Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board

Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board December 13, 2021 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. In-Person & Online Meeting Meeting Notes Members present, Maxine Bostic, Marcia Schroeder, George Theoharis, Monte Shaw, Jack Brown, Elizabeth Ablah, Russell Fox & Jane Byrnes Members Absent: Erik Maybee & Tyler Stutzman City Staff: Michael Tann, Tia Raamot, Wichita Transit, Gary Janzen, Paul Gunzelman, Shawn Mellies, Public Works Engineering, Scott Wadle, MAPD, Tammy Sufi, TransSystems, Adam Nebenzahl, City Manager Intern Guests: Clayton Pearson, Dave & Sharon Hewitt, Kim Neufeld, Rick Sroufe, Donna Carrell & John Moore Item Description 1. Call to Order Barry Carroll, Chair, welcomed board members, City staff, and guests and officially called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm. 2. Approve Board member Russell Fox moved [Jane Byrnes] to amend the November 13, 2021 meeting notes to indicate Previous that Jane Byrnes was, in fact, present [and not absent]. Motion carried 9-0. Meeting Notes 3. Public Rick Sroufe provided an update to the board regarding plans for the Redbud Trail in Butler County going Comments southeast from Andover to Augusta. In addition, Rick noted the possibility of extending the Prairie Sunset Trail westward from Garden Plain to Cheney and possibly further west into Murdock, KS. Mr. Sroufe thanked the board and those in attendance for their support of local bike and pedestrian projects. Sharon Hewitt, who, with her husband, David, participated on the board’s Delano tour. Sharon provided the board with some options for the design and development of the Delano Path extension from Exposition Street to Kellogg and points northwest to the Prairie Sunset Trail. 4. Discussion Design Options for the Extension of the Delano Path: Paul Gunzelman, Public Works & Utilities Items Paul Gunzelman reviewed the current construction status of the Delano Pathway from McLean Boulevard to Exposition Street. The Delano Path is located just north of Douglas Avenue and goes westward along an abandoned rail corridor through new Delano district development. This phase of the Delano project will terminate in a small playground and green space at Exposition Street. Most of the conservation regarding this project centered on how the pathway would connect east of the Arkansas River path. Several options were cited such as heading users either north to First Street or south to Douglas to access the river pathways. It was also discussed if a crossing could be installed to take pedestrian and bike traffic east to the new Rio Vista apartments. No recommendation was made but this item will warrant further discussion in the future. At the conclusion of the Delano project discussion, Mr. Gunzelman provided options for continuation of the Delano Pathway from Exposition to McCormick Street. This extension would ultimately connect the Delano District to the Prairie Sunset Trail and westward to across the “Big Ditch” bridge at I-235 to Garden Plain. Two options were presented, one of the options for purposes of discussion, was referred to as north option would take users from the Exposition Street Park west on Douglas to Gordon Street then south to McCormick. The other option was referred to as the south option would take users west on Douglas to Elizabeth Street then south to University Street west to Friends University around the University on the Kellogg frontage road and to Meridian and Kellogg area. Both options presented terminated at Meridian and Kellogg and would pass under 2  the Kellogg over pass to McCormick Street. After much discussion on the two options, board member Russell Fox moved [Bostic] to recommend the south route. Motion carried 5-3. Presentation of the construction of the Amidon Street Bridge: Gary Janzen City, Public Works Engineering: Mr. Janzen gave an overview of the bridge project and proposed design. The bridge will be totally rebuilt and closed to traffic during construction but steps have been taken to reroute or accommodate vehicular and pedestrian traffic along the existing pathway under the bridge during the bridge closure. Mr. Jansen’s primary request of the board was for a response on the construction of a 6’ walkway on the east side of the new bridge and a 10’ walkway on the west side. The board agreed that the proposed design with the 10’ pathway on the west and 6’ pathway on the east would be preferable. This presentation was for information only and to determine if the board had any comments to share. Overview of National State of the Transportation Practice: Tammy Sufi, Toole Design Consultants The board typically uses the December meeting as a “retreat” to refresh and update its knowledge of the latest trends and practices in active transportation planning and design. Ms. Sufi provided the board with an overview of the Kansas Department of Transportation’s Active Transportation Plan her firm is developing for KDOT. The presentation included an overview of the active transportation work accomplished to date which included: public engagement, review of current state policies and planning, crash study, economic impact analysis, development of tool kits for small and mid-sized communities, tourism, and a cost benefit calculator. Additionally, there was a brief review of active transportation work that is being done in other parts of the country in urban areas that could implemented locally. Ms. Sufi responded to several questions from board members and in conclusion stated that the KDOT Active Transportation Plan would be reviewed internally and may be available to the public in January 2022. 5. Staff reports Mike Tann, Transit, had no new updates. Scott Waddle, MAPD, had no new updates. and updates 6. Old business Discussion of Regional Approach to the City’s Proposed 2022 Legislative Agenda The board reviewed a draft legislative agenda that will be recommended to the City Council and Manager. The draft included items that had previously discussed regarding a regional pathway that would extend from Wichita eastward to Augusta and possibly Iola, KS. In addition, there was discussion of issues with distracted driver legislation and clarification of city and state laws regarding use of both off and on street multi-use pathways, by motorized vehicles. Board member Byrnes suggested adding Safe Routes to School to the legislative agenda recommendations. After some discussion, Byrnes moved [Bostic] that the board add Safe Routes to School and authorize the chair develop a letter with the recommendations. Motion carried 9-0. Report on Bus Tour of Delano: Saturday, December 4, 2021 Comments from the board and members of the public were favorable regarding the recent bus tour of the Delano area. The tour was useful for the board to see the ‘big picture’ of proposed multiuse paths. 7. Board Sustainability Integration Advisory Board: Board member Byrnes asked that board member Brown provide an Comments update on the City of Wichita’s new Sustainability Integration Advisory Board. Mr. Brown serves as this board’s representative to the new board and stated that the first meeting involved swearing in of members, self-introduction of members, a review of the board’s purpose, discussion of by-laws, and establishing monthly meeting dates and public comments. 9. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 pm. The next WBPAB Meeting is January 10, 2022 Submitted by Jack Brown, Secretary 12/27/2021 2