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Home My WebLink About12/16/1999 BAKERSFIELD · : ' a7 Patricia J. DeMond Jacquie Sullivan AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT LEGISLATIVE AND LITIGATION COMMITTEE Regular Meeting Thursday, December 16, 1999 1:30 p.m. City Manager's Conference Room 1. ROLL CALL Called to order at 1:35 p.m. Members present: Councilmember David Couch, Chair Councilmember Patricia DeMond Councilmember Jacquie Sullivan 2. ADOPT NOVEMBER 4, 1999 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Adopted as submitted. 3. PRESENTATIONS None. 4. PUBLIC STATEMENTS ~ None. ADOPTED AS $OB~II~I~!D JANUARY 20, 2000 FILE Agenda Summary Report Legislative and Litigation Committee December 16, 1999 Page 2 5. DEFERRED BUSINESS None. 6. NEW BUSINESS A. REVIEW AND COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION REGARDING THE USE OF ELECTRIC BICYCLES ON THE BIKE PATH City Attorney Bart Thiltgen briefly explained that State law prohibits motorized bikes on bike paths unless the local governing body specifically allows it. The City's Municipal Code prohibits motorized vehicles on the bike path. An ordinance change specifically allowing electric or motorized bikes on the bike path would be required before they could be allowed on the City's bike path. Committee member Pat DeMond indicated that during the developmental stages of the bike path, it was agreed there would be no motorized vehicles on it. Mr: Rich O'Neil, Kern River Bike Path Committee, indicated the committee was opposed to electric bikes on the path or any motorized vehicles. The path comes within four feet of the equestrian paths. There is a public safety issue as well as safety for equestrians. The bike path also goes into the flood plain which, he believes, is against the off-road vehicle ordinance. Handicapped vehicles are allowed on the bike path. Mr. O'Neil is concerned about environmental impact and wildlife habitat. Committee chair David Couch questioned if noise was an issue, and Mr. O'Neil indicated he did not feel the electric bikes were extremely noisy. Mr. Paul McGrath indicated he would like to ride his electric bike on the bike path as he would feel safer on it on the bike path than on the street. The electric bike provides the electric power he needs to ride a bike. He feels electric bikes are the most safe thing they have on the market today. Committee member Jacquie Sullivan stated the purpose of an electric bike was more recreational than a motorized wheelchair which was necessary for mobility. Other electric bikes issues discussed included noise, weight (approximately55 lbs.), and the possibility of allowing a portion of the bike path to be used for electric bikes. Agenda Summary Report Legislative and Litigation Committee December 16, 1999 Page 3 Chairperson Couch indicated he would like to hear an electric bike and felt he could not give an opinion on the issue until he does. The Committee concurred that it would like a demonstration and asked staff to have an electric bike at the next Committee review of the electric bike issue. B. REVIEW AND SET COMMITTEE CALENDAR FOR 2000 The Committee reviewed the proposed committee calendar for the year 2000. The committee approved meetings scheduled at 1:15 p.m. in the City Manager's Office on the following dates during 2000: January 20, February 17, March 23, April 20, May 18, June 22, July 13, August 24, September 21, October 19, November 9, and December 7. 7. COMMITTEE 'COMMENTS None. 8. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 2:05 p.m. Staff Attendees: Administrative Analyst Trudy Slater; City Attorney Bart Thiltgen, Deputy City Attorney Virginia Gennaro; Assistant Recreation and Parks Director Other Attendees: Mr. Paul McGrath; Mr. Rich O'Neil; Ms. Barbara Fowler (P:\L&L\L991216.MIN)