HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-15-20 Public Comment - M. Brown - Funding Bike and Pedestrain FacilitiesFrom:Marilee Brown
To:Agenda
Subject:Funding bike and pedestrian facilities
Date:Monday, June 15, 2020 11:46:46 AM
Dear City Commissioners, Mayor, Manager and Staff,
Non motorized transportation has long been underfunded. For example, separated paths are
not generally considered street maintenance or part of the Street District. Additionally, theydo not normally qualify under the Parks Department nor in Public Works even though they are
needed on City land and public right of ways. This presents a real “Catch 22” leavingadvocates and the public in the lurch.
Non motorized transportation and recreation needs equal footing in the CIP and the City
Budget. Therefore we support the following:
1) An increase of funding in the Annual Bike Path Improvement to $100,000 (a tiny fractionof what is really needed).
2) If such an increase can not be made in the maintenance fund, then it should be assigned
from the General Fund and overseen jointly by the Pedestrian Traffic Safety Committee (PTS)and BABAB or a City hired bike pedestrian coordinator.
3) Roll the Bike Path Improvement funds over into a savings fund (like the Library has) if they
are not used currently in the year. Example - because committees were not able to meet thisyear, $40,000 of the funds were not allocated by BABAB for any project and are now instead
put to use for repairing streets.
4) Find a way for the completion of sidewalks and paths to be included in the CIP. Substantialamounts of funding are needed. The Federal Transportation Alternative funding grants (TA)
used in the past have not been available in the last few years and conceivably may not beavailable in the future due to a drop in gas tax. The public believes that funding for paths was
included in the district tax packages that they voted on, and are unaware that their tax moneydoes not usually help pay for paths.
5) Hire a full time Bike/Pedestrian coordinator to assess the needs and find ways to fund and
implement shared use paths and sidewalks. This is most important!
Thank you for all you do and your help,
Marilee Brown,
Executive Director for Safer BozemanChair of Galla10 Alliance for Pathways
Marilee Brown, Chair
GAP - Galla10 Alliance for Pathways
2411 Kid Curry Drive
Bozeman, MT 59718
406-579-5447
saferbozeman@gmail.com
www.frontagepathway.com