Bicycle Coalition of New Mexico

Bicycle Coalition of New Mexico

Board Meeting Minutes

July 7, 2011

Members: Keith Ashmore, VP (Farmington), Diane Albert, President (Los Ranchos de ABQ), Wes Young (Socorro), Tim Rogers, Secretary (Santa Fe), Chris Tough (Española), Stephen Newhall, Treasurer, (Santa Fe).

6:00 PM Call to Order.  Members present are Chris Tough, Tim, Keith, and Diane.

Also on call is prospective board member Doug Stiebler.  Chris Marsh has Rio Rancho Hike and Bike event, will call in, David Candelaria of BikeABQ and Tammi Schurr will join us later as well.

Approval of Agenda.  Keith moves to approve agenda, Chris Tough seconds, all approve.

Secretary's Report – Tim Rogers:  We will approve March minutes and April minutes by e-mail.  Tim will send old minutes to Michael to post on web site.

Doug Stiebler and Board members introduce selves.  Mr Stiebler is retired, lives near Four Hills; has concerns about lawsuits against BCNM.  BCNM has event insurance through LAB.  Doug has worked on Tramway issues with District 3, has requested sweeping but it has not happened yet.  Diane contacted Tony Abbo and will send e-mail.

David Candelaria of BikeABQ came on the call and had questions about helping with the Tour of the Rio Grande Valley. What kind of help is needed at this point, e.g. course marshals?

BCNM had recent meeting, Keith:  Rest stops taken care of – three rest stops will be manned in shifts.  Need for course marshals to man intersections, esp. on way out.  And on the bike path if we use it.  It is closed right now, and there is a safety issue anyway.  Sags are covered.  May need help on and packet pick-up in morning.  There is not a single set start time.

David will contact board and volunteers and send out an e-mail asking for help marshaling.  Keith felt that 10 volunteers would work; Chris Marsh is the point man.  David works with General Mills, a LAB recognized Bicycle-Friendly Business that helps with BTW Day.

Diane: Women Riding Well will do pre-pick-up registration and morning pick-up.  Diane has raised some cash for TRGV.

Publicity: Discussion of who is contacting various newspapers.

DS: Use TRGV and bike shops to inform folks about what BCNM is doing.

DC: Solicit e-mail contacts from bike businesses.  Also bike rental shop just opened, does tours around the state, DC can provide them with information about the tour.

DA: BCNM’s 2010 Annual Report is on the site, describes BCNM activities.

DS and DC can solicit bike shops.  General Electric is interested; REI as well.

Ideas: Get bike shops to support and post it on web site! Use Social Media.  Bring in / .cooperate with local groups like Bike ABQ

Treasurer's Report - Stephen Newhall submitted a written treasurer's report.  He is not present on call.

President's Report- Diane Albert submitted a written president's report.

Old Business

- Engineering Committee (bike facilities) – BCNM will put out an e-mail blast on NM76 to listserv, etc. and will report to US delegation in delegation.  We are asking FHWA not to reimburse these activities and will continue with an open letter to Ray LaHood

- Education Committee (schools and smart cycling) – Wes Young comes on call.  Wes submitted a written report.  Wes reports that Tammy submitted BEC report.  Wes is going to a national SRTS meeting in Minnesota in August.  Diane: Gail Ryba award accounting seems disparate; a check went to Dave Stewart.

TE funding for Tammy / Bicycle Education program: Keith moves to put $35,000 + $10,000 for expenses in budget in e-mail to NMDOT; Tim seconds; motion passes unanimously.

- Enforcement Committee (police and courts) – Diane submitted draft letter to State Police

Keith moves to approve after after stylistic changes by Tim and Diane, Chris seconds, passes unanimous. [Tammy and Chris Marsh came on.]

New Board members:  Doug Stiebler has been involved since 1970s not as much lately, Tramway issues – partial paving, also the law. Active in racing community, bike businesses.   We are familiar with Chris’s work as editor of NM Bicyclist and organizer of BCNM’s Tour of the Rio Grande Valley.  Tim moves to have Doug Stiebler and Chris Marsh join board   Chris Tough seconds.  All approve.

Tammy Schurr discusses her letter to resign sent to BCNM Board.  All board members support her work and we are working with NMDOT to secure more funding.

Chris Marsh: Tour of the Rio Grande Valley rest stops, has contacted state and local contacts.

National Bike Summit – written report and status of follow-up efforts – Thank you, Keith.  We have been following up with Reps and Senators.

Non-profit regulation: PRC will not change address.  For AGO report we need 990 form, Tim delivered letter to Stephen for Diane.

New Business

- Rep. Earl Blumenauer event July 18 in Santa Fe - http://blumenauer.house.gov/

- Bicycle Friendly State rankings -New Mexico has ranked 44 for 2011 with an overall “F.”  See  www.bikeleague.org/programs/bicyclefriendlyamerica/bicyclefriendlystate/pdfs/2008_through_2011_state_rankings.pdf The category grades for New Mexico are C in Legislation and F’s in Policies & Programs, Infrastructure, Education & Encouragement, Evaluation & Planning, and Enforcement.

Next Board Meeting will be scheduled for August, 2011.

The meeting adjourned at 8:30.