Session 09-05, a meeting of the Transportation Advisory Committee was called to order by Chair Marquardt at 5:35 p.m. on August 18, 2009 at the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

 

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:        Haina, Marquardt, Roberts, Velsko

 

ABSENT:                           Smith

 

STAFF:                                       Public Works Director Meyer

                                      Deputy City Clerk Jacobsen

 

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

 

The agenda was approved by consensus of the Committee.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

 

There were no public comments

 

RECONSIDERATION

 

There were no items for reconsideration

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

A.           Regular Meeting Synopsis of July 21, 2009                                      

 

The synopsis was approved as presented by consensus of the Commission.

                                                 

VISITORS

 

There were no visitors

           

STAFF & COUNCIL REPORT/COMMITTEE REPORTS/BOROUGH REPORTS

 

There were no reports

 

PUBLIC HEARING     

 

There were no public hearings scheduled

 

PENDING BUSINESS                                                                    

 

There was no pending business

                                                 

NEW BUSINESS       

         

A.           Quarterly Meeting Schedule

Councilmember Roberts commented that there is a Resolution coming forward at the next Council meeting addressing meeting schedule changes for Commissions and Committees.

 

The Committee members agreed that this is a good idea and the schedule noted in the memorandum included in the packet is acceptable; the recommended schedule being 5:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of February, May, August, and November.  It was noted that if there is a project that needs their attention, a special meeting could be called. There won’t be a lot of discretionary funds this budget, so this is probably a good idea.

 

ROBERTS/HAINA MOVED TO SEND A MEMORANDUM TO CITY COUNCIL THAT THEY SUPPORT A QUARTERLY MEETING SCHEDULE AS PROPOSED IN THE MEMO.

 

It was noted that Councilmember Roberts could mention their support in her report.

 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

B.           Public Information for Road Improvement Process

 

The Committee discussed that there would probably be more incentive for LID’s if the arterials were paved. It would be a smart move as there would be less maintenance costs overall for the City, and paving main roads should be a function of the City.

 

Further discussion included verbiage for the news letter and felt it would be best to keep the statement short and include specific facts, dollar figures, and that neighbors working together can make it happen. It was suggested that if there were a database of the gravel road, perhaps information could be mailed to property owners with specifics about how the LID process works. Another suggestion was having a list of Frequently Asked Questions on the internet.

 

The Commission agreed on the following language for the Question of the Week:

 

Are you aware the City of Homer will pay up to 75% of road improvements should you and your neighbors form a Local Improvement District (LID)? Would you participate? Why or Why not?

 

Concern was raised whether funding is available for road improvements with the City’s budget shaping up the way it is. It was noted that there are HART funds and discussion ensued on road costs.

 

INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS

 

A.           Resolution 09-87, A Resolution of the City Council of Homer, Alaska, Requesting that the Kenai Peninsula Borough Share a Portion of the $16 Million it Recently with the Cities Located within the Borough.

 

There was brief discussion about this resolution. It was noted that City Manager Wrede was attending a Borough meeting when this would be discussed.

                                                                  

COMMENTS OF THE AUDIENCE

 

There were no audience comments.

 

COMMENTS OF THE STAFF

 

Public Works Director Meyer reported that they are set to pave Freight Dock Road. He said they are grinding and repaving Soundview, Mountainview, Svedlund, and Herndon. There was discussion of the Reber Trail and the parking. It was noted in the July 21 minutes there was reference made to parking being developed at the bottom of the Reber Trail, but that is not the case and the parking was probably in reference to the base of the spit.

 

Discussion ensued regarding the Spit Comprehensive Plan sessions that were held out on the spit. The Committee agreed that they would like to see the results of the parking study.

 

COMMENTS OF THE COUNCILMEMBER

 

Councilmember Roberts said she is glad they are going to quarterly meetings. She thinks the will continue to be effective, but they need to keep track of what they want to do. She noted that the project of looking at the design manuals and code and coordinating them so they make better sense hasn’t been on the agenda. She doesn’t want to lose track of that and wants to make sure it stays on the back burner.

 

COMMENTS OF THE CHAIR

 

Chair Marquardt commented that he is glad they are going to a quarterly meeting schedule. He thanked everyone for coming.

 

COMMENTS OF THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS

 

There were no Committee member comments.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further business to come before the Committee the meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m. The next Regular Meeting is scheduled for September 15, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. at the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers.

 

 

                                                        

MELISSA JACOBSEN, CMC, DEPUTY CITY CLERK

 

Approved: