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Bike Committee To Meet Monday; Council to Decide Group’s Future on Tuesday
posted: January 6th, 2012 03:39 pm |
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The Newport Beach Bicycle Safety Committee will meet at 4:30 p.m. Monday in the OASIS Senior Center, one day before the City Council will decide whether to grant the group a year’s extension and possibly replace committee members.
The committee meeting on Monday will include updates on capital projects, a police report, a presentation on cycling outreach and a discussion of the future of the committee, according to a posted agenda.
The Bicycle Safety Committee was created in August 2010 and began holding meetings in December. The group was designed to meet for a year, and the City Council will have to vote to extend its tenure until Jan. 10, 2013.
If it agrees to extend the committee’s term, the Council could direct the city clerk “to treat the committee positions as unscheduled vacancies and advertise and invite members of the public to apply to be appointed to the committee,” the agenda’s staff report states. An ad hoc appointments committee, comprised of council members, would review the committee applications, the staff report states.
“In one year, the committee has accomplished a number of its goals, but we feel we need further time to consolidate our efforts and ensure a solid foundation of bicycle awareness and safety for the future,” according to a report prepared for council members. “Potential future projects include creating a Capital Improvement Program for bicycle improvements; creating a Community Bicycle Strategic Plan which is crucial for obtaining state grants; finalizing the City’s bicycle map; working with the school district to develop safer routes to school; and soliciting input for a Complete Streets program. Much of this work can be done by building on what other cities have done and using their templates, reducing the need for staff time.”
The group’s report listed several committee accomplishments, including recommendations for bike racks at locations throughout the city, planned striping improvements on East Coast Highway and speed warning signs on Newport Coast Drive. The meetings and public comments also resulted in filled potholes, leveled bumps, removal of raised pavement markers and a feature on the city website to report road hazards.
To see the complete staff report click here.
The City Council meeting will take place at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall at 3300 Newport Blvd. The public is welcome and may make comments. The Bicycle Safety Committee will meet in Room 1 of the OASIS center at Fifth and Marguerite avenues, a one-time, new location.
