City Council - Public Safety Committee

Public Safety Committee Meeting Meeting Minutes: July 23, 2020 Councilor Gomez called the meeting to order at 6:01 Zoom - Online Members Present: Chair Homar Gomez, Councilor Lindsey Rothschild and Councilor Derby Also in Attendance: City Planner Jeff Bagg Approval of Minutes: No minutes to approve Public Speak Time: Nobody to comment. New Business: ● Williston Ave. Pedestrian & Bicycle Improvements & Temporary On-Street Parking Ban ○ City Planner Bagg: Still waiting to hear back from MASSDOT if we received grant. The grant is designed to increase outdoor dining or outdoor access (safe roads to school). In Easthampton, pedestrian and cycling safety rose to the top as priority. The proposals submitted included: extending sidewalk from Nashawannuck pond boardwalk to Brookside Cemetery driveway, a temporary bike lane along Williston Avenue, a crosswalk at top of Williston Ave to cross-over to high school, continuing a paved path from back of high school to Nonotuck and a new crosswalk on Pleasant Street with a bump out. He is looking to this committee for a temporary ban on Williston Ave (from Lake Street up to the high school). The request of Public Safety is to hold more one meeting before 8/19 to invite residents of Williston Ave to come to committee meeting Response to grant proposal should be received by Friday or Monday MASSDOT wants fast projects; The goal is to have these projects up and running for the school year The project creates opportunities with Valley Bikes to get to Nonotuck  All the committee members were amenable to scheduling another meeting. All the committee members thought the plan sounded reasonable and had no major concerns. Continuing Business: ● Request to review on-street parking in the Traffic Rules & Orders Councilor Gomez: Question to City Planner Bagg - there is a sign on Union Street in front of the Big E that says “No Parking except Sunday.” Councilor Gomez said it wouldn’t be safe to park there on Sunday either. Planner Bagg: He doesn’t know the reason. Councilor Gomez: Need to make parking signs consistent throughout the downtown Planner Bagg: Makes sense for consistency and for enforcement Councilor Gomez: It is important to make signs consistent on Cottage, Union and Main Councilor Derby: There are places in the city with more turnover, places where you want longer term. Councilor Rothschild: Keep on-street parking time limited and in between time frames, longer term parking could be in city hall lot or other municipal lots Councilor Derby: Pull in businesses for their input and another thing is enforcement -- there is a need for police input. Councilor Gomez: Send letter to business owners inviting them to our next meeting ● Pedestrian safety review Councilor Gomez: Let BPW take actions and remove from our agenda without prejudice. He will attend BPW meetings whenever possible ● Resident speeding concerns Councilor Gomez: Let BPW take actions, remove from our agenda without  prejudice. Councilor Gomez will attend their meetings whenever possibl.e A motion was made by Councilor Derby and seconded by Councilor Rothschild; it was unanimously voted to remove two items above without prejudice. Next regular meeting: TBD A motion was made by Councilor Derby and seconded by Councilor Gomez; it was unanimously voted that this meeting adjourn. Respectfully Submitted, Councilor Lindsey Rothschild Clerk to the Public Safety Committee Attached: MASSDOT Grant Proposal EASTHAMPTON - MASSDOT SHARED STREET JUNE 22, 2020 DocuSign Envelope ID: 5F767D37-DC32-40C8-AF63-2FA4C4DFF428 CITY OF EASTHAMPTON • MASSACHUSETTS OFFICE OF THE MAYOR Nicole LaChapelle June 22, 2020 The City of Easthampton is pleased to submit a request for $160,000 from the recently announced Mass DOT Shared Streets program. This application represents a rapid and cooperative effort between the Mayor’s Office, Department of Public Works with Parks and Recreation and Planning Department. We are proposing three projects that will enhance pedestrian safety and increase bicycle and pedestrian access in key areas of activity and growth in Easthampton. Two of the three projects seek to build on and compliment other significant investments in public infrastructure projects recently completed or underway. The chosen projects are directly in line with the City’s existing Complete Streets Prioritization Plan and support our observed increased in pedestrian activity since the pandemic and with a mindful eye towards introducing a pilot bicycle lane to the High School. These projects represents Easthampton’s ability to work outside departmental silos for the betterment of the city for all. We stand ready to launch these projects quickly and have them completed by the end of the summer. ______________________ ___________________________ ____________________ Mayor, Nicole LaChapelle DPW Director, Greg Nuttleman City Planner, Jeff Bagg EASTHAMPTON CITY HALL • 50 PAYSON AVE. • EASTHAMPTON • MASSACHUSETTS • 01027 413-529-1400 • easthamptonma.gov The City of Easthampton is pleased to submit a request for $160,000 from the recently announced Mass DOT Shared Streets program. This application represents a rapid, comprehensive, and cooperative effort between the Mayor’s office, Department of Public Works, Parks and Recreation and Planning Department. We are proposing three projects; the goals of which are to enhance pedestrian safety and increase bicycle and pedestrian access in key areas of activity and growth in Easthampton. Two of the projects seek to enhance pedestrian safety while building on and complimenting other significant investments in public infrastructure recently completed or underway. The other project seeks to support increased bicycle access to Easthampton High School and Nonotuck Park. The chosen projects are directly in line with the City’s existing Complete Streets Prioritization Plan (CS Plan) and will support increased pedestrian and bicycle activity observed since the COVID-19 pandemic began. We believe that these projects implemented now will make Easthampton more walkable and connected. Background - The City of Easthampton completed its Complete Streets Prioritization Plan in September 2017 and has been aggressively pursuing completion of several projects listed: • In 2019, the City completed its $217,000 phase III Complete Street-funded pedestrian improvements on Cottage Street. The work included a new bus shelter, upgraded crosswalks with RRFB’s and bump-outs as well as sharrows. The City complimented the project with Chapter 90 funds to mill, overlay and repave the section of road. The project accomplished six out of the top 20 prioritized projects identified in the City’s CS Plan. • In 2018 the City was awarded a $3.51 million dollar MassWorks grant for infrastructure improvements associated with a significant mill redevelopment project. This work re- started in earnest in April of 2020 and includes a mini roundabout at intersection of Pleasant Street and Ferry Street, upgraded crossing for the Manhan Rail Trail, and a multiuse path to connect the Manhan Rail Trail to Emerald Place and two upgraded pedestrian crossings. This project will accomplish several of these projects are listed in the City’s CS Plan. • The ongoing construction of a new consolidated K-8 school includes a new roundabout at its entrance on Park Street which will provide upgraded pedestrian access from adjacent streets; and will also accomplish a project listed in the CS Plan. • The City Planning Department also continues to pursue studies aimed at providing alternative bicycle and pedestrian access to the new consolidated K-8 school with an anticipated occupancy in September 2022. Several of the routes to the school are listed in the City’s CS Plan are under consideration for new or upgraded sidewalks, or alternative shared use paths. The Projects – The City seeks consideration of three projects, one of which has several components that could be implemented with partial funding; however will function as a system if implemented together. City of Easthampton MassDOT Shared Streets and Spaces application June 22, 2020 The three projects are described as follows: 1. Williston Avenue Pedestrian Safety Improvements (construct a new sidewalk, ADA crosswalk, and RRFB’s) – a. Construct a new sidewalk, ADA crosswalk, and RRFB’s – This project seeks to construct a new sidewalk to extend from the existing boardwalk to the entrance of Brookside Cemetery, and install an ADA crosswalk with Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons. The project improvements will greatly enhance pedestrian safety and connect the Nashawannuck Pond Promenade to the public parking lot across the street. This project is located in the heart of downtown Easthampton and will allow all visitors to park at City Hall and safely cross Williston Avenue to access the popular Boardwalk. It is near the intersection of Cottage Street and Union Street and at the edge of promenade (a 2015 project funded through CPA and the PARC program). This crosswalk is just beyond the recently completed Cottage Street Complete Streets improvements and is just outside of the work area for the upcoming reconstruction of Union Street funded in the 2022 TIP project. This project is in the City’s Complete Streets Prioritization Plan and will complete critical final pedestrian upgrade in the heart of the downtown area. The work will be designed inhouse and coordinated with final contractor and would be completed prior to October 9, 2020. Williston Avenue Pedestrian Safety Improvements Budget: ITEM # ITEM QTY UNIT PRICE TOTAL PRICE 1 Mobilization/Demobilization 1 LS $15,000.00 $15,000.00 2 Granite Curb Type VA4 Straight Tapered 15 FT $45.00 $675.00 3 Granite Curb Removed and Stacked 50 FT $10.00 $500.00 4 Cement Concrete Sidewalk 45 SY $65.00 $2,925.00 5 Cement Concrete Wheelchair Ramp 10 SY $95.00 $950.00 6 RRFB - Solar (1 crosswalk, 2 posts, 4 signs) 1 LS $30,000.00 $30,000.00 7 12" Reflectorized White Line 180 LF $3.00 $540.00 8 Concrete Excavation 1.5 CY $200.00 $300.00 SUBTOTAL $50,890.00 10% Contingency $5,089.00 TOTAL $55,979.00 TOTAL ESTIMATE $60,000.00 *Note: This Estimate includes mobilization/demobilization. If the project is done in house or with another project this may be reduced/eliminated City of Easthampton MassDOT Shared Streets and Spaces application June 22, 2020  2. Williston Avenue Bicycle Access Improvements (install a temporary separated bicycle lane, and, construct a permanent 6.5 foot wide paved bicycle and pedestrian connection from Easthampton High School to Nonotuck Park) – The project is proposed as one project with two connected elements. The work will be designed inhouse and coordinated with final contractor and would be completed prior to October 9, 2020: a. Install a temporary separated bicycle lane - This component seeks to paint a temporary separated bicycle lane on the East side of Williston Avenue (on the same side as the cemetery) from Brookside cemetery to Easthampton High School with temporary posts. The temporary separated bicycle lane will be painted within the existing paved portion of Williston Ave and be demarked by temporary delineator posts and a two foot painted separation. The temporary bike lane will begin at/near the entrance to Brookside Cemetery (immediately adjacent to the walkway and crosswalk proposed herein as project 1) and will run approximately 2,000 feet up the east side of Williston Avenue to the entrance to Easthampton High School. A new crosswalk will be painted over Williston Avenue and bicyclists will enter the High School driveway which contains an existing 8 foot-wide concrete entrance sidewalk. The completion of a bicycle lane here is listed as a permanent improvement in the City’s Complete Streets Prioritization Plan. However, we believe that implementing it on a temporary basis will allow us determine feasibility for a permanent improvement to provide a safer route to Easthampton High School. b. Paved pedestrian & bike path from High School to Nonotuck Park - This component seeks to construct an approximately 330 foot, 6.5 foot wide paved path from the rear of the High School parking lot to the entrance of Nonotuck Park (Nonotuck Park is the City’s largest park. It is 260 acres and contains nearly all of the City’s outdoor sports facilities and is a hub for many other recreational opportunities). This permanent paved path will formalize a highly visible and frequently used pedestrian and bike cut-through from the High School to Nonotuck Park. It will complete a protected path for a bicyclists to safely travel from Cottage Street (downtown Easthampton) to the entrance of Nonotuck Park which has been a goal of both the City’s 2008 Master Plan and the 2012 Open Space and Recreation Plan. In addition, the completion of this project will provide the framework to advance the goal of the Parks and Recreation Department to re-design the entrance to Nonotuck Park; intended to enhance pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicle safety while entering the park. Finally, this project is in line with broader community goals to City of Easthampton MassDOT Shared Streets and Spaces application June 22, 2020  make further bicycle and pedestrian connections to the new consolidated K-8 school which is adjacent to the south side of Nonotuck Park. Williston Avenue Bicycle Access Improvements Budget: ITEM # ITEM QTY UNIT PRICE TOTAL PRICE 1 Mobilization/Demobilization* 1 LS $0.00 $0.00 2 Black out existing lines 2000 SF $2.00 $4,000.00 6" Painted Yellow Center Line (Double Line, double 3 length) (861.106) 4000 LF $1.00 $4,000.00 4 6" Painted White Line (860.106) 4000 LF $1.00 $4,000.00 5 Delineation Cones (every 20' +/-) 100 EA $50.00 $5,000.00 330' of 8' Asphalt Bike Path Top Course from High 6 School lot to Nonotuck (3" thick) 20 TON $150.00 $3,000.00 7 Gravel Borrow (8" thick) 70 CY $50.00 $3,500.00 SUBTOTAL $23,500.00 10% Contingency $2,350.00 TOTAL $25,850.00 TOTAL ESTIMATE $30,000.00 *Note: Assumes work is done in house 3. Pleasant Street Pedestrian Safety Improvements (construct new bump outs, ADA crosswalk, and RRFB’s) – a. Construct new pedestrian bump-outs, ADA crosswalk, and RRFB’s – This project seeks to construct two new pedestrian bump-outs on each side of Pleasant Street, install an ADA crosswalk, and Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons. The project improvements will greatly enhance pedestrian safety and provide a critical crossing for residents to access an existing PVTA bus stop and the Manhan Rail Trail. While outside of an official Environmental Justice area, the project is situated in one of the City’s Census Blocks containing over 58% low/moderate income households and generally contains a large concentration of Easthampton residents. The existing sidewalk on the north side of Pleasant Street intersects a side street and ends; forcing pedestrians to cross Pleasant Street. The existing crosswalk is situated in close proximity to Berkley Street and is ADA accessible but contains poor lines of sight due to an existing retaining wall and on-street parking making it dangerous for pedestrians to enter the crosswalk. The project will construct bump-outs on both sides allowing pedestrians to be visible from behind cars parked on street. The crosswalk will include RRFB’s to further enhance the visibility of this critical mid-block crosswalk. Although not City of Easthampton MassDOT Shared Streets and Spaces application June 22, 2020  specifically listed, several other existing crosswalks on Pleasant Street are listed for upgrades in the City’s CS Plan. This project is several hundred feet beyond the limit of work associated with the City’s ongoing Ferry Street MassWorks infrastructure Improvement project which will upgrade other existing pedestrian crossings and enhance the crossing of the Manhan Rail Trail over Ferry Street. The work will be designed inhouse and coordinated with final contractor and would be completed prior to October 9, 2020. Pleasant Street Pedestrian Safety Improvements Budget: ITEM # ITEM QTY UNIT PRICE TOTAL PRICE 1 Mobilization/Demobilization 1 LS $15,000.00 $15,000.00 2 Granite Curb Type VA4 Straight 52 FT $45.00 $2,340.00 3 Granite Curb Type VA4 Curved 32 FT $45.00 $1,440.00 4 Granite Curb Removed and Stacked 40 FT $10.00 $400.00 5 Cement Concrete Sidewalk 70 SY $65.00 $4,550.00 6 Cement Concrete Wheelchair Ramp 20 SY $95.00 $1,900.00 7 RRFB - Solar (1 crosswalk, 2 posts, 4 signs) 1 LS $30,000.00 $30,000.00 8 Black out existing lines 1540 SF $2.00 $3,080.00 9 12" Reflectorized White Line 350 LF $3.00 $1,050.00 10 Concrete Excavation 4 CY $200.00 $800.00 SUBTOTAL $60,560.00 10% Contingency $6,056.00 TOTAL $66,616.00 TOTAL ESTIMATE $70,000.00 *Note: This Estimate includes bump outs on both sides of Pleasant St (both ends of the Crosswalk) City of Easthampton MassDOT Shared Streets and Spaces application June 22, 2020 Project 1 -Williston Ave Pedestrian Safety Improvements PROJECT AREA CITY HALL ADA ramp Crosswalk POND PROMANADE Concrete walk Existing conditions Proposed (example) Project 2 -Williston Ave Bicycle Access Improvements Nonotuck Park CITY HALL PROJECT AREA High School to Nonotuck connector proposed (example) Existing conditions Project 3 - Pleasant St Pedestrian Safety Improvement PROJECT AREA PROJECT AREA PROJECT AREA MASSWORKS PROJECT AREA Existing conditions Proposed (example, Cottage St)