Session 06-04 a meeting of the Transportation Advisory Committee was called to order by Chair Marquardt at 5:39 pm on June 20, 2006 at the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

 

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:                             Mary Calhoun, Kurt Marquardt,

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.                 May 16, 2006

 

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 Bunnell Avenue

 

Chair Marquardt explained that the residents along Bunnell Avenue had brought a petition to the City regarding speed bumps in the area and said it was nice of the City to allow the property owners to take it on. 

 

CALHOUN/STARK MOVED THAT THE TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOMMEND THAT A MINI ROUND ABOUT BE SET UP AT THE BUNNELL/MAIN STREET INTERSECTION AND THAT THE REST OF THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE MAY 22, 2006 MEMORANDUM TO CHAIR MARQUARDT, PAGE 10 OF THE COMMITTEE PACKET, BE FOLLOWED.

 

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 Old Town and would be a cool thing to do.

·        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 two ten foot lanes and a four foot pedestrian walkway. 

 

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.

·        Main Street is an example of a road that, regardless of cost or other issues, needs to have a sidewalk.

·        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 - Town Center

 

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 willing to have discussion with the City, it would be a matter of how involved people with interest in the areas want to get. 

 

Mr. Stark suggested dimensions that would allow six feet on each side of the roads in the Town Center area to work with. 

 

It was noted that discussion at the task force meeting recognized that the road in Town Center will be treated differently.  The roads won’t be identical, but will be consistent with street lights and other amenities. 

 

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 will have parking requirements and on street parking may become a convenience and limited to a short time.   

 

STARK/CALHOUN MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE TOWN CENTER TASK FORCE THAT THE BOULEVARDS IN THE TOWN CENTER CONSIST OF WALKWAYS ON EACH SIDE AND ON TRAVEL LANE AND ONE PARKING LANE IN EACH DIRECTION AND MEDIAN IN THE CENTER.

 

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 Mattox Street

 

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 Mattox Street in with it as there is a speeding problem there as well.  She said she has signatures for half of Mattox to Beluga Court, another property is collecting the other side and she will get the other signatures in too.  Ms. Tornes commented that she has spoken to Public Works Director Meyer about getting something that is low maintenance and will make the neighborhood safer not only for pedestrians, bicyclists and animals, but also for people turning off the side streets.  She is not sure what the answer is but likes the idea of mini traffic circles, chicanes, chokers or narrowing lanes and the neighborhood is willing to pick up the tab.  She added that she has seen photos of communities making planters on streets to narrow them and she thinks they can come up with something inexpensive to work on as a pilot project.  Ms. Tornes said she would like to have the Committee’s input. 

 

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.

·        Mattox Street is a straight down hill, which could result in people not realizing they are going so fast. 

·        There was recently an incident where a healthy Labrador retriever was hit and killed, and it could easily have been a small child since there are lots of children in the neighborhood.

·        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 will forward it to Council.

 

STARK/CALHOUN MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL THE RESIDENTS OF MATTOX STREET BE ALLOWED INSTALL TWO SPEED BUMPS AND POSSIBLY SIGNAGE ON MATTOX STREET.

 

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 Mattox Street                                                                             

            B.       Resolution 06-70 – Rebuild and Upgrade of Main Street

                        from Pioneer Avenue to Bunnell Avenue                                               

            C.        Resolution 06-71 – Homer Intersections Improvement

                       Project for Heath and Lake Street Intersections with

                       Pioneer Avenue                                                                               

            D.       Resolution 06-72 – Spit Trail Completion by Alaska

                       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 7:11 pm.  The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 18, 2006 at 5:30 pm in the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers.

 

 

 

                                                                                   

MELISSA JACOBSEN, DEPUTY CITY CLERK

 

 

Approved: