Minutes - Public Works Committee - 11/15/2005

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Assistant Public Works Director Olson stated the difficulty is in trying to encourage alternative modes of transportation. He noted there will be bike lockers in the transit station. They need to be careful how bicycles are handled in the policy. Police Chief Way advised there should also be consideration of paved trails versus concrete, what makes a trail versus sidewalk, and where they join together. Assistant Public Works Director Olson indicated in most cases the trails are blacktop, but the Council has decided to go with a concrete walk in this area. Acting Chairperson Cook stated bikes can be used solely for transportation, while rollerblades are usually a recreational type use with vandalism to consider. The policy should be handled in two ways; one in relation to transportation and the other in relation to recreation, which may include damage to property. They do not want pedestrians to be harassed by people on wheeled units and do not want vandalism of rails, curbs and walls. He noted on one trail they might allow all three uses, but not in the downtown area where there will be pedestrians and vandalism will need to be curtailed. Public Works Director Kapler inquired how the new law relating to motorized vehicles would relate to this policy. Police Chief Way replied the City needs to be careful how they restrict these vehicles. They are currently classified the same as a bike. There was considerable discussion of the policy in relation to bikes, roller blades, skateboards, vandalism, pedestrians, transportation, and recreation. Acting Chairperson Cook stressed the need to provide skateboarders with a place to go that has the elevations and jumps used in the sport. Public Works Director Kapler noted the location discussed at Central Park for a skate park is not very convenient to this area. Mayor Gamec asked if there will be a park available in Town Center for skateboarding use. Assistant Public Works Director Olson replied there are parks ~vithin the Town Center that have land available, but a skate park is not planned. In both renditions that Town Center put together there was an area for a skate park. There was some discussion of an REI or a private business having a skate park area, using their equipment to attract kids and clientele, but it has not been discussed as a public use in the Town Center. Councilmember Pearson noted the CIP discusses Central Park as a location for a skate park. He suggested consideration of an area of Town Center for a skate park. Mayor Gamec inquired about a curfew being imposed. Public Works Committee / November 15, 2005 Page 3 of 11