Active Transportation and Safe Roads Advisory Committee Minutes

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Hybrid Meeting
Whitby Town Hall
Present:
  • Gary Carroll, Vice-Chair
  • Ana Duff
  • David Johnston, Chair
  • Liam Lacy
  • Brad Mavins
  • John Patte
  • Lewis Williams
Regrets:
  • Swathi Miriyala
Also Present:
  • Sean Malby, Sr. Manager, Parks, Parks Planning and Culture
  • Liam England, Planner I, Current
  • Tara Painchaud, Staff Liaison, Sr. Manager, Transportation Services
  • Lalita Thakali, Staff Liaison, Transportation Engineer
  • Heather Ellis, Council and Committee Coordinator (Recording Secretary)

1.
Call to Order

 

2.
Declarations of Conflict of Interest

 

There were no declarations of conflict of interest.

3.
Approval of Previous Minutes

 

  • Recommendation:

    Moved byBrad Mavins

    That the Active Transportation and Safe Roads Advisory Committee minutes of June 13, 2024 be approved.

    Carried

4.
Presentations

 

4.1
Ron Lalonde, Member, Durham Active Transportation Committee

 

Re: Active Transportation Projects in 2024 and Proposed Projects for 2025, Region of Durham

Ron Lalonde provided a presentation regarding the Durham Active Transportation Committee’s (DATC) active transportation projects in 2024 and proposed projects for 2025. Highlights of the presentation included:

  • details about DATC‘s vision, goals, and guiding principles;
  • key highlights from the DATC 2024 Work Plan; and,
  • details about specific projects, including Durham Vision Zero, Durham Region’s Active and Sustainable School Program, Durham Region’s Bike Friendly Community application status, 2024 Whitby Construction Projects, the proposed Durham Meadoway route, the North Durham Trans Canada Trail, and Durham Region Eco-counters.

A question and answer period ensued regarding:

  • DATC's perspectives about cyclists/pedestrian safety and slip lanes at intersections;
  • whether DATC was in support of eliminating right turns for all vehicles at red lights at intersections; and,
  • whether there were discussions about installing bike boxes at intersections for left hand turns.

5.
Delegations

 

There were no delegations.

6.
General Business and Reports

 

6.1
Construction Management Report - Construction Activities

 

David Johnston requested information from Staff regarding the responsibilities of developers to maintain and repair active transportation trails during construction activities.

Tara Painchaud provided an overview of the Construction Management Plan required by developers and associated guidelines.

A question and answer period ensued regarding:

  • maintaining active transportation routes during construction;
  • whether developers were required to post detour information; and,
  • whether security deposits were required by the Town to ensure road cleaning during construction activities.

6.2
2025 Education Initiative Proposal

 

David Johnston suggested two initiatives as part of the Committee's work plan related to active transportation safety and awareness.

Discussion ensued regarding:

  • distributing educational materials and engaging with active transportation users along the Whitby Waterfront Trail;
  • setting up a Committee booth along the Whitby Waterfront Trail in the spring and fall;
  • developing a teaching aid for grade five (5) students that could be distributed in the spring; and,
  • collaborating with school boards to make bike safety materials available to schools.

  • Recommendation:

    Moved byGary Carroll

    That the Active Transportation and Safe Roads Advisory Committee proposes to undertake two educational initiatives, namely;

    1. Distributing materials regarding active transportation and trail usage and engaging residents along the Whitby Waterfront Trail; and,
    2. Collaborating with local School Boards and the Town of Whitby to develop educational materials regarding active transportation and safety for distribution to schools for grade five (5) students.
    Carried

6.3
2025 Capital Budget

 

Tara Painchaud advised that due to financial constraints, some capital projects relating to active transportation have been deferred until 2026. Ms. Painchaud stated that previously approved annual projects regarding signage and traffic calming would remain in the Town’s 2025 budget.

6.4
2025 Active Transportation and Safe Roads Advisory Committee Work Plan

 

David Johnston requested feedback from the Committee regarding the 2025 Active Transportation and Safe Roads Advisory Committee Work Plan.

Discussion ensued regarding collaborating with Town Staff on work plan initiatives, including:

  • suggesting curb cutting priorities to include in the sidewalk maintenance program;
  • identifying unsafe gaps in active transportation routes to suggest as priorities for the Town’s budget; and,
  • developing standardized signage for cycling facilities.

  • Recommendation:

    Moved byLewis Williams

    That the Active Transportation and Safe Roads Advisory Committee include the following collaborations with Town Staff as priorities in their 2025 Work Plan:

    1. Suggesting curb cutting priorities and accessibility concerns to be addressed by the sidewalk maintenance program;
    2. Reviewing and discussing 2026 active transportation priorities adjusted from the Active Transportation Plan; and,
    3. Reviewing and discussing a standard sign package and pavement markings associated with active transportation.
    Carried

7.
Correspondence

 

There was no correspondence.

8.
Council Update

 

There was no Council update.

9.
Other Business

 

There was no other business.

10.
Next Meeting

 

Thursday, November 14, 2024 - 4:00 p.m.

11.
Adjournment

 

  • Recommendation:

    Moved byLiam Lacy

    That the meeting adjourn.

    Carried

    The meeting adjourned at 6:01 p.m.

    Note: These minutes were approved by the Active Transportation and Safe Roads Advisory Committee on November 14, 2024. 


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