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Home My WebLink About2021-04-01 - 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, April 1, 2021, 12:00 to 1:30 pm Virtual Zoom Meeting Members Present: Dave Thomson, Christopher Cassard, Rachel Zakem, Ann Marland, Mason Lacy, David Green, Wendy Holzman, Ken Piarulli, David Roth. Agency/Organization: Tanya Saltzman (Deschutes County – CDD), Kim Curley (Commute Options), Andrea Napoli (Bend MPO), Neil Baunsgard (The Environmental Center), Scott Woodford (City of Sisters) 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 March 2021 minutes were approved as written. Public Comment There were no public comments. General Updates – Dave Central Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Summit 2021  Given ongoing pandemic, the idea of having a summit in June has not gained traction. However, should BPAC consider doing it in September? Would need an initial decision by June meeting. Committee members were asked their opinions.  Annie likes the idea. Wendy suggested waiting and seeing in June how the numbers are with respect to COVID cases, vaccines etc. Kim suggested considering a virtual event as a backup. Sisters update – Scott Woodford, Community Development Director, City of Sisters Scott provided updates on several projects and developments occurring in Sisters. Page 2  An update to the Comprehensive Plan is currently underway o As part of this, the city is looking at population projections for 2041 (community will nearly double in size) and how to accommodate them in terms of housing, within the UGB hopefully. The project is utilizing lots of community outreach. The desire is to grow in a way that’s sensitive to the character of Sisters. o In addition to connectivity with Sisters, there is a desire among residents to be able to connect outside of community (Black Butte, larger subdivisions in Sisters Country)  Transportation-wise, the biggest issue is traffic going through downtown. For a while, the City has been looking for an alternative route to go around downtown via Locust and Barclay. Until the Locust roundabout is complete, however, the diversion will not work. The city has been working with ODOT and County regarding the roundabout at Locust; they are currently $3 million short but do have some funds for Locust. The city has been working with the school district to get right of way.  The city is also updating its TSP, which includes a traffic safety audit  Traffic safety: the majority of accidents happen along Cascade in the summer. Luckily, there are not many high speed streets in Sisters so no fatal accidents have occurred within the community recently, and only two serious accidents. Only a few minor bike/ped/car incidents—most were non-injury. The majority of accidents on Cascade are rear-ending; this is due to significant stop-and-go traffic with all of the pedestrian crossings.  As the city looks at updating street cross sections, their goal is to make sure bike ped features are integrated  Projects: o Forest Service parcels: some of these have come into private ownership. One part: will be a 14-lot light industrial subdivision construction to begin soon, including a multi-use path along Barclay. There will also be some workforce housing, which could drive need for connectivity. o The city was awarded an ODOT Grant (Small City Allotment) for a multi-use path along Pine Street. As part of this, the city will try and pursue low-scale lighting along major routes. o Question from David Roth: Has Sisters ever explored making Hood and Cascade each one way (a couplet)? Scott thinks the TSP at one point examined this, but that option was not preferable. Wendy noted that this issue has had years of controversy. Community hated idea at the time of discussion. o MacKenzie Meadows: lots of connectivity improvements o There have been discussions of potential wayfinding signage to direct people to trailheads TSP Subcommittee Update  Dave sent out most recent document to the group this week, which is what will be taken into TSP update discussions. If anything is missing, let Dave know ASAP  Mason: Thanks to everyone who provided input, especially Wendy and Chris  This is a starting point to begin discussion with the County and consultant. The document includes as much as possible at this point. Now is the time to add routes, though there is always room for edits later.  This list will be helpful generally for BPAC, both in and out of the TSP process Page 3  David walked the group through document. o Vision: A connected, low-stress network is critical; emphasizing non-motorized transportation as transportation, not just recreation. In the future, better facilities will get more people making bike trips and will reduce traffic; it is a big lift but the possibility exists. In addition, we want to remind County that lots of County roads are difficult to ride on, and small improvements can make a huge difference, making things safer along existing corridors as well as providing new ones. o Implementation: 3 major types: separation of motorized from nonmotorized; safe crossing at major roads; direct routes for nonmotorized traffic between major destinations o Recommendations for opportunities, including: reconstruction of existing roads, irrigation canals, widening shoulders during repaving; connecting new developments; state and federal grants  Proposal lists 34 routes throughout county and organizes in a table by priority  Committee discussed various nuances, such as priority of east of Bend; the Cascade Lakes area; e-bike policy  Discussion of giving Mason and David the authority to go forward to TSP team as needed. The full BPAC supported this idea. External Committee Reports COACT:  No update Bend MPO TAC:  No update. Meeting next week. Other Updates Deschutes County:  County Senior Transportation Planner is having conversations with ODOT about land use aspects of putting a bike/ped undercrossing in Tumalo at 4th/US 20, as one leg would be on EFU land  The scope of work for the TGM grant for Tumalo Community Plan Update and implementing rural trails portion of Sisters Country Vision is in its third round of edits to address Salem DLCD comments. The next steps will be a final round of TGM Salem staff comments followed by Dept. of Justice (DOJ) comments and review, then final SOW goes out for Request for Proposals. We anticipate a few more months of editing before RFP occurs.  The County met with Deschutes National Forest staff on the rural trails portion of the upcoming TGM grant to talk about the County’s process (three rounds of public outreach, stakeholders and the technical advisory committee meetings, TCP and TSP amendment process with PC and BOCC) and how the DNF will be involved with the rural trails plan. Page 4  TSP Update reviewed Existing Conditions and Future Needs memo and Public Involvement Plan. Tentatively looking at virtual open houses in late April-early May along with fliers, news releases, webpage, etc. COIC/CET:  Follow up to last month: doing research into grants that are available for pedestrian infill projects. Will likely reach out to Chris Cheng on this. Meeting Adjourned at 1:28 pm Next Meeting Thursday, May 6 – 12:00 to 1:30 pm - Virtual Meeting