Pedestrian & Bicycle Path Advisory Committee

Pedestrian and Bicycle Path Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda Monday, May 6, 2024, 8:30 a.m. Agenda Items A. Meeting Called to Order: 8:35 a.m. B. Approval of Monday, May 6, 2024, Agenda Giuseppe moved, Nia second C. Approval of Monday, April 8, 2024, Minutes Giuseppe moved, Nia second D. New Business: Giuseppe asked if anyone is looking at the bigger picture with connecting trails across the valley. Karin said Whitefish Legacy Partners is looking at the bigger picture. She also said Flathead County developed a master plan however, the county commissioners did not adopt it. Nia said the commissioners were looking at trails more as recreation than as transportate. Karin suggested because Carla has attended meetings on this subject she could report to this committee about the topic. Craig suggested we put this as a new business topic in a future meeting because there are grants available. Karin said that because we have organizations like Whitefish Legacy Partners coming to the city there should be more discussion. Riley asked if the city would establish a transportation committee or board. Nia asked if this committee should become more of a transportation committee. Karin said there could be a transportation task force within the city staff. The committee will start with asking Carla to report about the county meetings. E. Old Business: a. Pedestrian and Bicycle Staff Position: Nothing new to report. Karin did note that the city of Missoula is hiring a summer mobility intern. b. Viaduct Improvements: The city received comments from MDT. They have finalized details for parks and recreation and should be ready to put together final bids to be able to start work in the fall. c. Safe Routes to School/SS4A Action Plan: There was a meeting Friday, there is a website (?). June 4 task force meeting on the same day as the block party. There will be a walking audit on the morning of June 5 and there will be a public meeting the evening of June 5. There will also be opportunity to make public comments on the website to identify areas of concern. Nia asked if they also track areas people avoid because they are not pedestrian/bicycle friendly. For example, middle school students avoid the crosswalk at Spokane and 2nd Street because the cross signal and traffic do not function well for pedestrians. d. Ongoing Project List: Craig said that Justin Bubenik from Les Schwab sent an email that they are not interested in pursuing an easement at this time. e. Whitefish Yards (95 Karrow) Update: The city received revised language from BNSF to give to DNRC. Craig suggested we submit the new language to the DNRC. Craig wants to send the language to Ann Moran (DNRC) and ask for a meeting between the two entities. The landboard has a policy that bridges have permanent legal access on land. Casey asked about having a gate on the bridge that would allow it to be closed off. f. Riverbend/Miles Avenue Path Project: Riverbend/Miles is on the agenda for City Council this evening to approve submitting the 124 permit application. There is an opportunity for the public to give comments tonight. There is not an opportunity to submit public comment once it is submitted to FWP. The city will submit all comments from tonight’s meeting in the application. G asked if the council would be asked to change anything and the answer was no, this is just time to make comments to be submitted to FWP. F. Parks and Recreation Comments: None. G. Public Works Comments: City will be starting construction on Karrow Avenue in the coming weeks. H. Public Comment: Mike Fitzgerald asked about the Riverside Park bridge. Kevin said they were working on surveys to get the high water marks as part of the permit process. Mike also asked about the Miles Avenue connection to the path getting paid. Craig said it is part of the BNSF property. Craig asked Casey about a section of sidewalk that needed to be finished or if it is part of BNSF. Criag pointed out that the priority for the path should be with the Riverbend/Miles section. Riley asked about paving the section of the driveway that comes from downtown could be paved. I. Committee Comments: Giuseppe pointed out that there is no new business and that the old business is reports from Craig and Karin. Could the old business be submitted as a packet to the committee. This would allow the committee members to know what the reports are and can ask questions. Craig suggested we put this under new business and bring an example of the park board agenda. J. Next Regular Meeting – Monday, June 3, 2024 K. Adjourn: Meeting adjourned at 9:50 a.m. Committee members present: Committee: Mary, Nia, Riley, Giuseppe Staff: Craig, Karin, Kevin, Maria (at the end) Public present: Casey Malmquist, Bruce Boody, Mike Fitzgerald, Yvonne May