Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-07-14 KITCHENER CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES th July 14, 2015 CITY OF KITCHENER Kitchener Cycling and Trails Advisory Committee met on this date commencing at 4:09 p.m. Present: Ms. M. Generoux, Ms. G. Mitchell, Messrs. M. Boos (Vice-Chair), T. Boutilier, L. Chandler, P. Dedes (Chair), D. Hoshowsky, D. Kropf, and Councillor Y. Fernandes. Staff: Mr. J. Joseph, Mr. M. Parris, Mr. J. Readman, and Mr. D. Feng. Regrets: Ms. D. Chapman, Ms. S. Taka, Ms. V. Van Cappellen, and Mr. D. Pimentel 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE MEETING OF JUNE 9, 2015 On a motion by Mr. M. Boos: th That the minutes of the June 9 It was resolved and carried 2. COMPASS KITCHENER ADVISORY COMMITTEE GATHERING Mr. Boos and Mr. Dedes spoke to their experience at the Compass Kitchener meeting between citizen committees. KCTAC representatives were particularly well engaged with the Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) who are working on a paper about sidewalk clearing and trail maintenance standards Councillor Fernandes commented on a walking/cycling gardening events in the Doon area wherein Heritage Kitchener may collaborate with KCTAC in the future 3. STAFF UPDATES Mr. Joseph spoke to the maintenance of trails during the winter, particularly of priority school routes for clearing, which would require some trails to be paved. Ongoing updates will be provided pertaining to how it will form. Prioritization updates will be brought to KCTAC in September 2015 for comment and review prior to presentation to council. Mr. Joseph commented on the Iron Horse Trail Interactive Survey that had over 500 comments, 14 of which about winter maintenance. Mr. Joseph noted that we should consider prioritizing winter maintenance routes. He has taken the trail system and distilled it into smaller projects to be evaluated and ranked, collecting information about numerous factors to identify priorities. Weighting of factors to come. Mr. Dedes questioned whether Committee should converse with GRAAC about their needs on the trails. Mr. Joseph noted that staff have met and done a walkthrough before, but is unsure if there are any new needs that may be addressed Mr. Joseph offered an update on the Iron Horse Trail Master Plan. A final report is being prepared as staff determine the final cost of improvements. A particular recommendation is that Friends of the Iron Horse Trail become a group of KITCHENER CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES th July 14, 2015 CITY OF KITCHENER stewards for the trail, but the structure of the group is being examined. An option may be that it becomes a subcommittee to the KCTAC, at least initially. Councillor Fernandes asked about whether it would be good to use KCTAC as a springboard to establish the group; however, is concerned of the regulations and policies under committees alike the KCTAC. A group ungoverned by the terms of a committee may be able to better achieve goals. Mr. Dedes pointed that the new group should not take work away from employees. Ms. Generoux suggested perhaps keeping the group open to other trail advocates, as in friends of other trails, inclusive of the entire trail network Mr. Joseph presented draft signage plans for comments. Content on the signs are defined by the Iron Horse Trail master plan, and will continue to be developed. Mr. Dedes commented on the visibility of signage, and the feasibility of providing solutions for those with limited visibility. Mr. Joseph replied that it is unlikely to produce all signage in braille figures, but perhaps connecting the information to other accessibility provisions/technology (ex., applications on smart technology) would help Mr. Dedes asked about the plan and completion date for the signage solutions. Mr. Joseph stated that a focus is currently being put on Iron Horse Trail improvements. He noted that the improved Iron Horse Trail will make use of these signs, and so it is a priority to improve the trail. Councillor Fernandes asked about the vandalism piece: whether the signs can be vandal proof. Mr. Parris replied that it is difficult to bend the material because it is thick aluminium. Nothing is truly vandal proof, but staff will essentially need to be prompt in removing tags and vandalism if it is seen. Mr. Joseph commented that there is a connection between this goal and the need to get the Friends of Iron Horse Trail active. Mr. Chandler asked about whether bike fix-it stations will be added to the Iron Horse Trail in the future. Mr. Joseph stated that the grouping of amenities is preferred. Mr. Boos inquired about the frequency of signs on the trail. Mr. Joseph notes he has an inventory of the signs to post along the trail, but is flexible moving forward. Mr. Parris spoke of Palmer Avenues upcoming reconstruction. The Iron Horse Trail rerouting along that section will be challenging. The trail head will be updated alongside the reconstruction in early August. Mr. Parris gave an update that nearby the Stirling Avenue intersection with Homer Watson Boulevard, the trail going into the park will be reconstructed to more safely direct pedestrians and cyclists to the intersection. Mr. Feng discussed the infrastructure updates surrounding on-road cycling. The marking of East Avenue is beginning on Thursday, July 16. Westheights Drive and Union Street projects are tentatively going forward to Council on August 10. The downtown sharrow network and priority signed bike routes have largely been completed. Mr. Kropf inquired about the use of sharrows with a black background that have been placed along Jubilee Drive. Mr. Feng explained the heritage designation of that road, which would not allow the use of the bright green super sharrows as the rest of the downtown streets. KITCHENER CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES th July 14, 2015 CITY OF KITCHENER Mr. Readman presented the Glasgow Street redesign which has taken place during the road reconstruction this year. Mr. Readman reviewed Book 18 of the Ontario Traffic Manuals design guidelines and presented visuals of the finished design. Flex stakes are planned to be installed during summer months for ease . of removal during the winter, allowing for maintenance Councillor Fernandes raised the point of garbage collectors swerving in and our of the bike lane to perform their duties. Mr. Readman will discuss this issue with collection personnel. Mr. Dedes asked about the marking on the road that would delineate the movement over the roll curb. Mr. Readman noted the design will include markings on the approach and mounting of the roll curb. Ms. Generoux commented on how great all the new infrastructure is, but that perhaps people are not sure yet how to use it. Ms. Generoux suggested perhaps producing materials such as bookmarks to get the message out. . Mr. Dedes asked about the changes in speed since the road diet construction Mr. Readman said that traffic counter tubes will be laid in the future along the road to determine exact figures. 4. SUBCOMMITTEE UPDATES Mr. Kropf made a presentation about the protected bike lane intersection conflict along Manitou Drive. The Active Transportation Advisory Committee from the Region of Waterloo was concerned that this removes the protection form the protected bike lane, and that it is important to not deter cycling. Mr. Kropf considers signaling solutions where right turns from cars would be stopped during a phase for cyclists moving forward. Councillor Fernandes commented on the speed of the users taking the right turn, as well as trucks moving through. In terms of safety, Councillor Fernandes likes the idea of keeping the bike lanes protected all the way up to the intersection over the other model Ms. Generoux and Mr. Boos suggested setting back the stop bar and bike lane from the centre of the intersection so that there is a longer buffer for reaction On a motion by Mr. D. Kropf: Renew the motion to commit to the protected principle around Manitou Drives bike lanes, and recommend that the Region of Waterloo use cycling-specific signals and floating bus stops It was resolved and carried Mr. Kropf provided further updates on the T-intersections where trails meet the top of the T. There is poor visibility for the cyclists emerging from the trail, particularly at Fischer-Hallman and Activa. He suggests ensuring appropriate response times for the trail users. Councillor Fernandes relayed comments from others about our use of paper maps, and brought attention to digital maps which may be easier to bring up on personal electronic devices. Mr. Kropf and Ms. Generoux noted the importance of paper copies for distribution at events as well as long trips that cyclists take. KITCHENER CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES th July 14, 2015 CITY OF KITCHENER 5. PRESENCE AT AUGUST COUNCIL MEETING Mr. Kropf is set to be there should it occur outside of daytime working hours. Committee confirmed representation at the August 10 proposals to council for Westheights Drive and Union Street 6. CycleON Mr. Boos detailed the provincial funding for support of a cycling project. CycleON funding will cover either 50% of the total cost of the project or $325,000, depending on which of the two cost less. Mr. Parris brought up that Transportation Services and Parks and Trails will be meeting to find a linear project that would maximize the value to be gained Mr. Boos noted a secondary fund that support cycling programs and education Mr. Dedes asked about the timeline of the funding proposals, and Mr. Parris noted the deadline for the Expression of Interest on August 6, 2015. 7. COMMITTEE NOMINATIONS AND APPOINTMENT Council is filling seats on KCTAC with 1-3 new members out of seven applications. Their memberships will be approved at the August meeting. Mr. Kropf is curious about the representation of other ethnic groups in the committee in that it would broaden our perspectives and considerations. 8. SUMMER MEETINGS The venue for the informal meeting was decided on 9. QUESTIONS AND OTHER ITEMS Councillor Fernandes reminded the committee to attend an street art painting at a Mount Hope intersection on Saturday, July 18 10. ADJOURNMENT On a motion by Councillor Y. Fernandes: It was resolved and carried