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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-02-07 - BPAC Minutes Meeting Minutes DESCHUTES COUNTY BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE Thursday, February 7, 2013 - Noon to 1:30pm Redmond 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, Bill Braly, Pam Hardy, Cheryl Howard, Phyllis Lewis, Matt Martin Michele Simms, Jim Stone, Kevin Tanski Agency: Rick Root – City of Bend; Jovi Anderson – Bend Metropolitan Planning Organization; Perry Brooks, Mike Caccavano, – City of Redmond; Peter Russell – Deschutes County; Dan Serpico, ODOT; Kim Curley, Jeff Monson – Commute Options Call to Order Meeting was called to order at 12:01 p.m. Introductions Approval of Prior Minutes The minutes of Jan. 3, 2013 were approved as amended Update on Redmond bike/ped projects, Mike Cacavano, Perry Brooks, City of Redmond Major improvements included about a mile of South Canal Boulevard bike lanes and sidewalks down to new highs school; rebuilding Sixth Street in March in downtown to add sidewalks of 7’ to 10’ feet depending on location, 5’ bike lanes, and bulbouts and City is planning to finish by October (City has weekly Friday update to area businesses and interested parties); identified other projects such as Yew Avenue sidewalks between Wickiup and Canal Boulevard; various ADA projects (Spruce Ave., Fifth St., Antler Ave., Seventh St., Evergreen Alley, South Canal Blvd., Quartz Ave.) but funding is a challenge. Redmond connections to Three Sisters Scenic Bikeways, Bill Braly Friends of Three Sisters Bikeways (3SSB) is working on better inter-community connections and improved local links to 3SSB. The group is looking at Helmholtz to Sisters-Smith Rock loop and also different routes to Smith Rock Park to avoid gravel truck traffic. Routes are for promotional purposes and wouldn’t need an amendment to the County’s designated bikeway system. 2 Redmond BPAC formation Perry Brooks City is forming its own bike/ped advisory committee with dozen members. City will implement the bicycle refinement plan in terms of improvements. Short-term topics include a Pilot Butte Canal Trail between Quince and Odem Meado, three miles and 10’ in width (construction this summer); Dry Canyon access issues; update trail master plan using north-south utility corridors; look at grant opportunities; review bike boulevards and reaffirm other routes designated Pilot Butte Canal Crossing field trip, all The City has a planned trail along the canal, but the challenge is crossing the one-way Glacier- Highland connector between US 97 Re-Route and Fifth Street. Group went to the site and brainstormed several ideas including moving trail to east side of Fifth, sending trail to Sixth, or looking at mid-block crossing of ramp. General thought was given connector lies between two signalized intersections, the mid-block crossing was the best option. One concern is the amount of weaving as cars change lanes depending on whether they want to go north or west. The distance for the crossing makes going above or below grade a difficult prospect as does proximity to a power station and related utility lines make an overcrossing problematic. Revisiting Redmond Trails Master Plan, Perry Brooks See Redmond BPAC formation section as topic was discussed at that time. US 97 Bend North Corridor project, Dan Serpico, ODOT Latest version of Bend North Corridor project is DS-2, Modified, which has a traffic signal instead of an interchange just south of cemetery. A subgroup will do a site visit later with Dan to discuss bike/ped concerns such as crossing highway, extending Britta to improve alternate routes, how to cross railroad, possibility of bike/ped tunnels, etc. BPAC Business Bicycle Friendly Community renewal application: Pam is leading and the application is coming along smoothly. Deadline is Feb. 26. Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Application: Jeff Monson to apply. Updates City of Bend: Scott Beaird of Kittleson presented an update on improvements to Riverside- Franklin project to improve bicycle circulation. Major topics are revisions to Riverside/Tumalo intersection from a four-way stop to one that favors the Riverside-Galveston through movement, which concerns some in Riverfront/Riverside neighborhoods and the Parks District given the route’s proximity to Drake Park and destinations to the south. KAI is looking at mini- roundabout (70’ diameter) as one concept for the intersection. Other component would be at Franklin/Bond placing through bike traffic on the left side of the right-turn lane via sharrows about a block earlier. They are also looking at bike parking opportunities. The KAI project website has more details, including graphics and a comment section. KAI hopes to have another public meeting in mid-March. Pam Hardy plans to call a meeting of Bend Bikes, a new cycling group, to discuss the project within the next two weeks. After a few weeks, BPAC may revisit the project and submit a letter to Scott Beaird. 3 Rick Root, newly minted retiree, is updating Bend’s bicycle and sidewalk priority list. He will return to BPAC next month to talk about priorities. Commute Options: Request all friend Commute Options on Facebook and use Drive Less.Connect program. The Drive Less.Connect may expand to all of ODOT’s Region 4 (Central Oregon from Columbia River to California state line). The program may be expanded from businesses to individuals to track trips and garner rewards. Safe Routes to School for Sage Elementary and working with Redmond Area Parks and Recreation to train Redmond Parks staff so Safe Routes to School education would continue in case Commute Options loses funding. Deschutes County: Presented draft of Bike Guide, main change was visually enhancing state- designated bike plans and downplaying state highways. Color choices indicate which roads are more suitable to cycling. In April there is a state summit for proponents on developing bikeways and County staff will be presenters. ODOT: None City of Redmond: None South County: None City of Sisters: Advertising revenue will support update of the free Sisters trails maps. City of Sisters is doing some ADA improvements. STA hopes to develop a trailhead at the old Relco site off of US 20 and extending trail from Bi-Mart to the Relco site. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 2:00 p.m.