Active Transportation Board

Active Transportation Board Wednesday, April 16, 2025 8:30 AM Commission Room City Hall 224 w. 9 St., Sioux Falls, SD 57104 th MEETING ASSISTANCE: UPON REQUEST, ACCOMMODATIONS FOR MEETINGS WILL BE PROVIDED FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES. PLEASE CONTACT THE HUMAN RELATIONS OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, CITY HALL, 224 WEST 9TH STREET, SIOUX FALLS, SD AT 367-8745 (VOICE) OR 367-7039 (TTY) 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF THE MEETING. CALL TO ORDER AND DETERMINATION OF QUORUM APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Vice Chair Wes Philips made the motion to approve the minutes with the Downtown Update with Brandon Hanson before Old Business. Board Member Palfy seconded the motion. The motion Passed 6 to 0. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Board Member Lindsey Holmquest made the motion to approve. Vice Chair Philips seconded the motion. The motion Passed 6 to 0. PUBLIC COMMENT NEW BUSINESS a. Downtown Update from Brandon Hanson, CEO of DTSF Building Services Housing/Neighborhood Licensing Planning Property Zoning 605-367-8670 Services 605-367-8672 605-367-8888 Maintenance 605-367-8254 Fax: 605-367-6045 605-367-8180 Fax: 605-367-8737 Fax: 605-367-8863 605-978-6900 Fax: 605-367-6045 Fax: 605-367-8737 Fax: 605-367-8737  Brandon Hanson presented on Open Streets DTSF 2025 Pilot Project. He described street closures associated with First Friday programing at four different stretches along Phillips Avenue. The goal with this is to promote downtown businesses, test various ideas, gather data, and activate the public realm. Board Member Bradley Hartmann asked about the status if 8th Street Block Parties and if they anticipate any issues generally with street closures. Hanson stated that this would replace the 8th Street Block Parties, and DTSF is working with Chief Thum on logistics. Board Member Chad Pickard inquired about shutting down the entire stretch of Phillips Avenue in the Downtown area. Hanson explained that public input from downtown residents and business owners is not supportive of that. This pilot project may impact public perceptions. Pickard asked about the education component of this conversation. Hanson stated that DTSF holds biweekly meetings, sends out newsletters, and would use the events to educate public. Board Member Jacqueline Palfy brought up potential issues with street murals for those with visual impairments. There was conversation amongst the Board, Hanson, and public works staff regarding this topic. Diane deKoeyer, Neighborhood & Preservation Planner, requested information on business hours during these events. Hanson stated that DTSF requests businesses stay open until 8:00 pm. Jeff Schmitt, Planning Projects Coordinator, brought up that this Board would be a good advocate for this project. OLD BUSINESS a. Marked Crosswalks Worksheet Maria Lancto presented the Marked Crosswalks Worksheet. Elements updated since last meeting include updating a supporting criterion to include proximity to trail access and changing the last page to include “Description of Situation” and “Other treatments / actions to consider” sections. Board Member Bradley Hartmann made the motion to approve. Board Member Palfy seconded the motion. The motion Passed 6 to 0. b. Curb Extensions / Bump Outs Worksheets Maria Lancto presented this item. She walked through an example worksheet and explained that due to the higher cost associated with this crossing treatment, there is a greater emphasis on timing of installation with a larger street project. Board Members discussed how to prioritize these treatments when approval is indicated but a street project is not planned. Wes Phillips explained that even a project in the area could be used to justify inclusion of curb extensions where appropriate. Jeff Schmitt brought up that the Board can advocate for funds in the CIP which is reviewed every September by City Council. Board Member Jacqueline Palfy requested that staff maintain a list of approved locations to be added to the ATB agenda every July for consideration of a letter of advocacy. c. Letters of Advocacy Maria Lancto presented a draft of the letter of advocacy template for sidewalks on arterial streets and requested input from board members. There was general approval for the template and discussion on who should sign. Staff will consult with Board bylaws and the city attorney, however the board generally leaned towards all members signing. Staff will also look into a header for materials coming from the board. NEW BUSINESS b. RRFB Request – Algonquin at Graphic Packaging Maria Lancto walked the Board through the worksheet. Wendell Symington with Graphic Packaging International was in attendance and provided further context on the request – specifically the existing use of the crossing by potentially 200 employees as well as pedestrian traffic on Saturdays associated with the Air Guard. The Board discussed the possibility of narrowing the lanes, bump outs, speed bumps or other traffic slowing measures. Heath Hoftiezer, Traffic Operations Engineer, stated that the context within an industrial area does not support these measures. Based on the high pedestrian counts, safety concerns regarding vehicles not stopping for pedestrians in the crosswalk, and donation of the RRFB from Graphic Packaging International, staff and the Board were supportive of approval. Board Member Jacqueline Palfy made the motion to approve. Board Member Holmquest seconded the motion. The motion Passed 6 to 0. c. 14th Street Update Troy Miller, Principal Traffic Engineer, Heath Hoftiezer, and Wes Phillips presented this topic. They highlighted methods for reporting traffic concerns or issues, and then described conditions and concerns on 14th Street adjacent to the downtown district. Three measures that were highlighted include Leading Pedestrian Intervals, ADA Curb Ramp Upgrades with bump outs, and blank out signs. This update is in response to a neighborhood meeting, and feedback from the neighbor was presented by staff including, 14th street configuration, intersection safety, lack of safe crosswalks, traffic signal timing, and data gaps. Katrina Lehr-McKennan with the All Saints Neighborhood provided public comment. She acknowledged tension between prioritizing pedestrians and meeting vehicle / road requirements and benchmarks. She provided a report on the neighborhood meeting. Going forward she views the neighborhood organization’s role as advocating for pedestrian safety over vehicle traffic efficiency and would also like to partner with DTSF for data. The Board discussed comparing 14th Street to 6th street and 26th Street. There was discussion on 3 lanes on 14th  Street. Discussion more broadly considered the prioritization of vehicles over other modes of transportation, and the role of the Board as advocating for active transportation. Next steps include public works staff returning to the Active Transportation Board for an update in May and then returning to the neighborhood for a follow up neighborhood meeting. d. Review Goals from Bicycle Plan and Pedestrian Plan Fletcher Lacock and Jeff Schmitt quickly discussed goals of the pedestrian and bicycle plans and ongoing efforts to update priorities. e. Upcoming Events / Project Updates Wes Phillips provided an update that bump outs can be expected on Blauvelt Avenue. Phillips also shared images of the bike lanes for Rice Street. f. Subcommittee Updates a. Bicycle Subcommittee b. PATH Subcommittee c. Pedestrian Subcommittee PATH provided an update. Bicycle and Pedestrian Committees have upcoming meetings and therefore no update at the time of the meeting. ADJOURN