MINUTES of CRBC Meeting

March 19, 2012

A regular meeting of CRBC was held at the State College Borough building on Monday, March 19, 2012.

Present:

Paul Rito, President
Chuck Anderson, Vice President
Joan Potter, Secretary
Brian Dempsey, Executive Committee Member
Sue Barsom, Executive Committee Member
Cliff Kanz
Jean Bemis

Beverly Crow

Eric Sauder – New Leaf Initiative

The meeting was called to order by Paul Rito at 7:30 pm.

Discussion of Greenway Plan and rail trails, including Linden Hall to Lewisburg and Bellefonte Central. Paul will inquire with the County about status of Bellefonte Central Rail Trail, connecting Bellefonte and State College. Rail Trail Association has information on benefits of rail trails, including property owners experiencing 11-15% increase in land value. Pine Creek Trail has become destination points for tourists, and Lower Trail is very popular. League of American Bicyclist magazine has article on Indiana trail with interesting information. Cliff Kanz suggested contacting Crick Fest people for interest in supporting Rail Trail. He mentioned there may be Amish support for trails – they attended a Bellefonte meeting years ago.

CRBC asked to comment on proposed Oak Hall Park – negative comment is that it has no biking or walking paths to the park, the only access is by car. Extra traffic on Linden Hall Rd will have a negative effect on cyclists who regularly use that roadway.

Sue Barsom gave update on Kallari bike project – one more bike drop-off day on Sunday, March 25^th at the Penn State Center for Sustainability MorningStar site. The site will be open from 11:00-4:00. A tentative bike fix-up date set for March 31^st. The Bike Shop, Freeze Thaw and PSU Cycling Club will be contacted for volunteer mechanics to check out bikes and do minor repairs (flat tires, brake pads, seat adjustments, etc.)

Discussion of possible Memorial Ghost Bike Ride on the last Friday in April in honor of Bohdan Kulakowski. Brian Dempsey will contact PSU to see if they will support/organize the ride.

Reviewed Centre Community Foundation’s one-day event on June 27^th when they will match funds made to any local charity up to total of $100k. CVIM just sent out flyer describing it. Recommended that CRBC prepare a notice to send to list serve to take advantage of this matching fund event.

Earth Day Activities (Blue-White Weekend) on Friday, April 20^th: CRBC table in the HUB from 11:00-3:00 and at Allen Street Gate from 8:00-2:00. Chuck & Paul will be speaking from 12:00-1:00 at the HUB.

May Bike Month Activities:

• Paul will design CRBC T-Shirts with gas pump design on back
• Winery Ride
• Linden Loop Ride – May 6^th to benefit Rock Hill School

1. Half metric ride (30 mi), 5 mile family ride, and a run

• School District program

1. Saturday, May 19^th group ride on Bike Paths with celebration rally at school with prizes, BMX demo (by Jamie Bestwick?) CRBC will need estimate on how many participants in order to get insurance coverage at $0.60 per rider.
2. Beverly asked for letter from Paul for sponsors
3. CRBC will sponsor printing of May Bike Month “wheel posters” to distribute to all elementary kids. Jean motioned to approve printing expense at $0.02/ea – approx. total $80; Chuck seconded, all in favor.

• Street Skills for Cyclists – Chuck & Paul will teach on April 5^th, 12^th & 16^th
• Notice being prepared by Paul to ask coffee shops to offer specials for cyclists on Bike to Work Day; Beverly offered to distribute to shops.
• Joan will check with Centre Region Parks & Rec on schedule for Bike-In Movie Nights [found that no movie nights scheduled until June]
• May 5^th-6^th – Bike To Worship Days. Barb is contact person with Creation Care Coalition who is organizing events, including scavenger hunt.
• Brian will compose proclamation for Bike To Work Day from Borough, Townships, and PSU and will notify us of contacts, and ask for people to attend the various meetings.

Penn State has announced they will apply for the Bike Friendly University status.

This meeting was adjourned at 9:05 pm.

MINUTES of CRBC

February 15, 2012

A regular meeting of CRBC was held at the State College Borough building on Wednesday, February 15, 2012.

Present:

Paul Rito, President
Chuck Anderson, Vice President
Lynda Bullard, Treasurer
Joan Potter, Secretary
Brian Dempsey, Executive Committee Member
Sue Barsom, Executive Committee Member
Cliff Kanz
Jean Bemis

Courtney Hayden, SC Borough – Communication & Grants Coordinator

Joyce Eveleth, SC Borough – AmeriCorps volunteer

Kevin Jolly & Kelsey ?, Students Consulting for Non-Profit Organizations

The meeting was called to order by Paul Rito at 7:30 pm. The Treasurer, Lynda Bullard, reported the checking account balance is $3,000. The Bicycle Dreams movie was a success with 318 people attending and netting $608 in profit. The total received from donations and ticket sales was $1,060 and expenses were $452.

Courtney Hayden presented information on Advocacy Advance Capacity Building Grants 2012. These matching grants can be used to “support organizational development, hiring staff, building membership and other tools to foster a sustainable advocacy organization”. The inquiry proposal deadline is Friday, March 9^th, with notification by April 6^th if we are invited to submit a final proposal, which is due May 4^th. Discussed using grant funds for the Bicycle Ambassador Program and for 3-minute CNET spots on bicycle safety awareness which would air prior to council meetings. As a partner agency of the Borough, CRBC can use sponsor funds from the Borough to match this grant. Grant recipients are required to submit progress reports and financial reports. To qualify, CRBC must be a member of the League of American Bicyclists (we are), and the Alliance for Biking & Walking (we are not). Sue Barsom motioned to approve the $100 fee to join the Alliance for Biking & Walking. Jean Bemis seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Cliff Kanz distributed brochures on the Kallari project. Kevin Jolly asked what marketing plan the group wanted. Suggestions included a link to the Borough website, a Facebook page and a press release. Kevin mentioned that a marketing communication specialist is available to help. Sue Barsom noted that the bicycle drop off site will be the Penn State Center for Sustainability MorningStar site. Four dates in March have been identified for collecting events: March 11, 12, 18 and 25. The site will be open from 11:00-4:00 and volunteers are needed to staff it. A bicycle fix-up date needs to be set to repair bikes early in April, as bikes will be moved out April 21^st.

Brian Dempsey opened discussion on Earth Day, which is Friday, April 20^th. Recommended CRBC have a table in the HUB from 11:00-3:00 and/or at the Allen Street Gate. Bike to Work Day could be promoted along with Mentoring. Noted that this is also Blue-White Weekend. Cori mentioned that she & Joyce might be able to staff one of the tables and promote the Bicycle Ambassador program.

May is Bike Month and the group discussed options to promote Bike to Work Day/ Week/ Month, including:

•  Four Townships and a Borough Ride (possible CBICC & Visitors Bureau involvement?)
•  Winery Ride
•  Linden Loop Ride
•  School District Bike To School program

1. oBeverly Crowe is scheduled to attend the high school meeting on Feb 23^rd regarding Bike to School program. Paul Rito willing to commit to two Saturday rides on the Bike Paths with the School District group rides.

•  Bike to PSU Day (might be better in the fall, but could promote it in May)
•  Bike Safety Class
•  Street Skills for Cyclists
•  Special events at bike shops
•  Ask coffee shops to offer free/discounted coffee for cyclists for Bike to Work Day (CDT Daily Deal?)

Cori suggested approaching the Women’s Outdoor Group to partner with CRBC. She also noted that Appalachian Outdoors is petitioning to close Allen Street for a day in the spring and perhaps CRBC could coordinate an event with them.

The Bike Friendly Community application will be filed on Thursday, Feb 16^th by Trish Meek.

This meeting was adjourned at 8:45 pm.