Session 04-07 was Called to Order by Chair Kurt Marquardt at 6:25 p.m. Homer City Hall Council Chambers located at
491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer Alaska.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: PRESENT: KURT MARQUARDT, FRED PFEIL, STEVE SMITH
ABSENT": MICHAEL YOURKOWSKI (excused)
STAFF: PRESENT: PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR MEYER
CITY CLERK CALHOUN
AGENDA APPROVAL
The agenda was approved by consensus of the Committee.
SYNOPSIS APPROVAL
A. May 11, 2004 Synopsis
The synopsis was approved by consensus of the Committee.
PENDING BUSINESS
A. Resolution 04-48, Of the City Council Changing the Name of the Road Standards Committee to Transportation Committee.
1. Comments, suggestions and requests by Council on May 25.
The Committee discussed the comments of the Council from the May 25, 2004 Committee of the Whole and Regular
Meeting. The Committee agreed that the scope of their mission has broadened significantly and includes much more than
road standards and/or the Homer Accelerated Roads Program. They agreed with Councilmember Yourkowski's explanation
of what transportation means, "The definition of transportation is everything in that Transportation Plan/Study. It included
the port, the airport, trails and roads." Discussion included how the road standards, trails, and transportation issues all
integrate and that the Committee is a body that can do that integration work. The Committee expressed their willingness to
take on the greater picture issues.
Chair Marquardt pointed out that the crosswalks issue is a good example of a grass roots effort from the general public
outcry through to the Council and State levels. He noted that this was a matter that the Committee could pick up, promote,
review and deal with. Mr. Marquardt commented about the Road Standards, road maintenance categories and the
Committee's proactive involvement.
Public Works Director Meyer noted that staff has insufficient time to keep up with the State projects, Airport Master Plan and all the other Master Plans, wherein lies the essential role this Committee plays in addressing those matters/issues. He expressed his desire and opinion that Master Plans should be updated annually.
The Committee concurred that the previous mission is obsolete in that the Committee is doing so much more and that the
previous work/mission of the Committee still does need to be done. The Committee expressed their opinion that the
minutes should suffice to answer Council's questions.
2. RSC composition, history and mission
The Committee concurred with Councilmember Ladd that the Committee should include a member from each of the
Advisory Commissions. The Committee indicated that the Parks and Recreation Commissioner and Trails person were
probably synonymous. They expressed their desire that there be a member/representative from each of Council's Advisory Commissions.
3. HARP Policy Manual as updated by Resolution 04-41(A)
B. HARP, Front Footage Assessment: Currently at $30 per front foot for Road Reconstruction and $17 per front foot for Paving.
The Committee agreed to come back to this issue at a later date. They emphasized the need to review current bids/costs which will be available after this season's repaving project. It was noted that the last time the assessments were changed was 1994 and 1995.
C. Transportation Plan, Final Recommendations.
Public Works Director Meyer advised that he and City Planner McKibben were not able to finalize the document for the
Committee. He suggested that it is better to have a mediocre Transportation Plan then to make a career out of it. He told
the Committee that he believes the final document can be put together by the morning of June 18th for the June 22nd Road
Standards Committee Meeting.
The Committee emphasized their desire to complete this task and to get it forwarded on to the City Council for final action.
As a side note they discussed the State's Transportation Study/plan and were advised by the Public Works Director that
USKH is conducting the state's study. The Committee expressed concern that it did not appear that USKH was putting out
any traffic counting equipment for the busy summer season.
It was reiterated that the Transportation Plan/Master Plan should be updated annually.
Chair Marquardt noted that he would like to see the Committee reduce their number of meetings to no more than once per
month and that bringing the Transportation Plan to a close will facilitate that end.
The Committee asked that the Clerk forward the Transportation Plan to the Council for the June 28th Regular Meeting.
Deadlines were discussed: Council tentative agenda deadline is June 17, Council packet deadline is June 23 and that the
Final Plan could be submitted to the Council as a packet addition by Friday, June 25 for their review prior to their meeting
on June 28th.
The Next meeting was set for Tuesday, June 22nd at 6:30 p.m., with a preference for the meeting time to be 6:30 p.m. and
the Transportation Plan will be the only item on that agenda.
The Clerk offered to do a verbatim. (1)
D. Non Motorized Transportation and Trails Plan, Recommendations.
Chair Marquardt voiced his satisfaction and appreciation for the great job that Dowl Engineers, Kevin Doniere and Clotho
Spinner, have done. He also noted that the document is very well done.
Public Works Director Meyer advised the Committee regarding the recent adoption by the Council of the Road Standards
Committee's recommendation to include pedestrian amenities in all new HARP projects and that the Planning Commission
is considering something similar for all new subdivisions. In response to Committee inquiry he advised that there is no plan
for the Committee to review the Subdivision Ordinance or Agreement. He reported that the Planning Commission has a
worksession at 6 p.m. on June 2nd to review the Subdivision Ordinance.
Committee member Pfeil commented that there is no current development not considering the subdivision issues.
The Committee concurred that the Nonmotorized Transportation and Trails Plan should be taken into consideration in the
Subdivision Code review. There was a brief mention of what the Subdivision Code currently states.
Committee member Smith inquired if it is within the scope of the Committee to recommend to the City Council
prioritization of funding for projects.
Chair Marquardt affirmed.
Committee member Smith asked that this be a future agenda item. He voiced his opinion that road projects, such as
Fairview Avenue, should be considered and is an example of a road that would alleviate and solve the congestion problem
for the High School and Heath Street areas. He voiced his opinion that the Committee is a great forum to get people on
streets, such as Fairview, to sit down and discuss road upgrade. He voiced his preference for the Committee to forward a
Resolution for Council's consideration regarding this priority.
The LID process and HARP (Homer Accelerated Roads Program) criteria were mentioned.
Qualifying Criteria for use of HARP funds:
a. Life, safety and traffic flow (Reso 87-61(S), Reso 88-47);
b. Correct deficiencies of existing systems (Reso 87-61(S), Reso 88-47);
c. System wide basis versus local needs (Reso 87-61(S), Reso 88-47);
d. Complete traffic circulation pattern (Reso 87-61(S), Reso 88-47);
e. Encourage economic development (Reso 87-61(S), Reso 88-47);
f. Correct drainage problems (Reso 87-61(S), Reso 88-47);
g. Reduce maintenance cost (Reso 87-61(S), Reso 88-47);
h. Built to city standards prior to acceptance for maintenance (Reso 61(S), Reso 88-47);
i. Reconstruction is a higher priority than new construction projects (Reso 87-61(S), Reso 88-47);
j. Property owner contribution through LID process by paying $30 per front foot for gravel and $17 per front foot for paving cost of a residential standard street and the city pays all costs for additional improvements deemed necessary (Reso 87-61(S); Reso 88-47, Reso 94-50; Reso 95-97)
k. City share can apply to related utilities, sidewalks, street lighting, drainage, paving and/or reconstruction of roads identified in Groups I-IV and Annexed roads. (Reso 88-47);
l. Other factors deemed appropriate by the City Council (Reso 87-61(S, Reso 88-47)).
Public Works Director Meyer suggested looking at the bigger picture, the LID process, the trail, prior extensions and
model extension. He also commented on the $30/$17 for the reconstruction and paving assessments, and wondered what
percentage the City would be able to continue to absorb.
Discussion continued on the subdivision rules, LID process, City road standard, State right of way, Pioneer Avenue, model
extensions, need for the Fairview extension to be modeled, and extension of Fairview through to West Hill and John
Hansen's Subdivision.
Councilmember Marquardt brought the Committee's attention back to the Non Motorized Transportation and Trails plan
and that, basically, the Committee is forwarding its recommendation to the Planning Commission, who will then send it all
to the City Council.
The Committee indicated their satisfaction with the plan, gave the plan their blessing and stated that this is headed in the
right direction.
The City Clerk will copy Committee member Pfeil with the Transportation Plan.
NEW BUSINESS
A. Update from Public Works on the Crosswalks on East End Road, Dialogue with DOT.
Chair Marquardt inquired about the dialogue Public Works has had with DOT.
Public Works Director Meyer stated that he has not had any dialogue with DOT regarding the East End Road Crosswalks.
He noted the crosswalks that the City has recently installed on Pioneer Avenue and the process thereof. The construction
status of Bartlett is uncertain for this year and there is no update on the Sterling Highway, Lake Street or East End road
projects. He emphasized that his staff is stretched pretty thin.
Chair Marquardt emphasized the importance of and the need for this Committee to be updated. He noted that the
Committee had forwarded their input to the Council with regard to the speed limit changes, who in turn had passed
Resolution 04-46(A), requesting DOT to lower the speed limit on the Sterling Highway.
The City Clerk was asked if any of the crosswalk information had been sent to DOT and she confirmed, adding that it was
sent to William R. Strickler, with ADOT, Traffic and Design. (2)
Chair Marquardt asked that this remain an agenda item to keep the Committee updated.
INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS
A. Resolution 04-41(A), Of the Homer City Council Amending the Homer Accelerated Roads Program (HARP) Policy and
Procedures Manual, Qualifying Criteria and Special Provisions. Road Standards Committee.
B. Resolution 04-46(A), Of the City Council of Homer, Alaska Requesting that the Alaska Department of Transportation
and Public Facilities Reduce the Speed Limit on the Sterling Highway to 30 mph Between the Homer Middle School and its
Intersection with Kachemak Drive.
The Committee briefly commented on traffic calming and road design that assists with reduction in speed limits; such as medians, islands, etcetera.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There was no public present.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Committee the meeting was adjourned at 7:58 p.m. The next meeting is
scheduled for Tuesday, June 22, 2004 at 6:30 p.m. in the Homer Cit6y Hall Council Chambers.
_____________________________
Mary L Calhoun, CMC, City Clerk
Approved: ________________
clerk@ci.homer.ak.us
1. The tape was inadvertently erased.
2. William R. Strickler, P.E. Traffic, Safety and Utilties/Design and Construction.