Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board

Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board Monday, August 10, 2020 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Online Meeting Meeting Notes Members present: Elizabeth Ablah, Jack Brown, Jane Byrnes, Barry Carroll, Marcia Schroeder & George Theoharis Members Absent: John Baker, Maxine Bostic, Russell Fox, Erik Maybee & Tyler Stutzman City Staff: Scott Wadle, Transportation Department, Michael Tann, Wichita Transportation Department Director, Mark Manning, Finance Department, Mike Armour, Public Works Engineering Guests: Clayton Pearson, Alan Kailer, Vincent Hancock, Rick Sroufe & Kim Neufeld 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: The July 13th, 2020 meeting notes were approved. 3. Public Comments: • Clayton Pearson reported that some of the board’s meeting notes are not posted on the City’s website. Scott Wadle will follow up. 4. Bicycle & Pedestrian Capital Projects Status Update: Mark Manning, Finance Department, provided an update on the status of bicycle and pedestrian specific line items in the Wichita Capital Improvement Programs [CIP]. Mark reported on the following: The City Council will approve the General Operating and CIP Budgets on Tuesday, August 11, 2020; the proposed bike/ped projects align with the priorities set forth by the board; there are funds identified for street maintenance, traffic signalization, safety enhancements and crosswalks. Alan Kailer asked about the deferral of the $150,000 maintenance funds, the pedestrian safety corridor and crash data pertaining to Central. In addition, Alan asked whether data related to road improvements can be attributed bike/ped infrastructure? Mike Armour stated that he would like to have this kind of data. Mark noted that the two bike/ped City positions that were recommended by the board were not funded due to budget constraints. The board thanked Mark Manning for his good work and informative presentation. 5. Engineering Bicycle & Pedestrian: Mike Armour, Department of Public Works, provided information on current and future bicycle/pedestrian projects in Wichita. Mike reported on the following projects: a) Waco from Douglas to Central has been completed; b) Redbud Path from K-96 eastward to 159th is slated to be completed by the end of the year; c) Greenwich bike path associated with the improvements to 1  East Kellogg that will have lighting on both sides of the street; d) 13th Street West from 119th to 13th; e) Chisholm & Delano Path – plans are being finalized; f) 9th & McLean – consultants will review the area; City staff will look at possible traffic calming options and crash data; and g) 17th improvements from Broadway to the Canal Route – this project will likely be completed by in 2021. Jack Brown noted that Lee Carmichael provides routine updates on projects which is helpful to the board. The board thanked Mike Armour for sharing the project updates. 6. Staff Project Updates: Scott Wadle reported 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-the board will confer with the project consultants when appropriate; Mike Tann gave a status report regarding the proposed transit center. There will be ample opportunities for stakeholders to provide input, according to Mike. The board thanked Scott and Mike for the updates. 7. 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. 8. Board Comments & Observations: • Jane Byrnes reported on the following: 1) ‘racial & mobility justice’ terminology; 2) WAMPO offers monthly webinars; 3) WAMPO has formed a ‘health & safety’ advisory committee; and 4) volunteers are needed for the September 24-25 bike/ped count. • Jack Brown reported that the ‘Aviation Pathway’ from Derby to Mulvane is nearing completing. • Clapp Park ‘Town Hall’ Meeting: The DAB Board for District III will hold the meeting. 9. Announcements: WAMPO is seeking volunteers for the annual bike and pedestrian count. Volunteers can sign up on WAMPO website. . 10. Closing Thoughts: The chair thanked the board and staff for their hard work and dedication despite the hardship of the Covid pandemic. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:06 pm. The next meeting of the board will be held on September 14th, 2020 @5:30 pm. Respectfully submitted. 😊😊 Barry Carroll, Board Secretary 1