HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/09/2024 - 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
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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.
September 9, 2024 3:30 PM Bush 4141 Comunity 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
videoconference 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. August 12, 2024
3.2. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding initiating an update of the Bicycle,
Pedestrian, and Greenways Master Plan.
Sponsors: Jesse Dimeolo
3.3. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding the designation of Board members as a
voting member and alternate to the Active Transportation Advisory Panel of the Bryan/College
Station Metropolitan Planning Organization.
Sponsors: Jason Schubert
3.4. Presentation and discussion regarding the following items related to biking, walking, and
greenways:
a. Public Meetings of Interest
b. Capital and Private Project Updates
3.5. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding the Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways
Advisory Board calendar of upcoming meetings.
Page 1 of 7
Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways
Advisory Board
Page 2 September 9, 2024
• October 14, 2024 ~ Bicycle, Pedestrian and Greenways Advisory Board Meeting at 3:30
p.m. in the Bush 4141 Community Room
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 September 3, 2024 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.”
Page 2 of 7
MINUTES
BICYCLE, PEDESTRIAN, AND GREENWAYS
ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
August 12, 2024
MEMBERS PRESENT:Chairperson Elizabeth Cunha, Board Members Joy Chmelar, Jake
Madewell, Brad Brimley and Neo Jang
MEMBERS ABSENT:Board Member Kathy Langlotz
STAFF PRESENT:Director of Planning & Development Services Anthony
Armstrong, Assistant Director Molly Hitchcock, City Engineer
Carol Cotter, Transportation Planning Coordinator Jason Schubert,
Senior Planner Jesse Dimeolo, Staff Planner Carl Ahrens, Graduate
Traffic Engineer II DeAnna Ordonez, Traffic Engineer II Michael
Holmes, Business Services Manager Daniel Smith and Staff
Assistant II Grecia Fuentes
AGENDA ITEM NO. 1: Call to Order and consider absence requests.
Chairperson Cunha called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m.
There were no absence requests for consideration.
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 Madewell motioned to approve the meeting minutes from May, Board
Member Brimley seconded the motion, minutes were approved 5-0.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 3.2: Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding an
ordinance amending the Comprehensive Plan by amending the Thoroughfare Plan and
Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Master Plan to remove the future extension of Balcones
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Drive, a Minor Collector, between the Jones Crossing Development and Welsh Avenue
including associated future bike lanes and sidewalks.
Coordinator Schubert presented the staff report and recommended denial of the request.
Veronica Morgan with Mitchell and Morgan presented on behalf of the applicant.
Ms. Morgan shared information about the future construction of The Deason at Jones Crossing
Development, which will include a connector roadway named Metalmark Way. This public way
will go from Waxwing Lane to Balcones Drive. She stated that there is already and existing
shared-use path along the pond that will be right along the future Metalmark Way connection.
She added that there were some alternative paths for pedestrians which are 0.41 miles in length
from the existing Balcones Drive that goes all the way to Welsh Avenue. There will also be a
future shared-use path along Harvey Mitchell Parkway that is fully funded and will be developed
by TxDOT.
Ms. Chessie Zimmerman, applicant, shared their experiences since the beginning in 2017 with
the past failed attempts at constructing the Balcones Drive extension connection. She said that
she felt that they were being held hostage and they did not believe that it would ever get built or
rise to the top of the funding list.
Pastor Allen with First Baptist Church of College Station shared his experience and stated that
the cost of this project would be 150 percent of their annual operating budget. He also said that
he had future plans for that area, but felt it was a shame to limit his ministry and be forced to pay
a cost that they could never recuperate from. He told the Board that the church putting that road
in would bring zero revenue. He said that the city would be more in a position to do that through
the resources available.
Ms. Morgan clarified that the city could always go back and add this project back on to the plan
later. She told the Board that they were there to make a request for the city to remove this item
from the Thoroughfare Plan.
Chairperson Cunha addressed the Board and explained that they would have to make a
recommendation solely focusing on the bicycle and pedestrian connections that would then go to
City Council.
Board Member Brimley stated he had a business relationship with the applicant and recused
himself from the discussion and motion on this item.
Board Member Jang motioned to recommend approval of the request to remove the future
extension of Balcones Drive, Board Member Chmelar seconded the motion. The motion
passed (3-1-1) with Board Member Madewell being in opposition and Board Member
Brimley abstaining.
Board Member Jang agreed to attend the upcoming Planning & Zoning Commission meeting
virtually to share the Board’s recommendation with the Commission.
Page 4 of 7
AGENDA ITEM NO. 3.3: Presentation, possible action and discussion regarding the Week
Without Driving challenge.
Board Member Jang presented this item.
Board Member Jang requested the help of the Board to get the word out about the Week Without
Driving Challenge. He suggested that maybe City Council could make a proclamation and was
also wondering if other city departments could help with advertising on social media. He stated
that the objective of this was to encourage as many citizens as possible to participate and
challenge themselves for an alternative transportation option.
Chairperson Cunha commented that she was a little hesitant because she thought that whole
week would be very difficult to do for an average citizen. She said it is a learning experience and
does not want it to be a negative experience. She suggested encouraging citizens to try it for a
day or two instead of a whole week.
Board Member Chmelar agreed and said she loved the concept but was curious about the actual
execution of it.
Board Member Brimley asked if this could somehow be combined with National Bike Month in
May. He added that the targeted group here were the people that were so close to or already
thinking about an alternative transportation mode and not the people committed to their vehicle.
He said that keeping that in mind and knowing that there will not be a huge difference but could
be a sizeable impact. He said that negative comments were always going to happen. He
suggested to tailor the messaging to consider trips people already make and replacing them with
an alternative mode.
Chairperson Cunha had the following suggestions:
1. Board Members to all try a different transportation mode that week.
2. Board Member Jang to pursue a Proclamation to be presented at a City Council meeting.
3. Board hold off on asking Public Communications to do any advertising until next year.
She told Board Member Jang he could also try reaching out to the council member that would be
interviewing at WTAW that week and have them announce the event on there.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 3.4: Presentation and discussion regarding the proposed FY25 City
budget as it relates to items related to walking, biking, and greenways.
Chairperson Cunha went over several sections of the proposed FY25 City Budget pages that
pertained to bicycles, pedestrians and greenways. She explained that she wanted the Board to
know where BPG stands in the budget and that there are several place it is included.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 3.5: Presentation and discussion regarding the following items
related to biking, walking, and greenways.
a)Public Meetings of Interest – No upcoming Meetings
Page 5 of 7
b) Capital and Private Project Updates –
Coordinator Schubert mentioned the George Bush Separated Bike Lane Project would be under
construction this fall.
Staff Planner Ahrens mentioned a Bike Friendly Community Survey was posted that had an
October 15th cutoff date.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 3.6: Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding the
Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Advisory Board calendar of upcoming meetings.
a) September 9, 2024 ~ Bicycle, Pedestrian and Greenways Advisory Board Meeting
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.
Chairperson Cunha informed the Board that she would not be running in the upcoming election
for City Council.
Board Member Madewell announced he will be moving out of state next month but was counting
on attending the next month’s meeting before moving.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 5: Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 5:03 p.m.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
____________________________ ____________________________
Elizabeth Cunha, Chairperson Grecia Fuentes, Board Secretary
Page 6 of 7
September 9, 2024
Item No. 3.3.
Sponsor: Jason Schubert
Reviewed By CBC: Bicycle, Pedestrian, & Greenways Advisory Board
Agenda Caption: Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding the designation of Board
members as a voting member and alternate to the Active Transportation Advisory Panel of the
Bryan/College Station Metropolitan Planning Organization.
Relationship to Strategic Goals:
Recommendation(s): Staff recommends the Board designate a Voting Member and Alternate to
serve as citizen representatives on the MPO ATAP.
Summary: The Bryan/College Station Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is the regional
transportation planning agency in Brazos County. It utilizes three committees to conduct its business,
which consist of representatives of its member entities: Brazos County, Brazos Transit District, City of
Bryan, City of College Station, Texas A&M University and Texas Department of Transportation.
Besides the MPO Policy Board and Technical Advisory Committee, the Active Transportation
Advisory Panel (ATAP) is a forum for MPO member entities to coordinate on planning, designing and
scheduling transportation projects that include bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.
The MPO has requested its member agencies provide updated citizen members to serve on ATAP.
Prior citizen members from College Station have been members of the Bicycle, Pedestrian, and
Greenways Advisory Board and staff requests the Board designate one member to be a Voting
Member for ATAP and another member to serve as the Alternate. City staff also serve on ATAP with
Jesse Dimeolo being designated as the Voting Member and Jason Schubert as Alternate. MPO staff
schedule ATAP meetings as needed, which typically meet on the 4th Thursday of the month at
10:00am at the MPO offices in downtown Bryan.
Budget & Financial Summary:
Attachments:
None
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