Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutBicycle-Ped Advisory Comm BackupDeschutes County Board of Commissioners 1300 NW Wall St., Suite 200, Bend, OR 97701-1960 (541) 388-6570 -Fax (541) 385-3202 -www.deschutes.org AGENDA REQUEST & STAFF REPORT For Board Business Meeting of June 24, 2013 DATE: May 28, 2013 FROM: Cynthia Smidt Community Development Department 317-3150 TITLE OF AGENDA ITEM: Presentation of "Big Chainring" and "Safe Sidewalk" Awards from the Deschutes County Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS DATE? NO BACKGROUND AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS: The Deschutes County Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BP AC) has selected the 2013 "Big Chainring" Award recipients. Since 1996, the Big Chainring Awards have been awarded annually to honor individuals, businesses, public agencies, and advocacy groups that have made significant contributions in the support of better bicycling and walking in Central Oregon. In addition, the Peter Hanson Memorial Award specifically recognizes individuals in the community who have provided outstanding voluntary contributions. Staff and BP AC members request that the Board assist in the presentation of seven awards this year: Lifetime Achievement Award to Rick Root with City of Bend, "Peter Hanson Memorial Award" to Andy Barram and the Big Chainring awards to Ken Cardwell, Jeff Schuler with Bicycle Re-Source of Bend, Paul Bertanga with the City of Sisters Public Works Department, Katie Hammer and the Board of Directors with Redmond Area Parks and Recreation District, and West Bend Property Company. The BPAC has selected the 2013 "Safe Sidewalks" Award recipients. Since 2006, the Safe Sidewalks Awards have recognized those businesses and property owners who not only fulfill, but also often exceed the legal requirements of keeping their sidewalks safe and clear of debris and hazards this past year. Staff and BPAC members request that the Board assist in the presentation of two awards this year. The winners were Ray's Food Place in Bend and ODOT Region 4 District 10. FISCAL IMPLICATIONS: None RECOMMENDATION & ACTION REQUESTED: Staff requests that the Board assist in the presentation of the Big Chainring and Safe Sidewalks awards this year. ATTENDANCE: Cheryl Howard, BPAC Chair DISTRIBUTION OF DOCUMENTS: Cynthia Smidt, CDD Oregon Transportation Commissioners Briefing on the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Purpose of Plan The purpose of the Plan is to provide a policy framework for decision-making on bicycle and pedestrian actions, investment strategies and linkages to the multimodal transportation system. Desired Outcomes of the Plan • Create a vision for the future of biking and walking in Oregon • Provide a policy framework to guide future decision making • Result in a consistent approach for balancing objectives and selecting projects to meet those objectives • Interconnect bike and pedestrian systems statewide and with other modes, no matter jurisdictional authority • Promote connectivity, accessibility, safety, environment, public health , and other statewide goals • Highlight the benefits and address the business case for biking and walking among other transportation modes Components of a Plan • Vision • Policy Goals, Objectives, and Strategies • Existing conditions • Needs assessment • Performance measures • Legal context • Funding environment • Public Involvement Plan Progress to date • Stakeholder Interviews • Request for Proposal • Website Modal and Topic Area Plans Modal and topic a rea plans fill the role of refining methods for strategic investment decisions that implement the Oregon Transportation Plan (OTP). Modal and topi c area plans infonn decision-making during development of the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and related funding allocations. These plans will vary by mode and change over time as the transportation system faces new issues . i' .'. -- , , P. -=: .. -. ~I_. - - f· r. h.~ .. _ Stakeholder Interviews Themes Prior to developing the Plan, OOOT contracted with JLA Public Involvement to interview a diverse set of stakeholders from within and outside the Agency. Twenty-five interviews were conducted with a total of 42 people, each interviewed alone or in small groups. The purpose of the interviews was to seek the advice of a diverse set of transportation stakeholders on what issues the Plan should address, and the breadth and depth into which the Plan should discuss the opportunities and challenges associated with those issues. The following major themes emerged: • Safety -The concern for safety was widespread in the interviews, although it was expressed in different ways. The importance of safety, especially of vulnerable road users, should be threaded in the Plan. • Funding and Investment -Nearly all interviewees identified this as a major challenge. The Plan should provide a basis for more strategic and coordinated investments to make better use of limited funding. • Trip Purpose -Most of those interviewed felt that the Plan should focus on bicycle and pedestrian commuting and general transportation uses, but take into consideration that recreational use is important and intertwined with commuting uses. • System Integration -Interviewees noted that the Plan should include discussion of the importance of integration and accommodation of multiple modes on transportation systems. • Flexibility and Innovation -Many of those interviewed stated that the Plan should display flexibility and innovation and include discussion of how support for biking and walking can help Oregon meet other policy goals including equity, public health, environmental policy, and economic vitality. • Local and State Responsibilities -Most bicycle and pedestrian facilities are on local streets and roads, while OOOT retains responsibility for connections between communities and along state highways. The Plan should be mindful of ownership, responsibilities, and funding and provide guidance on navigating these and other related issues. Timeline The anticipated timeframe for Plan development is two years, as shown on the timeline below. 411612013 2 April 15, 2013 Policy Advisory Committee The Plan will be developed in consultation with stakeholders. To facilitate the needed consultation and help ensure ownership of results, a Policy Advisory Conunittee (PAC) will be fonned . The PAC will include a diversity of stakeholders from around the state, representing the interests of those using or affected by the transportation system. The PAC, with technical assistance from the Consultant and input from other advisory conunittees and stakeholders will help craft the draft vision, policies, goals and objectives of the Plan, and weigh-in on overall Plan content. The PAC will serve in an advisory capacity to ODOT and the OTC. It is anticipated that there will be between 10 and 20 PAC meetings over the two year period . Role of Commissioners • Identify Conunissioner(s) representation on the Policy Advisory Committee • Provide leadership to the PAC • Meet with staff as needed (at a minimum prior to each PAC meeting) • Detennine Policy Advisory Conunittee representation • Review draft Plan and make reconunendations • Open Public Conunent period • Review final draft Plan and make reconunendations • Adopt the Plan Next Steps • Release the Request for Proposal ­ sometime in late April 2013. • Select the Consultant team -ideally a Consultant team will be selected and ready to begin work in late sununer. • Fonn a Policy Advisory Conunittee -that represents the state both geographically and from diverse stakeholder interests . • Conununication -ongoing conununication will take place throughout the process, keeping interested parties infonned along the way and offering opportunities for April 15, 2013engagement. 411612013 3 April 15, 2013