Session 09-04, a meeting of the Transportation Advisory Committee was called to order by Chair Marquardt at 5:34 p.m. on July 21, 2009 at the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

 

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:        Haina, Marquardt, Roberts, Velsko

 

ABSENT:                           Smith

 

STAFF:                                       Public Works Director Meyer

                                      Deputy City Clerk Jacobsen

 

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

 

The agenda was approved by consensus of the Committee.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

 

There were no public comments

 

RECONSIDERATION

 

There were no items for reconsideration

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

A.           Regular Meeting Synopsis of April 21, 2009                                              

 

The minutes were approved as presented by consensus of the Commission.

                                                 

VISITORS

 

There were no visitors

           

STAFF & COUNCIL REPORT/COMMITTEE REPORTS/BOROUGH REPORTS

 

There were no reports

 

PUBLIC HEARING     

 

There were no public hearings scheduled

 

PENDING BUSINESS                                                                    

 

There was no pending business

                                                 

NEW BUSINESS       

         

A.           HARP Revenues and Expenditures Spreadsheet                       

 

The Committee reviewed the spreadsheet and discussed the numbers and projects. Public Works Director Meyer said the most recent road projects were Spruceview and Noview, and before that Hazel Street. Those are the only ones that have happened during his tenure. There are two proposed currently, Crittenden and Little Fireweed.

 

Chair Marquardt suggested that questions regarding the spreadsheets could be forwarded to the Finance Director or to the City Clerk’s office.

 

Comment was made that since there isn’t much interest in the road LID process, funds should be used to start paving roads. It is something that could be considered but point was raised that it would be unfair to those who have paid for their roads. There was discussion about the cost of maintaining gravel roads versus paved roads and that maintaining paved roads is less costly. Actual costs can be seen in the public works budget. Consideration should be given to the cost to get a road paved versus the payoff. Public Works Director Meyer noted that the State said Kachemak Drive would recoup itself in five years time. He advised the group that the property owners on Hopkins Way tried to form a LID but have since taken it upon themselves to hire a contractor and upgrade the road to rural standards. If Council accepts the road, it will be included for basic City road maintenance. Suggestion was made that the group craft something that can be included in the City newsletter and the question of the week. One of their goals is to get more information out to the community regarding road improvement options. They agreed to discuss information for the newsletter at their next meeting.

 

B.           Memorandum from Public Works Director Meyer Re: Amendments to HCC Chapter 11 relating to the Design Criteria Manual       

 

Public Works Director Meyer apologized for not having the memo prepared in time for the meeting. There are many projects going on at this time that are taking priority right now and he hopes to be able to focus on this after the construction season.

 

INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS

 

A.           Memorandum 09-14 from TAC to City Council Re: HART Policy Amendment Recommendations                                                                                  

 

There was brief comment on Memorandum 09-14.

 

The Committee spoke briefly about parking on the spit and pedestrian issues.

 

COMMENTS OF THE AUDIENCE

 

There were no audience comments.

 

COMMENTS OF THE STAFF

 

Public Works Director Meyer advised the Committee that the bid for Freight Dock Road Paving has been awarded and should be complete by the end of the year. The bid for the 2009 Paving project was awarded and that project entails grinding and paving on some local roads, it is a good example of HART money use. Reber trail is complete and the City hopes to have parking at the base of the trial by the end of the year. The budget cycle is coming up. Public Works Director Meyer suggested the Committee might want to consider quarterly meetings; other advisory bodies have been giving it consideration. Chair Marquardt asked that it be on the next agenda for discussion.

 

COMMENTS OF THE COUNCILMEMBER

 

Councilmember Roberts commented about the East Road Project and was please that the State listened to the input regarding the walkway.

 

COMMENTS OF THE CHAIR

 

Chair Marquardt had no comment.

 

COMMENTS OF THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS

 

There were no Committee member comments.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further business to come before the Committee the meeting adjourned at 6:33 p.m. The next Regular Meeting is scheduled for August 18, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. at the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers.

 

 

                                                         

MELISSA JACOBSEN, CMC, DEPUTY CITY CLERK

 

Approved: