Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board

Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board November 8, 2021 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. In-Person & Online Meeting Meeting Notes Members present: Jane Byrnes, Maxine Bostic, Marcia Schroeder, George Theoharis, Monte Shaw, Tyler Stutzman, Jack Brown, Elizabeth Ablah, Erik Maybee & Russell Fox Members Absent: Barry Carroll City Staff: Michael Tann, Tia Raamot Wichita Transit, Mike Armour, Gary Janzen Public Works Engineering & Scott Wadle, MAPD Guests: Kim Neufeld, Leanna Beat, Vincent Hancock, Rick Stroufe Item Description 1. Call to Elizabeth Ablah Vice Chairperson, in Barry Carroll’s absence, welcomed board members, City staff, Order guests and called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm. 2. Approve Motion to approve September 13, 2021 meeting notes by board member Russell Fox, second by Previous Jack Brown. Motion carried 8-0. Meeting Notes 3. Public There were no public comments. Comments 4. Discussion Update on the Proposed Delano Transportation Center: Mike Tann, Transit Director, Paul Items Gunzelman, Assistant City Engineer: The board was updated on the progress that has taken place for the new Delano Transportation Facility. Work done to date includes including geo-technical and environmental at the project’s site as well as design theme work. The current design concept will include a 500-space parking garage as well as parking accommodations for bikes and scooters; a pricing review of the project is currently being done, although there has been some supply chain delays; it is estimated that a design concept will be available to the public by Spring 2022 and construction may start in Summer 2022. The board thanked Mike and Paul for their informative presentation. 5. Staff Scott Wadle, Planning Director, MAPD, reported on City planning activities that relate to bicycle reports and and pedestrian impacts including updates on ‘Places for People,’ an uptick in single family to duplex updates requests and updates to the existing zoning code. 1  Mike Tann, Wichita Transit Director, reported that of the five [5] proposals for bidding for scooter services have been received; four [4] were qualified and the staff selection committee will be interviewing those four in the near future. Mr. Tann also stated that he has received word that Kansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield will underwrite the local bike share program. There was also some discussion initiated by the board regarding rental scooters being thrown into the river. Mr. Tann indicated that approximately 90 scooters had been retrieved from the Arkansas River. Introduction of Tia Raamot, PE, Senior Management Analyst: Mr. Tann introduced the new staff member, Ms. Raamot. During the introduction Mr. Tann reviewed the Ms. Raamot’s education and experience. Mr. Tann indicated that Ms. Raamot would be providing staff support to the board in the coming months as she integrates into her position. After the introduction of Ms. Raamot, each board member and those in attendance introduced themselves to her as well. This was followed by some brief discussion regarding her role and future interaction with the board. Project Tracking Form Update: The board had received the lasted project tracking form from Public Works Engineering and had a few questions regarding several of the projects. Mike Armour, Public Works Engineering, was present to respond with updates on those projects. Gary Janzen was present on-line and also provided project information. 6. Old Business: Discussion was held on having a board “retreat” at the December 13th meeting. After some discussion it was agreed that in addition to any regular business, staff would make arrangements for a presentation by a representative from Toole Design on new trends and updates on bicycle and pedestrian planning nationally and in Kansas. Also discussed was having a presentation on ‘Rethinking Wichita.’ Motion was made by board member Russell the board to vote for a presentation by Toole Design or for a presentation on Rethinking Wichita for the December meeting (second Shaw). Motion vote was 6-2 for Toole Design to present at the December meeting. 7. New Business: Discussion was held about a Regional Approach to the City’s Proposed 2022 Legislative Agenda. Board discussion was held on revising last year’s legislative agenda and developing additional information so that the agenda could be brought back to the board at the December meeting. There was consensus to do so and a revised agenda will be developed by the executive members of the board in collaboration with city staff. It was also mentioned that there may need to be items on the December regarding both the legislative agenda and the early design options for the Delano extension from Exposition Street to Friends and Newman Universities. Set date and time for board members tour of Delano (bus tour) After some discussion it decided by consensus to hold the tour on December 4, 2021. The tour participants will meet at the Transit Offices Parking Lot 777 E. Waterman at 1 pm and conclude the tour at 3 pm. 8. Board Comments: George Theoharis mentioned that he had ridden his bike on several of the trails in the Riverside area and noted that there is a safety issue on the northeast section of the pathway at the 13th Street Bridge. The trail has a steep descent with a stairway and not a pathway. He felt that signage should be put in place to warn cyclists of the steep stairway at that location. Jane Byrnes commented on her involvement in local sustainability issues, safety and health of children. She expressed her disappointment that she was not named as the representative of the Wichita Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board for the new City of Wichita new Sustainability Integration Board. 9. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 pm. The next WBPAB Meeting is @5:30 pm on December 13, 2021. Submitted by Jack Brown, Secretary 09/27/2021 2