Session 09-01 a meeting of the Transportation Advisory Committee was called to order by Chair Marquardt at 5:37 p.m. on January 20, 2009 at the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

 

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:            Haina, Marquardt, Roberts, Smith, Velsko                              

 

STAFF:                                     Public Works Director Meyer

Deputy City Clerk Jacobsen

 

AGENDA APPROVAL

 

The agenda was approved by consensus of the Committee.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

 

There were no public comments.

 

RECONSIDERATION

 

There were no items for reconsideration.

 

SYNOPSIS APPROVAL

 

A.                 Meeting Synopsis from October 21, 2008  

 

The synopsis was approved by consensus of the Committee.

 

VISITORS

 

There were no presentations scheduled.

 

STAFF & COUNCIL REPORT/COMMITTEE REPORT/BOROUGH REPORTS

 

There were no reports.

 

PUBLIC HEARING

 

There were no public hearings scheduled.

 

PENDING BUSINESS

 

A.         HART Policy Review

 

The Committee discussed using HART funds as matching funds for State projects. It was noted that the food tax issue will cause HART funds to diminish. Point was raised that it could be a way to get more mileage out of the funds the City has.

 

They revisited their previous recommendation from the July 15, 2008 meeting to change the split on the LID payments to an 80% city 20% property owner split. There were no further amendments recommended.

 

There was discussion regarding deferred assessments and how they are currently handled by the City.

 

ROBERTS/SMITH MOVED THAT THE COMMITTEE RECOMMEND A THIRD VOTING OPTION FOR LID PROCESS, A NON OBJECTION TO LID, WHICH WOULD IMPLY THAT YOU WOULDN’T BE SUBJECT TO THE FEE UNTIL YOU SELL OR DEVELOP YOUR LOT.

 

It was noted that there are a lot of good arguments against it but this could eliminate one of the big hurdles that the City has in getting LID processes going. It would be helpful to have statistics to show examples of what it will cost the City to defer x number of lots, something to show that the fiscal issues aren’t huge.

 

The Committee discussed options for dealing with the interest rate and how it would apply to the cost when it is deferred. It was noted that it would not apply to a lot that has a dwelling on it. It was further noted that in the event a property owner dies and the property passes on to the next generation, it would be transferred and the assessment would be due.

 

SMITH/ROBERTS MOVED TO AMEND TO ADD “OR SOLD OR TRANSFERS” TO THE LAST PARAGRAPH.

 

VOTE: (Primary Amendment): NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT

 

Motion carried.

 

It was clarified that intent is for the statement to read as follows:

 

Recommend a third voting option for the LID process, a non objection to the LID, which would defer an assessment on an undeveloped lot with interest accruing on that assessment at the same rate of the other property owners within the LID. That deferred assessment will terminate at the point that the property is sold, developed, or title is transferred.

 

VOTE: (Main motion as amended): NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT

 

Motion carried.

 

Public Works Director Meyer suggested recommending some language that the City’s cost of informing property owners about the HART program before or during the creation of a road LID be eligible for reimbursement from the HART fund. He said it would encourage the City to do education.

 

They agreed that the funding for education should come out of the HART budget.

 

SMITH/ROBERTS MOVED ADD THAT LANGUAGE.

 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT

Motion carried.

 

Concerned was raised regarding deferring the assessment when there are only a few empty lots on a road. There was discussion that in the past as LID’s came through it resulted in subdivision of larger lots to smaller lots and increased density.

 

NEW BUSINESS

           

A.         Pedestrian Crossing/Trail Alignment as Part of East End Road Rehabilitation Project

 

Public Works Director Meyer gave an overview of the Rehabilitation Project. The following points were raised:

·         Have the pedestrian crossing on the east side of Kachemak Drive to eliminate the Kachemak Drive traffic that is headed back to the west and eliminate a second crossing of Kachemak Drive.

·         Pedestrian crossing warning lights should be put in place.

·         Consideration should be given to an underpass or overpass as the traffic is accelerating in that area.

 

B.         Trails Design Criteria Manual 95% Design

 

The Committee had brief discussion regarding the 95% design. They agreed that the Forrest Service Criteria is the best way to go for this manual and they had no recommendations other than to move it forward.

 

The Committee agreed to move the next two agenda items to the February agenda. There was brief discussion about looking at the Anchorage design criteria manual.

 

C.         Draft Comprehensive Plan Review, Chapter 5

 

D.         Review of Chapter 11, Design Criteria Manual, and Standard Construction Specifications

 

INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS

 

There were no informational materials included.

 

AUDIENCE COMMENTS

 

There were no audience comments.

 

STAFF COMMENTS

 

There were no staff comments.

 

COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS

 

Councilmember Roberts had no comment.

 

CHAIR COMMENTS

 

Chair Marquardt commented that it was a good meeting. He welcomed Mr. Haina.

 

COMMITTEE COMMENTS

 

There were no committee member comments.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further business to come before the Committee the meeting adjourned at 7:11 pm. The next Regular Meeting is scheduled for February 17, 2009 at 5:30 pm in the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers.

 

 

                                                                                   

MELISSA JACOBSEN, CMC, DEPUTY CITY CLERK

 

Approved: