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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-06-09 KITCHENER CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES th June 9, 2015 CITY OF KITCHENER Kitchener Cycling and Trails Advisory Committee met on this date commencing at 4:07 p.m. Present: Ms. D. Chapman, Ms. G. Mitchell, Ms. S. Taka, Messrs. M. Boos (Vice- Chair), T. Boutilier, L. Chandler, P. Dedes (Chair), D. Hoshowsky, D. Kropf, and F. Sargeant. Staff: Mr. D. Pimentel, Mr. M. Parris, and Mr. D. Feng. Regrets: Ms. M. Generoux, Mr. J. Sanderson, Ms. V. Van Cappellen, and Councillor Y. Fernandes. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF MAY 12, 2015 On a motion by Mr. T. Boutilier: th That the minutes of the May 12, 2015 meeting be approved. It was resolved and carried 2. KITCHENER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FRANK SARGEANT Mr. Sargeant presented the Kitchener Economic Development Strategy (KEDS) as part of engaging citizens and committees alike KCTAC Mr. Sargeant will bring recommendations to council by end of summer 2015 Mr. Sargeant asked what Committee enjoyed about the community. Mr. Boutilier enjoys the size of the city and region in that it is very accessible, has many amenities, and there is a sense of permanence in the economic outlook. Ms. Taka enjoys the affordability and feels well grounded. Ms. Chapman enjoys the growing diversity in the arts and culture, and that the city is nearby Toronto. Mr. Kropf feels people have a voice here, which is a testament to the citizen groups and the city. Mr. Boos feels there is a sense of stability in political decision making. Mr. Sargeant asked Committee about what worries them from a cycling and active transportation perspective. Mr. Boos replied that past transportation projects have not necessarily done good for people, and that perhaps were following the footsteps of other communities. Mr. Dedes worries about whether action will take place in the momentum for changing transportation modality. Ms. Taka worries the loudest voices in the region are more so involved with infrastructure production rather than transportation demand management. Mr. Chandler feels it is very fortunate for there to be studentry around, but attention should be paid to them. Mr. Kropf is excited about the focus on and enthusiasm around cycling in the region, but worries about getting the full coordination at the regional level to get the fully functioning active transportation network. Mr. Sargeant asked about any ideas Committee may have that would solve an economic development issue in Kitchener. Mr. Chandler suggested amalgamation of the municipalities. Ms. Chapman suggested a complete separation of development projects from politics, seconded by Ms. Taka. Mr. Dedes suggests a focus on core areas of the cities due to efficiency in providing services, job density, tax revenue, etc. The city would get larger inputs for KITCHENER CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES th June 9, 2015 CITY OF KITCHENER development in these areas, and identified core areas with certain radi around ion stations. Mr. Sargeant asked Committee to imagine a better Kitchener 10 years into the future and identify the means of getting there. Ms. Taka suggested halting the development of unliveable big box stores. Mr. Boos suggested the illumination of parking minimums, which would impact housing affordability. Giving people the option of living without them would make people more active. Mr. Boutilier would like to see a comprehensive and fully integrated bike network in the city alongside a fully developed downtown (gapless street facades). Mr. Boutilier also suggests resolving legal problems downtown, making note of the unresolved site development issues. Mr. Hoshowsky wishes for fewer panhandlers because of the scarier environment it sets. Ms. Chapman would like to see participatory budgeting, where the money would be put into the hands of people who would allow innovation. Ms. Mitchell would like to see the downtown become more sustainable for businesses, more housing, and an improvement of social services to address the downtown panhandlers. 3. TRAIL CLOSURE: WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT (MILL PARK DR.) Mr. Parris displayed a map of the temporary closure for Committee discussion. Closure of the trail would precede a rebuild of a wider path, which will be completed over the span of 5 months Mr. Parris presented signage indicating such a closure Mr. Boos would like to see signage on Mill Park Dr at Huron for wayfinding purposes On a motion by Mr. M. Boos: That Committee advises a marked detour route featuring a cyclist and pedestrian indicator. It was resolved and carried 4. REGIONAL BIKE TRANSPORTATION STRATEGY Mr. Dedes recalled the intermunicipal meeting where three major points were considered: one, the priority regional routes through the three municipalities; second, the minimum grid strategy; and third, the regional cycling and trails map. Mr. Dedes will post opportunities for commentary. Mr. Boos noted that June 30, 2015 is the deadline for commentary about the conceptual map. Mr. Dedes called for comments and favourable components of the City of Kitchener Bike Map 2015 that Committee members would like to see reflected on the regional map Mr. Kropf suggests that a small group, perhaps Infrastructure and Technical, could submit compiled comments, but Mr. Dedes says the time constraints would not allow this approach and that individual comments may be preferred. KITCHENER CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES th June 9, 2015 CITY OF KITCHENER 5. STAFF UPDATES Mr. Parris spoke to signage and wayfinding, noting that the framework for signage is complete for design work to start in the late summer. The package/family of signs will be brought back to Committee in the fall. Mr. Dedes asked if the city were open to sharing signage solutions with other municipalities. Mr. Parris replied that the information is indeed open source. Mr. Pimentel summarized traffic counter information, showing the roads that currently have counters in place alongside future roads that will be counted. Those who wish to access information from counters may contact Mr. Pimentel as data is openly available. Mr. Kropf and Mr. Dedes suggested introducing two tube counters to identify cyclists riding curb-side, i.e. one counter stretching the width of the road and another that extends only 1.5m into the road from each curb. Inquiries were also raised about whether permanent, visual tallies can be installed that count cyclists and pedestrians as they pass. Such a device would be used as a community engagement piece; however, it is noted that such a device may have trouble with detection and differentiation 6. CYCLE FOR ANGELS Mr. Dedes reported on the ride, in memory of a passed cyclist. Escorted by police, local politicians and engineering staff were engaged in the ride. 7. LEGISLATION UPDATES The MTO will be sharing timelines for the Highway Traffic Act update, which Mr. Pimentel will share with Committee. There were many questions regarding the designation and classification of e-scooters, skateboards and wheelchairs on the right of way. Mr. Pimentel updated Committee on the work to attain prize items for BikeKitchener events 8. DELEGATION OF PRESENCE AT COUNCIL REVIEWS Mr. Dedes discussed the opportunities in the next few months for City Council review of cyclist infrastructure recommendations. Committee is looking to have some representation in support of these infrastructure recommendations at June 15, 2015 and August 10, 2015 Council meetings On a motion by Mr. T. Boutilier: To have delegation that can represent the voice of Committee at Council review of cycling infrastructure projects. It was resolved and carried KITCHENER CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES th June 9, 2015 CITY OF KITCHENER 9. SUMMER MEETINGS Next Official meeting is July 14, 2015. Last summer meeting will be in August. 10. QUESTIONS AND OTHER ITEMS The Iron Horse Trail (IHT) Survey is going well. There will be a public meeting on the IHT Improvement Strategy on June 23, 2015 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Victoria Park Pavilion. Mr. Pimentel updated that staff are currently in the process of filling the vacancies on Committee Mr.Kropf made a note in reference to the Alpine Walkway proposal, from the meeting on May 12, 2015 (Item 2), that a local residential community intersecting the walkway is opposed to the project because of concern over unwanted persons in the area. 11. ADJOURNMENT On a motion by Mr. D. Kropf: That the meeting be adjourned at 5:40 p.m. It was resolved and carried