HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee - 02/10/2016
BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN COMMITTEE
MINUTES 2-10-2016
DRAFT
The Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee held its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, February 10, 2016 at 5:30 pm
in the small conference room at the city office building.
Members Present: Bob Britt, Dana Farr, Chair; Cathy Frank, Vice-Chair; Jamieson Goodwin, Clerk; Amanda Holland,
Donna Leban, Roy Neuer
Members Absent:
City Representative: Maggie Leugers, Director of Recreation & Parks
Also Present: Kristen Calcagni, Lee Jackson, Jeff Priest, Lindsay Bryce, Tyler Abate
Meeting began at 5:30 pm.
1. Changes to Agenda – None
2. Approval of minutes for last meeting with amendment of 2015 Annual Report – 2 changes – Section 5 –
Motion made to approve text of the 2015 Annual Report. Section 7a – Wording update to reflect “that
bollards be put along both areas since without them drivers use the path to get by backed up traffic and left
turning traffic. “ Motion by Bob, Second by Dana, Unanimous approval.
3. Comments not related to agenda –None
4. Guest – Paul Connor; Comparison of SBRP Map and official city map and provide information about Spear
Meadows development. – Official map is a zoning tool and is not as up to date as map included in CIP which
shows proposed changes and items not yet in process. Planning Commission recognizes the need to update
the official map, and is on their to-do list. Best tool for the committee is map designated Feb 1, 2016. Paul
will provide large format copy and electronic copy of map for committee.
a. Additional Discussion: Spear Meadows update reflects no major changes to the recreation path from
what was previously proposed. Paul showed the proposed map as it stands, but there will still be
updates through following engineering/design processes.
5. Review of SE Quadrant and discussion of issues –
a. Kristen Calcagni – Link Rd resident. Knows it has been a topic before, but is very passionate about
the Bike Path extension along Dorset Rd from Old Cross down to Cider Mill Drive neighborhood, near
Autumn Hill Rd. Kristen conveyed that she knew of many property owners that were willing to grant
easements and knows many households in the area are enthusiastic about the potential project.
Kristen expressed concern over lack of progress on obtaining easements. There was discussion over
staffing/resourcing for pursuit of these items. Discussion followed about potential short-term wins.
Examples included changing the striping along that stretch of road. This option will be reviewed at
next meeting w/ Justin Rabidoux from DPW.
b. Lee Jackson – Dorset Farms resident. Also advocating for extension of path along Dorset St down to
Dorset Farms. She was curious as to why the gaps are there in many parts of the path. Discussion
about how the path has grown through contribution by developers as neighborhoods and new
construction are built, and not directly by the city through capital expenditure. Encouragement of
citizens to attend City Council meetings and providing feedback to help raise awareness.
c. Jeff Priest, South Village resident – Jeff commutes via Spear to UVM, but detours along existing path
where possible because of the traffic concerns and lack of space along Spear. Committee reviewed
of some pending changes resulting from South Village growth (phase 3, etc.), and surrounding areas,
however these upcoming changes don’t address all the concerns. Committee also noted recent
recommendation to CC Regional Planning Commission to have a study done along Spear from Swift
St to Forestry Service Building as a means for studying potential future enhancement/changes to the
area.
d. Lindsay Bryce, Kinsington St resident. Lindsay expressed concerns about Kimball Ave and lack of
completeness of sidewalk/trail. Also concerns over Williston Rd with crossings over 89, very
dangerous, especially at night, but noted this might be a good area for similar style signals as the
RRFB crossings. Committee expressed interest in the proposed solution, but noted those crossings
as being state/federal access to/from the highway could be a concern for implementation, but
should be studied, along with crossings along Shelburne Rd @ 189 entrance.
e. Donna Leban – Requested a study of area/trail on east end of Swift St as it “connects” to Oak Creek
Village and new Rye Meadows Development. Potential for great East/West bike and pedestrian
access if a more formal route is implemented as it is currently an unpaved walking path.
6. Updates from City – Maggie Leugers –
a. Active Transportation & Parks and Recreation reference material provided.
b. Introduction: Tyler, Intern from Springfield College – Works on special events,
marketing/communications plan for the department. Researching public outreach methods and
effectiveness.
c. Update on DPW HR request for part time position to pursue grants/manage projects. Maggie
noted that the request was not specifically denied; however the request was not approved for fiscal
year 2017. Maggie explained that the budget request could still be granted for a later budgeting
period.
d. Upcoming vote for sharing 1% open space tax for maintenance. Question about origin of the tax,
Maggie to provide update, but believe originates as part of land transfer transactions and provide
insight on distribution of those funds.
7. General Matters
a. Discussion: Bob – Policy and Safety updates – provided updated spreadsheet. Still concerns over
funding for B&P related projects, how can the committee further this discussion? Discussion of
interrelation between budgeting and DPW priorities. Ultimate concern is that outside of basic
maintenance, there is no official mechanism to grow the path and this is what needs to be
addressed. Bob to follow-up with Tom Hubbard to get some input based on his past experience.
Maggie also recommended follow-up with other committees and groups for their experiences.
Some discussion over the potential of short term fixes, like restriping if/when DPW obtains a
dedicated striping machine.
b. Discussion: Cathy & Roy meeting with Justin Rabidoux DPW Director – Justin has committed to
attending meetings 4 times a year, and will meet outside of committee times as needed on a
monthly basis. Review of items the committee has been tracking, and some notes for follow-up;
Alternative to bollards or a more substantial barrier along Dorset near Kennedy Dr, Crossing light
timings, etc.
c. Discussion: Cathy, Donna & Roy – City Council meeting re: crosswalks and lighting discussion –
Topic arose as a result of public feedback to members of City Council. Results of discussion were
that Kevin Dorn would discuss with this committee and provide feedback to City Council. Discussion
about how best to provide feedback to Kevin and how the committee identifies those priorities.
d. Discussion: Roy – Shelburne Rd crossing review – Report from Roy about function of crossing lights
along Shelburne Rd. Some deficiencies identified, but nothing outlined that was not already found in
previous studies that have been performed along the Shelburne Rd corridor. Primary observations
were that lights could/should be extended to 30 seconds. Desirable enhancements: Ensure
functioning audible signals for blind/visually impaired and placement of light function
description/instructions at each signal.
e. Talking Points – review of proposed March agenda items.
i. Extend invitation to Spear Meadows developer to next meeting? Committee declined.
ii. Should we follow Rick Hubbard’s committee model? Committee sided in favor of this
suggestion. Dana will provide list of SBBPC roles and ask members to volunteer for those
roles at the next meeting.
iii. Extend invitation to Jim Barlow, City Attorney, to advice on Open Meeting Laws and current
recommended guidelines? Committee declined.
iv. Should we invite Tom Hubbard, Assistant City Manager, to next meeting and discuss
funding opportunities for committee projects? Committee decided to start with a more
informal approach in which Bob Britt offered to reach out and have a discussion related to
this subject. Bob will present findings at the next meeting and the committee will then
determine if an invitation should be extended at that point.
f. Planning commission updates from Donna – New Planning and Zoning assistant position filled by
Lindsey Britt. Brief discussion of Hinesburg Rd sidewalk project to extend to a point across from
Tilley drive. This is now in the approval stage with the state, and has been in planning for 4 years.
Planning commission working to improve the interfacing with 4 major committees, including an
annual meeting of these committees with the Planning Commission. Comprehensive plan adopted,
and Land Development regulations are coming up for discussion and approval at a coming City
Council meeting.
8. Confirmation: Next meeting March 9 at 5:30
Motion to adjourn –Bob, Cathy second. All approve.
Meeting ended at 8:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Jamieson Goodwin, Clerk