HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-01-17 BABAB MinutesBozeman Area Bicycle Advisory Board (BABAB)
Meeting Notes for February 1, 2017
6-8 p.m. City Shops
A. Call Meeting to Order: 6:04PM
In attendance:
a. Candace Mastel, Carson Taylor, Sam Haraldson, Tony Lebaron, John Vandelinder,
Dillon Warn, Jason Karp, James Lusby, Don Funke, Jason Delmue
b. Dani Hess, Ralph Zimmer, Marilee Brown, Danielle Scharff, Rebecca Gleason,
Linda DuPriest
B. Approve Previous Meeting Minutes
a. Minutes were not approved as there was not a quorum at the time.
C. Public Comment
a. Marilee Brown is reorganizing the frontage road pathway effort. She is trying to
establish a non-profit, to facilitate fundraising and get together a conceptual
design. She shared that the rumors are that things do not bode well for a
pathway on the frontage road corridor study. She is looking for people to get
involved in the bozeman to belgrade (B2B) pathway.
b. Ralph Zimmer had previously spoken about internal MDT policy regarding bicycle
pathways in right-of-way. The MDT policies have been published and may or may
not have impact on B2B path. Draft recommendations in corridor study do not
necessarily support separated pathway. There is another corridor study meeting
in Late March or early April, and Ralph feels it is important for BABAB to be there
to support and advocate the path
c. Ralph also pointed out that the state legislature is underway with several
proposals regarding bicycling and pedestrians is on the docket - The safe passing
bill is in the Senate, legislation proposed to exclude bicyclists from rural
roadways has been withdrawn to be rewritten, the House voted down an
ordinance disallowing city cell phone bans.
D. Status of TDM (Transportation Demand Management) Workgroup - Presentation by
Rebecca Gleason
a. Western Transportation Institute has gotten funding from the Small Urban and
Rural Livability Center and has approached the city to more wisely utilise
transportation facilities - how to encourage people to utilize busses, bikes,
carpools, vanpools. The city and MSU are excited and have assigned matching
funds. Dani Hess, Kelli Hildebrand-Hall, and Linda DuPriest, Taylor Lonsdale, and
David Keck are also on the project.
b. The four main tasks of the TDM workgroup are 1) working with large employers
for TDM plans, such as MSU and Oracle 2) Providing quality, frequent, and
affordable bus service, by providing new and additional funding for Streamline 3)
Investigating how to make bicycling more convenient 4) Outreach and education.
c. The TDM workgroup has met with the Rotary club to talk more about the
program
d. Social media, logos, outreach and engagement for the program are being
developed. The timeline is for a 3 year project. They have a diverse team and are
excited.
E. Transportation Alternatives: 30 minutes
1. Transportation Alternatives Funding is from Montana Department of Transportation
for bike/ped infrastructure. In the past, funding for projects has has been automatic,
but currently it is done by competitive bidding. $6.3 million is available for projects
this year, with $700k for pavement preservation only projects. Pavement
preservation could be used for our separated pathway networks. Each community is
allowed to bid up to $1.5 million for new projects and up to $200k for pavement
preservation. Taylor Lonsdale has a list of projects in mind, and BABAB had indicated
that fill-in projects might be better than new projects. Categories for bidding
projects are pathway infill, crossings and safety improvements, and accessories
(which are small projects). Taylor Lonsdale has published projects on a Google Map.
Projects require maintenance and applications are due March 31st. Would like a
letter of support from the Bike Board.
2. An overview of Infill Project Proposals:
a. Fowler avenue behind subdivision area connecting Durston to Babcock.
Funding for improved crossing was approved in last round, this could be a
good project. Estimated cost $122k. There are some connectivity questions
and potential problems, as a future road connection, though, could be
completely rebuilt. 5 to 20 years before Fowler gets put through to Durston.
b. Infill - 19th Connections between Bater and Ford Dealer, at gas station, UPS
Center, Blitz Motor Sports wetland. Projects will need to get an easement
from the owners, which could be challenging. John Vandelinder says that the
city could probably punch these through on our own funding,might not need
TA funding to do them. Estimated Cost $125k for UPS and $43k for
Motorsports.
c. Baxter is in complete redevelopment, probably don’t need to to do TA
Funding for it.
d. Home Depot Connection - Lot is for sale, $38,500 estimated to pave path.
Connections to important bus stops here.
e. North 7th - Cemetery. No sidewalk at all there, and a piece to Dotty’s casino.
MDT has plans for Griffin and 7th in 2022. $19,250 for sidewalk.
f. College Street Pathway on College and 20th. Widening to make a shared-use
pathway on North side. $26,400.
i. Bike Master Plan has plan to have vehicles yield to cyclists on
pathways, could be extended on this project all the way to Fowler.
Backing up stop lines at various intersections. Education component
could be useful - these can be confusing for all people using
intersection. Highland is a prime example of a bike path crossing
driveways and roads that is confusing for many people.
g. Total for these projects are $450,000. They have been packaged together to
have strong letters of support and a stronger bid for the set. Strategy seemed
to work well for last round of grants.
3. New Projects:
a. Ferguson Regional Park Connector - shared use path between Oak and
Baxter, with county land on one side, a new subdivision on the other. County
road construction could be an issue. City has been asking developer to put in
a path - they are putting in 8 foot path in the subdivision. Estimated cost of
this path is $255k. This could be a TA project, or county matching funds, the
county will have to sponsor the TA application for this project. County and
city are in disagreements on responsibilities for construction and
maintenance at other infrastructure projects, for instance the dogleg on Oak
street at the park. However, construction on the road and subdivision will
happen before TA funding is available.
b. Stucky and South 19th. Kagy to Stucky to Spire, Oracle, and many new
condos Lonsdale has reached out to the businesses in the area and are
mostly supportive of the idea. $168k for Stucky, 19th $102k . Stucky is
developing and is currently a rural road with no improvements. Campus
Drive could be connected to 19th at Stucky.
c. Valley Center Pathway from Davis to 19th. connection - would create a more
complete connection for the Bozeman to Belgrade pathway. $718,000.
4. Improvements
a. Garfield and Willon crossing. $25k
b. Dickerson and WIllson. $25k
i. There doesn’t seem to be a need for these improvements. BABAB and
PTS would need to collect data to convince engineering staff.
c. Willson and Grant or Lincoln Gallagator. There’s been some talk of extending
Lincoln through to improve that area. GVLT is lobbying and MSU is
supportive.
d. Gallagator crossings on Willson - might need to go and do a count on these
crossings to show the need
e. Highland and Ellis crossing. Crossing is challenging
i. City engineer says that it needs to be on both sides, collins coalition
and BSF have offered funding and city will move forward without TA
Funding
f. Cattail and Davis crossing. Some question on whether it is needed on this
round of TA Funding or will catch it next time.
5. Accessories
a. Wallace to gallagator $5500
b. East Davis missing sidewalk $15,000
c. Costco - path behind costco
d. 27th and Baxter
Discussion: 19th and Stucky are the projects that stand out to BABAB as being most needed.
We could write a letter of support, to be voted on next meeting.
MOTION: To write a letter of support for TA grants. Passes unanimously.
F. BABAB Email Communications - Sam Haraldson: 15 minutes
Sam is reporting on obtaining a more professional email account for BABAB, either a
bozeman.net or bikeboard.org or something similar. __________@ bozeman.net would lend a
authority, but may not be as accessible since the city will be involved. We could obtain our own
domain name would also lend authority. Should cost $15 for domain name and $60 to host it
per year, might be able to have it hosted on city’s server. Carson Taylor mentioned that email
communications by boards are discoverable legally, the City will want to make sure that
everything is saved. Sam wants transparency in the plan. Sam may need more input from legal
and IT. Will revisit next month. The gmail account will probably remain for the time being.
G. Goals for Year Recap – Candace Mastel: 15 minutes
Past goals that the board has had in mind were 23rd and Main, bicycle boulevard networks and
creating really quality roadways. Out of the 5 construction recommendations in 2011, 1 has
been constructed. Bike boulevard networks would include rearranging signage to create a
better traffic flow for bicycles. Linda DuPriest offered to help with some recommendations from
the Transportation Master Plan. Candace wants us to formally recommended a list to the city
commission of what we would really like to see happen. Sam says we just keep revisiting our
past issues and progress. Marilee pointed out that we voted to support the pathway, but has
never gone up to the city for the commissioners to support. The Corridor Study hasn’t seen any
government input, so they’re not interested. Interest may have dropped when the B2B path
wasn’t part of the slope flattening. Carson says that the B2B Path will be in the TMP, which is
the equivalent of city approval. Sam asks if the letter we wrote is strong enough support.
Marilee feels it needs to be officially on the corridor study. Ralph says that the state has
pointed out that the city has taken two positions - the previous TMP recommended bike lanes,
and the commission has also supported a plan to support a separated path. The new TMP may
resolve the issue, but we’re wondering if we can take any action to solidify the support. Carson
wants to investigate but feels it may not be necessary to put in front of the City Commission.
H. Winter Bike to Work Day: 5 minutes
February 10th is Winter bike to work day, all are encouraged to participate.
I. Kagy Boulevard Reconstruction Update – Candace Mastel: 15 minutes
There is a New Plan from Danielle Scharff at Sanderson Stewart. Larger Kagy
reconstruction has been delayed due to the scope of the project. The city commission has
changed the Kagy reconstruction to +5 years out to get a better package. Urban Funds will
accumulate over the next few years to pay for the project. Carson commented that they city
has been placed on the hook for various infrastructure projects that the city can’t afford and
will punt Kagy for a few years.
With the CIP plan - $500k has been allocated to interim improvements on Kagy.
Recommendations are widening from 11th to 7th, where the majority of left turns are queuing,
and to help traffic flow there. Also proposed is widening south lane of Kagy, which lines up
with existing road at 11th and where it widens in front of the museum. The proposal is to keep
the flashy light at the stadium. Signage could be added to have pedestrians wait for flashing or
for Hawk signal, delaying pedestrians slightly but improving traffic flow. A Pedestrian Hybrid
Beacon is pedestrian activated like rapidflash beacon, but requires vehicles to stop, while a
pedestrian gets a walk indication like at a controlled crossing.
Candace pointed out that the new athletic director has indicated that the crossing is
mostly for MSU athletics and inexpensive student parking. Crossings may be changed when the
bigger Kagy plan is implemented.
For the crosswalk at 7th it is recommended that the rapidflash be changed to eastern
side of the intersection. This makes more sense with left turning traffic on Kagy and with the
Gallagator path diversion. There is some discussion about which would be safer for the crossing
- east or west side of the intersection but mainly this change helps address left turn queuing on
Kagy.
Rebecca asks about bicycle improvements on Kagy, any changes will match what is
currently there for bike improvements. Bike striping will be based on available space, with a
possibility of taking a foot from each lane. Danielle will make those changes in her plan.
J. Old Business
none
K. New Business
Carson Taylor was wondering if there are there any positions open? Would like to have them
appointed before next meeting.
Ralph Zimmer reminded the board that Mary Vant Hull’s memorial is soon and since she was a
lifelong bike supporter it would be good to have a presence. City is also pushing very hard for
state increase in gasoline tax. 6/10 cents going to city and county governments, and 4/10 going
to MDT to match federal funding. LC1504 is the bill number.
L. Adjourn at 814PM