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TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
APPROVED
HELD ON DECEMBER 16, 2008
TAB Members Present |
TAB Members Absent |
Others Present | |
Ken Cole, Chairperson |
Heather Moos, Vice Chairperson (unexcused) |
Dan Cleavenger | |
Ron Barnes |
David Wier (excused) |
Alan Sanderson | |
Nick Camillone |
Mike James | ||
Travis Cunningham |
Derrick Bailey | ||
Grady Van Noy |
Renate Ehm | ||
Larry Woolf |
Victoria Kerr | ||
Randi Davis | |||
Julie Howard | |||
Jim Hash | |||
Melissa Randazzo Officer Mike Ybarra Sgt. Andy Nesbit Fred Rustam Ian Bennett | |||
Chairperson Ken Cole called the December 16, 2008 Transportation Advisory Board meeting to order at 5:30 pm.
Item 1. Approval of the minutes of the Transportation Advisory Board meeting held on September 16, 2008.
Ron Barnes moved to approve the minutes as written. Grady Van Noy seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Item 2. Acknowledge outgoing Board Members, Ms. Roxanne Pierson and Ms. Amy Ricks.
Chairperson Ken Cole expressed appreciation for the contributions of outgoing Board members Roxanne Pierson and Amy Ricks. He acknowledged incoming Board member Ian Bennett, who was observing the meeting.
Item 3. Items from citizens present.
None.
Item 4. Discuss and take action on staff recommendation regarding parking on Encanto Street east of Lindsay Road.
At the request of a resident, staff reviewed the on-street parking conditions on Encanto Street, just east of Lindsay Road. The resident objects to on-street parking associated with church related activities, and would like the City to take action to prevent such parking. Derrick Bailey presented a report detailing the conditions observed by staff on multiple occasions. Several alternatives were presented, with a staff recommendation to post courtesy signs near the church’s west gate.
David Sroka, the resident who requested a parking restriction, said he had given Councilmember Finter a petition signed by 12 residents requesting a parking prohibition on the south side of the street. He stated he did not get any response from the church when he complained about the parking. He said he would like the City to develop a residential street permit parking program, one of the alternatives, but did not think it would cost tens of thousands of dollars per year as was stated in the report. Nick Camillone asked Mr. Sroka what the main issue of concern is for the neighbors. Mr. Sroka said it is speed; when parking is allowed on both sides of the street, the speed causes a safety issue.
Steve Bostic, the Church Business Administrator, said the church worked with the developer when the area around the church was being developed: raising the wall around the facility, enclosing the chiller with a wall after receiving a noise complaint, supporting speed humps when the neighborhood wanted them, designing the parking lot gates so the neighborhood kids can get through instead of having to walk completely around the complex. They have had off duty police officers place flyers on cars parked on the north side of the street. They are prepared to do the same with cars parked on the south side of the street. The church does not believe it is a safety issue. Ron Barnes asked Mr. Bostic if he was aware of the neighbors’ concerns and Mr. Bostic said only of Mr. Sroka’s concern. Mr. Barnes proposed a fifth alternative, to have a community meeting and include the Police Department since the issue of speed was brought up. Chairperson Cole said the Board could consider that in their discussion.
Travis Cunningham moved to give the church 60 days to try flyers on the cars parked on the south side of the street and then bring the issue back to the Board. Larry Woolf seconded. Dan Cleavenger recommended that staff conduct a speed study since the speed humps have been installed. Mr. Cunningham moved to give the church 60 days to try flyers on the cars parked on the south side of the street and have staff conduct a speed study, and then bring the issue back to the Board. Mr. Barnes seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
Item 5. Hear a presentation and discuss the Main Street Bus Rapid Transit Project Update.
Mike James introduced Julie Howard who presented an update on the Main Street Bus Rapid Transit project, which is now called Valley Metro Link. This new high level bus service, which is scheduled to start December 29, 2008, stops only at major intersections and will use traffic signal priority. Larry Woolf inquired about the idea of allowing advertising on the buses and trains, and what the advertising would be worth. Mr. James said the Valley Metro Board is expected to approve a trial of advertising wraps on three light rail trains and then evaluate; it could bring in as much as $120,000 per month.
Item 6. Hear a presentation and discuss the South Canal, Phase 2 – Shared Use Path Project.
Mike James introduced Jim Hash, who presented an update on the South Canal, Phase 2 - Shared Use Path Project. Staff will be conducting public meetings to develop a design that will suit the residents, with positive feedback from adjacent neighborhood leaders thus far. Phase 2 is being started after staff and the Lehi community were unable to agree on a design for Phase I of the project.
Item 7. Hear staff update on the Traffic Speeds on Baseline Road at Rhodes Junior High School.
Renate Ehm and Sgt. Andy Nesbit presented an informational report on the impact that changes to the school zone on Baseline Road have had on reducing traffic speeds. Driver Speed Feedback Signs and yellow flashing lights resulted in a decrease and the later installation of fixed speed enforcement cameras resulted in an additional decrease. Larry Woolf inquired about the cost, and whether the City has considered using the devices at other schools. Ms. Ehm said the total cost was $36,000. The yellow flashing lights have been installed at two additional schools, and these will be evaluated for effectiveness.
Item 8. Discuss and take action regarding establishing by-laws for the Transportation Advisory Board.
Alan Sanderson presented a report to introduce the possibility of the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) establishing by-laws for the Board, and present examples from other City Boards. This discussion item is to determine if the Board wishes to establish by-laws, and if so, to provide direction for staff to draft them. The City Code establishes the TAB as an eleven member board, and current rules require a minimum of six affirmative votes for the Board to approve any action. While a quorum of six is necessary to hold a meeting, the Board could choose to establish by-laws that would require affirmative votes only from a majority of the members present at a meeting to approve any action, as well as address other matters relating to TAB business such as election of Chair and Vice-Chair if so desired. Ron Barnes said he would like the Statement of Purpose to address a holistic approach to Transportation that would include sustainability in the building of a great community. Nick Camillone moved to recommend that staff draft a set of by-laws for the Transportation Advisory Board to be considered at the next meeting. Larry Woolf seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
Item 9. Hear staff update regarding the bond election results and the projects included in the bond package.
Alan Sanderson presented an update on the bond election results and the street bond projects included in the bond package. Ten capital projects are included in the two year, $62 million plan. Staff has been working with Engineering and some of the projects are close to final design. One of the first projects will be the Gilbert Road and University Drive intersection improvements, and construction may begin as early as the spring. The priority was based on a combination of factors including traffic congestion, safety, Economic Development, and where the projects are in the Regional Transportation Plan for reimbursement. Nick Camillone inquired about the original bond package, which was a five year bond for $408 million and included Streets and Public Safety; it was reduced to a two year bond for $169 million. Ron Barnes inquired about the City’s deficit, which is currently at $62 million. Larry Woolf pointed out that the bond issue will be repaid out of a secondary property tax, which is a first for the City of Mesa.
Item 10. Consider staff recommendation to establish a speed limit of 30 mph on Hampton Avenue from Cheshire to Signal Butte Road.
Alan Sanderson presented a report recommending establishing a speed limit of 30 mph on a new section of Hampton Avenue from Cheshire to Signal Butte Road. Ron Barnes moved to approve establishing a speed limit of 30 mph on Hampton Avenue from Cheshire to Signal Butte Road. Larry Woolf seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 7:25 pm.