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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-27-10 Minutes - Transportation Coordinating Committee October 27, 2010, Transportation Coordinating Committee Minutes MINUTES BOZEMAN AREA TRANSPORTATION COORDINATING COMMITTEE WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 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 Vice Chair Bob Lashaway called the meeting to order at 10:06 a.m. on Wednesday, October 27, 2010 in the City Commission Room, City Hall, 121 North Rouse Avenue, Bozeman, MT and directed members to introduce themselves. Members present: Jeff Krauss, Mayor, City of Bozeman Jeff Ebert, MDT, Butte District Joe Olsen, Engineering Services Superintendent, Butte District MDT Ray Stocks, Bozeman Area Maintenance Chief Carol Strizich, Statewide and Urban Planning, MDT Sam Gianfrancisco, County Citizen Representative Brian Caldwell, City Planning Board Bob Lashaway, Montana State University Rob Buckvich, Montana Dept. of Transportation Dan Martin, City Citizen Representative Bill Cochran, Bozeman Area Bicycle Advisory Board Sean O'Callaghan, Gallatin County Planning Department, proxy for Chris Scott Ralph Zimmer, Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee Lee Provance, Gallatin County Roads Superintendent Guests / Staff present: Rick Hixson, Engineer, City of Bozeman John Van Delinder, Street Superintendent, City of Bozeman Aimee Kissel, Deputy City Clerk—taking minutes Lloyd Rue, Federal Highway Administration Danielle Bolan, Traffic Engineer, Montana Department of Transportation Jeff McKim, Montana Department of Transportation 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.} Vice Chair Bob Lashaway opened public comment. No person commented. Page 1 of 7 October 27, 2010, Transportation Coordinating Committee Minutes Bob Lashaway closed public comment. ITEM 3. MINUTES OF JULY 28,2010 Jeff Ebert corrected Lloyd Rue's last name and on page 9 asked that a correction be made regarding reference to the intersection of College and 1 lth correcting to College and Willson. Motion and Vote to approve the minutes of July 28, 2010 as corrected. Motion passed unanimously. ITEM 5. OLD BUSINESS (Moved up in the agenda to accommodate speakers) PRESENTION REGARDING 11'h and KAGY FROM DANIELLE BOLAN WITH THE MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (MDT) Jeff Ebert introduced the topic explaining that several inquiries were made by TCC members at previous meetings regarding a possible traffic light failure turning left off of Kagy at the intersection of 1It" and Kagy. Danielle Bolan reported that MDT employee Jeff McKim recently plotted crashes and vehicle counts at this intersection. From his observation, volumes have indicated that a left turn arrow is not needed. Pedestrian traffic was also observed. MDT feels the approach on Kagy east of the intersection may be part of the problem as vehicles attempt to turn left off Kagy into the field house parking,backing up traffic. Mr. McKim also observed many pedestrians crossing mid block instead of at the signalized intersection. Danielle Bolan provided several recommendations for changes to the traffic pattern on Kagy. Sam Gianfrancisco spoke regarding his experiences at this light, most recently October 26th. At 7:45 a.m.,he was the ninth car backed up waiting to turn onto 1 It" from Kagy and went through four light changes before being able to turn due to all of the cars heading east. Danielle Bolan and Jeff McKim from MDT confirmed that morning traffic counts were conducted on Wed. September 15th between 7 and 9 a.m. Discussion continued among TCC members and MDT regarding issues and possible solutions at this intersection. Danielle Bolan said since this is a city maintained urban route, the city could provide a dedicated left turn arrow if they so chose. ITEM 4. TCC COMMITTEE/MEMBER REPORTS A. Transit Committee Report Dan Martin reported that Galavan ridership has increased. The Skyline route will change from Page 2 of 7 October 27, 2010, Transportation Coordinating Committee Minutes four routes to three routes and begin charging a fee as the local match has been lost. The link between Bozeman and Big Sky will no longer be fee free as of the 1s`. Fare cards will be sold at a variety of outlets for $10. and $20. at $1. per trip. If purchased from the driver at the time of service, the cost will be $5. B. Gallatin County None. C. City of Bozeman Rick Hixson Mr. Hixson reported that the Montana Department of Transportation made a presentation to the City Commission several weeks ago regarding the intersection at College and Willson. The Commission decided not to have the state move forward at this time with either a roundabout or a traffic signal and instead chose to restrict left turn or straight through movements from College onto Willson. This change will be reviewed in the future. D. Bike Advisory Board None. E. Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee Ralph Zimmer reported the Committee testified at the October 4`h commission meeting regarding the intersection at College and Willson, urging the Commission to move forward with either a traffic signal or roundabout. The Committee is somewhat concerned about possible traffic impacts of the Commission's decision to instead make College onto Willson right turn only. Data was collected by city staff just prior to the change for future measurement purposes. Discussion took place regarding the future status of funds from the state to build some type of traffic signalization at this intersection. Mr. Zimmer explained the Committee has been having an exploratory conversation with the bike board regarding common ground on the issue of distracted driving. Mr. Ebert mentioned the planning division has a behavioral safety program that may provide ideas. F. Other TCC Member/Committee Reports None. G. Montana Dept. of Transportation Mr. Ebert reported that starting in November, MDT will be updating there transportation construction program. The program is approved by the Transportation Commission usually in Page 3 of 7 October 27, 2010, Transportation Coordinating Committee Minutes December. This year they do not know what federal funding will be beyond December 20th They also have urban projects going before the Transportation Commission in November. He also spoke regarding MDT pavement preservation projects. H. Federal Highway Administration None. ITEM 5. OLD BUSINESS (Continued from above) A. Discussion regarding feasibility study of Mendenhall/Babcock Streets conversion to two-way (Hixson) Rick Hixson reported that the City did not receive the TIGER grant or another grant they had applied for related to this project. Other avenues of possible funding will need to be explored. ITEM 6. NEW BUSINESS A. Gallatin County Park and Trail Plan Update (Amdsden) Sean O'Callaghan reported that the plan will likely be adopted in December or January as they are waiting for data at this time. B. Other New Business 7"' and Kagy Intersection Mayor Jeff Krauss reported that complaints continue to be received from pedestrians and bicyclists at the three way corner of 7th and Kagy explaining it is a significant pedestrian intersection connecting MSU to the south and as an outlet for a major trail. The city has added better pedestrian marking; however lots of people use the bike lane to pass on the right causing danger to pedestrians. Mayor Krauss would prefer some type of pedestrian control there. Rob Bukvich with MDT said the intersection was reviewed for warrant analysis and did not meet any vehicle warrants. Discussion took place regarding options besides signalization such as pedestrian warning flashers. A decision was made to have city staff review the options for some type of pedestrian solution and report back to the Transportation Coordinating Committee during the next meeting during old business. Bob Lashaway said MSU would likely be willing to collaborate with the city on some type of solution. County Commissioner Bill Murdock said he also sees the same problems at this location as well as observing people crossing west of this intersection. Page 4 of 7 October 27, 2010, Transportation Coordinating Committee Minutes Bill Cochran explained that this intersection and the light at South 3'-d are the two major bicycle routes for people crossing south to north, so the biking community also feels this is an important issue. A suggestion was made to have the Bicycle Board and the Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee discuss this intersection and report back. Rob Bukvich began a discussion regarding the closure of Kagy during MSU football games. ITEM 7. PROJECT UPDATES A. MSU Projects Update Bob Lashaway said MSU is beginning to look at renovation construction in January on the Cooley building with only short delays in traffic for deliveries. The 1 lth and College roundabout construction will likely begin in spring. B. Belgrade Projects Update Jeff Ebert reported that construction has been completed replacing the structure on Amsterdam Road that was washed out. C. CTEP Projects Rick Hixson said the College-Huffine pathway project is under construction. Ralph Zimmer reported that the CTEP Task Force met and is looking at future CTEP projects to recommend to the City Commission. D. Intersection Improvement Projects Jeff Ebert reported that the traffic signal at the intersection of Huffine and Gooch Hill is in full operation. They also did a warrant study further to the west at Huffine and Cobb Circle F with a report coming out soon regarding whether a traffic signal would be warranted. E. North Rouse Avenue Jeff Ebert reported that several meetings have taken place regarding various issues on the project including advanced acquisition of right of way and meetings with the city regarding storm drain needs. An amendment to the agreement between the state and city will be forwarded soon to the city to allow for negotiations regarding long term storm drain solutions. Funding is likely beyond 2015, 2016 now. F. I-90 Improvements Page 5 of 7 October 27, 2010, Transportation Coordinating Committee Minutes Jeff Ebert reported that opening the structure over Rouse Ave. is scheduled for November 4th. Next April they will remove the other pair of structures (over Rouse and abandoned railroad crossing). Jeff Ebert also reported that a pavement preservation project on Bozeman east and west on I-90 will be going to contract in March with the work happening next summer. Jeff Ebert responding to questions from Mayor Krauss reported that the structure above North 7th will likely take place roughly in 2012-2013. This item should be added to the TCC agenda under project reports. G. I-90/East Belgrade Interchange Report Jeff Ebert reported a stakeholder meeting took place recently and feels some questions were cleared up with the County. The project shortfall is about 16 million now. They are making arrangements to begin right of way negotiations and have met with the railroad and made some recommendations to deal with the railroad structures. Another stakeholder meeting will likely take place in mid January with public meetings, comments to follow. County Commissioner Bill Murdock reported that the City of Belgrade will be joining the discussions on this project. He said a large property owner stakeholder meeting will take place soon. Jeff Ebert, responding to a question from Mr. Murdock said the flow chart lists December 2012 for the tentative date for design completion with construction likely within three months thereafter(funding permitted). Also, the state brought an amendment to the agreement with the County removing the requirement that the County be responsible for a railroad utility. Jeff Ebert reported that the state recently opened bids for the Valley Center West and Jack Rabbit project with Knife River as the apparent low bidder. This will finish Valley Center from Loves Lane to Jack Rabbit. This will likely take place next spring with the possibility of pipe work to occur this winter. H. TSM's Report Jeff Ebert reported that a speed study was completed on South 19th and sent to the City. Discussion and details took place regarding the study. I. Other Lloyd Rue, Program Development Engineer from the Federal Highway Administration reported that they have appropriations authority only through December 3'd making it difficult for state DDT's to manage their money. MDT cannot exceed their fractional amount available to them. Mr. Rue reported the bigger issue is the need for highway legislation and he provided some speculations regarding what may happen with highway funding. Page 6 of 7 October 27, 2010, Transportation Coordinating Committee Minutes Jeff Ebert reported the current urban fund balance going into fiscal year 2011 is around 3 million and then provided additional comments regarding funding. ITEM 8. 2011 MEETING DATES AND ADJOURNMENT Motion and Vote to adjourn the meeting at 11:32 a.m. The motion passed unanimously. * January 26, 2011 —regular meeting * April 27, 2011 —regular meeting * July 27, 2011 —regular meeting * October 26, 2011 —regular meeting Bob Lashaway, Vice Chairperson Bozeman Area Transportation Coordinating Committee Prepared by: Aimee Kissel, Deputy City Clerk Approved on: Page 7 of 7