Hudson Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee Meeting

Notice is hereby given that a majority of the City Council may be present at the aforementioned meeting of the Plan Commission to gather information about a subject over which they have decision making responsibility. This constitutes a meeting of the City Council pursuant to State ex rel. Badke v. Greendale Village Bd., 173 Wis. 2d 553, 494 N. W. 2d 408 (1993), and must be noticed as such, although the Council will not take any formal action at this meeting. HUDSON BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE CITY OF HUDSON, WISCONSIN Monday , March 2, 2020 5:30 p.m. Council Chambers, 505 Third Street AGENDA (Click on agenda items highlighted in blue to access documents related to that item) 1. Call to Order 2. Discussion and possible action on January 27, 2020 Meeting Minutes 3. New Business A. Discussion on Hot Air Affair booth results B. Discussion and possible action on POLCO survey ques tions C. Discussion and possible action on hosting a Master Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan pop-up stand D. Discussion and possible action on drafting a vision statement for the Master Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan 4. Communications and Items for Future Agendas A. Related City Projects update B. Set next meeting date (possibly April 6th) 5. Adjournment Posted in City Hall lobbies and emailed to Star Observer on 2/28/ 20 20 REGULAR MEETING OF THE HUDSON BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE CITY OF HUDSON Monday, January 27, 2020 Page 1 The Hudson Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee meeting was called to order by Nancy Huntley at 5:30 p.m. PRESENT. Nancy Huntley, Dag Selander, Devon Piernot, Jim Webber, and Marian Webber. ABSENT. None. OTHERS PRESENT. Tiffany Weiss, Michael Johnson, and Dean Chamberlain. Discussion and possible action on September 23, 2019 meeting minutes. Motion by Marian Webber, seconded by Piernot to approve the minutes of the September 23, 2019 Hudson Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee meeting. All ayes (5). Motion Carried. UNFINISHED BUSINESS. None. NEW BUSINESS. Discussion on overarching plan goals from neighboring towns and regional entities. Weiss discussed staff’s findings on neighboring town and village bicycle/pedestrian and parks and rec plans. Weiss also noted that included in those neighboring town plans, regional entities such as the WisDOT and St Croix County’s plans were also reviewed for goals that coincide with the City of Hudson’s 2009 Comprehensive Plan. The following goals were noted: - Train individuals to better understand bicycle safety - Promote more walking and bicycling trips - Separate bicycle and motor vehicle traffic in hazardous locations (Carmichael Road and Crestview Drive) through alternate trail routes. - Extra 4-5’ width should be provided in road construction plans in locations where bicyclists are anticipated - Create pedestrian and non-motorized connections to parks ad to existing and future neighborhoods - Connect neighborhoods to schools Johnson inquired if these goals are laying the groundwork for the Master Bike/Ped Plan? Weiss responded yes and further mentioned that these goals are going to help the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee decide upon its own Master Plan goals and vision statement at the next meeting. Key trail routes were also pulled from regional and neighboring government unit plans. These trails were then shown on a map to the Committee. The map outlined all currently existing trails as well as REGULAR MEETING OF THE HUDSON BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE CITY OF HUDSON Monday, January 27, 2020 Page 2 those that are proposed in the region. Marian Webber inquired if a hard copy of the map could be printed out in time for the Hot Air Affair event on February 8th? Weiss noted that staff could work on getting this done. No action was taken. Discussion on the Master Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan pop-up stand. Weiss summarized the City’s pop-up stand that was held at the YMCA during the week of December 16th, which groups of the population were targeted during the 1-6pm timeframe that the pop-up stand operated for, and next steps that the committee could take if they felt compelled to get more feedback from the community. Jim Webber inquired if the committee should be advised to hold more meetings. Weiss noted that 170 comments were received in total which would not be representative of the community, so it would be advised by staff that the committee continue its outreach efforts. Piernot asked if the next pop-up stand should be held at the YMCA again, or if it should be moved elsewhere. Weiss noted that it would be a good idea to move it to a different location since the YMCA gathers opinions from those of the population that would be considered “fearless” or “strong bicyclists and walkers” (meaning they are not too afraid to walk or bike wherever they desire). Staff said the population that would be best to get further feedback from would be the “uncomfortable middle” (those individuals who would like to bike or walk more but feel less welcomed in doing so for reasons that could pertain to infrastructure design or connectivity issues). Piernot volunteered to participate in the next pop-up stand. The map board that was used for gathering opinions was presented to the Committee. Weiss noted the three major “hotspots” for improvements that people wanted to see occur were along Carmichael Road, and at a couple of points heading into North Hudson (along 2 nd Street, and potentially utilizing the railway bed as a scenic bikeway). COMMUNICATIONS AND ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS. Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee members were introduced to Dean Chamberlain, the new City Engineer. Chamberlain noted his background in bike advocacy and personal aspirations for ADA improvements citywide. Committee members asked questions pertaining to current and upcoming projects. Chamberlain provided a detailed overview of upcoming projects that the city has filed grant applications for. The next meeting will be scheduled for February via email. Committee members were advised to keep an eye out for the scheduling notices. ADJOURNMENT. Motion by Huntley, seconded by Selander to adjourn at 6:43 p.m. All ayes (5). Motion Carried. Respectfully submitted, Tiffany Weiss, Acting Secretary 505 Third Street Hudson, Wisconsin 54016 ph: (715)-386-4765 fx: (715)386-3385 www.ci.hudson.wi.us TO: Hudson Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee FROM: Community Development DATE: March 2, 2020 SUBJECT: Discussion on Hot Air Affair booth results. BACKGROUND: On February 8 th, 2020, Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee members volunteered to host an informational booth at the Hudson Hot Air Affair event at EP Rock Elementary School. During this event, members got to speak one-on-one with community members and out-of-towners to get an understanding of what was desired by most regarding Hudson’s bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure and where they specifically wanted to see improvements. Similar to staff’s pop-up stand event at the YMCA, the Hot Air Affair booth provided guests the ability to add stickers to the community map. The following are the results from Feb 8th: - 77 new comments were received, 71 of which were related to new sidewalk/trail requests - 247 comments were received in total including online web map application feedback (up from 170 prior to February 8th). - 4 new crosswalk requests were made (intersections of: Tower Rd/Coulee Rd, Coulee Rd/11th St, Vine St/Carmichael Rd, and Laurel St/11th St) - 1 new handicap request on Walnut Street between 1st and 2nd Streets. - 1 new ‘other’ request at the intersection of Buckeye and 2nd Street. No new points were added to the digital map since the previous review in January. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: None. ACTION REQUESTED: None. ATTACHED: None. Prepared by: Tiffany Weiss, Associate City Planner Through: Mike Johnson, AICP, Community Development Director 505 Third Street Hudson, Wisconsin 54016 ph: (715)-386-4765 fx: (715)386-3385 www.ci.hudson.wi.us TO: Hudson Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee FROM: Community Development DATE: March 2, 2020 SUBJECT: Discussion and possible action on POLCO survey questions. BACKGROUND: During its last meeting, the Comp Plan Steering Committee reviewed questions to post via the POLCO survey publisher. Among those reviewed questions also included bicycle/pedestrian related questions. The Steering Committee did not review or make changes to the provided list of questions in this packet. POLCO is a service the City of Hudson has access to while updating its Comprehensive Plan. POLCO sends out emailed bursts of 5-6 questions to those who sign up to receive them. Residents that have participated in the broader, city-wide survey thus far and have given permission to receive future questions through the service would receive these additional proposed bike/ped related questions. The intent of the list of questions is to provide a general idea of the makeup of Hudson’s residents and determine what type of persons use the bike/ped infrastructure that currently exists. The questions are also designed to ask those individuals who don’t normally use these facilities what it would take to get them to use them more frequently. This service costs nothing for city staff to utilize while the Comprehensive Plan is being updated. Beyond this year, the city may or may not continue with the service for future emailed surveys. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Recommends approval (and any amendments) of the attached list of POLCO questions. ACTION REQUESTED: Approve (and amend if needed) the attached list of questions for publishing through POLCO. ATTACHED: Bicycle and Pedestrian Infrastructure POLCO Questions Prepared by: Tiffany Weiss, Associate City Planner Through: Mike Johnson, AICP, Community Development Director Hudson Bike Ped – 13 Sample Questions “The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee is seeking feedback from Hudson residents about bicycle and pedestrian conditions throughout the city.” Which of the following reasons causes you to walk outside? (Please check all that apply) o Going to work o Going to school o Running errands o Going shopping or to eat o Exercising or going to the park o Other reasons (please describe in Question 2) If you marked “Other” in question 1, please elaborate here: o [short answer response] Which of the following reasons causes you to ride a bicycle? (Please check all that apply) o Going to work o Going to school o Running errands o Going shopping or to eat o Exercising or going to the park o Other reasons (please describe in Question 4) If you marked “Other” in Question 3, please elaborate here: o [short answer response] Which of the following reasons causes you to NOT WALK more frequently? (Please check all that apply) o No sidewalks o Sidewalks in poor condition o Unsafe intersections o Bad driver behaviors o Automobile traffic o Personal safety o Visually unappealing surroundings o I do not have the time o Destinations are too far away o Bad weather o Travelling with small children o Too many stops to make o Too much to carry o Unsure of route o I do not like to walk Which of the following reasons causes you to NOT BIKE more frequently? (Please check all that apply) o No bicycle parking o No bike lanes o Bike lanes in poor condition o Unsafe intersections o Bad driver behaviors o Automobile traffic o Personal safety concerns o Visually unappealing surroundings o I do not have time o Destinations are too far away o Bad weather o Travel with small children o Too many stops to make o Too much to carry o Unsure of route o I do not have a bike By ranking, how important do you think the following improvements would be in supporting walking and bicycling in Hudson (1 meaning very important and 9 meaning least important): o More sidewalks/bike lanes/signed bike routes/greenways o Maintenance of sidewalks, bike lanes, bike routes/greenways o Improved connections between sidewalks, bikeways and transit o Better intersections (pedestrian signals/crosswalks) o Better street lighting o More separate from vehicle traffic o Education/enforcement for motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists o More bicycle parking o Bicycle route map If it were safe and convenient, how likely would you be willing to walk or bike for the following reasons? o Going to work o Going to school o Running errands o Going shopping or out to eat o Exercising or going to the park o Other reason (please describe in Question 9) If you marked “Other in Question 8, please elaborate here: o [short answer response] Which of the following best describes you? o Employed full-time o Employed part-time o Full-time student o Part-time student o Unemployed Including yourself, do any members of your household attend school? o Elementary school o Middle school o High school o College o No students in household If you have family that goes to school, how do they get to school? o Walk o Bike o Ride school bus o Drive themselves to school o I drive them to school o No students in household Please share any additional comments or feedback you have regarding Bicycle and Pedestrian infrastructure in the City of Hudson: o [short answer response] 505 Third Street Hudson, Wisconsin 54016 ph: (715)-386-4765 fx: (715)386-3385 www.ci.hudson.wi.us TO: Hudson Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee FROM: Community Development DATE: March 2, 2020 SUBJECT: Discussion and possible action on hosting a Master Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan pop-up stand. BACKGROUND: During the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee’s January 27 th meeting, staff discussed the pop-up informational and community feedback stand that was hosted at the YMCA from December 16th-19th, 2019. The option was mentioned on hosting another pop-up stand at a different location in the community to gather feedback from new residents (i.e. those who are not as athletically inclined). The discussion did not progress much further and ended after the committee agreed that it wanted to host another pop-up stand. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee should select at least two participants for the next pop-up stand and where they would like it to take place (County Market, Target, etc). ACTION REQUESTED: Propose volunteers for the next pop-up stand and note where it should be hosted and during what hours. ATTACHED: None. Prepared by: Tiffany Weiss, Associate City Planner Through: Mike Johnson, AICP, Community Development Director 505 Third Street Hudson, Wisconsin 54016 ph: (715)-386-4765 fx: (715)386-3385 www.ci.hudson.wi.us TO: Hudson Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee FROM: Community Development DATE: March 2, 2020 SUBJECT: Discussion and possible action on drafting a vision statement for the Master Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan BACKGROUND: The drafting of the City’s Master Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan is underway and requires a guiding statement (i.e. vision statement) to encompass the purpose and goals of the Master Plan and the desired outcomes the Committee and the City’s residents would like to see. Each committee member has been asked prior to today’s meeting to draft a vision statement based on public feedback that has been received via this project’s public engagement process along with feedback that had been gathered from past relatable projects (St Croix County Bike/Ped Plan, City of Hudson Safe Routes to School Plan, etc). The vision statement that is chosen will not be “set in stone”, but rather, will allow the plan to begin to take form. The statement may be revised at a later time dependent upon any new feedback that is received from community residents in later public outreach events. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Recommends the committee choose a drafted vision statement to include in the Master Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan. ACTION REQUESTED: Choose a drafted vision statement to include in the City of Hudson’s Master Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan. ATTACHED: None. Prepared by: Tiffany Weiss, Associate City Planner Through: Mike Johnson, AICP, Community Development Director