MINUTES OF THE COUNTYWIDE NON-MOTORIZED TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
January 14, 2004
Members Attending: Ann Bennett (At-Large), Bruce Wright (Hunter
Mill District), Robert Michie (Lee District), Christopher
O'Brien (Mason District), Dan Iglhaut and Kate Rudicalle,
(NVRPA), Mike Brennan (Braddock), Mike Shannon (Springfield
District), Walter Brodtman (WABA), Jenny Pate (FCPA), Paul
Johnson (NVBIA), Mary Flowers, (Clifton Horse Society), Wade
Smith (Dranesville District), Larry Butler, (Sully District),
Rebecca Cate (FCFCA)
Staff Attending: Sheng-Jieh Leu (DPZ), Mimi Murray
(DOT), Ahmed Rayyan (DPWES)
Guests Attending: Mr Lee Davis (Virginia Bicycling
Federation)
Chairman Ann Bennett called the meeting to order at 7:30
p.m.
The November minutes were reviewed (There was no meeting in
December). Wade Smith requested that in McLean be added to
the following sentence from the November minutes: Mr. Smith
said that there will be a ribbon cutting on a section of the
Lewinsville Rd trail. This section was built by a developer
on an offsite location near Spring Hill Recreation area. Minutes
were approved unanimously as changed.
Staff Report
- Mr. Rayyan discussed the current process of responding
to a citizen request for walkway projects. His office gets
the request, one or two people go out and review the site
of the request, they do a quick cost estimate, they do a feasibility
study, then make their recommendation to the District representative
on the NMTC. Recently, however, a request from a citizen sidewalk
generated a call from Supervisor Bulova's office saying they
preferred to take the request a little further. They want
the requestor to provide a petition or other means to show
they have local community support. The downside, according
to Mr. Rayyan, is that after all that work the requestor would
do, we would have to tell them no, due to funding.
The Committee discussed the process and it was felt that people
from other Districts have requested a change. A problem arises
when the request is in front of a school, since school and
managerial districts don't always coincide. Sometimes citizens
within the area don't always want it, while the rest of the
citizens outside of the area do. It was agreed that we shouldn't
discourage anyone from requesting sidewalks or trails. It
was suggested that maybe once Mr Rayyan gets the request,
he immediately notify the trail rep; that it is important
to get the request into the files in the Supervisor's office.
He estimated that he gets three or four requests a month and
that these requests always come to NMTC. It should be determined
if the requested trail is on the Trails Plan.
The conclusion is that Mr Rayyan should think about the process
and have a recommendation at the February meeting. In addition,
Ms Bennett suggested that Florence from the Braddock District
attend in order to further discuss their request for a petition.
We should also consider having a school district representative
attend a meeting to talk to the committee.
- 2. Jenny Pate reported that 2004 is a park bond year, and
it looks good for getting money for trails. They plan to build
75 miles of trails over the next 10 years. All representatives
should encourage their park authority representative to spend
money for trails. It was mentioned that we should be looking
into people getting into parks without driving a car. Ms Pate
mentioned that the last bond was in 1998 for $4.2 million
and almost all of it is spent. She also reported that the
Cross County Trail Caucus will be held January 26 at 7:30
p.m. at Woodson High School in Fairfax.
- 3. Ms Mimi Murray from DOT reported that she is working on
the project of placing Yield to Pedestrian signs; the goal
is placing them at approximately 150 intersections a year.
She asked that trail reps notify her of either crosswalks
that are missing and/or identify intersections where they
would like to have Yield to Pedestrian signs installed. Also,
she was looking for people to manage a pit stop for the Bike
to Work Day on May 7. Her e-mail address for sign notification
or managing a pit stop is mimi.murray@fairfaxcounty.gov. She
also reported that a pedestrian task force is underway and
expects to be functional by next month.
- 4. Mr Leu mentioned that trail waivers are not always responded
to in a timely manner and that it is important that trail
representatives do so. He also reported that he needed to
respond to an Environmental Quality Advisory Council (EQAC)
by January 20 requesting what specific recommendations the
NMTC had. Committee members said to mention the Priority List
of Trails and that he should request money be given to the
Trails Committee to complete those trails on the Priority
List.
Chair Report
Ms Bennett mentioned that she had been reappointed
for the At-Large Member until Chairman Connolly finds a replacement.
She suggested that this year the Committee needs to focus
on funding issues, bicycle issues, and schools. She then asked
for nominations for Chair of the NMTC. Some names were mentioned
by no one agreed to run. It was suggested a Nominating Committee
get together and come up with a name or names. Mr Shannon
and Mr Wright agreed to be on the Committee.
Old Business
Wade mentioned that rail station bike/pedestrian
access will be discussed at a public hearing. It was mentioned
that a car dealer in the Tysons area did not agree to the
plan but hired an engineering firm and came up with a better
design for access. Metro seems receptive to discussion alternatives
to their plans.
New Business
Wade mentioned that if the HOT lanes on the
Beltway were built, every bridge would have to be rebuilt
and that the Committee should get in our requests for pedestrian
walkways. We should be sure that pedestrian issues are considered
whenever they redo anything on the Beltway. Wade mentioned
that somehow we should find out when VDOT is doing paving
and push for bike lanes.
The Committee members thanked Ann for all her hard work during
her term as Chair, especially during the revision of the Trail
Plan.
Meeting adjourned 9:00 p.m.
Mary Flowers, Acting Secretary
