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Home My WebLink About2021-08-05 - 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, August 5, 2021, 12:00 to 1:30 pm Virtual Zoom Meeting Members Present: Dave Thomson, Chris Cassard, Rachel Zakem, David Green, Wendy Holzman, David Roth, Mason Lacy, Ann Marland, Kenneth Piarulli. Agency/Organization: Tanya Saltzman (Deschutes County – CDD), Neil Baunsgard (Environmental Center), Chris Cheng (ODOT), Troy Rayburn (City of Sisters), Robin Lewis (City of Bend), Andrea Napoli (Bend MPO), Derek Hofbauer (CET). 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 July 2021 minutes were approved. Public Comment There were no public comments. Committee Business – Dave Recruiting – Ballot results  As in past years, County sent out new release soliciting applications for our two open positions. BPAC received six applications; one subsequently withdrew for a total of 5. BPAC established a subcommittee to interview all candidates, then made recommendations for two people, which was sent to full committee for a vote.  Unanimous in favor of subcommittee recommendations: Neil Baunsgard and Emily Boynton  Next step is to coordinate with the city (Dave/Tanya to coordinate), then with BOCC. Page 2 In-person meetings discussion  The committee discussed starting in person starting in September, but now due to increasing COVID cases and the highly contagious Delta variant, we will walk it back and hold next meeting via Zoom. Big Chainring Awards 2021  Last year the committee started the nomination process September 1. Dave would like to do the same if possible. Will review guidelines during the next meeting and then Tanya will work with County to release the application info. Committee officer elections in September  Elections will be held during the September meeting for chair, vice chair, and secretary. Let Dave know if interested. MTB Summer Service Plan – Derek Hofbauer, CET Derek provided an overview of the potential new Mt. Bachelor service plan:  Project is funded by FLAP (Federal Lands Access Program); it piggybacked off a 2018 feasibility study, which looked at a series of potential corridors between public lands. This route rose to the top (Bend to Bachelor and Elk Lake).  The proposed service would start at Hawthorne Station to Mt. Bachelor Park and Ride in Bend, then multiple stops along Cascade Lakes Highway.  1st leg: big bus with mountain bike trailer; this leg would charge a fare (TBD)  Secondary shuttle (smaller vehicle with bike rack) would then transport people between Mt. Bachelor and Elk Lake  Goals: relieve parking and traffic congestion at trailheads, increase tourism opportunities for Mt. Bachelor (potential opportunities for ADA access)  Proposed stops: Hawthorne Station; Park and Ride; Welcome Station, Wanoga, Swampy Lakes, Mt. Bachelor, Green Lakes, Devil’s Lake, Elk Lake. Potential stops at Todd Lake and Sisters/Mirror Lake TH.  Question to group: Does Wanoga make sense as a stop? It’s on the other side of the road and riders might not want to go all the way to Bachelor and back down. o People offered that Wanoga is often a starting point rather than end point, so might not make sense as a stop on the way down. Also, consider Dutchman as a stop. Important to consider hiking logistics too.  CET envisions the relationship with the new permit system will be good—it could be educational opportunity about the system as well.  Will have stakeholder discussions starting in September, then partner engagement in winter; public involvement early spring; pilot service Summer 2022  BPAC could potentially nominate someone to participate in the project meetings and report back ODOT Bike Route Needs Discussion and Group Feedback – Chris Cheng, ODOT 1. McKenzie Pass Bike Pullouts Design and Location Page 3  ODOT has a FLAP grant available; within it there is funding for two bike/car pullouts. Chris noted an innovative design from CA for bike turnouts, which looks like a short segment of buffered bike lane around some curves. Would likely require some widening on outer edges.  Chris sought BPAC opinion on the concept in general and then later, location. This would be a significant departure for ODOT as there are no other similar treatments in the state.  BPAC supported this, thinks it’s a great idea  Chris seeks feedback on any potential issues or potential locations 2. Century Drive Bicycle Needs ODOT is putting together a FLAP grant application for an ODOT paving project from Reed Market to Mt. Bachelor. Within that there are lots of opportunities for recreational improvements and seek suggestions. Some preliminary ideas:  Connecting Haul Road with road at Loge  Connecting Haul Trail with road right after underpass  Connecting paved trail with road at Widgi Creek  Same at 7th Mountain  Same at Welcome Center, perhaps tying into underpass  Storm King crossing  More ideas? Let Chris know. 3. Twin Bridges Scenic Bikeway Reroute Have funding for the undercrossing in Tumalo. Is BPAC okay with rerouting the scenic bikeway to accommodate this? TSP Subcommittee Update  Provided updated document with prioritization of routes to the TSP, and added a trail along the Arnold Canal External Committee Reports COACT:  No update Bend MPO TAC:  No update Baker Road IAMP:  No update Bend Transportation Bond Oversight Committee:  Wilson Ave corridor project is the first bond project and is currently in its online open house phase. Mason highly encourages everyone to participate in that. Potential opportunity for Page 4 protected intersection at Wilson and 3rd and protected bike lanes, but needs support from the public. Other Updates Bend  Councilperson Barb Campbell supports the Wilson corridor improvements that Mason suggested above. Redmond:  Redmond BPAC had a presentation from Derek (CET) regarding a feasibility study for fixed route service. Currently utilizing Dial-A-Ride for this route.  Next meeting in September will be a field trip to two Quiet Streets – Dogwood and Quincy. Will evaluate signage, road markings, etc.  Also had a presentation from e-scooter company Bird. Due to mixed levels of support, it is likely the conversation will not continue.  E-bikes in Dry Canyon Trail: not a very wide trail and there have been recent concerns about the speed of e-bikes. Redmond BPAC felt they can’t do enforcement (beyond its purview). E- bikes vary so much with respect to speeds; main concern safety-wise is those that travel at more than 20 mph. BPAC’s best approach is to provide some education (signage, publication, etc.) Deschutes County:  ODOT TGM scope of work has finally been accepted. Currently, the agency and its selected consultant are working on the budget and then the whole thing will go through legal review. ODOT  US 97 Lava Butte to Sunriver—planning process kicking off soon  FLAP grant process is now open; hope to include: o Bend to Lava Butte trail o Bend to Sisters trail planning (not construction) o Cascade Lakes Highway congestion management plan  US20 Mervin Sampels – project will move forward, though the bid was higher than expected.  US 97 multiuse path from Wickiup project is moving forward COIC/CET:  Hawthorne station interior renovation is almost complete. Hope to open in the next week or two.  Rec services are running at nearly full capacity (Ride the River is more popular than Lava Butte)  Encourages everyone to take the 3rd/Wilson survey noted above Page 5 Meeting Adjourned at 1:39 pm Next Meeting Thursday, September 2 – 12:00 to 1:30 pm - Virtual Meeting