Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-12-12 TAC MINUTES' . • • • City of Englewood, Colorado ENGLEWOOD TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE Minutes of December 12, 2002 The regular meeting of the Englewood Transportation Advisory Committee was called to order by Chairperson Anderson at 7:02 p.m. in the City of Englewood Community Room. Members Present: David Anderson Joe Christie Gary Dounay Barbara Hodge Members Absent: Betty Goosman Cinda Losee (Alternate Member) Ken Ross, Director of Public Works, ex officio A quorum was present. Also Present: Police Lieutenant John Collins Ladd Vostry, Traffic Engineer Wendy Gracy, Traffic Analyst Linda Wilks, Recording Secretary See attached sign-in sheet Approval of Minutes Chairperson Anderson asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of November 14, 2002 . There being none, a motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes as presented. Motion passed. Public Comment Visitors present had no comments. Old Business • Traffic Engineer Vostry provided information pertaining to a fatal pedestrian/heavy truck accident which took place in October on Broadway north of Bates Ave. Mr. Vostry explained that the unfortunate incident took place in the early evening when an elderly female attempted to cross Broadway from the west side to the east side. She was not crossing in the pedestrian crosswalk, and the pedestrian walk light had not been activated. Because of these circumstances, the driver of the truck simply did not see the woman crossing . Lt. Collins noted that the driver will not charged. Additionally, there was brief discussion regarding a fatal accident that occurred on Broadway, south of Belleview. • Committee Member Dounay led discussion regarding his suggestion that the Committee consider preparing a Strategic Plan that would outline the mission and goals of the Committee. The plan would also be a tool for measuring the Committee's progress throughout the year. Mr. Dounay reiterated that a strategic plan does not work without the cooperation and input from all members of the Committee. The Committee discussed the "straw dog" plan that was prepared by Mr. Dounay. Mr. Dounay made a motion, . , seconded by Committee Member Christie, to prepare a strategic plan that would facilitate ETAC activity, using the draft copy as a guide. Discussion ensued. It was suggested that the goals be kept to a general • level, and adding or amending goals throughout the year, as necessary. ETAC members proceeded to review the draft plan item by item -vision, mission and goals. Chairperson Anderson, under Mission, questioned the practicality of "promoting close cooperation" between the boards and commissions. Mr. Dounay noted that he derived the draft goals from the City ordinance for ETAC. Discussion ensued regarding inclusion of implementing the 25 mph speed limit as a short term goal. Chairperson Anderson suggested this may fall within Council's instruction that ETAC Members identify traffic issues they are not aware of, which, Mr. Anderson opined, would mean that, in order to be the eyes and ears for City Council, ETAC Members should survey the city to identify circumstances that may need addressing. Committee Member Hodge stressed the importance of seeking input from the public regarding their concerns, and not just issues determined by ETAC Members. Ms. Hodge opined that ETAC goals should come from information received from citizens and businesses regarding concerns they might have. Mr. Anderson briefly discussed his interpretation of the commitment that may involve ETAC Members as the list of goals is developed. Committee Members discussed several means for advertising the Committee's role in transportation safety, as well as advertising for meetings that will be held "on the road", as will be the January meeting, scheduled to be held at Cherrelyn Elementary School. Notice has been placed in the Englewood Citizen, and will be placed in the Englewood Herald , and, additionally, flyers will be sent home with Cherrelyn students. Mr . Dounay also suggested that public input might be received through a comment section on the web page . Mr. Dounay explained the Public Outreach diagram attached to the draft Strategic Plan, explaining the interactive process beginning with ETAC's vision for a safe traffic culture. Additional discussion ensued regarding working with Safety Services to promote transportation safety. Mr. Dounay further elaborated that the Strategic Plan should work as a living document, and it should, from time to time, be amended as needed, perhaps with short term goals, perhaps with long term goals, or perhaps City Council may decide on a change to the Mission. A strategic plan is a place to start, a method to state the Committee's proposed accomplishments for the year, and also to show the Committee's progress. Committee agreed to obtain input from Director Ross and, perhaps, City Council prior to finalizing a plan. Committee Members also felt they needed time to consider other ideas and goals that may be appropriate to include in the plan. Committee Member Christie suggested implementing a plan with perhaps three short term goals, each including a process of resolution. Committee agreed to table further discussion until the January meeting, as well as the motion, "Mr. Dounay made a motion, seconded by Committee Member Christie, to prepare a strategic plan that would facilitate ETAC activity, using the draft copy as a gu ide." Secretary's note: Various motions were made during this discuss ion, on which no action was taken. • With regard to a sight distance issue at Dartmouth Ave. and Lafayette St., Traffic Engineer Vostry reported that he contacted Code Enforcement regarding reduced visibility created by overgrown hedges at that location. Code Enforcement contacted the residents, and the shrubs have been trimmed. 2 • • . ' • • • New Business There was no new business. Director's Choice • Traffic Engineer Vostry reported that the City of Englewood was recently awarded the Smart Moves Transportation Strategies for Smart Growth Award from the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (A.A.S.H .T.O.). All fifty states compete for this award yearly. Mr. Vostry stated that RTD applied for the award on behalf of the City of Eng lewood. Englewood received the award based upon the CityCenter Englewood project, i.e., the resident ial and retail hub, curbing growth with transportation , and the linkage of pedestrian, bicycle, vehicle, bus, and light rail forms of transportation. • Traffic Engineer Vostry reported that the new traffic signal at Oxford Ave . and Broadway has been installed and is now operational. He stated that, additionally, new handicap ramps will be installed on all four corners , perhaps in the spring. Discussion ensued regarding the function of the traffic detection cameras t hat were installed on the masts at this intersection . Mr. Vostry explained that the cameras have been installed to replace the traffic loops under the aspha lt, which will provide more options for creating safer travel. To Chairperson Anderson 's inquiry, Mr. Vostry advised the time frame for designing, constructing and installing new traffic signal equipment could be upward to 12 months, provided funds have been allocated, and also depending on availability of equipment and other circumstances. • Traffic Engineer Vostry noted the Council Communication contained in Committee packets requesting approval of an ordinance to amend the Municipal Code to change the lawful speed limit on local residential streets to 25 mph. Discussion with City Council and first reading of this ordinance will take place on Monday, December 15th ; second reading will take place at the Council meeting on January 20th , followed by a 30 day waiting period, at which time it will become law. Mr. Vostry expla ined that in-house sign installation will take several months to accomplish, however, the cost savings will be significant. There was brief discussion regarding 20 mph speed limits adjacent to the schools. • Traffic Engineer Vostry reported that ETAC was not selected by City administration as one of the boards and commission that will be assigned a youth liaison member. Chairperson's Choice Chairperson Anderson inquired about inviting Council Member Grazulis to the January ETAC meeting at Cherrelyn Elementary School. He also inqu ired about possible topics of discussion for the meeting. Committee Member Dounay suggested extending an open invitation to the School Safety Committee, and particularly the representative from Cherrelyn, to discuss safety issues they may be considering. Committee Member Hodge inquired about placing a notice in the Englewood Herald advising of the ETAC meeting at Cherrelyn Elementary School and watching for the different meeting locations during 2003, and explaining to the readership that the meetings are being held at area schools in order to reach a larger number of people . Ms. Hodge stated she will contact Tom Munds of the Englewood Herald to place a notice in the paper. Discuss ion ensued regarding other means of advertising ETAC's activities and meetings. Mr . Anderson asked for suggestions for discussion topics to be included under Public Comment on the agenda for January. 3 Suggestions included asking for feedback on four-way stops adjacent to schools, concerns regarding students crossing Broadway to go to school, and comments regarding the 25 mph speed limit. Mr. Anderson stated he will contact Crime Prevention Office Peterson and advise her of ETAC's upcoming neighborhood meetings. Committee Members' Choice Committee Member Hodge inquired about a site distance concern at Elati St. and Floyd Ave. caused by the sound fence along Floyd Ave. that was construction in conjunction with the CityCenter Englewood project. Traffic Engineer Vostry noted that originally, southbound traffic on Elati St. at Floyd Ave. was a right turn only, however adjustments were made to accommodate emergency vehicles. This adjustment opened the intersection to allow traffic to proceed southbound on Elati St. or to make left turns onto Floyd Ave. Mr. Vostry advised that staff is monitoring this location very closely, and, to date, no accidents have occurred. Mr. Vostry noted that the stretch of Floyd Ave. adjacent to CityCenter Englewood is posted with a 25 mph speed limit. This stretch of roadway is private property, owned by the Englewood Environmental Foundation. Committee Member Dounay expressed concern that Governor Owens is considering eliminating the HOV lanes in the Denver area stating they are not being enforced for HOV purposes. Mr. Dounay questioned whether or not the HOV lanes through Englewood are, in fact, being enforced, and additionally, is the City actively working with DRCOG to encourage car pooling? Lt. Collins noted that Englewood Safety Services has received complaints that officers are, in fact, spending more time than necessary on Santa Fe working the HOV lanes and the red lights. Brief discussion ensued. Committee Member Christie turned in his application for reappointment to Secretary Wilks to turn over to the City Manager's office. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Linda Wilks, Recording Secretary 4 .. • • • • • • City of Englewood Page 1 ENGLEWOOD TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE VISITOR SIGN-UP SHEET > NAME -/ t_?rJ ~ nt tlefc .1-Jwv·e1 ///}I/, C.:-~fd1~ Regular Meeting 12/12/2002 ADDRESS (::; nq IU/'1 VO .;r tJOrJ 3~ b(J)/afaq 0 9'or1cJ PHONE 303 79; -If/ :2. z..,