City of Wheaton Bicycle Advisory Commission met Oct. 16.
Here is the minutes provided by the commission:
I. Call to Order
Dan Dlhy called the meeting to order at 7:01pm
Attendees: Dan Dlhy, Bill Nieman, Rita Nathanson, Elizabeth Bishop, Alyse Kondrat, Janet Gellert, Therese Kushman, Carrie Provost, Michelle Dunlap, Laurel Salvador, Randy Dikey (resident & Batavia Bicycle Committee member)
Approval of Minutes: Carrie Provost approved the minutes and Rita Nathanson seconded
Public Comment: None
II. Chair Report
None
III. Ongoing Business:
New Official Member – Introduced Janet Gellert at the newest member of the Wheaton Bicycle
Advisory Commission.
History Ride Recap– 2019 – We were able to complete the majority of the ride / stops before we cancelled the last couple of stops due to the rain. Access to Blanchard Hall at Wheaton College was excellent and helped illustrate the speaker’s comments about that building. The small group of residents really enjoyed the ride and learning a little about the history of Wheaton.
WBAC Vision & Unified Message – it was discussed to create a plan in order to have organized and well thought out talking points about what we want to accomplish as a commission. To review the Bike Plan and make small changes to it since it’s outdated in some areas. To create a new plan would be very costly but if we could make small changes to it and submit those recommendations to the city of Wheaton when performing road work, it could help us get items completed. Regarding the Bicycle Map, it was discussed to get sponsors to help fund the printing of extra maps as well whether it would be possible to have the map converted into an app for mobile devices. Creating sub-committees for our vision and unified message is probably the best way to address all of issues and concerns. The “Programs” sub-committee would be headed up by Alyse Kondrat, the “Policies & Ordances” sub-committee would be headed up by Laurel Salvador and the “Network” sub-committee would be best handled by the Commission as a whole. Cited some short term (Brighton Drive, Bike Routes to / from Metra stations) and long term (West Street, Bicycle Parking and safe routes to local schools) projects that we need to get involved in before the construction begins.
Coffee with Council Meeting – Bill Nieman provided an update on the Coffee with Council meeting that he attended. The feed back that he received from the Council members is that they enjoy us attending the meetings and providing the valuable feedback and research that was done by Bill Nieman. It was discussed to possibly re-do the Bicycle Map, advise what needs to be addressed in the Wheaton Bicycle Plan and also about making it possible to bicycle to the Wheaton Sports Complex along Gary Avenue.
Wayfinding Sign Discussion/Update – There was a brief discussion about what is expected from each commission member when updating our document about the wayfinding signs. Another document will be sent to the group to add their final notes before it’s submitted to the city.
Bicycle Festival 2020 / 4th of July Parade – We briefly touched on this subject and it was mentioned that we could possibly run both events. Considering the possibility of getting some sponsors in order to help fund the Bicycle Festival in 2020. There would be more work per Commission member in order to pull off the festival, but it was left to have everyone think about this to discuss at a future meeting.
IV. Other Topics / New Business:
Upcoming Coffee with Council Meeting (November 2nd): Laurel Salvador and myself will attend the meeting to discuss the Wayfinding Signs and Brighton Drive work.
Group Ride – Oct 26th – Dan Dlhy confirmed that he would lead the Group Ride on the 26th of August through Danada Forest Preserve and Herrick Lake.
V. Upcoming Meetings
Wednesday November 20th, 2019 Wednesday December 18th, 2019
VI. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8:37 pm
https://www.wheaton.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_10162019-1278
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