Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission Meeting

Meeting Minutes Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission (BPAC) Date: Tuesday, February 18, 2014 Time: 7:00 p.m. Place: City Council Chambers, City of Urbana, 400 South Vine Street, Urbana, IL Members Present: Brandon Bowersox-Johnson, Cynthia Hoyle, Susan Jones, Nadine Schmitz Staff Present: Craig Shonkwiler Members Absent: Karie Brown-Tess, Michelle Guerra, Audrey Ishii, Amelia Neptune 1. CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL, AND DECLARATION OF QUORUM Bowersox-Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and roll call was taken verbally. There was a quorum present. 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Jones moved to approve the agenda; Schmitz seconded, and the agenda was approved. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING Jones moved to approve the minutes; Schmitz seconded, and the minutes were approved. 4. PUBLIC INPUT There was no public input. 5. OLD BUSINESS a) Sidewalk Access Update for Northwest Corner of Race Street and Green Street – Craig Shonkwiler Shonkwiler reported that the building at this location had been deemed unsound, and the sidewalk here will be blocked off. He reported that the road will be resurfaced in the summer of 2014. b) Safe Routes to School Grant (SRTS) Update – Craig Shonkwiler/Cynthia Hoyle Shonkwiler reported that the City had applied for an infrastructure grant to widen the sidewalk at Prairie School. He said that the application was awaiting approval from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). Hoyle reported that a non-infrastructure grant had been applied for to expand the “walking school bus” program to Prairie School, She said the program, in which adults walk pre-established routes with groups of children, will pilot this spring at Leal School. Hoyle also reported that expansion has been sought for several other SRTS programs, such as “Walk ‘N Roll to School,” and snow removal programs. She reported that local match funds had been received from the Urbana School District and from the City of Urbana. 6. NEW BUSINESS a) Sidewalk Snow Removal Campaign Information – Cynthia Hoyle Hoyle presented information on a sidewalk snow removal campaign (attached). Bowersox-Johnson suggested that Hoyle present the information to the Mayor’s Neighborhood Safety Task Force. 7. ANNOUNCEMENTS • Bowersox-Johnson announced that the Trails Master Plan and Bike Master Plan public meetings would take place on February 19, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. at Prairie School and on February 20, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. at Leal School. • Jones announced that the Illini Chill would take place on February 22, 2014 in St. Joseph. • Hoyle announced that the Illinois Bike Summit would take place on April 15, 2014 at the I-Hotel in Champaign. She said more information was available on the Champaign County Bikes website. • Hoyle announced several events for Bike Month: -Bike to School Day on May 7, 2014 -Bike to Work Day on May 15, 2014 -Bike Rodeo at Market at the Square on May 31, 2014 • Hoyle announced the Playing it Safe Bike Rodeo at the Champaign County Fairgrounds on June 7, 2014. She said that helmets would be for sale at both bike rodeo events. 8. FUTURE TOPICS There were no future topics to discuss. 9. ADJOURNMENT Bowersox-Johnson adjourned the meeting at 7:56 p.m. *** Femi Fletcher-Washington, Recording Secretary Creating a snow removal encouragement program Cynthia Hoyle, FAICP Urbana Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission February 18, 2014 Sidewalk Snow Removal is part of a Complete Streets Community “ I ncluding pedestrian facilities in snow and ice management policies reflects a community’s commitment to equal access, safety, economic vitality and quality of life.” Roger Millar, Vice President, Smart Growth America Over 30% of Urbana Residents Walk, Bike, or Ride Bus for Trips to Work American Community Survey 2008-2012 data Impassable sidewalks force pedestrians into streets Lincoln Avenue W ashington Street W ashington and P hilo Broadw ay Avenue Snow Removal Ordinances/Programs  Snow Removal Ordinances are needed to address the problem  Ordinances alone are not enough  Snow Removal Encouragement and Assistance programs are needed What is a Snow Angel Program? Snow Angels are volunteers who clear snow from sidewalks, driveway entrances, and from paths to the service recipient’s front door. City of Kamloops, British Columbia Snow Angel Volunteers Snow Removal Programs Often Designed to Assist the Elderly & Disabled  “Snow Angels is a program where neighborhood-based volunteers are paired with seniors or residents with limited mobility in need of snow removal services.”  “Snow Angels program is an opportunity for neighbors to engage with one another and help those in need.” Hamilton, Ontario  Volunteers remove snow from sidewalks & driveway entrances  Once the snow is removed, they leave a note in the service recipient’s mailbox letting them know that the snow has been cleared.  Anyone 14 years of age or older may volunteer for this program.  Organizations and/or companies can volunteer for Snow Angels, Volunteer Hamilton will arrange an interview at your location.  Columbia, Missouri  Adopt-A-Sidewalk for Snow Removal Pilot Program  Volunteers agree to clear snow from their designated area  Priority areas will be identified by the City along priority streets for snow removal  Snow shovels available for volunteers to borrow www.gocolumbiamo.com/Volunteer/AdoptAS idewalkforSnowRemoval.php Lincoln, Nebraska  The City Public Works and Utilities Department often receives calls from residents who are physically unable to remove the snow themselves. Many times, they do not have friends or family members available to assist them.  Churches assist with this community program lincoln.ne.gov/city/pworks/engine/tr affic/snow/snow-angels.htm  Davenport, Iowa Snow Angels is a referral program that connects volunteers with individuals in need of assistance to shovel their sidewalk during the winter. Winter can be Davenport, Iowa especially hazardous for our elderly and disabled residents who may not have the ability or resources to remove snow from their sidewalks. Snow Angel volunteers are matched with residents requesting help for the winter season. www.cityofdavenportiowa.com/eGov/apps/se rvices/index.egov?view=detail;id=687 Photo: City of Minneapolis  Gary, Indiana A program that aims to mobilize youth and adult volunteers to assist senior and disabled residents with snow removal. Youth may volunteer as individuals or as a team. Urbana – Transition From This To This Someone cleared sidewalk Someone piles driveway snow & blocks access Anderson across from W iley Elementary Legal I ssues I n the New s “Slippery Slope” January 13, 2014 Professor Christine Hurt Co-Director, Program in Business Law and Policy University of Illinois, College of Law (Paraphrased excerpts)  In Illinois, property owners are required to keep property free and clear of foreseeable harm, dependent on weather conditions.  Allowing dangerous accumulations of snow and ice on property may put property owners on a ‘slippery slope’ under Illinois laws. Podcast available at: http://will.illinois.edu/legalissuesinthenews/player/slippery-slope  Legal Issues  To encourage homeowners to remove ice and snow from sidewalks, the Illinois General Assembly passed the “Snow and Ice Removal Act”. www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=2084&ChapterID=58  The “Snow and Ice Removal Act” provides that residential property owners removing ice or snow from sidewalks abutting their property w ill not be liable for injuries unless their acts are willful and wanton.  “…there is evidence that a mound of snow was created during the snow removal process and ice formed from the snow mound, the ice formation will be considered an unnatural accumulation.” Source: “Illinois Law Manual Chapter V Premises Liability” © 2007 Querrey & Harrow, Ltd. www.querrey.com/assets/attachments/201.pdf Urbana Sidewalk Snow Removal Ordinance  City ordinances require property owners within identified snow removal districts to clear the adjacent public sidewalk of snow and ice.  Sidewalk clearance must occur within 24 hours of a declaration made by the Public Works Director.  After a winter storm, notice that the sidewalk clearance requirements are in effect will be issued through local media outlets and on the City's website.  Snow removal districts include: University District, South Philo Road District, and the Downtown District  Frequently Asked Questions are answered here: http://urbanaillinois.us/businesses/sidewalk-snow-removal C-U SRTS Project Snow Removal Encouragement Program – Already Established (soft money)  Provides schools with educational materials to encourage and recognize neighbors who remove snow from sidewalks and driveways.  C-U SRTS Project provides: Yard signs Postcards Flyers Ideas for distribution  Schools or volunteer organizations distribute materials and manage program SRTS Snow Removal Encouragement Program SRTS Snow Removal Program Billboards Busboards Radio Ads Questions Cynthia Hoyle, FAICP choyle@cumtd.com C-U SRTS Project www.cu-srtsproject.com