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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-05-01 - BPAC Minutes Meeting Minutes DESCHUTES COUNTY BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE Thursday, May 1, 2014 - Noon to 1:30pm ODOT 63055 N. Hwy 97, Deschutes Conference Room (old Region bldg), Bend 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: Scott Ferguson (pending), Pam Hardy, Cheryl Howard, Phyllis Lewis, Matt Martin, David Olsen, Matthew Olsen, Jim Stone, Kevin Tanski, Agency: City of Redmond – Mike Caccavano; ODOT: Bill Hilton, Dan Serpico; Guests: Erik Huffman, BECON Call to Order Meeting was called to order at 12:04 p.m. Introductions Approval of Prior Minutes Cheryl reported corrections submitted by Rick Root: he was present, just late, and indicated actual title of new city of Bend department is “Transportation Growth Management Department;” Matt Martin indicated that the date and location were incorrect; Phyllis requested a grammatical correction, “state” to “stated,” in the Business of Cycling and Walking report. Matthew Olsen made the motion to approve the minutes of April 3rd with changes; Phyllis seconded, and the motion was approved. BPAC Business Ordinance 2014-014 Matt Martin Peter Russell; brought forth motion to BOCC; approved unanimously to approve 1st reading; 2nd reading May 7th and we should be good to go. Cheryl indicated the Board’s willingness to make the appointments retroactive. Matt also indicated that the Board also expressed their appreciative of the work of BPAC and the many projects we are involved with. There was additional discussion focused on the terms assigned to new members. Matt Olsoen agreed to fill the at-large position being vacated by Kevin Tanski, as long as his name is spelled correctly. Cheryl clarified that officer positions will be filled at the September meetings. Cheryl guided discussion about terms and expirations, and will amend the BPAC roster accordingly. 2 Bend Bikes Pam wanted to invite everyone to a Bend Bikes session on May 15th at Bend Velo, near Miller Lumber and Kombucha Mama, at 7pm. The purpose is to get information about opportunities for a nonprofit organization like Bend Bikes to improve bicycling and bicycling infrastructure. Pam recognized that BPAC does a lot of this already, but Bend Bike will be looking at ways to complement BPAC efforts and those of other advocacy efforts. Jim asked about the extent of the geographic interest for Bend Bikes. Pam suggested the initial focus will be about urban Bend, in part because of limited resources. The focus initially will be on urban infrastructure. Bike and Pedestrian Summit Cheryl discussed that this is the 4th annual Tri-County summit and will be back in Madras. The same organizing team is on it. The venue is booked 9 – 1:30, followed by a short field trip. The theme is the “Evolution of the E’s,” relating to Engineering, Education, Enforcement and Evaluation. There was additional discussion about the impacts of the prior summits. It was reported that so far, in 2014, accidents are down 32% with no fatalities. There is a hope to rally law enforcement, especially on the County level. Cheryl discussed the committed speakers, and asked for additional ideas. Phyllis mentioned the Travel Oregon workshop recently at Kahneeta as a source for possible additional speakers. She suggested there were some really good ideas as to how to make bicycle tourism really work in Oregon, particularly rural Oregon. Cheryl will contact them to obtain additional information. Big Chainring Awards Due to a late press release, a decision made to extend the deadline to one week prior to the June BPAC meeting for nominations, so we can obtain as much community outreach as possible about the Big Chainring awards. Matt Olsen had some questions about the appropriate category for a possible nomination, and several options were considered. BOCC June 23rd 10am Big Chain Ring Award winners MMA Mixed Modal Area of Bend Matt presented information about the Mixed Modal Area. Looking at redevelopment of area, which will included facilities for Bicycle and Pedestrians. He indicated that they were considering five different options, and the most supported option had 2-way traffic on all three streets, and limited improvements or none at all on 3rd Street. Matt indicated an interest in more of a “road diet,” which did not occur. A follow up workshop examined improvements along 2nd and 4th Streets. Pam asked about the possibilities of replicating the riverside design, and also queried about the appropriate time for BPAC to advocate for design options. Matt indicated that they are really early on in the process, and it may be best to wait until a tangible option was presented. Scott asked about the prospect of BPAC taking a position regarding the bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. COACT Cheryl reported on the discussion regarding funding recommendations. It was the recommendation that the Roberts Field project be given the highest priority. Cheryl affirmed 3 that bicycle and pedestrian issues were being considered, but were subordinated to the interests of the airport. Mike indicated that Redmond has two possible projects which will be ranked high. It was apparent in the discussions that BPAC was open-minded in the deliberations. OSU No report, but the minutes will be forwarded to BPAC members. RUSTF RUSTF did meet. Chris Morin will be the Bend Police Department liaison. The Bend Fire Department has a distracted driving campaign. They will have a wrecked car and signs to help with the education effort. Cheryl indicated that the bike counts are proceeding, and May 10, 13 and 15 are upcoming bike and ped count days. Cheryl also handed out the Share the Road flyers, and encouraged committee members to help distribute them. BWIP Pam indicated that right now they are in the prioritization phase, working primarily on the pedestrian phase right now. They have created the system for prioritization, and intend to identify the projects with the greatest impact and get those funded, then look at completion of neighborhoods. A report can be expected at the June meeting. BPAC Business Cheryl reminded everyone of the Google calendar interface accessible to everyone. Updates South County: Jim reported that the contractors started paving the Lava Lands pathway today, which will possibly be done by the middle of the month. The US Forest Service is discussing a possible grand opening one year from September. The October BPAC meeting will be hosted at Lava Lands. City of Bend: None reported City of Sisters: Phyllis reported that the SCA has completed and submitted nonprofit application. Cascade Avenue will be completed in two weeks. Some parking was lost. Phyllis was very excited to announce that 1st Street Park is being created and should be completed by July. City of Redmond: Mike reported that several Capital improvement projects have made it through the budget process, which includes several neighborhood sidewalk projects. Generally there is a lull in construction. Deschutes County: Matt reported that work has begun on the bike guide program, under development with intern support. Matt described the look of the web interface, which will enable mapping by type of route or amenities. He indicated that it will not be a way finding tool at this point. It will include 4 the capacity to add links to get elevational cross sections, and other tools. This is modeled after an initial effort to document historic resources. ODOT: Bill reported that they are working with Sisters to let the bike path go. They are working with Madras on a multi-modal path from Safeway to low-income housing to the north, and also working on the south end of Madras. ODOT is working on 1st street in LaPine, with project development until fall, then a contractor will commence when practical, with probable 2015 construction and completion. Dan provided an example of a brochure to educate bicyclists about signal detection devices, and facilitated discussion about various detection devices. There was considerable discussion about the need for education about detection systems and relationships to bicyclist safety and smooth commuting. Cheryl reported that Bob Sanders, a Marine Corps veteran, is leaving Bend on May 26th and riding his bicycle 4,000 miles to the Iwo Jima memorial as a fundraiser for Central Oregon Veterans Outreach. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 1:20 p.m. Next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 5, 2014, noon to 1:20 p.m. at ODOT, 63055 N Hwy 97, Deschutes Conference Room (in the old Region building)