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HomeMy WebLinkAbout101602 Transportation Coordinating Committee Minutes BOZEMAN AREA TRANSPORTATION COORDINATING COMMITTEE WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2002 MINUTES ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ATTENDANCE Chairperson Bill Murdock called the meeting to order at 9:40 a.m. and directed the secretary to call the roll. Members Present Bob Burkhardt, Designee @FHWA Andrew Epple, Director, Planning and Community Development, City of Bozeman Rick Hixson, City Engineer, City of Bozeman, representing Debbie Arkell Lesly Tribelhorn, Engineering Services Supervisor, Butte District MDT Jason Giard, District Engineer, Butte District, MDT Bob Lashaway, Representative, MSU Pat Abelin, Citizen Member, Gallatin County Resident Bill Murdock, Chairperson of TCC, Representative, Gallatin County Commission Steve Kirchhoff, Mayor, City of Bozeman Zia Kazimi, Supervisor, Urban Planning, MDT Ralph Zimmer, Representative, Pedestrian & Traffic Safety Committee Staff Present Bill Kayser, City of Bozeman, Department of Public Safety Al Vander Wey, MDT, Urban Jeff Ebert, MDT, Butte Rob Bukvich, MDT, Bozeman Carol Schott, Recording Secretary Visitors Present Rodney Payne, S.E.H. Steve Tuttle, S.E.H. Ron Hensen, S.E.H. Debe Youngberg, Belgrade Chamber of Commerce David Kack, WTI. MSU-Bzn Mandy Drysdale, Senator Baucus Office Lisa Ballard, WTI. MSU-Bzn Marilyn Tracz, Downtown Bozeman Partnership ITEM 2. MINUTES OF JULY 17, 2002 Chairperson Murdock called for corrections or additions to the minutes. Mr. Kazimi noted that under the “Others Present,” the name should be Al Vander Wey rather than Ed Vander Wey. MOTION: Mr. Epple moved, Ms. Abelin seconded, that the minutes be approved as corrected. The motion carried unanimously. ITEM 3 PRESENTATIONS (Limited to 10 minutes each) Four Corners Chairperson Murdock reported the County Commission has given the Four Corners community direction to research the development of both water and sewer districts, zoning possibilities, and the need for incorporation. Downtown Bozeman Traffic Study Rod Payne, SEH, introduced Mr. Steve Tuttle and Mr. Ron Henson from the Denver based SEH. Mr. Tuttle reviewed the Downtown Bozeman Traffic Improvement Study. Mr. Brian Close noted he was concerned with the three-lane solution as there is a proposal from the Transit Committee to run three buses each way on Main Street. Mr. Close stated three lanes would provide a hindrance for transit stops and could defeat the busing purpose. Mr. Tuttle noted that the three lanes, a bike lane, pedestrian lanes and busing would improve conditions. Mr. Close asked for copies of any studies used for these findings. Mr. Henson noted they used studies from the Denver area. Mr. Tuttle noted the final report would be presented to the Downtown Bozeman Business association with copies to the TCC in January, ready for editing and comment. Mr. Bukvich commended SEH on their presentation and noted that the MDT will be conducting a hearing on the improvements needed to make the recommendations work. Discussion followed on whether to combine this hearing with the City Commission’s hearing. It was noted the hearing would be a regular agenda item before City Commission. Mr. Giard suggested holding a dual hearing – one on signalization and one on paving of Main Street. The Commission determined that TCC’s hearing would be held separate from City Commission. Western Transit Institute Lisa Ballard, WTI, reported on Regional Projects. She noted the Kiosk at the Bozeman Rest Area is operational and she’d like feedback from anyone in the group who uses the Kiosk. She noted the animal-vehicle collision warning signals will be installed in the next two weeks in Yellowstone Park in the Gallatin Canyon towards West Yellowstone. She noted there is a project to fence the interstate to funnel the animals to crossings under the interstate in the Bozeman Pass area. She reported there is funding to install electronic signs, whose messages can be modified by MDT, which would reflect current conditions on Highway 89 south of Livingston, but that project may be moved to Highway 191 south of Belgrade as there is a higher incidence of animal-vehicle collisions in that area. She reported that the 511 project, the phone number for local road conditions in the state, is operational. She noted it allows the input of hour-by-hour location for more concise information and will be functioning on November 14, 2002. Other ITEM 4. 10:30 BREAK FOR PRESENTATION OF AWARDS AND REFRESHMENTS This item was delayed until later in the morning. ITEM 5. TCC MEMBER REPORTS A. Transit Committee Report Lisa Ballard and David Kack gave a slide presentation of the results of the work thus far. Mr. Close noted the group has been meeting regularly since last July. He noted the next step is for the City to enter into an Interlocal Agreement with Gallatin County for an Urban Transit District (UTD) to provide a mechanism for funding the UTD. He noted it would take 7 to 10 years to fully implement a program. Ms. Ballard noted the plan is to have the initial system running by 2005 and full system by 2010. She reported on the type of system proposed, the number of routes, an estimate of operating costs, the implementation phases, the critical elements for success (market research,, integrity in design, marketing, measurement, continuation), and findings. She noted WTI is looking at a year of funded research to determine the interest in a transit system and educating the public on the type of system being proposed. Mr. Hixson asked where bus barns would be sited and the cost of them. Ms. Ballard explained the costs. Mr. Close noted the committee has not considered sites for the barns or their size, but has looked at costs. He reviewed the costs of Galavan and Bobcat Transit at this time. Ms. Ballard noted that other cities have indicated that meeting the ADA requirements was one of the problems. Mr. Weingart suggested a transit route pass by the Regional Park. Mr. Close suggested possible routes. Mr. Brown noted there are several pieces to the puzzle and time will be needed to develop the system. He noted though funding is critical, the project seems to be doable. Mr. Close stated that though he doesn’t see a role for TCC at this time, he suggested having cross membership with TCC to allow information to flow to this group. Ms. Ballard noted once the population of Bozeman meets 50,000, the city would fall into a different category. However, she noted, the categories are based on density and the city isn’t quite there. Mr. Brown noted the needed density probably won’t be met in 10 years. He noted the final report would be presented to the City Commission on November 12, 2002. He noted that County involvement would be critical at that point. Chairperson Murdock asked that the item remain on the TCC agenda. Mr. Kazimi noted the formula is complicated and explained the definition. Mr. Vanderwey noted MSU’s SUB would be a good transfer station. Debe Youngberg asked that Belgrade be included in the transit discussions. Mr. Close noted he made a presentation to the Belgrade City Council in August, and would be willing to do so again. A short recess was taken for the presentation of awards to Paul Weingart and Jason Giard for their many years of service to the Transportation Coordinating Committee. B. TSM Mr. Bukvich reported that applications for Hazard Reduction grants have been sent to cities, towns, and counties. He suggested that Bozeman nominate Kagy Boulevard and South 3rd avenue as one. C. Other ITEM 6. OLD BUSINESS - None ITEM 7. NEW BUSINESS - None ITEM 8. PROJECT UPDATES - Discussion only as needed MSU Projects Update Mr. Lashaway reported that MSU is working with MDT on some interim modifications for the intersection of State Highway 191 and the road to Marsh Lab. He noted the modifications should improve safety. He suggested, when the design for South 19th Avenue is developed, consideration be given for moving pedestrians across South 19th Avenue, perhaps with an under/overpass. Belgrade Projects Update Mr. Giard noted the signal design for Highway 205 and Jackrabbit Lane is completed. He stated the project is being complicated by the construction of a business park in railroad right of way. He noted Belgrade has yet to chose Urban Funding projects. Mr. Bukvich noted the Bozeman and Belgrade transportation plans have no major conflicts. He reported a priority listed in both plans is an interchange near the airport. He noted the funding would require coordination of several entities. Discussion followed on how to remove traffic from North 19th Avenue. Mr. Bukvich stated North 19th Avenue was constructed to remove traffic from North 7th Avenue, however, within two months, the traffic levels on North 7th Avenue were back to the previous levels. Therefore, he stated he was unwilling to make a guess that the traffic would be relieved on North 19th Avenue by adding an interchange at the airport. Chairperson Murdock asked that a discussion item for the airport interchange be on the January agenda. He asked Ms. Abelin to think about people to invite, and suggested Ted from Airport Board, Joe Menicucci from Belgrade, and Senator Baucus’ office. It was noted that the general location being considered is in the Love Lane area. Mr. Hixson reported the City is considering the signalization of Willson Avenue and College Street. He reported that all parking has been removed on Willson Avenue from Olive Street to Babcock Street. CTEP Projects Mr. Bukvich reported the paving would begin next week on the Gallatin Gateway project with completion scheduled by December 8th. Chairperson Murdock noted the tunnel for pedestrians has to be put in as someone is going to be injured at the intersection. Mr. Epple noted the City is closing out the City downtown improvements as they are complete. 4. West Babcock Street Improvements Mr. Hixson reported a contract is being negotiated for West Babcock Street and Chouteau Avenue. 5. South 19th Avenue - Main Street to Kagy Boulevard Mr. Hixson reported the construction should begin in 2004. Mr. Bukvich noted the construction of the intersection will begin in next summer. 6. North 19th Avenue and Main Street Intersection Improvements 7. Other North 19th Avenue 8. Signal Projects Mr. Bukvich noted the signal at Home Depot has to be operational by the end of the year, and the signal at the west-bound off ramp at North 19th Avenue will be operational by April of 2003. 9. North Rouse Avenue Mr. Bukvich noted this project is several years out. 10. Other ITEM 9. DISCUSSION ITEMS ITEM 10. NEXT MEETING AND ADJOURNMENT Chairperson Murdock asked that Mass Transit, WTI, and the airport interchange items be included as items on next the agenda. Mr. Zimmer noted he might not be here for January 15th meeting. Following discussion, the Commission decided to meet on Wednesday, January 22nd. There being no further business to come before the Bozeman Area Transportation Coordinating Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 11:45 p.m. ____________________________________________________ Bill Murdock, Chairperson Bozeman Area Transportation Coordinating Committee