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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-03-08 CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 8, 2011 CITY OF KITCHENER The Cycling Advisory Committee met on this date commencing at 4:05 p.m. Present: Messrs. M. Arges, S. Burek, D. Class, P. Dedes, B. Forwell (Vice-Chair), D. Hilker, T. Kenyon (Chair), N. Mehés, M. Turner, Councillor Y. Fernandes and Mss. J. Tomero and M. Sehl Staff: Messrs. R. Schirm (Committee Administrator), P. Wetherup and Ms. K. Reinert (Recorder) Regrets: None Councillor Y. Fernandes was unable to attend the entire meeting due to a meeting conflict; therefore, item number two, the 2011 Budget, was moved forward to allow Councillor Fernandes to address this item. 2011 BUDGET 1. Council passed the budget without the ½ FTE position or base funding of $200,000 approved for the Cycling Master Plan (CMP). Decisions made by Council were respectful to the impact of the budget on taxpayers and not wanting to reduce level of service on existing programs. Councillor Fernandes spoke with Infrastructure Services Department General Manager Pauline Houston to see if there is any possible way to fund the CMP within the approved budget. There is some as of yet unspecified funding for staffing in transportation. Councillor Fernandes felt that this committee worked really hard over its first term and she is looking at all possible options to find funding within the existing 2011 budget. Mr. R. Schirm inquired on what the Cycling Advisory Committee (CAC) could do to keep this on Council’s radar screen. Mr. T. Kenyon commented that the Storm Water Management (SWM) fee was an issue in this year’s budget that ultimately lead to the elimination of funding for cycling and since the SWM fee is a long- term, permanent fixture, what impact would that have over the long term prospects for funding the CMP? Councillor Fernandes commented that once the residents are accustomed to the fee hopefully, other areas, including the CMP, can be funded. Councillor Fernandes went on to say that she would like to move forward and it is important to see cycling as another viable mode of transportation. Mr. D. Class stated that $10 or $15M was spent on King Street last year and he would like to know if the City can find $10 or $15M for parks and trails, and roads, why can’t they spend the same on cycling. Councillor Fernandes stated that she will ask that question. Mr. Class went on to say that connectivity is the big issue; if you have the best places to go to but you can’t get there what good is it. Mr. Schirm questioned whether it would be prudent for the CAC to make a presentation to Council and Councillor Fernandes emphatically stated absolutely. Discussion took place on why funding was set up through the Parking Enterprise rather than the Transportation Planning budget and whether this was part of the problem. Mr. John McBride, Director of Transportation Planning, explained that it was to be funded by the Parking Enterprise as part of the plan to reduce parking demand, ultimately saving the City money by delaying the construction of costly parking infrastructure. This would be similar to Utilities promoting energy conservation. The proposed funding of cycling in the City by the Parking Enterprise would also have had no impact on the tax role. CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 8, 2011 - - CITY OF KITCHENER 2 2011 BUDGET 1. – cont’d Ms. M. Sehl, for clarification, reiterated that as a result of the SWM issues funding, a half-time position, one position and funding for CMP is gone. Mr. Schirm clarified that funding for the implementation of the CMP and 3 new positions in total were not approved, including the cycling coordinator/Transportation Demand Management Coordinator. Mr. D. Hilker reiterated that without monies for this program, there is no way to implement it. When questioned on whether the LEAF program could be used to obtain grant money, Mr. Schirm stated that the LEAF program is intended for special projects outside of City programs and the CMP is a City program. Councillor Fernandes stated that Council was interested in supporting the CMP but not new staff. She suggested using a co-op or grad student to get the program started thereby increasing justification to fully fund the program. Mr. Schirm questioned if there is a specific message from the committee that should go to Council in that one of the mandates of the Committee is to advocate to Council for cycling and cycling initiatives in the City. Mr. P. Dedes suggested that the committee look at having a surcharge on monthly parking fees that would provide for stable funding for cycling. Councillor Fernandes suggested something similar to what Community Services does for their programs in that it would be within the budget. Mr. McBride explained that the Parking Enterprise will be self funding providing dividends back to the City. The Parking Enterprise would also fund major restoration for the parking garages, i.e. the Duke and Ontario parking garage restoration, which will cost $1.5 to $1.6M, and was to fund the CMP implementation as well as the cycling/TDM FTE. These revenues have been rolled into the general revenue as a result of the budget. At this point there are two choices, include the program within the Parking Enterprise or within the budget, either way there would be an impact on the budget. Councillor Fernandes suggested that possibly $100,000 could be obtained in 2011 to get something started but Mr. McBride indicated that that would not be sufficient because a large portion of that amount would need to go to staffing. Mr. Schirm explained that in implementing the CMP is labour intensive involving the community and getting local resident “buy-in.” Presently, Mr. Schirm is involved in the detailed design of cycle tracks which is time consuming due the facility types being new to the region and outside of his core duties. Due to the nature of his core duties he is only able to assist with the committee at this point in time and is unable to commit to moving the CMP further forward. Councillor Fernandes will check into availability of money that is marked as unspecified for staff and report back at April meeting. Councillor Fernandes left the meeting at 4:48 p.m. Mr. T. Kenyon explained further on the perception of what the staff person would do and it was an eye opener for him. The staff person would need to know the importance of travel and on-road concerns, deal with various key staff from the Region, City of Waterloo, City of Cambridge and be able to co- ordinate everything cohesively and strategically over the long term. A summer or grad student would not have this knowledge and would not be in the position long enough to provide continuity. Discussion took place why $400,000 is required. $200,000 was earmarked for the CMP implementation and $200,000 for TDM programming which includes the cost of one FTE being the TDM coordinator/cycling coordinator. Mr. McBride stated that the Parking Enterprise, TDM and the CMP are all linked and support one another in various ways. Mr. Kenyon commented that the $200,000 budget for the CMP is to be applied to cycling projects and could be used to offset some of CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 8, 2011 - - CITY OF KITCHENER 3 2011 BUDGET 1. – cont’d the cost the installation of cycling infrastructure within a reconstruction project where the cost is deemed too high. Signage was discussed and the possibility of going through LEAF program is not available at this time th. because the deadline date was February 28 As an aside, Mr. P. Oldridge submitted his application for a bike share program. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF FEBRUARY 8, 2011 2. That the minutes of the February 8, 2011 meeting be approved. Motioned by: Mr. D. Hilker Seconded by: Mr. M. Turner COMMUNITY ACCESS BICYCLES Mr. R. Schirm wanted confirmation from the committee regarding the motion set forth that the committee being in favour with the concept of a bike share program in the City of Kitchener. Unanimously agreed by committee members and approved wording in the minutes. FUTURE OF THE CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE 3. Mr. T. Kenyon stated that he was very disheartened with the outcome of the 2011 Budget and speculated on the role, if any, of the Cycling Advisory Committee moving forward. This is a good time for the committee to look at successes and to perceive on how to move ahead. Some of the suggestions by the Committee were as follows; nd a) Commuter Challenge and having a 2 Annual with a possible start in Doon or Conestoga College b) Presentation to Council – emphasize, be positive and make an impact by inviting Region, City of Waterloo, pedestrians, cyclists to attend presentation. If committee decides to make presentation to Community & Infrastructure Services or Finance & Corporate Services committees, timing is everything and the committee needs to ensure what the message is to be. c) Consider funding for next year’s budget d) Continue with advocacy and public awareness – suggestion to set up something similar to C.A.A.’s worst road for cycling e) Work closer with City of Waterloo, Region and Cambridge f) Suggestion to meet with media – individual staff members can take a public stance as a private citizen but not as a Committee member unless authorized by the Committee to speak on everyone’s behalf. g) Follow-up to presentations – if follow-up is required. For example, the letter that could have been sent after Mr. Kenyon’s presentation at the last Community & Infrastructure Services committee was not sent because committee members did not respond to the request. It is important to respond quickly. h) Check if other funds may be available, for example, Trillium Fund i) Continue to forward trail-related problems to CAC or Peter Wetherup j) Facebook presence – Mr. Schirm will contact Communications for protocol and set-up and Mr. P. Dedes has offered to be administrator. k) Sub-committees for multi-use and trails, Commuter Challenge, PowerPoint and media technology. This will be discussed at April meeting. CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 8, 2011 - - CITY OF KITCHENER 4 FUTURE OF THE CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE 3. – cont’d After further discussion regarding funding coming out of capital, Mr. McBride commented on two issues; 1) Regarding additional new staff, there will be a report going to Council to this and the priority is for a Parking Manager as proper management of the Parking Enterprise is vital in order to provide strategic direction for this multi-million dollar enterprise and financial support for cycling and TDM programming moving forward. 2) The Kitchener Transportation Master Plan is about 50% complete and support for alternative modes of transport and the CMP are vital components of this, further reinforcing the need for proper support for the CMP implementation. Items for Presentation to Council The committee needs to figure out how to get Council attention and Mr. Schirm is to report back when the earliest, most effective time will be for this report. Suggestions for the presentation content are as follows: - five or ten ideas serious issues or problem areas with photographs - videos incorporated in the PowerPoint presentation - Provide some cost benefit analysis for the City in terms of supporting cycling and the CMP– Mr. N. Mehes will research this. Mr. T. Kenyon acknowledged that everyone’s contribution is excellent and it is extremely heartening to have a lot of assets such as a great committee, great support staff and thanked Mr. McBride for his support and taking the time to talk about the Parking Enterprise and commitment to cycling. ADJOURNMENT 4. All committee members simultaneously motioned and approved that the meeting be adjourned at 6:05 p.m. Ronald Schirm Committee Administrator