BCC Minutes 10/07/2014 W (Bicycle Safety) BCC
WORKSHOP
MEETING
MINUTES
October 7, 2014
October 7, 2014
MINUTES OF THE COLLIER COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS WORKSHOP
Naples, Florida, October 7, 2014
LET IT BE REMEMBERED the Board of County Commissioners in and for the
County of Collier, having conducted business herein, met on this date at 1:00 PM in a
WORKSHOP SESSION in Building "F" of the Government Complex, Naples, Florida
with the Following members present:
Chairman: Tom Henning
Vice Chairman: Tim Nance
Donna Fiala (Excused)
Fred Coyle (Excused)
Georgia Hiller
ALSO PRESENT:
Leo Ochs, County Manager
Jeff Klatzkow, County Attorney
Troy Miller, Manager, Television Operations
Tim Durham, Executive Manager, Corporate Business Operations
Nick Casalanguida, Administrator, Growth Management Division
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COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Community Redevelopment Agency Board (CRAB)
Airport Authority
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WORKSHOP AGENDA
Board of County Commission Chambers
Collier County Government Center
3299 Tamiami Trail East, 3rd Floor
Naples FL 34112
October 7, 2014
1:00 P.M.
Commissioner Tom Henning, District 3 - BCC Chair
Commissioner Tim Nance, District 5 - BCC Vice-Chair; TDC Chair
Commissioner Donna Fiala, District 1 - CRAB Chair
Commissioner Georgia Hiller, District 2 - Community & Economic Dev. Chair
Commissioner Fred W. Coyle, District 4 - CRAB Vice-Chair
1. Pledge of Allegiance
2. Bicycle Safety
3. Public Comment
4. Adjourn
Notice: All persons wishing to speak must turn in a speaker slip. Each speaker will receive no more than three(3)minutes.
Collier County Ordinance No. 2003-53 as amended by Ordinance 2004-05 and 2007-24,requires that all lobbyists shall,
before engaging in any lobbying activities(including but not limited to, addressing the Board of County Commissioners),
register with the Clerk to the Board at the Board Minutes and Records Department.
October 7, 2014
Any persons in need of the verbatim record of the meeting may request a copy of the video recording
from the Collier County Communications and Customer Relations Department or view online.
1. Pledge of Allegiance
The meeting was called to order at 1:00 p.m. and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
2 Bicycle Safety
Mr. Durham provided the following documents for informational purposes:
"Bike Safety Findings by Tim Durham, April 2014. "
"Traffic Safety Facts—2012 Data"-National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
"Road Safe —Bicycle Laws & Safety Tips"—Collier County Sheriff's Office
"Deadly Streets"— September 11 -17, 2014, an article in the Naples publication of Florida Weekly
He provided an overview of statistics involving bicycle accidents and fatalities and measures that
are being undertaken to improve safety, which include: educating drivers on requirements for cyclist
interaction, enhanced demarcation of bike lanes, intersection improvements, signage, etc.
Improving bike safety revolves around the "3E's" —Education, Enforcement and Engineering.
Stacy Revay, Project Manager, Transportation Planning,presented the PowerPoint"Bike and
Pedestrian Safety— Transportation Planning, October 7, 2014. " She provided an overview on the
status of County infrastructure and planned improvements for bike lanes, multi-use pathways,
sidewalks, etc. The presentation included the map "Collier County MPO Pedestrian and Bicycle
Safety Study— Crash Clusters and Crash Corridors" which highlighted areas with the highest
frequencies of accidents.
Under Commission member discussion the following was highlighted:
• Statistics are essential, but identifying the cause of accidents at various locations is
instrumental to ensure funds are expended wisely to address safety issues.
• Areas subject to the greatest use by cyclists should be identified so adequate safety measures
may be incorporated into new designs or retrofitted into existing conditions to improve safety.
• New projects should seek to utilize a multi-use pathway concept, adjacent to, but off roadways.
• Staff reported the Growth Management Division is reviewing crash clusters to determine any
improvements that may be implemented. The design of new roadways now incorporates multi-
use pathways where feasible.
Reed Jarvi, Transportation Planning reported the Metropolitan Planning Organization is conducting
an analysis of accident data and will report their findings to the Board for review.
3. Public Comment
Speakers
Tish Kelly reported she is an avid cycler and she and her husband have suffered severe injuries as
a result of a vehicle/bicycle collision. The state of Florida has the highest rate, per capita, of bike
related accidents, with Collier County as one of the state's worst. She expressed concern on the lack
of enforcement for drivers in violation of bike laws. According to recent data, at least 50% of
accidents were the fault of the motorist, with only 1 citation issued.
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October 7, 2014
She recommended laws be changed to provide strict punishment and greater accountability for
motorists. She requested the BCC assist in improving safety for cyclists, making Collier County a
model for other localities.
Jeff Michelland, Attorney, submitted the document "Suggested Law Changes" which outlined
proposed legislative changes to improve enforcement and punishment for violators of bike related
motor vehicle laws. For example, under the current law, a motorist causing serious bodily injury or
death of a cyclist is only punished with a maximum $500.00 fine and 120 hours of community service.
He requested the Board of County Commissioners endorse the proposed changes and place it on their
list of priorities for legislative changes.
Bill Beynon, Naples Velo noted it is not only avid cyclists who are at risk, but casual riders as well.
Education of both motorists and riders is important to improve safety conditions. The organization is
working with Ms. Revay and the Collier County Sheriff's Department to identify means to improve
rider safety.
Beth Brainard reported the design of roadways needs to incorporate all users' needs, not just motor
vehicles operators. She requested the County endorse a"Complete Streets Policy" which promotes
design and construction of roadways for the safety of all users.
Mitch Norgardt noted the safety of all users on roadways is an issue that includes cyclists, runners,
tri-athletes and a strong component of any safety program is public education. An outreach program
should target organizations such as homeowner associations, area business groups, country clubs, etc.
to educate the public on bike and motor vehicle safety.
Milton Quinonez, a victim of a cycling collision recommended stricter penalties be developed for
those violating the laws. He noted "harassment" of cyclists by motor vehicle operators is a major
problem, with individuals targeting riders intentionally; as was the case in his accident.
Don Rupprecht, Naples Pathways Coalition—Bicycle Safety Committee reported they are working
on a report to identify the cause of collisions and preventive measures which may be undertaken to
improve safety and reduce accidents. The report will include recommendations and action items and
will be made available to the Board of County Commissioners.
Joe Bonness, Naples Pathway Coalition noted most multi-lane roadways are constructed without
considering all users of the roads, including cyclists, etc. The key is pre-construction engineering and
ensuring adequate funding for multi-use infrastructure is available before roadways are developed.
He recommended the BCC consider adopting a local ordinance which may address gaps in state
statutes. Examples include imposing punishment for"harassment" and restricting the width of
landscape maintenance trailers which in some cases are much wider than tow-vehicles, encompassing
the entire travelled way of the road.
Joe Adams, PAC expressed concern that the statistics may be misleading, as many accidents are
not reported. He recommended law enforcement agencies develop a more detailed reporting system
for accidents involving cyclists. It would be beneficial for the County to develop a"Master Plan"
to address the issue, noting the City of Marco Island does have one in place.
The Board reached consensus:
1. Developing a resolution for the next BCC Legislative Agenda which includes a commitment to
improving the safety interest of cyclists. —Mr. Ochs reported measures are already underway.
2. Developing a County Ordinance which would address the concerns of"harassment"and
"vehicle width"that were outlined by Mr. Bonness (public speaker).
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October 7, 2014
*****
There being no further business for the good of the County, the meeting was adjourned by order
of the Chair at 2:48 p.m.
COLLIER COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS
Chairman,Tom Hen
Attest: -'
Dwight E. Brock,:Clertc,
JA ' IIILA A A A At
wilk. -
Attest as to .
signature only.
These minutes approved by the Board/Committee on 3e*:kity 2300- as presented V
or as amended
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