Pedestrian & Bicycle Path Advisory Committee

Pedestrian and Bicycle Path Advisory Committee Monday, December 4, 2023 Whitefish City Hall Council Chambers Conference room Committee Members: City Staff: Antonia Malchik - absent Dana Smith –absent Mary Behrendt – present Maria Butts - present John Repke –present Carla Belski –absent Doug Reed - present Karin Hilding - present Jim DeHerrera - present Craig Workman – present Bailey Kallal – present Angela Jacobs – present Giuseppe Caltabiano – present Riley Polumbus –present Public present: Bruce Boody, Mike Fitzgerald, Patty Zanto (Riverbend HOA), Nathan Tubener (Whitefish Legacy Partners) A. Meeting Called to Order at 8:34 a.m. B. Approval of Monday, December 4, 2023, Agenda John moved, Jim second C. Approval of Monday, November 6, 2023, Minutes Giuseppe moved, Jim second D. New Business: No new business E. Old Business: a. & b. Riverbend Condo Updates & Malmquist Easement Updates: The City met with Fish, Wildlife and Parks on the section of the river along with TD&H, Riverbend HOA, Casey Malmquist, and Frank Sweeney from City Council. FWP said that the city needs to complete a fill 124 permit application. Craig recommended we go back to the City Council to find out how to proceed. There was discussion about the easement and where the trail and boardwalk once existed. The conservation district approved it and Angie said she has the document with the map. There was discussion about what will need to be done for the permit application. Mary asked if the Malmquist property would be part of this application. Craig and Karin thought this would be a good approach. Craig suggested we ask for direction from the City Council for including the Malmquist property in the permit if Casey approves. Doug made a motion that we support staff’s recommendation to submit an SPA 124 permit for the section of Whitefish River Trail extending from the north edge of the MDT-built underpass to the BNSF Loop Trail. John second. c. Viaduct Improvements Update: Public Works is still working with WGM as the consultant. A structural analysis of the bridge is needed to proceed. MDT wants the city to include language requesting to reduce the width of the shoulder. The improvements will also include lighting and landscaping. d. Safe Routes to School/SS4A Action Plan: The Safe Streets for All grant RFP had one applicant and the city will meet with them. Counselor Norton will be a part of that meeting. Doug asked about the 6th Street one-way, Craig said the signs were to go up this morning, however with the new snow he’s not sure if that happened.  e. Ongoing Project List: Karin brought a copy of the list and asked if anyone wanted to stay after the meeting to go over the list. Jim said he likes to see it, and Karin mentioned she could include a list with highlights to include for the meetings. f. Whitefish Yards (95 Karrow) Update: Craig said they came up with a metes and bounds list that has been submitted to BSNF for comment which is now being reviewed. This is the next step for getting the bridge approved. g. Recommendation to add Design and Maintenance Guidelines for Shared Use Paths in Riparian Areas to the Engineering Standards: The most current version of the guidelines were sent to the committee. Mary asked if anyone had any comments. John asked for more time to review. Mary asked what the city staff thinks about the guidelines. Craig said they are comfortable with it. The discussion will be moved to January. h. Pedestrian and Bicycle Staff Position: Karin said she and Mary have been researching other communities and existing positions. They will be meeting with some of the people and will report back to the committee. Discussion about how much time the positions actually spend on bike/ped and how their salary is paid as well as salary. Karin and Mary will continue to meet with the individuals and collect information. F. Parks and Recreation Comments: No update. G. Public Works Comments: Karin brought information about the Mountain Climber annual meeting which is this Thursday at City Hall. She also mentioned that the Mountain Climber has a survey on their site. H. Public Comment: No comments from the public. I. Committee Comments: Bailey said the 6th Street one-way was on a bulletin board at the HS and said that there was good discussion because of the post. She suggested that once the one-way goes into effect we let her know so that she can be posted again. J. Next Regular Meeting – Monday, January 8, 2024 K. Adjourn 9:31 a.m. Committee Members City Staff Antonia Malchik Dana Smith – City Manager Mary Behrendt – Chair Maria Butts - Parks and Recreation Director John Repke – Vice Chair Carla Belski – Community Services Coordinator Doug Reed - Resort Tax Committee Karin Hilding - Public Works Engineer Jim DeHerrera - Park Board Craig Workman – Public Works Director Bailey Kallal – High School Representative Giuseppe Caltabiano – City Council Representative Riley Polumbus – Secretary