FEBRUARY 2002 BOARD MINUTES

Richmond: Monday, February 11, 2002

Attending: George Plumb, Bunky Bernstein, Dave Jacobowitz, Kathy Davidow, Kasie Wallace, Jon Kaplan, Bud Haas

Meeting called to order by President, Bunky at 6:00 pm.

Minutes for January 14, 2002, Board Meeting: Approved.

President’s Report: Bunky reported and exhibited the completed Fundraising Packet, and again asked board members to send him the names of potential donors.

Executive Director’s Report: George reported that he has been working hard on the Spring Summit, and on the Safety Training Grant; but he feels he is ready to give up the voluntary ED position this spring.

Treasurer’s Report: Dave reported a balance of approximately $3000. Dave has been doing regular online “in the mail” reports of membership names and money received.

Committee Reports:

Bike Safety Training Grant aka Childrens Bicycle Safety Training Program: Kasie reported that she has 5 signed Training Agreements in hand, and quite a few pending queries. Arrangements have been completed at the Sleepy Hollow Inn Bike and Ski Center in Huntington, April 6-7, 2002. Discussion of number of attendees, VBPC Board members attending as paying Trainees, if space allows, or as observers. Kasie again asked Board members to spread the word to interested persons (preferably teacher types) who would be willing to each commit to offer to offer safety training at a Vermont school after the April training, before the end of the school year, and to train trainers in Vermont over the next two.

Spring Summit: Kathy reported that every thing is coming along well for the summit. The conference presenters have been arranged and two Awardees have been chosen. The Committee is still looking for a local VT citizen for an Outstanding Achievement Award. George will send criteria for the award to Board Members, who are asked to submit names back to him for the Award. Kathy also asked that Board Members help at the Summit with set-up and registration. Discussion re promotion of the summit. Bunky agreed to send an Op-Ed or letter to the editor, and/or radio PSA to help advertise the Summit. The Summit is scheduled for Saturday April 20, 2002 at Vermont Technical College in Randolph. The Board agreed to try to meet with Adam Spey, (Thunderhead Alliance) at a dinner meeting after the summit. George will arrange.

VTRANS: Jon Kaplan:

1. That the publication of the Bike Facilities Design Manual was still imminent. Jon agreed that it might be available by the time of the summit.
2. On recent VTRANS Enhancement grants, of which over 50% were bikeped related. A $24,000 grant was made to VT SafeKids for Childrens Bicycle Safety Training (Rodeos). Jon will talk to VTSKÎs to see what coordination/cooperation can be made between that enhancement grant and similar VBPC activities. It was suggested that this be put on the agenda for the March Board meeting.
3. On his recent Segway ride.

Chapin’s Proposal: Put off until Chapin wants to revisit it.

New Business:

Website:

1. Dave wants to publicly thank Bud Reed for support of the Website.
2. Discussion of Burlington Bike COuncil upcoming events. MOTION: To offer space on the VBPC website to the CCB to help publicize the execnts. Approved.
3. Discussion about putting Bike Month info on the website. Bunky offered to write an oped/letter re: Bike Month for the media.

Corporate Cup Agency Race: Dave offered to set up a booth at the CCAR in Montpelier. Kathy offered to help staff booth.

National Models for Training Commercial Drivers to Share The Road: This year the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) is revising the model Commercial Driver's License (CDL) manual, which most state's Department of Motor Vehicles uses to produce the state CDL manual. Currently neither the national model nor the Vermont CDL manual contain educational material about sharing the road with bicyclists. (Through the efforts of the GMBC, the Vermont regular Drivers Manual does now include share-the-road info). Also, this year, the NHTSA (highway traffic safety administration) is updating their model School Bus Driver Instructional Program. Steve Pierce has recently forwarded information from Ron Enders, asking the BikePed community to address this issue by getting individuals and groups to write both the Highway folks and the Motor Vehicle folks to get the NHTSA and the AAMVA to "collect, produce and publish in the National CDL program and manual, and in the model School Bus Driver Instructional Training Program, state-of-the-art materials on commercial drivers sharing the road with bicyclists, especially on rural primary highways with no paved shoulders, no wide outside lanes, and with speed limits of 45 mph or higher." MOTION: To ask George to send a letter to the VT Secretary of Transportation (VTRANS) requesting the Secretary to write the AAMVA President and CEO, and the NHTSA Administrator, requesting that their staffs collaborate to include state-of-the-art materials on commercial drivers sharing the road with bicyclists in the model CDL and model School Bus Driver Training programs. Approved.

Driver’s Ed Curriculum: It was also suggested that the VBPC take action to effect School Based Driver Education Program Curriculum. Jon and George will get information on how other states have effected DE Curricula. Following that Jon will request the Dept of Education Driver’s Ed person to attend an upcoming VBPC Board Meeting.

Advisory Board: MOTION: To appoint Chapin Spencer to the Advisory Board of the VBPC. Approved.

Executive Director: Kathy suggested we organize soon to hire an Executive Director. George will e-mail a Job Description to Kathy.

Workplan Development List (cumulative):

1. National Walk to School Day, September-October 2003.
2. Annual VBPC Bike Ride, Summer or Fall 2003.
3. National Bike Month: 2003.
4. Spring Summit 2003
5. Legislative Action Plan for 2004.
6. DriverÎs Ed Curriculum.
7. $25 Million Grant Proposal.

NEXT MEETING:
Board of Directors: 6 PM, Monday March 18, 2002, at Checquers Restaurant, Richmond (located at the RT 2-I89 intersection, west of Richmond Village).

Agenda Items:

1. VT SafeKids Training Grant.
2. Drivers' Ed Curriculum
3. Executive Director Job Description and Hiring Project.
4. Summit.
5. Online Newsletter.
6. Bumper Stickers and Share the Road Flyers to Bikeshops
7. VTRANS Design Manual.
8. VT CDL Manual.

ADJOURNED: 8:00 pm

Respectfully Submitted
Bud Haas, Secretary