HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-11-10 TAC MINUTESCity of Englewood, Colorado
ENGLEWOOD TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
Minutes of November 10, 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 Chr istie
Betty Goosman
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 : Linda Wilks, Recording Secretary
Jerry Lancaste r, GIS Analyst
Eri k Lutz , Police Officer
See attached sign-in sheet
Approval of Minutes
Cha ir Christie asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of October 13, 2005.
There be ing none , a motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes as presented. With all
Members present voting aye, the motion passed.
Public Comment
Denver residents, Clare Harris, 2695 W. Dartmouth Ave., and Floyd Fernandez, 2885 S. Zuni St., were
present to express concerns regarding the high number of busses traveling Zuni St. to and from an RTD
maintenance facility, operated by Connex, that is located in Englewood near Yale Ave. and Tejon St. Ms .
Harris serves as the president of the Co ll ege View Neighborhood Assoc iation. Englewood's city lim it li ne falls
in the middle of Zuni St., with the west half of the roadway situated in the City and County of Denver. Ms.
Harris stated that there are 24 homes o n t he Denver side of Zuni St. south of Yale Ave. that are affected by
t he d iesel fumes and noise of these busses. Approximately 50 busses travel this stretch of Zuni St. between
4:00 and 6 :00 a.m. Mr. Fernandez added that the number of busses has increased since the fac ility opened
a year ago, and busses occasionally stop in front of the houses to adjust wind ows and mirrors, and to warm
up in the mornings. The neighborhood group suggests the bus route be changed to Tejon St. or possibly
Vallejo St. Ms. Harris stated that her neighborhood group has discussed the problem with the ir Denver
Counc il representative, but since the fac ility is located in Englewood, their hands are tied.
Director Kahm adv ised that the current industrial zoning of the ne ighborhood allows the maintenance
fac ility to occupy and operate at that location. Mr. Kahm stated that Traffic Engineer Vostry worked with
Connex to develop a workable routing pattern. The route along Zuni St. provides a direct line to Hampden
Ave. To Ms. Harris' suggestion that the route be changed to Tejon St., Mr. Kahm adv ised that intersections
would have to be rebuilt to accommodate those vehicles. Mr. Kahm noted that this company, Connex, has
the right to use dedicated public right-of-way. Ms. Harris reiterated that residents' main concern is the time
frame of 4-6:00 a.m. because of the noise. Discussion ensued regarding rerouting busses to Tejon, and
staff's concern with busses backing up traffic on Dartmouth when they turn west to pick up southbound
Zuni.
Mr. Kahm advised that the Englewood City Manager's office has been working with Denver's Council on
this issue for several months, and he will follow up on the status with Deputy City Manager Flaherty.
Ms. Harris reiterated the extreme hardship this large number of busses has cast upon the residents
living along this stretch of Zuni St., particularly during the early morning hours, and stated it is their hope
that Englewood will work with them, their Denver neighbors, to come up with a solution. Ms. Harris said the
neighborhood group is holding a meeting on November 22nd at the College View Recreation Center, 2525 S.
Decatur St. at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Kahm commented that he believes Traffic Engineer Vestry will be attending
that meeting. Discussion ensued.
To Alternate Member Craft's inquiry, Mr. Kahm stated that, to comply with DRCOG's air quality
standards, older busses and other large pieces of equipment can be retrofitted with heating elements to
eliminate the extended warming up, or idling, period required by these older vehicles. He noted that
Englewood has added the heating equipment to its older fleet.
Old Business
• Chair Christie distributed copies of a draft description of recent accomplishments that will be added to
ETAC's web page. GIS Analyst Lancaster advised that he and Recording Secretary Wilks will work together
to create the web page, and include pictures previously reviewed and designated by ETAC. Ms. Wilks will
then continue to maintain the site once it is created. Council Member Tomasso suggested inserting a
paraphrase of Tom Munds' Englewood Herald article regarding safety improvements that will be installed at
Logan and Eastman. Mr. Christie stated he will email the draft description of recent accomplishments to
ETAC Members for review, and using Tom Munds' article, will also prepare a paraphrased description of the
Logan/Eastman project. Staff will prepare a mock up of the web site for ETAC's review prior to placing it on
the web page.
• Discussion regarding Logan and Eastman traffic calming was moved from Director's Choice and placed
under Old Business on the agenda.
Director Kahm reported that, as previously discussed with Logan and Eastman residents, work is
underway to install overhead flashing beacons at that intersection. Installation of poles for the beacons is
expected by November 15th, span wire installed by November 22nd, and beacons installed by December 9th.
Weather permitting, the parking lane painting is expected to take place next week. Vice-chair Anderson
asked which blocks will receive the parking lane painting. Mr. Kahm said he will check with Traffic Engineer
Vostry, but believes that the two blocks between Dartmouth and Floyd will be painted. Chair Christie opined
that Tom Munds' article regarding this project was well stated. Mr. Christie also noted his appreciation for
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staff's quick response to citizens' concerns on this matter. Discussion ensued regarding service extended by
Xcel Energy.
• With regard to citizen traffic concerns at Galapago St. and Kenyon Ave. that were expressed through
Council Liaison Tomasso, Officer Lutz advised that an extra patrol was conducted in that area as well as
police presence at least once per shift for a number of days. Director Kahm noted the five year accident
history of this location: O accidents in 2000, O accidents in 2001, 1 accident in 2002, O accidents in 2003, 2
accidents in 2004, and 1 accident thus far in 2005. Mr. Tomasso stated he has received no further contact
from the citizen who initially approached him regarding this traffic concern.
New Business
Chair Christie advised that he ultimately received a written resignation from Committee Member Regi
Maclaren, dated October 26, 2005. It was noted that a memorandum from ETAC to City Council has been
prepared requesting that Council accept the resignation , and additionally that Alternate Member Craft be
appointed to fill that vacancy. Further, it was noted that staff will prepare a Council Communication to
address the appointment of Mr. Craft.
Director's Choice
• Director Kahm reported that CDOT's Hwy. 285 overlay project is now complete. At the request of
Traffic Engineer Vostry, CDOT's contractor replaced the majority of their street markings that were
unsatisfactory.
• Director Kahm commented that he is pleased that this Committee was formed because of the
convenience this forum provides citizens for expressing their traffic concerns.
Chairperson's Choice
Chair Christie had no concerns or comments to bring forward.
Committee Members' Choice
• Vice-chair Anderson asked that ETAC Members be advised when the Committee and Committee's
projects are scheduled for discussion at Council study sessions, so that Members could attend in a show of
support.
Mr. Anderson commented on the quality of the Douglas County article regarding traffic calming that
was distributed at a recent ETAC meeting, and requested that a copy be included in new member packets.
Mr. Anderson suggested that staff and members make note of feedback and comments received, either
formally or informally, that pertain to ETAC and ETAC projects so that they can be considered when project
eva luations are made. Mr. Kahm stated that comments from City Council are turned into short term
requests that are forwarded to staff for response. Brief discussion ensued regarding the Oxford Ave. traffic
calming project, i.e., cars stacking in the left turn lane at Cherokee, reduction in truck traffic, ticketing and
fines for speeding in school zones, etc.
• To Alternate Member Craft's inquiry, Director Kahm explained that a crosspan is an 8 ft. wide concrete
pan that carries storm water across intersections.
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• Committee Member Goosman inquired whether or not it is legal for a large truck to park on a
residential street without the "tractor" attached, referring specifically to one that is parked near the
apartments on Lafayette St. and Girard Ave. Director Kahm indicated he will look into it.
• Council Liaison Tomasso commented that Greenwood Village is installing red light cameras at two
locations in their jurisdiction. Director Kahm noted that Englewood has installed a "tattle tale light" on the
back side of the eastbound and westbound signals at Hwy. 285 and Galapago St. Officer Lutz explained that
the tattle tale light turns blue the instant a signal turns red , allowing a police officer to detect motorists that
are behind the crosswalk when the light turns red but proceed through the intersection. Staff is considering
installing a tattle tale light at the Dartmouth Ave. and Santa Fe intersection, as well. Brief discussion ensued
regarding motorists running the red arrows on Dartmouth at Santa Fe.
To Alternate Member Craft's inquiry, Mr. Kahm explained that the cameras at the Delaware and Hwy.
285 intersection are motion detectors, which replace the motion detector loops that were previously inserted
under the pavement at intersections.
Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:59 p.m.
Linda Wilks('-Recording Secretary
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City of Englewood
VISITOR SIGN-UP SHEET
ENGLEWOOD TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITIEE
Regular Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
November 10, 2005
Englewood Civic Center
City Council Conference Room, 3rd Floor
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