HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-01-07 - 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, January 7, 2021, 12:00 to 1:30 pm
Virtual Zoom Meeting
Members Present: Dave Thomson, Christopher Cassard, Rachel Zakem, Ann Marland, Sam
Handelman, Scott Morgan, Mason Lacy, David Green, Wendy Holzman, Ken Piarulli, Rick Root.
Agency/Organization: Tanya Saltzman (Deschutes County – CDD), Kim Curley (Commute Options),
Greg Bryant (Bend MPO), Andrea Napoli (Bend MPO), Chris Cheng (ODOT), Robin Lewis (City of
Bend), Barb Campbell (Bend City Council).
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 December 2020 minutes were approved as written.
Public Comment
There were no public comments.
Drake Park footbridge replacement grant letter of support – Robin Lewis
Robin gave a brief overview of the new ODOT Community Paths program, which is a grant-based
program for projects not located on road right-of-way such as paths, bridges, etc.
The City of Bend is applying for planning grant to eventually reconstruct and widen Drake
Park footbridge and is requesting a letter of support from BPAC
The specific details of the project are yet to be developed but the project is expected to
address issues including ADA accessibility, connecting people to downtown, shopping,
schools, parks, as well as connections to jobs. In addition, bicycle use is expected to increase
as the neighborhood greenway becomes more developed, and the footbridge will be a vital
component of this.
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The City already submitted its letter of intent, which was approved, and now is submitting
the application, which is due at the end of January, with notice in May. The end product will
be 30-percent design documents.
A motion was provided and seconded; BPAC voted unanimously to provide a letter of
support for the project.
General Updates – Dave
Annual Report Update
Rachel Dave, Rick, Chris, and Wendy met to discuss the annual report. Rachel is working on
a draft, which will be shared for the BPAC February meeting
The next BPAC meeting will focus on Redmond. Dave and Ken will work together to gather
some content.
TSP Subcommittee Update
The first 1st TSP meeting is two weeks from today, with a total of four meetings. The internal
BPAC subcommittee will adjust its meeting schedule to accommodate this. The consultant,
Kittelson & Associates, distributed background documents, which will be shared with BPAC.
The internal TSP subcommittee has been working internally on the information it wants to
get across:
o 1: Bicycle-pedestrian goals;
o 2: A matrix of desired routes with descriptions;
o 3: A more detailed description of those routes.
Mason emphasized (and others supported) that he wants to make the case for shared use
separated paths, not just shoulders and perhaps most importantly, to frame bicycling as a
legitimate transportation mode, not just a recreational hobby.
What about e-bikes? This issue will likely come up at some point, particularly for inter-city
travel. Good for nonmotorized transportation network (multi-use paths), but there is always
the discussion of the different rules and classifications of e-bikes.
We should also emphasize that bicycle and pedestrian facilities help with respect to overall
resiliency.
External Committee Reports
COACT:
No COACT meetings scheduled yet, waiting for BOCCs across the state to coordinate across
the state.
STIF (Surface Transportation Improvement Fund) grants: COACT will make recommendations
to state to decide on grant awards (all transit related)
Bend MPO TAC:
Jan meeting cancelled.
Subcommittee; MPO TAC project recommendations were approved except for the proposed
relaunch of bike share program.
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Other Updates
South County
MTB trail “Big Red,” which is sponsored by Dirty Free Hub: DFH recently rerouted this trail so
it is further away from private property, which has presented conflicts in the past. DFH
promised to provide some signage. Scott will try to get COTA rep involved for future inclusion
in their planned paths.
Bend:
Hwy 97 North infrastructure grant: Considerable amount of bike/ped needs will be worked
through in a design/build process. Planning will take place over the summer, with a release
to the design build team in September.
Additional project in the works include the 3rd street jurisdictional transfer, and access to
ODOT’s Cooley-Empire trail.
Barb Campbell noted that the plan at the proposed roundabout in Tumalo is for push button
light signals at crossings. Barb would like to to hear about BPAC’s experience and opinion on
that.
Sisters:
Starting traffic safety audit for bikes, pedestrians, and cars
Working with Forest Service connecting the city with some of the Sisters Trail Alliance trails.
A piece of FS property will be sold for a large development, and they will be working on paved
lit multi-use path that goes from that site to town
Built new trailhead with a restroom leading up Three Creeks (Trails Alliance)
Getting started to resume talks with the Forest Service about trail from Sisters to Black Butte
Ranch
Redmond:
Redmond BPAC was cancelled
Dry Canyon seems to have increased use by e-bikes. Has BPAC had a role in the past of how
to address this? Dave noted the different classes of e-bikes and the associated complications,
such as enforcement. Higher speeds are generally not allowed on this type of facility. (This
has been discussed generally in the past—issue is quite muddled with respect to rules,
classes, paved vs. unpaved, etc.)
Is this something where the committee might be able to provide leadership to the agencies,
such as a subcommittee? For what it’s worth, the Willamette National Forest does allow e-
bikes.
Dave will add item on agenda for next month re: potential e-bike subcommittee.
Deschutes County:
The County received comments back from ODOT on the scope of work outline for the TGM
Grant for Tumalo Community Plan/Sisters Country Rural Trails and is incorporating them
into the scope of work. Comments were limited to additional recreation groups to reach
out to and to address social equity aspects.
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ODOT:
STIF update: nonhighway infrastructure funds, currently at $158 million will be raised to
$265M per biennium. Details to come.
Ward Hamby roundabout: ODOT is Incorporating new roundabout elements into this
project (these were discussed in a previous meeting with respect to the alignment of the
bike/ped path) and will look to BPAC members for input.
US 97 multiuse path from Bend to Lava Butte: Moving from conceptual design to
construction. Looking at details soon and will provide update shortly.
North Corridor project: will provide detailed update soon. Working through design-build
process details.
Tumalo roundabout: the undercrossing still on radar, despite it being removed from the
project scope; however, it was still a fruitful effort as now we know how much it costs.
FLAP (Federal Lands Access Program): There may be an opportunity to apply for funding for
planning-level work on a multi-modal path between Bend and Sisters. TBD.
Sisters roundabout at Locust: there has been no identified construction funding for this
project.
Commute Options:
Commute Options has some construction mitigation funding available to activate with
respect to all of the above projects (ensuring there is still bike-ped access, signage, etc.
during construction, for instance)
COIC/CET:
The Redmond fixed route feasibility study is nearing its end, which will help shape two future
flex routes. The routes will provide access to the Quiet Street Network (within one block); a
stop by the skate park will provide access to Dry Canyon Trail. All buses have bike racks.
Starting today, new Sisters to Bend shopper shuttle service, which is an expansion of dial-a-
ride. On Thursdays from 8:45-9:15, it will be circulating in Sisters to bring passengers to other
locations in Sisters, or can go to Bend (Cascades Village Mall, Wal-mart, Costco areas). Will
pick people up and drop (curb to curb) at these designated service areas. More details are
on the web. Next step: evaluating potential aid to give access to medical service areas.
Meeting Adjourned at 1:32 pm
Next Meeting
Thursday, February 4 – 12:00 to 1:30 pm - Virtual Meeting