Making it Better Conference:

Creating a Healthier Community Together

November 16, 2011

Pedaling the Health Benefits

of Transportation to

Regional Partners

Purpose

The purpose of a RDC is “to insure the orderly and

harmonious coordination of state, federal and local

comprehensive planning and development programs

for the solution of economic, social, physical and

governmental problems of the state and its

citizens…..”. RDCs provide a variety of technical

assistance services based on the needs of their region.

Governing Boards RDC board membership is comprised of

elected officials from townships, cities,

counties, school boards, tribal

representatives and public interest groups

per statue 462.388.

Transportation

Relationships

Rural and Small

Community

Focus on all facets

of community

planning

Full service

planning resource

Regional Planning

Duluth

How RDCs can assist with

SRTS

1. Monitor Program grant solicitation

cycles

2. Apply for and be the fiscal agent on

School Districts behalf

Esko, MN

3. Coordinate and

facilitate program

planning process

Funded Communities

Chisholm Coleraine

Deer River Duluth

Esko Hibbing

Hill City Grand Marais

Ely Mtn Iron

Virginia Fond du Lac

Community of Esko

Gather

Stakeholders

Assess the

surroundings

Organize parent

surveys and

classroom tallies

Identify goals for

the 5E areas

Encourage

quick fixes

Keys to RDC assistance

1. SRTS committees that involve everyone

2. Do a complete assessment

3. Allow the planning process to go the full

two-years

4. Leverage RDC’s planning assistance with

other related projects.

5. Contact RDCs early (and often) to discuss

planning opportunities.

RDCs and School

Siting

Land Use

Street Connectivity

Site Design

Street Level of Service Standards

RDC’s and Active

Transportation

Active Living and Complete Streets in the

Headwaters Region

Headwaters RDC

Active Transportation:

How RDC’s Can Help

Connect/Assist with grants

Provide connections in Region/State

Own the outcomes

Lead planning processes

Reframing the

Conversation

Active Living

– A way of life that incorporates physical

activity into daily routines

– HRDC adopted the 5P Community Action

Model developed by Active Living by

Design

Reframing the

Conversation

Complete Streets

– Complete Streets means that our streets are

planned to be safe and accessible for

pedestrians, transit riders, bicyclists, and

drivers—all users, regardless of age or

ability

HRDC Partnerships

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of MN

– Active Living Minnesota

Statewide Health Improvement Program

(SHIP)

Northwest Minnesota Foundation

Cities in Headwaters Region

BEMIDJI AREA

Case Study

Active Living Assessment

(Year One)

Destinations

– Where are people going?

People

– Who needs to get there? (Children, seniors,

avid bicyclists, the average person, etc.)

Local Connections

– Where are there deficient facilities? How can

we make routes safe and convenient?

Active Living Policy

(Years Two and Three)

Joint Planning Board

– Transportation Plan

– Land Use Plan

Parks and Trails Plan

Active Living and Complete Streets

Resolutions

Active Living and Complete

Streets Resolution

…balanced transportation

system that integrates all

modes… Vision of a healthy and active

Bemidji Area

Committed to a Complete

Streets Philosophy

Outcomes (Bicycle Map)

Outcomes

(Trails)

Transportation

Enhancement Grant –

Bemidji Waterfront

Outcomes

(Signage)

Outcomes

(Striped Bicycle Lanes)

Outcomes

(Parking Downtown)

RDC’s well positioned to provide leadership

Outside voice, local ownership

Local Champions are key

Opportunistic and incremental

Partnerships and collaboration

Lessons Learned

Thank you

Questions/Discussion

Cheryal Hills Executive Director

Region 5 RDC

chills@regionfive.org

218-894-3233

Ellen Pillsbury Senior Planner

Arrowhead RDC

epillsbury@ardc.org

218-529-7554

Matthew Dyrdahl Physical Planner

Headwaters RDC

mdyrdahl@hrdc.org

218-333-6531