Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-09-06 - BPAC Minutes (3) MEETING MINUTES DESCHUTES COUNTY BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE Thursday, September 6, 2018 - Noon to 1:30 pm ODOT, 63055 N Hwy 97, Building K, Conference Room 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: Mark Smith, Rick Root, Wendy Holzman, Christopher Cassard, Dave Roth, Dave Thomson, Sam Handleman, Katrina Langenderfer, Katie Hammer, Ann Marland. Agency/Organization: Zechariah Heck (Deschutes County – CDD), Eric Hagan and Scott Elliot (City of Bend, Police), David Amiton (ODOT), Derek Hofbauer (COIC/CET), Brian Potwin, Kate Armstrong, Kersey Marion (Commute Options). Call to Order Meeting was called to order at 12:00 p.m. Introductions Attendees of the meeting introduced themselves and, if applicable, identified the organization they represent. Approval of Prior Minutes The June 7, 2018, were approved unanimously as amended. Election of 2018-19 Officers Dave Thomson opened the floor for nominations of BPAC officer positions. Rick Root nominated Dave Thomson for BPAC Chair. Dave was unanimously approved as Chair. Wendy nominated Chris Cassard for Vice-Chair. Chris was approved unanimously. Chris Cassard nominated Rick Root for Secretary. Rick was approved unanimously. Chris Cassard brought up role of County Liaison and asked Zechariah to speak to this role. Zechariah provided an overview of the liaison role and what he is able to do for the committee. Page 2 The liaison can take minutes, provide updates related to county business and policies and facilitate communication with the Board of County Commissioners. Dave Thomson referenced calendar that was sent out. He encouraged all committee mem bers to reference the calendar and work as a team to ensure press releases are issued on time. BPAC Open Positions Dave Thomson provided an overview of the open positions. Chris Cassard suggested we restart the process. Dave will reach out to the City of La Pine to get their input for recruitment of a representative of La Pine. Committee members will work with Zechariah to revise the media release. Goals and Objectives Dave Thomson spoke to the meeting in August that reintroduced members to the BPAC Goals and bylaws. Several positive items came out of that meeting: the goals need to be revised and pared down to be more succinct. Chris Cassard highlighted the importance of having a list of BPAC goals that are actually attainable. Chris Cassard offered the discussion to be continued over the following months to revise the goal list. Chris Cassard asked who would be interested in participating in the goals drafting subcommittee. Chris Cassard, Rick Root, Sam Handelman, Wendy Holzman, Katrina Langenderfer, Katie Hammer, David Roth, Mark Smith would like to participate. Mark Smith asked how many meetings would be involved. Chris Cassard offered that the subcommittee should meet a couple of times but no more to be most effective. Sam Handelman would like to have a more open box concept for the revision, suggesting that the revision could be totally different than what the committee has worked on in the past. Zechariah Heck mentioned the issue of public notice for the subcommittee if there is a quorum of BPAC. Sam Handelman will chair the subcommittee. Meetings were tentatively scheduled for September 13 and 20. Dave T. and Sam will coordinate to officially schedule the meeting. South County Meeting (Next Meeting) BPAC met in Sunriver last year so there is a desire to meet in La Pine this year. Dave will contact La Pine to see what can be organized. Mark will help coordinate a meeting in Sunriver, if La Pine cannot host. BPAC Subcommittee Updates MPO  OSU Cascades representative Casey Burke discussed the Mobility Lab workshop being held on campus and adjacent neighborhoods. One of the highlights is the Zagster rental bikes. Electric scooters were also discussed. Funding is being sought to expand such programs. OSU Cascades is also coordinating with Lyft and Uber. Computer science students are working on synthesizing the data.  Transportation System Plan (TSP) and MPO Regional Plan updates were provided.  The state Transportation Planning Rule (TPR) is going through housekeeping updates. Page 3 Smith Rock Master Plan Update Zechariah mentioned the Oregon Parks and Recreation District asked BPAC to attend advisory committee meetings on the master plan update for Smith Rock. Katie Hammer and Mark Smith both expressed interest in attending the meetings and will provide updates to BPAC. Terrebonne Refinement Plan David Amiton informed the group there are public meetings on September 11 and 12 from noon to one, in addition to the evening of 11th and evening of 13th to discuss proposed changes to transportation infrastructure in Terrebonne. Dave T. will follow up with ODOT to see if BPAC can have a specific role in the planning process. Commute Options Updates: Walking School Bus & Friendly Driver Programs Kersey Marion is the program coordinator for the Walking School Bus program. Commute Options received a grant to initiate the Walking School Bus program. Routes are being designed for schools in the area. Bear Creek Elementary, Prineville elementary, and Madras – OSU Extension are schools that have expressed interest in participating. Schools need to sign up and provide staffing to support. There is an application for leaders and volunteers. Students will be reached through organizations like Boys and Girls Club. Students will also be required to register, which provides info for data tracking and emergency contact info. The roll out will begin in October. The focus is on middle schools. Sam Handelman asked if there is any assessment for safety on routes that are chosen for the programs. Brian Potwin stated there is an assessment through both Commute Options and the City of Bend. Chris Cassard asked if Commute Options has a goal for participation. Kersey stated the goal is 20 schools throughout Central Oregon, 100 volunteers, and there is no actual number set for the amount of students. Kersey also stated they are working on incentives for the program to encourage participation. Kate Armstrong provided an overview of the Friendly Driver program. ODOT reached out to Commute Options because of high numbers of accidents between pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists. The Friendly Driver program initially focused on fleet vehicle drivers, (UPS, Uber, utilities, etc). However, working with f leet drivers was not successful due to work commitments. The program shifted focus to new drivers and bus drivers. Kate asked BPAC members to spread awareness of the program. The course is one-hour long. Region Updates  South County o There will be new roundabouts in Sunriver that with a focus on multimodal access. New tunnels have been constructed, which have been supported by the public. The success of the tunnels means more will be developed ahead of schedule.  Sisters o There will be a multi-use path constructed from Locust Street to the northern city Page 4 limits. o The city TSP has been updated and has a focus on alternative transportation. o Another multi-use path is to be constructed along North Pine, through the Industrial Park.  Redmond o The first Open Streets program occurred in June. Several hundred people attended. It was a beneficial opportunity to educate the public on bike boulevards. o An annual bike-ped count will occur in October.  Deschutes County o Zechariah mentioned the county will be re-paving Deschutes Market Road during the night, requiring a noise variance. Sam Handelman asked if there is a project website that will inform the public on such projects. Zechariah di d not know if any site existed.  ODOT o Region 4 submitted four letters of intent for Safe Routes to School program.  COIC/CET o Recreational services operations concluded on Labor Day. A survey indicated 60% of riders were locals. o October 2 and 9 are free transit days, which are part of the Oregon Drive Less Challenge. o The Oregon Public Transit Conference will be held in Bend from October 28 to 30.  City of Bend Policy Department o Eric Hagan discussed speeding issues on Hwy 97 and the issue it creates with bicyclists and pedestrians. Specifically, the crosswalks in the south that have flashing beacons. Open Floor Rick Root followed up from Hagan’s comments regarding safety concerns on Highway 97 by stating the highway was not designed as a freeway. ODOT is beginning to conduct a study to consider the future of the parkway. In addition, ODOT is organizing a steering committee to advise the project. Rick Root was asked by an ODOT official if he wants to participate. Rick will participate and share information to BPAC as it becomes available. Meeting Adjourned at 1:33 pm Next Meeting: Thursday, October 4, 2018 12:00 to 1:30 pm South County/La Pine – Location TBD