Informational Meeting

MINUTES Informational Meeting Tuesday, December 10, 2019 at 4:00 PM Carnegie Town Hall, 235 West 10th St., Sioux Falls, SD 57104 1. Call To Order Council Members Present: Janet Brekke, Christine M. Erickson, Rick Kiley, Greg Neitzert, Marshall Selberg, Pat Starr, Theresa Stehly Council Members Absent: Curt Soehl Council Chair Marshall Selberg called the meeting to order at 4 p.m. 2. Committee/Commission Reports A. Metro Management Council: Special Meeting of December 6, 2019 (Council Members Erickson and Kiley) Council Member Rick Kiley provided an update on the special meeting, which was called to share the recommendations of a workgroup established by the Metro Management Council to review the agency's governance and oversight. 3. City Council Open Discussion Council Member Theresa Stehly noted that she asked the City Attorney to provide guidance to the Council about how social media may be used. Selberg noted that several members of the Council participated in a volunteer event on December 4th which was hosted by Sioux Falls Cares. The effort included delivering groceries and toys to families in need. Stehly stated that she recently attended a commemoration hosted by the group Forty and Eight for those lost in war. 4. Presentations A. 2020 Legislative Priorities by Jim David, Operations Manager Presentation: Approximately 10 minutes followed by discussion David presented the proposed legislative priorities to the Council. The first 20 items were approved by the Council as provisional legislative priorities. The last item, 21, was added after further discussions. He described the process used to arrive at the priorities, other governing bodies and organizations the Council coordinated with, and how the priorities will be used.  Discussion followed about: how the legislative priorities process was created; efforts already underway to address ash trees; the addition of a priority supporting triage centers; the process for adoption of the priorities; the length of the list; how the City lobbies the legislature; how legislation is tracked during the session; and, possible amendments when the resolution is considered. B. Walkability by Councilor Theresa Stehly Presentation: Approximately 10 minutes followed by discussion Stehly opened the presentation by reviewing a meeting held last month between herself, Council Member Janet Brekke, Joe Kirby, Joe Batcheller (Downtown Sioux Falls - DTSF), and City staff. The meeting focused on some of the top issues raised by downtown residents and include: painting crosswalks; traffic speeds; posting of speed limits; and, security cameras. The goal of the meeting was to raise ideas to make downtown safer for pedestrians. She noted that the current discussion is to promote safer neighborhoods. Stehly asked Batcheller to discuss issues he finds important and progress made in the area of walkability downtown. Batcheller explained that walkable cities are equitable, prosperous, safe, and sustainable cities. Last year, DTSF developed an action plan that included: walking tours, painted bump-outs, a coordinated parking day event, and wayfinding signs. Moving forward, he is starting to see a broader network of groups coming together to address walkability and believes the trend will yield positive benefits. He noted that the list of recommendations Stehly identified from the meeting last month serve as a foundation for future walkability efforts. He went on to explain how walkability can provide specific benefits to communities. Stehly invited Zach DeBoer to show a video he created about walkability on 14th St. In the video he identifies issues and possible solutions. During discussion, DeBoer explained that he believes 10 foot wide lanes and striped parallel parking lanes are among the easiest ways to decrease traffic speeds. He also noted that he recently met with City staff to discuss ongoing and planned efforts to address challenges on 14th St. Heath Hoftiezer, Principle Traffic Engineer, stated that the City already has plans to address walkability in downtown through: a pilot project that uses non- fading materials to enhance the crosswalks; incorporating more "lead-pedestrian intervals" at crosswalks that allows pedestrians to begin crossing prior to vehicles crossing; pedestrian wait times at select crosswalks will be reduced; moving the 25 m.p.h. zone further to the east on 14th St.; and, narrowing of lanes on 14th St. Chad Huwe, City Engineer, explained that the City Council adopted the Complete Streets Plan in 2015. The plan includes a comprehensive checklist that addresses, among other items, walkability. He then went on to address what will be done with 4th St. next year when the jail expansion is completed. Huwe showed a conceptual diagram of the features that will be included. Hoftiezer also addressed mid-block crosswalks and ways to alert vehicles of the crosswalk. Members of the Council expanded on the value of walkability and thanked Batcheller, DeBoer, Hoftiezer, and Huwe for their work. 5. Public Comment There was none. 6. Adjournment Council Chair Marshall Selberg adjourned the meeting at 5:22 p.m. Thomas M. Greco, City Clerk