Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board
Regular MeetingWichita, KS · July 13, 2020
Minutes
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board
Monday, July 13, 2020
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Online Meeting
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: John Baker
City Staff: Michael Tann, Wichita Transportation Department Director
Guests: Cindy Claycomb, City Council Member – District VI, Clayton Pearson, Alan Kailer, Vincent
Hancock, Jason Havely, Lisa Frey Blume, Rick Sroufe, Donna Carrell, Kim Neufeld, Amanda Aguila
Gonzalez
Item Description
1. Call to Order: Jack Brown, Chairperson, welcomed board members, City staff, City
Council Member Cindy Claycomb, guests and called the virtual meeting to order at
5:30 pm.
2. Approve Previous Meeting Notes: The June 8th, 2020 meeting notes were
approved.
3. Public Comments:
• Alan Kailer reported that in a recent WAMPO survey, 90% of the
respondents supported increased funding for bike/ped facilities. According
to Alan, the survey results are on the WAMPO website. In addition, WAMPO
staff are creating advisory and policy boards in July 2020.
• Clayton Pearson reported that there is no drinking water in City parks and
along multi-use paths due to the pandemic. Clayton suggested that access to
drinking water is an important part of the City’s infrastructure.
4. Bicycle & Pedestrian Capital Projects Status Update: Due to technical difficulties,
Mark Manning, Finance Department, was unable to provide an update on the status
of bicycle and pedestrian specific line items in the Wichita Capital Improvement
Programs [CIP]. Mark will be invited to a future meeting.
5. Emporia Street Update: Emporia Street Two-Way Conversion, Dewey to Central:
Shawn Mellies, Department of Public Works, provided detailed information about
the proposed Emporia Street Two-Way Conversion, from Dewey northward to
Central. Mr. Mellies explained that a two-way conversion would allow easier access
to businesses along this section of Emporia Street. A part of the proposal was a
proposed removal of a pedestrian signal near the Transit Center at 3rd Street and
Emporia. According to Mr. Mellies, this intersection does not appear to have high
volumes of pedestrian traffic since there are other signals and crosswalks in the
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immediate area. There was concern expressed by members of the public and board
members about the proposed removal of the signal at 3rd Street and Emporia. It was
mentioned that this crosswalk was helpful to patrons of the INTRUST Arena before
and after events. The removal of the signal could possibly pose a safety issue for
pedestrians and cyclists alike. After considerable discussion, Barry Carroll moved
[Elizabeth Ablah] to recommend the following: 1) to approve the concept of the
Emporia Street Two-Way Conversion, Dewey to Central; 2) to request further
evaluation of the traffic signal at Emporia and 3rd Street; and 3) to consider
lowering the speed limit for this section of Emporia Street. Motion carried 10-0.
Jack Brown, Board Chairperson, will draft a letter for the board’s review/comment
and then will forward to the Mayor and City Council.
6. Crash Analysis: Review of the City’s Bicycle & Pedestrian Crash Data: Amanda
Aguila Gonzalez, University of Kansas Master of Public Health student, provided
preliminary information from the analysis of the City of Wichita’s crash data. Ms.
Gonzalez made the following comments: crash data was reviewed from 2008 t0
2018; the data is still preliminary; there were a total of 1,818 crashes for both cyclists
and pedestrians: cyclists - 921 and pedestrians – 897; there were three fatalities; 93
individuals suffered some kind of injury; there were 261 ‘hit & run’ accidents; most
accidents were during the daytime; most accidents did not occur in inclement
weather; cyclists and pedestrians were in the correct street position for 60% of the
accidents; a ‘heat map’ showed that there were clusters of accidents along
Broadway, Seneca, Douglas and along 13th Street. Elizabeth Ablah asked what are
the implications of the report? How can the report inform decision making? Alan
Kailer asked if the data will be searchable and how will it be updated? Clayton
Pearson asked the following: how does the ‘built environment’ impact crashes?
After considerable discussion, the board thank Amanda for her informative report
and issued an ‘open invitation’ to provide follow up information in the future.
7. Wichita Multi-Modal Center Update: Michael Tann, Wichita Transportation
Department Director, provided an update on the status of the proposed Multi-Modal
Center. Michael reported on the following: 1) the proposed facility will be
constructed to the west of the baseball park; 2) the estimated cost will be $17M that
is funded by federal dollars; 3) there will be opportunities for community input; 4) a
design team will meet and draft a proposal in the next 120 days; 5) a Request for
Proposal [RFP] will be forward to prospective builders; and 6) the City Council will
ultimately approve the design. Michael asked the question: ‘How do we connect the
proposed facility to the community?’ It was suggested that the facility could have
secured bicycle parking and possibly bike lockers for cyclists. In closing, Michael
stated that he welcomed input from the board and community. The board thanked
Michael for his informative comments. This item will appear on future board
agendas.
8. Bike Walk Wichita Proposal: Alan Kailer, Board President for Bike Walk Wichita,
Inc., lead the discussion of proposed City Council district bicycle and pedestrian
tours. The tours could include DAB members, bike/ped board members, City Council
members and members of the public. The purpose of the tours would be to
celebrate successful bike/ped infrastructure projects and identify challenges to
bikeability and walkability. There would need to be a public announcement of a
proposed tour in order to be in compliance with the Open Meetings Law. Due to the
pandemic, the tours will be on hold for the time being. In closing, the board agreed
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that district tours would be educational to all stakeholders and thanked Alan Kailer
for his assistance.
9. Staff Project Updates: Michael Tann provide a written report on the following:
neighbor bicycling and walking route plans; bicycle counting project; best practices
for analyzing crash data for advisory boards; ‘People First Neighborhoods’ [1600 N.
Park Place]; bicycle wayfinding improvements; senior walking routes; pedestrian
wayfinding improvements; 9th & McLean crossing design cost estimates and legal
considerations regarding access to the ‘Big Ditch.’ The board received and filed the
report.
10. Board Member Project Reports:
• Redbud Path from K-96 Path to 159th: Work is underway.
• 17th Street from Broadway to I-135: Work is underway.
• Waco from Douglas to Central: Work has been completed!
• Tree Planting: Forestry staff have been planting trees along multiuse paths.
• Mt. Vernon: Improvements have been made and work continues on
intersections.
11. Board Comments:
• Jane Byrnes reported on the following: 1) ‘racial & mobility justice’ terminology;
2) the Chuang Report pertaining to the City’s CIP [nine step analysis]; 3) Kansas is
ranked 82/200 on the ‘Safe Routes to School’ national report; and 4) volunteers
are needed for the September bike/ped count.
• Jack Brown reported that the ‘Aviator Path’ from Derby to Mulvane is
completed!
• Barry Carroll reported that the City of Augusta has a secured a KDOT Grant to
construct a Redbud Rail Trail path east and west from the downtown depot; an
additional grant has been submitted to the Sunflower Foundation as well.
12. Announcements: Due to time constraints, there were no announcements.
13. Closing Thoughts: There were no closing thoughts.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:25 pm.
The next meeting of the board will be held on August 10th, 2020 @5:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted.
😊😊
Barry Carroll,
Board Secretary
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Agenda
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board
Monday, July 13, 2020
5:30 – 7:45 P.M.
Online Meeting
This meeting will be held online. Please join from your computer,
tablet or smartphone using the link below.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/216708517
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (646) 749-3122
Access Code: 216-708-517
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meeting starts:
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Public Comments
Public Comments can be submitted up to noon the day of the meeting. This allow
those involved with setting up the meeting an opportunity to review those comments
ahead of the meeting and prepare for sharing them. The comments can be submitted
to City staff (at the contact information listed at the end of this document) in the
following formats.
o Email
o Letter
o Video
o Audio message (mp3, etc.)
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. 5:45 pm Public Comments
This is an opportunity for members of the public to address the board on bicycle and
pedestrian matters in Wichita. When addressing the board please state your name.
4. 6:00 pm Bicycle and Pedestrian Capital Projects Status Update
Mark Manning, Finance Department, will provide an update on the status of bicycle
and pedestrian specific line items in the Wichita Capital Improvement Program
5. 6:15 pm Emporia Street Update
Shawn Mellies, Department of Public Works will provide Removal of a pedestrian
signal at the Transit Center and the signal at 3rd Street (additional information link).
6. 6:30 pm Crash Analysis
Amanda Aguila-Gonzales, Amanda Aguila Gonzalez, University of Kansas School of
Medicine-Wichita, will provide a summary analysis of bicyclist and pedestrian motor
vehicle crashes reported in the city of Wichita, Kansas between 2008 through 2018.
Data analysis specifically focused on identifying the frequency of pedestrian and
cyclist crashes. As well as determining trends in crash locations and if these crashes
occurred in pedestrian/cyclist designated spaces.
Notice – City Council Members may attend this meeting.
7. 6:45 pm Wichita Multi-Modal Center Update
Michael Tann, Wichita Transportation Department Director will provide an update on
the status of the Multi-Modal Center – with benefits to walking and bicycling
8. 7:00 pm Bike Walk Wichita proposal
Alan Kailer, Bike Walk Wichita, will provide an update on the proposed tours of
bicycle and pedestrian facilities in the council districts.
9. 7:15 pm Staff Project Updates
Michael Tann will share a written update on the following initiatives.
Neighborhoods bicycling and walking route plans
Bicycle counting project
Crash best practices for advisory boards
People First Neighborhoods – 1600 N Park Place
Bicycle wayfinding improvements
Senior Walking Routes
Pedestrian Wayfinding Improvements
9th and Mclean Crossing Design Cost Estimates
Law Department Big Ditch
10. 7:20 pm Board Member Project Reports
Jack Brown, Chairperson
11. 7:25 pm Board comments and observations
This is an opportunity for board members to provide input to the board regarding
bicycling and pedestrian issues in Wichita.
12. 7:30 pm Announcements
Jack Brown, Chairperson
13. 7:45 pm Closing Thoughts
Jack Brown, Chairperson
Notice – City Council Members may attend this meeting.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board
Monday, June 8, 2020
5:30 – 7:40 P.M.
Clapp Memorial Park
The meeting participants assembled by the former Clapp Golf Course club house.
Those board members, city staff, consultants present: Jane Brynes, Marcia Schroeder,
Sonia Greteman, Phil Meyer, George Theoharis, Russell Fox, Erik Maybee, Tyler
Stutzman, Larry Hoetmer, Troy Houtman, Elizabeth Ablah, Jack Brown, Scott Wadle
Others present: Kim Neufeld, Alan Kailer, Rick Sroufer, Angie Courtney, Charles Webb,
Clayton Pearson, Gary Blanchat, Diana Edminston, Maxine Bostic
Item Time Description
1. 5:30 pm Call to Order
Jack Brown, Chair
2. 5:31 pm Approve Previous Meeting Notes
Jack Brown, Chair
Russell made a motion to approve the previous meeting notes. Marcia seconded.
3. 5:45 pm Public Comments
Jack Brown, Chair
This was an opportunity for members of the public to address the board on bicycle
and pedestrian matters in Wichita.
Clayton Pearson, 1442 N. Coolidge, discussed a list of small improvements to existing
infrastructure.
4. Jack Brown, Chair, sent a description of the GO budget. He wants feedback from the
board.
5. 6:00 pm Tour of Clapp Park Site
Troy Houtman, Park Department Director and Larry Hoetmer; Design group
members, Bill Mayer with Bachman Co and Sonja Greteman with Greteman Group;
led the board on a tour of the site. The board was stratified into two groups for the
tour.
Had multiple stakeholders involved before Clapp Park Golf Course closed. Multiple
stakeholders are being engaged now, including the survey through Greteman Group.
Results will be posted on a city website. 12 mini-Keeper of the Plains will be
developed, one for 12 parks across the city. They will be designed for the
local/neighborhood/park.
Priority concerns and actions were identified from the board, including the following.
The board will vote to prioritize these.
• Improve access, including bike/ped access (e.g. Raised Crosswalk between spot
near low-income housing). Need to be easy and enjoyable access from all
directions, including the school; emphasize connection to the park; Hilltop, senior
living, refugee families are neighborhoods surrounding the park, and they need
easy access to the park; quality crossings for kids and adults; access points [east,
west, north & south] - connect to Mt. Vernon bike lanes on south end of the park
• Improve circulation pattern for multi-use paths within the park
Notice – City Council Members may attend this meeting.
• Keep naturalness of the park; save the trees; Keep the natural feel of the park
(paths, trees); Keep tree groves. Keep the feeling that this is a retreat from the
rest of the city; Leave adequate green space
• Large bronze bust of Troy Houtman in the park; probably not Mr. Clapp 😉😉
• Love the walking paths – friendly for ADA accessible for ages and abilities; The
paths now are well constructed; keep them, take care of them
• Maintain the popular activity of disk golf
• Need the right balance between active and passive
• Need to address steep erosion
• Need to address trash in creek; look for ways to catch the trash and pollution
before it gets into the park; widen creek – bring in cattails and have other; create
a system, not just a program; Trash coming from QT sediment basin before get
into the park. Filter before get this far. Groups adopt the park. Also, quarterly or
monthly clean ups. Work with QT to keep out the trash. Part of stewardship
program- sponsor non-profit.
• Plant native (drought-resistant) perennial pollinators
• Plant trees planting along paths
• Possible amenity to add - dog poop bags and trash containers.
• Possible amenity to add - a cyclocross course
• Possible amenity to add - a gazebo
• Possible amenity to add - a pump track course
• Possible amenity to add – a single track course
• Possible amenity to add - bathrooms
• Possible amenity to add - bathrooms
• Possible amenity to add - benches, tables, picnic tables
• Possible amenity to add- drinking water fountains
• Possible amenity to add - fitness areas
• Possible amenity to add - improve lighting [but shielded from neighbors - when
possible]
• Possible amenity to add - include a skate park; need activities on the outskirts;
maybe on the corners/edges.
• Possible amenity to add - mile markers
• Possible amenity to add - offer some active zone within the passive park (e.g.
playground); no ball fields
• Possible amenity to add - pickle ball courts
• Possible amenity to add – playground; maybe a playground specifically for kids
with disabilities
• Possible amenity to add - quality bicycle parking, using Association of Pedestrian
and Bicycle Professionals’ approved strategies
• Possible amenity to add- a butterfly garden
• Possible amenity to add- a second pond
• Possible amenity to add- area for paddle boating
• Promote activities for multi-generational park users
• Retaining as much of the natural creek; “leave the damn creek alone”
• Some bridges need to be repaired.
• Walking paths are not wide enough for bikes and pedestrians; widen the golf cart
paths to 8 or 10 foot wide; maybe put a smaller walking path beside – whatever
is the most efficient path for bicyclists and pedestrians
6. 6:45 pm Board discussion of recommendations for Clapp Park Master Plan, Scott Wadle
The board re-assembled under a magnificent tree to discuss recommendations for
the Clapp Memorial Park Master Plan.
7. 7:40 pm Adjourn
Next WBPAB meeting July 13, 2020
Notice – City Council Members may attend this meeting.