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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-11-05 - 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 5, 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, Rachel Zakem, David Green, Wendy Holzman, Ken Piarulli, Mark Smith. Agency/Organization: Tanya Saltzman (Deschutes County – CDD), Whitney Bennett (Commute Options), Greg Bryant (Bend MPO), Andrea Napoli (Bend MPO), Chris Cheng (ODOT). 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 October 2020 minutes were approved as written. Note: due to technical difficulties, audio minutes for the November 5 meeting are not available. Public Comment There were no public comments. General Updates – Dave Big Chainring Awards  BPAC voted to award three awards that were recommended by the awards subcommittee: Ariel Mendez (Individual), Sunriver Police Department Bike Patrol (Public Agency), and Lucas Freeman (Peter Hanson Memorial Award). These will be presented at the Board of County Commissioners virtual meeting on Monday, November 23. Tanya will work with Dave on logistics and a press release. Page 2 Annual Report Update  BPAC will present its annual report to the Board in January this year, instead of with the Big Chainring Awards. This will introduce the committee and its work to the new commissioner. Rachel and Rick will work on the report and welcome additional volunteers. Bend Transportation Bond Oversight Committee  If the transportation bond passes, an oversight committee will be established. Is it appropriate to have BPAC participate in this committee? Dave will reach out to Councilwoman Campbell to discuss. 2020/2021 Meeting Schedule  BPAC holds several regional meetings throughout the year. With virtual meetings taking the place of in-person for the near future, the committee discussed holding meetings that highlight those regions but are still virtual. Scott will explore the potential of holding a South County-focused meeting in January.  The January meeting will be held on the second Thursday of the month (January 7, 2021) TSP Subcommittee Update  Mason will represent BPAC on the TSP advisory committee, with David Green as backup. The internal BPAC subcommittee will meet once a month and will provide a shared folder on the Dropbox site with relevant documents. ODOT Roundabout Design Changes – Chris Cheng Chris/ODOT wants to hear from BPAC about roundabout issues generally—the goal is to document problems so as to identify potential solutions. Chris showed an illustration from the current Highway Design Manual and then opened the topic for discussion. Issued raised included:  Side ramps [for bicycles] to the sidewalk – it isn’t always clear if the bicycle is using it or will stay in the road  There can be an issue when a bike takes the ramp and then uses the crosswalk to cross.  A completely separated bike lane around the roundabout would be preferred, as often done in Holland.  Sometimes art and landscaping can adversely affect sightlines  All problems are exacerbated in two-lane roundabouts  Safety concerns fall into two categories: 1) cars versus bikes; 2) bikes versus pedestrians Chris showed diagrams of some potential improvements, such as with the sidewalk pulled back from the perimeter of the roundabout. This discussion will continue at future meetings as developments arise. Page 3 North Interchange Study Update Rick provided updates on this project, in which 18th Street will be extended to 97. He showed three options for discussion: tight diamond; dual roundabout; half diverging diamond.  Some BPAC members expressed interest in the third option (half diverging diamond) but also had concerns about the “wrong way” segment and if that could potentially confuse users.  The tight diamond appears to be the simplest and possibly the safest except for the right turn lane, which could create conflicts. External Committee Reports Bend MPO TAC:  The surface transportation block grant will be offered via the MPO, offering almost $800,000 of funding. Project applications are in and all seemed worthy of consideration but unfortunately there isn’t enough funding for every submission. A decision will be made on December 15. Other Updates South County:  As noted above, the January meeting may focus on South County issues, including Wickiup Junction. Sisters:  The city is beginning its Comprehensive Plan update process, which will include transportation issues  The roundabout at Locust is nearly at 30% design. Redmond:  Redmond BPAC met last Monday. Scott Woodford has not yet been replaced.  Redmond would like to design a few more ‘quiet streets’ connecting the Homestead and Dry Canyon trails  With respect to a trail between Redmond and Smith Rock, coordination is difficult as the city only has jurisdiction over a small portion of the area. Deschutes County:  Working on TGM scope of work  TSP: Kittelson and County staff are reviewing existing TSP goals and policies to see which might need updating, tweaking, deleting or if they have missed anything. This type of preliminary review is standard in TSP updates, but no decisions have been made. County TSP will likely be smaller this go-round as we move toward a more thematic approach rather than a punch list approach for every item listed in OAR 660-012-020 (elements of a TSP). This approach is similar for what used in the recent TSPs for City of Redmond, Crook County, and Lane County. Page 4 ODOT:  McKenzie Pass paving project will be starting soon Commute Options:  A reminder that the Oregon Friendly Driver Program is now online on demand COIC/CET:  NE and SE bend routes: currently looking at stop locations with respect to ADA compliance, and coordination with the 8th Street pedestrian improvements. Currently reaching out to neighborhood associations for feedback  Redmond fixed route planning study is underway  STIF committee will meet in December and January to organize the next round of projects  CET will run Mt. Bachelor service this year—schedule TBD Meeting Adjourned at 1:38 pm Next Meeting Thursday, December 3, 2020 – 12:00 to 1:30 pm - Virtual Meeting