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HomeMy WebLinkAbout071603 Transportation Coordinating Committee Minutes BOZEMAN AREA TRANSPORTATION COORDINATING COMMITTEE WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 9:30 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. MINUTES ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ATTENDANCE Chairperson Bill Murdock called the meeting to order at 9:35 a.m. and directed the secretary to call the roll. Members Present Andrew Epple, Director of Planning and Community Development, Bozeman Debbie Arkell, Director of Public Service, Bozeman Lesly Tribelhorn, Engineering Services Supervisor, Butte District MDT Dave Baumbauer, Bozeman Area Bicycle Advisory Board Lee Provance, Supervisor, Gallatin County Road Department Jeff Ebert, District Engineer, Butte District MDT Clark Johnson, City Manager, Bozeman Bob Lashaway, Representative, MSU Ross Gammon, Maintenance Chief, Bozeman Division MDT Bill Murdock, Representative, Gallatin County Commission Kerry White, Representative, Gallatin County Planning Board Chris Scott, Representative, Gallatin County Planning Office Staff Present Tom Stuber, MDT, Helena John VanDelinder, Superintendent or Streets/Sanitation, Bozeman Larry Watson, Grants Administrator, Gallatin County Rob Bukvich, Engineer, Bozeman Division MDT Visitors Present Richard Burke Kevin Murphy Harry Hughes Rod Payne Marilyn Tracz Mandy Drysdale ITEM 2. MINUTES OF APRIL 16, 2003 Chairperson Murdock called for corrections or additions to the minutes of April 16, 2003. MOTION: Mr. Epple moved, Mr. Provance seconded, to approve the minutes of April 16, 2003 as presented. The motion carried unanimously. ITEM 3. TCC MEMBER REPORTS A. Transit Report-Larry Watson Mr. Watson, Gallatin County Grants Administrator, stated his office is working on a RFP for a feasibility study to create an interlocal agreement to provide transit between the Bozeman Area and Belgrade. He noted he and Ron Brey are working on the two sides of the proposal, putting it together, and presenting it to the Belgrade City Council and the Bozeman Area entities. They plan to have the feasibility survey begun in October. He stated he would request that the governing bodies review and approve the interlocal agreement. He noted no time period has been set for completion of the compilation of the data. Mr. Epple asked if the local school district was listed as one of the stakeholders, and if the interlocal agreement had been presented to the Belgrade Town Council. Mr. Watson noted he would suggest the school district added to the stakeholders list, and stated the agreement would be presented in a few days to the Belgrade Town Council. Richard Burke, Bozeman School District Transportation Director, gave a brief presentation on the installation of streetcars, the usage of heritage, or vintage, and modern vehicles, cost and funding, and rationale for installing streetcars. His address – Bozeman Street Car, c/o Richard Burke, PO Box 4467, Bozeman, MT 59772, richjburke@earthlink.net. Mr. Bukvich asked if the school district would eliminate some bus routes and buses if street cars were installed. Mr. Burke noted he is part of the extracurricular transportation department and couldn’t speak for the contract busing service. He stated he could see savings of time when busing students from school to school for extracurricular activities. He noted, that in other communities, the passenger fee is the same as for those with bus passes. Mr. Scott asked if there were any issues with snowplowing over the track. Mr. Burke noted he would have to consult with Stockholm and Oslo for advice. It was determined that Mr. Burke should meet with the Transit Committee, with a recommendation coming from the Transit Committee on his proposal. Ms. Ballard noted the disadvantage with a railcar system was that the track is stationary whereas rubber tired transit routes can be changed as needed. Mr. Epple asked if any studies on fuel efficiency of the electric motor had been done, and would the added cost be offset by environmental protection, less/more air pollution, etc. Mr. Burke stated more study would be required to answer Mr. Epple’s questions. B. I-90/Airport Interchange Report – Pat Abelin On behalf of Pat Abelin, Rob Bukvich reported that a proposal for a feasibility study on an I90/airport interchange has been prepared by Morrison-Maierle with Gallatin County, City of Belgrade, and the Airport Authority as signatories. He noted the committee had met with Federal Highway Administration for requirements. He noted the location of the interchange would not be included in the study. The funding percentages would be up to 87% State for the actual exchange and ramps, with possibly some urban monies from Belgrade and from secondary funds and some private funding for the other improvements. He noted Ms. Abelin would be seeking funding from the three Congressional delegates for connecting roads, etc. The feasibility study will determine if the interchange is feasible. Mr. Ebert added the Montana Transportation Highway Commission meets tomorrow in Helena to discuss an amendment to the interchange policy to allow interchange funding a little easier to accomplish. Ms. Arkell stated she would be attending the meeting. The TCC delegated Ms. Arkell to represent it at the meeting tomorrow in supporting the amendment if she deems it reasonable. C. TSM’s Report Ms. Arkell reported that the City is continuing with street overlays, and the signal at Wallace Avenue and West Main Street should be functioning by the Sweet Pea Festival. D. Downtown Traffic Improvements Study – Rod Payne and Marilyn Tracz Mr. Tuttle distributed the Downtown Bozeman Traffic Improvement Study copies and described the study. Ms. Tracz stated the Findings were presented at a public meeting. She noted the written comments are included in the handouts. She reported the Downtown Bozeman Partnership (DBP) voted on the recommendations, most of which were looked at favorably. She noted the members had problems with only two of the recommendations - the mid-block pedestrian crossing was voted down and the three-lane downtown barely passed. She noted the organization has pledged TIF funds towards construction of a parking structure. It was reported the DBP members had determined that the final recommendations should be made early to allow other involved entities to make their decisions based on those recommendations. Mr. Lashaway noted the parking garage should have little effect on this study. He noted conditions may need to be added, depending on how the Performing Arts Center develops. Ms. Arkell noted a public comment period should be scheduled at the next meeting to gather the public comment for the TCC public hearing and TCC recommendation to the City Commission. Mr. Bukvich noted public comment from consumers might help the DBP to form their recommendations. Mr. Epple noted it would be appropriate for the TCC to hold a public hearing on the proposal. Mr. White concurred; however, he asked that the public hearing be limited to defined items. Mr. Lashaway clarified that the TCC would present its recommendation to City Commission, who then makes a recommendation to MDT. It was determined that the public hearing should be held separate from a regular meeting and be held in the evening in a larger facility. Mr. Epple noted the City Planning Department would coordinate with Ms. Arkell, Ms. Tracz, and SEH to set the hearing date. Mr. White suggested that written public comment be accepted from today forward. It was suggested that the hearing be set for a Wednesday or Thursday evening. It was decided to attempt to hold the hearing prior to the next meeting so results could be forwarded to all interested entities in the October packet, possibly October 1st. E. Western Transportation Institute 1. Update on Transit Projects – Lisa Ballard Ms. Ballard reported on a summer program project for graduate students regarding transportation. She noted the final presentations would be given on August 6th and 7th and invited any interested parties to attend. She reported that Steve Albert has developed five possible hubs for buses and she described them briefly. Ms. Ballard asked for assistance from TCC to help coordinate transit services with surrounding areas. She asked for a letter of commitment from TCC in support of the grant request. MOTION: Mr. Epple moved, Ms. Arkell seconded, to authorize the Chairperson to sign a letter of support. The motion carried unanimously. Mr. Baumbauer, Bozeman Bicycle Board representative, noted the Board wants to be more involved with TCC. He noted they have been very active with WTI on the bicycle transportation system and they are in the process of reactivating the CTEP activities regarding bicycles. F. Other It was reported that a new TCC member has been appointed from the Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee. The secretary was directed to obtain the name, address, etc. for the new member and the alternate. Mr. Burke asked that the Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee make a recommendation on a location for a pedestrian signal across Main Street at the high school. The Chairperson asked that the pedestrian signal be included as an agenda item in October. Ms. Arkell noted there have been several discussions with MDT as to where the pedestrian crossing should be located. She indicated the location should be determined prior to the Main Street overlay. ITEM 4. OLD BUSINESS ITEM 5. NEW BUSINESS ITEM 6. PROJECT UPDATES - Discussion only as needed MSU Projects Update Belgrade Projects Update CTEP Projects Mr. Epple reported on behalf of CTEP Coordinator Sara Folger that the re-roofing of the old Gallatin County High School and the lighting at the Emerson are scheduled to be done this fall. West Babcock Street Improvements South 19th Avenue - Main Street to Kagy Boulevard North 19th Avenue and Main Street Intersection Improvements Other North 19th Avenue Mr. Bukvich noted the improvements to the North 19th Avenue/Valley Center Road area would begin soon. He noted MDT would be investigating the placement of the rumble strips on Springhill Road, just north of the Frontage Road, which currently are located in the bike lane. Ms. Arkell noted the State Highway Commission is voting on the improvements to this section of road tomorrow, pending availability of funding. Signal Projects Mr. Bukvich reported the North Rouse Avenue improvements, including a total reconstruction of the street from Main Street to Story Mill Road, are scheduled for design. It was reported that turn lanes, bike lanes, and sidewalks are proposed where feasible. Ms. Arkell stated the construction phase is 6-7 years out; however, bids will be sought for water and sewer installation in North Rouse Avenue, and those lines would be installed prior to the surfacing of the street. . 9. North Rouse Avenue 10. Other ITEM 7. DISCUSSION ITEMS ITEM 7A. PUBLIC COMMENT ITEM 8. NEXT MEETING AND ADJOURNMENT The next meeting will be held October 15, 2003 at 9:30 a.m. There being no further business to come before the Transportation Coordinating Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 11:15 a.m. _________________________________________ Bill Murdock, Chairperson Bozeman Area Transportation Coordinating Committee