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HomeMy WebLinkAboutKCTAC Minutes 2021-11-09 CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER November 9, 2021 The Cycling and Trails Advisory Committee met electronically on Tuesday November 9, 2021, at 4 pm. Present: M. Rodrigues, V. Jenkins, J. Broschek, B. Tracey, G. Kirk, T. Slomke, E. Bennett, M. Jackson-Brown, L. Dramnitzki, R. Hunsberger, A. Simidzija, J. Orita, G. Piccini, B. Forwell 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 F. Hosseini, Transportation Planning Project Manager A. Visneski, Manager, Parks & Open Space Design and Development M. Parris, Landscape Architect S. Syed, Park Engagement Liaison A. Purvis, Associate Landscape Architect 1. Introducing A. Visneski A. Visneski introduced herself as the new Manager, Parks & Open Space Design and Development. She is passionate about hiking and biking and is enjoying exploring the city. Committee members introduced themselves and their favourite park. 2. Places and Spaces M. Parris explained that Places and Spaces is an update to the existing Parks Strategic Plan adopted by City Council in 2010 and achieving the Strategic Plan objective to complete an Open Space Strategy that is reflective of our current time. Places refers to the quality of a park space, and Spaces refers to the quantity of parks. Development of the strategy will take two years and people can stay involved by subscribing on the EngageWR page. G. Piccini asked for clarification on the differences between city parks, community parks, legacy parks, etc. M. Parris noted that the larger use parks have a higher designation, are typically not acquired through development and may not be available for local use (e.g. sportsfields). J. Broshek asked to what extent will connectivity be considered as part of the strategy, such as active transportation for getting between parks? M. Parris responded that the Cycling and Trails Master Plan should be integrated in the new strategy. There’s a model of park planning called clustering, where you consider several parks together CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER November 9, 2021 with different amenities but ensure they are connected together through active transportation. 3. Grand Watershed Trails Network A. Crowe introduced plans to create a network of connected trails following the Grand River that will connect communities through heritage, cultural and outdoor experiences. There are two route options for cycling through Waterloo Region, following the Trans Canada Trail or the Walter Bean Trail next to the Grand River. V. Jenkins suggested that campgrounds be listed on the website, to encourage biking and camping along the trail. L. Christensen noted that parts of the Walter Bean are not owned by the city and may not be maintained to city standards. The city has a consultant hired to fix the washed- out portions of the trail owned by the city but that is likely to remain a hiking only trail. 4. Vision Zero F. Hosseini provided an update on the Vision Zero strategy, which is in the final stages of development. The mission is to work with partners to observe a declining trend in traffic related injuries and casualties. Three emphasis areas are identified: vulnerable road users, high-risk locations, and high-risk driving. There are existing, enhanced and new action items addressing these emphasis areas, through evaluation, engineering, enforcement, education and engagement. J. Broshek spoke on behalf of the Vision Zero subcommittee who has spent considerable time reviewing the actions and developing comments. The subcommittee is very supportive of the draft Vision Zero strategy but also thinks it can go further in achieving more than road safety but also encouraging more active transportation. There were several recommendations the subcommittee developed to ensure the strategy doesn’t become empty rhetoric and builds on best practices seen in other cities. L. Dramnitzki suggested that partnering with the automobile insurance industry or other stakeholders could generate more data. L. Dramnitzki moved: “That the committee supports the Vision Zero strategy proposed by city staff; and That the Vision Zero subcommittee lead the submission of comments for further strengthening the Vision Zero strategy and that staff continue to dialogue with the subcommittee on the strategy.” CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER November 9, 2021 Seconded by J. Broshek. Passes 13-1. Another meeting will be arranged to finalize the formal submission of comments. Next Tuesday. 5. On-street wayfinding evaluation D. Kropf explained that wayfinding signs have been installed between the Expressway Trail at Krug Street and the Iron Horse Trail. These include advance warning signs and bike route confirmation signs. More wayfinding will be implemented next year, following feedback by the committee. B. Forwell noted that the advanced sign on Krug Street was hard to see. Font wasn’t very large. The information is good. Could include north to Waterloo or South to Cambridge for more information. M. Jackson-Brown discovered the signs while in that area but wasn’t clear on Lancaster where to go. Overall they look pretty good. L. Dramnitzki walked the route and found them very helpful. G. Kirk shared appreciation for the bike route signs for the confirmation of where you’re going. Felt like the signs pointed to downtown only and not to Stanley Park, and would like to see larger destinations shown sooner. J. Orita noted the destination font size is small and should be bigger and requested that signs be installed to take the trail all the way to Stanley Park. M. Rodrigues noted the font size could be bigger and appreciated the use of logos for the market and downtown. 6. Events review E. Bennett thanked everyone who came to the event to celebrate the opening of Joseph Street separated bike lanes. The weather was fantastic and a great opportunity to meet face to face. To improve, the event should start on time and create a directory of invitees. AV set up was a bit awkward. E. Bennett will also send out a survey to see what events people want in the future. B. Forwell suggested the committee have an outdoor social gathering in December. 7. Staff updates D. Kropf explained that budget information for 2022 is now available online. Cycling funds will be dedicated to the Downtown Cycling Grid. For trail funding, the big project is upgrading trails through Rolling Meadows. Stimulus funding will also complete some CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER November 9, 2021 trails that have been introduced in the past. There is also an opportunity to add more trails funding to the budget through the survey feedback. Meeting adjourned at 6:00 pm.