2018 September Meeting Packet

Bicycle/Pedestrian Subcommittee Tuesday, September 11, 2018 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM Large Conference Room – Dover City Hall AGENDA Agenda Minutes of August, 2018 Old Items: 1. Delaware Bicycle Council Innovation Grant 2. Construction Projects (DelDOT) 3. Dover Treasure Hunt 4. By‐Laws revision 5. Bike Fix‐It Station 6. Dover Duathlon New Items: 1. Pedestrian Issues 2. Dover PAL (Dave Moses) Announcements Adjournment THE AGENDA ITEMS AS LISTED MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED IN SEQUENCE. PURSUANT TO 29 DEL. C. §10004(E)(2), THIS AGENDA IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE TO INCLUDE THE ADDITION OR THE DELETION OF ITEMS, INCLUDING EXECUTIVE SESSIONS, WHICH ARISE AT THE TIME OF THE MEETING.

Bicycle Pedestrian Sub‐Committee Dover City Hall Large Conference Room Dover, DE August 21, 2018 *** DRAFT *** Members Present: Others Present: Jim Hutchison, Chris Asay, Jayce Lesniewski, Dave Carolyn Courtney, Margie Cyr, Moses, Gerry Pennington, Fran Riddle, Andy Siegel Eddie Diaz, John Fiori, CALLED TO ORDER: Meeting opened at 5:03 P.M. AGENDA The agenda was presented for review. Mr. Asay asked to include the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan to the agenda. Mr. Lesniewski asked if he could report on the New Items: 1 Pedestrian Issues earlier on the agenda due to personal obligations later in the evening. Without objection the agenda was approved as amended. MINUTES The minutes were presented from June 2018. The chair entertained the motion to accept a motion for approval. Without objection the minutes were approved. MOVED ITEMS Dover Treasure Hunt Mrs. Riddle reviewed the handout. Noting we are meeting again in September to ensure we have enough interested parties to ensure this is a valid event. We have ideas still floating, such as “adopt a route”, cooling stations, and a variety of routes that loop to and from event main stage. We feel this would be a good partner to an Open Streets event if they are holding these next year. Our date is still set for July 21, 2019. Mr. Moses inquired about RSVPing for event? Mrs. Riddle noted probably not. We would like to “memorialize” these routes so that folks may use them as a guide in the future. Mr. Hutchison asked if outside groups had been contacted? Mrs. Riddle noted not yet. Once the routes are finalized we plan to reach out to business/churches, etc. along the various routes. Mr. Hutchison felt his church would be interested in participating and looked forward to this event working out. Mrs. Riddle will continue to update the group and looks forward to their participation in this event as it develops. Pedestrian Issues Mr. Lesniewski noted he reviewed the Pedestrian Plan and found the following could probably be addressed: 1) North Division, Pennsylvania / Maple areas the vegetation is encroaching onto the sidewalk. 2) North State Street area from about Washington Street on northward, the sidewalk are uneven and could be hazardous. 3) Kings Highway, behind Weyandt building, there are no clear sidewalks (next to city parking lot). 4) Crosswalk is in needed of repainting on New Street (Owens Manor), in general New Street is in need of attention Loockerman to Water. With discussion, it was noted these may be as simple as calling it into Public Work and also Inspections, as they may be something the city can easily mitigate. Mrs. Cyr and Ms. Courtney will reach out according to report these issues. Also, they may be called into the Inspections Department directly at 736‐7010.

OLD ITEMS Construction Projects Mr. Fiori reported that Brecknock Park link is almost done. The Rapid Beacon project is slated to begin soon for the POW Parkway. Senator Bikeway easements are being sought and construction is slated to begin on Phase 1 in the spring of 2019. The multiuse pathway along Saulsbury Road and RT8 is being repaved as part of another project. Many positive comments have been received about the repaving of these pathways. Delaware Bicycle Council Innovation Grant Mrs. Cyr noted our application had been submitted to the Delaware Bicycle Council. A meeting has been set up for Aug. 30 with representatives from the city and the council to meet for grant review. Ms. Courtney will attached the grant application to these minutes. Dover Duathlon Ms. Courtney reported that a date has to be finalized. The group was asked to double check calendars one more. The tentative target date will be April 6, 2019. Ms. Courtney reported that LinMark will be returning and a small of group of subcommittee members have been selected to work on the 2019 event. More information will be shared as details are finalized. We are hoping everyone on this subcommittee will be able to assist in some form in 2019. Mr. Moses announced the he would not part of the event to the same level as he had been previously, he wanted to be sure this body was fully aware. Mr. Moses asked if a race director had been hired or if LinMark would be taking over more responsibility. Ms. Courtney replied a Duathlon committee had been formed and members would be meeting soon to move the 2019 event forward. Reports to this committee will be made on a regular bases. Bylaws Revision Mrs. Cyr reported that this is a topic she will be addressing this fall. We should be hearing more on this in future meetings. Mr. Lesniewski, Mr. Hutchison and Ms. Courtney will be meeting together with her soon for update review. City of Dover Pedestrian Plan & City of Dover Bicycle Plan Mrs. Cyr reported the City Manager has sent a formal request to the MPO for assistance in updating the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plans. They will work together on these plans and produce a document with separate sections for the bike and pedestrian issues. Overlapping data would be merged. Bike Fix It Station Ms. Courtney reported the unit has been purchased and will be delivered to the Library. Once that is done, the city will continue to move this project forward with installation. NEW ITEMS Bicycle‐Motorcycle Collision on Saulsbury Road Mr. Asay knew of an accident. He did not have any details but wondering what happened? No one else was aware of any accident. DOVER PAL Mr. Moses noted he spoke with Dover PAL Officer, Anthony Smith. He felt we possibly share ideas and work together on upcoming programs. Mrs. Cyr noted she had spoken with Officer Smith as the Library and Parks & Recreation Department had been running programs all summer in conjunction with PAL. They will be meeting soon to see where we can partner on bicycling and pedestrian activities. Mr. Moses asked to have Dover PAL included on the next agenda and that Officer Smith receive an invite so that this board can hear about all the positive things PAL is doing.

ANNOUNCEMENTS It was noted due to the Sept. 4 Holiday, that we will meet on the second Tuesday of September. September 11, 2018 will be our next meeting date. ADJOURNMENT With no further business the meeting adjourned at 6:15 PM without objection.

City of Dover Walking Treasure Hunt What? A day for town folk to enjoy the walkability of Dover’s neighborhoods and discover gems of nature, history, culture and community. Starting at “terminals” around town, groups of walkers will be guided along various “arteries” leading to a hub at the Green. Guides will point out hidden gardens, giant trees, houses built from Sears catalog kits, and “ghosts” of things past such as the Richardson Hotel and the factory that made Neil Armstrong’s space suit. Along the way, walkers will rest in the shade, drink ice water and lemonade provided by community centers and places of worship, and be entertained by local musicians, artists, and thespians. Outlines of sample arteries are attached. When walkers arrive at the Green, they will enjoy refreshments, share discoveries and receive mementos of the day before returning to their terminal. When? July 20, 2019, 9:00 to noon (We are planning ahead!) Why? To use our feet to explore Dover, meet our neighbors, and energize one another to work together for a vibrant and healthy city. Who? Primary sponsors to date are Restoring Central Dover and the Bicycle & Pedestrian Subcommittee of the Transportation & Safety Committee of the City of Dover. But we hope sponsorship and participation will grow into a coalition of individuals and groups representing all aspects of City life – merchants and businesses, medical centers, schools and colleges, musicians and artists, government and non‐profit organizations, health, welfare, and environmental advocacy groups. A walk‐friendly community is good for us all! How? You and your organization can get involved in many ways – As a planner, an entertainer, a promoter, a provider of refreshments, a guide, and more. Involvement can be as great or as small as you like. To volunteer or get additional information, contact…

City of Dover Walking Treasure Hunt Central Middle School Artery Station/Starting Point: Central Middle School, 211 Delaware Avenue To the Hub: From CMS to the Green via Kings Highway & State Street Walking Route  From Central Middle School, follow Pennsylvania Avenue south to Division Street  Cross Division Street and continue along the east side of Kings Highway to the corner of Loockerman, King, and State  Cross Loockerman and continue on the east side of State to the Green Highlights along the way  CMS itself – history, architecture, community theater  Governor’s Mansion garden  Governor’s Café  DNREC – old cannery architecture; rain garden  From DNREC, look across the street to Weyandt Hall and its classic rooster weather vane  From the pedestrian crosswalk to M & T Bank, look across State Street to the DNREC annex – “A.D. 1908” and an almost perfect “golden rectangle” portico; if you cross at the M & T Bank, south side triangle, you’ll see (look down!) a rose compass and can continue across State St. to the Grey Fox  On S. State Street, the options are plentiful, including the Constitution ratification giant feather and the amazing brick work on the façade of the Central Law Building at 312 S. State Entertainment/Cooling-Station Locations  Governor’s Mansion  Triangle in front of M & T Bank  DNREC visitors entrance garden; DNREC auditorium (rainy day option) (See reverse for return-trip route)

Return Trip from the Hub: From the Green to CMS via Loockerman & Park Drive Walking Route  To the Biggs Museum from the Green  Follow North Street south to Federal Street  Turn left/north on Federal Street & follow it to Loockerman  Turn east on Loockerman (south side) to Legislative Avenue  Cross Loockerman at the Legislative Avenue light & continue east on the Loockerman across the St. Jones Bridge  Turn left/north on Park Drive  Cross Division Street/Kings Highway at the light  Continue west on Division/Kings Highway to Kent Avenue  Turn right/north on Kent Avenue to CMS Highlights along the way  Murphy School  Old trees and butterfly bench on the east side of Park Drive (trees/parks/gardens)  Riparian buffer along the St. Jones River on the west side of Park Drive (trees/parks/gardens)  Former location of the volunteer fire fighters memorial on the west side of Park Drive  Mirror Lake bridge on Loockerman – WPA project  Bike Path crossing Loockerman  Vietnam War memorial, corner of Loockerman & Legislative Avenue at the Archives  Giant cypress tree behind the Archives  Green roof at the public library  Historical marker commemorating Bishop Richard Allen, founder of the AME Church, in the Loockerman Plaza at the Federal Street intersection (dead people)  Carrier pigeon weather vane on the old post office – now the Wesley Church Education Center; also the Wesley Church clothes closet on North St.  Biggs blackbird sculpture Possible Entertainment/Cooling-Station Locations  Former fire fighters memorial  Wesley Church Education Center  Biggs Museum

APPLICANT INFORMATION Margery Cyr, Director of Library, Parks & Recreation, City of Dover mcyr@dover.de.us Carolyn Courtney, Bicycle/Pedestrian Liaison, City of Dover ccourtney@dover.de.us PO Box 475 Dover, DE 19904 PH: 302‐736‐7050 PROJECT INFORMATION Mallard Pond Pathway Connection Path or Trail Location: Mallard Pond Park area (West Dover) Carry‐over Project from previous year: No Amount Requested: $20,000 Map: Please see attached map for project location 1. Grant Funds will be used for: Feasibility Study 2. Is there a current executed scope of services with a consultant to perform the above task? No If no, does the city have a consulting firm on retainer or personnel on staff that can perform the task within the time constraints of the grant? No 3. Please provide a brief description of the project: The City of Dover would seek services to evaluate the feasibility of constructing a bicycle/pedestrian trail connection from Fox Hall West (via Pebble Valley Drive) to the Mallard Pond paved trail that connects to Marsh Creek Lane. Marsh Creek Lane has sidewalks along its entire length. This trail connection piece would provide direct pedestrian access to Route 8 which could eliminate vehicular trips along Kenton Road and provide additional recreational access for area residents, and improve access to the new high school. Marsh Creek Lane is just east of the HAWK pedestrian‐activated traffic signal that was installed in the summer of 2014. 4. Is the project identified in a Regional or Comprehensive Master Plan? Yes, it is mentioned in both the City of Dover Bicycle Plan of 2015 (pages 34 & 70) and the City of Dover Pedestrian Plan of 2015 (pages 52 & 56). 5. Have there been any previous attempts to advance this project through mean other than this grant? No. 6. Does the project have any declared support from the local government and community? Dover City Council generally supports projects that promote quality of life activities for their residents and visitors. The City would host public meetings prior to construction of the trail connection to garner support for the project. Currently, there has been some opposition from residents of Fox Hall.

7. Describe the impact of the project, anticipated use/volume and how the project will be measured. Create a path link for pedestrians and bicyclists from north Dover neighborhoods to the area of Dover High School. Neighborhoods benefiting would include Fox Hall, Fox Hall West, Westfield and Maple Dale. The project could significantly reduce auto traffic along Kenton Road and Route 8 during peak hours by making bicycling or walking to‐and‐from Dover High School more accessible. 8. Are there any anticipated challenges (ie: right‐of‐way, utilities, environmental) to the implementation of this project that we should be aware of? The City of Dover does not own the property needed for the project. The feasibility study would give us the most direct, cost efficient and non‐intrusive option for completing the pathway. There are two parcels of property to be considered as well there is a major power line going through this area. These properties are owned by the local homeowner associations, the feasibility study would help us identify which of them might be willing to grant an easement for the path. 9. Is there a local entity who can maintain this facility? The City would take ownership and maintenance responsibilities for the pathway once completed. 10. If awarded a partial grant or if the entire grant will not cover the full costs of this phase, can other funding sources be secured to make up the the difference? No. We would need to seek outside funding sources, such as the MPO. 11. What are the options to appropriate the next level of funding to keep the project moving forward (ie, design/construction)? We would need to seek funding to implement findings of the feasibility study. We would request funding in the Capital Improvement Project budget for the 2020 fiscal year budget beginning July 1, 2019. At this time, it is not a budgeted City project. We currently have no funding sources allocated for this project. 12. Please attach any additional information or supporting documentation (letters of support, proof of leveraging funding, etc). The Bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee reviewed a list potential projects for grant funding. The Mallard Pond Multi‐use Trail was the recommended project presented to the Dover City Council Committee as a Whole on June 26, 2018. The approval to apply for this grant was given at that time.

Proposed Mallard Pond Trail Link Existing Trail, approx. 1,180 feet Proposed Trail, approx. 650 feet Drainage swale with P1: Mallard Pond Park proposed culvert P2: Lands of Fox Hall West Addition P3: Lands of City of Dover P4: Lands of First Flag Inc. Date Created: 6/14/2018 0 90 180 360 540 720 Feet ¯ FOX HALL WEST ADDITION e Pl Pebble Valley Dr ro lin Ca P3 P2 HEATHERFIELD MALLARD POND (NEIGHBORHOOD) P4 P1 Matthew Ct HEATHERFIELD BRANDYWINE EAST APARTMENTS Stoney Dr Ke vin Ct Heatherfield Way n Par Have h Mars MARSH CREEK k Cree Dr Ln Forrest Ave