Session 06-04 a meeting of the
Transportation Advisory Committee was called to order by Chair Marquardt at
COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Doug Stark
ABSENT: Steve Smith, Fred Pfeil
STAFF: Deputy City Clerk Jacobsen
Public Works Director Meyer
AGENDA APPROVAL
STARK/CALHOUN MOVED TO ADD THE LETTER FROM GINGER TORNES FROM INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS TO NEW BUSINESS.
VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Motion carried.
SYNOPSIS APPROVAL
A.
Mary Calhoun suggested using bulleted highlights when preparing the synopsis. Chair Marquardt and Mr. Stark agreed.
The synopsis was approved by consensus of the Committee.
PENDING BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
A.
Traffic Calming/Speed Bumps on
Chair Marquardt explained that
the residents along
CALHOUN/STARK MOVED THAT THE
TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOMMEND THAT A MINI ROUND ABOUT BE SET UP
AT THE
Mr. Stark questioned if it could fit in the existing right-of-way. Public Works Director Meyer responded that he hasn’t looked at mini roundabouts, but has always been in favor of having roundabouts in the City.
Discussion:
· If people could use roundabouts they would probably like them.
· Would be difficult for trucks to get around in that small of an area.
· There isn’t a lot of truck traffic in that area. It is primarily refrigerator trucks at Duggan’s and they seem to negotiate the corner.
· It would be good to have neighborhood input.
· Mini roundabouts would not require that the sidewalks or curbs to be moved.
· RV’s may have some trouble.
·
It fits with
· It would be a great test if one could be installed in a manner that isn’t permanent.
· Signage could be utilized.
· Painting them on the road would allow cars to use them and would allow large truck to make a turn.
· People would ignore painted roundabouts and follow normal traffic patterns.
· If it doesn’t work signs could be pulled and the paint would wear off.
Public Works Director Meyer said he will discuss this concept with Scott Thomas of DOT and try to have a few sketches for the next meeting.
CALHOUN/STARK MOVED TO REFER THIS TO PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Motion carried.
Chair Marquardt asked that this be included on the next agenda.
B. Repaving/Pedestrian Issue of Old Homer Accelerated Roads Program (HARP) Projects
Mr. Stark stated that Council
approved the
Mr. Meyer commented he has talked with the state traffic engineer who is supportive of the 10 foot lanes in residential neighborhoods but is concerned that having a pedestrian way on only one side will have some walking with traffic. Mr. Meyer said the state traffic engineer seemed positive about giving it a try. He added that Public Works is trying to get it on the street as it is a striping issue. In Mr. Meyer’s opinion, crowning doesn’t seem to be an issue there.
There was discussion regarding Public Works budgeting to purchase a striping machine. Mr. Meyer said he is reluctant to invest in a machine. Presently DOT stripes many of the City’s roads in trade for the services rendered in other parts of town.
CALHOUN/STARK MOVED THAT THE TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THAT THE COUNCIL REQUEST AN ESTIMATE ON THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH EXPANDING THE FOOTPRINT OF ASPHALT, AS NOTED IN THE THIRD WHEREAS CLAUSE OF COUNCIL’S RESOLUTION 06-60, ON PAGE 37 OF THE COMMITTEE PACKET.
Discussion:
· Wants to know what expanding would cost. It could be feasible on some roads.
· Would be cost prohibitive.
· Curbs, gutters and storm drains are things the community needs to discuss.
· Roadside ditches are beneficial financially and ecologically.
· Some roads may benefit more from widening the road bed than two 10 foot lanes with 4 foot pedestrian lanes.
·
· Would like to see Public Works incorporate better roads and drainage in new subdivisions.
· It is questionable whether Public Works can ask developers to do more than what is required by the subdivision regulations.
· Developers are starting to come in and pave the roads in new subdivisions, because that is what buyers want.
Mrs. Calhoun called for the question.
VOTE: (Main motion): YES: CALHOUN, MARQUARDT
NO: STARK
Motion carried.
C.
Boulevards -
Chair Marquardt briefly commented on the Town Center Task Force meeting from the previous evening. The boulevard proposal and how it relates to town center was discussed at the meeting.
Mr. Stark commented that the proposal is not very definitive and he doesn’t believe the State would support it.
Chair Marquardt responded that
the state would be w
Mr. Stark suggested dimensions
that would allow six feet on each side of the roads in the
It was noted that discussion at
the task force meeting recognized that the road in
There was question on how to proceed. Chair Marquardt commented that he is not clear on the Planning Commissions timeframe regarding this. He suggested they discuss it further at their next meeting and make recommendations to forward to the Planning Commission.
Mr. Stark suggested one travel land and one parking lane on each side of the road with a raised median in the center.
Chair Marquardt commented that having a raised median didn’t seem to be a concern of the Task Force. He noted there would be an issue with snow removal.
There was further discussion on
concepts of medians and previous discussion of the Town Center Task Force. It was noted that the Task Force discussed
bulb outs and parking styles. Chair
Marquardt and Mr. Stark agreed that parallel parking would be preferred as it
is safer and requires less space; however it would allow for less parking. Chair Marquardt added that business w
STARK/CALHOUN MOVED TO RECOMMEND
TO THE TOWN CENTER TASK FORCE THAT THE BOULEVARDS IN THE
VOTE: YES: STARK, CALHOUN, MARQUARDT
Motion carried.
Chair Marquardt requested that Boulevards be on the agenda for the next meeting and asked the Committee members to review the boulevards manual for discussion at the next meeting.
D. Letter from Virginia Tornes, Re: Speed Control
Measures for
Ms. Tornes stated that she is enamored and elated that the Committee is discussing more modes of transportation and beautifying Homer. She thanked them for that.
Ms. Tornes said she attended the
Council meeting regarding traffic calming on Bunnell and hopes to partner
The following points were raised,
· It may be more difficult to act on a gravel street.
· Speed humps, like in the College parking lot, are effective.
· Speed humps that are adjustable and removable may be a good idea because of winter road maintenance.
·
·
There was recently an incident where a healthy
Labrador retriever was hit and k
· Signage in conjunction with the speed bumps could be effective.
· Speed bumps would be easier to install on a gravel road than pavement.
Chair Marquardt suggested Ms.
Tornes and the neighbors submit a request to the Transportation Advisory
Committee and they w
STARK/CALHOUN MOVED TO RECOMMEND
TO COUNCIL THE RESIDENTS OF
There was brief discussion in favor of the motion and clarifying that the neighborhood would pay for them.
VOTE: YES: STARK, MARQUARDT, CALHOUN
Motion carried.
Chair Marquardt said he would talk to the residents in his area and see what information they have on speed bumps.
Ms. Tornes commented that Mike Morowitz with DOT had suggested doing a reverse speed hump with a grader. She recommended one where the low income housing development and another one down below it.
INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS
A. Letter from Virginia Tornes, Re: Speed Control Measures
for
B. Resolution 06-70 – Rebuild and
Upgrade of
from
C. Resolution 06-71 – Homer Intersections Improvement
Project
for Heath and
Pioneer Avenue
D. Resolution 06-72 – Spit Trail Completion
by
Department of Transportation
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Ms. Tornes advised the Committee that she has information on boulevards and traffic circle that she would leave for the Committee to review.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business
to come before the Committee, the meeting adjourned at 7:
MELISSA JACOBSEN, DEPUTY CITY
CLERK
Approved: