Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Public Works Department

TO:	Thomas M. Markus, City Manager
FROM:	David P. Cronin, P.E., City Engineer
CC:	Charles F. Soules, P.E., Public Works Director Jessica Mortinger, Senior MPO Transportation Planner Brandon McGuire, Assistant to the City Manager
DATE:	April 17, 2016
RE:	Pedestrian-Bicycle Issues Task Force - Final Report

Background

In the summer of 2014, the City Commission directed the formation of a task force to study the communities desire to improve issues relating to non-motorized transportation.  The city adopted a Complete Streets Policy in 2012 to enable efficient and safe access for all users when planning and designing city streets; the policy has been successful in certain aspects but doesn't address priorities and funding.

On March 24, 2015, the City Commission adopted Resolution No. 7106, establishing a Pedestrian-Bicycle Issues Task Force and its scope of work.  The 11 citizens that were selected for the task force represented a broad spectrum of ages, abilities and interests.  Policy issues the task force was tasked with considering included:

• Review of City's current advisory board structure for pedestrian and bicycle issues.
• Review of City's practice concerning sidewalk maintenance responsibilities.
• Review of City's bicycling facilities and implementation of priorities through construction/reconstruction projects.
• Review and recommendations for sustainable funding for pedestrian and bicycle issues.

From June 2015 to February 2016, the task force held 18 meetings that were open to the public including an interactive open house forum at the East Lawrence Recreation Center on September 26, 2015. The task force engaged the community through the Lawrence Listens website and presented their draft report for public comment.  The task force deliberated over information presented from city staff and community stakeholders to produce the attached final report. 

Task-Force Recommendations

The task-force has six recommendations:

1. Create a "Transportation Commission".

The implementation of a new Transportation Commission could involve restructuring existing committees such as the Lawrence-Douglas County Bicycle Advisory Committee and the city's Traffic Safety Commission.  The Transportation Commission would be a recommending body to the City Commission on all transportation projects that holistically considers pedestrian and bicycle facilities in street design.

2. Establish a sidewalk maintenance program by 2017 with a plan to bring a sidewalks and ramps to code by 2030. 

Currently by city code the adjacent property owners are responsible for sidewalk maintenance and the current policy is ineffective in compliance.  There is approximately $9M in sidewalk deficiencies in the city (from a 2014 citywide inventory).  The task-force reviewed other communities’ policies and programs and was challenged on determining a legal, equitable solution for Lawrence.  For instance, a sidewalk utility fee is only legal by Kansas Statute if property owners voluntarily 'opt-in'. The task force reviewed benefit districts and an increase in sales tax. The task force unanimously agreed that the city needs to have a proactive sidewalk repair program and is recommending the city to continue to work on identifying the most appropriate funding source to make progress.

3. Develop city staff to consider all aspects of the 5-E's: Engineering, Education, Encouragement, Enforcement and Evolution & Planning;  Designate a single staff member to serve as the public point of contact on all walk, wheel and bike-related issues. 

This would involve the implementation of a interdepartmental city staff team that considers the 5 E's and includes areas that were recognized as needing more attention: encouragement, enforcement and education.  The task-force was split on the need for establishing a new full-time city staff position and would rather see existing staff fill the voids and use funding on improvements.

4. Pursue Walk and Bike Friendly Community Program Recognition. 

These programs have criteria to evaluate communities nationwide and provide direction on improving through the built-network and establishing programs. Lawrence has been designated a bronze community in bicycling and should pursue future applications to be designated a Walk friendly community. 

5. Funding
1. Continue investing in complete streets with new road construction and during maintenance projects. 
2. Budget $1M ($500k bike and $500 pedestrian) for improvements in the 2017-2019 CIP.
3. Earmark 0.05% in a prospective renewal of the 0.3% infrastructure sales tax in 2019

There is currently $200k budgeted in 2017-2019 for pedestrian bicycle projects          and the task force is recommending reallocating existing resources to increase        the total to $1M the next three years.

          The task force recognized the challenges in increasing property or sales tax to           create a dedicated funding source. The current 10-year 0.3% infrastructure sales     tax expires in 2019 and the task force agreed that this a potential opportunity to set-aside dedicated funding if the community desires renewing this tax. 0.05%          would create approximately $850,000/year.

6. Priorities
1. Pedestrian

i. Safe Routes to School - fill gaps within designated network

ii. Arterial & Collector streets - complete gaps on both sides of arterials and one side of collectors

iii. Invest in safer facilities for seniors and people with disabilities - ADA compliance on sidewalks, ramps and improved crosswalks

2. Bicycling

i. Complete the "Lawrence Loop"

ii. Improve safety on roads with high crash rates

iii. Develop bicycle boulevards

The task force developed three priorities for both pedestrian and bicycling in the community as funding becomes available.  Completion of gaps in the sidewalk network on primary routes for schools and neighborhood destinations are the highest priorities; estimated costs to completed gaps on one side of the street on Safe Routes to School are $200k; to complete gaps on both sides of arterials is $2.9M; to complete one side of collectors is $1M. Sidewalk maintenance on these primary routes should also be strongly considered if the     city decides to begin funding maintenance. 

The "Lawrence Loop" is a 10' shared-use path that has been constructed segments at a time over the past 20 years.  When completed it will provide residents and visitors of all ages and abilities a way to circle part or all of the city. With ongoing construction to complete segments of the Lawrence Loop there is a lot of momentum to complete the 25% remaining that is currently unfunded; estimated cost to complete the loop is $2.9M.  Other priorities include safety primarily at intersections where conflicts exist with vehicular traffic and creation of bicycle boulevards on existing bike routes.  Bicycle boulevards are low-cost solutions to improve safety for cyclists on residential streets through installation of traffic calming features.  The task force created a 'heat map' to prioritize bike boulevards in the core of the city that connect to downtown.

Summary and Staff Recommendation

Walking, wheeling and bicycling in the community are important to creating a healthy, vibrant environment.  Improvements in the pedestrian and bicycling network will encourage citizens to lead healthy, active lifestyles and create a community that is safer, stronger and more connected.  There is not a one-size fits all solution to transportation for pedestrians and cyclists.  The task force was challenged with addressing a complex range of issues and topics and the final recommendations are based on ways to make progress by managing expectations.

Staff recommends developing an implementation plan to respond to the recommendations of the report as directed by the Commission.

Action

Receive the Pedestrian Bicycle Issues Task Force Report and direct staff as appropriate.