Pedestrian & Bicycle Path Advisory Committee

Pedestrian and Bicycle Path Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes May 2, 2022 Committee Members Present: Giuseppe Caltabiano, John Repke, Doug Reed, John Phelps, Antonia Malchik, Mary Behrendt, Luke Moses City Staff Present: Maria Butts, Carla Belski, Craig Workman, Angela Jacobs Public Present: Mike Fitzgerald, Bruce Boody, Greg Gunderson, Jedd Sankar-Gorton, Rachael Schmidt, Dick Allison, Patty Zanto, Casey Malmquist, Scott Economy, Greg Gunderson. Douglas Bergen by phone. A. The meeting was called to order 8:31 a.m. B. Giuseppe moved to approve the minutes. Mary seconded. Approved. C. Public Comment: None D. New Business: None E. Old Business a. River Bend Condos: Received a letter from Alan McCormick, attorney for Riverbend on Friday, April 29, 2022. The letter offered 6-foot easement for bike path easement which they claimed they offered in 2018. Craig shared the letter and map with the committee. The letter states that they would not support an elevated path, railings, retaining walls, or removal of mature trees. Maria stated that this proposed easement would not allow for an ADA path due to the width. Scott Economy commented that the attached map was submitted to and received by the city acknowledging the easement. The committee asked for some support of that statement, and it was not provided. Craig stated that the city applied for a permit with FWP in 2018 but was met with objections by the HOA. A letter submitted to FWP by the HOA’s attorney as public comment that stated that there is no existing easement as a location has not been agreed upon. City staff and committee members agree that records need to be reviewed regarding the receipt of the HOA letter. Douglas Bergen, chair of HOA, commented by phone stating the HOA has been working with the city on options for easement location. Stated that this map with 6-foot-wide path location was submitted via email in 2018 as the proposed easement location approved by HOA. Douglas stated that the HOA has never denied an easement location and would like documentation showing their denial.  Casey Malmquist stated that the proposed location in the letter without any of the functional solutions of the trail such as railing, width, etc. that this appears to be a moot point and is stalling the process. Racheal Schmidt suggested reviewing the map with the elevated path that Bruce Boody drafted. Bruce presented the proposed elevated path design from Kay Beller Park to Malmquist property as 10 foot wide, raised concrete walkway just above the high-water mark, 6 feet on condo property and 4 feet over the river. Three dock locations are shown on the plan, which have not been included in the past. Bruce noted that the plan tries to avoid removing significant trees on the property for sound attenuation from the highway. Also, the path is below the decks of the condos to preserve viewshed of homeowners; the railing along the path will have gates to the docks. Bruce suggested the city provide new docks as a part of the project. The group discussed grade requirements needed to meet the ADA standards. b. Malmquist Easement: John Phelps reported that at a site inspection, members of the Flathead Conservation District stated that approving his trail was not needed as the Riverbend path would never be built. Members of the bike ped committee attended the meeting and Kenny from FWP appeared to be ready to recommend denial of permit as it is a trail to nowhere. Issue was tabled and they would like to call a meeting to address this specific issue, date TBD. John suggested making a presentation to the Conservation District like what was presented to council on November 1, 2021. Angie updated that the Flathead Conservation District reached out to the mayor, and they are considering a work session with the entire council and district, tentatively set for June 6th work session. Casey suggested adding an interpretive trail on the importance of riparian areas. c. Safe Routes to Schools: Antonia reported that she met with some parents and came up with some great ideas to get more kids to school safely. They are working on a survey to be sent out to parents to find barriers and safety issues that families face walking and biking to school. F. Parks and Recreation Comments: No comments. G. Public Works Comments: H. Committee Comments: I. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 6, 2022. J. The meeting was adjourned at 9:58 a.m.