AGENDA #3a
BUDGET WORKING PAPER
TO: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
FROM: Roger Waldon, Planning Director
SUBJECT: Report on City of Asheville Funding for Pedestrian Improvements
DATE: March 6, 2002
The purpose of this working paper is to respond to a question raised about the City of Asheville’s pedestrian improvement program, including information about the city’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Coordinator staff position.
On January 29, 2002, the Council held a public hearing to receive comments on the budget, Capital Improvements Program, Community Development, HOME and Capital Fund Programs. Citizens were invited to present their ideas of how funds could be spent in these areas.
On February 13, 2002, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board presented recommendations for funding to the Council, including a recommendation that the Council fund a full-time Pedestrian and Bicycle Coordinator staff position. At this budget work session, a Council member noted that the City of Asheville has a full-time Pedestrian and Bicycle Coordinator who is active in promoting walking and bicycling and who pursues other sources of funding for pedestrian improvements.
We contacted the City of Asheville’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Coordinator, who provided the following information about his position and the city’s pedestrian improvement programs.
City of Asheville Pedestrian and Bicycle Coordinator Position: The City of Asheville has a full-time Pedestrian and Bicycle Coordinator. The position serves the Asheville Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, but since the City of Asheville is the lead planning agency for this MPO the position is housed within the City of Asheville. The position is funded by federal transportation (PL-104) planning funds, distributed through the MPO, with a match from the City of Asheville. Because these federal planning funds are designed to benefit regions through a variety of regional transportation planning activities, the Asheville position actually serves the entire Asheville Urban Area, not just the City of Asheville.
In general, the Pedestrian and Bicycle Coordinator provides public information, develops and distributes educational materials, promotes walking and bicycling, and pursues grants and other sources of funding. Details about this position can be found in the job description in Attachment 1.
City of Asheville Pedestrian Improvement Programs: The City of Asheville has an active pedestrian and bicycle education and promotion program. Details of the program can be found on its website at www.ci.asheville.nc.us/engineer/pedbike.htm.
In terms of alternative funding sources for pedestrian infrastructure improvements, the City of Asheville pursues the same major funding sources as the Town of Chapel Hill, principally TEA-21 federal funds and NCDOT state funds. The City of Asheville budgets Capital Improvement Program funds for sidewalk construction, and has used bond funds and special assessments of property owners as other sources. The City has similar requirements to the Town of Chapel Hill for construction of new sidewalks in new development.
ATTACHMENT
1. Job Description, City of Asheville Pedestrian and Bicycle Coordinator (p. 3).
ATTACHMENT 1
CITY OF ASHEVILLE
CLASS
SPECIFICATION
PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE COORDINATOR
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES
Responsible for providing strategic planning and direction, technical expertise, and project management for the development and implementation of pedestrian and bicycling programs throughout the City of Asheville and Metropolitan Planning Organization (Asheville Urban Area). Employee reports to the Assistant Public Works Director.
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS
An employee in this class serves as coordinator overseeing an in-depth City-wide pedestrian and bicycle program. Employee is responsible for a complex public relations and educational program promoting pedestrian and bicycling programs and increasing public awareness of the benefits and advantages of strategic pedestrian and bicycle planning to improve the livability of the Asheville area. The employee staffs the Pedestrian and Bicycle Task Forces of the Metropolitan Planning Organizations, provides technical advice and information to the Transportation Advisory Committee, other departments, and citizens. Extensive independent judgment and initiative must be exercised in developing long and short-term goals. Work is performed under the limited supervision of the Assistant Public Works Director and is evaluated through assessment of the implementation and efficiency of the program.
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK
Serve as staff to the Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (MPO) Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Forces.
Serve on the MPO’s Technical Coordinating Committee
Coordinate activities between departments and outside agencies to implement the Pedestrian Thoroughfare Plan.
Work with both public and private sectors to obtain funding (grants) for proposed projects and programs, including, but not limited to, NCDOT Transportation Improvement Program.
Collect and analyze data pertinent to pedestrian and bicycle issues, such as crash data and motor vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle counts.
Prepare, provide, and distribute educational information on bicycle and pedestrian safety, including presentations to elected officials, community groups, and schools.
Plan and coordinate special projects and activities.
Develop and implement public involvement programs for input on major transportation projects.
Promotes walking and bicycling and serves as an advocate for non-motorized modes of transportation.
Negotiate with property owners and developers to include bicycle and pedestrian needs in street development and construction projects.
Develop and implement long and short term goals for bicycle and pedestrian projects and programs.
Work with the City of Asheville Police Department to encourage active enforcement of laws and regulations relating to pedestrians and bicyclists.
Serve as the initial point of contact for citizen requests, input, ideas, complaints, and questions on bicycle and pedestrian planning, sidewalk requests, greenways, and other related facilities.
Represent the City in attending and participating in related meetings with local, state, and federal regulatory agencies and professional groups, including commissions and boards.
Stay abreast of new regulations, trends, and innovations related to transportation demand and alternative modes.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Thorough knowledge of transportation standards for bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
Thorough knowledge of computers including common spreadsheet, word processing, and computer aided drafting applications.
General knowledge of construction techniques, methods, and tools, such as plans, surveys, and blue prints.
Skill in understanding and interpreting complex laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines.
Familiarity with bicycle and pedestrian advocacy groups and experience creating partnerships involving a wide range of stakeholders.
Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with elected officials, City employees, outside agencies, schools, businesses, and citizens.
Ability to adapt engineering methods and standards to the design and construction of a variety of City public works and related facilities.
Ability to facilitate community input and enable other staff and volunteers to work toward the objective of making Asheville and the MPO urban area more bicycle and pedestrian friendly.
Ability to negotiate and express ideas effectively orally and in writing.
Ability to prepare brochures, technical reports, press releases, grants, and educational information on bicycle and pedestrian issues (including safety, greenways, and mass transit).
DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING
Bachelor’s degree in transportation planning, civil engineering, public administration, or a related field and 2 years of related professional experience in public works, program management, or bicycle and pedestrian programs or advocacy groups; or any equivalent combination of training and experience required to perform the essential position functions. Background in geographic information systems (GIS) is desired.
COMPETENCIES
Technical Competency: Ability to use the tools and concepts of the specialty area in which the employee works. Includes using appropriate process, procedures, resources and work or professional standards.
Interpersonal Competency: Ability to work with people, develop and maintain work relationships, communicate, manage conflict, and perform as an effective team member.
Intellectual Competency: Ability to think, learn and process information. Ability to solve problems and gather necessary information. Includes having math and reading skill appropriate to job level.
Customer Service: Ability to identify customers, determine the valid needs of a situation, and provide services or service recovery in a manner that satisfies the customer.
Organizational and Community Sensitivity: Ability to take the larger perspective into account, recognize organizational and community priorities and balance actions appropriately.
Physical Skills: Ability to perform required jobs with adequate strength, dexterity, coordination and visual acuity ( with reasonable accommodations if needed) and in a manner that does not pose a direct threat to the health safety of the employee or others in the workplace.
7/8/99
Exempt
Pay Grade 16