Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board

Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board Monday, February 8, 2021 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Online Meeting Meeting Notes Members present Elizabeth Ablah, Russell Fox, Maxine Bostic, Jack Brown, Jane Byrnes, Barry Carroll, Erik Maybee, Marcia Schroeder, Tyler Stutzman & George Theoharis, John Baker Members Absent: none City Staff: Michael Tann, Wichita Transportation Department, Gary Janzen, Lee Carmichael, Aaron Henning, Public Works Engineering, Zachary Kramka, City Manager’s Office, Public Works Engineering, Scott Wadle, Metropolitan Area Planning Department Guests: Rick Sroufe, LeAnna Beat [Transit Advisory Board], Kim Neufeld Item Description Call to Order: Barry Carroll, Chairperson, welcomed board members, City staff, and guests and called the virtual meeting to order at 5:30 pm. Previous Meeting Maxine Bostic moved to approve, Erik Maybee (second) the January 11th, 2021 Notes meeting notes approved as submitted. Motion carried. Public Comments No public comments received 1. 2021 Budget and Mark Manning, Finance Department director provided an overview of the 2022 CIP Overview budget process and schedule. Included in his presentation was the distinction between the General Operating Budget and the Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Mr. Manning indicated that the Covid pandemic has impacted the city’s revenue resulting in revising the CIP budgets and deferring some bike ped projects to future years. He also stated that the board should be aware of the city budget schedule and provide their budget recommendations with priorities by March or April. He also mentioned the need to add CIP projects to the CIP for the outlying budget years; 2029, 2030 and 2031. 2. Street Aaron Henning, Public Works provided information on street maintenance projects Maintenance that may have potential for adding on-street bike facilities during construction. Updates During his presentation he mentioned that Covid-related budget issues have had an impact on some maintenance projects and staffing levels. A review of upcoming street paving projects indicated that most of them are not candidates for adding bicycle facilities or do not connect to existing bike lanes. In general, it appears that the City’s approach to street maintenance has been effective. Regarding bike-ped multi-use path maintenance Mr. Henning indicated that in 2020 there was a complete bike path inspection carried out, however due to previously stated budget impacts pothole patching, crack routing and sealing, general repair and removal of  pathway obstructions were not fully carried out. Mr. Henning did say that with the limited staff his staff will continue with and additional pathway inspections for 2021. Mr. Henning concluded his remarks with an update on the installation of the pedestrian and traffic crossing signal at Hoover Road and 21st in the Spring or Summer of 2021. 3. Engineering Gary Janzen, director of the City of Wichita Engineering Division provided updates project updates on bicycle and pedestrian projects underway. The first project mentioned was the and future CIP Hoover Multi-use path which will ultimately run from 21st Street north to the projects planned Crystal Prairie Lake Park north of K-96 and Hoover. Current estimates that through the acquisition of right-of-way the pathway will be initiated, and construction is slated for 2023. Board member Erik Maybee asked Mr. Janzen about the improvements currently underway at Pawnee Prairie Park and the rough conditions of the bike trail through that park. Mr. Janzen said he would look into Mr. Maybee’s concern with the Park Department. Mr. Janzen concluded his presentation with positive comments about the popularity of the new section of the Redbud Multi-use trail in Council member Tuttle’s district and that there would be a ribbon cutting for the project in June 2021. In conclusion there was some discussion from the board on the status of WAMPO funding to update the Wichita Master Bicycle Plan, no definite time was mentioned on the funding year but both Mr. Wadle and Mr. Janzen indicated that a revision of the current plan will take place subject to WAMPO funding priorities. Mr. Janzen concluded his presentation with a spreadsheet that was developed to breakdown the dollar amounts of major road and bridge projects that include a bike or pedestrian component. It was determined that the documents would be reviewed at a future meeting to allow board members an opportunity to review it. 4. 2022-Wichita Board members reviewed previous budget recommendation correspondence for General Operating both the City of Wichita’ General Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Plan Budget and 2022- (CIP). After discussion by the board membership with input from staff it was 2031 CIP concluded that the board needed to have more time in their budget deliberations Recommendations for recommendations for both the general budget and the CIP. Board member Elizabeth Ablah moved to table the discussion on both budgets to provide board membership more time for budget review, Russell Fox seconded the motion. Discuss of the motion included a request from Board member Jack Brown to ask that staff prepare a survey of CIP projects for the board to vote on project prioritization, Zach Kramka city manager staff person agreed to develop the survey. Board member Russell Fox stated that board members should come to the March meeting to make official budget recommendation, the board voted unanimously to approve the motion., 11-0. 5. Staff reports and Transit director Mike Tann said that there were two finalists for the newly created updates Transportation Planner position and that the process is moving forward. Board member Ablah and Chair Barry Carroll will participate in the interview process. Mr. Tann also mentioned that an RFQ for the new Transportation Center has been made public and the city is accepting those requests. 6. Old Business Chair Carroll mentioned that in response to public comments from active Legislative Agenda transportation advocates at the February 2, 2020 City Council meeting the city will consider adding an item in their 2021 legislative agenda to include support for more funding for active transportation programs. 7. New Business: There was no new business. 8. Board Comments The chair asked for comments. Board member Byrnes informed the board that KDOT is updating their Active Transportation Plan that includes bike/ped items. Further Ms. Byrnes noted that this plan has not been updated since 1998. Ms. Byrne also indicated she has observed that KDOT and WAMPO have occasionally cited bike/ped statistics at public meetings. Ms. Byrnes concluded that she has much optimism about the new federal Secretary of Transportation regarding active transportation issues. Board member Stutzman commented that a new school, Maize South, was being constructed and he expressed concern about the need for a school crossing in proximity to the school and the possible need for a crossing signal in the vicinity of Maize and Tyler on 37th Street North. 9. Adjournment: Board member Ablah moved to adjourn; Stutzman seconded the motion; Motion carried unanimously. Submitted by Jack Brown, Secretary, Wichita Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board