Transportation Committee Meeting

February 13, 2007

3:30 pm – Colusa 116

Present: Jillian Buckholz, Sustainability Coordinator; Lesley Curry, Parking; Benn Davenport, AS Environment Affairs; Beverly Gentry, Strategic Planning; Flynn Hoffman, FMS; Jim Jessee, APO; Amy Miller, AS Sustainability Coordinator; Glennda Morse, FMS Director; Eric Reichel (Chair), Interim Chief of Police; Ken Sator, EH&S Director; Stephanie Yule, Risk Management Director.

Request by students to form sub-committee to research alternative forms of transportation:

Jillian reported that a student (Sierra Sisk) who is interning has been talking to Bev Gentry regarding specific transportation issues (car pooling, the parking structure, etc.) and it was suggested that a sub- committee form outside of this committee, who can tackle detailed issues relating to various topics. The sub-committee can then report back its findings to this committee. Glennda thought this a good idea, but asked for clarity regarding the reason for the subcommittee. It was stated that this committee deals with the big issues, but if there were smaller issues (for example, car share) then a sub committee could do the research and leg work and report back. They would bring their findings and proposals to the big committee. Time frame would be that the sub-committee work on issues each semester. Bev Gentry said it’s been helpful to sit with Sierra to learn about various things we already have on campus, especially with alternative transportation. She said she would like to be part of any outside effort.

It was agreed the student sub-committee was a good idea and this committee authorized it. Bev Gentry agreed to co-chair the sub-committee with student (Sierra Sisk). It was suggested that the sub-committee submit their project or scope to this committee, and have the focus be on something they are interested in; give this committee updates as time goes by. Bev’s first idea is to put together an alternative transportation website. Next semester it may be to re-address car pool program. A lot of people don’t know where to even go for questions, so the website is a good start. Other participants include the following volunteers: Benn Davenport, Jillian Buckholz, Flynn Hoffman, Amy Miller. Lesley Curry and Jim Jessee said they would be available as subject-matter-experts when and if need be.

TDM – Transportation Demand Management (Joel Trenalone)

Joel unable to attend; Bev Gentry talked a little about this. City of Chico has been working with Joel in this area and asked that CSU Chico come up with a plan to submit relating to TDM. Many suggestions were mentioned that include a holistic look at the entire area of transportation: to campus, areas near campus, bikes, buses, cars, parking, different programs such as ride share, van pools, limiting permit sales to exclude freshmen residents, and many more. Glennda said many of these items sounded more like “answers” as a result of the study and not things to suggest to someone who is going to study transportation demand.

Bev said she would go back to Joel and have this clarified. She will send an e-mail to the committee and ask for suggestions and responses prior to the next meeting. It was discussed that perhaps we should ask the study to look at the viability of these ideas, or what would be the most successful programs if implemented, to reach our goal.

Many ideas and suggestions were discussed; Stephanie reminded the group that many ideas that have already been suggested in days gone by may still be good ideas, and that even though a topic was researched, discussed, and never implemented in the past, may not mean it wouldn’t be a good time to now try to implement. Jim reminded the group there are many sides to various suggestions made by the committee with regards to transportation, including enrollment issues. Are we deterring people from attending here because of some of the transportation issues and programs we have in place?

Bev to get with Joel, provide via e-mail more information, will want back a response from committee re: what are our ideas, so we can gather responses in time for next meeting to discuss and prioritize.

Posting bus schedules at bus stops on campus (Benn Davenport)

Benn has ridden the bus every day for the last 4 months. What he has heard the most is that students are confused about the bus schedules because they aren’t posted anywhere accessible, and especially not at the bus stops. He said there are some stops (on Warner) where there are areas for the schedule to be posted, but they aren’t. It was suggested that Flynn (FMS) contact BCAG about that; good suggestion and Flynn will follow up. Stephanie suggested that other places be utilized also (on bulletin boards in buildings).

Jim said there is a chapter in the catalog on transportation where bus schedules can be linked.

Bev stated she has also heard that the timing of some of the buses isn’t quite right. How do we find out what students want? Once we find out, ask BCAG how we make a request (for change) and what do they want from us in order to do that.

Jim noted some other problems at bus stops. They include graffiti, and trash cans near the bus stops are inadequate (overflowing), making it undesirable to wait at bus stops. They need better (larger) trash containers; the overall maintenance of these needs to be better.

Discussion got into garbage can placement – some areas are good, some are bad. Amy suggested recycling cans in these areas. Stephanie said there can be a recycling container with every trash container on campus.

Parking Structure – study re: diagonal spaces (Glennda Morse)

Glennda reported they did a quick analysis of what it would take to turn the parking structure spaces into diagonal parking spaces. She said it would lose about 80 stalls and it would cost approximately $35,000 to re-stripe it. It was agreed that this was probably too expensive and the outcome not positive enough to move forward with the idea. Eric Reichel said that various techniques are currently in progress by UPD/Parking regarding helping with the flow of traffic that use the structure, and especially on Tuesdays and Thursdays which seem to be more popular days to use the structure. There are problems with the flow of traffic, especially on the ramps; also, the end spaces nearest to the ramps jut out in such a way that it’s difficult for cars to back out of these spaces when the structure is packed and busy. Lesley Curry reported that the first stall at the bottom of each ramp and on top of each ramp, effecting oncoming traffic be striped out, with the neighboring spaces marked for compact only. Lesley is working on this issue with FMS, current work order has been submitted. This will probably result in a loss of 4-6 stalls if this is done, but it would help the current problems. She said she is looking at other parking structure issues that would help enhance what is there (re: signage, stalls being repainted, etc.) Will report back at next meeting.

Signage – Bike Riding on Campus (Eric Reichel/Glennda Morse)

Glennda and Eric gave a presentation to cabinet re: bike lane around Taylor, as well as the possible new “no bike riding” sign for the core of campus, and other related issues. They didn’t like any of the options, including the signs. It was suggested they talk to the new creative director to come up with a sign that is more bike- friendly, pedestrian-friendly, and welcoming, and yet still enforceable. They said the suggested sign was not friendly enough, or welcoming. The existing signs are too wordy, they look more like a map, they are difficult to read, and therefore, violation is not enforceable.

A lot of discussion took place at cabinet meeting regarding the safety issues on campus regarding bikes, skateboarding, pedestrians, etc. Glennda said it will be a challenge to come up with a friendly and welcoming sign, which can be enforced by police. Pedestrian walkways were also suggested but these were not affirmed or declined by cabinet at this time.

Glennda and Eric to meet with Creative Director to revisit different ideas, and will re-present to cabinet at a later date. Discussion.

Review of Parking Websites (Bev Gentry)

Bev put together 2 different quick websites – one on Parking and one on Alternative Transportation. She does not feel ready to market these yet and wants the committee’s input. As she was compiling the information she included all the different links to all the different campus departments that describe anything to do with parking, transportation, and alternatives. She began to wonder how many times do we (campus) tell people various directions and she discovered that there isn’t one specific place for the information. There are too many links. When one is updated, another may not be, because different departments are creating things independently from each other. At this point, Bev is collecting information to find out what is out there. Next step will be to organize it all.

Bev’s request at this time is: as a committee, what else is out there? What has she missed? Are there other links? Are we telling people things that we should be telling them?

Also discovered information regarding the car pool program. We haven’t advertised it (maybe because we only have 12 spaces?) What other programs do we have available, if any? Not sure what is current, and what isn’t. Jim said all of this ties into what’s in the catalog, and also it ties into sustainability.

Eric asked if this is something the student sub-committee might want to tackle. Bev said yes, it would be a good project for them. She wants to know how to make the web pages interesting, how to partner with the A.S. Jim suggested that Bev and Richard Houchin get together because what she has put together so far ties right in with catalog. It needs to be a joint effort, and maintained by one department with links.

Jillian suggested if you want students to look at it, use it, and read it, have students design it. Bev was very open to that.

Meeting adjourned at 4:37