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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-12-01 - 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, December 1, 2022, 12:00 to 1:30 pm Via Zoom Members Present: Dave Thomson, Chris Cassard, David Green, David Roth, Neil Baunsgard, Wendy Holzman, Ken Piarulli. Agency/Organization: Tanya Saltzman (Deschutes County – CDD), Chris Cheng (ODOT), Robin Lewis (City of Bend), Andrea Napoli (Bend MPO), Henry Stroud (BPRD) 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 November 2022 minutes were approved. Public Comment There were no public comments. Chris Cassard questioned Ken about wetlands trail in Redmond reported in the newspaper today Committee Business  Format for January meeting will be in person. Stick with alternating in person/virtual for now.  Review 2023 calendar: Dave sent this with the agenda. Took alternating in person formats and moved the community-focused meetings to fit into that slotting. o BOCC yearly report: scheduled for mid-January still o Central OR bike-ped summit: this past year was in late September, in the past was in June; group would like to keep in September o Safe Sidewalks: media release in Feb. Page 2 o September: Big Chainring Open discussion on committee priorities for 2023  Ongoing discussion about e-bikes, but unclear about what BPAC can specifically bring to the table  Chris Cassard: would be interested in Henry Stroud’s thoughts are if BPAC can be in support of BPRD policies, or similar? Would engagement be useful?  Henry: anticipates possible US Forest Service rulemaking concerning e-bikes. Current rules allow BPRD to restrict e-bikes if they want to, but they haven’t chosen to do so. Have been doing signage campaigns but are currently trying to tackle issue through design. However, they acknowledge that it is a growing issue that they’ll have to confront at some point.  Dave: BPAC is interested in it from a transportation issue (as opposed to unpaved FS trails, for instance)  Henry: would be great to have feedback on what would make trail users more comfortable on various trails now that there are multiple types using the trails (one wheels, e-bikes, etc.).  Chris Cassard doesn’t want BPAC to stand down on the issue, as he hears many comments about the issue  Robin: for the city, it’s about mobility; e-bikes extend potential usage (distance, age, etc.). Would like greater education/etiquette. Would also like to see the law changed to age 14 rather than 16.  Wendy pointed out that while mobility is important to BPAC, so is safety.  Neil: getting everyone to the table is something BPAC could do (rather than making specific recommendations), for instance at the summit  Dave: consider hosting an e-bike summit/meeting  Ken pointed out BPAC’s role as a hub  Dave G: input on design around popular e-bikes would be valuable  Takeaway: stay engaged, try and leverage BPAC’s role as an information hub, try to facilitate some communication  Can potentially update goals document to reflect some of these conversations. Report on FLAP Needs Assessment discussion from Nov. 8  This meeting addressed the FLAP grant process and how they’re changing the process from each community submitting to the federal decision makers, versus now where it will be vetted/prioritized at the state level first  Conversation turned to priorities for Central Oregon (funding for road maintenance; funding for bike-ped projects)  They’ll be digitizing all the info received at these workshops and ask for review of this info; then will compile all those unmet needs into a report for further decision-making. Page 3 TSP Subcommittee Update (Mason, Dave G.)  Virtual open house is online for the month of December. Available via the Deschutes County Road Department website. External Committee Reports Tumalo Community Plan Active Transportation stakeholders  Upcoming meeting in December Bend MPO TAC  Meeting next week; Dave won’t be able to attend but should be covered by Rachel.  Will be finalizing recommendations to MPO Exec Committee on STBG grants Bend Transportation Bond Oversight Committee  City gave the bond committee a progress update on the initial bond-funded projects (Wilson Corridor etc.)  Showed a public-facing dashboard for things like miles of bike lanes versus money spent  There may be some upcoming open positions on committee Other Updates Redmond:  Robin Lewis was the featured speaker at the November meeting, presenting on protected bike lanes. o Lots of interest in providing a safer experience for cyclists o Discussed retrofitting options (metal versus rubber) o City is interested in any feedback from BPAC Deschutes County:  Throughout the month of December, the Deschutes County Road Department is inviting the public to review and provide feedback on their draft Transportation System Plan project list containing planned projects scheduled through the year 2040.  A link to the Virtual Open House can be located on the Road Department’s website at: www.deschutes.org/road.  Upon receipt and incorporation of public feedback, the project list will be finalized and presented for adoption within the Transportation System Plan Update to the Planning Commission and Board of County Commissioners in early 2023. ODOT:  US20 planning Greenwood to 27th is about to kick off  Lava Butte to La Pine is just about to kick off Page 4  North Corridor construction is happening (demo phase). US 20 will start next year after Old Bend Redmond and Cook Ave roundabouts are finished  January 19: discussion of winter maintenance for roundabouts Bend Parks:  Started final phase of Drake Park trail improvement project, including underpass under Newport  Progress at Big Sky on pump track and bike skills areas plus gravel path. Complete by early spring.  Making progress on design/permit trail along North Unit Canal along Butler Mkt. First phase from Canal Row Park past Pine Nursery, connect into Petrosa. Bend:  Wilson Ave east of 9th should be completed soon. At 75% design for portion between 2nd and 9th Streets. Anticipate bidding in spring.  Design team on board for Butler and Boyd Acres key route implementation.  Getting designer on board for Olney from Wall St to 2nd (shared use path/separated bike lane); anticipate design team will be on board next month with open houses in the spring. Meeting Adjourned at 1:22 pm Next Meeting Thursday, January 5 – 12:00 to 1:30 pm – in person at Deschutes Service Center, DeArmond Room