Missoula Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board Minutes

Tuesday, September 01, 2020 at 3:00 P.m. - 5:00 P.m.

Virtual Meeting: Live Stream and On Demand: http://www.ci.missoula.mt.us/webcasts

Watch Live on Cable TV Channel 190

YouTube Live Stream and On Demand: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5fnfMPFGSk8Gwq6F5UoqGg

Live call in phone numbers: 1 [phone]  1 [phone] (landlines only) Meeting ID: 960 049 3694

Voting members present:

• Cory Simenson (Chair),
• Britt Arnesen,
• Ryan Bundy,
• Jessica Dougherty Goodburn,
• Jessica Tuberty (Vice Chair),
• James Walter,
• and Gene Schmitz

Regular member(s) absent:

• Chris Siller

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1.

Call to Order

Cory Simenson called the meeting to order at 3:01 p.m.

2.

Roll Call

3.

Approval of Previous Minutes

​​​​​​​​The minutes were approved as submitted.

4.

General Public Comments

There was no public comment.

5.

General Board Member Comments

Board members requested information on safety and educational programming that is available through the city. Ben Weiss, Bicycle and Pedestrian Office stated he would gather information and provide an update at the next meeting.

6.

City Staff Presentations

There were no staff comments.

6.1

BUILD Grant Update: DJ & A and Big Sky Public Relations

Donny Pfeifer, DJ & A, consultant and project manager, and Katie Klietz, consultant with Big Sky PR and public involvement management, presented on the federal grant that was awarded in November 2019 for $13 million. Although the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant did not fund the full $23 million requested to complete all the projects, a summary was provided on how the projects would be prioritized. (Informational graphic available on eScribe).

The Mullan BUILD project team consists of the following;

• Missoula County
• The City of Missoula
• Consultant Team:
  • DJ&A
  • HDR
  • Kittelson and Associates
  • Big Sky PR
  • Tetra Teck
• Prime Contractor:
  • Kiewit

Without the additional $10 million to complete all the projects a map of the prioritization was provided showing which projects will begin with current funding trajectories and other that will be push back until funding is secured. Top projects in the first wave of funding includes; Mary Jane Boulevard (North and South), George Elmer Drive South, England Boulevard. Flynn Lane Trail East was bumped ahead due to readiness while Tipperary Way Trail got moved back along with Flynn Lane Trail West. Other projects lower on the priority list includes; Mullan Trail, George Elmer Drive North, Milwaukee Trail and Grant Creek Trail and Stream Restoration.

Mr. Pfeifer covered the project schedule from the start of February 2020 and the major funding obligation deadline where the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and office of the Secretary of Transportation to review. Drafts are expected in February 2021 to have agreement allowing for construction to start in May 2021. He provided details on the planning and traffic analysis that educated the team to better align projects with expected growth and development in the area, taking into consideration bicycle and pedestrian safety and to incorporate what is in the Master Plan.

The board raised concerns about safety and parking. It was clarified for most cases, buildings would face the streets and parking would be behind the buildings. Other topics of concern included the Mullan to Reserve transition outside the project limits however, Mr. Weiss confirmed work being done to obtain easements allowing for better trail connections. He also showed the idea for Mary Jane and Broadway connection crossing through Flynn Ln, along with the scope of other potential ideas to connect trail systems. Public input should be directed to Ms. Klietz and looking to get 60% design phase of the project ready by in early October 2020 with 90% design in December 2020 and completed design plan ready by January 2021. No future presentations are expected unless drastic changes are a factor.

6.2

Mullan Area Master Plan Update :Tom Zavits and Andrew Hagemeier

Tom Zavits, Planner with the City of Missoula, and Andrew Hagemeier, Planner with Missoula County, presented on the Mullan Area Master Plan Update. This is a joint city/county project to do a master plan in the area west of town and update zoning where development is happening that corresponds with the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grant.

There's a draft plan available for review on the above link. Updates and public comment options are also available on the city's website (engagemissoula.com).

The subject property is currently farm fields. The reason this area was chosen is that the area is being slated for development and has been for over 15 years. Sewer hook up is available, and land is currently owned by developers or is set to be sold to developers. This is the last area in Missoula that is developable with plans similar to that around Orange St, with mixed use housing and transit, making user friendly neighborhoods. The BUILD grant is another reason to do the plan as it provides $13 million for roads and trails, and the City is seeking another $10 million to complete the goal. The project kicked off in January 2020. In March, due to covid-19, a virtual charrette was held that went well. During late July there were workshops and events. The project is currently in the plan revision stage, and will start the adoption process. On September 29, 2020, they will have a public hearing with the Planning Board.

A visual of the site plan was provided that shows representation of what the community would like to see for the area. The plan is calling for over 6,000 new units, 5 walkable urban centers, 6 miles of new trails, a restored Grant Creek and 40-Acre urban agriculture. Some of the big ideas vary but for the purpose of the board, transportation options was the main topic covered. Mr. Hagemeier discussed the plan for safe, comfortable, and interesting streets for all users. Having a complete streets layout includes walking, biking, planting strips and proper storm drainage.

Mr. Zavitz presented on the zoning code, which is based on the growth policies set by the city and the county. The hope is to alleviate pressure on the transportation system by offering other modes of travel along with allowing access to closer services.

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6.3

Bicycle & Pedestrian Program: Ben Weiss

6.4

Bicycle Wayfinding: Madison Matthias and Ben Weiss

Ben Weiss, Bicycle and Pedestrian office, introduced Madison Matthias, an intern funded through both the city's Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and Bike Pedestrian Office's budget, and her work plan during her internship with the city. Ms. Matthias began by presenting on the developing a system of wayfinding in Missoula and focusing on bicyclists and their unique needs. Wayfinding helps answer questions like: where you are, what way you go, and how far you are from your destination. Ms. Matthias described how she's identifying bike routes, the use of routes and other identifiers to assist in determining the essentials which includes; paths, nodes, landmarks, edges, districts and corridors. She also presented on how the essentials help with wayfinding and how it will help make wayfinding more identifiable. She included a destination list (available on eScribe) and how the mapping helps connect the neighborhoods to all the districts within Missoula while allowing alternative routes around high traffic areas.

Ms. Matthias opened the board for comments and asked for feedback on the following questions;

1. Where are the most important (ie. river/arterial/railroad) crossings?
2. What other primary bike routes being traveled?
3. Does the destination list make sense?

The board expressed support for wayfinding. They discussed bike lane connections to other towns around Missoula and suggested adding grocery stores and maintenance stations. They also discussed the importance of information and placement of the signs. Ensuring the information will be valid for a number of years and not obstructed when installed. Members also suggested adding signs outside the wayfinding routes directing bikes towards the path.

7.

Committee Reports

8.

Old Business

8.1

Local Street Speed Limits

8.2

Continuation of Annual Priorities

9.

New Business

9.1

Nominations for Board Chair and Vice Chair (election at start of October meeting)

Britt Arnesen nominated Cory Simenson for chair. Mr. Simenson was not present to accept the nomination will get the opportunity at the start of October's meeting. James Walter nominated Jessica Tuberty for vice chair. Ms. Tuberty accepted the nomination.

10.

Announcements

Ben Weiss, Bicycle and Pedestrian Office, gave the board information on the Commuter Challenge that Missoula In Motion (MIM) does every year. The challenge runs in mid September for two weeks and members were encouraged to sign up and take advantage of working from home.

11.

Next Meeting: October 6, 2020 at 3pm virtually

12.

Adjournment

Jessica Tuberty adjourned the meeting at 5:04 p.m.