Pedestrian & Bicycle Path Advisory Committee

PO Box 158 • Whitefish, MT 59937 • (406) 863-2400 • Fax (406) 863-2419 Pedestrian and Bicycle Path Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Monday, June 5, 2023, 8:30 a.m. Committee Members City Staff Antonia Malchik - Present Dana Smith – Absent Mary Behrendt – Present Maria Butts - Present John Repke – Present (by phone) Carla Belski – Present Doug Reed - Present Karin Hilding - Present Jim DeHerrera - Present Craig Workman – Present Bailey Kallal – Present Giuseppe Caltabiano – Absent Riley Polumbus - Present A. Meeting Called to Order at 8:33 B. Approval of Monday, June 5, 2023, Agenda Motion by DeHerrera, seconded by Malchik. Passed unanimously. C. Approval of May 1, 2023, Minutes Motion by DeHerrera, seconded by Reed. Passed unanimously. D. New Business a. Introductions – Bailey Kallal, new High School representative and John Ellis from Flathead Conservation District b. Committee Officer Elections – Reed nominated Behrendt for Chair, Malchick seconded. Elected unanimously. Malchik nominated Polumbus for Secretary, DeHerrera seconded. Elected unanimously. E. Old Business a. Whitefish Guidelines for Shared Use Paths in Riparian Areas: Craig stated that this entire meeting will be to review guidelines with the eventual goal to add them as an appendix to engineering standards adopted by City Council by the end of the year. Karin gave background on work done so far on the guidelines and the process of involving FWP during the drafting of the guidelines. These guidelines will assist the city and agencies to protect natural resources including procedures for water quality protection permitted through the city’s planning department. • John Repke comments: Item 1, tree protection specs - the plan should protect native trees 8 inches or greater. Item 2, retaining walls - language must be strengthened and walls must be designed and approved by an engineer. Item 3, Erosion - material must be removed in a timely manner. Section 5, Riparian planting/landscape/revegetation plan - must be reviewed and approved by Parks and Recreation. Item 6, raised trail with helical piers - must be reviewed by an engineer. Page 6 – MT example of trails in buffer area, should add Great Falls examples. Karin reported that FWP suggested we do not add these examples. Karin will confirm. • Mary Behrendt brought up width of the path shown only as 8’ wide and should be updated to 10’. Council determined 10’ wide for Riverbend.  Craig needs clarification if that pertains to all trails. Staff feels need to have flexibility to design to 8’ wide and many projects have been built this width. Strive for 10’ in projects, but not always able to build it that wide (example – Wisconsin restricted by road width, East Second). DeHerrera suggested 10’ being desirable, with minimum of 8’ required. Karin will re-word this section and track changes. Shared use path specification states “maximum of 8’ along the river…” Karin will update that to say minimum of 8’. • John Ellis – thank you for invitation. Also in attendance are Donna Pridmore and Samantha Tappenbeck from FCD. Page 4, suggested that after 1st sentence, 2nd paragraph, add “from the city, a 124 permit from FWP, and 310 from FCD”. Page 8-9, add FCD rules and website address. Add language that any project being done by private landowner must have a 310 permit. Maria suggested clearly defining which permits are required for both public and private projects. Riley suggested creating a checklist or flow chart for potential permits needed and Samantha agreed. Samantha also suggested that discrepancies exist between FCD and City standards – FCD adopted rules do not allow for asphalt or similar petroleum-based materials in 310 permit area. The definition of streambank are site specific for FCD and there is a need for further clarifying language in the document defining streambanks. F. Public comment • Bruce Boody, 95 Karrow project, stated that there was an extensive research project on impact of asphalt on Flathead Lake from a tanker truck spill. Research showing no impact to the lake was presented to FCD during permit process, and 95 Karrow was approved. Karin reported Missoula showed more impact from gravel paths versus asphalt. FCD could consider updating standards and Board can consider deviations from rules when issuing permits. Need to compile the evidence and relevant data and information that can be brought to their board to re- evaluate the standards. Samantha will bring it back to the board. • Rachael Schmidt – Suggested language include a blanket statement that would include checking in with federal, state, and local agencies for project approval and permitting. • Casey Malmquist- Suggested language for public trails versus private projects during the permitting process. • Karin stated that language could be added that designs accounts for storm water run-off. Maria suggested that native plants can be incorporated to help with run-off issues. • John Phelps – Council finalized transportation plan and deleted any reference to 8’ wide paths and restrictions in riparian areas. Paths would be 10’ whenever possible. John thinks this document should have the same language as the Transportation Plan. Karin noted that the Transportation Plan does now conflict with engineering standards and needs to be a continued discussion with council. Casey said he has been receiving conflicting information on path width on his proposed trail projects. Bruce said that path width standards say 10’ is minimum with 8’  allowed in extenuating circumstances, with paths with heavy use can be up to 12-14’ wide. Angie confirmed 10’ is preferred, but eminent domain can no longer be used to secure path location. Craig thinks language form Transportation plan that Phelps presented should be used in this plan to be consistent. G. Committee Comments • Karin suggested that more education on traffic rules and education regarding E-bikes need to be addressed. This will be added to the next agenda. • Riley suggested scheduling some time for the committee to come out and review some of the bike paths. Also need to focus on adopt-a-path recruitment. Mary passed out a letter from Bruce Boody. H. Next Regular Meeting – Monday, July 10, 2023 I. Meeting adjourned at 10:05.