HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-13-18 YBPAC MinutesYakima Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee
Minutes
June 13, 2018
10:00 - 11:30 AM
2nd Floor Conference Room
Committee Members
Staff
Public
Phil Mattoon, Vice Chair
Brett Sheffield, Chief Engineer
Elissa Southward
Joseph Calhoun, Planning Manager
Paul Cook
Trevor Martin, Assistant Planner
Shirley Strader
Officer Mike Nelson, YPD
Ken Jones
Vice Chairman Phil Mattoon called the meeting to order at 10 AM
1. Approve minutes of May 14, 2018 meeting:
Minutes approved.
2. Discussion on collisions involving motorized vehicles with pedestrians and bicyclists:
Officer Mike Nelson from the Traffic Division of Yakima Police Department provided information on
several recent collisions involving pedestrians. He stated that in each case the vehicles were driven
lawfully and that the pedestrians had violated pedestrian "crossing" laws.
Officer Nelson gave some anecdotal information on enforcement efforts including that emphasis
patrols on West Lincoln Ave did not seem to reduce the number of speed violators.
The committee members asked Officer Nelson for suggestions to increase the safety of pedestrians
and cyclists and he suggested several general recommendations: emphasize to motorists to observe
proper sidewalk stop protocol by stopping before entering a sidewalk and then proceeding onto
roadway, pedestrians should make sure of their safety prior to entering roadway, bicyclists need to be
aware at all times of their situation around them, email or call traffic enforcement supervisor Sargent
James Moore (509-576-6566 or ja. s,moor pyakl_ ra ,g v) to give specific time of day and location
of chronic violation problems, traffic cameras at major intersections to help determine cause of
collisions, work with YPD spokesperson Mike Bastinelli on a possible information video or Public
Service Announcement campaign to help educate the public on the traffic safety issues.
Officer Nelson also had specific infrastructure improvements to suggest: (1) school zone signage and
caution lights addition at 16th Ave and Summitview west of the intersection on Summitview (100 feet
west of 16th), additional caution lights at 72nd Ave and Nob Hill (north of Nob Hill and west of 72nd),
additional caution lights around Garfield Elementary School (6th Ave and Fairbanks, 5th Ave and "D"
street). (2) Pedestrian push button traffic stops at 24th Ave and Lincoln, 12th Ave and Nob Hill, Fair Ave
and Race Street, 6th Street and Race Street. Committee members suggested that possibly Officer
Nelson and other officers could work together to identify more "problem" locations.
3. Report on Bike rack GIS map:
Trevor Martin reported that, as of June 13th 2018, 128 map inputs had been received. They included
35 suggested bike rack locations, 87 existing bike rack locations and 2 bike racks that needed repair or
replacement. The majority of the inputs were on downtown locations. Committee members discussed
the need to prioritize possible locations by need and economy of effort to implement. It was
suggested that private property owners be encouraged to install appropriate racks possibly through
funding or other inducement. It was agreed that the map should continue receiving input and that this
topic should appear on the next meetings' agenda.
4. Americans with Disabilities Act plan:
P. Mattoon noted that the current draft plan had inaccurate council members names on pertinent
committees and needed updating. Discussion of need for improvements on sidewalk ramps and traffic
signals to become compliant with best practices. B. Sheffield will provide an updated plan for the
committee to consider at July 11th meeting. The committee felt the need to recommend to council
the adoption of an updated plan.
5. Pedestrian Master Plan (PMP):
P. Mattoon led a discussion on possible avenues of going forward with a plan to present to council.
The Bellingham, WA PMP was discussed as a comparable city and plan that could be a useful guide for
Yakima. The committee was impressed with the thoroughness and attention to detail in the
Bellingham plan and expressed and interest in pursuing a similar plan for Yakima. B. Sheffield and J.
Calhoun offered that pursuing such a plan would require significant funding and that the city council
would need to be involved. B. Sheffield will pursue grant funding opportunities.
6. Deliverables:
ADA updated document from B. Sheffield.
Research for grant funding for Pedestrian Master Plan- B. Sheffield
Request to Yakima Police Department for spokesperson Mike Bastinelli to attend July meeting.
7. Meeting adjourned at 11;35