Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-03-08 TAC MINUTES• City of Englewood, Colorado ENGLEWOOD TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING Minutes of March 8, 2007 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 Mark Craft Danielle Gregory Daryl Kinton James Weeks, Alternate Member Ray Tomasso, Council Liaison Rick Kahm, Director of Public Works, ex officio Members Absent: Andy Berger A quorum was present. Also Present: Ladd Vostry, Traffic Engineer Linda Wilks, Recording Secretary Sergeant Mark McKay Approval of Minutes Chair Anderson asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of February 8, 2007. There being none, a motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes as presented. With Members • Anderson, Craft, and Gregory voting aye, the motion passed. Committee Member Kinton abstained. • Public Comment There were no visitors present. Old Business There were no items presented under Old Business. New Business There were no items presented under New Business. Director's Choice • Director Kahm updated Committee Members on Englewood's snow removal efforts. Mr. Kahm stated that street crews are currently melting snow that had been stored at parking lots of various Englewood parks. Englewood rented a snow melting machine for a period of 15 days. Mr. Kahm stated that measures have been taken at the Belleview Park and Brent Mayne ball field parking lots to filter the water from melting snow that runs into the creeks and the South Platte River. Other parking lots, i.e., the Pirates Cove and Centennial Park lots, contain a Clean Water Facility that was built into the parking lot to filter the water. Mr. Kahm advised that FEMA will be reimbursing the City for a portion of costs expended during a 48 hour period of the initial storm; a check in the amount of $34,000 is expected from FEMA . Mr . Kahm stated that, on April 2nd, he will present City Council with an update of the City's costs for 1 snow removal since the initial storm hit on December 20th. To date, it is estimated that City costs are in the neighborhood of $700,000, which is about $500,000 above the normal annual snow removal budget. Mr. Kahm commented that Englewood has fared fairly well, in comparison to other metro cities, with regard to potholes that have resulted from these storms. An inventory of the Englewood streets system is currently being taken to determine the extent of road damage. Chair Anderson inquired about the melter that Englewood is using to reduce the snow stored at these various park locations. Mr. Kahm stated that the melter was brought in to relieve the build up of snow stored in parking lots at Belleview Park and Brent Mayne ball field. Three-yard loaders are being used to load snow into the heating element, which uses hot water to melt the snow. Sand and salt are filtered to the bottom of the unit, requiring periodic cleaning. The melter can be used for a 10 hour day with only one cleaning. Environmental precautions were taken to prevent contamination from the melted snow from running into the river. Alternate Member Weeks inquired about applying leasing payments towards purchasing the melting equipment. Mr. Kahm stated he believes, for cost effectiveness, it would be prudent to install a permanent fixture on-site, probably at CityCenter. To Committee Member Craft's inquiry, Mr. Kahm advised that the melter uses the new, clean, diesel fuel. Mr. Kahm stated that staff is considering contracting, for a nominal annual fee, with heavy equipment contractors so that, in the event of future major storms, the City would have first call on that contractor's equipment. Mr. Kahm noted that the Public Works Department is looking at ways to better handle future major snow events. Staff is preparing a web page that will describe the City's snow operation, and answer questions that may be asked by citizens. Additionally, there are plans to purchase two additional v-plows so that crews can cover more residential streets before motorists compact the snow, which should alleviate the build up of ice and ruts . A snow telephone line has also been identified, as well as a pothole line. Chair Anderson inquired about sidewalks being cleared for pedestrians. Mr. Kahm recognized citizens' inability to shovel the depth of snow that we've experienced since December 20, 2007. Mr. Kahm opined that residents do the best they can under these extenuating circumstances; the City was somewhat lenient in issuing citations under these conditions. Mr. Kahm discussed a situation created by the plowing efforts of the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), resulting in burying sidewalks along state highways with snow and ice; by ordinance, adjacent property owners are required to clear the sidewalks, and Mr. Kahm opined that CDOT's efforts put these property owners at an unfair disadvantage. There was brief discussion regarding pot holes, damage from numerous storm related water main breaks, bus stops and handicap ramps not being cleared, etc. Chair Anderson suggested there may be a value in coordinating "Good Samaritan" groups, i.e. church groups, good neighbors, etc. that would like to help their neighborhoods during severe weather conditions. Brief discussion ensued. Mr. Kahm summarized that there were some lessons learned during this series of storms regarding preparations that can be made to better handle future severe weather storms similar to those we've experienced this season. 2 • • • • • • • Traffic Engineer Vostry advised that the blue light angle adjustment, at Dartmouth and Santa Fe, has not yet been made. The process for arranging the adjustment requires several steps. Mr. Vostry stated he will keep Members apprised . • Traffic Engineer Vostry stated that the flashing no left turn signal for westbound Floyd Ave. at Broadway has been received. However, after installation, it was apparent that the sign did not provide the benefit expected, and, therefore, it was removed and returned to the manufacturer. Additionally, it was noted that this sign was not approved by the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). Mr . Vostry noted that following MUTCD guidelines reduces the chance of liability for the City. Mr. Vostry displayed copies of some pictures that were taken of the sign as it was being installed, illustrating that the sign 's visibility was unsatisfactory. Mr . Vostry contacted the manufacturer with specifications that are needed for this location, adding that he will look elsewhere if this manufacturer is unable to provide the product we need. Brief discussion ensued . Chairperson's Choice Chair Anderson reiterated that a tour, for ETAC members, of the traffic control room is scheduled to take place during the April ETAC meeting. Director Kahm noted that, during the entire series of storms, there was only one traffic equipment incident, which involved a pedestrian signal wire that shorted out because water from melting snow got inside the fixture. Committee Members' Choice • • Council Liaison Tomasso noted his recent experience with photo-radar while driving in Denver . Alternate Member Weeks inquired about efforts being made to sweep up the sand deposited on the streets following each storm. Director Kahm stated that, once the streets began showing dry pavement, the City's three street sweepers were mobile, sweeping the City section by section. City crews deposited 1600 or 1700 tons of sand during the eight weeks of storms. • Committee Member Craft stated he has observed, and left phone messages for Mr. Vostry, that, after 9:00 p.m ., the traffic light at Floyd Ave. and Broadway has been out of sync, cycling every 40 seconds although there are no vehicles present to "trip" the signal; the countdown pedestrian signal is also affected. Traffic Engineer Vostry stated that, following Mr. Craft's phone messages, he checked the controller log and found nothing to indicate a malfunction; however, he stated he will look into it further. Mr. Craft noted staff from the Spicy Pickle, in pickle costumes, in front of the establishment at Floyd Ave. and Broadway during the long lunch hour (approx. 11 a.m . to 2 p.m.). Their intent is to attract customers, but, instead, they cause a distraction for motorists. Sergeant McKay stated he will check into it with Code Enforcement. • Sergeant McKay advised that police officers have stopped a number of dump trucks hauling debris from the Englewood Golf Course redevelopment project and using Oxford Ave. as a cut through to their dump site. Director Kahm stated the general contractor has a Contractor's Plan of Operation, approved by the State Health Department, stipulating that these transfers would be made via Santa Fe Drive and/or S.H. 285 . Mr . Kahm stated he will address this issue at the next weekly construction meeting . If necessary, staff is 3 prepared to change signage on Oxford Ave. that would prohibit truck traffic for the duration of this project. Brief discussion ensued regarding weight requirements, and trucks with uncovered beds. Officer McKay noted that citations have been issued, recently, when trucks returning to that project have been detected speeding on S.H. 285. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:53 p.m. Linda Wilks, Recording Secretary 4 • • •