Session 07-02, a Regular Meeting of the Transportation Advisory Committee was called to order at 5:34 p.m. on February 20, 2007 by Chair Marquardt at the Homer City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

 

PRESENT:                   MARQUARDT, SMITH, STARK, ZAK

 

STAFF:                        PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR MEYER

                                    CITY CLERK JOHNSON

                                                                        PLANNING TECHNICIAN ENGEBRETSEN

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

 

Chair Marquardt noted Mary Calhoun’s resignation from the committee.

 

ZAK/SMITH –MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE: YES. NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

 

None.

 

RECONSIDERATION

 

None.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

A.                 Synopsis of January 16. 2007  

 

ZAK/SMITH – MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES AS PRESENTED.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE: YES. NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

VISITORS

 

None.

 

STAFF & COUNCIL REPORT/COMMITTEE REPORTS/BROUGH REPORTS

 

None.

 

PUBLIC HEARING

 

None.

 

PENDING BUSINESS

 

A.                 HARP (Homer Accelerated Roads Program) Policies and Procedures for New Local Roads and Non Motorized Trails   

 

Comments included:

  • Page 8 should include new local streets/sidewalks – add to paragraphs 1 and 2, lines 30 and 35.
  • Page 11 - #11 and #13 – staff should have greater flexibility to go after more money.
  • Funding should remain at 10%; a situation where federal requires a match as high as possible may force maximum contributions.
  • Look at an integrated approach for funding.
  • Limited pot of money; it will take several years to accomplish all projects.
  • A need to prioritize projects.
  • More ways to spend money than money to spend.
  • A separate account for trails; allowing road and trail money to be split into different pots.

 

HART funds may be used to leverage outside funds for new local trails, but may not exceed an allocation greater than 10% of the estimated total project cost. The City is requesting DOT funds for the extension of the Spit Trail.

 

Doug Stark was excused from the meeting at 5:57 p.m.

 

Discussion of using trail money vs. road money for sidewalks ensued. Either sidewalks exist immediately adjacent to the curb or they are detached. HARP has allowed for the building of sidewalks on streets like Hazel and Poopdeck Avenues.

 

Definitions include:

  • A trail is a pedestrian facility not associated with a road.
  • Right-of-ways and easements for detached sidewalks will all be sidewalks.
  • An independent trail that takes off from an easement will be a trail.

 

The most bang for the buck is on trails away from cars and traffic as they can be stretched farther than sidewalks. High traffic areas next to roads should be sidewalks. It would make more sense to have detached sidewalks in areas with storm drains and curbs; costs would not be justified outside the Central Business District. Trails in subdivisions will be considered case by case.

 

Planning Technician Engebretsen will have the reworked draft of the HARP at the next meeting.

 

Doug Stark returned at 6:19 p.m.

 

Discussion continued:

  • Nothing goes on the official road maintenance map until the project is complete.
  • Bonds for projects could be secured with the HARP fund at lower interest rates and tax exempt.

 

By consensus of the Committee HARP was postponed to the next meeting.

 

B.                 Resolution 07-18 Of Homer City Council Requesting that the Transportation Advisory Committee Review and make Recommendations on the Use of Pioneer Avenue, Lake Street, and the Bypass as a One-Way Traffic Couplet Around the City Center.

 

Although traffic engineers say one-way traffic couplets are a more efficient means of moving traffic, there are negative impacts to pedestrians. There are arguments for and against couplets with the same reasons. Pedestrians only have to look one way, the road is narrower and easier to cross, although traffic moves faster. Trucks traffic would have to go up Pioneer Avenue to get out of town. The DOT is not enthusiastic about taking a state highway and turning it into one-way; the Transportation Plan called for another east/west corridor.

 

  • Other comments included:
  • Couplets do not fit Homer’s situation.
  • Heath Street and Pioneer Avenue need a 4-way stop; it is the main access to the high school and the main stopping point on Pioneer.
  • Remove the stop light at Lake Street and Pioneer Avenue.

 

The Committee concluded a one-way couplet is not a better alternative than traffic signals. There is no argument business owners are complaining about the Sterling Highway robbing business from Pioneer Avenue.

 

MARQUARDT/STARK – MOVED TO MAKE NO RECOMMENDATIONS ON COUPLETS.

 

There was no additional discussion.

 

VOTE: YES. NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

C.                 Boulevards

 

This was continued to the next meeting.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

A.                 Sidewalks on Fairview Avenue, Main Street, Kachemak Way and Ben Walters Lane

 

The Committee discussed walking lanes, diamond shapes or stencils on the road to remind pedestrians.

 

B.                 Shuttle Bus

 

This was continued to the next meeting, with Otto Kilcher present with his perspective.

 

INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS

 

A.        Angle Parking Issues Revisited, 2001  

  

B          Memorandum 07-25 Regarding name change for Homer Accelerated Roads Program (HARP) to Homer Accelerated Roads and Trails Program (HART)

 

COMMENTS OF THE AUDIENCE

 

Dan Boone and Sandy Stark are opposed to using the Sterling Highway as a couplet.

 

COMMENTS OF THE CITY STAFF

 

Public Works Director Meyer called attention to the articles in the packet regarding couplets, stating Doug Stark would agree it was time to return to the . City Manager talking to DOT, had list of six projects.

 

COMMENTS OF THE COUNCILMEMBER (If one is assigned)

 

Mr. Stark called it a tradeoff. There is the concern of local people dictating as roads that are arterials and collectors primary use is for people going through. You can’t slow people down to much; you must consider both.

 

COMMENTS OF THE CHAIR

 

Chair Marquardt referred to the article in the Daily News at West 35th and McCray. It is an old stretch of road that leads off of Spenard and winds through old neighborhoods. They were ready to build a road, and it would have taken lots of trees. The people put their foot down and were able to stop the project and have it re-looked at. The compromise plan is to save the trees and neighborhood’s character. It is a good example it is never too late. State projects are not always cookie cutter.

 

COMMENTS OF THE COMMITTEE

 

Mr. Smith referred to Fairview Avenue, whether the residents’ concern outweighs the City’s need.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further business to come before the Committee, Chair Marquardt adjourned the meeting at 7:17 p.m.  The next regular meeting is scheduled for March 20, 2007 at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers.

 

 

_____________________________________________

JO JOHNSON, CMC, CITY CLERK

 

Approved: _____________________