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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-24-13 Minutes - Transportation Coordinating Committee1 of 12 MINUTES BOZEMAN AREA TRANSPORTATION COORDINATING COMMITTEE WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2013  These minutes are not word for word and should be considered in addition to the audio recording. ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ATTENDANCE Chair Bob Lashaway called the meeting to order at 10:06 a.m. on April 24, 2013 in the City Commission Room, City Hall, 121 North Rouse Avenue, Bozeman, MT and directed members to introduce themselves. Members present: Bob Lashaway, Montana State University, Chair of the TCC Rob Bukvich, Montana Department of Transportation, Bozeman Dustin Rouse, Montana Department of Transportation, Butte District Engineering Dan Martin, Bozeman Citizen Representative Bill Cochran, Bozeman Area Bicycle Advisory Board Sam Gianfrancisco, Gallatin County Citizen Representative Joe Walsh, Montana Department of Transportation, Butte Dave Fowler, Road Superintendent for Gallatin County Christopher Scott, Gallatin County Planning Department Jeff Ebert, Montana Department of Transportation, Butte Administrator Steve White, Gallatin County Commission Craig Woolard, Bozeman Director of Public Works John Van Delinder, Bozeman Street Superintendent, Proxy for Ralph Zimmer with the Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee Guests / Staff present: Aimee Brunckhorst, Bozeman Deputy City Clerk taking minutes Chris Saunders, Bozeman Department of Community Development Rick Hixson, Bozeman City Engineering Randy Carpenter, Sonoran Institute John Lavey, Sonoran Institute 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.} Chair Bob Lashaway opened public comment. Transportation Coordinating Committee Minutes for April 24, 2013 2 of 10 ITEM 3. MINUTES OF JANUARY, 2013. Motion and Vote to approve the minutes of January 23, 2013. It was moved by Jeff Ebert, seconded by Sam Gianfranciso, to approve the minutes of January, 2013 as corrected by Dustin Rouse. The Motion passed unanimously. ITEM 4. TCC COMMITTEE/MEMBER REPORTS A. Transit Committee Report Dan Martin reported that Streamline is heading towards the summer schedule, so the last hour and the commuter routes (the ½ hour cycles in the a.m. and p.m.) will be removed as it was funded by MSU. B. Gallatin County (Commission/Planning Board) None. C. City of Bozeman (Commission/Planning Board) Chris Saunders reported that development applications have picked up quite a bit recently. The presentation to be provided today was already given to the Planning Board and they recommended that this body view it as well. D. Bike Advisory Board Bill Cochran announced that Bike to Work Week is coming May 13th through the 17th. They had a huge uptick in the numbers last year so are hoping that trend continues. E. Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee None. F. Montana Department of Transportation None. G. Federal Highway Administration None. H. Other TCC Member/Committee Reports None. ITEM 5. OLD BUSINESS Transportation Coordinating Committee Minutes for April 24, 2013 3 of 10 A. Federal Transportation Reauthorization Act Jeff Ebert said two weeks ago Congress funded the entire transportation bill through the fiscal year, though they have not funded it further. ITEM 6. NEW BUSINESS A. Presentation by Randy Carpenter and John Lavey of the Sonoran Institute on the Envision land use and transportation planning tool. Randy Carpenter began the presentation explaining they are a nonprofit that makes communities make more informed decisions about their future. He reported that they have seen a lack of collaboration among jurisdictions regarding planning. A small grant was given to Gallatin County, the city of Bozeman and the city of Belgrade to hire a consultant to draw a blueprint for moving forward together especially within the triangle area. Gallatin County has a request for proposals out for the consultant now. One of the tools we wanted to give the consultant is an idea of what growth patterns we are looking at in the future. They have a tool called Envision Tomorrow that allows the user to paint a picture of different land types. The program then provides a number of indicators that change depending on how the picture is painted. John Lavey continued the presentation providing an overview of Envision Tomorrow. He spoke regarding scenario planning to weigh options against each other and determine consequences and test different policy solutions. The tool is a connection between GIS and a macro enhanced Excel spreadsheet. As you change the GIS you see the spreadsheet change. He spoke further about the details of the tool. As this has grown, a large variety of modules have been added. He spoke further about the scenario building process as 4 steps starting with determining building types. You input financial information about the type of building into the spreadsheet. Each building is developed pursuant to the rules you will be building under. Next is development types - a combination of different building proto types that become a particular style of built environment. (example: medium density residential) Montana State University Professor Johnson and his students developed about a dozen development types for examples. The 3rd step is to paint the development types onto your screen within GIS. The evaluation process is last. You look across the different indicators to see how they compare. Mr. Lavey provided examples of how the program works. Randy Carpenter explained how the tool works in further detail with example scenarios. These alternatives that are specific to this area will be provided to the consultant that the County and the cities choose to provide a blue print for collaboration in the future. John Lavey said that the software proprietors of this tool are always adding new modules and are working on a travel demand model and travel behavior model. The Western Transportation Institute does have a model now that could plug into this - funding contingent. This would be an excellent next step. Transportation Coordinating Committee Minutes for April 24, 2013 4 of 10 Rob Bukvich asked how the model is controlled. Mr. Carpenter explained the land use is placed first. John Lavey pointed out that the scenarios don’t show where the roads might be located, but do show per this X density, you would generally require this X amount of road infrastructure. A question was posed about the model addressed whether government subsidized transit may affect sprawl. Another question was related to how commercial hubs would affect the model. Further examples were provided regarding how the user can create a wide variety of development types. Flexibility allows accurately estimating the type of jobs that would be generated. For example one indicator is Jobs to housing ratios. Chris Saunders spoke regarding how the spreadsheet data was determined with local numbers with actual local buildings. Randy Carpenter spoke regarding the financial aspects of the models. They look at financial feasibility for the private sector. Dan Martin spoke regarding considering affordable housing and how that affects the way land use and transportation work. Randy Carpenter said an affordable housing scenario would be a good type to consider designing for model. Bob Lashaway spoke regarding the regulatory and political atmosphere that could possibly drastically change the way land use plays out. Randy Carpenter said the tool is designed to be used mainly in a workshop setting with 4 or 5 people around a table drawing different scenarios among themselves with 4 or 5 different tables coming up with different scenarios and then comparing the indicators between them. The program is collaborated on existing data with developers often interviewed so the program can help with the cost of development and revenues that would be derived. The program tries to include detailed financial information about the area. Chris Saunders spoke regarding the open source nature of this software and how this could be used to look at things that have not been able to be viewed in the past. The software helps show the pieces that can then be used to make choices. B. Approval of using Bozeman’s STPU funds for replacement of the Griffin Drive (U-1217) railroad crossing. (Bukvich) Transportation Coordinating Committee Minutes for April 24, 2013 5 of 10 Rob Bukvich said this is the reason we have a TCC - to prioritize projects and oversee the utilization of urban and secondary funds. The city of Bozeman has a project they would like to prioritize. Rick Hickson, City Engineer said the city would like to replace the Griffin Drive railroad crossing with urban funds. They would like to expend some of these funds to replace this as a standalone project because this crossing is in very poor shape. John VanDelinder said they have presented the project to Montana Rail Link and they would provide the labor. They did this on L Street and it worked well. The rubber crossings do not work as well because sand gets under them. This would require the TCC to approve the cities use of urban funds to improve the crossing railroad surface at Griffin Drive. Rick Hixson said the TCC had approved College Street as the number one priority for urban funds. That project is in final design. This project will only take about $18,000. Jeff Ebert said that as a standalone project, the local municipality only has to come up with the crossing materials and the concrete as MRL pays the rest. If this was part of a reconstruction project, the city would need to pay MRL. This is a unique opportunity for a partnership to fix this. Rick Hixson said they would like to schedule this for this construction season. It was moved by Chris Scott, seconded by Dan Martin to have the TCC endorse the prioritization of use of urban funds to replace the railroad crossing on Griffin Drive. Discussion on the motion. A question was raised about the long term plans for Griffin Drive in the transportation plan. Mr. Bukvich said there are no imminent plans to do anything with Griffin. As Griffin is right now, there is not any more right of way to do anything different there. Jeff Ebert said the Transportation Commission will be meeting again in May and if this motion was passed by the TCC it would then go before the Transportation Commission for final approval. Chris Scott said this looks like a good project because of the combination of funding resources and collaboration with Montana Rail Link. Vote on the motion to have the TCC endorse the prioritization of use of urban funds to replace the railroad crossing on Griffin Drive. The motion passed unanimously. Transportation Coordinating Committee Minutes for April 24, 2013 6 of 10 Jeff Ebert responded to a question saying an approval letter could be sent to Lynn Zanto with the Rail Planning Transit Division. Rick Hixson or Craig Woolard will draft a letter and get it sent. C. Cottonwood Road and Stucky Road Traffic Control Analysis Dustin Rouse said this was identified in the 2011-2012 Highway Safety Improvement Program list. The traffic safety was further studied. To summarize, Stucky is operating at a level of service of F in the morning and afternoon. Based on the analysis, a roundabout at this intersection would work now as well as in 20 years up to a level of service C. In the interim, because a roundabout takes time to develop and fund, a 4-way stop was also looked at as well as a 4-way stop with a flashing red light in each direction would function under the level of conditions now would function at a level of B or C now. Mr. Rouse asked if the TCC would endorse a flashing four way stop in the interim while they develop and pursue funding options for a roundabout at this intersection. Dave Fowler said Gallatin County has done some studies of this intersection as well. He asked who would cover the costs of improvements here. Dustin Rouse said that because this was identified through the highway safety program, he believes they could use that funding to install the flashing light. They need to look further at how much of that funding could be used for a roundabout in the future. They need to have a discussion with the County about the cost of electricity. Further discussion occurred regarding the difficulties of putting in a roundabout. Steve White from the County Commission asked about whether discussion occurred about yellow, north-south and red, east-west. Jeff Ebert provided details about the crash data at this intersection. Baxter itself needs equal time at Cottonwood. Discussion occurred further regarding the difficulties with this intersection and how the light would be set up. Mr. Bukvich said they would like to make it work into the future. Chris Scott asked about rumble strips. Commissioner Steve White spoke regarding the noise disturbance of rumble strips to the nearby residences. Jeff Ebert said the study reported that the site distance is a problem and there is a recommendation to cut vegetation. The vegetation is not on the right of way though. Transportation Coordinating Committee Minutes for April 24, 2013 7 of 10 Dave Fowler said he has plans to paint stop ahead signs on the pavement when the weather gets warm enough. Bob Lashaway spoke regarding a meeting that he, Craig Woolard, Rick Hixson, Chris Saunders, Dave Fowler, George Durkin and Chris Scott had with Kevin Barry at the school district. The school district is thinking that school development on their 55 acre site is probably not imminent on the SE corner on Stucky and Cottonwood. They have more school growth to go before they would dive into a second high school. That may not be a site for the second school. They are not targeting it as a high school site. The development from Huffine down to Stucky Road on the east side of Cottonwood the right of way has been dedicated. On the west side it is only dedicated from Huffine down to about the farmers canal. That makes the challenge on the west side for width and site distance. Bob Lashaway asked whether the Transportation plan has to be amended to assist with the evolution of Stucky and Cottonwood as an intersection or would the next update cycle work. Mr. Lashaway referred to a letter from Daniel Bowlen to Craig McCloud, Safety Engineer at MDT. What Dustin Rouse said MDT needs an endorsement from the TCC for MDT to pursue the interim measure of a four way stop flashing light at the intersection and MDT will start looking at Safety Highway Improvement Program funds to put in the light and the County paying the future light maintenance costs. MDT will also begin looking at nominating and funding a roundabout there for the future. Dave Fowler with the County asked whether maintaining the light just refers to the electrical bill. Rob Bukvich said MDT would be willing to help because they do have the bucket truck. Gallatin County Commissioner Steve White said a decision regarding the County paying maintenance costs would require two Commissioners, but he does not see it as a problem. It needs to be fixed and it is County residents that will benefit from it. Mr. Bukvich said the TCC does not need to worry about the Transportation plan right now it has flexibility and can be updated in the next round. It was moved by Rob Bukvich, seconded by Steve White moved that the TCC approve MDTs plans to move forward investigating putting up a flashing light at the intersection of Stucky and Cottonwood with MDT funding with a friendly amendment that the TCC also approve MDT’s plan to pursue funding and development of a roundabout at this location. Discussion on the motion. Transportation Coordinating Committee Minutes for April 24, 2013 8 of 10 Chris Saunders mentioned the signalized crossing issues with roundabouts and that he does not have a problem with roundabouts but feels the TCC would be wise to broaden the motion to indicate pursuing intersection improvements. The maker of the motion and the second agreed to this change. Final Motion with Second Friendly Amendment. Motion and Vote that the TCC approve MDTs plans to move forward investigating putting up a flashing light at the intersection of Stucky and Cottonwood with MDT funding with a friendly amendment that the TCC also approve MDT’s plan to pursue funding and development of intersection improvements at this location. The motion passed unanimously. No other new business. ITEM 7. PROJECT UPDATES A. MSU Projects Updates Bob Lashaway said they will be bidding the reopening of Harrison at 11th in the next 10 days or so. The South Field House parking lot has been bid with construction happening sometime after commencement. They are still trying to put together a paving project on the west side of the stadium. This is in design currently. Sam Gianfrancisco asked about moving the dirt used for the rodeo somewhere else. Bob Lashaway said there are challenges with moving that including where to put it and not having to cross Kagy with it. It will need to stay where it is. B. CTEP Projects (Transportation Alternatives) Nothing new. C. Intersection Improvement Projects Rick Hixson reported a four way stop being put in at Baxter and Davis. Bob Lashaway asked if the speed at that intersection would be looked into as it goes from 40 to 25. D. North Rouse Avenue Transportation Coordinating Committee Minutes for April 24, 2013 9 of 10 Jeff Ebert said they are doing appraisals and will likely hire a company to assist with right of way acquisition negotiations. This is ongoing. Feb. 2016 is the anticipated letting for the north end (Oak to Story Mill) of the project. E. I-90 Improvements Dustin Rouse said there is construction everywhere from Three Forks to Manhattan, ramps at Amsterdam, the ramps at North 7th interchange, seismic footing at structures in Bozeman with a seal and cover project. F. I-90 / East Belgrade Interchange Report Jeff Ebert said there are weekly status meetings and the County is still waiting for right of way parcel closings and the utility agreements. Plans were turned in to the contract plans section in Helena to allow the July 11th bid opening. They still need to hear about the TIGER grant agreement approval prior to the bid opening. May 28th is the final date when all the right away need to be authorized, utility moves under way or under contract. TSM’s None. F. Jackrabbit Lane Improvements Jeff Ebert reported that the contractor has started back up on the Four Corners north project - working on irrigation. Completion will be August - September of this summer. There is a second project that starts at Frank Road in Belgrade and meet with Holbert - 2015. (called Belgrade south). They are purchasing right of way this summer. There is a milling project at Spanish Creek in the canyon. Dustin Rouse spoke regarding Jackrabbit and Madison Avenue in Belgrade, Belgrade asked MDT to look at a protected left turn phase at that intersection. The traffic analysis looked at it and recommended not to have dedicated left turn because there is no available green time to take away from. They will leave it as is and see what affect the Belgrade interchange will have on that traffic pattern. I. College Street - 19th to Main Rick Hixson spoke regarding letting this in November this fall, proceeding in January, with construction summer 2014. Dustin Rouse said the existing target date was April but they are trying to move the schedule up. They still need to acquire right of way and move utilities. Transportation Coordinating Committee Minutes for April 24, 2013 10 of 10 J. North Seventh Overpass No update. K. Other Joe Walsh said that Main Street - 19th to Grand is moving forward with a letting in August. There will be a public notice going out in the next week. It is a portion of mill fill from 15th but not a full reconstruct. Dustin Rouse said the Transportation Commission approved some safety improvement programs in the area:  South 19th on secondary 345  19th and Goldstein  South 19th and Patterson Road  Project called Safety 109 guardrail northeast of Bozeman on primary 86 going through Bridger Canyon. That includes installation of guardrail and replacing some of the old bridge timber structures with a box or drainage pipes to improve shoulder slopes throughout the canyon.  Structure at 6.8 - timber structure in place - small drainage- may replace with a small pipe. This is at the cattle underpass by Kelly Canyon Road.  Rob Bukvich said a right turn lane for south bound traffic at Patterson and left turn lane at Goldenstein for south bound traffic and repaving the road in between  Dustin Rouse spoke regarding a secondary 345 project - curve at Nez Perce Drive ITEM 8. 2013 MEETING DATES AND ADJOURNMENT * July 24, 2013 – 10 a.m. REGULAR MEETING * * October 23, 2013 – 10 a.m. REGULAR MEETING * Sam Gianfrancisco moved to adjourn with a second from Bill Cochran. The motion passed unanimously. Bob Lashaway adjourned the meeting at 11: 57 p.m. Minutes prepared by: Aimee J. Brunckhorst, Deputy City Clerk Approved on: July 24, 2013 with reflected corrections