Minutes of the Centerville City Trails Committee meeting held Thursday, April 2, 2009 in the Centerville City Hall Conference Room, 250 North Main Street, Centerville, Utah. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Chair Denise Cox.

MEMBERS PRESENT
Mark Austin
Denise Cox, Chair
Matt Johnson, excused at 8:35 p.m.
Shari Meyer
Sam Olsen
Lee Vanhille

MEMBERS ABSENT
Wendy Higgins

STAFF PRESENT
Bruce Cox, Parks and Recreation Director
Kathy Streadbeck, Recording Secretary 

VISITORS
Scott Ogilvie, Farmington Trails Committee
Chelsea Moore, Centerville City Youth Council

MINUTES REVIEW AND APPROVAL

Minutes of the March 12, 2009 Trails Committee meeting were reviewed and amended. Chair Denise Cox made a motion to approve the minutes as amended. The motion was seconded by Shari Meyers and passed by unanimous vote (6-0).

SPRING HIKES

The Trails Committee finalized their plans for the spring hikes scheduled for April 18th and May 2nd, including who will be manning which hike, where partcipants should park, and safety precautions (i.e., extra water and first aid kit). Denise Cox, Chair, said the Clipper article promoting the hikes will be in this Tuesday’s issue. She also distributed some information on Lake Bonneville. She said Committee members may wish to review this information and relay interesting points to those attending the hikes.

HIKING INCENTIVE PINS

Mark Austin reviewed the citizen program for earning a lapel pin. The pins will be 3/4 inch round with the footprint and the words “Take a Hike” and “Centerville City Trails”. He distributed some forms for the Committee members to hand out to citizens after the spring hikes. Citizens only need to complete five hikes and sign a statement saying they will be a conscientious hiker (pick-up litter and respect the trails) in order to earn the pin. Citizens can also pick-up a form at City Hall. Denise Cox, Chair, will make sure all Committee members have a Trail Committee T-shirt and a lapel pin prior to the spring hikes.

BICYCLE ROUTES

Matt Johnson distributed and reviewed the drawings and cost estimate for the proposed designated bike route through the city as prepared by the City Engineer. He also said he spoke with a Davis County Planner who suggested a master plan map be prepared showing the designated route through Centerville. This would help direct future planning, including how mass transit may be integrated into the city.

The Committee discussed current parking problems and the possibilities of greater parking problems when these bike routes are designated. The Committee agreed that those areas of the city where parking is proposed to be prohibited are not currently an issue. Those areas of the city where street parking is used often will require clear signage.

Bruce Cox, Parks and Recreation Director, informed the Committee that the proposed Cultural Arts Center on 400 West is planning to install bike racks. 

MASTER PLAN SEMINAR

Bruce Cox, Parks and Recreation Director, reported he recently attended a Master Plan Seminar and came away with some helpful information. He said he is going to review a preliminary master plan that was prepared by a former Trail Committee member, making corrections and suggestions. He will then bring it back to the Committee for their review.

TRAILS BUDGET

Bruce Cox, Parks and Recreation Director, distributed and read a letter from Steve Thacker, City Manager, regarding the Trail Committee budget. In summary, the Trails Committee budget cannot be funded due to significantly decreased park impact fees. However, the Trails Committee was encouraged to proceed with their presentation to the City Council about establishing bike lanes/routes in Centerville because the City Council has shown significant support for this project in the past and is expecting the Committee’s presentation.

Mr. Cox said there may be some other funding alternatives the Committee may wish to explore. Sometimes there is funding available through government grants. Mr. Cox said he will be filling out these forms as they are made available. He said there may also be a possibility of funding through the Street Improvement Fund and/or the General Fund. If the City Council were to approve the use of the General Fund it would have to be paid back, most likely with park impact fees. The Committee also discussed the idea of soliciting donations from businesses that border the proposed bike route.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS - Prioritize

Bruce Cox, Parks and Recreation Director, questioned the Committee’s priorities if funding was made available. He said he does not believe that Ford Canyon will take a significant amount of funding to finish as a great deal of the project can be done with volunteers. He also reported that the contract work that was done on Ford Canyon was donated in the end. He said the Committee may wish to focus their priorities on the proposed bike route and which portions of that project the Committee would like to see done first.

The Committee agreed they would like to see the widening of the Frontage Road done first. They feel this is a safety concern and would make the biggest difference. They also agreed that striping and signage could be more easily funded as smaller increments become available in the future, but the widening of the Frontage Road cannot be piecemeal.

Matt Johnson said he would like to present the entire bike route plan, including priorities, to the City Council at their May 19, 2009 meeting in order to give the Committee one more chance to meet. The Committee agreed.

MISCELLANEOUS

Health Fair

Chelsea Moore, Centerville City Youth Council, said the Youth Council has been discussing the possibilities of holding a Health Fair on Monday, May 4, 2009 in Founders Park to promote the “Centerville’s got Sole” walking program. She asked if the Trails Committee would be willing to host a booth at the fair to share trail information with citizens. The South Davis Recreation Center (SDRC) is also holding a similar fair on April 16th and 17th. She said the Youth Council is still debating participating in the SDRC’s fair or hosting their own. She asked if the Trails Committee would be willing to participate in the SDRC’s Fair as well.

Several Trail Committee members said they would be willing to help with whichever fair the Youth Council decides to do. The Council also pointed out that the SDRC Fair would be a few days prior to their Spring Hike on April 18th and would be a great opportunity to promote these hikes.

Frontage Road

Scott Ogilvie, Farmington Trails Committee Member, questioned the Centerville Trails Committee on their plans for the Frontage Road. He said he is trying to gather information so Farmington can be aware and make plans accordingly.

The Trails Committee reviewed the plans for the Frontage Road expansion and bike lanes, including the widening of the pavement between 2025 North and Lund Lane, restriping/lane alignment, and signage. They explained that there will be a designated five-foot bike lane on either side of the Frontage Road for more serious bikers. 

Mr. Ogilvie thanked the committee for their time and said he would take this information back to his committee. He said Farmington is interested in a safe bike route along the Frontage Road that could also loop into the Legacy Parkway Trail system.

Ford Canyon

Bruce Cox, Parks and Recreation Director, reviewed the plans for the Ford Canyon Trail. He said he spoke with a Davis County representative regarding the plan to extend the trail west through County property to Main Street. He said the County representative did not show any opposition to this plan and will take the idea to the proper bodies for further review. Mr. Cox is still awaiting a response. If the County approves this plan, a two-foot pedestrian gate/opening, appropriate signage, and a designated trail will be installed. This will enable citizens to park at Smoot Park, cross Main Street, and continue on up the Ford Canyon Trail. Mr. Cox also reported that the City is set to meet with George Haddad about the possibility of an easement through his property that would extend the Ford Canyon Trail east to the Firebreak Road.

NEXT MEETING

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Trails Committee will be held on May 14, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.