Session 04-09 was called to order by Chair Marquardt at 6:38 p.m. on July 27, 2004 at the Homer City Hall Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS: PRESENT: Kurt Marquardt, Michael Yourkowski, Steve Smith, Fred Pfeil

STAFF: PRESENT: Deputy City Clerk Johnson

Public Works Director Meyer

City Planner McKibben

AGENDA APPROVAL

YOURKOWSKI/SMITH – MOVED TO ADD ITEM A. REVIEW 2004 TRANSPORTATION PLAN UNDER PENDING BUSINESS. OTHER ITEMS WILL FOLLOW AS B AND C.

VOTE: YES: NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

Motion carried.

SYNOPSIS APPROVAL

A. June 29, 2004 Synopsis

SMITH/YOURKOWSKI – MOVED TO APPROVE THE SYNOPSIS OF JUNE 29, 2004.

VOTE: YES: NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

Motion carried.

PENDING BUSINESS

A. Transportation Plan

Mike Yourkowski said at last night’s City Council meeting Councilmember Stark had a list of concerns regarding the 2004 Homer Area Transportation Plan. The City Council has postponed a decision on the plan to August 9, 2004 to allow the Committee to review revisions.

The following issues were identified:

The cover states Department of Planning and Zoning, which is not a department, it is a Division.

Pages 18 & 19: Reconstruct to Skyline Drive from Ohlson Mountain Road to terminus. This is actually called Hudspeth Drive by the State of Alaska.

Second one down in that category. West Hill Road, says Diamond Ridge Road to East End Road. This should be Sterling Hwy.

Page 19, number 4.1(8), Expansion of the airport is limited. The Committee suggested changing the sentence to read: Expansion of the airport is an issue.

Steve Smith said the Committee worked on goals and objectives of model extensions. Kurt Marquardt added that the Committee went through the entire plan and massaged some of the issues.

Page 29, There are a number of intersections that have an “F” category, the worst category. As far as the amount of traffic, this is also on page 30. there are six listed as “F” and one an “E” indicating that these need a signal.

As to page 34, Steve Smith read that a signal was warranted at the Lake Street intersection. Kurt Marquardt said the beginning of the document mentions signals, yet any and all methods of traffic control are to be considered. City Planner McKibben suggested it could be reemphasized that the RSC wants all signal or other traffic control measures considered.

Page 36, the paragraph at the top is objected to by Councilmember Stark.

City Planner McKibben said the statement was a result of the model and if Mr. Stark were there when the model was run he could have asked for modifications to provide more realistic results.

Public Works Director Meyer said Mr. Stark’s concern was creating more ways to get from point a to b and he opposes the Fairview Avenue extension to remove traffic from East Hill and re-route to a local neighborhood. Steve Smith added that Fairview Avenue is the most important of the modeled extensions, and of the three different civil engineer designs it has not carried through. He explained it was the most important road the town could construct to alleviate congestion on Pioneer Avenue. City Planner McKibben said some connections were removed and others added, but the original model results were not changed. The added linkages create more choices for travel.

Page 36, the paragraph at the top that consists of about six lines, is objected to and not agreed with. The Committee said they had discussed the wording extensively, noting that the model results were outside the scope.

As to the maps not being definitive, some streets are not cast in stone and flexibility was needed. Upon further discussion of Fairview Avenue by the Committee it was the consensus that Fairview Avenue remains the modeled extension plan for relieving congestion on arterials.

Mike Yourkowski said the Mayor had concerns about model roads below the land trust property at the moose viewing platform. The Mayor’s concern was the building of roads in wetlands preventing people from accessing their property. City Planner McKibben noted the plan was not specific to location and Steve Smith agreed that interconnectivity rather than preferred location was the intent of the plan. Kurt Marquardt agreed that property access and interconnectivity is what roads are all about.

City Planner McKibben said some people go to the maps prior to reading the information and a disclaimer may be needed on the maps. The Committee agreed by consensus that Public Works Director Meyer would revise the map to remove a road north of Beluga Lake and east of Mariner Drive and add a disclaimer.

John Fenske, City Councilmember, relayed that Councilmember Stark’s concern is that the roads are not indicated where they would be. He said focusing on the traffic within the city limits excludes the effect that external traffic will have on the new arterials. He said a new arterial in the Homer basin to support traffic in the event of a land slide has been discussed. The road corners and grades do not meet the requirements, although an arterial would create a whole different flow scenario. Mr. Fenske said the Fairview extension should be considered, as as the present traffic chokes through Pioneer Avenue. The paving of Kachemak Drive makes for faster travel and has deferred some traffic from East End Road. Mr. Fenske has been timing himself at the intersections, counting traffic, and so far this summer he has not waited more than three minutes to maneuver into the flow. He has observed this summer’s traffic to move along at 35 mph, which requires additional space to merge.

Kurt Marquardt noted that “F” defined a 50 second or more per vehicle delay. Steve Smith said all the Committee members pay attention to the level of service on the streets as they want to see alternate routes constructed to alleviate the flow on arterials. Presently the flow is unacceptable and a safety issue. The Committee has talked about reducing the speed to 25 mph on the Bypass alternative. Delays at intersections are considerations for traffic control measures. Mr. Smith said the easiest way to remedy the problem areas would be to reduce speed limits and if that does not change things the next level of relief, alternative routes, needs to be explored.

Councilmember Fenske said in February the DOT (Department of Transportation) was to paint bike lines and center dividers. Had they done that there would not be the number of complaints or chances taken at intersections. Kurt Marquardt said he had talked to the DOT traffic engineers today and the plans were still in the works.

City Planner McKibben said it could be helpful for the plan introduction to include that it is a long range 20-year plan and not a transportation study. The Committee said their recommendations are general and not intended to be site specific.

As to Councilmember Ladd’s request of costs on signals the Committee felt they did not need to elaborate on the pros of a roundabout versus a stoplight. The Committee was not recommending one or the other, but asking that all alternatives be considered.

Public Works Director Meyer will update the map.

B. Update from Public Works, Re: Crosswalks on East End Road

Public Works Director Meyer talked with Scott Thomas from DOT today who had received the letter from the City outlining the expectation for more crosswalks on East End Road. At the East Hill and East End intersection there have already been contract adjustments for an intersection on the east side. City Planner McKibben said the crosswalk will be a school standard crosswalk. DOT has an evaluation process they use for crosswalks and signal lights. East End Road is designed for a certain speed making it difficult for non-signaled crossings. Kurt Marquardt also talked with Scott Thomas today and his perception was there would only be one crosswalk at the bottom of East Hill. Mr. Thomas said they are reluctant to put stripes on the road as it gives pedestrians a false sense of security that they can safely cross the road. He said crosswalks warrant a certain number of crossings and he didn’t believe Homer’s pedestrians were close to those standards. DOT is not willing to reduce the speed limit on East End Road from 45 mph to 35 mph.

Steve Smith said residents had commented that the road was designed for 50 mph which takes the residential factor out and turns it into a high speed arterial. Public Works Director Meyer said there will be a pedestrian walkway along one side of the road but no way for those on the south side of the road to access. Kurt Marquardt said the community can work with the road as it will be wider, flatter and straighter to see pedestrians. He said keeping the speed posted at 35 mph and enforcing it will make it easier for pedestrians to dodge traffic. Mr. Meyer said he is somewhat sympathetic to Mr. Thomas as DOT is shorthanded and has other traffic issues to review including a 25 mph speed on the Sterling Highway and crosswalks on Spit Road.

John Fenske said the State is reluctant to put in crosswalks and he cannot recall any state highway that has painted crosswalks. Bird Creek, Cooper Landing, the end of Kenai Lake to the bridge, Sterling and Girdwood all have reduced speeds. He added that just because the State’s highway comes through the community it does not exclude the local residents from having a say on the crosswalks, lighting and speed zones.

C. Resolution 04-48, of the City Council Renaming the Road Standards Committee to Transportation Committee per Council’s request of June 14, 2004 to more clearly define their mission.

By consensus of the Committee Item C was moved to the next meeting agenda.

NEW BUSINESS

a. Distribution of HARP Funds for the New Library.

Mike Yourkowski said the City Council had public hearings on the matter last night and the voters would have to approve funds distribution from HARP (Homer Accelerated Roads Program).

Kurt Marquardt favors the new library and has no objection to using a percentage of the funds for capital projects, but he fears that the HARP program will be whittled away. It would become a useless tool and not available for the original intent. Mr. Marquardt said there are many old HARP projects that are in need of upgrades and the money could be used for them. He suggested a service area as a means of funding the library because the majority of library patrons live outside the city limits.

Mike Yourkowski added that the DOT requests a 10% match for federal funds. Steve Smith said it doesn’t make sense to use HARP funds for shortfalls and he doesn’t want to start misdirecting road improvement funds to unrelated projects. Although he supports the new library the HARP money is intended for LID road reconstruction projects and should be preserved for its original intent.

Public Works Director Meyer said there is not a lot of money left in the fund and there are repaving projects it might be used for. He said only the voters can make the decision and he believes the idea of using the funds has lost momentum.

Fred Pfeil agreed that he cannot endorse using the HARP funds for the library.

The Committee requested that a letter to the City Council be written voicing their opposition to the use of HARP funds for the new library project.

INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS

Public Works Director Meyer reported that the Bartlett/Hohe Reconstruction Project goes to bid by week’s end.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Councilmember John Fenske agreed with the Committee members on preserving the HARP funds for road construction projects. He believes separated trails handle the foot traffic in other parts of Alaska quite well. Mr. Fenske said using pedestrians as targets in Homer is not appropriate and we need to insure their safety. The $1 million spent on the Spit Road trail was money well spent as it provides access for the entire community. Councilmember Fenske commended the Committee members for working on the transportation plans. Additionally he gave God’s blessings to Public Works Director Carey Meyer for his patience shown to the Council and Committees.

Steve Smith said while leaving the Post Office attempting to turn on the Bypass he observed a mother and three children on bikes waiting for an opening to cross the three-lane road. He said a means is needed to get pedestrian traffic across the main thoroughfares. Mr. Smith said he appreciated Councilmember Fenske coming to the meeting.

Mrs. Carey Meyer said in Anchorage tunnels are used for pedestrian traffic.

Fred Pfeil thanked Councilmember Fenske for his comments.

Kurt Marquardt said when pedestrians are priority in regards to transportation that’s when the priorities are straight.

Public Works Director Meyer said it was sad that cars won’t stop for three children and the mother trying to cross the highway. He is using more pedestrian awareness himself, realizing he doesn’t need to get anywhere twenty seconds faster.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 8:29 p.m. The next meeting was scheduled for September 28, 2004 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

____________________________________

JO JOHNSON, DEPUTY CITY CLERK

Approved:__________________________