Missoula Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board Minutes

Meeting #:
Date:	Tuesday, August 06, 2019 at 3:00 P.m. - 5:00 P.m.
Location:	City Council Chambers 140 W. Pine Street, Missoula , MT

Voting members present:

• Gene Schmitz (chair),
• Cory Simenson (vice-chair),
• Fred Allendorf,
• Britt Arnesen,
• Jenny Baker,
• Jessica Dougherty Goodburn,
• James Walter,
• and Chris Siller

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1.

Call to Order

Gene Schmitz called the meeting to order at 3:01 p.m.

2.

Roll Call & Introductions

3.

Approval of Previous Minutes

4.

Approval of Current Agenda

5.

Public Comment

There was no public comment.

6.

Comments from City Staff, Agencies, Boards, etc.

 

 

6.1

Bicycle & Pedestrian Program: Ben Weiss

Ben Weiss, Bicycle and Pedestrian Office Program Manager, welcomed Chris Siller, the newest BPAB board member. Chris Siller gave a brief introduction to the board stating his experience.

Ben Weiss informed of the departure of bicycle ambassador, Wyatt Smith, and Development Services Director, Mike Haynes. There were updated on personalized trip planning, the potential impacts of subdivision proposals to collectors and developing trails, and construction upgrades being done to streets and bike paths around Missoula.

6.2

Building a better board: Marty Rehbein

Marty Rehbein, City Clerk, spoke to the board on their meeting process, roles, and responsibilities. (PowerPoint presentation available on eScribe). The board reviewed:

• Legal requirements
• Ways to stay accountable to their mission
• Methods to follow to create productive meetings
• Committee of the Whole objectives
• Possible edits and additions to BPAB bylaws
• Rights and responsibilities in public meetings
• Affirmative actions and voice voting
• What is allowed to take place if a quorum is not met

The board opened a discussion on BPAB Committee of the Whole meetings, board communication through email, requirements of meeting minutes, and bylaw updates.

Ross Best made a public comment strongly disagreeing with the advice given by the city clerk. He voiced his disapproval of way the minutes are being taken and encouraged the board to produce minutes that are more helpful to the general public by giving further details along with attributes to the people who spoke.

7.

New Business

7.1

Electrically Assisted Bicycles

7.1.1

E-bicycle private use ordinance discussion

Ben Weiss, spoke to the board on ordinances 10.42 and 12.40. The ordinances pertain to the private-use of class 1 and 2 electric bicycle regulations in public right of way and on primary commuter trail networks. All references to electric scooters were previously removed from the ordinances.   

The board discussed the differences between class 1, class 2, and class 3 electrically powered bikes and identified concerns with ordinance 10.42.160, item B. The board deliberated the recommendations they wanted to give to the council. 

Britt Arneson a motion to support the ordinance as a whole and create an additional discussion for further concerns.

Ross Best spoke to the board about his disapproval of electric bicycles on sidewalks. He recommended that the board opposes the electric bicycles on sidewalks, and commuter trails. He believes there will be no meaningful enforcement of the proposed restrictions and feels that it is the board's responsibility to stand up for the safety of pedestrians. 

Britt Arneson made a motion to recommend the ordinance 10.42.160 to City Council after the removal of item C. The motion passed 7-1. 

Britt Arneson made a motion to recommend the ordinance 10.42.160 to City Council after the removal of item D. The motion did not pass. 

Britt Arneson made a motion to recommend the ordinance 10.42.160 to City Council approval parts A, B, D, and E. The motion passed 7-1.

Ross Best voiced disapproval of ordinance 10.42.160. He feels that if the ordinance is approved, however, the general bicycle ordinance should reflect what is happening in the e-bike ordinance.

The board made a motion to support ordinance 12.4. The motion passed 7-1. 

7.2

Support for Public Works budget request

The board discussed the draft letter of support for Public Work’s budget request for additional funding. The letter called attention to the complete streets policy to serve people of all ages and abilities.

Britt Arneson made a motion to recommend the Public Works budget request letter. Gene Schmitz wanted to see the fifth paragraph removed. Britt Arneson amended her motion to remove the fifth paragraph.  

Ross Best voiced his support of the letter.

The motion passed unanimously. 

8.

Old Business

8.1

"Hot spot" tour planning

8.2

On-street angled parking discussion

9.

General Comments and Announcements

There were no closing announcements. 

10.

Upcoming Meetings

11.

Adjournment

(insert name) adjourned the meeting at 5:18 p.m.