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HomeMy WebLinkAbout072804 Transportation Coordinating Committee Minutes BOZEMAN AREA TRANSPORTATION COORDINATING COMMITTEE WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 2004 MINUTES ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ATTENDANCE Chairperson Andrew Epple called the meeting to order at 9:40 a.m. and asked the members of the Committee and the audience to introduce themselves and directed the secretary to record the attendance. Members Present Andrew Epple, Director, City of Bozeman Planning & Community Development/Chairperson Debbie Arkell, Director, City of Bozeman Public Service Joe Olsen, Engineering Services Supervisor, Butte District, MDT Jim Nallick, Representative, Bozeman Area Bicycle Advisory Board Jeff Ebert, District Engineer, Butte District, MDT Pam Barrett, Representative (proxy for Bob Lashaway), MSU Ross Gammon, Maintenance Chief, Bozeman Division, MDT John Vincent, Representative, Gallatin County Commission David Smith, Citizen Member, City of Bozeman Resident Lynn Zanto, Statewide Urban Planning, MDT Chris Scott, Representative, Gallatin County Planning Staff Present Rob Bukvich, Engineer, Bozeman Division, MDT Laura Wooden, MDT Rick Hixson, City Engineer, City of Bozeman John VanDelinder, Street Superintendent, City of Bozeman Carol Schott, Recording Secretary Visitors Present Mandy Drysdale, Senator Baucus’ Office David Cobb, Senator Baucus’ Office Two College Students 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} David Cobb from the office of Senator Baucus gave an update on the Transportation Bill, noting it was back in conference committee until the first week in September. He stated the current bill has been extended to the end of September. Mandy Drysdale, also of Senator Baucus’ office, announced a Democratic finance committee member would be in town and she offered to set up meetings as needed. The members were encouraged to call her office. ITEM 3. MINUTES OF APRIL 28, 2004 Chairperson Epple called for corrections, additions, or deletions to the minutes of April 28, 2004. It was noted that Lesly Tribelhorn wasn’t in attendance. Lynn Zanto noted Morrison-Maierle, Inc. should be spelled out in the minutes on page 2, paragraph 3, and in the second sentence of paragraph 4, “Leif Scott McLarity should be amended to be LSC consultants. Ross Gammon noted on page 2, second paragraph, and page 3 fifth paragraph, the references to the “State Highway Commission” should be amended to read “State Transportation Commission.” It was moved and seconded to approve as corrected. The motion carried unanimously. ITEM 4. TCC MEMBER REPORTS Transit Report David Smith reported the Transit Committee plans a phone survey during the middle of September to survey ridership possibilities. I-90/Airport Interchange Report – Pat Abelin Ms. Zanto reported that Pat Abelin’s committee met on July 12, 2004. She stated they felt the growth model developed by Morrison-Maierle. Inc. didn’t project the growth accurately and was too low. She noted Morrison-Maierle, Inc., will update the model with a somewhat larger growth rate and the committee will proceed from there. A Memorandum of Agreement may soon follow. Chris Scott asked what growth rate area was used. Ms. Zanto noted the rate used was for Gallatin County. She stated the revised model might be completed with Belgrade as a central growth and with lower densities projected for the outlying area. Chairperson Epple noted a growth rate of 2.5% is quite a rapid rate, which doubles in population in approximately 35 years. TSM’s Report Debbie Arkell distributed pages from the Transportation Plan with notes in the margins as to which projects are completed and which are under construction. She noted there are several remaining to be completed, and in response to Mr. Smith, stated no new TSM’s will be added until the Plan is updated. D. Pedestrian signal on Main Street at Bozeman High School Mr. Gammon reported the pedestrian bases are installed, the interconnects and wiring are nearly completed, and the system should be up and running by the time school begins. Ms. Arkell asked if MDT was planning to do an education program. Mr. Bukvich noted the school was planning to revamp the sidewalks leading to the crossing. Mr. Gammon suggested the education be done by the police department. Chairperson Epple thanked MDT for getting the project completed so quickly. E. Bike Route Signing Plan – Jim Nallick Rob Bukvich reported MDT has authorized and approved the signage plan and will be putting the project up for bid in June. He noted the CTEP coordinator is to submit an application for grant monies to help fund the signage. ITEM 5. OLD BUSINESS Chairperson Epple delivered a message from Kerry White asking that any speed studies planned for the Gooch Hill intersection with Huffine Lane be accelerated as much as possible. He was concerned about the safety of the intersection. Mr. Bukvich noted MDT has a project to look at access; however, there are no plans to study speeds or traffic signal warrants. He noted MDT and the County need to work closely to ensure the traffic studies are being done by the developers, with a condition that the developers will pay their fair share when a signal is warranted. Chris Scott noted the County is adding a condition requiring MDT approval prior to Final Plat. He noted reports are being forwarded to the consultant doing the access study. Mr. Bukvich noted the plan is only to study access points with no funding and no improvements planned. Mr. Gammon noted MDT’s concern is access control. Mr. Bukvich reported there might be a certain time of day a particular movement might be operating at Level F. However, most of the time the intersection operates at Level B or possibly C. Mr. Gammon noted that often the funding mechanism has vanished as the developer has completed the portion of the subdivision he was responsible to do and is gone. Mr. Bukvich noted a master plan for Huffine Lane improvements is yet to be developed. Mr. Bukvich reported on a request for speed limits on certain county roads, specifically 35 mph on South 19th Avenue. He discussed the 1999 Legislative bill which set speed limits of 70 mph on certain roads. He noted MDT devised a mechanism for local officials to request a speed reduction on roadways such as South 19th Avenue. Mr. Vincent noted the speed limits, as posted, are adequate. He noted the intersections on Jackrabbit Lane need improvements. Mr. Gammon asked Mr. Vincent to draft another letter with the request for improvements to Jackrabbit Lane intersections. Mr. Vincent noted there are concerns about the round-about on Baxter Lane. Rick Hixson noted the installation engineers have admitted the round-about was staked and installed incorrectly. He noted the engineers and contractors have met to devise a mechanism for repairing the situation prior to winter. It will be reconstructed to the original specifications. John Vincent noted a petition is anticipated from property owners along Jackrabbit Lane from the Belgrade interchange to Kenyon Noble Lumber requesting a reduction of the speed limit to improve access and provide safety. Mr. Bukvich noted a speed study might be required prior to scheduling any improvements. He stated that left turns might be the problem. Mr. Vincent noted a long term project might be to install left turn lanes. ITEM 6. NEW BUSINESS – There was no new business to be discussed. ITEM 7. PROJECT UPDATES - Discussion only as needed MSU Projects Update Belgrade Projects Update Mr. Gammon reported the intersection of Montana 205 and Main Street is scheduled to be done in 2005, with work continuing on design and right-of-way issues. He stated MDT is working with Town Pump to sell them property for approaches to a new station at Madison and Jackrabbit Lane. He noted MDT is working on other approaches on Jackrabbit Lane. CTEP Projects West Babcock Street Improvements Ms. Arkell reported Morrison-Maierle, Inc. is under contract to design the improvements to West Babcock Street. City Commission directed staff to proceed with the improvements, with the utilities work to be installed this fall and paving next summer. She noted the City Commission approved the use of some of the Street Impact Fee funds to pay for a portion of the improvements. South 19th Avenue - Main Street to Kagy Boulevard Ms. Arkell asked for the status of the College Street/South 19th Avenue project. Mr. Bukvich noted the project is ready to commence, however, MDT doesn’t want to do just that portion of South 19th Avenue. He noted the intersection improvements don’t include the transitions which are to be installed with the rest of the improvements to South 19th Avenue. He stated those improvements are scheduled for 2005, with bid letting possibly in late spring of 2005. Mr. Gammon noted the whole project hinges on the reauthorization of the Transportation Bill. Mr. Vincent reviewed the history of 19th Avenue “as the speedway to MSU.” He asked if the signals were planned to be synchronized on 19th Avenue. Mr. Bukvich noted there are plans to interconnect all signals on 19th Avenue, 7th Avenue, and Main Street. However, they can’t be set to allow travel through without stopping for both directions of travel and they all need to be coordinated with turn phases, pedestrian’s phases, etc. North 19th Avenue and Main Street Intersection Improvements Mr. Gammon reported work on the intersection is progressing well, and should be completed next week. He noted the issues with a property owner for right-of-way delayed the project slightly. Mr. Bukvich noted the signal at Babcock Street is functioning. Ms. Arkell reported she is receiving complaints that left turns are prohibited from Main Street on to North 20th Avenue, the sequencing of the turn arrows, and access to certain businesses being prohibited from one direction. Mr. Bukvich asked for discussion at a later date on the intersection of Main Street/ Babcock Street/23rd Avenue to allow better access. It will be an agenda item on a future agenda. Other North 19th Avenue Ms. Arkell reported the SIDs for funding improvements to North 19th Avenue/Valley Center Road were denied by City Commission. She noted the City Commission has given approval of projects fronting on Valley Center Road with conditions that certain improvements to North 19th Avenue and Valley Center Road needed to be completed prior to issuance of building permits. She noted there are options for funding those improvements even though the SID was not approved, including the developing parties could offer to purchase the design approved by the City and MDT. Signal Projects It was reported that the Willson Avenue/Olive Street signal has been installed, a permanent signal at Beall Street/19th Avenue is installed, among others. Mr. Bukvich noted a public information meeting to be held this fall for public input on the location of future signals. He noted the bulb-outs on South Willson Avenue are to be removed in conjunction with the new signal project at that location. 9. North Rouse Avenue Mr. Hixson noted the City is making good progress with the sewer improvements and anticipate completion this fall. Ms. Arkell reported that Rouse Avenue from Main Street to Babcock Street will revert to two-way traffic when improvements are completed. Mr. Bukvich noted the improvements to Rouse Avenue could be done in 2008. Mr. Gammon noted the next three years will be used to complete improvements to bridges/overpasses over Rouse Avenue, 7th Avenue, and several Interstate overlay projects. Mr. Bukvich asked if the City would look favorably on the installation of a box culvert in place of the structure over the abandoned rail line east of Rouse Avenue. Consensus was to add I-90 improvements to the next agenda. Other Ms. Barrett asked when North 15th avenue from Durston Road to Oak Street would open to traffic. Mr. Hixson noted it should be open soon, but will not be the panacea every one thinks. Ms. Barrett asked about turn lanes on the Frontage Road at Nelson Road. Mr. Bukvich noted they wouldn’t be installed in 2004, but they will be done. Ms. Arkell asked if a right turn lane could be installed at North 7th Avenue and Tamarack Street. Mr. Bukvich noted it could be installed, however if the existing parking lane becomes a right turn lane, some delivery trucks won’t be able to perform the maneuver. He stated the law is gray about moving to the right prior to making a right turn. Mr. Gammon reported on a couple of maintenance projects scheduled this fall or next year for 19th Avenue from Main Street to Durston Road, which is a mill and fill project, and one on Haggerty Lane. He described several other projects, which will begin in the near future. ITEM 8. DISCUSSION ITEMS Chairperson Epple distributed a letter from MSU President Geoffrey Gamble requesting a separated bike path/pedestrian path along South 19th Avenue. Mr. Bukvich noted a trail/bike path was proposed; however, the College would need to dedicate land across the stream/ditch to accommodate the path. The college has indicated their willingness to culvert the canal and possibly a trail could be installed over it. Mr. Gammon asked who would pay for the culverting of the ditch. Mr. Hixson noted the City has spent $500,000 in improvements to the College Street/South 19th Avenue intersection and isn’t interested in spending any more. Discussion followed on the path, piping of the stream/ditch, and location of the path. Ms. Barrett noted a discussion with the MSU Director of Planning should be held sooner rather than later. Ms. Arkell noted she would meet with Dave Crawford to review the extent of the right-of-way required and how much space is available east of the stream. Mr. Nallick asked to sit in on the meeting. Mr. Hixson noted the City doesn’t usually support pedestrian facilities only on one side of a roadway, due to the creation of traffic conflicts. Chairperson Epple noted a connection from the east end of Oak Street through to Cedar Street under the interstate is planned in Figure 11-7 of Transportation Plan. He stated he would be meeting with property owners to pursue the public easements for that section for better access into that area as properties develop. Mr. Gammon mentioned that WTI has a “smart” project from College to Interstate on 19th Avenue in progress. ITEM 9. NEXT MEETING AND ADJOURNMENT Wednesday, October 27, 2004 - Regular meeting 9:30 a.m. There being no further business to come before the Bozeman Area Transportation Coordinating Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 11:30 a.m. _______________________________________ Andrew C. Epple, Chairperson Bozeman Area Transportation Coordinating Committee