HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-12-14 Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee MinutesBozeman (Area) Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee
Minutes of the February 12, 2014 Meeting
Upstairs Conference Room Alfred Stiff Office Building
Those Present:
Voting Committee
Members:
Ralph Zimmer (Gallatin County)
Gary Vodehnal (City of Bozeman)
Danielle Scharf (City of Bozeman)
Frank Manseau (Gallatin County)
Non-Voting Committee Members:
John Van Delinder
(City of Bozeman Streets Department)
Liaison Officers:
Tommie Franscioni (Bozeman Police Department)
Rick Musson (Bozeman Police Department)
Guests:
Cyndy Andrus (City Commission)
Andy
Kerr (City Engineering)
Sharon Glick (Resident)
Frank Blakely (Resident)
Tony Becken-Gaddo (DOWL HKM/Resident)
Quorum: Present.
NEW BUSINESS:
Ralph called the meeting to order at
12:05 PM.
Public Comment. Ralph offered the opportunity for public comment on items not on the agenda. No public comment at this time.
Consideration of Meeting Agenda. Ralph offered
the opportunity to provide input on the agenda and noted that he will take some liberties as we have many items to discuss. Ralph noted that Item 14 should read "Undergraduate Scholars
Program." No other comments on the agenda.
Minutes. We did not have a quorum present at our January 22 meeting, so the minutes of the November 13 meeting, while unofficially approved
at the Juanuary 22 meeting, had not yet been officially approved. Frank moved those minutes be officially approved. The motion was seconded and passed.
While the January 22nd meeting
was not official due to the lack of a quorum, minutes were taken. Frank made a motion to officially approve those meeting minutes, second by Danielle. Motion passed.
Update on Previous Actions. At our last meeting, Rick Hixson said that there would be a 10-foot wide path along the west and north side of Rouse with the upcoming reconstruction project
from Oak to Story Mill. We have since determined that statement was incorrect. There will be a 5-foot wide sidewalk on both sides.
As we've discussed on many previous occasions,
the Transportation Alternatives Program (which replaced CTEP, SRTS and RTP) recently solicited applications for a two-year period. Bozeman submitted three proposals with letters of
support from our committee. The only one that was selected for funding was the sidewalk along Durston from Laurel Glen Subdivision to Meadowlark Elementary School. The other two applications
were not selected.
Ralph and Gary both attended the recent meet and greet for the new MDT Bike and Pedestrian Coordinator, Angie Zanto. She will hopefully be attending one of our upcoming
meetings as well.
Ralph has not yet contacted the Sheriff's office regarding their liaison officer, but still intends to do so in the near future. He also has not yet contacted the
Greater Gallatin Safety Coalition, but their next meeting will be held on March 11.
Liaison Officer Reports. Rick reported a recent complaint about pedestrian crossings on South
Willson. They have subsequently increased patrol in the area of the Garfield and Lincoln crossings and are considering doing a sting operation as well when weather improves. Rick explained
the confusion surrounding the interpretation of the state law requiring vehicles to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. It states that a vehicle shall yield to a pedestrian "in" a crosswalk,
but not necessarily "at" a crosswalk. The Police Department has had discussions with the City Attorney regarding this matter. He also noted that even when a pedestrian is waiting at
a crosswalk with curb bulbs, they are still not technically "in" the crosswalk.
City Street Department Report. John reported that the City's primary focus is still snow plowing. They
have some residential areas where they are in danger of running out of room to put the snow.
County Road Department Report. Dave Fowler was not in attendance today.
School District.
Vance Ruff was not in attendance today. Ralph mentioned that had heard that the School District had submitted one or more applications for the Transportation Alternatives program.
One of their projects was approved, but he does not know what the project involves. Andy Kerr said he thought it was likely for a sidewalk along the north side of College between Tracy
and Black.
Bozeman Area Bicycle Advisory Board (BABAB) Report. Ralph noted a recent email from Rebecca Gleason (BABAB Chair) that announced the upcoming Bike Walk Montana Summit in
Billings on March 27th. It was also noted that Taylor Lonsdale is Chair of the Bike Walk Montana Board of Directors. All are encouraged to attend the Summit.
Transportation Coordinating
Committee (TCC). Ralph noted that during his TCC report at our last meeting, he should have also announced that Bob Lashaway was re-elected Chair.
Gallatin Valley Land Trust (GVLT). Gary reported that he and Kelly will be presenting at the upcoming Bike Walk Montana Summit. They submitted an RTP grant application for $45,000
for a new trail at Snowfill Recreation Area, new trail work at Bozeman Ponds, and signage/maintenance of the trail system.
City Commission Liaison Report. Cyndy Andrus offered to provide
a report from the City Commission. She reported that the Commission will have its goal setting meeting on Monday night. Priorities include street corners and ADA accessibility; Mendenhall
streetscape (part of Downtown Improvement Plan); and filling in street gaps where we don't have development driving construction. Cyndy is also the liaison to the Parking Committee
and TOPS Committee if we ever have interest in those topics. Ralph explained to our guests that this is Cyndy's first meeting since she was just appointed as of the 1st of the year.
At-Large
Voting Members. Our committee can appoint zero, one or two at-large voting members. Sue Brown has served in that role for the past year and is interested in serving again in 2014.
Ralph also asked Taylor Lonsdale and Elizabeth Bird, but they were not interested at this time. Ralph asked for any nominations and Gary nominated Sue Brown. After hearing no others,
Frank made a motion to close to the nominations and elect Sue Brown. The motion passed unanimously. Ralph noted that we could appoint another at-large voting member later on, but they
will only serve through the end of 2014.
Election of Officers. For the past year, Ralph Zimmer has served as Chairperson, Gary Vodehnal as Vice Chair and Danielle Scharf as Secretary.
Gary nominated Ralph for another term as Chair. Hearing no other nominations, Frank made a motion to close the nominations and elect Ralph, second my Gary. Motion passed unanimously.
Frank nominated Gary for another term as Vice Chair. Danielle made a motion to close the nominations and elect Gary, second by Frank. Motion passed unanimously. Gary nominated Danielle
for another term as Secretary. Frank made a motion to close the nominations and elect Danielle, second by Gary. Motion passed unanimously.
Willson Avenue Pedestrian Crossings. We've
discussed these crossing locations at several past meetings and have invited Andy Kerr from the City Engineering Department to attend the meeting today and tell us what he thinks about
our proposed improvements. Many of the ADA accessibility ramps can be upgraded with the City's upcoming Willson Avenue curb and water line replacement project from Cleveland to Koch.
Andy
thought the mid-block crossing in front of the Medical Arts Building is probably doable, as long as they are ok with losing some on-street parking. It will likely be $4,000-$5,000 in
concrete work for ADA ramps, etc. It would also require a 50-foot no parking zone (approximately 20 feet on either side of crossing). John will include funding for this year's project
in the City's 2014 budget. Andy will contact the Medical Arts Building and initiate the design.
Andy noted the lack of crosswalk warrants in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
(MUTCD). He highlighted several recommendations from Washington State regarding the safety of marked vs. unmarked crosswalks. Studies have shown fewer accidents in unmarked crosswalks.
Marked crosswalks give pedestrians a false sense of security and there is a common assumption that the presence of a crosswalk warns drivers to slow down for
pedestrians. Crosswalks are most effective when used with signals or another form of warning device. Crosswalks alone are not a safety improvement.
Cyndy asked if the Medical Arts
crossing would include a rectangular rapid flash beacon (RRFB). Andy said no because that would cost another $10,000. The project will include new ramps, striping and signage. Cyndy
suggested that the crossing include RRFBs because it will be mid-block and because of the presence of elderly pedestrians. Andy suggested that we start with the basic signing and striping,
monitor it and install the RRFBs later if compliance is poor.
We discussed pedestrian crossings across the slip lane on the northeast corner of Kagy and Willson. Some have advocated
for a crossing for pedestrians walking north-south. Andy is opposed to a crossing in this location because drivers are looking back over their shoulder to see cars approaching instead
of watching for pedestrians. John and Danielle agreed, but Gary is concerned about connectivity. Gary also mentioned plans to improve a trail on the northwest corner on property owned
by MSU. It will include totems to direct users to the Galligator Trail.
Andy agrees with the difficult crossing situation at Lincoln and Grant. He feels that any crosswalk enhancements
should be done at Grant and the crossings should really be consolidated. This would be a good candidate for an RRFB, but he doesn't think the adjacent residents would appreciate it.
We could also consider curb bulbs. He estimates that the cost would be $10,000 to $15,000 for an RRFB and another $10,000 to $15,000 for curb bulbs. Crossing improvements should be
restricted to the south side of Grant. Frank Blakely asked if blinders could be used on the flashers to reduce brightness for nearby residents. John explained his concerns about issues
related to wind. Andy suggested that the next step be a neighborhood meeting.
Sharon Glick reminded us of our November discussion where we agreed to eliminate some on-street parking
near the Lincoln crossing. John said the City will move forward with that when weather allows. Sharon also mentioned that plows block the crosswalk with snow. John said it is technically
the adjacent property owners responsibility to clear the snow from the crosswalk after plows have gone by.
Gary is concerned about the gravel driveway and blockage of the trail entry
by parked parks at the Grant crossing. Both crossing locations are important. He supports crosswalk enhancements at Grant if we can find a way to reduce blockage.
Andy noted that
Willson is designated an MDT urban route, so any improvements will require their review as well. Andy will keep this group informed as the projects proceed. Ralph particularly asked
the committee be informed if it needs to take an advocacy position on any of these improvements.
College and Willson Turn Restrictions. Ralph asked Andy for a status update on these
turn restrictions. Andy stated that it was a Commission action and he has not recently evaluated compliance. He offered to take a look at it and Ralph agreed it would be worthwhile.
Compliance is poor according to Tommy and Rick.
College Street Crossings between 8th and 11th. Andy does not believe marking and signage alone would be enough in these locations. Students are crossing in so many different locations,
and even with striped crosswalks, they would not go out of their way to use them. There would also be a significant loss in available 2-hour parking signed by the City. Gary feels
strongly that crosswalks should be striped at all intersections. Andy agrees with making ADA improvements, but not striped crosswalks. Rick noted the correlation on North 11th in front
of the high school. Crosswalks are marked but students still cross wherever they want. All agreed with the need for ADA ramp improvements. Andy said his department is getting plenty
of pressure to make ramp upgrades in the older parts of town, so no additional action should be required by our committee to make that happen.
Safeway Parking Lot. Gary asked if
we could require a crosswalk across Main Street at the Co-op since the Safeway parking lot is being reconfigured. MDT will not allow the crosswalk without a signal, which is problematic
due to the offset intersection.
Support Application for Undergraduate Scholars Program. At our last meeting, Rebecca Gleason explained Kesleigh Walin's desire to do a research project
about funding mechanisms for sidewalk improvements. She had class today, so was not able to attend our meeting, but she does intend to submit a proposal for project funding. All agreed
to support her application.
Next Meeting. Our next meeting will be scheduled for March 12th at 12:00 pm. Craig Woolard and Mike Delaney will be here to discuss the proposed extension
of Highland Boulevard north of Main Street. Danielle and John will both be traveling that week and will be unable to attend.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:00 PM.
Next Meeting:
March 12, 2014 at noon as noted above.
Minutes by Danielle Scharf
Edits by Ralph Zimmer