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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-07-14 TAC MINUTES• City of Englewood, Colorado ENGLEWOOD TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING Minutes of July 14, 2005 The regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Transportation Advisory Committee was called to order by Chair Christie at 7:05 p.m. in the City Council Conference Room at the City of Englewood Civic Center. Members Present: David Anderson Joe Christie Betty Goosman Regi Maclaren Mark Craft, Alternate Member Ray Tomasso, Council Liaison Rick Kahm, Director of Public Works, ex officio Members Absent: Daryl Kinton A quorum was present. Also Present: Ladd Vostry, Traffic Engineer Linda Wilks, Recording Secretary Jeff Sanchez, Police Commander Jerry Lancaster, GIS Analyst Mr. Mark Craft was introduced to Members. Director Kahm stated that Mr. Craft was appointed by City Council to serve as the Alternate Member for ETAC. Mr. Craft was welcomed by Members and staff. Brief introductions were made of Members and staff. Mr. Kahm noted that Jeff Sanchez was recently appointed Commander of Safety Services Police. Approval of Minutes Chair Christie asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of June 9, 2005. There being none, a motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes as presented. With all Members present voting aye, the motion passed. Public Comment There were no visitors in attendance. Old Business Director Kahm advised that GIS Analyst Lancaster is present again this evening to continue discussions regarding ETAC's web page. Mr. Lancaster distributed copies of the updated web page, and stated that, as requested by ETAC Members at the June meeting, he is working with the internet provider to correct naming of the Agenda PDF file to reflect the most currently posted agenda. Mr. Lancaster reviewed some changes he made which were also requested by ETAC Members, including a link to Traffic Facts and Safety Issues, as well as a link to Traffic Safety Programs on the Safety Services web page. Commander Sanchez distributed copies of the Safety Services web page which references the Speed Watch and Speed Pledge Programs as • well as information regarding the Speed Trailer. Mr. Lancaster noted that upcoming information yet to be added will include another two pages for such items as recent accomplishments, photographs, and a link farm with links to such outside sites as RTD, MUTCD, DRCOG, T-REX, etc. Mr. Lancaster stated that, per ETAC's request, he verified there is not a problem with including some external links for traffic facts and safety, noting that discretion must be used. Vice-chair Anderson suggested that Englewood be included in · the title for the Traffic Safety Programs link to clarify these are Englewood programs rather than national. Mr. Kahm commented that information can be added to the site as staff time permits. Chair Christie noted that he has not yet been able to take photos of the Oxford Ave. project for inclusion on the web page, but will provide digital photographs at the August meeting. Mr. Lancaster stated he will provide projector and screen. Discussion ensued regarding the draft paragraph of introduction that was prepared by staff to, as suggested by Mr. Anderson at the June meeting, present a friendlier face and encourage citizens to attend ETAC meetings. Members requested a couple of minor changes to that draft, which will replace the existing paragraph. Mr. Anderson noted that the City's Projects page is a little outdated, specifically regarding the Broadway Microsurfacing Project. Mr. Lancaster stated that, although he is not a custodian of that site, he will check it out. Mr. Kahm mentioned that, because of staffing limitations, the City 's web site will not always be as current as we would like it to be. He stated that hopefully, in the future, each City department will be able to keep their own sites updated rather than updates going through the City Manager's staff. New Business Director Kahm reported that residents near Logan St. and Eastman Ave. have approached the City regarding a recent traffic accident at that intersection involving a westbound vehicle and a southbound motorcyclist. Traffic Engineer Vestry and Commander Sanchez have met with these residents on several occasions regarding their accident concerns. Commander Sanchez explained that the westbound motorist on Eastman stopped at the stop sign at Logan, and, believing it was a four-way stop intersection, proceeded to cross Logan, hitting the southbound motorcyclist, who was badly injured. Because of this accident, as well as an accident that occurred in 2000 at this intersection, the residents believe that a traffic signal is warranted. There was brief discussion regarding the layout of this intersection, and possible site distance issues for westbound motorists because of vehicles parked on Logan and possibly because of a large tree on the northeast corner. Mr. Vestry noted that, while meeting with the residents group, he asked that residents at corner properties park their vehicles on Eastman rather than on Logan to increase visibility for motorists crossing Logan; residents have complied with this request. Mr. Vestry stated that speed studies on both Logan St. and Eastman Ave . are currently being conducted, however it was noted that speed does not appear to be the issue at this location. Commander Sanchez advised that, following this accident, he initiated a special enforcement project at this loca tion that verified that incidents of speeding are, in fact, minimal. Mr. Sanchez commented that because of the high volume of vehicles, however, residents can have the perception that traffic is bad. Mr. Vestry verified that 9,000-10,000 vehicles drive Logan St. daily. Mr. Vestry stated that No Trucks signs were installed on Logan St. between Old Hampden and Yale Ave., and he . " • has talked with, and requested Safeway, Swedish and Craig Hospitals, and other businesses to advise their • truck drivers not use Logan St. as a cut-through for their deliveries. Mr. Vestry noted that, after discussions 2 • • and meetings with staff, residents are calmer and are looking forward to seeing the results of the speed studies. Mr. Vostry encouraged the residents to contact Officer Peterson regarding the Speed Watch Program. Discussion ensued regarding volume, left turn movements off of Logan, etc. To Committee Member Goosman's inquiry, Mr. Vostry stated that Logan St. carries 9,000-10,000 vehicles per day, Oxford Ave. 12,000, Dartmouth west of Broadway 13,000, and Broadway 38,000-50,000. Residential streets carry around 1,000 vehicles per day. Brief discussion ensued regarding the pros and cons of installing medians on roadways to prevent motorists from crossing or turning at specific, and possibly dangerous, intersections or into mid-block driveways. Director's Choice • Director Kahm noted that the City is currently in the process of preparing the budget for 2006. Mr. Kahm advised that, once again, $50,000 is being requested for traffic calming and transportation issues. • With regard to implementing the school zone near Englewood High School, which was previously addressed by ETAC, Traffic Engineer Vostry advised that locations have been pinpointed for installation of the 20 mph speed limit signs, to be installed in August just prior to start of school. • Director Kahm reported that Xcel Energy has now installed the street light on Navajo St. just south of Oxford Ave. The City requested this installation late last year as a result of a suggestion made by Committee Member Kinton. Mr. Kahm briefly discussed service levels provided by Xcel Energy. • Director Kahm apologized for the delay in construction of the Oxford Ave. Traffic calming Pilot Program, explaining that the contractor fell behind in the project because of a stretch of bad weather that prevented the work from taking place. Curbing for the chokers and medians is now in place and asphalt will be added next week, followed by installation of the delineators, striping and truck signage. The radar signs were installed and will be turned on when the project is "unveiled", probably by the end of next week. Mr. Kahm suggested that Tom Munds, from the Englewood Herald newspaper, be contacted when this "unveiling" takes place. Mr. Kahm noted that the industrial businesses on Oxford west of Santa Fe will be contacted, again, as a reminder of the truck restrictions. • Director Kahm advised that CDOT's overlay project on Hwy. 285 is progressing. It appears that construction of the concrete medians is near completion, and asphalt rotomilling has been completed between Santa Fe and Federal, and is expected to begin next week east of Santa Fe through Englewood. Traffic Engineer Vostry stated that the City required COOT to install video detectors at the signaled intersections prior to rotomilling in Englewood. Additionally, Mr. Kahm advised, the City required COOT to provide hotel vouchers to residents adjacent to this project in the event that noise from the nighttime work interfered with sleep. • Director Kahm proposed, for discussion, a possible change in the meeting time for future ETAC meetings. He stated that a suggestion was made to him that meetings begin at 6:30 rather than 7:00 p.m. Following brief discussion, Members agreed that changing to a 6:30 p.m. meeting time would be acceptable . • Commander Sanchez reported that a parking patrol officer contacted representatives of the counseling center and the music school located on Princeton Ave. west of Broadway regarding patrons parking too close 3 to the corner and blocking visibility for motorists. The information was received well and business patrons appear to be cooperating. Chair Christie noted that the busiest time for businesses at this location appears to occur on Wednesday evenings between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. Mr. Sanchez stated he will have officers continue to monitor around this time. Chairperson's Choice Following up on discussion from the June ETAC meeting, Chair Christie advised that he did not send an inquiry to Committee Member Kinton regarding his meeting attendance. Mr. Christie, recognizing ETAC's attendance policy, stated that, in rethinking the situation, he believes Mr. Kinton's ties to RTD are valuable to ETAC and he would rather make a personal phone call, in addition to send ing a letter. Committee Members' Choice • Alternate Member Craft inquired about educating the public about the proper process for driving our roundabout located at Cherokee St. and Englewood Parkway. Traffic Engineer Vestry stated that Public Works prepared a brochure when the roundabout was constructed in 2000. Brief discussion ensued. Mr. Craft commented that groups of motorcycles on Broadway create noise disturbances for residents along or near that corridor. Commander Sanchez noted that this issue has been raised recently through a City Council request, and acknowledged that there is no easy answer. Police officers cannot stop vehicles without probable cause, and because officers are not equipped with devices that measure noise levels, it is difficult to enforce. • To Committee Member MacLaren's inquiries, Traffic Engineer Vestry advised that the 20 mph school zone for Englewood High School will include Mansfield Ave. between Logan and Clarkson as well as Pearl, Pennsylvania and Washington Streets between Mansfield and Nassau. Mr. Vostry noted that the traffic signal at Mansfield and Logan is a semi-actuary signal that allows for a continuous green light on Logan until a vehicle stops on Mansfield at the stop light, at which time the light will change to green for Mansfield. Mr. Vestry stated that the length of time for changing to a green light for Mansfield has been lengthened because of pedestrians from the high school, additionally, the lengthened time varies depending on the time of day, or days of the week, i.e., evening vs. daytime, or weekend vs. weekday. • Vice-chair Anderson observed that crosswalks have not been placed on Broadway since the Microsurfacing project. Traffic Engineer Vestry advised that the crosswalks were installed this past Sunday night. Mr . Vostry explained that the micro must cure for a period of time, but, additionally, the contractor had an equipment breakdown. Director Kahm stated that Englewood trades rotomilling services for Westminster's line painting services. Mr. Anderson also noted that the fourth leg of the intersection at Navajo St. and Quincy Ave. does not have a stop bar. Mr. Vestry indicated he will check it out. • Committee Member Goosman stated that, when driving near Craig Hospital recently, trucks and trailers from their annual car show were parked in the adjacent neighborhood, blocking the view of drivers at intersections. Ms. Goosman suggested that perhaps, in future years, a provision should be included in their permit to prohibit parking these large vehicles in the neighborhoods. Director Kahm stated that this annual 4 • • .. • • event has taken place at Craig Hospital for a number of years, and it appears to get bigger each year. Staff agreed that this event, because of its growth, will need additional coordination in the future . • Council Member Tomasso commented that Englewood businesses are looking forward to their sidewalk sale and car show event, scheduled for Saturday, July 23rd. Director Kahm noted that the Streets Division recently Microsurfaced the parking lot that will be used for the car show and will, additionally, sweep the lot just prior to the event. The Traffic Division will repaint the parking space lines and provide barricades for the lot. Additionally, the walk-through from Broadway to the parking lot will be cleaned out, and come concrete repairs will be made prior to the show. Parking locations for patrons were discussed. Mr. Tomasso advised that a vehicle is parking at Cornell Ave. and Broadway between the sidewalk and curb, blocking visibility for motorists on Cornell. Mr. Tomasso acknowledged an invitation from City Council that was distributed to Members this evening inviting all boards and commissions to an appreciation night taking place at Romans Park on Monday, August 22"d, at 6:00 p.m. Mr. Tomasso encouraged everyone to attend. Adjournment There being no further bus iness, the meeting was adjourned at 8:42 p.m. Linda Wilks, Recording Secretary 5