CITY OF HOMER

Council Directed

HOMER, ALASKA

City Manager

RESOLUTION 03-122

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOMER, ALASKA REQUESTING THAT THE ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES JOIN THE CITY OF HOMER IN A PARTNERSHIP TO PROVIDE FOR PEDESTRIAN CROSSWALKS AT KEY LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE CITY AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

WHEREAS, the community of Homer takes pride in being a pedestrian friendly community and is actively taking steps to improve pedestrian amenities including, but not limited to, the development of a comprehensive trails plan, and

WHEREAS, the Homer Comprehensive Plan calls for a pedestrian oriented community, especially with respect to the Central Business District, and strategically placed crosswalks are an integral part of the plan, and

WHEREAS, there are currently almost no crosswalks on the main business roads in the community including in particular, Pioneer Avenue and the Sterling Highway, and

WHEREAS, vehicular traffic in Homer has increased significantly during the past few years, particularly during the summer months, and

WHEREAS, vehicular traffic is expected to increase further on the Sterling Highway with the opening of the new credit union building, the new Islands and Oceans Visitor Center, and the potential for new large retail businesses locating there, and

WHEREAS, the City Council has received extensive testimony about pedestrian safety in recent months and has taken steps to address this issue and engage ADOT/PF by adopting Resolution 03-77 and initiating other contacts with the agency, and

WHEREAS, the Council recently received a letter from ADOT/PF dated August 12, 2003 in which the agency states that it will not address pedestrian issues in the current traffic study but will wait until the Transportation Element of the Community Comprehensive Plan is updated.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Homer City Council hereby finds that there is an urgent need to address pedestrian safety issues as quickly as possible, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council hereby directs the City Manager to facilitate research into how pedestrian crosswalks can be established and maintained in accordance with all pertinent laws, regulations, and guidelines and to provide a report on same to the Council in a timely manner, and

Page Two

Resolution 03-122

City of Homer

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council hereby requests that ADOT/PF join the City in a cooperative effort to establish pedestrian crosswalks within the City by providing assistance in the following areas,

1. traffic analysis necessary to establish appropriate locations for crosswalks

2. guidance for the Homer Public Works Department regarding proper crosswalk signage and markings

3. assistance with a public and driver education program

4. guidance for the Homer Police Department in enforcement matters

5. signage alerting drivers that pedestrians have priority in Homer

PASSED and APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Homer, Alaska this 8^th day of September, 2003.

CITY OF HOMER

Jack Cushing, Mayor

ATTEST:

Mary L. Calhoun, City Clerk

Fiscal Note: Not identified.