The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2010-03-11 TAC MINUTES• • City of Englewood, Colorado ENGLEWOOD TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING Minutes of March 11, 2010 The regular bi-monthly meeting of the Englewood Transportation Advisory Committee was called to order by Chair Anderson at 6:32 p.m. in the City Council Conference Room, City of Englewood Civic Center. Roll Call. Present: David Anderson, Andy Berger, Danielle Gregory, Jennifer Jones (Not voting), Rick Kahm (Not voting). Absent: Daryl Kinton, James Weeks, Randy Penn. Also Present: Council Member Linda Olson Ladd Vostry, Traffic Engineer Linda Wilks, Recording Secretary Sergeant Mike O'Connor A quorum was present. Chair Anderson welcomed Council Member Linda Olson, who is sitting in as Council Liaison for Randy Penn. Mr. Anderson provided some history of the Committee and reviewed several of the projects that have been accomplished over the years. li?JI Approval of Minutes Chair Anderson acknowledged the February 1, 2010 email poll for approval of minutes for the meeting of January 14, 2010. The minutes were approved, as presented, by Committee Members Anderson, Berger, Gregory, and Kinton. ~ Public Comment There were no visitors present. ~-Old Business Chair Anderson advis.ed that Committee Member Kinton, unavailable for tonight's meeting, left word that his contact from the Planning Division of the University of Colorado Denver is no longer at the University, and he has not been able to arrange for a student study that could provide suggestions to create safe access for senior and disabled citizens. Council Member Olson stated that she is acquainted with a professor at DU who frequently deals with transportation issues in Denver; the gentleman just recently returned from sabbatical and, if he is the contact Mr. Kinton was referring to, perhaps he only thought he was no longer with DU. Council Member Olson offered to provide contact information if needed. Mr. Anderson noted that the study proposed by Mr. Kinton could help to pinpoint pedestrian problems around Englewood. • ~ New Business There were no items presented for discussion under New Business. ~ o· t ' Ch . . :-:. 1rec or s 01ce • Director Kahm discussed three proposed projects for which City staff, with Council approval, has applied for federal "earmark" funding: 1) replace all handicap ramps on Broadway from Floyd Ave. to the south city limit line, approximate cost $200,000; 2) establish a program through the Parks and Recreation Department to fight childhood obesity, approximate cost± $20,000; 3) design a "sense of place" for CityCenter Englewood, approximate cost $70,000. Should Englewood be chosen as a recipient, funding could be available as early as 2011. • Traffic Engineer Vostry reported that the railroad signal preemption project at the T-intersection at Dartmouth Ave. and Tejon St. is now complete. Mr. Vostry began making contacts in 1998 and applied for a federal grant to change the signal circuitry to provide a red light on Dartmouth when a train crosses. This project was not selected for funding at that time. In 2004, Mr. Vostry reapplied for funding through the state, and the project was selected; however, because of the state's budget concerns, the project was postponed several times until 2009. The state covered the $25,000 match, relieving the City of any cost. The project is now complete. When a train approaches Dartmouth Ave., the updated circuitry now sends a signal to the traffic signal control box to display a red traffic light for Dartmouth until the train passes . Mr. Vostry noted that this signal has been removed from the nighttime flashing signal schedule. • Mr. Vostry used aerial photos in his discussion regarding a citizen concern pertaining to visibility at the intersection of Dartmouth and Acoma St. Visibility is limited for both northbound and southbound motorists • because vehicles are parking too close to the corners along the south side of Dartmouth. Mr. Vostry noted • that, within the last six years, only one accident occurred at this location, in 2007. However, because visibility at this location is sometimes "awkward", staff has added no parking signs on Dartmouth to eliminate parking within approximately 30 feet from the crosswalk for eastbound Dartmouth vehicles and within 20 feet for westbound vehicles. Brief discussion ensued. Mr. Vostry stated that because of congestion, eastbound traffic on Dartmouth waiting for a green light to cross Broadway will occasionally queue as far west as Acoma St. Additionally, again because of the congestion, vehicles have difficulty pulling into and out of the 7-11 entrance on Dartmouth near Broadway which further interferes with eastbound traffic. Director Kahm noted that this type of congestion occurs only once or twice per week for short periods of time. The citizen was satisfied with staff's response. Discussion ensued. • Mr. Vostry reported that a resident recently questioned the efficiency of the speed sign on Quincy Ave. adjacent to Jason Park. As a result of this inquiry, a speed study was conducted which showed an 85th percentile speed of 33 mph with an average speed of 28 mph; Mr. Vostry noted that the average speed prior to installing the sign in 2003 was 37 mph. Sgt. O'Connor commented that police officers have spent a great deal of time monitoring the speed at this location, finding primarily normal speeds of 30-32 mph. ~-Ch . ' Ch . · ··=. a1rperson s 01ce • Chair Anderson inquired if there have been any concerns expressed about the speed sign located on Logan St. just south of Bates Ave. Traffic Engineer Vostry said that speed studies are conducted annually 2 • • • • and there have been no significant changes in speeds since the sign was installed in 2004. Sgt. O'Connor noted that this is another location where officers spend significant time monitoring the traffic . • Mr. Anderson asked about a series of police officer meetings with citizens that are now being regularly scheduled in Englewood. Sgt. O'Connor a.dvised the meetings are being called "Coffee with a Cop", held thus far at Starbucks and Mile High Coffee. Sgt. O'Connor said the meetings were set up for citizens to drop in and visit with police officers. The sessions provide a forum for good dialogue and a positive way for officers and citizens to interact. With regard to traffic issues that may come up at these meetings, Traffic Engineer Vostry commented that he and Sgt. O'Connor are frequently in contact over traffic concerns they observe or may hear about from each other or from citizens. • Mr. Anderson reminded Members that ETAC's bi-monthly meeting schedule can be changed to accommodate more urgent situations that may come up. • Mr. Anderson inquired about traffic concerns that are brought directly to City Council meetings rather than through ETAC. Director Kahm explained that when Council Requests, resulting from direct citizen inquiries to Council, are forwarded to individual departments, staff is obligated to investigate, resolve those issues as soon as possible and respond back to City Council. Mr. Vostry added that, if the matter is not easily resolved, however, it will be presented to ETAC for discussion. lf1J Committee Members' Choice • Council Member Olson thanked ETAC Members for serving on the committee . • Committee Member Berger observed a sight obstruction for westbound motorists on Mansfield Ave. because of vehicles on Windermere parking too close to the T intersection; additionally, views could be obstructed by buildings built too close to the sidewalk. Mr. Vostry said this area is congested with business parking as well as parking from light rail customers; staff monitors this location frequently and unfortunately, short of installing no parking signs, there are no solutions to this problem. Mr. Vostry noted that installing no parking signs would only disburse parking into other areas. ~ Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:16 p.m. Linda Wilks, Recording Secretary 3