Oxford Pathways Report - July 12 2007
In attendance:
Mike Mossing, Kate Kellum, Roger Kuhnle, Becky Moreton
City Officials: Mayor Howorth, Tim Akers(Planner),
Kleb Johnson (OPC), Mike Martin (OPD)
Sue Lynn Mills - Oxford Eagle
Agenda Items
1 Commission Organization
Membership
- Members will be chosen from letters of interest
- Call for letters - to be published in the Eagle
- Reps for OPC and OPD may be liasons instead of staff
- Responses will be tabulate after 15 days
- Appointments at Aug 7 City Board Mtg
Roles
- Officers Required: Chair, Secretary
Proceedings - standard order of board meeting
- Approval of Agenda, Approval of minutes, etc
2 Commission Goals - Promote non-automotive transportation
Why? Daily Exercise contributes to individual health
Necessity - 30% of individuals don't drive
Children, Elderly, Disabled, Disadvantaged
Community - promotes interaction
Traffic and Parking Solutions
- only if significant numbers choose to travel w/o cars
How? ENGINEER: Safe, convenient, attractive facilities
EDUCATE and ENCOURAGE people to use them
(as well as existing streets and sidewalks)
ENFORCE the laws to enhance safety
EVALUATE progress to do it better
Beyond Oxford - Students, fans, tourists
can see the possibilities of short trips w/o a car
may even be drawn to Oxford for that reason
Oxford can be an example for the state and region
If cycling and walking come to be generally accepted -
Compact connected development will be favored over sprawl
Long Term - Ped/Bike Plan drafted in 2003
Review & update once commission formally established
Short-term goals (weeks)
- Phase I comments - construction nearly complete
- Provide letter with itemized comments on
completeness/usability prior to final inspection
- Input from Community Rides / others
- Should be done by August 1st
- Grand opening of the Phase 1 Rail/Trail
Tentative date – August 24th at 4 p.m.
Mayor’s Office To invite Wicker
Kate reserve Depot, talk with Chancellor’s office
Brief speeches by relevant parties
Have Police officers on bicycles (OPD, UPD)
Refreshments (perhaps provided by Ava?)
PR release to Rails-to-trails
Community Walk/Ride after speeches
Police officers will be at cross-streets
Balloons/streamers –or – bike bells
Name for rail/trail (separate)
Depot Trail – University Place to MollyBarr
Taylor Trail – Old Taylor nearly to Thacker Mtn
- Provide input on Phase II plans,
Investigate the feasibility of an outside consultant
Michael Ronkin - http://michaelronkin.com/
Oregon DOT, AASHTO Bike/Ped policy committees
is willing to come, available in August
Estimated 10-20 hours @ $100/hr + travel
Coordinate potential visit/plans with UM, County, MDOT
Wait on decision until meeting of full commission Aug 8
3 Other topics discussed
Kid's Bike Rodeo – with Health Fair, Skate Place, Aug 11
Safe Routes to School – encouraging news
OPC Board seeks ideas encouragement activities
Certified Bicycle Instructors
UPD? Cliff Heegel in Memphis
Driver Awareness
Danger Spots - Becky Moreton has a list
eg. Gertrude Ford sidewalk and crosswalk by depot
Solicit community input online or in paper surveys
University contacts
Lee Tyner open to discussion of
neighborhood connections
extending trail northward at airport boundary
Tailor mountain bike trails
Ian Banner - Facilities Planning Committee
Event Bike Parking on agenda for next meeting
4 Next (first official COMMISSION) meeting - August 8th