OUTBoard minutes 101508 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Approved 2/18/09 2 plan. Sam Lasris related that Commissioner Jacobs said that in the past the bicycle plan had been oriented for 57 commuting and he has noticed that the OUTBoard has structured its priorities oriented toward recreation. He 58 (Commissioner Jacobs) stated while he had no issue with that, he wanted it to be part of our charge to write that 59 plan. Karen Lincoln noted that if you are using the bicycle plan to ask NCDOT for bicycle improvements on roads, 60 the plan has to serve a transportation function and recreation is not a transportation function, that is connecting 61 places where people want/need to get to. However, there is a need for recreational routes and the bicycle plan 62 should include those and how they connect with the bicycle transportation routes. The plan should be coordinated 63 with the work of Parks and Recreation. 64 65 Paul Guthrie noted that the transportation work that is done next few years is going to have to be supported by local 66 money and local expenditures. It seems like one of the things needed beyond the existing programs, which are so 67 heavily tied to particular forms of financing, and as part of this board’s function, the board needs a committee or 68 activity that would bring topics to the group for discussion with materials on how to improve transportation in Orange 69 County, simple or complex. This would bring a broader perspective. For example, should we be looking at ideas of a 70 strategy to begin to get fueling stations in Orange County that can handle hydrogen, electric, natural gas, as well as 71 gasoline as over the next 5, 10, 15 years those types of vehicles become more common in the County. It takes a 72 while to get that sum and you have to get private industry to do it. Another area that would be interesting is to take a 73 look at the existing public and private transportation systems that haul significant numbers of people and look if 74 there’s a more efficient way to organize those structures so one feeds into the other. This would help to get the 75 group thinking along those lines. It was decided that the name for this group would be future strategies. 76 77 Pat Strong related to the Board that in December the NCDOT is going to request a call for proposals to look at 78 coordinating existing public transportation systems, and is hopeful that Durham and Orange County Public 79 Transportation will respond to that. There may be an initiate there that would feed that particular effort. With respect 80 to the alternative fuels, staff at Triangle Joint Council of Governments has compiled alternative fuels proposals that 81 give expertise to tie into the various possibilities. He complimented the Board for the proactive position. 82 83 Karen Barrows followed up to Paul’s comment that she would like to see the Board do as Paul had suggested and 84 the Board should set aside sessions for education on those topics it thinks is important . There must be people who 85 know how to move priorities up a list and if a workshop could be arranged it would be helpful. Thinks the Board 86 should take more initiative. 87 88 Jan Grossman suggested that the board could accomplish more at meetings in less time, if subcommittees were 89 formed to tackle specific areas and the subcommittees brought recommendations back to the entire OUTBoard. One 90 (subcommittee) being a TIP group that kept up with the transportation needs and status of projects, and then 91 submitted a plan to the board each year. 92 93 Paul Guthrie counseled the members to be aware that, if they are serious about getting into this, it would take 94 dedication to more time spent in research, homework, more meetings. 95 96 Jan Grossman related that it is necessary to get information on other jurisdictions and joint interest projects. 97 Suggested that members should be taking some of the work that Karen Lincoln produces and help lighten her load. 98 Wants to table discussions on any topic that doesn’t have current data until later time. 99 100 Bryn Smith asked about the creation of a separate transportation plan. 101 102 Karen Lincoln agreed and stated that the Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP) topic was discussed at the TCC 103 subcommittee and that comprehensive transportation plans are done at the county level for each county. The MPO 104 anticipates working on the CTP in 2009. 105 106 Eric Tillman stated these are good suggestions but t the board needs to ensure that projects are within the interest of 107 the Board of Commissioners. If not it will not get approval. He also related that this subject had come up in the past 108 and Commissioner Gordon had agreed. 109 110