BACA Minutes 2006

1. President Monty Cole reported on the Big Dam Bridge weekend events (September 30 & October 1st). BACA members were the first across the Bridge at the ceremonial ride. We had a big presence at the opening ceremonial both at the Ride and at the BACA booth. Special thanks to Rob Lambert for organizing the booth & for Ken Gould for organizing the ceremonial ride. We also had bike valet service at the BACA booth for people who wanted to run the 5K. On the BDB 100 mile ride, we along with Fast Girls Slow Guys and the Arkansas Bicycle Club staffed the aid station at about 70 miles.

2. Ron Rizzardi reported on the Natural State Expo to be held September 7th. BACA has a booth which will have bike valet services. BACA members have volunteered to staff the booth. The booth will focus on bicycle commuting and will have rules for bicycle commuters.

3. Gordon Fisher is organizing BACA participation in the annual holiday parade in Little Rock to be held December 2nd.

4. Steve Shepherd is working with the Veterans Administration to have some type of activity at Ft. Roots for the holiday season.

5. BACA is meeting with ABC to organize a joint Halloween bicycle ride.

6. Charlie Hight reported on the North Little Rock Downtown Political Rally to be held November 4. There will be a family bike ride on the North Little Rock River Trail at 10:00 a.m. beginning under the Main St. Bridge. Charlie (who is a NLR Alderperson) urged people to participate in the ride.

7. Monty Cole gave an update on the prosecution for Jason Pratt's death. The prosecutor is working out a guilty plea with John Patrick Moody. More details will be forthcoming. Monty stated that our response to Jason's death really showed the power of advocacy. With a day we announced a reward which led to information leading to Moody's arrest.

Coreen Frasier organized the program, a Candidates Forum with candidates for Little Rock positions: Three of the 4 Mayoral Candidates appeared: Barbara Graves, Jesse Mason and Mark Stodola. Ward #1 Candidates: Johnny Pugh appeared; Irma Hendricks responded to the Questionnaire Ward #2 Candidates: G. Jean Allen and Glenn Schwarz appeared; Ken Richardson sent a representative; two other candidates did not respond. Ward #3: Stacy Hurst is running unopposed. She could not attend but sent a message. Ward #5: Michael Keck did not respond. Ward #6: Genevieve Stewart did not attend but sent responses which were read by Tim Vahsholtz. Doris Wright could not attend but sent responses which were read by Cindy Holland.

Format: Each candidate was asked two questions. First question was what recreational facilities do you envision for Central Arkansas? What do you see as the impact of bicycle trails and accommodations for bicycling as transportation on the livability/quality of life issues in central Arkansas? The second question was what would the candidate do to promote the building of cycling and recreational trails? Candidates were then asked if they had anything more to add. The written responses of the candidates to the questionnaires will be posted on the website (see government link).

Final announcement; Monty Cole announced that he was resigning as president of BACA for personal reasons.

Judy Lansky Secretary

About 75 people present. President Monty Cole called the meeting to order.

1.Bill Steward, who is volunteer coordinator for the Big Dam Bridge (BDB) ride stated that he needs volunteers for the Cato rest stop. He would like members of BACA and ABC to staff that stop.

2. Tim Vahsholtz and Rob Lambert discussed the BACA Booth we will have at the BDB events. Tim stated that the booth will highlight our campaign of Share the Road/Share the Trail. We will have information on helmet safety and have temporary tattoos. Rob stated that there will be a huge tent for vendors on the North Little Rock side and we will have a booth at the tent. We want to stress the importance of helmets. The booth will be open until 7:00 p.m. on Sat. and from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Sunday.

3. Monty discussed several items of concern for the events surrounding the BDB. The organizers are encouraging on-line pre-registration of the ride. The Sunset Reception will be Thursday night and we will be sending out e-mail invitations to everyone for whom we have an e-mail. There is concern with the number of riders going across the bridge and we will be asking people to serve as bicycle marshals. We are also looking at providing bike valet service at the booth for people doing the 5K run.

4. On September 7, 2006, the Little Rock City Board approved BACA's petition to make Little Rock a bicycle friendly community. 5. Ron Rizzardi is organizing our participating in the Natural State Expo on October7th. The focus of our booth will be bicycle commuting and the bicycle as an alternative means of transportation. Contact Ron if you are interested in participating. 6. BACA made a contribution to Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church in memory of Judge Villine's mother. Monty read the note from Judge Villines.

Program: Representatives for the Veterans Administration. Through meetings with BACA representatives and the VA, the VA has built a path around the gate at the top of Ft. Roots hill to allow bicyclists to bike through. Many thanks to the VA for its support.

Lori Driver, Public Affairs Officer with the VA Hospitals in Little Rock and North Little Rock spoke. She noted that the VA hospitals are federal facilities, and operate under the guidelines of Homeland Security. The Ft. Roots Campus is currently open. If the level of security increases, the campus and gate will be closed. Lori stressed the following Rules of the Road that are applicable to bicyclists: 1. Ride only dawn to dusk. Do not use the facilities in the evening. 2. One rider, no packing, ride single file. 3. Follow and obey the rules of the road, such as stop signs. 4. Ride on the right side of the road. 5. Don't ride through the housing area. 6. Alcohol is not allowed; tickets will be issued for alcohol use. 7. Don't operate the bicycle in a reckless manner. 8. Photographs are not allowed due to the privacy concerns of the patients.

Jeff Honeycutt, volunteer coordinator for the VA spoke. He stressed that we remember the people who are responsible for our freedom, i.e the veterans. He urged that we do something for the veterans, either as a group or as individuals. Go to www.va.gov to look for volunteer opportunities. He suggested that we use a break period during a ride to visit with the nursing home patients. Steve Shepherd suggested that we do a Christmas parade at Ft. Roots.

Announcements: ABC meeting September 16th 100 minutes of CARP October 8

Respectfully submitted, Judy Lansky Secretary

About 85 people present. Ken Gould, former BACA president, introduced Ron Rizzardi, BACA Vice President, who called the meeting to order in the absence of President Monty Cole. Ron introduced Pulaski County Judge Buddy Villines, who outlined the events for the opening of the Big Dam Bridge. Information on the activities can be found on www.bigdambridge.com. The activities start on Thursday, September 28, 2006, with a fundraising golf tournament for CASA, who provides advocates for children in the court system. At 6:30 p.m. there will be a sunset reception on the Bridge with hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, and a lighting of the Bridge. Tickets for the event are $75.00 and are tax deductible. Ticket sales will help offset the costs of the grand opening weekend and any money not spent will be used to raise money for the bridge over the Little Maumelle River. A 501(c)(3) organization, Friends of Two Rivers Park, has been formed for that.

On Friday the Corps of Engineers will have tours of the Lock and Dam. There will be a worker/staff reception.

The official ribbon cutting ceremony will be either 9 or 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 30. Judge Villines stressed that he wants BACA members up front, leading the bicyclists and pedestrians over the Bridge. He expressed his appreciation for the work BACA has done to support the Bridge.

On October 1, there will be the Big Dam Bridge Ride. Judge Villines wants as many people as possible to get involved in the Ride, and hopes that the Ride will develop into a well-recognized and well-attended event. He also views the Ride and the Bridge as sending a message about quality of life to the community at large .

Judge Villines also addressed the temporary closing of the River Trail on the Little Rock side. The contractor's insurance requires that people are kept off the construction site. The construction site needs to be closed until the contractor ensures that it is safe.

Judge Villines also addressed the concerns of opening of the road by Jimerson Creek. Judge Villines noted that Alltel is a good partner and is working on finding a safe route through Riverdale.

In response to questions: The Bridge will be open 24/7 absent unusual circumstances. Judge Villines wants to develop rules of conduct for riding on the Bridge. Some ideas include: bells on bicycles, striping. The Bridge is ADA complaint, wheelchairs will be able to go on the Bridge.

Judge Villines wants as many people as possible to buy tickets to the Sunset reception. He introduced Mary Storey who is organizing the reception. Invitations will go to about 1500-2000 people, e-mail invitations will go to BACA and Arkansas Bicycle Club members. They hope for 500 to 700 people to attend. Mary is seeking volunteers to help with registration, parking, shuttling people. Additionally, need to have BACA members help sell tickets to the event.

Ken Gould made a number of announcements:

1. Closing of gate at entrance to Ft. Roots. Gate is closed after 6:30 p.m. and on weekends. Ken and Alderperson Charlie Hight met with VA officials who agreed to look into the matter. Mayor Pat Hays is meeting with VA officials on August 4th to see if some compromise can be reached with opening it on weekends and evenings. The VA is concerned about problems with bicyclists riding in packs and too fast.

2. Publicity re: Big Dam Bridge festivities. Need to think creativity and tell bicycling and recreational organizations about the event. There is an ad in Bicycling Magazine about the Bridge Opening.

3. Update on Jason Pratt: The trial has continued to October.

Ian Hope, ABC President, spoke about the Big Dam Bridge Ride. Fred Phillips has been hired to work on it. People can register on-line at www.bigdambridge.com. Need help with two rest stops.

Ron Rizzardi made a number of announcements: 1. No share the road license plates. There can be a sticker that will go between the numbers on the plates. 2. The Bicycle Commuter Act of 2006: Senate Bill 2635/House Bill - write congressional delegation to voice support which would add bicycle commuting as a travel expense which can be an employer tax credit. 3. Article in September 2006 American Bicyclist (League of American Bicyclist magazine) about our Bike to Work day (including pictures). 4. Judge Villines reported that bids will go out for building of Junction Bridge in the next few months. Should have decision on contractor by end of the year. Nothing on the Rock Island Bridge - that will be left to the Clinton Foundation as to when that will be built.

Judy Lansky Secretary

Over 50 people attended. President Monty Cole made a number of announcements:

1. BACA continues its fundraising drive. Donations are welcome.

2. We participated in the press conference for the opening of the Dam Bridge and received a bit of media attention.

3. Someone reported an incident involving bicycling through University Mall. The bicyclist was stopped and asked to leave the area. Monty will contact University Mall to find out its position.

4. Tim Vahsholtz reported on the work he is doing with the Mayor of Mayflower in developing a trail as part of the ACE program. The City of Mayflower is supporting the development of the trail. It will be from the Senior Citizen and run parallel to the railroad tracks and end at the shopping center in Mayflower.

5. We received an request from Rod Bryan's campaign manager to address the meeting about his Bryan's interest in promoting bicycling. We hope to have a candidate's forum at which all candidates will have an opportunity to speak. We do not endorse any candidates. Bryan spoke about his ideas to promote bicycling which include tax breaks for bicycle purchases; promote use of bicycles by state employees; tax breaks for employers for in-house incentives for bicycle commuters. He wants people to communicate with him about their ideas to promote bicycling.

6. Ken Gould reported on the issue of the possible closing of the road at the top of Ft. Roots. He contacted Rep. Snyder's administrative assistant, Ed Fry, who contacted the person in charge of veteran's issues who then spoke to someone from the Veterans Administration. The VA wants to work with BACA. Ken said the VA is working on trying to get a paved path around the gate for bicyclists. A VA representative stated BACA could be of assistance in promoting responsible bicycling, and developing a partnership with the VA in such areas as a wellness program, and bicycle safety and education.

Rob Lambert introduced Terry Eastin, the Executive Director of the Mississippi River Trail, Inc. (MRT). Terry has over twenty years of experience in trail development and was the project administrator for the Arkansas River Trail. Terry first spoke of two projects which are in the works in Arkansas. One is the Arkansas River Connection project, which is a trail/light rail system which would connect Little Rock to Fort Smith. The second is a trail/light rail system which would connect cities in Northwest Arkansas.

Terry gave a power point presentation of the MRT. More information can be found on the website. www.mississippirivertrail.org. Of interest to people in Arkansas is the incredible fact that the Arkansas Highway Department has turned back all of its federal money for trails. Arkansas has no money for trails. The Transportation Enhancement Funds have gone to welcome centers rather than trails. Arkansas has no funds for trail development while Minnesota received $78 million and Iowa received $33 million. Terry has written a letter to the Arkansas Highway Department, which is attached below. We need to have a collaborative effort to get the Arkansas Highway Department to get and use funds for trail development. Dan Flowers, to whom the letter is addressed, had not yet responded at the time of the meeting.

TERRY EASTIN'S LETTER TO DAN FLOWERS:

June 7, 2006

Mr. Dan Flowers
Executive Director Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department
Interstate I-30
Little Rock, Arkansas 72209

Re: Recreational Trails Program Funding

Dear Mr. Flowers:

Thank you for your administration of the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD). While you have efficiently operated the state's key transportation agency, many times your administration is overlooked when thanks are due.

However, under AHTD's administration, funding for trail projects appears to be suffering. Recently, the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department has rescinded a total of $1,058,119 in unobligated Recreational Trail Program funds accumulated since 2003. Another $650,688 of 2006 funds has been placed in an obligation-limitation pool, for a total of $1,708,807.

We are very concerned by the impact of these rescissions and the obligation limitation on trail funding in Arkansas because these funds are badly needed. During the period that these rescinded funds were accumulated, 181 applications for Recreational Trails Program funds were submitted, requesting a total of $10,800,245 in funding. Only 94, or 52% of those applications received funding. The total allocation was $3,188,990 or 29% of the total requests. The rescinded funds could have made a big difference in meeting the trail-funding needs represented by those 181 applications.

The Recreational Trails Program returns federal gasoline taxes paid for off-highway recreation to the states for use in trail programs. Trail users pay those taxes and trail users benefit from those funds. It is a user-pay/user-benefit program, except here in Arkansas, where it appears that trail users have not been receiving their share of those benefits. This situation has been exacerbated by the use of Transportation Enhancement funds for non-trail projects and by the lack of action on the Safe Routes to School program.

There is now overwhelming evidence that trails are an important means to make communities healthier, both economically and physically. Arkansas, along with the rest of the nation, is faced with a serious, yet preventable, public health threat associated with physical inactivity-related obesity. Arkansas ranks near the top in both deaths from heart disease and incidences of obesity. Because of these statistics and in a unified statement regarding the importance of trails, the state's largest cardiology clinic, Governor Huckabee, and many legislators have openly acknowledged the need for trails and the benefits from them.

The trails community regards your agency as a vital part of good trails in Arkansas. We wish to work with you in partnership. The cutbacks in trail funding this year have long-term consequences for the well-being of the people of Arkansas.

On behalf of the many state trail interests, I request a meeting at your earliest convenience to further discuss these issues and to begin looking at ways we can work together to strengthen our trails programs.

Best regards,
Terry Eastin, Executive Director
Mississippi River Trail, Inc.

About 35 people attended the meeting. Announcements:

1. The Arkansas Bicycle Club Spring Fling was successful

2. The UALR group studying the opening the River Trail presented its study at the Little Rock City Council Meeting on March 7, 2006. About 100 people showed up to express their support for keeping the Jimerson Creek portion of the trail closed to vehicular traffic. The issue of opening the Trail to vehicular traffic continues to be an issue of concern to trail users. We will continue to monitor the situation and initiate action where necessary.

3. Bike to Work Day: Judy Lansky applied for a grant from the League of American Bicyclists for Bike to Work Day. BACA was one of 15 organizations awarded a $1000.00 grant.

4. Monty Cole reported on plans for Bike to Work Day on May 19. He acknowledged the dedicated and hard work of committee members Renee Buchholtz and Ellen Brownlee, who designed a new graphic for the event. We need volunteers for the event, including ride leaders, sweep leaders, and bike buddies. In addition, we need someone to contact employers for the commuter challenge. A Ride of Silence in conjunction with National Ride of Silence will be held May 17, 2006 to honor and remember cyclists killed or injured in accidents.

5. First Friday Bike to Work will be April 7th at 6:30 a.m.

6. The annual fundraising drive has started. Send contributions to BACA, c/o Steve Shepherd, BACA Treasurer, 2720 Charter Oak Road, Little Rock, AR 72227-3004. 7. Ron Rizzardi reported on the Great Arkansas Workout sponsored by the Governor's Council on Fitness. The event will be on May 9, 2006, starting at 11:00 a.m. and ending at 1:00 p.m. Volunteers need to be in place by 9:30 AM to start set up. It will be at the East Capitol lawn. Ron is looking for as many 24" bicycles and trainers to borrow as possible. Arkansas Children's Hospital will be providing 250 helmets at $7.50 each. The Council will be providing 8 schools with a Trek 220 bicycle.

The by-laws provide that election of officers shall be at the April meeting. Nick Dawson, chair of the nominations committee, presented a proposed slate of candidates: President - Monty Cole; Vice President - Ron Rizzardi; Secretary - Judy Lansky; Treasurer - Steve Shepherd; At large members (2006-2008 term) Rob Lambert, Mark Taylor, and Karen Call. Nick moved for adoption of the slate; Bettina Brownstein seconded. The slate of candidates was unanimously approved.

Program: The last three years, BACA has sponsored people to attend the National Bike Summit in Washington, D. C. This year Coreen Frasier and Jennifer Shaw went as BACA Representatives. Terri Easton was also there. About 375 people attended the Summit, representing 44 states. The Summit is sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists, Bikes Belong, the Department of Transporation and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.

Attendees lobbied their representatives on a number of initiatives, including the Bicycle Commuter Act. Coreen and Jennifer discussed bicycle friendly communities. There are 52 communities that have been designed as bicycle friendly. Davis, California is at the Platinum level; Four communities (Boulder, Palo Alto, Portland, Corvallis) are at the gold level.

Safe Routes to School (SR 25). Fewer than 15% of students walk or bike to school. States have to hire a fulltime SR25 coordinator.

Coreen and Jennifer reported on their experience in meeting with members of the Arkansas Congressional delegations. They meet with representatives from the offices of Senators Lincoln and Pryor and Representatives Snyder, Ross and Boozman.

What we can do: * Make appointment with Department of Transportation Executive Director *Apply to become Bicycle Friendly Community *Meet with City and County Engineers *Participate in Thunderhead Alliance *Get local businesses and retailers involved *Establilsh a cross state bike ride *Sign up with VIPS (Volunteers in Public Schools) for bicycle safety education in elementary and middle schools *Follow up with Arkansas State Police and National Highway Transportation Safety Administration about Safe Routes to Schools Coordinator *Establish relationship with State Transportation Commissioner *Invite government officials to participate in Bike to Work * Get more representatives at the National Bike Summit *Get certified bike educators

Thanks to Coreen and Jennifer for being BACA's representatives at the National Bike Summit. We have our work cut out for us.

Fundraising drive of BACA has started. Send contributions to Steve Shepherd.

About 50 people present.

Announcements:

1. Ken Gould reported that the City of Little Rock has asked UALR to try to mediate the opening of the Jimerson Creek Road. Monty Cole and Ken met with the UALR people. They are going to present their report to the Little Rock City Board at 6:00 p.m. on March 7, 2006. We need to be there to show support for not opening the road to vehicular traffic. [See news for additional information and update on the City Board meeting.

2. Judge Villines gave Ken a copy of the conceptual drawing of the pedestrian and bicycle bridge over the Little Maumelle River.

3. Judy Lansky gave an update on the case involving the death of Jason Pratt, the bicyclist. John Patrick Moody has been charged and the case is in the Fourth Division, Judge Langston. There is a pretrial hearing on June 5 at 8:30 a.m. and the jury trial is scheduled for June 27 at 9:00 a.m.

4. Two BACA representatives Coreen Frasier and Jennifer Shaw are attending the National Bike Summit in Washington, D. C. The City of Little Rock will fund one representative.

5. There will be election of officers at the next meeting, April 6.

6. Ron Rizzardi reported on the Great Arkansas Workout. The Governor's Council on Fitness will purchase 12 bicycles to be distributed to schools in the area. Arkansas Children's Hospital will provide helmets to each participant. Ron said that he needs kid size bikes and trainers. The Great Arkansas Workout will be the first Tuesday in May, 7:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. on the East Capital lawn.

Program: Ken Gould gave a power point presentation on the bicycle trip he and Judy Lansky took on their tandem recumbent in Cambodia and Vietnam.

About 80 people present.

1. Announcements: Monty Cole reported on: (1) ARKY 100. There is a steering committee of City officials and bicyclists who are meeting weekly to develop plans to bring the ARKY 100 to Little Rock Area. They are trying to coincide the ARKY 100 with the opening of the Lock and Dam Bridge. They will try to turn the event into a cycling & fitness weekend, in the nature of a fair. The main rides will be on Sunday. They will need volunteers to help with all aspects. (2) Arkansas Bicycle Club (ABC) shorts and jerseys with new ABC logo will be available. (3) ABC Spring Fling at the Women's Garden Center on Sat. April 1st. (4) Help needed with Bike to Work Day.

2. Ken Gould reported that the tentative date for Lock and Dam bridge opening is October 7th. Judge Villines wants the bicycling community to be first people across bridge.

3. Ken gave an update on the move to open the Jimmerson Creek section to vehicular traffic. The business interests in the Riverdale area are trying to go ahead with the road. The City has arranged with a UALR dispute resolution group to try to assess the positions of people involved & try to reach a resolution. Monty & Ken talked to the UALR people. Ken thinks that no compromise is possible. Ken will be meeting with someone from Metroplan to assess what could be done to accommodate all interests involved.

4. March BACA meeting with be a presentation of Ken & Judy's bicycle trip to Vietnam & Cambodia.

5. The League of American Bicyclists is holding the Bicycle Summit On March 1st. The Board members need to discuss sending representatives to it. Coreen Frasier will be going as a BACA representative.

6. Ron Rizzardi reported on the Arkansas Governor Council on Fitness Great Arkansas Workout . It allows school- aged kids to experience different exercises. It will be held in late April or early May & we need to get the cycling involved. Chainwheel will provide bicycles on trainers; helmets. There will be a safety tent; a tent with different types of bicycles . Ron needs volunteers. Check the discussion forum section of the BACA website to help.

Program:

George Wittenberg, a long-time architect, is Coordinator of the Urban Projects & Design Program at UALR. The program obtained a $2.5 million grant from the Donaghey Foundation to get students involved in design projects. George reported on the Six Bridges Project, the overall project to animate the Arkansas River by making bridges wonderful. The Plan makes people see that the bridges are beautiful. Each bridge can have unique character. He then described plans for the Junction Bridge, presenting design depictions. At the end of Junction Bridge in Little Rock there will be an interactive fountain. The Junction Bridge will have elevators which will be large enough to accommodate bicycles as well as stairs. The idea of a ramp was rejected, although on the NLR side there will be a small ramp that will go down through a graduated parkway that goes through the area on west side of Arena & green space joining Arena to NLR. People from Portland, Oregon are helping to design the bridge. There will be shading devices on bridge. The primary focus of the Six Bridges plan was economic development. There is about $1.5 billion of new development projects at the River. The Junction bridge will cost about $8 million, with about $5 money from federal grants & appropriations They still need to raise 1 to 2 million more. They want about $1 in donation for naming rights to the Bridge. Plans for the Junction Bridge are to be completed this summer; bids at end of summer; construction will be about 9 months. They hope to have the Junction Bridge opened by Riverfest 2007. Thanks George for a very interesting and informative program.