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Home My WebLink About2021-05-06 - 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, May 6, 2021, 12:00 to 1:30 pm Virtual Zoom Meeting Members Present: Dave Thomson, Christopher Cassard, Rachel Zakem, Ann Marland, David Green, Wendy Holzman, Ken Piarulli, David Roth, Rick Root, Mark Smith, Sam Handelman, Scott Morgan. Agency/Organization: Tanya Saltzman (Deschutes County – CDD), Kim Curley (Commute Options), Chris Cheng (ODOT), Greg Bryant (Bend MPO), Miranda Wells (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 April 2021 minutes were approved pending one typo revision. Public Comment There were no public comments. General Updates – Dave BPAC Appointments Expiring at the end of June: Chris, Sam, Rick, Mark, Dave T.  Five members’ terms end at the end of June.  If you are on that list and want to continue, let Dave know. Once we know, we will likely do some recruitment and will need two or three people to be on the selection committee. Other:  Dave has invited Henry Stroud (BPRD) to present on Bend trail plans for next month ODOT Updates - Chris McKenzie Pass Page 2  The pass has been plowed to the Summit. Annual reminder that they are occasionally still doing work so please be cautious if you are bicycling on the road while it is officially closed.  Sam noted that some cyclists have noted some workers have told cyclists they cannot use the road at this point; it’s a tricky issue since technically it’s closed until the second week of June. Bend North Corridor (US 97) Planning Update – Miranda Wells Map links: https://www.oregon.gov/odot/projects/pages/project-details.aspx?project=21229 https://www.oregon.gov/odot/Projects/Project%20Documents/K21229_BNC_US20.pdf  Miranda summarized the project area and goals  Project is design-build: ODOT is at the conceptual stage with respect to images shared today  Schedule: currently working on concepts to create an RFP. Slated to begin construction in Fall 2022—though which part of project area will be addressed first is TBD Highlights/project features:  Flasher will be installed for emergency access for Jamison, just south of Robal  New transit stop/enhanced route on Robal in front of Target  A quiet zone/multi-use path will be installed at Cooley Rd railroad crossing (trains use reduced horns)  The project will Install roundabouts on US 20 at Robal and Cooley, which will include multi- use paths with RFID crossings  ADA improvements  Low-stress network from Empire up to northern project limits  BPAC question: will there be any relief for Empire/area by Dairy Queen? ODOT believes some of these changes in the project might indirectly help a little bit for now, but there are no infrastructure plans right now for that area as part of this project.  Dave T. comment: during construction, there is a huge need for well-signed safe detours for bikes and peds, including maps to show where those bike/ped detours may lead as they often are different than the vehicular detours. Sam noted that many times the “construction ahead” sign is placed directly in the bike lanes.  Total available funding is $133M (of $150M project total) right now. ODOT has not broken this down by bike/ped however, as it’s not easily separated out, as often benefits come from various aspects of a project. TSP Subcommittee Update  The TSP subcommittee representatives met with the TSP project team regarding the BPAC document; it will ultimately become an appendix but still determining what elements of it will be incorporated into main document  The subcommittee may add more classifications of routes and jurisdictional responsibilities into the document, emphasizing the difference between transportation system routes and recreation routes, and identifying which agency has jurisdiction over each route Page 3  ODOT is interested in routes that could be deliverable soon – needs more discussion  The County requested BPAC and ODOT coordinate to divide routes by responsibility (County, ODOT, etc.) and other coordination (irrigation districts, etc.)  The subcommittee is compiling the above info for next meeting, which is next month  Overall feeling is positive regarding the interaction and reaction to all the information provided. External Committee Reports COACT:  Upcoming “modal deep dive” on transportation options at next meeting Bend MPO TAC:  BPRD will be doing Haul Road trail upgrades this summer and paving the trail to where it joins the Forest Service piece. Baker Road Interchange:  Two meetings have been held in last month; broke committee into three groups (tech, committee, interested parties)  Large project area with multiple issues, including bike-ped  Issues to consider: How to deal with railroad? Filling station? DRW development? Future potential changes include:  China Hat connection to 97 will close at some point  Potential roundabout at Knott Road and China Hat  At some point the Arnold irrigation canal will be piped and Parks will create path over it  Public workshop on June 9 Other Updates South County:  There is potential for statewide rural ADU legislation (allowing ADUs in rural residential areas). If this occurs, a lot of this development could happen in South County, and it will be important to consider with respect to traffic and safety. Sisters:  The City has received a grant for two multi-use paths in the city and potentially a third; trying to connect these to get to new housing in development. Redmond:  Redmond BPAC recently met, featuring presentation by Art in Public Places Committee. The willingness to coordinate between committees to share common goals and create awareness about Redmond BPAC was notable.  Kim presented at last Redmond BPAC on Commute Options and stimulated lots of interest in taking on some projects and programs. More to come.  The city is in process of updating its bike-walk-roll website. Page 4 Deschutes County:  Concerning the current issue with gates being placed on USFS #4606, the U.S. Forest Service is taking the lead.  TSP: Staff provided a May 13 update to the Planning Commission. The County is holding its first online open house from April 27 to May 14 to gather public comments; draft documents are also available. The online open house also provides contact information for people interested in serving on the Public Advisory Committee. A second open house will occur in mid-August. ODOT  The Tumalo undercrossing at US20 looks like it now has funding from County/ODOT for the tunnel with the roundabout construction (but not yet the paths)  La Pine: building path from Burgess to 1st St with leftover funds. Construction begins in two years.  Mervin Sempels project is going to bid soon  US 97 Bend-Lava Butte path: virtual open house comments closed; they are working through some zoning issues with several possible solutions  McKenzie Pass paving project: working on design now  Planning 2024-27: likely the big project will be South Redmond corridor, which will include bike-ped improvements. Commute Options:  Wants to emphasize education as part of the tasks of BPAC  May Walk & Roll Challenge is underway COIC/CET:  Started Saturday service for the first time in over a year. In Bend, Redmond and Warm Springs.  Ridership is still down overall, but Saturday ridership was higher than in April 2020, which is encouraging  Recreational services (all with COVID restrictions): o Route 31 (La Pine - Sunriver) starts May 29 o Lava Butte starts June 19 o Ride the River starts June 26  CET is starting to work with an architecture and design firm for bus stop work  They are also looking into types of service for Deschutes River Woods. Will create a survey shortly to gauge public interest. Meeting Adjourned at 1:33 pm Next Meeting Thursday, June 3 – 12:00 to 1:30 pm - Virtual Meeting