HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-03/27/2017COUNCIL WORK SESSION
March 27, 2017
3:50 p.m.
Harold E. Getty Council Chambers
Members present: Morrissey, Powers, Lind, Amos, and Welper. Mr. Schmitt arrived at 3:54
p.m. Members absent: Jacobs
Moved by Morrissey seconded by Powers that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Voice
vote -Ayes: Five. Motion carried.
Objective: Park to Park, Park Avenue Complete Streets Project.
Aric Schroeder, City Planner and Secretary for Complete Streets Advisory Committee,
introduced Codie Leseman, 1NRCOG.
Codie Leseman, INRCOG, provided an overview of the proposed addition of bike lanes on Park
Avenue to connect Washington Park to Lincoln Park and the recommendation of the Complete
Streets Advisory Committee to add outside bike lanes and a painted buffer between the bike lane
and the drive lane. He further explained that the estimated total cost of the project would be
$40,000.
Mr. Welper commented that the lane reduces parking and revenue from parking.
Codie Leseman explained that the parking meters would not be moved to save costs and parkers
would need to walk to the sidewalk to feed the meter.
Mr. Welper questioned if the city would be painting the blocks where cars would park.
Codie Leseman explained that the intent of the committee would be to paint parking.
Mr. Schmitt questioned the timeliness of the project.
Codie Leseman explained that they are hoping to start in the spring.
Mr. Schmitt questioned the paint removal cost.
Codie Leseman explained that it is an estimate if a contractor did the work.
Mr. Schmitt questioned how the project would be effected if Park Avenue Bridge becoming a
pedestrian bridge.
Felicia Cass, Complete Streets Committee, explained that if it did become a pedestrian bridge it
would still be beneficial because it would be good to have divisions between pedestrians and
bicyclists.
Mr. Lind questioned the traffic on Park Avenue.
Felicia Cass explained that the numbers reflected the current amount of traffic on the road.
Mr. Lind questioned why the current outside lanes couldn't just be marked with the bike
emblem.
Codie Leseman explained that a shared lane may not attract users like a dedicated lane would
due to perceived safety, etc.
Felicia Cass further explained the reasoning for a separate lane.
Tavis Hall, Main Street Waterloo, explained that Single Speed Brewery is planning to have a
weekly bike ride between their locations in Waterloo and Cedar Falls which will increase
downtown bike traffic and that they recommend moving forward with the project.
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Felicia Cass explained that they are looking for input as to whether or not the project can move
forward to the regular agenda.
Mr. Morrissey explained that he has been working with the Complete Streets Advisory
Committee on the project for several years and believes that this project will improve the
downtown, help Waterloo be seen as a growing community, and will bring more people
downtown.
Mr. Powers commented that he believes that it is a good project and can be used to test the
waters with having more bike lanes.
Mr. Lind commented that he would prefer to see it move forward once funding is identified. He
further suggested that the CIP be amended to fund the project and that Hotel/Motel funding be
used as well.
Mr. Powers commented that he believes Mr. Lind' s request is reasonable.
Mr. Morrissey commented that the proposal is reduced from the original project proposal and
that it would be paid for out of Traffic and Public Works.
Mayor Hart commented that over the next week or so, financing for the project will be discussed
and the item will be placed on the regular council agenda for a vote in the next couple of weeks.
With no further business before the Council, it was moved by Schmitt seconded by Morrissey
that the meeting be adjourned at 4:28 p.m. Ayes: Six. Motion carried.
Kelley Felchle
City Clerk