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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-08-10 TAC MINUTES• City of Englewood, Colorado ENGLEWOOD TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING .. · Minutes of August 10, 2006 The regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Transportation Advisory Committee was called to order by Chair Anderson at 6:34 p.m. in the City Council Conference Room, City of Englewood Civic Center. Members Present: David Anderson, Chair Daryl Kinton Danielle Gregory Ray Tomasso, Council Liaison Rick Kahm, Director of Public Works, ex officio Members Absent: Betty Goosman , Vice-chair Mark Craft A quorum was present. Also Present: Approval of Minutes Ladd Vostry, Traffic Engineer Linda Wilks, Recording Secretary Commander Jeff Sanchez Chair Anderson announced that, with only two Members present this evening who attended the July meeting, approval of the July 13, 2006 minutes will be postponed until the September meeting. Public Comment • There were no visitors present. • Old Business Traffic Engineer Vostry distributed the results of follow up speed studies that were recently conducted on Oxford Ave., Logan St., and Quincy Ave . At ETAC's recommendation , City staff instigated traffic calming plans for these areas. Mr. Vostry reviewed speed data that was gathered prior to and following installation of traffic calming devices on Oxford Ave. between Broadway and Lipan St. Mr. Vostry noted that a significant reduction in speed, for both eastbound and westbound traffic, has occurred along this stretch of Oxford since traffic calming was implemented in 2005, adding, in particular, the effect caused by placement of the electronic speed signs. Director Kahm stated that, in the 400 block of W. Oxford , there was a 15.3% decrease in the s5 th percentile speed for eastbound traffic, and a 9.3% decrease for westbound. In the 1000 block of W. Oxford , there was a 12% decrease eastbound, and a 12.4% decrease westbound. Mr. Kahm stated he was very pleased to see that truck flow along Oxford has been reduced by 70% because of signage to restrict truck traffic that was placed in connection with this program. Mr. Vostry noted that speed data for electronic speed sign locations on Logan St. and on Quincy Ave . also indicated similar decreases in speed. Additionally, Mr. Vostry commented that he has been in contact with residents on both Dartmouth Ave. and Oxford Ave . who are happy with the results of the traffic calming efforts that were implemented on those roadways. 1 Mr. Kahm recommended that staff prepare a memorandum from ETAC to City Council advising them of the outcome of the Oxford Ave. speed studies as well as those for Logan St. and for Quincy Ave. Members concurred. To Chair Anderson's inquiry, Director Kahm stated that the medians on Oxford, which were installed as temporary fixtures pending the outcome of this pilot program, could, at some point, be overlaid with a patterned concrete to replace the existing asphalt. Mr. Kahm stated that staff has not heard any concerns from residents regarding the look of the medians, and added that, because of the City's current budget outlook, he would prefer recommending that funds be made available to reconfigure and extend the left turn pocket from westbound Oxford to southbound Cherokee. Brief discussion ensued regarding the City's budget for 2007. Mr. Kahm stated that staff requested $80,000 in the Capital Projects fund to cover expenses to lower the speed limit to 25 mph, as recommended by ETAC, but opined that the request may not be granted because of other, higher priority, Capital projects. Mr. Kahm noted that "seed" money in the amount of $10,000 has been requested in the Transportation Action Plan account to cover some ETAC incidentals, and there is possibly some funds in the Traffic budget that could be used for ETAC purposes, such as portable electronic speed signs. Brief discussion ensued regarding electronic speed signs that have been installed by other jurisdictions. To Committee Member Gregory's inquiry, Mr. Kahm advised that sidewalks, under the Sidewalk Missing Links Program, will be constructed on Dartmouth Ave., west of University, in September, 2006. This project has been tied in with the Concrete Utility sidewalk replacement project currently underway. Discussion ensued regarding consideration of future signage around parks and school playgrounds. Mr. Kahm advised that City Council inquired about a rectangular shaped yield to pedestrian crosswalk sign being considered for installation at the crosswalk on Hampden Ave. at Swedish Hospital. Traffic Engineer Vostry stated that wording on these signs refers directly to Colorado State Law. Mr. Vostry stated that, because the signs are intended for installation in the middle of a street, some jurisdictions actually remove the signs during nighttime hours because of the potential hazard they could create. However, because of the heavy pedestrian traffic crossing from the parking garage to the Swedish medical buildings, staff agrees this would be an ideal location for that type of signage. Additionally, Council also asked about placing these signs in school and park areas. Mr. Kahm noted that these signs cannot be placed at crosswalks where stop signs exist. Traffic engineering staff will look at areas, in addition to the Swedish Hospital location, that may benefit from this type of signage. New Business Council Liaison Tomasso commented that pedestrian traffic around the Walmart site seems somewhat confused because of the lack of signage and pavement markings for pedestrian crossing locations. Director Kahm advised that, because the site is private property, the City has no control over these issues, noting that when the business was constructed, the City recommended installing proper signage throughout their parking area. Walmart, however, preferred another strategy for managing pedestrian traffic. Discussion ensued. 2 • • • Director's Choice • Director Kahm reported that staff is working with the Englewood Merchants' planning committee in • preparation for the Englewood Days event on September gth. The City has committed to sweeping the Acoma St. and Lincoln St. parking lots, hanging two banners over Broadway, and resetting the pedestrian signals on Broadway at Hampden and Girard Avenues to activate automatically with every traffic cycle, which will slow traffic through this stretch of Broadway. Staff also proposed that the merchants and City share the cost of renting two variable message signs to be placed on Broadway, one northbound and one southbound, to advertise the Englewood Days event and also advertise a lower speed limit during the event; Mr. Kahm is awaiting word from the committee regarding this shared cost. Mr. Kahm noted that the City considered purchasing two variable message signs that could be used for this event as well as future City projects and programs, however the cost of $15,000 each has not been budgeted. Brief discussion ensued regarding inclusion of the Taste of Englewood in the Englewood Days event. • • • Regarding the Board and Commission Appreciation Night, scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on August 28 th , Committee Members Kinton, Anderson, and Gregory expressed their plans to attend. Chairperson's Choice Chair Anderson had no items for discussion. Committee Members' Choice • Committee Member Gregory inquired about responsibility for trees that block the view of street signs. Director Kahm explained that maintenance of vegetation from the property line to the middle of the roadway, according to City Ordinance, is the responsibility of the adjacent property owner. Because of the safety factor, however, when notified of trees that are blocking the view of street signs, Traffic Division staff · will contact the Parks Division to trim back the growth. To Ms. Gregory's observation, Traffic Engineer Vostry stated he will contact Denver regarding trees that are blocking a stop sign on westbound Dartmouth Ave. a couple of blocks west of University Blvd. Committee Member Gregory noted that she is not able to attend upcoming ETAC meetings in September and October. • Committee Member Kinton offered kudos to Traffic Engineer Vostry regarding his effort to work with RTD to solve the bus routing situation with Veolia Transportation Services (formerly Connex), located in the northwest quadrant of Englewood, as it affects Englewood and Denver residents in that area. Brief discussion ensued. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:23 p.m. Linda Wilks, Recording Secretary 3