Bicyclist and Pedestrian Commission

Wheaton Bicyclist and Pedestrian Commission September 18, 2024 7pm Gammon Room, Wheaton City Hall, Wheaton, IL In person and Virtual meeting I. Call to Order 7:00 pm Members present: Michelle, Lou, George, Bob, Connor, Bill, Rita, Mike Members absent: Cate, Alyse, Laurel Public Present: None II. Agenda Item Approval of August Minutes Motioned: Bob Seconded: Rita Unanimously approved via voice vote. III. Public Comment - None IV. Agenda Item Chair Report- A. September 3, 2024 City Council Meeting Connor did an awesome job presenting our Carlton revised recommendation proposal while Bob and Lou showed their support by standing up next to him. Here's hoping that IDOT will approve our sign/new traffic signal signpost this time! Other items discussed at the meeting follow: ● One new firefighter and three new police officers were sworn in by the Mayor. ● One citizen voiced his concern for a new sidewalk that is planned in front of his house at Hale Street and Park. He is requesting the sidewalk be redesigned. ● Another citizen who lives on Childs and Erie, voiced his concern that a city ordinance limits the height of his privacy fence to 3 feet tall. He feels that there should be some variance allowed under this ordinance. ● Funding agreement has been reached for the installation of a traffic signal at St. Francis HIgh School and Target. St. Francis will pay $840,000 for this installation. The City of Wheaton is also working on a permanent easement agreement for a public sidewalk and pedestrian bridge with Marian Park Apartments. 9/16/24 City Council Meeting Update: Mercy Homes apartment residents-DuPage United Group-wants to be kept in loop about stoplight at St Francis/Roosevelt. They are concerned that if St Francis bails it won’t be built and were asking the city to put forth some funding. IDOT has to put an extra turn lane on to County Farm Road as well. ● An ordinance amending Chapter 6 (alcoholic beverages) to allow an outside contractor to do the required fingerprinting for an alcohol permit. ● An ordinance amending Water Fees schedule that will result in higher water consumption rates. ● Russ Stock was reappointed to the Commision on Aging for a 3 year term. WHEATON BICYCLIST & PEDESTRIAN COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES September 18, 2024 ● Authorization was given for replacement of a Wheel Loader, not to exceed $226,084.34. ● An ordinance amending Chapter 6 (Alcoholic Beverages) to create a Class U liquor license for Craft Cocktail lounges. This would be a new classification and will be voted on at the 9/16/24 City Council meeting. B. DuPage County Safe Travels George attended the DuPage County Safety Action Plan Open House at the Elmhurst City Hall on 9/12/24. There was no formal presentation and those attending put Post-it notes on a map and dots on opinion boards. They seemed to be more interested in the locations of motor vehicle crashes than in bike/ped safety. George said that motor traffic needs to slow down everywhere and high speed 4-12 lane highways like Roosevelt and North Ave. are very hazardous for pedestrians and bicycles to cross. George also said that bicyclists and pedestrians need safe transportation routes physically separated from motor vehicles like the IPP, Forest Preserve trails, and side paths along busy roads. Here is the website if you would like to voice your opinions: https://engage.cmap.illinois.gov/dupage/widgets/83391/key_dates#30743 To provide feedback: Click on Register in the top right of the page After account created go to Home and choose DuPage Safe Streets again Then click on Map and put pins in areas you want them to address C. Safe Routes/Bike to School - See update under Ongoing Business D Grant Writing/Bike Plan Consultant Lou reported that Kyle Moss said he submitted our SS4A grant application on 8/26/24. Kyle advised that it may be a few months before we hear back since this is a federal grant. Kyle will keep us informed of any updates and he will watch for similar grant opportunities. E. IPP Welcome Signs - Per Andrea Rosedale, the Trails Coordinator for the County, Melisa Ribikawskis, is aware of the Welcome to Wheaton Signs. The signs are going through the permitting process. Melisa will be our point of contact for the WBPC regarding the matter. F. IPP along Carlton Last October, Joseph Tebrugge, Engineering Director, came to our meeting and said that the City of Wheaton would own the IPP right of way along Carlton. We checked with Mr. Tebrugge on 9/12/24 and he said that the Carlton Avenue ROW is not yet owned by the City of Wheaton. The property transfer occurs when DuPage County completes the required 8' wide concrete path along Carlton. Last he heard from DuPage County was that construction will occur this fall. V. Ongoing Business A. Finalizing History Ride i. Gift for Bob G. $50 gift card for being our History ride docent. Michelle motioned and Bill seconded the motion. Unanimously approved via voice vote. ii. Finalize what we tell CSO George will email Alyse the final Bicycle Tour Route with the busy intersections highlighted so she can send it to the CSO. Rita will bring her flashing red vest for one of us to use for traffic control. Bob suggested an orange cone be placed on Wheaton Court when coming oit of Northside Park to cover a hole. So far, 25 people have signed up. Bob will bring our swag bags to give out to participants at the ride. B. Finalizing Budget for 2024 Michelle motioned that we buy 425 bags up to $800 and lights (about 300 total) up to $350 for giveaways.- Bill seconded. Unanimously approved via voice vote C. Annual Report/2025 Budget 2 WHEATON BICYCLIST & PEDESTRIAN COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES September 18, 2024 The annual report and 2025 budget were reviewed and finalized. Michelle moved that we approve the 2025 budget, Bob seconded. Unanimously approved via voice vote Safe Routes to School - Connor reported that he reached out to Joe Tebrugge, Director of Engineering City of Wheaton, who expressed some concerns about the potential value of these maps, and communicated that he is currently short-staffed and does not have the capacity to take on this project at this time. Connor will check back with Joe Tebrugge periodically to see how his human resourcing is progressing. We will also invite a representative from D200 to one of our future meetings to discuss this initiative.. VI. New Business A. Draft proposal for Snow Removal at Bus stops Bill emailed everyone this proposal. Please email your comments to Bill so we can approve at the October meeting and present at the November City Council meeting. Michelle suggested we reach out to Mercy Homes for their input on this issue as well.. B. WBPC tee shirts Rita will get information/pricing for WBPC tee shirts with our updated logo and will present at our October meeting. Next Meeting: October 16, 2024 X. Adjournment - 7:58 pm Approved 3