By Joe Bachman
Editor

STEVENS POINT — After a month following its announcement, spots on the Bicycle and Pedestrian Street Safety Commission (BPSC) remain open.

Mayor Mike Wiza made recommendations for the members who would make up the commission to essentially replace the former Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC), though two spots saw no qualified candidates. According to Wiza, this is based on the way the ordinance was written, which specifically asks for a safety educator and bike-friendly business owner to be a part of the commission.

Wiza recommended Michael O’Meara as the engineer or planner, Trevor Roark as a bicycle safety and pedestrian advocate, Mary McComb as the alderperson, and alternate Janis Borski. However, according to Wiza, former BPAC members Bill Fehrenbach and Anne Rogalski are neither a safety educator, nor own a bicycle-friendly business, leaving those two spots empty.

“I obviously didn’t write the BPSC ordinance with the intention of unseating anyone who served on BPAC at the time the ordinance was adopted,” said Alder Tori Jennings to Wiza during discussion on the agenda item. “On the contrary, I assumed that you would see how the individuals you selected for BPAC would align with the recommendations in the ordinance.”

Jennings pointed out the language of the ordinance, which in her mind, which sees former BPAC members qualified for BPSC. Such applicants as Trevor Roark and Bill Fehrenbach, according to Jennings, both are advocates and teach safety education.

“Not only do all members of BPAC align with BPSC recommendations, there’s overlap, as well.” said Jennings.

However Wiza stated that he tried to appoint members of the former BPAC, but he closely followed the language of ‘should have’ in regards to known experience in bicycle and transportation safety. The section Wiza cites is below:

The bicycle safety street safety commission shall be compromised of five commissioners and one alternate to be appointed by the Mayor, and confirmed by city council. Each member should have, to the extent practicable, known experience and interest in bicycle and transportation safety, as well as familiarity with the National Association of City Transportation Officials, and the Portage County Bicycle Pedestrian plan…

“I think Anne and Bill would be great candidates to serve on the BPSC, however, until we have that clarification in the language, I don’t feel right doing that.” said Wiza.

Wiza recommended that council members approve of the initial members, then adjust the ordinance to expand to additional members. However, the council voted down his recommendations by a vote of 6-3, with Phillips, Morrow, and Slowisnki the only alders voting for the recommendations.