HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-08-01 - BPAC Minutes
117 NW Lafayette Avenue, Bend, Oregon 97703 | P.O. Box 6005, Bend, OR 97708-6005
(541) 388-6575 bpac@deschutes .org www.deschutes.org/bpac
MEETING MINUTES
DESCHUTES COUNTY BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Thursday, August 1, 2019 – 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm
ODOT, 63055 N Hwy 97, Building M, Upstairs Conference Room, Bend
Members Present: Dave Thomson, Christopher Cassard, Ann Marland, David Roth, Katrina
Lagenderfer, Mark Smith, Rick Root, Sam Handelman, and Wendy Holzman.
Agency/Organization: Zechariah Heck (Deschutes County – CDD), David Amiton (ODOT), Derek
Hofbauer (COIC/CET), Tom Headley and Matt Tipton (Century West Engineering), Gregory Bryant
(Bend CTAC), and Abby Driscoll (ODOT).
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
A vote of the July 11, 2019 minutes were postponed to allow members an opportunity to review
based on proposed amendments by Chris Cassard (below).
To include statement that, “Zechariah passed along the views of CDD managers that if BPAC
wants to become a regular reviewer of new development plans it should discuss the idea
with the BOCC first.”
And to clarify a motion on BPAC’s projects:
Chris moved to adopt the following two projects for primary focus in the coming year, with
consistent work via standing sub-committees to be volunteered and/or assigned by the BPAC
Chair:
- Projects #1 & #4: Research the requirements for a lower stress route (LTS 1, 2 or 3)
between Deschutes County communities, i.e. Bend, Sisters, Sunriver, Redmond, and
La Pine, that replace high stress routes (LTS 4). Advocate for the development of lower
stress routes between Deschutes County communities.
- Projects #2 & #7: Encourage better linking of the various trail systems so they are
more effective parts of the county-wide transportation system, working with entities
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such as Bend Parks and Recreation, Redmond Area Parks District, other city parks
authorities, and the BLM and Forest Service as appropriate. This would include
improving links within cities as well as access to federal BLM and Forest Service trails,
and non-motorized connections between municipalities.
Chris also moved that the following projects continue with a secondary focus:
- Project #3: Engage more directly with CET and become more involved with mass-
transit development in the county.
- Project #5: Do more organized and comprehensive outreach to community groups
concerned with active non-automotive routes and infrastructure, particularly for
pedestrians.
- Project #6: Develop more interaction with county transportation planners to
determine transportation planning requirements and process (by jurisdiction) for
new developments. If and when appropriate, address with the Board of County
Commissions what, if any, role BPAC could serve as a project reviewer.
US 97 Multi-Use Plan (Bend to Lava Butte): Planning Process Overview – Abby Driscoll
Abbey Driscoll, project manager at ODOT, provided an overview of the US 97: Baker/Knott Rd to
Lava Butte Multi-Use Path project.
The FLAP grant was applied for in 2016 for a design level review and the work was beginning in
Summer 2019. Abbey shared another five million was awarded in the latest FLAP funding
process.
Abbey explained the project team would look at environmental and ROW impacts, costs,
accessibility, etc. An evaluation matrix will help determine what concept trail to move forward
with.
ODOT mentioned the project has funding through the construction phase. The forest service
would have a NEPA review completed in 2020. Construction would likely occur in 2022/23. ODOT
will perform stakeholder engagement soon.
David R. asked if there would be a connection to the High Desert Museum. Rick discussed the
issue of whether the proposed trail would be separated from the highway or not. Mark
suggested the concepts on the east side of the highway would be beneficial for property owners
in the area and if future UGB expansions extend down China Hat Road. Sam mentioned the
Baker over-change could be a mess with debris (the north terminus of proposed trail).
Abbey mentioned she would like to see BPAC review some of the documents as the consultant
prepares them. ODOT has envisioned a multi-use path from Bend to La Pine at some point in
the future. The path was proposed to be ten feet in width.
Big Chainring Awards
Zechariah explained only one nomination has been submitted. BPAC members stated they would
like to have a web link to the press release announcing the Big Chainring Awards so they can share
with others. Zechariah said he would provide one. BPAC members decided to extend the
nomination deadline until August 31. Dave T. asked for members to volunteer for a subcommittee
to review the nominations once they come in.
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BPAC Business
Regional Public Transit Advisory Committee (RPTAC) – Wendy discussed if there was an interest
for BPAC to participate in the RPTAC. Ann mentioned she was a member on personal interests.
The next meeting was announced to be scheduled for August 20. RPTAC was explained to be
focused on public transportation, advocate for new and expanded services. Derek explained
COIC would appoint the committee. Derek would also coordinate with others at COIC/CET to
determine if there would be an interest and role for BPAC to participate on RPTAC.
Committee Reports:
o MPO TAC – In July, transportation safety action plan was discussed.
o Deschutes County TSAP – advisory committee has expired. Dave explained when the
plan is finalized it would be presented to the County Commissioners.
o Tumalo US 20 Advisory Committee will reconvene in September. The Committee
recommended to ODOT the roundabout option.
BPAC Goals and Objectives – Chris Cassard & Sam Handleman, BPAC
During the July 11th meeting, the committee discussed and reviewed seven projects. There was
agreement to combine several of them due to similarity. Chris and Sam refined the written
statements of what was voted on last meeting (described in Chris’ amendment above).
Two major themes emerged: linking trail systems within communities and connecting population
hubs in the county. BPAC members decided there would be a subcommittee for each theme. Other
projects include: more organized community outreach, strengthen connection with CET, explore
role of BPAC in reviewing developments in the County.
Ann explained there is already a map identifying a proposed route from Bend to Sisters. Ann would
like to see BPAC and COTA get involved. Chris clarified the objective is to find where there are gaps
in efforts to connect population hubs. Sam encouraged the group to form subcommittees for each
theme/project.
The following subcommittees were created:
- Subcommittee One – Dave T., Mark, Sam, Rick
- Subcommittee Two – Wendy, Chris, David, Kat, Ann, Katie
General Updates
ODOT – David explained US 20 to Empire was split into three phases to help with meeting
deliverable schedules. David also mentioned ODOT was awarded $60 million for revision of the
Hwy 97 in Bend. Lastly, regarding the roundabout in Tumalo, David shared that ODOT was
preparing a bike/ped focused memo for the feature.
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Commute Options – Derek shared that Ride Bend has taken a new form this year, focused on
micro-transit. He explained the program has an ADA accessible van. David R. stated he knows
of somebody that was disappointed from the previous program (designated bus route)
because it impacted their commute. Derek responded that there was a focus on the micro-
transit service offering a connector the greater CET service. According to Derek, Micro-transit
was a new approach that was gaining traction. Derek also shared there would be new routes in
SE and NE Bend due to development, which would begin in 2021. Saturday service to all
communities would be included in CET’s STIF. Lastly, Derek announced Redmond would have a
fixed route service in town instead of Dial-a-Ride with connection to the transit hub.
Meeting Adjourned at 1:45 pm
Next Meeting
Thursday, September 5, 2019
12:00 to 1:30 pm
ODOT, 63055 N Hwy 97, Building M, Diamond and Crater Lake Conference Rooms