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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/07/1992, C-19 - CONSIDERATION OF THE BICYCLE COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDATION TO USE $6,620 FROM THE CITY'S BICYCLE PROGRAM BUDGET FOR CITY SPONSORSHIP OF ""BIKE FEST""."Illll�ly�ll�ll�llll� II � w MEETING OATS: 11 c� oli san Dais oB�spo - 7- 9z COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT ITEM NUMBER: From: Arnold Jonas, Community Development Director /fie Prepared by: Terry Sanville, Bicycle Program Manager Craig Anderson, Bicycle Coordinator Subiect: Consideration of the Bicycle Committee's recommendation to use $6,620 from the City's bicycle program budget for City sponsorship of "Bike Fest ". CAO 1. Receive, as background information, the Bicycle Committee's work program. 2. Approve City sponsorship of Bike Fest. 3. By motion, approve the transfer of previously appropriated funds in the amount of $6,620 from the bicycle capital projects account ($400,000 earmarked in the 1991 -1993 Financial Plan) to the Bike Fest account for event sponsorship. DISCUSSION: A. Background In October 1991, the City's Bicycle Committee approved a work program which identified specific items relating to bicycle promotion and education. In order to better identify the types of these programs that were needed in the City, a questionnaire was distributed in November of 1991. The questionnaire specifically asked for ideas on how to improve bicycle promotion and education in the City. The following are some of these suggestions: Initiate Bike Week or a major City sponsored promotional campaign Offer bike to work encouragement Offer employer incentives for bicycling Encourage teens to bicycle instead of drive Promote helmet use (especially children) Improve bicycle safety for school -age children Improve driver awareness of bicyclists Left turn education for cyclists Promote bicycling - related tourism The proposed "Bike Fest" would be the City's most visible promotional effort of the year and would attempt to accomplish the majority of work items specified in the Bicycle Committee's work program, as well as implement the above suggestions from City residents. Bike Fest would occur from May 21 - May 26 and would be a cooperative effort between the City and the County. The County's participation in Bike Fest would be through their Rideshare Program, coordinated by Tom Fulks. 9 -1 ���� ►�►�fl��IIIIIII��I►�u�u►�IIUIN city Of san 1L.. j OBI Sp0 man, i COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT Bike Fest is based on a similar program held annually in the City of Boulder, Colorado for the past ten years. Boulder maintains one of the most successful bicycle transportation programs in the nation and has published a procedure manual for other communities to reference. Some of the events that are proposed for Bike Fest have been based upon similar events recommended in this procedure manual. A copy of this manual is available in the Council's office for review. B. Citizen Participation Meetings have been held to organize volunteer help and citizen participation for Bike Fest events. To date, 113 people have expressed interest, and 48 people have committed to volunteering for work on Bike Fest. C. Concurrences The Bike Fest events list has been reviewed by the City's Risk Manager and other affected staff. Concerns with scheduled events have been addressed. FISCAL IMPACT Funding for Bike Fest will come from the $400,000 allocated for bicycle improvements in the Capital Improvement Projects portion of the 1991 -1993 financial plan. Using these funds for promotional and educational activities would require a reappropriation for a non - capital use of funds. The breakdown for the $6,620 Bike Fest budget approved by the Bicycle Committee is as follows: Projected Bike Pest Expenses: Promotional Costs $1,500 Printing Costs $1,000 Rental equipment and event supplies $1,000 Supplementary staff salary $1,120 Volunteer expenses (food) $1,000 Misc. expenses $1,000 City Funded Bike Pest Total: $6,620 ����ir►►►�IIIIIII��° llUlll city O� San L. AS OBISPO Maiis COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT The projected Bike Fest budget is based upon Bicycle Committee input and Boulder's Bike Week procedure manual. It is estimated that at least 10 hours per week (from April 7) will be required for Bike Fest organization. The Bicycle Coordinator (a half -time position) would supplement his current work schedule with work on Bike Fest. Given the Bicycle Coordinator's current workload, it would not be possible to include the additional work associated with Bike Fest within his existing work schedule. This schedule includes: -- Revisions to the City's 1985 Bicycle Facilities Plan. -- Preparation of Proposition 116 applications for bicycle projects. -- Implementation of bicycle projects described in the Bicycle Committee's Program Budget (to be presented to the City Council on April 28). -- Staffing the Bicycle Committee. ALTERNATIVES: 1) Deny the recommendation for City- sponsorship of Bike Fest. This action would postpone or cancel the City's establishment of a major bicycle promotional activity as'an effort to accomplish a substantial portion of the Bicycle Committee's identified work program. Funds identified for Bike Fest ($6,620) would be re- allocated and used for other programs and /or capital projects. 2) Reduce the amount of sponsorship of Bike Fest. This action would decrease the potential for successful implementation of Bike Fest. Funds would be re- allocated and used for other programs and /or capital projects. This alternative is not recommended as the proposed budget represents a minimal level of funding for adequate event sponsorship. ATTACH ENTS: Bike Fest Events Schedule Bicycle Committee Work Program (October 1991) e -9 -3 11MY of San', s osispo 1100111,1 is COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT BIKE PEST SCHEDULE OF EVENTS THURSDAY MAY 21 FARMERS MARKET EVENTS - (bicycling videos, displays, bike safety checks, stationary bike demonstrations, bike to work info /contest, concours d' elegance d' velo, high tech bike display, bike club information, Cal Poly - Wheelmen, Recreation, Corporate Fitness) FRIDAY MAY 22 Show movies (Breaking Away, Tour de France) at City /County Library SATURDAY MAY 23 Avila Beach fun ride pasta /carbo feed with videos (location TBA) bicycling exposition in Mission plaza including: free bike fitting /tune -ups, bike commuter info, fitness testing, t -shirt sales construction & design symposium, high tech bike display MONDAY MAY 25 mountain bike ride bicycling exposition in Mission plaza including: free bike fitting /tune -ups, bike commuter info, fitness testing, t -shirt sales construction & design symposium, high tech bike display TUESDAY MAY 26 bike to work /school day free breakfast served for commuting cyclists at sponsor locations, safety education at schools lunch hour errand - running race (timed race with bike vs. car) volunteer /bike to work day party / commuter of the year award BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION WORK PROGRAM 1991-1993 I. SURVEY EXISTING CONDITIONS Review accident records, identify locations where safe bicycling /interaction with motorists is a problem, and identify potential improvements. Observe bike use patterns in the city and identify well -used routes and potential improvements. Expand on the results of the 1990 Transportation Survey concerning the desires of commuting and recreational bike riders and the needs of potential bicycle riders. Review documents and other data from communities with well - established bicycle programs. Inventory existing bicycle facilities within the City such as bike paths, lanes, lockers and racks. Product: A technical memorandum reporting on (1) dangerous biking areas; (2) potential safety improvements; (3) a summary of comments received from bicycle users group; (4) expanded survey data. Process: Bicycle Committee accepts report and forwards it to the City Council as information. Staffing: Police Department provides accident information to Bicycle Coordinator; Bicycle Coordinator surveys bicycle use patterns and works with Public Works to do focused bike counts as needed; Coordinator contacts user groups to identify their desires for improved facilities; Coordinator expands on general transportation survey as needed to determine desires of potential bicycle users as needed; Bike Committee provides input; Coordinator prepares the report. r Timing: Complete within 3 months of hiring the Bicycle Coordinator. 1 e -14 -s U. REVIEW AND RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF SHORT -TERM PROJECTS Identify short-term projects which can be readily accomplished. Where warranted, contact neighborhood groups concerning these projects and solicit input. Submit technical memorandum to the City Council identifying the projects and their implementation schedule. Establish specifications and budget for short term projects and proceed with implementation using city resources. Product: A technical memorandum that includes: (1) a description and prioritized listing of short-term projects, (2) project cost estimates, and (3) recommended implementation strategy. Process: Bicycle Committee approves report and forwards it to the City Council for approval. Staffing. Bicycle Committee and coordinator identifies short term projects; Bicycle Coordinator formalizes listing and identifies projects that warrant neighborhood input and makes contacts; Bicycle Coordinator prepares council status report; Public Works Department provides design support, assists with cost estimates and manages construction. Timing. Complete technical memorandum within five months of hiring Bicycle Coordinator; first projects to be under construction within six months of hiring Bicycle Coordinator. III. REVIEW FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES Prepare a prioritized listing of projects to be implemented over a five -year period, provide cost estimates, source of funding, and general design requirements. Work with SLOACC staff to identify grant sources, determine the eligibility of city bicycle projects, secure necessary application materials, and pursue grant programs including Proposition 116 funding. Product: Grant applications for the second round of Proposition 116 funding (Bicycle Account) and other grant requests as appropriate. Process: Coordinator identifies funding sources and provides necessary information to committee. Committee and council authorizes grant submittal. Staffing. Coordinator to submit committee's recommendations to City Council for 2 V rlq_d action along with staff report and support documentation. Coordinator to prepare and submit grant applications. Timing. Submit grant applications to meet state deadlines (Bike Lane Account - December 1, 1991). IV. PREPARE REVISIONS TO THE 1985 BICYCLE FACILITIES PLAN Evaluate alternatives for establishing a network of bike lanes and paths for commuter and recreational bicyclists, with priority given to commuter needs. Evaluate the potential for Class I bike paths as an alternative to currently - designated Class II -B bike lanes and for recreation. Along routes where Class II-B bike lanes are now recommended, evaluate design alternatives (if any) that address neighborhood parking needs. Prepare specific revisions to the 1985 Bicycle Facility Plan to amend existing designations and incorporate new routing ideas. Invite bicycle user groups, neighborhood groups and others who may be affected, to public workshops on the identification of projects to be included within the revised plan. Prepare an initial environmental study that evaluates the draft Bicycle Facility Plan and suggests mitigation measures as appropriate. Include the Railroad Bike Path within the list of priority projects. Product: A Draft Bicycle Facility Plan and supporting documentation including a five - year funding strategy. Process: Bicycle Committee reviews draft, makes amendments as appropriate and forwards recommendations to City Council for adoption. Staffing. Bicycle Committee works with Coordinator to identify changes to the 1985 Bike Facilities Plan; Coordinator to solicit neighborhood and bike user input; Coordinator to complete environmental impact evaluation of recommended projects and assessment of grants potential. Timing. Transmit recommendations to City Council within 12 months of the hiring of the Bicycle Coordinator. 3 (2-49-7 V. ESTABLISH ON -GOING PROMOTIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL .PROGRAMS Contact bike user groups to discuss ideas for promotion and education. Contact school districts, Cuesta College, Cal Poly, and the Air Pollution Control District and identify potential bike education /promotion programs. Review city land use and development regulations, identify changes that foster biking and provide for support facilities. Review site development standards with ARC to determine appropriate changes. Identify recurring community activities that the city or other agencies might sponsor that promote bicycling. Identify and prepare materials that promote bicycling in the community -- eg. support information documenting the benefits of biking, public service fliers, spots on local television, PSAs on radio. After City Council approval, initiate promotional and educational programs. Products: A technical memorandum that presents: (1) a package of promotional and educational programs that the city should sponsor (descriptions and cost estimates); (2) specific recommendations for amending city land use regulations and site design standards to foster bicycle use and a request for council authorization to initiate amendments; (3) a schedule for carrying out these program changes. Staff Reports to the Planning Commission and City Council concerning specific changes to city regulations. Process: Bicycle Committee reviews staff draft memorandum, makes amendments as appropriate and forwards recommendations to City Council for authorization to proceed. Staffing. Bicycle Coordinator to make agency and group contacts and prepare draft technical memorandum with assistance from Bicycle Committee. Timing. Complete technical memorandum and submit to the City Council for action within 20 months of the hiring of the Bicycle Coordinator. 4 0-6-8 VI. EVALUATE THE NEED FOR A PERMANENT COMMITTEE AND STAFF SUPPORT Determine the long term need for project /program development oversight. Evaluate the need for additional operations support (staff, materials, equipment). Product: A memorandum to the CAO and Community Development Director presenting the committee's evaluation and recommendations. Process: CAO and Community Development Department to consider committee's recommendations when developing the 1993 -1995 Financial Plan. Staffing: Bicycle Coordinator to prepare memorandum under direction of the Bicycle Committee. Timing. Bicycle Committee to transmit its recommendations to the CAO by January 4 1993. VII. POTENTIAL SPECIAL PROJECT WORK: THE RAILROAD BICYCLE PATH Coordinate the updating of the Bicycle Facility Plan with other staffs work on a railroad bike path feasibility study. Review the Railroad Bicycle Path's concept design and forward recommendation to the City Council. Assume implementation responsibility for this project if the city has authorized construction and funding and if the Bicycle Coordinator's position is increased to full time. Product: The purchase of surplus railroad right -of -way and the construction of a Class I bike path. Staffing. Bicycle coordinator to keep informed on the preparation and action by the City Council on feasibility study; Bicycle Committee to review the project's design and forward recommendations to the City Council; Bicycle Coordinator to assume implementation phase if budget augmentation is forthcoming. Timing. Establish an implementation schedule as part of the updating of the Bicycle Facilities Plan (see section IV). 5