CYCLING AND PEDESTRIAN

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2010

YORK ROOM, MARKHAM CIVIC CENTRE

MINUTES

Attendance

Committee: Sandra McEleney, Vice-Chair Rachael Woodroffe Arup Mukherjee Winston Stewart David Rawcliffe Gerald Corbett Carole Robertson, Accessibility Rep. Agency Members: Michelle Holmes, Rouge Park Alliance Wincy Tsang, Smart Commute 404-7 Megan Johnson Lui, District School Boards Lindsay Rosien, York Region Health Observers: J. Wong G. Walter A. Poon

Staff: L. Mele, TDM Coordinator N. Letman, Recreation Supervisor, Armadale C. C. J. Kee, Committee Clerk

The Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee convened at the hour of 7:10 p.m. with Ms.

Sandra. McEleney, Vice-Chair, presiding as Chair this evening.

1. WELCOME

The Chair welcomed all members to the first meeting of 2010, and everyone around the table introduced themselves, including three potential new members, Ms. Jenika Wong, Mr. Gordon Walter, and Mr. Adam Poon.

Members were advised that if they wished to discuss items other than those on the Agenda, they could be introduced under New Business.

2. MINUTES OF THE CYCLING AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY

COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON NOVEMBER 26, 2009

Moved by R. Woodroffe

Seconded by D. Rawcliffe

That the minutes of the Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee meeting held on

November 26, 2009 be adopted.

CARRIED

3. FIVE YEAR IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM - DRAFT

Mr. Lorenzo Mele, TDM Coordinator, distributed copies of a “Project Summary Table”, recently prepared by the Town’s consultants, MMM Group (Marshall Macklin Monaghan). The project list combined with the ‘Project Key Map’ summarized the cycling and trail routes being considered for study and those being considered for design and construction, relative to the Five-Year (2010-2015) Cycling, Pathways and Trail Implementation Program for the Town of Markham.

Mr. Mele suggested that Committee review each of the projects to give Members an opportunity to provide comments relating to the projects identified in the implementation strategy. The ‘Project Key Map’ pinpointing all of the projects was presented on-screen, and it was noted that most of these are connection pieces where links can be improved.

It was noted that the scope of the program is $2M/year over a five year period, and that the project review and prioritization work concerning this program has just begun and will continue over the next 2 to 3 months. Concern was expressed that there would not be sufficient time this evening to review all of the projects, and it was suggested that staff provide a high level overview of the projects, and then provide Members with a copy of the map and key legend to review at home and provide comments following the meeting. Staff advised that meetings will be held with the Consultant to discuss the feasibility of each of the projects and before the next meeting a copy of the key map will be distributed to Members along with information on what kind of feedback is required from the Committee.

It was requested that staff invite the Consultant to attend the next meeting and also to provide coloured photographs, if possible. Mr. Mele advised that each project will have its own information sheet, GIS points, and what is needed for each.

The Chair encouraged all Members to provide feedback at the next meeting.

It was noted that there are currently no bicycle racks attached to the Region of York and VIVA buses, however, Members were advised that bicycle racks have been approved at the Region and are expected to be mounted in the near future to encourage cycling and transit network connectivity.

4. 2010 CPAC BUSINESS PLAN DEVELOPMENT

Mr. Mele provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding the 2010 CPAC Business Plan. He briefly provided an overview and budget summary and provided details on the network implementation. He noted that the Major Mackenzie pathway will soon be finalized, but some additional work is required relating to pavement markings and signage.

Committee discussed the possibility of holding a “ribbon-cutting” official opening event in the spring to draw attention to the Major Mackenzie pathway project, however, Committee agreed that it may be better to wait until the fall after all work has been completed. The Chair asked Members to forward any ideas regarding such an event to Mr. Mele for consideration.

Mr. Mele also provided information on the following proposed activities/goals for 2010:

· bike racks on Steeles corridor; partnering with City of Toronto on pilot project; corner of McCowan Road and Steeles Avenue; more details to follow

· bike route maps to be finalized; a map has already been included with the Town’s recreation guide; suggestion that Town partner with the Town of Richmond Hill on this initiative

The Chair requested that a copy of the Business Plan be sent to all Members of the Committee, and if there were any questions, Members could forward them to Mr. Mele for response lmele@markham.ca, so that the Business Plan could be finalized at the beginning of the next meeting’s Agenda. Mr. Mele advised that a draft overview of the 2010 Business Plan will be included with the minutes, in addition to a copy of the 2009 Business Plan.

5. OTHER BUSINESS

a) TRAILBLAZERS Tandem Cycling Club

Mr. Lorenzo Mele, TDM Coordinator, advised that the TRAILBLAZERS have indicated that they would be interested in attending a future meeting of CPAC to give a presentation about their organization and to explore opportunities for possible collaboration. This will be added as an item on a future CPAC meeting agenda.

The Chair explained that this organization provides recreational cycling to people who have limited or no vision, and provides the opportunity to cycle with sighted volunteers on bicycles built for two.

b) ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR

The Chair advised that there will be an item on the next Agenda regarding the “Election of Chair and Vice-Chair”. All members were encouraged to consider this for discussion next month, and if they had any questions regarding the duties of either position to please contact Mr. Mele.

c) PRESENTATION ON ROUGE PARK

Ms. Michelle Holmes, Rouge Park Alliance, advised that she would like to provide an update on the Rouge Park at a future meeting of Committee after March 1^st.

d) NEW ON-ROAD BIKE LANES – DUFFERIN STREET

Mr. Arup Mukherjee advised that the Region of York has just recently opened dedicated on-road bike lanes in the City of Vaughan on Dufferin Street between Steeles Avenue and Highway 407 as part of their effort to promote more sustainable means of travel on Regional roads and to also help combat traffic congestion. Members were encouraged to visit the area to view the new bike lanes.

6. 2010 MEETING SCHEDULE & DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Members discussed the meeting schedule for 2010, and it was suggested that the third Thursday of the month had been convenient in the past and could be considered for 2010. Following further discussion, it was agreed that the year’s schedule would be considered at the next meeting

The next meeting of the Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee was confirmed to be:

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2010

7:00 P.M.

YORK ROOM, MARKHAM CIVIC CENTRE

ADJOURNMENT

Moved by D. Rawcliffe

Seconded by A. Mukherjee

That the Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee meeting adjourn. (9:10 p.m.)

CARRIED