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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-27-11 Minutes - Transportation Coordinating Committee donifaii,20, 2011 i)-ansporiation Commillee I feefingAlinutes MINUTES BOZEMAN AREA TRANSPORTATION COORDINATING COMMITTEE WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2011 These minutes are not word for word and should be considered in addition to the audio recording of this meeting. ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ATTENDANCE Chair Christopher Scott called the meeting to order at 10:03 a.m. on Wednesday,April 27, 2011 in the City Commission Room, City Hall, 121 North Rouse Avenue, Bozeman, MT and directed members to introduce themselves. Members present: Jeff Krauss, Mayor, City of Bozeman Christopher Scott, Gallatin County Planning Dept, Joe Walsh, MDT, Butte District Carol Strizich, Statewide, Urban Planning, MDT Sam Gianfrancisco, County Citizen Representative Rob Buckvich, Montana Dept. of Transportation Bill Cochran, Bozeman Area Bicycle Advisory Board Ralph Zimmer, Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee Marianne Amsden, Gallatin County Planning board Edward Sypinski, City Planning Board Lee Provance, County Road Superintendent Bob Lashaway, Montana State University Rob Bukvich, Montana Dept. of Transportation Dan Martin, Bozeman Citizen Representative and Karst Stage Bill Murdock, County Commissioner George Durkin, Gallatin County Road Department Debbie Arkell, Bozeman Public Works Director Chris Saunders, proxy for Tim McHarg, Bozeman Planning Department Guests/Staff present: Travis Monroe, Senator Baucus' office Dana Pipermelcher, Streamline/Galavan Aimee Kissel, Deputy City Clerk taking minutes Rick 14ixson, Bozeman Engineer John Van Delinder, Bozeman Street Department ITEM 2. PUBLIC COMMENT {Public comment limited to any public matter within the jurisdiction of the Bozeman Area Transportation Coordinating Committee not on this agenda with a three-minute time limit per speaker. 1 of 7 3WIMPT 20, 2011 Tronsporlutim Coordinating Commillee Meeting Afinutes Chair Christopher Scott opened public comment. No person commented. Christopher Scott closed public comment. ITEM 3. MINUTES OF January 26,2011 Corrections: Mr. Scott brought meeting to order. Take out Galavan/Streamline under guests present. Motion and Vote to approve the minutes of Januaa 26,2011 as amended. Motion passed unanimous ITEM 4. TCC COMMITTEE/MEMBER REPORTS A. Transit Committee Report Dan Martin announced Streamline will be making changes in August. The main difference will be trying to get more of the bus routes on the snow routes. The side streets are not working. One late night route once school starts. The Livingston route is becoming more and more popular, so they have moved to a larger bus. Streamline is looking into tracking systems so riders will know when the bus will be there. The Skyline Fare between Bozeman and Big Sky didn't change ridership much. They will be expanding their service during the APEC conference in May. B. Gallatin County None. C. City of Bozeman Debbie Arkell reported: • Joe Olsen TCC member from Montana Department of Transportation passed away last month. He will be missed. Joe Walsh is Joe's replacement. • Kagy and 11"' had a left turn arrow installed. • The city let a bid for water renovations under South 8"' and some of the smaller cross streets. • Notice of Award for the College and I I"'roundabout is on agenda for the 2`d to Knife River. The work is scheduled to start right after May 9"'— MSU graduation as they will completely close the intersection at College and I It". • The Commission recently provided direction regarding paying for the street improvements on South 8"'. The city will be using a little bit of impact fee money, a small special improvement district in the surrounding neighborhood and borrowing intercap money and using an increase in our street assessment money to pay for that. 2 of 7 20, 2011 Transporlafion Coordinolimy Commitice'Ifecting'I'lifnites • Work continues around the blast site using HUD funds to work on the alley between Rouse and Bozeman and side streets. This will improve pedestrian access to those businesses. Engineering is working with the Downtown Business Association. • Baxter mill and overlay. • Kagy will be this summer from Highland almost to Willson mill and overlay and chip seal. • North South detours for College—the traffic control.plan has not been seen yet. Mr. Hixson will keep Karst Stage up to speed on this. • Mayor Krauss asked about Willson and College • Rick Hixson said Andy Kerr counted the traffic turning north bound the two preceding blocks and saw 100-200 cars more per day, • Mayor Krauss asked whether we have done anything to make Kagy and 7"' more pedestrian friendly, • Rick Hixson said nothing has been created to alter this intersection. • Mayor Kra-ass suggested the possibility of a bulb out with cut through for bikes at the Kagy and 7"'intersection. • Sam Gianfrancisco said the general public is really glad that the city is doing an aggressive program on the streets after the reporting of work on 8`n D. Bike Advisory Board • Bill Cochran said the Bike board worked with the city for bike lane striping on Peach from seventh to Rouse. • In May the city of Bozeman bike map will be available during Bike Week, May 16 to the 21". They have increased their events for Bike Week such as the expo/party on Friday afternoon. • Marianne Amsden asked about availability of the bike map. They will be made available through city hall, bike shops, the Bozeman Area Chamber, etc. E. Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee • Ralph Zimmer reported that during the commission meeting on the 18th, the Committee, BABAB and the Commission had a productive hour and a half discussion. • The Committee has in interest in what happens at College and South Willson. The traffic volume counts showed a 30% increase in the traffic northbound on Grand and a decrease on Tracy. Compliance studies on College varied from 22 to 36% for non-compliance to signage. 'They heard similar comments from a former police lieutenant. • Debbie Arkell said the police dept. stepped up patrol of that area after the non- compliance study. • Mayor Krauss reported non-compliance issues at the new left turn into the shopping center at 3 d and Kagy. He did see enforcement there recently, 3 of 7 Jopuun-26. 2011 1j'ansporlation Mceling Afinutes • Marianne Amsden noticed that on Rouse there is no posted speed limit sign near the elementary school despite the LED display. • Ralph Zimmer said the Committee was unsuccessful lobbying the state legislature regarding restricting hand held cell phones. They sent numerous communications to Senators, but the bill never reached the House. F. Other TCC member/committee reports None. G. Montana Dept. of Transportation • Rob Bukvich referred to specific project updates later in the meeting. • Still don't have a highway bill yet. H. Federal Highway Administration None. ITEM 5. OLD BUSINESS A. Gallatin County Park and Trail Plan Update (Amsden) • Marianne Amsden said this plan is with the County Attorney who would like to see format changes. We are still a couple months from completion. • Rob Bukvich said they are in the process of designing removal of the underpass structures in Manhattan over the abandoned railroad because the structures are deficient. Based on public comment, the design could include a pedestrian if someone can pay the light bill and maintain it. Mr. Bukvich explained the two structures will go cast-west and the tunnel will go north— south. They are currently looking at all the structures (seven sets). This project is likely two years out. • Ms. Amsden will email the County Park and Trail plan to Ms. Hastie for dissemination once completed. ITEM 6. NEW BUSINESS A. Jackrabbit Lane Improvements (Bukvich) • Rob Bukvich said they have had several public meetings on this project and the design went back to the drawing board. He explained some of the possible design details. They would like to let these improvements in September. This item should be moved to the project updates list on the TCC agenda. At this point it appears all roundabouts are gone from the plan and they will be moving forward with signals. • Lee Provance reported they are working on Jackrabbit from Obert up to Valley Center— there will be a traffic signal at Valley Center. • Ms. Amsden asked whether the TCC has forwarded recommendations on this project. 4 of 7 Jalm(ln-26, 2011 h-ansporiation Coordinaii)�g Com)niiiee,Heeling Vinul c,V • Mr. Bukvich said they have come to the TCC twice with presentations on the project though the project has changed since then. • Mayor Krauss spoke about his reluctance to make recommendations on this project, but mentioned the roundabouts in Billings seem to be working well for vehicles. • Mr. Scott said the transportation plan has the configuration for roundabouts planned out, • Mr. Bukvich said he was a little afraid that roundabouts on Jackrabbit would create problems with truck traffic in Bozeman. OTHER NEW BUSINESS Debbie Arkell reported that Bozeman is hosting a joint Conference of the American Public Works Association and the American Water Works Association May 10-124'. This will include a tract on transportation. If you are interested, Google Montana AWWA. This is a good, local training opportunity. ITEM 7. PROJECT UPDATES A. MSU Projects Updates 0 Mr. Lashaway reported installation of colored concrete crosswalks on Grant Street. B. Belgrade Projects Update None. C. CTEP Projects • Ms. Arkell reported work is still happening on the College/Huffine trail, finishing up some links. Developers working on Kohl's are to install the portion between Rosauers Food and the Main St. and College Ave. intersection. • Sam Gianfrancisco asked whether a trail has been considered on South 19"' from Kagy to Hyalite prompting discussion. Use has increased this time of year because of the way the gate is now being operated at Hyalite. Lee Provance reported he has been pushing for that for about I I years and it has gotten nowhere. Public support would be needed to help move that forward. D. Intersection Improvement Projects See prior comments. Rob Bukvich reported a signal project will be let to construction at the intersection of Huffine Lane and Cobb/Forton— Circle Cobb Roads. Hoping to get this done before winter, 5 of 7 JinuwrY 20, 2011 b,cmsporialioll Coordincning Comillittee Weethig Hinutes E. North Rouse • Rob Bukvich reported they are looking at semi finished plans. They will meet with city staff to make decisions regarding how close is too close for residents nearby. Still on schedule for about 2014. F. 1-90 Improvements • Rob Bukvich reported Rouse is shut down for two weeks to accommodate bridge work. North Western Energy is also working on the gas line—coming along well. • Mayor Krauss brought up design of the 7t" street bridge over the interstate. The City of Bozeman strongly suggests bike lanes on that bridge, otherwise there will be a total block. Not a safe pedestrian/bicycle facility. From reports he has received, he is worried this wasn't included in the design of the bridge. • Rob Bukvich said the 7"' Street bridge is designed with pedestrian and bicycle accommodations prompting a discussion regarding what this will entail. • Krauss iterated he would like the state to make sure bike lanes are striped with paint. • Mr. Bukvich agrees it is important to get bicyclists across the bridge, but it is a tough sell to add eight foot bike lanes and an eight foot shoulder. • City staff said they have been working well with MDT on this design and the state has made the bike/pedestrian accommodations the City asked for. • Attempting to accommodate the future design of lighting on Seventh. • Mr. Saunders in planning asked whether there is a schedule,plan or need to improve the bridge that crosses the rail line towards Belgrade. Mr. Bukvich answered no, that bridge is in good condition as it was built in the 1980's. • Ms. Arkell reported the North 7"' tax increment finance district has been continuing their work. The next phase is light improvement. Looking into LED. Considering Bobcat blue lights—talking to the Commission about that. • Mayor Krauss mentioned that MSU President Cruzado has asked him about the lack of Bobcat blue throughout Bozeman. Mr. Lashaway mentioned the problem with the college changing Bobcat Blue frequently. G. 1-90 East Belgrade Interchange Report • County Commissioner Bill Murdock said he met with director Lynch early in the year and hasn't heard anything since. He reported it is under right of way acquisition. Need a new highway bill to make this happen. • Sam Gianfrancisco reported Morrison Maerle has been working on right of way and design. • Director Lynch said he would like this project to happen within three years. 6 of 7 JMHWM�20, 2011 Trousporlation Coordinaling Committee AfeetiagIfinules H. TSM Reports None. I. Other ® Debbie Arkell reported the historic street lights on South Willson Ave. are being replaced by Northwestern Energy and will be replacing the lights on Cleveland next year. ITEM S. 2011 MEETING DATES AND ADJOURNMENT • July 27, 2011 • October 26, 2011 • January 25, 2012 • April 25, 2012 Motion and Vote to adiourn. The motion passed unanimously. Christopher Scott, airperson Bozeman Area Transportation Coordinating Committee Prepared by: Aimee J. Kissel, Deputy City Clerk Approved on: —J—Lt 11 X7, Zo I 7 of 7