City of Batavia City Council met Feb. 16.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
1. ROLL CALL
Ald. Wolff called the meeting to order at 8:07 p.m.
Alderpeople in attendance at roll: Barraza (7), Lanci (6), Beck (5), Malay (4), Malone (3), Wolff (2), Solfa (1), Baerren (1), Leman (2), Lohman (3), Pieper (4), Fahrenbach (5), Anderson (6), White (7).
Attending remotely: White
2. REMINDER: Please Speak Into The Microphone For BATV Recording
3. Items removed, added, or changed
none
4. Matters from the Public (For Items NOT on Agenda)
none
5. Regular Agenda
5.1 Discussion: E-Mobility Discussion and Local Regulation
Chief Blowers began the discussion with education on e-mobility, based largely on information from Ride Illinois. He mentioned some of the concerns with e-mobility devices include high speeds of travel on shared sidewalks and walkways, dangerous rider behavior, and challenges with enforcement. He said that there is a growing list of e-mobility devices that are unregulated and undefined.
He said that the goal of the Police Department is to draft an ordinance that is easy to understand, easy to enforce and in alignment with existing state laws.
John O’Toole introduced himself as a representative from the Active Transportation Commission.
Ald. Wolff opened the discussion and suggested that the penalty for unsafe behavior should be community service.
Ald. Malone asked a clarifying question on the state classifications of different devices.
Ald. Fahrenbach asked if O’Toole or Blowers anticipated resistance to mandating helmets for riders. O’Toole noted that Illinois is a no-helmet state for motorcycles and there would likely be difficulty requiring adult riders to wear helmets. He said it may be possible to mandate helmets for younger riders.
Ald. White thanked O’Toole and Blowers for their work on the ordinance draft and acknowledged that this is a very dynamic area of community safety.
Ald. Baerren suggested that rather than requiring community service, levying fines could generate funding for educational outreach efforts.
Ald. Malone asked if there is an established juvenile community service program through the City. Blowers said that there is a program, but requiring community service for violations to this degree would exceed current program design.
Ald. Lohman asked for clarification that there would be support for mandating helmets for youth riders under 18. Council concurred that there would be support for helmet requirements for operators under 18 years old.
Ald. Leman asked how enforceable the proposed ordinance might be.
Ald. Wolff said that education and compliance would be his goal for this ordinance.
Ald. Malone said an ordinance would provide guidance on safe operation standards for consumers, parents, and dealers. It would also provide a mechanism for limiting egregiously unsafe behavior.
Ald. Lanci said that a lot of the operators of these devices who are visible are under the age of 16. He said an ordinance would give options for law enforcement to correct behavior.
Ald. Fahrenbach said this would be the beginning of legislation like this as cars become more expensive.
City Staff noted that the police department has a bike unit to aid enforcement and that there is a Complete Streets plan and e-mobility is part of that plan.
Steve Boj of Boj-E-Bikes addressed the Council. He noted that wattage of the device is a significant part of the conversation and strongly supported educational efforts.
Council provided direction to staff to draft an ordinance.
6. City Council Updates
6.1 Project Status
none
6.2 Other Business
none
7. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Ald. Lanci, seconded by Ald. Malay, to adjourn. Motion carried by voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 9:08 p.m.
https://bataviail.community.highbond.com/document/f76b92e0-0a80-4c52-8569-34f68c515d57/
