HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-08-12 TAC MINUTES• City of Englewood, Colorado
ENGLEWOOD TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Minutes of August 12, 2004
The regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Transportation Advisory Committee was called to order
by Chair Christie at 7:02 p.m. in the Community Room at the City of Englewood Civic Center.
Members Present: David Anderson
Joe Christie
Betty Goosman
Regi Maclaren
Ray Tomasso, Council Liaison
Ken Ross, Director of Public Works, ex officio
Members Absent: Daryl Kinton
A quorum was present.
Also Present: Wendy Weiman, Transportation Analyst
Linda Wilks, Recording Secretary
Erik Lutz, Police Officer
Approval of Minutes
Chair Christie asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of July 8, 2004. There
• being none, a motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes as presented. Motion passed
unanimously.
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Public Comment
There were no visitors in attendance.
Old Business
Director Ross reviewed staff's proposed list of traffic related 2005 Multi-Year Capital Plan projects for
Council's consideration. Copies of the list were distributed to ETAC members for consideration.
Recommended projects included:
¢ Transportation System Upgrades -$225,000 -for traffic signal upgrades, miscellaneous transportation
improvements, etc.;
¢ Road and Bridge -$650,000 -pavement overlays and micro-surfacing;
¢ Bridge Repairs-$40,000 -for problem areas on Englewood's bridges that have been pinpointed by an
inspector hired by the Colorado Department of Transportation;
¢ Miscellaneous Infrastructure Repairs-$75,000 -to be used at the discretion of the City Manager;
¢ 10 Year Paving Plan -$0.00 -established in the early 1990's to pave yet unpaved roadways in
Englewood, not recommended for funding for 2005;
¢ Santa Fe & Broadway Landscaping -$0.00 -also is not recommended for funding in 2005;
¢ Pavement Management System -$10,000 -to maintain and upgrade the computer system used to
evaluate and prioritize the City's pavement repairs;
¢ Concrete Utilities-$174,000 -the City's share of monies needed to repair and replace crosspans, alleys,
and the major portion of sidewalk, curb, and gutter repair on the City's avenues. Mr. Ross briefly explained
the function of the Concrete Utility Program into which property owners pay for sidewalk maintenance
adjacent to their homes and businesses;
¢ South Broadway Action Plan -$275,000 -funds requested by the Community Development Department
for improvements along Broadway south of Hampden Ave., similar to those recently completed north of
Hampden. Public Works is requesting an additional $69,000 to make the City's total match for Federal
funds. Additionally, TEA 21 funds are available for the section from Quincy Ave. to Belleview Ave.;
¢ Sidewalks -$120,000 -funding for the Sidewalks Missing Links program;
¢ Entry Port Monumentation -$50,000 -Community Development lowered their funding request from
$100,000 to $50,000 for 2005;
¢ Concrete Program -$30,000 -this funding will address handicap ramp requests in 2005; the City is
ahead of schedule replacing handicap ramps as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act;
¢ Bates Station -$250,000 -funds requested by Community Development, which is tied to the RTD
Fastracks November referendum;
¢ Traffic Signal Upgrade to LED -$0.00 -funds for this upgrade have been included in the Transportation
System Upgrades;
¢ Transportation Action Plan -$0.00 -funds are not being requested for 2005;
¢ Dartmouth Avenue Bridge-$0.00 -Community Development did not request funds for this project;
¢ Bicycle Plan Implementation -$60,000 -funding for signage, map printing, etc.;
¢ Broadway Banner Poles-$5,000 -funds to install a second banner location on Broadway.
Vice-chair Anderson, referring to previous funding requests of $75,000 listed for the Transportation
Action Plan, inquired what items could be funded for this sum. Mr. Ross indicated that small traffic calming
devices, i.e., traffic circles, bulb-outs, or variable speed message signs, could be installed for a similar
amount.
At Chair Christie's inquiry, Mr. Ross advised that funds originally set aside to construct a wall outside of
Civic Center to screen the public service transformers and loading dock area are now being directed toward
covering the expenses for the crosswalk design and installation on Inca St. within the CityCenter site. The
need to construct the screening wall did not materialize.
Director Ross explained that once a request for Capital Projects funding has been approved by City
Council, the funding remains in effect year after year until spent, or until City Council relinquishes the
funding. Mr. Ross noted that approved Transportation Action Plan funding could be used for any of the
named projects, including pedestrian and road projects, traffic calming projects, transit projects, etc.
Brief discussion ensued regarding the shortfall of revenues thus far in 2004 compared to revenues for
the same period in 2003. Also discussed were upcoming projects which could increase revenues in 2005,
i.e., the Wastewater Treatment Plant project expansion, and the Denver Seminary site redevelopment.
Chair Christie opined that, since staff followed the process of updating the Transportation Action Plan,
and even though the request could be denied, it would be worthwhile to go forward with the request for
$75,000 to, at least, pursue achieving some of the goals outlined in the Plan. Discussion ensued regarding
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possible signage, median treatments, and curb bulb-outs on Oxford Ave. east of Santa Fe and west of
Broadway to announce that motorists are entering a residential area. Vice-chair Anderson made a motion,
seconded by Chair Christie, to reinstate the request of $75,000 for the Transportation Action Plan to fund
traffic calming measures on Oxford Ave. at Windermere St. and at Broadway. Motion passed.
New Business
There was no New Business.
Director's Choice
• Director Ross advised that the video detection equipment, to be installed at Windermere St. and Oxford
Ave., has been delivered. Staff will begin installation in the near future. This equipment will allow bicycles
to initiate the green light for north and south movement on Windermere/Navajo Streets.
• With regard to the redevelopment of the Denver Seminary site, Director Ross advised that City Council
is holding a public hearing at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, August 16 th.
• Transportation Analyst Weiman reviewed a preliminary plan contained in Members' packets regarding
proposed signage for the Master Bicycle Plan. Ms. Weiman advised that United Rentals estimated a cost of
$200 per sign for the 30 signs outlined in the packets, or a total of $6,000.00, which includes installation,
poles, and posts. United Rentals indicated they may agree to a lower negotiated cost. The signs vary in
size, with the majority measuring 24 in. by 36 in. This particular signage plan is geared for placement on
the Big Dry Creek Trail, Upper Belleview Park Loop Trail and the Centennial Park Trail. Director Ross noted
that these signs meet the criteria for Arapahoe County Open Space tax money, and perhaps the Parks and
Recreation Department could be persuaded to offer a portion of their Open Space tax money to offset the
cost of our bike trail signage. These signs will be posted at the main decision and access points along the
system, as well as parking lots. It was suggested that street name signs be posted on the bridges on the
Big Dry Creek Trail so that bicyclists will know their location. Chair Christie and Vice-chair Anderson voiced
their approval of this signage plan.
• Police Officer Lutz updated Committee Members on the status of the Englewood Police Traffic Unit.
Officer Lutz stated that the three man Traffic Unit was disbanded the first of June to help subsidize the
Patrol Unit, which is down 18 officers from 2002. Seven officers have now been hired, of which one is a
rehire and six are currently undergoing the police training program. Gradually, the Traffic officers are being
assigned back to the Traffic Unit. Officer Lutz expects to return to Traffic by the middle of September, and,
additionally, they expect to hire a fourth, and possibly a fifth, Traffic officer by January, 2005. The Traffic
Unit, when in operation, generates from 15 to 20 traffic tickets per day. Officer Lutz stressed their goal of
educating people of the "three E's", Engineering, Education and Enforcement.
• Director Ross advised that CDOT has contracted with Asphalt Specialties to conduct a major overlay on
Hwy. 285. The work will begin this evening, August 1th, and is expected to be completed at the end of
November. During the day, one lane of traffic in each direction will be closed; during the evening hours,
from 7:30 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., two lanes each direction will be closed. The affected area includes Hwy. 285
from Lafayette St. east to Dahlia St. The City of Englewood, for the portion of the project within the
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Englewood city limits, issued a revocable variance permit to COOT to cover exceeding the City's noise
ordinance, also requiring that they provide a 24 hr. troubleshooting hot line telephone number, notify
residents within 2,400 feet of Hampden Ave., respond to all complaints, provide the City with noise
monitoring data and weekly schedules of activity, provide hotel vouchers to any person who cannot tolerate
the nighttime noise, etc.
• Director Ross reported that City Council has requested a crosswalk be installed on the west side of the
Inca St. and Hampden Ave. intersection. Mr. Ross stated that, because of the high volume of left turning
vehicles onto westbound Hampden, City staff preferred to route pedestrians to the east side of the
intersection to cross Hampden; however, now that new establishments, i.e., Jamba Juice, Tokyo Joes, etc.,
are being constructed on the northwest corner of the intersection, City Council has determined a crosswalk
on the west side would be more pedestrian friendly for patrons south of Hampden wanting to reach those
new businesses. Mr. Ross stated that in order to make this configuration, it will be necessary to remove 9
seconds of green arrow time from the northbound turn lanes, creating a longer back up for the northbound
left turning vehicles.
• With regard to pedestrian crossings on Inca St. through CityCenter, Director Ross advised that
crosswalks will be installed at the Piazza circular drive exit and entrance points, where pedestrian actuated
flashing lights will also be installed to announce the pedestrians' intentions of crossing the street.
Additionally, two radar speed limit signs will be installed, one north and one south approaching the Piazza
entran.ce and exit points.
• For the purpose of cutting postage costs, staff suggested distributing City Council Meeting Minutes at
the ETAC meetings rather than mailing them with the ETAC packets. Brief discussion ensued; Members
expressed their preference of receiving Council minutes with the packets, and if additional minutes arrive
after the packets have been mailed, they can be distributed at the meetings.
Chairperson's Choice
Chair Christie opened discussion regarding the formal resignation letter from ETAC Member Dounay to
City Council, and asked if Members or staff would like to respond. There was a brief explanation of ETAC's
recommendation that Council accept the res ignation, and the process of Council's acceptance of the
resignation followed by the appointment of Alternate Member Kinton as a regular member replacing Mr.
Dou nay. Council Member Tomasso indicated that there did not seem to be a notable reaction from City
Council as a result of comments contained in Mr. Dounay's letter of resignation. Brief discussion ensued.
Committee Members' Choice
There were no comments from Committee Members.
Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Linda Wilks, Recording Secretary
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