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Home My WebLink About2021-03-04 - 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, March 4, 2021, 12:00 to 1:30 pm Virtual Zoom Meeting Members Present: Dave Thomson, Christopher Cassard, Rachel Zakem, Ann Marland, Sam Handelman, Mason Lacy, David Green, Wendy Holzman, Ken Piarulli, Rick Root, David Roth. Agency/Organization: Tanya Saltzman (Deschutes County – CDD), Chris Cheng (ODOT), Brian Potwin (Commute Options), Greg Bryant (Bend MPO), Robin Lewis (City of Bend), Barb Campbell (Bend City Council), Jovi Anderson (Bend MPO), Tom Headley (Century West Engineering), Matt Tipton (Century West Engineering), Alec Fransen (Century West Engineering). 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 February 2021 minutes were approved as written. Public Comment There were no public comments. General Updates – Dave Annual Report Update  Presented to BOCC last week; all seemed interested. Thanks to Rachel for putting together the report.  The presentation emphasized TSP process and vision Next month is BPAC’s Sisters / West County annual update  Next month the emphasis is on Sisters; Annie will let BPAC/Dave know if she needs help with anything. Currently, Annie has idea for two potential presenters. Page 2 Committee Openings Dave provided info on two State committee openings: the ODOT Mobility Advisory Committee and Oregon BPAC; Dave can forward info if anyone is interested. North Highway 97 Project update – Robin Lewis, City of Bend  The project runs from Empire, is a reroute of existing highway close to the railroad, up to past Cooley  There is a small window of time to provide input on this project because it is a design-build contract. Consultant should be on board within next year and some work could begin quickly thereafter.  FEIS document shows updated project scope, which has changed slightly since original project – Chris can provide link to that document  Part of the task at hand is trying to determine what’s in this project and what might get pushed to a future project (i.e. Empire)  Looking at several connections/intersections (for instance, Cooley)  On 3rd Street, there is opportunity to urbanize that area/street; chance of wider buffered bike lanes and access to some of the commercial areas  The City is talking with ODOT about buffered bike lane on 3rd Street, but it ends on the ramp at 3rd Street to Empire; how to connect these? What is the preferred treatment to allow 2- way bicycle travel?  Robin requested the assistance of a BPAC member to dive in and look at the map with Robin and ODOT Privatization of Public Roads update - Sam  This effort began when the founder of Dirty Free Hub asked BPAC to look into No Trespassing signs that were installed by private landowners on public roads. For instance, Bull Springs Road past Shevlin Park has a sign that says “No Trespassing – No Bicycles.”  Predicts future additional conflicts as population grows  Recommends 1: BPAC to enumerate the situation; 2: BPAC begin a discussion with County engineers, planners, attorneys. 3: advocate for county signage in disputed areas  This has been a past issue in other places with beach access, for example  The group noted that it’s important to determine if this is appropriate within the charter of BPAC; perhaps BPAC could consider making recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners  Sam to send list of examples to Dave, who will share with group. This could potentially be considered for mention in the TSP as well. Bend Traffic Count Updates – Jovi Anderson, Bend MPO  Agenda provided link to traffic count report at several key locations  Each week the weekly traffic report will be updated  5 permanent locations in city for counts (vehicles, bikes, peds)  Jovi provided an overview of data types. Example: Portland Ave north side. Daily average, peak day, daily average; user type; hourly traffic; raw counts are all available Page 3  For now, the reports do not necessarily provide 100% of all trips, nor is it both sides of sidewalk and bike lanes, but they’re working to refine it. Nevertheless, these reports provide a helpful snapshot and comparison tool for all modes over time. TSP Subcommittee Update  The TSP subcommittee reached out to numerous participants for input on the overall routes document that will be shared with County; the subcommittee is working on compiling that info  Also met with County to discuss TSP and BPAC’s role; discussed how TSP is a vision document, not promising specifics, and this is opportunity to get these projects into a plan, even if just conceptual in natre  Subcommittee may reach out to others for follow up on specific areas. External Committee Reports COACT:  Will be meeting next week and will have more info next time  There was a general ACT meeting to discuss relationships and collaboration; more funding will be available in the future Bend MPO TAC:  No update Other Updates South County  In Sunriver, Tom from Century West is looking at a tunnel evaluation plan Bend  City Council is working on biennial goals, which will be finalized at the next Council meeting. Of note is one .sSpecific goal about completing bike routes—1 east-west and 1 north-south (from the current TSP) to complete within 2-year biennial budget cycle Sisters  City is going through TSAP  Have placed lots of counters on trails; report will be forthcoming  High school students doing some artwork in the area between Tollgate and the high school area  ODOT has put some scenic bikeway signage on Lower Bridge Way Redmond  The City now has a City Council liaison on its BPAC, Shannon Wedding. Councilor Wedding is also a triathlete and hopefully can provide interesting bicycling perspective based on that experience  Discussed TSP routes document at recent Redmond BPAC meeting Page 4 Deschutes County:  Peter Russell is working on a memo to ODOT summarizing all the land use issues related to the proposed paved path on the east side of the US 97 right of way between the Baker Road interchange and the High Desert Museum. Essentially, the memo discusses the applicable County code, a previous Board decision pertaining to topic of zone boundaries going to centerline of a highway, ORS 215.283, ORS 215.296, whether a Goal 4 Exception (Forest) is needed, and the proposed next steps. The County will continue to update BPAC on any developments.  TGM Grant scope of work version 2 is currently being reviewed by ODOT (Region 4 and Salem) Commute Options:  Joint Transportation Committee met on SB 395, Safe Routes for All (which provides an increase of state funds from 1 to 5 percent). CO provided testimony in support. AT the meeting time, there was still a 24-hour window for individuals to provide testimony. Brian will share info with Dave/group.  Hope to take Walking School Bus program back out as schools reopen; schools have been asking, and they hope to implement this beyond just Bend. COIC/CET:  Continued effort to finalize stop locations for NE and SE locations in Bend; working with city to do so. As part of this, they are noting the lack of pedestrian connections throughout the city. Sidewalk connectivity is a big issue.  CET is currently working with ODOT on the multi-use path between Bend and Lava Butte and on transit infrastructure in Bend off Knott Rd. Meeting Adjourned at 1:30 pm Next Meeting Thursday, April 1 – 12:00 to 1:30 pm - Virtual Meeting