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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.F.3. Creation of a Bicycle Advisory Committee Res No. 7498 1111111611 General Business 10. F. 3. Sur\Ko1'F=:F= TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Zach Stock, Administrative Intern DATE: 10/07/2014 SUBJECT: Creation of a Bicycle Advisory Committee-Res. No. 7498 (F) Action Sought Approve Resolution No. 7498, Establishing the Shakopee Bicycle Advisory Committee, to be advisory to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. Background The City is planning to submit an application to become a Bike Friendly Community by February 1, 2015. This is a program sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists, a nationally recognized bicycle advocacy group. An advisory committee would be helpful when considering the issues which face cyclists on the City's streets and trails. This voluntary advisory committee would help to promote active living, and provide safe and accessible routes to cyclist for transportation and/or recreation uses. The BAC would meet periodically as needed to discuss policy and recommend city direction on issues relating to a bike friendly community. The committee would be responsible for focusing on five strategic areas relating to enhancement of bike amenities within the city. These strategic areas (the "Five E's")pertain to the factors that will contribute to the creation of a bike friendly culture in Shakopee. Examples of the kinds of information relating to each strategic areas are: Evaluation/Planning: Current/comprehensive bike master plan (dedicating funds, ridership targets, and safety/tools for evaluation& monitoring progress). Bike crashes are studied& plans to reduce crashes generated with equitable distribution of bicycle facilities. Encouragement: Celebrations (Bike Month, Bike to Work Day, Open streets events); Maps; Signage; Bike Advocacy Groups; promotion of bicycling to boost tourism; Bike rental/share; printed& on-line bike maps; themed-looped routes. Enforcement: Laws; regulations;distracted driver enforcement; collecting data on bicycle incidents; law enforcement efforts, including regular education/distribution of helmets, locks, lights; ensuring streets and key shared-use paths are well lit. Engineering: Provide for infrastructure that welcomes and supports bikes; adoption of local "Complete Streets" policy; the creation of a bicycle network enhanced by bicycle boulevards, way-finding systems, and solutions to improve accessibility across barriers, such as highways, water disconnected streets; on and off street bike network, bike lanes, and buffered bike lanes. Education: Safe Routes to School Program; education opportunities for children& youth outside of school (Bike rodeo, youth recreations); public awareness campaign using Public Service Announcements; motorist education. Membership would consist of five to seven members, depending on interest from the community, Members would be appointed to staggered terms of three years each (initially three-3 year, two-2 year, and two-single year terms, if there are seven members. Otherwise, it would be 2-2-1) . Selection would be similar to other advisory boards and commissions, which the City Council Interview Panel making a recommendation to the City Council for appointments.. It is anticipated that this would be an ongoing committee. Initially, it is anticipated that the Committee would meet monthly, although the frequency could change later. It is recommended that this Committee be advisory to the PRAB, rather than directly to the City Council, due to many similarities of the "missions' of the PRAB and proposed BAC. The Council may choose, however, to make the committee directly advisory to the Council. The City has been in contact with a local bicycle retailer, who has agreed to help locate members of the community who might be interested in providing personal expertise, and suggestions for the improvement and enhancement to the bicycle amenities within the City. The normal City methods of soliciting volunteers would also be employed. The initial staffing support would be provided by Kyle Sobota of the Planning Division. Our desire is to have this Committee begin serving in December, so as to help review the Bicycle Friendly Community application. Recommendation It is recommended that the City Council approve the creation of the Bicycle Advisory Committee Budget Impact None immediately. Future costs for implementing the needed improvements for bicycle amenities will be identified over time, and will be provided for in future budgets. Relationship To Visioning A. Keep Shakopee a safe and healthy community where residents can pursue active and quality lifestyles. Requested Action If the Council concurs, it should, by motion, approve Resolution No. 7498, Establishing the Shakopee Bicycle Advisory Committee, to be advisory to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. Attachments: BAC Resolution CITY OF SHAKOPEE RESOLUTION NO.7498 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SHAKOPEE, MINNESOTA ESTABLISHING THE SHAKOPEE BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE WHEREAS,the City of Shakopee has recognized the importance of bicycling for transportation and recreation, and as an effective alternative to problems relating to energy dependency and traffic congestion, and a means to improve public health; and WHEREAS,the role of a Shakopee Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC)would be to promote commuter and recreational bicycling,to advocate for bicycling infrastructure improvements,to encourage safe riding through education,to involve people becoming interested in bicycling issues throughout the city,and to advise the Park and Recreational Board on these matters; and WHEREAS,the BAC would be an advisory committee consisting of from five to seven residents of the City of Shakopee,who would serve staggered three year terms; and WHEREAS,the BAC will focus on five strategic areas that contribute to the creation of a Bicycle Friendly Community: Evaluation/Planning, Encouragement, Enforcement, Engineering, and Education; and WHEREAS,a City designated staff member will be assigned as liaison for the committee to provide professional expertise and technical assistance as needed by the BAC. NOW,THEREFORE, be it resolved by the City of Shakopee, Minnesota,that a Bicycle Advisory Committee is hereby established to advise the Park and Recreation Board and staff on the development, management, and safe use of the City of Shakopee's bicycle systems relating to infrastructure, accessibility, education, and promotion. THE ABOVE RESOLUTION was introduced and duly passed at a meeting of the Council of the City of Shakopee held on the 7th day of October, 2014, and is to become effective immediately upon adoption. ATTEST: Brad Tabke, Mayor Julie Linnehan,City Clerk