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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-01-08 TAC MINUTES• • • City of Englewood, Colorado ENGLEWOOD TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE Minutes of January 8, 2004 Secretary's Note: Prior to the meeting, Council Member Tomasso appeared briefly and introduced himself to Committee Members, apologizing that, because of another obligation, he was unable to attend this meeting. The regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Transportation Advisory Committee was called to order by Chairperson Anderson at 7:04 p.m. in the City of Englewood Community Room. Members Present: David Anderson Joe Christie Gary Dounay Betty Goosman Ken Ross, Director of Public Works, ex officio Members Absent: Cinda Losee A quorum was present. Also Present: Ladd Vestry, Traffic Engineer Linda Wilks, Recording Secretary John Knoth , Sergeant See attached sign-in sheet Approval of Minutes Chairperson Anderson asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of December 11, 2003. There being none, a motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes as presented . Motion passed. Public Comment Mr. Chuck Agins stated he is attending tonight's meeting only as an interested observer. Old Business Before proceeding with Old Business, Chairperson Anderson noted that Committee Member Losee is not in attendance, and that she has not applied for reappointment to ETAC; her term expires February 1, 2004. Under Old Business , Chairperson Anderson requested that discussion resume regarding ETAC's Strategic Plan short term goals. Mr. Anderson noted that he would like for the short term goals to reflect the w ishes of ETAC as a whole. The existing short term goals were reviewed: 1) Promote safe traffic habits in residential areas; 2) Monitor progress in controlling speeding in residential areas and on arterial streets; and, 3) Suggest behavioral objectives for monitoring traffic issues. Mr. Anderson suggested that perhaps the short term goals should be more specific, i.e., targeting an area, targeting a specific problem. Committee Member Dou nay presented a list of observations he prepared recently that could perhaps be categorized under the three goals. Mr. Dounay's observations included length of signal waiting time for drivers crossing Broadway; drivers running red lights on Broadway; right turns made onto Broadway without stopping; drivers sliding on sand through stop signs after snowstorms; driving too fast in residential neighborhoods and school zones; school zone signs being ignored; driving down the middle of roadways in residential neighborhoods; drivers passing other drivers on residential roadways. Committee Member Christie opined that the three established goals are valid, but perhaps broad, and suggested focusing on a specific neighborhood or street. Referring to goal no. 2, Mr. Christie recognized that the Police Department has assisted with monitoring speed on Lafayette St., and in that sense, that goal has been achieved. Mr. Christie stated he is comfortable with the three short term goals that have been established, and, further, stated that as citizens bring issues to ETAC, those items would then be the focus of the ETAC group. Mr. Dounay suggested including some social "norming" concepts with goal no. 3, regarding behavioral objectives, similar to the drinking and driving task force, and including a focus on drinking and driving since that group no longer exists. To Mr. Christie's inquiry, Director Ross stated that Crime Prevention Officer Peterson initiated the Speed Pledge Program for Neighborhood Watch a number of years ago, for which members are still being accepted. Mr. Ross suggested it would be a good program for the ETAC group to sign up for as a sign of support for speeding concerns in Englewood. Director Ross reminded the Committee that ETAC's purpose, as liaisons of the community, involves advising and making recommendations pertaining to transportation issues, while staff determines the proper solution. Mr. Ross continued that the 1-2 hours per month for ETAC meetings is best spent discussing and reviewing items presented to ETAC by neighbors and staff, rather than trying to determine specific details such as proper signage, etc. Further, Mr. Ross stated that, no matter how many different attempts are made, no one has the ability to change people's behavior or the way they drive. Mr. Anderson concurred, stating that ETAC can model proper driving behavior and encourage neighbors and citizens to do the same, and to also identify hazards of which staff may not be aware. Brief discussion ensued regarding signal timing on Broadway as it ties in with Denver, Littleton and Highlands Ranch. Traffic Engineer Vestry expressed his frustration when trying to manage the transportation concerns of pedestrians and bicyclists as well as motorists without "taking" from one group to "give" to another. Mr. Vestry invited anyone to contact him regarding concerns they may have pertaining to any facet of transportation in Englewood, and he would be happy to meet with them. Mr. Vestry recognized that crossing major roadways is intimidating for some pedestrians because drivers fail to yield to them when the light turns green. Mr. Dounay stated he understands comments from Mr. Ross and Mr. Vestry. Mr. Dounay commented that he has observed a dangerous situation when some pedestrians are not patient enough to wait for a walk signal, and will, instead, proceed to the middle of a busy roadway, wait on the center island, and then complete their crossing when traffic clears. Mr. Anderson confirmed Mr. Ross' comments that it would not be beneficial for ETAC to "go down the wrong path", and inquired if short term goals for ETAC should then be steering type goals within the Committee's scope, i.e., reaching out more aggressively to the community to inform them of ETAC's purpose and to hear their concerns. As an example, Mr. Anderson stated the Committee has not been hearing from senior citizens, and suggested, as a short term goal, that ETAC could, perhaps, meet at the Malley Center for 2 • • • • • one monthly meeting. He also suggested short term goals could include regularly targeting, for discussion, known troublesome issues relating to Broadway, Hampden, etc . Mr. Ross recommended that, when the new ETAC members have been appointed, a meeting be scheduled with City Council members to confirm Council's goals for ETAC, and to insure that the goals set by ETAC coincide with those set by Council. Discussion ensued. Mr. Ross stated that ETAC is, and will be, dealing with issues brought to staff by concerned citizens, as well as issues through ETAC members raised by citizens, friends and neighbors. Mr. Anderson reiterated the need to focus on known problem areas rather than attempting to function without direction. Mr. Anderson commented it was his understanding from meeting with City Council last October that Council looked forward to ETAC presenting them with issues, however, to the contrary, Mr. Ross stated his understanding was that Council is happy to have the ETAC for the purpose of filtering transportation issues rather than citizens contacting Council directly. Mr. Anderson opined that the general public is not aware of ETAC or the correct process to inform City staff of concerns they may have. Sgt. Knoth interjected that, from the number of phone calls he and other members of staff receive, he believes that citizens are, in fact, aware of who to contact when they have traffic related concerns. He stated that he and Traffic Engineer Vostry communicate regularly to solve issues expressed by concerned citizens. Sgt. Knoth concurred with Mr. Ross' comment that, no matter how many different attempts are made, no one has the ability to change people's behavior or the way they drive. Sgt. Knoth added that you do the best you can to make people aware of traffic and driving situations, and they will usually abide by the traffic laws, at least for a period of time, when they have received a citation. Sgt. Knoth noted that his division has now been reduced to three officers, and they have had to adjust their schedule. Traffic Engineer Vostry stated that the idea behind forming the Speed Pledge Program was to "change drivers' behavior", and Mr. Vostry opined that this was a successful program for residential streets, and suggested that perhaps the program needs to be reinforced. Mr. Anderson suggested a short term goal for 2004 might be to help the City promote the Speed Pledge Program. Mr. Vostry noted that this is not a City program, but rather a Neighborhood Watch program, a residents' program. Mr. Ross suggested that perhaps ETAC could be included for discussion at a future Block Captains' Neighborhood Watch meeting. Mr. Anderson concurred. Committee Member Goosman suggested inviting Officer Peterson to attend an ETAC meeting to discuss this issue, or, at the very least, inform Officer Peterson of ETAC's intentions regarding involvement with Neighborhood Watch. Chairperson Anderson proposed adding short term goal no. 4, become active with Neighborhood Watch. Mr. Anderson requested further discussion of this item be included on the February agenda. Mr. Ross stated he will contact Officer Peterson for input regarding ETAC's involvement. Committee concurred. Mr. Dounay suggested that specific issues be added to the list of goals as they become apparent. New Business • There was no New Business. 3 Director's Choice • Director Ross advised of a proposed development for the Seminary property on the northwest corner of Hampden Ave. and University Blvd. Mr. Ross noted that the Seminary plans to redevelop near Arapahoe Community College off of Santa Fe as a result of outgrowing their site at Hampden Ave. and University. With the aid of graphics, Mr. Ross explained that, contingent upon approval of rezoning from R-3 to a Planned Unit Development (PUD), a developer is planning to construct approximately 70 ,000 sq. ft. of retail that would focus on all phases of food, i.e., cooking classes, coffee shop, gourmet meat shop, food and vegetable specialty shops, sit down restaurants, etc. In add ition , 350 upscale for-sale residential units will be included on the site, which will be developed in six separate buildings , ranging in different heights, with the highest being 14 floors . Additionally, two-story town homes will line the property on the west and north sides as a buffer to the surrounding neighborhood. Mr. Ross stated the majority of parking will be underground , for both residential and retail. Mr. Ross opined that parking could be a concern. Mr. Ross noted that traffic flow in and out of this site is projected to go from the current 1,900 vehicles per day up to 7,600 vehicles per day. The proposed primary access to the site w ill be from University Blvd ., and will include a traffic signal at that access . A right-in/right-out access on Hampden Ave. is also proposed. Mr . Ross stated there is concern that there could be interference with the progression of rush hour traffic on University because of the proposed primary acces s. Mr. Ross stated he and Traffic Engineer Vostry are working with the developers regarding traffic issues pertaining to accessing the site, as well as traffic movement within the site, parking for retai l delivery trucks , snow removal storage, etc. Mr. Ross adv ised that the developer has scheduled a neighborhood meeting next week at the Seminary for neighbors of the surrounding area to present color renditions, models of the project, and information on this development, etc. Public comments will be obtained and docu mented at this and future community meetings, after which the developer can submit an official application to the City . Mr. Ross estimated it would take 4-6 months for the planned development and rezoning to be approved. At Committee Member Dounay 's inquiry, Mr. Ross stated he has not heard of additional mass transit for this area other than the current bus routes along Hwy. 285 and along University Blvd. Mr. Ross added that it is an additional concern of his that the planned development provides parking for only 1.5 vehicles per residence for the high rise residential units, when, in fact, residences with more than one person generally have more than one vehicle. Other parking concerns were discussed for both retail and residential on this proposed site. Mr. Ross stated he will notify Members of time and place for the neighborhood meeting scheduled for next week. Brief discussion ensued regarding the purpose of neighborhood meetings. • Director Ross informed Members that Lt. Collins will no longer be attending ETAC meetings, however, Sgt. Knoth will now serve as Safety Services' liaison for ETAC. • Director Ross noted that Committee Members Anderson and Goosman have applied for reappointment to their positions on ETAC, which expire February 1, 2004, and six ind ividuals have applied to fill the two remaining vacancies, which include the regular member position being vacated by Cinda Losee and one alternate member vacancy. City Council will hold interviews on January 12th. 4 • • • • • • -Dir-ector Ross reported that, in accordance with a request made by resident Mimi Davis, two trash receptacles have been placed on Eastman Ave., one at Acoma St. and one at Broadway. Mr. Ross noted that use of the containers will be monitored by staff, and they will be removed if not used regularly. Mr. Ross stated he investigated the possibility of using community service workers to pick up trash in this area, but unfortunately, the position that supervises those workers was eliminated due to budget constraints. Brief discussion ensued. Chairperson's Choice Chairperson Anderson addressed the upcoming election of ETAC officers. Following brief discussion, Vice-Chair Christ ie made a motion, seconded by Committee Member Goosman, to hold the election in March rather than February so that the new voting member will have an opportunity to meet the Committee Members and sit through a regular meeting before the election of officers is held. Motion passed. To Mr. Anderson's inquiry regarding the variable speed sign for westbound Quincy Ave. at Jason Park, Traffic Engineer Vostry advised that the sign had been removed and repaired by Traffic Division staff, but has now been reinstalled and appears to be operating properly. Mr. Vostry stated that staff will monitor the sign periodically to ensure it is operational. Committee Members' Choice Committee Member Goosman inquired about the City's leash law. Sgt. Knoth confirmed that the City does, in fact, have a leash law, however, Code Enforcement manages that law, and he recommended they be contacted for information. Brief discussion ensued. Additionally, Ms. Goosman inquired about the status of the go-ped ordinance. Director Ross advised that it is scheduled for discussion at the City Council study session on January 26th. Mr. Ross stated he will send ETAC members a reminder of that discussion. Adjournment Prompted by Chairperson Anderson, visitor Agins commented that, as an Englewood resident, he is interested in transportation matters and in Englewood's process for solving transportation concerns. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:26 p.m. Linda Wilks, Recording Secretary 5 City of Englewood ENGLEWOOD TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITIEE . ' .. ~ -~-.• • .• '"':t:t" ? . :.~t NAME . ~...,,,.-.._.-.( . ... w· ~\ ... 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