Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board

Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board Monday, April 13, 2020 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, Erik Maybee, Marcia Schroeder, Tyler Stutzman & George Theoharis Members Absent: City Staff: Scott Wadle, Acting Director of Planning Guests: Clayton Pearson, Alan Kailer, Rick Sroufe & Donna Carrell Item Description 1. Call to Order: Jack Brown, Chairperson, welcomed board members, City staff, guests and called the virtual meeting to order at 5:30 pm. 2. Approve Previous Meeting Notes: Approval of the March 9, 2020 meeting notes was tabled until the May 11, 2020 meeting. 3. Public Comments: There were no comments. 4. City of Wichita Budget: Scott Wadle, Acting Director of Planning, provided a PowerPoint presentation for the board’s review. Due to the pandemic, there will likely be dramatic changes to the budget. Listed below is a summary of the presentation: the total budget is approximately $625M; 56% of the budget is for public safety; there are many sources of revenue for the budget; city staff are currently reviewing the core functions of the budget; there is currently a hiring freeze; some projects could be delayed; there will be a better assessment of the budget by June; the City Council will likely approve the Operating Budget in August. The board agreed to review their 2019 budget recommendations and make formal budget recommendations to the City Council at the May 11, 2020 meeting. 5. Staff Project Updates: Scott provided brief reports on the following: shut down of scooter service, status of senior walking routes, trip counters have been installed on paths, status of wayfinding signage, Broadway corridor study, cancellation of the planned ‘Open House’ and the proposed study at 9th & McLean. According to Scott, not much has changed with these multimodal projects. 6. WBPAB Officer Elections: Scott provided an update on the recent Municipal Code as it pertains to the City’s advisory boards. Some board members need to contact their City Council Members and/or Mayor regarding their appointments. After considerable discussion, the following officers were elected: Jack Brown, President; Elizabeth Ablah, Vice President; Barry Carroll, Secretary. 1  7. Board Member Project Reports: • Redbud Path from K-96 Path to 159th: Work is underway. • 17th Street from Broadway to I-135: Work has commenced. • Waco from Douglas to Central: Work is continuing. • Tree Planting: Forestry staff have been planting trees along multiuse paths. 8. Board Comments & Closing Thoughts: • Board Retreat: Jack Brown reiterated that a special call board retreat is needed; the retreat would be held in addition to our regularly scheduled meeting. • Spring Walking/Biking Tour: A date, time and location will need to be determined. • Street Fight Book: Jane Byrnes noted that Bike Walk Wichita’s book club will read and discuss this book. A virtual meeting will be held on April 22nd at 6 pm. • ‘Walk Kansas’: This Bike Walk Wichita initiative will last for eight weeks. • ‘Walking Wednesdays’: Bike Walk Wichita will host walks at various locations. • Mt. Vernon Improvements: George reported that work is underway. • Clapp Park: It was noted that the park is now open to pedestrians and cyclists. George noted that the Park Department is developing a ‘Master Plan’ for Clapp Park. • Joint Meeting Proposed: Jack Brown suggested representatives from Bike Walk Wichita, District Advisory Boards and City Council members should meet and bike and/or walk in designated areas of each district in an effort to educate everyone on the active transportation needs and review of completed projects. • WAMPO Transportation Committee Meeting: Jane reported that she will attend the next meeting and advocate for increased funding for bike/ped infrastructure. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:05 pm. The next meeting of the board will be held on May 11, 2020 @5:30 pm. Respectfully submitted. 😊😊 Barry Carroll, Board Secretary 1