North Cook News

City of Park Ridge Bike Task Force met March 7.

Here is the minutes provided by the Task Force:

I. Roll Call

Chairman O’Donnell called the meeting to order at 7:20 pm. Members of the Task Force sat in on the City Council Budget Workshop prior to the start of this meeting.

On roll call, the following indicated their presence: Joe DeYoung, Melissa Hulting, Jim O’Donnell, Scott Scheuber, Adam Sciortino, Matthew Talbert and Dan Thorne. Also present was Senior Administrative Assistant Brigid Madden.

Alderman Shubert and Lauren Pahnke were absent.

II. Approval of Minutes – February 7, 2018 Regular Meeting

On a motion by Matthew Talbert, seconded by Melissa Hulting, the Task Force agreed to approve the minutes from the February 7, 2018 meeting.

The motion was approved unanimously by voice vote.

The introduction of the newest Task Force member and discussion of bike education were added to the agenda.

III. Introduction of Dan Thorne

Chairman O’Donnell introduced Dan Thorne who was recently appointed by the Mayor to the Bike Task Force. D. Thorne discussed bike commuting and importance of bike infrastructure. He spoke to his professional experience as an advertising writer and the importance of changing the perspective between bikers and drivers, which is an important step to increasing the number of bikers on the road.

Chairman O’Donnell indicated that C. Olsen has resigned from the Task Force since its last meeting. He questioned how the new vacancy would be filled.

IV. Bike Education Program

M. Hulting announced the dates for the upcoming bike education classes. The classes will be held at the Centennial Activity Center from 8:00 – 11:00am; Saturday, June 2 for nine to thirteen year olds and Sunday, June 17 fourteen and older, including adults. The cost of the class is $30 per person and it will be featured in the upcoming Park District Summer catalog. M. Hulting indicated that C. Olsen secured a $200 donation from Friends of the Park to offset the cost of instruction and Park District overhead.

The Task Force discussed whether the cost of the class was appropriate.

M. Hulting suggested reaching out to PTOs to move the program into the schools in the future.

The Task Force discussed how to promote the classes. M. Hulting explained that the Park District Marketing Department would create a jpeg containing class information to share.

Chairman O’Donnell explained that the status of the Task Force was not officially confirmed at the Budget Workshop, but it did seem as though they would continue based on the consensus to approve funding for portions of the Bike Plan. He stated that in the meantime, the Task Force has use of the Bike Walk Park Ridge Facebook page. He confirmed that B. Madden sent an email to survey participates in reference to the Bike Plan presentation to City Council. Chairman O’Donnell questioned whether a Gmail address was set up. M. Hulting explained that bikewalkpr@gmail.com was set up at the same time the Facebook page was. M. Talbert stated that he had the credentials for the account. Chairman O’Donnell requested that M. Talbert set up a Mail Chimp template and populate it with the emails obtained through the survey. M. Talbert questioned whether Task Force activities and business could be promoted through these means. Chairman O’Donnell reviewed the response from the City Attorney and City Manager regarding Task Force communication. He stated that the Task Force has identified a need to communicate with those interested in their work and the Bike Plan.

A. Sciortino explained that perhaps the mission of the Task Force is changing, with a new focus on promoting the Bike Plan, which might not have been part of the group’s original, explicit purpose. He stated that the Task Force is “hamstrung” by State regulations that prohibit communication among the members outside of an open meeting. He explained that individually members could promulgate the work of the Task Force in the community, but a concerted effort outside of the meeting could potentially violate the Open Meetings Act (OMA).

M. Hulting explained that the appointment of M. Talbert as “Communications Director” would prevent any violation of OMA. S. Scheuber explained that communications can be planned in advance at an open meeting and distributed by M. Talbert.

J. DeYoung questioned why use of Facebook and a newsletter were necessary when the Task Force already has a landing page on the City’s website. M. Hulting and S. Scheuber spoke to the importance of “pushing” information out to the community.

M. Talbert suggested creating different distribution lists based on the type of information he would be sending out, for example: community events, Task Force sponsored activities. S. Scheuber explained that prior to making the decision, they should define the purpose of the newsletters - whether it would have a “city focus” or community advocacy.

Chairman O’Donnell asked how and when the Task Force should communicate the bike education program and the consensus reached during the Budget Workshop. They first addressed the education program. M. Hulting suggested sending out a “Save the Date” through the Facebook page and the Mail Chimp account once it is set up. M. Talbert stated that the first email from the Mail Chimp account should serve as an introduction. Chairman O’Donnell asked whether the Task Force was comfortable with an introductory email. He also requested that the content of the introductory email be sent to Task Force prior to distributing. A. Sciortino stated that some of the email addresses on this distribution list are property of the Bike Task Force, obtained through the Bike Plan survey. It was suggested that the option to opt-out would alleviate this concern. M. Talbert referred to the verbiage of the survey to determine whether the Task Force was specifically referenced. The survey reads, “Thank you for completing the Park Ridge Bike Survey.If you would like to get involved in Park Ridge’s Bicycle Plan, please leave your name and email address.” M. Talbert suggested sending a separate email to those who completed the survey asking that they opt-in. A. Sciortino stated that the Task Force is a City organization and must communicate to the public in ways in which the City says it can. M. Hulting explained that the issue is that the emails were obtained through City business. She suggested the City send out a communication informing survey participants that their email would be provided to a Park Ridge bike advocacy group. B. Madden indicated that she would be uncomfortable with that.

S. Scheuber stated that he does not find the need to communicate to be a deviation from the Task Force charter. Chairman O’Donnell explained that the Task Force was not given a formal charter; the mission statement was created by the members.

S. Scheuber asked if other City commissions reach out to the community. B. Madden explained that it could be done through City communications, such as news releases, posts on the City’s social media and website, the Spokesman newsletter, etc.

M. Talbert suggested creating a new email list as a community bike group.

J. DeYoung suggested the Task Force write up their communication requirements and present it to the City Attorney.

S. Scheuber stated that the City should be trying to connect with as many residents as possible based on their interests. He suggested the City allow residents to subscribe to specific feeds and information, not just about biking but to take a broader approach.

B. Madden explained that the City Attorney has already provided his opinion, which was that the Task Force should communicate through a city-issued email address and not a Mail Chimp newsletter. M. Hulting stated that the Task Force is looking to communicate broader information. M. Talbert stated that the issue was use of the email addresses obtained through the survey.

It was determined that M. Hulting would send the information about the bike education program to B. Madden to be distributed. The Mail Chimp general introduction will be deferred.

V. Review of City Council Presentation

Chairman O’Donnell explained that he was unsure of the next steps. While there was a consensus tonight, the public hearing and City Council vote will take place on April 16.

D. Thorne stated that the Council did request a phased approached to bike parking. Chairman O’Donnell and J. DeYoung indicated that the Task Force already has that information.

S. Scheuber questioned whether the Bike Plan needed to be officially approved by the City. Chairman O’Donnell stated that following the presentation of the Plan to City Council, Ed Barsotti of Ride Illinois explained that the next step is to have the City formally adopt the Plan. Chairman O’Donnell then spoke to Alderman Shubert and Mayor Maloney, who advised that we not immediately bring the Bike Plan back for formal approval. The Task Force questioned whether an approved plan is required to obtain grant funding.

Chairman O’Donnell explained that it was unclear who from City staff would be assigned ownership of the Bike Plan.

S. Scheuber questioned the “shelf life” of the Bike Plan. A. Sciortino suggested that the portion of the Plan receiving funding from the City for implementation received “de facto” approval from the City Council.

Chairman O’Donnell explained that an approved Plan is required in order to receive grant funding, but Mr. Barsotti informed him that many communities have bike plans that are not formally approved.

D. Thorne explained that regardless of whether or not the Plan is approved, City Council must still approve any funding for implementation.

VI. Destination and Way Finding Signage

Chairman O’Donnell explained that the list of destinations would become the source for way finding signage. He asked that the Task Force review the list and provide feedback to him prior to the next meeting. A. Sciortino suggested including the Farmer’s Market as a destination. M. Hulting felt it should not be included because it is an event and perhaps its location would change in the future.

J. DeYoung explained that the Bike Plan is divided into 60 segments. He proposed that within the segments, the Task Force determine where to place new destination signage in both directions and identify the location of old signs that must be removed. He suggested dividing the segments up by zone/area in order to efficiently collect the data. J. DeYoung explained that he would create a checklist to work from, which would also include identifying dangerous sewer covers. He stressed the importance of having the information ready so the Task Force can act once the funding is made available.

M. Hulting suggested working on this task in groups of two or at a special meeting to review the maps and signage locations. J. DeYoung explained that he envisioned each member working individually. A. Sciortino felt it would be more appropriate to visit each segment as opposed to just viewing the area on a map.

S. Scheuber suggested having a strategy in terms of categorizing the destinations. He explained that there should be “anchor tenants” to maintain consistency. M. Hulting asked whether standards for way finding signage are available.

D. Thorne suggested that routes heading into the City should drive in toward Uptown, while outgoing routes should include the bike trails.

J. DeYoung explained that he would create the checklist based on his experience reviewing a segment on his own. Chairman O’Donnell stated that the segments would be divided up at the next meeting.

VII. Preliminary Discussion of Roles Going Forward

Chairman O’Donnell explained that he was hoping to have the vacancy on the Task Force filled prior to the next meeting. One of the candidates has experience with way finding signage. He is also considering inviting all of the applicants to attend the next meeting.

Chairman O’Donnell explained that he would like to reintroduce a committee structure, i.e. education, communications, a Northwest Municipal Conference Bike Ped Committee report.

VIII. New Business

The next meeting is Wednesday, April 4 at 7:00pm.

IX. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 8:58 pm.

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