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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-09-12 TAC MINUTES• City of Englewood, Colorado ENGLEWOOD TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE Minutes of September 12, 2002 The regular meeting of the Englewood Transportation Advisory Committee was called to order by Chairperson Anderson at 7:03 p.m. in the City of Englewood Community Room. Members Present: David Anderson Joe Christie Gary Dounay Betty Goosman Barbara Hodge Members Absent: Cinda Losee (Alternate Member) A quorum was present. Also Present: Ken Ross, Director of Public Works, ex officio Ladd Vostry, Traffic Engineer Wendy Gracy, Traffic Analyst Linda Wilks, Recording Secretary Public Comment There were no visitors in attendance . • Approval of Minutes Chairperson Anderson asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of August 8, 2002 . There being none, a motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes as presented. Motion passed. Old Business With regard to the upcoming ETAC meeting with City Council, Director Ross stated that the meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, September 16 th, in the Community Room. Mr. Ross advised that topics of conversation can be determined by the ETAC group, and invited ETAC members to feel free to have an open discussion with City Council regarding topics discussed this evening as well as others that may come to mind. Topics that were considered included +a summary of the Transportation Study, +the Transportation Action Plan, +residential speeding concerns, +the Alive at 25 program, +the possibility of announcing speeding incidents on the City's web page, + RTD light rail station, +the sunset provision attached to ETAC, and +traffic issues that should be considered by ETAC for recommendation vs. traffic issues handled directly by City Council. Concern was expressed that ETAC's role as a committee is being bypassed as many traffic issues that are brought to the attention of City Council are being assigned directly to staff for action. Brief discussion ensued regarding the benefits of including a Council Member on ETAC. Director Ross advised that Mayor Pro Tern Garrett was approached at a Neighborhood Watch meeting by • citizens concerned with speeding in residential neighborhoods. Mr. Garrett requested this subject be discussed at Council's meeting with ETAC. Mr. Ross referred to, and discussed, the speed study contained in the handout pertaining to speeding in residential areas. Referencing the speed study results, Mr. Ross explained that the 85th percentile column indicates that 85 percent of drivers are driving at or below the listed speed, and 15 percent are driving above that speed. Mr. Ross observed that, generally speaking, speed limits should be set at approximately the speed driven by 85 percent of drivers because that is the speed that most drivers feel comfortable driving at the given location. Committee Member Dounay observed that drivers feel comfortable at certain speeds is because of the lack of enforcement, and suggested that the dollar amount for a speeding ticket in Englewood is substantially low. To demonstrate the added safety concerns, Mr. Dounay suggested including an additional column to the speed studies page showing the time of day drivers exceed the 85th percentile speed. Mr. Ross added that Council Member Grazulis requested that the Alive at 25 program also be discussed at Council's meeting with ETAC. Mr. Ross elaborated that the Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 ® program was initiated by a group of people in Omaha, Nebraska who are concerned with the safety of their children. The City of Golden, Colorado, adopted this program, reduced their residential speed limits to 25 mph, installed approximately 50 red, white, and black speed limit signs, and, additionally, fabricated yard signs for residents to place in their yards to reinforce their concern. And yet, as indicated in the Alive at 25 memorandum handout, Golden did not receive the results they expected with this program. As the chart indicates, there was very little reduction in speed, and, in fact, at some locations, the speed increased. Mr. Ross summarized that in order to accomplish a reduction in residential speeds, it would be necessary to either construct traffic calming devices, or increase police enforcement. And to increase police enforcement, it would be necessary • to identify the hours of the day when speed is most prevalent so that officers could be posted during that • time. Mr. Ross reiterated that the reason staff and ETAC Members recommended, in the Transportation Study, changing the speed limit on residential streets was to lower the bar for enforcement. Mr. Ross noted that the cost to the City for replacing the residential speed signs will be $100,000. Mr. Ross opined that lowering the speed limit and changing the signs, in and of itself, will not cause a reduction in speed. There was brief discussion regarding enforcement priorities, residential streets vs. commercial roadways. Director Ross opined that the Police Department is very responsive when a perceived traffic problem is reported. Traffic Engineer Vostry noted, also, that the Police Department encourages citizens to take part in the Speed Watch and Speed Pledge Programs. Additionally, Mr. Ross advised that, on occasion, he and Mr. Vostry have considered the stop sign pattern at certain locations, and made adjustments as needed. It was also reported that planning is underway for permanent installation of "variable speed boards" that not only denote the speed limit, but also, by radar connection, advise the driver of their actual speed. Initially, plans are being considered to install two of these boards at a cost of $4,500 each, and the locations for placement will be determined by documented problem areas. Director Ross reviewed handouts regarding Council information requests pertaining to the Oxford Ave. and Navajo/Windermere intersection, as well as crosswalks at 4-way stop controls. Committee Member Dou nay observed that, because of the layout of the Oxford and Navajo/Windermere intersection, pedestrians have difficulty crossing safely. Traffic Engineer Vostry stated that the Colorado Department of Transportation • (CDOT) provided the design of this intersection, and crossing Oxford on the east side of the intersection was 2 • • configured thusly so that the heavy left turning traffic on northbound Navajo to westbound Oxford would not conflict with pedestrians . At Committee Member Hodge's inquiry, Director Ross advised that as sidewalks were originally being constructed throughout the City, residents in some sections of town specified wanting to hold on to the small town atmosphere and requested sidewalks be omitted from their neighborhoods. Traffic Engineer Vestry added that, also, residents did not want their mature landscaping disturbed with sidewalk installation. New Business Committee Member Dounay discussed his concerns regarding motorists traveling at excessive speeds on Oxford Ave. between Broadway and Santa Fe. Mr. Dounay stated, additionally, he has observed drivers traveling in the parking/bicycle lane to pass on the right. Director Ross stated that this stretch of roadway is 54 feet wide, and has been striped with one eastbound lane, one westbound lane, a center left/right turn lane, and a parking/bicycle lane on each side . Because of the extra width of this roadway, drivers feel comfortable traveling at speeds over the speed limit, and, yes, in some cases passing on the right of other motorists. The Oxford "hill" poses additional hazards because of the accumulated speed when going down hill. Committee Member Christie suggested that Oxford Ave. would be an ideal location for a pilot traffic calming program. Mr. Ross agreed, adding that a number of public facilities are in the close vicinity of Oxford Ave., such as the Englewood Recreation Center, Jason Park, a school crossing, as well as being a designated truck route. It was noted that any future traffic calming design would allow for truck traffic negotiation. Mr . Ross also noted that the ranking of speeds for various Englewood roadways showed the s5 th percentile was 40 mph for Oxford Ave., and was number 6 of all Englewood streets when ranked for speed, traffic, residential density, elementary schools, and number of accidents over 3 years. Mr. Ross advised that because of the current budget, it is not likely that construction of traffic calming devices will be approved, however, he and Traffic Engineer Vestry are recommending westbound Oxford Ave. west of the "hill", as well as westbound Quincy Ave. west of that "hill", for installation of the two variable speed boards so that motorists will be more aware of their speed. Committee Members agreed with this recommendation. Discussion ensued regarding improving communication and education to call attention to the danger of passing other motorists on the right as well as other hazardous driving practices. Mr. Dounay noted that many towns in Nebraska publish the names of traffic offenders along with the applicable fines, and, he added, that their fines for some offenses are in the neighborhood of $500. Director's Choice Director Ross reported that the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) has advised that they have supplemental "quick money" funds available for transportation improvement projects. Mr. Ross explained that "quick money" is available only for projects that can be designed, right-of-way obtained, and ready to bid by August, 2003; the approval of projects will be made in December, 2002, leaving only an eight • month window within which to prepare for the beginning of construction. Community Development advises that they may have an eligible project, the Englewood Circulator Shuttle, and they plan to prepare the required TIP application and ask City CounciJ,to recommend that the Mayor sign the application for submittal 3 to DRCOG. However, DRCOG would only be funding one year of the shuttle operation under this application, . and therefore, funds may not be available for operation beyond the first year. Additionally, a TIP application will be prepared by Public Works for extension of the Big Dry Creek Trail for the stretch from Progress Park to Lehow Avenue. Mr. Ross stated that the City has contributed $50,000 in 2002 to the South Suburban Trails Foundation for extension of this trail, and the Foundation has asked Englewood to contribute an additional $50,000 in 2003. The cost for construction of this segment of the trail is estimated to be $660,000; the City's total match would be $130,000.00, one-hundred thousand of which will be paid in 2002 and 2003. Director Ross reviewed the handout regarding the proposed Multi Year Capital Projects (MYCP) budget, which consists of prioritized projects that are annual capital programs, annual maintenance programs, lease/purchase obligations, and the installment payment to the Capital Equipment Replacement Fund (CERF), and advised that the maximum available funding for the Capital Improvement Program will be in the neighborhood of $2,300,000. The proposed list of projects will be presented to City Counci l for revisions and approval. Brief discussion ensued regarding the aspects of certain li sted items, such as placement of the portable defibrillators, Big Dry Creek Trail construction, sidewalk missing links construction for which federal grant money is available, Transportation System Upgrades which includes traffic signal upgrades, and the Northwest Greenbelt Bike Trail to connect the northwest section of Englewood with the Platte River Trail. At Committee Member Christie's inquiry, Mr. Ross explained that $150,000 for implementation of the Transportation Action Plan was placed on the MYCP list by City Manager Sears in order to allow the City to respond to citizens who attend community meetings or approach ETAC or the City requesting transportation modifications. Committee Member Dounay inquired about Malley Center and Recreation Center program fees covering expected future costs for such capital items as floor refinishing at those facilities, which has been listed as a Public Works expense. Likewise, he suggested that carpet and paint expenses for Civic Center should not come from taxpayers money. Mr. Ross explained that, unlike the Golf Course enterprise fund, the City does not have a program fund where projects are funded from collected monies. Director Ross noted that the MYCP will be reviewed and amended, along with the City-wide budget, by City Council at the Budget Retreat on September 28 th, and the final version will be approved by Council at the follow ing Council meeting on October ih. With regard to a request from the Immanuel Lutheran Church on Acoma St. and Kenyon Ave. to change the municipal code to allow posting of time restricted handicapped parking signs, Director Ross reported that City Council approved, on first reading, a change to the municipal code which would permit this type of signage. However, because the Council Members who originally voted to approve the required change in the municipal code were not present at the time of the second reading, the request did not pass. Therefore, in order to accommodate the Church's request for handicapped parking, staff posted Permit Parking Only signs • • adjacent to the Church; parking passes were then issued to the Church to be used during Sunday morning • services. 1 .. 4 • Director Ross briefed ETAC Members on the progress of the 2002 Budget preparation. Mr. Ross stated that City Council advised staff of their desire to end the year 2003 with a 12% reserve. City Staff proceeded to adjust their department budgets, ending with an 11 % reserve. Mr. Ross noted that the Streets Division of Public Works will feel the budget "pinch" due to a vacant streets maintenance worker position that will not be filled as a result of budget cuts. This could create difficulty in meeting response requests during a snowstorm this winter, or should someone be out with an illness. Additionally, Public Works was hoping to hire two new building custodians to accommodate the Recreation Center Expansion, Malley Center Expansion, Bi-City Wastewater Plant Expansion, and acquisition of two Safety Services satellite facilities. Mr. Ross stated he expects that adjustments in our current service levels will have to be made to accommodate these new facilities. Traffic Engineer Vestry presented an update on safety concerns that were discussed at the August ETAC meeting regarding Bates Ave. between Emerson St. and Clarkson St. Mr. Vestry stated that trees and shrubbery were trimmed to provide better visibility of signage, existing signs were replaced with the new style fluorescent yellow signs, and the wooden signs prov ided by residents were re -positioned for better visibility. Mr. Vestry advised that Alternate Membe r Losee inspected , and approved of, the changes that were made. Traffic Engineer Vestry reported that, in response to the requests of affected municipal it ies, the T-REX contractor is in the process of installing video detection systems to monitor traffic conditions in those jurisdictions during the T-Rex project. These devices are being installed along, not only 125 and 1225, but • other major corridors and arterials throughout the Den~er metro area. Mr. Vestry stated that, in Englewood, these devices are being installed at Logan St. and Hwy. 285, Inca St. and Hwy. 285, Broadway and Hwy . 285 , • and Belleview Ave. and Broadway. The device measures the queue length from the signalized intersection . Mr . Vestry noted that citizens, in the future, can log on to the T-REX web site to obtain information regarding traffic congestion and travel management for large portions of the metro area. Additionally, Mr. Vestry stated that, in the near future, T-REX will provide equipment t o all jurisdictions in the metro area for possible future sharing of traffic information, including that of RTD and COOT. The system will be maintained by T-REX for the next five years , until completion of the T-REX construction project. Mr. Vestry, in response to Mr. Dounay 's inquiry, advised that th is detection system does not tie in to any traffic timing equipment, adding that he did , however, request information from the detection system be provided to assist Englewood in improving traffic control and safety. Traffic Engineer Vestry advised that the original petition for restricted parking on Huron St. near Cushing Park was never completed. A second individual recently stepped forward and obtained a petition form, and circulated the neighborhood to obtain the required resident signatures. Mr. Vestry stated the monitoring efforts by staff verified the heavy use by light rail patrons. Mr. Vestry noted that the Parking-by-Permit-Only signs were installed today. Br ief discussion ensued regarding the need for additional light rail parking faci li ties . Mr . Vestry reported that staff is contin uing to upgrade the schoo l crossing signs in Englewood to correspond with criteria included in the new Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). Signage upgrades have been completed at Bishop, Charles Hay, and the school crossing on Yale Ave .; Clayton, s Cherrelyn, Maddox, Flood, Sinclair, Englewood High School, all parochial schools, and the school crossing on Oxford Ave. will be completed in the near future. Signage upgrades will include adding placards to the existing advanced crossing signs, and replacing some of the existing crosswalk signs with new 30 inch indicator signs or adding placards to existing crosswalk signs where needed. There was brief discussion regarding placement of School Zone/Fines Doubled signs, which would require the approval of Municipal Judge Atencio. Director Ross advised that Council Member Grazulis has asked all boards and commissions to give consideration to adding youth members to their membership. The ETAC group agreed to include a youth member position and would welcome an "interested" youth member, but prefer that filling a youth position not be mandated. Director Ross reviewed a letter he received from Stan Brown from Alameda Wholesale Nursery regarding the recent Dartmouth Ave. storm drain construction, street repaving and the resulting lane restriping layout. The letter, while approving of the sewer and roadway improvements, questioned the traffic flow that has resulted from the new restriping plan. In his response, Mr. Ross outlined his traffic safety concerns with the previous lane layout, i.e., high rates of speed, and people stopping in, and making left turns from, the left hand travel lane, and asserted that the new three lane plan is a far safer traffic strategy. Additonally, in response to Mr. Brown's comment that traffic is backed up from South Platte River Drive to Santa Fe Drive, Mr. Ross conducted a delay study and found that delays were minimal, only an average 19 second delay for left turning vehicles wishing to go west on Dartmouth Ave. Chairperson's Choice The August ETAC meeting having been held in the Public Works Conference Room, Chairperson Anderson asked for Members' feedback regarding their preference for meeting location, the Community Room or the Public Works Conference Room. Following brief discussion, Members agreed to continue holding meetings in the Community Room with a change in the seating set-up to enhance audio capabilities. Add itionally, the Community Room is better suited to accommodate visitors. Committee Members' Choice Committee Member Dounay stated that the street signs posted throughout CityCenter are not the same green and white reflective signs posted throughout Englewood, and opined they are difficult for patrons to see and to read, and they don't promote good traffic flow to encourage patronage of CityCenter businesses. Director Ross explained that, since the roadways throughout CityCenter are private streets, the project planners, wanting to differentiate CityCenter from the rest of Englewood, determ ined a signage pattern other than that posted throughout the City. Mr. Doi.may expressed the importance of being able to locate the different businesses on this site. Mr. Ross stated he will compose a memorandum from ETAC to Community Development regarding this discussion. There was brief discussion regarding ETAC's recommendation that City Council amend the By-laws to include a non-voting alternate member to take part in all meetings and discussions, and in the absence of one ...,_, 6 • • • • • of the five regular members, the alternate member would participate as a voting member. Mr. Ross advised he will inquire as to whether or not a ruling by City Council has been made . Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:04 p.m. Linda Wilks, Recording Secretary 7