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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBicycle Advisory Committee - Minutes - 05/22/2023 BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TYPE OF MEETING –REGULAR May 22, 2023 6:00 p.m. Hybrid Meeting – Zoom and 281 North College Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 5 /2 2 /202 3 – MINUTES Page 1 FOR REFERENCE: Chair: Dave Dixon Vice-Chair: Jordan Williams Staff Liaison: Cortney Geary 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Dixon called the meeting to order at 6:01 PM. 2. ROLL CALL (INTRODUCTIONS) BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: CITY STAFF PRESENT: Dave “DK” Kemp Dave Dixon, Chair, Bike Fort Collins Jordan Williams, Vice Chair, At Large Member Ed Peyronnin, Colorado State University Campus Bicycle Advisory Committee Danielle Buttke (for Kevin Krause), Natural Resources Advisory Board Rob Owens, Transportation Board Elisabeth Cairnes, At Large Member Marcia Richards, Parks and Recreation Board Bruce Henderson, Senior Advisory Board Jonathan Crozier, Poudre School District Tim Anderson, Fort Collins Bike Co-op Todd Dangerfield, Downtown Development Authority David Hansen, Colorado State University Scott Mason, Land Conservation and Stewardship Board Whitney Allison, At Large Member ABSENT: Greg Boiarsky, Air Quality Advisory Board PUBLIC PRESENT: BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 5 /2 2 /202 3 – MINUTES Page 2 3. AGENDA REVIEW Chair Dixon stated there were no changes to the published agenda. 4. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION None. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – APRIL 2023 Buttke stated she submitted some name changes for the April minutes. (**Secretary’s Note: Whitney Allison arrived at this point in the meeting.) Buttke made a motion, seconded by Owens, to approve the minutes of the April 2023 meeting as amended. The motion was adopted unanimously. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Memo in Support of Recreational Bicycling Facilities Henderson asked if the memo is requesting the formation of a new plan. Chair Dixon replied the language does not necessarily reference development of a formal plan but instead states the BAC recommends FC Moves and Parks and Recreation should jointly plan for recreational bicycling facilities in support of community needs, perhaps in a more informal way. Crozier made a motion, seconded by Henderson, to approve sending the memo in support of recreational bicycling facilities to the Transportation Board. The motion was adopted unanimously. b. Memo in Support of Revising City Code Related to Micromobility Parking Chair Dixon commented on the memo as presented. Dangerfield asked if the devices can be parked in parking spaces in Old Town or other areas. Chair Dixon concurred the language may need to be made more specific. Rachel Ruhlen, FC Moves, stated the traffic code referenced relates to where personally owned bicycles and E-bikes cannot be parked. She stated there can be rules that are not in the ordinance as part of the SPIN regulations. Geary stated it may be helpful to specify the details of Traffic Code 2108 and also specify what items would be included in the SPIN contract related to the devices not being allowed to park in metered or managed parking spaces, including within residential parking permit zones. Owens questioned how this change will provide a benefit. Ruhlen replied it would allow for educational outreach opportunities. Chair Dixon asked about the warnings or penalties associated with improper BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 5 /2 2 /202 3 – MINUTES Page 3 parking according to rules created. Ruhlen replied the first offense is a warning, the second is a one-day suspension, and the third is a permanent ban on the account, which is appealable, but must be a minimum of 15 days. Owens stated he does not agree with enforcing the rules in residential areas, even if they are part of the residential permit prog ram. Peyronnin also commented that sidewalks will be used by children and such in the residential areas. Chair Dixon noted there are residential areas in the Downtown district. Dangerfield stated his concerns are more about the core of the downtown area. Geary suggested the Committee could put forth a recommendation that SPIN vehicles would be allowed to park in non-managed, non-metered parking areas except for the residential parking permit zone and Ruhlen could sort out the details with Parking Services. Additionally, she suggested SPIN could be asked not to deploy vehicles to the residential parking permit zones. Chair Dixon suggested possibly revising 24-179 to cover the issues being discussed as it is very specific to SPIN and E-scooters. Ruhlen replied she has discussed both options with the City Attorney’s Office. Chair Dixon requested input on whether this memo should include recommendations on some of the SPIN contractual rules. Geary replied that would likely be helpful to inform the Transportation Board discussion. Chair Dixon asked if everyone is in agreement with removing 24-179 and proposing that SPIN devices get included in 2108. Members replied in the affirmative. Ruhlen noted this item is scheduled for Council consideration July 18th and would therefore need to go to the Transportation Board in June which would mean the BAC would not have a chance to consider a revised draft. Richards expressed concern about SPIN devices being left in residential permitted parking spaces for multiple days given cars can only park in those areas without a permit for two hours. Chair Dixon noted the SPIN contract could be amended to ensure the devices are removed within a certain timeframe. Geary suggested the Committee could vote at this meeting and read the new draft memo to ensure comments were properly captured prior to it going to the Transportation Board. However, she stated if one member of the Committee disagreed the new memo reflects what was voted upon, the memo could not move forward as business cannot be conducted over email. Cairnes stated she would prefer to abstain from this vote given there was a presentation on the issue prior to her joining the Committee and she had several BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 5 /2 2 /202 3 – MINUTES Page 4 questions. Chair Dixon replied an abstention would be appropriate due to lack of familiarity with the issue. Cairnes stated her main questions are related to whether there would be a possibility of creating more designated parking spaces for the devices. She also expressed concern about placing private and shared E-scooters in the same category. Ruhlen replied painted parking boxes are being installed primarily on asphalt but also on some wider sidewalks. She commented on the way the Traffic Code addresses all the devices and suggested personally owned E- scooters should be included with E-bike and bikes with shared micromobility being separated; however, she stated it seems cleaner to have all of the devices in the same area, though it could be addressed either way. Cairnes asked if it would be appropriate to delay making other changes until the effectiveness of the parking boxes is ascertained. Ruhlen replied staff’s thinking was to throw all counter measures up as quickly as possible with a new study on effectiveness being completed in the fall. Geary discussed the changes to the memo per the Committee’s discussion, including specifying what is articulated in Traffic Code 2108, adding more data about the impact of this change to show how many scooters and bikes ob served that were blocking access and were illegally parked would have a legal parking space if the code were to change, and specifying that the types of things the Committee would like to see in the SPIN contract are that the vehicles could park on street except for in the managed and metered parking spaces. She asked if the Committee wanted to offer a recommendation as to whether to allow on- street parking of the vehicles in residential permit parking zones. Chair Dixon noted those zones are likely populated by frequent SPIN users and asked how many members are supportive of including a recommendation that the SPIN vehicles could park on street in residential permit parking zones but not in any other metered or managed parking areas. He noted this could be changed in the future as it would be part of the SPIN contract language and not part of the Traffic Code language. Members replied in the affirmative. Vice Chair Williams made a motion, seconded by Dangerfield, to approve the memo as written with the inclusion of the changes as stipulated by Geary and for consideration over email prior to the next Transportation Board meeting. The motion was adopted unanimously with Cairnes abstaining. BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 5 /2 2 /202 3 – MINUTES Page 5 7. NEW BUSINESS a. City Organizational Chart Overview – Cortney Geary, FC Moves Geary stated this item provides an opportunity to introduce the Committee members particularly to the Cultural Services and Planning, Development, and Transportation service areas that are largely dealing with the topics of transportation and trails. She outlined the specific individuals who are part of those service areas. Mason asked who is leading the Land Use Code update public outreach effort. Geary replied it falls under Community Development and Neighborhood Services which is headed up by Paul Sizemore. b. Paved Trails Update – Dave “DK” Kemp – Senior Trails Planner Dave “DK” Kemp, Senior Trails Planner, discussed his employment and education history and commented on watching the city’s trails system grow over time. He stated one of his first tasks in his new role will be to update the 2013 Paved Recreational Trails Plan, which will now be called the Strategic Trails Plan. He stated the 2021 Parks and Recreation Master Plan provided general information about trails but also set policies for how trails are addressed. He also commented on the need to blur the line between utilizing trails for recreation versus transportation and outlined action items including expanding the network of paved multi-use trails, and increasing safe routes to schools, parks, and recreational facilities. Kemp commented on the policy direction provided by the 2022 Active Modes Plan, which was deliberate about not addressing trails in order to allow for Parks to take the initiative to create the Strategic Trails Plan which will ultimately be able to act as an addendum to the Active Modes Plan while still standing on its own. He commented on the importance of setting Fort Collins up to be a regional partner in terms of the North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization’s regional active trail corridors effort. Kemp outlined the draft plan elements, including plan congruence, development review requirements, a focus on racial equity and ensuring trail connections are made to historically underserved areas, safety and accessibility, specifically micromobility inclusiveness and wayfinding, addressing grade-separated crossings and their funding, design standards, funding and partnerships, and determining the need for future trails. Kemp outlined the timeline for the Plan project, including the formation of a community working group followed by city-wide engagement, formation of a draft plan, and formation of a final plan to be adopted by City Council. Mason suggested Kemp seek out input from bicycling groups in the community. BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 5 /2 2 /202 3 – MINUTES Page 6 Kemp replied those groups will be part of the stakeholder outreach. Chair Dixon asked why the planning process is not set to begin until the first quarter of 2024. Kemp replied funding is allocated for 2024; however, a great deal of work will be done in the lead up, including documenting the history of trail construction and funding. Kemp commented on the planned grade-separated crossing on the Power Line Trail noting there is still a large funding gap remaining for that project. Additionally, he commented on an overpass project that will connect over the railroad to Mail Creek, which should have 100% design completed in June, and on Poudre River trail connections. Buttke asked what metrics will be used to ensure an equity focus. Kemp replied socio-economic, demographic, and service gaps will be included, though the criteria has yet to be finalized. 8. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS Dangerfield reported on the three newest alley improvement projects in the downtown area, including their design themes. Richards reported on sustainable funding efforts related to Parks and Recreation and stated a ballot item may be coming forward. Anderson reported on the work of the Bike Co-op noting anyone can get a bicycle free of charge if needed. Mason reported on the Land Conservation and Stewardship Board retreat during which the Board completed a priority and value-setting exercise. Buttke reported the Natural Resources Advisory Board has considered completing a similar exercise. She commented on the impacts the Northern Integrated Supply Project will have on Poudre River flows and she noted the current approved plan for NISP does not factor the effects of climate change on flows into its operational status until it has met its full operational capacity, which several studies have shown may never occur. She noted there are still opportunities to weigh in on the City’s 1041 rule making authority. Hansen reported on campus infrastructure projects, including the Mountain Loop Trail and the Phemister Trail. He stated the Campus Bicycle Advisory Committee is working on the Bike Friendly University application resubmittal for platinum status. He also reported on an International Town Gown Association conference coming to CSU which will include a bike infrastructure tour of campus and surrounding areas. He suggested there may be an opportunity for Kemp to be part of the BAC. Geary replied the charter may not provide for him to be a member, but he could be invited to attend as many meetings as possible. BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 5 /2 2 /202 3 – MINUTES Page 7 Vice Chair Williams expressed support for sending out meeting invitations to appropriate staff. Allison reported on FoCo Fondo’s monthly training rides. Chair Dixon reported on Bike Fort Collins’ participation in Safe Routes to School noting the organization delivers all programming via a contract with the City. He also reported on Bike Fort Collins work in the county in terms of bicycle equity with maintenance efforts. He announced Bike Fort Collins was asked to lead a ride of a contingency of leaders from Park City, Utah. Owens commented on the positive views of the Fort Collins bicycle network from individuals moving here. 9. OTHER BUSINESS a. Transportation Board Report Owens reported on the recent Transportation Board meeting during which the group toured the Streets Department. b. Staff Liaison Report • Grants Update Geary reported on a grant received from the CDOT Office of Innovative Mobility for a microtransit plan. She also reported on applying for a grant for the next round of Safe Streets and Roads for All. • Open Streets – Sunday, June 4th Geary announced the upcoming Open Streets event on Landings and Boardwalk from Horsetooth to Harmony. • Bike to Work Day – Wednesday, June 28th Geary announced the next Bike to Work Day which will have closing ceremonies at Foothills Mall. Additionally, Geary discussed the Shift Your Summer challenge being put on in cooperation with the region and Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization to encourage people to shift at least one extra ride from driving alone to another mode of transportation. She stated Safe Routes to School will be acquiring an additional adaptive tandem bike and will be operating multiple bike camps this summer in conjunction with the Recreation Department. She announced the West Elizabeth BRT design process will begin this summer and reported on the NACTO designing cities conference in Denver last week during which City staff presented on a few projects and tours occurred in Fort Collins. She stated she BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 5 /2 2 /202 3 – MINUTES Page 8 and Jamie Gaskill have been invited to participate in the American College of Sports Medicine conference in Denver regarding how active transportation can be prescribed by sports medicine practitioners. Chair Dixon noted the usual Bike from Work event will be held at O’Dell’s after Bike to Work Day. 10. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7:59 PM by unanimous consent.