Pedestrian & Bicycle Path Advisory Committee

Pedestrian and Bicycle Path Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Monday, March 4, 2024 Committee present: John Repke, Riley Polumbus, Antonia Malchik, Baily Kallal, Jim DeHerrera, Giuseppe Caltabiano. Absent: Mary Behrendt, Doug Reed. Staff present: Maria Butts, Craig Workman, Angela Jacobs, Karin Hilding, Kevin Fitzgerald. Public present: Nathan Tuebner, Lyndsay Schott, Julie Tickle, Mike Fitzgerald, Chris Holdhusen, Rachel Schmidt. A. Meeting Called to Order by John at 8:33 a.m. B. Approval of Monday, March 4, 2024, Agenda Giuseppe moved Jim seconded. C. Approval of Monday, February 5, 2024, Minutes Giuseppe moved Jim seconded. D. New Business: None. E. Old Business: a. Pedestrian and Bicycle Staff Position: John asked to table this until next month because Mary is absent, there was no objection. b. Viaduct Improvements: Craig reported there was a productive meeting with WGM last week, a 60% plan set has been submitted to the city for review. Waiting for MDT for review. Also need MDT to do a structural review once completed by WGM. c. Safe Routes to School/SS4A Action Plan: Karin reported there was a kickoff meeting last week with RPA (contractor) and the city. Karin said they will be reaching out to people to be on a task force for the plan. Karin noted there will also be a lot of public outreach during the project. John asked about the one-way. It was noted that occasionally people go the wrong way. Craig said the city has put up more signs. John asked if anyone had talked to the crossing guards to get their input. Karin said she would do that and talk to others at the school as part of the SS4A plan. d. Ongoing Project List: Karin said there has not been much change since the last meeting. The Dalen property and the Les Schwab property are adjacent, and it makes sense to work on these sections together. Currently there is no funding for this section. John asked about the Les Schwab property and if someone from the city could reach out to them. Craig said they would follow up. John asked if there was any update on the Goguen property. Craig said they had not seen any plans yet. Craig said there is a dedicated easement and signs on both sides to indicate there is an easement and a trail exists. It is accessible from the south end and dead ends at the north. There were additional questions and discussion about other areas along the river that are not on the list. Karin explained the items on the list are the top priority. Karin also suggested that we also attach a map of the trail with sections identified for reference. e. Whitefish Yards (95 Karrow) Update: Craig reported that the city received news from BNSF that they are not willing to grant an easement and contest that there is a requirement for such. BNSF does not feel that DNRC has the legal grounds to require it. Angie said her understanding that DNRC wants a permanent easement from BNSF and BNSF is questioning the legality of a permanent easement. DNRC is concerned that BNSF could revoke the easement. G asked if the city could ask for a permanent lease  for the section of land on the BNSF side of the river. Craig said that an easement is essentially the same thing. G pointed out that BNSF is essentially concerned with safety. G asked whether BNSF would be interested in donating the land. Craig concluded that the city has taken the conversation as far as it can, and that BNSF and DNRC need to discuss. f. Riverbend/Miles Avenue Path Project: Craig reported that the city and TD&H completed the path layout of the combined trails and the geotech is nearly complete. Next the city will be applying for a 124 permit, with the goal to submit by the end of April. There was a discussion about public comment, and whether there is a time available to allow for public comment. A recent email from FWP indicated there’s not enough time allowed in the 124 law to allow the public to review an EA for an environmental assessment. The staff and committee agree it would be a good idea for the public to have the opportunity to comment. Nia asked when and where would the public be allowed. John suggested at a city council meeting. At the meeting the project would be presented as a combined project. Giuseppe made a motion to recommend that council consider the submittal of the final 124 permit application as a public hearing. Nia seconded the motion. Passed all ayes. F. Parks and Recreation Comments: none. G. Public Works Comments: none. H. Public Comment: none. I. Committee Comments: none. J. Next Regular Meeting – Monday, April 8, 2024 K. Adjourned at 9:40 a.m.