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
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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
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