City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JUNE 18, 2014
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: RASHAD M. YOUNG, CITY MANAGER/s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of an Amendment to Resolution 2608 on Establishment of Ad Hoc Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan Advisory Committee. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
BODY
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ISSUE: Consider an amendment to Resolution 2608 (Establishment of Ad Hoc Pedestrian and
Bicycle Master Plan Advisory Committee) to add two additional At-Large Citizen
representatives to the Advisory Committee.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
(1) Approve an amendment to Resolution 2608 to add two additional At Large Citizen representatives to Advisory Committee; and,
(2) Authorize the City Manager to appoint the two new At Large Citizen representatives to the Advisory Committee.
BACKGROUND: The City's 2008 Transportation Master Plan envisions a transportation system that encourages the use of alternative modes of transportation, reduces dependence on the automobile, and promotes a balance between travel efficiency and quality of life. These enhancements will provide Alexandrians with more transportation choices, continued economic growth, and a healthy environment. This system will lead to the establishment of transit-oriented, pedestrian friendly village centers, focused on neighborhood preservation and increased community cohesion, forming a more urban, vibrant and sustainable Alexandria.
The City also completed a Pedestrian and Bicycle Mobility Plan which is data rich and serves as an implementation tool for the Transportation Master Plan. Since that time, staff has completed many important projects to improve walking and bicycling in the City, and many more are currently underway.
In 2011, the City adopted a Complete Streets Policy which expanded staff to include a full time Complete Streets Coordinator, and initiated a Capital Bikeshare Program (Bikeshare Program), both of which continue to expand citywide.
Given the many pedestrian and bicycle projects and initiatives completed over the past five years, including the Bikeshare Program, as well as the adoption of the Complete Streets Policy, the City will undertake an effort to incorporate these additions into an updated Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan and development of a Complete Streets Design Guidelines Manual. As part of this effort, an Ad Hoc Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan Advisory Committee will provide guidance on the project to City staff.
DISCUSSION: At its April 8, 2014 meeting, the Council adopted Resolution 2608 to establish an Ad Hoc Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee). The Advisory Committee will provide guidance on the project, and will be responsible for reviewing and providing comment on key deliverables, development of goals/objectives, and providing input on project recommendations. Larger community meetings will complement the Advisory committee work, focusing on visioning, issue identification, and the Plan framework. Online engagement will play an integral role in receiving input, updating the public on the progression of the planning process, and providing a platform for polling, comments, and feedback on specific questions. The resolution authorized the City Manager to appoint 12 members to the Advisory Committee to represent the following interests:
(1) Transportation Commission designee
(1) Planning Commission
(1) Traffic & Parking Board member
(1) Parks & Recreation Commission member
(1) Commission on Aging member
(1) Commission on Persons with Disabilities member
(1) Alexandria Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee member
(3) At Large Citizen representatives
(1) Professional in the Urban Design or Landscape Architecture field
(1) Business community representative
Upon further consideration, and in keeping with the City's desire to keep civic and community engagement at the forefront of the City's planning process, a recommendation is being made to add two (2) additional At-Large Citizen Representative slots to the Committee. The proposed new Committee members will provide additional community and geographic representation through this important planning process.
Next Steps: It is intended that the Advisory Committee will have its first meeting on June 25, 2014, and meet regularly throughout the planning process to discuss the topics outlined above.
Sunset: The Advisory Committee will sunset upon City Council approval of the Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan Update and Complete Streets Design Guidelines Manual.
ATTACHMENT: Draft Resolution
STAFF:
Mark Jinks, Deputy City Manager
Richard Baier, Director, Transportation and Environmental Services
Sandra Marks, Acting Deputy Director, Transportation and Environmental Services
Jerome Fletcher, Special Assistant to City Manager
Faroll Hamer, Director, Planning and Zoning
Antonio Baxter, Division Chief, Strategic Management Services, T&ES