City of Wheaton Bicycle Advisory Commission met Feb. 20.
Here is the minutes provided by the commission:
I. Call to Order
Chair, Dan Dlhy called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm
Attendees: Dan Dlhy, Michelle Dunlap, Jim Knasel, Elizabeth Bishop, Alyse Kondrat, Bill Nieman, Rita Nathanson, Mike Barbier, Doug Jones, Therese Kushman.
Rita Nathanson approved the meeting minutes and Michelle Dunlap & Alyse Kondrat seconded.
Public Comment: None
II. Chair Report
None
III. Ongoing Business:
Bicycle Festival – 2019 – With the construction to Memorial Park, we discussed options of where to hold this year’s festival. We discussed using the parking for City Hall since we can keep a traditional bike parade route through the neighborhood. But we would need to have seating for the residents as well as portable bathrooms since the building in the park might be closed down. Also, if the weather temperature is hot that day, we will need to consider having water for everyone since we will be on blacktop in the open sun, versus being shaded in the park by trees. Mike Barbier did request that we get some pictures of people riding their bikes on Wheaton Avenue so that will be needed on the day of the festival. It was mentioned to start reaching out to our vendors to see if they are interested in participating and saving the date.
Bike/Walk to School – Spring Event – May 8th. Therese Kushman will work with the PTA’s to promote the event. Dan Dlhy needs to make sure that our waiver is posted on our web page of the city’s website. Kimmer’s Ice Cream said that they are open to providing coupons for participants. Alyse Kondrat wanted to see if we can open it up to some of the schools in Glen Ellyn since they pull children from Wheaton.
Group Rides – It was discussed that Carrie Provost emailed a schedule of the rides out via email. Dan Dlhy will make sure that the schedule is posted to our page on the city’s website.
Bike Valet / Taste of Wheaton – Michelle Dunlap reported that the construction to Memorial Park will occur after the Taste of Wheaton so we will be moving forward with the Bike Valet as normally scheduled. On June 1st, we will set up the event from 6:30am to 7am. We will open at 7am and closing down at 7pm. Michelle will send out the sign-up sheet as we get closer to the event.
History Ride – 2019 – When discussion this year’s ride of all of the themes: Under Ground Railroad, Wheaton Golf, Parks, Prohibition and Modern Architecture. The Commission voted on the “Under-Ground Railroad” theme for this year’s ride. It was brought up that there is an event at the Peck House in Lombard about the Under-Ground Railroad. Also, Bill Nieman mentioned that there was a speaking on WBEZ radio discussing the under-ground railroad. Bill said that he will contact the radio station to see if the person that was on the radio would be open to speaking at our ride. We said that Glenette Tilly Turner and this gentleman can both speak to our group on the ride. Rita Nathanson said that she will speak with the Wheaton Public Library about having our speakers talk at the library. Alyse Kondrat said that she can contact the schools to see if the history teachers can promote the event to their students. The dates for the event will be September 21st, and September 28th as a rain-out date. We will also need to speak with the city to get their help in promoting our ride.
Wayfinding Sign Corrections – Michelle Dunlap wanted to wait for warmer weather before the city can make the adjustments to the signs that aren’t correct.
Coffee with Council – Bill Nieman and Rita Nathanson said that they can attend the Coffee with Council meeting on March 2nd to discuss the issue of the lack of bicycle racks in downtown Wheaton. Bill said that he will take a quick inventory of the racks that are in downtown and compare it to what should be there according to the Front Street Phase 1 plan.
IV. Other Topics / New Business:
Wheaton Road Under Pass – Mike Barbier brought up the possibility of federal funding that could be possible for the city of Wheaton for the construction of Wheaton Road under pass (under Roosevelt Road). Different options were brought up by the City Council but a complete reconstruction would be the best option to get the funding. This is something that we can bring up at Coffee with Council meetings. Plus, anything we can do to promote bicycling on Wheaton Ave would be helpful.
Prairie Path Clean-Up – The Environmental Improvement Commission is holding a clean-up of the Prairie Path on April 27th and Dan Dlhy is in favor of our Commission participating and helping out with their event. It’s good for bicycling as well as helping our sister Commission since they always help us out.
Bike Wheaton T-Shirts – Rita Nathanson is waiting on getting the updated design for the t-shirts from the Downtown Wheaton Association (Paula Barrington). Dan Dlhy will need t speak with the city about our Commission selling the shirts at cost.
V. Upcoming Meetings
Wednesday March 20th, 2019
Wednesday April 17th, 2019
VI. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 pm
https://www.wheaton.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_02202019-1114
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