Charlottesville Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee September 6, 2018 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM NDS Conference Room Meeting Attendees: Stephan Bach Frank Deviney Cort Hammond Peter Krebs Dave Stackhouse Mike Smith Ruth Stornetta Sarah Littlefield Carl Schwarz Niko Test Lena Seville Amanda Poncy Meeting Agenda Old Business: 5:00pm CIP Budget Discussion The group continued a discussion on the CIP budget. The focus of the discussion was to break down survey results and to choose which projects/surveys are valued as top priority to highlight for recommendation to council. Members agreed to compose a list not exceeding five top choices for representation. Attendees asked questions that prompted responses leading to clarification of each project/survey. After choosing four survey projects that were deemed as high priority, it was noted that they all exist in the East section of town. This observation was discussed and it was noted that the locale only greater highlights the need for connectivity and access to that area. The four survey projects chosen to highlight were: Long St. multi-use trail, East High/Locust to Free Bridge, Tunnel under I-64 (to partner with county), and Riverview to Pantops Bridge (to partner with county). The four projects picked out as top priority were: YMCA section- to finish gaps in the 250 trail, JPA improvements, interim Shenks Greenway improvements, and second street. The purpose of re-ranking projects is to provide direction for improvements. Amanda added up expected cost for projects to be $270,000 and surveys to be $700,000, resulting in a near million budget. The overall goal with the ongoing discussion and breakdown is to formulate a letter to submit to council. Inquiry from BPAC about next steps and timeline resulted in Amanda suggesting the letter go directly to council and to the budget committee. A two week to a month timeline was agreed upon for completing the letter. Peter recommended writing a broad letter early, rather than taking time to dwell into specifics. Dave, Carl, and Peter Krebs volunteered to write the letter, forming the small committee for budget proposal. The Piedmont Environmental Council will also be submitting a budget request to council to demonstrate support in values for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. The next budget work session will be held in November and it was proposed to go over the letter at the next BPAC meeting in order to submit to council before the work session. Stemming from the above conversation, a discussion about advocacy for partnership with the county was prompted. It was noted that starting in the fall there needs to be an aggressive push for advocacy. Amanda recommended to maintain sidewalk advocacy and to continually ask for more sidewalk and ADA finances, referring to history and data that it is never funded at the request in which the city seeks or needs. The need for improved sidewalk facilities on Alderman was highlighted as an example to bring focus to the demand. 6:00pm Emmet-East High Streetscape Recap Peter relayed information and plans relating to the Emmet/East High Streetscape. The steering committee was presented with initial design concepts and it was suggested in plans to put shared use path on both sides from Massie to Arlington, receiving no opposals. UVA appeared to be reluctant with having a path on their side, the West side where the parking garage is. The hotel on the East side remains to be a challenging obstacle for development. It was noted that in the design, bike lanes would be provided on the street and they would be separated by a narrow curb or be raised at an intermediate level. Speed control was also discussed, portraying 25 mph design speed from Ivy Road to Massie and retaining 35 mph from Massie to Arlington Blvd. Everyone seemed to be in favor of 4ft bike lanes and pinch points under the railroad.There will be another public meeting in the future to present these reflected points. East High Street requested to meet with BPAC and the tree commission. The meeting will take place on Thursday, September 13th with location to be announced. Lena shared information with BPAC relating to her personal advocacy experience for a green space that serves as a buffer between cyclists and drivers within the streetscapes design. She explained that two of their design options implement a large buffer in the middle, which does not provide shade to cyclists or walkers. It was relayed that different opinions existed regarding the bicycle pedestrian space being designed as separated or mixed use trail. Lena communicated that it was difficult to understand where in design or direction they currently are and she felt as though they were not receptive to her comments and feedback. Amanda explained that at the public meeting, the tree commission were upset with the trees being gone and that the reasoning behind that is a fire issue spatial issue. Lena described that the conflict consists of when you have a large center median, you get bigger trees: When you split that space in two to either side, you get smaller trees. There is a conflict between trees and bike lanes. 6:30pm Fontaine Ave Streetscape Steering Committee Volunteer Streetscape project from JPA and Maury all the way to city limits. It is similar to the Emmett Streetscape project. Cort and Mike volunteer as representatives. 6:45pm Micro-Mobility-Dockless Bike Share, E-Scooters, E-Bikes Bird scooter has submitted a business license in the city of Charlottesville. Amanda has been working on regulations and a business contract to provide safe and effective parameters for approach and implementation. Amanda wanted to review draft language with BPAC. The city is considering bundling operating regulations for scooters and dockless bikes. Designated parking spaces are desired and an arrangement between the city and the business using geo-fencing to create established parking areas would need to be created. The business will pay the city roughly $37,000 annually for business operations. Conversation took place around protocol and demands to partnership including: local company rep, 24 hour customer service, implement a marketing and targeted outreach plan at their own cost, offer discount plans for persons with low income, prompt repairs by their staff, have to have signage and web app portraying rules and regulations, data tracking and feedback. A discussion was sparked about motor powered vehicles on pathways and multi-use trails. It was unclear as to where E-scooters and E-bikes fall on the spectrum. Mike Murphy has requested that when the city takes action on ordinances that relate to bikes and pedestrians, that all requests are bundled and presented at the same time. BPAC members discussed potential issues with multi-user conflicts on pathways and roads. Side notes for further discussion- -Wide bike lane on West Main Street -Wide turn opening to garage on West Main Street -Cornhole team for Tom Tom Festival Upcoming Events: September 11: Planning Commission Meeting, City Hall, 6:00PM September 15: Belmont Bash, Belmont Park September 29: Rivanna River Fest/Bike Your Park Day September 29: Tom Toberfest, Ix Art Park, 12-4PM October 6: BPAC Meeting, City Hall, NDS Room, 5-7PM