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HomeMy WebLinkAbout041801 Transportation Coordinating Committee Minutes Bozeman Area Transportation Coordinating Committee Minutes - April 18, 2001 1 BOZEMAN AREA TRANSPORTATION COORDINATING COMMITTEE WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18, 2001, 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 9:40 a.m. and directed the secretary to record the attendance. Members Present Bob Burkhardt, Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration Andy Epple, Director, Planning and Community Development Rick Hixson, representing Director of Public Service Lesly Tribelhorn, Engineering Services Supervisor, Butte District MDT Lee Provance, Road Superintendent, Gallatin County Clark Johnson, City Manager, City of Bozeman Bob Lashaway, Facilities Service Director, MSU Rob Bukvich, Engineer, MDT Bill Murdock, TCC Chairperson, Representative, Gallatin County Commission Marcia Youngman, Mayor, City of Bozeman Lynn Zanto, Supervisor, Urban Planning, MDT Ralph Zimmer, Representative, Pedestrian & Traffic Safety Committee Pat Abelin, Gallatin County Representative, Citizen Member Staff Present Visitors Present Chris Saunders, Associate Planner Chris Strong Carol Schott, Recording Secretary Lisa Ballard Debe Youngberg David Smith Holly Brown ITEM 2. MINUTES OF OCTOBER 30, 2000 Chairperson Murdock called for corrections or additions to the minutes of October 30, 2000. Hearing none, Mr. Epple moved, Mayor Youngman seconded, to approve the minutes of October 30, 2000, as presented. The motion carried unanimously. ITEM 3 PRESENTATION TO JOHN MANDEVILLE With much ado, Chairperson Murdock presented a plaque to John Mandeville for his many years of service on the Transportation Coordination Committee. Mr. Mandeville presented a history of his tenure. Bozeman Area Transportation Coordinating Committee Minutes - April 18, 2001 2 ITEM 4 CLEAN CITIES REPORT - Chairperson Murdock changed the agenda item to a presentation by Western Transportation Institute - MSU, Chris Strong/Lisa Ballard. Chris Strong and Lisa Ballard, Western Transportation Institute (WTI), gave a presentation on what the institute is, what it plans to accomplish, what it has accomplished, its program areas, why ITS is important, the Greater Yellowstone Rural ITS, and the ASmart Corridor@ Goals for the Bozeman-Livingston area. Mr. Epple asked how the Institute=s plans might mesh with MDT=s plan at 19th Avenue and Main Street. Mr. Strong noted he is working with Ross Tervo, MDT, and on a strictly conceptual plan. He noted the goal of WTI is to provide information to the City, County, and State. Ms. Zanto asked what the long term costs would be. Mr. Strong stated the costs will be small in relation to the savings in lives. Mr. Lashaway asked if a temperature system similar to that used by aviation had been considered. He noted a temperature system can be a liability if it doesn=t give helpful information, and the information can be contrary to its intended purpose. Mr. Strong noted WTI=s goal is to create a scientifically correct system. Mr. Epple asked if there is a cost savings. Mr. Strong noted that ITS could time the signals differently, promote ride sharing, etc., as an alternative to widening intersections. Planner Saunders asked what it would cost to monitor an intersection for 6 months or so. Mr. Strong noted the cameras are approx $3,000 each. Ms. Ballard noted the institute is using technology from other states to develop a model for Bozeman. Mr. Bukvich noted the model would be of a corridor rather than just an intersection. Chairperson Murdock asked if weather information is critical within the City. Mr. Strong noted the weather information could be used by the University, City and County to respond to conditions prior to rush hour, for example. Sam Gianfrancisco, former County Road Supervisor, encouraged TCC and City and County Staffs to work with WTI to get some projects moving forward. Mr. Johnson noted this is an available source of money for one purpose only, the installation of signals for vehicular and pedestrian traffic safety. Chairperson Murdock asked if the TCC wanted to give direction to the institute. Mr. Bukvich suggested the interconnection of signals on North 19th Avenue as a possible project for WTI. ITEM 5. TRANSPORTATION PLAN UPDATE Associate Planner Chris Saunders distributed public comment received since packets were distributed. He noted the closure date set by TCC for comment on the Transportation Plan is May 4, 2001. He noted he is reviewing edits to be suggested to the smaller committee, which will present its suggested edits to the TCC as a whole. Director Epple noted the City Commission is taking a hard look at the plan. Discussion followed on the expansion and extension of Fowler Avenue. Chairperson Murdock asked TCC to focus on how the Transportation Plan relates to Fowler Avenue. Bozeman Area Transportation Coordinating Committee Minutes - April 18, 2001 3 Holly Brown, attorney for the Harvest Creek developer, stated people need a dependable Transportation Plan for development of their properties. She suggested the TCC retain the proposed extension as shown in the Transportation Plan. Mr. Johnson agreed, noting the wetlands to the north of Baxter Lane have streets indicated through them, which have to be shifted to the north. He noted the sewer main is already constructed and the plan is for the street to be constructed over it even though neither runs on the section line. Mr. Hixson noted it is an important element for arterials to be straight lines. Ms. Ballard stated it is easier to move lines on a map rather than houses in reality. Mr. Lashaway stated if there are natural features that make installation of roads a problem, then the plan should reflect those features. Ms. Tribelhorn suggested including maps that indicate streams and stream/ditches. Planner Saunders stated that accurate maps are rare and need to be developed, and could be included by reference. Chairperson Murdock suggested a list of problem roads in areas of riparian areas, streams, or ditches be created. Planner Saunders stated the larger streams could be indicated on the map and the proposed roads could be diverted around them. It was noted the Transportation Plan doesn=t state that roads must be constructed on section lines, and the lines where roads maybe shifted due to natural features could be shaded. Mr. Johnson was concerned that TCC might miss a feature and the developer could hold the City to the proposed road location. Mr. Epple suggested strengthening the caveat on the maps which states: AThe development of these conceptual routes will take decades to become reality, and will only become roads if traffic needs materialize as a result of development in the area. ...@. Mr. Johnson stated that the County Commission and the City Commission are not likely to adopt the Transportation Plan as it is proposed. He asked Ms. Zanto if there is a way to explain the situation to the fund managers and gain more time to create a document palatable to both Commissions. Chairperson Murdock noted he is unaware the County Commission won=t adopt the plan. Ms. Zanto noted the approval authority lies with this committee and not with the Commissions. She stated the accounting for these projects has changed and funds cannot be carried over into another fiscal year. She stated all of the consultant=s bills have to be submitted by June 30th. Planner Saunders noted the money in the contract has been spent. If more work is required, TCC will have to determine how to pay for it. Mayor Youngman noted the City Commission plans to have its comments ready for the May TCC meeting. Planner Saunders stated that May 4th is the end of the public comment period. He noted some public comment wants the TCC to make policy statements which aren=t within its power. Mr. Epple noted that the TCC sub-committee will review all public comment and provide a report following its May 10th meeting ITEM 6. TCC MEMBER REPORTS Mr. Zimmer reported the Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee is making progress in gaining active membership. ITEM 7. OLD BUSINESS Bozeman Area Transportation Coordinating Committee Minutes - April 18, 2001 4 As Chairperson Murdock had another appointment, Chairperson Pro Temp Youngman called for Old Business, there being none, she went on to New Business. ITEM 8. NEW BUSINESS A. High School Parking Lot - MDOT Mr. Bukvich stated there is growing concern about pedestrian safety in this area. Chairperson Pro Temp Youngman noted the City Commission plans to meet with the school district, and she invited MDOT to attend. B. Other ITEM 9. PROJECT UPDATES - Discussion only as needed 1. MSU Projects Update Mr. Lashaway noted MSU has no new projects to report. 2. Belgrade Projects Update Deb Youngberg noted the City of Belgrade and the Belgrade Planning Office are working on the Belgrade Transportation Plan. 3. CTEP Projects – no report 4. West Babcock Street Improvements Mr. Hixson reported the appraisals have been completed on properties which adjoin West Babcock Street outside city limits. He continued, a negotiator is under contract, and the City Attorney=s Staff is verifying that all contracts are in order. 5. South 19th Avenue - Main Street to Kagy Boulevard Mr. Hixson stated the contract has increased in scope to include designs for signalization of Koch and Babcock Streets. He noted the Kagy Boulevard/South 19th Avenue signal will be installed in the next two months. 6. North 19th Avenue and Beall Street Mr. Bukvich reported MDOT has secured funding for safety improvements including signalization of North 19th Avenue and Beall Street and South 19th Avenue and Koch Street in the next year or two. He is hopeful for temporary improvements to the intersection this summer. Bozeman Area Transportation Coordinating Committee Minutes - April 18, 2001 5 7. Signal Projects 1. Baxter Lane/North 19th Avenue Mr. Bukvich reported signal installation is in progress. b. Griffin Street/North 7th Avenue Mr. Bukvich reported the signals are operational and functioning. c. Other 1. Other Mr. Bukvich stated street standards are standards to be used generally. He noted if federal funds are used, environmental assessments would be required and the street standards would be up for review and could be modified if necessary. Ms. Abelin stated she has heard County officials say not to wait to adopt the transportation plan just because they aren=t ready to adopt it. Mr. Epple concurred, however, he noted County officials have indicated they plan to use it as an advisory document for creating a County wide document. He noted that TCC determined at the March meeting that the street standards would be adjusted, which wasn=t mentioned to the City Commission last Monday, so they are perhaps more likely to embrace the Plan now. Planner Saunders noted County officials stated they didn=t see any conflict with their growth policy. ITEM 10. DISCUSSION ITEMS ITEM 11. NEXT MEETING AND ADJOURNMENT It was decided to hold the May 23rd special meeting from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for the purpose of going through all edits and to vote on the adoption. The next regular meeting will be July 18, 2001, at 9:30 a.m. There being no further business to come before the Bozeman Area Transportation Coordinating Committee, Ms. Zanto moved, Mr. Epple seconded, to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned. at 11:50 a.m. __________________________________________ Bill Murdock, Chairperson Bozeman Area Transportation Coordinating Committee