MINUTES
Infrastructure Subcommittee Meeting
Thursday, June 4, 2009

Members Present:  Dennis Knudson, Karl Kruse, John Ott, John Riddick, Frederick Schmidt

Members Absent:  Peter Ashbrook, Rob Christensen, Jim Joy, Joan Smith, Steven Kullman, Jay Lindner, Mike Alden, Jacque Cowherd, Lorenzo Lawson, David Lile, Mike Moore, Janaire Seye, Robert Walters

Staff Present: Ted Curtis, Steve Meyer, Steve Saitta

Media Present:  Emily David, Columbia Missourian, Brian Hefernan, Inside Columbia.

John Riddick called the meeting to order at 4:31 p.m.

Old Business:

Project Status – John Ott asked for a status report on current projects.  Ted Curtis reported on the 3 intersections, mentioned 3 small sidewalk projects, and said they turned in the final design for bidding the Providence Bikeway South.  Steve Saitta commented that each project is underway at various phases.  John Riddick mentioned that there have been lots of complaints about traffic disruption at the intersections, and said he is asked what are the gains?  Ted Curtis responded that we quickly forget what things used to be like before repairs, and listed some of the improvements.  Mr. Ott asked about modal shift.  Mr. Curtis mentioned the survey circulated this spring, and Mr. Schmidt said an analysis of the data appeared on the Missouri Bicycle Federation web site.

New Business:

Twin Lakes to Vanderveen

Mr. Curtis laid out maps of the Twin lakes to Vanderveen study.  There was a discussion of alternate routes.  He said the executive committee liked alignment C1.  The consultant liked alignment A, but the executive committee noted there is a ridge along alignment B, and would recommend two routes B  AND C/C1 over B alone.  Numerous variations were discussed, especially just north of Stadium, and various opinions of the property owners at that end.

On the north end, the crossing at Broadway was discussed, and whether Shelter would welcome or oppose the trail following across their campus.  Mr. Ott thought they might welcome a traffic signal at Broadway.  Mr. Schmidt said he recalled the initial discussions including a signal.  Various complications of such a signal were discussed. 

North of Worley, Mr. Curtis noted the consultant recommended Route A/A1 (Spencer/Cosmos).  Mr. Schmidt said he thought the bridge over I-70 was not funded.  Mr. Curtis pointed out that this is just a study at this point.

Behind Cosmo Park, issues about how to reduce the slope of the big hill on the Bear Creek trail up to Cosmo park were discussed.  The route selected by the consultant would interfere with the mountain bike trail.  An alternate route, veering off the old quarry would reduce this.  It was noted that there is no funding for this.  It was agreed that it would be helpful to arrange a walk of the area to view it. 

Mr. Ott inquired whether there were any studies of a trail along the Colt line, and said he felt this is an important connection.  The answer was not at this time. Mr. Saitta said the Colt would be great, and great advertising.  Very visible.


Hinkson Creek at Forum

Mr. Curtis displayed maps of the area around the new Wilson’s, where Hinkson Creek and the MKT trail both cross Forum.  The maps showed various alignments. 

Option 1 - expand the current Forum Blvd bridge - apporx. $660k

Option 2 - expanded bridge with left turn lane - approx $1.2mm

Option 3 - add pedestrian bridge – approx $580k

Option 4 - low-water crossing – approx $350k

Option 5 - bridge off of MKT ttrail, through Wilson’s area along berm levee - approx $600k

Option 5A - bridge off of MKT trail, through Wilson’s parking lot with Forum “duck under trail” - approx $600k

Option 6 - an alternative low-water crossing - approx  $475k

It was observed that solutions improving the perceived and actual safety will contribute to mode shift, given how critical this connection is to an enormous number of Columbia residents.  Mr. Ott lamented that it is a shame that the council defers to a small number of opponents off the obvious connection (up the dam) over the benefit to the general public.  Mr. Schmidt agreed, noting there are hundreds of households that would be directly served, and the shoulder of Forum is still difficult for inexperienced cyclists.  It was suggested that the role of this committee is to talk to area residents and make sure they understand the issues. 

After some discussion, there was consensus that Options 5 or 5A are the best.

Mr. Riddick asked what is the possibility of getting this funded?  Mr. Curtis said that would be up to the Council.

A general discussion ensued of why people oppose trail connections when the connections are in their own interest and will improve their property values.

Signal Actuators

Mr. Riddick wished to note two actuators that are not picking up bicycles:  Bethel and Niffong, and Kohl’s and Walmart.  There was some discussion of the several actuators at each location.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 5:41 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Frederick Schmidt

Thursday, June 4 Infrastructure Subcommittee Meeting Minutes