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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-25-2008 * CITY OF AUBURN CITY tJF * * TRANSPORTATION, TRANSIT AND TRAILS COMMITTEE ~ June 25, 2008 * P WASHINGTON 1. CALL TO ORDER 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 Ha►I, 25 West Main Street, Auburn, Washington. Committee members present were: Vice-Chair John Calnan, Dirk Bidleman, Gary Venn, Lonnie Tealer, and Mike Pratum. Also present during the meeting were: Transportation Manager Laura Philpot, Transportation Planner/Grants Manager Tiffin Goodman, Transportation Planner Joe Welsh, and Public Works Department Secretary Jennifer Rigsby. II. CONSENT AGENDA A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was moved by Member Venn, seconded by Vice-Chair Calnan that the Committee approve the Transportation, Transit, and Trails Committee minutes for date, May 28, 2008. Motion carried. III. DISCUSSION AND INFORMATION A. LAKELAND HILLS 2009 SHUTTLE SERVICE UPDATE Transportation Planner/Grants Manager Goodman reported, in partnership with Pierce Transit and Sound Transit, starting in February 2009, there will be shuttle service between the Lakeland Hills area and Auburn Station. The shuttles will be timed to correspond with the Sounder commuter train schedule. Goodman explained that the initial plan was for King County Metro Transit and Pierce County Transit, in conjunction with the City of Auburn, to begin shuttle service in 2010. The City of Auburn wanted to begin service sooner and Sound Transit and Pierce Transit each agreed to cover 1/3 of the cost to start the service in 2009. Member Venn asked if regular size, 30 foot, buses would be used. Transportation Planner Welsh answered cut-away buses similar to Access and DART buses are being used initially. Goodman stated that the proposed route of the shuttle was being designed as to not impede a larger bus being used in the future. Transportation Planner Welsh explained that the City is currently working on finding a location for a Park-n-Ride lot in Lakeland Hills. Welsh stated there were two locations being reviewed at this time. There will be a meeting held this week to review the locations. Member Tealer asked what agency would be covering the cost of the shuttle service. Goodman answered in 2010, King and Piece County Transit and the City of Auburn would be responsible for cost and the program is currently funded for 6 years. Transportation Planner/Grants Manager Goodman stated there would be 3-4 stops in Lakeland Hills on the shuttle route and then the shuttle would go straight to Auburn Station. Member Bidleman asked if there would be bike racks on the shuttles and Transportation Planner Welsh answered that there would. Member Venn asked how many parking stalls would be needed at the Park-n-Ride location. Welsh responded 10 - 20 stalls to begin with and possibly increasing to 50, dependant on ridership. Venn asked what the shuttle fare would be and Goodman answered the fare would be the same as current bus fees with discounts for seniors. Transportation, Transit, and Trails Committee June 25, 2008 Goodman responded to additional questions from Member Bidleman about advertising for the shuttle service. Shuttle service will be integrated into the Metro service and this will be reflected on their website. There will also be announcements in the local papers and television channel. The service will also be promoted at Auburn Station. B. COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORTATION PLAN UPDATE - PUBLIC OUTREACH FINDINGS Transportation Planner/Grants Manager Goodman distributed draft copies of the citizens' comments from the Lea Hill and West Hill Public Meetings, regarding the Comprehensive Transportation Plan Update. Goodman noted that the West Hill comments were more cohesive and directed toward specific issues while the Lea Hill comments were directed toward a variety of concerns. Lea Hill included comments on traffic calming/speeding and pedestrian facilities. This summer the City will be doing an inventory of pedestrian and bicycle facilities in the area to determine over all need. Another concern in Lea Hill is access on and off the hill. Goodman stated transit options for both areas were being reviewed because the public comment reflected a desire for additional transit services. The online surveys also indicated that residents of Lea Hill tend to do their shopping in the Kent/Covington area and residents of West Hill in Federal Way/Auburn. The City of Auburn will have to work with neighboring jurisdictions to help provide residents with viable transit options. Vice-Chair Calnan asked how many participants were at the public meetings. Goodman answered there were approximately 60 - 65 at both Lea Hill meetings and 50 - 55 at the West Hill meeting. Goodman stated an outline of the comments, highlighting the general themes, would be posted on the City website. C. TRAFFIC CALMING Transportation Manager Philpot distributed information on the City of Auburn Traffic Calming Program and roundabouts to the Committee. Philpot gave the Committee background information about why and how the program began. Member Venn asked if there are other nearby cities with similar programs. Philpot answered that Seattle was the first city in the region with such a program, but Bellevue developed a more detailed program which was the model for the City of Auburn's program. Traffic calming programs are consistently used through the region. Philpot briefly described the phases of the program, as outlined in the support material distributed. Philpot explained the different traffic calming tools the City uses and the benefits of each, as well as the differences between the various mechanisms. Once data is collected and a neighborhood meets the criteria for the program, staff presents residents with traffic calming tools. The neighborhood votes, via official ballot. 40% of the neighborhood must participate in the voting process with 70% in support of the traffic calming method. Each neighborhood is reviewed on a case by case basis with special attention paid to the possible effects of the traffic calming tool on surrounding neighborhoods. Transportation Manager Philpot responded to questions presented by the Committee regarding the difference between roundabouts and traffic circles. Philpot stated traffic circles are used to control and deter speeding while roundabouts are used to move traffic. Roundabouts are an alternative to traffic signals at intersections. Philpot reviewed the material on roundabouts verses traffic signals with the Committee. Member Bidleman asked if the City intends to use roundabouts in the future. Philpot answered that it is a possibility that is being reviewed, however the City and residents do not have experience with roundabouts, so an educational process would be needed before one could be constructed. The roundabout that will be Page 2 Transportation, Transit, and Trails Committee June 25, 2008 constructed this summer in Lea Hill at the intersection of SE 304th Street and 124ih Ave SE and will provide residents of Auburn with an example roundabout in the City. Transportation Planner Welsh discussed some of the challenges with designing effective roundabouts. Chairman Thordarson asked if roundabouts cause problems for bicyclists. Philpot responded that cyclists are sometimes encouraged to use pedestrian crossings at roundabouts instead of moving with traffic; however it may be easier for a cyclist to maneuver through a one-lane roundabout rather than a two-lane one. D. JULY 23, 2008 AGENDA TOPICS Chairman Thordarson asked if there were any topics the Committee would like to discuss at the next Transportation, Transit, and Trails Committee Meeting, Wednesday, July 23`d • Analysis of project alternatives for the Comprehensive Transportation Plan Update • Report on non-motorized projects, current and future IV. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Transportation, Transit, and Trails Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 10:00 a.m. Approved this day of , 2008. Roger Thordarson Jennifer Rigsby Chairman Public Works Department Secretary Page 3