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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011 01 20 BAPAC Special Meeting MinutesCITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING JANUARY 20, 2011 CALL TO ORDER The Special Meeting of Thursday, January 20, 2011 of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee was called to Order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairperson George Colombo in the Commission Chambers of the Municipal Building (City Hall, 1126 East State Road 434, Winter Springs, Florida 32708). Roll Call: Chairperson George Colombo, present Vice Chairperson William B. Carpenter, present Committee Member Gary Brook, present Committee Member Larry Hartman, absent Committee Member Lance Stephan, arrived at 7:04 p.m. Ex-Officio Member Kok Wan Mah, absent A moment of silence preceded the Pledge of Allegiance. Next, Chairperson Colombo asked if there were any Agenda changes. None were noted. Committee Member Lance Stephan arrived at 7: 04 p. m. PUBLIC INPUT Mr. Barry Campbell, 231 Oak Road, Winter Springs, Florida: suggested pedestrian/bicycle access connections south of State Road 434. REGULAR AGENDA REGULAR 600. Community Development Department - Planning Division And Public Works - Engineering Division Request The Bicycle And Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) Review, Comment, Revise And if Appropriate, Accept The Sidewalk Facilities Map Which Includes A Baseline Inventory Of Sidewalks. Ms. Eloise Sahlstrom, AICP, ASLA, Senior Planner, Community Development Department presented this Agenda Item and reviewed the "Sidewalk Facilities Map" with the Committee Members and stated, " If it is lacking sidewalks, it is not colored at all." CTI'Y OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING - JANUARY 20, 2011 PAGE 2 OF 10 Referencing sidewalks, Mr. Brian Fields, P.E., City Engineer, Public Works Department addressed the Committee Members and commented, "We have pretty good coverage. When we get into some of the older areas is where we see a lot of gaps." Continuing, Mr. Fields pointed out, "Anything newer, is going to have sidewalks on both sides." Ms. Sahlstrom suggested, "We flush out what we can as a baseline and also a draft priority list and then next month when we come back, we can finalize it further after you had more time to think about it." Discussion ensued on Density. Chairperson Colombo suggested, "Having the `No Sidewalk' streets in a color would be helpful." Continuing, Chairperson Colombo then added, "Other than that, I think you conveyed this very clearly." Ms. Sahlstrom indicated that, "The only change so far that I have heard is that you would like to see Density portrayed and so, we would include apartments with the color to highlight. I think apartments and condo(miniums)." Mr. Barry Campbell, 231 Oak Road, Winter Springs, Florida: inquired, "Is there some way to indicate - adding collectors and arterials classifications?" Mr. Fields responded, "We can do that." Vice Chairperson William B. Carpenter added, "I agree that is a good addition." No objections were noted. "I WILL MOVE THAT THE MAP BE ACCEPTED AND THAT WE HAVE SOME INDICATION OF MULTI-FAMILY AND DENSITY AND COLLECTORS AND ARTERIALS." MOTION BY VICE CHAIRPERSON CARPENTER. SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER BROOK. DISCUSSION. VOTE: VICE CHAIRPERSON CARPENTER: AYE COMMITTEE MEMBER STEPHAN: AYE COMMITTEE MEEMBER BROOK: AYE CHAIRPERSON COLOMBO: AYE MOTION CARRIED. Ms. Sahlstrom stated, "As I mentioned it is fluid and so as you happen to notice something and you want to revise the Map, please just bring it up under — a Report or your Seat if it is not on the Agenda." CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMTI'TEE SPECIAL MEETING - JANUARY 20, 2011 PAGE 3 OF 10 REGULAR 601. Community Development Department — Planning Division And Public Works — Engineering Division Request The Bicycle And Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) 1) Review, Comment, Revise And Accept The Bicycle Facilities Map Which Is A Baseline Inventory Of Designated Bike Lanes, Bike Routes, And Multi-Use Paths Or Trails Currently In Winter Springs, And 2) Determine The Location Of Proposed Bike Lanes, Bike Routes And Multi-Use Paths Or Trails Desired For The City's Long- Term Bicycle Network. Ms. Sahlstrom introduced this Agenda Item and discussed the "Bicycle Facilities Map" including the proposed Trail Heads and stated, "This Map was derived from information that METROPLAN (Orlando) had in place and also discussion with Staff." Discussion ensued on proposed bicycle lanes and paved road shoulders. Ms. Sahlstrom distributed a handout entitled, "Signed Bicycle Routes" and commented, "As far as bike lanes go, it is my understanding in talking with someone at METROPLAN (Orlando) today, that if you have a designated bike lane according to the current Law, you are required to ride in that bike lane. If it is undesignated, you are not required to be in that lane." Committee Member Gary Brook asked, "If we designated a bike route, would there be any signs to indicate that it is in fact a bike route?" Ms. Sahlstrom replied, "That would be part of designating it as a bike route that we would want to implement signage, I think to identify it." Chairperson Colombo inquired, "Can sections of the Trail be considered a bike route?" Ms. Sahlstrom answered, "The bike route would be a multi-use path or Trail. So, we do not need to show it as a route." Mr. Campbell further suggested bicycle friendly connectivity routes throughout the City. Referencing the "Bicycle Facilities Map", Ms. Sahlstrom stated, "I really would like some input from you and as we move into this more — if we were to try to get Easements through here and get Grant Funding." Continuing, Ms. Sahlstrom remarked, "We need a Plan and we need a vision and as funding becomes available, if we can show — whatever project it is — either a phase, or a segment or a part of that plan, it helps us to get Funding for it. It shows that we have a goal in mind that we are trying to create. Whether it is bike routes, bike lanes, multi-use paths — and come up with a plan. Committee Member Brook stated, "Well, I would be very excited about the possibility of using that Easement because that would give us a direct east/west access that we do not have today." CTI'Y OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING — JANUARY 20, 2011 PAGE 4 OF 10 Chairperson Colombo asked, "If you were going to look at a half mile of development along these — easements as opposed to taking the same amount of money and improving access around the Trail - and improving bike lanes — what are the considerations?" Mr. Fields stated, "We are looking for you to identify what you think would be good projects. We would review those and do a Feasibility Analysis where we would take a look at costs, permits and right-of-way and then be able to come back to you with that input back to the Committee." Discussion ensued on bike routes. Ms. Sahlstrom asked, "Would you say that all of the blue dash lines are bike route proposed?" Vice Chairperson William B. Carpenter stated, "Sharrows and bike routes could be the same thing." Mr. Fields stated, "We need to explore that more." Vice Chairperson Carpenter added, "We need to identify the routes and then figure out how to make them work physically. Some of the routes may be collector roads or even arterials that we need to adjust them physically, so that they make sense for bikes." Tape 1/Side B Mr. Fields commented, "We have a road project to rebuild Moss (Road). It is on our Capital Improvement Plan and depending on Funding over the next two (2) years, that can be rebuilt and bike lanes can be a consideration in that." Discussion ensued on the connectivity of the Trail. Next, Mr. Fields stated, "Some of these connections that we are showing and keep in mind that there is some history in a lot of cases as to why they are not connected. It does not mean that it cannot be done in the future, but something to look at in the Feasibility Studies as something that needs to be addressed." Vice Chairperson Carpenter expressed, "I think that is one Committee is that we can provide a forum for Consensus on Committee Member Brook added, "And we can get Public Input." Discussion. of the beauties of this some of these things." "I WILL MAKE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE MAP AS WE HAVE MARKED IT AND DISCUSSED IT; THE `BICYCLE (FACILITIES) MAP'." MOTION BY VICE CHAIRPERSON CARPENTER. SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER BROOK. DISCUSSION. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING - JANUARY 20, 2011 PAGE 5 OF 10 VOTE: COMMITTEE MEMBER STEPHAN: AYE COMMITTEE MEMBER BROOK: AYE CHAIRERSON COLOMBO: AYE VICE CHAIRPERSON CARPENTER: AYE MOTION CARRIED. �cuL� 602. Community Development Department — Planning Division And Public Works — Engineering Division Request The Bicycle And Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) Begin Preparing A Draft List Of Bicycle And Pedestrian Project Priorities For Possible Grant Funding And Inclusion In The City's Five-Year Capital Improvements Program. Ms. Sahlstrom presented this Agenda Item and distributed a document entitled, "Priority Inventory of Public SIDEWALK Gaps" and stated, "What we are trying to do with `602' is take the graphic data that we developed in the other two (2) Agenda Items, and move it into a Priority List." Continuing, Ms. Sahlstrom added, "I have marked North Cortez (Avenue) as a priority, North First Street, North Devon (Avenue), North Edgemon (Avenue), and North Fairf� (Avenue)." Continuing, Ms. Sahlstrom remarked, "North 3` (Street) is a high priority because it is really connecting both of the parks, but given the Criteria it is not as high of a priority." Chairperson Colombo inquired about expenses. Mr. Fields replied, "There is an economy of scale with sidewalk work that we have seen. That is something to keep in mind as we go through the projects. The larger the project, we get a better unit price, generally." Discussion. Ms. Sahlstrom asked, "Do you have any direction on this first Map?" Vice Chairperson Carpenter commented, "I think the Criteria that you have used is really great and I would just like to add that we should identify those that already have a sidewalk they do not need a second one and then go with one (1) sidewalk on one (1) side and then make the second side sidewalks a second phase." Chairperson Colombo replied, "The ones that are highlighted have two (2)." Committee Member Brook asks, "So could you resort that Brian (Fields) to reflect that?" Mr. Fields answered, "Yes." Ms. Sahlstrom reiterated, "In this particular area — if you count how many twos (2's), there are five (5); there is North Fairfax (Avenue) between (North) l (Street) and (North) 3` (Street), there is North Devon (Avenue) between (North) l (Street) and (North) 3rd (Street), North Devon (Avenue) between (State Road) 434 and (North) 1 St (Street), North 1 St Street between North Bombay (Avenue) and North Edgemon (Avenue) and North Cortez (Avenue) between (State Road) 434 and (North) l (Street). CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING — JANUARY 20, 2011 PAGE 6 OF 10 Without knowing if there are any obstacles for implementation within those five (5) segments that are highlighted, do any of them jump out to you to be of a higher priority?" Chairperson Colombo stated, "The ones that have four (4) `X's." Chairperson Colombo then added, "To the extent that we can work with objective Criteria like that and then fine- tune it, I think we are better off." Ms. Sahlstrom added, "So maybe go with all five (5) and then we can look at the Analysis and Feasibility and based on that we can detertnine cost." Vice Chairperson Carpenter stated, "We want to capture all the opportunities within the designated zones that you talked about. The key then is to rank those and prioritize them. What we have been discussing already is priority number one (1) which is those with four (4) `X's and no sidewalks at all." "I MOVE THAT WE DIRECT STAFF TO GO AHEAD AND PRIORITIZE THESE PROJECTS ACCORDING TO THE CRITERIA THAT THEY HAVE OUTLINED WITH — STREETS THAT HAVE NO SIDEWALK RECEIVING THE HIGHEST PRIORITY AND TO SEPARATE THE REST OF THE PROJECTS ACCORDING TO — PROBABLY AT LEAST THREE (3) GROUPS MAY BE FOUR (4) OR FIVE (5) GROUPS THAT GO DOWN IN PRIORITY. BUT CAPTURING ALL THE OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN THE DESIGNATED AREAS THAT WE TALKED ABOUT. AND — ONE MORE POINT, THE SIDEWALK ON THE SECOND SIDE WOULD RECEIVE A LOWER PRIORITY THEN THE SIDEWALK ON THE FIRST SIDE." MOTION BY VICE CHAIRPERSON CARPENTER. MS. SAHLSTROM ASKED, "IN THIS LIST, THERE AREN'T ANY THAT — FIT TWO (2) PRIORITIES. THEY ALL HAVE AT LEAST THREE (3). SO, IN WHAT YOU'RE ASKING BILL (CARPENTER), WOULD YOU WANT SOME LISTED UNDER TWO (2) OR DOES THIS SUFFICE FOR THIS POINT AND TIME? IF WE JUST REGROUP THE LIST THAT IS HERE?" VICE CHAIRPERSON CARPENTER REPLIED, "YES. THAT IS FINE AND THAT IS THE END OF MY MOTION." SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER STEPHAN. DISCUSSION. VOTE: COMMITTEE MEMBER BROOK: AYE CHAIRERSON COLOMBO: AYE VICE CHAIRPERSON CARPENTER: AYE COMMITTEE MEMBER STEPHAN: AYE MOTION CARRIED. Tape 2/Side A CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING - JANUARY 20, 2011 PAGE 7 OF 10 Discussion continued on sidewalks along Doran Drive between State Road 434 and Blumberg Boulevard. Chairperson Colombo asked, "Does it make sense to get input from the (Winter Springs) High School as to what would work for them in terms of a walkway connecting up to (State Road) 434?" Ms. Sahlstrom inquired, "Would it be the (Winter Springs) High School Staff?" Mr. Fields responded, "I think it would be their facilities group who do their Site planning." Ms. Sahlstrom commented, "That is a good point to talk to the (Winter Springs) High School. Under the funding source `SRTS' (Safe Routes To School) Grant - sometimes these Grants may not be funded again. We really would probably need a year lead time to get - the school, the committee and all the requirements to go after some kind of Grant like that. But, it is possible that a connector from the School to (State Road) 434 - whether it is by City Hall or by Doran (Drive) could be funded under that source." Committee Member Brook stated, "It might be a higher priority than some of the other sidewalks." Ms. Sahlstrom remarked, "It would be helpful to know from your point of view if you think that is a higher priority independent of how it is funded, because if you don't get the Grant and the Grant is five (5) years out and you want to see it sooner, then maybe there is another part that could be a lower priority that we would go after the funds for with the `Safe Routes To School' (SRTS)." Chairperson Colombo asked, "What are you looking for in terms of a Motion?" Ms. Sahlstrom mentioned, "I think your Motion on the last part still applies. I can go ahead and contact the school facilities group and see what they have to say." Vice Chairperson Carpenter commented, "It certainly makes sense to connect City Hall and the (Winter Springs) High School and thereby you get the connection to (State Road) 434. So, I would think that is the highest priority on this whole list." Continuing, Vice Chairperson Carpenter added, "If that fits into the Criteria that we outlined in the previous Motion, then that is fine." There were no objections voiced. Chairperson Colombo mentioned, "I am at the (Ground Hound) Dog Park every day — and I think that would be relatively low priority for me. I think the vast majority of the people that use the (Ground Hound) Dog Park everyday drive there everyday. So, it is not an issue for them." Referencing Keeth Elementary, Indian Trails Middle School, and Trotwood Park, Ms. Sahlstrom stated, "I think it is very important to keep in mind for when that should develop that we would want to keep in place or create a strong connector between the schools and the Trail." Vice Chairperson Carpenter asked, "If we connect to the school — is it going to be available to the public at all times or is the access through the school going to be restricted?" CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING - JANUARY 20, 2011 PAGE 8 OF 10 Ms. Sahlstrom pointed out a light green line along the school property on the Map and asked, "Who owns that sidewalk?" Mr. Fields replied, "I think it is open." Ms. Sahlstrom commented, "Maybe that is a question for the school person as well." Vice Chairperson Carpenter asked, "Maybe we could have somebody from the School Board come and speak to us." Ms. Sahlstrom replied, "I will see what I can find out." Discussion ensued on Priority Inventory of multi-use path or trail spur projects. Vice Chairperson Carpenter remarked, "That is a huge connectivity between West and East of Winter Springs." Ms. Sahlstrom commented, "As we go through our Comp[rehensive] Plan cycle, given that you have identified it as a big priority — give some language then support it as a priority." Committee Member Brook stated, "That would be a good vision for us to focus on." Mr. Fields stated, "I will leave that as somewhat conceptual in mind, the right-of-way, the route, the environmental constraints are to be worked out there but the goal I think is high priority." Vice Chairperson Carpenter added, "And that is something that we can work with Seminole County with for help. As far as bicycle projects, I would say identifying the bicycle routes through the City and then we need to prioritize those routes as far as signage and creation of bicycle ways. And then also, do the technical work on how or what we do physically to make them bicycle routes the way we like to see them." Committee Member Brook added, "And then the cost there too, so that we can prioritize by money." Ms. Sahlstrom remaxked, "We need to identify a cost. That one (1) connector we identified is a possibility for our pavement connector between Winding Hollow Boulevard and Alton Road — I suppose you could call it a sidewalk project but it probably would be something we prefer to have it as an eight foot (8') wide so it is under the Multi-Use Path..." Vice Chairperson Carpenter remarked, "...That's right." Committee Member Brook replied, "Right." Ms. Sahlstrom stated, "But I think we are saying that is a high priority." Committee Member Brook replied, "Yes. It is high." Discussion. Ms. Sahistrom added, "Your homework would be to take this data and think it through and scrutinize it a little bit more. I would like very much to see us get a project on the list for METROPLAN (Orlando) for their bike pad project list." Ms. Sahlstrom commented, "Your big project to come up with for next time is to think through and also if you can be involved - or have interest or time with Grant writing to help put this together, so there is the GreeneWay (Interchange District) Grant and that is due at the end of March (2011). In March (2011), would be when we need to submit for the METROPLAN (Orlando) Grant." CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING - JANUARY 20, 2011 PAGE 9 OF 10 Continuing, Ms. Sahlstrom then added, "The idea is to be ready with a list and as we move closer to being project ready at least for some projects, we might want to submit some of the sidewalk projects for METROPLAN (Orlando)." In summary, Mr. Fields commented, "I heard that City Hall and Winter Springs High School sounded like it was a high priority. One suggestion — would be to bundle that project into Winter Springs High School area sidewalk improvements. Get the School Board to buy in and then you have multi jurisdictional projects which always get pushed higher up in the process. School safety, City Hall you got Multi Modal with the bus stop; you are just getting a lot in there that looks really good." Chairperson Colombo asked, "If somebody has the time or the inclination to help out with that, they should contact you directly?" Ms. Sahlstrom replied, "Sure — or Brian (Fields)." Vice Chairperson Carpenter suggested inviting Mr. Randy Stevenson, ASLA, AICP, Director, Community Development Department to one of the Bicycle And Pedestrian Committee Meetings to discuss the GreeneWay Interchange District and Bicycle and Pedestrian access. There were no objections voiced. Next, Vice Chairperson Carpenter then added, "The plans will be posted on the internet, so it will be accessible to us and we are free to make comments. But, Randy (Stevenson) asked that we focus on comments and I offered to be the vocal point for those comments and I wanted to make sure that that was okay with the Committee, and also if it was appropriate from a legalistic standpoint?" Chairperson Colombo responded, "I think everyone is fine with that." There were no objections voiced. Continuing, Vice Chairperson Carpenter concluded, "When the projects are Posted, I am to get a notice - I can do it through Eloise (Sahlstrom) or through Joan (Deputy City Clerk Brown)." Committee Member Brook stated, "We can not do it among ourselves, it has to go through Staff or the Clerk." Vice Chairperson Carpenter commented to Ms. Sahlstrom, "Just ask Michele Kelly (Community Development Secretary) to send a notice to all of us." She will email you the Staff Review Agenda and it would tell you what the project is and then of course it will be Posted in a way that you can access it." Chairperson Colombo reminded the Committee Members of the Special Meeting set for February 16�`, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMTI'TEE SPECIAL MEETING — JANUARY 20, 2011 PAGE 10 OF 10 ADJOURNMENT Chairperson Colombo adjourned the Special Meeting at 9:10 p.m. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: �� � AN L. BRO EPUTY CITY CLERK APPROVED: GEORG CO OMBO, CHAIRPERSON BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE NOTE: These Minutes were approved at the June 15„ 2011 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Regulaz Meeting.