HomeMy WebLinkAboutBBACMinutes_2016_11_03Bicycle Advisory Committee
November 3, 2016 Minutes
A meeting of the Bicycle Advisory Committee was held on Thursday, November 3, 2016 at 3:00 pm at
Brookings City & County Government Center with the following members present: Chair Mike Lockrem,
Vice-Chair Joanie Holm, Steve Paula, Ben Vukovich, Jennifer McLaughlin, Caleb Evenson, Emily Braun,
Brittany Kleinsasser and Liaison Steve Berseth. Guests included Shaun Lopez-Murphy from Toole Design
Group, Eric Rasmussen, Jessica Andrews, Lawrence Novotny, City Manager Jeff Weldon, Police Chief Jeff
Miller, City Clerk Shari Thornes, Parks & Recreation Director Dan Brettschneider, City Engineer Jackie
Lanning, Assistant to the City Manager Kevin Catlin, Recreation Manager Darren Hoff and
Communications Specialist Laurie Carruthers.
Chair Lockrem called the meeting to order at 3:23 p.m.
A motion was made by McLaughlin, seconded by Vukovich to approve the agenda. All present voted
yes; motion carried. A motion was made by Holm, seconded by Vukovich to approve the August 22 and
September 15, 2016 minutes. All present voted yes; motion carried.
Update on 6th Street Ad Hoc Committee. Shaun Lopez Murphy from Toole Design Group provided an
update from the 6th Street Ad Hoc Committee meeting from earlier that day. He advised that he was not
certain the 6th Street Ad Hoc Committee was aware of the recommendation accepted by the City
Council. The committee was concerned as to how bike lanes would fit into the other sections of 6th
Street and the long term vision. Is the goal to be a Bicycle Friendly Community or not? What is the data
showing from the community engagement report? The committee is looking for advice from Toole
Design Group to show how everything can sync together. Lockrem reminded everyone that other larger
cities, for example, Boulder, CO, have found a way to flow bicyclists, motorists and pedestrians together.
Update on 6th Street Ad Hoc Committee. Regarding the 6th Street Redesign Project, Toole recommends
a protected bicycle lane with snow storage. Two feet is not enough room for snow storage. Six feet
would be the recommended buffer. One-way protected bike lanes are tricky. Iowa City has a ten feet
wide sidewalk with additional markings for bicyclists and pedestrians to share the sidewalk. For the 6th
Street Redesign Project, Toole specifically recommends a sidewalk on one side of 6th Street with a multi-
use trail on the other side that has two-way lanes where bicycles and pedestrians share the trail. Things
to consider include destinations, how will it connect in, the number of driveways, turning conflicts and
the economic development. Crosswalks are a concern and could be painted green beside the sidewalk
to make motorists aware. Education is key for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.
Bicycle Master Plan. Shaun Lopez-Murphy provided an overview of the Community Workshop. Toole
Design Group was impressed with response from community the size of Brookings compared to other
communities. He outlined that ridership was identified in the beginning of the survey and then
categorized from there. Education was key for everyone. Several comments about same road, same
rules and how bikes need to follow same laws. Trails work well in Brookings. Tourism was not a focus in
listening sessions. Bicycle parking was identified as a need near downtown, HyVee, Walmart, the malls
and parks. Problem areas identified were 6th Street closer to I-29, 22nd Avenue, Allyn Frerichs Trail
parallel to I-29, 20th Street S and 12th Street S. Currently riders are using the trails, Main Avenue, 8th
Street and 3rd Street. Riders would like to ride 6th Street, 22nd Avenue, Main Avenue, Medary Avenue,
Western Avenue, off street routes (railroad tracks and across I-29).
The next steps are to develop the plan. As for the January workshop, they will provide highlights from
the draft plan and ask the community to prioritize. Toole can present this information or have
interactive stations. The BBAC advised that it’s important to combine both formats to reach different
preferences. A ten-minute presentation would work well then go to the interactive stations. Education
on different options is important. The workshop will be at McCrory Gardens Education and Visitors
Center on Wednesday, January 25, 2017 from 5-7pm. BBAC members will need to be present to assist
with the workshop.
The Bicycle Master Plan will have bicycle network map with different contexts and definitions. It was
noted that snow removal is key with any of the options and cost of maintenance will also need to be
considered. Digital overlay and graphics of the infrastructure on Brookings streets would be helpful. As
for options, bike boxes in intersections were mentioned to assist when bicycles can’t trip a traffic signal.
Green markings may be confusing for drivers. Another option would be green stripes to indicate a
conflict zone. Education is vital for any new infrastructure. Madison, Wisconsin and Minneapolis/St. Paul
are excellent examples of a well-connected bicycle networks.
The final Bicycle Master Plan will be presented at the February 28 or March 14, 2017 City Council
Meeting.
Update on Bike Rack Installations. Bicycle racks have been installed at the Brookings Activity Center,
Larson Ice Center, Swiftel Center, the Street Maintenance Facility, Research & Technology Building,
Police Station and East Fire Station. The Brookings Hospital also purchased 4 bike racks to install after
their construction project is complete. Potential bike rack installations in 2017 include Hillcrest Park
Aquatic Center and Brookings City & County Government Center.
Update on Bicycle Friendly Designation Application. It will not be publicly released until November 16,
but Brookings has received a Bronze designation as a Bicycle Friendly Community. This achievement will
be promoted at the Community Workshop in January and also an announced at a January City Council
Meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 5:09 pm.
Submitted by Laurie Carruthers