Pedestrian & Bicycle Path Advisory Committee

Pedestrian and Bicycle Path Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes April 4, 2022 Committee Members Present: Giuseppe Caltabiano, John Repke, Doug Reed, John Phelps, Antonia Malchik, Mary Behrendt, Jim DeHerrera City Staff Present: Karin Hilding, Carla Belski, Craig Workman Public Present: Mike Fitzgerald, Bruce Boody, Greg Gunderson, Jedd Sankar‐Gorton, Rachael Schmidt, Scott Economy A. The meeting was called to order 8:33 a.m. B. Giuseppe moved to approve the minutes. Antonia seconded. Approved. C. Public Comment: None D. New Business a. Earth Day: Friday, April 22nd– Climate Action Committee asked the is hoping to promote biking and walking on this day. Staff met with volunteers and Logan Health to coordinate a bike to workday. There will be a station at the O’Shaughnessy and at Logan Health where people can get coffee and fruit and sign up for giveaways from 7:30‐9:00am. Carla reached out to bike shops to participate. b. Flathead Trails Association: Carla gave an update on FTA noting that numerous trail organizations are working to hire a trail coordinator to coordinate training and a website. Jedd reported that Allie Maloney has been hired and will start coordinating activities this spring. The steering committee is meeting monthly. c. 93 Culvert Updates: Craig gave an update on the Downtown Highway study which was recently completed by MDT in the downtown area. The finalized study went with preferred Alternate C which was rejected by City Council. MDT stated they won’t move forward with any projects until in agreement with the city. The controversial sections are north of 7th and Craig suggested that there may be an opportunity to start on the sections south of 7th and make this a two‐ phase project. The first phase would include the removal of the culverts and construction on the bike path and Craig suggested this concept could be noted in the Transportation Plan. E. Old Business a. River Bend Condos:  Bruce Boody brought some conceptual plans to share with the committee. The path is planned to be ten‐foot‐wide which meets multi use standards and is at average high‐water mark. It is proposed to be a xix‐foot path on the condo property and extending it 4 foot over the river to get the 10‐foot width with a railing that is 32 inches high with controlled access. The railing would be 5 feet below the level of the condos. There are two small sections that the city would need additional easement from the condo owners to connect the trail on either end. Karin suggested that Bruce add the dock locations, access points, show where it is raised, and location of railing. There are options of railings that could reduce the view, such as cable railings that match the railings on the condo decks. Suggested adding a person to the trail to show perspective of the river view and railing from the condos. Scott suggested that Bruce visit the site with him to view the access points; Bruce would like a city staff person to join him on the site visit. b. Viaduct Improvements: Craig reported that the City has hired WGM group, and will be taking this project to the council work session at the first meeting in May. The public will have an opportunity to make comments during the design process. c. FWP Project Approval: The city has started communication with Kenny from FWP and will meet with him this spring regarding all bike paths along the river to come to some agreements on how we can limit impacts along the river when building trails. F. Parks and Recreation Comments: No comments. G. Public Works Comments: Active transportation plan has been updated reflecting comments from the committee. Karin will send it out to the committee for review. Comments should made as soon as possible before next meeting. The final version will be presented at the next meeting. H. Committee Comments: Giuseppe reported that the Park Board will be interviewing Luke Moses in April to fill the high school position for the bike ped committee. I. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 2, 2022. J. The meeting was adjourned at 9:58 a.m.