Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board

Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board Monday, May 13, 2019 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. 777 E. Waterman, Bldg. 200 Wichita Transit Van Maintenance Facility Wichita, KS 67202 Meeting Notes Members present: Elizabeth Ablah, Maxine Bostic, Jack Brown, Jane Byrnes, Barry Carroll, Russell Fox, Tom Lasater Christopher Parisho, Marcia Schroeder, Tyler Stutzman & George Theoharis Members Absent: City Staff: Scott Wadle, Senior Management Analyst, Lee Carmichael, Public Works Guests: Donna Carrell, Rick Sroafe, Clayton Pearson, Alan Kailer, Doug Ballard, Dave & Sharon Hewitt, John & Chole Parisho, Vincent Hancock, Nathaniel Richardson, Casey Boothinghouse, Jim Weber, Sedgwick County Public Works, Item Description 1. Call to Order: Jack Brown, Board Chair, welcomed board members, City staff, guests and called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm. 2. Approve Previous Meeting Notes: The board approved the April 8, 2019 meeting notes. 3. Public Comments:  Vincent Hancock reported that there are lots of baby geese and to be careful of the adult geese protecting them on the bike paths. In addition, the ‘Wicked Wind 100’ bike ride at Lake Afton will be held on Sunday, May 19th.  Casey Boothinghouse provided information on electric skate boards; he noted that some ‘home made’ skate boards could travel to speeds up to 30 mph. The Board had several questions and welcomed him and his friend to the meeting.  Alan Kailer explained that there are several websites pertaining to biking and walking. Alan has compiled a list of some of the better websites and provided to the chair for dissemination to the board. 4. Sedgwick County Multi-use Pathway Connections to Wichita: Jim Weber, Public Works, showed a PowerPoint and made the following comments:  Aviation Pathway: There are three (3) phases to this project; Phase I is complete and Phase II will be completed this summer; Phase III is slated to be completed in 2020;  Derby to Mulvane: There will be a 10’ side path constructed along Rock Road and will be completed in the spring of 2020;  Meridian Bridge: This 900’ bridge across the ‘Big Ditch’ will be completed this fall;  McConnell Pathway: This 10’ side path will be a ¼ mile in length and completed in the spring of 2020;  Ridge Road- 53rd to 81st: This project may be added to Sedgwick County’s CIP; and  Sedgwick County ‘Sherwood Forrest’ Path: A additional paved path has been added. Chris Parisho suggested that a connecting pathway should be added from the Prairie Sunset Trail to the Lake Afton Park. Board Members then thanked Mr. Weber for his informative presentation. 1 5. 9th & McLean Boulevard: Jack Brown asked the board to revisit the feasibility of constructing a crosswalk at this location. This proposed crosswalk is suggested within the City’s Master Bicycle Plan. There are several challenges regarding this proposal: high speed of motorists and lack of ‘line of sight’ by motorists due to a curve on McLean. After extensive discussion, Scott Wadle will explore the feasibility of using designated CIP funding for ‘spot fixes’ in an effort to have consultants complete a comprehensive study of the area in question. 6. Wichita-Valley Center Floodway Levee: Jack Brown asked the board to explore the feasibility of developing a multi-use path along the levee from the Sedgwick County Park to the proposed Crystal Prairie Lake Park near 53rd Street North. It was noted that other communities in Kansas and other states have multi-use paths along levees. After considerable discussion, it was agreed that additional information is needed. This item will appear on future agendas. The board felt that it would be appropriate to have staff contact the city Law Department to determine if this section of the floodway levee was a legally viable option. 7. Bike Share ICT: Scott Wadle provided the board and guests with an overview of the project. The system is funded in large part by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas donations. The Health ICT served as the initial fiscal agent, and later the YMCA took on this role. In 2019, the City of Wichita became the fiscal agent for Bike Share ICT. Tyler Stutzman voiced concern that ‘the City is on the hook’ should BCBS funding be discontinued. Staff indicated that the contract with Zagster for the bike share system is year to year. If the funding is not available, then Zagster collects the bicycles and the stations. Scott noted that BCBS requires that there be an advisory board for community funded projects. Maxine Bostic, Chris Parisho and Russell Fox volunteered to serve on the proposed Bike Share ICT Advisory Board. Following brief discussion, Russell Fox moved [Chris Parisho] to establish a ‘Bike Share ICT Advisory Board’ that will be made up of initial members from the previous bike share advisory board and three members from the WBPAB board. (complete listing below) Motion carried 11-0.  Russell Fox  Christopher Parisho  Maxine Bostic  Virginia Barnes  Scott Knebel  Alan Kailer  Geoff Kisch  Shelley Rich  Scott Wadle  Courtney Bengtson  Michael Tann  Becky Tuttle 8. Budget Recommendations Update: Jack Brown noted that the board has made recommendations for both the General Operating [GO] and CIP Budgets. In addition, Jack provided information on the City’s ‘Budget Simulator.’ This online application, allows citizens to ‘build’ their own budget by adding or subtracting funding from various budget line items. Jack encouraged board members to use the ‘Budget Simulator’ when convenient. It was the consensus of the board to receive updates of the status of our budget recommendations as we move through the budget season which culminates in August. 9. Project Updates: Scott Wadle reported on the following:  Project Website: Scott stated that a website would be created for the projects;  Neighborhood Bicycling & Walking Route Plans: A plan has been drafted for review;  Bicycle Counting Project: The counters will be installed by City crews;  Crash Best Practices for Advisory Boards: Scott will meet with the Law Department;  People First Neighborhoods – 1600 N Park Place: A report has been drafted;  Bicycle Wayfinding Improvements: The project is on ‘hold’ for now; 2   Senior Walking Routes: A report has been drafted; and  Pedestrian Wayfinding Improvements: A report has been drafted. 10. Open Streets Update: There was a report on the ‘Open Streets’ event in in the NOMAR District. 21st Street was closed from Broadway on the east to Woodland Park on the west. It was estimated that 10,000 cyclists, pedestrians, skaters, vendors and area residents were in attendance. Clayton Pearson noted that the density per mile was approximately the same as previous Open Streets events along Douglas Avenues. It was noted that the Douglas Avenue Open Streets event will be held on Sunday, September 22 nd. Board members were encouraged to participate. 11. Board Member Project Reports:  9th Street Project: Jack Brown reported that the project is nearing completion; and  Azure Street Project: Jack Brown noted that the project is being designed. 12. Announcements  Wedding: George Theoharis reported that he is getting married! Board members provided well wishes. 13. Closing Thoughts:  Jane Byrnes reiterated that WAMPO webcasts are held monthly; she would like for the City to have a ‘broader focus’ on low income cyclists and pedestrians; she is a proponent of ‘walkability;’ she reported that Elizabeth Ablah and KU student volunteers repainted crosswalks about Kensler Elementary; another ‘paint out’ may be scheduled for June 10th; Wichita has a low ranking [per ‘Places for Bikes’]; Jane thanked the board for listening to her comments.  Future Agenda Items: o West Street Access to the Bridge Over the ‘Big Ditch’ o Proposed Bicycle Parking at the New Baseball Park There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8 pm. The next meeting of the board will be held on June 10th, 2019 @5:30 pm. Respectfully submitted. 😊 Barry Carroll, Board Secretary 3