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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOUTBoard agenda 021716AGENDA Orange Unified Transportation Board February 17, 2016 7:00 p.m. You can bring your laptops/tablets if you would like to use them. Conference Room 004 (Lower Floor) Orange County West Campus 131 West Margaret Lane, Hillsborough Time Item Title 7:00 1. Call to Order and Determination of Quorum 7:05 7:10 7:15 2. 3. 4. 4.a. 4.b. 4.c. 4.d. Approval of Minutes from August 19 , 2015 Consideration of Additions to the Agenda Transit Services/Orange Public Transportation (OPT) – Materials for items in this section will be provided at the meeting. This section of the agenda is addressed jointly by the OUTBoard and supplemental staff from other County departments (Aging; DSS; Housing, Human Rights and Community Development; Health; Child Support Enforcement; and the Library) to address transit services. OPT Quarterly Operational Statistics Report (Peter Murphy) – Update on Quarterly Operational Statistics relative to performance goals. OUTBoard/Transit Services Action: Receive and review information, provide comments. OPT Five-Year Plan for Bus Replacement (Peter Murphy) – Review of Five-Year Bus Replacement Plan, including financial assumptions. OUTBoard/Transit Services Action: Receive and review information, provide comments. Review and Prioritization of OPT Bus Stop Improvements (Peter Murphy): Review and prioritization of improvements proposed for new bus stops for OPT route expansions, to be provided as funding is available. OUTBoard/Transit Services Action: Receive and review information, provide comments and recommendations on prioritization. OPT Transportation Barriers (Peter Murphy): Discussion of how information on transportation barriers can best be collected, and development of strategies for addressing. OUTBoard/Transit Services Action: Discuss and provide comments. 1 8:00 8:45 8:55 9:00 4.e. 4.f. 5. 5.a. 6. 7. 8. North Hillsborough Park-and-Ride Replacement (Peter Murphy): Review of replacement proposal for the Maxway/North Hills Shopping Center Park-and-Ride in north Hillsborough. OUTBoard/Transit Services Action: Receive and review information, provide comments. Transit Advisory Services (TAS) Comments/Questions (Peter Murphy): Opportunity for TSB members to offer transit related comments and ask questions. OUTBoard/Transit Services Action:Provide comments and questions, receive feedback. Regular Agenda (Action Items) Bicycle Safety (Abigaile Pittman) – Determination of Bicycle Task Force membership, charge and initial term. OUTBoard Action: Receive and review information, provide comments and recommendations on Task Force membership, charge and initial term Staff Updates (Abigaile Pittman) – Handouts included in packet a. Revision to OUTBoard Policies and Procedures b. Complete Streets for Seniors (Heidi Perry, verbal update) c. NCDOT Division 7 projects located in DCHC MPO d. NCDOT FY 2016-2017 and 2017-1018 Orange County Maintenance Resurfacing e. Feb. 9 BOCC Review of Boards/Commissions' Annual Work Plans/Reports f. Mebane Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP) g. NC 54 Corridor Feasibility Study h. Collins Ridge development, Hillsborough OUTBoard Action: Receive information. Board Comments Adjournment Charge of the OUTBoard (from Section I, Part C of the adopted Rules and Procedures) 1. The OUT Board is charged with advising the Board of County Commissioners on the planning and programming of transportation infrastructure improvements and other County transportation planning initiatives, as directed by the Board. 2. From time to time the OUT Board may be directed to provide input on regulations on which the Planning Board has primary statutory and local ordinance advisory duties. In such instances, the OUT Board shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Planning Board. Meetings (from Section IV, Part C of the adopted Rules and Procedures) C. Date, Time, and Location of Regular Meetings 3.Regular meetings of the OUT Board shall be held as needed to address items that require Board action consistent with its Charge and Duties identified herein. Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of the month. The start time and location of the meeting shall be included on the agenda and shall typically be 7:00 p.m. at the Orange County West Campus Office Building located at 131 West Margaret Lane, Hillsborough. The OUT Board Chair, in consultation with staff, shall have the authority to change the start time and location of a regular meeting to meet any special circumstances, provided the information is included on the distributed agenda.2 D R A F T MINUTES1 ORANGE UNIFIED TRANSPORTATION BOARD2 NOVEMBER 18,2015 3 4 5 MEMBERS PRESENT: Alex Castro, Bingham Township Representative; Heidi Perry, At-Large Representative;Ed6 Vaughn, Cedar Grove Township Representative; Gary Saunders, At-Large Representative; David Laudicina, At-7 Large Representative; Amy Cole, At-Large Representative, Tom Magnuson, At-Large Representative; Brantley 8 Wells, Hillsborough Township; Ted Triebel, Little River Township Representative; Representative; John Rubin, 9 At-Large Representative 10 11 MEMBERS ABSENT:Jeff Charles, At-Large Representative; Art Menius, At Large Representative; Eno Township 12 Representative - Vacant; 13 14 STAFF PRESENT: Craig Benedict, Planning Director; Abigaile Pittman, Transportation/Land Use Planner; Peter 15 Murphy, OPT Transportation Administrator; Malcum Massenburg, OPT Transportation Asst. Administrator; Janet 16 Sparks, Child Support Director; Lisa Berley, Aging Dept.; Meredith McMonigle, Health Dept.; Serena McPherson, 17 Dept. of Social Services; Meredith Pucci, Administrative Assistant II 18 19 OTHERS PRESENT:Paul Guthrie 20 21 AGENDA ITEM 1: CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL22 23 AGENDA ITEM 2: INTRODUCTION OF NEW BOARD MEMBERS AND ADDRESS FROM OUTGOING CHAIR24 25 Board members and staff made introductions. 26 27 Paul Guthrie thanked the OUTBoard and staff and gave thoughts and advice to the members and staff on his 28 opinion on transportation issues and what he thinks needs to be the focus going forward. 29 30 AGENDA ITEM 3: APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR AUGUST 19,201531 32 Minutes were approved with corrections by consensus. 33 34 AGENDA ITEM 4: CONSIDERATION OF ADDITIONS OF THE AGENDA35 36 Craig Benedict noted that in working with the City of Mebane to create a new Mattress Factory Road exit on 37 I-85/I-40 between Buckhorn Rd. and Mebane Oaks Rd. preliminary traffics studies need to be done. The City of 38 Mebane is undertaking a Comprehensive Transportation Plan that includes the Mattress Factory Road 39 interchange. Funding sources for the plan include $30,000 from the City of Mebane. The Burlington Graham 40 Metropolitan Planning Organization (BG MPO) has endorsed the study. 41 42 AGENDA ITEM 5: TRANSIT SERVICES,ORANGE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION (OPT)-This section of the 43 agenda is addressed jointly by the OUTBoard and supplemental staff from other 44 County departments (Aging; DSS; Housing, Human Rights and Community 45 Development; Health; Child Support Enforcement; and the Library) to address transit 46 services. 47 48 AGENDA ITEM 5A: ORANGE COUNTY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ASSESSMENT STUDY –OCTOBER 201549 Update on a recently released Orange Public Transit (OPT) assessment funded by 50 the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Public Transit Division 51 (PTD) and prepared by KFH Group, Inc. 52 OUTBoard/TransitServices Action: Receive information. 53 3 D R A F T 54 Peter Murphy shared that the assessment study prepared by KFH group, the consultants hired by NCDOT to 55 review Orange County public transportation, is working on the study’s final version and there are a few changes 56 still coming. He gave an overview of it to the Board. 57 58 Heidi Perry asked Peter what Light Transit Vehicle meant. 59 60 Peter Murphy responded that Light Transit Vehicle (LTV) is the mid-size bus. The seating can range from 14 to 61 24 passengers. 62 63 Erle Smith asked about driver population. 64 65 Peter Murphy replied that they recently added 7 drivers and now are up to 15 and will be hiring more which will 66 coincide with future additional service. 67 68 Alex Castro asked about coverage for the dispatch function if the only employee in that position is out. 69 70 Peter Murphy responded that they are a small operation and right now he and Malcolm are in the office along 71 with two other people and everyone does crossover functions. They may be looking at adding additional 72 personnel in the new budget year. 73 74 Erle Smith asked what the utilization rate is for drivers and vehicles across the 12 hour time frame. 75 76 Peter Murphy noted that using the software they can predict that and noted things will be tweaked to merge them 77 together. The drivers don’t do just one thing all day. The bulk of the work right now is demand response. Taking 78 people to doctor appointments and this varies. 79 80 Heidi Perry asked about the life expectancy for a bus. 81 82 Peter Murphy responded that it is probably 4 to 5 years. 83 84 Alex Castro asked if the replacement cycle is 4 years. 85 86 Peter Murphy noted it is predicted based on mileage. 87 88 Ted Triebel asked if it is cost effective. 89 90 Peter Murphy noted that information will be part of the next quarterly meeting. 91 92 Heidi Perry asked how they are getting the word out. 93 94 Peter Murphy noted that so far it is done internally through the media department. 95 96 Heidi Perry commented about whether advertising could be put in place with the hospital and court systems, 97 etc., giving people information about the availability of transportation between Chapel Hill and Hillsborough. 98 99 Alex Castro commented that the Dept. of Aging is working on this too. 100 101 Ted Triebel asked what the drivers are paid. 102 103 Peter Murphy responded that most drivers earn between $13 to $17 an hour. The starting rate is better than 104 most in the area. The drivers of the larger buses like they have in Chapel Hill do get paid more. 105 106 4 D R A F T 107 AGENDA ITEM 5B: OPTOPERATIONAL STATISTICS:108 i.Rural Operating Assistance Program (ROAP) Grant 109 ii.North Carolina Community Transportation Program (CTP) Grant 110 iii.Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) award from the North Carolina 111 Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Transportation Planning Branch. 112 OUTBoard/TransitServices Action: Receive and review information, provide 113 comments.114 115 Peter Murphy reviewed the ROAP grant. 116 117 Alex Castro asked if the funds will come through the MPO 118 119 Peter Murphy agreed but noted that planners will have to be at the table to represent OPT. If not we lose 120 funding. 121 122 Abigaile Pittman commented that Bret Martin had put together the application for the CMAQ funding. 123 124 Peter Murphy reminded the members that we fall into the middle of two MPOs so representation is needed at 125 both MPOs to make sure we are getting our funds. 126 127 AGENDA ITEM 5C: OPTEXPANSION SERVICES UPDATES:128 i.New buses for expansion services 129 ii.New employees for expansion services 130 iii.Start date for new expansion services/routes 131 iv.Hillsborough park n’ ride 132 OUTBoard/TransitServices Action: Receive and review information, provide 133 comments. 134 135 Peter Murphy reviewed items. 136 137 Alex Castro commented that outreach needs to have greater effort for expansion services. A media campaign, 138 possibly social media is needed. 139 140 John Rubin asked if the OUTBoard members will be getting quarterly reports on transit. He noted that it is a lot 141 of information and while very helpful it would be more helpful if the report included the principle challenges being 142 faced and the assistance needed from this Board, addressing what feedback or support is needed. 143 144 Heidi Perry asked if there was a requirement that the Board have a quarterly update. 145 146 Peter Murphy replied that there is a requirement that there be a quarterly meeting not necessarily a report or an 147 update. He noted that they will be looking for more feedback as things progress, and NCDOT is going for a more 148 performance evaluation model so one thing for next quarter will be to have goals and targets that are measured. 149 Those will be easy to share with the OUTBoard. 150 151 AGENDA ITEM 5D: TRANSIT ADVISORY SERVICES (TAS)COMMENTS/QUESTIONS –Opportunity for TSB 152 members to offer transit related comments and ask questions. 153 OUTBoard/TransitServices Action: Provide comments and questions, receive 154 feedback. 155 156 Meredith McMonigle commented that the Health Department was interested in coming to the quarterly meetings 157 because they work with families and hear a lot about transportation barriers. She would like to share that 158 information with the group. 159 5 D R A F T 160 Peter Murphy replied that this meeting venue is perfect for that. He noted that departments meet and discuss 161 transportation but OPT is not present at those meetings and often does not get the feedback they need. 162 163 Meredith McMonigle noted that they are working with those that use and need the services, and working 164 together to address some of these needs and barriers is important. 165 166 Peter Murphy agreed. 167 168 Abigaile Pittman suggested it would be a good subject for a follow-up special meeting. 169 170 REGULAR AGENDA171 172 AGENDA ITEM 6: STAFF UPDATES173 174 OUTBOARD INPUT FOR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS’ANNUAL PLANNING RETREAT175 Discussion and completion of the activities and emerging issues lists for 2016, to be 176 included in the BOCC Annual Planning Retreat Input Form. 177 OUTBoard Action: Review, comment and recommend the activities and emerging 178 issues lists for 2106, to be included in the BOCC Annual Planning Retreat Input 179 Form.180 181 Abigaile Pittman reviewed the annual work plan and focus for next year. 182 183 Heidi Perry related that she was under the impression from the Commissioners that the Board could add things 184 to the agenda that they want to study for the year and that it didn’t have to come from the BOCC. 185 186 Abigaile Pittman asked if she was talking about bicycle safety. 187 188 Heidi Perry referred to the language that says if directed by the BOCC and elaborated that her understanding 189 from them was that they can actually add topics the Board wants to address or study. 190 191 Abigaile Pittman responded that bicycle safety is addressed under the emerging issues section of the input 192 report because staff has not yet received specific direction from the BOCC, but expects that will happen in 2016. 193 194 Heidi Perry asked about the BOCC’s request for additional work on bicycle safety. 195 196 Abigaile Pittman continued, stating that the BOCC asked staff to return to them with a recommendation about 197 creating a task force versus subcommittee, and what staff recommends the charge would be and how to 198 proceed in operating, and what level of staff involvement is needed. This will be happening early next year, after 199 the holiday break. 200 201 Alex Castro asked if that is not part of the last page that asks what are the concerns. 202 203 Abigaile Pittman responded that it is an item that hasn’t become a fully developed staff project yet but they think 204 it is moving in that direction. 205 206 Alex Castro asked about signage for bus stops. 207 208 Peter Murphy replied that they have been adding stops and on the signs they have added it includes the bus 209 schedules, what routes it serves and if it is served by multiple routes. At present for the circulator routes they 210 have signs up at 16 of the 23 stops. Some are missing poles and they have been ordered. He thinks they will 211 all be up within a couple of weeks and then they will work on the new routes. 212 6 D R A F T 213 It was agreed by all that the emerging issues list should include a recommendation to identify major route stops 214 requiring bus stop amenities. 215 216 Alex Castro asked if copies of schedules would be available on the buses so people could have the various 217 times and stops. 218 219 Peter Murphy replied that they should be able to get that from any of the bus drivers and also at all the senior 220 centers. 221 222 Alex Castro commented that he wanted to add the light rail issue to the work plan so that if funding doesn’t come 223 in, alternative transportation improvements needs could be studied. He referred to the commuter rail in Wake 224 County. 225 226 David Laudicina added that is the same thing just rapid transit as opposed to light rail transit. 227 228 Alex Castro replied that it already exists. The infrastructure is in place for commuter rail. 229 230 David Laudicina responded that if you do light rail you are going to have to put up tracks and if you do commuter 231 rail you need to install a second track if you are going to do it right. The commuter rail is on NCRR right-of-way. 232 He added that the advantage to it is that if it gets to Durham, how soon will it get to Hillsborough, how soon will it 233 get to Mebane and Efland and Greensboro. You could conceivably commute anywhere between High Point and 234 Raleigh on a daily basis. 235 236 Heidi Perry noted you can take it from Cary and Raleigh on Amtrak. She asked if it should be added as number 237 eight to reevaluate transit options particularly if light rail funding falls through and asked it that is the only time 238 they should consider it. 239 240 Alex Castro replied that it would be a good one and could include Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) or commuter rail as 241 an alternative. 242 243 244 Erle Smith added that it won’t be easy because it would probably mean starting all the way back at the beginning 245 and going through the whole federal thing. They are well along the way for the light rail and if you go back to 246 the beginning you are starting all over again. He added that the plan was commuter rail at one time and that 247 went away. He added that BRT requires infrastructure and that means you have to build the infrastructure 248 between Chapel Hill and Durham. He noted that the people of Orange County voted for the sales tax on the 249 premise it would be for the purpose of light rail. 250 251 Heidi Perry commented that since they don’t know what will happen with the funding, if the cap is lifted and the 252 study they did may have some problems with it too. She asked if it should be included or not. 253 254 Abigaile Pittman replied that if it is added as number 8 it be very generic. 255 256 Ted Triebel commented that his reading is the funding for light rail will up in the air for a year or two. He doesn’t 257 think it is realistic to think that funding in 2016 is going to go away. 258 259 Heidi Perry suggested that it not be added and if it falls through it can be added. 260 261 The consensus was not to add the item to the list. 262 263 Heidi Perry asked if there is always a public hearing every year for transit. 264 265 7 D R A F T Peter Murphy replied that the BOCC will have a hearing but the hearing they did here last year was because of a 266 change. He informed the Board they have to because one of the grants requires it. 267 268 Ted Triebel noted that he thought number three for shelters and benches was going to be brought before the 269 BOCC in 2015. He wondered what needs to be done to stress that this is something that needs to get done. 270 271 Abigaile Pittman responded that it was a matter of prioritizing funding for the initialize starting on the bus routes. 272 273 Ted Triebel noted that it needs to be done and put into the funding and the budget. He added that if it doesn’t 274 get put in the budget it won’t be funded. 275 276 Heidi Perry suggested making a recommendation. She noted that they can go ahead and prioritize the ones they 277 think need it the most and present it as a report and if there is no funding then either it gets left until next year or 278 they fund it as they have money. She added that they could have the list ready so they don’t have to wait until 279 there is funding and then go back and make the list. 280 281 The consensus was to create a priority list. 282 283 The board voted unanimously to approve the annual work plan with a word change in the emerging issues list to 284 include a recommendation to identify major route stops requiring bus stop amenities. 285 286 AGENDA ITEM 7: STAFF UPDATES (ABIGAILE PITTMAN)287 288 A.Highlights of the NCDOT/Orange County luncheon meeting (October 19, 2015) 289 B.State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) Development Process 290 C.Bicycle Safety Plan 291 D.Request for Qualifications & Proposals Conceptual Design – Train Station 292 Hillsborough, NC 293 E.Piedmont Triad Freight Study 294 OUTBoard Action: Receive information. 295 296 Abigaile Pittman amended the update due to time and gave a quick update on items. 297 298 AGENDA ITEM 8: YEARLY ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR299 OUTBoard Action: Elect Chair; elect Vice Chair 300 301 Ted Triebel nominated Alex Castro 302 303 Alex Castro declined and nominated Heidi Perry 304 305 John Rubin seconded 306 307 Heidy Perry was elected OUTBoard Chair by unanimous vote 308 309 Heidi Perry asked for nominations for Vice Chair 310 311 John Rubin nominated Alex Castro 312 313 Ted Triebel seconded 314 315 Alex Castro was elected Vice-Chair by unanimous vote 316 317 AGENDA ITEM 9: ADJOURNMENT318 8 D R A F T 319 The meeting was adjourned by consensus. 320 321 322 323 _________________________________________ 324 Heidi Perry, Chair 325 9 ORANGE COUNTY ORANGE UNIFIED TRANSPORTATION BOARD (OUTBoard) ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date:February 17, 2016 Action Agenda Item No. SUBJECT: Bicycle Safety Task Force DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) N ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: 1. Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Report Abigaile Pittman, 245-2567 Tom Altieri, 245-2575 Craig Benedict, 245-2585 PURPOSE:Determination of Bicycle Safety Task Force composition membership, charge and term. BACKGROUND:On January 11, 2015, the County Manager met with staff, OUTBoard Chair, and Sheriff. It was agreed that the best way to implement recommendations of the Bicycle Safety Report would be through a Task Force with a defined charge and set term. It was also agreed that the general focus of the Bicycle Safety Task Force should be on education and communication. The Manager requested that the OUTBoard develop recommendations for the membership composition, charge and initial term of a Bicycle Safety Task Force. Staff was instructed to bring the OUTBoard’s recommendations back to the Commissioners at its March 1, 2016 meeting. The BOCC previously considered supporting efforts to increase safety awareness between motorists and bicyclists, roadway safety improvements for bicyclists, and implementation of next steps at its November 5, 2015 meeting. Minutes from this meeting may be reviewed online at the following link: http://server3.co.orange.nc.us:8088/weblink8/0/doc/40032/Page1.aspx A copy of the OUTBoard Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Report and Minutes may be reviewed at the following link to the BOCC’s June 16, 2015 meeting: http://server3.co.orange.nc.us:8088/weblink8/0/doc/38097/Page1.aspx Task Force Recommendations Offered by the OUTBoard Chair: A. Size and Composition – 1. No larger than 15 people total 2. Stakeholders from each of the groups recommended in the Bicycle Safety Report be included in the membership: 10 a. Law enforcement agencies (Sheriff’s Department, Highway Patrol) b. School representatives c. Orange County Visitor’s Bureau d. NCDOT staff e. County and regional planning staff f. Elected representative(s) g. County businesses h. Bicycle advocacy groups i. Those who work with driver’s education classes and traffic offenders j. Up to six (6) additional interested citizens, especially those with knowledge of current bike laws or cycling credentials B. Appointment – The Bicycle Safety Task Force shall be appointed by the BOCC. The staff shall return to the BOCC in May with a recommended list of names to be appointed to the Task Force. C. Term – The Bicycle Safety Task Force shall operate for a term not to exceed two (2) years from the date of approval of this Resolution. D. Charge – The charge of the Bicycle Safety Task Force shall be the following; 1. Develop a campaign for bicycle safety education and research; 2. Develop an implementation timetable with estimated funding request information within the first 5 meetings, and present it to the OUTBoard for review and recommendation, and review and approval by the BOCC; 3. Develop an implementation report and present it to the OUTBoard for review and recommendation, and review, approval and funding commitment by the BOCC; and 4. At the conclusion of the term of the Bicycle Safety Task Force and completion of its report to the BOCC, the OUTBoard recommends that a subcommittee be formed to oversee the ongoing implementation of the Bicycle Safety Task Force report. RECOMMENDATION(S): Staff recommends the OUTBoard: 1. Receive and review the information; 2. Make a recommendation regarding the Bicycle Task Force membership composition, charge and term; and 3. Forward the recommendation to the BOCC for review at its March 1, 2016 meeting. 11 INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT At the Mar. 18 meeting of the OUTBoard, the Staff (Abigaile Pittman) presented the Staff’s plan to address the Board of County Commissioner’s Petition of November 12, 2014, instructing Staff to address Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety in Orange County. The Petition outlined the following objectives: •Review County authority and State law •Provide copy of County-endorsed bicycle routes (map) •Get updated on topic and recent activities •Define current problem statement •Create broad categories for addressing problems (education; law enforcement; NCDOT; etc.) •Suggest/recommend policies, procedures, etc. for addressing problem •Identify agencies, County departments, etc. for addressing problem The OUTBoard was charged with preparing a report to the Board of County Commissioners, deliverable at the BOCC’s first meeting in June 2015. In order to come up with a report that could be discussed, revised, and approved by the OUTBoard at its May 20 meeting, a subcommittee of the OUTBoard and interested citizens was formed. The subcommittee included OUTBoard members Alex Castro, Heidi Perry, Tom Magnuson, and citizens John Rees, Jeff Charles, Gail Alberti, and Cliff Leath. The report attached is the final draft for the May OUTBoard meeting. $WWDFKPHQW 12 Orange United Transportation Board Report to the Orange County Board of County Commissioners on Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety in Orange County Charge 1. Review County Authority and State Law. In view of NC House Bill 232 (“An act to direct the Department of Transportation to study the bicycle safety laws in this state and make recommendations as to how the laws may be revised to better ensure the safety of bicyclists and motorists on the roadways.”), which was passed by the House and is currently going through the state Senate, the OUTBoard recommends waiting to hear the outcome of that bill before putting a lot of time into reviewing the State laws. (NOTE: Because much of our report pertains to rural parts of the county, the focus is mainly on cycling, though through education efforts, the importance of walking on the correct side of the road and visibility at night can be done through posters and more.) However, regardless of the outcome of HB 232, people who drive or cycle in Orange County could be better educated on the current laws, and methods of doing that should be put into place now. (See Charge 5, no 1) Charge 2. Provide copy of County-endorsed bicycle routes (map). Many if not most rural recreational cyclists find riding routes via online services such as Map My Ride,1 or through cue sheets provided by clubs such as the Carolina Tarwheels. Even NC DOT is currently in the process of making the statewide bicycling maps available electronically at WalkBikeNC.2 The website is currently under development, but will be an interactive site where cyclists will be able to find, create, or comment on routes around our state. 1. It would be useful to have an online map available for Orange County that pointed out potentially hazardous spots or areas of high traffic to cyclists. This information could be included in the print version of the Orange County cycling map when it is updated. The state laws for cyclists should be included both on an online map website and on the updated print map. 2. We recommend the county also look into providing an app version of the map (in addition to an online version of the map) for the use of cyclists who do not have easy access to a printed map and who are accessing routes through small mobile devices. Charge 3. Give update on topic and recent activities. The most recent and possibly most affecting recent activity is state House Bill 232 which was passed by the House in early April and described above. The Senate has referred the bill to the committee on rules and regulations. The OUTBoard would recommend waiting until the outcome of this bill is known before creating too many printed materials with the state laws on them. If the bill is passed by the Senate as currently proposed, the committee that will be formed will be asked to provide recommended legislation to the Senate and House by the end of 2015. 13 In a recent related activity, the OUTBoard was presented with a list of resurfacing projects at its April meeting, and it endorsed the DCHC MPO’s requests for wide shoulders as a part of the resurfacing on the following roads: Old NC 86 from Farm House Drive to New Hope Church Road, Arthur Minnis Road from Old NC 86 to Rocky Ridge Road, New Hope Church Road from Old NC 86 to NC 86. In addition, the OUTBoard endorsed the Staff’s request for wide shoulders on Walker Road from NC 57 to New Sharon Church Road, and on Lake Orange Road from NC 86 to the End of Maintenance on that road. Charge 4. Current problem statement. The problem is how to ensure the safety of all users of roads in our county. The majority of the cyclists and motorists are respectful of each other on our county roads. There are some in each of these categories, however, who allow feelings of entitlement to the road to overtake their good sense, and it is in those situations that conflicts between the two groups can occur. The OUTBoard would like to see the county embrace, promote, and fund programs that could help mitigate these conflicts. First and foremost in these efforts would be a program to educate the public on the laws, and to humanize the potential conflict situations that occur in a way that fosters respect, understanding, and coexistence on the road. Charge 5. Addressing the issues. To improve the safety of bicycling and walking in Orange County, the OUTBoard recommends the following actions be adopted and implemented by the Board of County Commissioners: 1. Have current state laws posted at high-traffic rural spots. Two that were mentioned were Maple View and Honeysuckle Tea House. In addition, locations such as car dealerships, gas stations, schools, churches, and car repair shops should be approached. With permission from the establishment’s owners, posters could be posted in several locations. These posters would include state laws for both cyclists and motorists. Include on the posters the importance of respect for all on the road. 2. Become a partner with NCDOT in their “Watch for Me NC” bicycle and pedestrian safety campaign. They provide a large amount of information including posters, bumper stickers, handouts with laws, reflective gear, and even bike lights. Combine this with a enforcement, education, and awareness program for cyclists and motorists.3 3. Provide law enforcement officers with education tools explaining road cycling and the state’s laws – such a program has been developed by the statewide advocacy group BikeWalk NC. It could be shown in a classroom setting with or without assistance from local League of American Cyclists Certified Cycling instructors.4 14 4. Arrange for a bike ride or other type of “field trip” with Orange County Commissioners, law enforcement, Orange County staff, and local cycling advocates to allow all to see both the possibilities and the obstacles that exist for cycling on rural county roads. 5. Have a county-wide contest to produce PSA posters or videos as a way to bring in citizen participation. Prepare a series of PSAs to air on local radio and television stations and in the local newspapers, and as posters around Orange County, as have been promoted in other locations: See sample posters in Appendix A. Contact the Journalism school at UNC to see if they would be interested in helping create these spots and helping us determine the correct venues for placing them. 6. Meet with the regional director of Active Routes to School and with school PE instructors to be sure they are aware of the Bike and Pedestrian Safety program available on NCDOT’s website. 5 7. Support BikeWalk NC in its efforts to produce a statewide online education class6 that could be utilized in Driver’s Ed classes, and in classes for driving offenders that are seeking to reduce points on their insurance. A component for the younger age groups who are mainly pedestrians is also planned. 8. Utilize national resources such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,7 People for Bikes,8 and the Alliance for Biking and Walking9 for materials that can be used locally. 9. Create and promote an interactive wiki map that cyclists and motorists can use to identify spots that need attention to improve safety. (The map could be referenced on all of the posters and other PSAs.) 10. Examine bicycling in Orange County as an economic development tool by sending a local staff person (or someone from Orange County Visitors Bureau) to the Bicycle Tourism conference in San Diego, CA, being held Nov. 4–7 in 2015.10 11. Pursue a tourism (or other) grant to fund bicycling safety and share the road public service announcements on popular local AM/FM radio stations. 12. Include a line item in the budget for county funding to use as grant-matching funding. 13. Improve bicycle infrastructure in the community. Instruct staff to review with the OUTBoard roads that are scheduled for resurfacing and recommend 4-foot shoulders on roads identified as rural bikeways. 14. Explore lowering speed limits on some rural county roads to 40 mph. Begin with a pilot on Dairyland Road. This reduction in speed was recently approved by NCDOT for a small section of Old 86 (from Calvander to the Carrboro Town Limit). 15 15. Discuss with the NC DOT (District Seven Engineer) the implementation of roadways safety shoulders (costing $500,000 or less) at blind hills and curves on highly used bike routes. One of the following locations could be used as a pilot for this safety measure: • Sugar Ridge area of Orange Grove Road • “S” curve on Dairyland Road between Bethel Hickory Grove and Union Grove Church Roads • Dairyland Road segment between Green Rise Road and new gas line • Old Greensboro Highway segment between Niche Gardens and Collins Creek Roads • Old Greensboro Highway segment between Phil’s Creek and Jones Ferry Roads 16. Enhance the use of our bikeways by: a. Supplementing the existing Orange County Bicycle Map with online- accessible “Cue Sheets” for specific preferred bicycling road. Assistance in the development of these sheets should be sought from the local bicycle organizations like the Carolina Tarwheels b. Adding MUTCD-approved signage at “choke points” identified by area cyclists alerting drivers to the likelihood of cyclists, such as “watch for cyclist” or “bikes may use full lane” c. Including multi-use paths in the vicinity of and within County Parks and along Cane Creek reservoir perimeter. 17. Hold a Community Event. To provide a safe cycling experience for novice to expert riders, a different selected segment of a rural road would be closed to all but local motorist traffic and converted to a dedicated bikeway on a weekend day once a month from April to October for a period of about two to four hours. To hold this event: a. a one-weekend day pilot would be organized to prove and refine the concept. b. Coordination between existing local bicycle clubs, rural residents, the State Department of Transportation, Sheriff's Department and Orange County government would develop the specific parameters of the proposed bikeway. Cue Cards for the ride would be developed and made available on-line and as handouts. The event would need to be widely publicized, and local churches along the dedicated route could chose to stage events to introduce riders to their fund raising events offering items such as baked goods, refreshments etc. Significant historic sites could be signed and other points of interest highlighted. Experienced riders wishing to stage a race or time trial event would go first, and thereafter the segment would be open to all cyclists. Volunteers could be positioned along the route to coordinate assistance as needed. 18. Add links on the county’s website to resources for cyclists from BikeWalkNC.org and from NCDOT’s bike program. Include links to laws and to safety videos.1112 16 Charge 6. Suggest/recommend policies, procedures for advancing bike and pedestrian safety in the county. 1. Create a Task Force to put together an action plan for implementing the list of actions suggested in Charge 5, and have the action plan reviewed by the OUTBoard and presented to the BOCC. Have one member of the BOCC serve as a member of the Task Force. 2. Charge the Task Force with providing a list of roadways or areas in Orange County that need improvements for the OUTBoard to review, and send to the BOCC or to staff for approval. 3. Have staff create a list of goals for improving the roadways identified by the Task Force, including desired timelines and approximate costs. 4. Instruct staff to review with the OUTBoard roads that are scheduled for resurfacing and recommend wide shoulders or other appropriate improvements on roads identified as rural bikeways. 5. Ask NCDOT to adhere to their Complete Streets manual and to their written policies concerning rumble strips when installing them on rural roads (see Appendix B) 6. Receive semi-annual updates and annual written reports from staff regarding progress of the above noted action items and goals for the past and the upcoming year. Charge 7. Identify agencies, departments, groups that might work to move this forward. All of the following, in addition to every Orange County resident, are stakeholders who should work together to make our roads safer. 1. Law enforcement agencies (Sheriff’s Department, Highway Patrol) 2. School representatives 3. Orange County Visitor’s Bureau 4. NCDOT staff 5. County and regional planning staff 6. Elected representatives 7. County businesses 8. Bicycle advocacy groups 9. Those who work with driver’s education classes and traffic offenders 17 1 Map My Ride: http://www.mapmyride.com 2 WalkBikeNC statewide map program: https://apps.ncdot.gov/newsreleases/Image.ashx?id=2992&orig=1 3 Watch For Me NC program: https://apps.ncdot.gov/newsreleases/details.aspx?r=11035 4 The powerpoint for the presentation can be seen here: http://www.bikewalknc.org/learn/education-resources-for-police/. 5 The program guide for Let’s Go NC is here: http://www.ncdot.gov/bikeped/safetyeducation/letsgonc/ 6 A similar model for a statewide online education class created for Illinois can be seen here: http://www.bikesafetyquiz.com/ 7 National Highway Traffic Study: http://www.nhtsa.gov/Bicycles 8 People for Bikes: http://www.peopleforbikes.org/ 9 Alliance for Biking and Walking: http://www.bikewalkalliance.org/ 10 National Bicycle Tourism Conference: http://www.bicycletournetwork.org/ 11 Bike Laws: http://www.bikewalknc.org/important-nc-traffic-laws-applicable-to-bicyclists/,and http://www.ncdot.gov/BIKEPED/ 12 Sample safety videos (from other states): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3QN5U567jE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXC2UFRJ5Y4 18 Appendix A: Possible ideas for PSA posters Sample video PSAs can be found here: http://bikepgh.org/care/ http://georgiabikes.org/index.php/resources/35-georgia-resources/180-psa 19 Appendix B: NCDOT Documents pertaining to rumble strips and bicycle traffic 20 21 STAFF UPDATES – AGENDA ITEM 6. HANDOUTS 22 23 OUTBoard Staff Update Item 6.a. - Handout ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date:January 21, 2016 Agenda Item No. SUBJECT: Orange Unified Transportation Board (OUTBoard) Policies and Procedures DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections & County Clerk’s Office PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: 1. Proposed revision to OUTBoard Policies and Procedures 2. Resolution Adopting Amended OUTBoard Policies and Procedures Abigaile Pittman, 245-2567 Thom Freeman, 245-2125 Donna Baker, 245-2130 PURPOSE:To consider the attached resolution amending OUTBoard Policies and Procedures to add a seventh (7th) at-large position to encourage membership with expertise or interest in Public Health. BACKGROUND:At the December 15th BOCC meeting, Commissioner Pelissier made a petition to the Board to add another at-large position to the OUTBoard with expertise or specific interest in Public Health. In response to the Commissioner’s request, Planning Department staff has prepared a proposed amendment to Section III.B. of the Board’s Policies and Procedures (Attachment 1) that would add an additional at-large position to encourage membership with expertise or interest in Public Health. Adoption of this modification will increase the number of at-large members from six (6) to seven (7), and the total number of members from thirteen (13) to fourteen (14). Additionally, the required quorum for a meeting of the OUTBoard would be increased from seven (7) to eight (8) members. Public health representation on the OUTBoard could be a benefit to the Board in the following ways: 1. Address improving the built environment for safe and accessible physical activity and transportation, which is a key component of addressing obesity and its related health effects. 2. Address transportation concerns, which are frequently cited by clients of the Health Department is accessing its services, as well as services around the county. 3. Further the Board’s capacity to examine transportation planning and funding decisions with a public health perspective. 4. Provide regular opportunities for continuous communication between public health, planning and transportation, to enhance decision making, data sharing, and to conduct mutually reinforcing activities. However, other considerations include: 24 OUTBoard Staff Update Item 6.a. - Handout 1. The OUTBoard has historically had difficulty in entirely filling its membership composition. For this reason, revisions to the Policies and Procedures made in 2012 revised the prior requirement for several of the at-large positions to be from County boards related to a specific expertise/area of interest (e.g., environmental, planning, economic development). This revision, reflected in the current version of the Policies and Procedures, more liberally requires at-large members to have expertise and specific interests in the articulated areas without specific representation on other County boards. 2. The Rules and Procedures were again revised in March 2015 to add Public Health as one of the seven (7) areas of expertise or specific interest for the existing six (6) at-large positions. This revision was intended to enhance opportunities to complete membership composition, by providing that the six (6) at-large members may have expertise or specific interest in as many of the following seven areas as possible: x Bicycle transportation x Pedestrian access and safety x Public transit x Environmental issues x Economic development x Planning x Public health The current proposed revision would add a seventh (7th) at-large position, and specific representation of the areas of interest would be encouraged but not required. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with consideration of the resolution approving the proposed amendment to the OUTBoard Policies and Procedures. SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goals are associated with this item: GOAL: CREATE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, programs and funding necessary for residents to provide shelter, food, clothing and medical care for themselves and their dependents. GOAL: CREATE A SAFE COMMUNITY The reduction of risks from vehicle/traffic accidents, childhood and senior injuries, gang activity, substance abuse and domestic violence. The addition of an OUTBoard at-large position with expertise or specific interests in public health results in positive outcomes related to the above goals. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board approve the attached resolution to the OUTBoard specific Policies and Procedures (Attachment 2). 25 01/21/2016Attachment 1 Orange Unified Transportation (OUT) BOARD POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Amendment Note: Proposed additions/changes to existing text are depicted in red and underscored. SECTION III: MEMBERSHIP A. Authority 1. North Carolina General Statute 153A-76 grants boards of county commissioners the authority to establish advisory boards and to appoint members to and remove members from those advisory boards. In acting on this authority the Orange County Board of Commissioners hereby establishes certain general conditions to which applicants and members of advisory boards should conform. B. Composition 1. The OUT Board is composed of thirteen (13) fourteen (14) voting members. 2. The OUT Board does not have alternate members. 3. Members shall represent demographic, geographic, cultural and professional characteristics, as follows: a. Seven members, one from each township: b.Six (6) Seven (7) at-large members, with expertise or specific interests in as many ofthe following areas as possible: x Bicycle transportation x Pedestrian access and safety x Public Transit x Environmental issues x Economic Development x Planning x Public Health 26 Attachment 2 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS RESOLUTION ADOPTING AMENDED ORANGE UNIFIED TRANSPORTATION BOARD (OUTBOARD) POLICIES AND PROCEDURES WHEREAS, on November 8, 2012 the Orange County Board of County Commissioners approved a specific Policies and Procedures document for the OUTBoard, with the intent to give guidance in the performance of its duties, establishing its membership, charge and goals; and WHEREAS, the OUTBoard Policies and Procedures were amended on March 3, 2015 to add Public Health as one of seven (7) areas of expertise or specific interest for the six (6) at-large positions; and WHEREAS, the current proposed amendments to the OUTBoard Policies and Procedures document would add a seventh (7th) at-large position, bringing the total number of voting members to fourteen (14), and that at-large members have expertise or specific interests in as many of the following areas as possible: x Bicycle transportation x Pedestrian access and safety x Public transit x Environmental issues x Economic development x Planning x Public health WHEREAS, North Carolina General Statute 153A-76 grants to boards of county commissioners the broad authority to organize county government, including the authority to “create, change, abolish, and consolidate offices, positions, departments, boards, commissions, and agencies of the county government, may impose ex officio the duties of more than one office on a single officer, may change the composition and manner of selection of boards, commissions, and agencies, and may generally organize and reorganize the county government….”; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners, pursuant to North Carolina General Statute 153A-22, adopts the amendment to Section III.B. of the Orange Unified Transportation Board (OUTBoard) Policies and Procedures; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, in determining whether there is a conflict between or among a governing ordinance and the terms of the amended Orange Unified Transportation Board (OUTBoard) Policies and Procedures document, staff may consult with the County attorney, who shall take into consideration the intent of the Board of County Commissioners, in assisting staff to resolve the conflict. 27 28 29