The Fairfax Town Council voted to accept Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) funding and to form an ad‑hoc Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) to guide an update of the town’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan.

The council learned that MTC awarded the town a planning grant (requested amount shown in staff materials: approximately $82,000) to hire a consultant with active‑transportation technical expertise and to underwrite community engagement. Associate Planner Bridal McKillop told the council the 2016 plan is overdue for a refresh: the update would rank walking and bicycling priorities, incorporate newer data sources and address emerging modes such as e‑bikes.

Why it matters: updating an active‑transportation plan qualifies Fairfax for additional state and regional active‑transportation grants and gives the town a prioritized, evidence‑based list of projects and policies to improve safety and accessibility.

Council action: the body adopted a resolution creating an ad‑hoc BPAC to assist staff with outreach and advise the consultant. After discussion the council amended the proposed resolution to specify 5–7 members and explicitly include a non‑voting youth seat to widen community perspectives. Staff said 11 resident applications had already been received and interviews would be scheduled at the June 4 meeting.

Committee role and schedule: staff described a hybrid approach in which the consultant handles technical tasks (e.g., network analyses, design standards) and BPAC members and staff lead community engagement and local outreach. Staff plans to release a request for proposals (RFP) based on the council’s feedback, evaluate consultant proposals in June and anticipate consultant work beginning this fall; the grant must be expended by June 30, 2027.

Public comment highlighted pedestrian accessibility and the need to include a variety of users, including parents, seniors and people with mobility impairments. Council members asked staff to ensure the BPAC recruitment looked for balance across cycling and pedestrian experience and to consider adding a youth voice. Several residents said they wanted downtown merchants and daily users represented in outreach.

Ending: the council’s vote moves the town into a funded planning phase; the BPAC will be an advisory, time‑limited committee that dissolves after the plan is completed. The council directed staff to return with consultant proposals, BPAC interview schedules and a public engagement plan.