Pedestrian & Bicycle Path Advisory Committee

Pedestrian and Bicycle Path Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Committee Members Present: John Repke, Jim DeHerrera, John Phelps, Mary Behrendt, Antonia Malchik, Jim DeHerrera, and Doug Reed. City Staff Present: Carla Belski, Craig Workman, Karin Hilding, and Maria Butts. Also Present: Patty Zanto, Bruce Boody, Dick Allen, Julie Tickle, Alan McCormick, Maxine Orcutt, and Greg Gunderson. A. The meeting was called to order 8:30 a.m. B. Jim moved to approve the minutes. Doug seconded. Approved. C. Public Comment: None. D. New Business a. Resort Tax: Doug Reed reported that the Resort Tax is up for renewal and explained its benefits. b. Dream Adaptive Presentation: Julie Tickle, Executive Director of Dream Adaptive, reported bike/ped barriers for people with disabilities in the City of Whitefish. Dream Adaptive is hoping to increase programs on the bike paths soon. There are concerns with Miles Avenue area as the road is too narrow and steep going either direction and the stairs are unnavigable for not only adaptive cyclists, but also the elderly and families with strollers and trailers. Julie emphasized a new focus on universal design which focuses on access for all users. c. River Bend Report: A draft of the Bike/Pedestrian Trail Connectivity Along Whitefish River dated September 3, 2021, was prepared by the Bicycle and Pedestrian Path Advisory Committee, and distributed prior to the meeting. Karin Hilding noted three corrections. Public comment was made in support and opposed to the path in front of the condos during the discussion. Doug Reed made a motion to approve the report dated September 3, 2021, including the following amendments as discussed: • Page 6 – City asked for additional signage, not a signalized crosswalk • Page 9 – Owner may need to build path as a condition of the permit • Page 12 – Delete paragraph referencing FWP’s past opinion on elevated paths under the heading “Construction Proximity to River”. • Design to be ADA compliant, if possible. • Reference water quality ordinance that allows for public paths along the river the benefit of the greater good, not private paths.  Antonia seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The report will be updated and circulated to the committee by September 24th and will be emailed with the October agenda. Bruce Boody shared a possible design for the trail along the Riverside property. The path is shown as 10’ wide on both State and condo property and elevated 7/10 of a foot above the average high-water line. Map is attached to the minutes. E. Parks and Recreation Comments: No comments. F. Public Works Comments: During the October 4th Bike Ped meeting, there will be a presentation on the Downtown Highway Study. Presentation slides will be sent out before the meeting. G. Committee Comments: No comments. H. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 4th, 2021. I. The meeting was adjourned at 9:49 a.m.