We will begin our January meeting, BPAC meeting. This is our annual meeting. This is when we get to do exciting things like uh elect officers um and confirm our meeting schedule in a year. Um so uh but we will always we'll kick off as we always do with a round of
introductions. Maybe we'll start with the Zoom folks because I feel like we always leave you all to the end. And our icebreaker today is what where were you born? James. >> Yeah, I can start. Um, my name is James Van Ranken. I'm one of the co-chairs of
Bpek. Nice to see you all here. Um, I was born in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire. I will pass it on to Linda. Hi, I'm Linda Capikune and I'm a volunteer community organizer um with
the TomTom Festival wanting to create a car fier freer option for um a day with the TomTom Festival with nature wellness programs and other that's my business but with other uh collaborations with love no ego keep going together and YMCA
um and BPAC. >> Where were you born Linda? Oh, Washington DC. And I'm actually in Maryland right now with my folks in Maryland. >> Thank you. >> Albert, how about we kick it to you?
>> Hi everyone. I'm Albert Karina Plun. I am a county transportation planner. Uh, and I was born in Alexandria, Virginia. >> Uh, Sarah. >> Hi everybody. I was born in Berkeley, California.
>> Nice. and uh lived in Venezuela for about 15 years and I was I'm retired now. I just moved to Seville and uh formerly BPAT coordinator of Broward County, Florida.
>> Oh my goodness. Amazing. Welcome. We're so glad you're here. >> Thank you. >> Jen, >> hey all. Um Jen Fleer. Oh, I'm officially a city counselor and uh and I
work at the Bluidge Health District and I was born in Boston, Massachusetts, but Sarah, I grew up in Broward County. So, there you go. >> I can't connect. >> We're all connected. I can't see the list though because I'm driving. So, we call someone else for me, J. >> Yeah. No, that's that's it. That's every
there. >> Um I'll I'll keep I'll keep it going. I'm one of your Higgins. I'm Back Cocher. I live in Belmont. Uh, Walker and Biker. I was born in Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts. >> I'm Kevin Sorp, citizen. I was born at
Marth Jefferson Hospital. >> The new one. >> Um, Cypress Smith, citizen. I was born in Virginia Beach General. >> I'm Peter Krebs, city resident, work for the Pedmont Environmental Council, and I
was born in Shauny Mission, Kansas. And I'm Evan Pilichowski. I'm uh the new assistant city manager. Uh here is a obser observer today and really get to know you all. Um and I was born in Burlington, Vermont.
>> I'm sorry. I'm transit planner >> and I was born in Charlotte, North Carolina. >> Meredith Mccrite. I am the VPC secretary and I was born in Lancaster, South Carolina. Uh Tommy Sopranic uh city's bike and
pedestrian coordinator. I was born in Elatchville County, same hospital as Tom Betty. >> Awesome. >> Awesome. Thanks y'all for sharing a little bit more. I love the geographic representation. And James gets to be the only one who's born overseas. >> Is Freddy in the waiting room or what's
Freddy's? >> He declined to be a panelist. >> Freddy, if you'd like, we welcome we welcome that. So please please holler. Um, and Natalie's breaking in one more. >> Oh, come on.
>> There's no meeting. >> A, she does not have an all access pass. >> Dear those stories, but not. >> All right, Natalie, our final introduction. And our icebreaker is where were you born? >> Oh, um, hello. I'm Natalie Ashram. I am
the vice mayor. Um, and I was born in Sacramento, California. >> Don't tell anybody. >> You and Sarah both born under. >> Yeah. >> All right. Um, it's great. Thank you for that, y'all. Um, any amendments to the
agenda or last month's meeting minutes? >> Kevin added something that didn't get recorded exactly and I put it in the notes. Fantastic. Thank you, Kevin. Thank you, Marinette. All right, >> Linda, did you did you have something to say?
I'm not sure if we can squeeze in uh this proposal that is tentative, but we're talking about it looks like there's good feasibility, but Tommy's aware of it, right? Is there is it on there? The TomTom partnership. >> It's it didn't it's not on the agenda,
Linda. Um but uh I think either maybe during public comment you can mention it or if there's time at the end, which there might be uh we can bring it up. It's also a great um use of the BPACK listerve which goes out to like over a hundred people. So, you know, there's
only a few of us around the table and on Zoom tonight, but if you want to cast a wider net for your idea, um could also be good there if you don't like require discussion and that kind of thing. But yeah, happy to. >> It might require discussion, but we'll see see if it squeeze we can squeeze it in. Thank you. Great.
>> Yeah. Um public comment is the next item on our agenda. Anyone else beyond Linda here for public comment? Linda, happy to turn it over to you. >> Really? I get to talk already.
>> It's public comment. >> Oh, okay. Okay, there it is. Okay. So, um there is a uh proposal that we are working on to submit to this year's TomTom Festival to make it carfree. And um there's a partnership happening with
YMCA um and um Love No Ego and Keep going together. Um right now we're um tenatively considering um also including but we need to reach out to them. Um, so
it's still under discussion and we're looking at the agenda, but moral Mondays folks who meet at the downtown mall, these are folks with, you know, churches and different faith organizations. So, um, they care. Anyway, we were thinking that maybe they could um they'd
be interested in car pooling um at their parking lots like at 9:00 on April 25th um 2026 and I'll go to the YMCA, you know, maybe with bike racks with their bikes, some of them. Um, and at that point too,
there'll be like um a nature connection with the youth, nature wellness connection um to make streamers for their bikes or if they're walking. And these would be um more earth friendly than plastic and they' be kind of like kites but streamers
um with uh an intention that they have um with their nature connection activity as they arrive at. And we were thinking maybe the bike ride would be at 10:30 from YMCA to um the downtown mall at the
TomTom Festival. And Tommy mentioned there was there would be a bike fillet. Now these times are sort of flexible right now. This is just very much of a a draft. There's some other ideas floating around with that. Um there's a panel discussion. we need to, you know, secure
a place after that at 11:30 that um Bonita uh Patton with YMCA has um is organizing. She's reached out to um the mayor and different folks uh and she wants to have youth representation also
from student council at the different high schools, possibly middle schools. and um she uh this would be a panel discussion in terms of what would make this more um uh for you know a a friendlier community for youth and
families that sort of thing. We don't have the panel discussions yet. Uh but there's Freddy uh Jackson. Is that Freddy Jackson who's listening or is it a different Freddy? >> Did somebody say there was a Freddy out there? >> Freddy different. >> Oh, different Freddy. Okay. So Freddy um
is with Love No Ego and he would be our moderator. I don't know if any of you know him, but he's very um charismatic and fun and uh has a wonderful vibe and uh message. So, he could be the moderate. He's committed to be the moderator. Um then that would go until
about uh possibly 1:00. And then after that would be what we had last year again with Keep going together, a um dance block party uh with Susan McCully and the and the youth and family. people
could participate with that after the um panel discussion and there'll be thematic music related to our theme. Um and of course uh you know there's something about being car freer and not
as dependent on fossil fuels that may be something we can >> Okayinda. >> Yeah. Um well, can I can I can I ask a couple questions and maybe um um add some context uh for everybody as well? >> Sure.
>> Uh so I I I think that like um you're working on um just as a reminder everybody, you're working on a proposal for TomTom for for this to try to make the the the event itself more carfree.
Exactly. Um, it is also, uh, I looked it up. The dates are, I think, the 22nd through the 26th of April. Um, which is a great time to start telling the world uh, about Charlottville's plans for bike month.
>> Yes. >> Forgot to mention that. Very important. >> Right. So, we're kind of trying to find a way to connect what you're trying to do with TomTom as like the kickoff to bike month 2026. >> Yes. So, I very much want to do a bike valet as part of TomTom.
>> Yes. >> Regardless of whatever it is that happens, the bike valet I feel like are a very impactful lowcapacity way of like um of showing people like uh you know bikes are great transportation as well as providing a
great service for folks. Um so I offered that as an idea in conjunction with your idea for a bike ride from the YMCA to here. Um, Fridays after 5 has also happened the past few years at the same time. So, I think bike ballet maybe on that Friday like we did last year would
be great. Um, this is all to say I think I am I'm personally maybe wanting to know a little bit more what you mean by moderator and panelist. Um, so I think what might be helpful for me and I would assume for like people on the bike month
planning committee and BPAC is um is like a proposal. Um, and then we can send it out to that list serve. Um, I mentioned this to Linda and Meredith in an email today, but I don't think I'm going to be around the 25th or the 26th,
whatever that main Saturday is. So, we are going to be looking for volunteers to help um whatever it is that we try to do. But I think it's a great idea. Um and uh I would love to support it as much as possible. Um in in addition to
that, the other thing I I proposed just today to uh Linda, I want to do eBike demos during um the ebike voucher signup window. Um so that's four ebike demos a year and April is one of those signup periods. So, I think that doing some
sort of ebike demo during TomTom would make sense, but I don't think it has to be on that Saturday. It could be on the Wednesday or Thursday or whatever. But I think tying it back to everything that you're trying to do, Linda, I think would be great. And I'd be my ability to help on a Wednesday or Thursdays is
greater. So, >> right. And YMCA has a great parking lot. So, it's a great spot to park cars, right? So, >> and if it was not on a premier day, there's going to be less cross programming to >> right to compete with compete with. Yeah.
>> Awesome. I'm reminded too that in a conversation with staff earlier this week, we heard that the week without driving is also sort of looking for a advocacy home. >> Um, so that and that's in September, October, later in the year. But if like if if this kind of pilot is successful, Linda, that might be something you kind
of keep looking if you have like partners lined up. And well, there was an a question I had about public transit. Could we bring that in, too? And >> there's a bus stop at the YMCA that goes downtown >> and ask them to have bike racks. And if
there's not enough bike racks, can bikes be >> buses do have bike racks. They can hold two non-ebike bikes at a given time, but there's not a permission to bring a bus bring a bike on the bus. >> Gotcha.
Great. Um, cool. Well, um, let us know how you need BPAC support. Please lean on that lister, Linda, as a great way of just like getting people's input, especially folks who aren't here at this meeting. >> Okay. Thank you. I'll figure that out. I'll get >> Yeah, but kudos. Thank you for um, thank
you for taking this on. >> I was just asked YMCA is on route 9. >> What's that? I was just saying to the group I was just asked directly YMCA is on route nine and I'm happy to provide more information or help find schedules. >> I think the biggest thing whenever we do
is determ like promoting having enough time to be able to promote everything. So there the earlier we can get some commitments the better. >> Awesome. And welcome Yi being here online. Um glad you're here. And if
you'd like to introduce yourself, why we um we went around and just gave our name and neighborhood and um where you were born. >> Hello. Uh my name is Yaway an I live uh in Northtown. I was born in Seoul uh
South Korea and moved to US in 28 2008. So been a while. >> Awesome. Awesome. Glad you're here. Happy you're here. Uh all right. >> Oh, I did not. >> Sarah's got a hand. Sorry, Sarah, please go ahead.
>> Um, I'm just wondering where I can get more information about the volunteering opportunities for TomTom Festival, for example. Well, for TomTom, you can just they're they're searching for people starting now, I would assume, off their website.
TomTom Festival Charlottesville, it'll pop up. But for volunteer opportunities as it comes up for bike month or other related to BPAC, um just stay tuned. I would I would say >> Okay. Well, just put me on some mailing list or something whenever I can make
it. I mean, have a lot of experience with that. So >> Sarah, are you on the um BPAC Google group? >> Um I don't think so. And if it's through Facebook, I'm definitely not. >> No, it is not. Yeah. So if you can drop
your email maybe in the chat to Tommy um then we'll >> um Oh, okay. If the chat's available. Yeah, I'll do that. >> If not, I can email somebody. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Great. Um yeah, we'd love to have you there. and then you'll hear about all kinds of
opportunities to get involved and we welcome you uh offering offering your time. Thank you. Um all right, moving into officer elections. Um uh I've never done this before, but um I
think we uh James and I have put ourselves forward as continuing on as co-chairs. Sorry. Thank you. Y go ahead. >> Uh I'm wondering whether I missed the public comment. Oh, well, we'll extend it for you. Go ahead.
>> Uh, yeah, sorry. Thanks. U, yeah, so I saw the agenda about Locos Avenue, so I I wanted to make public comments. Um, as far as I know, whenever there's a repaving or utility work, that's kind of
once in a decade decade opportunity to do uh kind of chip infrastructure. So I I just wondering like why we we don't have as far as I know we don't have a good infrastructure plan for that
and especially that Locos Avenue blocks uh kids from one side >> to go to the other side of the avenue with where the Sunrise Elementary School lies. and my kids go to sunrise and
every day I bring him there and like at the low cost I I cannot let my kids walk alone on that street. Um so I just want to mention that why why we don't have any plan uh for this good opportunity.
>> Mhm. And other thing related to that is um I think we talk about like we we kind of equate bike infrastructure with the bike lane but I think locust or John Warner Parkway or West Main those are
example where they are not really bike lanes but kind of anti-blane because you are kind of really dangerous riding in the bike lane because there are lots of debris. is cars are driving
fast and because there are not a lot of people using it, people see it and then say why are we building this bike bike bike path that nobody uses. So I think it's a net negative actually to build
this type of really bad bike lanes and also the reason why uh I cannot let kids ride on low cost avenue it's it's not about bike train but it's about speed of the cars right so I think it's we
sometime forget that it's more important to slow down the cars than painting a bike lane because if cars are slower, uh it's it's fairly safe. Um actually in Bloomington, my commute route had a
mixture of uh bike lane, painted bike lane, and a neighborhood greenway, which is just a neighborhood street. And the part I felt the least safe was on the bike lane because that's just a painted
gutter with the fast cars. And the part that I felt most safe was didn't have any bike lane. It just had the traffic calming infrastructure with the traffic cushion uh chicane and no road narrowing and so
on. So I I think it's uh really less about bike lane but more about the safety overall of the street and then uh slowing down the cars and um like going
back to the sunrise school if I kind of imagine going to the school after locust every street there's no traffic coming and that means cars are driving fast and no pretty much
uh no kids are walking uh well I mean kids are walking on the very narrow sidewalks but then even with those quick builds if cars are driving 30 miles per hour yeah you cannot let
kids walk there so I just want to mention that it's really about the speed thanks >> um there's going to be a few opportunities to kind of weigh in I'm glad Evan is here to hear your comment especially around how do we um think about aligning things projects like
repaving with rolling out new infrastructure and traffic coming. So always appreciate um underlining that. Um we are we're we're we're getting away from our agenda. So Tommy, I'm going to give you 10 seconds. >> Yeah. So I um want while you bring up
some good points, I would recommend to go back look at my email that I sent a few weeks ago as it relates to Locust Avenue. uh quickly um you know there is there are many projects in place and planned Locust Avenue is there's no there's nothing in a plan to point to
right so just want and there was a lot of public comment that went into Locust Avenue to get what we have currently that all being said there is a utility project there is no plan to repave Locust Avenue it's just going to get patchwork so there's no striping plan associated with it so I would just say
from a BPX perspective and from a person who lives two blocks from the area that you're talking about. Uh it would probably benefit us us as a community if we work together to identify those places that need it the most and put them in plans. And they don't have to be master plans, but it need they need to
have be put in a plan. >> Thank you, Tommy. All right. And lots more opportunity to weigh in as we talk about our work plan, as we think about how our work plan ties to the comprehensive plan, ties to the transportation master plan that Ben is working on right now. lots of opportunity
>> which talks about lowering speed limit. >> Exactly. So why y why you're ahead of the curve as usual um and always grateful for your inputs and s uh Sarah just acknowledging your comment here that Florida DOT is trying to accommodate wider sidewalks instead of bike lanes in some locations. That
sounds like go Florida. All right. Um moving back into officer elections. Um, we have three elected positions on the BPAC. Um, we have either a chair and vice chair or co-chairs and a secretary.
Um, has anyone been considering throwing their hat in the ring for any of these officer positions or BAP? I'll be secretary again if no one else wants it. Mer, >> we don't deserve her.
>> Anyone else? Um, I know James and I have I won't speak for James, but I know we had talked about uh continuing on as co-chairs and our advocates. >> Um, unless James has had a change of heart in the last like 48 hours. >> No change of heart.
>> All right. Um, I move that we vote to uh I move to uh um Hold on. And how does this work, Natalie? I would like Meredith to be secretary. Make a motion. I would like to make a motion that Meredith is our secretary. Second that motion.
>> All those in favor and by virtue of attending BPAC, you can vote. >> I >> I >> I >> All right. Unanimous. >> I if I didn't say it. Um >> I can't
>> I'm the ladies on somebody. motion to uh >> I make a motion for uh uh Vir and James to continue on as co-chairs. >> Second >> for how long is the term? It's a year for a year.
>> All those in favor. >> Any opposed? >> I I thank you everybody. >> Congratulations. Okay, new. Thank you for having us.
Um, James, any any anything you'd like to add? >> Um, thank you for entrusting us with this responsibility. >> Brilliant. All right. Uh, because this is our kind
of annual business meeting, we also want to go ahead and um just confirm the dates of all of our 2026 meetings. Um, this meeting of course uh is should be held on the first Thursday of the month, but because that day was New Year's Day, we pushed back a week, which I think
also explains why some folks aren't here. Um, so the January meeting is a little off. I believe all of the other um meetings and actually Tommy or James, are you able to share your screen just so people can or drop in the chat um these dates? I don't know. Just so
people I know sometimes it's easier to see them. Um >> um do you have you have that handy >> or James? Do you have it handy? Is James able to share? >> Yeah, James, >> I'll tell you why I don't want to do this, but >> that's fine. Um first, it's basically the first Thursday of the month for the rest of the year. The one date that's a
little potentially complicated is July 2nd, just because we know a lot of folks are out of town and oftentimes we we punt one of our summer meetings just because folks are out of pocket. um is >> also a complicated March 5th. Yeah,
March 5th is the mobility summit and that's at the Wool Factory. It's still BackC. It's just at the Wool Factory. >> So, I will say I actually uploaded all these to the city calendar already. >> Um we can delete them or whatever. Um the
the the March 5th one I just put location TB. Okay. um to align with mobility summit. But if we need to tweak anything, it's currently everything's in the city. >> Oh, thank you. Thanks. Yeah. So, y'all can see the dates here. Um and this is
just like a proforma thing, but just wanting to make sure like we're not scheduling anything on like a major religious observance or um or any you know any other uh big conflicting. >> It would be smart to delay the July
meeting by one week. It's just my suggestion. >> Yeah. And in the past, we've just we've just like punted on it, like just skipped a month just because people are it's so hard in the summer. >> Yeah, that might be. What if we all just wait?
>> I think >> because if you decide let's punt versus reschedule, then I'll just change it later. >> Yeah, I think we can go forward and say these are the meeting dates and if in June half of BPAC is out of pocket, we can make a call then. But I appreciate that you want to have a meeting.
>> Okay. All right, cool. Thanks everybody. >> Um, so those calendars have all the links to the webinar. Um, I currently don't have it set up um as this being a location. >> Oh. >> Uh, it's just set up to be a webinar. My
thought behind that was if people are on the Google list, they'll see >> um that an inerson option is available. So maybe that's how Sarah is online and not in person with us today. um because she didn't get the the email.
>> Is it because though you're thinking we might be in city space or because >> I feel like there's uncertainty over space, over how to get into this room. Yes. >> Um and all those things and also at one point like the available like um
capacity. So yeah. >> Okay. All right. >> So I just I figured >> Yeah. >> Okay. If we don't have any reason to believe that we are not in this room for the folks who join in person, I feel like we should have that information on the website if people do want to show up. They know where to go because not
everyone is on the feedback list. >> Let's see if we get a response from his email earlier today. Get in here first. >> Cool. Um, great. Um, questions for staff.
Do we have a staff report? Not one. It's not linked. It was attached in the email. Sorry. I can make a Google back. >> I'm just doing my notes based off the agenda. No. And you're just you're so smart.
>> I can I can make a next time. >> Um, anyone have questions for Tommy or questions that you would like Tommy to relay to other staff or Zoe? Sorry. Or Evan. Um, what is this? Day two.
>> Uh four. >> Day four. >> Yeah. >> Um Linda, go ahead. >> Okay. Well, this is my first meeting and you know, I have an agenda, but um I was even wondering if there may be a BPAC uh
representative for the panel discussion. I know you want a written proposal, too, but this is about making it a more, you know, friendly community for families and youth and multigenerational and make it more um just healthy, too. But it's
so there's there's different things that people want from their community and a lot of people would like that walkability and and safety. I was wondering if that might be of interest for the TomTom Festival uh panel discussion. >> Yeah, just to be clear, Linda, you're
asking staff, so Zoe, myself, or other people in our department if we'd be willing to sit on a panel discussion during TomTom about how to make like Charlottesville more bike, walk, and transit friendly. >> Yes. >> Is that right? Yeah. I think we could probably figure figure that out. Um, it
probably won't be me, but uh, we can probably figure it out. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Right. So, >> the other question is, uh, there was something I didn't really hear it said was very quick, but I don't know if it was related something about a Wednesday morning thing
>> or am I just I just heard something. >> Well, I think I just offered Wednesday in general as like a day we could do the ebike demo. It didn't have to be that Saturday. It could be Wednesday, Thursday, or even that Friday. But I think that's all that you might be referring to. Um
>> Okay. And then um I'll just Tommy um if I have any questions about putting this on the list serve, I would contact you or would I contact Meredith or if I have to figure out what I >> You can contact both of us. >> Yeah, the the email that you sent out
went to the listerve. >> Yeah, I we approved it. So James and I have a policy of any new members cannot automatically post because we're experiencing some spam earlier la or last year. >> Um so if you're a new member to the BP pack list or you've never posted before, you have to have your message approved.
It's not because we don't think your message is worthy. It's just because we want to make sure there's no spam. Um but we'll go ahead and just make sure you're added, Linda. So you should be able to to email freely. >> Oh, okay. So all I have to do is send an email. >> Y. >> Okay. And and the other question I have
too um you had a question for me about what the panelists would be doing or what the moderator would be doing. Is that true? But maybe I can explain that more in this. But is there something specific that I need to address? But once I write this up, it will be
explained. >> Say yes. >> Is that a question for Tommy? >> I think it was Tommy who asked that question. Yeah, >> I think uh yeah, write it up and then that would be helpful. Yeah. Okay, thank you. >> Great. >> Thank you, >> Sarah.
>> So, I understand that this um festival is about getting input from the public on what they would like to see. How is that input being is that going to be recorded somehow, not just, you know, voice recording? Is it going to be put
down in writing? How does the public know that they've been heard? and how um do they know there's a response to what you know they are saying is being incorporated into something because I'm
not familiar with your planning process. I've been a facilitator for many years. So I'm just trying to understand and what's the feedback loop here with the public. >> Always the right question to ask >> clarify this is not a city process, right? This is a group of people running
a festival having a panel about how to make the city better. Full stop. There's no guarantee that any of it will be heard. >> It's not I mean I'm just being real. It's >> there should be no expectations. Yeah.
>> Um is is how you plan to incorporate the feedback that you're that you're uh soliciting into actual change in the community. >> Right. Um but I but BPAC has no role um in Tuktown, >> right? I understand that. But and so this is just a let's feel good together
kind of gathering. Is this what we're talking about? The city is not really involved or is not I mean >> we're trying to get involved. We're getting >> Well, so um Linda, just go to the website cuz that website's going to give you a good idea of what TomTom is, but it's not going to fill in all the
blanks. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Did that say Linda? Okay. Sorry, I apologize. Um >> Sarah, >> but but the city is very much involved. We are a big financial sponsor of TomTom and I'm working with our director of comms right now to see how we can get
our uh our to be a little bit more engaged uh through TomTom. And while I think Peter's on point with this is a citizen um group of people coming together to see how they can make TomTom
a little bit more car um um free. Um we the city staff can play a role in that. But uh the the city is very much a big um uh financial sponsor and um and otherwise. So yeah,
>> but it's not put on by Right. It's not a city project. >> Okay. So, just a recommendation. Um, we I've participated in in events where we were not the sponsors, but um, you know, there were booths that the county would
set up and just say, "Hey, here's an opportunity for you to give us some feedback. We'd put that on boards or something, even just take pictures, put that together, and kind of hand it over to somebody else." But at least, you know, it's it's like put somewhere where it's going somewhere and you're telling
folks, hey, you know, this is and it's an opportunity for the city to to actually have something, you know, a list of some things to look at because not everybody from the city is going to be there. Um, you know, not everybody from staff is going to be there and it's
just, you know, it's a way of actually getting the information back. But it's just a suggestion. I'm just saying this is something that could be done. >> Yeah. And that's absolutely BPAC's role is to is to do outreach in the community and we have as we have like so much juicy stuff to talk about in the work
plan section of our of our agenda. So thank you for uh for the good preemption James. >> Yeah. Um a couple of quick questions for Tommy I think. Um the first well I'll say the first but you can
answer it second. So, um I wanted to reiterate Kevin's email about FO um about kind of what what the status of that is. I'd appreciate um an update on that. And
the um second question is about I think I heard there's a I saw a um there's a community meeting for the green leaf intersection which is one of the quick builds that um Bpek suggested. Um and I
went to the first one so I have a bit of context about what's going to like what the how that meeting came about. I was wondering, Tommy, if you know if any um of the transportation team are going to
be there, if it's just going to be public works. >> Yeah. Um thanks, James. So, um I'm going to say something real quick that's not answering your question, not related at all before I forget. Uh because Peter asked me this question. There in two
weeks there is a VOD public meeting at Carver Rec Center about Westmin Ridge. They haven't posted about it. I just know that because we've had emails about it, but they're going to post it like today or tomorrow. So, you'll see something in the next 24 hours. Good. >> Um, to answer your question about Green
Leaf, uh, Ben's going to be there. Uh, and Ben knows a little bit more context around that project than I do. Um, and the first question, yes, Kevin and I have already talked about VO. I handed out those documents before last BPAC
meeting. Um, and where we are now is I was sick and it was a holidays and haven't had a chance to actually put all everyone's comments into a document to send back to VO. But that's the next step um to do that. And if you have more comments to share, please send them to
me. I recorded the one that you added in the email today as a comment. Um, but uh, >> and for the record, uh, Kevin's comment, maybe you just want to make your comment. >> Oh, yes. My comment is that I support a plan that
precludes parking ve on sidewalks completely and um ideally we would do that by having designated parking areas that are signed or painted parameters on the ground where parking the scooters is allowed.
>> What about in areas that are not downtown? Like how does that work in the neighborhoods at all? Well, I don't want people's sidewalk in the neighborhood to be blocked either. >> Can I offer a suggestion? It's the same
thing I said at the last VPAC meeting, >> which is they can only be parked in designated areas and that can be physical or virtual. So, in the app, all users have will show you the location. So, that's designated parking area. What does that
do for you? >> Okay. So you're saying as opposed to a painted perimeter all throughout >> both I'm saying that is a designated area in lie of that where we can't do it everywhere >> it would be it would be also on the app. >> Is there a way to do I know that the um
like geol location of the exact precise location of the scooter is not like super super accurate. So, is VO able to do that? Like to know that someone is like parked incorrectly because they're on a sidewalk >> and is a user going to be able to figure
that out like an existent parking space where like if you have your phone and it's like zoomed in down to the 5 foot level, you can see cuz that's the accuracy. >> I don't think you have to it doesn't have to be that accurate. The way I look
at it is a if it's two blocks over there, that's not the same as here, >> right? and B, uh, as it relates to Florida, I've been trying to get a hold of this bike pit coordinator in, uh, Tampa that apparently Tampa, I think
it's Tampa, um, they they have figured out a way where when you're online, you can zoom in and um, the city can actually find VIO or any user um, just by looking online when scooters or other devices are outside that GPS um,
reference area. So the there like so violations are sent from the desktop >> not necessarily having to go out and physically see anything. >> Um and I haven't had chance I haven't been able successful to reach out to that. >> Um >> would it be possible to to do that but
also say like no sidewalks and residential areas or or I mean I'm I'm totally with Kevin that just like >> literally where could they park if not on? >> Yeah, we're car parks on all of them. Oh, okay. Then then that would be a >> Yeah, they park there now. Park there.
Continue parking there. There's tons of places to park. I I don't know why some reason I always think of Monav Vista. It's like a very long road. There's no sidewalks. Scooters are there all the time. >> I don't think that's the understanding of scooter users. >> But see, I I think that one of the
benefits of going that way, it helps us better clarify where and where you cannot park. We say straight up nothing on the sidewalk unless it's designated, >> right? So, if there's a big fat sign that says scooters, you can go here or on the app it says scooters can go here,
you can. I would say that if scooters are parked on the sidewalk, it's because we have a very wide sidewalk, which we don't have many of. So, it's very few opportunities that we even be able to fit scooters legally on a sidewalk. So, let's put a sign there that says yes, you can park here,
>> right? to be >> have a few deviations, but the rule is that no, there's no parking. Like I'd rather air on the side of no one is parking on >> there's still plenty of sidewalks in relation to that because I think Natalie's about to say this. Um I think
that we should be trying to improve more parking in general like on asphalts which means like let's add bike corral and flex post. And I've asked our traffic engineer, I I sent the email um that we identify all possible docus
mobility hubs two years ago to the traffic engineer, which are like 25 up and down the West Main corridor. Um can we turn those into bike routes and I'm still waiting for approval. But that's the goal is to hopefully get to that point. If we put up flex post and bike racks, scooters can go there, bikes can
go there, whomever can go there. But it helps. >> Good point. >> I Well, I was actually going to say something beyond that. Sure. >> Which is I think there's still the even scooter users are victims of carb brain where they think the scooter can't go in
the street because cars need it >> and if VO is able to communicate to users, >> park this in a parking spot. You're allowed to do that. >> So they don't think, oh, I have to get it out of the get it out of this the road because it's a vehicle. The same way
>> vehicles are vehicles. They they >> Yeah. I mean, that's I I do hear that. >> Yeah. Once someone gets told you you don't have to put this on the sidewalk, >> but the very first person who drives up to their house with their groceries and sees a scooter parked in their parking
space is going to throw it on the sidewalk. And then so who's who's >> And that's not the first. That's happening now. That's happening daily now. >> The very first time it's encountered, it will happen. >> I'm sorry. you know, it's but >> and it's that's absolutely true. But
let's say there's 100 users and a 100 of them get told, "Oh, I'm allowed to park in the street." And then they park in the street and then 50% of them get put back on the sidewalk. Well, then there's still 50 that aren't on the sidewalk. >> And my my point is that there's no amount of user education that fixes that
cuz the user is not involved. The user might be in Florida now. It's the person who drove up and picked up the car. Well, right. Totally. But if it fixes half of the people who didn't realize, you know, it takes someone getting told about carb brain for them to realize carbrain.
>> So, but can I take this one step further because you guys are both on we're both going the same direction. Um, and I'll give you an example. Oh god. Um, alderman, there's a road starts with a M Miller some. Anyway,
um a lot of people park their scooters there because it it it quickly becomes county over towards St. An's and it's a cutth through for all those like student housing right by St. An's and there so people residents complain all the time that these scooters keep getting left
where they want to park their car. Well, if VO identified one specific spot and that is the spot, then all the scooters would be there as opposed to like kind of scattered around. >> Um, what is our ability to coordinate with the county for some urban ring
usage? >> What's that Alber? >> That is a good question and I would have to ask my bosses. >> Great. Let us know what they say. >> Yeah. No, I agree. >> Thanks. In the interest of making sure
we tend to everybody's questions because VO can get us all riled up. Um maybe we we table this conversation right now. Um but Tommy, would you like a is there like a due date by which we could submit our feedback to you on the VO plan? >> My goal was to have gi given you a
draft, you know, plan with all everyone's comments that I was going to send to VO for today. It didn't work out. If that's what you guys would want, I can still do that. Um I think in a perfect world we would send that to you before our next
meeting. >> Okay. >> I guess it's in three weeks technically, right? >> Yeah. Could you share it on the lister? >> I will share in the listerve >> and then we after next meeting I will plan on sharing it to VO. Technically they have six months from October 1st
>> um to get an approved plan by the city manager >> or >> or they're done. >> They're done. Okay, cool. So, um, so you will put that on the listerve. You will give us the due date if I wish to provide comments so that you have enough time to incorporate it and send it on to
GL on your schedule. >> Correct. >> Fantastic. Um, other questions? I have questions for Tommy, but I want to make sure I have their question. Uh, Linda, I'm gonna ask one question and then I'll I'm going to bounce it to you. Um,
Westm and Rich. Oh, yeah. Yeah. >> So, yes, I I was going to make an announcement about the January 22nd um and would love to share more information with folks when it's available, but I'm curious. >> So, we will will we see a plan that this
this new plan will be online? Okay, great. Um, and then is there what is the process by which we make sure that whatever VOTE is proposing for West Men Ridge aligns very elegantly with whatever plan might be coming for West
Nage. Like we make sure we're not like like >> that's a great question. >> Screwing ourselves with having these two plans not talk to each other. >> So, um, are you do you have a meeting on your calendar for tomorrow at 10 o'clock? Take a look.
>> I don't believe so. So whether we we have a meeting tomorrow with public utilities and public works about West Main utility project. >> Okay. >> No, it's the the retreat. >> Okay. >> So So I'll know more about West Main in
general um after tomorrow. >> But um what you just asked is what I've been asking. Yes. >> Throughout this entire process with you, Dodd. I will say we the most important in my opinion and I would assume that my opinion what I
want from this is kind of similar to what y'all want like we got we we're getting like the majority of what we want and if there's subtle tweaks to kind of align with whatever the design is for West Main I think we can do that based on what we were able to accomplish to get to where
where the where the where it is now the design is now >> if that makesense sense. We got the big things and if we need a tweak, essentially what you're going to see is um Water Street being one way with a protected bike way going up Water Street
to Ridge and then it's going to use a bike box to get to the right side of West Main. So, it's it's going up water on the south side >> um and then using a bike box to get over to kind of like the right side. So when
it crosses ridge, it's now on the north side of West Maine. I could see a world after going through design of West Main that the bike lane or bikeways are on the south side, but we have to go through that process. We don't know. >> Okay.
>> But that's that's a tweak we can make within VOTE's parameters. It's not >> it's not going to screw us, >> right? Flexibility. >> Correct. We got now if we decided we want a roundabout then that then we can't do that. You know what I'm saying? But um >> no we don't want a roundabout then.
>> Right. Right. But but it's a subtle tweak on on existing um >> Gotcha. >> Uh >> um yeah. >> Okay. >> There are some Oh, real quickly on that though because I know everyone's going to be excited to know. If you haven't gone to check out the new website for
the um for the ebike voucher, please go check that out because that's on the news connecting Charlottesville platform. Great. >> Which Ben is going to set up an event page for the B do public meeting. >> So this that platform is going to allow
us to like share events and programs and projects a little bit better or no, excuse me, a lot better. >> Um but Ben said today he's going to set that up. >> Super. Um, I can >> Let's make sure that that gets communicated out to the listener, too.
>> It's in the staff notes the new connecting website. >> Yes, but Ben is going to create a page specifically for VOTE. >> Okay. >> Um, yeah. >> Awesome. For all V. >> No, no, just for that one. And I'm sure we'll continue to do stuff.
>> It's a city meeting. It should be on the city, not just on the VOTE calendar. This is this is right now >> Linda. >> Okay. Well, I'm learning a lot. It's great. I I feel the passion. Uh but I was also um recognizing of that I have a
couple more questions about um the time frame for my or a deadline and in terms of this proposal that I'm going to write up and uh what is the process and when would I get feedback
from whether this proposal is approved. moved. >> Um, >> do you have a due date? Like, do you have a time by which you need to submit? >> Well, for one thing, I need to write something up and submit it to um the TomTom Festival like yesterday, I think.
But, you know, they're kind of flexible. I mean, I would say my recommendation to to you, Linda, would be to to to to put a call out for folks to help kind of, you know, serve on this committee with you to create this panel to kind of plan this. >> Oh, we're doing that.
>> Yeah. >> But put that out to the BP lister and see if you get some folks that way. >> Okay. >> That would be my recommendation because there's over I don't knowund and something people on the >> Oh, okay. Make a request for that to be on the panel. But we there I don't know how many people I mean I think it would
be nice to have representation. I don't know how many folks we can because we're going to have students in there and so so I I need to check back with my partners who were you know uh organizing this panel this panel discussion with um
Bonita Patton with YMCA. >> Anyway, well just yeah I would say put it you know put put your request out on the list serve and see who shows up who says yes. >> Okay. And then um just to get an idea, do you have a system in place for the the proposal or is there what is there
something that I mean also we need to figure out the bike route too? But I was just trying to figure that out if uh you have a process or system with that. >> Marin, you're helping Linda with this, right? >> Yeah, I can help with the route. Um, but
I think we were trying to have a better understanding of like all of the different organizations participation as related to any of the like parts of this just to make sure we understand what we're planning for. >> And I see James, you're coming your
rough feet. >> Okay. Anyway, I guess it's we don't know. It's kind of an unknown, but maybe by next month we'll have a better idea, I guess. Okay. >> Yeah. Are you basically saying that you're going to write a proposal and you're seeking like help leading
different parts of that proposal and so you're just waiting to hear back from BPAC on who can do what? >> Yeah, I think we need to have it be defined that it's going to happen. I know it's it's weather permitting though for sure. There's that. And when do we
decide whether it's worth it or not? We could also just walk if it feels with umbrellas if it doesn't feel safe to ride bikes or do you guys keep a bike ride in the rain too? >> We have um
I I think I think just to be clear, Linda, I don't think BPAC is going to quote like bless your proposal. I think it's more of like write the proposal and then the people on BPAC will say, "Yeah, sure. I I would love to help out in in
in in whatever capacity, whether that's uh I'd love to join the bike ride or I would love to join the panel or I would love to join help staff the bike ballet or whatever it is. I think you're you're going to what you're going to hear is a a different voices pop up and offer to
help in some capacity. So, the the more detailed your proposal and clear your proposal can be, the better uh response you're going to get from folks on the on the list serve. Got it. >> Um, >> okay. So, I work with Meredith, it sounds like, and she can give me that.
Is that right, Meredith? >> Great. >> Yeah, I see your thumb up. Okay, thank you. And by the way, when when does bike month um start? >> Month of May. >> No, I know it is the month of May. When do we start meeting online or have meetings with
>> Mike Mon? We've already had one. So, um I'll find out when the next one is and >> let you know. >> Okay. I didn't see anything in my emails with >> And I don't know if that got shared with the Back list. That I know just as like
a heads up and see if other folks want to get it. >> All right. I think I'm done with those questions. Thanks. Um, thanks >> Linda. >> Any other questions for Tommy or Zoe? Sorry.
>> Here too is staff supporting. >> All right, we will proceed with our agenda. Um, all right. Uh, hopefully y'all took a gander at the charter and the work plan. Um James and I uh and
James I don't know are you able to fill up the work plan and just we can look at it and see if anyone has questions or comments. Um we are uh hoping to approve both of these tonight unless there's really substantive feedback that we need to take in to continue refining both of
these important documents. Um I think we wanted to start with the work plan. Um, we took in some uh feedback from staff earlier this week around um, sorry, I'm just making sure I have the right document pulled up. Um, around
uh, connect making sure that all of BPAC's activities kind of align directly with an existing goal and set of strategies within the city's comprehensive plan which was approved in 2021. um alongside the city's strategic priorities um
around things like climate change um uh you know the kind of bigger picture strategic goals. So we have not gone in and kind of like done the work of aligning each of these individual goals um in fact I'm going to actually pull
these out right here um to to these comprehensive plan goals. Um, but I think I I do appreciate the feedback from staff and I think it's important that we um make sure that we're always kind of tying and like this our city does a great job of producing plans and
not following through on them. So I think we want to be a part of both creating awesome plans and then making sure that those plans are also followed through. So, uh it's going to make our work stronger if it's directly connected to um existing projects and existing,
you know, like stated voted on, uh strategic goals. Um so, I'm happy to go ahead and do that and I did not have a chance to do that ahead of tonight's meeting. Um, but I think James and I feel comfortable with kind of what we have put forward as far as the kind of
core set of activities that BPA will undertake that fall across the categories of advocacy, advising, meaning advising the city, advising staff, um, uh, outreach and education, and then kind of these operational goals that just are intended to kind of
facilitate how we show up. Um and we have not gotten a lot of feedback um on you know like changes uh to what's here in this work plan. It does it this work plan is not meant to preclude you know taking on additional work as projects
arise. We want to of course always be responsive and reactive to things in the community. Um hopefully responsive and reactive to good things and not tragic things. Um but we also wanted to make sure that we kind of always had this plan to touch back to so that we feel like the work we all put into this
committee is strategic. It is like moving forward um just with an under a shared understanding of what we all kind of want to get out of of showing up here on the first Thursday of the month and beyond. So, a
any comments, any um reactions to approving this or not or or plausing on approving this? >> And you're just talking about the charter, right? >> Just talking about the work plan. >> Oh, just talking about the work plan. >> I think I'd also like to add to that to say that um
if something is not on this work plan, it doesn't mean that we can't do it this year. Um the the intention was to have a list of things that we know we would like to get to and to have something somewhat formalized to
keep us honest, keep us checking back to our priorities. Um kind of check back every so often. How are we doing? What what have we um where have we made progress? Where have we not made progress? Um, it's not meant to be an
exhaustive list. It can change through the year. Like it it's it doesn't have to be some kind of list of commandments we're always going to be holding people to and saying you can't talk about it because
it's it's not on the work plan. So, I just wanted to give that context for for people. Thanks. >> U thinking about Ywise's public comment at the start of the meeting. Um I would ask like do we have anything about
traffic calming in here? >> That's >> um okay. >> Well, yeah. >> No, go ahead. >> Okay. cuz I think perhaps like maybe we should not like we should include
traffic economy as a um one of our goals at large instead of like just as being an element of quick builds. Yeah, >> because like we mentioned bike lanes specifically at the top of the work plan, but I I totally agree with Y that
a road with traffic slow enough to bike in is just as good or better than a bike lane. >> Um an unprotected bike. >> Can I can I say something about that roadway? So on that point, um, yes, I think the
other piece is that a big it's it's like this little bullet in here and there's not a lot in it, but this transportation master plan is actually going to call for reduced speeds across the city. >> Okay. >> Um, and as part of that, we all know, all of us know better than >> make sure it does.
>> Ben and I are saying that, but just make sure that sometimes what we say doesn't happen, right? >> So we need help. >> That's right. Best part of this >> is to ensure that we have the most robust transportation master plan possible for all the things that we care about >> and as part of that because we all know that you can't just like change the
speed limit signs and magically speeds reduce like we have to actually change the infrastructure. So I think your comment is well taken in comment and I think we're going to see some of that embedded in PE like it's not a its own bullet but it's embedded in other pieces of this work plan. Mhm.
>> Tommy, >> I'm sorry. Uh I um I've heard you guys say this and why have I mentioned it earlier? Uh you know, biking on roads with slower traffic can be just as safe or safer than like say bike lanes or protected, you know.
>> No, they're saying it's more better than unprotected bikes. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. That's not what I'm That's not where I'm going with this. Where I'm going is um biking is one of those things where not everyone's the same biker. So just keep in mind that like what Y why might be thinking how
he's biking with his kids and then there's like the commuter that's like going 35 miles an hour to UV biking like everyone's a little bit different. So just keep that in mind. Um but biking can be safer for X biker doesn't mean
that it can be safe for Y biker. Um, does that make sense what I'm trying to say? >> Yeah, let's let's keep it to the work plan. Anyone else feedback on the work plan? >> Can I add something real quick to that last comment? They're already um there's data out
there that shows that those bikers, the 35 mph down South Florida, we say, you know, they're they're willing to ride in 60 mph traffic. That's only 7%. the the ones that Y was talking about is
almost 60% of the population and some of that's just pent up demand. So, we really need to be planning for, you know, slowing traffic down to make neighborhoods safer, for people to feel safer to even walk in the neighborhoods. Of course, there's no comparison to
where I live in South Florida to to Charlottesville. For me, this is slow life. But um but that's the planning we're doing is is really to make this as safe for more people than just the fewer commuters.
100%. And I think we want to I think our orientation is how can we find the most upstream intervention possible so that we are both prioritizing the folks you're talking about Sarah and making a change at the highest level of the
system. So that that's why having things like let's make sure that public works and NDS and all these departments that are involved in the various pieces of making sure that our infrastructure gets put on the ground are in coordination and collaboration so that we can find
efficiencies and get things done faster and less expensively. Um so I think that's kind of the purpose and I think that's where this transportation master plan again it's another plan. We do plans real well. Let's let's all work together. Let's make this a B priority
so that we have the most robust kickass plan. One thing you can do with with this with respect to the work plan that you have is under the transportation master plan it says advocate for speed limit reductions and speed limits are are just one tool toward the goal of
reducing speed and it's not a very important actually >> right that's actually >> but I would just get rid of make it advocate for speed reductions >> throughout the city and get rid of the main arterial routes because we want speed reductions on all routes not arterials.
>> Yeah, great edit. >> Um, and also while we're in that same bullet point, >> you might add something like assure that um, >> uh, there's a cont contin contiguous um, pedestrian route to anywhere anyone
wants to go in the city. >> It's part of the comp plan. >> Yeah. >> When you say speed reductions throughout the city, what percentile of speed are you talking about? Because if you look at all of the traffic that comes through a corridor, you're not telling the bicyclist that they they go 2 miles an
hour. So right now you're you're in the zone of technical jargon that this doesn't have to care about, >> right? >> Yeah. That that serious question. I think those go to what you what this work plan is going to speak
to. If you're going to speak to public works, if you're going to speak to NDS, what is your ask of them? So that's going to be a technical question. >> Motor vehicle. >> So motor vehicle speed reductions I think would get to the point where it's not technical percentile level, but it's more specific. >> But I mean, yes, there is like we we
could build a plan that keeps people from drag racing on South, you know, on Fifth Street, or we could build a plan that like gets the everyday driver. And it's I recognize it's not the same intervention, but you know, this is a um
you know a one and a half to two page thing that talks about everything, right? It doesn't I is the word 88 even in here, you know? So, so like I don't want to get like bogged down on little things like that with this.
>> I've got a question about the nature of a work plan. >> Yeah. which this feels very like mission vision statement whereas I generally think of work plans as like the first quarter we're going to do this second quarter we're going to do that the third quarter we're going to do this
>> do we have anything like that anywhere >> we don't we could produce something after we vote on this if we think this is like how we want to spend our time like this is very guiding principles and then like how do we apply that yeah >> sure >> yeah I feel like this is more like
purpose like this is what our purposes. This is not a work plan. This is like how we will this is how we will filter things through to decide if they make it to the work plan. >> Yeah. >> It might also be like the this is like
whereases and each thing needs like in red action such and such thing. So like we're trying to be more welcoming. That is actually a principle that it's not an action but there are discrete actions that attack that problem. >> Yes. So that might be a good next step
for this like another iteration for this even. >> Well, one one proposal that James and I were going to put forward is that we like adopt this work plan as written recognizing there's more to be done there. So we we do want to make sure we're incorporating the city's
comprehensive planning goals in here. We we can add a timeline. We could also just say like let's do that and bring it back to the February meeting and we can vote on a more polished finished proposal. >> And I think that the timeline of it all
is not a it doesn't necessarily need to be timeliny but like you said where it you know and this is kind of combining two things that are already in here where create a welcoming and friendly atmosphere of BPAC meetings where those not traditionally seen as bike pet advocates feel like there's a space for
them to contribute. I think we've acknowledged almost every meeting that we're not the most diverse group in the city. Um, but then in a different place you say like attend neighborhood association meetings. And I think that's part of the that's an action that ties into that
principle of trying to meet people where they are, get people involved who are not typically involved and even if they're not showing up to this meeting or zooming into this meeting, they're more aware of us. And so like that to me is kind of both things and could tie together.
>> Yes, that that bullet three was specific feedback that we heard from Kyle that we actually heard of that in the past there were people who felt unwelcome that feedback meetings. So it was very specific. >> Is that people who showed up and felt unwelcome being here or people who didn't even come here?
>> People who showed up. >> Interesting. >> So that's why we made it an explicit goal of like oh my goodness no if you were willing to come here. Oh my god, I've been wanting so badly. Please. I do feel like this is one of the friendlier meetings I >> uh Linda
I well Somebody you already discussed this in terms of yeah this feels like a vision or mission um and not well there is a part that talks about uh outreach and action. So I wanted to comment also
in the engagement of the community. There's engineering. They have a great engineering department at UVA and this could be an engineering project that a student that students might be interested. It may help fly better
maybe. I don't know. I just maybe you've already thought of something like that. But um I see that you're thinking of an action plan later. But this looks fabulous. But I just wanted to mention that because I know that and the engineering department does look at uh
the local community that they offer um opportunities to um do something with with the local community as a project. >> Great. Thank you. Um looking at the time, we're a little past uh our agenda,
our allotted time for work on this. So I think we have a couple of options and I'd be curious what folks folks think. We can adopt this as written recognizing there's a few key pieces we want to update and I'm happy to take on the updating of that. We can wait until next
month. We can push this to next month once the updating has been done and then um folks anyone want to move? We can move to do things or have a or come up with a totally different idea. Scrap it.
>> Not scrap it. There's a lot of good stuff here. >> Thanks. I agree. Can I ask a question um that will perhaps uh guide us towards what we're going to do next? Um, I've been thinking throughout
this process that BPC has long been reactionary, hasn't been very strategic, needs something to guide it, but also that BPC spends a lot of time talking about what should BPC be doing and that
we didn't want to turn this into another long process of making a plan for BPC to enact a plan to get the staff to make a plan to, you know, Yes, thank you. >> Hands all the way down. Um, and so my my
tendency with this has been doesn't need to be perfect. It's not great. It's, you know, it's something and you're all making very good points that it's not really a work plan. It's kind of focus area. I've heard I think Natalie suggested maybe we should do a work plan
after this. And so my question for the group I think is how much do you think it would be effective? I don't mean this to be a leading question. Do you think we should spend more time planning for how BEC should act or do you think we
should kind of cut it here or maybe do a bit more work? Um like how much investment is is worth it? >> Can I um take the lead on So, we had the same problem with our
BPAC at Broward. And I'm sorry, I have the dogs in the background. Um, we have the same problem with BPAC at Broward. And my suggestion u following what James is saying is that and and listening to some comments uh that have been shared
is um why not take what we have adopted as a guiding document. You can call it whatever you want. You know, work plan is not a bad thing to call it because it's just semantics. But then take it, spend next time with the next steps. How
do we go about doing some of these things? And start adding actions to it. Um, and so everybody can come back and take a piece of it and say, "Okay, here's how we could implement this piece or that piece." I I apologize for the
noise in the background. Um, and and so move it. Let's keep moving because otherwise you can get stuck on this for a long time. >> It's so true. Thank you, Sarah and James. >> That's kind of exactly what I was going to say. I think we just call this something else and then when we add the
action items, that's the work done. Great. >> Are you about to go in the charter next? >> Okay. >> All those in favor of or I move to to move forward with Meredith suggestions based on Sarah and James good reframes.
>> I second. All those in favor? >> I. >> All those opposed. Great. Guiding document. Um, and it'll look a little different next month. Thanks everybody. Um, okay. Thank
we go. Uh, the charter, uh, which is the thing we thought might take a little longer to talk about. Um, and recognizing we are coming up towards time. Um, James, do you want to talk us through the charter? This was um
your baby. >> Sure. Yes. Um, so context here very quickly. Um, BPC has had an old charter for a while. Um, that was, um, I think quite vague in a lot of
ways. Um, I read it when I first became chair and it didn't really help me understand what BPACK should be doing or how it should operate. Um, but it had some good things in it. This was an attempt to formalize
and specify what I think is already happening or what we've said we want to happen. Um so for example specifying membership in this document um black text is from the
original charter blue text is kind of specifying what already happens. Red text is a bit more substantial proposal. Um so for example this red text
we felt that BPC should um be sending more official letters of recommendation to city council and to planning commission. Um sorry my internet is not good. Um and we just wanted a charter to make it easier for
that. Um and I'm I I will confess to a small meopa which is that I was um chairing this meeting like as though we had adopted this charter already. It's given that they Oh, thank you James. Yeah, sorry. So um like that everyone can vote
and that um and that actually is our annual meeting. Um hopefully those things are not um in >> Thank you. Still one. >> Thanks. Um, yeah. So, I think our goal is to is to vote on the changes that James has
put in. I'm seeing some good feedback and comments in here around um and Peter, including live action uh editing at the at the moment. >> Delete that later. I'm appreciating uh Mara's comment around here around
funding advocating for not just staff positions and VIP funding but also funding for programs and things that you know kind of the softer stuff. >> Um this could prevent do we want BPAC to sorry I'm reading Peter's comments. So
here I'll just say it but but like it's not necessary to have it in here >> and it it could be a liability if if some someone within city hall takes a view that the boards and commissions
should not be about advocacy, right? and and then having and this board would be susceptible to that because it's it's being facilitated by a staff member,
right? So So like someone who's hyper anti-government might say, "Well, isn't there a conflict of interest if you say our our bike peg coordinator should get paid more or something like that?" which we may think entirely, but having that sort of thing in the charter, it it's
just kind of a self own that's not even necessary. Like I'm not sure why it needs to be in the charter. >> Um, >> so that's just my argument. >> So, but that's unique from advocating for funding for other programs that don't relate to staff.
>> Correct. the the advocating for program infrastructure, all of that stuff is fine. But but when government staff >> go on record and this could someday be hybrid staff if it becomes the boarding
commission then then that like opens the gates wide open for the anti-government people to like bring the thing down. I mean I on the one hand I will on the other hand I'm like we don't have to create a charter that's like anti-government proof >> right
>> and I think if if BPAC were to become like a quote unquote renewable commission the charter would get >> let me ask what is gained by having that in the charter. Um, I think part of if you've been around this work long enough, you recognize that a lot of the
challenge that has been around like like right now we all need to be advocating for more >> for for people for for well I know public works is doing this right but we know we need the city to be hiring more concrete crews like that is crucial to get to meeting our infrastructural
goals. So, it's not the people the staff use on for this, but it's or you know, I've heard talk like more players. >> I totally I totally hear what you're saying and and believe me that anyone. >> Yeah. But, um I would say that maybe the
way to to finesse that without being bait is to um to say funding and institutional capacity or or some other like >> vagger way to say it. Could we embed that in will it eat advocate for
capital? >> That's what I would suggest that we do. Absolutely. >> Uh programmatic >> Yeah. >> and capacity >> certainly like we know that like we can spend infrastructure dollars without project managers to do it. We we know
that very very well. And we've learned the hard way not to do the one without the other. That it's a given. >> I I'm I'm just trying to protect BPAG. if if only >> there have been like mayors who were like what is this BPAC you've got you
know I'm going to take a close cone to what they're up to >> are you James okay >> um James are you good with that >> um Yes, with whatever people are happy
with. Um, I would also I I would lean towards Peter's uh point of view. Um, because I don't think we've ever looked at these purposes in my time except to to change them now. I don't I don't
think they help us necessarily because we we tend to know what our purpose is. Um but happy to to put whatever here ingr on the side of not putting things that could make us liable
to you know accusations of overreach. >> Cool updated. Do you um I should have said this when we talked on Monday, but is there do you feel like this captures like one of the
main roles that I see you all with, which is like holding me and my co-workers accountable? like and and all these plans that we make holding us accountable for like actually >> like installing the recommendations and
and things in these plans like >> is is this already speaking to that or >> like benchmark study >> I think a does that like I think >> like I like BPAC like I like that this exists even if there was friction between us I like that there's something
that kind of holds me >> accountable you know what I'm saying >> I didn't Item 1A says, you know, authorizes BPAC to say like you guys are not observing best practice like you've got to do such and such and such and
>> but that's a recommendation rather than like an accountability. >> Yeah. Is there a specific thing to that when it says design? Do you think that maybe this should point back to that the the actual standards design manual that we created? Do you think it should point back to the bike ped master plan that
were created or >> want is something that feels like an umbrella, right? Like that conceivably in 10 years this document could still be true. It's not pointing to specific documents that at that point may be wildly irrelevant or out of date. >> So I think we want it to kind of
>> feel as broad as possible. Um and I hear you around and I appreciate that you're asking. >> So So oper operationally, how would BPC accomplish that? And >> well, that's why that's why I brought this up. Well, go ahead, Peter.
>> So, and that's sort of you noodled something that that I was thinking about is like who is who does BPAC report to? That's that's where >> but so so this was set up by a city engineer that didn't know anything about bikes and so she wanted advice and so
it's kind of been that like it could be very operationalized if BPAC had a um if its report two was city council instead >> and >> well it changes it from advisory to advocacy
>> or yeah >> if accountability and benchmark meeting is something that this body becomes responsible for noting, >> right? >> I would say that um on the city website, we're officially a um committee that is advisory to staff. >> Yeah. >> Yeah.
>> But it also goes into advocacy on the city website, too. I'm pretty sure, doesn't it? Are you looking at it right now, James? >> I'm not. And I don't remember that. But it >> I just looked at it recently and I'm pretty sure I remember reading something about advocacy. Um,
>> your point about accountability, Tommy, I'd also say that um, we as citizen advocates don't need much encouragement to hold city staff accountable. >> If it's not on there, we're still >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. >> That's where it comes in handy, though, is if there's a um, like an official letter writing capacity. like as BPAC, this is the official position which accounts for all of these voices and that's different than us as
individuals. >> Yeah. I guess what I'm thinking is like BPAC in theory is a more informed um has a more informed role than like the citizens at large, right? So like holding us accountable. They kind of know what they're talking about when they're holding this accountable, right?
Um I mean, you know, BPAC was heavily involved in the creation of the bike ped master plan. So in theory, like throughout the past 10, 15 years, they're the ones saying, "Hey, we worked on this 10 years ago. When are we going to get around to building this thing that you we we worked on creating 10
years ago?" Right? >> Um >> um it's 627. Um do folks have wild objections to um Let me think.
Do we, James, do we want to table this until next month? Do we want to um What do we want to do? >> I I move to approve it as is. I'll just go with procedure and >> Okay. So, somebody
>> is there a staff lawyer that can review um because I'm a little uncomfortable with the advocate word as a former staff member. um if we're if it's an advisory group.
>> So perhaps I don't know if the city has um a you know legal somebody on legal that might be able to review the changes and say, "Hey, yeah, you guys are okay with this. You're not going to run into issues." Or, "Hey, maybe you want to look at this."
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. We we kind of >> it just say recommend >> um audio for Zoom went out at least for me. >> Okay, we can hear you back. >> Um
uh Sarah, it's a good question. I don't know the answer to it as far as like because BPAC is not we are an all volunteer non-appointed group. So we technically kind of have like quote unquote no power. Um that
said, I mean, yes, do we have to operate within, you know, like we can't go totally rogue and um and at the same time like there's there's no we have no authority also to do anything. I think that could get us in too much trouble. Um someone just said, should we replace
advocate with recommend? Um, I don't know if that feels like a softening that that would be a, you know, holds the spirit of like we want more funding for all the things we want to see happening in our >> That sounds like it's reactive. >> Well, right. That's kind of what I feel
cuz this is Yeah, this is not a I appreciate the the the inclination for like a legal review because it's shaped like a legal document, but this is a volunteer body of people who are who like bikes. It's not it's you know we're not
>> sidewalks >> um but it's not we're not this is not a a committee that was created by council with a specific like mandate >> task right there's so it's it's not as formal as that where we >> would help us all understand why we are
all here >> right >> is because like we want to we do want to advocate we do want to make sure this infrastructure >> give us guidelines for for ourselves >> I love that also because I I think it is good enough to be like a starting point for if there is a decision to make it a
border commission. >> Yeah, >> that it's a starting point and that would be the moment where somebody would take the the red line and say I don't like this work. >> Totally. Second Peter's motion to approve it. Yeah. The cooks in the kitchen. >> I also think
>> perfect is the enemy of good enough. >> Yes. you guys are going to have the opportunity to go at this again during the um transportation master plan, right? So like that'll be an opportunity to see like is there a future that looks different for VPAC in some other
capacity? >> What it does though now is it's no longer a head scratcher about oh should we elect the president right about now >> in July or Yeah. Exactly. >> Like it accomplishes certain things that we needed it to do.
>> Exactly. Okay, cool. All those in favor >> I >> motion >> second the motion >> I think. >> Um I >> post. >> Beautiful. All right. We got a jar. Um with gratitude. Thank you Kevin and um
Cypress for your comments. Um >> yeah I'll I'll send you an email about that. Okay. Of course. >> Great. Great. And you know if we need to revisit this and revise things, we we can absolutely do that. It is 6:31. So, um I want to go ahead and we can maybe send the final agenda items over email
unless folks just want to hang out. Um >> or next time is what you're saying. >> Just the remaining things on the agenda, which was basically a budget review. Um quick, >> we just mentioned the forms next next week. >> Yes. So, there's budget forums next week. Um I'll send this to the BP
listerve um because there's because there's the VOTE thing, too. So, once that's live, plenty of opportunities to continue weighing in on the CIP. Um, and also giving feedback on Westm and Ridge. Is there anything that would be useful either from this that you all want to
share or anyone else wants to share going into our council retreat tomorrow? >> Oh my god, that's a loaded question which has an agenda that doesn't list anything specific. >> Oh, >> unless it was updated recently. I I don't know. I got an email earlier, but
are you going to process? Yes. >> Okay. Can we talk? Yes. Okay. Okay. >> Um All right. Um motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> Third. >> Right.
>> Thank you all for the time. Appreciate you all being here. Thank you Zoom participants.