Centerville City Trails Committee meeting held February 13, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the  Centerville City Hall Building Courtroom, 250 North Main, Centerville, Utah.

MEMBERS PRESENT:   Mark Austin
                                          Mark Day
                                          Wendy Higgins
                                          Shari Meyer
                                          Stephanie Wheatley, Chair
                                          Denise Cox

STAFF PRESENT:          Steve Thacker, City Manager
                                          Bruce Cox, Parks and Recreation Director
                                          Kathy Streadbeck, Recording Secretary

VISITORS:                       Sherry Lindstrom, City Council Liaison
                                          Matt Johnson, Bountiful Mazda Cycling Group
                                          Larry Petersen, Bountiful Mazda Cycling Group
                                          Bob Kinney, Davis Bicycle Advisory & Advocacy Group (DBAAG)
                                          Terry Harvey

MINUTES REVIEW AND APPROVAL

The minutes of the Trails Committee meeting held January 10, 2008 were reviewed. Stephanie Wheatley made a motion to approve the minutes as written. The motion was seconded by Wendy Higgins and passed by unanimous vote (6-0).

BIKE LANES – Discussion with local cyclists
 
 Bob Kinney introduced himself. He is the president of the Davis Bicycle Advisory & Advocacy Group, and the director of Bike-2-Bike, a group which promotes biking events and biking safety for both youth and adults. Mr. Kinney responded to questions from the Committee and explained what Centerville can do to promote cycling and increase safety for cyclists throughout the city. He said, in his opinion, the best route (for serious bikers) through Centerville is the Frontage Road (Pages Lane to Lund Lane). An alternative south of Parrish Lane could be 400 West down to Pages Lane. Cyclists would benefit most if a bike lane was striped on both sides of the Frontage Road. This would give cyclists a safe route through the city whether they are traveling north or south. Mr. Kinney discussed 400 West and Main Street. He said both are used by cyclists, but the Frontage Road tends to be used most often in the events that he has planned through Centerville. He explained the straightest route through any city, is the best. He said 400 West is wide enough for bike lanes, but allows parking on the street. He said if 400 West had to be used, then he suggested it be accessed via Parrish Lane rather than Chase Lane (traffic lights are safer).

Mr. Kinney discussed safety issues as they relate to cyclists. He said street sweeping is very important to bikers and encouraged the City to sweep as often as possible. Most serious cyclists are traveling at about 20 mph and even small debris can cause a cyclist to wreck. He said parked cars can also be very dangerous. Most cyclists will ride at least five (5) feet from any parked car. He also discussed speed limits on roadways and said they are not an issue if there are bike lanes. Mr. Kinney said that most bikers are very aware of their surroundings. If there is ever a question of safety, most serious cyclists will move to the center of the lane and slow traffic. This is always safer than moving into a narrow or un-improved shoulder. Terry Harvey, cyclist, says he commutes to work each day via his bicycle. He suggested that all catch basin covers be changed to a cross-grid and installed flush with the surface. These can be very dangerous for bikers.

Committee members questioned if striping one route would encourage cyclists to use that route and stop using alternative routes. Mr. Kinney said this would occur for some cyclists, but not all. Cyclists enjoy a change of scenery occasionally. However, it would encourage major events (century rides/100 mile rides) traveling through the city to use this route.

Larry Petersen, cyclist, said he rides the Frontage Road almost every day and agrees this would be the best route to stripe through the city. Matt Johnson, cyclist, said he uses 400 West because he feels it is safer than the Frontage Road, but if the Frontage Road was improved and striped he may change routes.

Mr. Kinney discussed ways to promote cycling within the community. He said UTA is looking at implementing a program that would allow bikers to lock their bikes in an enclosed locker at all Front Runner (commuter rail) stations. There will also be bike storage areas on the Front Runner train so bikers can take their bikes all the way to their destination. Hopefully, these options will decrease the number of cars coming and going from the station. He said Centerville can help promote this program and encourage people to bike rather than drive. He said the Salt Lake Century ride is every 3rd Saturday in May. There is a stop station at the Centerville Community Park. He said about 2000 bikers will come through the city and Centerville could hold activities at the park that day promoting cycling or help support bikers during this ride by providing aid at this station. He said another way to promote cycling is have cyclists ride 5k or 10k run routes. They can provide safety and support to runners and is a great way to get groups to interact.

Matt Johnson said he has heard that if a bike route can be improved and striped all the way to a Front Runner station then there may be State funds available to help in that effort. He said he would research this more and report back to the Committee.  

Sherri Lindstrom, City Council Liaison, suggested running a series of articles in the City newsletter promoting cycling and discussing safety. Mr. Kinney said public education is always a good idea and this would be a great benefit to cyclists. 
 
The Committee thanked Mr. Kinney and all those who participated in the discussion for their time and input. The Committee agreed to discuss this issue further at the next meeting. 
PORTER-WALTON – Ribbon-Cutting Activities

Bruce Cox, Parks and Recreation Director, informed the Committee that the unfinished section of the Bamberger Trail will be completed prior to the ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 1, 2008.

Stephanie Wheatley said the Trails Committee plans to host a family walk during the ribbon-cutting event. The completed section of the Bamberger Trail will allow for a complete loop. She said the Parks and Recreation Committee discussed offering free hot dogs at the event and asked the Trails Committee if they would be willing to help with this as well.

The Committee agreed to host the family walk, help with hot dogs, and will also provide trail maps and information at the event. Ms. Wheatley will take this information to the Parks and Recreation Committee meeting next week (February 21, 2008).

HIKING CLASS

Mark Austin reported he spoke with Lisa Summers, Recreation Supervisor, who has agreed to promote and take sign-ups for a trail hiking class this spring. He said he has chosen five (5) trails for the class including: Freedom Hills Switchback, Parrish Canyon, Bonneville Shoreline, Deuel Creek, and Barnard Creek. This class will begin on Saturday, April 19, 2008 and will run on various Saturdays through the following months. He said he needs Committee members to donate their time and help run the class. If this class goes well, then perhaps in the fall a trail walking class can be offered.

Committee members thanked Mr. Austin for his work and agreed to help run this class as needed.

FORD CANYON TRAIL – Planning & Design
 
This item was postponed.
 
COMMITTEE GOALS/PRIORITIES

Steve Thacker, City Manager, said the City Council is undergoing a strategic planning process as a prelude to budget planning for the next fiscal year. The City Council would like each Committee to share their recommended goals and priorities for the coming year.

The Committee discussed several priorities and concluded their top priority is bike lanes. Other high priorities included: Ford Canyon Trail, trailhead kiosks and trail markers, trail lighting, west side trail planning, and trail planning/sidewalk system around the MTC building, future performing arts center, and island parcel. The Committee questioned whether the $100,000 previously budgeted to the Trails Committee for projects and the $50,000 previously budgeted for the Ford Canyon Trail will carry over to next year. Mr. Thacker said this is most likely, but he will verify that with the City Council. The Committee agreed any additional funding would be greatly appreciated as bike lanes have proven to be costly.

GENERAL PLAN – Trails element of the General Plan

This item was postponed.

KIOSKS – Construction Plans and Projects

This item was postponed.

NEXT MEETING

The next regularly scheduled Trails Committee meeting will be held on Thursday, March 13, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.