Kane County Reporter

City of Batavia Active Transportation Advisory Commission met Sept. 9

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

Present: Steve Erickson, Amy Moore, Jared Heck, Dustin Pieper, Jenn Ress, Joanne Spitz, Josh Einstein-Curtis, Gretchen Klock, Kathy Evangalista, Liam McKay, Bob White, ?

Absent: Regan Boll, Gary Holm, Officer Jamie Goschey

1. Guest: Kathy Evangelista: Director, Batavia United Way: Kathy presented the 211 report for Batavia, concentrating on Transportation as the 5th highest need. Gave background on BUW: to improve health, education and financial stability of Batavia. Talked about ALICE: Asset limited, income constrained, employed): this is 24% of Batavia’s population; 5% are considered low income/poverty level. Kathy can pull any info requested. 22% of calls from senior citizens. 4 of 12 children they helped with preschool missed school due to transportation issues. Pace On Demand is hard to use and serves seniors and disabled. Dustin will make maps for us and share. Very hard to get from E to W side. No bus for B Apt. to get across town or to Walmart. RSVP- great service for seniors for medical transport only. Batavia Apartments: 64 heads of household have no car; 35 are seniors.

We need a transportation study and to collaborate with other groups to apply for grants.

2. Meet new commissioner applicant: Liam McKay gave background and his interest on being a commissioner.

3. Review Expenditure Policy from city: All commissioners in favor of following policy and will send requests to Laura after BATAC approval.

4. Vote on Bike rack for Creamery: Unanimous vote to purchase a bike rack for the Creamery and strip mall. Barco is the preferred vendor; shipping is $377 for an bike rack for 18 bikes and cost is $488. For a 10 bike rack, cost is $557.70 for 2 and shipping is $163.41 for 2. Joanne will talk to Kirk to see if cyclists lock their bikes, can they use both sides of rack (since sits on incline), would a10 rack work, and will check with Kirk and landlord if rack could be placed in a parking spot. Unanimous vote (Steve, Amy, Jared, Joanne, Jenn, Josh) to spend up to $1,000 on bike racks; pending info on using parking spaces for them. Do we need to  remove them in the winter? BATAC will make a plaque to put on rack to acknowledge we purchased them with city funding.

5. Commission budget for bike station at city hall plaza and purchasing station for new bike park. And contribute budget funds for next year towards BPD for continued bike station maintenance – BPD said they will repair stations but it is costly and would like our help. We should invite BPD to attend our next meeting. Voted unanimously to purchase a new bike repair station for the new pump track/fitness area on Rt. 31. BPD would add concrete anywhere a station is added.

6. Update on Rt. 31 road diet- Will begin at end of October. Will take 11 days; delay due to getting state approval for materials

7. Quarterly ATC update in Sept. for city council- Steve attended meeting and gave update. He will share future dates for BATAC to attend.

8. Millview controversy- Complaints still coming in; some are in favor. Restriped BHS to Towne N. Will city complete stripping when resurfacing is done on the rest of it? Believe they will see how the first section works. We hope plan is proactive and covers clear parking/bike lanes for park, school, BHS kids, Mooseheart area, baseball field area. Rt 31 crossing: It is part of the road diet and no planned stripping there. Guests hope there is a long term, consistent plan and it is communicated with residents in the area. Would be good to have signs: Phase 1 end; Phase 2 to continue

9. Bike stations: Update from BPD/BPS (directional sign is down by RMS)- Regan talking to BPD about sign by RMS; notes above.

10. Ride Illinois: bike ride Sept. 6-Sept 22 update : Josh reported there are no rides scheduled West of Wheaton. He is talking to Geneva Bike Commission and may plan a ride for this weekend or next; from Geneva to Aurora.

11. Walk & Roll to School Day for October 19th- Registration open. RMS and all elementary schools are registered. Joanne and Jenn in contact with them for the signs Jenn had made, stickers. Officer Jamie in touch to know what schools want police/fire at their schools. Unanimous vote to spend $400 for stickers and Jenn will order. Jenn will ask Mark Anderson at BPS to get English and Spanish yard signs to all schools a week before Oct. 9.

12. Pedestrian Safety Month: Jared will do social media post

13. New secretary- Jared Heck will be the new secretary! Thanks Jared!

https://www.bataviail.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_09092024-2311