Session 08-26 a Special Meeting of the Homer City Council was called to order on September 22, 2008 at 5:45 p.m. by Mayor Pro Tempore Dennis Novak at the Homer City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska, and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

PRESENT:     COUNCILMEMBERS:        HEIMBUCH, HOWARD, NOVAK,                                                                         ROBERTS, SHADLE, WYTHE

                        

                        STAFF:                                 CITY MANAGER WREDE

                                                                        CITY CLERK JOHNSON

 

Council met as a Committee of the Whole from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Agenda items were: 2009-2014 Capital Improvement Plan and FY 2010 Legislative Requests, Resolution 08-97, A Resolution of the Homer City Council to Include a Disc Golf Course at Jack Gist Park and Regular Meeting Agenda items.

 

Mayor Hornaday was absent from the meeting.

                                                                       

AGENDA APPROVAL (Only those matters on the noticed agenda may be considered, pursuant to City Council’s Operating Manual, pg. 5)

 

The agenda was approved by consensus of the Council.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

A.                 Main Street Rehabilitation / Main Street & Sterling Hwy. Intersection.

 

City Manager Wrede expressed hope that Council would have discussion and provide direction, as DOT will be in Homer tomorrow for a report.

 

There is $2M in the legislative budget earmarked for Main Street refurbishment/intersection improvements. The amount is not enough for both projects. He asked Council to determine which is more important, refurbishing Main Street or dealing with the most dangerous intersection in town. Main Street is too narrow and pedestrian improvements and underground utilities are needed. The $2M could be used for design of Main Street, a traffic signal or roundabout at the Main Street and Sterling Highway intersection.  

 

DOT prefers a roundabout as they are easier to maintain and safer. They would be able to handle trucks from the Spit. The City would need to find additional funding due to the State’s dismal financial forecast. Discussion ensued on roundabouts as a measure to calm traffic, yet much more expensive than a traffic signal. Councilmember Wythe suggested a roundabout will not slow traffic and may change the routes for trucks. Engineers should be asked if it is feasible for truck traffic. City Manager Wrede commented DOT learned a lot from the Dowling roundabout and the new roundabouts on C and  O’Malley streets are favored by truckers.

 

Councilmember Shadle noted for the two new councilmembers, Roberts and Howard, Council earlier found he did not have a conflict of interest in Main Street discussions. Having a lot of knowledge of the intersection, Councilmember Shadle believes many people are opposed to a roundabout. Traveling down Main Street to the Sterling Highway intersection is a big hill and you could not see until right to the intersection. The visibility is better now. Many times people cut through the NAPA parking lot. He suggested doing something with the money now.

 

Councilmember Howard stated Main Street and Sterling Highway should be declared a dangerous intersection and funds are quite close to costs for a traffic signal.

 

Councilmember Roberts said plans for the Main Street reconstruction project could go forward too.

 

City Manager Wrede noted DOT said they will do something at Main and Pioneer streets, perhaps a 4-way stop flashing light.

 

Council’s priority is a traffic signal on Sterling Highway and Main Street. Extra funds could go to Main Street. The State should put their streets on a stip list to assure they are repaired.

 

Traffic issues on Bunnell and Main streets were mentioned; speed bump control devices are needed. Asked if there was money to address those streets, City Manager replied the streets must be brought up to urban road standards with curb and gutter, drainage, a separated bike path and possible underground sewer. It would require many millions of dollars.

 

Council discussed a separated pathway on Main Street, as it is the most dangerous road for pedestrians in the downtown corridor. It becomes complicated when drainage and utilities are placed underground.

 

As Homer has become a town with more senior citizens, it was suggested they be asked if they like roundabouts.

 

COMMENTS OF THE PUBLIC

 

Leonard Wells, city resident, commented Main and Pioneer streets intersection would be a good place for a light or lighted stop signs. He asked Council to consider Lake and Main streets repair. The City will need to come up with the money as it is almost zero priority for the State. That can be accomplished by depreciation or set-asides, a little at a time. Waiting ten years for Main Street repairs is a long time to wait.

 

Bryan Zak, city resident, commented that with a traffic light you need to think about turn lines. How far will traffic back up and how will you make a left or right turn? Considerations are roundabouts at both Pioneer and Lake and Pioneer and Sterling Highway intersections. One-way streets should also be considered, along with the overall big picture.

 

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the Council the meeting was adjourned at 6:23 p.m. by Mayor Pro Tempore Dennis Novak. The next Regular Meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 13, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. The next Committee of the Whole is scheduled for Monday, October 13, 2008 at 4:00 p.m. All meetings scheduled to be held in the Homer City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

 

______________________________

JO JOHNSON, CMC, CITY CLERK

 

Approved: _____________________