Bicycling & Shared Path Advisory Committee

Meeting Minutes Salem Bicycling Advisory Committee Wednesday, January 8, 2020 6:30 p.m. City Hall Annex, 98 Washington Street First Floor Conference Room Members Present: Eric Papetti (Chair), Michael Williamson, Jayne O’Leary, Josh Gillis, Alexandra Maranto, Michael Jaros, Kylie Sullivan, Matt Caruso, Joe O’Neil Members Absent: John Wathne Also Present: Tom Devine, Senior Planner Call Meeting to Order Papetti opens the meeting. Bike and Scooter Share Devine states that ridership has fizzled down as expected while transitioning to the first year or operation continuing through the winter. December ridership (148 rides) was not only down for the year but also over the previous December (256). The transition to winter operations with 35 bikes at 7 station with no dockless parking option occurred at Christmas. Scooters are only put out when the weather is above freezing and there is no major snow. Zagster has also committed to removing bikes from the streets ahead of major storms. Bicycle Benefits Rollout Devine reports that he is trying to reach the owner of Gulu Gulu and Flying Saucer Pizza, but his email was bounced back. A Committee member had bought the program to the owner’s attention in the past. O’Leary states that the Tin Whistle is a potential participant and she has a contact now at Hotel Salem. Caruso suggests Salem Main Streets should continue assisting with getting the word out. Collective Procurement for North Shore Micromobility Program Devine states that the conversation has continued with MAPC and North Shore municipalities about this. They are getting to a point where it is becoming clear what the next steps are and who will participate. Devine believes that there will likely be an RFP and Beverly is the most likely of all the communities to participate. Others are interested, but it is not clear that they are prepared to contribute the needed funding. The group discusses next steps. Bike Parking Documents referenced: 1  • Unlabeled list of potential locations to add bike parking, from Salem DPCD, undated. • Off-Station Locking Events, map from Zagster, undated. • City of Salem Bike Rack Inventory, map from Salem DPCD, undated. Devine presents the above-listed documents to support the discussion regarding additional bike parking. The Committee makes the following comments: • A single City employee should be the point person for street furniture. • Funds should be allocated not only to install new bike racks, but to repair existing faulty racks. • On-street bike corrals should be deployed. They could be purchased without necessarily having specific locations in mind, since they can be easily moved from one spot to another. • The Peabody Essex Museum should be contacted to see if they would like to contribute. • The City should welcome sponsorships to help fund bike parking. • A better spot should be found for the bike rack by the YMCA at Sewell Street. • Bike parking should be provided at the entrance to the walking paths that will be on the power plant’s berm. • The priority of installing bike parking on North Street should be higher. • Bike parking should be added near Coffee Time Bake Shop on Bridge Street. • Bike parking is not essential at the junction of the forthcoming Goodhue Street and Bridge Street paths because there are no clear destinations at this location. • Food stores should not only have bike parking, but space to accommodate cargo bikes that shoppers might use. Fort Avenue Two-Way Protected Bike Lane Devine remarks that the project’s striping is completed, including correction of errors. Signage is forthcoming and the City is open to further suggestions for the type of vertical barrier. Caruso notes that he has seen jersey barriers that have more of an artistic design than the standard ones. The group discusses the challenge to find the right barrier. Washington Street (Mill Street to Bridge Street) Preliminary Design and Cost Estimate Devine states that a handful of additional comments came in from the Committee and Toole may incorporate them into the concept design or they will be more relevant when we undertake more specific design work. Interdepartmental coordination has begun among the Mayor’s Office, Engineering, Planning, & Traffic & Parking Departments regarding the concept for Washington and Bridge Street where improvements may be prompted by the redevelopment of the Federal Street courthouses and the municipal parking lot at the train station. Papetti states that overall this has been very high quality work from Toole and he has no major critiques to offer. North Street Papetti recaps the meeting he attended with the Mayor, Devine, the Director of Traffic & Parking, the Ward Councilor Elect, and Planning Board member Noah Koretz. It was a robust discussion about strategy and possibilities for North Street. Everyone seems to be working 2 toward the same goal of protected bike lanes for North Street and all are trying to determine the best way to get there. Devine states that no decision has been made for next steps. Bridge Street MassWorks Project Devine reports that the project is on its way out to bid. The City has been looking internally at the feasibility of further incorporating the Committee’s comments. Papetti says his hope is that the principle of not giving up on intersections should be applied to this project. It could also benefit from a peer review. Canal Street Path, Phase II Devine has no update on this project. Harmony Grove Road Feasibility Study Devine states that he and his counterpart in Peabody reviewed responses to the Request for Proposals and they are ready to select a consultant. Harbor Connector (Szetela Lane) Path Devine reports that bids have come in within budget and the project has been awarded to a contractor. The City is looking at potential project tweaks that could be implemented through change orders. The project is scheduled to start in the spring. Miscellaneous Jaros asks about the status of bike racks at the Salem Public Library. Devine states that standalone hoops were installed without concrete footings and have come out. This was just after a full sidewalk reconstruction. In order to properly install the hoops, some of the sidewalk would have to be dug up again. There does not appear to be width available on the sidewalk for a Zagster station or a standard set of racks. The group suggests that this is a location where it would be worth giving up an on-street parking space in exchange for a Zagster dock. Discussion of Potential Joint Meeting with Traffic & Parking Commission and Commission on Disabilities Regarding Snow Removal The Commission is supportive of participating in this joint meeting. Devine states that the joint meeting is likely to be scheduled for February 20. The group agrees not to have their regularly scheduled meeting on February 5 and to consider meeting briefly immediately before the joint meeting to cover any timely agenda items. Update on Salem State University South Campus Reuse Study Devine states that the public engagement process is complete and the consultant will prepare a report documenting the development possibilities and the community’s vision for the site. 3 Legislation is pending that would allow the State’s Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to sell the property. Meeting minutes Williamson motions and O’Neil seconds to approve the August 20, 2019 minutes and all vote in favor. Jaros motions and O’Neil seconds to approve the September 17, 2019 minutes with edits and all vote in favor. Adjourn O’Neil motions and Jaros seconds to adjourn at 8:05 p.m. Approved by the Salem Bicycling Advisory Committee on March 3, 2020. 4