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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-01-12 KITCHENER CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES - 1 - January 12, 2016 CITY OF KITCHENER Kitchener Cycling and Trails Advisory Committee met on this date commencing at 4:07 p.m. Present: Councillor Y. Fernandes, Ms. M. Generoux, Ms. G. Mitchell,, Messrs. M. Boos (Chair), L. Chandler, M. Drasdo (Vice-Chair), D. Hoshowsky and D. Kropf. Staff: Mr. D. Pimentel, Traffic Project Coordinator Ms. M. Bird, Active Transportation Student 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE MEETING OF NOVEMBER 10, 2015 On a motion by Mr. D. Kropft – It was resolved and carried: th meeting “That the minutes of the November 10, 2015 be approved.” 2. NEIGHBOURHOOD STRATEGY UPDATE Mr. M. Hildebrand, Director, attended to provide an update on the City’s proposed Neighbourhood Strategy. Mr. Hildebrand presented an overview of the upcoming Neighbourhood Strategy, introducing stakeholders in Kitchener and advisory and council committees. Mr. Hildebrand explained the strategy in three parts: What the strategy is, how it will be developed and how advisory committees can aid Community Programs and Services during this process. The Neighbourhood Strategy is not currently developed and the project is divided into two different phases. Phase 1 includes developing a city-wide initiative to support aspects of the city that are already vibrant, engaging in a positive and proactive manner with community members. All neighbourhoods should be engaged and help create an end product that is relevant on a municipal level. Phase 2 consists of equipping community members with tools and skills that are relevant to their particular neighbourhood. Action plans will be flexible for communities to make active change in their neighbourhood. Mr. Hildebrand provided a stakeholder list, in relevance to the advisory committee by including only transportation stakeholders. Neighbourhood Strategy will develop via association with current events. The teams have and will be attending events throughout the summer conducting surveys and conducting engagement activities such as colour books and ‘Love my hood’ stories on social media. Three streams of engagement techniques: creative, conversational and online. Mr. M. Hildebrand suggested to the advisory committee that they view the social media outlets the Community Programs and Services team is involved with. Mr. Hildebrand concluded his presentation by addressing the committee about advice on engagement and general questions about the strategy. The project will be the most inclusive community engagement process in the City of Kitchener’s history. KITCHENER CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES - 2 - January 12, 2016 CITY OF KITCHENER He advises that the strategy aims to have participation that is reflective of the population, age, ethnicity, language, and socioeconomic characteristics of each neighbourhood and hopes that each neighbourhood participates. Mr. Hildebrand addressed the committee about stakeholders and events his team should reach out to. Committee and staff suggested the following: - ‘Easy Riders’ - ‘Waterloo Wandering’ - ‘Great Canadian Bicycle Tours’ - ‘Waterloo Cycling Club’ - ‘Recycles Cycles’ - ‘Bike Rodeos’ - ‘BikeFest’ - ‘Cambridge Tour de Grand’ - ‘Tour de Hans’ - ‘Tour de Waterloo’ - ‘KW-Classic’. 3. 2016 TRAIL UPDATE Mr. M. Parris was absent requiring the discussion to be postponed until February 10, 2016. 4. FUTURE PRESENTATIONS/STAFF UPDATES Mr. D. Pimentel introduced the committee to two inquiries about possible future presentation. These individuals would like to make presentations to the committee seeking support and possible funding for their ventures. Andy Cox, proprietor of King Street Cycles, is in charge of maintaining the Hydrocut, offroad recreational trails that straddle Kitchener and Waterloo. He is seeking help and potentially funding. Leanna Krame, former librarian, is interested in addressing the committee about her Bicycle Library Services. Mr. Pimentel requested that the committee research these projects and come prepared with questions when the presentations are scheduled. Mr. Pimentel made the committee aware of IMPAcT’s meeting on Friday, January 14, 2016 that will pertain to the coordination of a future meeting with the Waterloo Regional Police. A meeting date will be discussed and the committee will be notified. Mr. Pimentel advised that committee that the meeting may be in April, but no date is confirmed, regardless the time and date will be separate from the standard KCTAC meeting. Attendance is not mandatory. Mr. Pimentel suggested that the committee starts to compile questions to ask at the future meeting. Mr. M. Boos asked Mr. D. Pimentel if additional questions could be cross-committee since Waterloo and Cambridge committees will be present. Mr. D. Pimentel says this is a consideration and that time after the meeting with the police commences the committee could use this as a networking opportunity with the other committee present at the meeting. Mr. Pimentel updated the committee on the recent changes in Transportation Services. Transportation Demand Management is hereby Active Transportation. Mr. KITCHENER CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES - 3 - January 12, 2016 CITY OF KITCHENER J. Joseph is no longer in the previous Transportation Demand Management Position and the current position is posted under the title Active Transportation Planning Project Manager. More updates to come in February. 5. BikeFest Mr. Pimentel advised the committee on the two possible dates for the upcoming BikeFest: Sunday May 29, 2016 or Sunday June 5, 2016. Ms. M. Generoux and Mr. M. Drasdo suggested June 5 is a better option in terms of weather. Education, Safety and Promotion sub-committee will lead the charge for BikeFest; however Ms. Generoux and Ms. G. Mitchell advised the committee that they are looking for participation and help from other sub-committees. Mr. Pimentel advised the committee that the department has posted a co-op position for Event Planning for April – August 2016. This co-op student will be supporting the planning for BikeFest. Discussions were had between staff and committee members to work out various logistics about BikeFest. Questions rose: - Promote KCTAC - Educational materials - Closing King Street - Space for food trucks Last year’s BikeFest was discussed, and Mr. Pimentel advised the committee that the former project manager, Josh Jospeh, in 2014 focused largely on BikeFest; however it was suggested that Bike Kitchener focus on a number of smaller events oppose to one large event. This received negative feedback. Therefore, plans for BikeFest were unresolved. Mr. Pimentel addressed the committee, asking for more support from the committee this year and suggests that next meeting, February 9, 2016, have a focus on planning out the 2016 BikeFest by looking at last year’s and finding ways to improve. 6. MAYOR AND COUNCIL RIDE Mr. Boos introduced the subject by asking the committee if there was a Mayor and Council Ride last. Ms. Generoux informed the committee that plans were made; however, due to a lack of response no dates were set and the ride did not occur. Councillor Y. Fernandes addressed the response issue as one pertaining to the lack of cyclists in the council, suggesting the need to expand the ride to include walking. Mr. Drasdo suggested using Community Access Bikeshare. Councillor Fernandes agreed with the suggestion and though it was a great way to promote the program. She suggested contacting Amy Carroll-Dee about setting up a date that works with all the members of council. Councillo Fernandes suggested a weekday in the morning, either the last week of May or the second week of June. The committee has not reached a decision on the route for the ride; however discussion were made about the Spur Line Trail. More discussion will be made when Mr. Parris is present. KITCHENER CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES - 4 - January 12, 2016 CITY OF KITCHENER 7. COLDEST RIDE OF THE YEAR Discussions were made about last year’s ride, and the low attendance. After debate Saturday, February 6, 2016 at 1:00pm, the committee decided to plan the event for meeting at the Rotunda in Kitchener City Hall. Debate was made about alternatives if the weather is bad. No alternatives were finalized; however, possibility of cancelling the ride and meeting at the Berlin Bicycle Café was discussed. To market the event, Facebook was mentioned as a technique to alert people. 8. COMMITTEE MEMBERS Mr. Pimentel brought forth the issue of the committee size, suggesting that the committee could motion to recruit more members. On a motion by Ms. Mitchell – It was resolved and carried: “That the committee appoints 3 more members” Mr. Pimentel will send the committee a link to volunteer opportunities to send to their friends and colleagues. Mr. Drasdo informed the committee that volunteers can help on subcommittees without having to join the main advisory committee. Mr. Boos added, as long as the subcommittee is not made of more than the main committee’s quorum. Councillor Fernandes, agreed with this idea and suggested that this type of work might be better suited for volunteers as it is task-oriented. Discussion was made about promoting the positions via social media outlets. 9. SUBCOMMITTEE UPDATES Education, Safety and Promotion subcommittee advised the committee of their preparation done for a ‘Lock Your Bike’ promotional video. Filming will take place in the spring. Mr. Pimentel informed the committee of the meeting with the Waterloo Regional Police that is tentatively set for some time in April – more information will follow. Mr. Pimentel has advised the committee to begin collecting questions to present at the meeting, pick their top 3-5 and elect a representative to speak on the committee’s behalf. Mr. Kropf suggested that each subcommittee come up with a couple questions and then pool the ideas together. Ms. Mitchell suggested that speaking about a bike registry is a priority. Discussion was made about cooperation between the police and bike shops. KITCHENER CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES - 5 - January 12, 2016 CITY OF KITCHENER No updates from Infrastructure and Technical and Planning, Evaluation and Governance Subcommittees. 10. QUESTIONS AND OTHER ITEMS Mr. Hoshowsky asked about the Grand River Trail and why the privately donated funds are not being used. Councillor Fernandes informed Mr. Hoshowsky of the Walter B Trail and the challenges associated with the trail being washed out near Deerridge. Discussions about alternatives were debated and Councillor Fernandes informed the committee of the challenges associated with asphalt and other ideas due to the slope of the trail. At the moment, the trail is officially closed and issues should be raised with Dan Dychuck. Mr. Kropf informed the committee that The Working Center has a permanent paid media position, including Bike Share work, starting in April. Councillor Fernandes advised the committee about the budget meeting that night. 11. ADJOURNMENT - On a motion by Councillor Fernandes It was resolved and carried: 5:44pm “The meeting adjourned at .”