Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board

Regular Meeting

Wichita, KS · August 11, 2014

Minutes

Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board Monday, August 11, 2014 5:30 – 7 P.M. 777 E. Waterman, Building 200 Wichita Transit Van Maintenance Facility Conference Room Meeting Notes Members Present: Maxine Bostic, Jane Byrnes, Barry Carroll, James Crowder, Jerry Jones, George Theoharis, Tyler Stutzman Members Absent: Tom Lasater City Staff: Scott Wadle, MAPD & Julianne Kallman, Senior Engineer Guests: Tom Smith plus two children & Becky Robertson, District IV Applicant Item Time Description 1. 5:30 Call to Order: Jack Brown, Chairperson, called the meeting to order and welcomed City pm staff and guests. 2. 5:35 Approve Previous Meeting Notes: Jerry Jones moved [George Theoharis] to approve pm the July 14, 2014 meeting notes. Motion carried 7-0. 3. 5:45 Board Member Project Reports: 1) Master Pedestrian Plan: DABs have considered and pm will be considered by the Wichita City Council [WCC] in the coming weeks; b) Mt. Vernon: the intersection at Oliver & Mt. Vernon is being reconstructed; bike lanes will be installed at a later date; c) Bicycle Friendly City Designation: an application with letters of support will be submitted in the summer of 2015 subject to WCC approval; d) Delano Bicycle Parking Plan-Phase II: the City Engineer will present this plan to the WCC; e) Redbud Trail: a ribbon cutting ceremony was held at the newly installed cross walk at 13th & Roosevelt Streets; f) Delano/River Vista Apartments: the WCC will consider a revised plan in September; g) Delano Brownfield Application: an intern will work on the application to be submitted; and h) Douglas Design District: the City’s Design Council has recommended approval of the concept from Washington to Grove [there is no designated funding as yet]. 4. 6:15 Discussion of the Redbud Bike Path: Julianne Kallman, Senior Engineer, stated that she pm was pleased to be in attendance and that she was the project manager for the Redbud Trail. Ms. Kallman showed a PowerPoint presentation that outlined the various amenities along the approximately two-mile multiuse path. According to Ms. Kallman, the first bids were over budget and new bids will be considered in September. If the bids are acceptable, construction could possibly take place this fall/winter! Following the presentation, there was a lively question and answer session. Maxine Bostic has been fielding several questions about lighting and safety concerns along the trail. Scott Wadle suggested that Maxine could ask citizens to contact him directly with their questions/concerns. Following the discussion, the board thanked Ms. Kallman for her informative presentation. Board members are very pleased with this project and expressed appreciation to the Mayor, Manager and City Council for their ongoing financial support. 1 5. 7 pm Armour Bike Boulevard: Barry Carroll moved [Jerry Jones] to recommend approval of the City Engineer’s Plan as submitted to DAB II except for the portion along Woodlawn, between Rockhill Lane and 21st Street, and that the Bike Boulevard route should proceed in a northeasterly direction at and along Rockhill Lane and Bramblewood Street to 21st Street as proposed in the Master Bicycle Plan. The board also recommends that a ground controlled traffic signal be installed at the Bramblewood and 21st intersection as per the Master Bicycle Plan. Motion carried 6-1 [George Theoharis]. In response to comments heard at the DAB II meeting, the board also recommends that Armour between Douglas and 13th be utilized as the Bicycle Boulevard route for the following reasons: • that is the route recommended by the Bicycle Master Plan; • the route is already being used by bikers, runners and pedestrians; • the route best serves Price-Harris Elementary and St. Thomas Elementary and would encourage students to walk or ride their bikes to school; • congestion around the school would be only an hour in the morning and evening and not in the summers; most cycling and walking takes place in the evenings and on the weekends; and • there is an existing signal in close proximity to Central that would allow bikers and walkers to safely cross. This proposed route along Armour will be an excellent north/south bicycle boulevard to the citizens of Wichita and will connect to the Red Bud and Chisolm Creek/K-96 Trail systems. Barry Carroll moved [Maxine Bostic] to recommend approval of the following City Engineer’s project designs as presented to and approved by their respective Distract Advisory Boards: • 1st and 2nd Street Bikeways • Market and Topeka Bikeways • Schweiter to WSU Bikeway • Sycamore Bikeway • Woodchuck Bike Boulevard Motion carried 7-0. Finally, the WBPAB is most appreciative of the City’s commitment to improve the infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians – of all ages. The board is sensitive to citizen input and believes our recommendations are reasonable based upon our comments above. 6. 7:25 Closing Thoughts: Jack Brown, Chairperson, asked for comments from the board. pm • Status of the WCC ‘Maintenance’ Letter: Jack Brown reported that the board’s letter regarding on and off-street maintenance issues had been forwarded and will be considered during budget discussions. 2 • Bike/Ped Count: Barry Carroll stated that WAMPO will be conducting an official count in September and volunteers are needed. • Walktober: Jane Byrnes asked that this item be placed on next month’s agenda. • Board Vacancies: George Theoharis urged the board to advocate for the filling of the two vacant board positions [District IV and City Manager’s appointee]. George believes it is imperative to have a full board! • Project Tracking: Jack Brown encouraged members to continue to track their assigned projects. In addition, Jack suggested that a subcommittee be formed and meet, periodically with City staff, and then provide a summary to the full board. • Board Roster: Staff provided an updated roster. If a member’s term has expired, it is important to contact the Mayor’s Office and asked to be reappointed if desired. 7. 7:30 Public Comments: Jack Brown, Chairperson, asked if anyone wanted to address the pm board. • Becky Robertson, who lives in District IV, stated that she had completed and submitted an application to serve on the board. Board members thanked Ms. Robertson for her interest and encouraged staff to expedite her application. There be no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:37 pm. Respectfully submitted,  Barry Carroll, WBPAB Secretary 8/14/14 3

Agenda

Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board Monday, August 11, 2014 5:30 – 7:00 P.M. 777 E. Waterman, Building 200 Wichita Transit Van Maintenance Facility Conference Room Agenda Item Time Description 1. 5:30 pm Call to Order Jack Brown, Chairperson 2. 5:31 pm Approve Previous Meeting Notes Jack Brown, Chairperson 3. 5:35 pm Board Member Project Reports Jack Brown, Chairperson 4. 6:45 pm Redbud Bike Path Julianne Kallman, Senior Engineer 5. 5:10pm Bikeway Project Designs • 1st and 2nd Streets • Market and Topeka • Schweiter • Sycamore • Woodchuck • Armour Jack Brown, Chairperson 6. 6:55 pm Closing Thoughts Jack Brown, Chairperson 7. 7:05 pm Public Comments Jack Brown, Chairperson Notice – City Council Members may attend this meeting. Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board Monday, July 14, 2014 5:30 – 7:30 P.M. 777 E. Waterman, Building 200 Wichita Transit Van Maintenance Facility Conference Room Members Present: Maxine Bostic, Jane Byrnes, Barry Carroll, James Crowder, Jerry Jones, Tom Lasater, George Theoharis Members Absent: Tyler Stutzman City Staff: Scott Wadle, MAPD & Mike Mayta, Chief Information Officer Guests: Robert Davis, Janet Wiele Minutes Item Time Description 1. 5:30 pm Call to Order: Jerry Jones, Vice Chairperson, called the meeting to order. 2. 5:35 pm Approve Previous Meeting Notes: Maxine Bostic moved [Jane Byrnes] to approve the June 16, 2014 minutes with the following amendment: ‘federal transportation alternative (TA) funding.’ Motion carried 7-0. 3. 5:35 pm Board Member Project Reports: 1) First & Second Street Bikeways & Market & Topeka Bikeways: Public meetings have been scheduled for August 4th [DABs I & VI]; 2) Delano Bike Parking-Phase II: will be presented to the City Council; 3) Redbud Trail: project is over budget and modifications are being considered; 4) Douglas Design Project: went before the City’s ‘Design Council’ on June 18th; 5) Sycamore Project: KDOT is reviewing the final proposal; and 6) Woodchuck Bicycle Boulevard: a public meeting has been held. 4. 5:45 pm Citizen Bike and Ped Maintenance Reporting Systems: Mike Mayta, Chief Information Officer, made a brief presentation to the board. Mr. Mayta described a new online GPS maintenance reporting system. According to Mr. Mayta, citizens can now download a free ‘app’ [Wichita Report] to their iPhones and Androids personal devices. A citizen can now take a picture of pavement problem, for instance, with their mobile devices and send the picture and a description of the problem directly to City staff. The picture and report will precisely identify the exact location of the problem and will make it much easier for City staff. It was noted that only one picture should be forwarded for each referral. Following a brief question and answer session, the board members thanked Mr. Mayta for his informative presentation. Board members agreed to start using the online reporting system and help publicize it to citizens-at-large as well. 5. 6:15pm Board Budget Recommendation: The board members reviewed the draft letter to the Mayor and City Council regarding the WBPAB budget recommendations. After consideration discussion, it was agreed to revise the third bullet point and forward to members for their review and input. Jerry Jones and Barry Carroll will revise the paragraph in question and then forward. A final version of the letter will be forwarded to the City Council for their consideration on or before August 4, 2014. Notice – City Council Members may attend this meeting. 6. 6:30 pm Status of Board 2014 Priorities: Scott Wadle, MAPD, briefly reviewed the 2014 priorities set forward by the board during a retreat that was held on November 15, 2013. Most of the items set forth have been or are in the process of being completed! According to Scott, the board has accomplished a great deal in its first year of operation. The board members, in turn, thanked Scott for providing great staff support and guidance! 7. 6:45 pm Status of the Wichita Bicycle Master Plan & 2014 Work Plan: Scott Wadle, MAPD, briefly reviewed 2014 Implementation Actions from the Master Plan. There were many different projects that had been accomplished! It was noted that only one of five bike/ped projects submitted to WAMPO were funded within the City limits [17 &18th Street Bikeways]. The Chisholm Creek Park Path will be reconstructed by the Park Department. It was decided to defer submitting a League of American Bicyclist’s [LAB} ‘Bicycle Friendly Community’ designation until 2015. With new projects being developed, the 2015 application will be even better with time to secure needed letters of support. The board was pleased with progress being made on the 2014 Work Plan! 6. 7 pm Closing Thoughts: Jerry Jones, Vice Chairperson, noted that Anna Mosher has taken and new job and has resigned from the board. Currently, there are two vacancies to be filled: one from District Four and one ‘at-large’ slot. Members were encouraged to reach out to potential board members. Jane Byrnes provided the following information to the board: Walking School Bus [WSB]: McCollom Elementary, in west Wichita, began a small version of this concept in 2013-14. The school nurse got a grant for a part-time coordinator for the WSB for the 2014-15 school year. The McCollom principal will explain it at the 9-11-14 meeting of principals. A WSB enables adult supervision and protection from strangers and traffic, plus happy, socialized, healthy students ready to learn! Walktober: This month-long program encourages all Wichitans to walk during the month of October. A coalition of the Wichita Health & Wellness Coalition, Sedgwick County Department of Health, Bike Walk Wichita and other groups will call this effort ‘Walk a Million Minutes.’ Walk to School Day: This internationally celebrated day falls on October 8th and Wichita Safe Kids will highlight Jefferson Elementary. In May 2015 there is also a Bike-to-School Day. Pedestrian Master Plan will be completed in September, along with draft 2014 Plan of Work. 2014 Built Environment & the Outdoors Summit [September 17-18/Hotel at Old Town: Barry encouraged members to attend. WAMPO Trail Count: Barry noted that a trail count would be held in the fall and volunteers would be needed. More information will be forthcoming. Notice – City Council Members may attend this meeting. 7. 7:15 pm Public Comments: • Robert Davis, a Riverside citizen, expressed an interest in filling one of the vacancies on our board. Mr. Davis would like to see a bike valet for the runners who bike to participate the River Run in 2015. There being no further business, the meeting be adjourned at 7:15 pm. Respectfully submitted,  Barry L. Carroll Board Secretary 7-15-14 Notice – City Council Members may attend this meeting.