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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-28-10 Minutes - Transportation Coordinating Committee MINUTES BOZEMAN AREA TRANSPORTATION COORDINATING COMMITTEE WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28,2010 • These minutes are not word for word and should be considered in addition to the audio recording of this meeting. ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ATTENDANCE Chairperson Christopher Scott called the meeting to order at 10:03 a.m. on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 in the City Commission Room, City Hall, 121 North Rouse Avenue, Bozeman, MT and directed members to introduce themselves. Members present: Christopher Scott, Planning Department, Gallatin County, Chair of TCC Jeff Krauss, Mayor, City of Bozeman Bill Murdock, County Commission Jeff Ebert, MDT, Butte District Joe Olsen, Engineering Services Superintendent, Butte District MDT Ray Stocks, Bozeman Area Maintenance Chief Ralph Zimmer, Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee Carol Strizich, Statewide and Urban Planning, MDT Sam Gianfrancisco, County Citizen Representative Lee Provance, County Road and Bridge Superintendent Marianne Amsden, County Planning Department Rob Bukvich, Bozeman Division of MDT Chris Saunders, Interim Planning Director, City of Bozeman Rick Hixson, City Engineer with Debbie Arkell's proxy Carol Strizich, Statewide and Urban Planning, MDT Dan Martin, City Citizen Representative Bob Lashaway, Montana State University Guests/Staff present: Brianne Rogers, Field Director for Senator Max Baucus Aimee Kissel, City Clerk's office taking minutes ITEM 2. PUBLIC COMMENT {Public comment limited to any public matter within the jurisdiction of the Bozeman Area Transportation Coordinating Committee not on this agenda with a three-minute time limit per speaker.) Chairperson Scott opened public comment. No person commented. Chairperson Scott closed public comment. 1 of 11 Minutes of the Transportation Coordinating Committee ITEM 3. MINUTES Chairperson Scott asked TCC members if anyone had any changes to the minutes of January 27, 2010. Ralph Zimmer Ralph Zimmer asked for clarification regarding a commitment made by Ms. Arkell to look into light timing issues at the new light at 1 lth and Kagy. Marianne Amsden Marianne Amsden had several wording changes on page 10 and 11. Jeff Ebert Mr. Ebert spoke regarding the motion, vote and approval made during the January 27, 2010 TCC meeting to send a letter to the highway commission. He did not feel it was appropriate for MDT to draft the letter as the TCC members had requested. He asked that this item be discussed today within old business. Motion and Vote to approve the minutes of January 27, 2010. It was moved by Jeff Ebert, seconded by Sam Gianfrancisco to approve the minutes of January 27,2010 as corrected. The motion passed unanimously. ITEM 4. TCC COMMITTEE/MEMBER REPORTS A. Transit Committee Report Christopher Scott Mr. Scott spoke regarding appointing someone to the position of transit committee representative. He queried members as to the process of appointing someone who is not on a governing body. Dan Martin Mr. Martin said that Lee Hazelbaker from Streamline Transit has expressed interest in this position. Karst Stage is currently in the process of receiving the bid for Streamline. Christopher Scott Mr. Scott said it would be good to deal with this position soon. Dan Martin Mr. Martin explained that Streamline has seen funding cuts from the State and the University and may need to reduce some services as a result. B. Gallatin County Report Lee Provance Mr. Provance explained the County is finishing off quite a few roads including Blackwood, 2of11 Alinutes of the Transportation Cow ainaling Commillee, Patterson, and Gooch Hill North. The County also has projects on Trail Creek and Kelly Canyon • and are replacing Ice Pond Bridge this year. C. City of Bozeman Rick Hixson Mr. Hixson said the City is working with the County on the Ice Pond Bridge and are working on milling on Huffine. D. Bike Advisory Board No report. E. Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee Ralph Zimmer Mr. Zimmer reported that they have been discussing distracted drivers. The committee is also continually reviewing how the pedestrian crosswalk lights on Main Street are working. The State Traffic Engineer and Debbie Arkell met with Mr. Zimmer and the Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee on the issue. Mr. Zimmer gave a specific example of a crossing problem he had. The State Traffic Engineer accepted their primary suggestion, changing walk signals along Main so during the day it will not be necessary to push the button to get a walk signal to cross Main Street. The Committee will still attempt to convince them that should happen at night as well, although they are pleased with the progress they have made and are grateful to the State. F. Other TCC Member/Committee Reports No reports. G. Montana Department of Transportation Rob Bukvich Mr. Bukvich explained the state is milling and repaving Huffine Lane from Four Corners to about Fowler with chip seal going to 19"'. There are also chip seal projects on South 19"' and at the College intersection, South Church, and South 11"'. The City will be chip sealing Kagy at the same time. MRL structures are continuing. They are taking down the east bound structure. The beams are being removed. The Story Mill trail will be replaced by a tunnel structure large enough to accommodate a train. They are also preparing for milling and repaving on the interstate east of town. Valley Center is underway; they are putting in pipes and getting ready to start moving dirt about the middle of May. This is from Loves Lane to McGinley's underpass. Northwestern is to remove their poles by the 10`" of May. They have the new poles up and are transferring the services from the old to the new. Mr. Bukvich answered a question from Mr. Saunders regarding whether any sidewalk repairs on the north side of Main Street would be completed during the chip seal project on Huffine Lane 3of11 Minutes of the Transportation Coordinating Committee saying they will not touch any of that, however it is on their list. That project is something that the City and State should look at. H. Federal Highway Administration No report. ITEM 5. OLD BUSINESS A. Babcock/Mendenhall one way status Rick Hixson Mr. Hixson spoke regarding conducting research on what a request for proposal to do this kind of study would look like. He is looking back to 1973 when the original conversion took place as a Traffic Operations Program to Increase Capacity And Safety(TOPICS). The Topics plan paid for the original study by Menasco-McGuinn in Helena. The two main problems at the time prompting the change were congestion on Main Street and the intersection at 7/8"' and Main was at a level of service F. Due to congestion on Main, no left turns were allowed. The project cost $185,000 at the time. The one way goes to 1 It"because they were trying to get people away from the gridlocked intersection of Main and Seventh. They predicted that after the change the traffic would split with Main Street carrying half the capacity and the couplets carrying the other half. The counts now are about 50/50 just as predicted. In 1998 architects came up with the Makers Plan and the Downtown Improvement Plan. The recommendation was to consider converting back to two ways based on pedestrian considerations. Nothing was changed as a result of the Makers Plan. In 2001, the Transportation Plan update, looked at and modeled converting back to two ways. The conclusion was that Mendenhall and Seventh and Main and Willson would fail (F) and three other intersections downtown would operate at level of service D. That study recommended no change, but recommended a more detailed study of circulation in the downtown area. In 2003, the Downtown Bozeman Partnership in conjunction with TCC, commissioned the Downtown Bozeman Traffic Improvement Plan. They modeled it again and recommended not to make the change. They said advantages were to maximize circulation and access options, easiest configuration for motorists to understand, desirable for attracting tourists and visitors, lower traffic speeds on Mendenhall and Babcock,would improve pedestrian conditions. The disadvantages were listed as increased congestion and accidents at downtown intersections, decrease in overall Main Street, Mendenhall, Babcock corridor capacity, additional vehicular movements to conflict with pedestrian movements, high cost to implement. In 2007 in conjunction with TCC, commissioned the 2007 Greater Bozeman Area Transportation Plan Update and did not look at the issue again because past studies had recommended not to and the plan had a limited budget. In 2009 the new Downtown Bozeman Improvement Plan commissioned by the Downtown Bozeman partnership and the City recommended converting back to two ways. Mr. Hixson asked TCC members how they feel about continuing with this study? 4of11 Alinutes of the Transportation Cooi umating Committee, Lee Provance Mr. Provance said his experience from driving Mendenhall and Babcock there are problems with pedestrians. The vehicle on the right cannot see a pedestrian on the left curb with a vehicle on the left blocking the view. Rob Bukvich Mr. Bukvich brought up that in all the studies no one has looked at signal warrants along the one ways and what that would do. That may serve the purpose of making it more pedestrian friendly. Christopher Scott Mr. Scott said one study may have had suggestions regarding signalizing some of the intersections on Babcock and Mendenhall. Jeff Krauss Mayor Krauss said he thinks there have been some changes on the ground since some of the studies such as Willson and Mendenhall being signalized. He also mentioned the traffic impact on Olive and Lamme. A study should include impact on these streets as well. Bob Lashaway Mr. Lashaway, as a member of the tax increment finance district board provided views from a downtown perspective. Some of the focus would be the changing nature of downtown and moving downtown from a commercial district to a mixed use district. This has some impact on how vehicle travel would be viewed downtown. If downtown changes from commercial to mixed use with residential to support businesses we need to look at how to make it more conducive to residential uses and walking. There's a conflict between traffic engineering and how downtown would like to evolve. Ralph Zimmer Mr. Zimmer mentioned as a pedestrian one advantage of crossing at a one way is there are gaps in the traffic stream you can take advantage of. Unless traffic is stopped from stop signs or traffic signals there will be fewer gaps if the roads are two way. Also, two way operation results in less capacity on Babcock and Mendenhall which would divert some of that traffic to parallel streets like Main, Olive and Lamme. He also explained that had Clete Dailey and Bob Peccia are the gentlemen that worked on the Menasco-McGuinn report. At the end of the Topics Program, Great Falls had overspent there portion of the State money, so Bozeman lost some of their money to Great Falls. Therefore the actual funding for the conversion came out of Federal Aid Urban Funds. Dan Martin Mr. Martin is wondering what the goals are for converting. He mentioned that he does not think the parking garage will be easy to convert back to a two way. The idea of lighting the streets may help with the pedestrian issue. 5of11 Minutes of the Transportation Cooratnating Committee, Rick Hixson Mr. Hixson brought up other changes since the reports. He spoke regarding getting close to particulate thresholds that could be triggered if traffic became more congested. Mr. Hixson asked about the study that was recommended and asking questions such as what is the scope, where will the money come from and what is TCC's role in taking that next step. Rob Bukvich Mr. Bukvich said that since TCC recommends urban fund projects, so if this fell in that category TCC should be involved. MDT has not seen this issue on the urban priority list. There is a real distinction if that would be fundable. If it is a planning study it would not be fundable. Bob Lashaway Mr. Lashaway said it might be a possibility for the study to be Tax Increment Finance funded. This would be more than just a traffic engineering study. Jeff Krauss Mayor Krauss pointed out the difference and conflict between the transportation engineers and the urban planners. Downtown has a real interest in switching to two ways, while the engineers feel one ways are best. Part of the study is completely unrelated to transportation and should ask what does downtown think and what will we hear from the community? It does not sound like the money can come from urban transportation funds. He also said Mendenhall is one of the most blighted areas in downtown right now and mentioned issues with parking. He also hears that downtown is not very friendly to bicycle traffic. What he hears regionally and nationally is to remove one ways. One ways have not developed the way downtown has. The TIF and downtown businesses are concentrated on whether or not downtown is a destination and whether as a living place it is better served with two ways or one ways. Rob Bukvich Mr. Bukvich mentioned that conversion may severely limit the opportunities to shut down Main Street for events. Rick Hixson Mr. Hixson said there are a ton of issues to consider. This needs to be a full cost and benefit study, social and economic and traffic study. The scope would need to be large. Bob Lashaway Mr. Lashaway said that if the City could put together what the study should involve and then go to those groups that want the changes. Jeff Krauss Mayor Krauss said there may be an opportunity to complete some of the study with the BID as far as the urban planning side. Possibly the study would be split into two. 6of11 A9inutes of the Transportation Coordinating Coninillee B. Downtown Improvement Plan Status Report Chris Saunders Mr. Saunders said there are a number of regulation changes in transportation issues such as parking. Parking issues have become less constraining to additional growth in downtown. C. Other Old Business Jeff Ebert Mr. Ebert spoke regarding the motion passed during the last meeting regarding drafting a letter to send to the Highway Commission. Mr. Ebert did not get the letter written because the department has signed an agreement with the Highway Commission and MDT feels it is not appropriate for anyone from MDT to draft the letter. MDT does however support the project and are already asking for funding for this. Rob Bukvich Mr. Bukvich said it is not appropriate for MDT to be in support of the letter. MDT has put money towards that project and asked money from the feds for additional money. Bill Murdock Mr. Murdock said the TCC did adopt a transportation plan that this is a top priority. He was visiting with the Senate delegation (other than Rehburg) and they were fine with earmarking the next iteration of the highway bill for it. Rob Bukvich Mr. Bukvich already submitted an earmark for that project specifically and that may take care of the purpose of the letter. Bill Murdock Mr. Murdock said we do not need a letter since the knowledge that TCC supports the project and it is still a priority. Motion and Vote It was moved by Bill Murdock, seconded by Lee Provance to withdraw the motion from the January 27, 2010 meeting to have the Transportation Coordinating Committee draft a letter to send to the Highway Commission recommending that when they receive new funding they make complete funding of this project (1-90/East Belgrade Interchange) there next priority. Motion passed unanimously. Other Old Business 7of11 Minutes of the Transportation Coordinating Committee, Ralph Zimmer Mr. Zimmer asked for an update on the intersection of Willson and College. Jeff Ebert Mr. Ebert said MDT is closer to scheduling a presentation with the City Commission. The traffic engineers are getting the presentation ready. Chris Saunders Mr. Saunders said this is not scheduled on the draft agendas yet but weeks four, five and six are fairly open. Jeff Ebert Mr. Ebert will meet with Debbie Arkell about getting this before the Commission agenda. Dan Martin Mr. Martin spoke regarding the possibility of bus traffic difficulties on roundabouts. Jeff Ebert Mr. Ebert said it would not carry a large semi, but buses were looked into and will fit. Rob Bukvich Mr. Bukvich said the roundabout is designed for a fifty foot bus. They have a little raised portion on the middle for a large semi-truck but a fifty foot bus would make it around without using the portion in the middle. Carole Strizich Ms. Strizich clarified that the priority list of eleven projects for MDT from TCC was in order. With this being the case, sidewalk and curbs on Willson and South Church and work on West College Street and West Main Street will be moving forward as the first several projects. ITEM 6. New business A. County Park and Trail Plan Update (Amsden) Marianne Amsden Ms. Amsden reported that this plan is in the policy writing stage having compiled scoping mechanisms. TCC members were given the summary of the online survey and the summary of the community priorities. They will be pushing the time line back. Ms. Amsden asked whether this committee wants to review the plan before it goes before the County Commission. Lee Provance Mr. Provance feels it should be reviewed by TCC. Marianne Amsden Ms. Amsden said they may have a draft plan before TCC before the July meeting for review, but 8of11 Minutes of the Transportation Cooi umaling Commillee,. it is possible it may need to be moved out to October. She explained that Ada Montague has been writing much of the document and came to answer questions. Christopher Scott Mr. Scott explained that Tara Hastie should be given a link to the document for distribution to TCC as part of the meeting packet. Possibly it could be placed as a link on the County website. B. Scope discussion for feasibility study of Mendenhall/Babcock Streets conversion to two-way See notes above in old business. C. Other New Business None. ITEM 7. PROJECT UPDATES A. MSU Projects Update Bob Lashaway Mr. Lashaway said design is happening on the College and 1 lth roundabout and are close to design on a complete redesign on the Cooley Lab which is close to 11`' on Garfield. They are not anticipating any major traffic impacts. Responding to a question regarding how the Town and Country traffic impact is working out, both Mr. Lashaway and Mr. Saunders said they haven't heard any complaints or problems from the public. Marianne Amsden Ms. Amsden asked about looking into problems with back up on the left turn lane from Kagy onto 1 lth. (This was brought up as an issue at a former TCC meeting.) Jeff Krauss Mayor Krauss said the problem is with stacking heading east turning north on 1 lth is running all the way back to the through lane, blocking the through lane. Rick Hixson Mr. Hixson will see if Ms. Arkell has had an opportunity to look into that. B. Belgrade Projects Update Jeff Ebert Mr. Ebert said that tied to the chip seal project on 11"' and Church is a project to chip seal Amsterdam Road from Thorpe Road to Jackrabbit Lane that also includes the restriping of the two way left turn lane at the Belgrade Interchange on the south west quadrant. That is the first 9of11 Minutes of the Transportation Coordinating Committee, stage of improvements to the Belgrade interchange. That project was awarded by the Transportation Commission last week and will happen this construction season by Knife River. The second component is to put a traffic signal at the off ramp and the ramp itself. C. CTEP Projects Rob Bukvich The City is in the Planning stages for the pathway that will run along College from 1 It" to Huffine. D. South 191h Avenue—Main Street to Kagy Boulevard Christopher Scott Mr. Scott pointed out the utility covers have been raised since that was brought up at a former TCC meeting. Jeff Ebert Jeff Ebert said they are in the process of cleaning up, chip seal, and some median curb to be poured. Probably around June, July they'll do chip seal, with final markings thirty days later. E. Intersection Improvement Projects Rick Hixson Mr. Hixson said right of way has been secured on the College and 1 It" project with final design underway. They would like to bid this summer and would love to get it done when students are not here as it will be difficult to construct because of a lack of good detours. Rob Bukvich Mr. Bukvich asked for dimensions on the roundabout so they don't chip seal right to the intersection. F. North Rouse Avenue No change. G. I-90 Improvements Jeff Ebert Mr. Ebert said the major issue is the bridge project which will proceed this winter. The next structure will happen the next construction season. For the most part, Rouse will be kept open. Knife River has been good about getting information out to the public. 10 of 11 Alinules of the Transporlalion Coot uinaling Commillee, Rob Bukvich Mr. Bukvich said the summer after the second structure, work will probably begin on the North Seventh Structure replacement. This is in the planning stage now. H. 1-90/East Belgrade Interchange Report No Changes. 1. TSM' Report No report. J. Other Project Reports None. ITEM 9. 2010 MEETING DATES AND ADJOURNMENT • July 28, 2010—REGULAR MEETING • October 27, 2010—REGULAR MEETING • January 26,2011 —REGULAR MEETING Motion and Vote to adjourn the meeting. It was moved by Lee Provance, seconded by Jeff Ebert to adjourn the meetinp-. The motion passed unanimously. istopher Sco airperson Bozeman Are ransportation Coordinating Committee Prepared by: Ainlee Kissel, Deputy City Clerk Approved on July 28, 2010 11 of 11