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HomeMy WebLinkAboutKCTAC Minutes 2017-04-11 KITCHENER CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES April 11, 2017 ȃ ΐ ȃ CITY OF KITCHENER Kitchener Cycling and Trails Advisory Committee met on this date commencing at 4:10 p.m. Present: Councillor Y. Fernandes, Ms. L. Paprocki, K. Young, Messrs. E. Bliefert, D. Brotherston, M Drasdo, D. Hoshowsky, B. Jenner, and J. Williams. Staff: Mr. J. Barton, Associate Landscape Architect Mr. D. Pimentel, Active Transportation Planning Project Manager Ms. M. Bird, Active Transportation Student Delegates: Nathan, Dave and Jesse of Eco Courier Mr. D. Schmitt, Environmental & Urban Forest Project Manager Mr. T. Boutilier, Easy Riders 1. ECO COURIER Nathan, Dave and Jesse of Eco Courier presented to the committee a summary of their business thus far. They provide sustainable, emissions-free, low cost and on- time courier services to various clientele. The business started in November of 2016, and has p shared vision between Eco Courier and the committee since the service provides emissions free services by bicycle. After delegating, the floor opened to the committee to discuss. Mr. E. Bliefert suggested that since the messengers are constantly cycling on city streets, their opinion of roadways and routes is highly valuable. The team suggested that trails are more efficient than the road to beat traffic. It was suggested that information like this be relayed back to the committee. Mr. D. Hoshowsky asked the team what the uniforms are for Eco Courier. The team ensured the committee that they obey the laws and have proper lightning and reflective tape. Mr. Hoshowsky suggested that the team where a more visible colour, oppose to black, to improve their safety on the roa . Councillor Y. Fernandes asked if the team will be at BikeFest, which they are, an opportunity to expand their customer base and participate in a key branding prospect. The team also let the committee know that they will eventually be expanding to electric vehicle and potentially an electric bicycle. In addition, they are looking to start employing those in need. Overall, the committee and Eco Courier have a potential to team up on a variety of ventures. 2. SUSTAINABLE URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PROGRAM PROJECT Mr. D. Schmitt, Environmental & Urban Forest Project Manager with the City of Kitchener presented to the committee the development of a sustainable urban forest program. The urban forest includes all the trees growing in the city. In Kitchener, 44% of the urban forest is on city lands including street trees, park trees, natural areas and other lands with the remaining 56% of the urban forest are found on private lands and agency lands (i.e. Grand River Conservation Authority). This plan is a part of the City of Kitchener Strategic Plan, item 4.1 to manage and enhance the urban forest so that it will continue to make a long-term contribution to KITCHENER CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES April 11, 2017 ȃ Α ȃ CITY OF KITCHENER the viability of Kitchener. The Sustainable Urban Forest Management Program is strategic action SE6, and will initiate the development of a Sustainable Urban Forest Program with the creation of an urban forest strategic plan for the public and private urban forest, and an asset management plan for trees on city lands. A sustainable program sets the course of action for a socially desirable urban forest that can also be achieved and maintained based on the true capacity of the city to manage the resource. Currently, Mr. Schmitt is in the process of community engagement (a three-phase process that will take place from Spring 2017 Spring 2018). These phases begin with attending various events to engage the public then workshops to start creating that vision and finally drafting a strategy that the public will be able to make for the project. More information about the project is available at www.kitchener.ca/trees, and includes helpful resources for the public such as the Kitchener's online urban forest story map, the background document that supplements this presentation and the project, and the Tree Canopy Report and additional information on how to get involved with the project. This project is from Outside our Doors the benefits of cities where people and nature thrive. Mr. B. Jenner asked if food trees will be considered, and what sort of specific tree planting will take place. Mr. Schmitt explained to the committee that nothing specific has been identified as the process has just begun; however, things like this are what Mr. Schmitt is looking for to identify for the program. Following his presentation, the committee broke up into groups to complete activities. 3. EASY RIDERS Mr. T. Boutilier committee. The club has 240 members from ages 52-91. The club is interested in teaming up with committee as a potential resource for future work including a source of volunteers and a bi-weekly newsletter. At least one member from the club will be attending each advisory committee meeting and bring information discussed at their meetings, such as cyclists and the LRT from their spring meeting. The committee brought forward various questions. First, participating in BikeFest? Ms. M. Bird will send Mr. Boutilier an application. Second, collaborate on workshops? Mr. Boutilier informed the committee that Easy Riders hosts workshops every Monday at 1:00 p.m. Third, hosting rides? Mr. Boutilier said he will look into this possibility. Possible opportunity to form a partnership to recognize where there are issues in the city. 4. TRAIL PROJECTS 2017 DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT Mr. J. Barton informed the committee that he will be presenting future projects to the committee. Mr. Barton introduced a variety of projects. He explained that every important design and development recommendation will come forward to the KITCHENER CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES April 11, 2017 ȃ Β ȃ CITY OF KITCHENER committee. Highlights from his presentation include the following. He explained that connections within the network are important and that some trails may close to facilitate the development of a more robust trail system. However, issues of signage and warning make closing trails difficult since signs have been vandalized or stolen this will be addressed. Where ever feasible, new or improved trail network connections are considered in the subdivision planning process. Overall, these plans are working towards finishing links and closing gaps in the trail system. 5. HURON NATURAL AREA TRAIL PROJECTS This discussion has been deferred to the May meeting. 6. DAVID BERGEY DRIVE Mr. D. Pimentel presented to the committee a roadway under consideration for cycling facilities, David Bergey Drive. The roadway was originally under consideration for a Traffic Calming Review, however, the roadway is identified within the Cycling Master Plan. Therefore, cycling facilitates will be implemented prior to traffic calming initiatives. Mr. Pimentel has brought this issue forward to discuss on- street parking as it must be removed to facilitate cycling infrastructure. Presented at Public Information Center (PIC) on Thursday, December 8, 2016 it was proposed to remove all on-street parking to allow the implementation of bike lanes. Around 10-15 people all supported this removal as there has been concerns surrounding speeding and visibility. It was identified that the on-street parking is mostly used by the long- term facility. There has been push back from the long-term facility as it is used for visitor parking. At the May 1, 2017 Standing Committee meeting staff will recommend bike lanes. The committee raised issues of parking within the bike lane. Thus, staff will inform the enforcement by-law officers to carefully monitor the roadway and will consider installing flex posts. Committee also asked about wayfinding signage, something that has not been identified but will be considered by staff; however, a pilot wayfinding project is seeking approval and roadways such as David Bergey Drive will be considered. Regardless, staff will be monitoring speeds before and after the bike lanes are implemented, if speeds are not reduced then traffic calming initiatives will be considered such as narrowings and flex posts. On a motion by Mr. D. Brotherson It was resolved: Committee moves forward to support recommendation from staff to implement bicycle lanes on David Bergey Dr. (Ottawa St. Activia Dr.) on the condition that if speed and parking continue to be a problem that flex stakes or likewise are implemented; and further bike lanes could be implemented to improve connectivity to and from the facility. KITCHENER CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES April 11, 2017 ȃ Γ ȃ CITY OF KITCHENER 7. BIKEFEST UPDATE This discussion has been deferred to the May meeting, email will provide further information. 8. SUBCOMMITTEE MEETINGS None took place at this time. 9. ADJOURNMENT On motion, this meeting adjourned at 6:12 p.m. OTHER ITEMS It was asked how street sweeping and road painting are prioritized. Mr. Pimentel will look into this and communicate it back to the committee. ACTION ITEMS - Ms. Bird will email Mr. Boutilier a BikeFest application - Ms. Bird will email the committee about the BikeFest Working Group Meeting - Mr. Pimentel will provide further information about the David Bergey Drive Standing Committee Meeting - Mr. Pimentel will provide information about street sweeping and road painting priorities.