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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-10-08CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 8, 2013 CITY OF KITCHENER The Cycling Advisory Committee met on this date commencing at 4:03 p.m. Present: Ms. M. Sehl (Chair), Councillor Y. Fernandes, Ms. M. Generoux, Ms. T. Niesen, T. Boutilier, P. Dedes, S. Gibson, T. Reiser, M. Boos, M. Arges, L. Oakey and P. Walberg (Vice- Chair). Staff: Messrs. J. Joseph, D. Pimentel (minutes), M. Parris Regrets: Messrs. W. Sleeth, APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 15, 2013 MEETING That the minutes of the September 17, 2013 meeting be approved as amended: Motioned by: Mr. P. Dedes (carried) 2. UPDATE ON CURRENT CYCLING PRIORITIES Trail Road Crossings • Mr. Parris informed the CAC that the Iron Horse Trail (IHT) @ Victoria Park rail crossing is scheduled for construction on October 15 lasting until November 1, weather permitting The IHT will be closed for the duration of the construction, with signage and maps on Queen St and Victoria Ave to inform cyclists of closure and provide an alternate route around the IHT Sign Project • Some minor changes are still being done. It was asked if deficiencies can be addressed this year; a list of deficiencies should be created • The potential for a re- design of the street blades is being discussed and the CAC will be presented with any changes for their comment • It is anticipated that additional routes will be explored by summer 2014 Contra -Flow Bike Lanes • It is currently being discussed among staff; Mr. Readman will look into the concern and provide an update when appropriate Victoria /West & Courtland /Stirling Mr. Joseph will speak with Mr. LaPointe, to see if he is able to attend next meeting to provide an update on the status of each location Iron Horse Trail & Rail Crossing • It was indicated that the works for the Wilson - Wabanaki trail are still not complete. It was understood that this work would be complete by September. • It is noted that an agreement was signed on September 4; CAC should draft a letter to send to CN outlining their concerns Margaret Ave • Pavement markings are nearly complete, remainder should be finished by November. It was noted that Margaret Ave will be resurfaced in the near future; the bike lanes will remain as part of the road design CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 8, 2013 - 2 - CITY OF KITCHENER Bike Rack Request Program • a cost share initiative for workplace /schools to install bike parking is currently under development • goal is to launch the program in summer /fall 2014 4. 5 YEAR PRIORITY NETWORK COORDINATION STRATEGY & BUDGET OVERVIEW • Currently in the process of trying to align re- construction work with cycling projects in order to save some costs • Mr. Joseph said that staff is working on developing the strategy and at the appropriate time, the CAC will be shown the strategy for input. It was also noted that each year the strategy plan can be reviewed • This strategy plan will not take the place of the existing priorities set out by the CAC but rather look at larger construction projects at the potential for cycling infrastructure to be incorporated • Mr. Joseph indicated that costs will be incorporated into future planned work and estimates will be provided for each priority • Mr. Dedes suggested that more significant figures are required in order to assign accountability to work performed and that detailed figures should be provided to the CAC; Mr. Joseph will be providing an estimate of costs in the November report but detailed information will be provided for the future • Ms. Sehl indicated that the CAC has never been clear on how the budget is allocated for each project. Ms. Sehl asked that once the budget has been reached for the year, is it done for the remainder of the year? Can Council be held accountable for the numbers shown by the CAC? • It was identified that the CMP recommends that the existing budget be increased in 2015; if this is the case the CAC would like some input as to where the budget is being allocated • Mr. Dedes informed the CAC that there is no official process to have the by -law reviewed. The appropriate sub - committee will author the by -law review report and will look for consensus among the CAC members. Mr. Joseph indicated that he will assist the sub- committee with the report. • Mr. Walberg suggested that do to timelines, the report could be moved back to December committee meeting, which would tie into the report being brought in December regarding the report card. KCAC SUB - COMMITTEE UPDATES Promotions — M. Arges This sub - committee discussed the following items at the most recent meeting: • Documents are being placed inside utility bills as well as distributed to schools • Discussions were had regarding the possible partnering with various bike clubs in order to provide education and information to the public. Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians should be the focus for educating; CAC members mentioned both the Optimist Club and Waterloo Children's Village • CANBIKE - noted that this program is expensive; any possible rebate program that may assist with cost or the possibility of seeking any other program that provides the same training at a reduced cost CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 8, 2013 - 3 - CITY OF KITCHENER • Mr. Joseph indicated that much of the sub - committee work overlaps with his day to day work, including potential sponsorship strategies. Mr. Joseph advised that he will begin to seek input from the various sub - committees, where his work overlaps the agenda items of each sub - committee Technical Infrastructure — P. Dedes This sub - committee meets the third Wednesday following the KCAC meeting. This sub - committee discussed the following items at the most recent meeting: • Mr. Dedes advised that staff consult Book 18 prior to any infrastructure changes on a roadway (ex. Lorraine Ave) • While there is a standard for marking trail crossings, each location should be looked at differently as each location differs from one another • Discussions occurred around by -law review, which will be incorporated into the by -law review section Planning, Evaluation, and Governance — P. Walberg This sub - committee discussed the following items at the most recent meeting: • At the last CAC meeting in July, the CAC endorsed the report card framework • The sub - committee brainstormed various ideas in how to evaluate specific measures under each of the 5 E's • A large range of ideas were brought forward, some general and others more specific. It was decided upon that 5 general metrics would be used under each of the 5 E's in order to provide some guidance to providing a grading system to the report card. It is important to provide a grading system to each item in order to ensure each vested party (i.e. City of Kitchener, CAC) is held accountable for their role • It is anticipated that a working draft will be complete for year's end. It should be noted that a report card will not be presented this year but rather an update. The report card will be presented every 2 years, limited only to even numbered years 5. TRAIL ROAD CROSSING UPDATE • Steering committee with the 3 municipalities (i.e. Kitchener, Cambridge, Waterloo) is being formed, in an attempt to develop consistent standards throughout the Region. It was suggested by Mr. Arges that a member of the CAC be included as part of the steering committee • Ms. Sehl indicated that some trail gates are still closed; staff have not heard of any concerns over gates that are currently open 6. NOVEMBER COMMITTEE REPORT UPDATE • Mr. Joseph is currently drafting a staff report on cycling; it will include an overview of existing work and future projects and will be tied in with Parks report • It was noted that it may be presented at the same meeting as the CAC report will be presented, but the goal is to have the report presented prior to year's end • It was mentioned that it may be beneficial to have a meeting in December; Mr. Joseph will confirm but based on the general interest shown by the CAC members, a tentative December meeting is scheduled CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 8, 2013 - 4 - CITY OF KITCHENER 7. SUB - COMMITTEE DISCUSSION & PRIOIRIES FOR 2014 Committee members met in their individual sub - committees to brainstorm priorities for 2014. Various discussions were had and the 2014 priorities are to be finalized at the November Committee meeting. 8. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:03 p.m.