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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-22-14 Minutes - Transportation Coordinating Committee MINUTES BOZEMAN AREA TRANSPORTATION COORDINATING COMMITTEE WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2014 ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ATTENDANCE Vice-Chair Christopher Scott called the meeting to order at 10:03 a.m. on January 22, 2014 in the City Commission Room, City Hall, 121 North Rouse Avenue, Bozeman, MT and directed members to introduce themselves. Members present: Rob Bukvich, Montana Department of Transportation, Bozeman 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 Superintendent 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 Ralph Zimmer, Bozeman Area Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee Carol Strizich, Montana Department of Transportation, Planning Dan Martin, Bozeman Citizen Representative Staff / Guests present: Rick Hixson, Bozeman City Engineering Aimee Brunckhorst, Deputy City Clerk John VanDelinder, Bozeman Street Superintendent Kelly Pohl, Gallatin Valley Land Trust Mike Delaney, Real Estate Developer Chris Naumann, Downtown Business Partnership CHANGE TO THE AGENDA Christopher Scott explained that the extension of Highland Avenue was added as new business to the agenda. Mayor Krauss was appointed as the Bozeman Commission representative to the TCC. Steve White was also appointed as the County Commission representative to the TCC. The County also reappointed Sam Gianfrancisco and Randy Visser. 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.} None. I TEM 3. MINUTES OF OCTOBER 23, 2013. Motion and Vote to approve the minutes of October, 2013. It was moved by Sam Gianfrancisco, seconded by Craig Woolard, to approve the minutes of October 23, 2013. The Motion to approve the October 23, 2013 minutes passed unanimously. Aimee Brunckhorst explained that the meeting will now be videotaped and the minutes will be time stamped to the video. The meeting will not be shown live however. 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) Transit Committee Report Dan Martin said they ran a test pilot program with ASMSU during the December school break offering airport shuttles. They had 293 students use the service which was much more than they expected. ASMSU chartered their services. The Big Sky link runs are bursting at the seams so they are trying to add more runs. They are over flowing. They are running a shuttle also from West Yellowstone to Big Sky to get some employees. He attended the Health Forum and there is a lot of interest in runs to Three Forks for community health and employment reasons. It will take financing. Craig Woolard spoke regarding the new program to have people park on campus instead of on the streets during the break to help with snow plowing efforts. The transit partnership worked great. Dan Martin said they also felt the partnership worked well and they only had to donate a little. There is talk of doing the same over spring break. Gallatin County (Commission/Planning Board, Road Department) CTEP/TA Projects Steve White reported that a subdivision application at Gateway for 191 lots was denied unanimously for reasons related to access. He also reported a preliminary plat was approved on the corner of Gooch Hill Road and Huffine behind Ressler. A 100 acre application will be considered by the County Commission next week on Springhill Road. Steve White said the location is on the east side of Springhill Road where a large lot of junked cars were. Rob Bukvich said he would like to visit with the County about the application on Springhill Road. Dave said the County is doing winter maintenance. They have been rebuilding the lower Madison which goes from 205 to Norris Road. They have been working hard on the Hyalite Reservoir to keep it open. A lot of people use that and they have had great reports on that. Dave Fowler and Steve White spoke regarding how well the Axtell/Anceny Road project turned out. They had to put in a culvert extension. Steve White said the intersection of Stucky and Cottonwood has been working pretty well. City of Bozeman (Commission/Planning Board, Engineering Dept.) CTEP/TA Projects Rick Hixson said the Oak Street pathway has been bid and Syme was the low bidder. That project will likely start once the batch plant opens. They are waiting for the completion of the categorical exclusion and then plans will be submitted. The engineering dept. is working on the plans and specs for the other CTEP projects. (Oak Street west of Seventh, Centennial Park, Rose Park, Oak and Shocky, Durston west of Fowler and 8 or 9 intersection pedestrian ramps) Rick Hixson explained that three TA projects were submitted. One for a pathway on the south side of Huffine, one for a sidewalk and pedestrian path near the new elementary school (Meadowlark?), and funding for a bicycle/pedestrian coordinator. Mendenhall Street Upgrades Rick Hixson said the water main is complete. Andy Kerr did some pre-design work measuring street widths, etc. to look at the possibility of adding a bike lane on Mendenhall. They need to talk with Chris Naumann to go over those plans so everyone understands the benefits and limitations. It is extremely tight and the only way it is even remotely possible is because it is a one way road. They are getting close to milling and overlaying Mendenhall and need to decide on striping. Trail to the “M” Rick Hixson explained that Gallatin Valley Land Trust (GVLT) would like to add a piece on the south side. As part of the Rouse project there will be a separated pathway on the north. The city is happy to help GVLT, but do not have funds so help would strictly be moral support. Ralph Zimmer asked about the status of the Bozeman Community Transportation Plan. Christopher Scott explained this item is listed later on the agenda. Rick Hixson said Capital Improvement Plan budgeting was just completed and the cities portion to pay for the update to the Transportation Plan was approved. They will be working on drafting the scope of services for the update soon and would appreciate feedback on the scope from TCC members. Ralph Zimmer said he is asking about the plan already developed with state funding - the Community Transportation Safety Plan. Rick Hixson said that plan was completed last fall and he has not had time to get it before the Commission and get it adopted. That will happen soon. Craig Woolard said this fall there was a city wide condition assessment done on the street infrastructure. They are starting to get that data back. They will update the TCC when they have that. D. Bike Advisory Board Bill Cochran said they are very interested in being involved in the project on Mendenhall. They would like to make sure they are kept in that loop. The hotel going in on the corner of Black and Mendenhall have indicated they may be able to help with that choke point. Bill Cochran said they are always interested in getting a bike/pedestrian coordinator and he may have a potential funding source for that. E. Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee Ralph Zimmer reported the Committee will elect officers at the next meeting. At the last meeting they talked regarding pedestrian crossing on North and South Willson Avenue. They had a task force that looked at the sites and have city staff meeting with them at the February 12th meeting to discuss possibilities. Ralph Zimmer voiced frustration with MDT’s delay in releasing results of the award of TA projects. He also spoke regarding the process. The Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee is also interested in the project mentioned earlier about a pathway along the east and south side of North Rouse between Oak and Story Mill. The Committee thinks there is a good reason and good opportunity for this and are pursuing this. F. Montana Department of Transportation I-90/East Belgrade Interchange Jeff Ebert said the I-90 Belgrade Interchange said they are working on the temporary railroad structure and are also working on the detour ramps that will be integral to the main line construction. They have under runs of dirt they will need to discuss. They are working on the railroad shoe fly. They are making good progress. North 7th Avenue Interchange Jeff Ebert reported that the North 7th Avenue interchange will open on Friday. That project is way ahead of schedule. They will do final paving and striping early spring. Main Street - Grand to 19th Jeff Ebert said this project was let to Knife River. They plan to start the day after graduation. This is a fairly major project. They will hopefully done by the time school starts in the fall. They will be modifying the crown in front of the High School. College Street - 19th Avenue to Main Street Jeff Ebert reported on the College Street - 19th to Main Street project saying they have completed appraisals for right-of-way and are starting to make offers to the homeowners. Starting at Main Street (Huffine) coming east ward will be a three lane facility with a traffic signal at 23rd. He spoke in further detail about this project. The majority of the work will be in 2015. Dan Martin said this is a major thorough fare for Streamline with 23rd and College one of their most popular stops. They have concerns there as they have had an accident there. Jeff Ebert spoke regarding an upcoming meeting that Dan could attend on this project. Sam Gianfrancisco asked about the restricted turn at 29th and that there should be a left turn there. Dan Martin said 40 to 70 cars are parking behind Kohls every day and agreed that this turn issue is a problem. North Rouse Avenue Jeff Ebert reported on the North Rouse project saying they are still working on acquisition of right of way. The Oak to Story Mill piece is planned for 2016 (2015 backup). They are working with the city on floodplain issues. S. 19th Safety Improvements Jeff Ebert reported on South 19th safety improvements at the intersections of Patterson and Goldenstein explaining these projects. They have contracted with Sanderson Stewart on design and have this scheduled for 2016 but would like to get that started sooner if possible. 10:42:58 AM Christopher Scott spoke regarding interest in a subdivision for 17 lots on Patterson and 19th. There are issues regarding where they are coming on to Patterson. Huffine and Love Lane Intersection Improvement Rob Bukvich reported at the last meeting that a safety funding project was approved recently at Huffine and Love Lane for a traffic signal. They are starting project development, with internal folks doing the design. This is planned for 2016. Misc. projects Jeff Ebert spoke regarding a traffic signal project in West Yellowstone and a pavement preservation project on Canyon Street in West Yellowstone. He also mentioned Belgrade South (continuation of Jackrabbit Lane project to Frank Road) is a 2015 project. A project at Bridger Canyon will be a mill and overlay with funding in 2018, but listed as a backup project in 2015. They will look at culverts in this project, but most are cattle underpasses that they will try to negotiate taking out. The last project is a rehab project in Yellowstone Park north of West Yellowstone. That project is a long way out. Kelly Pohl spoke regarding the path to the M and the extension of the paved path on the south side of Rouse Avenue. While GVLT appreciates the moral support it will take some real help to see that path extended. She feels it would be a big missed opportunity not to coordinate that with the reconstruction of Rouse Avenue. GVLT and the Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee are committed to working with everyone on that and continuing those conversations. She also said that this is the type of thing that a Bicycle/Pedestrian coordinator would have been able to note earlier. She hopes that TA project is funded. Montana State University None. Other TCC Member/Committee Reports None. ITEM 5. OLD BUSINESS A. Bozeman Urban Area Allocation Carol Strizich said they are currently showing a negative balance as the College project is moving forward, but they just completed a cost share agreement with the city so that balance will be positive as soon as they update their funding. There is no further need to keep this item on the agenda. B. 2013 Bozeman Area Transportation Plan Update Rick Hixson said they are looking for an endorsement from the TCC of the plan to update this plan. They included this in the 2014-2018 capital improvement funding program. $125,000 from the city and would get a match from MDT upon endorsement by the TCC. Rob Bukvich said the TCC endorsed this already but a letter needs sent. Carol Strizich said that since the TCC members have already endorsed this, the City needs to send a letter to MDT requesting the match and indicating the action that was taken by TCC in October. Ralph Zimmer asked about the reference in the title to 2013. TCC members said to remove the year from this title. ITEM 6. NEW BUSINESS A. Election of officers for 2014 Motion and Vote to elect Bob Lashaway as the chair of the TCC for the coming year. The motion passed unanimously. Motion and Vote to elect Christopher Scott as the vice chair of the TCC for the coming year. The motion passed unanimously. Motion and Vote to elect Aimee Brunckhorst as the secretary of the TCC for the coming year. The motion passed unanimously. B. Extension of Highland Avenue Craig Woolard provided background saying Mike Delaney approached the city about an extension of Highland boulevard north and over the ledge. The city has discussed this and because this street was in the master plan they thought it would be appropriate to talk with the TCC about this. He wants a variation from the master plan. The city is in conceptual agreement regarding what Mr. Delaney would like to do but wanted to present to the TCC. 10:57:05 AM 10:57:05 AM Mike Delaney handed out conceptual plans (Exhibits A through D () to the TCC and then gave a presentation. Exhibit A is what they are proposing - a 60 foot right-of-way. Exhibit B shows where that would go and how that would intersect the potential extension of Front Street. Front Street is a city owned right of way coming from Broadway Avenue through Delaney’s property, The Village Downtown. Exhibit C shows the interpretation of the current master plan with a 100 foot right of way. There is an occupied home and a 100 foot right of way would necessitate condemnation of all the properties to either side of it. Exhibit D shows how the city and the County and state have envisioned the potential of Highland Boulevard with a 20 foot high bridge over the railroad and extends to the west. This alignment would take many millions of dollars and a lot of condemnation. Delaney is proposing a solution that will not cost the city or state anything. Delaney and Co. will pay for the relocation of the stoplight, the development of the 60 foot street to city standards. They are proposing no biking on either side with bike lanes installed. There is no reason for any parking on the north Highland extended because there are no businesses along that. This will enhance the entry and exiting of the service station. This could be done this summer with support. Mr. Delaney spoke regarding working with the state regarding wetland issues. Their goal is to create another reason why the city comes into the city of Bozeman on the east side. They commissioned a study that compares the intersection of East Main and its interchange and the 7th and 19th interchanges. The North 7th and 19th interchanges have increased with East Main staying flat. This change will increase traffic to this exit thus increasing traffic to downtown Bozeman. Mr. Delaney answered questions relating to the exhibits. Rob Bukvich said this is a location that the state has wanted to extend. They think this is the right location. What they really care about is going from A to B. If this is built, the layout of the intersection should be considered when the design details are worked out. Mr. Delaney said on exhibit A you can see that there is a left hand turn lane at that signal. When and if Highland Boulevard is expanded it could move a little to the west. Rob Bukvich said this is a very workable concept. Bill Cochran spoke regarding the shared use path. He would love to see bike lanes on the south side of Highland that would continue on across. Mike Delaney and TCC members spoke further regarding cross walks, bike lanes and the shared use path. Sam Gianfrancisco said this was proposed about twenty years ago with some differences. He thinks this is a good project. Craig Woolard spoke regarding the proposed Front Street right of way at the bottom of the hill east of the railroad berm. Mike Delaney said when they have suggested an expansion to The Village Downtown, city engineering requests that Front Street be paved at least to Broadway. They have felt great opposition from the neighbors down Front Street, particularly Simkins Lumber. With this proposal they are not proposing Front Street be built. They are proposing the initial phase is Highland Boulevard with a secondary access. It would be the intention to have Front Street improved, but it is only 50 feet wide. He spoke further regarding possible alignment details. Mike Delaney said with his proposal there would be no condemnation needed, Delaney would pay to build the street, to maintain the street including snow removal and keep it in good shape. Rob Bukvich asked if this was endorsed would Mr. Delaney drop the pursuit to extend the road across from Haggerty Lane. Mr. Delaney said yes they would drop that but would like to see a right turn only from their property as an emergency entrance into Main Street. Craig Woolard asked about the proposal for North Highland and Front Street where it intersects with the Village Downtown Boulevard? Mr. Delaney said there is not a need to extend Front Street until there is collective buy-in from everyone affected by that. They do need a secondary access. Christopher Scott said the TCC could not do a formal endorsement on this project at this time because it was not noticed on the agenda. Jeff Ebert made a motion that this item be added to the next TCC agenda and at that time make a formal recommendation. Craig Woolard said the city can draft a letter as a formal action item for the TCC. At this time, there is a sense of conceptual approval from the TCC. Craig Woolard spoke regarding timing. Rob Bukvich made a friendly amendment to the motion, with a second from Sam Gianfrancisco to add to the April TCC agenda, Discussion and Decision of an Endorsement to Mike Delaney’s Proposal for Extension of Highland Boulevard. Discussion on the motion. Christopher Scott would like to see what the land uses are for this area as this would be important to know. Ralph Zimmer also said the Bicycle Advisory Board and the Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee should also be consulted prior to a TCC decision. The friendly amendment to the motion passed unanimously. ITEM 7. 2013-2014 MEETING DATES AND ADJOURNMENT Seeing no further new business Christopher Scott adjourned the meeting at 11:21 a.m. Upcoming meeting dates are: * April 23, 2014 - 10 a.m. REGULAR MEETING * * July 23, 2014 - REGULAR MEETING* * October 22, 2014 - REGULAR MEETING * * January 28, 2015 - REGULAR MEETING * Minutes prepared by Aimee Brunckhorst, Deputy City Clerk Approved on: