Parks Recreation and
Cultural Resources Department Greenway Committee
MEETING MINUTES
Call to Order/Roll Call
Robert Bush called
the meeting to order at
Members
Present – Robert Bush, Kerry Mead, Greg Lytle, Toby Kennedy, Bob Morris, Dana
Stockwell, Laurie Ringaert, Steve Rembrandt, Leta Huntsinger, Cameron Sweeney,
Kat Williams, Venki Loganathan
Absent
– None
Adoption of Minutes
The minutes of the January
meeting were reviewed by the Committee.
Bob Morris requested the following amendment to the motion under the
Continuation of Review of Greenway Projects for FY09 Budget discussion.
Bob Morris made a motion to accept
both lists and refer to priorities as discussed at the December meeting if
funds are limited. The Committee indicated that the FY08 list continues to be a
priority and also identified the following projects as priorities for FY09:
-
Continue
with the Signage Program
-
Black
Creek Greenway, Connection & Phase I & II Renovation
-
Batchelor
Branch Phase II
-
Higgins
Greenway
Toby Kennedy seconded the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Action: Bob Morris made a motion to accept the
minutes of the
PRCR Advisory Board Report
Doug McRainey
reported that Town Council approved the funding request 4 different greenway
projects.
Old Business
Green Level Stream Restoration and Greenway Project
The Committee
reviewed and discussed the project.
Robert Bush and Toby Kennedy both expressed a desire to see more funding
put into a higher quality greenway that also preserved sufficient open
space. Staff indicated that they would
be flexible to adjust the trail alignment depending upon circumstances to
develop the best possible greenway.
Action: Toby Kennedy made a motion
to accept staff’s recommendation with the stipulation that as site plans are
submitted, that staff will make adjustments to improve the alignment of the
trail and also minimize multi-use trails. Laurie Ringaert seconded the motion,
motion carried unanimously.
New Business
Trail User Survey
The Committee decided to continue the current method of doing trail checks and
gathering data for the coming year. Private trails will remain on the list, but
sidewalks will be removed. Next year the Committee would like to do some
intercept surveys to gather more information.
Staff reported that in the next two years they also hope to get some
accurate counters placed along the greenways. Staff suggested that the Committee
consider soliciting a group of volunteers to help with the trail user surveys. Committee
members could attend HOA and civic group meetings to talk about the program and
information could also be displayed at Spring Daze and Lazy Daze.
On a side note, the Committee would like to see more benches along the trails
to give users a place to rest. It was also suggested that picnic tables be
added in some locations. In addition, the
Committee requested more trash cans along the trails and suggested placement at
road crossings and major trail crossings to make trash collection easier for
the public works department.
Greenway Gate Design
The Committee reviewed
options for new gate design and discussed the need for a change to the current
greenway gate design to make it more user friendly. The Committee and staff came
up with the following criteria for the gate design.
1. The design should be such that the primary users are not pushed off-center
while keeping access for maintenance and Emergency Services.
2. Two
users should be able to pass simultaneously (openings should be a minimum 48”
wide)
3. The
barrier for the maintenance access must include a gate.
4. The gate
should not present a hazard to users when in place or opened.
Staff will
take the Committee’s recommendations and come up with a gate design and bring
that information back to the Committee at a future meeting.
The Committee
requested that the criteria for new gate design and placement of amenities
along the trails be added into the manual for developer built greenways.
Multi-Use Trail Review
Toby Kennedy
requested that the Committee review all of the new multi-use trail projects.
Robert and Leta expressed concern that this could take considerable time. Leta
suggested that if the multi-use trail was identified as part of the core
network, part of the master plan or if staff felt that it should be reviewed it
should come before the Committee. Robert
suggested that they be consent items on the agenda, the information sent out to
Committee members in advance and if there is an issue with one it could be
removed from the consent section prior to the meeting. Staff and the Committee agreed to Robert’s
suggestion.
Bike and Hike Map
Staff is in the
process of updating the Town’s Bike and Hike map and asked for the Committee’s
feedback. The map will be sent to the Committee
members either by email or will be posted on Robert’s FTP site. The new map
will be going to the printer in April and should be ready for Spring Daze.
Adjourn