The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2023-02-02 - 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, February 2, 12:00 to 1:30 pm Via Zoom Members Present: Dave Thomson, David Green, Rachel Zakem, Ann Marland, Neil Baunsgard, Wendy Holzman, Ken Piarulli, Mason Lacy. Agency/Organization: Tanya Saltzman (Deschutes County – CDD), Chris Cheng (ODOT), Royce Kallerud (Connect Bend), Brent Stinski (Connect Bend), Andrea Napoli (Bend MPO), Tyler Deke (Bend MPO), Barb Campbell (Bend City Council), Steve Jorgensen. Call to Order Meeting was called to order at 12:00 p.m. Introductions Attendees of the meeting introduced themselves and, if applicable, identified the organization they represent. Approval of Prior Minutes The January 2023 minutes were approved. Public Comment There were no public comments. Committee Business  Safe Sidewalk Awards: are open until February 24  There is a new staff liaison to Redmond BPAC so requested to delay Redmond’s BPAC meeting. March meeting will be in person at the County; Redmond will be in person on April 6.  Member resignation: Emily Boynton’s job duties have unfortunately caused her to resign. Several BPAC terms end in June; in March, Dave will request confirmation for continuations and Emily’s vacancy will be addressed then. o Wendy noted potential for a Tumalo representative. Page 2 Connect Bend: Advocating for a southern bike/ped bridge over the Deschutes (Royce Kallerud, Brent Stinski)  Royce provided an overview of their organization, Connect Bend, a grassroots organization and board comprised of people living in the area  Goal is to show that there is broad and vocal support for this project, which was tabled several years ago due to opposition.  Focusing on environmental support: reducing car trips, rehab riparian areas, providing outdoor access to underserved neighborhoods like Deschutes River Woods. Trying to move previous opponents to neutral  Public petition with 3000 signatures recently; met with Commissioners DeBone and Chang. Working on City Council resolution. Working on inclusion at some level in the TSP.  Dave Thomson: website says there is funding, but BPRD states they moved the money. Clarify? o In 2017-2018, BPRD took it off priority list though it is still in long range plans  Mason: have they considered moving location at all, perhaps towards COID diversion? (Acknowledged that BPRD generally does not use eminent domain and that alternative might). It could change the conversation with concerns about scenic river protection. o Showing general support is the role of this group rather than technical assistance. Would be helpful to have a statement of support from BPAC for either project or a feasibility study.  David Green: estimated cost? County or City TSP? Relationship to potential southern bridge City is eventually considering? o 2018 estimate was $1.5 million. (200-ft single span bridge); Brent noted that there hasn’t seemed to be concern about funding from BPRD o Looking to be in County TSP  Wendy: a lot of environmental groups are concerned for anything that removes Wild and Scenic Rivers protections o Royce: there has been some outreach with some of those groups, as they want them involved, especially with things like riparian rehabilitation. OPRD administers scenic waterways and they stated that there is a process they can follow to get the permit from the Forest Service.  Neil: understanding the above-mentioned process with respect to a designated scenic waterway; however, the concern is that it could be precedent-setting for other work that is less benign than this project Page 3  Andrea: 2015 Bend MPO wrote letter in support, FYI  Steve Jorgensen: was a project manager for this last round (Planning Manager, BPRD). A few notes: o The location Mason suggested was an alternative but created huge opposition and controversy from Sunrise Village in particular. Will need to be very strategic about the entire project. Current strategy of getting as much support as possible is good. Is available to assist.  Dave Thomson noted that BPAC’s role is typically to provide letters of support to specific project proposals; a little less clear what we can do prior to specific project info being developed. TSP Subcommittee Update  TBD on availability of public comments External Committee Reports Bend MPO TAC  Met yesterday. TAC voted to recommend to the executive committee that the MPO accept the state safety targets for highway maintenance. MPO will look in more detail going forward, but will sign up for the state-mandated ones. Bend Transportation Bond Oversight Committee  Shared GO Bond dashboard, a tool where people can track all of the various project spending and progress  Please get the word out about this and the overall progress  Next up: Portland Avenue project will be brought to TBOC at the end of February Other Updates Bend:  Have been busy goal setting. Last night passed first bit of funding for bike/ped wayfinding. Specifically: branding/what will the physical signs look like?  Goal setting: idea for Bend Bikeway (Mendez/Broadman) was presented, but was a little confusing in terms of how it would fit with other goals/not duplicate efforts (side note: TBOC already wrote a letter about this a few months ago saying that it might be too duplicative)  Standards and specs very much on radar. For instance, protected bike lanes—where/when/etc.? Redmond: Page 4  Doesn’t meet until next Monday, no further report.  New city liaison is Associate Planner Sarah Vowell Deschutes County:  KAI has sent technical memos for implementation measures for the Tumalo Community Plan/rural trails in Sisters Country stakeholders to the County for review.  Staff has received a spate of e-mails about the Sisters-Black Butte Ranch trail in the last two weeks. Probably running 75% against, 25% for. They seem to have been generated by article in the BBR newsletter and discussions amongst BBR members/owners.  KAI working on final draft version of TSP with public hearings before PC/BOCC in Spring/Summer 2023. ODOT:  Had great winter maintenance discussion last week. BPRD uses permeable asphalt (like Sunriver does). Sounds like results are great for reducing winter maintenance.  Tumalo undercrossing construction is happening.  Lava Butte to La Pine planning study underway, working on alignments right now  US20/east planning process also underway COIC/CET:  Might be able to return to full service in Bend in next month or two. Currently training four drivers. First step will be to break out routes 1 and 7 to half-hour frequencies, then routes 3 and 11.  A few RFPs: security systems; bus shelter design Meeting Adjourned at 1:30 pm Next Meeting Thursday, March 2 – 12:00 to 1:30 pm – in person at Deschutes Service Center, DeArmond Room