The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2024-02-01 - 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, February 1, 12:00 to 1:30 pm ODOT, 63055 N Hwy 97, Building M, Baney Conference Room, Bend Members Present: Dave Thomson, David Green, Sabrina Haggerty, Wendy Holzman, Matt Muchna, Jennifer Letz Agency/Organization: Tanya Saltzman (Deschutes County), Tarik Rawlings (Deschutes County Sr. Transportation Planner), Chris Cheng (ODOT), Derek Hofbauer (COIC/CET), Henry Stroud (BPRD), Janet Hruby (City of Bend Transportation & Mobility) 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. Public Comment  None Approval of Prior Minutes The January 2024 minutes were approved. Committee Business Meeting calendar: no issues from anyone in BPAC  March 7 meeting will be in Redmond at City Hall. In person only. City has offered to provide lunch. Dave will provide a count for Redmond. TSP Update (Tarik Rawlings)  Open record period concluded on December 6, but received written comments after that date. Because of this, on January 10 the BOCC re-opened the record until yesterday. Received about Page 2 30 new comments. The majority of commenters appear to be against the Sisters-Black Butte path. Overwhelming amount of support for footbridge.  Won’t be proposing any specific wording re: footbridge for the TSP  Next steps: Deliberation on February 7, will likely be continued until Feb. 14 due to scheduling issues. Matrix is online on the Deschutes County meeting portal. Bend – Lava Butte trail project update  Tarik also summarized the declaratory ruling decision. The property was determined by the hearings officer to be in the RR10 zone; the project is considered a Class III road project and therefore an outright allowed use.  Hearings officer decision issued a ruling on January 26th that the multi-use path is a use permitted outright in the relevant zones  Anticipate an appeal to the Board, but the Board has discretion to not hear it and then it would be appealed to LUBA Permeable trail surfacing discussion – David G.  BPAC has had a couple of discussions about different kinds of materials for trails and potential workshops about permeable pavement.  This emerged from conversations with Henry Stroud about ways we all can make trails more useable.  David Green can organize invites; BPRD can share some anecdotes from recent experience as well as cost/budget. Summer/fall might be best for BPRD.  Lori Faha in Bend Stormwater Dept might be of assistance as well (per Janet) External Committee Reports MPO TAC Has been focused on their project list for next 10 years; nothing new to share Lava Butte-La Pine trail planning Close to finishing final report, in which a preferred option will be identified Other Updates COIC/CET  Bend South Mobility Hub: trying to identify some land near Stillwater Crossing apartments. Doing community event on Feb 13 4-6 pm asking them their opinions about the potential project. Also sent mailer to neighbors. Thus far the survey indicates that about 60% support the project. Page 3  Dave Green asked about conversations he has heard regarding a shuttle to Meissner. Some discussions might be beginning about a limited shuttle; Derek or Andrea may be able to provide more info next month.  Jennifer asked about the impact of the recent crash involving the Mt. Bachelor shuttle bus. The bus was about midway through its lifespan. Doing an RFP for additional buses. Working with ODOT for a temporary lease but currently have enough spares to operate. Plus, new vehicles are arriving for Bend and they might be able to shift the older vehicles to mountain service.  Jennifer also asked about transit district discussions. Currently are cautious about timing and outreach/research since the last three efforts failed with the voters. Sisters  Looking for space for May on-location meeting.  Locust roundabout should be starting construction April 1 Redmond  Redmond BPAC heard from Katie Hammer (Redmond Parks) about recreational center across from power station. Discussed connection points, bike parking, and a bus stop.  Discussed e-bike charging stations at the new rec center. Wondered if people like to charge at those locations or if they do it primarily at home.  Discussed work plan and hope to finalize next week. Goals include interconnections with other cities (Sisters, Eagle Crest, Bend); exploring turning 6th Street into one lane to make it more walkable. Deschutes County  Updates were covered in TSP and declaratory ruling updates above ODOT Grants:  Safe Routes to School Grants becoming available: $26M for construction and $2M for education  OR Community Paths: grant opening in fall. $61M available for connections that are not on roadways.  Carbon Reduction program opening in March: $12M available for electrification work  Scenic Bikeway changes: Twin Bridges reroute; Terrebonne construction kicking off this spring, rerouting of Sisters to Smith Rock scenic bikeway; McKenzie Pass repaving in fall of 2024. Planning: Page 4  Bend-Sisters-Redmond connections planning to start very soon Projects:  US20-Greenwood starting this spring, includes 4th Street crossing at Greenwood; multiuse path at Mt. Washington connecting to Division  Redmond to Powell Butte repaving will build out sidewalks on 126  If there are any topics anyone is interested in discussing (a la winter maintenance, roundabouts) or touring with focus on accessibility, let Chris know BPRD:  Kicking off limited update of comprehensive plan; currently just past the halfway mark of the Plan’s time span; the update is making refinements to trail plan map in particular. Would like to pick BPAC’s brain on potential trail connections. Potential for April 4 meeting. Projects:  South UGB bridge: haven’t restarted this project, but there’s been a concerted effort from Connect Bend, so some members of the BPRD Board are looking to gauge public support. Will give an update to BPRD Board on Feb. 20 at 5:30.  Finished installing lighting on Outback trail  Riverfront St: City awarded design contract to HHPR; process will be kicking off soon, including public meetings. Setting new committee goals for 2024 General ideas roundtable: Dave T.: Thought we’d be tapering down on community connectivity after TSP, but given ODOT planning process, thinks this should be something BPAC should continue to spend time on. Matt: Interconnective trail systems for both recreation and workforce and for people who live just outside UGB. Also communications and outreach. Jennifer: Communication and outreach, building communication channels. For instance, recent summit was excellent but sparsely attended. Would like to have more people at meetings representing different groups/businesses/etc. Chainring awards could widen the reach too. Dave G.: Agree with addressing communication and outreach. Continue to work on connectivity. Stay involved in project planning and safety. Great progress recently with ODOT in Tumalo. Would also like for BPAC to get more involved in transit discussion, especially between communities. (Might involve charter change?) Page 5 Wendy: Lots from previous list: engaging early, engaging with ODOT. Agrees with others. Connectivity isn’t ever going away. Communication and outreach. Dave T. will add a goal: come up with structure to provide more input to the Board Dave G.: Consider the other parks districts getting more involved, or other agencies. Derek noted that he participates on the Bend accessibility committee, which is often looking for groups to connect with. And of course….e-bikes Based on this, we have a good preliminary list of ideas, as well as support for people to volunteer to work on them. Dave will issue a summary and inquire what people might be able to help with. Open Floor: Comments and Announcements Plan to do this hybrid meeting approach again for April. March is Redmond; May is Sisters. Meeting Adjourned at 1:30 pm Next Meeting Thursday, March 7 – 12:00 to 1:30 pm – Redmond City Hall