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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/20/2021 - Minutes - Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Advisory Board MINUTES JOINT COUNCIL TRANSPORTATION & MOBILITY COMMITTEE AND BICYCLE, PEDESTRIAN, & GREENWAYS ADVISORY BOARD MEETING Tuesday, April 20, 2021 3:30 PM Virtual meeting via Zoom BPG MEMBERS PRESENT: Elizabeth Cunha, Kyle LeBlanc, Kathy Langlotz, Rebecca Brooker, Joy Chmelar, Dennis Jansen, and David Higdon CTMC MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairperson Linda Harvell, Council Member Bob Brick, Mayor Karl Mooney, Dennis Christiansen, and Daniel Rudge STAFF PRESENT: P&DS Director Michael Ostrowski, P&DS Assistant Director Molly Hitchcock, Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Planning Administrator Venessa Garza, Transportation Planning Coordinator Jason Schubert, Long Range Planning Coordinator Alyssa Halle- Schramm, Planner Jesse DiMeolo, Planner Amy Albright, City Traffic Engineer, City Traffic Engineer Troy Rother, Assistant City Manager Jennifer Prochazka, Deputy City Manager Jeff Capps, Assistant City Manager Jeff Kersten, Assistant Director Public Works Pete Caler, Assistant to the City Manager Barbara Moore, Assistant City Attorney Gavin Midgley, Assistant to the City Manager Brian Piscacek, Assistant Director Capital Projects Emily Fisher, City Manager Bryan Woods, Planning Intern Matthew Ellis, Board Secretary Grecia Fuentes, and Administrative Support Specialist Kristen Hejny AGENDA ITEM NO. 1: Call to Order and consider absence requests Chairperson Harvell 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 ITEM NO. 3.1: Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Transportation Alternatives Grant Program. Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Planning Administrator Garza presented this item to the Committee and Board. Two projects are proposed for submission for funding. On-street separated bike lanes along George Bush Drive from Wellborn Road to Texas Avenue and a shared-use path along Harvey Mitchell Parkway from Waxwing Lane to the Larry Ringer Library. There was general discussion amongst the Board and Committee. AGENDA ITEM NO. 3.2: Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding Separated Bike Lanes. Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Planning Administrator Garza presented this item to the Committee and Board. Ms. Garza explained the different types of separated bike lanes including on-street, off-street (sidewalk level), and shared-use paths; and types of vertical barriers to be considered for on-street separated bike lanes including posts, wheel stops, low bumps, planter boxes, bollards, concrete barrier, and concrete medians. Council Member Brick asked if putting something higher than the small concrete curb would be a better option. Board Member Higdon asked if Penberthy Drive is considered a Major Arterial road category. Transportation Planning Coordinator Schubert clarified that Penberthy Drive is a Minor Arterial roadway. Chairperson Cunha expressed support of shared-use paths, stating that vehicles are unable to park on it. Board Member Brooker expressed support of the bicycle facilities, stating that they serve purposes for both bicyclists and runners. Mayor Mooney expressed support of wider sidewalks as seen in a different city, as an off-street separated bike lane. Chairperson Cunha asked about the affordability category. Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Planning Administrator Garza stated that the affordability category focused on installation costs. Council Member Nichols requested clarification on the concrete median and wheel stop options and their use of asphalt. Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Planning Administrator Garza stated in conversations with the Public Works department, there are discussions in regards to the permanency of the product. Chair Member Harvell asked for the height on the concrete median. Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Planning Administrator Garza stated that staff would explore further, but at least six inches would be preferred. There was general discussion amongst the Board and Committee. Council Member Harvell asked for the time frame on finalizing separated bike lanes. Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Planning Administrator Garza stated that there is not a timeline, but an update will be shared within the next six months. Council Member Nichols asked if staff must specify favorite corridors in the grant application process. Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Planning Administrator Garza stated that projects have already been selected and TxDOT will prioritize all projects submitted statewide based on set criteria. AGENDA ITEM NO. 3.3: Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding National Bike Month. Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Planning Administrator Garza and Chairperson Cunha presented this item to the Committee and Board. Chairperson Cunha gave updates on the Council led bicycle ride to be held on May 22, 2021. There was general discussion amongst the Board and Committee regarding the bicycle route and bike to work day. AGENDA ITEM NO. 3.4: Presentation, discussion, and possible action on traffic operations videos. Traffic Engineer Rother presented traffic videos to the Committee and Board. AGENDA ITEM NO. 3.4: Updates from the Chamber Transportation Committee Chairman. Chairman Nichols presented updates on the Chamber Transportation Committee. AGENDA ITEM NO. 4: Possible action and discussion 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. AGENDA ITEM NO. 5: Adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 5:16 p.m. APPROVED: ATTEST: ____________________________ ____________________________ Elizabeth Cunha, Chairperson Kristen Hejny, Board Secretary