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Home My WebLink About2022-01-06 - 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, January 6, 2022, 12:00 to 1:30 pm Virtual Zoom Meeting Members Present: Dave Thomson, Chris Cassard, Rachel Zakem, Wendy Holzman, Neil Baunsgard, David Roth, David Green, Kenneth Piarulli, Mason Lacy, Emily Boynton, Annie Marland. Agency/Organization: Tanya Saltzman (Deschutes County – CDD), Chris Cheng (ODOT), Alec Fransen (Century West), Kim Curley (Commute Options), 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 December 2021 minutes were approved. Public Comment There were no public comments. Committee Business – Dave  New BPAC representative to COACT: o Wendy has been the representative for a long time and would like to give this opportunity to others. Dave reached out to Emily, who will attend the next meeting with Dave (who is the alternate)  February meeting is BPAC’s annual Redmond update. Ken can coordinate with the city for some updates.  BPAC Annual Report to BOCC: Page 2 o The goal is to get a report created by the end of this month, then share with BPAC, and finalize at the Feb. BPAC meeting. There was discussion about the relation to the TSP timing, ideally discussing these matters prior to the TSP update. Consensus is to stick with original timeline, but in the report, discuss future TSP and BPAC recommendations. o Rachel will prepare a draft of the report, and Dave will work on the memo. New goals for BPAC in 2022?  Dave noted the process 2.5 years ago to discuss BPAC goals, namely connectivity. Are there other things BPAC should be working on? o Chris: consider safety. Maybe that should be the next concept/goal. o Mason: connectivity and safety are connected. Most important thing for safety is good infrastructure. Also, consider focusing on relationships with other agencies, having a seat at the table for various projects. How/can we engage better with agencies (i.e. BPRD and others)? o Wendy: Yes to this—and communication is key; BPAC should continue to strengthen that. o David Green: the best way to work on connectivity/safety/communications is to get started as early as we can with projects, and make our goals part of the objectives of those projects from the beginning. For instance, we did not have the opportunity with the North Corridor project and there are areas where bike/ped elements could be better.  Neil: what about the outreach and education aspects of the goals? o The committee has admittedly struggled with this, and is limited a bit by design of the role of the committee. o Perhaps a subcommittee can brainstorm? o Possible attendance at neighborhood association meetings, even though they are in cities  Ken: goals should generally be time-bound and measurable, which is difficult given BPAC’s role in the county  In general: if there is something a member is interested in pursuing, bring it to the group. Ultimately, BPAC is a group of volunteers and the topics they address is driven by its members.  Role between BPAC and BOCC: can BPAC advise them on projects? Historically BPAC has not done this much outside of the annual reports, with a few exceptions. Has focused more on going through the agencies rather than BOCC. o One previous example: issues on Skyliners road between bikes and peds, BPAC brought this to BOCC. TSP Subcommittee Update  Waiting on draft project list, should be available this month  Online open house soon (TBD) Page 3 External Committee Reports Bend MPO TAC:  Discussed what to do with awarded but unused funds; developed policies regarding those funds.  Final decisions will be made by Policy Board. Baker Road Interchange IAMP:  Meeting next Tuesday; Dave Roth will be unable to attend, but will get notes and share. Bend Transportation Bond Oversight Committee:  Waiting on another meeting, at which the Wilson project will be the primary item for discussion. Other Updates Bend  MPO kicked off the mobility hub feasibility study, the MPO is serving as project manager. The first TAC public meeting is January 19. Once the project gets going, updates will be provided to to BPAC  In February, the policy board will get an update on the feasibility study for North Corridor bike- ped connection Sisters  TSP is complete, with a robust bike-ped component  Pine Street will have a multi-use trail, from the south part of Sisters to connect with some of the Sisters trails  Designing a trail from the Village Green to the end of Pine St. to meet the Peterson Ridge trailhead Redmond  BPAC has two new members; Ken is now the vice chair  The group brought attention to the bike-ped section of the Virginia DOT website, which is an excellent example for other jurisdictions to consider  Looked at a PSU master’s student study about improving bike crossings at unsignalized intersections. The study created high visibility crossbike (green paint), and found that drivers yielding almost doubled after implementation of this relatively simple effort.  Redmond BPAC looked at a specific crosswalk in Redmond that is used by students by elementary schools. The engineering department will do a count of user once weather improves and go from there.  Ken met with the new Parks Department planner to discuss signage in Dry Canyon. How to educate and encourage good behavior on trails (usually bike-ped conflicts, as well as e-bikes)? One of the best things to do is to make it so people cannot miss the message—whether painted on the trail or adjacent.  Redmond has hired a new engineer to replace Mike Caccavano (who is semi-retired). Page 4 Deschutes County  Still waiting for TGM grant ODOT  North Corridor: awarding contract to design-build firm in March. Construction will begin fall 2022  Ward-Hamby roundabout: Considering a field trip once it is finished to see the new roundabout treatments  US 20-Mervin Sampels to Greenwood project is underway  Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act opportunities: ODOT has funds available for the future, with some interesting county projects that could receive funding (for instance, some crossings in the North Corridor projects). $300-400 million discretionary funds. Additional updates to come. Commute Options  Safety Action Plan: regional committee will be set up through COACT o The City Club will host a related event in July, concerning encouragement and outreach for safety  Commute Options is hiring a vanpool and communications manager COIC/CET:  Finalizing updated inclement weather plan. Met with City of Bend to look at high priority stops versus city’s snow removal plan to make sure they overlap  Transit may not go to snow schedules, since they’re already operating on Saturday schedules  Moving along with new routes in Bend and Redmond before going out to bid for construction. Hopefully these new routes will start running this summer. Messaging: Sidewalk snow removal messaging was broadcast yesterday on social media channels. Meeting Adjourned at 1:35 pm Next Meeting Thursday, February 3 – 12:00 to 1:30 pm - Virtual Meeting