Kane County Reporter

City of Batavia Bicycle Commission met Nov. 13.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

Present: Joanne Spitz, Dustin Pieper, Jenn Ress, Amy Moore, Jared Heck, Steve Erickson, Officer Jamie Goschey, Regan Boll, Joshua Einstein-Curtis

Absent:

1. Approve Minutes

2. Introductions by the BATAC commissioners for Regan and Joshua. Gary Holm will be the 2nd city commissioner…welcome Gary! Regan and Joshua applied to join the BATAC. 4 others also sent in applications; 2 changed their mind, and the other 2 were unable to attend.

3. Logo and social media. Discussed adding Active Transportation to the city logo for commissions, to use on social media , website, promotions. Jared will ask Lori. We should also update photo on our facebook page with the logo on it. Need to take Brett off the website. We want to know if we can get access to the city website to edit our page- will ask Lori. Facebook and Logo: We need to change our name on our facebook page, and update links to the city website. Talked to Lori and she will send photos of walkers and she will update our page on city website…she works fast and we just send her the info.

4. Trail Closures: Short discussion about no access to Water St., and Parmarco alternate is not available. While you can go to Rt. 31, it is considered “downtown” and technically, cyclists should not ride on the sidewalk on Rt. 31. We do not think many cyclists or pedestrians will take the N Aurora bridge to the east side, and many who live in-between the N Aurora bridge and First Street may not want to go to N Aurora. We still need to address children walking and riding bikes to the quarry/trail, and not having a good/safe/close path to take. 

Bike plan has lanes on 1st to Shumway. Sharrows will be on Water St as well. Talked about ideas discussed at COW. Stop signs at 1st and Water discussed as possible traffic calming measure. City said it could be a hazard in winter with slippery streets. Main and Water is also an issue. Talked about 1st St being 1 way westbound. First and Wilson are thoroughfares through town and need to consider that as well as safe streets/downtown.

We will invite Abby to our next meeting to prioritize options we recommend. Talked about narrower roads, which are safer. Five areas were identified on the bike/pedestrian plan to improve and 1st and Water was one of them for streetscape improvements.

5. Bike plan: Safe Routes to School will be discussed at City Council for improving trails to schools, especially HCS at Republic, Webster and Timber Trail. There is $5,000 in the 2024 budget The BATAC to recommend ways to use.

6. Presenting at City Council: Laura suggested that BATAC presents quarterly at city council meetings. Dates will be Feb 5, May 6, Aug 5 and Nov. 4

7. For December meeting, we should discuss goals for 2024.

 https://www.bataviail.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_11132023-2174