Share Your Concerns And Ideas At The CdA Bike/Pedestrian Committee Meeting On Wednesday 2/8/12 @ 5:30pm
For Coeur d’Alene residents, there is great opportunity to take part in the new developments with the CdA Bike/Pedestrian Committee. Here is a brief rundown on what is happening and what you can do.
John Kelly, Chairman of the CdA Bike/Pedestrian Committee, has provided the following information:
“Even we as a committee are unclear as to what took place on January 11, 2012. We and citizens arrived at the Old City Hall, as we always do on the second Wednesday of each month to have our Ped/Bike Advisory Committee meeting. Upon our arrival, we found notes on the door that stated that our meeting had been canceled. Since that time, the City Administrator has issued a statement on our Facebook wall. (Coeur d’ Alene Ped Bike)
Bottom line is this: we were prevented to meet as a committee. It seems that it has to do with our current “Duties & Responsibilities.” If we meet, we are subject to take some action based on our current “D&R”‘s, and I get the feeling that this concerns someone at City Hall.
Additionally, the committee has decided to make me Chairman of the Ped/Bike Committee. If they keep the Committee from meeting, this can’t be finalized.
It is my belief that they will find a reason to cancel the February 8th meeting as well. The only way this can be avoided is if the community voices their concern and gets involved. The need to get involved not only in the February 8th meeting, but more importantly the February 24th workshop with the Mayor and Council. It will be at this workshop that our “Duties & Responsibilities” will be determined.
As it stands right now, the Committee advises the City Council and City Administrator directly in regard to Pedestrian and Bicycle issues. We also have the authority to advise City Department Heads directly, which means that the Department Heads could be held accountable for their actions by a group made up of citizens that communicates directly with the City Administrator and Council, and this seems to be an issue for some.
On February 23rd at 12 noon, the City Council and Mayor will be holding a workshop to determine what our duties and responsibilities will ultimately be. In a way, this will be the point where the City Council and Mayor will truly say how committed they are to Pedestrian & Bicycle infrastructure in the City of Coeur d’Alene. If they change our D&R’s, it would be a devastating setback for the walk, pedal, and roll community.
If this issue is important to you, I would suggest attending our next scheduled meeting February 8th (5:30pm) in the Old City Council Chamber’s in City Hall, and the February 23rd (noon) workshop held at the Library.”