HomeMy WebLinkAboutBBACMinutes_2016_01_281
Brookings Bicycling Advisory Committee
January 28, 2016 Minutes
A meeting of the Brookings Bicycling Advisory Committee was held on Thursday, January 28, 2016
at 4:00 p.m. in the Brookings City and County Government Center. Members present: Caleb Finck,
Ben Vukovich, Joanie Holm, Emily Braun, and Meghan Thoreau (by phone). Members absent: Van
Fishback, Vern Olson and Steve Paula. Liaisons: Steve Berseth, Park and Recreation Board. City
staff present: Jackie Lanning, City Engineer; Mike Struck, Community Development Director; Shari
Thornes, City Clerk; Dan Brettschneider, Parks, Recreation & Forestry Director; Darren Hoff,
Recreation Manager and Laurie Carruthers, Communications Specialist.
Chair Caleb Finck called the meeting to order at 4:23 pm. A motion was made by Holm,
seconded by Braun, to approve the agenda. All present voted yes; motion carried. A motion was
made by Braun, seconded by Holm, to approve the December 3, 2015 minutes. All present
voted yes; motion carried.
Schedule next meeting. Wednesday, February 10, 2016 @ 4 p.m.
City Council Response to Arterial Street (6th Street) Policy Recommendation and creation of task
force to design 6th Street. The City Council accepted the Bicycle Advisory Committee’s 6th Street
recommendation and is putting together a task force to develop the design for 6th Street.
Members interested in serving on this task force should contact Chair Finck.
Subcommittee Reports.
Infrastructure
Bike Rack Standards – Finck presented a draft recommendation. Parks, Recreation &
Forestry Director Dan Brettschneider advised that he had met with City Manager Jeff
Weldon. They decided the bike racks would be placed at the following locations:
Building Address Number of racks
Research & Technology Building 801-809 32nd Avenue 2
East Fire Station & Meeting Hall 607 20th Avenue 2
Senior Center 516 4th Street 2
Hillcrest Aquatic Center 1505 5th Street 4
Larson Ice Center 924 32nd Avenue 2
Public Safety Center 307-311 3rd Avenue 2
Swiftel Center 824 32nd Avenue 2
Street Department Shop 125 2nd Avenue Possibly included in construction
2
Finck advised he needed a recommendation from the Committee regarding the
statement, “If 10 or more bicycle spaces are required, then at least fifty percent of
the bicycle spaces must be covered.” Thoreau commented about the benefit of
having a covered rack while a citizen is attending an event at a city facility. Holm
contemplated the requirement and wondered if ‘discretion’ should be added.
Berseth suggested the use of ‘desirable.’ Thoreau stated that the recommendations
from the Committee should be strong and provide the best bicycling infrastructure
for citizens. The City Council can use their discretion, but the Committee should be
the bike advocates. Hoff said wind could be a factor even if the racks were covered in
inclement weather. Holm recommended the Committee stick with the original
recommendation of 50%. Guest Caleb Evenson advised the intent of a covered rack
is to prevent the bicycle seat from getting wet. Thoreau asked if covered bicycle
parking was being considered in the new Hospital expansion. Guest Sherry Cappel
advised that she spoke with CEO Merkley and he would like advice from the
Committee regarding the expansion project.
Finck suggested a revision to the language, “Covered bicycle parking will be available
where people will meet publically.”
A motion was made by Thoreau, seconded by Holm, to revise the bicycle parking
standards recommendation regarding covered parking to the following language,
“Covered bicycle parking shall be available at public facilities where large indoor
gatherings can be held.” All present voted yes; motion carried.
Parks, Recreation & Forestry Director Dan Brettschneider questioned the
requirement if motor vehicle parking is covered, bicycle parking must also be
covered. Thornes clarified; currently no facilities offer covered motor vehicle parking.
However, if one is built, there would be a requirement to have bicycle parking within
the structure.
A motion was made by Holm, seconded by Thoreau, to present the amended bicycle
parking standards recommendation to the City Council. All present voted yes; motion
carried.
Bike Lane Recommendation – Finck met with City Engineer Jackie Lanning to review
the proposed recommendation and identify specific locations. Finck clarified, for
streets greater than 30 feet in width, the recommendation states a 4 feet wide
striped bicycle lane will be required. For streets less than 30 feet in width, a striped
advisory lane is required. Finck noted, along the western end of 8th Street parking is
3
allowed, but it is not overnight parking. This parking would need to be removed in
order to follow the recommendation of a bicycle advisory lane. As for the portion of
3rd Street from 5th Avenue to 22nd Avenue, Finck spoke with Fire Chief Hartmann
regarding this street being an emergency route. Chief Hartmann is not concerned
with the recommendation to install a bicycle advisory lane as bicyclists are required
to follow the same rules as motorists and pull over when an emergency vehicle is en
route.
Finck requested a discussion on Recommendation #2 – along 5th Avenue from 8th
Street to 3rd Street, remove parking, implement 4 feet wide striped bicycle advisory
lanes. Finck’s concern is with the bump-outs at 4th Street where the street narrows.
Lanning advised that bump-outs are scheduled to be constructed at 3rd Street and 5th
Street. Lanning stated there is no signage standard for bicycle advisory lanes. The
City Council would need to adopt a standard that would correlate with the signage.
Finck questioned the possibility of removing the turning lane. Lanning advised that
turning lanes are designed to reduce rear end accidents, and she advises to keep the
turning lane. Several members voiced concerns with removing parking along 5th
Avenue. Thoreau mentioned that if parking was removed, more people will be riding
bicycles. Thornes noted that food trucks utilize this parking. Lanning suggested
looking at 7th Avenue to connect 8th Street to 3rd Street. Finck made the suggestion of
Main Avenue and to reverse parking.
Several members needed to leave the meeting. It was decided to take action on the
Bicycle Lane Recommendation at the February 10th meeting.
Conferences. Thornes advised the Winter Cycling Congress Conference will be in Minneapolis-St.
Paul February 2-4, 2016. The National Bike Summit will be in Washington DC March 7-9, 2016.
Caleb Evenson may be attending the Washington DC Summit.
Bicycle Rack Recommendation. A motion was made by Braun, seconded by Holm, to recommend
the city purchase the Dero Galvanized Bike Racks at the unit price of $138. All present voted yes;
motion carried.
Thoreau made the recommendation to discuss at a future meeting the time of year the street
striping occurs.
Meeting adjourned at 5:41 p.m.
Submitted by Laurie Carruthers