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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-MATC-2018-08-27 MOBILITY, ACCESSIBILITY AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MINUTES Present Chair Lerner Commissioners (5) Barden, Lyczko, Roberts, Chang, Parkes Others Present: Common Council Liaisons: McGonigal, Nguyen Information Management Specialist - Myers Chief of Staff - Cogan Asst. Supt. S & F – Benjamin Supt. of Public Works – Thorne City Clerk – Holcomb Public Information Specialist - Faraday Excused: Commissioners Brylinksy and Powers Agenda Review: No Changes Approval of Minutes: By Commissioner Chang: Seconded by Commission Lyczko RESOLVED, That the minutes of the July 23, 2018 Mobility, Accessibility, and Transportation Commission meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously Statements from the Public: Dave Nutter, City of Ithaca, provided input related to the following topics: extending existing bike lanes, creating additional bike lanes on South Hill, extending boulevard for the full length on Court Street, improvements to signage on Court Street, and the possible installation of a speed bump on Court Street. Commission Response: Commissioner Barden thanked Mr. Nutter for putting his comments in writing related to bicycle and pedestrian’s issues; they are continuing to explore the bike boulevard proposal by way of interfacing with the public. Common Council Liaison Report: Commissioner Nguyen announced that TCAT would be hosting an open house from 4-6:30 pm on August 28, 2018 at the Tompkins County Library related to their strategic plan. Commissioner McGonigal, Common Council liaison to the Board of Public Works, shared that the Board’s discussions recently have been on the topics of the bike corrals and disagreements about the new curbing being installed with the West State/Martin Luther King, Jr. Street project. Recruitment for Commission Vacancy: Chair Lerner reported that Commissioner Reed resigned. He is working to fill the vacancy by way of networking in Ithaca’s minority communities and encouraged commissioners to recommend/encourage people to apply. Date: August 27, 2018 Time: 6:00 PM Location: Common Council Chambers, 3rd Floor, City Hall Mobility, Accessibility & Transportation Commission August 27, 2018 2 Public Information and Public Input: City Clerk Holcomb and Public Information Specialist Faraday provided an overview of the various tools available for connecting with the public, what information is available on the city’s website (i.e. minutes, agendas, FAQ’s, accessibility information) and ways to use the website to find and share information. She explained the tool on the city website called “Notify Me” and encouraged everyone to subscribe to it. Chair Lerner would like to see the “Community Voice” tool on the website utilized. It would be a tool for people to submit ideas or thoughts for the new commissions. City Clerk Holcomb stated that there is a new mass notification tool on the city’s website called “Swift 911”, which she explained its purpose and how to sign up to receive information. She explained that the City also has multiple tools available for use by the commissions including the following: Portable projector/screen Loaner laptop A Smart board with markers included to use as a means to share ideas, tasks, etc. The screen can be cleaned to add more information, and there is a printer to print whatever notes are scribed on the board. Flip charts/easels Tables in chambers do move around for various types of meeting settings A Sound system – including assistive devices for the hearing impaired. She explained that there are other city facilities that may be used for public meetings; however, consideration needs to be made regarding the sound system, whether or not its fully accessible, set up for support staff, and whatever else you may need. A time of questions and answers followed that included a request for an internal resource in paper form that could be shared with each of the commissions related to all the various tools available for setting up meetings either in City Hall or other city facilities. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the disincentive for the public to provide input to the city or get information from the city related to the fact that they have to set up an account. A suggestion was made to investigate the possibility of the creation and use of a “guest user” which would eliminate the need to set up an account. It was noted that there are a very large number of potential channels for people to communicate information to the City. How do the commissions get that public information/input about different topics? For now, there is no one central repository for that information so it can be shared with the appropriate commission. It would be useful, in the role of the commission, to have a field guide or standard procedures as to how to solicit public input. Future Topics: September 24th – DPW Parking Analysis October 22nd – The “Big Picture” transportation options in the City of Ithaca November 26th – Rochester’s Sidewalk Snow Plan December 11th – A Conversation with the Mayor, related to his perception of mobility, accessibility and transportation Mobility, Accessibility & Transportation Commission August 27, 2018 3 Parking Study: Supt. Thorne and Asst. Supt. S & F Benjamin joined the commission for this discussion. Questions were raised and discussed regarding the Parking Stakeholder Panel Guidelines; suggestions for additional representatives on the panel were made. Snow Removal: Commissioner Chang is putting together a list of questions and requested that everyone e-mail him and Chair Lerner their questions. Commissioner Roberts expressed his opposition to changing the City’s current snow removal policy. Bicycles- Pedestrians: The creation, location and placement of the new bike corrals was discussed. The important take away from what happened is that when we make decisions, we need to make sure they go through appropriate process, be reflected in minutes and provide opportunities for input from all interested parties. ADA Training: Chair Lerner reported Commissioner Brylinsky is working on the details of training. Commissioner Roberts is meeting with two of the disability experts on the other commissions to get to know one another and talk. Meeting Wrap-Up: The next meeting of the MATC is Monday, September 24, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. T he parking study will be the main topic of discussion; possibly the closing of the bus station and relocation of the buses. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:06 pm. Respectfully submitted by, Sarah Myers, Information Management Specialist