Memorandum February 6, This agenda is subject to revision up to 72 hours prior to the meeting.

Transcription

1 Memorandum February 6, 2014 This agenda is subject to revision up to 72 hours prior to the meeting. To: Members, Bicycle Mobility Advisory Committee From: Allison Blazosky, Bicycle/Pedestrian Transportation Planner Subject: Meeting Notice and Agenda The next meeting of the Bicycle Mobility Advisory Committee (BMAC) is scheduled for Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at 8:00 a.m. at the MPO office located at 825 S. St. Mary s Street, San Antonio, Texas The following agenda items will be discussed and action will be taken as appropriate. 1. Roll Call Agenda 2. Citizens to be Heard 3. Approval of the January 8, 2014 Meeting Minutes 4. Discussion and Possible Action on Policy Issues Under Consideration by the City of San Antonio (Julia Murphy/COSA and Anthony Chukwudolue/COSA) 5. Discussion and Appropriate Action on the Creation of a Subcommittee to Advise on Bicycle Mobility Along the Broadway Corridor (Allison Blazosky/MPO) 6. Discussion and Appropriate Action on Monthly Updates: a. Linear Creekway Parks (Greg Hammer) b. San Antonio River Authority (Jim Doersam) c. City of San Antonio (Julia Murphy) d. VIA Metropolitan Transit (Abigail Rodriguez) e. BikeTexas (Jack Sanford) 7. BMAC Communication MPO meetings are accessible to persons with disabilities. For special assistance or an interpreter, please call or TDD (Relay Texas) at least five working days in advance. Las reuniones son accesibles a personas con discapacidad. Si usted necesita asistencia especial o un intérprete, llame al (210) o al TDD (Relay Texas) con cinco días hábiles de anticipación. 825 S. St. Mary s St, San Antonio, Texas (210) TDD 1 (800) Fax (210)

2 1. Roll Call San Antonio Bexar County Metropolitan Planning Organization Bicycle Mobility Advisory Committee (BMAC) Effective January 2014 Name Title Organization Phone # Judge Oscar Kazen Chair Abigail Kinnison Rodriguez Sr. Planner VIA Metropolitan Transit (Vice Chair) Michael Dominguez Alternate VIA Metropolitan Transit Annette Prosterman Transportation Coordinator Alamo Area Council of Governments Brenda Williams Alternate Alamo Area Council of Governments Tiffany Simper Bicycle Coordinator Bexar County Vacant Citizen At Large Alternate Greg Hammer Citizen At Large Cindi Snell Citizen At Large Daniel Trevino Alternate Harry Wallace Citizen At Large Julia Murphy Sustainable Transportation Mngr CoSA Office of Sustainability Timothy Mulry Sr. Planner CoSA Office of Sustainability David Arciniega Planner CoSA Parks & Recreation Vacant Alternate CoSA Parks & Recreation

3 Name Title Organization Phone Number John Osten Sr. Planner CoSA Planning & Community Dev Vacant Alternate CoSA Planning & Community Dev Mark Schnur San Antonio Water System Development Community Vacant Alternate Vacant Economic Development Community Pat O Brien Citizen/NW Partnership Greater Bexar County Council of Cities Lt. George Aguilar VIA Police Law Enforcement Lt. Charles Garcia CoSA Alternate Oscar Hernandez Lee High School Bike Club Rotating Bicycle Organization Vacant Alternate Jim Doersam Engineer San Antonio River Authority Jordan Merson Alternate San Antonio River Authority John Cox San Antonio Wheelmen Cliff Hickel Alternate Luis Marti School District Representative Kevin Hafferty STORM Jack Sanford BikeTexas (Texas Bicycle Coalition) Darcie Schipull Texas Department of Transportation Vacant Alternate Texas Department of Transportation

4 Bicycle Mobility Advisory Committee February 12, Citizens to be Heard 3. Discussion and Appropriate Action on the January 8, 2014 Meeting Minutes Issue The January 8, 2014 meeting minutes are attached for your review. Action Requested A motion to approve the January 8, 2014 meeting minutes is requested.

5 + Bicycle Mobility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes January 8, 2014 Voting Members Present: Oscar Kazen Annette Prosterman Greg Hammer Daniel Trevino Julia Murphy David Arciniega John Osten Mark Schnur Lt. George Aguilar Oscar Hernandez Jim Doersam John Cox Luis Marti Kevin Hafferty Jack Sanford Darcie Schipull Abigail Rodriguez (Vice-Chair) Chair Alamo Area Council of Governments Citizen Citizen CoSA Office of Sustainability CoSA Parks and Recreation Department CoSA Planning and Community Development Development Community Representative Law Enforcement Rotating Bicycle Organization San Antonio River Authority San Antonio Wheelmen School Representative/South San Antonio STORM Texas Bicycle Coalition Texas Department of Transportation VIA Metropolitan Transit Voting Members Absent: Tiffany Simper Harry Wallace Pat O Brien Bexar County Citizen Greater Bexar County Council of Cities Others Present: Anthony Chukwudolue Timothy Mulry Allison (Allie) Blazosky Ambar Perez CoSA Transportation & Capital Improvements CoSA Office of Sustainability MPO MPO Judge Oscar Kazen called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. 1. Roll Call Allie Blazosky called roll. A quorum was present. 1

6 Bicycle Mobility Advisory Committee January 8, Citizens to be Heard a. Review of Citizens to be Heard from the October 9, 2013 Bike Meeting Judge Kazen reviewed the synopsis provided in the meeting packet for the public s information: In October 2013, James Rodriguez had addressed BMAC about his opposition to the proposed closure of a block of South Main Avenue to traffic and requested the item be added to BMAC s November meeting agenda to allow committee members to discuss the topic. At its meeting on November 13, 2013, BMAC discussed the issue and took a position against the closure of South Main Avenue to bicyclists and pedestrians. In conjunction with the Pedestrian Mobility Advisory Committee (PMAC), the committees drafted a letter to San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro stating their position and requesting him to oppose the street closure. The letter was placed on the agenda of the Transportation Policy Board s (TPB) December 16, 2013 meeting, requesting authorization to forward the letter to the City of San Antonio. The TPB voted not to forward the letter on the grounds that the City Council of San Antonio had voted to approve the closure at its meeting on December 5 th. b. Citizens to be Heard for January 8, 2014 Megan Wright, special projects manager at the Center City Development Office at the City of San Antonio (CoSA), was present at the meeting to collect cyclists feedback regarding their usage of Avenue B and Broadway. She stated that over 180 survey responses had been received since December 16 th and encouraged everyone to fill out a survey. Andrew Waring with Green Spaces Alliance introduced SicloVerde, a fundraising event with proceeds benefiting community gardens in the San Antonio area, occurring on Saturday, April 5 th. Waring stated the group is currently looking for sponsors. He noted that Allie Blazoksy will lead a safety presentation prior to the ride and that helmets will be required. More information is available Robert Rivard spoke on behalf of the Third Street Grackles, an organized cycling team. He stated that Broadway Avenue is one of several urban thoroughfares that have the potential to become bike-friendly and Complete Streets. He stated his desire to see Broadway serve as an uninterrupted bicycle route into downtown. In response to comments among BMAC members, Jack Sanford made a motion to form a subcommittee that would focus on the Broadway corridor. Mark Schnur seconded the motion, and the motion was approved. Blazosky stated she would add a discussion regarding the future subcommittee to the February 2014 meeting agenda. Daniel Day stated his opinion that the existing left-hand side bike lanes along Commerce and Buena Vista would be safer if moved to the right side of the road. 2

7 Bicycle Mobility Advisory Committee January 8, 2013 He also stated his desire for VIA Metropolitan Transit to be proactive in educating cyclists about intermixing with the future streetcar. 3. Approval of the November 13, 2013 Meeting Minutes Greg Hammer moved and John Osten seconded the motion to approve the November 13, 2013 Meeting Minutes. The motion was unanimously approved. 4. Discussion and Appropriate Action on the Re-election of Judge Kazen as Chair of the Bicycle Mobility Advisory Committee Blazosky stated the purpose of this agenda item was the re-election of Judge Kazen as Chair of BMAC. She stated he was willing to continue serving as a Chair if re-elected by BMAC s membership for another two-year term. Greg Hammer moved and George Aguilar seconded the motion to re-elect Judge Oscar Kazen as BMAC s Chair. The motion was unanimously approved. 5. Presentation on the 2013 Implementation Update of the San Antonio Bike Plan Implementation Strategy Julia Murphy, sustainable transportation manager for CoSA s Office of Sustainability, provided an update on the progress made during 2013 to the San Antonio Bike Plan Implementation Strategy. Murphy stated the mission of the San Antonio Bikes program is to increase bike ridership for daily travel and improve cycling safety by making the bicycle network accessible, direct, and continuous. The Bike Master Plan seeks to improve bicycling in San Antonio by creating a system of interconnected on- and off-street bicycle facilities, of which the plan recommends a total of 1,718 miles. She stated this recommended network will take years to build out. Murphy introduced Anthony Chukwudolue, assistant director of Transportation & Capital Improvements (TCI) at CoSA, who presented on what has been implemented since the adoption of the Bike Master Plan. Chukwudolue explained the processes of how new bicycle facilities are scheduled and installed through sources such as the Infrastructure Management Program (IMP), which allots $1 million annually for bicycle facilities, as well as the General Obligation Bond Program and MPO-funded projects. After the presentation, Murphy and Chukwudolue took questions and comments from BMAC and the audience that included topics such as: Whether street sweeping of bike lanes is a budgeted expense for the City. Chukwudolue responded that TCI sweeps arterial and collector streets 3

8 Bicycle Mobility Advisory Committee January 8, 2013 four times yearly, local residential streets twice yearly and downtown streets nightly. This includes bike lanes. Chukwudolue clarified that the $1 million allocation for bicycle facilities is for new facilities only, not maintenance of existing facilities. Project selection: Chukwudolue stated that the IMP is to implement projects in the Bike Master Plan. These projects are looked at proportionally across all council districts. Amendment process and enforceability of the Bike Master Plan Whether new bicycle facilities are added during maintenance projects scheduled on the IMP. Chukwudolue stated that new facility construction is synchronized with street maintenance projects. What road diet projects have been completed and what future streets have been identified for a road diet. Murphy stated that the 2010 Road Diet Analysis referred to was prepared for the San Antonio-Bexar County MPO and was not adopted as a formal plan by the City of San Antonio. What San Antonio is doing to support Transportation Alternatives Program funds being made available for bicycle projects in the area through TxDOT. How CoSA determines which bicycle facilities are to be implemented on streets of different traffic speeds. The presenters stated that the Texas Department of Transportation and CoSA use the AASHTO guidelines. Public outreach efforts. Chukwudolue stated that CoSA will put forward a mechanism that will ensure BMAC is informed of future bicycle projects. An update on this mechanism will be provided at the February BMAC meeting. A copy of the presentation and the audio of the discussion is available at: 14/jan.htm For information and discussion only. 6. Discussion and Appropriate Action on Monthly Updates a. Linear Creekway Parks Projects Greg Hammer provided a monthly update on the Howard Peak Greenways Salado Creek Greenway (Projects listed North to South) Hardberger Park to West Ave (2.4 miles) Project substantially completed, minus punch list items, which will be completed by January 2014 excepting some signs that are being re-ordered. West Ave to US 281 (1 mile) See meeting minutes from November 2013 US 281 to Starcrest (TxDOT Wurzbach Parkway trails - 2 miles) See meeting minutes from November 2013 McAllister Park Reconnection (reconnection to existing Salado Trails and new connection to TxDOT trails 1 mile) - See meeting minutes from November

9 Bicycle Mobility Advisory Committee January 8, 2013 Connection between Laurens Lane and Salado Creek Greenway (near Tobin Park) design is nearing completion, pending archaeological permit. Construction to begin in spring 2014, depending on availability/price from on-call contractor. John James Park to Jack White Park (Ft. Sam Houston Connection 3 miles) Trail design is moving forward. Salado North (Huebner to Eisenhower Park) - Currently working with property owner on land acquisition process and possible trail location. Salado South (Southside Lions to SE Military) See Minutes from November 2013 Leon Creek Greenway (Projects listed North to South) Ingram Road to Military Drive (2.2 miles) See meeting minutes from November 2013 Cathedral Rock Park parking expansion and trail connection to Leon Creek Greenway - See meeting minutes from November 2013 Leon North (Loop 1604 to Eisenhower Park) See meeting minutes from November 2013 Medina River Greenway Medina River Crossing to Mattox Park (6 miles) Evaluating bids. Likely February City Council item to approve construction contract. Other Creekways Westside Creeks See meeting minutes from November 2013 Olmos Basin Greenway finalizing design construction expected to begin spring Huesta Creek Greenway under design construction will be done in conjunction with Hausman Road and Huesta Creek flood control projects. Construction is expected to begin early 2014 in conjunction with CIMS (now TCI) work. Huebner Creek trail improvements Construction of Bexar County flood control and SAWS infrastructure work has begun. Trail work (same construction contract) will likely begin in mid to late 2014 and be completed in Culebra Creek Greenway See meeting minutes from November 2013 Other Announcements Design for remaining 2010 Greenway Trails projects Staff will be evaluating qualification statements from design teams that responded to the RFQ. Contracts will be negotiated and awarded approximately spring of Office of Sustainability (OS) received council approval to accept a grant from TxDOT to create a Greenway Trails Map Companion that would be targeted at kids ages 5-12 that would include educational information, maps, trail etiquette guidelines and bike safety tips. OS will 5

10 Bicycle Mobility Advisory Committee January 8, 2013 promote/distribute the materials and post internet version on relevant websites. Leon Creek bike counts (near Hausman Road) were recently completed by Office of Sustainability (report to be given to Linear Creekway Parks Advisory Board at 12/10/13 meeting). Additional Peak logo to be placed on existing monument/kiosk locations, along with new monument signage at Southside Lions Park, Walker Ranch Park and Leon Creek near the VIA Transit Center trailhead. Council approved additional land acquisitions item on November 21. SA2020 Parks and Green Spaces working group meeting regularly. Emphasis is on two indicators: 1) Growth of parks and green spaces 2) Access to parks and green spaces. For information and discussion only. b. San Antonio River Authority Jim Doersam with San Antonio River Authority (SARA) stated there were no project updates this month but stated that weekly bike rides to Mission Espada will start up again on March 12 th on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. The ride will leave from the SARA Main Bldg. at 100 E. Guenther Street. c. City of San Antonio For information and discussion only. Julia Murphy stated there were no updates. For information and discussion only. d. VIA Metropolitan Transit Abigail Kinnison stated there were no updates. e. BikeTexas For information and discussion only. Jack Sanford provided the following update. In early December, he and Lydia Kelly had met with San Antonio Councilwoman Shirley Gonzales, District 5, to discuss the bond project on Theo and Malone Avenues. Sanford stated Councilwoman Gonzales was concerned that constituents did not want bike lanes. BikeTexas has since issued a petition targeting that area, which nearly 300 people signed, and recent comments in the San Antonio Express-News indicate that Councilwoman Gonzales now seems dedicated to making sure that bike lanes are maintained in some form on Theo 6

11 Bicycle Mobility Advisory Committee January 8, 2013 and Malone. One of the design proposals for the streets included a bike facility separated from traffic, which is the type of proposal that BikeTexas will support moving forward. Sanford stated that BikeTexas is continuing to work with TxDOT in Austin to get rules set for a project call under the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) of the federal transportation bill MAP-21. Sanford explained that about $70 million is available for the State of Texas to use toward major bike infrastructure or Safe Routes to School-type projects. He stated that, if TxDOT does not set the rules soon, it may choose to divert the funds elsewhere. Jack stated there is a similar amount of funding available that is distributed directly to MPOs. Each MPO has to set rules for their own project call. BikeTexas attended a planning session for setting these rules with NCTCOG and is available to work similarly with the San Antonio-Bexar County MPO as needed. Sanford stated that BikeTexas is preparing for the Texas Trails and Active Transportation Conference, scheduled for March in Fort Worth, TX. 7. BMAC Communications For information and discussion only. Darcie Schipull stated Julia Murphy was selected as the newest member to serve on the TxDOT Bicycle Advisory Committee, on which Howard Peak also serves. In addition, Darcie stated bicycle and pedestrian projects were included in the $825 million project package for the San Antonio region. Kevin Hafferty stated STORM s upcoming events included its Miles of Discomfort Marathon mountain bike race on Sunday, January 26 th at 9:00 a.m. at the Flat Rock Ranch in Comfort, Texas. More information is available at Blazosky stated FY Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) project proposals were submitted in early December. These projects will go before the public for input in late February and early March. In addition, a BMAC and PMAC subcommittee will be convened to score the seven stand-alone bicycle and pedestrian projects submitted. Abigail Kinnison motioned to adjourn the meeting and Greg Hammer seconded the motion. The motion passed and the meeting was adjourned. Bicycle Mobility Advisory Committee Judge Oscar Kazen, Chair 7

12 Bicycle Mobility Advisory Committee February 12, Discussion and Possible Action on Policy Issues Under Consideration by the City of San Antonio Issue Transportation and Capital Improvements Department (TCI), along with the Office of Sustainability, presented the San Antonio Bike Plan Implementation Strategy 2013 Implementation Update during the December 4, 2013 B Session. As a result of the presentation, several questions were raised regarding bicycle helmet usage and laws, vehicular parking in bicycle lanes, reduction in vehicular lanes during bike lane implementation ( road diet ), as well as the policy of potentially considering bicycle traffic and facilities as part of a Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA). TCI and the Office of Sustainability will provide a briefing on the Bicycle Master Plan Policy Issues including proposed policy recommendations. The Parks and Recreation Department will also provide a briefing on Greenway Trail Etiquette and Safety Initiatives. Helmet Usage: The City of San Antonio currently does not have a helmet usage law. Staff was asked to consider implementing a law requiring bicyclists to use a helmet. Parking in Bicycle Lanes: The City of San Antonio currently does not have parking restrictions within bicycle lanes. Staff was asked to consider implementing a law restricting parking within bicycle lanes. Traffic Impact Analysis: The City of San Antonio currently does not included pedestrian and bicycle traffic in TIAs. Staff was asked to consider requiring pedestrian and bicycle traffic be included in TIAs. Road Diets: As with many bicycle lane projects, in order to install bicycle lanes without increasing the roadway width, the number of lanes must be reduced to accommodate the new bicycle lanes. Staff was asked to review this practice to determine if future road diet projects will be implemented. Greenway Trail Etiquette and Safety Initiatives: Recent concerns have been voiced regarding the various speeds employed by experienced bicyclists vs. families bicycling at the same time along greenway trails. Likewise, trail users also have expressed concerns on etiquette and protocol between bicyclists and runners using the trails simultaneously. Staff was asked to review these concerns and develop a strategy to increase safety. Action Requested Discussion and feedback, but no action, is requested.

13 Bicycle Mobility Advisory Committee February 12, Discussion and Appropriate Action on the Creation of a Subcommittee to Advise on Bicycle Mobility Along the Broadway Corridor At BMAC s January 8 th meeting, members approved a motion to create a subcommittee that would focus on the role of bicycle mobility as the Broadway corridor is redeveloped. Broadway from I-35 to just north of Hildebrand Avenue is scheduled to be turned over this year to the City of San Antonio from the Texas Department of Transportation. The Broadway corridor is also part of several local plans, including, but not limited to: VIA Metropolitan Transit s locally approved alternative for its modern streetcar system (September 2013) San Antonio Downtown Transportation Study (adopted 2012), in which Broadway is identified as a Principal Route and a Special Street San Antonio Bike Plan Implementation Strategy (adopted 2011), in which Broadway is recommended for bicycle and buffered bicycle lanes from Bitters Road to Josephine Street. River North Master Plan (adopted 2009) This is an opportunity to discuss the structure and responsibilities for the new subcommittee on Broadway. Action Requested Action requested as appropriate to committee discussion.

14 Bicycle Mobility Advisory Committee February 12, Discussion and Appropriate Action on Monthly Updates a. Linear Creekway Parks Initiatives Issue: Greg Hammer, as a San Antonio City Council district representative on the Linear Creekway Parks Advisory Board, will continue to update BMAC on the status of the Linear Creekway Parks projects. Action requested: No action is requested this month. b. San Antonio River Authority Initiatives Issue: Jim Doersam, senior engineer for SARA, will provide a monthly update for the Mission Reach Trail and the Westside Creekways. Action requested: No action is requested this month.

15 Bicycle Mobility Advisory Committee February 12, 2014 c. City of San Antonio Bicycle Initiatives Issue: Julia Murphy with CoSA s Office of Sustainability will continue to provide a monthly update on the City of San Antonio s bicycle initiatives. Action requested: No action is requested this month. d. VIA Metropolitan Transit Initiatives Issue: Abigail Rodriguez, facility/sustainability planner for VIA, will provide a monthly update on VIA Metropolitan Transit initiatives. Action requested: No action is requested this month.

16 Bicycle Mobility Advisory Committee February 12, 2014 e. BikeTexas Initiatives Issue: Jack Sanford will provide a monthly update on BikeTexas initiatives, including its legislative and advocacy updates. Action requested: No action is requested this month. 7. BMAC Communication