Fitchburg Bike and Ped Commission Meeting - September 2, 2026

The Fitchburg Bike and Ped Commission met on September 2, 2026, with Chair Andy Potts presiding. Present were members Kelly Jetser, Mark Hamilton, Brandon Haas, Jim Denham, and Joe Albado; Josh Olson was excused. The commission approved the August 5, 2026 minutes, received updates on public works and staffing, heard from Bike Fitchburg, and discussed next steps on greenway and youth bike education initiatives. No members of the public appeared for non-agenda items.

Minutes Approval

• The commission corrected an initial reference to June 3 and approved the minutes from August 5, 2026 by voice vote with no opposition.

Public Works Updates

• Ross reported that the Schumann Drive on-street multi-use paths are complete, with posts and paint installed and positive neighborhood feedback.
• The County Highway MM Underpass public involvement meeting was held the previous Thursday and drew good feedback; design work continues, with construction planned to start in the spring.
• The Fitcherona Road project is set to start in the spring; utility work and tree clearing are already underway. Quarry Ridge Bike Park remains open, but access requires waiting through flagging operations.
• The annual sidewalk project is substantially complete: all planned sidewalk has been poured and staff are completing inspections and restoration.
• Ross announced a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant of approximately $700,000-750,000 for the Traceway path from Fish Hatchery Road near Hoshi, past Leopold School, to the Cannonball Trail. The path ends less than 100 feet inside Madison. Local access TV recorded the presentation portion of the MM underpass meeting, but not the open-house Q&A.

Staffing Transition Update

• Phil, who staffs the commission as sustainability specialist, announced this was his last week with Fitchburg after roughly four weeks of transition work. He apologized for sending the transition plan to Chair Andy two weeks earlier but not to the full commission.
• Adam Sayre, deputy city administrator, said the city is taking time to review the position description, especially in light of the field referendum, and to consider capacity elsewhere. He expects more certainty in about a month.
• Adam and Ross will provide interim support; Phil's sustainability projects will be assisted by Adam, and Ross will remain the main infrastructure staff contact.
• Commission members asked about the staffing timeline and unfinished items. Phil agreed to send notes on open items, including a sidewalk-related recommendation and the long-running bike-on-sidewalks policy question.

Bike Fitchburg Update

• Bike Fitchburg's Steve congratulated the city on the TAP grant and said the route fills an identified gap in a healthy neighborhood initiative area.
• Community Night Out included a successful bike rodeo with eight stations, loaner bikes and helmets, and two league cycling instructors supervising volunteers.
• In the Bicycle Friendly Business program, 11 businesses received awards in 2022; one later left the city and nine have renewed. Bike Fitchburg is the remaining original awardee and is working toward an October 30 renewal deadline, with four or five additional businesses under consideration.
• The city remains sixth in the nation overall, and first in the nation among awardees in good standing within their four-year award period.
• Upcoming events include the Pick me up at the Border night gravel ride on September 18 at 7 p.m. from Seminole Tap, a Ride for Joe at 10 a.m. that day, a September 23 helmet-fitting event at Leopold Park with UW Health Fit Helmets, and Paddle Palooza on September 26 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Memorial UCC with a bike rodeo and repair fundraiser for Cycling Without Age.
• Bike Fitchburg's monthly meeting was canceled; it will give a greenway presentation to the Park Commission on October 1.

Greenway and School Bike Education Discussion

• Steve said he has spoken with the mayor about reintroducing a resolution to recognize and master plan the city's 50 miles of multi-use paths as the Fitchburg Greenway system. The proposal has been pending since 2022 and was unanimously supported by the Park Commission in 2023.
• An informational presentation is planned for the October 1 Park Commission meeting, after the scheduled September meeting was canceled for lack of quorum.
• Commission members expressed interest in receiving a longer version of the greenway presentation at a future Bike and Ped Commission meeting.
• Members also discussed youth bike education, including a possible Strider bike program at Leopold School and potential work with the Oregon School District through All Kids Bike.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the August 5, 2026 meeting minutes by voice vote; no opposition.
• Took no formal action on staffing; the city is reviewing the sustainability specialist position and will provide more information in about a month.
• Agreed to schedule a longer greenway presentation for a future Bike and Ped Commission meeting and to follow up on outstanding commission items through Phil's notes.
• Adjourned by voice vote on a motion by Mark, seconded by Joe.