Morgantown Municipal Bicycle Board

Regular Meeting Minutes

December 4, 2008

Public Safety Building

Open Action Items:

Due date	Responsibility	Action Item
Suspended	Rosenbaum, g Shogren, Kierig, Phillips, & Lozier	37. Develop a concrete plan for bicycle parking throughout the city; explore the applicability of WVU’s planning process and substance to the cities parking garages.
01/08/09	Spencer and new chairman	38. Schedule a meeting with the new director of the CVB to discuss bringing a large bicycle rally to Morgantown.
01/08/09	Gmeindl, G. Shogren, & Spencer	52. Speak to Chief of Police regarding delinquent cyclists in the downtown area. .
01/08/09	Kierig	54. Get a name from the WVU Police Chief of an officer that could serve on the BB.
01/08/09	Rosenbaum	55. Ask Mark Wise (via email) to report to the BB before proceeding with an further RT markings.
01/08/09	Gmeindl	59. Email BB citation for “Bicycling and the Law.”
12/11/08	Gmeindl	60. Find site for BB parking meeting on 12/12/08
ASAP	Gmeindl	61. Contact Paul Becker to announce that he was elected to BB and confirm his desire to serve.
2/09	Gmeindl, Spencer	62. Attend WV State Bicycle Meeting in Charleston

Meeting Minutes:

Agenda Item 1 (Schmooze time and Call to Order)

The December monthly meeting of the Morgantown Municipal Bicycle Board (BB) was called to order at 6:36 p.m. at the Public Safety Building by Chairman Frank Gmeindl with the following members attending:

• Frank Gmeindl, Don Spencer, Tyler Pearson, Hugh Kierig, John Lozier, Don Dickerson, Jim Rye, Derek Springston, Chip Wamsley, Marilyn Newcome , Jonathan Rosenbaum. were also present.
• Absent members: Chris Phillips, Alice Vernon.
• Visitors: Janel Bedard, Nick Hein

Agenda Item 2 (Agenda)

Chairman Gmeindl reviewed read-aheads sent electronically for this evening’s meeting, which also were distributed hardcopy. Chairman Gmeindl asked visitor Janel Bedard to introduce herself. She is a racing cyclist and in a new PhD program at WVU. She has a degree in urban planning and is skilled in GIS etc.

Agenda Item 3 Minutes of last meeting):

There were no changes to the minutes.

Agenda Item 4 (Action Items):

Open Action Items (refer to table above for focus of items that remain open):

o #37 – remains open.

o #38 – remains open.

o #52 – remains open.

o #54 – remains open (some progress made)

o #55– remains open (tried to call)

o #56 – closed. Chip provided additional details about bike parking, including lockers and costs for the parking lot behind the Public Safety Building. Don Spencer encouraged the purchase of high quality lockers—appeal will attract users, whereas low quality will not.

o #57 – closed. Frank Gmeindl emailed Jenny Selin regarding replacement BB members. A list of candidates to fill positions was distributed at the meeting

o #58 – closed. Jim Rye spoke to Mon County Supt of Schools (Frank Devanno) who referred him to the Mon County Schools Transportation Director, Irv Schuetzner, regarding a potential BB member to represent the Mon County School District’s interests. Rye contacted Mr. Schuetzner, who expressed an interest in attending the January meeting and will send to Jim Rye name(s) of person(s) who may be interested in serving.

Agenda Item 5 (Ripe Banana Issues):

Don Spencer and Frank Gmeindl will be attending a WVDOH meeting on bicycling in Charleston where they will defend theShared Lane Markings (chevrons, sharrows) and the “Bicycles May Use Full Lane” signage, which were approved at the State level and subsequently reversed (by a new administration in Charleston). Frank wants BB input on (to insure accuracy of) the intersection diagrams prepared by Derek that he will show DOH at the meeting in Charleston (see Agenda Item 9).

Agenda Item 6 (BB Membership):

A list of candidates was distributed/posted and amended to include visitor Janel Bedard, and BB voting results were as follows (with #1 = top candidate) to fill the 2 vacant positions: #1 Janel Bedard, #2 Paul Becker, #3 Gary Rodosta, #4 Chet Parsons, #5 Ben Warner and Marc Glass, #6 Jill Ross…. Janel (present) accepted the position and Frank will contact Paul to verify that he will accept the position.

Agenda Item 7 (Education Grant)

Frank requested volunteers from the BB to work on implementation of the $68K Transportation Enhancement “Effective Bicycling Education Program” grant award received from the State (timeline for grant implementation was distributed). The following members volunteered: Chip, Derek, Don Dickerson, Hugh, Tyler, Janel, Marilyn, and Jim. Frank will send email to determine first meeting. Although we stated in the grant that the work would be done in 1 year, the State will allow us 3 years. However, the State may not let us proceed beyond March of 2010.

Frank announced (as part of the implementation of our Education grant) that we need 2 more certified trainers for the Road I Course. To become certified, these individuals first need to complete the Road 1 Course and then attend a three day out-of-town training. We stated in the grant that we would do 38 Road 1 courses (with 8 students per course) over the next year. (Note: Cost of attendance is $40. Students who attend pay only ½ the cost and 10% of students are able to attend on scholarships.) When the BB needs to spend money on entities that are not registered businesses, those entities will submit their costs (e.g. hours) to Positive Spin who will monthly provide the BB with an invoice that the BB will review and approve and provide to the City for reimbursement. The City and WVDOH are currently working out any hourly rates constraints.

Agenda Item 8 (BB Parking)

We discussed the goal of promoting single bike parking places in convenient locations (30 locations in the Morgantown Streetscape Plan--an approximate price of $77 each was stated). A draft map was distributed identifying locations in the parking lot adjacent to the Public Safety Building—identifying10 racks plus possible lockers. Frank reviewed an idea from a City Council member about how we would fund the purchase of these racks (local Businesses would pay for a color coded rack outside their residence (the rationale is that it would attract more customers for these businesses). Janel mentioned that artisans also can develop bike racks as art projects.

Frank discussed previous recommendations about bike racks from the Beautification Committee for the High Street Streetscape Plan – they advocated “hoop and post” type design. We need to be careful in making a selection as we hope to be installing many of these. Also, what if local businesses (and other entities) object to racks? Then, we will request dedicated parking for bicycles on the streets. Our top priority now for bike parking is downtown parking/Streetscape Plan.

Don Spencer discussed bike rack design/appeal issues. They should include an emblem of the City and the word “Bicycles.” He supports high quality/aesthetics—otherwise folks will be less attracted to use them. Frank wants our decision to be based also on “engineering” procedures. Janel suggested a pilot project be launched; Frank and Hugh agree, and Hugh also advocated use of high quality materials.

The next meeting of the Bike Parking Committee will be Friday, Dec 12, 6 pm: Frank will check on room availability and email members.

Agenda Item 9 (Check Accuracy of Street Map for Signage Placement)

Frank engaged BB in quality assurance check of the map produced by Derek showing recommended placement of shared lane markings and “Cyclists May Take Full Lane” signs in Morgantown. Discrepancies were noted and provided to Derek, who will make the corrections and provide corrected map to Frank and Don prior to February meeting with DOH in Charleston.

Frank raised the question of where should we position the shared lane markings relative to intersections in order to maximize visibility by motorists (e.g., 30 ft. after intersection??). Note: In terms of distance from the right edge of the road/curb, any such marking must be placed no less than 4 ft (from the right edge/curb).

Frank acknowledged Derek’s extensive efforts and fine work in developing this map.

Agenda Item 10 (New Action Items)

59. Frank will Email BB citation for “Bicycling and the Law.”

60. Frank will find site for BB parking meeting on 12/12/08

61. Frank will contact Paul Becker to announce that he was elected to BB and confirm his desire to serve.

62. Frank and Don will attend the WV State Bicycle Meeting in Charleston. Note: Don emphasized that we need to know the purpose and agenda for this meeting, and determine what we need to take.

Chairman Gmeindl reminded BB that bicycle parking and implementation of the education grant currently are our #1 priority.

Agenda Item 11 (Meeting Evaluation and Adjournment)

Finishing a couple minutes early was a plus. Meeting was adjourned at 8:23 p.m.

Given that the first Thursday of January is New Year’s Day, Chairman Gmeindl will email BB to determine if we will meet then or subsequent Thurs and email BB.

Minutes submitted by Jim Rye

1/01/2009

Attendance:

Jan-07

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Dickerson, Don

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Gmeindl, Frank

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Kierig, Hugh

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Lozier, John

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Newcome, Marilyn

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Pearson, Tyler

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Phillips, Chris

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Rosenbaum, Jonathan

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Rye, Jim

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Panaccione, Maria

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Shogren, Betsy

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Shogren, gunnar

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Spencer, Don

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Springston, Derek

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Vernon, Alice

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Wamsley, Chip

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X=Present

Blank = Absent