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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-25-12 Minutes - Transportation Coordinating Committee MINUTES BOZEMAN AREA TRANSPORTATION COORDINATING COMMITTEE WEDNESDAY,April 25, 2012 • 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 Bob Lashaway called the meeting to order at 10:08 a.m. on Wednesday, April 25, 2012 in the City Commission Room, City Hall, 121 North Rouse Ave Bozeman, MT and directed members to introduce themselves. Members present: Sean Becker, City of Bozeman Mayor Christopher Scott, Gallatin County Planning Dept. Jeff Ebert, Montana Department of Transportation, Butte Distri 6A ministrator Carol Strizich, Statewide, Urban Planning, MDT Ralph Zimmer, Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee Bob Lashaway, Montana State University Rob Bukvich, Montana Dept. of Transportation, Bozeman Debbie Arkell, Bozeman Public Works Director Dustin Rouse, Montana Department of Transportation, Butte District Engineering Lee Provance, Gallatin County Road Superintendent Sam Gianfrancisco, County Citizen Representative Marianne Jackson Amsden, Gallatin County Planning board Kyle DeMars, MDT, Bozeman Maintenance Chief Dan Martin, Bozeman Citizen Representative Trevor McSpadden, City of Bozeman Planning Board Guests / Staff present: Aimee Kissel, Deputy City Clerk taking minutes John Van Delinder, Bozeman Street Department Rick Hixson, Bozeman City Engineer Tony Renslow, Project Manager for Delaney and Company Kevin Barre, Bozeman School District Trevor McSpadden 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 11 Transportation Coordinating Committee Minutes for April 25, 2012 Chair Bob Lashaway opened public comment. No person commented. Bob Lashaway closed public comment. ITEM 3. MINUTES OF JANUARY 25, 2012 Jeff Ebert and Dustin Rouse provided corrections to the minutes. It was moved by Rob Bukvich, seconded by Debbie Arkell to approve the minutes of January 25, 2012 as amended. Motion and Vote to approve the minutes of October 26, 2011 as amended. The Motion passed unanimously. ITEM 4. DISCUSSION ITEM A. Haggerty Lane/East Main Street roundabout (Mike Delaney) Rob Lashaway began discussion on this item explaining this was submitted by Delaney and Company relative to the East Gateway Entrance and a possible roundabout. Tony Renslow, the Project Manager for Delaney and Company referred to the packet of materials submitted and asked the Committee for feedback. Mr. Lashaway continued discussion on this item. He said the extension from East Main interchange around to the Oak Street and Rouse area was considered several years ago. Christopher Scott said it was the major street network 24 within the recently updated Transportation Plan. He read from the plan. This would be from Rouse Ave. to Highland Blvd. He said public comment and discussion occurred regarding the difficulties of construction because of some of the wetlands in the area. Rick Hixson said there was a pre-design investigation report for East Front Street by Morrison- Maierle on behalf of the city in 1998 that specifically concerns this type of proposal. Copies are available in the Engineering Department. Significant right of way and cultural resource issues were identified by the report. The 1 st section across the wetland is what is different between the two proposals. From Rouse east is similar to both proposals. The difference is at the connection point on Main Street. For clarification: The original concept was Highland Blvd and Main for the connection point and the new concept submitted by Delaney and Company changes the connection point to Haggerty Lane. 2 of 9 Transportation Coordinating Committee Minutes for April 25, 2012 Mr. Lashaway said that proposed phase 1: Main Street connection back to the Village Downtown would be paid for by the developer, Delaney and Company. The only cost to the city would be the connection point itself if it's a roundabout. Mr. Lashaway said the TCC could not take any action on this proposal at this point except to acknowledge that the connector street is part of the Transportation Plan. Rob Bukvich says they saw this proposal in 2010 and the connection point on Main Street is a significant difference from the Transportation Plan. Coming into Highland was modeled and proposed and sets up a good connection up past the hospital. MDT's semi-official stance on what we saw in 2010 is that they would like the city to endorse this change before they technically review it. As a change in the Transportation Plan that should start with TCC, but there is not enough information today to endorse. Jeff Ebert, Department of Transportation said the overall proposal needs to have some analysis performed similar to what was done for the Transportation Plan. Lots of hours and time went into modeling, discussing and developing the Transportation Plan. The concept of mixing a traffic signal (Highland) with a roundabout that close would need to be looked at. He is also not sure the proposed signal lane roundabout would work when we have four lanes. Sam Gianfrancisco said this was proposed in the late 1980's. At that time there was talk to hook up to Haggerty but there was talk to move Haggerty over to Highland. There was development right of way and other issues and this was dropped. Christopher Scott said looking in the Transportation Plan in regards to modeling: Alternative scenario 2 with that connection: one of the main things would be decreased traffic on Main Street in downtown. Mr. Scott spoke further about the traffic modeling in the Transportation Plan. Bob Lashaway went over the points brought up by members. ITEM 5. TCC COMMITTEUMEMBER REPORTS A. Transit Committee Report Dan Martin said they are in the middle of route planning for next year. The routes are not likely to change a lot. They may move one route to go through the roundabout at College and 11th. The Skyline system is down to off season numbers. Mr. Martin said the Transit Operations Committee has ASMSU members and staff on the committee. Mr. Scott spoke regarding a preliminary plat approval for a subdivision at one of the bus stops by the Ice Garden. This is where people have been parking for a Skyline system stop. This stop may need to be relocated. Dan Martin said he will talk to David Kach. 3 of 9 Transportation Coordinating Committee Minutes for April 25, 2012 Ms. Arkell has been sending information to Lee Hazelbaker. Ms. Arkell will begin sending information to Dan Martin as well. Rob Bukvich from MDT said he would like to be included in transit planning. He asked that Kyle Demar be communicated with. Dan Martin said Skyline is handled by David Kach and Streamline by Lee Hazelbaker. Debbie Arkell said the contact at the City level is John VanDelinder. B. Gallatin County(Commission/Planning Board) Lee Provance said Harper Pucket Road will be paved with millings this year; also Cameron Bridge East past the Heart of the Valley and Alaska. C. City of Bozeman (Commission/Planning Board) Trever McSpadden said the Planning Board has not met in six months due to lack of projects to review. Debbie Arkell said they are having a citizen discussion on the potential of the removal of the barricade on South Sixth at Cleveland. Research showed that it was recommended in the 1993 Transportation Plan as a condition of approval on a project at MSU. They are doing research on that and having neighborhood meetings. The meetings are not scheduled yet. D. Bike Advisory Board Aimee Kissel announced Bike to Work Week events are coming up (in May). E. Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee Ralph Zimmer said the Committee worked on priorities for 2012. They also met with representatives of River Rock Subdivision regarding safety concerns they had. They talked about West College regarding the proposed improvements between 19th and Main and made recommendations for the intersection of 23rd and College. They have also been talking about pedestrian crossings across College between South 8th and South l ltn Mr. Zimmer said he has been receiving public comment regarding the closure of South 6th and Cleveland. They will be discussing that at the next meeting. Dan Martin said as they (Transit) were doing route analysis this year, their fourth most popular spot after the mall, downtown and the sub at MSU is 23rd and College. This area does get a lot of traffic. Rob Bukvich said they are proposing putting in a concrete pad for a future shelter and bench. 4 of 9 Transportation Coordinating Committee Minutes for April 25, 2012 Jeff Krauss asked whether the Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee has reviewed the proposed elementary school site at Flanders Mill and Durston. Ralph Zimmer said they had discussed it at length at previous meetings. Recently, they had determined it was too late in the game to change anything for the bond election. They will discuss it at greater length at an upcoming meeting. Deputy Mayor Krauss said the annexation of the school site will be coming before the City Commission in the next few weeks. He suggested involvement at that meeting. Debbie Arkell said this Commission hearing is tentatively scheduled for June 4tn F. Montana Department of Transportation Jeff Ebert said there was an extension of the Transportation Bill until the end of June. There has been a conference committee setup to iron out issues between the House and Senate versions of the bill. Senator Baucus has been named on that committee. G. Federal Highway Administration (See MDT report in F.) H. Other TCC Member/Committee Reports Marianne Amsden Jackson asked about speed signage on South 19th between Kagy and Stucky. The North bound is signed at 40 miles while the south bound is signed at 50 miles an hour. Several Committee members said that speed difference was intentional. Marianne Amsden Jackson reported that she has been approached regarding signage at Middle Creek Montessori on Cobb Hill Road which is a minor arterial with a speed zone at 35 m.p.h. Within a quarter mile there are ten approaches onto Huffine. The school is wondering if they can have either a slower speed zone or a sign indicating a School zone. She asked whether this Committee have a recommendation on school signage and how to determine what type or size might require a school zone. She also asked whether the school could hang their own sign on their property. Eagle Mount just acquired another ten acres and they would like to make handicap and equine accessible public trails. They would like signage on Goldenstein to alert drivers of horses on the roadway. Lee Provance said he does not feel this Committee is for County sign issues. Speed studies need to be done for speed signage. He spoke regarding a speed study that was done on Cobb Hill. He can see placing up advisory signs for 25 mile an hour in the area of the school. They are not enforceable but would advise the public there is a school. 5 of 9 Transportation Coordinating Committee Minutes for April 25, 2012 Mr. Provance does not see any point in putting equine signs up as horses can be on any road in the County. The parties need to submit a written request to Lee Provance with Gallatin County. If they then do not like the decisions made the next step would be the County Commission. Ralph Zimmer said the Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee may be a more appropriate body to bring these issues to. ITEM 6. OLD BUSINESS A. New High School Cottonwood/Stucky Road Bob Lashaway said he will be putting together a group on this issue in the next four to five weeks. Lee Provance said the County has requested a traffic study at Cottonwood and Stucky from MDT not just because of the possibility of the school there. There have been a high percentage of accidents at that intersection. The County Commission has sent a letter to MDT asking for advice and help in this area. Rob Bukvich said in March they ask the cities and towns for safety projects. Lee Provance said the County Commissioners placed this request with the speed request for Valley Center Road. Dustin Rouse said they are planning on doing that traffic study. Mr. Lashaway asked that TCC members help him gather information for the Committee that will be looking into this. Mr. Lashaway will send out an email. Jeff Ebert with MDT said the County Commission letter asked for a speed study, not a traffic impact study. Lee Provance clarified that the County actually needs help with safety issue ideas at that intersection. Mr. Provance and Mr. Ebert will get together to talk about this. ITEM 7. NEW BUSINESS None. ITEM 8. PROJECT UPDATES A. MSU Projects Updates 6 of 9 Transportation Coordinating Committee Minutes for April 25, 2012 Bob Lashaway said they are testing the appetite for a parking garage. They had a meeting last Thursday night and ASMSU voted to table the discussion. At this point, MSU is not pursuing that at the NE sector at this time. B. CTEP Projects Debbie Arkell said Dustin Johnson will become the cities CTEP lead. The CTEP Committee recommended a list of projects to the Commission which the Commission. An Oak Street trail/ sidewalk from 7th to the Fairgrounds on Rouse is the next big project and is being planned in conjunction with the County, and Larry Watson is taking the lead. Ralph Zimmer asked about reduced CTEP funding from the County. He has heard rumors about funding issues. Ms. Arkell said she has not been involved in the project. She will find out and let Mr. Zimmer know. C. Intersection Improvement Projects Debbie Arkell reported the city of Bozeman will be installing solar, rectangular, rapid flashing beacons at the intersection of Seventh and Kagy Ave. on Kagy to assist with pedestrian and bicycle traffic. They will be checking with MDT prior. The hope is to install this before the start of the new school year. D. North Rouse Ave. Jeff Ebert said MDT held a public meeting on January 25th and had a good turnout. They presented the re-addition of parking near Lamme and Peach based on the removal of the turn lane at that location. The public appreciated being listened to in this regard. Right of way acquisition will start late summer, early fall. E. I-90 Improvements Dustin Rouse said 1-90 from Bozeman to Bozeman hill will be under construction all summer. Rob Bukvich said the Valley Center underpass between Hwy 10 and Valley Center Road will be closed for several months. Dustin Rouse said they recently met on the West Bozeman Interchange -North 7th and are looking at a transportation management plan as part of the project. They met with the City on some ideas and will meet with representatives from local businesses that might be affected by that project. F. I-90 East Belgrade Interchange Report 7 of 9 Transportation Coordinating Committee Minutes for April 25, 2012 Jeff Ebert said they have had several meetings with the City of Belgrade, Airport and Gallatin County. A sub-committee has been setup and has been meeting to develop a funding plan. The County has proposed 2 million towards the project, the City of Belgrade proposed 1.6 to 2 million, and the Airport set aside three million. They are still short 9 million dollars on the overall project. At the last discussion, the three groups were going to request time with the Montana Transportation Commission to present the proposal of the funding package to date and see whether there would be any forms of funding to look at to minimize the shortfall on this project. The County was to write a letter to the Commission by the April 30th deadline to get on the agenda for the May 24th meeting of the Transportation Commission. G. TSM Reports Debbie Arkell said bike lane improvements as recommended by the Bozeman Area Bicycle Advisory Board and then approved by the Commission will be completed out of the 2012-2013 fiscal budget. Debbie Arkell reported South 8th was bid. Bids came in under estimates. Knife River was awarded the bid. Construction will start after May 7th and be done in 2 phases with Harrison moving north to Koch first. Debbie Arkell reported that College Street is under design and there will be a public information meeting on May 17th at 6:30 p.m. at the Bozeman High School old library. Debbie Arkell reported North Seventh Avenue's Urban Renewal board has been doing improvements on North Seventh. They have also ordered a blue prototype light to install on North Seventh. Rob Bukvich said they want to put the light in front of the Comfort Inn in the next 10 days. H. Jackrabbit Lane Improvements Jeff Ebert reported bids were opened for the Four Corners North project on Jackrabbit Lane. Wells was awarded the contract and will be starting Monday the 30th and will continue through two construction seasons. Irrigation work will need to be done at the end of next year. MDT will be having a weekly meeting with the contractor to discuss the construction schedule for that week. Mr. Bukvich said the work from Four Corners to the Hot Springs will be done first. Jeff Ebert said the Belgrade South project design is continuing and includes that entire section of Montana 85 from Four Corners to Belgrade. The projection for construction is 2015. The Committee spoke regarding delays. L Other None. 8 of 9 Transportation Coordinating Committee Minutes for April 25, 2012 ITEM 8. 2012 MEETING DATES AND ADJOURNMENT • July 25, 2012 • October 24, 2012 • January 23, 2013 Bob Lashaway adiourned the meeting at 11:13 p.m. Bob Lashaway, Chairperson Bozeman Area Transportation Coordinating Committee Prepared by: Aimee J. Kissel, Deputy City Clerk Approved on: 9 of 9