Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout012104 Transportation Coordinating Committee MinutesBOZEMAN AREA TRANSPORTATION COORDINATING COMMITTEE WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2004 MINUTES ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ATTENDANCE Chairperson Bill Murdock called the meeting to order at 9:35 a.m. He moved Item 7 to Item 4. He asked the members and audience to introduce themselves, then directed the secretary to record the attendance. Members Present Bob Burkhardt, Designee @ FHWA Andy Epple, Director of City Planning & Community Development, Bozeman Debbie Arkell, Director of Public Service, Bozeman Lesly Tribelhorn, Engineering Services Supervisor, Butte District MDT Jon Henderson, Alternate for Jim Nallik, Bozeman Area Bicycle Advisory Board Lee Provance, Gallatin County Road Supervisor Jeff Ebert, District Engineer, Butte District MDT Ron Brey, Acting City Manager, Bozeman Bob Lashaway, Representative, MSU Pat Abelin, Citizen Member, Gallatin County Resident Ross Gammon, Maintenance Chief, Bozeman Division MDT Bill Murdock, Representative, Gallatin County Commission Kerry White, Representative, Gallatin County Planning Board Lynn Zanto, Alternate for Dick Turner, Supervisor, Urban Planning MDT Chris Scott, Gallatin County Planning David Smith, Citizen Member, City of Bozeman Resident Staff Present Rob Bukvich, Engineer, Bozeman Division MDT John Van Delinder, Superintendent, Streets and Sanitation, Bozeman Al Vander Way, MDT-Urban Carol Schott, Recording Secretary Visitors Present Lisa Ballard, WTI Amanda Drysdale, Senator Baucus’s Office Lewis Baeth ITEM 2. PUBLIC COMMENT {Limited to any public matter within the jurisdiction of the Planning Board/Zoning Commission not on this agenda. Three-minute time limit per speaker} No one rose to provide public comment. ITEM 3. MINUTES OF OCTOBER 15, 2003 Chairperson Murdock called for additions or additions to the minutes of October 15, 2003. Pat Abelin moved, Andrew Epple seconded, to approve the minutes of October 15, 2003 as presented. The motion carried unanimously. NEW ITEM 4. ELECTION OF OFFICERS 1. Chairperson Chairperson Murdock opened nominations for Chairperson. Mr. Provance nominated John Vincent, seconded by Mr. Scott. Ms. Arkell nominated Andy Epple, Ms. Abelin seconded. MOTION: Ms. Arkell moved that nominations be closed. Mr. Gammon seconded. The motion to close nominations carried unanimously. Mr. Epple was elected Chairperson. 2. Vice Chairperson Chairperson Epple called for nominations for Vice Chairperson. Mr. Brey nominated John Vincent, Mr. Murdock seconded. Ms. Arkell nominated Ross Gammon, Mr. Provance seconded. MOTION: Ms. Abelin moved, Mr. Murdock seconded to close nominations. The motion carried unanimously. Mr. Gammon was elected Vice Chairperson. ITEM 4. HEARING FOR A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE GREATER BOZEMAN AREA TRANSPORTATION PLAN 2001 – To remove Hulbert Street between Davis Lane and North 27th Avenue from the Major Street Network. Bozeman School District, Applicant (Withdrawn at applicant’s request) Chairperson Epple announced that the School District had withdrawn its request. Therefore, the hearing had been cancelled. ITEM 5. TCC MEMBER REPORTS A. Transit Report-Larry Watson Mr. Lashaway reported proposals had been reviewed from five applicants. The committee will narrow the applicants to three and then select the consultant. He noted they are about 11/12 months behind schedule. Mr. Murdock noted the plan had been to hold an election in November of this year on the creation of an Urban Transit District. He announced the meetings are held every Tuesday from 4:00 to 5:30 in the City Commission meeting room. Mr. Lashaway noted several public meetings are planned. B. I-90/Airport Interchange Report – Pat Abelin Ms. Abelin noted the committee was evaluating the feasibility of an interchange. She noted Morrison-Maierle was working on the feasibility study. She reported the goal was to have it completed by the end of February. She noted the committee was anticipating raising 13% plus of the anticipated budget. Mr. Bukvich stated the project would cost approximately $20 million. He noted that when the North 19th interchange was constructed, the cost was about $13 million. Lynn Zanto noted she had been given the task of re-modeling the traffic plan for the Belgrade Area Transportation Plan. She noted she can update the base model; however, she needed employment and housing growth numbers for the Belgrade area. She suggested a committee be formed to get those numbers. Ms. Abelin noted that Morrison-Maierle just completed the Belgrade plan and the numbers should be available. Ms. Zanto noted the plan contained historic data and would need future growth estimates. Ms. Abelin stated they have a meeting scheduled for Monday, January 23rd and would address those issues. Ms. Zanto suggested they use the format in the Bozeman Area Transportation Plan 2001. Mr. Lashaway asked if there was a time line for completing the study. Ms. Abelin explained the process. Mr. Ebert noted one of the items Ms. Zanto would review was future land development if the interchange were installed. He noted the department would participate only to the extent of the benefits to the state system. He noted property owners benefiting from the interchange would be expected to participate to the extent it benefited them. Mr. Murdock asked if this would change the 87/13 split. Mr. Ebert noted it would not. He stated the department would be looking to fund the 13%. He discussed other funding percentages and sources. Ms. Tribelhorn noted it would be important to demonstrate the growth that would have occurred anyway as opposed to what will occur due to the installation of the interchange. Mr. Bukvich noted the agreement as to who pays what would be determined after FHWA grants the break in access, as would the determination as to who would pay for the connection to the south. Chairperson Epple noted that prior to the construction of the North 19th interchange, the City of Bozeman put a land use plan into place, and he suggested a similar plan would be beneficial for the proposed area. Ms. Abelin noted the committee has been proactive in researching funding sources including developers. C. TSM’s Report Ms. Arkell reported the City/State were moving forward with the signal at Olive Street/Willson Avenue scheduled for March; the signal at Main Street/Wallace Avenue will become permanent this summer; and the signal for Willson Avenue/College Street, among others, are being reviewed and scheduled. Mr. Bukvich reported the State would be reviewing signalization plans for Willson Avenue/College Street; and, hopefully, would be letting the contract next year. Mr. White asked when the signal at Cottonwood Avenue/Huffine Lane would be activated and if a signal was planned for Gooch Hill/Huffine Lane. Mr. Bukvich noted the pavement markings weren’t in place for the activation of the Cottonwood Avenue signal. He stated it would be activated when weather permitted the installation of the striping. He reported that a consultant had been hired to review the corridor from the Gallatin Valley Mall to Four Corners for future signalizations. Mr. Scott noted one subdivision had been approved and one was in the in the process, both of which would impact the signalization needs. A short break was taken. The meeting was reconvened. D. Western Transportation Institute 1. Update on Transportation Projects – Lisa Ballard Lisa Ballard presented a power point report on Projects of Interest, and elaborated on several projects. She will email the information to the secretary as requested by the Chairperson. E. Pedestrian signal on Main Street at Bozeman High School Mr. Bukvich noted a pedestrian study had been completed for West Main Street in front of the high school. The study indicates the area met warrants for a pedestrian signal. He noted the funding for the signal has yet been determined. He stated it would be a pedestrian activated signal and would be interconnected to the 11th and 15th Avenue signals. F. Other Bike Advisory Board – Jon Henderson reported the Board had put together an inventory of bike signage they preferred to be installed. He noted the Board had planned to provide a complete list of signage needed this summer for installation on the existing bike routes; however, it was not yet complete. He reported an educational component was being developed. He noted the Board projected that the bike lanes could be installed perhaps next summer. He noted the Board was trying to identify future street reconstruction and planning to include bike lanes in those plans. He noted that inclusion of facilities were hit-or-miss currently. Mr. Ebert noted all signage for State routes have to be approved by the State signage committee. Mr. Bukvich reported the project would be funded as a CTEP project. Mr. Bukvich reported a project was underway to install turn arrows on Huffine Lane/College Avenue. He noted the project will include new signal heads and new wiring. ITEM 6. OLD BUSINESS Downtown Traffic Improvements Study – Status Report – Andy Epple Chairperson Epple noted the TCC recommendations were forwarded to the City Commission, which endorsed most of them but did not approve the conversion to three lanes, the installation of curb bulbs, or the mid-block crossing. Mr. Ebert noted the countdown timers were recommended by City Commission; however, MDT doesn’t allow them at this time. Chairperson Epple noted the City Commission followed the recommendation of TCC to consider installation when the countdown timers are approved by the State. Mr. Hixson asked how the funding would be done on the signalization of Black and Mendenhall/Babcock. Mr. Bukvich noted the State won’t be doing a study for those signals at this time; therefore the State hasn’t reviewed any funding sources for those signals. ITEM 7. NEW BUSINESS A. Election of Officers - Moved to New Item #4. ITEM 8. PROJECT UPDATES - Discussion only as needed MSU Projects Update – no discussion Belgrade Projects Update Mr. Provance noted the improvements to Amsterdam Road have been completed from Thorpe Road to Royal Road; however, the traffic signals have to be installed. Mr. Bukvich noted a signal at Thorpe Road met warrants; however, the signal at Royal Road doesn’t. Mr. Murdock asked Ms. Arkell if there were any plans to remove the traffic circle on Baxter Lane. Ms. Arkell noted advanced warning signs were being installed farther from the circle, and a new speed limit was being processed. She stated the traffic circle was doing what it was supposed to do – slow traffic. Mr. Provance noted the slope of the roundabout allows deep snow, which might cause high-centering of vehicles during heavy snowfall. He noted when one can’t travel through an intersection at 5 m.p.h., there is a problem with design. Mr. Murdock stated the County Commission will be sending a letter to the City Commission recommending the roundabout be removed. CTEP Projects Sara Folger, Grants Administrator for the City of Bozeman, reported she was trying to move the existing projects forward. She stated the priority projects were the East Willson roof reconstruction, decorative lighting in front of the Emerson Cultural Center, and bike infrastructure. West Babcock Street Improvements Mr. Hixson reported that the City has begun the process through the Courts to obtain the necessary missing parcels of right-of-way. Ms. Arkell reported the City has begun the condemnation process on one property on Durston Road between North 7th Avenue and North 19th Avenue. South 19th Avenue - Main Street to Kagy Boulevard Mr. Hixson noted the City is reviewing final plans next week. He reported the schedule for construction is 2005. North 19th Avenue and Main Street Intersection Improvements Mr. Ebert noted the contract would be let in March 2004 along with Beall Street/North 19th Avenue, Willson Avenue/Olive Street intersection/signalization. He noted the State had planned for minimal effects on traffic, with two to three lanes in operation at all times. He reported the plan was to complete the projects by the end of summer. Other North 19th Avenue Mr. Hixson noted the Valley Center Road/North 19th Avenue SID plans have been reviewed and should be ready for bid in March of 2004. He stated the City Commission has some decisions to make, which could affect the plans. He described the planned new signals and upgrades to existing signals. Signal Projects Cottonwood – Mr. Murdock asked if a turn bay was needed for Cottonwood Avenue/Huffine Lane on Cottonwood Avenue. Mr. Bukvich noted there wasn’t enough right-of-way for any changes to Cottonwood Road to the south. He stated the signals wouldn’t be activated until the striping was completed. Gooch Hill – Mr. Bukvich stated if the County feels a signal is needed the developers should be required to conduct a traffic study to determine if the warrants are met for signalization. Ms. Tribelhorn noted the State could include the warranting of Gooch Hill in the study currently underway. She noted the report is due sometime next year. Mr. Bukvich noted the goal of the State is to control the flow of traffic. 9. North Rouse Avenue Mr. Bukvich stated the consultant for the project hasn’t been selected as of yet. 10. Other Mr. Gammon reported the signal upgrade/synchronization of the Main Street and of the North 7th Avenue signals has been scheduled for next year. Letter received from Richard Burke, Bozeman Public Schools Activity Transportation, who strongly urged the installation of a pedestrian signal across Main Street at Bozeman Senior High School. ITEM 9. DISCUSSION ITEMS Lisa Ballard announced the WASHTO Conference is scheduled for April and a couple of winter maintenance conferences have been scheduled during the summer. ITEM 10. NEXT MEETING AND ADJOURNMENT Mr. Murdock noted the County Commission has a conflict with holding this meeting on the third Thursday of the first month of a quarter. He suggested the first Thursday of the month. State MDT representatives would like to know today as they continue on to Livingston on the same day as the Bozeman TCC meets. MOTION: Mr. Murdock moved, Mr. Provance seconded, to change the meeting date to the first Wednesday of the first month of the quarter. Chairperson Epple noted this change would schedule a meeting for the first week of January. Mr. Bukvich noted the By-Laws state the Chairperson should set the meeting date. Discussion followed on changing the date to the fourth Wednesday. Mr. Murdock withdrew the motion, and Mr. Provance withdrew the second. MOTION: Mr. Murdock moved, Ms. Abelin seconded, to change the meeting date to the fourth Wednesday of the first month of the quarter. The motion carried unanimously. Therefore, the next meeting will be April 28, same place and time. The meeting was adjourned at 11:45 a.m. ________________________________________________ Andrew Epple, Chairperson Bozeman Area Transportation Coordinating Committee