FLCC> Talking points for Common Council meeting

[Kent Johnson]

Yes, good idea ...

So, here are some talking points for anyone interested in speaking at the Common Council meeting tonight at 7:00 pm at City Hall. For best results, keep the comments clear, concise, simple, relevant and positive. 

Thanks,
Kent


>>> Christine Porter <cp226 at cornell.edu> 5/7/2008 11:41 AM >>>
it does help, thank you. mind if I forward your comments to the list? or 
better yet, you do so (b/c I'm not on curb your car or ribs, so can't 
send to those). Hate to have all your work and advice only go to me!

Kent Johnson wrote:
> Hi Christine -
>
> Thanks for your willingness to participate in this issue. 
>
> Indications are that Common Council will vote in favor of this funding issue, but it always good for citizens to speak up in favor of issues that are important to them. 
>
> The 3-minute comment period goes by pretty fast, so it is best to have one or two clear talking points rather than try to cram too much into your time period (clear and short is good). There are many talking points that you could choose from depending on what your particular interests are. 
>
> Here are a few ideas:
> - Many Ithacans are currently bicycling in Ithaca (the percentage of bicycling in Ithaca is 4 times greater than the national average - Ithaca has the highest rate of cycling of any city in NY). This funding will enable the implementation of projects that will improve safety and convenience for existing cyclist and will encourage others to try bicycling. 
>
> - This investment in bicycling is a reasonable and appropriate use of public funds.
>
> - Projects that support bicycle use also support pedestrian and transit travel modes since these modes are often used in combination. Such projects help the City of Ithaca to pursue goals such as providing a well-balanced, integrated and equitable transportation system that supports the mobility needs of all residents and visitors. 
>
> - Many residents are concerned about Climate Change and are trying to figure out how they can make changes in their behavior to reduce their negative environmental impacts. Reduced reliance on private motor vehicle use is one significant change that individuals can make - but too often there are not feasible alternatives available even though most trips are very short. Implementation of projects that improve cycling conditions will make bicycle use a more feasible and attractive travel mode for those looking for alternatives. 
>
> - Provision of safe and convenient bicycling travel environments is a quality of life issue. Many people want to live in quality communities that offer high quality amenities that support recreational and social activities. 
>
> - Healthy lifestyles - many individuals seek a healthy lifestyle that include daily activities that support physical and mental fitness. 
>
> Hope this helps.
>
> Take care,
> Kent
>
>
>
> Kent Johnson
> Transportation Engineering Technician
> Office of the City Engineer
> City of Ithaca
> 108 E. Green St.
> Ithaca, New York 14850
> (607) 274-6528, (607) 327-0316 (cell)
> kjohnson at cityofithaca.org 
>




Hello -

IMPORTANT - at the City of Ithaca Common Council meeting this Wednesday (5/7/08 at 7:00 PM in City Hall) the fate of the Bike Plan funding will be determined. 

Here is a brief synopsis of what is going on: 
A decade ago, a $100,000 ($80,000 federal funds, $20,000 City funds) project (Capital Project #325) was created to be used to create the Bike Plan document and then implement measures recommended in the Bike Plan. The Bike Plan document cost $20,000 ($16,000 federal funds, $4,000 City funds) - so $80,000 ($64K fed., $16K City) remained. The federal government has now canceled their part of the funding, due largely to the slow progress in implementation. At the last City Administration committee meeting (on 4/30/08), there was discussion on the topic of whether the City should make up for the rescinded federal funds with City funds (thus, the remaining $80,000 project would be fully funded by the City). In the end, the CA committee decided in a 3-1 vote to fund the project at $50,000. This is less (obviously) than $80,000 but it is $34,000 MORE than the City originally planned on spending as part of this project. So, THIS IS GOOD NEWS. The Common Council will decide this Wednesday whether to accept the CA committee's recommendation, or not. I anticipate that Common Council WILL vote in favor of the CA committee's recommendation - but it is possible that they may not.   

The $50,000 (if approved) should be enough to implement both the uphill bike lane on E. State St. and the Sharrow markings on Cayuga St. - hopefully this summer!

What you can do:
Here is what you can do - during the 3-minute comment period at the beginning of the CC meeting, you could speak in favor of the CA committee's recommendation and praise CC members for their financial commitment (which is VERY substantial - especially considering the City's financial situation) to implementing measures that encourage cycling and increase bicyclists' safety. If anyone is interested in getting involved in this, we should probably meet to discuss this (perhaps right before the CC meeting - so we could meet at 6:30 PM in City Hall in room 203). I'd rather not go back and forth using email because it takes a long time and it is difficult to discuss the nuances involved in this topic. 

Finally, one of the concerns of CC members with spending this money is that too few people would benefit since bicyclists constitute a small minority of roadway users - so it is important for CC members to see that there really IS a large constituency of cyclists out there. So, it would be good for anyone interested in bicycling to show up in support, write letters to their CC rep., etc.

This will be an important moment!

Please call me at 327-0316 if you have any questions.

Take care,
Kent




Kent Johnson
Transportation Engineering Technician
Office of the City Engineer
City of Ithaca
108 E. Green St.
Ithaca, New York 14850
(607) 274-6528, (607) 327-0316 (cell)
kjohnson at cityofithaca.org