TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY BOARD MEETING

APPROVED

HELD ON JANUARY 20, 2009

TAB Members Present	TAB Members Absent	Others Present
Ken Cole (Chairperson)	Heather Moos, Vice Chairperson (unexcused)	Dan Cleavenger
Ron Barnes	Nick Camillone (excused)	Alan Sanderson
Ian Bennett		Mike James
Jerel Campbell		Renate Ehm
Travis Cunningham		Ravi Seera
Matt Tolman		Randi Davis
Grady Van Noy		Dale Brunk
David Wier		Sgt. Bruce Jones
Larry Woolf		Amanda McKeever
		Melissa Randazzo Jim Hash Beth Huning Fred Rustam Shahir Safi Gordon Haws

Chairperson Ken Cole called the January 20, 2009 Transportation Advisory Board meeting to order at 5:30 pm.

Item 1. Approval of the minutes of the Transportation Advisory Board meeting held on December 16, 2008.

David Wier moved to approve the minutes as written. Ron Barnes seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Item 2. Acknowledge incoming Board Members, Mr. Ian Bennett, Mr. Jerel Campbell, and Mr. Matt Tolman.

Chairperson Ken Cole introduced and welcomed the new members. Mr. Ian Bennett, Mr. Jerel Campbell, and Mr. Matt Tolman each gave brief introductions of themselves and their reasons for why they wanted to serve on this board.

Item 3. Items from citizens present.

None.

Item 4. Discuss and take action regarding scheduling a February Transportation Advisory Board meeting. The City Council meeting has been rescheduled to the Transportation Advisory Board’s regular meeting date of February 17, 2009 due to the President’s Day holiday on February 16, 2009.

Chairperson Ken Cole recommended canceling the February Transportation Advisory Board meeting due to the move of the City Council meeting. Delaying the February meeting one week would have created only a three week span between meetings. Ian Bennett asked what was on the February agenda. Chairperson Ken Cole replied that there was nothing pressing according to staff. Ian Bennett expressed his concern with denying a citizen the chance to express their concern. Ian Bennett asked the question of how often citizens come to the Board and express their concerns. Dan Cleavenger responded to Ian Bennett’s question and explained that citizens come to the Board infrequently and generally come in response to an item being discussed at the Board’s meeting. Travis Cunningham moved to cancel the February Transportation Advisory Board meeting. Ron Barnes seconded the motion and the motion was passed unanimously.

Item 5. Discuss and take action on staff recommendation to approve the conceptual design of the Red Mountain Freeway Park and Ride at Gilbert Road Project and to direct staff to proceed with the detailed design.

Fred Rustam and Mike James gave a presentation on the Park and Ride located at the northeast corner of McDowell Road and Gilbert Road. This land, owned by ADOT, is a “remnant” parcel from the construction of the Red Mountain Freeway. The City is in the process of acquiring rights to use the land for the Park and Ride project through a no-cost easement. There are two phases of the project. Phase I would create 161 parking stalls and an additional seven Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) parking spaces and eight motorcycle stalls. Phase II would construct 59 additional parking stalls. There will be a bus pullout on the north end of the lot that will accommodate up to three buses at one time. The Park and Ride will serve two routes: Gilbert Road and the 535 Express.

There were three meetings held regarding the Park and Ride including two stakeholders meetings with the Lehi Neighborhood Group and a public meeting.

The estimated cost of construction is $1,800,000. There is funding available from Quality of Life funds and a Federal Congestion Management Air Quality Grant.

Travis Cunningham expressed that he thought the report looked good and asked if it would not be economical to do both phases at one time. Fred Rustam responded that he agreed and that the City may be able to do both at the same time if the bids are favorable.

Larry Woolf asked if the estimated cost of $1,800,000 was for both phases. Fred Rustam responded that the estimated cost was from a year and a half ago and for Phase I alone. He indicated that it is likely that the cost could be lower in the current market.

Matt Tolman asked if the pullout to turn left on McDowell Road was for both cars and buses. Fred Rustam responded affirmatively and indicated that the driveway for cars was hidden by the trees in the rendering.

Ron Barnes asked if the equestrian part of the project would meet the highway aspect of the funding sources. Mike James responded that the equestrian part of the project would be a community asset. Alan Sanderson added that the main use of the project is that it is a Park and Ride and the equestrian aspect is incidental. Chairperson Ken Cole also responded and said that the equestrian part of the project provides a safety benefit. He said that area is an equestrian area with a trail nearby. Chairperson Ken Cole stated that he favors this Park and Ride project.

Dave Weir moved to approve the conceptual design as proposed by staff. It was seconded by Travis Cunningham.

Ron Barnes suggested that the motion be amended to include both phases of the project.

Dave Wier agreed to modify his motion to approve the conceptual design as proposed by staff and include both phases of the project. Travis Cunningham seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.

Item 6. Hear a presentation and discuss the quarterly update on the Mesa Bicycle Plan.

Jim Hash presented an update on the Mesa Bicycle Plan. He gave an update on the survey that covered three elements: general respondent information, general cycling questions, and bicycle facility questions. Jim explained that the two methods to take the survey were via the web or hard copies that were distributed to Mesa bike shops, available at libraries, and passed out at the Loop 202 Grand Opening celebration. There were 371 responses. Through the responses a Bicycle Planning Advisory Committee was developed and plans to meet on January 29.

Each square-mile of the City is being surveyed to verify existing amenities and identify any missing elements such as breaks in sidewalks.

Matt Tolman asked what has been found lacking. Jim Hash explained that overall, the City of Mesa has very good on-street amenities for cyclists. He said that one of the common complaints is lack of facilities such as parking and shower facilities at their destinations.

Matt Tolman also asked why staff was looking for breaks in sidewalks. Jim explained that the information collected as a part of the survey will be used in a Pedestrian Plan that will immediately follow the completion of the Bike Plan.

Chairperson Ken Cole thanked Jim for his update and remarked that he believes Mesa has a good bicycle program.

Item 7. Discuss and take action regarding adopting by-laws for the Transportation Advisory Board.

Alan Sanderson presented background information on the adoption of by-laws for the 11-member Transportation Advisory Board. Alan explained that there had been challenges recently getting a quorum due to vacant seats on the Board. He explained that without specific by-laws stating otherwise, six affirmative votes would be required to pass a motion. Staff previously prepared information and handouts on by-laws and drafted an example of the by-laws discussed by the Board which was presented to the Board for this meeting.

Ian Bennett asked if the minimum number of members to be considered majority would be four based on the new by-laws. Chairperson Ken Cole responded that there are 11 seats on the Board and six are required to hold a meeting. The minimum number of members to hold a meeting is six. The proposed by-laws would allow four affirmative votes to pass a motion.

Travis Cunningham expressed his appreciation for the work done by staff and felt the example looked good.

Ron Barnes requested some clarification on the City Code that created the Board. Alan Sanderson responded that staff could not address the creation of the Board. Ron Barnes felt that the by-laws should clarify the Code with respect to attendance and qualifications. Dan Cleavenger offered that the Mayor’s office reviews the qualifications of applicants and that attendance is monitored. He explained that staff does maintain attendance records and submits those records for monthly reporting.

Chairperson Ken Cole asked if attendance has been a problem. Alan Sanderson responded that attendance became an issue when there were vacancies on the Board.

Ron Barnes explained that having stronger wording in the by-laws was not necessary for him, but he did want to discuss it.

Alan Sanderson pointed out that in Section 2b of the draft by-laws given to the members there was a misprint. It said “chairman” and should say “chairperson.” Alan asked if the Board moves forward with accepting this draft, they move to accept a modified version free of misprints.

Chairperson Ken Cole expressed that he liked the draft that staff prepared.

Ron Barnes moved to accept the modified draft of the by-laws prepared by staff. David Weir seconded the motion and the motion was unanimously approved.

Item 8. Take action on the following Transportation staff reports.

Consent Agenda

The following items will be considered as a group by the Transportation Advisory Board and will be voted on with one motion. There will be no separate vote on these items unless a Board Member or Citizen so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered as a separate item.

a. Consider staff recommendation to prohibit eastbound left turns from the driveway on the west side of Higley Road with centerline approximately 490 feet south of Longbow Parkway.

b. Consider staff recommendation to establish a “One-Way Streets, Alleys, and Driveways” designation for the driveway located on the north side of Main Street with centerline approximately 155 feet west of Sycamore and for the passenger drop-off area, which is located approximately 190 feet west of Sycamore and 165 feet north of Main Street in section 10-3-16 of the City Code.

c. Consider staff recommendation to establish a “Special Stops Required” designation on Germann Road from the west City limits to the east City limits in section 10-3-17 of the City Code and to establish a speed limit of 45 mph on Germann Road from the west City limits to the east City limits

In regards to Consent Agenda item A, Ian Bennett asked if it would be appropriate to ask the company to notify their employees that left turns are not allowed at the location as cost-savings measure for the City. Chairperson Ken Cole responded that unless the driveway is signed appropriately, it cannot be enforced. He also explained that the median opening was not designed for left turns from the driveway.

Ron Barnes moved to approve all Consent Agenda items. David Weir seconded the motion and the motion was approved unanimously.

Grady Van Noy and Chairperson Ken Cole wanted to express their congratulations and thanks for the successful Light Rail Grand Opening Celebration. Both attended the celebration and said it was well done. Staff took the opportunity to thank Melissa Randazzo for her help and assistance in making sure the event was successful.

Grady Van Noy moved to adjourn the meeting. Travis Cunningham seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 6:16 pm.