Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board

Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board Monday, October 9, 2017 5:30 – 7 p.m. 777 E. Waterman, Building 200 Wichita Transit Van Maintenance Facility Conference Room Meeting Notes Members Present: Elizabeth Ablah, Maxine Bostic, Jack Brown, Jane Byrnes, Barry Carroll, Russell Fox, Jerry Jones, Tom Lasater, Christopher Parisho, George Theoharis, Tyler Stutzman Members Absent: NA City Staff: Scott Wadle, Interim Transit Director, Paul Gunzelman, Assistant City Engineer, Public Works, Troy Houtman, Director of Parks & Recreation, Jan Jarman, Law Department, Gary Janzen, City Engineer Guests: Vincent Hancock, Alan Kailer, Sharon & Dave Hewitt Item Description 1. Call to Order: Jack Brown, Chairperson, welcomed guests and called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm 2. Approve Previous Meeting Notes: By consensus, the board approved the September 11, 2017 meeting notes. 3. Public Comments: There were no comments. 4. 1st & 2nd Streets Bicycle Wayfinding & Project Updates: Paul Gunzelman, Assistant City Engineer, reviewed the plans for the installation of wayfinding signs. Paul noted that on the signs there will be mileage and estimated time for cycling to a destination. The Wichita Bicycle Wayfinding System Plan recommends 10 minutes per mile as an estimated travel time for bicycling. City staff also indicated that they did not include the pedestrian times for these by accident and that the time limitations for the project would make it difficult to revisit as part of this project. By consensus, the board recommended that time should be added to the signs as well in the future. According to Paul, it is projected that many of the signs should be installed in mid-November 2017. Jane Byrnes reported that three students were recently hit by a vehicle near the Southeast High School. Jane noted that there are no sidewalks along a busy street close to the school. Paul agreed to investigate and provide a report at a future meeting. The board thanked Paul for his presentation. 5. Pawnee Prairie Park Improvements: Troy Houtman, Director of Parks & Recreation, provided information about the proposed improvements to the Pawnee Prairie Park. Troy provided a handout to board members that outlined the proposals set forth in the park master plan. According to Troy, the plan addresses the interests of equestrians, pedestrians, cyclists and neighborhood children. The plan calls for access to the park from Prairie Sunset Trail and the construction of a low-water 1  bridge as well to link sections of the park. According to Troy, Council Member Jeff Blubaugh has elected to designate portions of the sale of the downtown Hyatt Hotel for park improvements. Following the presentation, Jerry Jones commended Troy and Council Member Blubaugh for their efforts to improve this park. The board then thanked Troy for his presentation. 6. Open Streets ICT: Troy Houtman, Director of Parks & Recreation, provided information about the inaugural Open Streets ICT event that was held on Sunday, September 24, 2017. Troy was pleased to report that the ‘event exceeded his expectations!’ It was estimated that approximately 18,000 area residents participated in this event! Troy noted that survey data is being collected and a post event debrief will be completed. It was reported that there were 196 Bike Share rides during the event as well! In closing, Troy noted that, based upon community feedback, a spring and fall event could be held in 2018. The board commended Troy for his good work on the first Open Streets ICT event. 7. Legality of Electric Assist & Gasoline Powered Bicycles in Wichita: Jan Jarman, Assistant City Attorney, presented information whether electric assist bicycles and/or gasoline powered bicycles can be utilized legally in Wichita. According to Jan, gasoline powered bicycles are strictly prohibited from riding on bike paths/lanes and in parks per City Ordinance, since they are motorized vehicles. If a cyclist has an electric assist bicycle, the bicycle would be permitted on bike paths and bike lanes – as it is human powered. Jan noted that there is some confusion between State Law and City Ordinances regarding electric assist bicycles. As a result, the board would like to revisit this issue in November and make recommendations for the City’s Legislative Agenda. 8. Right-of-Way at Driveways: Jan Jarman, Assistant City Attorney, provided information about who would have the legal right-of-way at driveways. According to Jan, pedestrians (which includes bicyclists) have the legal right-of-way and motorists would be required, by law, to yield. 9. Wichita Street Safety Campaign: Scott Wadle, Interim Transit Director, presented information about the campaign materials being designed and the schedule for rolling them out: by September 13th, the print media will be completed; by September 19th, the social media will be finalized; by September 20th, the print materials will be delivered; and by September 30th, the campaign will be launched— the theme is “Safety Begins with You,” and will involve placing print media on billboards, on the backs of city busses, etc.—members of the board may be recruited to help photographers model some of the behavior being used in the campaign as promotional material, so check your e-mail for invites! 10. People First Neighborhood Project Update: Scott Wadle discussed the committee which identified the neighborhood, out of all of those which were proposed (the committee included Jack Brown, Maxine Bostic, and Barry Carroll)—the chosen neighborhood where the grant money could be used was the block of North Park Place between E. 15th and E. 16th, near Irving Elementary School; the Yellowbrick Street Team is involved in the brainstorming for ideas, along with members of the neighborhood community—ideas include temporarily reducing the street to a one- lane, one-way street, with buffers placed along the bike lane—the goal is to find inexpensive street decorations that can serve is obstacle to slow the speed of traffic along that block—this is a process which Elizabeth Ablah is heavily involved with 2  studying. Scott noted that there has been one community meeting and that another may be needed in order to finalize the proposed street application. 11. Fall Bicycle Tour: There were two proposals were presented, the first involving traveling to south Wichita, the second heading more to the east—the first proposal was chosen after some suggestions were made for modifying the route—Scott Wadle used Survey Monkey to find the most acceptable date for the ride. Consequently, the fall bicycle tour will be held on Saturday, October 28, 2017. A meeting place and time will be forwarded to the board at a later date. 12. Board Member Project Reports:  21st St. from Hillside to Oliver: Maxine Bostic reported on the construction along 21st St. from Hillside to Oliver, which will be reduced from four to three lanes.  Douglas & Hydraulic Intersection: Construction is underway.  Crosswalk at Nims & Central: Construction is underway.  Sidewalk on West Side of Nims: A new sidewalk has been installed.  Bike Path Reconstruction near Sims Golf Course: The bike path has been reopened between 13th and the Exercise Station in Sim Park.  Redbud Path [between Oliver & Woodlawn]: City staff was asked to contact Westar and provide an update on the utility project.  Proposed Eastside River Path [Gander Mountain to Lincoln Street Dam]: A request for proposal [RFP] is being developed by City staff.  Cross Walk on West Street: A crosswalk has been completed that will eventually link up with the Prairie Sunset Trail.  ‘Fix-it’ Station Installation along the Redbud Path & Woodlawn: The station was installed on Saturday, October7th. Whole Foods purchased the station and Bike Walk Wichita will maintain it. 12. Announcements:  Open House: Scott noted that based upon community survey results, an ‘Open House’ will be held at the City Library on Tuesday, October 24, 2017 from 5:30 to 6:30 pm. During this meeting, area residents will be asked to provide input on ways to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists.  Board Retreat: The annual board retreat will be held on Monday, December 11, 2017 [normal meeting date/time]. A meeting location will be secured.  Proposed Project Priority List: The board will develop a priority list for consideration by City staff in early 2018.  Sierra Club Meeting: Jane Byrnes noted that WAMPO staff will address the Sierra Club and conduct an exercise designed to receive input on bikeable and walkable communities. 13. Closing Thoughts:  Bike Share Information: George Theoharis requested that the board needs specific information on how to use and the costs associated with Bike Share.  Proposed Meeting with Sedgwick County: The board may request a meeting with County staff to discuss proactively planning for sidewalks on county bridges that are to be constructed. It is very difficult and expensive to retrofit sidewalks on bridges after they are constructed. 3 There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:35 pm. The next meeting of the board will be held on Monday, November 13th, 2017 @5:30 pm. Respectfully submitted, Barry Carroll, WBPAB Board Secretary 4