HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-04-2013 o�QORT TOE
V �O
City of Port Townsend
wA
Meeting Minutes
Non-Motorized Transportation Advisory Board
Thursday, April 4, 2013, 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
City Hall, Conference Rm 41
L Meeting called to order at 4:30 pm by board chair, Scott Walker
Members in attendance: Lys Burden, Sally Chapin, Pat Teal, Jolly Wahlstrom, and Dick
Williams.
Staff present: Dave Peterson
Visitors: David Engle, Robert Frank, Brenda McMillan, Richard Dandridge
II Approval of agenda —Agenda approved as amended by voice vote
III. Approval of Minutes —Minutes of the March meeting were approved by voice vote.
IV. Business
Scott reported on his meeting with City Manager, Dave Timmons. The City is assigning
Tyler Johnson of the Public Works Department to attend the start of NMTAB meeting to
increase communication. He will report on pertinent topics and we will discuss upcoming
trail projects. The City also has reviewed the draft SRTS Audit Report and would like to
meet with Scott and Lys to discuss. They want to make sure the report recognizes the
phased development approach the City is taking on street improvements.
1. Public Works Staff items:
a. Spruce Street r/w Acquisition—Members of the board updated Dave on the
Spruce Street gap in connectivity.
b. Trail Project: Thomas/351h- The board discussed the next trail work day to be held
earlier than usual on May 4th, 9 am. to Noon, because May is so busy with spring
events. Volunteers will continue graveling the trail through 35th Street Park.
The City will deliver 5 yards of gravel to the north side of the Park trail access point;
approximately 2 yards are left at 31st, so volunteers can work at both ends of the
trail. Board members reiterated that we need 3/4" to 1-inch gravel to fill the wet spots.
Dick Williams agreed to make and post signs along the trail about the upcoming
work day.
Dave also reported that work on the Sheridan Street Project would go to bid in June or
July. They are still in the design phase, and he will make sure the advisory board is
appraised of the final design.
Scott Walker mentioned the problem bicyclists and pedestrians are having with cars
blocking the r/w trail on the east side near Umatilla. Dave said he would look into placing
some bollards or other suitable corridor definition.
2. PTSD Superintendent, David Engle
a. Grant Street School SRTS Discussion/Plan — The superintendent was delighted
with the recent grant award to improve Sheridan Street near Grant Street School. He
also outlined a new project with The Recyclery to build a better educational
component in PT Schools. He would like to see a more aggressive approach to mode
shift and needs community partners. He worries that he is in better physical shape
than the majority of the district's students, as only about 5% walls or bike to school. (He
bikes to work as often as possible.) He said the challenge is big, as he needs to address
infrastructure needs, i.e. 1.) where can clothing be stored, 2.) visibly prominent, dry,
secure bike parking at all schools, safe routes, etc. He would like to see no more
emphasis on school parking lots; they are opportunity spots for different uses.
He is working on a comprehensive curriculum shift to focus on sustainability and
encourage young people to get out more, spend time in natural areas, focus on fresh food,
and active engagement in physical activity for life instead of only the sports activities. He
is working on a baseline study with The Recyclery, as a starting point to measure
improvements. He will need staff and parents to champion the change.
b. Grant Street Trail Work- Dick Williams pointed out that trails in the Town
Point/Hamilton Heights area need to be revisited, as those areas are quite close to
schools, and trail access should be improved.
c. Bike to School Day—Lys outlined past participation by PTSD schools. The Sup
said school activities are in the hands of his principals, but Lys pointed out that he
needs to encourage them to focus PTA activities early in the school year on
encouraging walking and bicycling to school in preparation for participation in
national celebrations and daily use.
3. Map Project: Wayfinding funds/Realtors funding— Scott has spoken to Michelle
Sandoval about realtor association finding. Lys had an initial meeting with David McCulloch
about pocket-sized map design. Another meeting with more details is coming soon. David Engle
suggested the new map show the length of the Larry Scott Trail, as it is such a huge recreational
and transportation asset (even though it goes beyond City boundaries).
4. DT Bike Racks—Richard Dandridge shared the first draft of Pete and Nicole Sexton's
letter to the City requesting that a covered bike corral be placed in one parking spot in front of
the Broken Spoke Bike Shop downtown. Scott reported that all merchants are now supportive of
a downtown paid parking policy to generate finding for bicycle, pedestrian and transit projects.
5. Trail Highlight Article—We need to generate articles on "trail of the month" to better
focus on our lovely trail system. First suggested topics are Chestnut Street route to the fort and
Baker Street connection.
5. NMTAB Wedsite—no action yet, tabled.
7. Parking on San Juan— covered earlier with Dave Peterson
8. 35th Street Barricade— Scott reported action was completed to replace the barricade.
9. QWC Trail Repairs/Signage— still more work to be done. Scott will meet with Dick
Lynn when he returns to town.
V. General Discussion
-Richard and Lys met with Deb Stinson, who was interested in encouraging volunteer
opportunities for the City.
- Scott suggested the City Street crew should be encouraged to work on a few trail
maintenance and repair projects that require use of large equipment, like the sewer-line
trail between Hendricks and Bell Street and clearing the blackberry vines from the"A"
Street portion by the golf course. We need to draft a list of projects that are too difficult
for volunteers.
- Reminder: `Bike to School Day" is coming up on May 8th
VI. Next Meeting: 4:30 pm, May2, 2013.
VII. Adjourned at 5:55 pm
VIII. Long Term, Continuing Issues:
1. Securing r/w purchase for Chestnut St. Trail easement
2. Designating and marking an official Portage Trail
3. Hwy 20 underpass and appropriately marking bicycle passage through the Upper
Sims Way roundabouts
IX. Action Steps Needed
1. Send electronic draft Grant Street School Walking Audit Report document to board members
for their review and comment
2. Scott to meet Nvith Dick Lvnn after his return
3. Sally to contact Pam about the FB page and v rite a letter about the sideNvalk link needed on
Discover`-*.
4. Lys to send draft NMTAB Nveb page content to board members and staff
5. Lys Nvill gather more information on a design for the new pocket-sized bike/ped map by
checking Nvith David McCulloch.
6. Jolly Neill contact Tyler Johnson at PW and provide more details about the May trail project
to gravel low spots along the 35"' Street Park trails.
7. Draft letter to WashDOT still needs to be v ritten about inappropriate roundabout signage for
bicycling