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

) *************************** Tuesday, May 17, 2011 12:00 p.m. St. Etienne Room, Armory Building 602 Robert D. Ray Drive, Des Moines, IA *************************** TENTATIVE AGENDA I. Call to Order II. Introductions III. Approval of Agenda IV. Approval of the Roundtables April 19, 2011, Meeting Minutes......................Page 3 V. Discussion Items A. Department of Justice Trail Usage Ruling ....................................................... Page 8 B. Smart Codes.................................................................................................... Page 9 C. Bike to Work Week ........................................................................................ Page 10 VI. Informational Item A. Bike and Ride Data ........................................................................................ Page 11 B. CONNECT Update. .................................................................................... Page 12 VII. Other Non-Action Items of Interest to the Committee VIII. Next Roundtable Meeting Date 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 21, 2011, St. Etienne Room, Armory Building, Des Moines IX. Adjournment

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

April 19, 2011 12:00 PM

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

Roundtable Attendees Present:

Marco Alvarez, City of West Des Moines Andrea Chase, Natural Heritage Foundation Jim Lane, City of Norwalk, Chair Loren Lown, Polk County Conservation Heath Ellis, City of Pleasant Hill Dustin Delvaux, City of Bondurant Ruth Randleman, City of Carlisle/MAC Kelly Canfield, City of Clive Todd Redenius, City of Ankeny Ben Landhauser, City of Waukee Tina M. Hadden, Bike Month Lisa Hein, Natural Heritage Foundation Josh Heggen, City of Windsor Heights Jan Herke, City of Urbandale Scott Hock, City of Urbandale Glen Cowan, City of Indianola Jim Priebe, Warren County Conservation Dayne Magneson, U.S. Army Corps Mindy Moore, City of Des Moines Butch Niebuhr, City of Perry Stefanie Toftey, DART Carl Voss, Trails and Greenways Committee Carol Williams, Story County Conservation Gay Lea Wilson, Citizen Advisor Jonathan Wuebker, U.S. Army Corps

Roundtable Staff Present:

Dylan Mullenix, Senior Transportation Planner Zach Young, Associate Transportation Planner

I. Call to Order
Chair Jim Lane called the April 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.

II.

Introduction
Participants introduced themselves.

III.

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

IV.

Approval of the Roundtables March 15, 2011, Meeting Notes

Participants approved the Roundtables March 15, 2011, meeting notes.

V. (A.)

Bike Month
Tina Mowry provided an update on events that will take place during bike month. This year they are working with City View and will have a pullout in the April 27, 2011 edition of City View. The pullout will have educational material on cycling as well as

a list of Bike Month events. Ms. Mowry encouraged the group to send events to her so they could be included in this publication. She asked that roundtable members bring her extra copies of the April 27, 2011 edition of City View if available. Ms. Mowry reminded the roundtable that some members have not yet contributed their $500 and that they depend on these contributions to have a successful program. She also encouraged people to go to the website and register for Bike Month. Ms. Mowry emphasized that Bike Month is no longer just about commuters; Bike Month is for everyone.

V. (B.)

Update Unified Bicycle Ordinance Draft

Ruth Randleman updated the committee on the Unified Bicycle Ordinance, noting that the Metropolitan Advisory Council presented the ordinance at the April meeting and has sent UBO to the communities. MAC strongly encouraged all communities to adopt the ordinance in its current language. The next step is to wait for the communities to comment on the content of the ordinance. Chair Jim Lane reported that he had discussed the ordinance with his police chief, mayor, and city administration, and they did not see any issues with the document. Kelly Canfield voiced his concern about current ordinances that require cyclists to use the trail or shared use path rather than ride in the roadway. Mr. Canfield noted that the UBO does not address this issue and his police chief thinks we should consider requiring cyclists to take the trail when available. Chair Lane pointed out that several communities have ordinances that already make this a requirement, including West Des Moines. Marco Alvarez confirmed that it was currently a requirement; however, the City of West Des Moines is planning to update the ordinance to remove this requirement. Mr. Alvarez also noted that the West Des Moines City Council has approved the creation of a nine-member bicycle commission that will provide recommendations on all bicycle related issues. Ms. Randleman noted that the UBO honors both street and trail uses pointing out that in a 24-hour period one user could easily experience all jurisdictions and, therefore, the ordinances need to match as closely as possible. Mr. Canfield stated that he was unsure where they would end up on the issue. They are currently waiting to hear comments from the parks board next month before the issue goes before the council. Lisa Hein commended the MAC for all their work on the UBO. Chair Lane agreed pointing out that whatever the communities end up doing would be an improvement and that the region is heading in the right direction.

V. (C.)

Trails Marketing
Andrea Chase recapped the trails marketing meeting that took place in April, noting that the sub-committee is focusing on how to move forward the concept of branding Central Iowa the trails capital of the world The sub-committee discussed how best to get the committees name out and had the opportunity to preview Bike Iowas new website. The sub-committee determined that

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the next steps include reaching out to like-minded groups and using the Bike Iowa webpage as a foundation to expand what trails mean as a concept. Ms. Chase explained that the region has approximately 8,000 miles of trails when you consider water, equestrian, dirt track, snowmobile, cycling trails. The region also has over 300 annual events that center around these trails. She stressed that these numbers are critical to carrying our message forward from both the policy and tourism standpoints. Chair Lane pointed out that nobody is really promoting the regional trail system to the extent that it could be promoted. He stressed that roundtable needs to provide a web-based medium for the promotion of trails that will allow each trail entity to promote themselves. Carl Voss asked if there is an existing model for what we are planning and whether or not we expect to get state agencies involved. Ms. Chase explained that there are examples in several states but nothing to the extent that we are trying to accomplish. Discussion ensued about the role of state agencies in promoting trails. Past attempts to get these agencies involved have gained little traction. However, the roundtable agreed that it was time to attempt to reach out to these agencies once again. Chair Lane pointed out that the key issue for getting these agencies on board came down to convincing them of the economic development potential of trails. He pointed out that the Iowa Bike Coalition is collaborating with University of Northern Iowa to conduct an economic impact assessment of trails. This study will provide us with numbers to support our case.

V. (D.)

Bicycle-Pedestrian Project Updates

Staff noted that they have requested updated trail information from the member governments and agencies. These updates have been trickling in over the last month. Most jurisdictions have provided this information. However, staff is still waiting for a few of these updates to arrive. Staff asked if the roundtable wanted a formal document produced that outline system gaps. Chair Lane confirmed that a formal document was not necessary. The roundtable just wants to be able to visualize the gaps, inform the jurisdictions where the gaps are located, and potentially connect the existing gaps. Carol Williams asked if it is possible to distinguish between viable and unviable abandoned rail on the map. Staff commented that it is possible and that they would benefit from the roundtables members knowledge of where abandoned rail is still viable for potential trials. Discussion ensued regarding the roundtables disappointment regarding the failure to bank more of the abandoned lines. Chair Lane expressed that the roundtable needed more time at a future meeting to look at the maps more closely. This would allow the roundtable to identify specific areas where connections can be made between existing facilities. Loren Lown suggested that staff provide maps in higher resolution. Mindy Moore commented that the maps did not distinguish between on-street and off-street facility and that staff should not call an on-street facility a trail.

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Staff asked if it would be helpful to send high-resolution maps to each jurisdiction for review. The roundtable agreed that this would indeed be helpful. Ruth Randleman informed that roundtable that the current legislative session is wrapping up and the State is in danger of losing funding for both the Vision Iowa and Great Places programs. She encouraged roundtable members to contact their legislators in the next for days to show support for both of these programs. Butch Niebuhr informed the roundtable that the Great Places program sent out a form letter that could serve as a template for roundtable support. Staff agreed to forward this letter to the roundtable members.

V.(E.)

Form-Based Codes Staff discussed the potential to use Form-Based Codes (FBC) as a tool to create the bicycle and pedestrian oriented development called for in Chapter One, Action 5.2 of the CONNECT plan. Staff asked for the roundtables opinion on promoting the use of FBC.
Stefanie Toftey stated that she fully supported the idea. Ruth Randleman noted that she had forwarded the FBC supplement on to Carlisles planning and zoning commission for their discussion. Lisa Hein asked whom communities should contact if they wanted someone to present on FBC. Staff stated that either they could find someone to present or a member of staff could give the presentation if needed. Staff noted that the Regional Plan for Sustainable Development would provide an opportunity to educate planning and zoning commission and local authorities of the benefits of FBC. Chair Lane commented that the roundtable would continue to discuss FBCs in more detail at future meetings. He noted now that the CONNECT plan is finished it is important to start looking at some of these heavy lifting issues, including land use and zoning.

V.(F)

Regional Trails District Staff commented that many of the funding programs that trails depend on are in danger of disappearing. If central Iowa is truly going to become the trails capital of the world the roundtable needs to start looking seriously at the regional trail district concept. Lisa Hein informed the roundtable that the High Trestle Trail project team is looking at the long-term management and maintenance of the trial. They are currently exploring the idea of a regional trail authority considering that the trail crosses nine jurisdictions. Ms. Hein commented that the first task is to find examples of successful trail districts. Discussion ensued concerning possible examples. The Dickinson County Trails Board and Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority were mentioned as potential models of how a regional trails districts could operate.

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VI. (A.)

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

VII.

Other Items of Interest to the Roundtable

Mindy Moore reminded the roundtable to RSVP for Dr. John Cromptons presentations. She encouraged the group to invite elected officials and policy makers to attend one of the presentations.

VIII.

Next MPO Roundtable Meeting Date

The next Roundtable meeting is scheduled for May 17, 2011, at noon.

IX.

Adjournment
The April 19, 2011, Roundtable meeting adjourned at 1:09 p.m.

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V. (A.) Department of Justice Trail Usage Ruling

Discussion Item
The Central Iowa Bicycle-Pedestrian Roundtable:

At its February 2011 meeting, discussed the US Department of Justices recent ruling under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) dealing with the use of power-driven mobility devices on trails; Notes the new regulation took effect on March 15, 2011; Notes the new regulation permits persons with mobility disabilities to use power-driven mobility devices on trails without restrictions on the devices size or horsepower; Notes the new regulation places limitations on a public entitys ability to inquire about ones disability status or need for a power-driven mobility device; and, Expressed concern that the new regulation could result in the use of four-wheelers or other all-terrain vehicles on trails by persons that do not have a true disability.

The MPO staff:

Has shared this information with the Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Central Iowa Regional Transportation Planning Alliance; Notes the organization American Trails held a webinar on February 23, 2011, to provide additional information to trail managers; Notes the Iowa Department of Transportation sent an email on February 21, 2011, noting they are working to become more familiar with the new regulation and will soon put together discussion items and possible implementation options for input; Will continue to update MPO member communities as new information becomes available; Notes some communities have expressed the need for local jurisdictions to work together to develop uniform assessment metrics to ensure local provisions regarding power-driven mobility devices are consistent along trails that cross jurisdictional boundaries; and, Requests that members update the roundtable on the status of assessments in their jurisdictions.

Staff Contact: Zach Young, zyoung@dmampo.org; (515) 334-0075, extension #208

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V. (B.) Smart Codes Discussion Item

The Central Iowa Bicycle-Pedestrian Roundtable:

At its April 2011 meeting discussed the possibility of using Form-Based Codes to promote pedestrian-, bicycly-, and transit-oriented development as called for in Chapter 1, Action 5.2, Benchmark 5.2.1 of the Central Iowa Bicycle and Pedestrian Action Plan; and, Agreed that addressing land-use and transportation is an important issues that should be discussed further at future meetings;

The MPO staff:

Has received feedback expressing concerns over the use of terminology; Has, therefore, decided to refer to Form-Based Codes as Smart Codes to align with the elements outlined in Iowas Smart Planning bill (SF 2389); Has included, as a supplemental item, a list of municipalities that have adopted or are currently in the process of adopting Smart Codes; Has included, as a supplemental item, the freeware template SmartCode version 9.2 as an example of what a Smart Code entails; Notes that smart codes are a divergence from business-as-usual and therefore the logical next step is to inform local decision makers about the smart codes; and Requests that roundtable members discuss how to move the issue forward at the May 17, 2011 meeting;

Staff Contact: Zach Young, zyoung@dmampo.org; (515) 334-0075, extension #208.

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V. (C.) Bike to Work Week, 2011 May 16-20 Discussion Item Bike Month:

Encourages people to try riding their bicycle for transportation, increases cycling awareness, and promotes a healthy alternative to driving a car in the month of May; Is nationally recognized and endorsed through the League of American Bicyclists; Bike to Work Week is May 16-20, 2011, with the following events: Monday, May 16, 2011 Two-Wheel Caucus - 7:00 a.m., 39th and Grand to 300 East Locust Street, Des Moines; Tuesday, May 17, 2011 o Shop for Groceries via Bike 6:00-8:00 p.m., west end of Union Railway Bridge (red bridge), Des Moines; and, o Bike to Yoga 6:00-7:00 p.m., 3629 Beaver Ave, Des Moines; Wednesday, May 18, 2011 o Ride of Silence 6:30-7:45 p.m., 600 E. Locust St, Des Moines; Thursday, May 19, 2011 o ARTCRANK 7:00-10:00 p.m., Social Club/Kirkwood Hotel, Des Moines; Friday, May 20, 2011 o Bike to Work Day: Breakfast Celebration 6:30-8:30 a.m., Nollen Plaza, Des Moines; o Bike Rodeo- 3:30-5:30 p.m., 2200 East Court, Iowa City; and, o Handlebar Happy Hour 4:00-7:00 p.m., 200 SW 2nd Street, Des Moines
o o

Visit the Bike to Work Week 2010 website for additional events during the month at http://www.bikeiowa.com/asp/bike/Events.asp

Staff Contact: Zach Young, zyoung@dmampo.org; (515) 334-0075, extension #208.

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VI. (A.)

Bike and Ride Data Informational Item 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

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

87 169 79 36 370

134

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VI. (B.) CONNECT Update Informational Item

The MPO Staff:

Will provide the roundtable with an update on progress towards addressing the benchmarks set out in the Central Iowa Bicycle and Pedestrian Action Plan.

Staff Contact: Zach Young, zyoung@dmampo.org; (515) 334-0075, extension #208.

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