Breadcrumb Navigation:
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
October 1, 2009
Winslow Hall Conference Room
Chairman Dick Bernhard called the meeting to order at 3:31 p.m. The following members attended the meeting: Aram Attarian, Andrew Barnes, Jon Barnwell, Ronald Baynes, Dick Bernhard, Ahmed El Saghir, Garden Freeman, Ann Hartell, Matthew Koci, John Kvarta, Charley Pennell, Steve Ratzlaff, Rick Seagroves, and Ed Sekmistrz.
EX-OFFICO: Michael Harwood, Tom Skolnicki
GUESTS: Greg Cain, Transportation; Brian O’Sullivan, Transportation
WELCOME: Dick Bernhard welcomed the committee members and guests and asked them to introduce themselves. Bernhard described subcommittee responsibilities and urged new student members to sign up for one or both committees.
OLD BUSINESS:
Dick Bernhard called for a motion to approve the minutes for the September 3, 2009 meeting. The motion was made and seconded and minutes were unanimously approved.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
CAMPUS PLANNING AND DESIGN AND RESOURCE AND CONSERVATION SUBCOMMITTEE:
Dick Bernhard asked Garden Freeman to provide the subcommittee report. Freeman said that there were no projects to come before the subcommittee. Instead members discussed subcommittee responsibilities and plans for future meetings. Freeman reported that he invited Lisa Johnson, associate university architect, to talk with the group about the university physical master plan at their October meeting. Tracy Dixon, director, University Sustainability Office, will meet with the group in November to discuss the university sustainability plan. Tom Skolnicki noted his appreciation of Freeman’s leadership. Skolnicki asked subcommittee members to attend the meetings since the subcommittee takes the time to fully vet each project.
CAMPUS PARKING & TRANSPORTATION SUBCOMMITTEE:
Dick Bernhard asked Greg Cain to provide the subcommittee report. Cain said that Transportation found that changes in student parking access this year were resulting in overcrowding conditions in the Coliseum Deck during particular hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Transportation has alleviated the problem. There have been no other major parking concerns this year.
Bernhard recognized Matt Koci as the new subcommittee chair and thanked him for accepting the responsibility.
Brian O’Sullivan addressed ridership on the Wolfline. Since the beginning of the academic year, Transportation has added extra buses to handle peak periods on some routes. Buses are being hampered by the Hillsborough Street project. Once construction is completed, a bus stop will be added back near the Memorial Bell Tower. O’Sullivan added that there is renewed student interest in bike co-ops.
Ann Hartell asked whether university affiliates are eligible for the GoPass. O’Sullivan said they were not eligible at the beginning of the year, but are eligible now. Hartell wanted to know whether affiliates are treated the same for parking. Cain responded they are eligible for parking privileges.
Aram Attarian asked whether monthly Wolfline reports are available and whether they could be discussed at the next subcommittee meeting. O’Sullivan answered in the affirmative to both questions.
Tom Skolnicki asked the reason for the transition to GoPass. O’Sullivan replied that Transportation was paying for more rides on routes that weren’t NC State routes. They had no idea of who the customers were without GoPass. Andrew Barnes asked why the All-Campus card cannot be used instead. O’Sullivan said Transportation decided to use the same system as UNC-CH.
Dick Bernhard brought up the subject of pedestrians safely crossing Western Boulevard. Cain indicated that Transportation found that Western Boulevard is a relatively safe street for jaywalking due to the median. However, while there is sufficient time to cross using the crosswalk at the Avent Ferry / Western intersection, some pedestrians do not abide by traffic signals in crossing.
Ronald Baynes asked why the service to CVM was not provided during the State Fair. O’Sullivan responded that it was a matter of inconvenience and traffic during the fair.
Andrew Barnes asked about plans for increased busing once Engineering Building III opens next year. O’Sullivan said it will be studied. Contributing factors are how class times are structured and the size of classes. They will look at peak load times in deciding about increases. Transportation has some flexibility since 29 buses are available with 24 usually in use during the day.
NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business. The committee adjourned at 4:18 p.m.
The next meeting of the full PEC is scheduled for November 5, 2009. Location: Winslow Hall Conference Room.