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Home My WebLink About2021-07-01 - 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, July 1, 2021, 12:00 to 1:30 pm Virtual Zoom Meeting Members Present: Dave Thomson, Rachel Zakem, David Green, Wendy Holzman, David Roth, Mason Lacy, Ann Marland. Agency/Organization: Tanya Saltzman (Deschutes County – CDD), Brian Potwin (Commute Options), Chris Cheng (ODOT), Troy Rayburn (City of Sisters), Robin Lewis (City of Bend), Andrea Napoli (Bend MPO). 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 June 2021 minutes were approved pending correction of several typos. Public Comment There were no public comments. General Updates – Dave Request for letter of support from Troy Rayburn from City of Sisters Engineering Department  Sisters was approached by ODOT to apply for a federal grant (approx. $2.7M) for the roundabout at US 20 and Locust Street, an area that experiences a great deal of traffic.  The City is requesting a letter of support from BPAC. Thus far, they already have letters from Sisters Chamber, Deschutes County Sheriff, and Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire & Rescue.  Wendy noted that this project will provide help for freight transport, and also noted that this project has been discussed for years with respect to the creation of an alternate route that bypasses the center of town  Project website: https://www.oregon.gov/odot/projects/pages/project- details.aspx?project=22072 Page 2  Committee voted to provide a letter of support. Dave will coordinate with Troy. Recruiting  Reappointments: in progress, will be vetted by BOCC along with new members  Tanya managing new applications; 6 received [note: after this meeting, one applicant withdrew her application]  Dave to organize and distribute, and subcommittee will conduct interviews in time to report back for next BPAC meeting Meetings – in person?  Dave asked the group about in-person meetings  Would support in person beginning in September but it would require everyone, since it’s logistically difficult to do half Zoom, half in-person.  Mason: what about every other meeting in person/Zoom?  Wendy: in favor of trying in person  Let Dave/Tanya know about any hesitation, but the goal will be to will decide at the next meeting for potential September in-person meeting TSP Subcommittee Update  One of the things BPAC has asked during this process is for BPAC to continue to be involved, and the County supports this. Mason coordinated with Kittleson on this matter.  For bike-ped issues, the TSP team is really taking to heart the idea of connecting communities, as is ODOT.  Possible upcoming tasks may address prioritization of routes/projects. External Committee Reports COACT:  None – next meeting in September Baker Road IAMP:  Haven’t had another meeting yet  In the interim, there was a technical meeting, in which the participants evaluated all possible plans for the intersection and narrowed it down based on various criteria. Next steps: tweaking those ideas and developing more detailed plans Bend Transportation Bond Oversight Committee:  Had 2nd meeting on Tuesday  Elected chair and vice chair  Will meet every month for the first six months, during which they will prioritize the projects (and determine the evaluation criteria). Will also look at implementation.  Wilson Avenue will be first project (as discussed in previous meeting); it is identified in the TSP as one of the 12 key routes (2nd to 15th street). The project currently is in 30% design from 2-5th Street, but the committee is hoping to refine it more to better address bike/ped issues. Page 3 o Wilson and 3rd Street—this is really designed for freight and currently lacks pedestrian improvements. It is a tough area to improve (lots of constraints) but the group is trying to make it the best project possible. o Public input will be solicited soon  Dave T. emphasized importance of clear bike/ped detours during all construction projects. Other Updates Bend  Not directly related to Bend updates, however: Robin Lewis inquired about various elements of types of bike lanes (raised, buffers, etc.) and committee members’ thoughts about them. The consensus is that raised ones do not in fact feel safe.  Perhaps this can be a future discussion – a general inventory of best practices for various bike lane treatments  Bend MPO was awarded $1.5M of COVID relief funds for transportation. The MPO is going to the Board this month to discuss the allocation (for instance, do they roll into other projects, use sooner, etc.) Sisters  The City received a grant for a multipurpose path on Pine Street north and south to two large new developments. Currently in design phase. Pine Street can be quite busy so this will be very helpful.  The City’s safety project is moving along; they will perform significant signage changes, including on Cascade.  Annie noted concerns about McKenzie Pass paving and the need for it to be done sooner – Chris Cheng to pass on at ODOT. (Paving project isn’t until 2022.) Deschutes County:  The Board of County Commissioners approved having the Planning Commission act as the public advisory committee for TSP, in light of low interest from the public search. Staff briefed the Planning Commission on their new task last Thursday. ODOT  McKenzie pass is now open to cars  Today the US 20 to Mervin Sampels project is going to bid  Improved crossing at 6th and Greenwood will be going in this fall  Repaving multiuse path along the parkway in selected areas (Revere, along River Mall Drive)  Baker Rd: new interesting/great bike/ped improvements are going to take place here—they will be almost completely grade separated. COIC/CET:  Starting July 5, Bend fixed routes are going to Saturday schedules, which means that service is reduced. This is due to a driver shortage. This seems to be an issue across the country, in schools, etc. and now in Oregon transit agencies are trying to add more service as well, but lack the workers necessary to be able to do so. Page 4  Dial-A-Ride will be unaffected. Hopefully, this will be temporary for July only. Meeting Adjourned at 1:32 pm Next Meeting Thursday, August 5 – 12:00 to 1:30 pm - Virtual Meeting