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HomeMy WebLinkAbout071900 Transportation Coordinating Committee Minutes BOZEMAN AREA TRANSPORTATION COORDINATING COMMITTEE JULY 19, 2000 MINUTES ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ATTENDANCE Chairperson Bill Murdock called the meeting to order at 9:55 a.m. and directed the secretary to call the roll. Members Present Members Absent Andy Epple, Director, City P & CD Bob Burkhardt, FHWA Debbie Arkell, Director, Public Service John Gallagher, Bicycle Board Rob Bukvich for Jason Giard, MDT Lee Provance, County Road Supervisor Pam Barrett, proxy for Bob Lashaway Clark Johnson, City Manager, Bozeman Doug Moeller, Bozeman MDT John Mandeville, Citizen Member Ed Musser, City of Bozeman Planning Bd. Joe Menicucci, City Manager, Belgrade Tom Kahle for Lynn Zanto, MDT Paul Weingart, Citizen Member, Gallatin Co. Resident Ralph Zimmer, Pedestrian & Traffic Safety Committee Bill Murdock, County Commission, Chairperson Marcia Youngman, City Commission, Mayor Visitors Present Staff Present John Shepard Karin Caroline, Assistant Planner, CTEP projects Debe Youngberg Chris Saunders, Associate Planner Aaron Holst Carol Schott, Recording Secretary Al Scholes Craig Brawner ITEM 2. MINUTES OF APRIL 20, MAY 17, AND JUNE 20, 2000 Chairperson Murdock called for additions or corrections to the above minutes. On the June 21, 2000, minutes, Mr. Bukvich noted on page 4, 7th paragraph which begins, “Mr. Bukvich stated...” the end of the second sentence, including “however, he...”, should be stricken. Ms. Arkell asked that “wants” in the following paragraph, sentence two, be stricken and “thinks there is a need for” inserted. She also suggested adding, “However, only 34% indicated they would use it daily/weekly and 34% would use it occasionally.” following sentence two. MOTION: Ms. Arkell moved, Mr. Moeller seconded, to approve the minutes of June 20, 2000, as amended. The motion carried unanimously. Ms. Arkell stated the footers should be continued on each page of the May 17 minutes. Mr. Epple stated on page 2, 7th paragraph, first sentence, the colon should be a set of quotation marks. MOTION: Mr. Epple moved, Mr. Musser seconded, to approve the minutes of May 17, 2000, as amended. The motion carried unanimously. Mayor Youngman amended the minutes of April 20, 2000, page 3, paragraph 4, sentence 4 to add “have been committed by the City Commission for the neighborhood” between “measures” and “are currently being...” and adding “determined for locations next to Kirk Park” following “are currently being”, deleting “tried”. Following discussion, the word “bicycles” was added on page 4, 4th paragraph, first sentence between “who use” and “for transit....” Mr. Musser moved, Mr. Moeller seconded, to approve the minutes of April 20, 2000, as amended. The motion carried unanimously. ITEM 3. CLEAN CITIES REPORT. Chairperson Murdock reported a meeting with Federal officials on the Clean Cities indicated to him that other states and cities in our region are way ahead of Montana. He stated West Yellowstone has a Compressed Natural Gas system serving the whole town. He noted CNG vehicles are now capable of speeds similar to those of gas powered vehicles. ITEM 4. TRANSPORTATION PLAN UPDATE (40-60 MIN) Associate Planner Chris Saunders reported that the County Trails committee is working with Gallatin Valley Land Trust (GVLT) and Associate Planner Jody Olsen of the City of Bozeman Planning and Community Development Office to map the existing trails using the Global Positioning System (GPS) to locate them and Arcview GIS to map them. He noted Mr. Widmayer is working on the model runs for the August and September sessions. Director Epple reminded the group that the August 16th meeting is an all day work session, as is September 20th. It was determined that both sessions would be open to the public, however, not as an open house for the public. Chairperson Murdock discussed problems with distributing draft transportation maps to the public, then having subdivisions reviewed by the public based on the draft maps. Planner Saunders noted the draft documents are public record, however, they are stamped draft and preliminary to indicate they have not been adopted. ITEM 5. TCC MEMBER REPORTS Mr. Zimmer, Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee, thanked the Mayor of the City of Bozeman and the Chairperson of the County Commission for attending the last meeting. He reported the committee drafted strategies for approaching the school district to encourage their attendance to provide insight into district’s planning program. He stated the committee discussed enlarging the area under their consideration, and a possible restructuring of the membership to allow representation for the extended area. Mr. Brawner asked if the committee has met with the Bicycle Board. Mr. Zimmer stated that was one component of the strategies the committee discussed, however, they have not met as of yet. Mr. Brawner reported the City is doing a better job reporting road closures within the City and the State has had public service announcements on the closure of one lane of the interstate. ITEM 6. OLD BUSINESS - None ITEM 7. NEW BUSINESS Tom Kahle stated MDT would like to conduct an Urban Boundary Study with the help of members of this committee, including a city and a county representative. Chairperson Murdock appointed Lee Provance, County Road Supervisor as the county’s representative, and Ms. Arkell suggested Mr. Brawner be the City’s representative. Director Epple noted he and Planner Saunders would also be willing to serve on the committee. Mr. Bukvich noted there will be less impact on the County as the secondary routes will be shortened. He explained the process for funding secondary roads. Planner Saunders noted there has been a request to add a seat to the Transportation Coordinating Committee for a life safety representative. Mr. Zimmer asked if the revised By-Laws and the Memorandum of Agreement have been completed. Director Epple noted the TCC will be allowed to add members following the ratification of the new By-Laws. John Shepard reported Chief County Deputy Attorney Susan Swimley is working with the City Planning Office to make changes to the By-Laws to make them more palatable to the County. Director Epple asked that status of the by-Laws amendments, and the consideration of adding new members be included on the October agenda. Planner Saunders noted representation of Safety/Enforcement could be a rotating membership. Mr. Zimmer noted no changes should be made until the By-Laws have been approved as amended. Mr. Bukvich stated he has felt Safety/Enforcement have not been represented on TCC, and suggested someone represent enforcement in particular. Ms. Arkell noted that the Fire Department has made a commitment with the attendance of Al Scholes and Aaron Holst at the last 4 or 5 TCC meetings, and feels the Fire Department should be given a seat on the TCC. Mr. Zimmer questioned how many representatives should be allowed. Director Epple suggested one representative from fire and one from enforcement. Chairperson Murdock suggested a member of DES represent both groups, then asked for a presentation from fire and law enforcement as to why they should be members. Director Epple suggested a brief written proposal be included in the October packets. Al Scholes agreed to write a proposal. Mr. Bukvich asked if there are any issues to be discussed at this time from the Fire Department’s viewpoint. Mr. Scholes noted angle parking on any of the streets would be suicide for their response time. He noted the signal at Mendenhall Street and Willson Avenue has slowed their response as traffic hasn’t anywhere to go. Mr. Bukvich responded the signal can be remedied. Mr. Scholes stated problems could be handled more cost effectively if addressed in the planning process. Mr. Bukvich stated emergency response people are missing on the committee. He noted they are the “on the scenes” folks who deal with transportation issues. ITEM 8. PROJECT UPDATES A. North 19th Rest Area Mr. Moeller reported the rest area could be open for use by the middle of August as the irrigation system is installed and the grounds are seeded. He noted the site will not be curbed, however, it is paved. B. MSU Projects Update - Nothing new to report C. Belgrade Projects Update Debe Youngberg reported the City of Belgrade is dissatisfied with the finished appearance of the landscaping around the new interchange. Mr. Moeller noted the interchange was seeded, the rocks have been picked, and the area leveled. He stated there was nothing additional in the plans for landscaping. He suggested he and Ms. Youngberg meet at the interchange to discuss what needs to be done. Ms. Youngberg asked how to get on the list to qualify for landscaping similar to that done at Helena and Butte. Mr. Moeller noted the State paid for the landscaping in those two cities. Mr. Moeller stated he is the contact for Belgrade and Bozeman intersection landscaping. Chairperson Murdock asked Mr. Bukvich for the status of the improvements to the Jackrabbit Lane/ old Highway 10 intersection. Mr. Bukvich noted it may be three years before those improvements are completed. D. CTEP Projects Assistant Planner Karin Caroline reported the Entryway projects are underway, the landscape medians on North 7th Avenue are complete except for planting bulbs in the fall. She stated the East Main Street trees have been planted between Rouse Avenue and Broadway Avenue, however, she is waiting for the iron tree grates. She noted the next goal is to place the four “Welcome to Bozeman” signs at the entrances to Bozeman. She stated that Sacajawea Park will be changed by moving the junipers to the west and adding picnic tables. She noted two firms have been interviewed for the renovation of Soroptimist Park. She stated either of the firms could have it constructed by the spring of 2001. Director Epple noted the focal point of the park will be the reconstruction of the old Opera House arch in the park. E. West Babcock Street Improvements Mr. Brawner reported that an appraiser has been hired to do appraisals on the 27-29 county parcels with the intent of some right-of-way acquisition. He stated the appraisals should be done by August or September. Chairperson Murdock reported the County is working on right-of-way acquisition, however, the landowners are making demands the County can’t give, such as free hook-ups to City services. Mr. Brawner noted impact fees will be collected, however, they may be traded for land acquisitions. F. South 19th Avenue: Main Street to Kagy Boulevard In response to Mr. Zimmer’s question on the status of intersection improvements at 19th Avenue and Main Street, Mr. Bukvich reported the State met to discuss the reconstruction of the intersection, including the expansion of South 19th Avenue, right-of-way acquisition, and new signals. He noted the plan is to let the bids late next year, and do the construction in early 2002. Mr. Brawner reported the design for the intersection is to the point of adding signal designs, however, it will most likely be 6 months before it is completed as an EIS is required, there are financing mechanisms to be worked out, etc. G. North 19th Avenue and Beall Street Ms. Arkell asked if a signal at Beall Street and North 19th Avenue will be part of the Main Street project. Mr. Bukvich reported the funding for that signal will be from other sources. Mr. Moeller noted CMAQ funds were not available for that signal. H. North 19th Corridor (Durston to Baxter Lane) It was noted the signalization of Baxter Lane/N. 19th Avenue is to be let in September. I. Signal Projects a. Griffin/North7th Ms. Arkell noted the signalization of Griffith/North 7th Avenue is to be let in August. Director Epple noted the Gallatin Park property owners can’t be issued building permits until signal monies are guaranteed and the contract let. TCC concurred that until the contract is awarded, there is not a financial guarantee. J. Other Director Epple reported a fairly large commercial project on Main Street at Broadway has been submitted by Mike Delaney. He feels there are significant traffic issues which may require signalization at Main Street and Wallace Avenue. In response to Chairperson Murdock, Mr. Brawner stated the process for signalization begins with the DRC. He noted that Wallace Avenue doesn’t serve as through route, and Church Avenue is more of a collector, with north and south connections. Signalizing the intersection of Church Avenue and Main Street may be more appropriate. ITEM 9. NEXT MEETINGS AND ADJOURNMENT The next regular meeting is scheduled for October 18th, with two all-day work sessions devoted to the Transportation Plan Update scheduled for August 16th and September 20th. Mr. Zimmer stated he will be unable to attend the August 16th meeting. The membership concurred not to change the meeting date. There being no further business to come before the TCC, Director Epple moved, Ms. Arkell seconded, to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 11:25 a.m. ___________________________ Bill Murdock, Chairperson Transportation Coordinating Committee