Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board

Regular Meeting

Wichita, KS · August 9, 2021

Minutes

Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board August 9, 2021 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. In-Person & Online Meeting Meeting Notes Members present: Jane Byrnes, Barry Carroll, Maxine Bostic, Marcia Schroeder, George Theoharis, Russell Fox, Monte Shaw, Erik Maybee, Jack Brown, and Elizabeth Ablah Members Absent: none City Staff: Michael Tann, Wichita Transit, Scott Wadle MAPD, Zachary Kramka City of Wichita Finance Department, Adam Nebenzahl City Manager’s Office, Lee Carmichael Public Works Engineering Guests: Rick Sroufe, Donna Carrell, Kim Neufeld, Clayton Pearson, Alan Kailer, Chad Parasa and Nick Flanders Wichita Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, Vince Hancock Item Description 1. Call to Barry Carroll, Chairperson, welcomed board members, City staff, and guests and called the Order meeting to order at 5:30 pm. 2. Approve Motion by Elizabeth Ablah to approve the July 14, 2021, meeting notes, Russell Fox (second) Previous motion carried 10-0. Meeting Notes 3. Public There were no public comments. Comments 4. Discussion Review of Crash Evaluation & Best Practices: Scott Wadle Metropolitan Area Planning Items Department Director addressed the board regarding a topic previously brought before the board relating to the accident review process for bicycle and pedestrian crashes in Wichita. Mr. Wadle reviewed information from a state of practice memo prepared by Toole Design Group for the City of Wichita that summarized the efforts of three cities; Boston, Denver and Washington D.C. to reduce fatal and serious bicycle and pedestrian traffic crashes in their respective cities. Each city had developed a crash analysis methodology, for Boston Vision Zero for Washington D.C. the Vision Zero Initiative and for Denver the Active Transportation Plan Bicycle and Pedestrian Crash Report. The over arching purpose of each city was to develop a system for evaluating and analyzing bike/ped crashes to make their city streets safer for bicyclists and pedestrians. After the presentation board members discussed what a crash review entity would look like in Wichita. It was suggested that a crash review group could include both private and public members or a sub- committee of the Wichita Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board. That a crash analysis program in Wichita would need to consider the scope of crashes being reviewed, confidentiality, governmental liability, statute of limitations and open meetings regulations. Mr. Wadle indicated that he also had some questions of the Toole Design memo and some questions for city staff. Mr. Wadle indicated would contact Toole Design, confer with city staff and come back to the board at the 2 September meeting with recommendations on how to proceed with a safety committee for the September WBPAB meeting. WAMPO Criteria for Funding Bike/Ped Projects: Chad Parasa WAMPO Director and Nick Flanders WAMPO GIS Analyst and Planner briefed the board on the Projects Evaluation Methodology that WAMPO is used for all transportation project approvals in general and secondly the proposed criteria that will be used specifically for bike/ped projects for the WAMPO Metropolitan Transportation Program and the Transportation Improvement Program. Mr. Flanders gave an overview of the WAMPO Project Evaluation Methodology for the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) and the WAMPO Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) Prioritization process. Mr. Parasa then provided information regarding criteria and measures specific to bicycle and pedestrian facilities that are evaluated by WAMPO for funding. Mr. Parasa focused on three categories of projects: Multiuse Trails and Bicycle Facilities, Pedestrian Facilities (Sidewalks, Streetscaping and ADA, and Safe Routes To School Infrastructure. At the conclusion of the discussion on the proposed project prioritization process the board was reminded of a volunteer opportunity for members to participate in the WAMPO 2022 bike/ped count. Mr. Parasa also added that he would be happy to provide this information directly to board members or they may access it on the WAMPO website. 5. Staff Reports and Updates: Mike Tan housekeeping items, Mr. Tann reported that Tandem Mobility’s bike share ridership in Wichita was up for July and indicated that Wichita’s 1200 trips was the highest for any of the cities Tandem operates in. He also reported that both VeoRide and Bird scooter rental ridership in July was up with 13,000 scooter trips in July. It was also mentioned that 90 scooters were taken out of the river. Mr. Tann gave a brief report on the Veteran’s Ride Free Program with 35,000 trips in its first year of operation. Veteran’s typically use the program to get to health care, employment, access to food. The Veteran’s Ride program is funded by United Way. Transit ridership is going back up again and we able to offer additional routes for schools and universities. Wichita Transit has had 10,000 student trips, many to Southeast High and we anticipate an estimated at 17,000 to 18,000 trips to Wichita State University in the coming year. Mr. Tann stated that his office would have a new administrative assist that has 16 years’ experience and has worked in a customer service position. During this report it was noted that Zach Kramka had taken a new position with the Finance Department and taking his place would be Management Fellow Adam Nebenzahl. Adam introduced himself to the board and will assisting the staff and board from the City Manager’s Office. The board thanked Zach for his support and wished him well in his new position as a Budget Analyst. 6. Old Business: • . 7. New business: There was no new business. 8. Board Comments: • Jane joined the meeting and encouraged everyone to volunteer for the annual WAMPO bike/ped count and urged all to be out walking and biking during the count. We need to do more to help pedestrians in this community. • Barry thanked Lee Carmichael for the update on the project tracking list of bike/ped projects. Barry also commented on the upcoming Council Agenda item regarding traffic calming and safety improvements on North Broadway between 13th and 21st Street North. 9. 2 Submitted by Jack Brown, Secretary 07/26/2021 2

Agenda

AGENDA Wichita Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Board Monday, August 9, 2021 5:30 PM 777 E. Waterman, Bldg. 200 Wichita Transit Van Maintenance Facility Conference Room (In Person & Virtual Meeting) Call to Order Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes 1. Approval of the July 12, 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. Review of Crash Evaluation & Best Practices: Scott Wadle, MAPD Director Recommended Action: Take Action Deemed Appropriate 2. WAMPO Criteria for Funding Bike/Ped Projects: Nick Flanders & Chad Parasa, WAMPO Staff Recommended Action: Receive & file. Staff Reports and Updates 1. Scott Wadle, MAPD Director & Mike Tann, Transit Director Recommended Action: Receive & file Old Business New Business Board Comments Recommended Action: Receive & file or take action deemed appropriate 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 New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/216708517 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board July 12, 2021 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. In-Person & Online Meeting Meeting Notes Members present: Jane Byrnes, Barry Carroll, Marcia Schroeder, George Theoharis, Russell Fox, Monte Shaw, Erik Maybee, Jack Brown and Elizabeth Ablah Members Absent: Maxine Bostic, Tyler Stutzman City Staff: Michael Tann, Wichita Transit, Scott Wadle MAPD, Lee Carmichael, Public Works Engineering, Zachary Kramka, Finance Department, Lee Carmichael, Public Works Guests: Rick, Donna Sroufe & Kim Neufeld Item Description 1. Call to Barry Carroll, Chairperson, welcomed board members, City staff, and guests and called the Order meeting to order at 5:30 pm. 2. Approve Motion by Marcia Schroeder to approve the June 14, 2021 meeting notes, Brown (second) motion Previous carried 9-0. Meeting Notes 3. Public There were no public comments. Comments 4. Discussion Prioritization Tool Discussion: Scott Wadle MAPD, Mr. Wadle presented the board with an Items overview of the Prioritization Tool that the board has used in the past to prioritize bike/ped projects. The tool is quantitative and is used in conjunction with qualitative input from the public. The board can use this tool when making bike and ped CIP project recommendations to the City Council and City Manager. The tool is based on GIS data and uses several criteria such as proximity to master bike plan network, jobs, schools, crash locations, existing bikeways and transit connections. Mr. Wadle shared a “scoring sheet” to the board and provided information on each one of the criteria used in the tool which results in a numerical ranking of projects. Discussion was held by the board regarding use of the prioritization tool in developing priority recommendations on projects for the City Council’s consideration. Mr. Wadle indicated that this was the same prioritization tool that was initially used for board’s recommendations in the past. It was determined that Mr. Wadle would provide the prioritization tool document to the board so that they could further review and comment at a future meeting. 5. Staff Reports and Updates: Zach Kramka, Finance Department, provided an update on the schedule for 2022 CIP and operating budget. Mr. Kramka indicated that there are several opportunities for the public to make comments regarding the proposed 2022 budget. The dates provided for public comment were from the City of Wichita’s website: 2 • July 20: Presentation of Proposed Budget 9 a.m., City Hall • August 5: Second Public Hearing (Evening) 6:30 p.m., City Hall • August 17: Third Public Hearing 9 a.m., City Hall • August 24: Final Public Hearing and Budget Adoption 9 a.m., City Hall After the update, board members asked Mr. Kramka if he could provide the board with information regarding specific bicycle and pedestrian projects in the CIP and the status of Public Works staff dedicated to bike path maintenance? Mr. Kramka said he would provide that information. Chair Barry Carroll asked about impact of the Covid Pandemic on the city budget. Mr. Kramka stated that there were definite impacts requiring a strategic hiring freeze, deferral of CIP projects and budget adjustments that had to be made. The board thanked Mr. Kramka for his presentation. 6. Old Business: • Chair Barry Carroll mentioned that DAB VI would be hearing a presentation on the North Broadway traffic calming improvement from 13th to 21st Street. The Chair reminded the board that we had sent a letter recommending approval of the project to the City Council with an emphasis on the traffic safety aspects of the project. 7. New business: There was no new business. 8. Board Comments: • Board member Elizabeth Ablah spoke about past efforts and discussion regarding bike/ped crashes. No entities exist currently to adequately address bike/ped crash issues. Ms. Ablah proposed that some type of task force be created to review crashes such as been done in other cities. It was suggested that task force make-up could include both private and public members or a sub-committee of the Wichita Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board. Mr. Wadle mentioned that he had a draft document on some best practices based on various consultant studies. The Chair asked to table the discussion until there was time to review information that Mr. Wadle has drafted. Mr. Wadle and Board member Ablah will meet to discuss what models exist from other cities to develop a plan forward. This item will be on the August WBPAB agenda. • Board member Jane Byrnes had to leave the meeting; her planned comments will be held until next meeting 9. Delano Transportation Center Update: Transit Director, Mr. Tann updated the board on the status of the Transportation planner indicating that an executive search firm had been hired to recruit candidates for the position and that the firm has shown success in other communities. Delano Transportation Center reported that TransSystems has been awarded the contract for design of the new Multimodal Center across the street and west from the new baseball stadium bounded by Sycamore, Burton and Texas Streets. Mr. Tann indicated that TransSystems may be available to make a presentation to the board in December with more details on the design and details regarding the new transportation center. The board thank Mr. Tann for his informative comments. 10. Adjournment: There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:40 pm. Motion by Brown, second by Carroll. Motion carried 9-0 Submitted by Jack Brown, Secretary 07/26/2021 2