Athens in Motion Commission

Athens in Motion Commission: Projects and Policy Committee MINUTES - MARCH 15, 2023 DRAFT Location: Public Works Conference Room & WebEx Attendees in person ● Stephen Bailey ● Teresa Friedlander ● Randy Halstead Attendees remote ● Lauren Blias ● Catalina Mecedo Giang ● Daniel Sizemore Housekeeping Randy opened the meeting at 5:11 pm and shared the agenda noting that the AiM plan update discussion was held yesterday at the AiM Master Plan Meeting.. Teresa moved to accept the agenda and Randy seconded the motion, the motion passed unanimously. Randy apologized for not having the minutes from the previous meeting available. No discussion or vote. Minutes Bike ordinances update ● No update per Daniel Bike Lane Gap Remediation Stephen recommended that we look at what money is available for upcoming bike/ped projects and craft a prioritization of projects from us for utilizing the 2023 Bike/Ped TSPLOST money. This is what the mayor and commission are looking for from every TSPLOST project. We also need to look at the other buckets of money such as 2018. 1 Stephen displayed FY23 Capital Spend-Down Plan (BIKE/PED) which showed multiple sources of funding ● SPLOST 2011 Bikes ● SPLOST 2011 Ped ● TSPLOST 2018 Bikes ● TSPLOST 2018 Ped ● General Fund - $25K for gaps. Could be used for software, instruments, or software. ● TSPLOST 2023 Bike/Ped The spreadsheet showed; ● Total budget value for each funding source, what has been spent and what has not been spent yet. ● Total encumbered funds (Encumbered funds = specifically allocated to active open contracts) ● Designated funds (money already spent or set aside for existing projects) Randy asked if there is a plan as to when the allocated monies are spent for the existing tier 1 projects. Stephen stated that when he updates the budget spreadsheet he would try and add in timelines for each project. Lauren: What is the high level view of the project queue? What might go next? Stephen: Starting with 2018 it is the first time we had multiple large-scale active transportation projects going on at one time. At the level of complexity for projects like these, we would probably be able to do oversight of 2 projects. But because these are through SPLOST dollars the SPLOST office could provide oversight with TPW input. Riverbend would most likely be the be the next project started, then Jefferson river road, Barber, (but this has slowed down) and lastly Cherokee because it does not have construction funds allocated Randy asked about the Firefly trail completion and Stephen noted that this is a Leisure Services project and that Greenway projects also will not show up on the FY23 Capital Spend-Down Plan (Bike Ped) Stephen presented a list of potential Ideas for funding buckets; ● Contingency for current projects (ie. Cherokee Rd) ● Future Tier 1 Projects (after re-prioritization efforts) ● Annual Road Diet Implementations (piggy back with road diet and paving plan) ○ Lumpkin, Rocksprings and Hull bike striping cost $8670. ● ADA Improvement program ● Sidewalk/Bike Facility small gap program ● Equipment for Temporary pop-up Bike/Ped Pilot projects ○ The costs for the Prince Ave pilot project were about $250K. The length of the project was approximately 0.5 miles. ● Bike Boulevard Program ● State and Federal Matching Funds Randy asked if TSPLOST/SPLOST dollars expire. Per Stephen they do not expire. Lauren pointed out was does expire is the public’s patience with the process. 2 Daniel commented that another funding source for pilot projects is the Safe Streets for All program which has a quarter of its funds dedicated to the pilot project. The program needs a 20% matching source. The grant agreement is being drafted now. Additional detail needed for the exact grant value Discussion of a Sidewalk/bike small gap program ● We would need to place cap on $ figure ● We could put a $ figure on the total amount to set aside and then a gap analysis would be performed to set the prioritization of the identified gap remediation. ● We will start with determining the staffing capacity for county personnel to install sidewalks and bike lanes. ○ Stephen estimated $1 million would fund 20 projects with 4-5 being completed per year. ○ Bike projects would be performed by Traffic Engineering. ○ Ped projects by Streets and Drainage. ● A selection criterion should be Right of Way necessity, as obtaining ROW will add complexity to project completion. Discussion of an ADA improvement program ● Moving utility poles in the middle of sidewalks ● Fixing ramps that are not compliant ● Installing push buttons at crossings that are accessible for people in wheelchairs and the visually impaired. ● The estimated cost of this program could be pulled from the previous TSPLOST proposal. Lauren will look for the numbers. Lauren stated her vision is to have money to do a lot of smaller projects and leave approximately $6 million to have the money to start (design) three or so major projects. The construction for these projects would then be funded by the next TSPLOST. It would be good to have the current commission approve some new major projects so that they would have buy-in to this process for the long run. Stephen commented that the SPLOST Department has cautioned that a certain amount of TSPLOST money must go toward construction vs design. That amount has not been communicated to Stephen. Next Actions: ● Stephen to update FY23 Capital Spend-Down Plan (BIKE/PED) and present of the next P&P subcommittee meeting. ● Lauren will find the budget numbers presented for the ADA Improvement TSPLOST proposal. ● Review staff capacity to work on new projects. ● Daniel will identify the funding amounts for the Safe Street for All grant. Other Business none Adjourn Next meeting date: Wednesday, April 12, 5:00 pm Adjourn: 6:30 pm 3