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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-MATC-2018-12-11 MOBILITY, ACCESSIBILITY AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MINUTES Present Chair Lerner Commissioners (7) Barden, Lyczko, Roberts, Chang, Parkes, Powers, Brylinsky Others Present: Common Council Liaison McGonigal Common Council Liaison Nguyen City Clerk Conley Holcomb Excused: Information Management Specialist Myers Approval of Minutes: Approval of the minutes of the November 26, 2018 Mobility, Accessibility, and Transportation Commission was postponed. Statements from the Public: No one appeared to address the Commission. Common Council Liaison Report: Alderperson McGonigal reported that the County is concerned about the intercity bus arrangements. He noted that passengers can purchase tickets on-line or at the pharmacy but many, including the pharmacy, don’t have a mechanism to print the tickets so they go to the Tompkins County library to do it. Many passengers are also utilizing the library’s restrooms. Mayor Myrick reported that the pharmacy is looking for ways to allow people to print tickets. Two bus companies are only doing online ticketing (OurBus, Big Red Bullet), and could logistically move their operations to another site such as the airport or the other side of the Commons. Conversation with the Mayor: Mayor Myrick thanked the Commissioners for agreeing to serve the community in this capacity and for inviting him to talk with them. He shared his experiences from a recent trip to Warsaw, Poland which illustrated the importance of making sure that people who are in power do not go unquestioned or unchecked and that people hold government accountable. Commissioner Lyczko joined the meeting at 6:10 p.m. Questions from Topic Groups: ADA Issues – Commissioners Roberts & Brylinsky: How can the City best ensure that we continue to make progress on ADA compliance every year? Mayor Myrick responded that the best scenario would include: 1.) Staffing – having a person on staff to focus on ADA compliance issues. 2.) Measuring – creating metrics to make sure progress is being made. 3.) Reporting – reporting publicly on an annual basis to track the city’s progress towards its goals. He noted that budgets are getting better, and departments are starting to be able to add resources. He suggested that the Commission build a case for a staff position for the 2020 budget. He noted that measuring progress and reporting on it could still be done absent a staff person; however, a process would need to be established. Commissioner Roberts explained that the recently postponed ADA training is being rescheduled. He noted that the last time the City looked at these issues comprehensively was in 1992. Date: December 11, 2018 Time: 6:00 PM Location: Common Council Chambers, 3rd Floor, City Hall Mobility, Accessibility & Transportation Commission December 11, 2018 2 Bikes & Pedestrians & E-Scooters – Commissioners Barden & Powers: Dock-less e-bike sharing is already in Ithaca, and dock-less e-scooter sharing may arrive in the Spring and the City is discussing possible MOU’s or regulations in response. How should the City navigate these possibilities when these vehicles are technically illegal in NYS? Are there pending changes to the law? How does the legal background constrain the City’s policy choices? Mayor Myrick stated that the City shouldn’t be concerned about the State law as legislation to amend it is pending. He noted that the State is not overly interested in enforcement, so the focus should be on how to implement these systems safely. Scooters are a competitive mode of transportation to cars; however, the fault lies in the infrastructure. Pursuant to the NYS Vehicle and Traffic law, motorized vehicles that operate faster than 12 mph cannot be ridden on sidewalks. Discussion followed on the need for public input, the role of Bike Walk Tompkins, bicycle sensors, and recommendations for infrastructure improvements. Parking – Commissioners Parkes & Lyczko According to the statistical data provided by Peter Messmer at the Stakeholder meeting on November 27, 2018, there is a shortage of parking spaces in the downtown garages. New construction coming on-line in the near future will surely increase demand. As the City re-thinks its parking program, is it a goal to have parking pay for itself? Mayor Myrick responded that there is not a consensus for the goal of having parking pay for itself. Instead, the focus is on how to make parking safe, convenient, and available (noting that 85% capacity of spaces is optimal). He voiced his belief that the City should subsidize the things we want people to do, things that help the greater good. He acknowledged that City taxpayers are subsidizing the use of the parking garages for non-residents and that there is parking pressure from private development. He stated that a Transportation Demand Management study is underway that will inform future changes to parking infrastructure. Further discussion followed on the future of automated vehicles, electric vehicles, ride sharing, public transportation, and Park & Ride opportunities. Sidewalk Snow – Chair Lerner & Commissioner Chang How can the City do a better job of ensuring that snow is cleared from sidewalks, curb cuts, crosswalks & trails? What are your thoughts on revising the Sidewalk Improvement District law & fees to include sidewalk snow removal by the City? Mayor Myrick stated that he is interested in exploring this idea without committing to it. He noted that the costs and efficiency of the current system are great in theory but is not great practically. He is wary of offering “platinum” services as taxes are already too high, and people like doing things in order to save money. He suggested that the place to start the conversation is answering the question “What would successful snow removal look like?” MAT COM Chair – Chair Lerner The City’s new commissions are ending their first year. What are the challenges for the new system moving forward in 2019? What would show the commissions are successful in 2019? Mayor Myrick reported that each commission is at varying levels but have become overall successful. He reviewed the four stages of team building: forming, storming, norming, performing and stated that he expects that each commission will be in the “performing” stage in 2019. Discussion followed on the levels of staff participation and whether MATCOM could be of assistance with the intercity bus issue. Summary & Wrap-up Mayor Myrick thanked the Commissioners for the opportunity to meet with them and stated that he would like to come back for another session in the future. He asked them to reach out to him if they required any assistance. Mobility, Accessibility & Transportation Commission December 11, 2018 3 Future Topics: ADA Training Rescheduling – the ADA training center will be contacted for possible training dates. GIS – A combination of City/County GIS data is available to the public from the City’s website. GIS Administrator Ruth Aslanis would like to conduct a training for the Commissions. TCAT – Chair Lerner attended a meeting with Matt Yarrow and Scott Vanderpool. TCAT has finished their strategic plan. There was discussion about having TCAT make a presentation to MATCOM and TCAT’s potential role in a park and ride initiative. January – 2019 Work Plan development February or March - Lime bikes presentation and/or e-scooters – Commissioner Barden noted that she would like the presentation on e-scooters to be in February so they have time to make any necessary modifications before the Planning & Economic Development Committee’s March 31st deadline. Commissioner Roberts left the meeting at 8:00 p.m. Recruitment for Commission Vacancy: Mayor Myrick noted that the City is seeking diversity in all areas for different perspectives (diversity of talents, neighborhoods, expertise, etc.). Chair Lerner referred to his e-mail recommendation that a candidate be selected from the existing applications, so a new commissioner could be seated by January. The Commission has made recommendations on what it sees as valuable assets. In addition, the candidate needs to be a city resident and should understand that homework is required between meetings. Sidewalk Snow Removal: Discussion followed on the floor regarding Chair Lerner’s e-mail on next steps for sidewalk snow removal. He reported that he would be attending the City Administration Committee meeting to get a better sense of the charge that was extended to the Commission, and which are the important questions to pursue citing challenges in obtaining key information from staff and the lack of Commission resources. A suggestion was made to use the Swift 911 system to remind people to clear their sidewalks & curb cuts when it snows. Commissioners discussed the potential content of Chair Lerner’s presentation to the CA Committee and the materials he would use. Meeting Wrap-up: The next meeting of the MAT Commission is Monday, January 28, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted by, Julie Conley Holcomb, City Clerk