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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/03/2007 - Minutes RENTON NON-MO�RIZED TRANSPORTATION AD�ORY COMMITTEE Meeting Minutes May 3, 2007 � ,=~.-,,,��,, :. , � Next Committee Meeting: � p �s � ; r ' a �::..F � ,; June 7, 2007, 4:30—5:30 p.m., Conference Room 511, Sth Floor � Renton City Hall Committee Members Present: Bob Elliot, Margaret Feaster, Dorothy Flower, Pete Maas, Craig Paynter, Robert Peterson, Frances Pieper, and Janene Sestak CITY OF RENTON Committee Members Excused Absence: JUN 2 8 2001 Jean Hobart and Paul Wantzelius RE EIVED CITY CLE�K'S OFFICE Committee Members Absent: City Staff Present: Leslie Betlach, Parks Director Margie Beitner, Recording Secretaxy, Community Services Admin. Dan Hasty, Civil Engineer, PBPW/Transportation Jim Seitz, Planning&Programming Supervisor, PBPW/Transportation Guests: Ron(Earl) Pieper Connie Reckord, MacLeod Reckord Landscape Architecture/Planning/Urban Design Kristen Lohse, MacLeod Reckord Landscape Architecture/Planning/Urban Design The meeting was called to order by Pete Maas at 4:33 p.m. Approval of Agenda Dorothy Flower made a motion seconded by Margaret Feaster to approve the agenda as written. All were in favor, agenda approved. Minutes Bob Elliot made a motion seconded by Janene Sestak to approve the Apri15, 2007 minutes as written. All were in favor, minutes approved. PUBLIC COMMENTS John Hasty introduced Connie Reckord and Kristen Lohse from MacLeod Reckord,the consultant firm under contract to develop the Trails and Bicycle Master Plan. MacLeod Reckord gave an overview of the work that has been completed to date and explained the display boards used during the presentation. MacLeod Reckord provided a handout at the meeting which included a project schedule, and project goals and objectives explaining their method for determining routes. 1:�2007 Files�2007-103mb(NonMotorized-May 07 Minutes).doc Renton Non-Motorized'1T�nsportation Advisory Committee � May 3,2007 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 5 Connie Reckord indicated they want to establish a relationship with the NMTAC so they can get input on sites unknown to them and in that respect the City can help guide this study. MacLeod Reckord explained their approach in conducting this study. The City provided several documents to them for review. Discussions with City staff followed in order to understand what the City wanted to accomplish from this plan. It was established that the City wants to connect all area parks, develop commuting routes, capitalize on major regional trails, encourage healthy lifestyles, and encourage or improve air quality. MacLeod Reckord has gathered information from the materials and data provided by the City. They will be using this information and various display boards at the first public meeting to talk to the community about what they are trying to accomplish. Then they will break up into stations so people can give them comments and feedback. This will not be a resolution on an actual trails plan. The NMTAC can also help by taking this information back to the public and let MacLeod Reckord know what questions the community is asking; what areas of concern they have,whether there are missing links, or if the consultants are missing information from their data. Pete Maas asked if the consultants had considered the "Complete Streets" legislation as part of this review process. "Complete Streets" is the concept that our public roads should be designed for all users, including pedestrians and bicyclists. Jim Seitz noted that this plan is the Master Trails & Bicycle Route Plan and it is not necessarily addressing the pedestrian usage. "Complete Streets"could be a post plan, maybe something the city will follow through and adopt as part of this plan at a later date. The City has the Comprehensive Walk plan for the walking components and the Way Finding Study for the downtown area. A bicycle route map will be developed as part of this plan and the trails component of this Trails Master plan includes hiking, etc. Pete Maas mentioned the PAA(Potential Annexation Areas) and questioned whether these areas are being considered in this study. Connie Reckord indicated they are looking at the possible PAA areas to identify major links which would provide feeder connections to Renton. The subject of electric vehicles was broached by Craig Paynter. He asked if there would be any consideration in this study for this type of vehicle. He suggested they look into this option. Jim Seitz indicated this is off the topic and would basically be a different scope. This type of usage was really not included in this particular study. Craig Paynter suggested they may want to consider designing a wider bike route so that an electric bike can use these paths too. Jim Seitz said they would like to separate as much as possible from pedestrian because of accidents. Craig indicated an electric bike cannot use a sidewalk. Jim Seitz reiterated again that he is not sure they can do this as part of this study. The scope of work is defined and they have to be careful where money is spent. Craig voiced a concern that people cannot use this type of vehicle if the government does not allow for development of roadway or right-of-way for this type of transportation. 1:�2007 Files12007-103mb(NonMotorized-May 07 Minutes).doc Y Renton Non-Motorized'1'3nsportation Advisory Committee � May 3,2007 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 5 Leslie Betlach suggested it may be helpful to show potential annexation areas on their display boards or handouts with dash lines; show City limits and the three potential annexation areas then show parks, schools, etc. within those areas. Leslie also recommended using handouts with maps for the public so they can write comments on them. Connie Reckord noted they would like to have a broad spectrum on how to give comments at the first public open house. They will have manned stations where people can talk to one of the consultants, they will have unmanned stations and people can mark on a board or write comments, and they will also have comment cards. Jim Seitz indicated they would also bring a map showing current bicycle routes developed by Transportation to the May 30th Open House. The Potential Annexation Areas (PAA) were discussed. The four major areas are Benson Hill/Petrovitsky(largest), East Renton Plateau, Skyway, and Fairwood. Discussion followed on other areas of concern that may need to be reviewed by the consultants: ❖ Janene Sestak mentioned the route from Grady Way to South Center, with the possibility of widening sidewalk by two feet to allow bicycles and pedestrians. It is a hard strip to travel by bicycle because the traffic is going too fast to share the roadway. ❖ Bob Elliot: The East/West Connector missing—maybe SW 7th, SW 16th or Grady Way. ❖ Jim Seitz: Fort Dent Connector—will prioritize as important. There are limited resources to analyze and bring to Council. Maybe apply"road diet"techniques to slim the road and produce bike lanes. ❖ Bob Elliot: 405 Expansion—what about the possibility of working in a bike lane along freeway? Jim Seitz mentioned there are some bikeways on Oakesdale. ❖ Pete Maas: Concern about large bike groups passing through areas (from 2 or 3 to 25-30 in a group). Some of these being racer groups. Groups cross 4�'Avenue and Garden Street onto Bronson. ❖ Janene Sestak: South Puget Drive/Old Benson—after you go over the overpass there are no bike lanes and no sidewalks. Dan Hasty mentioned they are working on sidewalks all the way to City Hall. Jim Seitz discussed how they planned on advertising the Open House. Announcements will be placed in the news papers, on website, Library Postings, Community Center and Neighborhood Centers, Senior Center and in the Admin. Report. 1:�2007 Files12007-103mb(NonMotorized-May 07 Minutes).doc Renton Non-Motorized�nsportation Advisory Committee � May 3,2007 Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 5 Margaret Feaster asked what form the final report will be once completed in December/January(what documents will result from this study)? A book will be developed explaining the process of the study and a finished map to include trails and bike paths. Leslie Betlach noted the book will include trail standards, signage showing amenities along trails and identifying these locations for amenities, a map for distribution and a summary and planning document. Not sure yet if the map will show current trails or proposed trails. COMMITTEE COMMUNICATION 1. Margaret Feaster made a motion seconded by Dorothy Flower to move the July meeting from July 5 to July 12,2007 (one week later). All were in favor, motion carried. CONSENT ITEMS None. DIRECTOR'S REPORT Park Board: Pete Maas reported on the April 10, 2007 Park Board meeting. Mayor Keolker attended the meeting and spoke about the Sports Arena issue. Heritage Park: Leslie Betlach noted there will be a Ribbon cutting ceremony on June 16, 2007 for the grand opening. The City also had a successful Arbor Day/Earth Day celebration on Apri128, 2007. OLD BUSINESS 1. Executed copies of the revised Constitution and By-Laws dated April 6, 2007 were mailed with committee packets prior to the May 3, 2007 NMTAC meeting. This is a final document and should be retained in your committee notebook. 2. Subcommittee for Update on Trails in PAA: Pete Maas passed out a map showing street names. The subcommittee members will review these areas. NEW BUSINESS 1. Leslie Betlach distributed a map showing the four possible annexation areas. 2. Frances Pieper noted an area of concern regaxding handicap parking at the Downtown Main Library. There are 30 minute parking stalls close to the building; however, the handicap parking is further away from the building. She requested that someone in the City take a look at this location and correct the problem. Leslie Betlach will check into this. 1:12007 Files�2007-103mb(NonMotorized-May 07 Minutes).doc r Renton Non-Motorized 1`�isportation Advisory Committee `"'� May 3,2007 Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 5 3. Craig Paynter passed around a"Bike to Work" flyer. 4. Pete Maas manned a booth for the Boeing Bike Club. He passed out extra Snohomish County bicycling maps and Seattle Bicycling Guide Maps. CORRESPONDENCE None. ADJOURNMENT Robert Peterson made a motion seconded by Dorothy Flower to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned by Pete Maas at 6:15 p.m. � �,.��= _ � Signature ,' Z � ` ��% �^i i hi.li�V�iY��}�dj'a ���\M £ ����,�y9��"• �.�C' `h„ � p eE � sS;��:/� ' � ,�>�•'..a . -d • ; , ''`� �< �' 1��.'.;�°�y/QQ7g �,. � - �' :?y"� C'!w�S ifl%�!�IR�i� � .N � • " , �..s. � � "''� �„,�>� �,�' . .• ����;<.<".�A �,.. ' "� �Ri'�t'1'�11�. � HdII;--R�b.i�t'1"��;�'���;:� F�OOf' ' �, . ,� �` 1:�2007 Files�2007-103mb(NonMotorized-May 07 Minutes).doc