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, October 2, 2023, 8:30 a.m. Committee Members City Staff Antonia Malchik - Absent Craig Workman – Present Mary Behrendt – Present Maria Butts - Present John Repke – Absent Carla Belski – Absent Doug Reed - Present Karin Hilding - Present Jim DeHerrera - Present Angie Jacobs - Absent Bailey Kallal – Present Giuseppe Caltabiano – Absent Riley Polumbus - Present Public: Bruce Boody, Bruce Lang, Mike Fitzgerald, Casey Malmquist, Patty Zanto A. Meeting Called to Order at 8:45 a.m. B. Approval of Monday, October 2, 2023, Agenda Motion by Doug, seconded by Jim. Passed unanimously. C. Approval of September 11, 2023, Minutes Motion by Jim, seconded by Doug. Passed unanimously. D. New Business a. East 6th One-Way Ordinance Support: Several committee members and Bruce Boody biked to the intersection to observer traffic. Karin pointed out that the area does not have 60 feet of right-of-way which there usually exists. With the slope in the area it limits the width. Doug asked how soon it would be implemented. Craig said it could go into effect at the end of November at the earliest if it is passed. There would need to be a lot of education for parents about the one-way and no left turn. Jim made a motion that the pedestrian bicycle advisory committee supports the change that east 6th Street becomes a one-way between Park Avenue and Pine Avenue, second by Doug. Passed unanimously. b. Bicycle and Pedestrian Administrator Proposal Discussion: This was brought up by Casey at the last meeting. Riley asked if there are any other cities that have such a position. Karin mentioned Missoula and Bozeman may have that. Jim asked which department has responsibility over the projects and is there a person at the city that has the responsibility. Maria explained that Public Works is responsible for the building and Parks & Recreation is responsible for maintenance. Mary asked what the staff thought. Karin explained that it takes a lot of time for the City to get a new position added. Mary asked if the City ever hired a contract person with grant funding. Casey defended that the city and trail system is very important to the residents. Maria said the position would need to go through the budget process. Mary suggested we do some research and create a sub- committee. Craig pointed out that the Ped/bike is a subcommittee of the Park Board. Maria pointed out that it would need to be determined whether this position would be part of Parks & Rec or Public Works or a combination of the two. Bruce Lang brought up that  this has a lot to do with transportation. Casey suggested creating a job description. E. Old Business a. River Bend Condos: TB&H reached out to FWP the direction forward is that City Staff and TB&H will coordinate a meeting with FWP. There was additional direction to involve the mayor in the meeting. The meeting has not yet been established. b. Malmquist Easement: No update other than the permit was sent to the conservation district. The trail has been tabled. Casey said that the initial application for the trail was tabled and he is looking into getting it “untabled”. There is a second application for access to the river for property owners. c. Viaduct improvements: Working with WGM on the plans for the improvement work would begin next summer. d. Safe routes to school: The City put out a request for proposal for the Safe Streets for All Action Plan. Also Karin mentioned that the school is considering updating their transportation plan, however they have. e. Paths needing FWP approval: Changes have been made after the discussion in June. Karin suggested that the council look at it to get approved. f. Ongoing project list: Karin mentioned the Goegen property and that the representative for the Goegens is in support of people using the path. Craig pointed out that we have an easement. The City gave them materials for signage. There is not yet a plan for building. g. Whitefish Yards (95 Karrow): The project has slowed down, there were some delays due to utilities, water and sewer has been completed. F. Parks and Recreation Comments: Maria shared examples of signs for e-bike rules. Karin mentioned that we should check to see if e-bike rentals provide bells. She also pointed out that the 20 MPH would not apply to all areas for example Riverside Park which should be a slow zone. There was additional discussion about bikes with throttles and bikes without. It was asked where the signs would be placed and why 20 MPH. Maria said the signs would be in areas with straight-a-ways such as Wisconsin and the 20 MPH came from the fact that that is the maximum speed these bikes can go. There was discussion that 20 MPH is too fast. Riley suggested that there be signs for slow zones and post a speed limit for that. Karin suggested doing some research. Bruce suggested slow zones and other signage for awareness. G. Public Works Comments: None. H. Committee Comments: None. I. Public Comments: Mike Fitzgerald noted that there is a branch near the Round House that needs to be cut down. Also the picnic table should be moved. J. Next Regular Meeting – Monday, November 6, 2023 at 8:30 a.m. K. The meeting was adjourned at 9:39 a.m.