Session 06-05 a meeting of the Transportation Advisory Committee was called to order by Chair Marquardt at 5:31 p.m. on July 18, 2006 at the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Mary Calhoun, Kurt Marquardt, Steve Smith, Doug Stark

ABSENT: Fred Pfeil

STAFF: Deputy City Clerk Johnson

Public Works Director Meyer

City Manager Wrede

AGENDA APPROVAL

The agenda was approved by consensus of the Committee.

SYNOPSIS APPROVAL

A. June 20, 2006 Meeting Synopsis

STARK/CALHOUN – MOVED FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE SYNOPSIS.

There was no discussion.

VOTE: YES. NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

Motion carried.

PENDING BUSINESS

A. Traffic Calming/Speed Bumps on Bunnell Avenue

Chair Marquardt said the plan for speed bumps on Bunnell Avenue was rejected by Public Works and the residents need to submit a new plan. The plan should be for speed humps rather than bumps.

B. Boulevards Document

The Committee made the following points:

· Recommendations include state highways as boulevards.

· Boulevards take a lot of right-of-way (ROW).

· ROW’s cost money.

· Boulevards are good in a new situation like Town Center.

· Boulevards are problematic with existing streets and ROW’s.

Carey Meyer, Public Works Director arrived at 5:39 p.m.

The Committee would like to see the entire boulevards document and have Steve Smith’s input before making any recommendations.

STARK/CALHOUN – MOVED TO TABLE ITEM B.

VOTE: YES. NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

Motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS

A. 2007-2012 Capital Improvement Plan

Public Works Director Meyer said maps for twelve areas will be ready soon. The maps will include road expansion ROW acquisitions:

¯ Bartlett Street extended through Pioneer Avenue and connect to the Town Square or Main Street

¯ Heath Street extension to Anderson Street

¯ Early Spring as collector street to serve residential area

¯ Poopdeck Street through Bay Realty parking lot

¯ Fairview Avenue from Main Street to West Hill

When DOT rebuilds the Sterling Highway across Diamond Creek a dam is proposed for Homer’s water supply. The Committee agreed Diamond Creek Watershed is a desired improvement.

The 2005 Transportation Plan and project descriptions and benefits are needed in order to further discuss and prioritize the capital improvements before recommendations made.

Doug Stark left the meeting at 6:00 p.m.

City Manager Wrede joined the meeting at 6:02 p.m.

Steve Smith arrived at 6:05 p.m.

The City Council will be looking at reauthorizing HARP (Homer Accelerated Roads Program) for 20 years. The main discussion is at what level it is to be funded. Councilman Doug Stark wants to cut taxes and his proposal would decrease HARP’s funding to ¼%, down from the current ¾% funding.

Intersection improvements could include the following streets:

¯ Main Street and the Sterling Highway

¯ 4-way stop at Heath Street and Pioneer Avenue

¯ 4-way stop at Main Street and Pioneer Avenue

c/invite scott Thomas dot to teleconference aug 15mtg.

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

A. Information from Ginger Tornes Re: Traffic Calming

There was discussion on speed bumps and the criteria for installing them. A proposal must be submitted to Public Works for review and approval. Homer has special circumstances that make it different than Anchorage.

Public Works Director Meyer said it is no secret Public Works does not look favorably at speed bumps. Liabilities include signing the speed bumps, enforcement, maintenance, and insurance against problems and accidents. It was suggested the Committee review procedures other cities have used. The Committee will work on this in the winter.

CALHOUN/SMITH – MOVED TO REVISE THE MEMORANDUM TO COUNCIL REGARDING TRAFFIC CALMING ON MATTOX STREET THAT IT READ: SUBMIT A DESIGN TO PUBLIC WORKS SUBJECT TO PUBLIC WORKS REVIEW AND APPROVAL.

There was no further discussion.

VOTE: YES. NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

Motion carried.

Next month’s agenda will include CIP, Boulevards, Traffic Calming, and Land Acquisition.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

City Manager Wrede said the Committee was doing excellent work.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting adjourned at 6:44 p.m. The next Regular Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 15, 2006 at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers.

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JO JOHNSON, DEPUTY CITY CLERK

Approved: ________________________