Hamilton Cycling Committee

Monthly Meeting

Time: 5:00 P.M.

Date: Wednesday Sept. 6, 2006

Place: Hamilton City Hall, Room 264

Attendance:

Daryl Bender (Chair) Al Horzelenberg

Brad Tyleman Andrew Brown

Thom Oommen Greg Ellis

Bob Brown Jason Leach

Tarquin Adams Michael Donaldson

Ed Switenky– Staff Joshua Engel-Yan (IBI)

Greg Ellis agreed to take minutes.

1. Minutes of Previous Meeting - Approval of minutes of the August meeting was deferred until next meeting, as most participants had not brought copies with them.

2.- City staff update - Ed reported that the Rich Siabel has volunteered to help out until Brian Applebe’s replacement is hired. The City of Hamilton plans to continue with its cycling initiatives and Ed and Hart plan to drop in on future meetings.

3.- Guest Josh Engal-Yan (IBI) and Transportation Master Plan Update - Josh provided an update status from the March 1 meeting of HCC on Hamilton’s Transportation Master Plan. Hamilton plans to encourage cycling by guiding improvements and policy to make Hamilton more cycling friendly. The final draft will be ready in November or December of this year and there will be 2 PIC’s on Sept. 25 & 26, more info can be found on the City website.

IBI’s strategy is to approach the HCC again before completing the final draft. Josh distributed a draft Cycling Network Strategy for the Master Plan that will integrate with the Trails Master Plan.

Recommendations include: full time staff for cycling initiatives, bike lanes on rural roads over 100 vehicles per day, and using the plan with an updated “Shifting Gears” to prioritize needs.

Estimated cost for cycling initiatives is between 10-14 million dollars over the next 10-15 years.

There was a discussion on specifics after reviewing maps of proposed cycling routes and bike lanes, with the following being mentioned:

- Highland Rd. bike lanes should be added

- Bike lanes on Centennial Pkway from King to Rymal should be looked at

- Melvin/Barton area should be adjusted to show a complete route

- Connectivity issues on Limeridge should be addressed

-Connectivity to the airport and Binbrook should be addressed

- Additional Stoney Creek escarpment links should be looked at

- Hunter St bike lanes whould be extended westerly

- Connectivity form Wilson St. Ancaster to Ancaster Industrial Park should be addressed

- Linkage of rail trails between Charlton and Chedoke should be looked at

- A link at Ferguson St. and the CNR should be included

- Whitney St. should have bike lanes

- Bay St. should have bike lanes

It was mentioned that the plan have a view to cycling projects budgeting by the city

It is important for HCC members to attend the PIC’s, Thom will email members with details

Josh reiterated that HCC will have one more opportunity to comment before final draft.

The cycling committee extended appreciation to Josh for the opportunity to review the plan and comment on it.

3. City Bike Project Update – Ed reported that the York Boulevard Bike Lanes EA process has delayed the project for at least 60 days and he expects it to be resolved over the winter. The Hunter St. contraflow bike lanes has been moved up, with the EA process to start this fall, with the possibility of the bike lanes being done this year. Ed also mentioned an event being held at Home Depot on Centennial Pkwy on October 20 that the HCC may be interested in having a booth at.

4. HCC Renewal Process – this item was deferred until next meeting

5. Review of Action Items from the August meeting. most deferred to Oct. meeting

6. Education events–

West Mtn.- Thom spoke with Phil Homerski at CoH re: using the PW trailer at events, it was thought there may be liability issues with staffing, but it would be ok to supply brochures. Thom expects to be at the festival and give out maps

McMaster- Daryl reported that over 500 cycling maps have been given out to new students and new employees. Al enquired about Mohawk College facilites, Daryl said he would network with them and see what can be done.

Home Depot – Daryl will get more info and we’ll discuss at October meeting.

7. Tarquin Letter re: Hillcrest Park/Red Hill Valley – Bob suggested a time limit of 30 days for a response. Tarquin will send the letter to Marco Oddi and Marini and Daryl will sign for HCC

8. Blue Bike Lane Design at Interchanges – Daryl will prepare a letter of support from HCC supporting the concept of Blue Bike Lanes at interchanges as per his email of Aug. 17th

9. Spot Improvements Discussion – a quick review of areas City of Hamilton should be looking at for repairs and improvements:

- King and Bond Sts. – bad road

- Lawrence Rd. Westbound between Kenilworth and Gage

- Signage at new lift bridge / lakefront trail connection (there is no signage)

- Catchbasin frame and covers need work on Main St. from Kenilworth to Sanford

- King and Longwood intersection – numerous potholes

10. Motion to adjourn at 7:00 pm by Al, seconded by Tarquin

11. NEXT MEETING Wednesday October 4, 5:00 PM – ROOM 264, CITY HALL

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