Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-08-01 - 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, August 1, 2019 – 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm ODOT, 63055 N Hwy 97, Building M, Upstairs Conference Room, Bend Members Present: Dave Thomson, Christopher Cassard, Ann Marland, David Roth, Katrina Lagenderfer, Mark Smith, Rick Root, Sam Handelman, and Wendy Holzman. Agency/Organization: Zechariah Heck (Deschutes County – CDD), David Amiton (ODOT), Derek Hofbauer (COIC/CET), Tom Headley and Matt Tipton (Century West Engineering), Gregory Bryant (Bend CTAC), and Abby Driscoll (ODOT). 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 A vote of the July 11, 2019 minutes were postponed to allow members an opportunity to review based on proposed amendments by Chris Cassard (below).  To include statement that, “Zechariah passed along the views of CDD managers that if BPAC wants to become a regular reviewer of new development plans it should discuss the idea with the BOCC first.”  And to clarify a motion on BPAC’s projects: Chris moved to adopt the following two projects for primary focus in the coming year, with consistent work via standing sub-committees to be volunteered and/or assigned by the BPAC Chair: - Projects #1 & #4: Research the requirements for a lower stress route (LTS 1, 2 or 3) between Deschutes County communities, i.e. Bend, Sisters, Sunriver, Redmond, and La Pine, that replace high stress routes (LTS 4). Advocate for the development of lower stress routes between Deschutes County communities. - Projects #2 & #7: Encourage better linking of the various trail systems so they are more effective parts of the county-wide transportation system, working with entities Page 2 such as Bend Parks and Recreation, Redmond Area Parks District, other city parks authorities, and the BLM and Forest Service as appropriate. This would include improving links within cities as well as access to federal BLM and Forest Service trails, and non-motorized connections between municipalities. Chris also moved that the following projects continue with a secondary focus: - Project #3: Engage more directly with CET and become more involved with mass- transit development in the county. - Project #5: Do more organized and comprehensive outreach to community groups concerned with active non-automotive routes and infrastructure, particularly for pedestrians. - Project #6: Develop more interaction with county transportation planners to determine transportation planning requirements and process (by jurisdiction) for new developments. If and when appropriate, address with the Board of County Commissions what, if any, role BPAC could serve as a project reviewer. US 97 Multi-Use Plan (Bend to Lava Butte): Planning Process Overview – Abby Driscoll  Abbey Driscoll, project manager at ODOT, provided an overview of the US 97: Baker/Knott Rd to Lava Butte Multi-Use Path project.  The FLAP grant was applied for in 2016 for a design level review and the work was beginning in Summer 2019. Abbey shared another five million was awarded in the latest FLAP funding process.  Abbey explained the project team would look at environmental and ROW impacts, costs, accessibility, etc. An evaluation matrix will help determine what concept trail to move forward with.  ODOT mentioned the project has funding through the construction phase. The forest service would have a NEPA review completed in 2020. Construction would likely occur in 2022/23. ODOT will perform stakeholder engagement soon.  David R. asked if there would be a connection to the High Desert Museum. Rick discussed the issue of whether the proposed trail would be separated from the highway or not. Mark suggested the concepts on the east side of the highway would be beneficial for property owners in the area and if future UGB expansions extend down China Hat Road. Sam mentioned the Baker over-change could be a mess with debris (the north terminus of proposed trail).  Abbey mentioned she would like to see BPAC review some of the documents as the consultant prepares them. ODOT has envisioned a multi-use path from Bend to La Pine at some point in the future. The path was proposed to be ten feet in width. Big Chainring Awards Zechariah explained only one nomination has been submitted. BPAC members stated they would like to have a web link to the press release announcing the Big Chainring Awards so they can share with others. Zechariah said he would provide one. BPAC members decided to extend the nomination deadline until August 31. Dave T. asked for members to volunteer for a subcommittee to review the nominations once they come in. Page 3 BPAC Business  Regional Public Transit Advisory Committee (RPTAC) – Wendy discussed if there was an interest for BPAC to participate in the RPTAC. Ann mentioned she was a member on personal interests. The next meeting was announced to be scheduled for August 20. RPTAC was explained to be focused on public transportation, advocate for new and expanded services. Derek explained COIC would appoint the committee. Derek would also coordinate with others at COIC/CET to determine if there would be an interest and role for BPAC to participate on RPTAC.  Committee Reports: o MPO TAC – In July, transportation safety action plan was discussed. o Deschutes County TSAP – advisory committee has expired. Dave explained when the plan is finalized it would be presented to the County Commissioners. o Tumalo US 20 Advisory Committee will reconvene in September. The Committee recommended to ODOT the roundabout option. BPAC Goals and Objectives – Chris Cassard & Sam Handleman, BPAC During the July 11th meeting, the committee discussed and reviewed seven projects. There was agreement to combine several of them due to similarity. Chris and Sam refined the written statements of what was voted on last meeting (described in Chris’ amendment above). Two major themes emerged: linking trail systems within communities and connecting population hubs in the county. BPAC members decided there would be a subcommittee for each theme. Other projects include: more organized community outreach, strengthen connection with CET, explore role of BPAC in reviewing developments in the County. Ann explained there is already a map identifying a proposed route from Bend to Sisters. Ann would like to see BPAC and COTA get involved. Chris clarified the objective is to find where there are gaps in efforts to connect population hubs. Sam encouraged the group to form subcommittees for each theme/project. The following subcommittees were created: - Subcommittee One – Dave T., Mark, Sam, Rick - Subcommittee Two – Wendy, Chris, David, Kat, Ann, Katie General Updates  ODOT – David explained US 20 to Empire was split into three phases to help with meeting deliverable schedules. David also mentioned ODOT was awarded $60 million for revision of the Hwy 97 in Bend. Lastly, regarding the roundabout in Tumalo, David shared that ODOT was preparing a bike/ped focused memo for the feature. Page 4  Commute Options – Derek shared that Ride Bend has taken a new form this year, focused on micro-transit. He explained the program has an ADA accessible van. David R. stated he knows of somebody that was disappointed from the previous program (designated bus route) because it impacted their commute. Derek responded that there was a focus on the micro- transit service offering a connector the greater CET service. According to Derek, Micro-transit was a new approach that was gaining traction. Derek also shared there would be new routes in SE and NE Bend due to development, which would begin in 2021. Saturday service to all communities would be included in CET’s STIF. Lastly, Derek announced Redmond would have a fixed route service in town instead of Dial-a-Ride with connection to the transit hub. Meeting Adjourned at 1:45 pm Next Meeting Thursday, September 5, 2019 12:00 to 1:30 pm ODOT, 63055 N Hwy 97, Building M, Diamond and Crater Lake Conference Rooms