Pedestrian & Bicycle Path Advisory Committee

Pedestrian and bicycle advisory committee meeting Monday, June 3, 2024 Committee present: Mary Behrendt, Nia Malchik, Giuseppe Caltabiano, Julie Tickle, Doug Reed, Riley Polumbus, Avery Sorenson (At Large) Committee absent: Bailey Kallal, Jim DeHerrera Staff present: Maria Butts, Kevin Fitzgerald, Karin Hilding, Angie Jacobs Staff absent: Craig Workman, Carla Belski Public present: Bruce Lane, Casey Malmquist, Rachel Schmidt, Bruce Boody, Mike Fitzgerald, Nathan Tuebner, John Repke A. Meeting Called to Order: at 8:34 a.m. B. Approval of Monday, June 3, 2024, Agenda Giuseppe moved, Nia second, all approved C. Approval of Monday, May 6, 2024, Minutes, Giuseppe moved, Nia second, all approved D. New Business: a. Appoint Vice Chair: First, Mary introduced new members Julie Tickle and Avery Sorenson, student member at large (Bailey is still the student representative). Mary asked Doug if he would be the vice chair. Giuseppe moved Mia second, all approved. b. Flathead County Paths: Giuseppe said as the three cities grow along with the county with new developments he thinks we need to coordinate efforts collectively so that we can better connect. He is willing to call county commissioners. Kevin said he asked the county for information and they deleted the data. Maria said she was part of the meetings and that the Flathead County commissioners did not approve the plans, and the plans were not made public. She also noted that there is a group of nonprofit organizations meeting collectively as the Flathead Trails Association. Member of the public Rachel Schmidt noted that there is an old plan that is public for reference. Maria said that MDT is not interested in maintaining trails. Giuseppe provided an example of the path system along the highway from West Glacier which is built and maintained by Gateway to Glacier. Riley asked if we can invite someone from Gateway to Glacier to come to our next meeting. There was discussion to bring someone for the Rails to Trails (Kila to Kalispell) paths as well as inviting Heidi Van Everen from Whitefish Legacy Partners to provide background for the Flathead Trails Association. c. Committee Meeting Packet Discussion: Giuseppe suggested we use staff reports in a packet, rather than having it be part of the old business part of the meeting. This would be approved at the beginning at the meeting. If there were questions or discussions about the packet, about the reports, the committee could bring it up. The agenda would become a consent agenda. Riley moved that the committee ask staff to prepare reports for a packet for this committee and a consent agenda be approved prior to meetings. Doug second. The motion passed. E. Old Business: a. Pedestrian and Bicycle Staff Position: Karin noted that the city council does not know that we are interested in looking into this position. She said if there is an interest in  creating this position, we need to let the council know. Maria said that this committee has not clearly defined what the position should be. Mary noted that the committee has not been clearly defined. Julie asked about the research that had been done so far and suggested we create a job description. Maria pointed out that they have been advised there will be no new positions created in this budget. Riley pointed out that while this is a good direction we may want to look at the bigger picture and create a transportation position. Angie said that would be more palpable for the council to approve. Member of the public Casey Malmquist noted with the Safe Trails Whitefish group meeting regularly, this is a good time. Julie asked if there was somewhere to find additional information, Karin noted that there is a plan she also explained that the planning is up to the planning department and parks and recreation maintains. Maria also pointed out that there is a lot of work that the city staff does behind the scenes. Julie said she is willing to come up with a job description. For further discussion on this topic, anyone interested can go to the Safe Trails Whitefish meeting Friday at 9 a.m. at Bruce Boody’s office 301 2nd St E. Ste 1B. Whitefish, MT 59937. Mary asked once this document is created what is the process. Maria said Giuseppe could present the idea to council. Doug made a motion that Giuseppe represent this committee in bringing this position to council, Mary seconded. b. Viaduct Improvements : No report. c. Safe Routes to School/SS4A Action Plan: Karin said the Walk ‘n Roll block party is tomorrow during farmers market and invited from our committee to attend. She also said the consultants (RPA) from Helena will be here this week to hear the public’s concerns about the city’s difficult points for pedestrian and bicycle transportation, where the potential unsafe areas are located around the city. We need to show that we have these areas in order to qualify for the grant. RPA will also be at the block party. Karin noted that there is an interactive map created by RPA where the public can comment about areas that are unsafe. d. Ongoing Project List: Mary asked if the 124 permit was submitted and Karin said that she thought that it was. e. Whitefish Yards (95 Karrow): no update. f. Riverbend/Miles Avenue Path Project: no update. F. Parks and Recreation Comments: none. G. Public Works Comments: Karin encouraged everyone to go to the SS4A page. H. Public Comment: Bruce Boody asked if missing links could be part of the comments for the SS4A. Kevin noted that this can be noted in RPA’s tool and can be filled out with things that are missing. Rachel Schmidt mentioned That the Springs expansion is on the city council agenda tonight and showing support for the plan and its connection to the city’s property around the pond and connection to Smith Fields, the future music school and the Logan Health Whitefish campus. John Repke noted the use of e-bikes on the trails and we will need to start thinking about how these impact trails. Mike Fitzgerald said that they need to post speed limits. Maria noted speed limits are on the directional signs, maximum is 20. It was noted that this is too fast. I. Committee Comments: none. J. Next Regular Meeting – Monday, July 1, 2024 K. Adjourned at 9:49 a.m.