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HomeMy WebLinkAbout071801 Transportation Coordinating Committee Minutes BOZEMAN AREA TRANSPORTATION COORDINATING COMMITTEE JULY 18, 2001 MINUTES ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ATTENDANCE Vice-Chairperson Debbie Arkell called the meeting to order at 9:35 a.m. and directed the secretary to call and record the attendance. Members Present Chris Saunders, proxy for Andrew Epple, Director, Office of Planning and Community Development, City of Bozeman Debbie Arkell, Director of Public Service, City of Bozeman Lee Provance, Road Superintendent, Gallatin County Rob Bukvich, proxy for Jason Giard, Butte District MDT Craig Brawner, proxy for Clark Johnson, City Manager, City of Bozeman Pat Abelin, Citizen Member, Gallatin County Resident Bill Murdock, Chairperson for TCC, Gallatin County Board of Commissioners Marcia Youngman, Mayor, City of Bozeman Paul Weingart, Citizen Member, City of Bozeman Resident Lynn Zanto, Supervisor, Urban Planning, MDT John Shepard, proxy for Bill Armold, Director, Gallatin County Planning Office Staff Present Carol Schott, Recording Secretary Visitors Present Chris Strong Bill Kayser ITEM 2. MINUTES OF APRIL 18, 2001, REGULAR MEETING, AND MAY 23, 2001, SPECIAL MEETING Vice-Chairperson Arkell called for corrections or additions to the minutes of April 18, 2001. Mr. Bukvich stated that on Page 4, first paragraph, it was he who stated “there is a growing concern…” . MOTION: Mr. Weingart moved, Ms. Zanto seconded, to approve the minutes of April 18, 2001 as amended. The motion carried unanimously. Vice-Chairperson Arkell called for corrections or additions to the minutes of May 23, 2001. MOTION: Hearing none, Mr. Weingart moved, Ms. Zanto seconded, to approve the minutes of May 23, 2001 as presented. The motion carried unanimously. ITEM 3 MACI PROGRAM UPDATE - Discussion and possible revision - Debbie Arkell Vice-Chairperson Arkell presented the adopted MACI list. She reviewed the projects submitted last year: a sweeper for bike lanes, master radio controller for signalization, redesign for S. 19th Avenue and College Street, and a redesign for the Durston Road/North 7th. Avenue intersection. Planner Saunders suggested adding bicycle lanes and sidewalks to the street widening project on South 19th Avenue. Vice-Chairperson Arkell suggested extending the bike lanes on North 19th Avenue from Main Street to Durston Road. Discussion followed on funding MACI projects with CTEP monies. Vice-Chairperson Arkell explained the project requirements for MACI funds and noted they wouldn’t qualify for CTEP funds. She stated a proposed project of paving existing gravel streets would score quite low on MACI scoring. Ms. Zanto noted the streets would have to be in the urban transit system to qualify for paving under MACI. Mr. Brawner stated signal improvements and widening of South 19th Avenue from College Street south is a priority, and, if urban funds aren=t available, the signal at College Street and South 19th Avenue must be improved. He noted the City would have to wait for full funding for the corridor before beginning the project of widening South 19th Avenue and adding pedestrian facilities. In response to Planner Saunders’s suggestion to list the signal improvements and widening of the South19th Avenue/College Street intersection as separate items, Mr. Bukvich noted that with the intersection improvements at South 19th Avenue and Koch Street and the improvements for the intersection at 19th Avenue and Main Street, the amount of funding needed from urban funds for work on that corridor will be significantly reduced. Ms. Zanto stated the urban funds program is borrowed to the maximum through 2003. Mr. Bukvich stated if Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) installs the improvements at Koch Street and South 19th Avenue, the $2.5 million, which is available in 2003, should be adequate to widen South 19th Avenue from Koch Street to College Street, which could be done about 2003 if all the projects were tied together. Vice-Chairperson Arkell noted that there has been discussion on the installation of a round-about at College Street and South 19th Avenue. Mayor Youngman discussed the proposal. Planner Saunders noted the street width requirements for a single lane roundabout, with speeds up to 20 m.p.h., is 150 feet, with up to 175 feet required for a two lane facility. Mr. Brawner discussed the available right-of-way at the intersection. Mr. Bukvich stated that the installation of a signal would require right-of-way purchased, and that the purchase of right-of-way should not be the determining factor for installing or not installing the roundabout. Planner Saunders noted a roundabout would need to move traffic as well as a signal, even during peak hours. Chairperson Murdock asked if a model could be developed prior to construction. Mr. Provance stated Vail, CO, has one for approx. 8 years, and suggested one of the members investigate how it functions. Mayor Youngman noted the Commission is on the cusp of deciding to make South 19th Avenue a five-lane facility from Main Street to Kagy Boulevard. She suggested retaining the intersection as a signalized one. Mr. Brawner suggested the whole project=s funding could be administered by MDT and constructed by them. In response to the Committee, Bill Kayser of the Bozeman Police Department noted the biggest problem for his department is the Main Street/ 19th Avenue intersection. Vice-Chairperson Arkell noted that looking to the future, the intersection of Kagy Boulevard and South 11th Avenue should be reviewed to prevent a future problem. Mr. Bukvich noted an engineering study would include curb, gutter, sidewalks, and bike lanes. Mayor Youngman suggested it would be good timing to install a roundabout within the next two years as the TCC and the City Commission are well informed and willing to try one. Discussion ensued on possible intersections for the installation of a roundabout. Planner Saunders noted the developer of Valley West is preparing to install a roundabout on a sub-collector street. Mr. Bukvich stated if two projects, South19th Avenue/College Street and South11th Avenue/College Street, are submitted, he didn=t feel both would be funded with urban funds. Vice-Chairperson Arkell noted the City is close to widening Durston Road from North 7th Avenue to North 19th Avenue. Mr. Brawner stated that signalization of Oak Street and Rouse Avenue shouldn=t be a high priority project on the MACI list. He suggested improvements to the College Street/South 19th Avenue intersection as #1; bike and pedestrian facilities along South 19th Avenue as #2; the widening of Durston Road from North 7th Avenue to North 19th Avenue, including the rebuilding of the Durston Road/North 7th Avenue intersection, as #3. Vice-Chairperson Arkell suggested the improvements at Oak Street/Rouse Avenue intersection as #4. MOTION: Mr. Brawner moved, in Mr. Johnson=s behalf, seconded by Vice-Chairperson Arkell, to prioritize the list as College Street/South 19th Avenue intersection as #1; bike and pedestrian facilities along South 19th Avenue as #2; the widening of Durston Road from North 7th Avenue to North 19th Avenue, including the rebuilding of the Durston Road/North 7th Avenue intersection, as #3; the improvements at Oak Street/Rouse Avenue intersection as #4; the alternative fuel vehicles project as #5; paving existing gravel streets in the city as #6; and paving existing city parking lots as #7. Mr. Bukvich asked if the priority list will be followed or if there is less funding, could a different item be chosen. Vice-Chairperson Arkell noted that if three of the submitted projects scored high, then all three could be funded. Ms. Zanto concurred. In response to Mayor Youngman’s question if funding could be authorized for a study on the best intersection for a roundabout, Vice-Chairperson Arkell noted such a study wouldn=t qualify for funding. Mr. Shepard stated without the data, TCC has no basis for ranking the projects. Mr. Bukvich noted a year=s worth of work done on the South 19th project. The motion carried unanimously. ITEM 4. TRANSPORTATION PLAN - Final document to be distributed Planner Saunders distributed the final document to the membership. He noted there were a couple of flawed graphics on the digital copies, which are being corrected, and stated the material on the web site is correct. He noted the transit documents would be available at the City and County Planning Offices, the web site, and on CD. He noted, as part of the Bozeman 2020 Plan, the Transportation Plan 2001 would probably be adopted by reference. Mr. Shepard noted the County Planning Board has no interest in adopting the Transportation Plan at this time, but could recommend approval by reference also. Planner Saunders asked the members if any of them had seen problems with coordination between this body and zoning and subdivision documents; if so, please put them in written form to his attention. ITEM 5. TCC MEMBER REPORTS Mr. Weingart stated he had received a call from Jane Shaw, editorial writer for the Bozeman Daily Chronicle, which he referred to Pat Abelin, County representative. Planner Saunders noted he had also visited with Ms. Shaw regarding an article for Sunday=s Chronicle on the Transportation Plan. Mr. Brawner reported letters were mailed today with offers for right-of-way acquisition for the West Babcock improvements, and the right-of-way agent will be negotiating with the property owners. He also reported on a meeting held for comment on the South 19th corridor, which was well attended, and a fair number of e-mails had been received from the public prior to the meeting. He stated the response was about 90% to 100% in favor of expanding the South 19th Corridor. Finally, he reported the leg-work has begun on the expansion of Durston Road from North 7th Avenue to Fowler Avenue. He noted an SID is being created as the funding mechanism for purchasing right-of-way. Chairperson Murdock thanked MDT for soliciting input on the widening of Valley Center Road. He announced that construction for that facility could be completed in 2005, and is two to three years out for the beginning of construction. Mr. Brawner stated the City has met with developers from Baxter Road to Valley Center Road to determine if there is a need to create an SID for improvements to streets in that area. He noted the developers were in agreement with the City on the need for improvements and the creation of an SID to fund them. ITEM 6. OLD BUSINESS A. High School Parking Lot - MDOT Mr. Bukvich reported that at one time Bozeman High School was proposing the construction of a parking lot across Main Street, which posed problems with traffic and pedestrian crossings. However, he noted there has been little activity on the project recently. B. Bozeman Urban Boundary Review Ms. Zanto discussed the Urban Boundary, stating a requirement in State law is that it must be reviewed following the local census. She reviewed a meeting held with local representatives and distributed maps showing the existing boundaries and the proposed changes. She described the changes, noting Griffin Drive and Baxter Road can be added to the Urban System with this action. Mr. Bukvich noted the addition of streets opens another pot of money, however, the down side is there are no funds if a street is not listed on the Urban System. He stated if Oak Street is added to the Urban System, it will become eligible for federal funds. Mr. Provance noted an advantage is it gives greater flexibility to make the improvements for the jurisdiction most affected. Planner Saunders noted that the motion should include any additions to the Urban Fund Projects. MOTION: Planner Saunders moved, Mr. Provance seconded, to approve the Urban Boundaries with the additions as displayed, and the addition of the Griffin Street and Baxter Road to the Urban Fund Projects. Mr. Shepard stated he would abstain due to the transition of County Planning Directors and the lack of an opportunity to discuss the boundary with the current director. Mr. Brawner noted the additional routes should include Griffin Drive and Baxter Lane. Discussion followed on adding routes and subtracting mileage. Ms. Zanto noted the proposal would have to be taken up with the Transportation Commission in Helena. Planner Saunders withdrew the motion as did Mr. Provance his second. MOITON: Mr. Brawner moved, Mr. Provance seconded, to approve the Urban Boundaries as revised by the sub-committee with the additions of Griffin Drive from Rouse Avenue to North 7th Avenue and Baxter Lane from North 7th Avenue to North 19th Avenue. Planner Saunders suggested a further motion to allow extensive discussion with the Transportation Commission in Helena. The motion carried with Mr. Shepard abstaining. MOTION: Planner Saunders moved, Mr. Brawner seconded, to begin discussion with TCC and the State Highway Commission for adding routes to the Urban Boundary. Ms. Arkell stated she was opposed to adding wholesale routes unless the right-of-way has been obtained. Discussion followed on the criteria for adding routes, and methods of maintaining the current level of mileage. Mr. Bukvich stated it is a matter of getting the connecting streets on the maps. He suggested a sub-committee of TCC members meet to determine the connecting streets and prioritize the projects. The motion carried unanimously. Representatives from the City and the County will meet with Ms. Zanto concerning the addition of routes to the Urban Boundary. A sub-committee report will be an agenda item for October. Planner Saunders is to set up the meeting. C. Other ITEM 7. NEW BUSINESS ITEM 8. PROJECT UPDATES - Discussion only as needed MSU Projects Update Belgrade Projects Update CTEP Projects West Babcock Street Improvements South 19th Avenue - Main Street to Kagy Boulevard North 19th Avenue and Main Street Intersection Improvements Signal Projects Other Mr. Brawner stated the intersection improvements at Kagy Boulevard and South 19th Avenue are under construction. ITEM 9. DISCUSSION ITEMS Ms. Arkell noted the City will soon be installing a water main along Secondary 205, which may cause be some traffic delays. Mr. Bukvich stated that three major projects have been completed from the Urban Funds and MACI funds since January 2000. He commended the TCC, Gallatin County, and City of Bozeman for their efforts. Ms. Zanto reported that a pilot program for pavement management systems, including pavement preservation, has been developed. She noted a training session will be held in September at no cost to urban areas. However, she stated she wasn’t sure who will be invited to attend. She will send a copy of the program to anyone interested. ITEM 10. NEXT MEETING AND ADJOURNMENT The next meeting will be October 17, 2001. It is a regular meeting and will begin at 9:30 a.m. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:40 a.m. Bill Murdock, Chairperson Bozeman Area Transportation Coordinating Committee