HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-10-21Clarington
Meeting: Active Transportation and Safe Roads Advisory Committee
Date: October 21, 2021
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Microsoft Teams Meeting
Minutes
Draft minutes not yet approved by Committee
Present: Rick Stockman, Jim Boate, Bart Hawkins Kreps, Phil Haylock,
Connor Houston, Connie Kobelka, Belva Lukacsovics, Arnold
Mostert, Richard Oldfield, Jeanne Winters, Kim Maxwell, Councillor
Joe Neal, Councillor Janice Jones
Regrets: Catherine Verhoog, Monika Bradshaw
Staff Present: Slav Potrykus, Carlos Salazar, Rob Brezina,
1. Agenda
Moved to approve by Connie Kobleka seconded by Bart Hawkins
Carried
2. Minutes of July 8, 2021
Moved to approve by Bart Hawkins seconded by Arnold Mostert
Carried
3. Presentations
3.1. No presentation made
4. Discussion Items
4.1. Bike Friendly Community Application. (Item deferred to later in the agenda).
A cycling facility audit will be required and to be done by the ATSR committee
which will require endorsement from the Municipality of Clarington. The
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committee will undertake an audit prior to submitting the Bike Friendly
Community Application.
Bruce McDonald from Whitby has agreed to assist with the audit and provide
his experience in preparing an audit. Jim Boate will follow up with Bruce.
As the application process for Bicycle Friendly Community award involves a
review of town facilities by the Bicycle Friendly Communities group, the ATSR
Committee will first review requirements for bronze or other level designations
and determine whether designation is attainable, prior to presenting to
council. Counselor Jones indicated she could bring the item to council when
ready.
The ATSR committee will reach out to Share The Road group for assistance
and input towards a potential application. Any cost implications will be shared
with the group. Their web site provides information on the application
process and will be reviewed.
4.2. Signage Report. (Item deferred to later in the agenda)
The signage on the new connector trail to the Waterfront Trail is informative
and well presented.
Committee members discussed sign issues and requested municipal staff to
work with the committee to identify issue areas and mitigation measures
which may include a wayfinding component. Bart and Jim offered to meet with
staff to review and discuss signage issues. New signage should include rules
on trail etiquette and may also include posting of speed limits in certain areas.
Wayfinding signs in town would be helpful for those users not familiar with the
trail system.
Initial Active Transportation Master Plan includes for a sign system though
budget is reduced and now a separate item. Any municipal initiative will
require a budget and funding which will require planning and budgeting in
2022 for implementation in 2023. Current funding for individual trail signs is
provided for in the traffic budget with no separate funding for overall signage /
wayfinding.
It was noted that the Oshawa trails signage / wayfinding is a good example of
the type of desired signage and that many other municipalities do have
appropriate signage.
Suggestion was made to include signage in overall project costing. Current
practice is to include trailhead signs only.
It was noted that good signage makes for a good trail system
Signage to remain on the ATSR committee agenda
I±
4.3. Document Sharing and Collaboration.
Andrew to follow up with IT staff and provide an update.
4.4. June Cycling Month &
4.5. Active Transportation Week Proclamation.
June 2022 is Cycling month and there will be 2 more committee meetings
before the next election. Discussions to be held now in order to coordinate
with council. Committee to draft a letter to the mayor the Cycling Month
announcement. Rick will follow up with the mayor's office on the
proclamation of Cycling Month.
A sub -committee to be formed for the purpose of organizing Cycling Month.
It was suggested that other groups could be contacted for inclusion in Cycling
Month and could include for example the Greenbelt, or BOAA.
Budget for the event will be $2,500.00.
Rick Stockman volunteered to lead the committee, with Jim Boate, Connor
Houston, Connie Kobleka and Bart Hawkins Kreps volunteering to participate
in the sub -committee.
4.6. Bicycle Rings
Discussions on bicycle storage facilities throughout the municipality noted a
need for more bicycle racks with approximately 10 facilities within the
Municipality of Clarington that provide locking facilities. It was also noted that
the downtown of Bowmanville is served by 1 bicycle rack on Church Street.
Locations for additional bicycle racks is important and should be highly visible
particularly for those cyclists who have invested in valuable bicycles. Racks
should be of good quality and usually cost approximately $500.00 each. It
was noted as well that single ring type racks are the most cost efficient.
Business Improvement Area organizations may be able to provide funding for
storage facilities.
Staff noted that current development project agreements have provisions for
bicycle storage however they are not retroactive requirements.
Private sites have design control on rack locations and selection and the
committee would need to coordinate with property owners on location. It was
suggested that the Municipality could encourage private businesses to add
bicycle storage facilities.
It was also noted that the Ontario Cycling Association requires bicycle
storage facilities as part of their recognition requirements.
Bicycle storage facilities could be themed and potentially used as a venue to
advertise cycling events.
4.7. West Beach Road Safety Concerns
Following a deposition to council by Lori Moore regarding safety concerns on
West Beach Road staff have been reviewing the current conditions identified
along West Beach Road in proximity to the bridge and trail connection,
including implications of a widening and other improvements. This is a highly
important issue, and it will need to be properly studied in order to achieve the
appropriate solution. It was noted by staff and discussed that proper signage
and road surface `Sharrows' could be provided in the interim while review of
an overall solution is being undertaken.
4.8. Durham Region Active Transportation Update.
Connie Kobelka provided an update on Durham Region activities which
include:
• The construction of a BMX park on North Thornton road in Oshawa
which is scheduled to open in the spring of 2022
• Ajax network expansions on Bayly from Harwood Road to North
Beach Road
• An Active Transportation survey which has been prepared for public
input
• Waterfront Trail Improvements near the water treatment plant
• Durham York Line pavement and shoulder improvements
• The Durham Region Active Transportation Master Plan cycling plan
was sent to council for approval the week of October 18. The plan
was submitted to the Municipality of Clarington for review
• Regional mapping has been updated to reflect connection locations
with the Municipality of Clarington mapping and also inform future
Secondary Plans
4.9. Winter Maintenance
A committee member noted that the Bowmanville Valley trail is substantially
busier with many more pedestrians using it and requested the municipality
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provide winter maintenance. It was also noted that there are challenges
when the creek overflows the trail.
Moved by Bart Hawkins Kreps. Seconded by Connie Kobelka
That the Municipality estimate the costs for winter maintenance along the
new trail in Bowmanville from Baseline Road to the intersection with the
Waterfront Trail at West Beach Road and that this trail be added to the winter
maintenance program.
Carried
Rob Brezina noted that some trails were maintained in the winter last year
due to COVID-19 and will continue to do so for this winter and will follow up
with staff on the potential for increasing winter maintenance.
5. Other Business
5.1. A committee member noted that Concession Street between Liberty and Elgin
could benefit from signage and road surface painted `Sharrows' given the
volume of traffic and pinch points where there are calming measures, i.e. curb
extensions or traffic island. He also noted that Longworth Avenue and King
Street are also used as east west routes.
Rob Brezina noted that east west connectivity on Concession Street is an
ongoing project and will evolve with the Active Transportation Master Plan
that is being developed that will have a wholistic review of cycling
connectivity. He also noted that given the neighbourhood age widenings
would be unlikely and adding `Sharrows' would be more realistic.
A committee member also noted the `Sharrows' currently painted on Green
Road are working well.
5.2. In response to inquires from committee regarding gaps in sidewalk
replacements Rob Brezina noted that these gaps will be captured in next
years sidewalk improvements program.
5.3. Rob Brezina updated the committee on the municipality's review of providing
dedicated cycling lanes on King Street from Mearns to Liberty as a measure
to fill a gap in the Active Transportation Master Plan. The endeavor is in the
preliminary stages and Rob will provide an update at the next meeting along
with the bigger picture on municipal future plans and development.
6. Next Meeting
6.1. The next regular meeting is to be determined.
7. Adjournment
7.1. Moved by Jim Boate seconded by Richard Oldfield.
That the meeting adjourned at 9:00 PM
Carried