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HomeMy WebLinkAbout101701 Transportation Coordinating Committee Minutes BOZEMAN AREA TRANSPORTATION COORDINATING COMMITTEE JANUARY 17, 2001 MINUTES ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ATTENDANCE Chairperson Bill Murdock called the meeting to order at 10:19 a.m. and directed the secretary to call the roll. He announced a change in the order of agenda, placing the discussion on the growth policy update first, and a discussion of item 5 as the last item on the agenda at approximately 11:15 a.m. Members Present Staff Present Bob Burkhardt, Designee @FHWA Karin Caroline, Assistant Planner Andrew Epple, Director, Planning & Comm. Dev. Chris Saunders, Associate Planner Debbie Arkell, Director of Public Service Carol Schott, Recording Secretary John Gallagher, Bozeman Are Bicycle Adv. Board Al VanderWey, MDT, Urban Lee Provance, Gallatin County Road Supervisor Tom Stuber, MDT, Transit Bob Lashaway, Representative, MSU Bill Kayser, Bozeman Police Rob Bukvich, Engineer, Bozeman MDT Al Scholes, Bozeman Fire Bill Murdock, Chairperson, Gall. Co. Comm. Doug Widmeyer, Consult., Peccia & Assoc. Marcia Youngman, Mayor, City of Bozeman Ed Musser, President, City of Bozeman Planning Bd. Howard Van Noy, Representative, Gall. Co. Pl. Bd. Lynn Zanto, Supervisor, Urban Planning, MDT Ralph Zimmer, Pedestrian & Traffic Safety Com. Visitors Present Brad Garnietz Mark Haggerty Jon Gerster Chris Nixon John Sandstrom ITEM 2. MINUTES OF OCTOBER 18 AND NOVEMBER 15, 2000 Chairperson Murdock called for corrections or additions. Secretary Schott corrected Paul Weingart’s title, Ms. Zanto corrected page 3 of Nov. 15, 2000 to delete “could be formed to ensure coordination between documents” to “for this plan”. She also corrected the Oct.18, 2000 minutes, page 4, paragraph 6 to delete “TCC” and add in its place “Transportation Plan contract.” MOTION: Mr. Epple moved, Ms. Arkell seconded, to approve both sets of minutes as amended. The motion carried unanimously. ITEM 3. ELECTION OF OFFICERS - Chairperson and Vice Chairperson Chairperson Murdock opened nominations for chairperson. Ms. Arkell nominated Mr. Murdock with Mayor Youngman seconding the nomination. Nominations ceased. Mr. Murdock was elected by acclamation. Chairperson Murdock opened nominations for vice chairperson. He nominated, Mr. Musser seconded, Ms. Arkell as vice chairperson. Nominations ceased. Ms. Arkell was elected by acclamation. ITEM 4. CLEAN CITIES REPORT - No report. ITEM 5. TCC MEMBER REPORTS John Gallagher led a discussion on House Bill 212 requiring bicyclists ride against traffic. The committee determined it was a bill they could not support. Ms. Zanto stated she will notify State Bicycle Board. Mr. Gallagher stated his committee will draft a response to the bill at tonight’s Bicycle Board meeting. Chairperson Murdock noted the County’s Bicycle Board will add a “me, too” to the response if Mr. Gallagher contacts the secretary at the County Commission Office. Mr. Zimmer reported on the Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee’s doings. He stated he is the chairperson, Shirley Sedivy the vice chair, and Stacy Johnston the secretary. Chairperson Murdock suggested that the County involve the Pedestrian & Traffic Safety Committee in bicycle and pedestrian trails near schools within the County. Mr. Provance suggested Mr. Zimmer contact his office and attend the County Planning Board public meetings. Mr. Zimmer reviewed former procedures for notifying the committee of a project which required the Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee’s review. Mr. Bukvich concurred with Chairperson Murdock and stated the reason for the Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee is to have its input on projects that involve the Pedestrian and Traffic Safety. ITEM 6. OLD BUSINESS A. Report on Secondary 205 meeting Mr. Bukvich reported the State Transportation meeting on Secondary 205 was held the first part of December. He noted one item of discussion was the schedule for improvements, and noted the scope of the projects has been expanded to include a turn bay at Mountain View Subdivision, Phase 2. He noted an item of discussion at the next State Transportation meeting will be Secondary 205. He noted the traffic signs have been installed for 60 MPH. B. Set date for adoption of Transportation Plan Update 2000 Chairperson Murdock asked the two Planning Boards to present the status of their growth policies. Associate Planner Chris Saunders reported on the City’s progress, and noted the City is taking the Goals and Objectives to the public this week and next. He distributed the Planning Board’s preferred land use map, noting there appear to be no conflicts between the draft land use map and the proposed Transportation Update. He reviewed the correlation of the text with the land use map with the Transportation Update. He noted the draft text should be out the end of February or the first of March. He explained the residential area densities as shown on the map. He noted City Staff has been coordinating with the County Staff. County Planner John Shepard reviewed the County=s progress, stating they expect to hold public meetings March 5, 6, and 7, with a draft available by the end of February. He noted the Growth Cap (G-CAP), an implementation policy, has been distributed. He noted the prime agricultural land between Bozeman and Four Corners is where the Transportation Plan Update is forecasting a dense network of roads to be installed. He noted County residents are opposed to that dense network of roadways. Chairperson Murdock noted the trigger for whether or not the roads get built is if the County approves subdivisions in the area. Mr. Widmeyer noted he has been working on condensing the section of the study on transit into a transit development plan. He reported Tom Stuber of MDT would like a stand alone document, which he will develop. He will have sent Mr. Stuber a draft next week and to TCC members as well. It will be scrutinized heavily. He stated he didn’t believe the transit plan has to be adopted, however, it has to be tied to the Transportation Plan. He will summarize the transit recommendations in the Transportation Plan. Planner Saunders noted one way to connect the two plans is with development densities indicated on the growth policy map. Mr. Widmeyer noted he will identify areas of high transit use, including the density on the west end of Belgrade, however, he won’t predetermine any routes. Mr. Widmayer noted he will address the effect of the City’s and County’s growth policies on the Transportation Plan. He feels there will be little change made due to the growth policies. He stated he’s been compiling public comment received to date. Chairperson Murdock asked if there is anyone present who wants to adopt the Transportation Plan Update today. The Committee members concurred they were not ready to vote on the document. Mr. Epple suggested a subcommittee be assigned to go through the issues to determine how they are to be addressed, with a presentation to TCC at the next meeting. Chairperson Murdock suggested the subcommittee also recommend an adoption date. Ms. Zanto noted the last date to adopt the Plan is June 30th as the document has to be approved by June 30th and to printers to receive State funding. Chairperson Murdock asked for volunteers for subcommittee, suggesting the members include Mr. Epple, Mr. Brawner, Mr. Shepard, Mr. Bukvich, Ms. Arkell, Mr. Provance, and any others who would like to serve. Planner Saunders noted the City Commission would not act upon the Bozeman 2020 Growth Plan until late April. He stated public comment would continue to be received through the public hearings before the City Commission. Mr. Shepard noted the County’s public hearings should be over by April. Mr. Widmeyer noted he proposed the subcommittee not meet until at least the draft growth plans are complete. He suggested waiting until the first of March for the subcommittee meeting, then give direction to him and Planner Saunders and let them wordsmith the document and present to TCC at the March or April meeting. Mr. Widmeyer noted that Dan Burden will discuss several issues and new ideas will be tossed up at the upcoming transportation charrette. Chris Nixon asked if the effect of the proposed Amtrak route re-opening has been considered by this group. Mayor Youngman and Mr. Provance noted letters of support of the proposed re-opening the route have been sent. Mr. Epple asked if there should be a meeting in February or March. Ms. Arkell noted the adoption date has to be prior to June 1. The Committee decided to meet on March 21st from 10-noon to discuss the committee report and growth policies only. It was noted the April meeting will be 18th from 10-noon. MOTION: Mr. Provance moved, Mr. Musser seconded, to form a committee to evaluate public comment as it is received and report back to TCC at the March meeting, leaving the public comment period open. The motion carried unanimously. Chairperson Murdock asked Mr. Epple to chair the committee. ITEM 8. NEW BUSINESS ITEM 9. PROJECT UPDATES - Discussion only as needed A. MSU Projects Update Mr. Lashaway reported the library renovations will be bid in February and work started in March with staging area on the Grant Street side. B. Belgrade Projects Update Mr. Bukvich reported the traffic signal at the intersection of State Highway 205 and Jackrabbit Lane has been designed by Damschen and Associates. C. CTEP Projects Mr. Epple reported in the spring of 2001, the enhancement of Soroptimist Park will begin, as well as the bicycle lane to be installed along Kagy Boulevard. He reported applications for CTEP grants to be awarded in 2001 have been received. West Babcock Street Improvements Mr. Brawner noted the City has entered into a contract to review the appraisals and, once completed, the negotiations will begin. E. South 19th Avenue - Main Street to Kagy Boulevard Mr. Brawner stated the City Commission will soon see a contract to review the design to improve the signal at College Street and South 19th Avenue, and a warrant analysis at Koch Street and South 19th Avenue. He stated designs have been submitted by private developers for improvements to Kagy Boulevard, though the scheduling haven’t been set. He noted construction from Main Street to College Street would begin when funding becomes available, with funding possible in two years and construction in 2004 at the earliest. F. North 19th Avenue and Beall Street Mr. Bukvich noted there has been no progress in securing funding. G. Signal Projects 1. Baxter Lane/North 19th Avenue Mr. Bukvich reported he met with the contractor who anticipates beginning the first of April on the project. He noted lanes would be added only on the west leg of Baxter Lane. Chairperson Murdock noted the turn lanes at the intersection of Ferguson Avenue and Huffine Lane are dangerous due to traffic stacking from the west to make a left turn onto Ferguson Avenue and traffic stacking from the east to make a left turn into the mobile home park. Mr. Bukvich noted the turn into the mobile home park is illegal, however, the approach probably will not go away. Mr. Brawner suggested the installation of a median to prevent the use of the center of the street as a deceleration lane. Mr. Shepard noted there are zoning regulations that could make the approach right in and right out only. Mr. Brawner noted the best way to handle it would be to extend Ferguson Avenue south for access to the mobile home park. 2. Other Mayor Youngman reported she has received an anonymous phone call stating the timing of the signals at 15th Avenue/Main Street and 17th Avenue/Tamarack Street seem bad for traffic on Main Street. Ms. Arkell noted the timing will be reviewed when the MACI funds are used to set the timing of the signals. Mr. Bukvich noted the signals would work better if there were more lanes added on the side streets. ITEM 10. DISCUSSION ITEM Correspondence Chairperson Murdock suggested reading or summarizing the correspondence received, and asked for comments from the audience. Chandler Dayton submitted a letter to TCC, which was summarized by the Chairperson. Mr. Epple summarized a letter from the Pierces, members of the group from Highland Boulevard, who wanted to see the extension of Highland Boulevard. Planner Saunders summarized a letter from Anne Banks of the Parks and Recreation Board. Mr. Musser summarized the primary points of the City Planning Board letter. Ms. Dayton noted the NE neighborhood is concerned about the CIP project which would extend Highland Boulevard north to Oak Street. She stated the neighborhood is in favor of the extension, as it would provide a better access to the former Idaho Pole property. She reviewed concerns of the neighborhood about Church Street being connected to Wallace Avenue. The neighborhood is not interested in Wallace Avenue becoming a connector. She stated there is a problem at Main Street and Broadway Avenue as trucks use Peach Street to avoid making a left on Main Street. She concurs with the decision to delay approval of the Transportation Plan Update until the growth policy plans have been adopted. Mr. Widmeyer asked for an explanation of the problem at the intersection of Broadway Avenue and Main Street. Ms. Dayton noted lumber trucks use Peach Street as an access to the Interstate as traffic is too fast for them to enter Main Street from Broadway Avenue. Mr. Widmeyer explained the reasoning for realigning Church to Wallace and the signalizing of the intersection at Main. He stated signalizing Broadway Avenue and Main Street may not work due to the downhill approach on Main Street. He noted it is unlikely that an overpass will be constructed at Griffin Street over the railroad. He feels it is a valid project, however, TCC will be the entity to make it a greater priority. Mr. Brawner noted the Transportation Plan Update doesn’t indicate a link between Highland Boulevard and Cedar/Oak Street. Mr. Widmeyer noted that leg of roadway didn’t load up when modeled and was dropped. Ms. Dayton noted the NE neighborhood was originally against the link, however, if the L Street crossing is closed, the extension of Cedar Street would be supported. Mr. Brawner noted signals are probably warranted at Church and Wallace Avenues. Mr. Gerster asked if there would be a safety issue with the traffic coming out of the Cupola project onto Broadway Avenue. He suggested signals at Church and Broadway rather than Wallace. He noted the land east of Broadway Avenue will be developed in the near future.. Other letters were read from Ellen Trigstad, who doesn’t like wide roads; from JT Elliot in support of the extension of Highland Boulevard south; and from Heidi Cline, who suggested eliminating parking along Rouse Avenue to provide more lanes, and lengthening the turn lane along south 19th Avenue to allow more stacking, therefore, preventing straight through and right hand turning traffic from being jammed behind the left turners. The final letter reviewed was from the Downtown Business Board, who didn’t agree with the rejection of three lanes through town or the decision to not change the direction of the couplets. However, the Board liked the idea of an additional study being done of the downtown area, however, it was noted they seem to think TCC will conduct the study. The Committee concurred that will not happen. ITEM 5. TRANSPORTATION PLAN UPDATE (40-60 MIN) - This discussion was completed during other portions of the meeting. ITEM 11. NEXT MEETINGS AND ADJOURNMENT Mr. Musser moved, several members seconded, to adjourn the meeting. It was adjourned at 12:05 p.m. The next meeting will be March 21st from 10:00 a.m. to noon with the next regular meeting on April 18, 2001at 9:30 a.m. _________________________________________ Bill Murdock, Chairperson Bozeman Area Transportation Coordinating Committee