TRANSPORTATION
ADVISORY COMMITTEE UNAPPROVED
OCTOBER
16, 2007
REGULAR MEETING
Session 07-08, a Regular Meeting
of the Transportation Advisory Committee was called to order at 5:35 p.m. on
October 16, 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, ZAK,
COUNCILMEMBER CHESLEY
DIRECTOR
OF PUBLIC WORKS MEYER
SMITH/CHESLEY – MOVE TO APPROVE THE AGENDA.
There was no discussion.
The agenda was approved by consensus of the Committee.
None.
None.
Global Warming Task Force Representative – Climate Action
Plan (Draft) – Alan Parks
No response to rescheduling
request made on October 11, 2007.
None.
None.
A.
Memorandum Re: CIP Project Selection to City Council
Committeemember Smith requested clarification on what
recommendations they were making to Council.
Discussion ensued regarding each Committeemembers top
choices for the CIP. There was discussion regarding the following topics:
1.
Signalization
2.
Pedestrian issues with intersection improvements.
3.
The difficulty working with the State engineers.
4.
The intersections included in the study performed a few
years ago.
5.
Classification of those intersections in the study.
Committeemember Velsko commented that the Committee should
focus on submitting some minor or smaller budget projects along with larger or
more costly projects in order to get funding approved for the purpose of
putting the Committee’s recommendations together.
Councilmember Chesley commented that the Council is looking
for State and Federal projects. Further discussion ensued regarding State roads
and local roads.
The Committeemembers discussed in further detail the pros
and cons of each project and benefits to adding to the list. The
recommendations in priority order are as follows:
1.
Main Street Reconstruction
2.
Intersection Improvements
3.
Fairview Avenue – West Hill to East End Road*
a.
This Committee’s model extension and top priority
4.
Town Center Infrastructure
5.
W.R. Bell Trail – Fairview to Reber Road
Committeemember Smith and Velsko asked if Councilmember
Chesley could assist in using HART funds to pave Freight Dock Road. Public
Works Director Meyer reminded the Committeemembers that there are quite a few
projects that are competing for those funds.
Councilmember Chesley left at 5:57pm.
There was further discussion regarding using HART funds to
pave Freight Dock Road. Committeemember Velsko wanted to submit a
recommendation to City Council using these funds. Chair Marquardt commented
that it could be discussed with Councilmember Chesley. Committeemember Smith
was of the opinion that the Committee could recommend Council prioritize this
project. Public Works Director Meyer recommended that the Chair of the
Transportation Advisory Committee and the Chair of the Port & Harbor
Advisory Commission each addressed Council at the next meeting then that would
open it for a Councilmember recommendation or introduction.
SMITH/ZAK – MOVED TO APPROVE THE 2007 CIP RECOMMENDATIONS
TO CITY COUNCIL.
Committeemember Velsko had some concern putting the Town
Center Infrastructure on the list since it does not benefit the state only the
town. There were further comments by the Committee regarding any of the
projects getting funded, how long some of the projects have been on the list.
VOTE. YES. NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Motion carried.
Chair Marquardt turned the gavel over to Committeemember
Smith and left at 6:22 pm.
B. Design Criteria Manual for Streets
a. Prism or Template Width – Discussed during August meeting
b. Backslopes
c. Grades
d. Cul de Sac Radius
e. Design Speeds for Vertical Curves - current criteria adequate
Committeemember Smith gave a brief summary on what was previously discussed for Item a., Prism or Template Width. Items addressed were:
1. Current design criteria and results to the land when using the criteria.
2. Changes or requirements for right of ways.
Further dialogue regarding the issue of changing the prism
or template width of roads, how changes may affect the beneficiaries of the
road, such as maintenance, fire, police and residents; and the impact of
developments on steep hills have on the land; and possible alternatives to
prevent scarring of the bluff. Additional conversation between the Committee
and Staff covered the following points:
1.
Whether the American Association of State Highway and
Transportation Officials (AASHTO) recommended criteria applies to Alaska
terrain.
2.
Recommending changes to extreme rural situations, not
changing the manual for urban standards.
3.
The feasibility of the Planning Commission approving a
plat.
4.
Separate design criteria for steep slopes.
5.
Minimizing the footprint on the hillsides.
6.
Incorporating limitations into the current design criteria
where there are none.
7.
Variables
8.
Making recommendations to City Council.
a.
Change 26 feet template to 22-foot template for prism (road
widths) including shoulders with 20 foot of pavement.
b.
No changes recommended for design speeds on vertical curves
9.
Current processes twenty years into the future.
10.
Public understanding
11.
How other communities determine slope grades.
12.
Recommend field test radius required by emergency equipment
in Cul de Sacs.
The Committee briefly discussed steep slopes and how other
communities determine the criteria. It was noted to temper these processes in
the criteria recommended by AASHTO to the snow, ice and cold found in Alaska.
There were specifics regarding various intersections around Homer and how
adequate the design of these roads.
Public Works Director commented that the Committee agreed
to get a consensus to recommend changes to the City Council. He stated that
they should be able to complete this by the end of the next two meetings.
Public Works Director Meyer suggested that the recommendations be presented to
the Planning Commission because it would look better in front of Council and
may get approved quicker.
The Committee agreed to address intersection and road
grades at the November meeting and Cul de sacs at the December meeting which
the Committee should be able to polish the recommendations to City Council for
the first Meeting of the year.
Due to the time Acting Chair Smith postponed the remainder
of the agenda to the November meeting.
A.
2008 Meeting Schedule – Review and Approve or Amend
B.
Review Road Reconstruction and Paving Assessment – Public
Works Director Meyer
A. Memorandum Director of Public Works Carey Meyers Re: Approval of Changes
to HARP Policy to Include Trails Frontage Foot Assessment Cost Adjustments
B. Flexibility in Highway Design USDOT Federal Highway Administration
C. 2001 AASHTO Green Book Changes by the USDOT Federal Highway Administration
D.
Resolution 06-36(A) Restructuring and Renaming the Road
Standards Committee
E.
Public Workshop Homer Comprehensive Plan Update Notice
None.
None.
None.
None.
Renee Krause, Deputy City Clerk I