HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-03-09 Bicycle Advisory Board Minutes
June 3, 2009 Bicycle Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
Attendees: BABAB - Baker Lyon, Elizabeth Bird, Molly Pickall, Jason Delmue, Bill Cochran,
Rebecca Gleason. City of Bozeman: Aimee Kissell, Natalie Myers, John Vandelinder, Andy
Epple, Rick Hixson. Other attendees: Elizabeth Williamson, Paul House
Elizabeth Williamson asked about
6:00— Introductions and Public Comment period
bike lanes on Main Street
6:10 – 7:15 Roundtable discussion with City of Bozeman Staff: John Vandelinder
(Streets), Andy Epple (Planning), Natalie Meyer (Grants & Climate Protection), and
Rick Hixson (Engineering)
John Van Delinder – maintenance and signs and signals
Street maintenance funds
— comes from sources such as property owners and state gas tax.
The gas tax may only be used for certain items. Street maintenance includes sanding, pothole
repair, chip seal, mill and overlay (new layer of asphalt), permanent markings and other items.
Permanent marking refers to thermoplastic; which is a good alternative to paint for bike lane
striping. Paint wears out quickly while thermoplastic lasts a long time
City Infrastructure Project Priorities— City commission determines priority list. Capital
improvement planning is allocating scarce resources and is based on community input.
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8 street is a high priority for a new water main. Street improvements are not part of this
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project and no funding currently available. 8 St. has low traffic volumes –thus low
priority for street improvements.
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College Ave between Main and 8 –high priority for street improvements (receives about
12,000 Ave. Daily Traffic)
Kagy Blvd– is another high priority for street improvements
Funding Options for Bicycling Projects: The city receives $ 1mil for water projects and $1 mil
for sewer project every other year. Water usage funds pay for water infrastructure
improvements (water enterprise fund). No property taxes may be used for streets.
Community Transportation Enhancement (CTEP) funds will be used for the ped/bike trail
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planned along the S. side of College from 11 to Main, extending out to Cottonwood on the N.
side of Main. $1.2 mil allowance is provided for urban fed. Routes each year (i.e. College and
Kagy)
Street maintenance district fee is a special assessment for property owners. These fees pay for
street maintenance, but won't pay for building or rebuilding streets. They are set through the
City budgeting process (no citizens have showed up for the budgeting process recently.)
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Guiding Documents/Plans for Transportation Improvements
Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) is one guiding document. The CIP guides large transportation
and all other improvement projects. The CIP lays out priorities for large projects. City
personnel such as Rick, Andy, John and the City commission prioritize projects. They look at
funding sources including impact fees, urban funds, maintenance fees, and developer's
contributions. W. Babcock and Durston are examples of large projects (CIP)- that included bike
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lanes. There was much debate about whether S. 19 should be a priority. The 1995 Bond
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election included $5 million for large transportation projects – such as S. 19. The CIP budget
process typically takes place from November through March and the CIP is available online.
Amy Kissel offered to provide a tutorial on the City website. The CIP is still flexible on budget.
The Greater Bozeman Area Transportation Plan is another guiding plan. Bike lanes present in
Bozeman may be viewed online at the City's GIS system.
Separate documents exist for (facilities plans) for water, sewer, transportation and other plans.
How do city plans affect annual decision making (regarding bicycle facilities)? BABAB has a
seat on the transportation coordinating committee (Bill Cochran is the current rep). No new
arterials or collector street may be built in City limits w/o bike facilities. Small projects
(transportation system management) are included (over 100) in the City Transportation Plan
(some fall into maintenance budget). Large, high cost capital projects are in CIP –– these take
years to pay off and benefit a broader population.
Budgeting is where policy is implemented Through the CIP (long term) and annual (short term)
budgeting processes. Systems are in place that include public officials and advisory boards to
prioritize projects. The CIP cycle is a rolling process—a 5 year plan; which is updated each year
starting in November. The City commission typically approves the CIP in March. This year
approval was delayed due to the downtown gas explosion. Efforts are being made to televise
the budget and commission meetings on Channel 20. BABAB can request a copy of the CIP
through Amie Kissel and/or an-copy is available online. Engineering-file transfer protocol- FTP
site. The shorter term annual operating budget begins in January
What are obstacles to implementing bicycle projects? Bike lanes are only constructed on
larger collector and arterial streets. In Bozeman-these larger streets are joint jurisdiction- CITY
and MDT. Limited resources (funding) is an obstacle.
Are there untapped resources for grants and funding? Grants- smaller communities don’t
typically receive large funding from the federal govt. Larger communities (over 50,000 people
in city limits) are required to form Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO); which has pros
and cons. One pro is that MPOs receive federal funds for a bicycle/pedestrian coordinator.
Cons are that many strings are attached to MPO funding.
Babcock and Durston projects are an example of innovative combination of funds including: a
special improvement district, urban funds, GO funds from 1995 bond, and impact fees.
Developers construct most bike facilities and water and sewer infrastructure. It should be
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noted that the public ultimately pays for these facilities (developer only pays short term).
Natalie is a good resource for road improvement funding opportunities.
How can BABAB know when variances are requested (i.e. no bike lanes?). Variances require a
negotiation process between the developer and city. Rick stated that bike lanes are always
installed, there have been no variances in recent years. Sometimes the City is pressed to do
less than standard. For example, constructing a sidewalk, but no boulevard.
BABAB can get on email list for all public meetings.
Public meetings may be viewed online (but we must be present to comment)
Discussion based on question from Paul House regarding what latitude the City has to adjust
length of yellow lights (for example- can length of yellow be increased on 55 mph roads?)
Rick stated that the yellow (amber) lights on 40 mph roads are already long at 3.5- 4 seconds.
Signal and other discussion—Main street – discussion of level of service and how to manage
traffic lights and burning fuel from starting and stopping. Downtown businesses have had
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impact on light timing. College and 11 roundabout are planned for construction this summer.
May be good for traffic- uncertain for safety of bicycles.
Camera sensors on traffic lights sense bikes through motion detectors. MDT is in control of
signals. In the future, all signals will contain motion detectors- which are good for bikes. Kagy
and Willson, Tamarack and Rouse also need detectors.
What can BABAB do to have biggest impact? Can we help w/ CIP or public bond support that
would be realistic, obtainable? (Given that city is diligent about implementing existing plans
that include bike facilities.) Retrofits are the hardest to implement, but very important.
Identifying bike lanes on existing streets where there is no funding. Mendenhall and Babcock
for example, have been proposed to remove parking—difficult to implement—resistance from
Downtown Business Association.
Become familiar w/ Bozeman's transportation plan and study the sections on bicycles.
Identify critical links and communicate to the city in advance of budgeting process.
Get involved through the CIP process and remind the city (John Vandelinder) in advance of
the budget process.
Be persistent—Andy mentioned that Bozeman's transportation plan has a section on
equestrian use- based on the persistence of one person.
Are there opportunities for grant funds –rolling/continuing (to fund a bicycle/pedestrian
coordinator)? Natalie suggested writing a job description for a City bicycle/pedestrian
coordinator. Perhaps someone at city can take on that role? Long term funding required
bringing on someone new for bike/ped position.
City planning has some bikes for shared employee use. The downtown business is creating a
new plan. (Maybe an opportunity to promote bike lanes downtown?). $15,000 per year is the
value to business for one parking space downtown.
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7:15 – 8:00 Bicycle Advisory Board business
BABAB Fundraising options. Aimee—BABAB can fundraise and may set up an account through
City. Contact Lauray Clark Lclark@bozeman.net. We can get a BABAB checking account. A
formal fund through the city would not be a 501c3? Keep it city makes sense since we have
changing membership.
Discussion of expanding BABAB to get more buy in from County Commissioners. How can
BABAB be viewed as a legitimate entity by county commissioners? Options include BABAB
members from the County who are appointed by the county commission. Aimee suggested
drafting email to her. If we want to add county reps, elected by county commissioners. A
bylaw change to BABAB is easier than an agreement. Extend survey to county – to get
legitimacy. Another option is to get county representative appointed by the City commission.
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for future BABAB events should include:
What are we doing? What is format? Funding for graphic designer. Set schedule
Baker typed up an outline- will email copy to BABAB group.
Rebecca will get Engineers without Borders event planning example to BABAB group.
Fall 2009 Bike to Work Week? Set a date for next year bike week – in the fall or spring?
Consider coordinating with Cathy Costakis- Safe Routes to Schools fall activity. Gretchen
Hooker with MSU sustainability group is interested in coordinating with BABAB for an MSU
campus event.
If BABAB has funding available, we will pursue a fall biking event. Elizabeth will check with John
Vandelinder on funds. BABAB prefers to support an event planned by other key organizers.
Elizabeth will invite Cathy Costakis (MSU NAPA program) and Molly will invite Gretchen Hooker
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(MSU sustainability) to BABAB July 1 meeting and let them know we could support them for an
event.
Comments about 2008 Bike to Work Week. Elizabeth Williamson—Final party on Friday was
fun – The group demonstrated leadership by organizing event, t-shirts identifying members,
BABAB summary information sheet listing members and goals was good. It is important to give
people a way to get involved. Elizabeth came to this meeting based on information from that
event. Raffle tickets are effective.
Many of people who biked to coffee shops appeared to be same group who already are regular
riders.
How can BABAB bring in new people who don’t' already bicycle– timid riders etc? Ideas
include: Target parents w/ kids- parade, broaden audience. Be consistent about event details- is
it bike to work week, or bike week? Consider a bike carnival – sales reps-for townie bikes,
trailers, etc.. Winter commuting training, combine bike/walk/bus rather than just bike week.
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BABAB should define our major goal for 2009 and design major event to meet goal. Invite all
bike shops and use equipment. Have bike shops and others host events -not just BABAB.
Combine w/ other organizations- such as GVLT, Streamline.
How to measure new riders? Name and email bike list, punch cards. Engage parents w/ kids.
Conservation list serve was good (yet may be preaching to choir).
Brainstorm methods to reach others who don't already bike
BABAB Funds/Fundraising – BABAB used to have up to $50k to use for capital improvements
only. Now we can request up to $25k through city maintenance. Last year we requested $12k
and remaining funds were allocated to permanent bike lane striping. BABAB needs
discretionary funds for printing, reserving park, band, deposit etc..
Consider fairgrounds parking program - $2 to park for concerts, horseshows- ½ money to event,
½ to helpers (BABAB perhaps).
City reimburses BABAB. Can BABAB use city funds if we set up checking account? Can John
allocate $1,000 or so of discretionary funds. What will city fund? T-shirts, advertising, etc.
Contact Lauray- ask what are restrictions on City fundraising.
BABAB Website—City won’t support website page, but BABAB content is available from
previous member Jon Henderson that we can link to city website.
Baker created a babab Gmail account. Consider how group can use Gmail and create website,
understand how Google groups works. Brainstorm website needs and prioritize. Consider how
to auto forward important messages and how best to manage Gmail account.
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Ethics training – June 4 6-8 pm, and June 17 6-8 akissel@bozeman.net
Next Meeting Wed. July 1st
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