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

) *************************** 12:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 16, 2011 St. Etienne Room, Armory Building 602 Robert D. Ray Drive, Des Moines, IA *************************** TENTATIVE AGENDA 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Call To Order Introductions Approval of Agenda Approval of the Roundtables July 19, 2011, Meeting Minutes.........................................Page 2 Approve the July 19, 2011, meeting minutes REPORT: CIRTPA Trail Counter Purchase Update.........................................................Page 6 Brief report on the CIRTPAs purchase of trail counters. REPORT: Remaining Earmark Funds ......Page 7 Brief report on the remaining earmark funds from the Central Iowa Bicycle and Pedestrian Action Plan. REPORT: National Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project...Page 8 Brief update concerning the communities participating in the national count day. INFORMATION: Boswell Transportation Event.....................................................................Page 9 INFORMATION: Bicycle and Pedestrian Related Funding Application Deadlines...Page 10 INFORMATION: Bike and Ride Data...Page 11 Other Non-Action Items of Interest to the Committee Future Agenda Items Next Roundtable Meeting Date 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 20, 2011, MPO Office 420 Watson Powell Jr. Way, Des Moines, IA Adjournment

7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.

14.

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

August 2011 Item No. 4 ISSUE: REPORT: Approve minutes of the July 19, 2011, Bicycle and Pedestrian Roundtable meeting BACKGROUND: The minutes of the July 19, 2011, Bicycle and Pedestrian Roundtable meeting are enclosed on the following pages. RECOMMENDATION: Approve the minutes of the July 19, 2011, Bicycle and Pedestrian Roundtable meeting.

FY 2012 Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization

Please call (515) 334-0075 to obtain permission for use.

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

July 19, 2011 12:00 PM

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

Roundtable Attendees Present:

Andrea Chase, Natural Heritage Foundation Dana Conn, Transportation Management Assoc. Jan Herke, City of Urbandale Jim Lane, City of Norwalk, Chair Mindy Moore, City of Des Moines John Peterson, City of Ankeny Jim Priebe, Warren County Conservation Ruth Randleman, City of Carlisle/MAC Neil Ruddy, City of Carlisle Carl Voss, Trails and Greenways Committee Ron Ward, City of Johnston Vern Willey, City of Altoona Carol Williams, Story County Conservation

Roundtable Staff Present:

Zach Young, Associate Transportation Planner

1. Call to Order
Chair Jim Lane called the July 19, 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.

2.

Introduction
Participants introduced themselves.

3.

Approval of Agenda
Participants approved the July 19, 2011, Roundtable meeting agenda.

4.

Approval of the Roundtables June 21, 2011, Meeting Notes

Participants approved the Roundtables June 21, 2011, meeting notes.

5.

Central Iowa Bicycle and Pedestrian Action Plan

The MPO staff opened the meeting by asking the Roundtable members to discuss the status of the Central Iowa Bicycle and Pedestrian Action Plan (Connect) in their communities. Staff asked members if Connect is being referred to during the planning process. Andrea Chase asked if Connect was presented to the communities for adoption. Staff noted that Connect has not been formally presented to the communities. Chair Jim Lane noted that the communities of Norwalk, Altoona, and Ankeny have included some elements of Connect in their own documents but have not gone as-far-as to use the term Complete Streets.

FY 2012 Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization

Please call (515) 334-0075 to obtain permission for use.

Agenda Report
MPO Bicycle and Pedestrian Roundtable

John Peterson stated that the communities should not be expected to adopt Connect. He noted that he viewed the document more as guidance and not as local policy. Staff noted that Chapter 7, Objective 1, Action 1.1, Benchmark 1.1.1, states that the Roundtable should recommend that each community adopt Connect. Ruth Randleman added that the language of this benchmark was intended to unify the region behind the plan. Discussion ensued concerning the adoption of Connect by the local communities. Loren Lown noted that it would be beneficial for the MPO staff to prepare a presentation for the local city councils to provide them with information on Connect and to encourage each community to participate in the plans implementation. Mr. Lown noted that the presentation could provide guidance to the council on which departments are best suited to address the various sections of Connect. Mr. Peterson reiterated that the plan is a regional document and does not determine local policy. He stated that the plan is a toolkit for local governments and is intended to provide guidance, not to direct policy. Mr. Peterson went on to state that presenting before local councils or organizing staff workshops would get the information to local staffs so they can choose whether to tie Connect into their local plans. Chair Lane noted that the plan was designed to engage multiple groups and that part of the Roundtables job is to make sure these groups are aware of the benchmarks they could be addressing. The Roundtable agreed that presenting Connect to the local city councils was something the MPO staff should begin doing.

6.

Complete Street Legislation

The Roundtable did not discuss this item.

7.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Funding in Federal Transportation Bill

Chair Lane noted that the current proposals for transportation reauthorization reduce or eliminate the funding sources bicycle and pedestrian projects rely on for completion. He encouraged Roundtable members to take the time to write their elected officials. Chair Lane also noted that the Roundtable should keep track of what happens to funding sources in the reauthorization bill. Mr. Lown commented that Transportation Enhancements are an important and stable source of funding. He pointed out that this funding needs to continue so the local trail system can be maintained and expanded in the future. Discussion ensued regarding the transportation reauthorization proposals and how each proposal will affect funding sources for bicycle and pedestrian projects in central Iowa.

8.

National Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project The MPO staff informed the group about the National Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation (NBPD) Project. Staff encouraged the roundtable to participate in the September national count week. Carl Voss noted that participation is important and that the bicycle friendly community committee recommended that communities in central Iowa begin counting bicycle usage. Mr. Voss stated that this type of count is important because it counts users on the street, not
4

FY 2012 Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization

Please call (515) 334-0075 to obtain permission for use.

Agenda Report
MPO Bicycle and Pedestrian Roundtable

just on trails. He went on to encourage all the local communities to participate. Ruth Randleman pointed out that getting these counts would help to determine the economic impact bicycle and pedestrian users have in the metro area. Staff expressed its concern that if participating in the counts is left up to the individual communities the counts might not be completed. Staff encouraged the Roundtable to consider soliciting count locations from the local communities and have a Roundtable subcommittee organize the volunteers. Discussion ensued concerning the Roundtables involvement in the NBPD Project. The Roundtable members expressed their concern over trying to organize the event on a regional basis. The group agreed that the best way forward was to let the individual communities decide if they would participate. The members agreed that the role of the MPO staff and the Roundtable would be to promote the event. Chair Lane noted that the communities that participate could share their data with the MPO staff. 9. Transportation Event with Congressman Leonard Boswell
The MPO staff informed the Roundtable of Congressman Leonard Boswells transportation event to be held before the MPO Policy Committee meeting on August 18, 2011. Staff encouraged the Roundtable members to attend the event and show their support for the Complete Streets Act of 2011 and the continuation of Transportation Enhancements, Federal Recreational Trails, and the Safe Routes to School funding programs.

10.

Bike-and-Ride Data
Roundtable participants reviewed the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) and CyRide bike-and-ride counts for June 2011.

11. 12. 13.

Other Items of Interest to the Roundtable Future Agenda Items Next Roundtable Meeting Date
The next Roundtable meeting is scheduled for August 16, 2011, at noon.

IX.

Adjournment
The July 19, 2011, Roundtable meeting adjourned at 1:10 p.m.

FY 2012 Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization

Please call (515) 334-0075 to obtain permission for use.

Agenda Report
MPO Bicycle and Pedestrian Roundtable

August 2011 Item No. 5 ISSUE: REPORT: Brief report concerning the Central Iowa Regional Transportation Planning Alliances (CIRTPA) purchase of trail counting equipment. BACKGROUND: The MPO staff notes that over the past few months the CIRTPA has discussed using excess planning funds to purchase trail counting equipment from TRAFx Research Ltd. At their July 20, 2011 meeting, the CIRTPA passed a motion to purchase twenty infrared trail counters, downloading equipment, and analysis software for a total cost of $11,740. The MPO/CIRTPA staff will store the counters in their office and lend them out to CIRTPA members. RECOMMENDATION: None. Report and discuss only. STAFF CONTACT: Zach Young, zyoung@dmampo.org; (515) 334-0075, extension #208.

FY 2012 Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization

Please call (515) 334-0075 to obtain permission for use.

Agenda Report
MPO Bicycle and Pedestrian Roundtable

August 2011 Item No. 6 ISSUE: REPORT: Brief report concerning the use of remaining earmark funds from the Central Iowa Bicycle and Pedestrian Action Plan (Connect). BACKGROUND: The MPO staff has been exploring the use of the remaining earmark funds from the Connect to purchase trail counters from TRAFx Research Ltd. These trail counters would be available for use on trails within the MPO planning boundary. The MPO staff presented two options for purchasing trial counters to the MPO Executive Committee at the August 10, 2011 meeting. Option 1: The MPO could reimburse CIRTPA for half ($5,870) of the trail counter purchase. This would allow the twenty trail counters to be available for use by CIRTPA and the MPO member governments and agencies. Option 2: The MPO could purchase twenty additional trail counters and related equipment, at a cost of $10,700. This option would utilize funds remaining from the Connect Plan earmark funds, and ensure the MPO member governments have their own pool of counters. Staff recommended that the MPO select Option 2 and utilize the remaining earmark funds to purchase twenty trail counters and related equipment at an approximate cost of $10,700. The MPO Executive Committee recommended that the MPO Policy committee approve the use of remaining earmark funds to purchase trail counters for MPO use. The MPO Executive Committees recommendation will be presented at the MPO Policy Committee meeting on August 18, 2011. RECOMMENDATION: None. Report and discuss only. STAFF CONTACT: Zach Young, zyoung@dmampo.org; (515) 334-0075, extension #208.

FY 2012 Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization

Please call (515) 334-0075 to obtain permission for use.

Agenda Report
MPO Bicycle and Pedestrian Roundtable

August 2011 Item No. 7 ISSUE: REPORT: Brief report concerning the National Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project and possible participation. BACKGROUND: The National Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project (NBPD) was established in 2002. Alta Planning & Design, along with the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Pedestrian and Bicycle Council, cosponsor the NBPD Project. The NBPD Project provides a methodology for estimating the existing and future bicycle and pedestrian demand in a community. National Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project count dates are as follows: September 13-15, 2011 January 10-12, 2011 May 15-17, 2012 July 3-5, 2011 September 11-13, 2012

Participating in the NBPD Project will provide consistent and ongoing data. Planners, local governments, and bicycle and pedestrian professionals can use the data to measure the positive benefits of bicycle and pedestrian investments. The MPO staff notes that, at the July 19, 2011, Roundtable meeting, it was determined that each individual community should decide whether they would participate in the NBPD Project. Staff notes that the inclusion of this item allows Roundtable members to discuss whether they intend on participating in the national count day in September. RECOMMENDATION: None. Report and discussion only. STAFF CONTACT: Zach Young, zyoung@dmampo.org; (515) 334-0075, extension #208.

FY 2012 Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization

Please call (515) 334-0075 to obtain permission for use.

Agenda Report
MPO Bicycle and Pedestrian Roundtable

August 2011 Item No. 8 INFORMATION: INFORMATION: Brief report concerning transportation event with Congressman Leonard Boswell BACKGROUND: Congressman Leonard Boswell plans to meet with constituents to discuss transportation issues affecting the region. On July 6, 2011, the MPO staff met with Congressman Boswells staff to discuss organizing an event around the visit. Through this meeting, it was determined that August 18, 2011 at 3:00 p.m., prior to the MPO Policy Committee meeting, would be a suitable time to hold an event with local transportation stakeholders. The roundtable event would be approximately an hour long consisting of brief presentations by Congressman Boswell and representatives from the private and public sector. The remaining time will be a question and answer session. The event will spotlight transportation challenges and opportunities facing the region in the coming years, including transportation authorization. The event would also provide an opportunity to focus on two key bills introduced in Congress this year: H.R. 2091: Freight Rail Infrastructure Capacity Expansion Act of 2011 Introduced June 2, 2011 by Rep. Leonard Boswell (D-IA). On June 2, 2011, the bill was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means. H.R. 1780: Safe and Complete Streets Act of 2011 Introduced May 5, 2011 by Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA). On May 6, 2011, the bill was referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructures subcommittee on Highways and Transit. (The MPO staff notes that the Safe and Complete Streets Act of 2011 was also introduced in the Senate as S.1056 by Sen. Thomas Harkin (D-IA) on May 24, 2011). The key participants in this event would include MPO member governments and agencies, the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority, the Central Iowa Bicycle and Pedestrian Roundtable, the Freight Roundtable, and the Greater Des Moines Partnership. The event would be open to other organizations with an interest in transportation issues as well as the general public. RECOMMENDATION: None. Information only. STAFF CONTACT: Zach Young, zyoung@dmampo.org; (515) 334-0075, extension #208.

FY 2012 Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization

Please call (515) 334-0075 to obtain permission for use.

Agenda Report
MPO Bicycle and Pedestrian Roundtable

August 2011 Item No. 9 ISSUE: INFORMATION: Brief report concerning bicycle and pedestrian related funding application deadlines. BACKGROUND: The MPO staff notes that the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) is accepting Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2011 applications for the following funding programs: Statewide Transportation Enhancements: Applications for Statewide TE are located at the DOTs Transportation Enhancements Program website: http://www.iowadot.gov/systems_planning/trans_enhance.htm. The MPO staff notes that Statewide TE applications are due to the Iowa DOT Office of Systems Planning by October 1, 2011.

Iowa Federal Recreational Trails Program: Applications for this program are located at the DOTs Federal and State Recreational Trails Program website: http://www.iowadot.gov/systems_planning/fedstate_rectrails.htm. The MPO staff notes that Federal Recreational Trails applications are due to the Iowa DOT Office of Systems Planning by October 1, 2011. Safe Routes to School Program: Applications for the Safe Routes to School program are located at the DOTs Safe Routes to School Program website: http://www.iowadot.gov/saferoutes/. The MPO staff notes that Safe Routes to School applications are due to the Iowa DOT Office of Systems Planning by October 1, 2011.

The MPO staff notes that applications for MPO Transportation Enhancement funds are due to the MPO office by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, November 18, 2011. The CIRTPA staff notes that letters of intent for RPA-11 Transportation Enhancement funds at due to the CIRTPA office by September 9, 2011. The applications for RPA-11 Transportation Enhancement funds are due to the CIRTPA office by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, November 18, 2011. RECOMMENDATION: None. Report and discuss only. STAFF CONTACT: Zach Young, zyoung@dmampo.org; (515) 334-0075, extension #208.

FY 2012 Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization

10

Please call (515) 334-0075 to obtain permission for use.

Agenda Report
MPO Bicycle and Pedestrian Roundtable

August 2011 Item No. 10 INFORMATION: INFORMATION: Brief report concerning bike and ride data for central Iowa. BACKGROUND: 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 3,075 3,884 4,646 5,046

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 134 160 297 376

87 169 79 36 370

134

FY 2012 Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization

11

Please call (515) 334-0075 to obtain permission for use.