Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-02-10 TAC MINUTES• City of Englewood, Colorado ENGLEWOOD TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING Minutes of February 10, 2005 Chair Christie observed that a quorum was not present for this evening's meeting, prohibiting formal action, however, requested that agenda items be reviewed on an informational basis only. The regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Transportation Advisory Committee was called to order by Chair Christie at 7: 15 p.m. in the City Counc il Conference Room at the City of Englewood Civic Center. Members Present: Joe Christie Betty Goosman Ray Tomasso, Council Liaison Rick Kahm, Director of Public Works, ex officio Members Absent: David Anderson Daryl Kinton Regi Maclaren Also Present: Ladd Vestry, Traffic Engineer Linda Wilks, Recording Secretary Officer Erik Lutz Bob Fearns, Muller Engineering Approval of Minutes • Act ion to approve the minutes of January 13, 2005 will be taken at the March 10th, ETAC meeting. Public Comment There were no vis itors in attendance. Director's Choice Director Kahm noted that Committee Memb er Goosman, although not yet present, is expected to arrive shortly, and asked that items for Director's Choice be brought forward for discussion prior to Old Business to give Ms. Goosman the benefit of hearing Design Engineer Fearn's update regarding Oxford Ave. traffic calming . Chair Chr istie concurred. • Mr . Kahm noted that Xcel Energy has contacted our Streets Manager asking for design information pertain ing to the street light to be installed on Navajo St. just south of Oxford Ave. It is estimated that Xcel will have the light ins t alled in about six to eight weeks. • Mr. Kahm advised that staff is meeting with City Council on Monday night for an update on the RTD FasTracks program, which will include the pedestrian tunnel planned for construction under Santa Fe Drive to provide light rail patrons access to additional parking on the west side of Santa Fe. Mr. Kahm stated that RTD is using the City's feasibility study, aerial and topo maps to facilitate the design of the structure, and opined that RTD should be able to move forward with this particular construction in a relatively short period • of time. Mr. Kahm commented it is his understanding that RTD is working on five alternative alignments for the tunnel, focusing primarily on an alignment that would take pedestrians to the base of the light rail ramp .. --·-· •.· . :< .... ·.:. ·.·.·.:·~-;.·.·. ·-·-.·.·-·-:·:·,; -.·. ·. -• . .. .· .·.·. . . on the east side of Santa Fe, and to the current site of the drive-in theater on the west side. Mr. Kahm stated they will learn more at the City Council meeting on Monday evening. • With regard to the Big Dry Creek Trail connection at Pirate's Cove, Mr. Kahm noted that the current slope of the proposed connection does not meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. Staff will pursue that design issue in the near future. • With regard to traffic accidents that have occurred on Broadway at Centennial Ave., Director Kahm advised that Traffic Engineer Vestry determined the signal timing at Belleview has caused northbound traffic to queue back through the Centennial Ave. intersection. Mr. Vestry contacted the City of Littleton to coordinate timing on Broadway to help alleviate the accident potential for southbound vehicles turning left onto Centennial Ave. The accidents occur when backed up northbound vehicles wave the southbound left turning vehicles through onto Centennial Ave., which then get hit by vehicles in the outside free moving lane. Mr. Kahm stated that should a timing change not alleviate the queuing problem as expected, staff will consider installing an exclusive left turn arrow that operates only during the peak rush hours. Mr. Kahm stated that some custom work would be required to make this function operational. Mr. Kahm noted that Burt Chevrolet plans to reconfigure the showroom and some of the parking area at Broadway and Centennial , which will also greatly improve traffic movement through the intersection . • Director Kahm reported that the intergovernmental agreement with CDOT for a traffic control upgrade on the Hampden Ave . corr idor near Logan St. has now been signed . Mr. Kahm stated he will adv ise of new developments regarding that project as they become available. Old Business • Director Kahm noted that, on Dartmouth Ave., the share the road signs, as well as the parking only signs, have been installed and bagged until the wh ite parking lane lines can be installed later t his month. It is ex pected that the variab le speed limit signs will be installed with in 3 to 4 weeks, with power for the signs to be installed by Xcel Energy probably in late March or early April. Dartmouth residents have been notified of the schedule for these installations. Bob Fearns, from Muller Engineering , presented diagrams show ing Comm ittee's plan for traffic calming on Oxford Ave . between Broadway and Lipan St. Mr. Kahm noted that Traffic Engineer Vestry contacted residents on Oxford Ave. whose properties may be affected by the proposed traffic calming devices, receiving favorable results from those contacts. Mr. Vestry noted that the resident on the northwest corner of Bannock St. and Oxford Ave. inquired if the size of the adjacent island could be adjusted so that he can park two vehicles in front of his property. Mr. Fearns indicated he will look into that change. To Chair Christie 's inquiry, Mr. Vestry stated that the resident on the southeast corner of Jason St. and Oxford Ave. will be somewhat affected by the center island at the pedestr ian signalized crossing, but, after several attempts, he was, unfortunately, not able to make contact with that property owner. • • Committee Member Goosman entered the meeting at 7:32 p.m. Mr. Fearns estimated that the Oxford Ave. pilot program medians can be installed for approximately • $12,000. This figure does not include costs for signing and striping; City staff will make those installations. 2 • • Mr. Kahm reiterated plans for a public information meeting to be held on March 10th so residents in that neighborhood can learn about the traffic calming effort planned for Oxford Ave. Discussion ensued regarding scheduling for ETAC's meeting with City Council on February 22nd. Mr. Kahm asked Secretary Wilks to draft a memorandum to City Council advising them of ETAC's plan to meet with them and topics to be discussed. Council Member Tomasso suggested that providing an aerial map showing the traffic calming measures planned for the Dartmouth Ave. roadway would be helpful to Council. Discussion ensued regarding revision of the construction/meeting schedule, the area of notification to residents for the Oxford Ave. public meeting, and the format for that meeting, i.e., presentation vs. open house. • Member term limits were briefly discussed as well as increasing the number of members from five to seven. Secretary Wilks was advised by the City Attorney's office that a quorum is based on the number of membership positions, not only those filled, i.e., the quorum of a seven member committee would be four, even when only five positions are filled. Chair Christie indicated he will email Committee Members asking them to confirm that February 22nd is convenient for them to meet with City Council, and also reiterate to those not present this evening that items to be discussed at that time will include proposed traffic calming on Oxford Ave. and on Dartmouth Ave., along with ETAC terms, and suggesting perhaps re-evaluating the need for an increase in membership. New Business Election of officers will take place at the March ETAC meeting. Chairperson's Choice Chair Christie had no items for discussion. Committee Members' Choice • Committee Member Goosman commented on the unusual graphic, depicting a bicyclist, that has been placed on the pavement of Dartmouth Ave. at several points between University and Colorado Blvds. • Council Member Tomasso noted a proposal that had been made to Old Town Englewood to hold a one mile race on Broadway on the 4th of July, closing Broadway. To Mr. Tomasso's inquiry, Officer Lutz stated that Traffic Patrol is now fully staffed with four full time patrol officers, three of them on motorcycles and one on vehicle patrol. Officer Lutz added that, with current leases expiring in July, preparations are being made to order their next fleet of three new Harley motorcycles with ABS brakes; one cycle is routinely held back as a reserve, for a total of four cycles. Mr. Tomasso commented that City Council approved the funding agreement to use Capital Equipment Replacement Fund (CERF) money to purchase thirteen new police vehicles; two of the older model cars will be held over for reserve vehicles. Adjournment • There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Cf~ct~/u)ll£xt Linda Wilks, Recording Secretary 3