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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-06-12CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES June 12, 2012 CITY OF KITCHENER Cycling Advisory Committee met on this date commencing at 4:14 p.m. Present: Ms. M. Sehl (Chair), D. Class, M. Boos, P. Dedes, S. Burek, P. Walberg, Y. Fernandes Staff: R. Schirm (Committee Administrator), J. Joseph (Minutes), W. Sleeth, M. Parris Regrets: Ms. J. Romero, B. Forwell, B. Laube, M. Arges Guests: J. Gazzola 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF May 8, 2012 That the minutes of the May 8, 2012 meeting be approved. Motion by: Y. Fernandes Seconded by: D. Class 2. DEBRIEF ON COUNCILOR'S RIDE, NETHERLANDS SPEAKER, AND FUTURE ACTIVITIES Y. Fernandes stated she was impressed with the questions asked by Councilor's during the ride and mentioned that the feedback was positive. Committee members discussed the idea of a Mayor's bicycle ride with members of the public, with the possibility of turning the event into a fundraiser. D. Class mentioned that he met with Councilor Dan Glenn- Graham who suggested another Councilor ride be planned for the fall. M. Sehl stated that having two Councilor rides per year may be too ambitious. J. Joseph updated the committee on the Guest Speaker from the Netherlands, Hans Moor. The event was held at the University of Waterloo, School of Pharmacy building. Over 130 people were in attendance, including Regional Chair Ken Seiling, Councilors Dan Glenn- Graham and John Gazzola, various members of the cycling advisory committee, and municipal and regional staff. J. Joseph delivered a presentation on the CAC's top priorities, and other cycling initiatives being undertaken at the City. CTV News and Rogers TV were in attendance and provided live coverage of the event. The results of the 3rd annual Great Commuter Race were discussed. First place was awarded to D. Class who participated as the e- bicycle rider. The time difference between all modes of transportation was less than 5 minutes. Committee members discussed ideas on how to build upon the race for next year by involving more Councilors and members of the public as participants. CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES June 12, 2012 CITY OF KITCHENER 3. UPDATE ON CAC'S 5 PRIORITY PROJECTS R. Schirm updated the committee on the CAC's 5 priority projects for the current year. A public meeting was held for the Margaret Avenue bike lanes approximately 6 weeks ago and was well received by those in attendance. Design is being undertaken by staff and the bike lanes are likely to be installed in the fall. R. Schirm informed the committee that the signed pilot project priority is to be discussed at a staff level during June to identify a timing schedule in moving forward. P. Walberg asked R. Schirm about maintenance work for signage, stating that certain signs are in a state of disrepair. R. Schirm replied stating that signs within the right of way are checked frequently and must conform to a set of regulations. R. Schirm informed the committee that signs along trails however are less regulated. W. Sleeth clarified that the issue of sign maintenance has been considered in the recently approved trails master plan. R. Schirm informed the committee that the Nyberg contraflow bike lane is awaiting approvals at the Regional level, given that this link runs perpendicular to Ottawa Street, a regional road. An approval from the rail authority is required before any work can proceed on the Iron Horse Trail rail crossing upgrades. Detailed design work for the Wilson Avenue trail heads are to be completed. 4. KCAC PROTOCOLS FOR EXTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS R. Schirm informed the committee of the protocols that must be followed by committee members when any form of external communication takes place. The following protocols are outlined in the `Advisory Committee Frequently Asked Questions' document, which was provided to all committee members. "24. Can I speak to an outside group or the media on behalf of the committee? Unless the committee has agreed and has made a recommendation, which was subsequently approved by Council, a member of an advisory committee is not permitted to address the media or an outside group as a representative of the committee. Members addressing an outside group or the media must do so as a private citizen unless they have received authorization to act as a representative of the committee. " CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES June 12, 2012 CITY OF KITCHENER 5. DISCUSSION ON THE CAC'S MANDATE A discussion was held on a recommendation approved by Council which requested a review of the CAC's current mandate and to discuss the possibility of broadening the mandate to include all forms of active transportation. Y. Fernandes clarified that the recommendation does not mean the CAC's mandate must or should change, but that it should be reviewed by committee members. Committee members brought forward the following opinions during the discussion: • P. Dedes suggested that the committee broaden its mandate to include all forms of active transportation and should include at least 15 members. A higher proportion of members should be cyclists since cycling requires the largest infrastructure requirement. An active transportation advisory committee would introduce perspectives related to pedestrians and accessibility, and would leave a more long lasting legacy in this community. • M. Boos stated his preference for an active transportation advisory committee and the benefits of bringing similar interests among pedestrians and cyclists together under one committee. • P. Walberg expressed some concern over whether a consolidated committee would have difficulty in keeping focus on the right issues. • M. Sehl also had concerns with a consolidated committee, and stated that on -road cycling infrastructure may be viewed as less of a priority when other active transportation uses are introduced. • W. Sleeth suggested that if the CAC broadened the mandate to include all forms of active transportation, then the focus of the committee should still have a strong cycling focus and should slowly transition into more focus on the other uses. • D. Class suggested that the $1.5 million LEAF funding be used to fund the recently approved Multi -use Pathways and Trails Master Plan for 3 — 5 years. • S. Burek stated his preferences for staying course with the cycling master plan and focusing primarily on trails and cycling. S. Burek noted his support of broadening the committee's mandate in 2 — 5 years. • B. Forwell stated his preferences via email for a combined trails and cycling committee, with his second preferred option to retain the current CAC mandate, and his third preferred option to expand to become an Active Transportation Advisory Committee. After the discussion, committee members identified 3 possible options: 1) Remain as a Cycling Advisory Committee and retain the current mandate. CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES June 12, 2012 CITY OF KITCHENER 2) Remain as a Cycling Advisory Committee, but incorporate trails and multi- use pathways into the mandate 3) Expand to become an Active Transportation Advisory Committee, and assume this new mandate either immediately or over a given period of time R. Schirm informed the committee that a final decision on the CAC's future mandate must be decided upon by the November 2012 meeting. 6. ADJOURNMENT That the meeting be adjourned at 6:08 p.m. Motioned by: Mr. P. Dedes Seconded by: Mr. S. Burek