City of Lawrence

Lawrence – Douglas County Bicycle Advisory Committee

August 19, 2014 Minutes

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

Lisa Hallberg, Dan Ashley, Erin Paden, Bill Anderson, Justin Eddings

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Jacki Becker, Chad Foster, David Hamby

STAFF PRESENT:

Jessica Mortinger

PUBLIC PRESENT:

Rod Hernandez, Chris Tilden, Barack Matite

 

1.   Call Meeting to Order

The meeting was called to order at 5:10 p.m. A quorum was present at the Eudora Parks and Recreation Building. Five of the attendees at the meeting biked from Lawrence to Eudora to attend.

 

2.   Action Item: Approval of the July 30  Minutes

A motion to approve the minutes from July was moved by Bill Anderson, seconded by Justin Eddings and passed unanimously (5-0).

 

3.   Discussion Item: Eudora Bike/Ped Update

Justin Eddings introduced Barack Matite, Assistant to the Eudora City Manager. Both Justin and Barack shared information about the recent installation of the Sunflower Trail from the middle/high schools to the commercial area south of K-10. They explained the recent discussions with KDOT to improve the Church Street Bridge for walking and biking. There was a discussion about Winchester Street improvements versus (or in addition to) Church street improvements and/or detours, particularly with the discussion to widen K-10 to 6 lanes. Members discussed how each of these routes and possible improvements would connect to the schools south of K-10. Justin indicated that he has been volunteering to help the MPO staff complete the Eudora Sidewalk Inventory. Jessica Mortinger indicated that this inventory is designed similar to the City of Lawrence Inventory that Public Works conducted in the spring. She also said the inventory was almost complete. Barack asked Jessica Mortinger if she would help present both the Sidewalk Inventory and the Multimodal Studies to the Eudora Commission. She indicated she would be happy to do so, and would work with Barack to schedule a time. Barack also indicated that there is additional work being done to implement the parks and recreation plan and discussions about possibilities for planning a transit connection between Lawrence and Eudora.

 

4.   Discussion Item: Bike/Ped Count Locations

Jessica Mortinger shared the list of locations that have been counted over the last 5 years and asked BAC members for suggestions of other locations to count. The BAC members suggested three additional locations that Jessica said would be counted in 2015 and thanked the BAC for their input. Jessica also passed out the volunteer information sheet and asked members to sign up and share the opportunity with others, currently only 5 of the needed 40 volunteers had signed up. Members suggested Jessica outreach to Red Dog Workout participants and at the Senior Center for Volunteers.

 

5.   Prioritization of Bicycle Infrastructure Improvements

Jessica Mortinger provided copies of the list and asked BAC members how they would like to see these prioritized, what factors should be included, and if they would like to see these mapped over the existing/planned bikeway map from the countywide bikeway plan. Members agreed they would like to see these locations mapped. Jessica said staff would work on this. Bill Anderson indicated the priorities need to be on E/W Connections, grade separated crossings and South of Campus. He asked if there had been any discussions with the private property owner at the north end of the SLT Trail to discuss options for improvements.  Members reviewed the Poster provided by the KU student class and asked Jessica to get the data from the students. She agreed she would get the student data and map the locations before the BAC discussed the issues again.

 

6.   Other Business/Updates

Kansas Bike Map- www.ksdot.org/bikeped/ - Lisa Hallberg noted that the State has published a new Bicycle Map, it can be found online and/or a paper copy can be requested.

SLT Trail Detour – Bill Anderson indicated that the preferred bike detour for the project would have been to put bicyclists on Wakarusa from 23rd to 6th before heading back west. The current detour adds lots of elevation.

Completed Projects Celebration – Members discussed roadway projects that are in construction and thought it would be good to celebrate some of the new added bike/ped infrastructure with a sidewalk party or ride!

 

7.   Public Comments

Rod Hernandez asked the BAC what they planned to do in regard to the recent bicycle fatality. BAC members expressed sympathy and indicated they wanted to review the report. Jessica Mortinger also indicated that other members of the public have asked that the BAC discuss safety and possible education programming that is needed in the community. A safety discussion will be added to a future agenda.

 

8.   Adjournment of Meeting and Announcement of Next Meeting

The meeting ended at 6:06 PM. The Next Meeting is scheduled for September 16, 2014 at 5PM.