HomeMy WebLinkAboutBACMinutes_2019_08_15
Brookings Bicycling Advisory Committee Notes
Date: August 15, 2019
Present:
Committee members: Jennifer, Mike, Eric
Park & Rec Board Liaison: Steve Berseth
City staff: Dusty Rodiek, Darren Hof, and Ronda May. Jackie joined at 4:14 PM.
Guest: Lawrence Novotny
Absent: Emily, Joanie, Steve, Keith PD Chief Dave Erickson Steve
Call to Order: Mike called the meeting to order at Mike at 4:11 PM. Not enough present for a
quorum so general discussion.
A. Mike met with Paul and is wondering how often this committee should meet –
quarterly, monthly? Dusty asked how those present often should committee meet?
Mike said we haven’t done much these last 2-3 months so suggesting quarterly. Dusty
said that would work and could still meet as needed if thing s came up. Eric said he
wasn’t here much when the ‘real work’ was done and we haven’t done a lot since
then. He thinks quarterly is good and call special meetings if needed. Jennifer said
quarterly is fine but if we get more active, then need to meet more. Eric said better to
have a sub-committee that’s hands on and could meet at different time, etc. Not a lot
gets accomplished but need to find right balance between work and number of
meetings needed. Mike said with the bike plan done and education & awareness
included, don’t want to hinder the work of the City and is looking to the City leaders
of getting it done. We turned over ‘the book’ as a committee to the City. Mike
pointed out some goals and how different entities could take over – businesses
promoting bike month, etc. Education & awareness – resource thing from City level
but doesn’t think it starts until City decides how to enforce it. Darren talked with
someone who thinks should ride against traffic – how do we get basic education out
there? Eric said different between runners/walkers and riders - don’t ride bikes on
sidewalks as no one looking for a right turner. Dusty asked who does the education?
Mike said if enforced by the City, from them. Eric suggested doing some training.
Mike said communication and enforcement is necessary. Jennifer asked if any
conversation about getting a bike coordinator for the City? Dusty said no, due to
budget. Darren said potentially working on the website where this committee could
take the lead. Mike agrees but need to know first what City’s going to enforce. Dusty
thinks there are educational pieces we can do – trail map – a PDF and on website
with safety guidelines. Need to have resources available. Jennifer said would be good
to have some social media blasts handy to put out there every so often. Dusty sees
this group as an advocacy group. Dusty said there’s an app that has only the trails on
from Nature Park on it – how do we get more trails on apps? Mike said his own 13
year old son doesn’t feel safe riding the bike lane on 8th Street. Darren asked what
would make him feel safe? A barrier or a wider lane. Dusty suggests that the next
meeting we invite the police chief so he can hear our concerns, etc. Jennifer thinks
this committee is still needed to spark some communication with the City. Ronda
did inform everyone that Chief Erickson is invited to the meetings but has conflicting
meeting at this time. Mike suggested having a basic conversation with Chief
Erickson. Jennifer said a cyclist went through a stop sign today at corner of Orchard
Dr. Mike said PD needs to enforce bike safety instead of just enforcing laws, etc.
B. Goals – moving forward, how much is our committee involved in the status in regards
to the City? Jennifer asked what the current layout is … Initially, the committee was
formed as a way to improve biking in Brookings and also to help with certain status.
Started with Council telling us to put in bike lanes but Committee didn’t feel we had
enough knowledge. Mike feels the City could work on it. Suggestion #3 - Jackie said
she already puts out progress on Bicycle Master Plan. Jackie said new marketing
person could get news out via social media or educational pieces in newspaper. Mike
asked what is the City’s snow removal of bike paths? Jackie said on the shared use
paths, the City is doing the removal as we committed to that on 6th St, 22nd Ave S, 20th
St S, 8th St S … Eric asked if the newspaper is covering any of this summer’s progress?
Mike & Jackie said the Register uses a lot of sent-in pics & notes.
C. Jennifer suggested having subcommittees – family education, social media blasts, etc.
Would be good to share the work and have everyone on-board agree to help so not
just one person.
D. Cyclo-Cross Race: Darren said it’s definitely happening Aug 24-25th at Pioneer Park.
John Berry would be a good resource for this committee as he’s looking to get bike
racing going in Brookings and would be a good resource. All kinds of races happening
with 30-40 bikers that weekend. He’s somewhat cautiously optimistic on the race.
Darren met with him yesterday and they discussed some other locations besides
Pioneer Park – Innovative Campus, etc.
E. Jackie asked if anything on shared use path with City and SDSU – anything on that?
Mike said he thinks Paul and Dean should sit down and hash it out. Fire station by
22nd Ave by WalMart was discussed – through McCrory Gardens by the arborium
(sp?). This isn’t the path – the one we’re interested in is up on Hwy 14. There was
talk of a 1 continuous path that loops around the City but not seeing that happen.
Jackie said a master plan process is starting this fall so might be a good piece to have
some input. How is bike plan connecting to 22nd Ave? That would serve a dual
purpose for biking and a walking path for football games. Eric wondered about the
trees north of the baseball field – like a natural path. It was stated that we don’t need
a paved path to have a way. If we mow, a mountain bike could go along the path.
Mike said even a managed path is usable. Bridge over I29 is another discussion point
to hook up by the University. DOT is still entertaining this but needed to wait until
6th St was finished.
F. Mike said he’ll wait to hear from Dusty on possible meeting with PD Chief Erickson.
He wondered if UPD Chief should be there? Jennifer didn’t think so – start with City
first.
Next meeting: Not sure if we’ll start meeting quarterly or what exactly.
Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 4:42 PM.
Submitted by Ronda May