HomeMy WebLinkAbout033106 Transportation Coordinating Committee MinutesBOZEMAN AREA TRANSPORTATION COORDINATING COMMITTEE WORKING GROUP MEETING
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2006
MINUTES
ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ATTENDANCE
Chris Saunders called the meeting to order at 9:03 a.m.
Members Present
Andrew Epple, Director, Bozeman Planning and Development, TCC Chairperson
Al VanderWey, Statewide Urban Planning
Chris Scott, Gallatin County Planning Dept.
JP Pomnichowski, Bozeman City Planning Board
John Henderson, Bozeman Area Bicycle Advisory Board
Staff Present
Chris Saunders, Assistant Director, Bozeman Planning and Development
Rick Hixson, Bozeman City Engineering
McKenzie Setcoski, Recording Secretary
ITEM 2. PUBLIC COMMENT
{Limited to any public matter within the jurisdiction of the Bozeman Area Transportation Coordinating Committee not on this agenda. Three minute time limit per speaker}
None to report.
ITEM 3. REVIEW OF DRAFT REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS
Assistant Director Chris Saunders, the contact point for the RFP, explained the purpose of the meeting is to get the group to concur so the RFP can be sent out for distribution. He told
the committee and staff that there is now a map of the study area that shows the move to the west that parallels the West Gallatin along River Road and the move to the north close to
Penwell Bridge Road. He noted that the preliminary map is part of the RFP as an attachment.
Saunders stated the “scope of services” is standardized and the state is helping with technical resources and funding, and will therefore be working together with the city and county
to come up with a final plan. The state has agreed to fund 50%, the county will fund 25%, and the city will fund the remaining 25%. Saunders did note, though, that the TCC will be
the consultant selection committee and will make a recommendation to these bodies later. The funding agreement was routed on Tuesday, March 29, 2006 and Saunders hopes to have it back
to City Commission on April 3, 2006 and County Commission as soon as it can move through their process
After JP Pomnichowski expressed concern regarding the county’s adoption, Saunders explained that the City had formally adopted the 2001 update in 2001 and the County in 2005, although
the County had been using it informally since its creation. Some elements apply to both and some to each entity uniquely. In the event that either party has some things they wished included
in the RFP they may suggest additions. If those items are unique to one party they will likely pay for those items in their entirety, rather than the shared cost for the majority of
the plan.
Rick Hixson expressed deep concern about having a cost estimate in a RFP for professional services. He thinks including the cost is a bad idea because it will become an overriding factor.
He said that the taxpayer is ill-served by this method and that the committee should consider basing the selection of consultants strictly on qualifications. The entire group concurred.
Saunders then turned to Al VanderWey to consult State attorneys to see if a cost estimate is statutorily mandated or not.
Saunders then turned the attention of the group to item number A, evaluating boundaries and data acquisition. This information is used in travel demand modeling. The model will include
Gallatin Valley north of Yellowstone Park. It will be based on 911 street map network and therefore will be constantly updated and as current as possible.
Hixson added that he would like to update the threshold for volume on local streets as it is far too low and because of that, the city is being asked to do traffic calming where there
is no need. He stated that 300 vehicles per day is far too low and this needs to be updated. Roundabouts where brought up and the group decided that they are useful only in certain
situations and their use should, without a doubt, be limited. The group decided that traffic calming should be updated.
After discussing the public outreach portion of the RFP, the group unanimously decided to require consultants to set up and maintain a website regarding their plans, and perhaps even
require them to include a section for the public to submit comments.
Twenty-five hardcopies of the RFP and a PDF copy suitable for web posting, etc. will be required. Jon Henderson said that we will not need a specific mapping format because he will
be able to reformat just about anything.
The date projection for the RFP is 20 years forward with a projected annual growth rate of 6%. Although this seems high to some, the group decided that it is most likely a low estimate
of population growth.
JP Pomnichowski questioned how this plan will work with the BDHD traffic plan. Saunders explained that the integration will take place seamlessly. Both will rely on this same arterial
network.
Saunders stated that the TCC will appoint a committee to review the RFP in April, and that the city, county, state, planning boards and other intrinsic groups will be part of the committee.
There will be 9 copies submitted for review. The TCC will accept public comment of the draft and formally approve the RFP for distribution at their April quarterly meeting.
ITEM 4. TCC MEMBER REPORTS – none
ITEM 5. OLD BUSINESS – none
ITEM 6. NEW BUSINESS – none
ITEM 7. PROJECT UPDATES – none
ITEM 8. ADJOURNMENT
Assistant Director Saunders adjourned the meeting at 10:16 a.m.
________________________________________
Andrew Epple, Chairperson
Bozeman Area Transportation Coordinating Committee