NOTICE OF MEETING Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Central Iowa Bicycle Pedestrian Roundtable (Roundtable)

) *************************** Tuesday, April 19, 2011 12:00 p.m. St. Etienne Room, Armory Building 602 Robert D. Ray Drive, Des Moines, IA *************************** TENTATIVE AGENDA I. Call to Order II. Introductions III. Approval of Agenda IV. Approval of the Roundtables March 11, 2011, Meeting Minutes ...................Page 3 V. Discussion Items A. B. C. D. E. F. Update Bike Month ....................................................................................... Page 7 Update - Unified Bicycle Ordinance ................................................................. Page 7 Trail Marketing Update .................................................................................... Page 8 Bike-Pedestrian Project Updates..................................................................... Page 8 Form-Based Codes ......................................................................................... Page 9 Regional Trails District................................................................................... Page 10

VI. Informational Item A. Bike and Ride Data ........................................................................................ Page 11 B. Dr. Crompton Presentations .......................................................................... Page 12 VII. Other Non-Action Items of Interest to the Committee VIII. Next Roundtable Meeting Date 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17, 2011, St. Etienne Room, Armory Building, Des Moines IX. Adjournment

Altoona Ankeny Bondurant Carlisle Clive Dallas County Des Moines DART Grimes Johnston Mitchellville Norwalk Pleasant Hill Polk City Polk County Urbandale Warren County Waukee West Des Moines Windsor Heights

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MEETING NOTES DES MOINES AREA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION (MPO) CENTRAL IOWA BICYCLE-PEDESTRIAN ROUNDTABLE (ROUNDTABLE)

March 15, 2011 12:00 PM

City of Des Moines, St. Etienne Room Des Moines, Iowa

Roundtable Attendees Present:

Marco Alvarez, City of West Des Moines Andrea Chase, Natural Heritage Foundation Dana Conn, Transportation Management Association Jim Lane, City of Norwalk, Chair Loren Lown, Polk County Conservation Mindy Moore, City of Des Moines Butch Niebuhr, City of Perry Dennis Parker, Polk County Conservation Neil Ruddy, City of Carlisle Stefanie Toftey, DART Carl Voss, Trails and Greenways Committee Ron Ward, City of Johnston Vern Wiley, City of Altoona

Roundtable Staff Present:

Dylan Mullenix, Senior Transportation Planner

I. Call to Order
Chair Jim Lane called the March 15, 2011, Roundtable meeting to order at 12:00 p.m., at the St. Etienne Room, Armory Building, 602 Robert D. Ray Drive, Des Moines, IA.

II.

Introduction
Participants introduced themselves.

III.

Approval of Agenda
Participants approved the March 15, 2011, Roundtable meeting agenda.

IV.

Approval of the Roundtables February 15, 2011, Meeting Notes

Participants approved the Roundtables February 15, 2011, meeting notes.

V. (A.) Department of Justice Trail Usage Ruling

Roundtable participants discuss the webinar held by the American Trails organization intended to provide additional information and clarification about the Department of Justices recent ruling that permits the use of power-driven mobility devices in public spaces. Andrea Chase recapped the history of the Department of Justices ruling, which was made to provide additional accessibility to persons with disabilities under the Americans with

Disabilities Act. Ms. Chase noted some trail managers and trail advocates are worried that the new ruling will allow any power-driven mobility devices, including even automobiles, to be used on trails. Ms Chase also noted the ruling places limits on the ability of a trail manager to inquire about ones disability status. Ms. Chase continued, noting the ruling went into effect on March 15, 2011. In order to limit the types of mobility devices allowed on trails, trail managers must complete an assessment as to why limits have been placed on the types of devices allowed. There is no set criteria on what the assessment should include, which likely will cause each jurisdiction to treat each trail a little differently. In addition, the assessments are not approved by any agency. Dennis Parker noted the ruling essentially requires an assessment to be on file in order to cite someone for using certain mobility devices on trails. If the trail manager has proof of an assessment, the burden will fall on the trail user who was cited to prove the trail managers assessment was in violation of the Department of Justices ruling. The biggest hassle will be to determine how a trail manager should document and make it known that an assessment has been completed. Discussion ensued regarding the ability to conduct assessments on a system-level basis rather than individual trail basis. Mindy Moore commented that the ruling does not just apply to trail but rather all public places.

Chair lane summarized that assessments will be required by trail managers. Chair Lane asked for Roundtable members to share their assessment techniques with each other so that the assessments can be as coordinated as possible.

V. (B.) Update Unified Bicycle Ordinance Draft

The Roundtable discussed the most recent version of the draft Unified Bicycle Ordinance. Carl Voss questioned whether the ordinance allows riding two-abreast on non-trail facilities. Mr. Voss noted the ordinance discusses riding two-abreast on trails, but does not specify whether it is allowed on streets. Mindy Moore noted she still has concerns that she raised in February. These concerns include: Under Section 12- Bike Lanes Language under (a) regarding speed in bike lanes seems to suggest someone riding at speeds at or above the speed of traffic may not use the bike lane; Language under (a)(4) regarding a bike lane not including a marked shared lane does not make sense;

Under Section 17 Parking The section makes reference to prohibiting bicycle parking in areas of the public highway. Was this meant to say right-of-way? Chair Lane asked MPO staff to share these comments with Ruth Randleman.

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V. (C.) Trails Marketing

Andrea Chase recapped the trails marketing meeting that took place in February, noting Brian Leaders from the National Parks Service discussed ways they could assist with marketing. Ms. Chase noted the most important discussion of the meeting concerned what attracts people to trails. Ms. Chase discussed having a smaller committee continue to work on the idea of promoting Iowa as the trails capital of the world. This committee would work on branding and marketing ideas and bring them back to the larger marketing committee. Carl Voss noted the Bicycle Collective continues to work on the Cycle Central Iowa maps that identify tourism trail loops. The maps will show bike trails and bike routes using low-volume county roads, as well as recreational features along the trails like restaurants and places to stay.

Discussion ensued regarding the costs incurred by the Bicycle Collective to prepare the maps and potential sponsorship opportunities that could be explored with local companies such as Caseys. Chair Lane noted the marketing committee will meet again in April.

V. (D.) Bicycle-Pedestrian Project Updates

MPO staff noted they have requested bicycle-pedestrian facility updates from the MPO and the Central Iowa Regional Transportation Planning Alliance member governments. These updates are starting to come in and the MPO staff should have updated maps to show the committee in April. Discussion ensued regarding the purpose of the maps. The Roundtable members explained the maps would be used to identify bike-pedestrian facilities on the ground today, those that are programmed for development in the next few years, and those that may be long-term plans but have no specific date for construction. The maps would enable the Roundtable to determine where gaps exist within the system and strategize how to fill in the gaps. Dennis Parker commented that he would find this information very useful.

VI. (A.) Bike-and-Ride Counts

Roundtable participants reviewed the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) and CyRide bike-and-ride counts for January and February 2011.

VII.

Other Items of Interest to the Roundtable

Stefanie Toftey inquired about Bike Month activities. Carl Voss responded that Bike Month organizers are working on a four to eight page layout for a future CityView explaining all of the events and containing articles about various bike-related themes, such as trail/bike lane improvements, bike etiquette, and so on. Mr. Voss also note a new event scheduled for this year is a Downtown Art and Architecture Tour. Neil Ruddy updated the Roundtable on the City of Carlisles trail project. Mr. Voss noted the B-Cycles will be put out later in the week.

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Mr. Voss added the City of West Des Moines has approved its Bike Master Plan.

VIII.

Next MPO Roundtable Meeting Date

The next Roundtable meeting is scheduled for April 19, 2011, at noon.

IX.

Adjournment
The February 15, 2011, Roundtable meeting adjourned at 1:05 p.m.

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V. (A.) Bike Month

Discussion Item Bike Month:

Is to encourage people to try riding their bicycle for transportation, increase cycling awareness, and promote a healthy alternative to driving a car in the month of May; Is nationally recognized and endorsed through the League of American Bicyclists; Bike to Work Week is May 16-20 2011; Registration for 2011 event is available on Bike Iowas webpage: http://www.bikeiowa.com/asp/bike/BTWRegistration.asp; and,

MPO Staff:

Invited Tina Mowry Hadden to present an update on Bike Month events at the April meeting.

Staff Contact: Zach Young, zyoung@dmampo.org (515) 334-0075, extension #208.

V. (B.) Update - Unified Bicycle Ordinance

Discussion Item The Metropolitan Advisory Committee (MAC):

Has developed a draft Unified Bicycle Ordinance for metropolitan communities to consider adopting; Will present the final draft ordinance to the MAC at its April meeting; and, Will provide an update on the feedback members have received from their councils or boards.

Staff Contact: Zach Young, zyoung@dmampo.org (515) 334-0075, extension #208.

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V. (C.) Trail Marketing Update Discussion Item The Trails Marketing Committee:

Met on Monday, April 4, 2011, to continue discussions from its initial meeting in October 2010 about ways to market central Iowa trails; and, Will provide an update at the April 2011 Roundtable meeting.

Staff Contact: Zach Young, zyoung@dmampo.org (515) 334-0075, extension #208

V. (D.) Bike-Pedestrian Project Updates Discussion Item The MPO staff:

Notes the MPOs Connect: Central Iowa Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Chapter 4, Action 1.3 states, Establish a process to update governments and agencies on new trail developments and connection to the state and regional trail system; Notes the benchmark for Action 1.3 are the following: 1.3.1 Benchmark: Provide active project updates routinely to the Roundtable.

Has requested that MPO/CIRTPA member governments and agencies send updated GIS trail information to the MPO/CIRTPA staff when projects are completed; Requests that MPO/CIRTPA member governments and agencies contact MPO/CIRTPA staff with any questions; Notes that trail updates ensure that all trail information reflects current activity in central Iowa and will allow local stakeholders to track progress on connecting gaps and completing trails within the Central Iowa Trail System; and, Has prepared a supplemental map packet of 2011 trail updates for roundtable members to review.

Staff Contact: Zach Young, zyoung@dmampo.org (515) 334-0075, extension #208.

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V. (E.) Form-Based Codes Discussion Item The MPO staff:

Notes that the Connect: Central Iowa Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Chapter 1, Action 5.2 states, Encourage compact, mixed-use development policies to create zoning and design guidelines for pedestrian and bicycle-oriented development; Notes that the benchmark for Action 5.2 reads: 5.2.1 Encourage revising local government comprehensive plans to promote pedestrian-, bicycle-, and transit-oriented development, by 2012.

Would like the roundtable to consider updating the benchmarks under Action 5.2 to read: 5.2.1 Provide elected officials, city managers, engineers, and planners in central Iowa with fact sheets highlighting the benefits of Form-Based Codes for health, transit, climate change, economic development, transportation investment costs, and livable communities. Offer Form-Based Code workshops and training sessions. Have the MPO and CIRTPA recommend that cities and counties update their zoning ordinances with Form-Based Codes. Have all central Iowa cities and counties implement Form-Based Codes.

5.2.2 5.2.3

5.2.4

Notes that current zoning ordinances make pedestrian-, bicycle-, and transit-oriented development illegal; Has provided a supplement on Form-Based Codes; and, Notes Form-Based Codes would provide a legal framework for pedestrian-, bicycle-, and transit-oriented development.

Staff Contact: Zach Young, zyoung@dmampo.org (515) 334-0075, extension #208

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V. (F.) Regional Trails District Discussion Item The MPO staff:

Notes that Chapter 4, Action 4.2 of the Connect: Central Iowa Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan states, Explore the regional trails district concept; Notes that the benchmark for Action 4.2 reads: 4.2.1 Promote state enabling legislation allowing for a regional trail district, beginning 2010

Notes that legislative language has been pursued in the past; Notes that currently the High Trestle Trail steering committee is looking into the concept and is putting together a taskforce; Has invited Andrea Chase to present an update on these proceedings at April meeting; and, Suggests that in light of potential cuts to conventional funding sources, the roundtable consider making Action 4.2 a top priority for 2011.

Staff Contact: Zach Young, zyoung@dmampo.org (515) 334-0075, extension #208

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VI. (A.)

Bike and Ride Counts Informational Item Below are the most recent Bike & Ride Counts for the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) and CyRide (Ames):

TABLE 1. DART Bike & Ride User Counts per Month by Year
JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER TOTAL 2005 485 321 99 905 2006 334 425 553 771 1,240 1,718 1,803 2,077 1,898 1,623 1,255 1,064 14,761 2007 717 378 833 1,256 1,934 2,632 2,823 3,202 2,823 5,873 2,282 701 25,454 2008 718 623 1,183 1,904 2,739 3,297 3,968 6,636 3,844 3,797 2,248 701 31,658 2009 521 973 1,935 2,792 3,454 4,228 4,446 4,385 4,156 N/A 2,367 910 30,167 2010 341 356 N/A 2,902 3,333 3,828 4,174 4,425 3,945 3,862 2,623 1,316 31,105 2011 636 868 2,252

636

Source: DART

TABLE 2. CyRide Bike & Ride User Counts per Month by Year
2008 JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER TOTAL Source: CyRide 2009 17 38 54 53 189 284 336 429 401 289 139 53 2,282 2010 22 63 232 322 248 335 482 582 576 507 293 146 3,808 2011 134

87 169 79 36 370

134

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VI. (B.) Dr. Crompton Presentations Informational Item

Dr. John Crompton, Distinguished Professor of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Sciences at Texas A&M University will be giving two presentations in May titled There are no great cities in this world that do not have a great park system. The dates for these presentations are:

Wednesday, May 4th at 6:00 p.m. in the Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Avenue Friday, May 6th at 12:15 p.m. in HyVee Hall, 730 3rd Street

RSVP Rebecca Linhart, RJLinhart@dmgov.org or 515-273-1403 to acquire a complimentary ticket for this event. Please see attached letter for additional information.

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