Meeting notes were approved.

Illinois Prairie Trail Association

Mr. Cook, representing the Illinois Prairie Trail Authority, requested that a map of IPTA’s planned and existing system of off-road trails be included as the regional bicycle and pedestrian facilities network. He cited the value of trails for transportation and recreational purposes. IPTA represents the forest preserve districts of the five collar counties, and will be bringing its plan before the Cook County Forest Preserve, the Lake and Kane County Departments of Transportation and the Chicago DOT. The plan was developed using sub-regional plans and the Greenways and Trails Plan developed by NIPC and Openlands. Over 50% is already built. IPTA feels this system provides the armature to which local and subregional facilities can link, serves medium and long distance trips and provides transportation options for all age groups and levels of ability.

Ms. Kilgore inquired about the amount and quality of access to the trail network, which can affect its viability as a transportation network. Mr. Duerr responded that there are many intersections that provide access to other transportation facilities.

Ms. Metzger asked for clarification on what the IPTA was asking the task force to do. Mr. Anderson explained that that IPTA would like their regional off-road network to be included as a component of the RTP.

Mr. Rickert suggested that this meeting was best suited to information and discussion and that the members need time to reflect on the issue. There are concerns that including a map of IPTA’s planned facilities would make it appear to be a priority system which might lead to prioritized programming. Ms. Metzger expressed frustration that the RTP does not prioritize projects. Mr. Hamelberg asked how we should prioritize. Are small local connections more important or is a regional network? Where is the greatest need? The Council of Mayors is more concerned with local needs, community links and getting people out of their vehicles. He expressed concern that including this plan would put it at an advantage for funding. He suggested a decision be made at the next meeting.

Ms. O’Keefe stated that IPTA’s system will encourage trip diversion from autos and needs to be built. Just as in other transportation planning, a lot of thought is given to the arterials, but that doesn’t take away from local roads. Including a planned network would indicate that biking and walking issues have come of age.

Mr. Rickert agreed that plans are important, but explained that governments did not want specific planning elements to be included in the 2020 plan. He suggested there is not enough time to go through the necessary process to include those elements now; the 2030 plan is coming soon and will be a better forum. Ms. O’Keefe urged the task force to recommend including planning elements now and rely on analysis that can be completed within the next couple of weeks. Mr. Rickert explained that the text of the RTP does mention the need for links and the completion of plans. Mr. Hamelburg added that there is a great deal of bicycle planning activity; serious conversations are occurring to complete the sub-regional plans, but they are not formalized. Ms. Metzger noted that during the 2020 plan process, the need for a system was identified. She wondered why a system had not been developed at CATS during the last three years. As a possible compromise, she suggested including the IPTA plan as an appendix, so people can discuss it.

Mr. Chew inquired about how Chicago fits into the discussion of a regional off-road network. Mr. Privett explained that a bicycle network and facilities go beyond a trail network. For example, on-road facilities can be part of a network. The forest preserves are not the only implementing agencies. Ms. Bolte added that we should either include all plans or no plans that aren’t committed or built.

Ms. Fagan, while noting the current time constraints, agreed with Ms. Metzger that this conversation has happened before. She called for commitment from the task force to work toward a plan map to be included in the 2030 RTP. She expressed appreciation that Openlands is bringing up the issue.

Mr. Rickert explained that during the development of the 2020 RTP, it wasn’t the task force driving the decision. The planning element was decided by elected officials. He also noted that planning is already happening from the ground up. The Unified Work Program supports local planning efforts.

Someone speaking on behalf of IPTA clarified that Openlands has been a consultant on the project. IPTA feels it has a system in place. He noted that 2.3 million people use the system. A full recognition in the plan will put IPTA is a better position to compete for grants.

Mr. Williams stated that these plans are valuable for planners and consultants who are trying to figure out how their project will interact with existing plans. We need to ensure that bicycle facilities don’t get forgotten as road projects are designed and built. The RTP does discuss planned highway projects and transit projects. Ms. Bolte explained that during the last planning round not everyone was ready to put lines on a map. Mr. Anderson countered that it is unreasonable to say we need to wait for all local planning efforts; the RTP shows major facilities and the IPTA is asking that its system be recognized as similar to highways. Ms. Kilgore expressed concern about designating a system of trails as the regional network. She suggested we refer to a regional bikeways network to include on and off street facilities.

Mr. Privett added that a regional network involves more than the trails that are on the IPTA map; he feels it is too soon to include a network of planned regional facilities, especially since CDOT and the Cook County Forest Preserve have not been consulted. Mr. Mammoser responded that this is a skeletal system, in which all sub-regional plans fit. Ms. Fagan countered that it is only a skeletal network of off road trails. Mr. Privett stated that he’d want streets like Elston Avenue and King Drive to be included.

Mr. Chew expressed concern that waiting for communities that haven’t planned bicycle facilities penalizes those that have.

Mr. Rickert reiterated that these are important issues and that they should be addressed in depth during the 2030 planning process, which will begin very soon. He suggested the creation of a working group to begin crafting an outline for the 2030 plan. Ms. Bolte agreed with the idea of a working group, and asked that the task force begin addressing its recommendation to the RTP committee for the 2020 update.

3. Regional Transportation Plan Update

Ms. Bolte asked for comments on the draft bike/ped sections of the RTP. Ms. Metzger noted that the section was easy to read and showed that a lot of progress is being made in the region. However, it doesn’t explain what is going to be done in the future. She feels it is more of a report than a planning document. For example, it discusses how many racks have been installed but does not set a goal for the future. Ms. Bolte explained that there will be a new bike/ped piece in the implementation section of the RTP and suggested some of Ms. Metzger’s concerns could be addressed there.

Ms. Kilgore suggested adding more specific language about what the scope of the regional bike/ped plan should be. Ms. Metzger suggested a having a scoping session to discuss this.

Mr. Rickert, noting that the meeting had gone very long, suggested scheduling a meeting in July to further discuss whether to recommend including a map of planned facilities and to develop a scope for a regional bike/ped plan. He also suggested a meeting in August to address deferred agenda items.

4. Soles and Spokes Debriefing

This agenda item was deferred to the August 16, 2000 meeting.

5. Municipal Guide

Ms. Kilgore distributed draft copies of some of the municipal guide sections and requested feedback. Further discussion was deferred to the August 16, 2000 meeting.

6. Other Business

Per a request at the March 16, 2000 task force meeting, Ms. Kilgore asked if the task force wanted to address the issue of bicycles and transit during the August meeting. She also announced the "Walkable Community" workshop grant program for MPOs.

7. The next meetings of the task force were scheduled for 10am, July 12 and August 16, 2000.