Bicycle Task Force

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE BICYCLE TASK FORCE Northbrook Village Hall – Terrace Conference Room January 11, 2012 Members Present: Doug Gerleman, Angus Duthie, Mardi Scott, Dan Pepoon, Chris Henning, Jim O’Connell and Jennifer Rooks-Lopez Members Absent: Bob Jaeger, Bob Israel and George Garner Jr Staff Present: Jim Baxa Staff Absent: Terry Ryan Others Present: Rick Graham, Northbrook Resident Call Meeting to Order. Chairman Gerleman called the meeting to order in the Terrace Conference Room of the Village Hall at 7:05 p.m. Review November 9, 2011, Minutes. It was moved and seconded that the November 9, 2011, minutes be approved. The motion was approved. Public Comments – Hear from Audience. Rick Graham expressed some of the bike related facilities he would like to see the Village focus on the long-range bike plan to include additional bike racks available at the Metra train station, separate pavement stripping for bike lanes in lieu of Sharrows and various dedicated streets the Village should consider for bike routes. Skokie Valley Trail Update – Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) Application. Staff shared with the Bicycle Task Force (BTF) committee even though the four participating communities involved with the Skokie Valley Trail Project have expressed interest with submitting an ITEP application for possible funding for Phase I&II engineering; staff recommends not submitting application for this funding cycle. The Village’s draft Capital Improvement Project budget (CIP)which is pending Village Board approval has earmarked monies for this project for the fiscal year 2014/15. Submitting an ITEP application during the next available cycle could be move favorable for the Village to qualify for this Illinois Department of Transportation program. The BTF committee therefore recommends the Village begin focusing towards constructing the section of the Skokie Valley Trail (SVT) between Dundee Road and Lake-Cook Road prior to having full commitments in place from the other North shore communities involved with the SVT project. This section of the SVT will be located primarily on Commonwealth Edison’s (ComEd) right-of-way opposed to Union Pacific right-of-way; and the BTF committee suggested utilizing ComEd right-or-way entirely for this portion of the multi-use route. We request that $760,000 of the $2.65 million programmed in the CIP be used for engineering and construction of this segment of the multi-use trail. The committee made the following motion for recommendation to the Village Board: “The Bicycle Task Force requests the Village Board focus on Skokie Valley Trail Phase I Engineering using Commonwealth Edison right-of-way for Northbrook’s section of the Skokie Valley Trail between Dundee Road and Lake-Cook Road to provide a safe way for the public to gain access to retail merchants and the Botanical Gardens and to create connectivity to Lake County’s trail system.” This motion was passed unanimously by all committee members present.  January 11, 2012 BTF Meeting Minutes ITEP Funding Projects. Staff shared with the Bicycle Task Force (BTF) committee following four potential projects the Village is considering for ITEP applications:  Bike Shelters/Lockers for the Metra commuter lot  Pedestrian/bicycle safety study for the Dundee Road/Skokie Boulevard intersection  Pedestrian/bicycle safety study for the Techny Road viaduct  Potential joint application with Park District for bike route signage and bike racks Of the four projects listed the BTF committee stated they would like the Village to work towards the installation of bike shelters at the Metra commuter station, a potential joint application with the Park District for bike racks, followed by a safety study for the Dundee Road/Skokie Boulevard intersection. Bike to Metra Brochure: The committee was supportive of obtaining the minimum amount of brochures ($2,500) from the League of Illinois Bicyclist. Staff will send additional examples of the “Bike to Metra” brochure via email to the BTF members to review and offer suggestions for Northbrook’s guide. Bicycle Safety at Northbrook Schools & Park District: The Park District discussed the collaboration started between the Park District and Village to offer “Family Routes” to connect various park locations within the Village. The goal for this plan is to offer a network of bike routes which have less vehicular traffic and to be located on side streets. For school safety, the BTF committee members will speak with Meadowbrook School on the possibility of hosting a safety event for the spring 2012. New Business: Cook County Forest Preserve: BTF committee members made a formal recommendation to request Village staff members to inquire that an easement be considered along the north parkway of Dundee Road for a future bike trail, if the Village is successful acquiring an easement for future water main through the Cook County Forest Preserve. Remaining Budget Funds: BTF committee members passed a motion requesting any remaining budgetary monies available from the FY11/12 budget be used towards the repainting or replacement of bike sharrow pavement markings. The motion was unanimously passed (Member Scott, left prior to vote) Review Bike Task Force Work Plan: Review of the Core Work Program was made, accomplishments were updated and other suggestions were added to the list for next year. Set Topics for Next Meeting: The Task Force did not identify any additional topics. Adjourn: On motion made and seconded, the meeting of the BTF was adjourned at 9:05 p.m. Minutes Submitted by Jim Baxa Page 2 of 2 C:\Users\palmer\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.Outlook\IPWX1SE3\1 11 12 BTF Approved Minutes.docx