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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-28-2008 * CITY OF AUBURN A F 4TRANSPORTATION, TRANSIT AND TRAILS COMMITTEE May 28, 2008 WASHINGTON 1. CALL TO ORDER Vice-chair John Calnan, substituting for Chairman Roger Thordarson, called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. in the Council Conference Room, located on the first floor of Auburn City Hall, 25 West Main Street, Auburn, Washington. Committee members present were: Angie McCarr, Gary Venn, Lonnie Tealer, James Chambers, and Michael Pratum. Also present during the meeting were: Public Works Director Dennis Dowdy, Transportation Manager Laura Philpot, Transportation Planner Joe Welsh, Transportation Planner/Grants Manager Tiffin Goodman, and Public Works Department Secretary Jennifer Rigsby. II. CONSENT AGENDA A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was moved by Member Tealer, seconded by Member Venn that the Committee approve the Transportation, Transit, and Trails Committee Meeting minutes for date, April 23, 2008. Motion carried. III. DISCUSSION AND INFORMATION A. COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORTATION PLAN UPDATE - REVIEW WEST HILL PUBLIC MEETING Transportation Planner/Grants Manager Goodman presented information to the Committee about the Public Meeting held in the West Hill annexation area, regarding the Comprehensive Transportation Plan Update. The beginning of the meeting was an open house with a question and answer period with Mayor Pete Lewis. Following the question and answer session, City staff formed small groups, each group addressing specific areas of transportation, (i.e. Transit, Traffic, Non-Motorized, etc.), attending to concerns and answering the questions presented by residents. Goodman distributed comments from the West Hill Public Meeting and a copy of the Public Survey, available on the City of Auburn website, to the Committee. There are three surveys being used to gather information for the Comprehensive Plan update, one tailored to the West Hill, one to the Lea Hill area, and one for the rest of Auburn. Goodman reported that there will be two Lea Hill Public Meetings held May 28, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. and June 10, 2008. Transportation Planner/Grants Manager Goodman used a map of the West Hill annexation area to review the non-motorized transportation concerns of the residents. Goodman stated the primary concerns were bike routes and pedestrian facilities. The residents commented that safe pedestrian facilities were needed in the vicinity of elementary schoofs. Goodman and the Committee discussed walking paths with extruded curbs being an option for pedestrians. Member Tealer asked if the walking paths were wheelchair accessible. Goodman responded that they are and demonstrated how the walking paths and curbs were constructed. Director Dowdy explained that walking paths with extruded curbs were also less costly to construct than sidewalks. Goodman stated an inventory of sidewalks and walking paths in the area will be conducted. Additional feedback from residents is anticipated. Transportation, Transit, and Trails Committee Mav 28, 2008 At the Public Meeting, Transportation Planner Welsh responded to residents' questions regarding roads in the West Hill Annexation Area. Welsh reported to the Committee that one of the main concerns of residents was traffic calming. Using the map, Welsh pointed out the problematic speeding areas. Another traffic issue is related to a new development south of 300th Street approved by King County. Transportation Planner Welsh explained the lack of traffic control mechanisms near the development area. Welsh stated additional research and meetings with King County would be needed to review this and additional development plans in the West Hill area. Transportation Planner/Grants Manager Goodman discussed the lack of transit options for West Hill residents. Residents are interested in transit routes which would take them to Downtown Auburn and the Auburn Transit Station. Vice-Chair Calnan reported that there were bus routes however no direct service. Goodman responded that there may be a possibility of adding a transit shuttle in the future that would take citizens to the Auburn Station, providing them with additional commuting options. At the June 25th Transportation, Transit, and Trails Committee Meeting, a report on the entire outreach process will be presented. Goodman recommended Committee Members direct interested individuals and any community contacts to the City of Auburn website to complete a survey. B. SAVE OUR STREETS PROJECTS REVIEW Transportation Manager Philpot reviewed the Save Our Streets (SOS) Program with the Committee, explaining the origins of the program and program goals. A map of the streets which have been repaired as part of the program was distributed. Philpot explained that streets in good condition, needing minimal work, were repaired first and that would be followed by the repair of failing streets. The streets in good or fair condition are repaired prior to the failing streets in order to prevent the better streets from deteriorating, thus minimizing the future repair costs. Member Chambers asked if the citizens were in agreement with the selection criteria. Philpot responded that when the process, and the costs involved with making the repairs on good condition streets verses failing streets, was explained to citizens they understood. Philpot also stated during the selection process the Utilities staff was consulted to coordinate work efforts. The Street Maintenance staff is consulted as well to decide where the maintenance crew spends the majority of their time and effort making minor road repairs. The Committee reviewed the map and the 2008 projects. Philpot reported in 2009 and 2010 the program's focus will be on failed streets. Vice-Chair Calnan asked if the repairs were chip seal. Philpot answered that the city was using a thin asphalt overlay rather than chip seal. Member Pratum asked how the streets for reconstruction in 2009 were chosen. Philpot responded that the Public Works Department worked with the City Council and, using the Pavement Condition Index, determined which streets were in need of reconstruction. The first reconstruction candidates are in the downtown area, but other streets can be brought forward in priority if the neighbors are willing to work with the city to form a Local Improvement District. Transportation Manager Philpot continued answering the Committee's questions regarding which streets were included in the SOS Program and the criteria used to make those determinations. Vice-Chair Calnan asked if the annexation areas were included in the SOS Program. Philpot responded that she was meeting with a consultant to discuss the annexation areas and to being the street rating process. Page 2 Transportation, Transit, and Trails Committee Mav 28, 2008 IV. ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION Traffic Calminq At the request of the Committee, Transportation Manager Philpot provided information about the City's Traffic Calming Program. Philpot explained in the past there had been complaints about speeding and no program to address the problems. The Traffic Division went to the City Council to adopt a Traffic Calming Program which provides consistency and fairness when handling speeding complaints. Phase one of the program records speeding complaints and then collects data to verify a speeding problem exists. The Traffic Division analyzes the data and determines if there are inexpensive options to remedy the speeding, such as, holding a neighborhood meeting, adding signs, or working with the Police Department to provide spot enforcement. If there is no improvement in the area it enters phase two of the program. Phase two determines how fast traffic is speeding and the number of drivers speeding in the problem area. A list of problem areas, meeting certain criteria, is then taken to the Public Works Committee where the areas of need are prioritized. A list of traffic calming options is presented to the neighborhood via a ballot or petition. Transportation Manager Philpot explained that neighborhoods must be reviewed comprehensively prior to installing traffic calming devices to make sure there won't be a negative effect on nearby areas. Transportation Planner/Grants Manager Goodman demonstrated situations that may occur, such as cut through traffic. The Committee requested additional information regarding traffic calming and types of traffic calming devices. Transportation Manager Philpot agreed to present the information at the June 25th Committee Meeting. Aqenda Items - June 25, 2008 Transportation Planner Welsh and Transportation Planner/Grants Manager Goodman will update the Committee on Lakeland Hills 2009 shuttle service. Transportation Planner/Grants Manager Goodman will present an update on the Comprehensive Transportation Plan and the Lea Hill Annexation Area Public Meetings. Member McCarr will submit additional topics and areas of concern for the Committee's review. V. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Transportation, Transit, and Trails Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 9:55 a.m. Approved this day of 12008. Roger Thordarson Jennifer Rigsby Chairman Public Works Department Secretary Page 3