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Home My WebLink About2003-01-09 TAC MINUTES• City of Englewood, Colorado ENGLEWOOD TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE Minutes of January 9, 2003 The regular meeting of the Englewood Transportation Advisory Committee was called to order by Chairperson Anderson at 7: 10 p.m. at the Cherrelyn Elementary School Library. Members Present: David Anderson Joe Christie Gary Dounay Cinda Losee (Alternate Member) Ken Ross, Director of Public Works, ex officio Members Absent: Betty Goosman Barbara Hodge A quorum was present. Also Present: Ladd Vestry, Traffic Engineer Wendy Gracy, Traffic Analyst Linda Wilks, Recording Secretary John Collins, Police Lieutenant Nancy Peterson, Crime Prevention Officer Gail Neubert, Principal of Cherrelyn Elementary Julie Grazulis, Council Member, District III See attached sign-in sheet e Mr. Anderson noted that this is the regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Transportation Advisory Committee, and is scheduled this month at Cherrelyn Elementary School to provide easy access for the • public to visit with the Committee regarding concerns they may have pertaining to traffic and transportation issues in the City of Englewood. Additional meetings of this type are scheduled to take place at other Englewood Schools in March, May, and September. Approval of Minutes Chairperson Anderson asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of December 12, 2002. Committee Member Dounay requested that his comment be included in the minutes that since a Council Member does not sit with the ETAC, a strategic plan would be helpful to ensure that ETAC is in sync with the direction Council envisions, that a strategic plan is a t ool that will inform Council, as well as other individuals, of ETAC's intentions, goals and accomplishments. The minutes were approved as amended. (Secretary's note: In response to Committee Member Dounay's inquiry, after reviewing the cassette recording of the December 12, 2002 ETAC meeting, Secretary Wilks confirmed that Mr. Dounay did, in fact, make the motion, which was seconded by Committee Member Christie, "to prepare a strategic plan that would facilitate ETAC activity, using the draft copy as a guide.") Public Comment Discussion ensued regarding topics outlined on the Agenda for public comment: • Council Member Grazulis commented on her observations regarding the public's compliance with the four-way stops that were installed adjacent to most Englewood Schools earlier last year. Director Ross stated that staff drew up a plan in accordance with warrants outlined in the MUTCD, and then met with the School Safety Committee and asked to be notified by each school that would like to have the four-way stops installed. The signs requested by each school were installed in March, 2002. Additional discussion ensued. • There was brief discussion regarding concerns of students crossing Broadway. Principal Neubert stated elementary students, as a rule, live on the side of Broadway where they attend school. However, it was noted that many middle school students must cross Broadway to attend school. Brief discussion ensued regarding the effectiveness of installing a walk-over bridge at Broadway and Chenango Ave. Director Ross explained that because of ADA requirements for this type of structure, students would have to walk as much as one block out of their way to access and exit the bridge, and, for that reason, Mr. Ross questioned whether it would be used consistently. Additionally, because of the high cost of constructing this type of structure, funding would be difficult. Mr. Vostry noted that middle school students have expressed their appreciation for the pedestrian countdown indicators that have been installed at both Chenango Ave. and Broadway and at Kenyon Ave. and Broadway. Discussion ensued regarding educating students and the public of existing safety issues. The traveling habits now exhibited by pedestrians and motorists were also discussed. Mr. Ross briefly explained a new program, Access Living by Design, and discussed plans for implementing a study for improving fitness in Englewood. Principal Neubert expressed concern regarding high vehicle speeds around the schools toward the end of the school drop-off and pick-up times. Crime Prevention Officer Peterson observed that residents attending Neighborhood Watch meetings frequently complain about speeding on residential streets, but later realize that they themselves, as well as their neighbors, are the violators. • Lieutenant Collins reported on information that was presented to City Council regarding implementing a 25 mph residential speed limit. The recommendation was made to Council that, prior to implementing the change in speed limit, a traffic enforcement plan be put into place to redirect the activity of the patrol bureau into the residential neighborhoods while, at the same time, continuing the current response capability to other urgent calls for service. Safety Services believes this tactic will better reduce residential speeding over implementing 25 mph speed limits. City Council postponed implementing the 25 mph speed limit pending the outcome of Safety Services' proposal. Crime Prevention Officer Peterson advised that citizens observing violators of speed or other traffic laws can notify her with vehicle license plate information for which she will respond to the vehicle owner with a letter of warning notifying them that they were observed committing that offense. At Alternate Member Losee's inquiry, Traffic Engineer Vostry advised that the City has ordered, and received, two variable speed board signs, or feedback signs, to be placed on collector streets at locations determined to be high speed areas. These signs contain a radar device that will post the speed of oncoming vehicles. Currently, the City is waiting for Xcel Energy to install the power source needed for the signs' operation. Mr. Vostry stated that, initially, the signs will be placed one on Oxford Ave. between Santa Fe and Galapago St., and one on Logan St. near Dartmouth Ave. 2 • • • To Committee Member Dounay's inquiry, Lieutenant Collins explained that the speeds for which citations will be issued will be determined at the discretion of the ticketing officer. Lt. Collins stated he will discuss Mr. Dounay's concern, at upcoming staff meetings and training sessions, regarding stopping distance concerns for an SUV vs. a passenger car. Brief discussion ensued regarding speed limits in other jurisdictions surrounding Englewood. • Visitor Jim Trotsky asked for direction regarding the northerly access into his subdivision being closed onto southbound University Blvd. It was determined that the area in question is within the City of Cherry Hills Village. Director Ross stated he will contact Mr. Trotsky with the name and telephone number for the Cherry Hills Village Director of Public Works. Mr. Trotsky indicated he will call Cherry Hills Village directly. • Committee Member Dounay observed that some motorists seem to be proceeding through crosswalks before pedestrians have cleared. Brief discussion ensued. Old Business Chairperson Anderson suggested that, since two ETAC members are not present, discussion regarding the draft Strategic Plan be tabled until the February meeting. Members concurred . New Business Director Ross briefly reported on issues initiated by Council Members Yurchick and Garrett at the City Council study session earlier this week: • Council Member Yurchick inquired about left-turn phasing for north and southbound Inca St. at S.H . 285. Left turns on Inca at this intersection can be made only on green arrows. Traffic Engineer Vestry advised he discussed the left turn design for this intersection with the Traffic Operation and Safety Engineer for the Colorado Department of Transportation (COOT), who advised that it is a COOT standard to use the green arrow design when opposing dual left-turn lanes are in place, and he strongly discouraged making any changes at this location . Mr. Vestry noted that the clearance time has been extended for S.H. 285 vehicles which delays the green arrow on Inca St. to eliminate crashes with left turn drivers on S.H. 285 who have entered the intersection prior to their red light. Brief discussion ensued. • Council Member Garrett inquired about signage for the northbound left-turn lane at the Inca and Jason intersection. Director Ross explained that because of the confusing configuration of this section of roadway, Traffic Engineer Vestry will implement an alteration in the pavement markings to more clearly guide motorists into the right lane to continue north or into the left lane for left turns. The alterations will be made in the next few months, weather permitting. Director's Choice • Director Ross announced that he received some "outstanding" news from DRCOG. The City's application to DRCOG has been approved for federal funding to construct the missing portion of sidewalk on the north side of S.H. 285 between Old Hampden Ave. and Clarkson St. This is a $400,000 project, of which • federal funding will cover 314 of the cost. Additionally, a small section of the proposed sidewalk is located in, and therefore will be paid by, Cherry Hills Village, with the remaining cost to be funded by the City of Englewood. Receiving the federal funding is conditional upon construction beginning in August of this year. 3 This section of sidewalk construction is included in the City's Missing Links Program along with other missing sidewalk sections on Belleview Ave. and on University Blvd. • Director Ross reported that the American with Disabilities Act Access Board has recently ruled that all handicap ramps now must be constructed with truncated domes on the bottom 24 inches of the ramp. Mr. Ross passed around to Members a sample of the material that will be used to construct this zone, which is red brick with a raised dome pattern detectable under foot, or by the blind community using their canes, which will provide a warning that they are about to enter a roadway. Each dome has a base diameter of 1- inch, a height of 0.2-inch, and a top diameter of 0.5-inch, with a base-to-base spacing of 2-inches. Mr. Ross noted that, per ADA mandate, the City's handicap ramps constructed from this date forward will include the truncated domes. Chairperson's Choice • At Chairperson Anderson's inquiry, Traffic Engineer Vostry stated he is in the process of making contacts with school principals to schedule future ETAC meetings at their facilities. Tentatively, Mr. Vostry is attempting to schedule Clayton Elementary for the March ETAC meeting, Charles Hay Elementary for May, and Bishop Elementary for September. • Chairperson Anderson noted that while stopped at the traffic light on northbound Broadway at Quincy Ave., he noticed that the business on the southeast corner has displayed their business logo sign • perpendicular to the building. The sign resembles a street name sign, and gives drivers the impression they approaching Geek Street rather than Quincy Avenue. Traffic Engineer Vostry stated he will notify the e Community Development Department regarding this illegal posting. Committee Members' Choice Committee Member Dounay advised that he has observed speeding on Lehigh Ave. near Maddox Elementary School and the Englewood Post Office, and suggested installing a three-way stop at Lehigh Ave. and Huron St., which is a T-intersection. He also noted that high profile vehicles are parking in this area blocking motorists' view of a nearby crosswalk. Traffic Engineer Vostry stated he will take a look at the parking situation, and, additionally, will conduct a speed study at this location to determine what action, if any, is needed. Mr. Vostry noted that he has received no requests for speed control in this area from Maddox Elementary School. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. -.,y1 / I ) . ;} , ., f V ~:'( Cl /1, Ll /2_:) Linda Wilks, Recording Secretary 4 • ' - • • City of Englewood Page 1 ENGLEWOOD TRANSPORTATION ADVI S ORY COMMITTEE VISITOR SIGN-UP SHEET Regular Meeting January 9, 2003 Cherrelyn Elementary School NAME ADDRESS . (~\l N~etT f r 1l<..l1~ l\~oo \.l-t\....(J)l1-1 C~r,,Ju v ll!J.110 / h@7uh· <-4-1 i3 q < l.. ltiCNlY\ ~;s\o 1,-(2)'' <.,~ - I ( d -/_. --;:.J ().,11)) a, Ji :Y) I {() +sk \/ 1r" Kr" v 11 1Y!cv1s1~ I PHONE ~ 0-5-1 ~(-~~OJ- 7o? It-. 2 8 tJ '/(~ ( ' ,30 3-]51-15?~