Session 10-01, a Regular Meeting of the Transportation Advisory Committee was called to order by Chair Roberts at 5:38 p.m. on May 18, 2010 at the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

 

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:        Highland, Roberts, Velsko

 

ABSENT:                           Smith

 

STAFF:                                       Public Works Director Meyer

                                      Deputy City Clerk Jacobsen

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

 

VELSKO/HIGHLAND MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT

 

Motion carried.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

 

No public comments were made.

 

RECONSIDERATION

 

No items were scheduled for reconsideration.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

A.   Regular Meeting Synopsis

 

VELSKO/HIGHLAND MOVED TO APPROVE THE SYNOPSIS.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT

 

Motion carried.

           

VISITORS

 

A.   Patti Boily – Mass Transportation

 

Patty Boily commented that she works at the Independent Living Center and has been attending area meetings with LSC Transportation Consultants. At the last meeting it was recommended that the City find a transportation champion for Homer and the area, and that is why she wanted to speak to the Committee. She explained that LSC has been in business since 1975 and the goal is to perform planning and engineering services in the transportation field. They were initially contacted by Central Area Rural Transit System (CARTS), to update the Central Kenai Peninsula Transportation Plan, originally done in 1998. CARTS was created as a transportation provider to fill a gap with services like wheel chair vans and on demand cab service. The grant funding and contract are funneled through CARTS but the plan is independent and based on areas of need and interest. The current study started in January 2010 and has been expanded to include the area from Homer to Kasilof. It is specifically focusing on transportation coordination issues resulting from growth and demand. She explained that services currently provided are by non profit or government human service agencies. There is a DOT grant that funds 50% of cab fare for qualified individuals, and for some residents that is their only link to work, shopping, health care facilities, and so forth. She advised the Committee that there is a meeting on May 26 and invited the group to attend. Mrs. Boily there is a law called the “Safe Accountable Flexible Efficient Transportation Equity Act a Legacy for Users” signed in August 2005, which established federal mandates for public transit human service coordination planning and to receive funding from the Federal Transit Administration; you have to follow their recommendations.

 

From input at previous public meetings it shows the need for transportation from Homer to Anchor Point, Ninilchik to Homer, and Ninilchik to Soldotna. The Ninilchik Traditional Tribal Council is involved in this too and may provide some funding. In Homer they want to keep the elements of the taxi voucher service and also expand to an on call vehicle available.

 

In response to questions Mrs. Boily explained that the Central Peninsula currently has vehicles that will pick up passengers at their homes as they have a larger population base than we do. CARTS has been working there and has talked about a wheelchair van here. CARTS can provide the vehicle, but there has to be a way to provide the service. There have been attempts at public transportation in the past, but maybe now is the time. This service could provide assistance to people over 60 who have trouble driving in the winter time could be entitled to apply for the program and receive discounted taxi fare. Alaska is one of the few states that does nothing for public transportation. The Municipality of Anchorage funds their public transportation system. Funding will come through federal grant money, but there also needs to be pressure on the State to pony up, as well as cities and towns. The Borough already sponsors the CARTS plan and is now realizing that it needs expansion.

 

Mrs. Boily reiterated that someone needs to come on board to champion the project who understands the need for this transportation service.

 

STAFF & COUNCIL REPORT/COMMITTEE REPORTS/BOROUGH REPORTS

 

A.   LID Road Project Update - Public Works Director Meyer

 

Public Works Director Meyer commented regarding Mallard Way and Crittenden Drive LID’s. Mallard Way did not have a majority of interested property owners. The Crittenden Drive boundary was expanded to include Hidden Way and Waddell Street but there wasn’t enough support for anything more than Crittenden Drive. Question was raised regarding deferred assessments. It was explained that there was discussion about deferred assessments at the Council level but in looking at the numbers an average person might pay it didn’t seem so out of skew that it would be a hardship and recommended putting funding toward education.

 

Mr. Velsko commented that if education doesn’t work it seems that Council would have to look at public safety and cost for maintenance and say it doesn’t take 50% and in make people join the LID.

 

Ms. Highland commented that she owns 1000 feet of road frontage on both sides of the road and is one who is concerned about an LID coming through because of the cost and increased traffic. She is one who wants the road to be worse.

 

A.   Road Improvement through the LID Process – Councilmember Roberts      

 

Acting Chair Roberts advised the group about a public information piece she wrote with that would be in the paper. 

 

There was brief discussion.

 

PUBLIC HEARING

 

There were no public hearings scheduled.

 

PENDING BUSINESS 

 

There was no pending business scheduled.

                                               

NEW BUSINESS                 

A.   Election of Chair and Vice Chair

 

Ms. Roberts accepted the nomination for Chair and Ms. Highland accepted the nomination for Vice Chair. 

 

There was no objection expressed.

 

B.   A Petition to the City of Homer from Businesses and Residents in Old Town Re: Bishop’s Beach Area Traffic Control Measures                            

 

VELSKO/HIGHLAND MOVED TO DISCUSS.

 

No opposition was expressed and discussion ensued.

 

There was unanimous support for the requests for 3 way stop signs at the intersection of Bunnell Avenue and Beluga Place, and also speed bumps if the Public Works department feels they can be installed in a manner that is acceptable to their maintenance needs.

 

The Committee also requested consideration of increased Police presence to enforce the posted speed limit for the area.

 

C.   Mass Transportation                                                               

 

Public Works Director Meyer noted that the City’s Transportation Plan addresses the need for  public transportation and there was a recommendation that a van be purchased. The senior center did that shortly after the plan was adopted to meet some of the needs for the assisted living center.  Precedence has been set but nothing has been funded. If a group came to the Council and raised the issue It hasn’t been funded but if group came and raised issue on this, the first step might be to delegate to TAC to collect public comment.

 

The Committee requested to be included in the email list to receive further information regarding updates in the development of the plan.

 

INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS

 

There were no informational items included.

 

COMMENTS OF THE AUDIENCE

 

No audience was present to comment.

 

COMMENTS OF THE STAFF

 

Public Works Director Meyer commented there are no major road projects in the city right now. The only project transportation wise is the possible extension of the spit trail and expansion of the Deep Water Dock.

 

COMMENTS OF THE COUNCILMEMBER

 

Chair Roberts recognized Kurt Marquardt for his previous participation on the Committee. He gave a lot to the Committee and his long knowledge of City affairs was very helpful. She also noted that we are lacking a member so please look around for people to join.

 

COMMENTS OF THE CHAIR

 

Comments above.

 

COMMENTS OF THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS

 

Mr. Velsko had no comment.

 

Ms. Highland commented that in reading the transportation plan she is an advocate for roundabouts. She has seen plans for five more intersection lights or stop signs, and would like to bring up in the plan they suggest roundabouts. She wanted to express that as concern down the line for what Homer will look like.

 

Brief discussion ensued regarding roundabouts and stop lights.

 

ADJOURN

 

There being no more business to come before the Committee the meeting adjourned at 6:47 p.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for August 17, 2010 at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers.

 

                                                                  

MELISSA JACOBSEN, CMC, DEPUTY CITY CLERK

 

Approved: