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