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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-25-17 Minutes - Transportation Coordinating Committee Bozeman Area Transportation Coordinating Committee Minutes 10:30 am, Wednesday, October 25, 2017 Upstairs Conference Room, Professional Building, 20 E. Olive Street A. CALL TO ORDER – Introductions & Attendance Committee Member – Jeff Krauss, City Commission: Present Committee Member – Steve White, County Commission: Present Committee Member – George Thompson, City Planning Board: Present Committee Member – Doug East, County Planning Board: Absent Committee Member – Joe Walsh (interim), MDT, Butte District Engineer: Present Committee Member – Bill Brownell, County Road Superintendent: Present Committee Member – Craig Woolard, Director of Public Works: Present Committee Member – Dennis Taylor, Acting City Manager: Absent Committee Chair – Chris Scott, County Planning Department Rep: Present Committee Chair – Ralph Zimmer, Bozeman Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee: Present Committee Member – Marty Matsen, City Community Development Director: Present Committee Member – Katie Potts, proxy for Carol Strizich, MDT Multimodal Planning: Present Committee Member – Jeff Ebert, MDT, Butte District Administrator, Present Committee Member – Dan Martin, City Citizen Representative: Present Committee Member – Sam Gianfrancisco, County Citizen Representative: Absent Committee Member – Dan Stevenson, MSU Representative: Present Committee Member – Jason Delmue, BABAB Representative: Absent Committee Member – Jeff Patten, FHA Division: Present Committee Member – Kyle DeMars, MDT Maintenance Chief: Absent Committee Member – Lee Hazelbaker, Transit Advisory Committee, Absent Also in attendance: Steve Albert, Western Transportation Institute; Dave Crawford and Martha O’Rourke, TD & H Engineering; Doug Fischer and Tony Gaddo, Dowl; Josh Springer and Lisa Fischer, HDR; Danielle Scharf, Sanderson Stewart; Stephanie Brandenberger, MDT; David Ralph, MSU; Levi Ewan, Gallatin County; Josh Waldo, Rich McLane, Rick Hixson, John Vandelinder, Matt Workman and Katherine Maines, City of Bozeman. B. PUBLIC COMMENT Limited to any public matter within the jurisdiction of the Bozeman Area Transportation Coordinating Committee not on this agenda. Please limit your comments to three minutes. None C. MINUTES – July 26, 2017 Ralph Zimmer asked that draft minutes show the word “Minutes” at the top of page one. The draft July minutes still showed the word “agenda”. He also asked that they include line numbering so it’s easier to discuss changes that need to be made prior to approval of the minutes. In the draft minutes from July, there was a line that stated “employees are within 5 minutes of a transit stop.” He wanted confirmation that this statement was accurate. Steve Albert said he would confirm and get back to the group. Ralph moved that the group approve the minutes as submitted with the understanding that they may need to a minor correction in the future. Jeff Krauss seconded the motion. The minutes were approved unanimously. D. NEW BUSINESS Interstate Speed Study – Craig Woolard & City of Bozeman Fire Chief, Josh Waldo Craig gave some background on the concerns shared by Chief Waldo and himself related to increased traffic on the interstate and traffic stacking up on the off ramps. Josh spoke about his experiences with his crews responding to incidents on the interstate. He’s concerned about their safety and the safety of the drivers sitting on the interstate, either in the right hand lane or on the shoulder, waiting to get off the interstate. He’s discussed his concerns with MDT and was told that they typically see decreased speed limits adjacent to cities with populations of 50,000 and higher. City of Bozeman Deputy Police Chief Rich McLane added that the Bozeman Police Department doesn’t enforce traffic on the interstate but does assist with emergency situations. He mentioned that 80-85 mph results in a stopping distance of 1250 feet and use of cell phones is not prohibited on the interstate. In 2016, the Bozeman Fire Department had over 73 incidents on the interstate and Chief Waldo is concerned about his staff. Steve White asked if the discussion is to do a speed study or look at one that’s already been completed. Craig’s recommendation is to move forward in requesting a speed study. Steve’s understanding of the process is that a study is completed and then reviewed for the 85th percentile. He believes that in order to reduce the speed limit on the interstate, it would mean an increase in enforcement. Jeff Ebert mentioned a state/federal law that allows the speed limit to be lowered to 65 mph. A speed study does not have to be completed. (During a follow-up discussion at the January 24, 2018 meeting, Jeff Ebert clarified that speed studies are actually required and that he misspoke at the October 25 meeting). He asked that a letter be submitted to himself requesting a speed study to determine if a 65mph speed limit is warranted. Jeff Krauss doesn’t want to see traffic reduced to 65 mph unless truck traffic is reduced to 55 mph. If this request were made, how far does this zone extend? Comments suggested that some would like to see this extend from Belgrade to Bear Canyon. Chief Waldo offered to talk with the City of Belgrade. There was a long discussion on whether the group is asking for a speed study or to reduce the speed. There were concerns about spending a large amount of money on a speed study when it’s likely that the road would be safer with reduced speeds. There were also concerns about including the area around Belgrade without reaching out to the City first. Ralph made a motion that the TCC make a recommendation to MDT that the speed limit be reduced to 65 mph from Bear Canyon to the west as far as they deem reasonable. Craig seconded the motion. After further discussion, the motion was withdrawn. Steve recused himself from the vote if the group is asking to reduce the speed limit. He feels that this request is inappropriate because the agenda item advertised was to request a speed study. He also feels that he can’t make this decision without input from the rest of the County Commission. Jeff K. doesn’t think that this group has the authority to recommend a change in the speed limit. This recommendation should come from the City and County Commission. Craig made a motion that the TCC make a request to MDT to work with the local governing bodies to evaluate the reduction of the speed limit within the Bozeman Urban Area. Jeff K. seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously. The City will draft the letter for TCC review. E. SPECIAL PRESENTATION - None F. TCC COMMITTEE/MEMBER REPORTS & PROJECT UPDATES (Members of the TCC who sit on other related committees, are invited to report on such activities that are of interest to the full TCC) 1. Transit Committee Dan Martin gave an update for the transit committee. They are dealing with funding cuts and increased ridership as the city grows. They’ve made minor changes to the routes that will go in effect in December. They’ve redesigned Skyline, added services and adjusted routes for increased efficiency. Karst Stage has been contracted to transport employees working on the construction at the Yellowstone Club. 2. Gallatin County (Commission, Planning Board, Road Department) Levi Ewan gave an update for the County. The Nixon Bridge project is moving forward and is expected to bid in January. The Big Sky Transportation Plan has been drafted and is moving towards adoption. The County continues to participate in the Belgrade Transportation Plan and the County is working on a draft standalone transportation design standards document. 3. City of Bozeman (Commission, Planning Board, Engineering Department) Craig gave the update for the City of Bozeman. The final walkthrough on the Oak Street reconstruction is scheduled for later today and staff expects the road to be open by the end of the week. Graf has been open for a few months and S. 11th is under construction south of Kagy. The interim upgrades to Kagy were completed and a signal was installed at Babcock and Ferguson. E. Olive Street should reopen in the next few days. The City is in the process of updating the 5 year Capital Improvement Plan which has been submitted to the Impact Fee Advisory Committee and will go to the Commission on November 6. Jeff K. asked about the work on Peach, east of Rouse and mentioned that he’s received several comments requesting reduced speeds on S. 19th, south of Kagy. He asked that MDT consider this. He also raised concerns about the intersection of 7th and Griffin. Craig mentioned that the new High School is requiring infrastructure improvements which has pushed the funding for improvements to Griffin back a few years. George Thompson updated the group on City Planning Board activities. They are putting together a growth plan and would like to use this as an educational tool to show the community the impacts of growth and how it affects other areas, including infrastructure. 4. Bicycle Advisory Board Jason Delmue was unable to attend so Tanya Healy came in his place. She read a text from Jason with an update from the Bozeman Area Bicycle Advisory Board (BABAB). BABAB is looking at unscheduled bike projects on the Transportation Master Plan list that the city might complete through the general fund. 5. Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee Ralph gave an update for the Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee. They are also reviewing the Transportation Master Plan for pedestrian and bicycle projects that they can recommend to the City. 6. Montana Department of Transportation Jeff E. gave an update for MDT. They are rushing to complete Rouse and hope to have at least one layer of asphalt down before winter shutdown. They will likely need to come back next spring for cleanup. The second phase of the Rouse project (Oak to Main) includes moving utilities and tree cutting so they’d like a meeting with the city to plan. They still need right-of- way from six lots and if this goes to condemnation, the project may be delayed. They are still working on the Bozeman Signal Safety project that includes 56 signalized intersections. They are working on a Bozeman/Livingston ADA upgrade and have started the Belgrade South project on Jackrabbit between Frank Road to Hulbert. They will continue work on the east side of the road until winter shutdown and then will start again next spring. The Huffine/Love Lane traffic signal will involve more construction than originally planned but is still on schedule for the next construction season. The Baxter/Love Lane roundabout is in the right-of-way phase but is still on schedule for next year. The Cottonwood/Stucky roundabout is also on schedule for next year. A design is in progress for the 19th interchange signal on the eastbound exit ramp. They held a public meeting on the Valley Center Spur intersection improvements. Construction of this intersection will likely occur in 2019. Ralph asked about the acquisition of right-of-way for the Frontage Road slope flattening project. Jeff mentioned that it’s not an acquisition problem. They just need to get a construction permit. Jeff E. also informed the TCC that Jenn Nelson has taken a new position and is now in Helena. Joe Walsh is covering her position presently. 7. Montana State University Dan Stevenson gave an update for MSU. The Transportation Demand Management (TDM) partnership between the City and the Western Transportation Institute (WTI) is making progress. WTI is focusing on bike and pedestrian infrastructure and has been awarded a Transportation Alternatives grant as well as an AARP Community Challenge grant, the latter of which has allowed for traffic calming and pop up materials that have been utilized around campus. They are also looking at a large employer data collection pilot. Transportation surveys to various large employers have gone out asking what employees would be willing to do with more public transportation options. WTI is also studying communities similar to Bozeman to see what other transportation options there are (bike shares, park and rides, etc.). Steve also spoke on the TDM work. Dan and Steve made a presentation to MSU President Cruzado about peak spreading and modifying behavior by traveling outside of the peak hours. President Cruzado was very supportive. WTI is also working with MSU Police to better move traffic. 8. Other TCC Member/Committee Reports None G. OLD BUSINESS None H. UPCOMING MEETING DATES AND ADJOURNMENT Chris adjourned the next meeting. January 24, 2018 – REGULAR MEETING April 25, 2018 – REGULAR MEETING July 25, 2018 – REGULAR MEETING October 24, 2018 – REGULAR MEETING For more information please contact Katherine Maines at 406-582-2273 Committee meetings are open to all members of the public. If you have a disability and require assistance, please contact our ADA coordinator, Mike Gray at 582-3232 (TDD 582-2301).