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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-10-13 TAC MINUTES• City of Englewood, Colorado ENGLEWOOD TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING Minutes of October 13, 2005 The regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Transportation Advisory Committee was called to order by Chair Christie at 6:34 p.m. in the City Council Conference Room at the City of Englewood Civic Center. Members Present: David Anderson Joe Christie Betty Goosman Daryl Kinton Mark Craft, Alternate Member Ray Tomasso, Council Liaison Rick Kahm, Director of Public Works, ex officio Members Absent: Regi Maclaren A quorum was present. Also Present: Ladd Vostry, Traffic Engineer Linda W~lks,-R-ecording Secretary Commander Jeff Sanchez See attached sign-in sheet Approval of Minutes Cha ir Christie asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of September 8, 2005. Mr. Christie noted, on page 5 under Old Business, that he, not Mr. Lancaster, stated he will email a draft description of the recent accomplishments page. A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes as amended. With all Members present voting aye, the motion passed. Public Comment Public comment was reserved for Old Business. Old Business • Residents of the Logan St. and Eastman Ave. neighborhood were present to discuss traffic concerns at that location. Director Kahm noted a recent accident that occurred on September 13th at that intersection, which involved an eastbound vehicle that collided with a northbound vehicle. Mr. Kahm said that Traffic Engineer Vostry is considering installing a vehicle height limitation sign on the southwest corner of the intersection. Mr. Kahm commented that traffic calming projects in 2005, on Dartmouth and on Oxford Avenues, cost the City $60,000; $50,000 had been budgeted for traffic calming, and $10,000 was used from the Traffic Division's operating account. Mr. Kahm advised that $20,000 has been budgeted for traffic calming projects in 2006. For ETAC's consideration, Mr. Kahm reviewed a list of potential traffic calming improvements for the • 3100 and 3200 blocks of S. Logan St. The list was prepared by staff as a result of concerns expressed at previous meetings by residents of the Logan/Eastman neighborhood. Copies of the list, along with maps corresponding with Options A, B, C, and D, were distributed to ETAC Members and visitors. Regarding Option A, Establish parking only lanes on both sides of Logan St., Mr. Kahm stated that this move will require the City to contract lane painting at a cost of around $3,000. Observing driver behavior on both Dartmouth Ave. and Oxford Ave., Mr. Kahm added that parking lane lines do not have an impact on speed, but appears to pull motorists away from the parking lane, channeling vehicles in the lane of traffic. Mr. Kahm reviewed Option B, Install intersection beacon control at the Logan and Eastman intersection (flashing yellow for Logan, red for Eastman). Mr. Kahm noted that this option was not suggested during discussion at the September ETAC meeting. Staff has since reconsidered constructing a "pork chop island" at Eastman and Logan, Option D, suggesting that it would cause traffic to relocate onto other nearby streets in the neighborhood. Mr. Kahm referred to the successful history of flashing beacon lights that were installed at Tufts Ave. and Bannock St. a number of years ago. Mr. Kahm noted that staff does not believe speed has been the cause of accidents that have occurred on this stretch of Logan St., and therefore, do not believe installing radar speed signs for north/southbound traffic on Logan, Option C, would have an effect on lowering the number of accidents. Mr. Kahm briefly reviewed Options E through H, which included installing Intersection Ahead signs on Logan and warning signs with flashing beacons on Eastman, restricting parking 100 feet north and south of Eastman, establishing 5 ft. Max Height parking zone north and south of Eastman on Logan, and relocating the radar speed sign from Quincy to Logan. Mr. Kahm stated that staff recommends Option A, installing parking lane lines, at an estimated cost of $3,000, and Option B, install beacon control at Logan and Eastman, at an estimated cost of $18,000, adding that the cost for Option Bcould possibly be lowered to approximately $10,000, if, in fact, City staff installs the wiring and beacon; a contractor would install the poles. Since these items were not budgeted, Mr. Kahm spoke with City Manager Sears, who supported transferring $13,000 from the Transportation System account. City Council will then be notified of the transfer. Mr. Kahm noted that staff will monitor the effectiveness of the beacons, and make alterations, if needed, perhaps adding some signage as stated in Option E. Traffic Engineer Vestry added that a beacon controlled intersection is approved in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) as a means to caution motorists of possible unsafe conditions. Mr. Vestry added that staff has trimmed back some trees that may have been hindering motorists' view. Vice-chair Anderson made a motion, seconded by Chair Christie, that staff move forward with their recommendation to install Options A and B, as stated above, at the intersection of Logan St. and Eastman Ave. and to notify City Council of ETAC's action. Brief discussion ensued regarding alterations to the plan, should it become necessary. Mr. Kahm commented that Option C would be considered if, in fact, speed was ultimately determined to be a major problem in this area. Option C includes installing radar speed signs on Logan St. Resident Theda Antolini inquired about installing a traffic signal that is only triggered by traffic on Eastman. Brief discussion ensued. Mr. Vestry reiterated his previous recommendation that the owner of the 2 • • • • van that parks on the northeast corner of Logan and Eastman trade parking spaces with her neighbor to the north so as not to block the sight triangle at that location . Timing for installation of the beacon control li g hts was discussed. Mr. Vestry advised that he will place the equipment order, and submit a request to Xce l Energy for power at that location, estimating it is possible that installation could take place following the upcoming holidays. Concern was noted by staff and ETAC Members regarding the possibility that residents, particularly on the four corners of this intersection, could be inconvenienced by the flashing beacon lights at night. Brief discussion ensued . Mr. Christie asked residents in attendance to speak with their neighbors regarding the plans that have been recommended for this stretch of Logan. Committee Member Kinton entered t he meeting at 7:08 p.m. Disc ussion was closed. Mr. Chr istie called for a vote of the previously stated motion. With Members Chris t ie, Anderson , and Goosman voting aye, the motion passed. Mr. Kinton abstai ned from the vote. On behalf of the Logan and Eastman residents, Mr. Stephenson thanked ETAC and staff for their efforts and recommendations to address the concerns of this neighborhood group. • Chair-C hr istie reviewed his draft descriptions of recent accomplishments that will be posted on ETAC's web page . Committee Members offered some insight regarding draft content. Mr. Christie will make revisions t o the draft and forward it to Secretary Wilks for editing. Mr. Christie suggested that, as time permits, staff proceed to post photographs discussed at the September ETAC meeting along with the revised draft of recent accomplishments. Recognizing that the web page will be an ongoing process, Mr. Christie stated t hat ETAC 's comments and ch anges can be taken into consideration along the way. • Traffic Engineer Vostry noted that speed checked by radar signs , as previously suggested by ETAC, were placed on Oxford Ave. one block ahead of each of the two radar speed signs that were installed between Broadway and Lipan St. New Business Council Liaison Tomasso was notified by a citizen of an incident that occurred recently at Galapago St. and Ke nyon Ave . where in a vehicl e d id not stop at the stop sign, and hitting a bicyclist. When the young bicyclist ran away, the driver moved the bike to the curb and then drove away. T he citizen reported that southbound motorists frequent ly coast through or run the stop sign and do not yield to children and pedestrians in the area. Mr. Tomasso suggested that the vacant lot on the east corner provides a w ide sight distance as motorists approac h t he intersection. Mr. Tomasso stated that the citizen asked that a flashing bea con light be installed at that intersection and requested adding enfo rcement duri ng certain hours of the day when ch ildren are walking to and from sch ool. Mr. Tomasso advised the citizen to speak with the ETAC group. To Vice-chair Anderson's inquiry, Traffic Engineer Vostry stated he will check on the prior accident history of this location. Director's Choice Di rector Kahm reported that CDOT's overlay project on Hwy. 285 is near completion. Mr . Kahm commented that the contractor was successful in not disturbing neighborhood residents with excessive noise 3 during nighttime construction, however, City staff prepared a two page punch list of items that was turned over to the contractor for correction. Brief discussion ensued. Chairperson's Choice Chair Christie welcomed back Committee Member Kinton. Committee Members' Choice • Council Liaison Tomasso advised that the City Council meeting on October 17th will be the last full meeting with the current Council before the November 1st election; a District meeting with Council is scheduled for October 24th at Maddox Elementary School. The new Council will be sworn in at the November 7th City Council meeting. • Committee Member Goosman asked for clarification of the locations for radar speed signs that were placed on Dartmouth Ave. for the traffic calming effort east of Downing. Traffic Engineer Vostry asked for permission from Denver to post the westbound sign in their jurisdiction, and was refused; therefore, both the eastbound and westbound radar speed signs are located within the Englewood city limits. • Vice-chair Anderson advised he received an inquiry from a resident as to what speed triggers the radar speed signs installed on Oxford Ave. Traffic Engineer Vostry stated that the device has been programmed to flash for speeds above 33 mph; the sign will go blank at speeds above 45 mph. Mr. Anderson suggested periodically programming some variety into the display that will renew the attention of motorists. Brief discussion ensued regarding radar detection devices. • Committee Member Kinton stated it is good to be back. Mr. Kinton commented that he has observed the sidewalks in the southwest part of Englewood do not have adequate width to accommodate either pedestrians or handicapped citizens, therefore people tend to walk in the street. Mr . Kinton inquired about residents joining together and providing funds to have new wider sidewalks installed. Director Kahm responded that, in a case like that, an improvement district would have to be established, and because of the high cost of construction, it most likely would not be possible for residents of the neighborhood to take on the expense. Mr. Kahm stated that Englewood's standard for the past 30-35 years provides 4 ft. wide walks; prior to that, the standard walk was 2 ft. 8 in. wide. Mr. Kahm elaborated that the Concrete Utility Program, developed in 1997, does not allow for replacement of walks with anything other than what currently exists. Using a rating system, the Concrete Utility Program will replace concrete that is off grade and broken. Mr. Kahm stated that all of the City's concrete infrastructure, i.e., sidewalk, curb and gutter, has a present day va lue of $40,000,000, and almost half of that is the 2 ft. 8 in. wide walk. Chair Christie noted that, to meet current ADA requirements, the City has been in the process, for a number of years, of installing ADA accessible ramps on all corners in the City. Mr. Kahm stated that the City has now installed approximately 60% of the required number of ADA accessible ramps, noting that, over the years, the federal government has changed the standard for these ramps a number of times. • • To Alternate Member Craft's inquiry, Director Kahm responded that, currently, a number of Englewood's • traffic lights are, in fact, energy saving LED (light emitted diode) lights. Funding for 2006 has been placed in 4 • • the Transportation System Account for upgrading signals as replacement becomes necessary and as long as funds are available. Traffic Engineer Vostry stated that all traffic signals on Hwy. 285, as well as nearly all signals on Broadway through Englewood, are LED modules. Mr. Craft asked about the procedure for receiving a voucher for noise disturbance during nighttime roadway construction. Mr. Kahm advised that the vouchers were available through the State during the Hwy. 285 overlay project. Follow-up Comments • Commander Sanchez stated he will initiate a special enforcement project at Galapago St. and Kenyon Ave. regarding motorists not heeding the stop sign, as reported earlier by Council Liaison Tomasso. • Director Kahm thanked ETAC Members for serving on ETAC and providing this forum for citizens to discuss their traffic concerns, and opined that citizens are more willing to accept recommendations made by committee members rather than staff. Brief discussion ensued regarding resolution of the Logan St. and Eastman Ave. concerns. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8: 10 p.m. Li nda Wilks, Recording Secretary 5 City of ·Englewood VISITOR SIGN-UP SHEET ENGLEWOOD TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE Regular Meeting, 6:30 p.m. October 13, 2005 Englewood Civic Center City Council Conference Room, 3rd Floor . ' 1 " --. ,_. ,, -• . NAME ADDRESS PHONE .. . . . .1Jnv/ . G->,~ Hi;N'l erJ 3'10 I ), lo b?1YJ 5o ], 1{, /, ') c,·~f.: ~CO:~~e)J /tldr.-c"' ]lo/ s LD5~ "J) 7(:; I -7°/~fo /Jio--J ,0 ;! //,. r-1i) , 6. I ,· . ~;9 1) I 3 . Lac A.') 3o3-JJJ J-7 ~1;>!'} '--> I 1'1 V"; MP Yv; MrH1 ::<:2..11 6 . { i"lrl,l3.Y1 s.-+ . "i..~".l....:1.>?.1 ...,<B-Z.O '-..._) 1 • •