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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-10-04 - BPAC Minutes Meeting Minutes DESCHUTES COUNTY BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE Thursday, October 4, 2012 - Noon to 2:00pm La Pine City Hall Audio recording of this meeting is archived for review and/or transcription. The purpose of this document is to outline topics of discussion and actions by the Committee. Members Present: Mary Barron, Cheryl Howard, Pam Hardy, Phyllis Lewis, Michele Sims, Bill Braley, Jim Stone, Kevin Tanski Agency: Tony DeBone – Deschutes County Commissioner, Dan Varcoe – LaPine City Council, Joan Johnson – City of LaPine, Mike Caccavano – City of Redmond, Peter Russell – Deschutes County, Kim Curley – Commute Options, Steve Jorgensen - Bend Parks and Recreation, Dan Serpico and Bill Hilton – ODOT, Joe Bessman, Kittleson & Associates Call to Order Meeting was called to order at 12 p.m. Introductions Approval of Prior Minutes The minutes of September 6, 2012 were approved with changes/additions introduced by Phyllis. Joan Johnson, Pathway Grant Application, Wickiup Junction to La Pine Joan Johnson briefed the committee on her second application to the State’s Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grant program to construct a paved path between Burgess Road to the north and 1st Street to the south. The path, which would have illumination, is an attempt to knit together the northern outlier of La Pine, formerly known as Wickiup Junction, to the built areas of the City. The path would go through vacant lands between Huntington Road and US 97 and offer an alternative to both facilities for walkers and cyclists. Steve Jorgensen, Bend Parks Bond Measure Projects Steve presented an overview of the projects that would be funded if the Bond Measure 9-86 proposed by Bend Park and Recreation Department passes on the ballot. The main focus is completing the Deschutes River Trail through Bend, which has been a major priority for BPRD for nearly three decades. BPRD has recently acquired property at Gopher Gulch in the City’s north end and will be able to build a ped/bike bridge over the Deschutes River. Jim Stone, Three Sisters Bikeway in South County Jim recounted one of the reasons the State Scenic Bikeway review committee did not designate the South County routes as part of the Three Sisters Scenic Bikeway was due to the poor condition of the roads’ pavement and shoulders. In the succeeding years the County has improved those roads. He also pointed out the importance of bicycling tourism and the need to again raise the public’s awareness of riding opportunities in South County. Joe Bessman, Kittleson & Associates, La Pine TSP The City of La Pine has hired Joe’s firm to produce the La Pine Transportation System Plan (TSP). The group is meeting next week (10/9 at La Pine City Hall) to begin the process and will form a technical advisory committee (TAC) soon. Tony DeBone, Deschutes County Commissioner Commissioner DeBone said he was there just to listen to the discussions and get up to speed on bike/ped issues in La Pine and South County. Group discussed potentially having an annual update to the Board; currently BPAC only appears before the Board when there is a pressing bike/ped issue or for annual Big Chain Ring awards. BPAC Business Walk Friendly Community Grant applications will come out Nov. 1, 2012, with a deadline of submission of Dec. 15, 2012. City of Bend will be filing an application. BPAC’s outreach message this month is aiming your sprinklers and alerting people to be aware of pedestrians in the darkness of late afternoon and early evening in what were once daylight hours. Updates City of Bend: No attendees City of Redmond: No items to update. City of Sisters: Phyllis discussed recent improvements on the Peterson Ridge Trail, the on- going environmental work for the proposed trail to Black Butte, and improved signage to the separated path along OR 242. Deschutes County: Peter said no one appealed the County TSP Update, so the document will take effect Nov. 19, 2012. County is waiting for an archaeological report for the proposed Tumalo Trial, which should be completed this month. County and La Pine are going to file an application for sidewalk improvements on 1st Street as well as Huntington as part of ODOT’s Enhance It category for the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). The County is beginning the process to update the Bicycling Guide. ODOT: Dan Serpico and Bill Hilton discussed the recent Road Diet for US 97 from Foss to 1st Street. The highway was changed down to two travel lanes, a center turn lane, and a buffered bike lane. Additionally, pavement inserts were placed at the north end of town. The pavement inserts are closer together as the highway enters La Pine, which gives a visual illusion of increasing speed. The concept is southbound drivers will react by slowing down as they reach 1st-Reed/US 97 intersection. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 1:55 p.m. Attendees joined Dan for a site tour.