| Nonmotorized task force concludes |
By: JIM HAMMERAND, Staff Writer
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Posted: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 12:01 am
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NORTHFIELD — As the city’s Nonmotorized Transportation Task Force prepares to disband in August, the City Council will consider adding another commission to its already lengthy list.
Authorized to study human-powered transportation in the community, the task force in 2008 had its one-year term doubled through the middle of next month.
Task force Chair Bill Ostrem said the task force decided to dissolve when, among other reasons, no one stepped up to chair another year. He said there shouldn’t be any surprises in the group’s final report on its activities, set to be released by Aug. 11.
But an earlier recommendation by the NMTTF could depend on the city disbanding other boards and commissions.
The task force is advocating for the creation of a wide-reaching transportation commission to be filled by volunteers. That idea was also approved by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, which oversees the task force.
“There’s a lot to be said for a holistic approach to transportation, where you’re looking at all the modes,” Ostrem said, though he conceded city staff may not be able to keep up with another commission.
City Administrator Joel Walinski said Northfield already has about twice as many boards and commissions as other cities of similar size, and that culling the herd could lead to more effective government.
“If you have 18 boards and commissions, it’s hard for the council ... to really provide good direction to those boards and commissions. What really gets accomplished? I guess that’s the question, too,” he said.
First approved by the council in May 2007, the task force secured a $30,000 federal Safe Routes to School grant through the Minnesota Department of Transportation to study roadways near schools, encourage foot and bicycle travel and offer safety education and enforcement.
“Safe Routes to School is probably the biggest feather in their cap,” said Public Works Director Brian Erickson, who serves as the park board’s staff liaison.
The council is set to discuss boards and commissions some time in August, Walinski said.
— Jim Hammerand covers the city. He can be reached at jhammerand@northfieldnews.com or 645-1114.
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