Pedestrian & Bicycle Path Advisory Committee

Pedestrian and Bicycle Path Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes December 6, 2021 Committee Members Present: John Repke, Jim DeHerrera, John Phelps, Antonia Malchik, and Doug Reed. City Staff Present: Carla Belski, Craig Workman, and Karin Hilding. Also Present: Casey Malmquist, Jedd Sankar-Gorton, Giuseppe Caltabiano A. The meeting was called to order 8:31 a.m. B. Nia moved to approve the minutes. John Repke seconded. Approved. C. Public Comment: a. Jedd Sankar-Gorton, Whitefish Legacy Partners, reported that the replacement highway wayfinding signs are being delivered and are ready to install. WF Public Works agreed to accept delivery of the new WF wayfinding signs and install them at a later date. b. Giuseppe Caltabiano discussed alternative plans and funding sources for the path at the Riverbend condos. D. New Business a. Transportation Plan Updates: Wade Kline, Project Manager from KLJ Engineering, reported that the updated Transportation Plan will provide a 20- year long range transportation plan for the City of Whitefish. The website for this project can be found at http://whitefish.transportationplan.net/. They will have a full list of projects in January including bicycle facilities design and placement as well as projects in school zones. The projects will be prioritized in the following categories: connectivity, safety, congestion reduction, and in relation to planned road improvement projects. E. Old Business a. River Bend Report: Craig reported that City Council identified three main objectives: establish the easement, attain FWP permit, and design the trail. After the council meeting, the city attorney sent a letter to the condo association and the city heard from their attorney that he was advising the association to work with the city to identify the easement. Once we receive something in writing from the association, Public Works will move forward with an RFP for engineering design of the trail. John Phelps additionally reported that there was a boardwalk along the river in the early 80’s which would have established the easement location. Craig will review aerial photos to see if he can establish the location of the board walk. Other comments included that we should be  engaging with the Conservation District on this project in addition to FWP, that Police favor this project for safety reasons, and that John Juras with TDH in Great Falls was helpful in sharing the process of building trails in Great Falls along the river. b. Viaduct Improvements: The city was not awarded funding for viaduct improvements from the TA Grant. Craig reported that he did budget $250k in FY2022 to cover the local share of the project, which can be used to narrow vehicular travel lanes and create a 12’ wide mutli-use trail on both sides of the roadway. Craig has moved forward with an RFP for engineering and design. The funds will pay for both the engineering and the costs to widen the paths. c. Malmquist Easement: Casey Malmquist reported that he applied for a conditional use permit to build 10 condos on his property. He has been hesitant to build the path but has been encouraged by the progress with the Riverbend Condos. He is hoping that his path design can be coordinated with the Riverbend path design and he intends to start construction next spring. F. Parks and Recreation Comments: No comments. G. Public Works Comments: No comments. H. Committee Comments: Nia reported that the WF Education Foundation is interested in working on Safe Routes to Schools projects and would be willing to commit some people or funds for this work, including developing designated routes with maps and parent education. It was suggested that we form a sub-committee for this project. I. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 3, 2022. J. The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 a.m.