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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBicycle Committee Minutes 1993-09-23 Regular i - FRIENDSWOOD BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 23rd, 1993 Call to Order. The Bicycle Advisory Committee met on the above date at 7: 30 p.m. in the City Hall with Mel Measeles acting as Chairman in the absence of Tony Le Cara. In attendance were Mel Measeles, Sandy McHone, Barbara Fawcett, Todd Yeager and Melinda Wasson. August 26th Minutes. The minutes were approved as printed. Report from Chair. Tony Le Cara was unable to attend. Report from Jimmy Thompson regarding Statewide Transportation Enhancement Program. Mr. Thompson discussed the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) objectives. They include reducing air pollution by reducing dependence on the automobile with more provisions for all types of transportation. The Traffic Enhancement Program includes pedestrian and bicycle facilities, landscaping, historic preservation and reuse of abandoned railroad corridors for bicycle trails. The City plans to apply for landscaping for F.M. 2351. They are also applying for assistance for decorative lighting on Friendswood Drive. Mr. Thompson said he would like to apply for funds for bicycle lanes or trails. 'The criteria for funding projects is that they must be outside of normal highway projects. Cities applying must demonstrate that the lanes or paths will be used for commuting and not just recreation. $180 million will be available statewide for the Traffic Enhancement Program. The Houston Area (District 12 of the Department of Transportation) should receive a significant portion of these funds. Mr. Thompson said he is looking for input from the Committee but there are two possible projects that he thinks the City might be eligible for. One is to provide asphalt shoulders for Sunset Drive between F.M. 2351 and F.M. 518. This bicycle route will connect with two state highways where bicycle lanes are available and which provide access to major employment centers in the area. In addition, Sunset connects to other collector streets in the City. Mel said the City has budgeted $25, 000 for bicycle facilities. Mr. Thompson said the local community is required to put up 20% of the total project cost and he feels the asphalt shoulders could be constructed and the Coward's Creek bridge could be widened for $125, 000. r Discussion took place on the types of information the City should supply with the application for funding. It was concluded the conclusions drawn from the Bicycle Rider's Survey prepared and distributed by the Advisory Committee and the Bicycle Street Compatibility Evaluation would be useful background information to submit with the application. Mel felt a resolution from Council would be needed to make application for funding and he would take the matter to them at their next meeting October 4th . Jimmy said a letter from the Committee recommending the projects would be helpful and Melinda said she would draft one for Committee review and for the Chairman to sign. Mr. Thompson said he would need it by October 15th in order to get the application in on time. The letter should summarize the findings of the survey and street evaluation prepared by the Committee. Mr. Thompson said another project the City could apply for would be a trail linking Stevenson Park with Arena Park. He has checked with Parks Director Jon Branson and Jon says the project would be consistent with the Master Parks Plan and the Master Plan for Stevenson Park. He will confirm this with the Parks Board. Local funding would be provided by funds allocated for Stevenson Park improvements. Those present voted to recommend the Sunset bicycle lanes and the Stevenson Park trail to the City Council for application for funding assistance. Urban/Suburban Bicycle Street Compatibility Evaluation. Committee members turned in their forms and Melinda showed them the spreadsheet she had prepared. She said she would add the new data and get an updated spreadsheet to Jimmy by October 15th. The stress level for Sunset has already been calculated since traffic counts are available. Committee members will continue to evaluate streets, as the survey should eventually be completed for future applications. New Business from Committee Members. Todd passed out copies of the Statewide Transportation Enhancement Program and the Bulletin of the Surface Transportation Policy Project. Adiournment. The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m. Ries-p-�ecctfully Submitted Melinda Wasson Recording Secretary