Bicycling & Shared Path Advisory Committee

Salem Bicycling Advisory Committee Draft Meeting Minutes Wednesday, September 9th, 2015 A meeting of the Salem Bicycling Advisory Committee was held on Wednesday, September 9th, 2015 at 7:00 PM in Meeting Room 311 at Salem City Hall Annex, 120 Washington Street. Members Present: Chairman Jeff Bellin, David Bowie, Dan Cooper, Brad Sandler, Will Peck, Bruce Mabbott, Tracy Ware Also Present: Jeff Elie, Energy and Sustainability Manager, Ed Moriarty, Jr, Salem Community Preservation Committee Members Absent: Ernie DeMaio, Invited Guests: N/A Public in Attendance: N/A Chairman Bellin called the meeting to order at 7:09 PM. He acknowledged those members absent and present for the record. 1. Approval of Minutes Motion was made by B. Sandler motioned, T. Ware seconded, all approved. 2. Public Comment Chairman Bellin asked if there were any public comments at this time. There was no public comment. Update on Neighborhood Meetings – Vision 2020 D. Cooper – South Salem Neighborhood Meeting – Will ask about being added to October meeting agenda for 10 minutes. J. Bellin – South Salem Neighborhood Assocation meeting twice a year and not until next Spring 2016 - Chestnut St Association meet quarterly – September 21st added to agenda, 10 minute presentation Still need to reach out to Lucy Corchado for the Point Neighborhood meeting Salem State neighborhood meeting meets on 3rd Wednesday of every month. 3. New/Old Business  Canal St. Multi-Use Path Project – Discussion of the removal of the Southern portion of the Canal St. off-road path was discussed. The City Conservation Commission was notified by AECOM that the southern portion of the path would not be included in the larger Canal St. roadway reconstruction that is set to go out to bid at the end of September. This is because utilities and the rail spur adjacent to the proposed path have to be moved and the current design does not sufficiently meet the requirements to move forward. The Committee was disappointed and concerned that the project would not move forward now that it is not included in this project, specifically with it being funded by MassDOT in the future and it’s priority in the larger list of state projects receiving Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) funding. The Committee decided that in light of recent setbacks with bicycle accommodations in the City and the general lack of SBAC inclusion in key deicison making points for roadway projects, that the Committee schedule a special public meeting with the Mayor to discuss these recent set backs and concerns. Action Item – J. Elie to draft talking points to for the SBAC with the Mayor so she knows what the Committee hopes to address.  MassDOT Complete Streets Grant Program – Lynn Duncan, Planning Director, Erin Schaeffer, Staff Planner, and J. Elie met with MassDOT to discuss the upcoming Complete Streets grant funding program. This program will pay for construction of on-road bicycle accommodations, including protected lanes, up to $1 million. Because the City would like to implement complete streets principles on major roadways, the Planning Dept and/or Engineering Dept will be requesting funding from City Council to pay for engineering design that will position the City favorably to receive this funding once a project is chosen and application submitted. Page 1 of 2  Currently the City is waiting for a engineering design estimate from FST to include in the request that will go to City Council.  Collins Cove Path Extension and Repair – J. Elie provided information to the Committee regarding the path through the undeveloped parcel at Szetela Ln and was communicated to him by the Mayor’s office that there would be a path but it would be unpaved. The connection from Collins Cove path through Szetela Lane and through Beattie Park would be made through the community benefits agreement between the City and Spectra Energy, who are putting the Algonquin pipeline from Collins Cove underground to Footprint Power. Action Item - J. Elie to edit Spectra Energy/Algonquin letter about the parcel through Szetela Ln. to officially show the concerns and requests from the Committee to make the path paved and repair the damaged portions of the Collins Cove path.  Community Preservation Committee Update – Ed Moriarty, Jr of the Community Preservation Committee asked for feedback on the Community Preservation Act projects and informed the Committee that bike paths and other bicycle infrastructure would not be eligible for CPA funding. Because bicycle infrastructure is considered transportation it does not qualify. Summary of Action Items J. Elie to draft talking points to for the SBAC with the Mayor so she knows what the Committee hopes to address. J. Elie to edit Spectra Energy/Algonquin letter about the parcel through Szetela Ln. to officially show the concerns and requests from the Committee to make the path paved and repair the damaged portions of the Collins Cove path. Chairman Bellin asked if there were any further items to discuss tonight. There being none T. Ware asked for a motion to adjourn. D. Bowie seconded the motion. All approved. The meeting was adjourned at 8:51 PM. Respectfully submitted by: Jeffrey Elie, Energy and Sustainability Manager Page 2 of 2