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HomeMy WebLinkAbout042000 Transportation Coordinating Committee Minutes BOZEMAN AREA TRANSPORTATION COORDINATING COMMITTEE THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2000 MINUTES ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ATTENDANCE Vice Chairperson Debbie Arkell called the meeting to order and directed the secretary to call the roll and record the attendance. (Attendance on file in the Office of Planning and Community Development) ITEM 2. MINUTES OF MARCH 23, 2000 Vice President Arkell called for corrections or additions to the minutes of March 23, 2000. MOTION: Mr. Weingart moved, Mr. Epple seconded, to approve the minutes as submitted. The motion carried unanimously. ITEM 3. TRANSPORTATION PLAN UPDATE (40 - 60 MIN.) Discussion Items Street Standards Doug Widmeyer asked for feedback on these. He described what his group is proposing, per the direction of the TCC last meeting. He compared the rural streets shown on the back page of the handout to the collector, arterial, and local streets from the last meeting. Mr. Epple asked if Mr. Widmeyer had received the comments from the City engineering and Planning Offices. Mr. Widmeyer noted he had and the main emphasis seemed to be adequate snow storage in the boulevards. He noted he had changed the driving lanes in most cases to 12 foot except on local streets with on-street parking. He hoped to present the proposal to the public with all everyone’s suggested revisions. Mr. Bukvich commented there should be enough flexibility in the standards to allow expansion of the streets. He suggested planting the trees behind the sidewalk to allow for expansion of certain streets. Mr. Widmeyer noted trees should be placed where the fully expanded street would be expanded with the sidewalk in front, then several years later, following expansion, install the curb and sidewalk. Bob Lashaway noted they had run into a similar circumstance along Kagy Boulevard. He noted they would have had to plant the trees way back from the street. He stated the turf area currently was an active play area. He continued, the University decided to wait to plant the trees until the street is fully expanded. Mr. Widmeyer noted the text will allow that flexibility. Mr. Provance noted the cost of maintaining medians is expensive and he feels that planting trees will encourage landowner participation. Mr. Bukvich noted the backslope cut on the edge of the right-of-way line infringes on the utility facilities right-of-way. Mr. Widmeyer noted he can adjust for a utility corridor behind the street right-of-way, however, it wouldn’t be feasible everywhere. Mr. Bukvich suggested showing the backslope further from the right-of-way line, leaving five foot corridor. He suggested leaving a corridor on both sides of the standard. Mr. Widmeyer asked if the same utility corridor exists in urban situations. He noted most subdivision street sections would begin as a rural section, which requires more right-of-way than needed for urban standards. Traffic Calming Strategies Mr. Widmeyer noted the intent of the traffic calming is to provide a set process for addressing traffic problems. In response to Mr. Bukvich’s question on how the percentages for the neighborhood were determined, Mr. Widmeyer noted he pulled the numbers out of his hat, but based them on the numbers other communities have used. He noted there is a responsibility built in for the residents to pay for the mitigation of the problem unless there is a failing on the part of the city to upgrade the arterials adjacent to the neighborhood. John Gallagher asked if the calming devices would cause problems in other streets adjacent area. Mr. Widmeyer noted the remedy should consider at least a 10 block area and the project reviewed by the City Engineering department to be sure the remedy doesn=t impact other residential streets. John Mandeville asked if 40% of the residents will have to put up the money. Mr. Widmeyer noted the City would be responsible for putting in a temporary remedy for a year. Then, the temporary remedy would be removed. If a permanent remedy was later installed, the residents will be responsible for the cost of the permanent remedy. The City bears the costs through step 11, then in step 12, the residents are responsible for part of the costs. Mr. Epple noted the City looked at traffic calming 5 or 6 years ago on Koch, 5th and 6th. He stated the process presented by Mr. Widmeyer was a good starting point. Mayor Youngman noted the Commission was dealing with traffic calming in the North 20th Avenue area, in which barricades were tried and removed. She noted other measures were being tried. She asked if the transportation plan would recommend remedies. Mr. Widmeyer noted it would not deal with remedies as the remedies were to originate with the grass roots. Mr. Bukvich noted intersection problems would be addressed. Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Mr. Widmeyer noted transportation demand management was a community effort to reduce the total vehicle trips and miles traveled in the community. He noted that an informal count on Rouse Avenue had 90% of the vehicles with single occupancy, and on North 7th Avenue 70% of the vehicles with single occupancy. He noted the solution for this was ride-sharing to and from work or college; however, it usually didn=t work well without incentives. He stated that more than likely the TDM for this community will be a softer method, such as improving bike routes, sidewalks, and encouraging employers to give incentives to their employees if they ride share. He noted the city is obligated to provide a transit system for the elderly or handicapped. He stated there wouldn’t be an immediate reduction of vehicle trips by promoting transit. He noted the best solution for reducing traffic at 8:00 a.m. is to have the University to shift its class starting time by half an hour, which would spread the peak spike traffic flow. Paul Weingart noted, as a member of the Board at Bridger Bowl, he is aware that Bridger Bowl was considering a provision for vehicles to park closer to the lodge if there were a certain number of people in the vehicle. Mr. Widmeyer noted this was an example of an employer subsidized incentive. Mr. Bukvich noted he=d like to see trails developed to central pickup points for children who ride buses rather than the buses stopping at every mailbox. Mr. Zimmer noted that the traffic committee was organized to have that conversation with the school district. Mass Transit Update Mr. Widmeyer reviewed a meeting held April 19, 2000, to actively meet with the transit companies already in town. He noted a transit survey was in process, and the Bobcat Transit survey had been distributed and returned, however the responses hadn=t been tabulated. He noted it is a remarkable, reasonable service - $1 for the general public and free for MSU students. He suggested the City contract with Karst Stage, with MSU contracting for Bobcat Transit, to provide the service. He noted, if those services were coordinated with Galavan, the handicapped transit would be met. He noted the downside to both is they don=t provide weekend, night service. And, Bobcat Transit doesn=t provide service during school vacations. He suggested the installation of a Ahop@ which would run from Gallatin Valley Mall to Haggerty fields, with ridership being free. John Gallagher stated the Community Food Coop was considering incentives for alternative transit and offering discounts for those who use it. He suggested asking other businesses to offer similar incentives. Mr. Epple noted an incentive might be that a business which participates in this type of incentive would be required to provide fewer on-site parking. Mr. Widmeyer suggested using the larger parking lots as park and ride. Mr. Bukvich asked if any of the downtown business offer incentives to their employers to share rides, to which no one responded. John Mandeville noted that the farmers might not use transit as they generally want to drive directly to the supply store for parts and return home immediately. Other Discussion followed on the handout. Mr. Widmeyer reviewed it and answered questions. Planner Saunders noted, in the 1996 update, there have been some improvements which are not shown on these models. Mr. Widmeyer noted a north south connection from Oak to Tamarack would be useful, but currently was not available. Mr. Widmeyer noted considered any transit use as gravy in the model, with no transit included. He noted he also used a high growth rate for the model. He suggested taking the more aggressive stance. He noted the first public involvement will be Monday, April 25, 2000, 7:00 p.m. in the Courthouse. He asked that TCC members encourage their constituents to attend and take part in the discussion. He wants to find out what people perceive as the problems. Mr. Giard asked that the public meeting schedule be announced earlier to allow better participation by MDT. Mr. Widmeyer noted the next one will be in the fall after school is in session. He anticipated one or two workshops to fine tune the solutions. Then he wants to take the document back to the people before putting out the draft. OTHER ITEM 4. CHANGES TO MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT FOR CONTINUING TRANSPORTATION PLANNING IN THE BOZEMAN URBAN AREA and ABYLAWS of the TRANSPORTATION COORDINATING COMMITTEE@ (As required due to change in Bozeman Jurisdictional area.) Mr. Epple presented the rationale for the changes proposed for the “Memorandum of Agreement for Continuing Transportation Planning in the Bozeman Urban Area”. He asked the TCC to approve with or without changes. He noted Ms. Zanto=s comments are included in the changes. Discussion followed on adding members. Mr. Epple moved, Mr. Zimmer seconded, to recommend approval of the revised of “Memorandum of Agreement…” (MOA) to the City and County Commissions and Planning Boards. Mr. Zimmer noted an Aand@ should be inserted between APedestrian@ and ATraffic@ in three places, and that the list of membership should not appear in both documents, because changes would be more difficult to incorporate. He stated the committee can add to its membership as the MOA says changes require written agreement by the signatories of the documents. MOTION: Mr. Zimmer moved, Mr. Epple seconded, to amend the MOA on page 3, VI “(with the exception of additions to the membership list)” following “…to the terms of this agreement”. The amendment carried unanimously. Mr. Zimmer discussed membership and participation on the Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee. Mr. Epple suggested the Chairperson of the committee write a letter to the school district encouraging more involvement and noting areas of interest to the school district. The motion carried unanimously. MOTION: Mr. Epple moved, Mr. Lashaway seconded, to forward the Bylaws of the Bozeman Area Transportation Coordinating Committee, as amended, to the City and County Commissions. Ms. Arkell asked for an explanation for Belgrade representation on the committee. Mr. Bukvich noted, at the time the committee was formed, Belgrade was in study area. Ms. Zanto and Mr. Epple noted they were comfortable with the document as amended. The motion carried unanimously. ITEM 5. TCC MEMBER REPORTS Mr. Weingart reported Mr. Widmeyer would be speaking the Downtown Business Meeting tonight. Mr. Zimmer reported the Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee is working on the issue of curb cuts for pedestrian use at intersections. Ms. Arkell suggested he involve the City Engineering Department. ITEM 6. OLD BUSINESS Mr. Giard noted the Butte committee for secondary roads approved improvements to Jackrabbit Lane and MT205 (West frontage Road) intersection and Valley Center Road improvements. The signal in Belgrade is a 2 year project and the Valley Center Road improvements a 5-6 year project. ITEM 7. NEW BUSINESS ITEM 8. PROJECT UPDATES - Discussion only as needed North 19th Rest Area Mr. Bukvich noted the additional landscaping as requested by the Taylors is being installed and plans are to be open by July, 2000. 2. MSU Projects Update Belgrade Projects Update CTEP Projects Assistant Planner Karin Caroline reported the Bozeman Ponds CTEP project is completed, and the Combined Entryways project should be completed by July 30th. She reviewed the Combined Entryways proposal and other proposals that are in progress. West Babcock Street Improvements South 19th Avenue: Main Street to Kagy Boulevard North 19th Avenue and Beall Street Mr. Giard noted improvements to the intersection at North 19th Avenue and Beall Street are not part of the 19th Avenue and Main Street intersection improvements. He has a recommendation from the state safety people for a signal to be installed. Ms. Arkell asked this item be added to the next agenda as a report from Mr. Giard on the progress of signalizing the intersection and tying it with the Main Street improvement. North 19th Corridor (Durston to Baxter) Mr. Giard reported work is scheduled about the 10th of June. He noted the plans are 95% complete, however, the right-of-way needs to be determined for either rural or urban standard. 9. Signal Projects a. Griffin/North 7th Ms. Zanto noted the project for signalizing Griffin Drive/North 7th Avenue is going to the May 25th State Highway Commission meeting for approval in Great Falls. Mr. Giard noted he tentatively planned to attend and would represent this committee. Ms. Zanto described the time line for completion. Mr. Epple noted MDT requested clarification that the intersection does meet warrants for signalization. Mr. Giard reviewed the warrants for signalization. Mr. Epple noted an addition is planned at Billion Auto Plaza. He asked if the City should delay the approval of the addition until the signal is installed at Huffine Lane and Cottonwood Road. Mr. Giard noted one of the warrants that was not met was traffic numbers on Cottonwood Road as capacity was not affecting stacking for turns. He stated a signal is not warranted at this time. Mr. Bukvich elaborated that at least one warrant has to be met to trigger the installation of signals. He continued, MDT wants to work with the city and county to determine where the streets/signals will be installed. Mr. Epple noted another future signalized intersection, Wallace Avenue and Main Street, recently had a serious accident. He noted the signal location was proposed in the 1993 plan. He wanted to make TCC aware of the issue. b. Other MAQI funds – Ms. Zanto noted TCC’s requests will not make it to the May meeting; however, successful candidates will be notified. She stated she expects all requests for sweepers to be funded. Other ITEM 9. DISCUSSION ITEM MOTION: Mr. Giard moved, Mayor Youngman seconded, to change the meeting to the third Wednesday of each month with the next meeting being May 17, 10:00 a.m. The secretary was directed to send out a new schedule. The motion carried unanimously. ITEM 10. NEXT MEETING AND ADJOURNMENT May 17, 2000, 10:00 a.m. Mr. Mandeville moved, Mr. Giard seconded, to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 12:10 p.m. ____________________________________________ Bill Murdock, Chairperson Bozeman Area Transportation Coordinating Committee