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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-12-08 CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 8, 2009 CITY OF KITCHENER The Cycling Advisory Committee met on his date commencing at 4:05 p.m. Present: Messrs. T. Kenyon (Chair), B. Forwell (Vice-Chair), Councillor J. Gazzola and Messrs. S. Burek, D. Class, D. Hilker, B. Laube, N. Mehés, T. Müller, M. Arges Staff: Messrs. R. Schirm (Committee Administrator), P. Wetherup and Ms. K. Reinert (Recorder) Regrets: Ms. P. Ji-Taylor APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. thth As the cycling master plan was the primary focus of the October 13 and November 10 th meetings, including the tour of cycling facilities within the city on October 13, minutes of both meetings were combined in one document. The motion that combined minutes of the October thth 13 and November 10 meetings be approved. Motioned by Mr. D. Hilker Seconded by Mr. D. Class Business arising from the Minutes st Mr. Ron Schirm commented on the recent public information sessions held on November 21. He stated that some committee members were able to attend and that Mr. Duncan Class assisted for the full day, and that he felt the turn-out was phenomenal. As anticipated, there was better attendance at the morning session at the Kitchener Market. Mr. Schirm received 90 additional surveys and will bring the information back to the next meeting. The steering committee, including Messrs. Tim Kenyon, Bart Forwell and Ron Schirm, met this morning and one item was raised that required input from the Committee which was a wayfinding sign pilot project. The strategy behind this would be to look at areas where two destinations could be linked integrating on road facilities with trails, links, etc. Sample routes included City Hall to Fairview Park Mall and how they could be linked using more than one corridor. The Committee was reminded that there is no jurisdiction over regional roads. MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FOR VACANCY RECEIVED 2. Mr. Ron Schirm mentioned that he has met and spoken to Mr. Michael Arges at the Bike st Summit and at one of the information sessions on November 21 and also on the phone. Mr. Arges is interested in filling one of the vacant positions. Mr. Arges was in attendance and was introduced to the committee. Mr. Schirm followed up the introduction with a letter submitted by Mr. Arges and, thereafter, Mr. Arges left the room. CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 8, 2009 - - CITY OF KITCHENER 2 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FOR VACANCY RECEIVED 2. – cont’d Discussion took place and, in a unanimous decision, Mr. Michael Arges was added to the committee. Mr. Schirm will proceed with the protocol in having Mr. Arges instated. Motioned by Mr. D. Hilker Seconded by Mr. T. Müller . HOMER WATSON BLVD. & BLOCK LINE ROAD ROUNDABOUT 3 Mr. Bart Forwell suggested that with the upcoming reconstruction of this intersection, this could be an opportunity to implement a raised, grade separated roundabout similar to what is in use in Holland as presented at the June meeting. There has been a great deal of discussion regarding this intersection and the impacts on cyclists and pedestrians. The following points need to be considered; a) the proposed multi-use trail at Homer Watson would be ideal for this type of roundabout, b) large volume of pedestrian traffic at St. Mary’s High School and safety concerns, c) possibility of bringing the proposed east/west corridor trail up to this location, d) impressive for tourists, e.g. could be “crown jewel” since this may be the only one being done in North America. The development plans for cycling facilities and the road reconstruction is scheduled for 2011, therefore, there is ample time for consideration. Homer Watson Boulevard and the roundabout are under the Region’s jurisdiction and Block Line Road is the City’s jurisdiction which makes this project more complicated. The general consensus was that this would be a great opportunity to consider a grade separation fro cyclists and pedestrians and discussion took place on logistics, cost and how to proceed. The committee decided that Mr. Forwell go back to the Regional Cycling Committee and it was suggested by Councillor Gazzola that the Regional group take this information to their Regional Council and, likewise, this committee take the information to Kitchener Council. Motion that we proceed with a letter of intent and report to City Council concerning the cycling and pedestrian roundabout and consideration of a two-tiered roundabout. Motioned by Mr. Duncan Class Seconded by Michael Arges Discussion took place on what the committee would like to accomplish in the report and Mr. Forwell proposed that the goal would be to make a presentation to Council to further consider this project and the possibility of a grade separated pedestrian/cycling facility to address concerns regarding safety in crossing the three-lane roundabout high volume/ high speed traffic. The motion directing staff to prepare a report to Council was passed unanimously CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 8, 2009 - - CITY OF KITCHENER 3 JUNE 4 SURVEY 4. th Mr. Ron Schirm noted that the number one concerns expressed in the June 4 survey were to construct safe, accessible cycling facilities and connectivity. Preliminary results from the recent public information sessions revealed the same results. Mr. Duncan Class concurred that at both public information sessions, he observed and listened to the people talking to IBI staff and half of the ideas placed on the maps were connectivity issues. th Mr. Schirm’s intent is to have the recent survey results included with the June 4 survey results and also to have it separated out and plans to have this done over Christmas. NEXT STEPS FOR THE COMMITTEE 5. Mr. Tim Kenyon posed the question what to do next; timelines, and what projects are on the go? The committee has already started the following; i) Looking at design options for Block Line Road roundabout, ii) Bicycle lanes on Margaret Avenue, in conjunction with the City of Waterloo, to Victoria Street, iii) Report to Council on the provincial H.S.T. and Block Line Road roundabout, to be presented at same time in the new year, iv) Cycling Master Plan. Mapping to be done and the vision for planning, implementation and mapping to be reviewed with Norma Moores in mid-January when she is scheduled to come back to committee. v) Data gathering and public consultation nearing completion. However, the Regional Municipality of Waterloo GIS is not able to meet our deadlines therefore it will be returned to us by the end of the year. TRAIL REPORTS 6. Problems and solutions outlined in the trail reports will be discussed at a later date. Mr. Duncan Class distributed a few copies of a hand-out he put together on promotional events and activities the committee might be interested in doing and wanted committee input. The committee is looking at developing a web page which would include mapping and routing and other valuable information. The Region’s website includes a tab for cycling and will eventually include google maps, therefore it was suggested not to overlap information. The Committee agreed that, ideally, the website should be stand-alone and be a cooperative website including the Region, Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge. The cycling master plan will also recommend the development of a website. CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 8, 2009 - - CITY OF KITCHENER 4 TRAIL REPORTS 6. – cont’d Discussion ensued on the mandate of this committee and it was noted that aside from consultative feedback, the committee’s role is to promote cycling in the community and not to develop or put on events. The committee can assist by offering support for initiatives and recommendations, including recommending the inclusion of City resources, but anything further would be beyond the committee’s mandate. The website could be used to encourage groups to contact the committee regarding events and it was suggested that some of the ideas Mr. D. Class noted on his list be forwarded to IBI Group to be included in the Cycling Master Plan. Action: Mr. R. Schirm to contact the Regional Cycling Advisory Committee and his contacts with the cities of Waterloo and Cambridge to find out their interest in a joint website and how to get it done. The timeline for reports going to Council is as follows: 1. H.S.T. Report deferred to early in January, 2. Homer Watson Blvd. & Block Line Road Roundabout report for January meeting. Action: Mr. R. Schirm to bring “draft” reports back to next committee meeting for review and suggestions. Councillor J. Gazzola suggested that there would be great coverage for the Cycling Advisory st Committee if the reports could be presented to Council on February 1 since this is a televised meeting. Mr. D. Class asked for suggestions on which ideas should be included in the Cycling Master Plan. Action: Mr. R. Schirm to forward Mr. D. Class’ list to Ms. Norma Moores. ADJOURNMENT 5. On motion of Chair, Tim Kenyon, the meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m. Mr. T. Kenyon commented that the Cycling Advisory Committee began in January and has continued to December and he expressed his thanks to everyone including Ms. K. Reinert and Mr. P. Wetherup. Action: Mr. R. Schirm to send email on changing the date of the February meeting and to be discussed at January meeting . Ronald Schirm Committee Administrator