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HomeMy Public PortalAbout20140513 Bicycle Pedestrian Friendly meeting notes.docxBicycle / Pedestrian Friendly Committee Notes from May 13, 2014 meeting ATTENDEES: Sunni Brown, Bill Garbett, Paul Wolff, Diane Schleicher, Chantel Morton, Bruce Saunders, Michael Bodine, John Bennett, Vicki Worden, Officer Emory Rudolph, Tim O’Neill, and Joe Wilson Ms. Brown called the meeting to order. Mr. Garbett moved to approve the minutes from the last meeting. Mr. Wolff seconded. The minutes were approved. Old Business: Update on Bicycle/Pedestrian Path – North of Hwy 80 Ms. Schleicher said that the project is moving along well. She said that Council approved additional money. TAP Grant has been sent to help with the second phase. If TAP funding comes in, both phases can be done at the same time. The committee continued the discussion of the path. Discuss possible dates for a Tybee Island Youth Bicycle Rally Ms. Schleicher stated that the Youth Bicycle Rally discussed dates for the rally. The dates will be coordinated with the YMCA. She said that fall is better. Mr. Bennett said that fall is better for Savannah Bicycle. October 11 is not a good date. Ms. Morton advised that October 19 was community day. Mr. Bennett will check on that date. Ms. Schleicher said that there should be bike and helmet checks again. She said that there was positive feedback from the last rally. The committee discussed the route and stations along the route as well as prizes. Mr. O’Neill said that he would donate a couple of bikes, but there must be participation in the rally to be in the drawing. The committee agreed that Community Day would be good for the rally. Bicycle/sidewalk between S. Jones and 2nd Avenue Mr. Wilson advised that it would be done next week. Ms. Morton asked if long term goals was on the web page. Ms. Schleicher explained the long term goals and Connectivity. YMCA Kids Triathlon The committee discussed the kids triathlon. The date is confirmed as August 23. There will be paddleboard, bike and running. Running will be on the beach and the ages are 8-12 or 13. There will be a maximum of 60 kids. New Business: Safety concerns at bicycle/pedestrian crossing at 4th street and Second Ave. Ms. Schleicher said that stop signs increase safety and makes drivers slow down to stop. She said that cyclists are supposed to stop as well. Mr. Wilson and Officer Rudolph said that cyclists do not obey the laws, especially locals. Officer Rudolph said that a stop sign is only going to increase safety. The committee continued the discussion of bicycle safety. Mr. Wolff made a motion to put on the May 22 Public Safety Meeting Agenda. Mr. Garbett seconded. The motion carried. Mr. Bodine brought up raised roads and speed bumps. Mr. Wilson said that stop signs were cheaper. Ms. Schleicher suggested crosswalk signs would be beneficial. The committee agreed to see how the crosswalk warning signs work before sending to the public safety committee. Review Savannah’s draft Complete Street Ordinance Mr. Bennett said that they were proposing to Savannah Council in an attempt to reduce childhood obesity. The grant comes from Healthcare Georgia. He said that it was adopted by GDOT a couple of years ago. He said it would move the city in line with state law. Mr. Wolff said that it looks to fit Savannah rather than Tybee as Tybee is built out. He asked if it might behoove the city to pass an ordinance or resolution to include any infrastructure would take into account any changes. Ms. Schleicher said that she gave the website fact sheets and has information for design standards. Mr. Bennett continued to explain the project. Ms. Schleicher said that the theory was buried in the bike plan that we would do Complete Streets But that theory has evolved. She said that she thinks we should revisit it. The council adopted the bike plan. She said that she thinks that we should have an ordinance or a resolution that is separate from our bike plan. Jones Avenue Resurfacing Project Ms. Schleicher said that there is about $180,000 in SPLOST committed for the resurfacing of Jones at the current profile and not with a foot added. The committee discussed the road widening and costs associated with it. She said that it would be $100,000 on top of the SPLOST. The ROW is only used for the public good and in some cases the ROW goes right up to some porches. The only time the ROW is used is when we feel as if it is good for the general community. She said that widening the road increases speeds. Mr. Garbett said that we have a well established, well used bike path and can’t imagine whatever was done on Jones would be better than the bike path. He said that he would rather see it stay 9’. The committee decided that it was best to encourage use of the current bike path and stay off of Jones. Ms. Schleicher said that part of the Complete Streets process is what the committee is doing now. Mr. Bennett said that it looks like there is a problem with higher speed traffic on Jones and could use some traffic calming. He said there is a whole litany of things the committee could consider. Ms. Schleicher said that RS&H did a quick analysis and recommended not widening the street. Mr. Wolff made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Garbett seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned.