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Home My WebLink About2020-09-03 - 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, September 3, 2020, 12:00 to 1:30 pm Virtual Zoom Meeting Members Present: Dave Thomson, Christopher Cassard, Rick Root, Ann Marland, David Roth, Sam Handelman, Scott Morgan, Mason Lacy, Rachel Zakem, David Green, and Wendy Holzman. Agency/Organization: Tanya Saltzman (Deschutes County – CDD), Kim Curley (Commute Options), Carol Fulkerson (Central Oregon Coalition for Access/COCA), Barb Campbell (Bend City Council), Jovi Anderson (Bend MPO), David Abbas (City of Bend). Call to Order Meeting was called to order at 12:00 p.m. Introductions Tanya provided a brief introduction of virtual meeting procedures via the Zoom platform. Attendees of the meeting introduced themselves and, if applicable, identified the organization they represent. Approval of Prior Minutes The August 2020 minutes were approved pending correction of minor typographical errors. Public Comment There were no public comments. General Updates – Dave New Member Appointments  Dave introduced the three newest at-large committee members: Rachel Zakem, David Green, and Mason Lacy.  Redmond seat: Ken Piarulli (in attendance as a member of the public) was recommended by BPAC Redmond; we are awaiting official recommendation by the City of Redmond and then the Board of County Commissioners Officer Elections Members were asked to nominate potential officers. The officers for the next year were approved by the committee as follows: Page 2  Chair: Dave Thomson  Vice Chair: Chris Cassard  Secretary: Rachel Zakem Big Chainring Award discussion Prior to the meeting, Dave shared a document outlining potential changes to the Big Chainring Awards, which are provided here: Recommended criteria 1. The award categories and criteria will be detailed on the nomination form 2. A nomination must specify a single award category. Multiple nomination forms may be submitted for the same entity under different categories. Submitters will be asked to resubmit their nomination if they select multiple categories. 3. The committee may, at their discretion, contact the submitter and suggest that the nomination be resubmitted in a different category 4. An individual or organization may only receive one award in any three-year period 5. An individual may not nominate themselves, their family members, nor their organization 6. BPAC members are allowed and encouraged to submit nominations Other possible criteria 7. Should we have the Advocacy/Group category? We discussed this in the August meeting and there did not seem to be a consensus. I recommend we leave the category in for this year. The last award we gave in this category went to 8. Individuals should not be nominated for an award based on work they get paid to do/is part of their day to day requirements of their job, excepting the lifetime achievement award. We also discussed this at the August meeting. There seem to be good arguments either way. We have made several awards in the past to city/county staff members. Another grey area is whether agency awards should go to the agency/department as a whole, to an individual within the agency, or to the agency/department while calling out the individual contributor.  The committee consensus was to adopt all of the above and identify if there are any issues going forward.  Tanya and Dave will update the award form, incorporate a list of previous winners, and release the nomination form online.  BPAC will vote on the awards at the October 1 meeting Sidewalk Snow Removal Discussion - Kim Kim Curley introduced Carol Fulkerson from Central Oregon Coalition for Access (COCA) to speak about her experience and work in advocating for safer snow-free sidewalks.  Carol is an active advocate for safer sidewalks; in addition to COCA, she is active in several MS (multiple sclerosis) organizations locally and statewide Page 3  For years, COCA has been advocating for the City of Bend to step up its enforcement efforts for snow removal—there is an ordinance regarding snow removal requirements but very little enforcement. People who have mobility issues or who prefer to use public transit are dependent on adequate snow removal on sidewalks and bus stops.  Last year the city issued a few citations but this was a small number compared to actual violations  COCA recommends developing some sort of program that can engage HOAs, businesses, as well as area with vacant/undeveloped land to clear snow, as it is currently extremely piecemeal  COCA asks BPAC: what is the best way to engage the city?  David from the City of Bend noted that last year they hired three additional seasonal employees to assist with snow removal; while COVID has greatly affected this year’s budget by approximately 25 percent, the city will still keep those 3 temporary staff. David also noted that the new Bend TSP recommends improvements in snow removal response  Keeping bus pads and the connections around them to sidewalks clear is critical—people cannot use transit if they have no way of getting to/from the bus stop. This is a high priority.  Dave will add this to the agenda for next month to determine how BPAC could help. External Committee Reports Bend MPO TAC and US 97 Parkway Project:  MPO meeting was held last week; they are starting to develop goals for their transportation plan  CET is updating its transit master plan as previously noted  US 97 projects: This encompasses two projects: First, the state is initiating a study of a new interchange approximately 1 to 1.25-miles north of Cooley Road; second, a study of the entire parkway corridor—which should include crossing improvements—has been completed and sent to the Oregon Transportation Commission for approval. Deschutes County TSAP: The City and County completed a safety plan; there is a second round of potential grant funding in the fall for a committee for safety implementation Other Updates South County:  Completed an east-west sidewalk connection near Finley Butte  Newly paved shoulder on South Century is excellent for cyclists Bend:  Beginning September 1, 2020, the Bend MPO will begin soliciting for projects for a portion of the MPO's annual allocation of 2021-2024 Surface Transportation Block Grant funds. Sisters:  ODOT is beginning work on the roundabout at US 20 and Locust Page 4 Redmond:  Recently evaluated the Homestead Trail with respect to signage, and provided feedback to the city Deschutes County:  The Board of County Commissioners has approved Kittelson & Assoc. to be the contractor for the Deschutes County TSP Update.  ODOT/DLCD are supposed to announce TGM grant application winners late this month; DLCD has undergone significant budget cuts due to COVID; the County is unsure how state budget cuts may or may not affect the proposals. COIC/CET:  The transit master plan was approved by its committee and will soon go to the COIC Board for approval.  This is the final week of Route 31 (Sunriver to La Pine) summer service  Working on STIF projects Commute Options:  Stay tuned for a fall Get There Challenge, which will include telework perks and other promotions Meeting Adjourned at 1:30 pm Next Meeting Thursday, October 1, 2020 – 12:00 to 1:30 pm Virtual Meeting