MEETING MINUTES
Outreach/Programming Subcommittee
October 1, 2008, 12:00 noon
4th Floor Conference Room, City Hall, 701 E. Broadway

Members present:  Dan Smith, Christy Welliver, Pat McDonald, Brad Eiffert

Staff attendance:  Ted Curtis, Jill Stedem, John Glascock

Others attending:  Mike Vangel and Shannan Baker- Vangel; Ian Thomas, Kim March and Margy Tonnies- PedNet Coalition; Jonathan Braden- Missourian.

Meeting was called to order by Dan Smith.

Dan Smith shared a three page article that appeared in VOX magazine about GetAbout Columbia.

Minutes from the May 28, 2008 meeting were approved with no objections.

Dan Smith reported he had presented the DVD and script, which was prepared by Vangel at the last meeting. The information was presented to about 30 people at Welaware and well received.  The committee discussed the role of the Outreach Committee and how to get this information out to the public. Ted Curtis said this committee brings a broader perspective to the overall program and they represent the community as liaisons. The role of the committee is to ensure the public has an awareness and understanding of what the city is trying to accomplish with the GetAbout Columbia program.  Dan Smith and Christy Welliver both committed they have seen a significant increase in the number of bikes in Columbia.  More education about the use of helmets and lights needs to be incorporated into our education efforts. The Columbia Police Department had all officers take a one hour class through the GetAbout Columbia program and have initiated their own program called “Share the Road”. Brad Eiffert shared with the group the enforcement of bike laws in Davis, CA and how important enforcement would be for Columbia. PedNet Coalition reported that 133 people have taken the Confident City Cycling class offered through the GetAbout Columbia program to date.  Mike Vangel recommended the committee could have a more active role by giving presentations to other groups in the community such as Rotary, Optimists, etc. Vangel will add the Speakers Bureau to the website as a way to let people know there are speakers available.  Dan Smith offered to be the key point of contract for the Speakers Bureau. If there are questions the committee can’t answer when doing the presentations, they can be send to Jill Stedem or Ted Curtis to get an answer back to those involved.

The current consulting contract for PR and education services will expire in March 2009. The committee discussed the second scope of work for the next 18 months of the program and how much would be allocated to PR and education.  John Glascock asked the group to look at what programs/projects the city can carry forward after the GetAbout funding runs out. These programs would include, but not limited to, Bike Walk and Wheel Week, Neighbors of the Go and Way to Go to Work, where the city could have brochures and promotion in place to continue.  Dan Smith feels the lack of infrastructure in the biggest glitch to creating modal shift, because of lack of connectivity. Ted Curtis explained bike lanes and intersection improvements are coming soon, which will help a great deal with that. There will be twenty more streets striped with bike lanes and symbols in October 2008.  Shannan Baker reported another insert was planned for the Columbia Tribune newspaper on October 15, which lists the new striping projects.

John Glascock said the city would bring a draft of Scope Two back to the committee in a couple of months for review and changes, before being submitted to MoDot and City Council for approval. A meeting will be scheduled for December 2008 for review of this draft. The committee discussed citizens concerns with trail connectors and other infrastructure projects in their neighborhoods. Ian Thomas recommended this committee could help by talking with citizens about the benefits of more biking and walking infrastructure. Dan Smith referred to the Park and Recreation Department presentation on paving trails and how beneficial that document was in helping people understand the benefits of paving new trails.

John Glascock said the city staff at the GetAbout Columbia office might assist the Fire Department in issuing bike permits to Columbia residents in the near future.

Dan Smith said the next meeting would be scheduled for December 2008.

Meeting Adjourned at 1:15 pm.

PR Outreach Committee Meeting Minutes, October 1