Trails Subcommittee Meeting
April 3, 2007

Meeting was called to order by John Ott at 4pm

Members present: John Ott, Bob Walters, Dr. Dennis Knudson, Jim Joy, Mike Moore

Members absent: Jacque Cowherd, Steve Kullman, David Lile, Janaire Seye, Mike Alden, Peter Ashbrook, Lorenzo Lawson, Jay Lindner

Staff Attendance: Steve Saitta, Ted Curtis, Jill Stedem, Steve MacIntyre, Corri Flaker, Ken Koopmans

Others Attending: Chad Pfister, Mizzou J School students

Bob Walters made a motion to approve the minutes of the November 14, 2006 meeting, Dennis Knudson seconded, motion carried.

Old Business: Ted said the overall working plan has been approved by the city council and is now in the engineering design phase. City Council will need to vote to approve each engineering contract before construction can begin. Curtis reported he expects to begin striping bike lanes this fall and that a contract for promotion and education is in works, which will go to City Council this summer for approval.

Steve Saitta said the city has received a donation of 35 acres near Vanderveen for a city park. They would like to connect to the Bear Creek Trail to make trail enhancements, with neighborhood access to the trail and a new play area. The first phase has already been approved by the City Council, with the second part in the planning phase.

New Business: Ken Koopsman spoke to the committee about Columbia Transit and how bus shelters and the bus station could fit into the project. There are currently 1500-2000 bus stops, 15-20 shelters and 30+ benches throughout Columbia for individuals to wait for bus transportation.  The committee discussed ideas on how to incorporate bike racks at these locations to encourage people to use their bikes and the bus to avoid driving vehicles.  Staff will see if people currently park their bikes at shelters or if there are ways to do so. Additional bike racks will be installed at the remodeled Wabash Station.  Koopmans said each bus is currently equipped to handle two buses and that bikes can not be brought onto the buses. 

Bob Walters suggested a partial trip concept where people ride their bikes half way to their destination, then the city bus for the remainder of the trip.  Walters also suggested the addition of six mini-hubs in various areas of town to store bikes, similar to what is available in Chicago. He also recommended looking into installing a park and ride lot to encourage people to use the city buses. Walters asked for a feasibility study from Planning and Zoning and Public Works to see if it’s possible to get the land needed for mini-hubs and park and ride facilities.

Jim Joy suggested looking at concentrated neighborhoods to see how we can encourage more riders for a ride-to-work program. 

Reports: Ted Curtis gave a brief summary on trail design standards and the use of color on the trails to make them more visually pleasing. Other cities use colored concrete for this purpose. Other items discussed were running shoulders, dual path systems, way finding markers and kiosk standards on the trails. Curtis said he would look into the 1% for art program to see if trails qualify for the program. Bob Walters make a motion to direct staff to look into the 1% for art project for trails where possible, Mike Moore seconded, motion carried.

Next meeting TBD

Adjourn: 5:20 p.m.

April 3, 2007