Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-04-03 - BPAC Minutes - DRAFT DRAFT Meeting Minutes DESCHUTES COUNTY BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE Thursday, March 6, 2014 - Noon to 1:30pm ODOT 63055 N. Hwy 97 Building M, Bend Audio recording of this meeting is archived for review and/or transcription. The purpose of this document is to outline topics of discussion and actions by the Committee. Members Present: Mary Barron, Pam Hardy, Cheryl Howard, Phyllis Lewis, Matt Martin, Agency: City of Bend – Robin Lewis; Commute Options – Kim Curley; Deschutes County – Peter Russell; ODOT: Bill Hilton, Dan Serpico Call to Order Meeting was called to order at 12:02p.m. Introductions Approval of Prior Minutes The minutes of March 6, 2014, were approved. Sisters as Biking and Walking Destination, Brad Boyd, Mayor Brad Boyd discussed how the City of Sisters is utilizing its size, which is conducive to biking and walking, and proximity to various scenic bikeways and mountain bike trails. The City is improving Village Green Park and creating Fir Street Park at the site of the old City Hall. Additionally, the City is improving several paths and a bike/ped only bridge at Elm Street across Wychus Creek. Finally, the City continues to work with ODOT and the freight industry on a roundabout at US 20/Barclay-McKinney Butte. City of Sisters Walk Friendly Communities application, Phyllis Lewis The City is preparing an application for the national Walk Friendly Communities designation. The information concerns community profile, status of walking, planning, education, encouragement, engineering, and evaluation. The Sisters Community Development Department is now reviewing the application prior to the early summer deadline. The Business of Cycling and Walking, Casey Meudt, Blazin Saddles owner Casey provided an overview of the economic benefits of being a cycling destination via a case study of Oakridge. He also state while originally 80% of his sales came from Sisters residents, it’s now shifted to 80% of the sales come from visitors. He employs five staff members of which three are seasonal. By working with Sisters High School, he’s been able to have students volunteer in his shop and eventually find full-time jobs in the industry. The one area 2 he believes Sisters needs to improve on is having more diversity of trails, which would make the City even more appealing to cyclists who stay for several days. Sisters Trail Alliance, Phyllis Lewis and Gary Guttormsen, STA Phyllis Lewis provided an overview of the Sisters Trail Alliance existing network; the STA is striving to increase connectivity. Trails are primarily on the Deschutes National Forest (DNF) lands. STA is working with a new recreational planner on the DNF’s Sister’s Ranger District. The STA is working to increase bike trails, hiking trails, and equestrian trails. Gary Guttormsen presented several proposed trails the STA hopes to construct following an environmental assessment. The major effort is for Cold Spring Loop to the northwest of Sisters. Also a paved multi-use path for 9.5 miles between Sisters and Black Butte Ranch (BBR) is an anticipated project. Central Oregon Trail Alliance, Sisters Chapter, Joel Palanuk, COTA-Sisters Joel talked about the recent re-establishment of a Sisters Chapter of the Central Oregon Trail Alliance (COTA), which now has about 50 members. One of the main cycling events in the community is the Sisters Stampede, which last year had 568 adults, 200 kids, and 600 spectators. This is the first mountain bike race in Oregon to ever sell out all available slots. The event brought in $870,000 to Sisters in a week. About 20% came from Bend and 50% came from the Willamette Valley. COTA-Sisters is working to develop mountain bike trails for different skill levels and is restoring trails in the Cache Mountain area, which will offer an option to the Petersen Ridge Trail (PRT) system. Friends of Metolius, Rick Thomas Rick discussed how Friends of the Metolius (FOM) is a conservation group with members from across the country. In the last 5-7 years FOM has expanded to include trail maintenance. BPAC Business Updates South County: Work continues on Lava Lands trail with grubbing and rock removal now taking place. City of Bend: City has merged staff from Public Works and Long Range Planning into a Transportation Growth Department. City of Sisters: No additional items. City of Redmond: City has adopted a 5-year capital improvements project (CIP) list, which includes several bike/ped projects. Deschutes County: The on-line version of the County bicycling guide is moving forward with intern Zech Heck. 3 ODOT: Agency is replacing sidewalk end of Bend on Third Street near the McDonald’s; trail work in Madras has begun, and the agency is beginning to work on Gilchrest-Crescent multi- use path. Commute Options: Staff attended a pedestrian injury prevention seminar in Washington, D.C., and a statewide promotion of “See, Be Seen” will happen in November. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 1:50 p.m. and group took a walking tour of the on-going ODOT project to rebuild US 20 (Cascade Street) through downtown Sisters; the project includes several pedestrian amenities. Next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 6, 2014, noon to 1:30 p.m. at ODOT, 63055 N. Hwy 97 Building M (new building).