Session 06-08 a meeting of the Transportation Advisory Committee was called to order by Chair Marquardt at 5:43 pm on November 28, 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 Jacobsen

AGENDA APPROVAL

There was brief discussion regarding the status of Mr. Pfeil as he is the Planning Commission’s representative on the Committee but has resigned from the Commission. Mr. Stark requested this be discussed under New Business as item B.

SMITH/STARK MOVED TO APPROVE THE AMENDED AGENDA.

There was brief discussion for clarification.

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

Motion carried.

SYNOPSIS APPROVAL

A. October 24, 2006 Synopsis

The synopsis was approved by consensus of the Committee.

PENDING BUSINESS

A. Boulevards – Homer Area Roads

Mr. Smith spoke to the following points:

· Disagrees with having Pioneer, the Sterling Highway and other existing streets included in the Boulevard plan.

· He is opposed to eliminating the turn lanes on Pioneer and the Sterling Highway and having them replaced with medians.

· Allowing on-street parking would reduce Pioneer to two lanes.

· The Sterling Highway is the only route for large truck traffic to get to the spit and Lake Street is the link to East End Road so it wouldn’t be a good idea to have medians on those roads.

· DOT wouldn’t likely support the idea of a boulevard through the Sterling Highway area.

· A connection from Lake Street to Main Street with a boulevard through Town Square would be the best option.

Mr. Stark agreed that an east/west connection is the most feasible location for a boulevard. He noted concern for having a raised median in lieu of a turning lane and having people crossing over it to make their turns. He also pointed out that Pioneer wouldn’t be wide enough for executing a U-turn around a median.

Chair Marquardt pointed out that in this plan a boulevard does not specifically mean a road with a median down the center. He said the plan speaks to distinct design elements that would coordinate with the theme of a district for example antique style light posts in Old Town or a more modern lighting theme in the Town Center to accent more modern buildings. Mr. Marquardt commented that there are several different design elements which can be used to slow traffic and compel drivers to think about their driving habits and aiding pedestrians in crossing the street.

Mrs. Calhoun commented that being familiar with the history of Pioneer Avenue and the Sterling Highway, she doesn’t concur with the recommendation to get rid of the middle lane. She suggested that the design criteria needs to be revised.

Chair Marquardt noted that previously signage on the highway had been changed from Homer Bypass to Sterling Highway as it was officially changed two or three years ago. When the repaving was done a year or so ago, some of the signs were changed back to Homer Bypass. The Committee concurred that a memo be drafted to the City Manager regarding the need to have signs that read Sterling Highway.

B. Shuttle Bus for Homer

Mrs. Calhoun commented she had attended a Port and Harbor Commission meeting and the Commission had some interesting ideas related to a shuttle bus. She suggested inviting Chair Kilcher to one of their meetings to share some of the ideas. The Committee agreed and suggested also inviting shuttle companies to attend as well. Chair Marquardt agreed to contact Mr. Kilcher.

SMITH/STARK MOVED TO POSTPONE TO THEIR JANUARY MEETING.

There was no discussion.

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

Motion carried.

C. HARP (Homer Accelerated Roads Program) Policies and Procedures for New Local Non Motorized Trails

The Committee discussed the need for the administration to put together a proposed revision to the policies and procedures for HARP. They noted that design criteria and maintenance for trails needs to be addressed so the City can get ahead of the curve. The Committee agreed that it is important for the other bodies to weigh in because their input will be a great help, but the TAC should be responsible to for weighing all the factors with regard to impacts to HARP funding. Recommendation was made that the Parks and Recreation Commission look at the City’s trails in an effort to better prioritize them into tiers, as Kenton Bloom had suggested at the October meeting, and the TAC can work on setting different standards for the tiers. It was suggested that Parks and Recreation discuss this on their next agenda and that a Parks and Recreation Commissioner be invited for the TAC’s next discussion. Mr. Smith agreed to attend the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting on December 14 to bring them up to speed on the TAC’s discussion.

Chair Marquardt commented that there is a meeting coming up with the State, Borough, and City staff to begin discussion on who is responsible for trail easements, maintenance and so forth. It will be held from 2pm-4pm on December 5 in the Cowles Council Chambers.

Chair Marquardt requested and the Committee concurred to allow the public to comment prior to New Business.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Shannon McBride-Morin, City resident, commented that she is in favor of a “Walkable Homer” and supports improvements to make Homer a safer place to walk, noting that walking is not safe at night and in the winter. In listening to the earlier discussion regarding trail development, she hopes this will begin dialogue that will include traffic calming for a walkable Homer. She encouraged consideration of traffic calming, crosswalks, curb extensions, speed humps and traffic circles to slow traffic and help pedestrians feel safer, adding that it will benefit commerce in Homer. If Homer is becoming an arts community and tourists and retirees are coming in, Homer needs to be walkable. She expressed her dissatisfaction with the curbs being cut off at the corner of Main Street and Pioneer by NOMAR and the Homer Theater. Those curbs should be extended to slow people down so the area is safe for pedestrians. Mrs. McBride-Morin said she moved to Homer from Seattle and she felt more comfortable crossing the streets in Seattle because there were designated crossing areas and she knew were she could safely cross. She noted the example of sidewalks, walkways and safe crossings that included curb extensions on page 23 of the HNMTTP and suggested it for the area where Bartlett Street meets Pioneer Avenue. She said she supports that kind of traffic planning and walk ability. Mrs. McBride-Morin encouraged traffic calming on Mattox as there are a lot of little kids along a straight dirt road and there have been problems with people speeding down the street. She added that she was involved in a vehicle accident with someone speeding down Mattox. She thanked the Committee for their efforts.

There was discussion that Council had approved something regarding traffic calming on Mattox. Mr. Smith commented one thing that emerged from that was a problem of implementation and whether it was the City’s responsibility or the responsibility of the property owners in the area and also the question of liability. He suggested that the reconstruction of roads needs to be addressed through the renewed HARP funding and things like sidewalks, curbs and gutters need to be considered.

Ginger Tornes, City resident, thanked the Committee for their great work. She said Mrs. McBride-Morin hit on many of the things she wanted to touch on. Ms. Tornes commented that in reviewing the City’s documents, she is amazed to see the progression that Homer is making so quickly and it is nice to see the community getting away from automobile use. She feels it will be a benefit as the City moves forward to increase pedestrian safety. She added that as roads are improved or constructed in the CBD it would be great if ideas of sidewalks and raised medians are incorporated. She realizes it can’t happen all at once, but if the City takes baby steps it will all come into shape. She applauded the use of curb extensions on Hazel. In relation to traffic calming measures she noted that more vehicles could move through town if traffic is slowed down because the length of vehicle separation doesn’t have to be so great.

There was discussion that crossing the street at Main Street and Pioneer Avenue is difficult. It feels like a person is crossing four lanes of traffic. Comment was made that adding curb extensions would decrease the amount of pavement there and slow down vehicles turning onto Main Street. Ms. Tornes questioned what residents can do to encourage safe walking areas in town. Chair Marquardt responded that as the HARP policies are revamped to include trails, there will be opportunities for public comment as the different Commissions look at the policies in their meetings and also when it comes back to the TAC for final review.

NEW BUSINESS

A. 2007 Meeting Schedule

CALHOUN/SMITH MOVED TO APPROVE THE 2007 MEETING SCHEDULE.

There was brief discussion regarding the 2007 meeting schedule.

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

Motion carried.

B. Status of Planning Commissioner Appointment to the Transportation Advisory Committee.

There was discussion that Mr. Pfeil’s appointment to the Committee was as the representative of the Planning Commission.

STARK/SMITH MOVED TO SEND MR. PFEIL A THANK YOU LETTER AND ASK THE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR A NEW APPOINTMENT TO THE COMMITTEE.

There was no discussion.

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

Motion carried.

INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS

A. Public Input Question of the Week

Chair Marquardt advised the Committee that he will be out of town for the December 19 meeting. Mr. Smith will be available to chair the meeting. Mr. Marquardt confirmed that the Boulevard Documents, Shuttle Bus and the HARP issue will be on their next agenda. It was requested that a memo be put together that a memo be prepared for administration to begin looking into developing the criteria on various policies and procedure for HARP.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the Committee the meeting adjourned at 7:26 pm. The next Regular Meeting is scheduled for December 19, 2006 at 5:30 pm in the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers.

MELISSA JACOBSEN, DEPUTY CITY CLERK

Approved: