or Washington Boulevards. Ms. Vyas answered yes, but noted that both options are important because some bicyclists prefer to ride on the busier roads while others would prefer less vehicular traffic. Council member Stephens asked if there are any funding sources available to implement any of the facilities included on Ms. Vyas’ map. City Engineer Anderson noted that once a Bicycle Master Plan is adopted, City Administration will have an opportunity to analyze recommended projects and identify appropriate funding sources. He added that as other infrastructure projects are completed throughout the City, it would be possible to include a bike project in the scope of work. Council member Stephens asked if there are State or Federal funds available for bicycle projects. Mr. Anderson answered yes and noted City staff will be actively applying for grant funding for eligible projects. Council member Gochnour stated she has heard of discussions regarding the addition of bike lanes at Business Depot Ogden (BDO) and she asked if BDO management is coordinating with the City on those efforts. Mr. Anderson stated he has had discussions with BDO management in the past about that issue and there will be more discussion in the future, but the outcome of those discussions is largely dependent upon the outcome of the Bicycle Master Plan study. Vice Chair White asked if the consultant will recommend a phasing plan for bicycle projects, to which Ms. Vyas answered yes and concluded her presentation by reviewing the next steps in the Bicycle Master Plan study, including an open house scheduled for July 15, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. at the Union Station, prioritization of facilities, completion of planning-level cost estimates, and finalization of the report. Council member Stephens indicated he feels it would be to the City’s advantage to include bike lanes in the scope of work for the Harrison Boulevard widening project at 7th Street. Mr. Anderson stated the project scope does include the addition of bike lanes in that area. Council member Stephens inquired as to the success of the green bike program in Salt Lake City. Ms. Vyas stated she does not have concrete data regarding the program, but it is her understanding that it has been very successful with higher ridership than was initially projected. The program started in 2013 and has already been expanded to add more stations. Council Agenda Review Council Executive Director Cook and other members of Council staff briefly reviewed the items listed on the agenda for the City Council meeting scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. Council Policy Analyst Symes also reviewed the items for the work session meeting scheduled to follow the special Redevelopment Agency meeting. Redevelopment Agency (RDA) Agenda Review Board Director Cook and other members of Board staff briefly reviewed the items listed on the agenda for the special RDA meeting scheduled to follow the City Council meeting. The meeting adjourned at 5:59 p.m. ________________________________________ ABBIE ZAMPEDRI DEPUTY CITY RECORDER ________________________________________ RICHARD A. HYER, CHAIR APPROVED: September 15, 2015