Session 07-07, a Regular Meeting
of the Transportation Advisory Committee was called to order at 5:35 p.m. on
August 21, 2007 by Chair Marquardt at the Homer City Hall Cowles Council
Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.
PRESENT: COMMITTEEMEMBERS MARQUARDT, SMITH,
VELSKO, AND COUNCILMEMBER STARK
ABSENT: COMMITTEEMEMBER ZAK (EXCUSED)
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS MEYER
SMITH/STARK – MOVED TO AMEND THE
AGENDA TO REFLECT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE NEW MEMBER TO THE TRANSPORTATION
ADVISORY COMMITTEE UNDER NEW BUSINESS.
There was no discussion.
The amended Agenda was approved
by Consensus of the Committee.
None.
None.
The Synopsis was approved by
Consensus of the Committee.
None.
A.
Public Works Director Meyer reported that a HART funding request
will be submitted for approval from City Council to finish paving approximately
600 LF of Soundview just north of the school. It was noted that when completion
of Foothills Subdivision is accomplished this will open another corridor and
increase traffic flow on these roads. It is a reasonable conclusion that this
small area of paving should be completed.
Committeemember Smith inquired if
a formal recommendation from the Committee is required. Public Works Director
Meyer stated that he is submitting a Memorandum to Council and he can include a
recommendation within that memorandum.
STARK/SMITH – MOVED TO APPROVE
STAFF REPORT REGARDING PAVING APPROXIMATELY 600 LF OF SOUNDVIEW AND REPLACEMENT
OF APPROXIMATELY 250 LINEAR FEET EXISTING PAVEMENT COMING OFF OF THE STERLING
HIGHWAY.
Discussion ensued regarding the
process of allocating the funds and scheduling the paving of Soundview. Chair
Marquardt stated that there should be more justification offered to Council
besides “yes it would be nice to have the whole road paved”. It was
acknowledged that paving this would relieve traffic, add safety, and reduce
maintenance costs. The costs are for paving only it does not include any curb
and gutter. Public Works Director Meyer stated that curb, gutter and sidewalk
can be added to the CIP list so it can be included in future budgets. He
recommended this in order to get it into the budget. The Committee recognized
that the Borough has approximately 100 linear feet of the proposed project and
should be invited to discuss a share in the cost since they will benefit as
well. Committeemembers agreed to invite the Borough later to discuss the
sidewalk construction.
Director of Public Works Meyer reported that City Council did postpone action on the HART language largely due to a request from one of the Councilmembers wanting the Committee to revisit the per foot costs. The Councilmember indicated that this may be the appropriate time to do that. The Councilmember wanted to make sure that the costs were fair.
Chair Marquardt stated that the
issue was discussed and reviewed within the past year. Public Works Director
Meyer reviewed the current percentage share on the Local Improvement District
(LID); he also mentioned the increase in construction costs and that the properties
are benefiting from the improvement by increasing in value.
Committeemember Velsko asked if
the current language under HART allowed the work to progress without
participation from the residents. He does not want to recommend something that
is not allowed.
The Committee explained to
Committeemember Velsko how the City has the ability and authority to use the
HART funds.
Public Works Director stated that
HART funds were used to pave the initial portion of Soundview. The HART funding
has some broad language and as long as the funds are used to construct roads
and the City approves the expenditure, it is legal.
Public Works Director Meyer
stated that this could be put on next month’s agenda to discuss further. Chair
Marquardt requested the current costs for the materials, labor and services for
the September meeting.
If price is kept low, it may
encourage and assist in getting roads constructed.
Chair Marquardt felt this area
was examined in depth. His opinion was that an extensive look at the details would
not be beneficial.
Committeemember Smith however
felt that the Committee should take the responsibility and review the costs to
make sure they are fair.
It was agreed by the Committee to
put this issue on the September agenda.
There was a call for the
question.
VOTE. YES. NON-OBJECTION.
UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Motion carried.
NONE.
PENDING
BUSINESS
A.
Capital Improvement Plan 2007-2013
Chair
Marquardt wanted to point out the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) current list
of projects on the CIP. Councilmember Stark gave a brief description of the CIP
process. Committeemember Smith asked which projects were funded on the current
CIP list. The following projects were listed:
1. SENIOR
ACCESS TRAIL.
2. COLLEGE
EXPANSION.
3. SPIT
TRAIL FUNDED.
4. SPIT RESTROOMS.
Further
discussion by the Committee regarding certain projects on the CIP list, and
their importance in relation to their position on the list. Councilmember Stark
did comment that the City of Homer faired better than most with the Governor
only vetoing a few projects on the CIP.
Councilmember Stark did mention that the Committee’s choices need to be
submitted to City Council “PDQ”. He commented on how well the City Manager does
negotiating with the Department of Transportation (D.O.T.). He mentioned that
the D.O.T. wanted to put a traffic signal at Main Street and Pioneer, but the
City of Homer wanted Main Street and Sterling Highway. Chair Marquardt asked
when this was brought up because it has not been in front of the Committee
before and he was approached about this same issue just the other day.
Further
discussion developed regarding the intersections listed on the CIP currently
and various main intersections throughout the City of Homer.
The
Committee inquired on the status of Main Street, East End Road and Sterling
Highway from Anchor Point to Homer. Director of Public Works will try to get an
update from the State Traffic Engineer on the State projects in the area and
where they are in relation to scheduling. It was commented that the D.O.T. is
very responsive to City requests.
There was
further discussion on the intersections, roundabouts, placement, and
installations of stoplights, stop signs, and traffic signals.
Chair
Marquardt recommended the Committee focus on road projects including
intersections, to review the section on Trails and then prioritize the projects
on the list. The timeline for submittal to City Council was discussed. The
Committee will need to have consensus by the September meeting so it can be
submitted to Council.
Public
Works Director recommended not submitting new projects. A brief discussion on
the cost projection of the Road Projects already on the CIP list. Councilmember
Stark did not agree with the budget amounts shown. He also stated that he
believed the HART fund would be decreased to one half percent due to the
increase in the Borough Tax effective January 2008.
Public
Works Director Meyer did state that there would be more demands on the HART
funds. He reminded the Committee why the fund was in existence in the first
place.
Chair
Marquardt asked if the HART funds were invested and if the interest was put
back into the fund. He did agree that there was no need to add new projects.
Committeemember
Smith agreed that the list should be reviewed and prioritized.
Public
Works Director Meyer countered that the purchase of additional property should
be added to the list, in the future it is more than likely that these roads
will be needed. It would be better to acquire the property now or sooner more
than later to save on additional expenses, etc. It would be easier to get the
roads or projects completed if the City owned the property initially.
There was
a brief discussion on the Right of Way (ROW) for Fairview to East End Road and
if it was obtained. HART funds can be used for acquisition of ROW.
Committeemember
Velsko stated that Local Improvement Districts (LIDs) are becoming another
discretionary funding source for the City of Homer. He believes that the City
Council should make use of these funds.
B.
Design Criteria Manual for City Road
Discussion ensued regarding template or prism
widths. Committeemember Smith stated his reasoning for stipulating a twenty-two
foot width. Discussion ensued regarding lane widths among the Committeemembers.
Councilmember Stark stated he had reviewed the entire manual and in his opinion
for a twenty-some year, old manual the accuracy of the manual was impressive.
Committeemember Smith commented that holding
developers to a design that is leaving massive cuts in the hillsides and using
a thirty-eight foot radius for a cul de sac is unnecessary. It just leaves too
large a footprint.
Councilmember Stark and Committeemember Smith agreed
that a thirty-foot radius on a cul de sac was plenty and would dramatically
reduce the footprint.
Committeemember Velsko inquired if a template was
needed at all. He related the example of Highland Drive. Committeemember Smith
agreed but still insisted a criteria needed to be set more in relation to
AASHTO.
Further discussion regarding template design among
the Committee ensued.
Chair Marquardt agreed the creating local standards
that fit local conditions would be beneficial. That new standards did not need
to be created.
Committeemember Smith wanted to follow AASHTO
recommendations completely. He felt that they were the National Engineering
Standards. It is very specific in relation to what can be applied to what
areas.
Public Works Director Meyer wanted to point out that
AASHTO applies to the entire country. Alaska has it own specific issues in
regards to road building, especially to steep slopes. He stated it might be
okay with current equipment, but what about the future, the City is not always
going to have the same equipment.
Committeemember Smith read AASHTO recommendations on
building a cul de sac with the radius appropriate to the vehicle traffic.
Public Works Director Meyer said he is the staff
person for the Committee and there can be an appearance of a conflict of
interest if he says okay during the Committee meeting and before Council contradicts
himself.
Councilmember Stark recommended making a
determination on the template width due to the lateness of the hour. Chair
Marquardt agreed.
VELSKO/STARK - MOVED TO ADOPT TWENTY-TWO FEET PRISM
WIDTHS TEMPLATE ON RURAL ROADS WITH THIRTY INCH TEMPLATE WITHOUT CRUSHED
GRAVEL, TWENTY FOUR INCHES OF TYPE TWO AND SIX INCHES OF TYPE THREE.
There was no discussion.
VOTE. YES. NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Motion carried.
Chair Marquardt commented that all the topics will
be discussed by the end of five weeks and he wanted to put the initial draft
together, perform a final review and suggestion meeting, then put the final
document together for submittal to City Council for approval on the changes.
A.
Acknowledgement
of the New Committeemember
The Committee welcomed Mr. John Velsko to the
Transportation Advisory Committee and looked forward to working with him. The
Committee welcomed his fresh views and perspective on existing issues.
Committeemember Velsko stated he was especially appreciative to hear about the
7:00pm meeting deadline.
None.
Sandy Stark, resident wanted to express her
appreciation at the work being done by the Committee in regards to the City’s
roads. She commented that in Homer the word “roads” is almost like a four
letter word. The City needs the Committee to stick up for the priority of
transportation as it’s really important, there are many other “feel-good”
things about Homer, but if you cannot get from Point A to Point B then what
good does it do, you might as well be isolated. She believes that what the
Committee is doing is keeping Homer a community.
None.
Councilmember Stark had no
comment.
None.
Comments of the Committeemembers
Committee Member Velsko had no
comment.
Committee Member Smith had no
comment.
Renee Krause, Deputy City Clerk I
Approved: