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HomeMy WebLinkAboutKCTAC Minutes 2021-10-12 CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER October 12, 2021 The Cycling and Trails Advisory Committee met electronically on Tuesday October 12, 2021, at 4 pm. Present: M. Rodrigues, V. Jenkins, J. Broschek, B. Tracey, G. Kirk, T. Slomke, E. Bennett, Councillor S. Marsh, D. Brotherston, M. Jackson-Brown, L. Dramnitzki, G. Piccini, R. Hunsberger Staff: D. Kropf, Active Transportation Planning Project Manager L. Christensen, Multi-Use Pathways & Trails Project Manager I. Balaban, Active Transportation Planning Project Manager B. Cronkite, Director of Transportation Services A. McCrimmon-Jones, Manager, Transportation Services N. Lobley, Director of Parks and Cemeteries 1. Introducing Ivan Balaban I. Balaban introduced himself as a new staff person in Active Transportation. He is a graduate of Mohawk College and been on staff with the city as a Traffic Technologist for several years. He has lived in a variety of cities and enjoys walking and cycling around. Committee members introduced themselves and an enjoyable hike/bike this summer. 2. Red Raccoon Z. Fowler and G. Mitchell introduced Red Raccoon Bike Rescue, a non-hierarchical, volunteer-run nonprofit that aims to assist in restoring mental health, physical health and access to mobility through offering free bike repair, parts, and education. They began in July of 2020 as a response to the pandemic while other services couldn’t be offered, but now finding they are filling a niche that isn’t served by others. Services are offered in Victoria Park, St. John’s Kitchener, One Roof Youth Services and House of Friendship. They are looking for physical space to continue to expand their work and believe the city-owned facility at the Iron Horse Trail and Henry Sturm Greenway would serve their purposes well. G. Piccini asked how the organization is funded. Z. Fowler responded it is primarily by donation box and they are selling bikes, as well as a few grants. J. Broschek affirmed that it is a fantastic initiative, especially how it supports marginalized communities. N. Lobley explained the building is underutilized but needs significant structural investment and at this time, it is not fit for use. Staff welcome a proposal from Red Raccoon and then would need to quantify the investment needed for a City Council staff report. CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER October 12, 2021 S. Marsh asked what vandalism is currently occurring at the site. N. Lobley noted that it is regularly broken into and tagged with graffiti. T. Slomke moved: “That the committee appreciates and encourages the services of Red Raccoon to the community and that the committee encourages staff to work with Red Raccoon to find suitable facility space.” Seconded by J. Broschek. Carried unanimously. 3. Grand Valley Trails E. Bennett shared that Grand Valley Trails Association has a mandate to maintain hiking trails along the Grand River Valley and build relationships with landowners, townships, cities, and neighbourhood associations. They also promote year round hiking, including leading hikes. The Black Walnut section of the trail runs through th Waterloo Region. It is 250 km for the entire trail. GVTA is celebrating its 50 anniversary in 2022, with monthly events throughout the year. 4. Automated Speed Enforcement A. McCrimmon-Jones shared that the Region and area municipalities worked together over the last two years to find a solution to reduce traffic speeds and increase safety in selected school zones within the Region of Waterloo. Locations were selected following prioritization including speed, volume, pedestrian exposure, infrastructure, etc. In Kitchener, this includes Franklin Public School and Westheights Drive and two other locations that are on Regional Roads. All locations have one camera that circulates between locations. Data compiled from this first phase will influence how the project grows in future years. The biggest limitation to this technology is processing tickets. One camera can generate thousands of tickets a month, and it is processed by a central centre, where it is sent to a provincial court office to determine if it can be issued. Challenges can occur after that. This volume can cause bottlenecks. The Province is considering an Administrative Monetary Penalty System, which would allow municipalities to issue tickets just like a parking ticket. This would make it easier to issue more tickets in the future. J. Broschek is encouraged to see this happening and asked why there are signs to warn drivers that the cameras are in place. If there weren’t signs, drivers might drive more cautiously in all school zones. A. McCrimmon-Jones responded that the warning sign can help to slow people down right before they get into the school zone. A lot of legal input has been put into making sure the tickets are upheld in court challenges, and the signs can assist in that goal, as well as being a legal requirement according to the Province. CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER October 12, 2021 5. Sidewalk Infill 2022 D. Kropf explained that in 2022, Southdale Avenue is being reconstructed and is identified for sidewalk infill on a short section. A sidewalk is proposed on one side and a boulevard multi-use trail on the other side, to provide consistency with the future Shoemaker Creek trail. D. Kropf also shared that portions of Ann Street and Becker Street will be rebuilt through a partnership with the Ministry of Transportation, and staff propose sidewalks be added on the side currently without. L. Dramnitzi noted that Becker Street also has missing sidewalks a few blocks down and asked if sidewalks can be installed there too. A. McCrimmon-Jones noted that reconstructions are always the best opportunity for new sidewalks because of the technical challenges with drainage, sewers, utilities, etc. D. Brotherston requested that access to Frederick from Becker be maintained and possibly upgraded to a multi-use trail to accommodate cyclists as well. A. McCrimmon-Jones noted the Sidewalk Infill Policy is getting dated and updating it is included in the Vision Zero action plan. D. Brotherston moved: “That the committee support proposed sidewalks on Southdale, Ann and Becker street.” Seconded by B. Tracey. Approved unanimously. 6. Curb cut needed report T. Slomke explained that volunteers have generated a list of missing curb cuts and trail and street junctions. Adding curb cuts would improve cycling safety and comfort. T. Slomke moved: “That the committee recommend that curb cuts in the locations identified would be an improvement for cyclability, and that the committee provide the list to staff for guidance for future projects.” Seconded by G. Piccini. Approved unanimously. CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER October 12, 2021 7. Subcommittee updates E. Bennett reminded the committee of the Joseph Street opening event. There will be speeches by committee chair and the mayor followed by a bike ride or walk. 8. Staff updates D. Kropf shared the following updates:  PXO crossings for the Iron Horse Trail are partially completed  On-street cycling wayfinding is partially completed  City Council approved the new Terms of Reference, which will be in effect in the new year  The Community & Infrastructure Services Committee approved staff’s recommendations that the speed limit in all residential neighbourhoods within the City of Kitchener be reduced from 50km/h to 40km/h; That the speed limit in school zones and along signed and identified neighbourhood bikeways be further reduced to 30km/h within residential neighbourhoods; and That the capital budget allocation required for implementation be referred to the 2022 budget process. It still requires City Council ratification.  The City and Region are still working towards a micromobility launch in the spring. They recently hosted an operator workshop and there are several operators that are interested in providing services in the region. L. Christensen shared:  Iron Horse Trail wayfinding signs are fully installed.  Pouring concrete for the Traynor Trail has begun. Several committee members remarked that the new wayfinding signs are excellent and really appreciated. Meeting adjourned at 6:05 pm.