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M I N U T E S Safe Routes to School Committee Meeting May 9, 2013 3:30 P.M. The Safe Routes to School Committee met during a regular meeting on May 9, 2013 at 3:30 p.m. at Mesa Verde Elementary, 3801 College Boulevard, Farmington, New Mexico. Present: Coordinator: Anngela Wakan Committee: Steve Krest Officer Lisa McGaha Members: Jeff Treat Duane Wakan Rick Hatfield Deanna Maurer Principal Sosaya Committee Absent: Pat Cordell Joe Delmagori June Markle Officer Dave Monfils Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 3:30 p.m. by Anngela Wakan and the following proceedings were duly had and taken. Approval of the April 9, 2013 meeting minutes was postponed until the next meeting on July 18, 2013. REPORTS FROM PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS Apache Mrs. Wakan reported that the “Trade your Junk for Spunk” event on April 27th was well attended by Apache students and their parents alike. Water bottles, bike flashers and other Safe Routes to School items were handed out during the festivities. Ladera Mrs. Wakan reported on the Kids Safety Fair held on May 2 which had 35-50 children and parents attend. There was participation from a local Boy Scout troop who assisted in handing out SRTS promotional items and placed signs around campus. Water bottles, bike flashers and other Safe Routes to School items were handed out during the festivities. McKinley Mrs. Wakan plans to teach pedestrian safety at the school in the fall. ---PAGE BREAK--- Mesa Verde Mesa Verde held their bike rodeo on May 3 from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Thanks to all the volunteers who made the rodeo a success. Ms. Maurer said she counted 20 students who participated in the rodeo. Staff volunteers from Mesa Verde said they thought the rodeo was a very successful event. Each station was able to provide useful exercises and knowledge to each participant. It was recommended that the next bike rodeo have a pre-ride event to engage more students. EDUCATION There was positive feedback from Principal Sosaya on the International Bike and Walk to School Day festivities at Mesa Verde Elementary. Principal Sosaya mentioned that she worked with that school’s bus drivers to coordinate a drop-off location at San Juan College. This allowed bused students to walk to school and even allowed disabled students the opportunity where appropriate. The Farmington Daily Times highlighted Mesa Verde’s efforts to promote this national event. MPO Staff reported on the success at Ladera and McKinley Elementary schools where they saw a surge in the number of students walking. McKinley Elementary had close to 50 Farmington High School students who assisted with handing out prizes. Ladera Elementary saw a huge number of walkers with most prizes handed out before the final school bell rang at 8:00 a.m. Mr. Krest and Officer McGaha reported that Apache had increased walking numbers with mild participation from school officials to promote the event. It was mentioned that volunteers overheard students who were upset with their parents who forgot to or did not allow their child to walk to school. Mrs. Wakan asked for suggestions on how to ensure an even more successful fall campaign. Mr. Wakan suggested getting Farmington High School students to coordinate a “football tunnel” giving “high 5’s” to student walkers. Mrs. Wakan suggested having Piedra Vista High School students help out at Ladera and Mesa Verde and Farmington High School students assist at Apache and McKinley. It was also recommended that next fall, Ladera staff coordinate with the bus barn to allow kids to be dropped off at Colinas Del Norte Park and then use Dustin Avenue or Crestridge Drive as the walking path. Mrs. Wakan will continue the effective use of signs and the new SRTS website for the fall campaign and will add photos taken from the spring campaign. UPDATES Engineering: Mr. Krest updated the committee on three future SRTS sidewalk plans: Hutton Street (Animas), Hydro Plant Road (McCormick), and Windsor Drive (Mesa Verde). An update was also provided on three SRTS projects slated to begin this summer; a raised crosswalk on Monterey (McKinley), a sidewalk on Victoria Drive (Mesa Verde), and sidewalk improvements on Apache Street (Apache). It was mentioned that the HAWK pedestrian device planned for installation on College Boulevard for Mesa Verde Elementary may be put on hold due to budget constraints. Mr. Wakan updated the Committee on the MPO’s Title VI Plan requirements and how they will impact transportation projects that receive federal funding which included SRTS. The MPO was reviewed by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) last year and the Title VI Plan must be ready by the fall of 2013. ---PAGE BREAK--- Enforcement: Officer McGaha plans to begin student crossing guard training in the fall. She also mentioned that a new SRO Officer will be assigned to Ladera Elementary next fall to replace Officer Jemmet. Evaluation: Mr. Wakan updated the Committee on the student arrival counts taken on April 10, 11 and 16 (Apache and McKinley) and on April 23, 24, and 25 (Ladera and Mesa Verde). Overall there was a small reduction in the number of walkers and bikers which volunteers believed was partially due to unusually cold weather on some of the days. It was suggested that future count schedules consider weather conditions when deciding on the actual count dates and in mobilizing volunteers. Mr. Wakan also spoke on the use of GIS mapping techniques which can illustrate thermal maps and geo-coded maps for route planning purposes. He will update his current data with the 2013-2014 school enrollment numbers when they become available. Promoting SRTS: The new SRTS website is up and running and can be found at: http://farmingtonwalkandroll.org/.The website features a volunteer sign up tab as well as a resources tab which accesses the posters and flyers used at this year’s National Walk and Bike to School Day. It was again mentioned that new banners should be strategically placed at each SRTS school. They can also be used to encourage participation in the next National Walk and Bike to School Day promotion. Other Upcoming Events: June 1 – Kids’ Fest Fall Bike Rodeo – possibly held at the Sycamore Center It was agreed that there would be no meeting in June. The next meeting will be held on July 18th at 3:30 p.m. in the MPO Office at 100 West Broadway, 2nd Floor. This location will be used for the summer months. Mrs. Wakan adjourned the meeting at 4:30 p.m.