8.14.07 Bike/Ped Subcommittee Meeting Minutes

Bike/Ped Subcommittee
Meeting Minutes
8.14.07

Attendees:
Sam Pearson (TAC)
Judy Ellis
David Kelley
Marge Duck
Deb Meade


Meeting Proceedings:

Debriefing from the meeting with the East Buffalo Supervisors the previous evening concluded that the meeting was a success.  There were a number of us in attendance:  JE, SP, DK, MD, DM, Christine Buffinton and Alex Wilce (though the latter two had to leave early).  We were on the agenda second and as a result had to wait through general public input in addition to the first agenda item (for future reference perhaps just showing up would be a better way to finish faster, though not as cordial).  The tone was not universally positive, but the basic goal of asking for EBT to work on improving the pedestrian link across their property in the course of their current building project was met.  Hank Baylor is definitely sympathetic, though in the minority.  Lawson Fetterman and Vince DeCerchio were fairly (purposely) obtuse about promoting biking, declaring that it’s really not safe to ride on a lot of roads (one of the main reasons we were there) and that it would be prohibitively costly to build an entire bike network from scratch (without acknowledging either the need to plan or the proposed strategy of short links to enhance the existing infrastructure).  At the conclusion of the discussion, SP and JE agreed to develop a more concrete proposal for their Township Building site.  At one point in the discussion, Lawson Fetterman hinted that no one should be going across the bridges on the way to the library; the worst of all possible scenarios would be that they dismantle some of the existing bridges and undo what minimal access already exists. 

• JE will draft a thank you letter to the supervisors, to follow up. 
• JE and SP will review the site and put together a detailed proposal (mostly a compacted gravel pathway, with better grading/transitions at the bridges and adequate drainage along the entire route).
• JE will also contact Christine Buffinton of the EBT Planning Commission to see about whether a quasi-formal subcommittee to address bike/ped issues in the township could be established under the aegis of her committee. 
• SP will also try to find out what kinds of proposals Vince DeCerchio had made “15 years ago” to the same effect, to fold into our plan.

Bike Survey Follow-up

For the purpose of the EBT meeting, JE and SP further processed the Bike Survey data.  The information is now acceptably compiled, but still needs to be analyzed further and worked into an executive summary format – something fit for a press release ideally, summarizing the high points.  The pie charts created by the Bucknell traffic engineering students don’t really convey the information in a useful way.  Suggestions for better ways to graphically represent the data from the first two questions are welcome.  The current drafts of the text summary and the charts are now available on-line.

• DK, DM and MD agreed to review them and offer summary suggestions.  At this point SP can notify survey respondents who provided contact information that it is available.
• DK will check in with Sam Alcorn to see if he’s able to think about doing something on the survey results or driving in the presence of bikes.  AL may already have spoken to him.
• SP also mentioned that a Barb Martin offered to put materials out at the Triathlon if we’re interested.  SP will try to provide the survey summary and also new blank surveys for that event on 8.18.
• In addition, Barb Martin can help us get more input from the Mennonite community.

Bike Network Map Follow-up

SP asked for feedback on the best way to get additional input from experienced and knowledgeable cyclists on the bike network map.  JE would like a map to work off of with all streets labeled, though some of the information from the existing draft plan would also be useful, namely, waterways/creeks, high tension powerlines, the BU underpass, the golf course/playing field boundary and the bridges to the library.  SP will try to generate a base map off the street map that can be copied and distributed or used as information sessions to get a variety of cyclists favored routes, short-cuts and “wouldn’t it be great if you could”s.

Long Range Plans

• DK suggested tapping into the Rails to Trails Conservancy’s resources to help with strategizing next phases and think about how to make things (like converting the rail road bridge across the Susquehanna sooner rather than later).
• The group also brainstormed various organizations and institutions that might be able and willing to help with funding, since that will necessarily be one of the biggest hurdles to accomplishing any projects.  The list included Playworld Systems, the Degenstein Foundation, Evangelical Hospital, Geisinger, Bucknell and the Downtown Partnership.
• DK will check in on the progress of the Bucknell masterplan project and put in a word for bike paths and network connections.  He will also alert everyone should there be any public meetings for the plan.
• DK can also speak with a Geisinger contact about prioritizing trails from a community health perspective and get a sense of their position vis a vis funding.

Some Shorter-term Goals

• DK will check with the developers at Smoketown Fields about the feasibility of establishing bike/ped rights of way during platting or at least before turnkey to connect across their land and up the ridge.
• SP will check in with the Lewisburg Area School District about the need for paths across their properties and around their fields, both in the Linntown area and out on the Newman property.
• DM will look into the legality of walking on utility easements of smaller scale (since the area underneath high tension powerlines are open access).
• The BU student pie chart contribution to the survey effort reminded everyone to think of ways we might seek their assistance for specific projects and studies for the coming year.  Dick McGinnis won’t be teaching the traffic engineering course this year, but the students will still need projects to do.

We reviewed the general outline from the previous meeting in guiding the discussion.  Numerous action items are outstanding, but good progress is being made.

No recurrent date was set for ongoing meetings.  For now, they may remain ad hoc until we find something that seems best.  The next meeting will be Wednesday, September 19, at 7:30pm at Cherry Alley Café.  Note, that’s a different day, week, and time from this past meeting.


End of minutes