HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-23-2008
g * CITY OF AUBURN
TRANSPORTATION, TRANSIT
AND TRAILS COMMITTEE
)4C1TY0F,,6 July 23, 2008
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 Hall, 25 West Main Street, Auburn, Washington.
Committee members present were: Vice-Chair John Calnan, Dirk Bidleman, Lonnie Tealer, and
Angie McCarr. Also present during the meeting were: Mayor Pete Lewis, Public Works Director
Dennis Dowdy, Transportation Planner/Grants Manager Tiffin Goodman, Transportation
Planner/Grants Manager Chris Hankins, and Public Works Department Secretary Jennifer Rigsby.
II. CONSENT AGENDA
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was moved by Member Tealer, seconded by Vice-Chair Calnan that the Committee approve
the Transportation, Transit, and Trails Committee minutes for date, June 25, 2008. Motion
carried.
III. DISCUSSION AND INFORMATION
A. REPORT ON CURRENT AND FUTURE NON-MOTORIZED TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS
Transportation Planner/Grants Manager Goodman distributed a memo and map outlining
programmed non-motorized improvements which are anticipated for completion in 2008 or early
2009 and future projects. Goodman explained there are no current projects which include the
West Hill Annexation Area. There are some future bicycle lanes and routes on Lea Hill which
are being reviewed. The primary challenge with both the Lea and West Hill areas is how to
safely accommodate cyclists on the high volume roadways which lead into the areas.
Goodman stated one option might be to classify the roadways are bicycle routes, but not
creating bike lanes. Member Bidleman asked how the bicycle route be marked. Goodman
answered one option would be signage alerting drivers to the presence of cyclists and another
option may be to mark the roadway with Shares Lane Pavement Arrows (or "sharrows"), which
is a bicycle symbol placed in the roadway lane indicating than motorist should expect to see
and share the lane with cyclists. The City of Seattle is currently using sharrows in their bike
plan. Member Calnan reported the City of Kent is also working on bicycle routes in their
downtown area. Goodman answered questions posed by Member Tealer regarding the width
of Lea Hill Road and the possibility of having room for cyclists.
Transportation Planner/Grants Manager Goodman reviewed and gave a brief description of
each project with the Committee.
CP0759 - Olvmpic Middle School Pathwav: This project will construct a walking path along H
Street SE. Also included in the project are crosswalks and flashing beacons. The project was
funded through a State grant, Safe Routes to School Program, and the City has been working
with the School District on the project.
Transportation, Transit, and Trails Committee Julv 23, 2008
MINUTES
CP0741 - A Street SE Pedestrian Improvement: This project will convert the existing stairs on
the east and west sides of the roadway beneath SR18 to ADA accessible ramps. This project
is in the design phase.
37th Street SE/R Street Connector: The connector will be a non-motorized path just east of M
Street. Director powdy stated it will parallel the ICON truck haul route.
White River Trail: The trail will run from Roegner Park to A Street SE and should be completed
later in 2008 or possibly early 2009. Mayor Lewis responded to questions asked by Member
Bidleman regarding land acquisition.
CP0760 - Auburn Way North Pedestrian Crossina: This project will construct a signalized
pedestrian crossing mid-block of Auburn Way North in the vicinity of 42"d Street NE. Member
Calnan asked why the crossing wasn't located closer to the auto sales lots. Goodman
answered the project was funded by a State safety grant and was being installed near the
Sound Mental Health Facility, which is a significant pedestrian generator. Chairman
Thordarson asked if King County Metro is going to move the bus stops closer to the new
crossing. Goodman answered a new stop would be installed near the crossing.
C507B - Auburn/Pacific Trail Phase 2: The project consists of a pedestrian trail between the
cities of Auburn and Pacific along the west side of C Street SW (Auburn) and Skinner Road
(Pacific). Striping will be installed along 3rd Avenue SE in Pacific to connect a bike lane from
where the trail ends at Skinner Road to the southern end of the Interurban Trail. Member
McCarr asked why a pedestrian trail could not be constructed along A Street SW. Director
Dowdy responded the City is not able to obtain right-of-way, belonging to the railroad, along A
Street SE. The Committee discussed the difficulty crossing Ellingson Road on the C Street
Trail. Director powdy stated the intersection would be reviewed by staff and all safety concerns
would try and be addressed at the intersection.
Academv Drive Multi-Use Trail: This trail will eventually connect the old Academy Road right-
of-way with the Green River Trail.
BNSF/East Vallev Hiqhwav Pedestrian Undercrossinq: This project is currently on hold pending
resolution of an issue with BNSF Railroad regarding their installation of a third rail in the future.
Green River Trail: King County is the lead on this project. Transportation Planner/Grant
Manager Goodman is not certain of the timeline for completion, but stated it is a high priority
project for the County.
Goodman explained that the sidewalk and pedestrian crossing programs are funded every
other year, opposite years of one another. Staff is currently working on criteria for the
programs to help select project locations.
Member McCarr commented on the Interurban Trail crossing at 15th Street SW, near the
Supermall and cyclist safety concerns. Members Calnan, Bidleman, and IVIcCarr explained the
crossing situation for Director powdy. The Committee discussed the crossing and possible
solutions that would help make the crossing safer for cyclists.
Member Bidleman ask if the Committee could assist the Transportation Section in obtaining
grants. Goodman said that letters of support and data regarding unsafe conditions is always
helpful when applying for grants.
Page 2
Transportation, Transit, and Trails Committee Julv 23, 2008
MINUTES
B. REVIEW OF THE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PLAN 2009 - 2014
Public Works Committee Chairman, Rich Wagner, requested the latest revision of the City's
Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) be reviewed by the Transportation, Transit, and
Trails Committee. Wagner would like the Committee to evaluate the prioritization of projects
and give any feedback and/or confirmation of the Committee's support.
Director powdy gave background information as to the formation of the TIP. The
Comprehensive Transportation Plan is developed and then projects from the plan are prioritized
and partially budgeted in the TIP. Dowdy outlined the financial constraints on the projects
included in the TIP. In order for a project to be eligible for most State grant funds there must be
data and justification for the project and the project must be included in the TIP.
Transportation Planner/Grants Manager Chris Hankins was introduced to the Committee by
Director powdy. Hankins further elaborated on the TIP and its interdependent relationship to
the Comprehensive Transportation Plan. Hankins also mentioned the Comprehensive
Transportation Plan is currently being updated and it is anticipated that a number of projects in
the Lea Hill and/or West Hill areas will be identified and will need to be added to the TIP next
year. The Committee was provided with the June 26th memo to the Public Works Committee
regarding the TIP, the TIP draft, including detailed funding spreadsheet, individual project
sheets, and the 2009-2014 project locator map.
Director powdy reiterated the reason the Committee was being asked to review the TIP and
instructed the Committee to direct their comments, ideas, and issue they felt need to be brought
forward to the Public Works Committee be directed to Transportation Planner/Grants Manager
Hankins via email at chankins(M-auburnwa.qov.
IV. ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION
Chairman Thordarson distributed the Public Transportation Usability in South King County
report prepared by the League of Women Voters for the Committee to review.
Member McCarr asked for assistance from City staff to prepare a transportation survey to be
distributed at McCarr's place of employment which employs truck drivers who regularly travel
through the Valley Cities. Transportation Planner/Grants Manager Goodman recommended
she and Member McCarr schedule a meeting to work on the survey.
Director powdy suggested the update on the Comprehensive Transportation Plan be place on
next month's agenda. The Committee and staff concurred.
Page 3
Transportation Transit and Trails Committee Julv 23, 2008
MINUTES
V. 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 4