Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board

AGENDA Wichita Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Board Monday, June 14, 2021 5:30 PM (Virtual Meeting) Call to Order Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes 1. Approval of the May 10, 2021 Meeting Minutes Public Comments This is an opportunity for members of the public to address the board on bicycle and pedestrian matters in Wichita. Participants must email comment to barrycarr@aol.com prior to the meeting. Discussion Items 1. Discussion of proposed modifications to Broadway, 13th to 21st: Gary Janzen, Public Works & Utilities Recommended Action: Make recommendation to the City Council 2. Discussion of street design and ‘traffic calming’ applications: Mike Armour, Public Works & Utilities Recommended Action: Receive and file Staff Reports and Updates 1. Discussion of Proposed Multi Modal Center and Proposed Staff Positions: Mike Tann, Transit Director Recommended Action: Receive and file 2. Discussion of Budget and Resident Engagement Opportunities: Zach Kramka, Finance Department Recommended Action: Receive and file Old Business 1. Announcement of Redbud Path Ribbon Cutting [Thursday, June 24 th]: Mike Armour, Public Works Recommended Action: Receive and file New Business Board Comments 1. KS Department of Transportation’s Development of its First Active Transportation Plan [ATP] Recommended Action: Participate in Online [Zoom] Public Meeting [June 15 th] Adjournment The Wichita Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board meeting will be held all virtually using the following information: Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. 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  Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board May 10, 2021 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Online Meeting Meeting Notes Members present: Elizabeth Ablah, Maxine Bostic, Jack Brown, Jane Byrnes, Barry Carroll, Erik Maybee, Marcia Schroeder, Tyler Stutzman, George Theoharis & Russell Fox Members Absent: John Baker City Staff: Michael Tann, Wichita Transportation Department, Scott Wadle MAPD, Gary Janzen and Lee Carmichael, Public Works Engineering, Zachary Kramka, City Manager’s Office Guests: Clayton Pearson, Alan Kailer, Kim Neufeld, Rick Sroufe Item Description 1. Call to Order Barry Carroll, Chairperson, welcomed board members, City staff, and guests and called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm. 2. Approve Motion by Ablah to approve the April 12, 2021 meeting notes, Bostic (second) Previous motion passed 10-0 Meeting Notes 3. Public Comments There were no public comments. 4. Discussion Items 1. Bike-Ped/Multi-Modal Accommodation Funding Projects: Shawn Mellies, City of Wichita Public Works, presented the board with information regarding projects that could be funded with $150,000 from the City of Wichita’s CIP Multi- Modal line item. Possible projects using this funding source were to reduce the existing four lane street from 13th to 21st to a 2-lane street with a dedicated turn lane. Mr. Mellies also mentioned a project at 1st and 2nd Street at I-135 (Canal Route) for improving the pedestrian crossing at those two locations. In addition to those two possible projects Mr. Mellies advised the board that he was in conversations with Kansas Turnpike Authority about future improvements at pedestrian areas located at the Turnpike bridges at 47th and 55th Street South. The board was also advised that there would be ribbon cuttings at the Harry Street Bridge on June 11th and the Redbud Trail June 24th. Following this presentation there was considerable discussion by the board and guests regarding the North Broadway Safety Corridor and the pedestrian crossing improvements at 1st and 2nd Streets at the canal and I-135. After the presentation and discussion, Ablah moved and Maybee seconded a motion to recommend to the City Council the following: 1) the Broadway Safety Corridor; 2) 1st & 2nd Street crossings in conjunction with the Canal Route Multi-Use Path; and 3) that City staff continue conversations with Kansas Transportation Authority [KTA] staff regarding enhancement for bike/ped crossings for the 49th Street, 55th Street and Hydraulic Street Bridges. The motion passed 10-0. 2. Places for People: MAPD Director Scott Wadle provided the board with an update on Places for People (PfP). Mr. Wadle gave a PowerPoint presentation to update the board on the PfP initiative. Regarding the concept of urban infill Mr. Wadle cited information from several case studies (Topeka, KS, Austin, TX, Oklahoma, City, OK and Cincinnati, OH) to demonstrate that urban infill can revitalize neighborhoods, improve property values, encourage new  development, and preserve historical properties. He also indicated that through the improvement of neighborhoods can provide an improved environment for walking and biking. There were several comments of concern from board member George Theoharis about neighborhood density with infill development. Board Member Maxine Bostic commented that, in the past, there were areas within certain communities that were ‘redlined’ which made it difficult to secure residential loans. As a result, Maxine noted, people of color were left out of the new suburban communities and pushed instead into urban housing projects and neighborhoods. At the conclusion of the discussion Theoharis moved Bostic (second) to receive and file the information received. Motion passed 10-0 5. Staff Reports Board member Byrnes asked about the status of the Transportation Planning position? Mr. Wadle indicated that the City had hired a search firm to find candidates. Board member Brown stated that the 13th an 135th West project was nearing completion with multi-use side path and street improvements. He additional added that North 17th Street from I-135 to Broadway is making progress; sidewalk construction and striping for bike lanes are complete but there is still work in progress from Topeka on west to Broadway. 6. Old Business: No old business 7. New Business: No new business 8. Board Comments: Board member Byrnes commented that she remains concerned about pedestrian and bicycle safety and recent a recent car/pedestrian fatality on a sidewalk. She was curious as to what the city policy is on sidewalk safety. She also mentioned the recent fatality that was the result of cars racing on city streets and would like to hear what is being done to discourage street racing and how data is collected on vehicle/pedestrian crashes. Board member Stutzman commented on a specific area of the city that the board should look into bike/ped issues in area of Hoover, Taft and K-42. 9. Adjournment: Chair Carroll moved to adjourn Ablah (second) Motion approved 10-0 There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8 pm. The next virtual meeting of the board will be held on June 14, 2021 @5:30 pm. Respectfully submitted. Jack Brown, Board Secretary