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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-23-14 Minutes - Transportation Coordinating Committee BOZEMAN AREA TRANSPORTATION COORDINATING COMMITTEE COMMISSION ROOM, CITY HALL 121 NORTH ROUSE AVENUE WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2014 10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. MINUTES Minutes linked to the video of this meeting can be found at: http://www.bozeman.net/Departments/Administration/City-Commission/Streaming- Video/Archives ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER – Introductions & Attendance 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 Bill Cochran, Bozeman Area Bicycle Advisory Board Randy Visser, Gallatin County Planning Board Sam Gianfrancisco, Gallatin County Citizen Representative Dave Fowler, Gallatin County Road and Bridge Department Christopher Scott, Gallatin County Planning Department Steve White, Gallatin County Commission Ralph Zimmer, Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee Rick Hixson, City Engineer proxy for Craig Woolard, Bozeman Director of Public Works Jeff Krauss, Bozeman Mayor Joe Walsh, Montana Department of Transportation, Butte District Dan Martin, City of Bozeman representative Steve White, Gallatin County Commissioner Guests present were Robert Marley the Montana State University Vice President of Student Success, Kitty Saylor the REHAU Chief Executive Officer and South Bozeman Technology District Board Member, Teresa McKnight the Executive Director of the Montana State University Innovation Campus, Dave LeVea the Montana State University Chief Financial Officer, ?, Ron Isackson and Wayne Freeman with CTA, Tom Eastwood with Morrison Maerle, ?, Katie Potts? MDT, Jeff Patton Federal Highway Administration, ?, Chris Naumann with the Downtown Bozeman Partnership ITEM 2. PUBLIC COMMENT None. ITEM 3. MINUTES OF JANUARY 22, 2014 Motion and Vote to approve the minutes of January 22, 2014. Minutes of the Transportation Coordinating Committee, April 23, 2014 Page 2 of 13 Ralph Zimmer said the minutes are inaccessible. Secretary Aimee Brunckhorst said she would be happy to work with Mr. Zimmer to work through accessibility issues. The motion to approve the minutes passed unanimously with the exception of an abstention from Ralph Zimmer. OLD BUSINESS MOVED UP ON THE AGENDA ITEM 5. OLD BUSINESS A. Decision and vote on endorsing Delaney proposal for extension of Highland Blvd.  10:05:57 AM Mike Delaney Mike Delaney began by speaking regarding the presentation he provided at the last TCC meeting, reiterating the details about the request made. He then spoke regarding a letter of support (with understandings) he has since received from the Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee since the last TCC meeting. Mr. Zimmer spoke regarding the pedestrian facilities. 10:07:40 AM Bob Lashaway read a letter to the chair of the TCC from the Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee from the March 12th meeting in which Mike Delaney presented this proposal before the Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee. 10:09:27 AM Christopher Scott asked questions regarding development and what the zoning and future development might be. 10:09:53 AM Mike Delaney spoke regarding the current zoning of B-2 in the area fronting East Main Street with the balance having a zoning of M-1. He spoke regarding a future rezoning of the entire area. They feel a 60 foot right-of-way there is more than adequate for what they envision there in the future. 10:10:35 AM Christopher Scott began a conversation regarding the role of the TCC and whether it is appropriate for the TCC to review individual projects. He said he feels there is not enough information. Minutes of the Transportation Coordinating Committee, April 23, 2014 Page 3 of 13 10:11:49 AM Rob Bukvich asked whether Mr. Delaney would drop the request to extend Haggerty Lane if this were approved in this location. 10:11:59 AM Mike Delaney said that was correct. 10:12:11 AM Christopher Scott spoke regarding the possibility of a different land owner in the future. 10:12:28 AM Sam Gianfrancisco read the last paragraph of the minutes from the March 12th Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee regarding the comfort of Public Works Director Craig Woolard with this proposal. 10:13:16 AM Christopher Scott said that he asked to hear from the city Planning Department at the last meeting and there is no one present at the meeting from planning. 10:13:35 AM Mike Delaney made the suggestion that an approval could be made and could be conditional upon: • Applicant will not seek additional access to the property directly from Haggerty Lane • A 60 foot right of way before built or constructed would be conditional upon the city of Bozeman Planning Dept. and City Commission approving a master site plan He spoke further regarding this idea. 10:14:57 AM Christopher Scott regarding who owns the property in question. 10:15:01 AM Mike Delaney spoke regarding the owners of the property and said a 100 foot right of way would compel a building to be torn down. He spoke further about what his next steps would be if given the green light for a 60 foot right-of-way. 10:15:59 AM Christopher Scott said they have not heard from those property owners and feels uncomfortable making this decision without further information. 10:16:50 AM Steve White spoke regarding the creation of a Memorandum of Understanding. 10:17:37 AM Rob Bukvich asked process questions and said that TCC would just be recommending this to the City Commission. Minutes of the Transportation Coordinating Committee, April 23, 2014 Page 4 of 13 10:18:02 AM Jeff Krauss said he did not know why this is being brought before the TCC instead of the City Commission. His understanding has been that Highland would be a significant road and not a city street. He said the best way to deal with this is to go before the City Commission and the Planning and Engineering Departments. 10:18:48 AM Bob Lashaway asked what the strength of the Transportation Plan is regarding development within the city. He provided further discussion about the role of the Transportation Coordinating Committee. 10:19:59 AM Christopher Scott said the Transportation Plan has flexibility for the City and County to make the calls. 10:20:37 AM Jeff Krauss agreed with Mr. Scott and spoke regarding the purpose of the Transportation Plan. 10:21:33 AM Bob Lashaway continued the conversation regarding the process for proposals such as this saying the proper venue should be beginning the development process through the city and commission. 10:22:06 AM Mayor Jeff Krauss agreed with Mr. Lashaway and continued the conversation regarding process 10:22:58 AM Mike Delaney said when he went to Craig Woolard, Director of Public Works and Mr. Woolard consulted with the Planning Department and they told Mr. Delaney they thought his proposal was reasonable and that he should go before the Transportation Coordinating Council. He knows he would still need to get approval from the City Commission even with the recommendation of endorsement with conditions from the TCC. He spoke further regarding the process. 10:24:22 AM Dan Martin asked what the TCC Committee is for if they are not going to make recommendations. He spoke regarding recommendations that have been made by TCC in the past. 10:25:07 AM The Committee members further discussed the process and the appropriateness of the TCC making recommendations. Steve White spoke to the way the TCC Committee is an advisory body and he feels it is appropriate for the TCC to consider this as a Committee. He spoke further regarding the process. Minutes of the Transportation Coordinating Committee, April 23, 2014 Page 5 of 13 Further discussion occurred on the purpose of the Transportation Plan and the purpose of the TCC. 10:31:24 AM Mayor Jeff Krauss apologized on behalf of the city for having Mr. Delaney present this proposal to the TCC Committee. The Committee continued discussion on the process of approving these types of proposals and the purpose of the TCC. 10:34:32 AM Mike Delaney spoke to why he felt Craig Woolard recommended that he come before the TCC and Mr. Woolard also recommended approval of this plan. This included the realities of the extreme costs and impracticality that the 100 foot right-of-way and condemnation associated would incur as listed in the Transportation Plan for Highland Boulevard. He also mentioned that there already is a bypass from East Main Street to North Seventh to Oak Street. Mr. Delaney also said that building Highland with a 60 foot right-of-way now would not preclude the city from someday condemning those properties, building the bypass and expanding the road to a 100 foot right-of-way in the future. He feels city staff felt it appropriate to have input from the Committee prior to taking this proposal before the Commission. 10:37:15 AM Rick Hixson agreed that the County and City Commissioners have jurisdiction over the streets but said that if you just go directly before the City Commission, the TCC Committee members would never know of any changes. He spoke further regarding his understanding of the coordinating role of the TCC. 10:38:53 AM Jeff Krauss asked whether Rick Hixson is prepared today to endorse this proposal? 10:39:20 AM Rick Hixson said he is prepared to endorse this as the proxy on behalf of Craig Woolard based on the difficulties with the extension of Highland and the fill slopes for a road with that huge cut - it is a big problem. He does endorse that idea, but ultimately it will be the City Commission’s decision. 10:40:13 AM Bob Lashaway spoke regarding lengthy timing issues for developers and problems if every development that wants to change a road go before the Commission. 10:41:05 AM Rick Hixson said the City Commission manages the street network every Monday night by approving subdivisions. They do not look for TCC input for any of that. It is only the network backbone jurisdictional boundary streets that they recommend come before the TCC. 10:42:17 AM Christopher Scott said he thinks the informational portion of this presentation is great and the idea of individual members providing input to the applicant. However, he is uncomfortable with a formal recommendation. Minutes of the Transportation Coordinating Committee, April 23, 2014 Page 6 of 13 10:43:30 AM Rob Bukvich said he feels the applicant is coming forward to the correct place to ask whether the TCC would recommend changing the Transportation Plan. 10:44:21 AM Mayor Jeff Krauss said he does not feel it is advertised or presented that way, and has no staff presentation to that affect. 10:44:57 AM Bob Lashaway spoke saying that if we were looking at revising the transportation plan it would be during the next update to the Plan. He spoke further about the process. 10:47:06 AM Steve White said his fear is a catch twenty-two. The governing body may ask that the TCC make a recommendation on this before he comes before them. He spoke regarding affects to the overall Transportation Plan. What is before us is the 60 foot compared to 100 foot right-of-way. 10:48:46 AM Mayor Jeff Krauss continued discussion about the process and dangers if the TCC had voted no to endorsement. He feels that Mr. Delaney should bring the recommendations of staff not the TCC to the Commission. The Committee continued discussion regarding the role and jurisdiction of the TCC. 10:52:58 AM Joe Walsh spoke regarding Mr. Delaney taking the informal information he has garnered here and moving forward. 10:53:51 AM Dustin Rouse said this roadway is a significant part of the network and to take that into consideration. 10:54:14 AM Ralph Zimmer said following the last TCC meeting, he wrote city staff asking who would be the most appropriate staff person to participate in the Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee discussion on this proposal. Craig Woolard was the response and did attend the meeting and said the cities perspective was that a 60 foot right-of-way would be appropriate on that segment of Highland Boulevard. 10:55:10 AM Mayor Jeff Krauss spoke further about the process. He would like the development presented at which time they could hear from the advisory committees if they chose to show up to tell them what they did and did not like. 10:56:28 AM Dustin Rouse said he has heard comments that we do not have enough information to make a recommendation on this at this time. Minutes of the Transportation Coordinating Committee, April 23, 2014 Page 7 of 13 10:57:31 AM It was moved by Mayor Jeff Krauss, seconded by Steve White that we decline to comment make a recommendation on this issue. Discussion on the motion. Christopher Scott made the clarification that the comments made on the proposal should be considered by Mr. Delaney as he moves forward. 10:58:34 AM Vote on the motion that we decline to make a recommendation on this issue. The motion passed with Dan Martin, Sam Gianfrancisco and Ralph Zimmer abstaining from the vote. ITEM 6. NEW BUSINESS A. South 27th Avenue discussion  PowerPoint Presentation  Wes Baumgartner with CTA began the presentation on this item. He said they met with the city and they were informed that this was a major change to the plan as this Avenue is a collector so the TCC should be consulted prior to taking this before the City Commission. 11:01:52 AM Bob Lashaway recused himself from this item as he is an employee of Montana State University and a past member of the Innovation Campus Board. Jeff Krauss recused himself from this item as he is an employee of Montana State University and a member of the Board of Regents. 11:03:19 AM Wes Baumgartner began a PowerPoint presentation regarding this proposal explaining the location and the reasoning behind why they would propose a change to the existing Transportation Plan. CTA Group met with the city to discuss this plan. The city expressed concern that CTA look into community interface more. CTA revised their plan and came before the city again. They met with various members of the city, where they feel they were met with general enthusiasm. The one concern expressed was related to 27th Avenue (a collector) shown going through the site on the Transportation Plan. City staff then suggested coming before the TCC to discuss this option and then take it to the Commission for a vote to change the 2007 Transportation Plan. He continued with his presentation explaining that the abandonment of the 27th Avenue collector through the project site is their preferred option they would like to move forward with. They have also come with an alternative option if that is not acceptable. He spoke in detail about the alternative option. (Please see PowerPoint presentation for these proposed options.) Minutes of the Transportation Coordinating Committee, April 23, 2014 Page 8 of 13 He spoke regarding zoning and ownership in the area, traffic patterns and existing long range plans around the area. He spoke regarding circulation on the site. He showed what the current Transportation Plan shows in this area and related traffic patterns. 11:12:26 AM Tom Eastwood with Morrison-Maerle said he looked at the traffic operations impact resulting from the proposed MSU Innovation Campus and particularly the original master plan and to compare that with the inclusion of 27th Avenue through the site. He said extending 27th Avenue through the site and adding an additional intersection on College Street creates an additional conflict point. He also spoke regarding the College Street Improvements Project study not including that. He spoke regarding traffic volumes accessing College and how different scenarios might look and the possibility for increased conflicts. 11:15:18 AM Rick Hixson asked about models. 11:15:35 AM Mr. Eastwood spoke regarding the models they created. 11:19:03 AM Wes Baumgartner continued the presentation. 11:20:22 AM Dan Martin asked what the long term plan is for Fowler. 11:20:37 AM Mr. Baumgartner said the long term plan for Fowler is to continue from Huffine down to South 19th Avenue. 11:20:59 AM Dan Martin asked if there is a standard for road length. 11:21:15 AM Rick Hixson said there are standards – a mile and half mile. 11:21:40 AM Dan Martin said if what they are asking is something different than what was planned originally, does taking out 27th interrupt our plans? 11:22:17 AM Rick Hixson said he does not feel there is enough information to decide that. He was hoping to see a traffic study model. He spoke in detail about how traffic studies would show us where the traffic would go. When the property develops you put a big demand on the network. 11:24:20 AM Mr. Buamgartner reported that Tom Eastwood is planning on putting together a final traffic study report that would be provided. 11:24:38 AM Rick Hixson said engineering did consider that there would be an intersection with 27th and College, but recognized that it does not need to be in the plan now as it would not be built now. They did not want to specify where that would be at this time. Minutes of the Transportation Coordinating Committee, April 23, 2014 Page 9 of 13 11:25:33 AM Dustin Rouse said he would also like to see the traffic study before making any decision on this and would like to see what impact there would be to 19th within that study. 11:26:24 AM Wes Baumgartner asked about process and timing for this project. 11:26:41 AM Rob Bukvich brought forth discussion regarding what the process/next steps should be for this project. 11:27:37 AM Dan Martin said this seems to be a discussion and feels the applicants have some comments and discussion they can move forward to staff and the Commission with. 11:28:13 AM Rick Hixson said we don’t see an immediate need for 27th, but do see a future need for 27th, but is pleased to see there is a fall back plan if 27th is needed in the future. The specific right of way and location of 27th could be considered in the future when it is needed. The issue of abandoning 27th troubles city engineering without seeing more data such as levels of service. Degraded levels of service means funding those improvements and become very expensive. 11:30:16 AM Christopher Scott asked about the uses of the innovation campus and how pedestrian movement may conflict with a road going through it. 11:30:57 AM Wes Baumgartner said they would like to emulate the pedestrian centric feel of the MSU campus. The MSU lands to the south will not be developed anytime in the near future. 11:32:21 AM Public Comment Christopher Scott opened public comment. Seeing none, he closed public comment. Christopher Scott asked TCC members if there was any additional discussion on this item. 11:32:42 AM Ron Isaacson with CTA confirmed that the traffic study would be submitted to city staff. 11:34:00 AM Bob Lashaway took back the gavel, taking the meeting from this point. B. Bozeman Area Transportation Plan Update 11:34:24 AM Rick Hixson provided an update on this saying they hope to have the scope of work finished up by the end of the week. 11:35:19 AM Bob Lashaway spoke regarding timing of the plan. Minutes of the Transportation Coordinating Committee, April 23, 2014 Page 10 of 13 11:36:22 AM Rick Hixson would anticipate that it will take 14 to 18 months to complete the update. 11:36:04 AM Dustin Rouse said that Bozeman is competing with other cities for this funding. 11:36:27 AM Rick Hixson said it is in the City Manager’s recommended budget to allocate a $125,000 match for the plan. The budget will be approved in June. Katie Potts said MDT has tentatively committed funds to match the city’s funds however they are ending their fiscal year and they will no longer be able to conduct a traffic count while MSU school is in session. They need to have a contract in place to select a consultant to begin the work to get fall counts before the Christmas holiday. Rick Hixson left the meeting. ITEM 4. TCC COMMITTEE/MEMBER REPORTS & PROJECT UPDATES (Members of TCC who sit on other related committees, are invited to report on such activities that are of interest to the full TCC) A. Transit Committee None. B. Gallatin County (Commission, Planning Board, Road Department) Dave Fowler reported they are in to spring maintenance. They will work on a joint project with the city and state on L Street with millings starting June 2nd. Brackett Creek will be finished at the end of summer. Next year, Park County will finish that to Clyde Park. There was very little impact on County roads related to the flood. Dave Fowler said Hyalite plowing went well. It was closed two weeks early at the dam, and one week early further down the road. C. City of Bozeman (Commission, Planning Board, Engineering Department) 11:41:28 AM Jeff Krauss asked whether Rouse Avenue and the Trail to the M are being coordinated. 11:41:49 AM Rob Bukvich said the Trail to the M starts on the other side of the Rouse project. D. Bicycle Advisory Board Minutes of the Transportation Coordinating Committee, April 23, 2014 Page 11 of 13 Bill Cochran announced that May 12th through the 16th is Bike to Work Week and will include a commuter challenge program. E. Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee Ralph Zimmer said he was re-elected chair of the Committee. They are busy. F. Montana Department of Transportation Dustin Rouse asked about lowering the Interstate speed through Bozeman to 65 miles an hour through the city of Bozeman. Bozeman just missed the 50,000 residents count in the last census. Based on the number of interchanges, the weaving movements, etc. this may be something to consider moving forward. To go forward with this, it would require a letter from the City and the County requesting that an engineering study to look at the lowering of the speed of the interstate. 11:44:45 AM College Street – 19th Avenue to Main Street Dustin Rouse said construction on the east end is planned for late June by Knife River. There will be dig outs, mill fill and ADA upgrades as part of that project. Joe Walsh said they presented a schedule. There will be lots of signage and accommodations for the businesses. The project starts at Grand, there will be one lane of traffic open at all times. They are not planning on closing any cross streets. They’ll start the first week of June on 7th and Grand and then wait until after school is out to work in front of the High School. Dustin Rouse said they can have Knife River get the schedule to Karst Stage. 11:47:49 AM Dustin Rouse said April 29th is the last date for acquisition of right-of way for a June 12th letting, with construction this year. The storm drain work would occur this fall. 11:49:00 AM 1-90 East Belgrade Dustin Rouse said that the bridge for the railroad is near completion. They are excavating where the interstate structures will be. They have modified that traffic control to a single lane and reiterated that people follow the posted speed limits through construction. 11:49:38 AM Sam Gianfrancisco asked what the plan looks like for the road to the airport. 11:50:17 AM Dustin Rouse said Airway Boulevard and 205 will have a signalized intersection. A roundabout will be closer to the terminal. Minutes of the Transportation Coordinating Committee, April 23, 2014 Page 12 of 13 11:50:49 AM Jeff Krauss asked about the light at Valley Center spur and whether it would be closed at some point. 11:51:08 AM Dustin Rouse reported that MDT did a study starting last fall at 205 and the Valley Center spur. They looked at what the impact was when that was closed for seismic work. They are looking at that data and looking at their options whether it is a signal or closing that spur. Whatever option comes from that recommendation they will start a public involvement process to make that decision. 11:52:26 AM Mayor Jeff Krauss and Bill Cochran with the Bicycle Advisory Board spoke to the importance of that spur for bicyclists. 11:52:44 AM Steve White asked how the traffic light on 205 would be dealt with. Dustin Rouse said they would need to look at all the options and then bring those options to the community. Bob Lashaway asked for further clarification regarding the College Street project. Dustin Rouse spoke regarding the intersection of Garfield and 19th and the lack of right of way that would be needed for a traffic signal there. North Rouse Avenue Dustin Rouse said right of way acquisitions are ongoing with construction planned in 2016, however it is a back up project for 2015. South 19th Safety Improvements Dustin Rouse reported this is planned for 2016 construction. There will also be a signal synchronization plan created for the length of 19th. Christopher Scott spoke regarding interest in subdivisions at Patterson and Goldenstein. They may be looking to MDT for recommendations. Huffine and Loves Lane Intersection Improvement Dustin Rouse said they recently had a field review with the intent being a signal. The signal projects typically take a few years to develop. They will be on site at Baxter and Love Lane soon and they may look at a four way stop there as an interim measure. G. Montana State University Minutes of the Transportation Coordinating Committee, April 23, 2014 Page 13 of 13 Bob Lashaway said they have many projects in the planning stages, but they are not closing anything down at this time. 12:01:16 PM Sam Gianfrancisco Mr. Gianfrancisco asked about parking issues that may be created when the new engineering building is built. Bob Lashaway said MSU will be looking at parking issues as that project moves forward. 12:02:00 PM Mayor Krauss said May 6th is the ground breaking for the student housing being built just to the west of the Stadium. 12:03:07 PM Bob Lashaway spoke regarding potential impact to the flashing light at Stadium Drive. H. Other TCC Member/Committee Reports None. ITEM 7. 2014 MEETING DATES AND ADJOURNMENT Bob Lashaway adjourned the meeting at 12:03 p.m. July 23, 2014 – REGULAR MEETING October 22, 2014 – REGULAR MEETING January 28, 2015 – REGULAR MEETING April 22, 2015 – REGULAR MEETING Transportation Coordinating Committee meetings are open to all members of the public. If you have a special need or disability, please contact our ADA Coordinator, James Goehrung, at 582- 3200 (voice) or 582-3203 (TDD).