Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board

Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board Monday, September 14, 2015 5:30 – 7 p.m. 777 E. Waterman, Building 200 Wichita Transit Van Maintenance Facility Conference Room Meeting Notes Members Present: Maxine Bostic, Jack Brown, Barry Carroll, Amy Delamaide, Russell Fox, Jerry Jones, Tom Lasater, George Theoharis Members Absent: Melany Barnes, Tyler Stutzman, James Crowder City Staff: Scott Wadle, MAPD, Paul Gunzleman, Public Works & Utilities Director, Jennifer Magana, City Attorney and Director of Law Guests: Jane Byrnes, Nathan Yung, Andy Gough, Owners of the Fork & Fennell Item Description 1. Call to Order: Jack Brown, Chairperson, welcomed City staff and guests. Jack also welcomed Russell Fox, new board member from District V. 2. Approve Previous Meeting Notes: Jerry Jones moved [Amy Delamaide] to approve the August 10, 2015 meeting notes. Motion carried 9-0. 3. Public Comments: Jane Byrnes, former board member, presented information about ‘Walktober.’ This year’s theme is ‘Walk With Me.’ Jane provided calendars and ‘MD Prescription Walking Pads’ to members. Jane encouraged everyone to walk and promote ‘Walktober.’ The board thanked Jane for her work to promote community health. 4. Discussion of Bicycle Friendly Business Recognition: Amy Delamaide reported on the board initiative to recognize area businesses that are ‘bicycle friendly.’ Amy created ‘Certificates of Appreciation’ for the recognized business owners. The first business owner to be recognized was Nathan Yung, owner of Continental Cyclery. The second honoree was Andy Gough, owner of the Reverie Coffee Shop. The third honoree was Byron Fick, owner of Heartland Bicycles [who was not in attendance]. The fourth honorees were the two owners from the Fork & Fennel Restaurant. Each of these businesses promotes cycling in our community. All honorees were given and certificate of appreciation [along with a photograph]. The board thanked Amy for taking on this important task. 5. Discussion of Construction Detours: Paul Gunzleman, Public Works & Utilities, reported on various bike/ped path detours: 1) Ark River path –west side of river near First Street; 2) Ark River path –east side of river near First Street; 3) 13th Street [Tyler to 119th Street]. According to Mr. Gunzleman, there is an existing city policy regarding detours. City staff attempt to provide signage and alternate route signs wherever possible. In closing, Mr. Gunzleman asked the board to forward information about closures than need to be addressed. 6. Review of Proposed Wichita Bike Path Maintenance Program: Paul Gunzleman, Public Works & Utilities, reported that the City Council had approved an additional $150,000 for bike path maintenance in 2016. According to Paul, two additional Public Works staff may be hired to 1) inventory bike/ped facilities; 2) develop an action plan; and 3) address maintenance for twelve miles of bike/ped facilities. Jack Brown reiterated that maintenance for bike/ped infrastructure remains a high priority for the board. 7. Discussion of Bicycle Lights Regulations and Options: Jennifer Magana, City Attorney and Director of Law, reported that approximately 150 tickets for riding a bicycle without lights are written by the WPD each year. Ms. Magana stated that an ‘administrative change’ could be made to the current City Ordinance and could be similar to ‘fix it’ tickets for motorized vehicles. Following a brief discussion, Tom Lasater moved [Russell Fox] to recommend that the City Council direct staff to provide an option for bicycle equipment violations tickets to be treated as a fix-it ticket. Motion carried 9-0. 8. Discussion of Priority New Sidewalk Locations Input: Recently, the City solicited input from the public regarding suggestions for new sidewalks. Scott Wadle provided a ‘top ten’ listing of proposed sidewalk 1  projects. Jerry Jones commended City staff for asking for input from the public; Maxine Bostic concurred. Following a brief discussion, Jerry Jones moved [Tom Lasater] that the top three items on the priority list be combined and to move-up the 11th and 12th projects to be considered. Motion carried 9-0. 9. Update on Kansas Health Foundation Bike Share Grant Application: Scott Wadle reported that the City of Wichita is applying for a Kansas Health Foundation [KHF] grant that is due on September 15, 2015. This $25,000 grant, if awarded, will be used to complete a ‘feasibility study’ for a bike share project on the campus of Wichita State University. Amy Delamaide suggested that Old Town would be an excellent location for a bike share project as well. Following a brief discussion, Tom Lasater moved [Amy Delamaide] to recommend approval of the Kansas Health Foundation Bike Share Grant Application by the City Council. Motion carried 9-0. 10. Board Members Project Reports:  Redbud Trail –Phase I (Bostic): Mostly completed – artwork and landscaping still needs to be completed.  Redbud Trail – Phase II (Bostic): Completed!  Delano/River Vista Apartments (Barnes): There will now be a 10-foot multiuse path located adjacent to the apartments! Utility work of the project has begun  Douglas Design District (Amy): The City has received HSIP funds for the improvement of the Douglas and Hydraulic intersection!  1st & 2nd Bikeways: (Carroll): Striping currently underway!  Sycamore (Brown): Construction occurred in July; sharrows were painted on the bikeway.  Market & Topeka Bikeways (Carroll): Construction will begin after the 1at & 2nd bikeways are completed.  Armour Bikeway [Crowder]: Some work has been completed on arterial street crossings; Contractor has begun on side path work adjacent to Woodlawn [16th Street to 21st Street  Woodchuck: Open bids in October 2015  Chisholm Creek Park Multiuse Path: Construction will occur this fall. Path is closed with detour signs.  East Kellogg Expansion Project: Tom Lasater will track this project. Utility re-location work has started.  Prairie Sunset Trail (Stutzman): The trail is being extended eastward. The County Commissioner recently approved a MOU with the Prairie Travelers for a one-mile section of the trail.  WAMPO/TAC Meeting: Jack Brown routinely attends this meeting. 11. Announcements:  Adopt-A-Trail: Tom Lasater suggested that citizens should be encouraged to ‘adopt’ segments of multiuse paths across the city.  Ribbon Cutting: 1st & 2nd Street Bike Lanes: Thursday, September 24th @6 pm at the Old Town Plaza.  New Member Orientation: George Theoharis suggested that a ‘board orientation’ for incoming board members would be helpful. George noted that it would have been helpful for our new board member, Russell Fox, to have had an orientation session prior to his first meeting. The board concurred. Russell Fox, board member for District V, stated that he was pleased to have joined the board. 12. Closing Thoughts:  Walktober: Board members were asked to help promote Walktober. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on Monday, October 12, 2015. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:33 pm. Respectfully submitted,  Barry Carroll, WBPAB Secretary 2 City of Wichita Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board September 14, 2015 1 Agenda 1. Call to Order 2. Approve Meeting Notes 3. Public Comments 4. Business Recognition 5. Construction Detours 6. Proposed Wichita Bike Paths Maintenance Program 7. Bicycle Lights Regulations and Options 8. Priority New Sidewalk Locations Input 9. Kansas Health Foundation Bike Share Grant Application 10. Board Member Project Reports 11. Announcements 12. Closing Thoughts 1