Salem Bike Path Committee
Minutes of Meeting
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
A regular scheduled meeting of the Salem Bike Path Committee was held on Wednesday, November 10, 2010 at 7:00 PM in Meeting Room 313 at City Hall Annex, 120 Washington Street.
Members Present: Dan Shuman, Jeff Bellin, David Pelletier, Ernest DeMaio, Christine Michelini, Jamie Metsch, and William Peck. Also present was Staff Planner Frank Taormina
Members Absent: David Hallowes
Public in Attendance: None
Chairman Shuman called the meeting to order at 7:06 PM and he acknowledged those members absent and present for the record.
J. Bellin made a motion to approve the October 13, 2010 Meeting Minutes, seconded by J. Metsch and approved unanimously.
None
Fiscal Year 2010 Annual Report (tabled)
Chairman Shuman tabled the review of the FY2010 Bike Path Committee Annual Report so that some members that did not receive the report electronically could review it during the meeting.
Bike Safety Material (tabled)
Chairman Shuman tabled this item as neither Will Peck nor David Hallowes had arrived yet.
2010-2011 MAPC Bike Parking Program
F. Taormina informed the Committee that all the bike parking locations that were identified at the last meeting were plotted on a GIS Map. He showed the Committee the map and walked them through all the locations, types, costs, etc.
F. Taormina informed the Committee that Cycle-Safe (one of the three previously selected vendors) was not selected as part of this year’s MAPC Bike Parking Program, as they did not submit a complete RFP to MAPC. He reminded the Committee that they fabricate the Vintage Bike Racks, which are one of the three bike racks previously purchased and installed throughout downtown Salem. Because Cycle-Safe was not selected, the City will not be able to purchase the 9 vintage bike racks identified by the Committee as they are no longer an eligible purchase through the program and the City cannot be reimbursed for the cost. He mentioned however that the 14 Meter Racks and 38 U-Racks identified by the Committee can be reimbursed through the Program.
F. Taormina stated that because there is no guarantee that the bike parking program will continue or that Cycle-Safe will be selected again in the future should the program continue, he will discuss the matter with the Director and see if the Cycle-Safe Vintage Bike Racks can be purchased some other way. Frank stated that perhaps the City could purchase the 9 vintage bike racks (cost is approximately $2,430) though a separate grant or funding source. He stated that since three different bike racks were purchased and installed throughout downtown Salem, the Committee should continue to purchase those three bike rack as they look to install bike racks elsewhere in the City, to keep continuity of all street furnishings in the City.
Bike Path Gates Update
F. Taormina informed the Committee that the bollards at each entrance into the bike path were installed and that the bike gates have been permanently opened (secured in an open position, via an anchoring system).
Peter Tracy Multi-Use Path/Bypass Road Bike Path Connection Update
F. Taormina updated the Committee on the current construction progress with respect to the connection of the Peter Tracy Path and Bypass Road Bike Path. He mentioned that since last meeting, MassDOT has not made much progress and it appears that they will likely not finish the remaining work until next spring.
J. Metsch asked if there would be a new ramp and crosswalk across Bridge Street at Webb Street, near Magic Muffler. Right now, there is no ramp at the crosswalk and the curb nearly a foot high.
F. Taormina stated that he was not sure exactly where the ramp and crosswalk would be located, but MassDOT will be installing all new handicap compliant ramps at all intersections associated with the Bridge Street Reconstruction Project. He state that he would look at the plans and see exactly where it is proposed, and perhaps it can be installed in line, or near, the Peter Tracy bike path crossing.
Bike Safety Material (Cont.)
Chairman Shuman reopened the Bike Safety Material item as Committee Member W. Peck is now in attendance.
W. Peck stated that he submitted some additional suggested text to F. Taormina several months ago but has not seen a revised bike safety pamphlet yet.
F. Taormina stated that he has not received anything further from D. Hallowes in that regard, but offered to send the Committee Members the last iteration of the pamphlet and the additional suggested text from W. Peck and go from there. The Committee agreed.
Fiscal Year 2010 Annual Report (Cont.)
Chairman Shuman reopened the review/approval of the FY2010 Bike Path Committee Annual Report. J. Metsch made a motion to approve the annual report, seconded by C. Michelini and approved unanimously.
Other Old/New Business
J. Metsch asked about a City Ordinance regarding no bike riding on the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall. He is aware that the Committee previously discussed the matter but never submitted the request formally to City Council for their consideration. He asked if the Committee would entertain revisiting the matter and adding it to the next meeting agenda. Additionally, he suggested that perhaps the Committee also petition that no bike riding be permitted on sidewalks in downtown Salem. He feels that riding a bike on a sidewalk in downtown Salem is more problematic then on the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall, and perhaps the trade off would appease the Council.
D. Pelletier stated that that ordinance was created prior to the formulation of this Committee and the push to become a bike friendly city.
F. Taormina stated that the conflict with bikes on the pedestrian mall is with bike riders interfering with pedestrian on the sidewalk areas of the pedestrian mall (in between the bollards and buildings) but if riding were only permitted on the roadway (cobble stone portion of right-of-way) then perhaps the City Council will reconsider.
W. Peck added that the conflict may also be with the elderly housing in the area.
F. Taormina stated that he is not sure if riding a bike on downtown sidewalks is permitted or not, he will look into it and report back at the next meeting.
J. Metsch made a motion to have a petition made to permit bike riding on the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall and to prohibit bike riding on sidewalks in downtown Salem. Seconded by D. Pelletier and approved unanimously.
Other Old/New Business
E. DeMaio stated that the next Bike Path Committee Meeting scheduled for December 8th conflicts with a MAPC Regional Strategic Planning Meeting, which he was notified about and he feels discusses much of what the Committee is working on.
F. Taormina clarified that the Meeting is on Dec 8th at 7pm at Danvers town Hall. The purpose of the meeting is to develop a map identifying regional development, preservation, and transportation corridors for the Cities of Beverly, Salem, Danvers, Hamilton, Ipswich, and Wenham. He explained that another Staff Planner for the City of Salem is involved in this planning effort but that he reviewed the map and incorporated all of the Bike Path Committee’s off-road bike routes onto the plan.
F. Taormina asked if the Committee if they would like to continue the December 8, 2010 Meeting to allow others to attend the meeting as well. Discussion ensued.
The Committee agreed to continue the next regularly scheduled meeting to December 15th and have those that attended the Dec 8th MAPC Regional Strategic Planning Meeting report back to the Committee with their findings. F. Taormina told the Committee he would reschedule the meeting accordingly.
Other Old/New Business
J. Bellin wants to find funding to further the safety outreach of the Committee. He stated that advocating for bike safety is a part of the Committee’s mission and they should do more to educate the public.
F. Taormina stated that the City does not have funds available for such a thing, but he asked the Committee to look into other funding sources or grants available.
Chairman Shuman stated that there are a couple potential bike advocacy groups that may be able to help, such as MassBike and League of American Bicyclists. He offered to look into one or both of them.
Other Old/New Business
D. Pelletier mentioned that we should bring back Salem Bike License Plates or Stickers. Not necessarily for permitting purposes, but for nostalgia. Discussion ensued, the Commission did not want to pursue that at this time, but agreed it was a good idea.
Other Old/New Business
Chairman Shuman mentioned that he spoke to Jim Hacker, City Parking Department, regarding installing some bike racks under cover at the Parking Garage. He stated that he would not be opposed to the idea. Chairman asked the Committee to consider that as a potential bike rack location in the future.
Chairman Shuman asks if there are any further questions or comments. There being none, he asked for a motion to adjourn. J. Bellin makes that motion, seconded by E. DeMaio and approved unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:09 PM.
Respectfully submitted by:
Frank Taormina,
Planner/Harbor Coordinator
BPC 11-10-2010
| 
