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Home My WebLink AboutPacket 2007-02-20_14-18_February 8, 2007 Policy Meeting MinutesLINKED MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE CITY COMMISSION POLICY MEETING BOZEMAN, MONTANA February 8, 2007 ***************************** The Commission of the City of Bozeman met in the City Commission Meeting Room, 411 East Main, on Thursday, February 8, 2007, at 12:00 pm. Present were Mayor Jeff Krauss, Cr. Steve Kirchhoff, Cr. Jeff Rupp, Cr. Kaaren Jacobson, Cr. Sean Becker, City Manager Chris Kukulski, Director of Public Service Debbie Arkell, City Engineer Rick Hixson, City Attorney Paul Luwe, and Deputy City Clerk Cynthia Jordan Delaney. 0:30:11 [12:09:56] A. Call to Order--12:00 pm-1:30 pm--City Commission Meeting Room, City Hall, 411 East Main Mayor Krauss called the meeting to order at 12:09 pm. 0:30:13 [12:09:57] B. Pledge of Allegiance and Moment of Silence 0:30:55 [12:10:40] C. Public Comment Mayor Krauss called for public comment. There was no public comment. 0:31:22 [12:11:10] D. Policy Discussion 0:31:29 [12:11:15] 1. South 19th Avenue Design Presentation by Montana Department of Transportation (MDoT) and Discussion 0:31:37 [12:11:22] Staff Report - Rick Hixson City Engineer Rick Hixson presented the staff report about the history of the South 19th Avenue project and then introduced three engineers (Chris Ward, Jeff Ebert, and Craig McLeod) who have been working on this project. 0:41:58 [12:21:34] Applicant - Chris Ward Chris Ward, project manager at Thomas, Dean & Hoskins Engineering (TD&H) in Great Falls, presented comments about the design of S 19th Avenue. 0:48:43 [12:27:54] Applicant - Jeff Ebert Jeff Ebert, District 2 Administrator of the Montana Dept. of Transportation, discussed the timeline and schedule for the S 19th Avenue project. 0:53:30 [12:33:09] Mayor Krauss Mayor Krauss restated the items he raised in the January 18 meeting and asked if the design has been modified because of his feedback: sufficiently wide boulevards (not curb walks); designing intersections that grandmothers can cross, especially at the busy intersections of Koch, College, and Garfield; and setting standards for lighting. 14 0:58:14 [12:37:08] Public Comment Mayor Krauss opened public comment. 0:58:36 [12:38:37] Public Comment - Walter Banziger Walter Banziger, Director of Facilities Planning, Design, and Construction at Montana State University, stated concerns about the Garfield intersection (staff and students crossing the street against traffic), as well as right-of-ways going through university buildings and parking lots. 1:01:52 [12:38:56] Public Comment - Ted Lang Ted Lang, of the Gallatin Valley Land Trust, echoed Mayor Krauss' concerns about Garfield and stated his concerns about the bike path/shared use path potentially being squeezed out from the South side of College St. He emphasized the importance of keeping connectivity and safe access to sidewalks/trails for pedestrians from 11th Avenue to Huffine. 1:04:04 [12:42:14] Public Comment - Doug McSpadden Doug McSpadden, of the Safe Trails Coalition, stated that he believes Garfield is a critical alternate corridor, and it should be a safe pedestrian crossing. He will meet with MSU Engineering to discuss a trail corridor along College St. or to move the trail south to Garfield or Lincoln. 1:05:43 [12:44:29] Change of Presiding Mayor Mayor Krauss left the meeting. Cr. Jacobson became Mayor Pro Tem. 1:05:55 [12:46:14] Public Comment - Rich McLane Police Lieutenant Rich McLane, who is the secretary for the Pedestrian/Traffic Safety Committee, wanted solutions for better ways to mark Dickerson and 19th so that it isn't dangerous to drivers and pedestrians. 1:07:31 [12:46:24] Public Comment closed. Mayor Pro Tem Jacobson closed public comment. 1:07:58 [12:48:09] Cr. Becker Cr. Becker asked Mr. Ebert if there is any discretion to make changes to the S 19th Avenue project since what was the far edge of town in 1994 is now a central pedestrian area. 1:08:19 [12:48:28] Applicant - Mr. Ebert Mr. Ebert stated that they can look at some of those things, but this project is upwards of $11 million. At this stage, any additional changes (esp. to add boulevards or gain right- of-way) will delay the timeline and increase cost. 1:19:09 [12:59:15] Mayor Pro Tem Jacobson Cr. Jacobson asked if there is any way to begin the design with boulevards and sidewalks and then figure out how wide the lanes can be? 2 15 1:21:10 [13:01:13] Cr. Kirchhoff Cr. Kirchhoff stated that he wants to throw out rational concerns (the current design, money, and time) to figure out how to get this project done right. He asked if there is an ideal way to do this design, what would that be? He suggested a four lane road with no turn lanes--to create a five feet boulevard on each side, plant trees, and not need to acquire additional right-of-way. Cr. Kirchhoff stated that he wants to start all over again. 1:30:26 [13:08:59] Cr. Becker Cr. Becker advised, "Don't build those medians with concrete; we're coming with trees!" 1:30:42 [13:11:30] Cr. Rupp Cr. Rupp stated that he thought the project was going to begin this year (2007), but then asked if because of right-of-way issues, the project was pushed back until 2008. 1:35:31 [13:15:49] Applicant - Mr. Ebert Mr. Ebert stated that the right-of-way is the biggest thing that is "pushing the schedule" right now. The design is basically "in the can." 1:35:46 [13:15:57] Cr. Kirchhoff Cr. Kirchhoff suggested making each lane 10 feet wide, and then there would be an extra 10 feet to be allocated for a boulevard or median. 1:38:31 [13:17:37] Director of Public Service Debbie Arkell Director of Public Service Debbie Arkell wanted a consensus from the Commission before Mr. Ebert starts looking at every suggestion from the Commission. Before scrambling for a redesign, what is the issue: narrower lanes, boulevards, etc.? 1:39:21 [13:18:27] Cr. Rupp Cr. Rupp stated he wants to see the trees and the sidewalks, and what's left can be the roads. 1:40:19 [13:20:32] Public Comment - Mr. McSpadden Mr. McSpadden mentioned that Scottsdale and Tucson, AZ shrink their driving lanes down to ten feet at all intersections and major arterials. 1:43:10 [13:21:35] Mr. Kukulski Mr. Kukulski asked if halting right-of-way acquisition is where the process stands today. 1:43:21 [13:22:31] Applicant - Mr. Ebert Mr. Ebert stated that yes, they need to halt acquiring right-of-way. 1:44:40 [13:25:15] Applicant - Mr. Ward Mr. Ward drew a diagram showing why turn lanes need to be fourteen feet wide (sight distance). 1:50:23 [13:29:20] Mr. Kukulski 3 16 Mr. Kukulski asked what should be done now. Is this a major pause? 1:52:07 [13:31:49] Cr. Jacobson Cr. Jacobson asked Mr. Ebert how long a "skinny" redesign would take. 1:52:20 [13:33:04] Applicant - Mr. Ebert Mr. Ebert stated that it would take two years to redesign. 1:54:49 [13:35:22] Cr. Rupp Cr. Rupp stated that we're making a mistake not looking ahead and taking this street south to Graff St. 1:56:19 [13:36:11] Cr. Becker Cr. Becker stated that he didn't want the project delayed or completely redesigned (and thus sent back for a long environmental review). He wanted to see what could be done within the existing schedule to make subtle improvements. 1:57:01 [13:36:18] Applicant - Mr. Ebert Mr. Ebert stated that he heard the Commission wants engineers to look at landscaping issue and the Garfield intersection. 2:00:06 [13:41:17] F. FYI/Discussion 2:07:12 [13:44:49] G. Adjournment ____________________________________ Jeffrey K. Krauss, Mayor ATTEST: ______________________________________ Brit Fontenot, City Clerk PREPARED BY: ______________________________________ Cynthia Jordan Delaney, Deputy City Clerk Approved on ___________________________ 4 17