Tucson-Pima County Bicycle Advisory Committee

Approved Meeting Minutes, Wednesday, November 8, 2006

Himmel Park Library, 1035 N. Treat Avenue

Tucson, AZ

Submitted by

Secretary Richard E Corbett

 

 

1: Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by Vice-Chair Wayne Cullop at 6:00 pm

2: Introductions and Approval of Meeting Minutes

Members and guests present introduced themselves.

The minutes of the October meeting were approved as presented, on a motion by Brian Beck, seconded by Donna Aversa, and passed unanimously.

3: Law Enforcement Reports and Related Topics

Tucson Police Sgt Tim Beam did not have the normal police report as he was called on to attend at the last minute. He did note that the bike crashes to date are paralleling 2004 (which was slightly higher than 2005). Discussion about the fatal last week on Grant Road ensued, and the driver was cited for violation of 28-735, in addition to 28-815(D).

Chair Diana Tolton arrived and assumed leadership of the meeting.

Sgt Bill Murphy reported there were no bike crashes in the County in October. Discussion as to whether 28-672 (Causing serious physical injury or death by a moving violation) could have applied led to a conclusion that the Enforcement Sub-Committee should address expansion of this to apply to 28-735 & 815, and possibly others as well.

4: Call to the Public

Citizen Eric Ryberg expressed concern about motorists ‘assaulting’ cyclists – these are reported to police and there is no response. He gave a couple examples.

Chair Tolton explained the Committee’s lack of ability to discuss items brought up under Call to the Public, and mentioned the enforcement sub-committee

Jean Gorman said we hear these again and again – what can we do? Chair Tolton said we could make it an agenda item next month.

Vice-Chair Cullop questioned the scale/extent of the problem – Facts are needed – not just emotions.

Chair Tolton charged the enforcement sub-committee, no later that the February (2007) meeting, to research these and report back to the BAC. Sgt Beam said he would get data to the enforcement sub-committee (U.C.R. – Uniform Crime Reports). 

#5: BICAS Presentation

Citizen Daniela Diamente of BICAS presented a PowerPoint that explained what BICAS is and does.

She went on to discuss the Aviation Hwy extension plans, and went over the seven points that were made in BICAS’ letter. 

According to Member David Bachman-Williams, the City is working on Downtown Links and many of the preliminary recommendations are consistent with BICAS’.

 

Chair Tolton stated that she would get a report from Bachman-Williams and identify a possible action in the future.

 

#6: Downtown Bicycle Circulation Task Force

Bachman-Williams stated he too was surprised at the closure of Grosetta and Council Streets.

PC Staffer Matt Zoll stated that the BAC had asked for a downtown bike routes plan in 1999, but no action was ever taken.

PAG Staff member Richard Corbett explained that he had met with City Staff twice to discuss the potential process that could lead to a downtown bike plan, but again nothing definitive was decided.

On motion by David Bachman-Williams, seconded by Brian Beck, and passed unanimously, it was decided to establish a Downtown Bicycle Circulation Task Force. The Task Force will work closely with TDOT, as well as Rio Nuevo, to make sure that reasonable, safe bicycle access is provided into and out of downtown, and to make specific recommendations on how to address downtown cyclists’ needs.

#7: BAC Sub-Committee Reports/Updates

Enforcement: No report

Education: No report

Facilities: Chair Bill Adamson reported: 1) a Thank you letter for Jim Glock, 2) a meeting with the RTA CART, 3) the need to remember bike funding under the RTP (in addition to the RTA), 4) meeting with PCDOT Maintenance to coordinate and understand timing of overlays etc., 5) revival of the old BAC ‘re-striping list’

Communications: No report – Chair Zach MacDonald said he was seeking a new Chair, or alternatively to combine the subcommittee with the Education subcommittee. Education Chair Brian Beck will get together with McDonald to discuss

Executive: Chair Tolton said that while there was no meeting, she is working to have the BAC at the El Tour Expo, along with GABA, and the Brad Fund.

#8: BAC & Staff Reports

Zoll mentioned that there is one member vacancy and two more may be lost – GJ Anderson (who has missed 10 of the last 12 meetings) and Russ Clanagan (who has missed the last five meetings).

Cullop mentioned the El Tour Expo – hours are Weds 4 to 9, Thursday 10 to 6, and Friday 10 to 9. He also mentioned the GAB Swap Meet Saturday, November 11th.

Chair Tolton said she is recruiting for the BAC/GABA booth staffing.

Brian Beck mentioned the upcoming Regional Bike Plan Public open houses, Dec 4th at 5:30, prior to the GABA Meeting; December 5th at 4:30 at the Oro Valley Town Hall, and Dec 6th at 3:30 at the Green Valley Recreational Center.

Zoll mentioned Mike Ronkin’s visit, the bike-ed grant committee meeting Thursday the 9th, Road I and Road II classes, and school classes that have reached ~ 1,000 children so far (Safe Routes to School).

Chair Tolton suggested a New Years get together – there was support for the idea.

#9: Potential Items for Future Agendas

The time was up, so members were encouraged to suggest agenda items to the Chair by E-mail.

#10: Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 8:06 pm

 

 

ATTENDANCE


 

Members

Bill Adamson, Pima County

Donna Aversa, Oro Valley

Davis Bachman-Williams, Pima County

Brian Beck, Tucson Ward 2

Dave Boston, Tucson Ward 6

Rosemary Carmody, Pima County

P. Wayne Cullop, Tucson Ward 4

John Fleming, Pima County

Jean Gorman, Tucson Mayor’s Office

Merritt Howard, Pima County

Martha Lemen, Pima County

Zach MacDonald, Tucson Ward 5

Eric Post, Pima County

Hank Rowe, Pima County

Diana Tolton, Pima County

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Staff

Melissa Antol, City DOT

Sgt Tim Beam, Tucson Police Dept

Richard Corbett, Pima Assoc of Gov’ts

Sgt Bill Murphy, PC Sheriff’s Dept.

Nancy Ellis, Oro Valley

Matt Zoll, Pima DOT

 

Members of the Public

Roy Schoonover, citizen

Spencer Bunn, citizen,

Tony Crosby, citizen

Norm Land, citizen

Eric Ryberg, citizen

Daniela Diamente, BICAS

Dawn Villeareal, BICAS