AGENDA

Thursday, January 4, 2018 NIRPC Lake Michigan Room Will Farrellbegg, Vice-Chair

1. Welcome and Introductions

   2.

   1. South Shore Trails – Update

      

   2. Greenways+Blueways 2020 Plan – Update

3.

1. Feature Presentation:

   
   

2. Project Scope Change Request – East Chicago

4.

A. NWI Paddling Association – Update

5. Grab Bag

1. Project Updates

2. Emerging Trends Video

3. General Announcements (upcoming rides, events, etc)

   

4. Next 3PC Meeting – Thursday, February 1, 2018 @ NIRPC

5. Adjournment

Committee Meeting ~ NIRPC December 7, 2017‌‌

Members & Guests –Aaron Borngraber, Kathy Kniola, George Topoll, Mark Schreiber, Robert Boklund, Mark O’Dell, Dean Button, AJ Monroe, Jake Ballah, Bob Huffman, Caitlin Stevens, Zach Dripps, Jeff Sheridan, Christine Vanderborg, Zully Alvarado, Alex Brown, John Novacich, Chris Moore, Craig Zandstra, Don Parker and Rich Tayler

Staff – Mitch Barloga, Rachel Veronesi, Charles Bradsky and Mary Thorne

Chair Kathy Kniola called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. with self-introductions.

Ped

1. South Shore Trails (SST) Update – Don Parker reported that they are working on projects related to bike and hike advocacy. Steve Antonetti is no longer with the City of Valparaiso.

2. 2018 Super NOFA – Mitch said we might do a fall 2018 funding cycle for the Notice of Funding Availability for TE and TAP. Charles Bradsky, formerly of INDOT, is the new Project Manager at NIRPC and will be doing regular calls for projects. Indiana did a transfer between state and federal funding but there are no clear guidelines. Answers should be forthcoming in the next couple of months. A lot of the smaller decisions were made in house and the goal is for more transparency. 3PC has the most comprehensive methodology and that will continue. NIRPC will be putting these methodologies together for all topical committees.

Pedal

A. Feature Presentation I: Bicycle Tourism – Mitch Barloga, NIRPC

Mitch Barloga gave an overview of the history of the bicycle and its evolution into an important tourism mechanism. There are touring events, special accommodations featuring bikes in rooms, tools, lockers, rentals, and infrastructure changes and policies. For more information, go to https://www.adventurecycling.org/.

Paddle

A. NWI Paddling Association –

Zully Alvarado reported that they met with Lake Station about installing a launch. Mark O’Dell said Chesterton just installed a permanent launch.

Grab Bag

1. Project Updates

   • Chris Moore said final items have been submitted for the Marquette Greenway bike trail between the Illinois state line and the Hammond Bird Sanctuary. The project is expected to let on February 7, 2018.

   • Mark O’Dell said the Westchester trail final walkthrough will be November 1, but there is still a year to go for the litigation on the wetland.

   • Mark Schreiber said the Chessie Phase I is due to let in March. Plans are being finalized with INDOT on Chessie Phase II as to how to get people into the downtown area because of work on the overpass.

   • Craig Zandstra said land acquisition plans continue between Broadway and Crown Point on the Veterans Parkway trail.

   • John Novacich said the Pennsy land acquisition is moving along with the first parcel at the end of the month and we are on track for an August letting for Phase II. Schererville met with Lake County Parks and Lake County Commissioner Jerry Tippy on extending the Pennsy south toward Crown Point. We have about a mile of crushed stone trail down on the Tiebel Nature Preserve.

   • Alex Brown said the Hawk signal is being put in between us and Griffith and it will be the only raised crosswalk in the region. NIPSCO is replacing gas lines again from Gary to Highland.

   • Dean Button said the Robertsdale wayfinding project is moving slowly and Hammond is thinking about resurfacing the Erie Lackawanna trail in Hammond next year. The Little Calumet River contracted with DLZ for a bridge design for Kennedy Avenue over the Little Calumet which would construct a tunnel under Kennedy Avenue.

   • Mitch Barloga said we should hear something about the Marquette Greenway TIGER grant application early next year. We are still securing match obligations for the next round if we are not successful in the first round.

   • Mitch thanked Caitlin Stevens, Zach Dripps of MACOG for attending today. Zach commented that the Niles, Michigan connection into Indiana should be completed by next fall. Mitch added that a discussion on how to bring railroads to the table was also held.

     
     

2. Emerging Trends Videos – Mitch Barloga showed a brief video on the possibilities for trail use titled, “Edmonton Freezeway.”

   
   

3. General Announcements

   • Robert Boklund asked for an addition to his comment in the October minutes on the September 24 NWIPA event and will provide information to Mary Thorne after the meeting.

   • Craig Zandstra announced ice skating is back at Lake County Parks once the weather cooperates.

     
     

4. Next 3PC Meeting is Thursday, January 4, 2018 at 1:30 p.m.

The meeting adjourned at 2:45 p.m.

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