HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/12/2025 - Regular Agenda Packet - Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Advisory Board
College Station, TX
Meeting Agenda
Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Advisory Board
1101 Texas Avenue, College Station, TX 77840
Internet:https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-
teams/join-a-meeting
Meeting ID: 269 753 645 57 | Passcode: QfdsL9
Phone: +1 979-431-4880 | Phone Conference: 917 612 881#
The City Council may or may not attend this meeting.
May 12, 2025 3:30 PM Bush 4141 Community Room
College Station, TX Page 1
Notice is hereby given that a quorum of the meeting body will be present in the physical location
stated above where citizens may also attend in order to view a member(s) participating by video
conference call as allowed by 551.127, Texas Government Code. The City uses a third party
vendor to host the virtual portion of the meeting; if virtual access is unavailable, meeting access
and participation will be in-person only.
1. Call meeting to order and consider absence requests.
2. Hear Visitors.
At this time, the Chairperson will open the floor to citizens wishing to address issues not already
scheduled on today's agenda. Each citizen’s presentation will be limited to three minutes in order to
allow adequate time for the completion of the agenda items. Comments will be received and city staff
may be asked to look into the matter, or the matter may be placed on a future agenda for discussion.
A recording may be made of the meeting; please give your name and address for the record.
3. Agenda Items
3.1. Consideration, discussion, and possible action to approve meeting minutes
Attachments: 1. April 14 2025
3.2. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding the status of the future trail along the Gulf
States Utility corridor.
Sponsors: Jason Schubert
3.3. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding the Corridor Feasibility Study being
performed as part of the Active Transportation Master Plan including upcoming public meetings.
Sponsors: Jesse Dimeolo
Attachments: 1. Meeting Flyer
2. Yard Sign
3.4. Presentation and discussion regarding a recap of events for May as National Bike Month including
Cycle with Council.
Sponsors: Carl Ahrens
3.5. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding the evaluation of programs identified in
the Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Master Plan.
Sponsors: Carl Ahrens
Attachments: 1. Evaluation of Master Plan Existing Programs
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Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways
Advisory Board
Page 2 May 12, 2025
3.6. Presentation and discussion regarding the following items related to biking, walking, and
greenways.
a. Public Meetings of Interest
b. Capital and Private Project Updates
3.7. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding the Bicycle, Pedestrian and Greenways
Advisory Board calendar of upcoming meetings.
a. June 9, 2025 ~ Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Advisory Board calendar of upcoming
meetings.
4. Discussion and possible action on future agenda items.
A member may inquire about a subject for which notice has not been given. A statement of specific
factual information or the recitation of existing policy may be given. Any deliberation shall be limited to
a proposal to place the subject on an agenda for a subsequent meeting.
5. Adjourn.
Adjournment into Executive Session may occur in order to consider any item listed on the agenda if a
matter is raised that is appropriate for Executive Session discussion.
I certify that the above Notice of Meeting was posted on the website and at College Station City Hall,
1101 Texas Avenue, College Station, Texas, on May 8, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.
City Secretary
This building is wheelchair accessible. Persons with disabilities who plan to attend this meeting
and who may need accommodations, auxiliary aids, or services such as interpreters,
readers, or large print are asked to contact the City Secretary’s Office at (979) 764-3541, TDD
at 1-800-735-2989, or email adaassistance@cstx.gov at least two business days prior to the
meeting so that appropriate arrangements can be made. If the City does not receive notification
at least two business days prior to the meeting, the City will make a reasonable attempt to
provide the necessary accommodations.
Penal Code § 30.07. Trespass by License Holder with an Openly Carried Handgun.
"Pursuant to Section 30.07, Penal Code (Trespass by License Holder with an Openly
Carried Handgun) A Person Licensed under Subchapter H, Chapter 411,
Government Code (Handgun Licensing Law), may not enter this Property with a
Handgun that is Carried Openly."
Codigo Penal § 30.07. Traspasar Portando Armas de Mano al Aire Libre con Licencia.
“Conforme a la Seccion 30.07 del codigo penal (traspasar portando armas de mano al aire
libre con licencia), personas con licencia bajo del Sub-Capitulo H, Capitulo 411,
Codigo de Gobierno (Ley de licencias de arma de mano), no deben entrar a esta propiedad
portando arma de mano al aire libre.”
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MINUTES
BICYCLE, PEDESTRIAN, AND GREENWAYS
ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
April 14, 2025
MEMBERS PRESENT:Chairperson Scott Shafer, Board Members Kathy Langlotz, Neo
Jang, Joy Chmelar, Matthew Jackson and Thomas Woodfin.
MEMBERS ABSENT:Carla Robinson
STAFF PRESENT:Director of Planning & Development Services Anthony
Armstrong, Assistant Director Molly Hitchcock, Long Range
Planning Administrator Christine Leal, Principal Planner Heather
Wade, Staff Planner Ashley Klein, Transportation Planning
Administrator Jason Schubert, Senior Planner Jesse DiMeolo, Staff
Planner Joe Allen, Director of Parks & Recreation Kelsey Heiden,
Graduate Traffic Engineer II DeAnna Ordonez, and Staff Assistant
II Grecia Fuentes
AGENDA ITEM NO. 1: Call to Order, introductions and consider absence requests.
Chairperson Schafer called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 2: Hear Visitors.
There were no visitors who wished to speak.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 3: Agenda Items.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 3.1: Consideration, discussion, and possible action to approve meeting
minutes.
Board Member Jang motioned to approve the meeting minutes from March, Board
Member Woodfin seconded the motion, minutes were approved 6-0.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 3.2: Presentation, discussion, and possible action existing and
proposed policies for the Active Transportation Master Plan.
Senior Planner DiMeolo presented this item.
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Board Member Jang raised a concern about policy number 3 where it stated, “Pedestrian and
bicycle facilities should be included on both sides of streets”. He stated that it could act more as
a barrier than an improvement. He said that older neighborhoods do not have sidewalks, and the
downside would be that the roads would become wider or have a wider right of way.
Senior Planner DiMeolo clarified that this did not mean it would make the roads wider. He said it
would possibly make the right of way wider, but a lot of those bike facilities such as bike routes
did not require extra pavement for it.
Chairperson Shafer said he did not mind the word “should” in policy number 3 because not many
years ago there was demand for sidewalks. He said he wanted to try and get as many in there as
possible.
Board Member Jackson agreed with policy number 4 and mentioned how temporary sidewalks
during construction work starts will move up the right of way and close it off, leaving cyclists no
way to get back on the sidewalk.
Chairperson Shafer suggested staff stay consistent on the wording throughout the new policies.
He said there are some policies that say bike ped and others that mention active transportation.
Senior Planner DiMeolo said staff would make sure it stated active transportation users all the
way throughout and could shorten it to AT users.
Board Member Langlotz said the tone of policy number 9 was different. She said the use of the
words “better, improved, and more flexible,” made it seem like the policy goal had a moving
target.
Administrator Schubert said that this policy was different because all the other ones had to do
with what the city was doing. He said that College Station was not a transit provider and did not
have control over their service so is coordinating with them.
Chairperson Shafer asked about the exclusion of policies number 8, 12 and 13 and how it seemed
to be moving away from the greenways.
Senior Planner DiMeolo said that the Parks & Recreation Department would be integrating
greenways into their new Master Plan.
Board Member Woodfin said that that about 15 years ago the Parks Department did not want
greenways to be a part of them because they did not have the funding for it and then there was
some legal issues on the differences in floodplain funding.
Director Armstrong stated that there has been direction coming from Dr. Crompton to turn a lot
of greenways into parkland. In the conversations with the Parks Department, greenways has been
in limbo for several years. This Board was focusing more on the transportation component and
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the Parks Department was more focused on the land component it made more sense for
greenways to be a part of them. We are still meeting to make a more formal transition for it.
Robert Rose, former owner of Cycles Etc., commented on what residents are looking for. He said
he liked how policy number 7 really captured safety and protected bike lanes. He said that
another thing people are really looking for is shading along bike routes. He added that summer
here average pretty high temperatures and he wanted to put that forward.
Board Member Jackson commented that neighborhoods that have only one sidewalk on one side
of the road should have a way to get on to the sidewalk at intersections. He said there is a section
like this near Barron Road and Longmire Drive.
Traffic Engineer Ordoñez stated that the Public Works Department had been working on a lot of
updates as part of their maintenance program.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 3.3: Presentation, discussion and possible action regarding Board
Members’ feedback to staff for inclusion in the 2025 Comprehensive Plan 5-Year
Evaluation & Appraisal Report.
Planning Administrator Chirstine Leal presented this item.
Administrator Leal asked the Board for their participation in the 2025 Comprehensive Plan 5-
year Evaluation questionnaire strictly for Boards and Commission. She told the Board that there
was a public survey where they could share with friends and family.
Chairperson Shafer stated that there are micromobility issues with space and separation hat need
to be addressed. He asked the Board to make sure after signing their names toalso include the full
name Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Advisory Board before submitting their responses.
Board Member Chmelar stated an interest in consideration of historical properties.
Mr. Rose said that the number one component that the public always mentions is traffic
congestion and there should be consideration of having light rail in the future.
Administrator Leal shared the information for the website questionnaire for the Board and the
link for the public survey.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 3.4: Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding National
Bike Month and the 2025 Cycle with Council event scheduled for May 3, 2025.
Administrator Schubert passed out the Cycle with Council flyers for the Board to distribute and
spread the word about the event.
Board Member Woodfin asked if there were any prizes like water bottles and bike helmets.
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Administrator Schubert said that the sponsors were pretty good about having stuff like snacks
and water for the participants, but was not sure if they would bring other things to hand out this
year.
Board Member Jackson asked staff if Police were going to be able to help.
Administrator Schubert confirmed and said that staff was able to get the Police Department to
help at the crossings of William D. Fitch Parkway.
Chairperson Shafer and Board Member Woodfin volunteered to put the signs out for the route
and collect them once the event is done.
Administrator Schubert announced that the next City Council meeting on April 24th at 6 p.m. was
also going to include the Proclamation for National Bike Month.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 3.5: Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding the status
of the future trail along the Gulf States utility corridor.
Chairperson Shafer asked Administrator Schubert to add this item to the May meeting agenda to
allow enough time for the Board to discuss it.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 3.6: Presentation and discussion regarding the following items related
to biking, walking, and greenways.
a) Public Meetings of Interest – City Council April 24th at 6:00 p.m. in Council
Chambers
b) Capital and Private Project Updates – No upcoming updates
Board Member Woodfin gave an update to the Board and stated he attended a Bike Rodeo at Rock
Prairie Elementary to teach about bike safety. He said he would like to learn how to sponsor a
League Bike Instructor Class to increase the number of LCI’s and hopefully help level up our Bike
Friendly Community Status.
Board Member Jang mentioned the BCS Metropolitan Planning Organization had opened their
call for projects for Category 9 bicycle/pedestrian project funding.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 3.7: Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding the
Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Advisory Board calendar of upcoming meetings.
a) May 3, 2025 ~ Cycle with Council Event at 8:00 a.m. starting at College Station High
School Field House, 4002 Victoria Avenue
b) May 12, 2025 ~ Bicycle, Pedestrian and Greenways Advisory Board Meeting at 3:30
p.m. in the Bush 4141 Community Room
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AGENDA ITEM NO. 4: Discussion and possible action on future agenda items.
A Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Advisory Board Member may inquire about a subject
for which notice has not been given. A statement of specific factual information or the
recitation of existing policy may be given. Any deliberation shall be limited to a proposal to
place the subject on an agenda for a subsequent meeting.
There were no requests for future agenda meeting items.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 5: Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 5:06 p.m.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
____________________________ ____________________________
Scott Shafer, Chairperson Grecia Fuentes, Board Secretary
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Want to provide input on improving your
neighborhood for pedestrians and cyclists?
Tell us your ideas.
SCAN TO PROVIDE INPUT
What: Public Meeting #1
Corridor Plan Kickoff
When: 6:00-7:30pm
Wednesday, May 21st
What: Public Meeting #2
Corridor Concept Review
When: 6:00-7:30pm
Wednesday, June 25th
The City of College Station is creating a new Active Transportation
Master Plan and now is your opportunity to help! At this meeting, we’re
seeking input on the following corridors:
»Fairview Ave & Montclair/Eleanor Ave
(from George Bush Dr to Holleman Dr)
»Timber St (from George Bush Dr to Park Pl)
»Anderson St (from George Bush Dr to Bee Creek Park)
»Tarrow St (from Autumn Cir to University Dr)
https://www.cstx.gov/activetransportation
Where: Lincoln Recreation Center Multipurpose Room
Address: 1000 Eleanor St, College Station, TX 77840
*If you cannot attend the kickoff meeting in person,
please provide input online by May 31st
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Want to provide input on improving your
neighborhood for pedestrians and cyclists?
Tell us your ideas.
Scan for details about the
Active Transportation
Master Plan
https://www.cstx.gov/activetransportation
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Evaluation of Existing Programs in the
Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Master Plan
Note: Programs highlighted in Blue are currently being done or achieved. Items highlighted in Red have
not been accomplished.
Education Programs:
• Promote and help establish educational classes as well as electronic and print media that inform
all ages of motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians of local and state laws. Including safe behaviors,
and skills for bicycling, walking, and proper driving techniques around bicyclists and pedestrians.
o Coordinate with area League Cycling Instructors (LCI) who are certified through The
League of American Bicyclists to teach classes in basic skills, commuting, motorist
education, and certain classes specifically designed for children.
We now have an LCI on city staff, with others in the community. Bike education
classes have not been held for several years but were coordinated with Texas
A&M in years past. Local LCIs have assisted in getting others certified, however.
o Coordinate with Texas A&M University to distribute information through on- and off-
campus student services to target students riding within and commuting to campus.
We currently put city bike maps in welcome bags for new students, which
include safety tips for bicycling on-street.
o Encourage the creation of campus tours given by bicycle to new students and staff. Basic
bicycle laws and safety tips could be reviewed before the on-bicycle tour.
This has not been done.
• Increase motorists’ awareness of bicyclists and pedestrians.
o Establish a “Share the Road” campaign that educates bicyclists and motorists about
their rights and responsibilities in sharing roadway space. “Share the Road” signs should
be placed along signed bicycle routes.
We do not currently have a Share the Road campaign.
Encouragement Programs:
• Promote the benefits of bicycling, walking, and the greenway system such as the positive social,
health, economic, and environmental protection central to enhancing quality of life.
o Develop and provide educational information on the City of College Station’s website, in
public service announcements, on Channel 19, through the City utility bill inserts and at
health fairs, walks, runs, and other events.
Overall, this program has been limited. Our Active Transportation webpage has
links to the City bike map with safety tips, Texas State bicycle laws, bicycle and
pedestrian safety pages, the Safe Routes to School page, and a link to The
League of American Bicyclists. Staff has done interviews with Channel 19 to
promote May as National Bike Month, and to advertise local events such as
Cycle with Council. Staff has not recently attended other in-person events.
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o Establish partnerships with health organizations to promote bicycling and walking as
healthy modes of transportation.
The City has not made any partnerships with health organizations to promote
bicycling and walking as healthy modes of transportation.
o Reestablish commitment to being a bicycle friendly community by reapplying for status
through the League of American Bicyclists.
Reapplied and received a Broze level designation in 2020 and 2024, and a Silver
designation for City Hall, the first local Bicycle Friendly Business, in 2024.
o Provide yearly events along existing trails such as along the Wolf Pen Creek trail system.
An annual event along trails has not occurred, however Cycle with Council
routes have included the Lick Creek trails and Wolf Pen Creek trails in prior
years.
• Make bicycling and walking more convenient.
o Evaluate the need for more crossing guards at schools to make students feel safe
walking and bicycling.
The City Traffic Engineer works to determine the need and location of crossing
guards. The responsibility to staff the locations falls to the Police Department,
however that responsibility is fulfilled via a contract with All City Management
Services Inc., who hires and trains School Crossing Guards.
o Provide online trip planning tools for bicycle and pedestrian trips.
The City’s bike map is on our website. More robust tools have not been
developed, and several cell phone apps now provide good routing tools.
o Create and distribute a bicycle map as well as a greenways map of existing bicycle and
pedestrian facilities to inform current and potential users of travel options to key
destinations.
Maps are available online, in person at City Hall, and at the Parks and Recreation
Department. We also provide hard-copy maps to local bike shops.
• Establish and participate in local related events
o Create an Adopt a Greenway” and/or and “Adopt a Stream” program to pick up litter
similar to the “Adopt a Street” program. Training would be required for additional tasks,
such as vegetation trimming and drainage way cleaning.
Overall, the Adopt-a-Greenway program has been going well. Volunteers from
various organizations have collected a total of about 70 bags of trash (40-gallon
size) per year on average for the past 4 years. 14 out of the 22 parks available in
the program are currently adopted by active volunteer groups. There are some
vacancies but pretty good participation overall.
o Establish a volunteer program that provides local organizations and individuals with the
opportunity to help with clean up efforts, habitat restoration, and special event support
for the bicycle, pedestrian and greenway system.
One of our Adopt-a-Greenway volunteer groups removes fishing lines and lures
from the island in Gabbard Park twice a year so that it's safer for yellow-
crowned night herons and green herons to nest there.
o Encourage and participate in the following types of events:
Bicycle rodeos: When available, staff can help.
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Bike and walk to school day: We acknowledge it in the Bike Month
proclamation.
National Bike Month: We acknowledge it in the Bike Month proclamation and
through a blog.
Bike to work week: We acknowledge it in the Bike Month proclamation.
National trails day: No
Walking school buses: No
o Distribute helmets, pedometers, or other incentives with educational materials
At Cycle with Council and other events, educational and promotional materials
like SMART bicycling guides, bike lights, and ankle reflectors are distributed.
o Conduct walkability and bikeability audits. As part of the City of College Station’s
Comprehensive Plan, neighborhood plans will be conducted which will include an
existing conditions report with a more in-depth analysis of the bicycle and pedestrian
facilities in the neighborhood. City staff will engage residents and businesses in the
neighborhood to participate and discuss specific improvements.
With neighborhood and district planning efforts, staff evaluate the current
pedestrian and bicycle networks and looks for opportunities for improvements.
Through these planning efforts, we engage area residents and seek public input
on how they see the needs of their neighborhood/district. Preliminary research
has been conducted to establish an on-going audit effort that could be
implemented at a later date.
Enforcement Programs
• Establish and maintain internal training.
o Train law enforcement officers on bicycle and pedestrian rights and safe behaviors as
well as common violations that cause bicycle and pedestrian crashes.
All police officers are trained on bicycle and pedestrian laws in the police
academy. In the event there is a legislative change to one of these laws, officers
would receive updates in a “Legislative Update” class that is mandated by Texas
Commission on Law Enforcement.
o Ensure school crossing guards are trained on basic traffic laws, safety issues and
limitations of children, and emergency procedures.
By terms detailed in the contract with All City Management Services Inc, they
are responsible for training the School Traffic Guards they employ.
• Review local laws to guarantee that they positively allow and enforce bicyclist and pedestrian
mobility.
o Review and modify any local laws that may restrict multi-modal mobility in collaboration
with the City of College Station Police Department and City Attorney.
This collaboration has not occurred.
• Enforce regulations and laws that foster a safe bicycling and walking environment, especially by
targeting areas with high numbers of reported crashes.
o Establish speed enforcement in various school zones and active routes to school.
School zone speed limits are in every school area and enforcement regularly
occurs.
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o Enforce jaywalking laws. Make sure signals are timed properly to ensure safe crossings
at intersections.
Jaywalking is enforced by PD and Public Works has monitored and ensured that
pedestrian crossings are safe and timed properly for comfortable user
experience.
o Enforce parking laws for illegally parked cars such as those in bike lanes and that block
views.
It is illegal to park in bike lanes unless specific coordination has been done with
the city for special events/church Sundays.
o Identify areas and time of day where speeding is most prevalent and utilize radar speed
signs that show drivers how fast they are going to slow them down.
There are currently a few radar speed signs that have been installed as part of
the Traffic Calming program.
o Analyze bicycle and pedestrian crash statistics to determine ways to reduce road
hazards. Determine if crash reporting procedures could be improved to capture
appropriate information to create change. City staff (transportation, engineering, and
police) should meet regularly to discuss crashes, fatalities, and complaints involving
bicyclists and pedestrians and recommend appropriate improvements.
Staff currently does not coordinate with other departments on this.
• Ensure proper use and safety of greenways especially as the system continues to grow.
o Establish groups of volunteers who can monitor illegal activities such as the disposal of
waste on greenways in their neighborhood
The City does not currently have established groups of volunteers for this.
o Establish groups of volunteers or police officers who patrol trails on bicycles, especially
on days of heavy use, who could report suspicious or unlawful activity as well as help
trail users.
A Park Ranger position has been created in the Parks and Recreation
Department that monitors park and trail activity.
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