The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutPBR MEETING 01-24-20121 | P a g e PATHWAYS AND BIKE ROUTES COMMITTEE MINUTES Meeting of January 24, 2012 @ 7:00 P.M. Caldwell Airport Hubler Terminal – Community Room I. Call to Order. Chairperson Molenaar called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Members Present. Ann Manning, Bill Buckendorf, Cindy Grover, Larry Evans, Mark Pemble, Nick Molenaar, and Rod Garrett. Members Absent. Bill Gigray III, Paul Mann. Others Present. Brian Billingsley, Planning & Zoning Director; April Cabello, Planning Technician; Rob Hopper, CC Liaison; Ricardo Calderon, Associate Engineer; Elaine Clegg, Idaho Smart Growth; and Mayor Nancolas. Others Absent. Brent Orton, Public Works Director. II. Review and Approval of the Agenda. The Committee approved a motion to approve the agenda as amended. Continued to March 20, 2012 meeting: VII. C. Executive Session pursuant to Idaho Code, Section 67-2345, Subsection(c) for the purpose of discussing potential land acquisition MOTION: Rodd G., SECOND: Larry E., MOTION PASSED. III. Approval of Minutes. A. The minutes of December 6, 2011 were presented to the committee. Motion to approve the minutes of December 6, 2011. MOTION: Cindy G., SECOND: Ann M., MOTION PASSED. IV. Audience Participation. Mayor Nancolas stated his visit was simply to say “thank you” and to say the City Council appreciates the PBR committee. Mayor Nancolas stated that the community has a lot of boards, commissions and committees and it takes those boards and commissions to help guide and direct City Council on their decisions. Often the boards and commissions do not get a thank you for their service. This group has become active in the formation of pathways and bike routes in the City. Mayor Nancolas also thanked the committee for making Compass take notice of Caldwell by presenting Caldwell with a Leadership in Motion Award. Caldwell has been recognized for its efforts in trying to improve the rideability, 2 | P a g e walkability, and pedestrian friendliness of our community. Mayor Nancolas further said that City Council has incorporated into the Mayor’s Action Challenges a goal to have a park or open space within walking distance of every residential neighborhood in the city. Along with that is to connect the rest of the city to the open spaces. The first effort that the PBR committee undertook was to connect downtown with the YMCA and that was a major undertaking. Because of the committees work, the City Council has authorized $30,000 to be directed by the PBR committee with priorities set within the committee; this shows a vote of confidence by the City Council. City Council takes the comments of this committee seriously, listened to, and approved everything suggested or requested by this committee. The overall goal is to make Caldwell safe for pedestrian traffic and be walkable, rideable and skateable. Mayor Nancolas asked the committee if they had any questions on how the budget works or any questions, comments or concerns for him. Chairman Molenaar stated that he would like to say that the PBR Commission appreciates the opportunity to be on the committee and work with Brian B. and Ricardo C. Mayor Nancolas asked the committee again if they had any questions about the how the budgeting process works. Mayor Nancolas stated the budget process will start again in about two months and the PBR committee should have their recommendations ready for 2012-2013 budget hearings. Mayor Nancolas invited the committee to attend the Chamber’s Lunch in June, July and August to discuss the budget process and attend the City Council budget hearings as well. V. Communications. None. VI. Old Business. A. Approve Report and Recommendations on Safe Routes to School Project. Brian B. stated that at the previous meeting Elaine Clegg gave a PowerPoint presentation and explained that she was working on a Safe Routes to School study that analyzed three areas regarding policy recommendations, complete streets and improvements that would make walking and biking to school safer. Brian B. thanked Elaine C. for the hard work she has put into the report. Elaine C. gave a hard copy report to each PBR committee member and stated the handbook part of her report is something she uses for the whole state and it backs up the information specific to Caldwell. What they try to do was look at all the adopted policies in the Comprehensive Plan, Transportation Plan and the Pathways and Bike Route Master Plan. Then they looked at the regulations in the Public Works Department and from that developed two sets of recommendations - Policy Recommendations and Recommended Walking and Biking Improvements. The first section responds to the findings of the policy review and is organized by policy area. The second section responds to the findings at the count locations and meetings with the city and school district staff to recommend improvements 3 | P a g e at special locations near schools. Elaine C. reviewed with the committee each page of the Safe Routes to School Technical Assistance Report. (Exhibit PBR-1000) Elaine C. and the committee held a discussion about the report. Brian B. asked for a motion to approve and present the Safe Routes to School Technical Assistance Report at the City Council workshop on March 19, 2012 at 6pm. Brian B. also asked to have a PBR committee member attend the workshop. Bill B. stated he would attend the workshop. Motion was made to approve and present the Safe Routes to School Technical Assistance Report at the City Council workshop on March 19, 2012 at 6pm and Bill B. is to attend the workshop. MOTION: Larry E., SECOND: Bill B., MOTION PASSED. VII. New Business. A. FY2014 Safe Routes to School Infrastructure Grant. Brian B. stated with this grant they would be eligible for up to 100k in funding and that the application deadline to ITD is March 1, 2012.Last year the PBR Committee submitted the pathway project behind the charter school by the YMCA, but unfortunately, there was not enough money to go around. ITD had 1.9 million in requests and only 1 million available for the State of Idaho. Brian B. suggested submitting the following two projects for the FY15 request:  Curb bulb-outs on Cleveland and Blaine at 12th Ave. and 16th Ave.  Upgrade the signal and crosswalk on 10th Ave. and Grant Street. Brian B. asked for the committee’s input and approval to submit the grant application to ITD. Brian B. further stated he spoke with the Mayor and he agrees with both projects. Motion was made to allow Brian B. to submit the following two projects :  Curb bulb-outs on Cleveland and Blaine at 12th Ave. and 16th Ave.  Upgrade the crossing / crosswalk on 10th Ave. and Grant. MOTION: Bill B., SECOND: Larry E., MOTION PASSED. B. FY2013 Safe Routes to School Planning Grant – Brian B. informed the committee that assistance is available from ITD to come up with a plan for improving walkability near schools. Brian B. stated that one of the 4 | P a g e recommendations Elaine C. put in the Safe Routes to School Technical Assistance Report was to develop a plan for improvements on Montana Ave. that includes sidewalks, bike lanes, and improved crossings serving Syringa Middle School on Montana and Linden. Brian B. stated the application deadline for this grant is March 31, 2012. Brian B. further stated to qualify for the grant they need letters of support and that he met with the School District and received letters of support from the Caldwell School District, Jonathan Kline and the principals from Syringa and Washington schools. They would like the PBR committee to apply for this assistance from ITD and begin work on developing a plan for improving Montana Ave. between Linden and Spruce. Chairman Molenaar asked for a motion to proceed with the Technical Assistance Grant and developing a plan for the improvements on Montana Ave. between Linden and Spruce. MOTION: Ann M., SECOND: Bill B., MOTION PASSED. VIII. Committee and Staff Reports. A. Brian B. stated he received an email from Bill G. stating that he has continued to attend the Foundation for Ada County Trails Inc. meetings and he reports on our committee’s progress. B. Brian B. shared with the committee that at the State of the City address, Mayor Nancolas highlighted some of the work that the PBR committee has completed over the last year, including the bike train and safe routes to school program. IX. Adjourn. Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted by April Cabello, MINUTES APPROVED AND SIGNED BELOW BY CHAIRPERSON NICK MOLENAAR ON THE DATE NOTED BELOW. ________________________________________ _______________________ Nick Molenaar, Chair Date _________________________________________ ______________________ ATTEST: Brian Billingsley, P&Z Director Date