HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-11-07 - 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, November 7, 2019 12:00 to 1:30 pm
ODOT, 63055 N Hwy 97, Building M, Deschutes Conference Room, Bend
Members Present: Dave Thomson, Christopher Cassard, Ann Marland, David Roth, Katie Hammer,
Katrina Langenderfer, Morgan Crowell, Rick Root, Sam Handelman, Scott Morgan, and Wendy
Holzman.
Agency/Organization: Zechariah Heck & Tanya Saltzman (Deschutes County – CDD), Chris Cheng
(ODOT), Jovi Anderson (Bend MPO), Ashley Hooper (CET), and David Hopper (Commute Options).
Scot Elliott (Bend PD).
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 October 2019 minutes were approved with the corrections of the time and date of the October
meeting.
Public Comment
No public comments were shared with the committee.
US 20: Mervin Sampels – Greenwood project update – Chris Cheng, ODOT
Chris provided an update on the project’s phasing and the intersection of Greenwood and 6th Street.
The remainder of Greenwood is now in the second phase of the project.
Greenwood and 6th will remain in the first phase, since 6th Street is the city’s most recent
neighborhood greenway.
There will not be green crosshatching across the intersection for bicycles, as the state was
not in favor of giving bicycles the option of going straight through the intersection at full
speed. Instead, bikes will have to turn slightly and proceed through a cut through the median
alongside pedestrians.
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This is a specific treatment for this intersection given the greenway, and is not intended to
function as a template for all intersections.
The group had concerns about cars queueing in the middle of the intersection, the width of
the cut through the median, and the potential for e-bikes.
Planning is in its preliminary stages; there is still time for comments.
Chris then provided an update on the low-stress network.
One of the last connections in the network: how do you get people from Division to OB Riley?
Ideally (and eventually), a multi-use path would provide this connection but there are
limitations on project cost and right-of-way acquisition.
Not sure of short-term solution yet; will be discussed in December.
Transit Master Plan Update – Ashley Hooper, Cascades East Transit
Ashley provided an update on the Try Transit program, which provided free fares on two Tuesdays
in October.
There were 4600 rides on free transit Tuesdays.
Coupons in The Source helped the program significantly.
Ashley then provided an update on the Transit Master Plan.
The regional technical advisory committee met last month; discussed needs that were not
touched on initially. Consultants are now working through this feedback to incorporate into
the plan.
Next step: take those needs, turn them into projects with costs and priorities. This will occur
in January and February, and will then go back to communities for the local TACs.
December 4: There will be a regional public transportation advisory committee meeting in
Redmond and all are encouraged to attend at City Hall, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Redmond will be
getting flex routes, perhaps as a stepping stone to fixed route in the future. There will be
discussion and feedback on these routes, among other Redmond-focused topics.
Trail Signage – Sam Handelman
Sam reminded the group of Kevin English’s concern from last month: private landowners putting up
private signs on trails that should be accessible to the public.
How can BPAC address this?
Sam will take photos of the “private” signs
Dave will reach out to Cody Smith, County Engineer. The first step is to verify that the roads
are in fact public.
New projects subcommittee organization – Sam and Chris
Two potential new project subcommittees were proposed:
1 (Sam): Low-stress routes between municipalities.
Suggestion from Chris Cheng: it might be beneficial for this committee to think at a more
macro level rather than drilling down into details such as right of way and individual
properties, since ODOT would have to study these on its own anyway.
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2 (Chris): trail system connections. This committee would engage with various parks departments,
BLM, forest service, other relevant groups or agencies, etc. to help nudge projects forward that are
already on the radar.
Dave will send an email to the group asking for members for committees.
Committee Reports
Pilot Butte Master Plan Update: An open house will be held on November 14 and all are
encouraged to attend.
Tumalo US 20/Cook Ave/OB Riley Intersection Planning: No immediate update, but ODOT is
planning on potentially presenting to BOCC early next year.
Regional Updates
South County – “Bicycles on roadway” signs are up on Burgess, Spring River Road, and by the
fire station on South Century.
Bend – The MPO is working on the 2nd phase of transportation long range planning. The public
comment period is open for funding for five projects. Also of note is the new transportation
and mobility department reorganization and related job opening with the City of Bend.
Sisters – Waiting for grants to city for multipurpose trails and for bus shelters.
Deschutes County – The Terrebonne couplet plan is currently on hold. ODOT has been
meeting with the opponents and the Board of County Commissioners has not yet made a
formal decision on deliberations. Tanya Saltzman will now be the staff liaison for BPAC.
ODOT – Several updates:
o McKenzie pass is closing to cars next week
o ODOT continues to be open for bike-ped research topics
o Hawthorne & Bend Parkway crossing is currently in internal scoping
o North Corridor (Empire to north of Cooley): Chris can bring the project manager in to a
future BPAC meeting for updates.
Commute Options – Commute options is expecting a new executive director in new year
(he/she is not selected yet)
COIC/CET – Ashley attended an excellent public transportation conference in October. No
other updates.
Messaging: Sidewalk snow removal messaging is on hold until snow begins.
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Meeting Adjourned at 1:30 pm
Next Meeting
Thursday, December 5, 2019 – 12:00 to 1:30 pm
ODOT, 63055 N Hwy 97, Building M, Baney Conference Room, Bend